THE 1890'S COACH HOUSE
When Jean Alan purchased the property in 1986, she immediately saw the potential it had. Sitting behind the building she intended to make her personal residence was a two story brick coach house. For years Jean had dreamed of having a furnished vacation rental business and thought this was the perfect opportunity to fulfill that dream. In 2004 she renovated the coach house and started conceptualizing the key elements that would not only attract guests but also provide the most enjoyable stay.
In 2009 her dream came true! The 1890's coach house was fully renovated, furnished, licensed and officially open for business as Bucktown House, Your Home Away.
THE BUTCHER SHOP ON DAMEN AVENUE
The story began in 1893 when a butcher built the building to serve as his shop. The Bucktown butcher shop employed a young man named Mr. Donas, who eventually purchased the building and turned it into a neighborhood grocery store. In 1999 Jean became the new owner of 2134 N. Damen Avenue and couldn’t wait to design the new location for her interior design business, Alan Design Studio. During renovations, she preserved a piece of the building’s history and found a creative way to include it in her design. Currently separating the storefront from the offices of Alan Design Studio is the front of what used to be the walk-in cooler from the original butcher shop.
Upon completing the extensive work done to the building, Jean developed the beautiful storefront of Alan Design Studio and used the second floor as a residential rental property. Almost a decade later, she decided to expand her furnished vacation rental business, Bucktown House, Your Home Away. Jean did a full-scale renovation, replacing the roof and all the mechanicals. She furnished the apartment with custom-designed furniture, unique furnishings, and decor. She obtained her license with the City of Chicago, and Bucktown House Suite No. 4 was open for business.
ABOUT THE OWNER OF BUCKTOWN HOUSE
Jean Alan’s career in design began 30 years ago as a professional set decorator for motion pictures in Chicago and Los Angeles. In the intense atmosphere of the film industry, Alan’s knowledge of periods and styles grew exponentially through the scope and depth of each project. The deadline-driven, budget-conscious environment further sharpened Alan’s creativity, leading her to become an exquisitely resourceful designer, finely attuned to detail.
Highlights from her career as a set decorator include The Blues Brothers, About Last Night, Midnight Run, Wild Hearts Can’t Be Broken, and the television series The Untouchables.
Her work has been featured in several books and magazines internationally. She was a 2007 recipient of the Heartland Alliance Designs 4 Dignity Spirit Award for her dedication to philanthropy and design.