This past May, I had the incredible opportunity to visit my dear friend, photographer Annie Parish‘s latest Chicago apartment for the first time. The last time I’d made a visit to the city, Annie was living with two friends- Adrienne and Kathryn. Thus, I was excited to see how Annie’s unique personal style had translated into living with her (now) husband – Chris (who happens to be a Texan).
Annie and Chris are newlyweds who have curated the most adorable apartment you could imagine. They both have a shared love of vintage, music, and art – which is exhibited in their adorable home. I caught up with Annie to see just how this charming cozy space came to be. She snapped all the photography of the space – isn’t she amazing??
Annie and Chris Parish
NOTES FROM ANNIE: White Lamp- Sandwich Antique Market. Red lampshade from Home Goods.
NOTES FROM ANNIE: The Louis Vuitton Trunk- I am not sure on the exact age of the trunk. It belonged to my grandparent’s neighbors who gave it to my parents along with some other fun things (100 year old port, Cuban cigars, old boat models) when they moved. My favorite feature is the original owner’s bright orange monogram on the side—you can tell that she really traveled with it (I would love to know where!). The trunk sat in my parent’s garage for years so when it came time to get my first apartment, I offered to take it off their hands =)
N/S: What particular aspects of the space reflect you and Chris that give it such a unique style when brought together?
Annie Parish: Chris and I have so many shared interests. I think our apartment really reflects that. We both love music, photography, reading and cooking so we have tons of vinyl, pictures, cameras, bookshelves and cookbooks.
N/S: When did you move into your current home? What made you choose it?
AP: We moved into our apartment in March of 2010. We had looked at tons of places knowing that we wanted an old brick and timber loft. Nothing really had the right feel until we found this place. It was love at first sight!

The Sandwich Antique Market
N/S: What is your favorite piece/part of the apartment?
AP: I love all of the shadow boxes that my uncle built. He was an amazing artist and craftsman. He really inspires me! Also, the L.A. Huffman print above my dresser. My grandfather collected his photographs and this is one of them. He had a love of the old west so I suppose it is only logical that I ended up with a Texan. =)
What is Chris’ favorite? Definitely the turntable. Chris LOVES music. He even writes his own music website on the side – HarmonDrive.com.
N/S: Do you have a favorite memory from living together thus far?
AP: Decorating our first Christmas tree together.
N/S: How would you describe your own personal style- individually and when it comes to decor? Chris’ style?
AP: I would describe my personal style as classic and feminine. Chris describes his style as “Texas roots with an urban vibe” When it comes to décor, I think our apartment has bits and pieces of all of those things.
N/S: What were the deals/steals of the space? Any splurges?
AP: The beauty of shopping at antique markets is that you find lots of steals! Our kitchen table was super inexpensive and we get so many compliments on it. We splurged on the couch but it was a great purchase—it is ridiculously comfortable!
N/S: Love the kitchen table!
AP: I found it right before I was moved into my first apartment in the city. The man that made it couldn’t have been nicer and drove it all the way downtown for me the week I moved in. There have been so many happy memories made sitting around this table (ie, you singing Jewel in our kitchen after a few kir royals).
NOTES FROM ANNIE: Monogram Pillow- C & A monogram pillow: This was a wedding gift from our sweet friends, Haeley and Ross. She found the pillow on ETSY.
NOTES FROM ANNIE: Bob Sled – Believe it or not, one of Chris and my first dates was at an antique market. He had just moved into a new apartment so we were searching for a few things. He came across this and HAD to have it! Maybe it was because he grew up in Texas and never went sledding as a kid? Not sure, but he loves it and it currently hangs in our living room.
NOTES FROM ANNIE: Prints behind the couch- We have acquired these pieces here and there. A lot of these are from bands that we love—The Black Keys, Wilco, etc… Chris got the Jack Kerouac poster years ago (his favorite author of all time). The black and white photograph is my favorite. It is a picture of Babe Ruth standing outside of the Menger Hotel in San Antonio. Chris’ family owns a photography lab in San Antonio and one day, someone brought this original negative in to be printed. Chris’ dad gave customer his print and then made one for himself as well!
N/S: Are your own photographs displayed in your apartment? If so, do you have a favorite image?
AP: Gosh, I am so bad about printing my own work but I am planning on doing a series from our honeymoon in Paris. I have recently gone back to shooting film instead of digital and love the look of it—especially when it is printed!
NOTES FROM ANNIE: Not long after we started dating, we went in on a vintage turntable together from The Saturday Audio Exchange up in Lakeview. We pick up records all over the place—antique markets, record stores, record fairs, concerts, and my parent’s basement. A lot of my mom’s records have her maiden name written on them from when she was out at the University of Denver. Those are my favorites!
N/S: What was it like transforming from the style of your own apartment to sharing your space with Chris? And, what was the decorating process like with him?
AP: It was definitely an adjustment going from living in a very feminine apartment to a more masculine apartment but it has been a fun change. I don’t know how it happened, but when Chris and I moved in, all of our stuff just worked together (I guess it was meant to be)! I will say, there were definitely some compromises. I had these really cute embroidered floral pillows when we moved in and noticed that Chris kept turning them around so that the flowers faced the couch. Ha!
Needless to say, it was nice to create our wedding registry together last year. We were able to choose things that reflected our style as a couple so there wasn’t much compromise required. I was able to talk him into some prettier pieces though like our gorgeous Royal Coppenhagen china plates and a few monograms here and there!
N/S: How would you describe the style of your home to someone who hasn’t seen it?
AP: Vintage Texas meets Chicago.
To find out more about the lovely Annie Parish and her photography- visit her website here. And, learn more about her husband Chris and his incredible taste in music by visiting his website – Harmon Drive here.
* all interior photography by Annie Parish.