Buss

921

Built: 1924 Purchased: 2019

Believed to be a Sears “kit home”, the bungalow at 921 Lathrop Avenue was built in 1924 and still retains the original shiplap ceiling in the front porch area. Only the third owner of the home, Susan Buss bought the house in 2019. “I give credit to the previous owner Terry for the exquisitely timed blooming cycles of tulips, poppies and other flowering shrubs. The only renovation has been replacement of the front porch windows for insulation.”

Gardening seems to run in the Buss Family, “My parents were avid plant lovers. My father cultivated outdoor fruit, vegetables and perennials as a source of pride and recreation, my mother having a green thumb for difficult houseplants like orchids and African violets. I had my first garden in my 20’s and increased my knowledge with the Master Gardener Program at UIC. As a John Muir fan, I love and respect all nature and enjoy the artistic and creative aspect of gardening. I find gardening very spiritual: creating my own paradise, communing with the spirits of the living things, flowing with the cycles of death and rebirth, experiencing both stillness and constant change.”

The garden style of this home would be described as whimsical and magical, joining fairies and gnomes with the practicality of repurposed furniture, locally reclaimed wood and bricks, and vintage decorations. Susan prides herself on upcycled vintage artifacts that can be repurposed as unique planters! Susan plans to continue to expand the vegetable garden, increase native plants and pollinators, and reduce lawn area. “My favorite part is blurring the line between indoor and outdoor living spaces. The yard is a canvas that provides respite and restorative oases, but also an ever-changing array of weekly cut flower bouquets from May through October. I welcome community engagement in the front yard, promoting inclusivity and acceptance with flags and signs.” Susan is also a participant in the Historical Society of Forest Park annual Scarecrow Invasion.

In 1994, Michelle Young bought her home located on Harvard Street, believing the home was built in 1918. Years later when she was remodeling the kitchen, Michelle found a piece of newspaper from 1914!

In the twenty-five plus years of home ownership, Michelle Young has remodeled the kitchen, finished the basement, refinished the original wood stairs, replaced all windows, replaced siding, replaced fences, added pergola on back deck and recreated the back yard. The floors are still original in the living room, side bedroom and dining room.

Michelle knows of two prior owners who had interesting additions to the home. One owner from the 1970’s remodeled and put in drop ceilings in the bathroom and kitchen and installed fluorescent shop lighting! In the garden, what is now the rose garden was a pond before Michelle bought the house.

Michelle describes her gardening style as “Magical and Eclectic.” “My mom is a gardener, and my grandma was as well. I always loved working in the garden with them. It’s Thera-peutic! I love finding new ways to creative and repurpose items. I want people to walk by my yard and feel joy.”

While in the Young Garden, seek out the fairy garden path, clematis on the side of the house and the climbing rose bush that typically has over 200 blooms each season (it only blooms once) and it came from Michelle’s grandma’s house in 1994! Sadly, the roses have already bloomed for the 2023 year.

“Never be afraid to make your garden unique, color outside of the lines! If you want to shore my garden with other after the walk, you are welcome to do so, just ensure my little dog Rocket doesn’t get out! After taking your picture at the photobooth, please come up on my desk or ask a volunteer to venture into the first floor or finished basement.”