Lincoln Square Home Gains International Attention with Restoration

A Lincoln Square home caught the eye of an international artist after its restoration kept the historical spirit of the place.

Architect Julie Liska restored her Lincoln Square home and was soon discovered byartist Leisa Collins.

Collins, a New Zealand artist, gave Liska her Historic Preservation Award for preserving her home rather than demolishing it.

Liska is no stranger to restoration. Her architect firm’s mission is to restore the character of historic buildings while improving energy efficiency.

Her one-and-a-half-story home is a rectangular shape with a brick face and stone trim. For the award, Collins painted and framed a likeness of the home.

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Collins created the award as a way to recognize people for “preservation and restoration of historic buildings rather than dilapidation and demolition.”

“My award recognizes individuals rather than the restoration,” Collins said. “In my travels I have come to recognize that it is the individual, the homeowner, the community leader who is the main cheerleader and caretaker for saving and preserving our country’s beautiful historic homes and buildings. In their hands, the whole historic fabric and beauty of our country actually lies.”

The artist of more than 450 paintings of historic buildings and homes is traveling around the country to present awards in Michigan and Iowa.