Discover a Delightful 1925 Cape Cod Gem in Illinois With Hardwood Floors, Updated Sunroom and Quiet Tree-Lined Street

Written By

Mathew Abraham

Updated on

Mathew Abraham

Mathew Abraham, editor of Century Homes America, brings his passion for architectural history to explore the stories behind America’s most iconic homes.

Creg McDonald of Realty Select One

This charming century home, located in Champaign’s historic district, exudes early 20th-century architectural style with its classic siding and dormer windows. Built with thoughtful millwork and spacious rooms, it offers a warm interior featuring hardwood floors, a cozy fireplace, and a sunny porch with modernized windows and flooring. The second floor includes two bedrooms and an updated bath with tile and a new sink. Key renovations such as siding (2017), roof sections (2010 & 2025), and infrastructure upgrades ensure modern comforts. Priced at $185,000, it sits on a quiet, tree-lined street near the University of Illinois and downtown amenities, making it a well-preserved gem in a vibrant, walkable neighborhood.

Front Exterior

Creg McDonald of Realty Select One

A charming historic American home with gray siding and white trim around the windows and edges. The steep, black gabled roof includes dormer windows allowing light into the upper floor. A small covered porch entryway with a peaked roof is supported by simple brackets, leading to a wooden door framed by sidelights. Concrete steps with black metal railings ascend to the front door. Mature greenery, including shaped hedges and lush trees, surrounds the house. A detached garage with white wooden siding and a single overhead door is positioned at the end of a cracked concrete driveway that runs alongside the house.

Front Entrance Steps

Creg McDonald of Realty Select One

A straight stone stairway with five steps leads up to a centered front door, flanked by metal railings on both sides. The door itself is wooden with a series of small glass panes at the top, protected by a white-framed storm door. Above the entrance is a small triangular pediment roof supported by decorative triangular brackets. The house exterior is clad in gray horizontal siding, complemented by white window and door trims. Lush green shrubbery lines the walkway and the sides of the stairs, enhancing the classic and inviting aura of this historic home’s front entry.

Front Exterior and Entryway

Creg McDonald of Realty Select One

Gray horizontal siding with white trim outlines this traditional home’s façade, which is partially shaded by large overhanging green tree branches. The entrance is accessed by concrete steps with black metal railings on either side, leading to a small covered porch topped with a subtle triangular pediment. Three white-framed windows sit in a row to the left of the door while various manicured shrubs and bushes in mulched beds soften the garden area along the foundation. The overall look is classic and inviting, blending natural greenery with modest architectural details.

Backyard Patio Area

Creg McDonald of Realty Select One

The patio area is designed with a mix of gravel and aged brick pavers arranged in a geometric pattern, adding rustic charm. A wooden privacy fence, weathered to soft green and gray hues, encloses the space, creating a secluded atmosphere. A small row of lush hosta plants lines the edge along the fence, introducing natural greenery and softness to the hardscape. A compact gas grill on wheels rests near the fence, suggesting the area’s use for casual outdoor cooking and gatherings. Large mature trees rise in the background, providing shade and a serene, natural backdrop.

Backyard Patio Area

Creg McDonald of Realty Select One

A tidy backyard patio showcases a blend of gravel and scattered stone pavers creating a defined yet rustic walking surface. The exterior of the house is clad in soft gray siding accented with crisp white trim around the door and windows, reinforcing a classic and clean appearance. A white framed door with a glass panel leads inside, accompanied by a traditional outdoor light fixture. Surrounding greenery and trees provide natural shade and privacy, while a wooden fence at the perimeter marks the boundary. The space feels practical with minimal furnishings, perfect for casual outdoor use or gardening.

House Exterior Corner

Creg McDonald of Realty Select One

The corner of a historic American home with light gray horizontal siding and white trim around the windows and door. Multiple double-hung windows with white frames provide ample light. The roofline includes a steep pitch with dark shingles, gutters, and a downspout that extends near the foundation. The ground is covered in a mix of gravel and stone pavers, forming a clear walkway around the house. An air conditioning unit and some outdoor items, including stools and containers, are placed adjacent to the wall. Green trees and neighboring houses are visible in the background, emphasizing a quiet residential street.

Living Room and Dining Area

Creg McDonald of Realty Select One

A spacious living room flows seamlessly into a dining area through a large, graceful archway. The room is anchored by a rich brown leather sofa that faces a glossy, dark wooden grand piano accompanied by a cushioned bench, suggesting a space for music and relaxation. Warm wooden floors stretch across the space, complementing the classic wooden dining set with cross-back chairs. Soft lighting from table lamps and a central chandelier create a cozy ambiance. Light neutral walls and classic white trim contrast with the dark wooden furniture, evoking a timeless, traditional aesthetic. A second archway reveals stairs and a bright window, enhancing openness.

Living Room Details

Creg McDonald of Realty Select One

Hardwood floors extend throughout a cozy living room dominated by a large red leather sofa centered on a patterned oriental rug. A white brick fireplace with a wooden mantle lines one wall, adorned with framed black-and-white pictures and small lamps creating a warm ambiance. Red curtains frame the windows, complementing the sofa and the darker wooden tones found in the entry door, bookshelf, and vintage armchair. To the right, a grand piano on a deep blue rug adds a cultured touch. An arched doorway offers a glimpse into another room filled with natural light and traditional decor.

Hallway Entrance

Creg McDonald of Realty Select One

A narrow hallway with an arched entryway leads to a window with white trim and divided panes, allowing natural light to illuminate the space. The walls are textured and painted creamy white, harmonizing with the warm, honey-toned wooden floors. A small, ornate runner rug lies at the end of the short staircase, while a dark wooden side table with slender, turned legs holds a brass lamp with a black shade. Deep red curtains on the right add a bold contrast against the otherwise neutral and traditional setting. Classic molding and clean lines evoke a historic, timeless charm.

Dining Room with Archway

Creg McDonald of Realty Select One

Wooden flooring and furniture define the warm and inviting dining area, centered around a rectangular table with matching chairs. A wooden sideboard topped with a lamp and a few decorative items sits along one wall. The walls are painted a soft cream and framed by dark-stained wooden trim around windows and doorways. Large double-hung windows with white curtains allow ample natural light. An elegant archway leads from the dining room into a cozy adjoining living area featuring a white-painted brick fireplace, deep red curtains, and classic furnishings. A central, vintage-style ceiling light fixture completes the look.

Music Room Detail

Creg McDonald of Realty Select One

Warm orange walls create an inviting atmosphere around a vintage wooden pump organ, ornately carved with intricate panels. The organ is the centerpiece of this cozy space, with a framed black and white photo hung above it adding a nostalgic touch. To the right, a dark wooden open shelving unit holds a retro-style radio and a small lamp casting soft light. A black wooden chair with delicate gold detailing sits beside the shelves. The floor has a tiled surface partially covered by a patterned area rug that complements the classic vibe of the room. A window with white trim lets in natural light, brightening the warm tones of the décor.

Compact Kitchen Area

Creg McDonald of Realty Select One

White cabinetry runs along both sides of this narrow kitchen, with glass-front upper cabinets on one side showing neatly arranged dishes. The countertop surfaces are dark, creating a subtle contrast against the white woodwork and light beige walls. A large window at the end of the room brings in natural light, framed by simple white trim. Below the window, an air conditioning unit is mounted on the wall. On the right side, a modern stainless steel stove with a gas cooktop sits beneath a stainless vent hood, alongside various kitchen appliances and utensils. The warm wooden floor adds a cozy, rustic touch to the otherwise clean, functional space.

Kitchen Stove Area

Creg McDonald of Realty Select One

A compact kitchen corner with a stainless steel and black gas stove topped by a modern stainless steel range hood. A vibrant orange pot sits on the stove, adding a pop of color to the neutral tones. White cabinetry with simple silver knobs and cup pulls lines the wall, complemented by dark countertops that offer a sleek contrast. To the left, a window with white blinds allows natural light to spill in, enhancing the soft beige wall color. Stainless steel and glass kitchen utensils and bottles are arranged neatly on the counter, giving a clean, functional, and inviting look. Warm-toned hardwood flooring provides a cozy foundation for the space.

Kitchen Countertop and Appliances

Creg McDonald of Realty Select One

A compact kitchen space with a warm, earthy tone emphasized by the honey-colored hardwood floor contrasted with white cabinetry and appliances. The black countertop adds a sleek modern touch, complementing the stainless steel gas range stove on the left. The white LG refrigerator stands against the beige wall, crowned with a bright orange towel. On the right countertop, a coffee maker and a wooden breadbox subtly blend functionality with the room’s simplicity. A small window with white framing allows natural light to brighten the space, highlighting the clean lines and practical layout of this cozy kitchen area.

Stairwell Landing

Creg McDonald of Realty Select One

White-painted walls envelop a small stairwell landing with hardwood flooring that flows continuously down the stairs below. A simple dark wooden bannister curves neatly along the right wall, lending subtle support. To the left, a narrow, dark wooden shelving unit topped with a vintage oil lamp contrasts with the crisp white walls, adding a touch of rustic charm. Natural light filters through a small window at the stairwell’s midpoint, illuminating a minimalist wooden side table beneath it. Adjacent doorways hint at other rooms, one with a white hexagonal tile floor and the other partly revealing traditional wood dining chairs.

Bedroom Window Wall

Creg McDonald of Realty Select One

Three windows with green curtains line the far wall, allowing natural light to filter into the space. Underneath the windows sits a classic white radiator, contributing to the home’s vintage charm. The wooden floor gleams warmly beneath three distinct Oriental-style area rugs, each featuring rich reds, blues, and intricate patterns. A dark wooden rocking chair with a patterned seat adds character and comfort. To the right, a solid wooden dresser with brass handles is topped by a rectangular mirror and two traditional oil lamps, enhancing the room’s historic and cozy ambiance.

Bedroom Corner View

Creg McDonald of Realty Select One

Muted white walls and ceiling provide a clean, airy backdrop to this cozy bedroom corner. Deep green curtains frame a pair of windows above a classic radiator, adding rich color contrast. A wooden rocking chair with a patterned cushion sits beside a warm-toned chest of drawers topped with an antique-style lamp and a simple mirror in a wooden frame. The bedspread displays a detailed, symmetrical pattern incorporating soft yellows and blues, harmonizing with the room’s natural wooden elements like the dark brown panel door and the nightstand holding a softly glowing lamp, evoking a charming vintage aesthetic.

Bedroom Interior

Creg McDonald of Realty Select One

A cozy bedroom with simple, clean design and a warm color palette. The wooden bed frame features a patterned bedspread in muted tones of grey, gold, and ivory. Two bedside tables with classic lamps emit a soft yellow glow, enhancing the room’s inviting atmosphere. The floor is finished with polished hardwood, accented by a richly patterned area rug in gold and navy hues. Along one wall, a radiator sits beneath three windows framed by deep green curtains, allowing natural light in. A wooden chest and tall dresser add functional storage, complemented by a wooden chair with a woven seat cushion near the foreground.

Bathroom Interior

Creg McDonald of Realty Select One

White subway tile surrounds the bathtub, contrasting with light grey walls that add a subtle modern touch to the space. A white pedestal sink with classic cross-handle faucets stands beside the toilet, offering a simple and clean look. A textured white shower curtain hangs from a metal rod above the tub, softening the light entering the room. Above the sink, a small medicine cabinet with a white frame is mounted on the wall, while an adjacent minimalist glass shelf holds a small clock. An old-fashioned cast iron radiator sits near the toilet, complementing the historic charm with its vintage design.

Bathroom Details

Creg McDonald of Realty Select One

The space includes a classic white pedestal sink paired with a white toilet, all set against light gray walls. White subway tiles with dark grout line the shower and bathtub area, adding a timeless, clean aesthetic. The shower curtain is white with a subtle two-tone texture, creating a soft contrast. A large window with white trim allows natural light to fill the room, brightening the space and providing an inviting view of greenery outside. The room also includes a small mirror with a white frame above the sink and a glass shelf holding a small clock. The hexagonal mosaic-style tile flooring adds historic charm to the functional and cohesive design.

Music Room Nook

Creg McDonald of Realty Select One

Soft pale green walls surround a compact room featuring a wooden harpsichord at its center, paired with a matching brown leather bench. The room benefits from natural light coming through a white-trimmed window directly behind the instrument. The hardwood floor is adorned with two rugs: a colorful striped one under the harpsichord and a smaller pattern rug nearer the doorway. A wall-mounted lamp provides soft accent lighting, while a small green cabinet with reddish-brown drawers stands along the right wall. A simple wooden chair and desk peek from the left corner, suggesting a multifunctional space blending music and study. The architecture includes a subtle angled wall adding character to the cozy layout.

Small Home Office Nook

Creg McDonald of Realty Select One

A compact workspace fits neatly into a recessed nook painted in soft sage green, complemented by white trim and baseboards. The wooden floor adds warmth with its rich, honey-toned finish. A vintage-style wooden desk with multiple drawers stands under a window with mini blinds, allowing natural light to filter through while maintaining privacy. An old-fashioned wooden chair with a curved back accompanies the desk. On the right wall, a brass-finished wall-mounted lamp with a white shade provides soft focused lighting. The setting is cozy, practical, and evokes a timeless, simple aesthetic.

Basement Laundry Area

Creg McDonald of Realty Select One

Exposed ceiling beams and brick walls painted white create a utilitarian basement laundry room. A white front-loading Samsung washing machine sits beside a white cabinet topped with various cleaning supplies. To the right, a deep utility sink with visible plumbing pipes adds functionality. The worn red concrete floor contrasts with a dark gray rug in the foreground. Tools including a saw and hammer hang on a pegboard on the left wall. A silver ventilation duct loops above the washer. The space is practical and somewhat rustic with minimal decor, emphasizing function over form.

Listing Agent: Creg McDonald of Realty Select One via Zillow 

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