After their Wilmette home of three decades suffered significant smoke and water damage from an attic fire, John and Pam McCambridge turned to architect Mike Shively and interior designer Marshall Erb to revitalize the house for their next chapter in life. Shively had just redesigned their garage and swimming-pool patio, creating a chic area with […]
You update your wardrobe each year by adding key pieces — a killer pair of jeans in the cut du jour, the must-have boots or tote of the season, a statement blouse in a trendy pattern. Keep your home as fresh and on-trend as your wardrobe with some strategic updates. We asked local design experts […]
As the Chicago winter wraps its icy arms around us, we find ourselves racing inside our heated homes with a shiver. Now is the perfect time to spruce up your home and make it a welcome sanctuary from the cold. Consider adding any of these beautiful home decor pieces as accents or statement pieces. Or, if you’re in the mood for a bigger change, use one […]
Did you collect a shelf full of Mason jars back when they were all the rage? Maybe you no longer want them front and center as tabletop décor, but no need to toss them just yet. We mined Pinterest (and a few of our other favorite sites) to find clever ways to repurpose your Mason jars. You’ll […]
“Almost as soon as we walked in the door, I realized that this was the right house,” explains the owner of a nearly 8,000-square-foot brick bungalow adorned with columns and other Georgian architectural elements in Wilmette. Although the interior was dark and derelict, he was impressed with its solid construction and could envision a lighter, […]
It’s time to say goodbye to summer, but you can get into the spirit of fall by decorating your home with some seasonal panache. Try a DIY approach and collect fallen leaves, brilliantly colored and textured pumpkins and gourds, and even long tree branches to bring the warmth of the season indoors. Visit a garden […]
Have your kids flown the nest, leaving behind unused bedrooms filled with wayward stuffed animals, dusty trophies and tattered posters? Rather than keep a room as a shrine to your kiddo, consider transitioning it into a chic guest room or another room you’ll actually use – a home office or workout room, perhaps? Taking a […]
Burlap table runners, cupcakes, flowers in mason jars, food trucks—trends in entertaining come and go, just like trends in fashion. We asked some of the best local event planners for the inside scoop on this year’s hottest entertaining trends. Here’s what the in-the-know hostesses will be doing at their parties this season. Trend #1: Drop-Off […]
Most of us can feel it when we’re in one, yet can find it difficult to identify the specific elements that make a home great for entertaining. What gives a space its warm, inviting ambiance? Is it the lighting? The size of the space? The availability and arrangement of seating? To get to the bottom of what makes a space ideal for hosting, we […]
There’s something so special about gathering good friends and family around your dinner table. Good food, candlelight, the right music, stimulating conversation and plenty of laughter—those are the ingredients for a great dinner party. To make your next soiree really memorable (and enjoyable for you!), we asked a few gracious hostesses around the world for […]
