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 […]
When you’re throwing a party, whether it’s a small gathering of friends or a blowout bash to celebrate a milestone, you want your guests to have a great time and truly connect with one another. Sometimes, though, it can be difficult to get even the most articulate and friendly adults out of their comfort zones […]
“This was my dream come true,” says Elaine Eisen Heuberger, of the modern three-bedroom home that she shares with her husband, Rich, and their dogs, Cooper, a Portuguese Water Dog, and Stella, a Labradoodle. “I went to Northwestern and always wanted to live in Evanston,” she explains. “I like the mix of people a lot, […]
There’s no better conversation starter—or home décor accent—than a good coffee table book. Whether you regularly page through it or it’s a permanent fixture on your bookshelf, these beautiful books are much more than that; they’re works of art. Here are 10 gorgeous books we want on our coffee tables. 1. The Dogist: Photographic Encounters with […]
Getting your home organized (finally!) doesn’t have to be overwhelming—as long as you use strategies that actually work. We called on some of our favorite local organization and home experts to share their top tricks for keeping busy families (and their homes) running smoothly. With these clever tactics, you might find that organizing can be […]
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 […]
We asked and, boy, did you answer! Make It Better’s Best of 2015 drew more than 105,000 verified votes across 10 categories. It’s obvious that you, our readers, feel strongly about the North Shore and Chicago businesses you love and are eager to help promote them. We were excited to see businesses asking their loyal […]
Sure, kiddies are cute, but they tend to leave a trail of chaos in their wakes. Tackling that clutter is no easy feat – grown-ups have a hard enough time managing their own messes! Cue the experts. We tapped organization pros for some genius tips on reining in kid-clutter and teaching children good organization habits […]
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 […]
