July 13, 2021

A Sears Westly in Downers Grove

1905 Curtiss, Downers Grove. Photo from Realtor site.

 

Sears Westly.


 Photo from Realtor site.

 

The Sears Westly is a Craftsman bungalow sold from 1912-1930. The house features grouped wooden pillars, decorative railings, a balcony on the front dormer, an asymmetrical roofline, and exposed rafter tails under wide eaves.

There is a large addition off the back, but the original house layout is basically the same. Photo from Realtor site.

 

Photo from Realtor site.

 

The Westly floor plan changed in 1925 with significant differences from earlier versions. The house in Downers Grove has had two modifications to the original first floor plan--the pantry was changed into a washroom and the wall between the living room and the music room has been removed. 



The center entry and hall closet. Living room is on the right; dining room is on the left. Photo from Realtor site.



This is the merged living room and music room. The fireplace and window above it are new additions, Photo from Realtor site.


That is an original leaded glass window from Sears facing the front porch, but you can't see the detail because of the window treatments. Photo from Realtor site.


The kitchen and the family room addition. Photo from Realtor site.


One of the cool things about the Westly floor plan of 1925 is that all three bedrooms have walk-in closets (and one bedroom has two!). 

 

Photo from Realtor site.
 

Photo from Realtor site.

 
This is the bedroom that has access to the second floor porch. Photo from Realtor site.



The Westly in Downers Grove was built in 1925. John Szydlowski got a mortgage from Sears Roebuck for $5,000.




2 comments:

Architectural Observer said...

The Westly has long been one of my favorites! In size it's neither too big nor too small; it's just right! This is the first post-1925 example I've seen and I actually think I like this plan better than the original. For some reason, the addition in the back of the house does not bother me as much as some examples I've seen. The woodwork still looks fantastic after nearly a century!

Sears Homes of Chicagoland said...

I totally agree with you that the addition was well done and not visible from the front. It's a beauty.

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