Following a few simple rules helped interior designer Stephanie Wohlner transfer her family’s “wreck of a house” into a stylish and comfortable home. Rick and Stephanie Wohlner’s 80 year-old 5,600 square foot Nantucket Clapper-style home was dated and worn the first time they saw it, but they appreciated the simple architecture, idyllic wooded setting and […]
Thanks to everyone—professionals and homeowners—who sent in photos of their fabulous family rooms and mud rooms. Our judges this month are Lindsay McDonell of LB Interior Design in Chicago, Bob Zuber of Morgante-Wilson Architects, Ltd. of Evanston, and Linda Eisenberg of Collaborate Design Studio in Deerfield. The judges were asked to choose a winner in […]
Susan Fredman Design Group’s Ruthie Delf Talks About Transforming a Glencoe Sun Porch. Recently Susan Fredman Design helped a Glencoe couple redecorate their entire home. One of the biggest challenges was creating a serene but masculine sun porch that would maximize the gorgeous views of the nearby garden and swimming pool. Staff designer Ruthie Delf […]
Cool shade, lake breezes … we want to live outside this summer. Lucky for us, with a little design help, we can. “Everything about outdoor spaces is better than ever,” says Lindsay McDonell, of Chicago-based LB Interior Design. “Furniture is better. Outdoor rugs are more sophisticated. People are really carrying the design from the interior […]
Do you love the classic beauty of your traditional home, but wish the interior felt more fresh and crisp? Check out transitional design, an aesthetic that combines traditional and contemporary elements. “Transitional design is a uniquely American style—it embodies casual elegance,” says George Adamczyk of George Adamczyk & Co., a builder with over 120 houses […]
Thanks to everyone—professionals and homeowners—who sent in photos of their fabulous outdoor spaces. Our intrepid judges (Jeff Hester of Hester Decorating, Nancy Spears, a member of area garden club Glenview Gardeners and Tate Gunnerson, Make It Better contributing writer and creator of strangeclosets.com, a design blog) had their work cut out for them, with five […]
Wilmette’s Defining Moments will thrill the scrappiest of scrapbookers as well as those who are clueless when it comes to crafts. Featuring high-end, unique materials (think clocks, tissue box holders and planners), the shop is available for girls’ nights out, parties, workshops and classes. Or, simply order a custom memento from owner Jocelyn Tobias of […]
When Lynn Rutstein of Deerfield was diagnosed with breast cancer, her family and friends built her a garden to give her hope for renewal. The garden inspired her to create Perennial Hope, a line of plates that feature crocuses, with other flowers to come. The nonprofit FORCE (Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered) receives 15 […]
Designer Mick de Giulio is about to achieve rock-star status with the publication of “Kitchen Centric.” It’s a book he describes as “part art book, part fantasy and part field guide.” Written with former Chicago Tribune reporter Karen Klages Grace, the book features page after page of drool-worthy photos of de Giulio’s favorite kitchens. On […]
Designer, tastemaker and collector Thomas O’Brien spoke to a packed house about his just released first book “American Modern: My Inspirations for Classic Style, from Modern to Traditional” at the Merchandise Mart’s bi-annual International Antiques Fair. Whether speaking about one of his projects, one of his own homes or one of his lines for companies […]
