Visiting my grandmother as a young girl in the hot and humid south, I discovered her famed front porch swing on a lazy summer day. Every time I sat down on that swing and took in the world around me, a calming presence arrived. Now today, whenever I see a beautiful old home with a […]
Strange Closets sounds like name of a Michael Jackson expose, but it seemed an apropos title when I started writing my interiors blog two years ago, because strange closets and I go way back. Growing up, I had two, room-sized walk-in closets: inside the first was a full-sized door to a second closet built into […]
In January, all gardens are perfect: blight-free tomatoes, glossy eggplants and weed-free plots. It’s time to dream and plan with the gardener’s favorite fantasy: the seed catalog.
Here’s a few great tips to follow for a greener home in the months to come:
Here we go again … it’s the beginning of a new year, which means resolutions all around, especially for homeowners. It’s not just about losing weight or eating healthy…some people resolve to finally paint that bedroom or get those window treatments done. Lofty goals, yes, but that’s what a new year is about after all. […]
Now is the ideal time to sit down with a cup of tea, your seed and plant catalogs and that new journal (devoted to gardening notes) to jot down your 2011 gardening goals. Once you’ve identified your desired results, even an informal plan will help you achieve your vision and save money. Where to start? […]
“Get organized” seems to be a perennial item on many of our New Year’s resolution lists. This year, we brought in the experts. Joe Lupo and Jesse Garza are the dream team behind Visual Therapy, a service touted by Vogue, Oprah and others, that helps clients organize their closets to define and enhance their own […]
Decorating in December can be ho-hum or ho-ho-ho! Here are a few ideas to keep things fresh. Visit retailers for ideas Retailers are both the problem and solution. Large chain stores hire a cadre of visual merchandisers to make sure their displays grab eyeballs, so use them for ideas even if you don’t buy the […]
Yasmin Mekki, a Lake Forest resident, recently opened Kenzy Gifts and Décor, a store full of unique North Africa-made additions for your home. Mekki designs her product lines and then has the pieces made in North Africa, including tabletop items and furniture, as well as gifts for friends and family. The name Kenzy means […]
Autumn’s mild weather allowed maximum procrastination of this year’s snow removal decisions, but snow’s coming; so wait no longer. Here are the key considerations for buying a new snow blower or shovel or hiring a snow removal service. Snow blowers “Snow blowers are a back saver,” says Libertyville Ace Hardware Store Manager Paul LaRoche, who […]
