Tour a Centenarian Home Filled With Charm

This family was only into new builds, until a stunning old home captivated them. Take a tour with HGTV Magazine.

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August 12, 2021

From: HGTV Magazine

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Photo By: Dustin Halleck

The Story

Like most home buyers, Reem and Hesham Hassaballa had a wish list. More space topped it, along with new construction, just like their previous homes had been. “That was the look we always loved,” says Reem, who runs the blog Reem’s Design. Then their realtor suggested they check out a five-bedroom home in a great location in the Chicago suburbs … that was built in 1910. “As we walked up the steps, Hesham said, ‘You know I’m just humoring you, I’d never buy a home this old!’ ” Reem recalls. Sure enough, it had humongous radiators and inoperable windows. But most of the house had been renovated, the ceilings were high and the light abundant, and white oak floors and seven fireplaces proved irresistible. After updating the windows, Reem decorated with timelessly chic pieces in soft colors, mixing in funky shapes for flair and plenty of crash spots for the kids. And she got used to the radiators, which give off awesome heat. Now, she says, “Hesham goes around showing off the original details to guests like it was our plan all along!” (Pictured: Reem and Hesham with, clockwise from left, Sereen, 15; Zac, 9; Minna, 20; and Lianna, 11)

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Sitting Area

When their children gather in another room to watch TV, homeowners Reem and Hesham retreat to this cozy space. The limestone fireplace, with its arch and rosette details, had seemed formal at first; the asymmetry of custom shelves (decorated with books from Booth and Williams) on one side and a gallery wall on the other relaxed it. Barrel chairs from RH, a triangular coffee table from Article, and a striped rug from Revival also transport the room to 2021.

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Brezza Coffee Table

Antique Beach Landscape

Tall Brass Candlestick

Low Brass Candlestick

Kitchen

The previous owners had installed a subway tile backsplash and quartzite counters, and they had painted the cabinets and island. Reem put in brass-finished globe pendants by Hudson Valley Lighting and hung a landscape painting from McGee & Co. on the hood for an unexpected pop. Rattan counter stools by Serena & Lily and a vintage runner warm up all the white. There’s a butcher-block top for food prep at the other end of the island. Reem’s tabouleh is a family fave.

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Riviera Counter Stool

Dining Nook

“The built-in bench seats 10, and, not surprisingly, that was a huge selling point for us,” says Reem. A trestle table by RH and cane chairs from Lulu and Georgia lean traditional; an assortment of patterned pillows is very current. Paintings from a consignment store on the right and Target art on the left personalize the area too. A four-arm chandelier by Currey & Company is a sleek take on candelabra style.

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Halet Pillow Cover

Crewel Shapes Pillow

Sunroom

To turn this existing addition into a hangout that fit her home’s age, Reem brought in a retro-esque rug by Loloi to go with the classic chenille sectional by Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams. A pair of stools from Target provide extra seating and the light wood has airiness apt for all that sunlight. "I wanted a sprawl-out space our kids would gravitate toward — it gets them out of their rooms," says Reem.

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Main Bedroom

Reem is kind of obsessed with that wainscoting, though it wasn’t something she would have ever chosen during her I-only-like-new-builds phase. The main challenge: “I hesitated to put our bed in front of the bay window,” she says. “Luckily, it’s centered in the room and the setup looked great.” A cobalt blue sofa from Walter E. Smithe and a turquoise watercolor print from Minted stir up the calming palette. "It turns out that living in a home that has stood the test of time is a special experience," says Reem. "The details are gems."

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Woven Lumbar Pillow

Lianna’s Bedroom

For a kid who wants to live in Hawaii when she grows up: floral decals (from Urbanwalls) that remind her of flowers she’s worn in her hair on family trips there. Reem rounded out the room with relaxed boho features, including a tassel light from Anthropologie, a three-arch rattan headboard from HomeGoods and a striped Lulu and Georgia rug.

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Sereen’s Bedroom

Not long before they moved, Reem and Sereen had redecorated Sereen’s room. They liked it so much they re-created it, down to the hanging chair from Anthropologie, which elevates FaceTime with friends and studying for exams. The room’s all about soft textures, with a pom-pom blanket found on Etsy shop Berberology and custom macramé wall decor from Designs by Filia. Sereen helped put up the removable floral wallpaper by ColoRay.

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Ingabritta Throw

Zac’s Bedroom

To appeal to her youngest’s sense of adventure, Reem did a faux-shiplap wall that has a camp-bunk feel, painted it black like a road and even hung a “No Speed Limit” sign. She placed a map over his desk, where Zac’s been marking places he’s visited. The primary colors of the Pendleton blanket pop against the dark wall. (Paint color: Iron Ore by Sherwin-Williams)

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Be Brave Wall Hanging

Backyard

Simple stone pavers by Unilock surround the new pool the family has always wanted. “The kids like to place orders with us for food like they’re at a resort, though I’ve never received a tip from them,” says Reem, laughing. While this has become a prime entertaining spot, she and Hesham also get one-on-one time swimming laps.

From: HGTV Magazine

Tour a Centenarian Home Filled With Charm

Related To:

Shop This Look

The Story

Sitting Area

Shop This Look

Brezza Coffee Table

Antique Beach Landscape

Tall Brass Candlestick

Low Brass Candlestick

Kitchen

Shop This Look

Riviera Counter Stool

Dining Nook

Shop This Look

Halet Pillow Cover

Crewel Shapes Pillow

Sunroom

Main Bedroom

Shop This Look

Woven Lumbar Pillow

Lianna’s Bedroom

Sereen’s Bedroom

Shop This Look

Ingabritta Throw

Zac’s Bedroom

Shop This Look

Be Brave Wall Hanging

Backyard

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