“A house isn’t worth anything if you can’t make it comfortable to live in,” explains Thomas Wesely. Wesley is an Evanston-based interior designer who set out to do just that for his friend when she bought a 1920s-era Tudor-style home, which is located on a leafy street in Evanston. Tell us a little about the […]
You probably want to limit your family’s exposure to toxins. That’s why it’s surprising that companies are not required to list the ingredients in their cleaning products on the labels. Women’s Voices for the Earth commissioned an independent lab to test 20 top household cleaners for potentially dangerous substances. “Dirty Secrets: What’s Hiding in Your […]
I’d heard that Meg Caswell, winner of this year’s “HGTV Design Star,” was the kind of girl that immediately feels like your new best friend. As I scurried through the chilly, gray streets of Chicago and nestled into the colorful, warm, cushy couch at Meg’s Design Shoppe, at 1242 N. Wells St., I immediately knew […]
It’s the worst economy in 30 years. Home builders have fallen by the dozens. Foreclosures fail to recede. And yet, in downtown Libertyville, people are building their dream homes again. This time around, it’s a new kind of dream. Sarah Susanka, architect and author of nine best-selling books, is leading a movement to redefine the […]
Before the holidays, it’s helpful to clear out some of the clutter. Here are the best places to sell, donate and recycle all those household items you no longer want. Clothing Donate: NCJW’s Encore and More, 1107 Central Ave., Wilmette Details: Request a receipt for the contribution. Itemize your donations and list their current market value. […]
Winter is just around the corner, which means higher gas and electric bills is also quickly approaching. Even though most gas users pay an average of $160 a month, there are a few things you can do to help lower your heating costs as the temperature drops. 1. Calculator and Lower Energy Use. Nicor Gas […]
The summer of 2011 was almost as bad on our cool season turf grass lawns as the summer of 2010.
The rug is the foundation of your room. It’s a stage for your furniture, warmth for your feet, a soft spot to sit. But too many tired rooms are anchored by predictable patterns, awkward sizing and poor quality. It’s time to choose the right rug for your space. Where do you start? First ask yourself, […]
The Mallinckrodt in the Park Penthouse Design Contest announced its five talented winners. They created designs for the convent, turned college, turned luxury apartment building that was originally built in 1918. Winners chosen from the Harrington College of Design in downtown Chicago, Nancy Walsh and Hannah Moore, were awarded a $1000 prize, while first runner […]
We’ve heard about reducing our carbon footprint—but what about our pets’ paw print? Here a five ways from The Nature Conservancy to help your pet tread a little lighter: 1. Purchase Eco-Friendly Gifts Give your furry friends products made from recycled materials or sustainable fibers and with nontoxic ingredients. A hemp collar and matching leash […]
