A secluded Old Town retreat, nestled behind a brick wall at the rear of a quiet courtyard, is a treasure chest filled with architectural detail…

“It was love at first sight,” said the North Carolina native, who had been living a Lake Shore Drive high-rise apartment at the time. She was looking around for something interesting, when she discovered the town house during a stroll through Old Town.

“I found myself transfixed in front of a carved red door and a brick wall,” said Montgomery. “I pushed the door open, walked into the entrance area, and was faced with an unlocked wrought iron gate that allowed me to walk into a courtyard, which had interesting buildings with stained glass windows. I had no idea there was anything like it in the city.”

 The courtyard’s fish pond was filled with dirt and there wasn’t a single planted or potted flower. Yet Montgomery’s initial reaction was that she could do something with the place, which was rented at the time.

Six months later she bought the entire complex, including a pair of front buildings with eight rental apartments, just so she could in the charming town house at the rear of the courtyard… Plasterers, painters, plumbers, electricians and tuck pointers were called on for help. Gutter work was done and the pond was cleaned and put in working order.

“I had a good idea of what I wanted done, but it was difficult because nothing in the house was standard size,” said Montgomery.

On the Work of Renovation 

“You could not just go out and order a door or replace a window or buy screens. Everything was custom. That was what fascinated me. But at the same time, getting the people who could deal with it was difficult. Many who turned out, could not do the job.”

In 1979, Montgomery contacted Edgar Miller in California and asked him to help redo two long narrow windows, which contained undistinguished red/blue and green glass. Montgomery hoped to maintain he room’s existing stained glass theme. “He came to Chicago, stayed for a month or two, and selected every pane of glass,” said Montgomery. “Miller’s color sense is so beautiful. And I found a craftsman who could do all the leading.” Bulls, birds, a native American Indian and a reclining classic Green goddess are among the colorful designs.

On the Experience of Living at the Glasner Studio

“It is a wonderful house for parties because there are so many different areas for people to congregate. Here, people can gather in more intimate groupings, if they want to. They enjoy the house’s art, such as the windows and other things that make it so attractive and unusual.”

“It is so peaceful that you wouldn’t know you were in the city, especially when you have the candles lit and some music playing. Since the house, itself is a decoration, it requires very little furniture.”