By David Cohen
So you finally found the perfect Chicago apartment. The original woodwork, crown molding and subway tile in the bathroom sold you as did the beautiful mantle above the decorative fireplace. The boxes are all unpacked and you've even managed to hang all your pictures. You are now a Chicagoan, congratulations and welcome.
Let's consider you are from a warmer climate and this is your first time experiencing a "real winter." When I moved here from the south, the only advice I got about surviving the winter was, "buy a warm coat." In an effort to do a better job of giving advice, I've prepared a list of recommendations for your vintage apartment:
- Door sweep: gaps at the bottom of the doors can allow in a lot of cold air. You can find many varieties but I like the ones that attach permanently to the bottom of the door. Another option is to get the type made out of cloth that are insulated. These are placed up against the door and work great but must be repositioned each time you open and close the door.
- Window insulation film: Does your awesome vintage pad have its original windows? Then consider getting one of these kits. Yes, it will take the better half of a day to install but the payoff is worth it. Come February, when it's 0 degrees, without this installed, you'll swear that your windows have no glass in them.
- Space heater: The vintage apartments in
- Humidifier: Cold air is dry air. Dry air is hard on the human body and causes dry skin, chapped lips, sinus irritations, and sore throats. A humidifier can cost as little as $15 and will add enough moisture to your apartment's air to keep you, your pets, and your plants in tip-top shape.
- Doormat: When walking in
Winter in
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