Creating a welcoming front entry should be a top priority for every homeowner – after all, it’s the first impression your home makes. The good news? Once you’ve invested in an attractive entrance, it’s not difficult or expensive to maintain year after year. “There’s an initial investment in painting and door hardware, perhaps some large […]
1. Change a light bulb. Replace incandescent lights bulbs with compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs. Don’t wait for old bulbs to burn out. Make this change today. 2. Drive less; drive smart. Drive a fuel-efficient car, keep the tires inflated, and carpool. Don’t let your engine run while you wait. Walk, bike or use public […]
It’s springtime, and by now you’ve cleaned your closet and home to the hilt. In doing so, you’ve realized two things: You want new stuff and need to get rid of your old stuff. Think you need to break the bank at the mall? Or throw out items you’ve barely used? Think again. Speckled across […]
What you hang and display speaks volumes about you—your interests, taste, and priorities. According to brain research cited by Tal D. Ben-Shahar, who teaches at Harvard, surrounding yourself with pleasurable objects actually makes you happier. So don’t be a passive accumulator, be passionate about your possessions. When people pass through the laundry/mudroom of my house, […]
We’ve all heard the adage, “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” But what if your trash really has value and you just don’t need it anymore? Few of us have the time or energy for a full-scale garage sale. So once you’ve completed that organization overhaul, why not turn to the next generation sale […]
You don’t know you need these, but we’re guessing once you try one, you’ll wonder how you lived without it.
Repeat after us: This will be the year that you start an organic garden. Need an incentive other than the nice weather? How about your kids’ health? Researchers at Saint Louis University Preschool found that children eat more fruits and vegetables when the produce is homegrown. Don’t get scared off by the word organic. “Organic […]
Becoming an empty nester can be bittersweet, but when it comes to decorating, the empty nest is full of possibilities. This traditional-style home in Lake Forest was built in the 1980s on a curving subdivision road near the Onwentsia Club. Entering the home, everything appears beautifully staged: Piles of art books are stacked on coffee […]
Brown and tired…that’s what your winter pots say. No time like spring to ditch the pine needles and winterberries for tulips, pansies and pussy willow. “Spring is the perfect time to revive your outdoor garden containers with bright colors and verdant foliage,” says Laura Szyjka, a garden/floral designer with Rocco Fiore and Sons. “Regardless of […]
Ask any woman—it could be 14-hour work days or 14 trips back and forth to a child’s golf camp—we could all benefit from a few minutes of solid meditation. The practice is good for the body and the soul, accomplishing everything from boosting the immune system to relieving stress and promoting better sleep. To truly […]
