Get a peek behind the scenes at our partners for the Atomic Ranch On the Road event in Chicago!

The Chicago Modernist Collective, in a way, started at the House of Tomorrow. That’s where principals Alexa Glade DeTogne and Megan O’Sullivan met in 2017. Both were members of the Chicago Bauhaus and Beyond group, and Meg was hosting the event while Lex was working with an auction house that helped to stage the home with period appropriate decor and furnishings. When Joe Kunkel and Joan and Gary Gand, the founders of the Chicago Bauhaus and Beyond were looking to retire from the organization, both Lex and Meg raised their hands to carry on the torch. Under Meg and Lex’s leadership, the group became the Chicago Modernist Collective, expanding the group’s focus to include the 20th century as well as fine art and contemporary instances of modernist style.

two women standing in a green tiled kitchen behind a white countertop — Alexa Glade DeTogne (left) and Megan O’Sullivan (right), leaders of The Chicago Modernist Collective. Photo by Evan Stone.

Their motto, Lex relates, is “Creating community, connection and conversation around 20th century design.” You can join in on this community and conversation for yourself as part of the Atomic Ranch and Chicago Modernist Collective’s Super Tour September 13-14. Get your tickets here.

Modernist Professionals

When Meg and Lex are not running the Chicago Modernist Collective, they are each working professionally within the modernist world. Meg’s company is Chicago Home Curator, focusing on helping clients with the entire process of finding, buying, renovating and decorating MCM homes in the Chicago area. Meg herself lives in a mid century home, bought from the architect who built it for himself and his family. He had lived there, and now Meg and her family are the second owners. “It’s the most amazing thing,” Meg says of living in such a well-preserved mid-century home. “I try to find something similar for my clients,” she says, “and help them fall in love with their mid-century homes.”

three lades standing in front of a window speaking to a crowd — Lex and Meg stand front and center during the Chicago Modernist Collective event at a Keck & Keck home in Highland Park October 2024. The same home will be featured again in September as part of the co-sponsored event with Atomic Ranch. Phoot by Logan Bowes.

Lex runs Lexa Glade Design (also on Instagram @lexaglade), a full service interior design firm with a focus on residential and historic 20th century homes, including, of course, mid century. She loves “color and tailored experiences.” With a background in 20th century design and as an vintage dealer, Lex brings her knowledge to bear on her work. She knows what’s period authentic and helps clients honor their historic homes, “being mindful of the time they were built and helping people tap into the narrative,” Lex says.

The two complement each other well. Lex elaborates, “Meg has knowledge of real estate, local architects and homes, who is buying the homes, whereas I am coming from an object standpoint. Together, we have complementary knowledge of what makes up a home. It’s a wonderful collaboration.”

A woman speaking to a large crown inside of a mid century modern home gesturing to the architectural features. — Attendees listen attentively in the Highland Park Keck & Keck house last October. Photo by Logan Bowes

Chicago Modernist Collective’s Must-See Spots

As locals and MCM professionals, we asked Meg and Lex for their favorite Chicago modern architects and/or buildings.

Meg

James Hennenberg. “He designed my home,” Meg explains, “ so even though he´s not as well known, but I live in his home.”
Keck & Keck. “In the Midwest, they are one of the more well-known mid-century architects.

Lex

Farnsworth House by Mies van Der Rohe. “I have a love/hate relationship with this house,” Lex says. “It’s beautiful but structurally impractical.”
Schweikher House. “It’s mind blowing how different it is, with all it’s texture of brick and wood,” Lex says. You can see this home as part of the tour on Saturday September 13! Reserve your spot here….
Marina Towers by Bertram Goldberg. “It’s iconic, and it’s really stood the test of time,” Lex says.

two leather square shaped chairs in a room with white shag carpet inside a mid century modern home — Attendees tour a Highland Park Keck & Keck house last October. Photo by Logan Bowes

Sneak Peek at the AR/Chicago Modernist Collective Event

The Chicago Modernist Collective is getting excited for the upcoming event. Meg says, “We are a local group, so Atomic Ranch is bringing a national audience to our favorites. They’re exciting things to show to the rest of the country.” While national, Atomic Ranch has deep roots on the West Coast, born in Oregon and then headquartered in Southern California. Atomic Ranch is happy, too, to bring the MCM spotlight to a different region of the country. Lex comments that while Chicago is an important center for MCM, “It’s not as flashy as California. It’s more of that immigrant work ethic, and I’m excited to share it. This is the cloth we were cut from. This is my home, and I’m super proud of that.”

A rounded driveway leads toa circular shaped home surrounded by fall foliage. — The circular Keck & Keck house in Highland Park is a local treasure that Chicago Modernist Collective shared with its members last October and will open up again this September as part of the Atomic Ranch/Chicago Modernist Collective Super Tour event.

As far as the event itself, the Saturday home tour features 5 homes in the North Shore. Guests can meet and chat with the homeowners and members of the collective. The VIP ticket includes a tour of the Schweikher House. Lex elaborates, “Schweikher is a wonderful example of earlier 20th century design. He is connected with Frank Lloyd Wright and used similar Usonian principles—long lines, natural, rough materials like brick and wood.” VIP ticketholders will also be treated to an evening cocktail reception sponsored by Heritage Auctions with Meg, Lex and Atomic Ranch Jickie Torres in attendance as well as Randi Merel, a former board member of Chicago Bauhaus & Beyond and an instrumental figure in proposing and organizing the Chicago tour at it’s inception.

There will also be several Keck & Keck homes on the tour. “Unfortunately,” Meg explains, “many Keck & Keck homes have been torn down because of their smaller footprint or just not being deemed fit for contemporary needs. This home [for the Sunday tour] is large, oval shape centered around a pool in the middle of the home, and has a retracting roof. The current owners did amazing job, so I’m excited for this house tour.”

Another home on the Sunday schedule is designed by Irving Moses. “A wonderful family lives there, a couple with two kids,” Meg says. “They could see past the concerns and issues like deferred maintenance and they created a beautiful patio where we can enjoy cocktails as part of the tour.”

For more on The Chicago Modernist Collective, find them on IG @chicagomodernistcollective or on Facebook. And don´t forget to reserve your spot today for the Atomic Ranch/Chicago Modernist Collective Super Tour in September! And of course, don’t forget to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and YouTube for more Atomic Ranch articles, house tours, and ideas!