Creating a vision for your home; Lelar Taylor turns a 120-year-old Chicago house into a showcase - Brief Article

Ebony, May, 2002

WHEN Lelar Taylor moved into a historic 120-year-old Chicago home five years ago, she knew she had a lot of work ahead of her. "I liked the way it looked, the space," says Taylor, a Chicago professional who also works as a model. "And it was good for someone who wasn't married as far as I was concerned. Plus, I just like old homes. I like antiques. I had a vision of an eclectic environment."

The Bronzeville neighborhood where Taylor lives with her dog Fisher has undergone resurgence in recent years, with prices skyrocketing and the city focusing on maintaining the old charm and historic look.

"I do like restoring. I don't mind getting my hands dirty and working hard for a quality finished product," Taylor says of her home, which previous owners had converted from five apartments into a single-family house.

She asked friends, visited hardware and home improvement stores, consulted numerous magazines to get ideas for restoring her home, and went to work. "I drank a liter of [soft drink] because it gave me a little more energy, then I just put on some music and just started painting," Taylor says.

There still is a lot Taylor would like to do, such as pull up the carpeting and put down wood floors, and add a brick face to the walls leading up the stairway, but that will come in time. She's in no hurry, and that's what she would tell other homeowners looking to make improvements.

"Take your time to really think about what you want," she says. "Don't be scared to do it independently. It's OK to ask for help. You don't have to spend a lot of money for quality, either."