How much would you change about an old kitschy home? (Chicagoland)

[Anonymous]

I always dream about buying a weird space and keeping many of the odd old details.

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/309-E-Kenilworth-Ave-Prospect-Heights-IL-60070/3306873_zpid/?
Like, when I buy this house, should I keep the basement bar? I feel like I can smell it through the picture.

[Anonymous]

OMG. I would keep so much of this house! You have to keep the basement as is. I would change the upstairs tile floors, and, sadly, the wall-to-wall (makes me sneeze).

[Anonymous]

This. Is. Incredible.

[Anonymous]

Where is the player piano !!!
this house would be so fun!

[Anonymous]

This is one of those occasions where I really want the virtual tour.

[Anonymous]

Is that Astroturf in the . . . grotto? . . .I assume you know the room I'm talking about.

I might want a new floor covering. But on the whole, this house is a masterpiece and MUST be preserved

[Anonymous]

The only things I’d change for sure are those kitchen cabinets.

[Anonymous]

Some of these pictures are such a tease...like...is that a bathroom in red and blue!? Where are the pictures?

[Anonymous]

Here’s a story about a man named Brady

[Anonymous]

I LOVE this. I would keep so much of it! The rock features, the weird castle stuff. I would probably convert the restaurant (?) in the basement into a guest suite/in law apartment. I'd change out some of the flooring and probably redo the kitchen.

I think that bathroom with the in-ground tub and mirrored wall I'd keep - how can you get rid of your huge in-ground tub?

[Anonymous]

Do you think the basement was a high-end blind pig? It looks like something beyond a basement bar for the friends of Brandy.

(PP, your comment made me go put on "Brandy (you're a fine girl) while I scroll through the pictures again.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I LOVE this. I would keep so much of it! The rock features, the weird castle stuff. I would probably convert the restaurant (?) in the basement into a guest suite/in law apartment. I'd change out some of the flooring and probably redo the kitchen.

I think that bathroom with the in-ground tub and mirrored wall I'd keep - how can you get rid of your huge in-ground tub?

The tuuubbbb. You have to keep the tub.

I'd re-do the kitchen. I think with some of the design and materials out there right now you could do a really cool reno that is a throwback to the time period. Frankly, same with a lot of the house.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do you think the basement was a high-end blind pig? It looks like something beyond a basement bar for the friends of Brandy.

(PP, your comment made me go put on "Brandy (you're a fine girl) while I scroll through the pictures again.)

What's a blind pig?

[Anonymous]

I grew up not too far from here. Amazing place to raise kids!

[Anonymous]

Well this house isn't my speed, but I'd keep anything over 100 years old.

Yes, I do believe in keeping a house's decoration honest for its period. So I think a midcentury ranch should keep its kitschy bar.