In a city as vibrant as Chicago, making everyday decisions — where to order dinner, get a haircut, push your kids on the swings — can feel downright dizzying. Enter our (eighth annual!) Best Of awards: You shared your favorite spaces and places, we tallied the votes, and together we’ll celebrate all that makes our beloved communities shine.
Here are the Best of 2018: Home & Design winners:
Best Architect (City)
Perkins + Will
410 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 1600, Chicago, 312-755-0770
Featured work by Perkins + Will in Chicago includes Rush University Medical Center, Campus Transformation Project; The Contemporaine; and Skybridge.
Best Architect (Suburbs)
Reynolds Architecture Design & Construction
1765 Maple St., Suite 200, Northfield, 847-501-3150
Since its founding in 1995, Reynolds Architecture has designed and built more than 150 custom homes.
Best Builder (City)
Power Construction
8750 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Suite 500, Chicago, 312-596-6960
The mission of Power Construction is, they admit, very simple: “to build what matters.”
Best Builder (Suburbs) | Best Showroom
A. Perry Homes
1220 Washington Ave., Wilmette, 847-549-0668
If you’re looking to build your dream home, turn to these multiyear Best Of winners.
Best Exterior Painting | Best Interior Painting
Hester Painting & Decorating
7340 N. Monticello Ave., Skokie, 847-677-5130
This third-generation, family-owned business (and multi-time Best Of winner) is celebrating 50 years in 2018.
Best Flooring
Lewis Floor & Home
1840 Skokie Blvd., Northbrook, 847-835-2400
From carpet and hardwood to tile and laminate, you’ll find the right flooring for your home at Lewis’ showroom.
Best Handyman
Get Dwell
1046 Gage St., Winnetka, 312-388-0568 (Chicago), 847-922-3418 (North Shore)
When you find yourself in need of a repair, you turn to the team at Get Dwell.
Best Interior Designer (City)
Anthony Michael Interior Design
2825 N. Southport Ave., Chicago, 773-770-3729
Anthony Michael Interior Design is not only an award-winning business, but also a business that believes in giving back.
Best Interior Designer (Suburbs)
Ilene Chase Design
847-828-0305
With more than 18 years of experience, Ilene Chase is one of the North Shore’s top custom and high-end designers.
Best Kitchen Design (Tie)
Abruzzo Kitchen and Bath
1105 Remington Road, Suite E, Schaumburg, 847-885-0500
The Abruzzo team will guide you from start to finish to make sure your home is picture perfect.
de Giulio Kitchen Design
222 Merchandise Mart Plaza, Suite 121, Chicago, 312-494-9200; 1121 Central Ave., Wilmette, 847-256-8833
de Giulio is “widely recognized for distinctive compositions that combine an experienced sensibility to craft, fine detail and classic proportion,” and has provided services to organizations like Boys Hope Girls Hope and Habitat for Humanity.
Best Landscapers (Tie)
Mariani Landscape
300 Rockland Road, Lake Bluff, 847-234-2172
Celebrating 60 years, Mariani is committed to creating beautiful landscapes sustainably.
Chalet
3132 Lake Ave., Wilmette, 847-256-0561
At Chalet, the goal is to “create a landscape you’ll treasure for many years to come” using the best local plants.
Best New Luxury Development
1000M
1006 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, 312-313-7841
This addition to the Mag Mile features amenities like a sun deck and sky terrace, meditation room, a 24/7 fitness room, and much more.
Best Real Estate Company
@properties
Various
@properties is in the top 11 of residential brokers in the country (by sales volume) and always looks to give back to the community.
Best Senior Living
The Mather
1603 Orrington Ave., Suite 1800, Evanston, 847-492-7500
This isn’t a traditional retirement living experience; this is what The Mather calls Repriorment™.
