Revived. Refined. Remarkable.
Glow Up Homes celebrates the beauty of transformation. Here we showcase classic Elmhurst houses that have been thoughtfully revived—refreshed, renovated, and reimagined for modern living. Each home retains its original charm while featuring many of today’s most desirable comforts and conveniences, from open-concept kitchens to energy-efficient upgrades. Every Glow Up Home has been lovingly saved and given a second chance to shine, and we applaud the owners for their efforts to preserve what makes Elmhurst such a special place to live.
Meet the Frahms of 240 S. Berkley, our first Glow Up home owners who share the story of their renovation journey. In preserving an older house, they’ve played a role in keeping a piece of Elmhurst’s architectural past alive and can take pride in their home’s beauty and character.
The past has a way of giving us the future we were really searching for.”
In 2017, Chad and Jennifer Frahm built what they thought was their forever home in Elmhurst. But despite the benefits of living in a brand-new house on a double-wide lot, something inside Jennifer felt unsettled. Instead of giving her joy, every corner of the 5,500 square foot home whispered excess. More square footage hadn’t made the family happier.
It was foreshadowing when I cried when they tore down the little house that sat on the lot before construction even began.”
After only a year, Jennifer found herself daydreaming about how she would renovate smaller houses in her neighborhood. So when Chad called one day and asked, “Do you want to sell the house?” Jennifer’s immediate answer was Yes!
Trading One House for Two
The plan was both practical and daring. The Frahms would sell their new construction home and use the equity to purchase two smaller, older homes. One would be the family’s residence, the other a rental property that would generate a steady stream of income.
It aligned with both our creative and our deeper financial values.”
In 2022, they found their first gem. An English Tudor built in 1928, the house’s distinct stucco exterior and red tile roof, along with its convenient location in the College View neighborhood, immediately appealed to Chad and Jen.
Our inspector said they just don’t build houses this solid anymore.”
Unable to live in the home during renovations, they were able to purchase a Cape Cod bungalow that they would eventually turn into a rental. The family lived there for eleven months, performing cosmetic updates while the Tudor underwent renovations.
Suddenly, Chad had projects on his list, and I felt like we were building not just a house, but a financial future.”
A Family Project
I’m not going to lie, this looks like a real shitter!”
While family teens John and Kate were less than enthusiastic at first, throughout the process both gained unexpected skills and the ability to see the potential in an old house. John got his OSHA card and learned skills that will be valuable when he owns rental homes in the future, and Kate developed an artistic eye for details like light fixture and color combinations. The renovation taught both kids that old houses don’t just stand as relics, they invite you to take part in their story.
I get it now…I couldn’t see what we could make it into before.”
We’ve shown our children the value of history, craftsmanship, and financial independence.”
The Renovation
Throughout the renovation project, the Frahms tried to make changes that honored the house’s era. They selected historic paint colors, got inspiration from the homes of older family members, and maintained the original stucco exterior and red tile roof.
The main changes on the first floor included removing the wall between the kitchen and the dining room and adding a peninsula with a breakfast bar. Replacing a wall that had been removed in the past in the family room space created a smaller family room and an extra office.
Dormering the roof gave them 400 additional square feet on the second floor, which allowed them to turn one small bathroom into two bathrooms and two walk-in closets.
Unused attic space was turned into a linen closet and a second, upstairs laundry.
Other updates included waterproofing the basement, framing in a new bedroom, and adding new electric and plumbing throughout. The new bedroom, TV room, bathroom and laundry plus a mini kitchen makes an ideal teenager getaway space and a future guest apartment.
Still on the To-Do list is updating the fireplace to make it safer and replacing the existing mantel.
Living in 2,800 square feet with a smart and efficient layout feels better than 5,500 square feet we didn’t need. Where the new construction house drained us, the Tudor fills us up.”
Both the new-build and the renovated Tudor offer the same living spaces and amenities, proving that older homes can meet a family’s needs in an efficient way.
Features
1928
Tudor
2017
New Build
Square Feet
2,800
5,500+
Bedrooms
4 up / 1 down
4 up / 1 Down
Bathrooms
4
4.5
Basement
Finished
Finished
Screened Porch
Yes
Yes
Deck/Patio
Yes
Yes
Living Spaces
2
2
Your home doesn’t have to be just shelter. It can be a legacy. It can be a teacher. It can be joy.”
A Good Team Is Essential!
Finding an architect and builder who are well-versed in–and enthusiastic about–renovating older homes is crucial to maintaining the integrity of the structure, as well as knowing how to make the best use of existing space. Also critical is a real estate agent who appreciates the value of older homes and what they can become with a little TLC.
The Frahms worked with the following vendors during their renovation project:
- John Carrey, Corra Construction
- John Belcher, JMB Architects
- Susan Hoerster, L.W. Reedy Real Estate
Walking away from a brand new construction may seem countercultural, especially in the Chicago suburbs where bigger often equals better. But choosing preservation over demolition is one of the most rewarding choices we’ve ever made.”
Old homes often have certain charms that it is hard or even impossible to duplicate. Thoughtful renovations can give an old home all the benefits of a new-build while still maintaining the historical details that you can only find in older homes.
Here are some other benefits the Frahms discovered after purchasing an holder home:
- Property taxes for older homes are substantially less than those of new-builds. The Frahms found their tax bill decreased by nearly 60%, even with the improvements they made to the Tudor.
- By reducing the size of their own home and investing in additional property, the Frahms are on track to retire six or seven years earlier than they would have had they paid off their new construction house.
- Don’t be afraid of a boiler! They work efficiently and the quality of the heat they provide feels warmer than forced air.
Revived. Refined. Remarkable.
Glow Up Homes celebrates the beauty of transformation. Here we feature classic Elmhurst houses that have been thoughtfully revived—refreshed, renovated, and reimagined for modern living. Each home retains its original charm while featuring many of today’s most desirable comforts and conveniences, from open-concept kitchens to energy-efficient upgrades. Every Glow Up Home has been lovingly saved and given a second chance to shine, and we applaud the owners for their efforts to preserve what makes Elmhurst such a special place to live.
Meet the Frahms of 240 S. Berkley, our first Glow Up home owners who share the story of their renovation journey. In preserving an older house, they’ve played a role in keeping a piece of Elmhurst’s architectural past alive and can take pride in their home’s beauty and character.
The past has a way of giving us the future we were really searching for.”
In 2017, Chad and Jennifer Frahm built what they thought was their forever home in Elmhurst. But despite the benefits of living in a brand-new house on a double-wide lot, something inside Jennifer felt unsettled. Instead of giving her joy, every corner of the 5,500 square foot home whispered excess. More square footage hadn’t made the family happier.
It was foreshadowing when I cried when they tore down the little house that sat on the lot before construction even began.”
After only a year, Jennifer found herself daydreaming about how she would renovate smaller houses in her neighborhood. So when Chad called one day and asked, “Do you want to sell the house?” Jennifer’s immediate answer was Yes!
Trading One House for Two
The plan was both practical and daring. The Frahms would sell their new construction home and use the equity to purchase two smaller, older homes. One would be the family’s residence, the other a rental property that would generate a steady stream of income.
It aligned with both our creative and our deeper financial values.”
In 2022, they found their first gem. An English Tudor built in 1928, the house’s distinct stucco exterior and red tile roof, along with its convenient location in the College View neighborhood, immediately appealed to Chad and Jen.
Our inspector said they just don’t build houses this solid anymore.”
Unable to live in the home during renovations, they were able to purchase a Cape Cod bungalow that they would eventually turn into a rental. The family lived there for eleven months, performing cosmetic updates while the Tudor underwent renovations.
Suddenly, Chad had projects on his list, and I felt like we were building not just a house, but a financial future.”
A Family Project
I’m not going to lie, this looks like a real shitter!”
While family teens John and Kate were less than enthusiastic at first, throughout the process both gained unexpected skills and the ability to see the potential in an old house. John got his OSHA card and learned skills that will be valuable when he owns rental homes in the future, and Kate developed an artistic eye for details like light fixture and color combinations. The renovation taught both kids that old houses don’t just stand as relics, they invite you to take part in their story.
I get it now…I couldn’t see what we could make it into before.”
We’ve shown our children the value of history, craftsmanship, and financial independence.”
The Renovation
Throughout the renovation project, the Frahms tried to make changes that honored the house’s era. They selected historic paint colors, got inspiration from the homes of older family members, and maintained the original stucco exterior and red tile roof.
The main changes on the first floor included removing the wall between the kitchen and the dining room and adding a peninsula with a breakfast bar. Replacing a wall that had been removed in the past in the family room space created a smaller family room and an extra office.
Dormering the roof gave them 400 additional square feet on the second floor, which allowed them to turn one small bathroom into two bathrooms and two walk-in closets.
Unused attic space was turned into a linen closet and a second, upstairs laundry.
Other updates included waterproofing the basement, framing in a new bedroom, and adding new electric and plumbing throughout. The new bedroom, TV room, bathroom and laundry plus a mini kitchen makes an ideal teenager getaway space and a future guest apartment.
Still on the To-Do list is updating the fireplace to make it safer and replacing the existing mantel.
Both the new-build and the renovated Tudor offer the same living spaces and amenities, proving that older homes can meet a family’s needs in an efficient way.
Features
1928
Tudor
2017
New Build
Square Feet
2,800
5,500+
Bedrooms
4 up / 1 down
4 up / 1 Down
Bathrooms
4
4.5
Basement
Finished
Finished
Screened Porch
Yes
Yes
Deck/Patio
Yes
Yes
Living Spaces
2
2
Living in 2,800 square feet with a smart and efficient layout feels better than 5,500 square feet we didn’t need. Where the new construction house drained us, the Tudor fills us up.”
Both the new-build and the renovated Tudor offer the same living spaces and amenities, proving that older homes can meet a family’s needs in an efficient way.
Your home doesn’t have to be just shelter. It can be a legacy. It can be a teacher. It can be joy.”
A Good Team Is Essential!
Finding an architect and builder who are well-versed in–and enthusiastic about–renovating older homes is crucial to maintaining the integrity of the structure, as well as knowing how to make the best use of existing space. Also critical is a real estate agent who appreciates the value of older homes and what they can become with a little TLC.
The Frahms worked with the following vendors during their renovation project:
- John Carrey, Corra Construction
- John Belcher, JMB Architects
- Susan Hoerster, L.W. Reedy Real Estate
Walking away from a brand new construction may seem countercultural, especially in the Chicago suburbs where bigger often equals better. But choosing preservation over demolition is one of the most rewarding choices we’ve ever made.”
Old homes often have certain charms that it is hard or even impossible to duplicate. Thoughtful renovations can give an old home all the benefits of a new-build while still maintaining the historical details that you can only find in older homes.
Here are some other benefits the Frahms discovered after purchasing an holder home:
- Property taxes for older homes are substantially less than those of new-builds. The Frahms found their tax bill decreased by nearly 60%, even with the improvements they made to the Tudor.
- By reducing the size of their own home and investing in additional property, the Frahms are on track to retire six or seven years earlier than they would have had they paid off their new construction house.
- Don’t be afraid of a boiler! They work efficiently and the quality of the heat they provide feels warmer than forced air.
Revived. Refined. Remarkable.
Glow Up Homes celebrates the beauty of transformation. Here we feature classic Elmhurst houses that have been thoughtfully revived—refreshed, renovated, and reimagined for modern living. Each home retains its original charm while featuring many of today’s most desirable comforts and conveniences, from open-concept kitchens to energy-efficient upgrades. Every Glow Up Home has been lovingly saved and given a second chance to shine, and we applaud the owners for their efforts to preserve what makes Elmhurst such a special place to live.
Meet the Frahms of 240 S. Berkley, our first Glow Up home owners who share the story of their renovation journey. In preserving an older house, they’ve played a role in keeping a piece of Elmhurst’s architectural past alive and can take pride in their home’s beauty and character.
The past has a way of giving us the future we were really searching for.”
In 2017, Chad and Jennifer Frahm built what they thought was their forever home in Elmhurst. But despite the benefits of living in a brand-new house on a double-wide lot, something inside Jennifer felt unsettled. Instead of giving her joy, every corner of the 5,500 square foot home whispered excess. More square footage hadn’t made the family happier.
It was foreshadowing when I cried when they tore down the little house that sat on the lot before construction even began.”
After only a year, Jennifer found herself daydreaming about how she would renovate smaller houses in her neighborhood. So when Chad called one day and asked, “Do you want to sell the house?” Jennifer’s immediate answer was Yes!
Trading One House for Two
The plan was both practical and daring. The Frahms would sell their new construction home and use the equity to purchase two smaller, older homes. One would be the family’s residence, the other a rental property that would generate a steady stream of income.
It aligned with both our creative and our deeper financial values.”
In 2022, they found their first gem. An English Tudor built in 1928, the house’s distinct stucco exterior and red tile roof, along with its convenient location in the College View neighborhood, immediately appealed to Chad and Jen.
Our inspector said they just don’t build houses this solid anymore.”
Unable to live in the home during renovations, they were able to purchase a Cape Cod bungalow that they would eventually turn into a rental. The family lived there for eleven months, performing cosmetic updates while the Tudor underwent renovations.
Suddenly, Chad had projects on his list, and I felt like we were building not just a house, but a financial future.”
A Family Project
I’m not going to lie, this looks like a real shitter!”
While family teens John and Kate were less than enthusiastic at first, throughout the process both gained unexpected skills and the ability to see the potential in an old house. John got his OSHA card and learned skills that will be valuable when he owns rental homes in the future, and Kate developed an artistic eye for details like light fixture and color combinations. The renovation taught both kids that old houses don’t just stand as relics, they invite you to take part in their story.
I get it now…I couldn’t see what we could make it into before.”
We’ve shown our children the value of history, craftsmanship, and financial independence.”
The Renovation
Throughout the renovation project, the Frahms tried to make changes that honored the house’s era. They selected historic paint colors, got inspiration from the homes of older family members, and maintained the original stucco exterior and red tile roof.
The main changes on the first floor included removing the wall between the kitchen and the dining room and adding a peninsula with a breakfast bar. Replacing a wall that had been removed in the past in the family room space created a smaller family room and an extra office.
Dormering the roof gave them 400 additional square feet on the second floor, which allowed them to turn one small bathroom into two bathrooms and two walk-in closets.
Unused attic space was turned into a linen closet and a second, upstairs laundry.
Other updates included waterproofing the basement, framing in a new bedroom, and adding new electric and plumbing throughout. The new bedroom, TV room, bathroom and laundry plus a mini kitchen makes an ideal teenager getaway space and a future guest apartment.
Still on the To-Do list is updating the fireplace to make it safer and replacing the existing mantel.
Both the new-build and the renovated Tudor offer the same living spaces and amenities, proving that older homes can meet a family’s needs in an efficient way.
Square Feet
Tudor - 2,800
New Build - 5,500+
Bedrooms
Tudor - 4 up / 1 down
New Build - 4 up / 1 Down
Bathrooms
Tudor - 4
New Build - 4.5
Basement
Tudor -Finished
New Build - Finished
Screened Porch
Tudor - Yes
New Build - Yes
Deck/Patio
Tudor - Yes
New Build - Yes
Living Spaces
Tudor - 2
New Build - 2
Living in 2,800 square feet with a smart and efficient layout feels better than 5,500 square feet we didn’t need. Where the new construction house drained us, the Tudor fills us up.”
Your home doesn’t have to be just shelter. It can be a legacy. It can be a teacher. It can be joy.”
A Good Team Is Essential!
Finding an architect and builder who are well-versed in–and enthusiastic about–renovating older homes is crucial to maintaining the integrity of the structure, as well as knowing how to make the best use of existing space. Also critical is a real estate agent who appreciates the value of older homes and what they can become with a little TLC.
The Frahms worked with the following vendors during their renovation project:
- John Carrey, Corra Construction
- John Belcher, JMB Architects
- Susan Hoerster, L.W. Reedy Real Estate
Walking away from a brand new construction may seem countercultural, especially in the Chicago suburbs where bigger often equals better. But choosing preservation over demolition is one of the most rewarding choices we’ve ever made.”
Old homes often have certain charms that it is hard or even impossible to duplicate. Thoughtful renovations can give an old home all the benefits of a new-build while still maintaining the historical details that you can only find in older homes.
Here are some other benefits the Frahms discovered after purchasing an holder home:
- Property taxes for older homes are substantially less than those of new-builds. The Frahms found their tax bill decreased by nearly 60%, even with the improvements they made to the Tudor.
- By reducing the size of their own home and investing in additional property, the Frahms are on track to retire six or seven years earlier than they would have had they paid off their new construction house.
- Don’t be afraid of a boiler! They work efficiently and the quality of the heat they provide feels warmer than forced air.
