Imagine strolling down the street and discovering this charming, four-story home tucked away in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood. Though the brick exterior instantly evokes a sense of history, the matte black window trim and matching front door update the property for its new owners.

What's not to love about this contemporary living room? Though defined by crisp white walls and hardwood floors, this space comes to life with a dark green fireplace surround, pink sofa and two bright green chairs. A navy blue area rug keeps the space soft and invites guests to kick off their shoes and stay awhile.

Architectural details like an original 1870s fireplace deserve to be displayed, so the designers used green paint to transform this feature into a chic accent wall. Because the color is so dark, it also thoughtfully camouflages the owners' flatscreen TV. Meanwhile, two large mirrors flank the fireplace and make the living room seem even larger.

A fresh coat of paint works wonders on this historic home, instantly brightening the 1870s interior and making it look more modern. Using the white walls as a canvas, the designers then introduced splashes of color via the bright red art in the foyer and a pink sofa, green chairs and blue area rug in the living room.