“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 […]
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 […]
Tired of your house looking, well… tired? Much like our closets need a fresh dose of fashion sense from time to time, our homes can benefit from a facelift once in a while. Here are eight books that will inspire you to get any redecorating project off the ground. The Bee Cottage Story: How I […]
Just knowing where to begin can be the trickiest part of a design project. When you’re starting from scratch, every decision feels monumental, the myriad options are dizzying, the possibilities endless. But the secret to starting strong, any designer will tell you, is to first find your inspiration. “Art is an incredibly rich source of […]
An organized home is a beautiful thing, but sometimes the methods of organizing are less than luxurious. Wire mesh? Plastic bins? No, thank you! Organization should work with a room’s design, but in case you weren’t blessed with built-ins, we’ve rounded up 10 stunning solutions for clutter containment that won’t clash with your décor. 1. GRAHAM […]
Warm gray tones, luxurious fabrics, and a reconfigured floor plan revitalize a historic home in Evanston. As the program director for Evanston Scholars, a nonprofit organization that helps low-income, first-generation high school students with high potential to gain access to four-year colleges and financial aid, Nancy Baker often hosts events in her home. During a […]
A house is more than four walls and roof. From the electricity to the plumbing to all the creature comforts—a home is a complex piece of machinery worthy of some intelligent design. So forget the smart phone (okay, at least just put it down for a second) and start thinking about a smart home! Here […]
A touch of glamour can take a well-appointed home from tasteful to enchanting. Edyta Czajkowska, a North Shore designer and glam-expert known for her chic interiors, defines glamour as “a luxurious and alluring take on something otherwise ordinary.” “I love crafting glamorous rooms…they can become delightful environments for people to experience,” she says. With the […]
The entryway to your house is where you hang your coat, drop your keys and take off your shoes, but it’s also the first place that guests see when they enter your home. Make a stellar first impression with these nine easy updates! The Essentials 1. Chicago’s Elizabeth Stamos, principal and owner of Elizabeth Stamos […]
