‘Homos with Hammers’ Are Renovating One of Chi’s Most Colorful Homes
When Joe Bergantino and Ricky Gonzalez put an offer on a new house in January, the Rogers Park couple wrote the owner a letter, promising to keep the house’s funky aesthetic. The house is what’s known to many North Siders as the “Candyland House” or “Barbie House” for its pink, yellow, teal, and white striped exterior. That color scheme extends to the interior, too. Bergantino and Gonzalez have been renovating the house mostly on their own and documenting the process on their Instagram feed, Homos With Hammers. They gave City Cast Chicago’s Carrie Shepherd a tour of the house and explained why it’s important to show others that you can DIY renovate on a budget.
Some Good News:
THERE'S STILL TIME TO DO THE SUMMER BUCKET LIST CHALLENGE
Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicago
Sign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm
Call or Text Us: (773) 780-0246
Subscribe To Our Newsletter
Stay connected to City Cast Chicago and get ready to join the local conversation.
Latest Episodes
Extreme Heat, Indiana Fireworks, and 'The Bear' Finale
Extreme heat warnings, corn sweat, and potential thunderstorms could make this the most volatile weather week of the summer so far. Execu...
Seriously, More Parking Meter Drama? Plus, More Mayoral Candidates
Chicago’s infamous parking meters are up for sale. In a City Council committee meeting last week, alders got more insight into the mayor’...
How Quantum Is Already Changing the South Side. Plus, Heat Wave Approaching
Earlier this month, Advocate Health Care broke ground on a new hospital at the south end of the forthcoming 440-acre Quantum Shore Campus...
FCC Comes For ABC Chicago, The Bear is Back, and Get Free Coffee
The Federal Communications Commission has ABC 7 Chicago and other local stations in its crosshairs as the FCC has ordered an accelerated...
How Much To Run For Mayor? Plus, Elise Malary Plaza and City Hall Art Missing
Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, who has been floated as a potential candidate for mayor, recently received $255,000 from a local un...
Schools' Fundraising, Chicago’s Plan for 78, and ‘Ferris Bueller’s’ Turns 40
Principals, local school councils, and parent groups are getting increasingly creative with their fundraising. In 2025, Chicago schools s...
City Will Buy Greyhound Terminal, Chicago's 'Friendship Recession,' and We Want 4 a.m. Tacos!
Last week, the City Council voted to purchase the downtown Greyhound bus terminal. We discuss the details and what’s next for the critica...
So Everyone's Running For Mayor. Plus, How To Do Pride Fest!
We’ve got more mayoral candidates ahead of February’s primary after former Ald. George Cardenas (12th) officially launched his campaign....
Is Chicago Really Over Ye? Plus, Best Summer Museum Exhibits
A week before the Bears season kicks off, Soldier Field will be home to one of Chicago’s most controversial sons, Kanye West. The Bully t...
Summer Storms Rock Chicago. Plus, Obama Center Neighborhood Guide
Across Chicago, neighbors are still navigating uprooted trees, power outages, and flooding following intense storms last week. Unfortunat...