We love escaping into a good movie—especially if it has great set design! Who didn’t want to be cocooned in Meg Ryan’s charming shabby-chic marina-view apartment in “Sleepless in Seattle”? And, we’ve been dreaming (along with the rest of the collective female psyche) of a houseboat on Lake Union since 1993. Swoon-worthy sets are half […]
Midwestern summers are short. If the weather is warm, we want to be outside enjoying it, which means many of us are evolving the way we use outdoor space. Well-appointed outdoor kitchens mean we don’t have to go inside, even at mealtimes. Here, local outdoor design specialists give us the scoop on the latest al […]
Looking for something beautiful and original to hang over the mantel, but don’t know where to start? Buying a piece of artwork can be both daunting and overwhelming. There used to be two types of people: those who collect art, and the rest of us dopes, with galleries only willing to talk to the former. […]
No need to fly across the pond to score fabulous European antiques. Paris Market Antiques, which opened earlier this year in the Ice House Mall, carries antiques from the Belgian, French and Italian markets. Owners Gwendolyn Whiston and Laurence McMurray, former owners of Tivoli Garden Antiques on Main Street, are bringing Paris Market Antiques to […]
Paulette Leffler and Jaime Leonardi have always dreamed about opening their own shop in order to share their love of unique finds and gift giving. So, in late November, this mother-daughter team opened Stumble & Relish. “Evanston has so many great shops, particularly in our neighborhood, [and] we wanted to compliment the surrounding businesses,” Jaime […]
There’s nothing like a kitchen walk to whet your appetite for renovation. Showcasing six stunning kitchens, the Junior League of Evanston-North Shore’s 2013 Designer Kitchen Tour provided more than a little inspiration. Whether you’re planning a major kitchen renovation or considering a few upgrades, take these ideas to task. Revisit brass Today’s brass is burnished […]
Throw off the end-of-winter doldrums—at least in your home. We’ve rounded up 8 great ideas to get you going. 1. Start with a Clean Slate After you’ve swept out the last of those leftover pine needles from Christmas, open up the windows and let the fresh air in. Before beginning any redecorating project, get to […]
The days of heavy-handed window treatments are over. It’s time to lose the hefty cornices, ornate hardware, overdone tassels and trim, and opt for window treatments that offer warmth and style, and still let the light shine in. So whether you revise or redo your window treatments, here are some decorating ideas from local interior […]
Just as a suite of furniture is boring and predictable, the same goes for your bed. It’s time to ditch the “bed in a bag,” and think of your bedding like your wardrobe. For inspiration, we asked Meg Carroll of Bedside Manor and Leslie Spitzer-Blesius of Jolie Maison, to share their tricks to making a […]
No more excuses. When it comes to decorating, the time to act is now. Decorating isn’t about hiring a designer or buying fancy or expensive things. It’s about ripping the brown paper wrappers off your pictures and hanging them anywhere. So unpack your pictures already! Because let’s face it: You moved in five years ago. […]
