Designer Tips for a Stunning Powder Room

Summer is a time for entertaining and house guests.  Turn your attention to the smallest room in your home where you can make a dramatic impact without breaking the bank. With these tips you will impress your guests with your creativity and unique sense of style while also providing a haven for them to refresh.  Powder rooms allow […]

Designer Tips on How to Choose the Right Paint Colors for Your Home

At the beginning of the year, we start to think about refreshing our homes. In the dark, cold days of winter, we spend more time indoors and often feel more acutely the adverse effects of a home that does not feel restful or comforting. There are many factors that go into making a home comfortable and […]

How to Design an Odd Space – A Before and After Story…

Great room with built in cabinet redesigned by Chicago designer

Often, I am called in when clients have a strangely configured space or room that is tormenting them. It may be an oddly shaped recess or column jutting out in the wall or the way the doors break up the space.  Newer homes seem to suffer from these problems, possibly because builders do not pay […]

Home Construction Headaches and How to Avoid Them

Tile design for kitchen backsplash

In Chicago and the Midwest the saying goes “there are only two seasons; construction and winter”.  Most homeowners plan to take on major remodeling projects during the warmer months as there is inevitably a lot of foot traffic, open doors and maybe exterior walls exposed. Having personally gone through a recent kitchen remodeling process in […]

My Highlights from High Point Furnishings Market Spring 2017

Kelly Wearstler lamps at High Point

I am not the Designer who instantly wants to use the latest fashion style in home furnishings. Unfortunately they can soon become ubiquitous; think sunburst mirrors! High Point market is not just THE place to discover what new furniture, lighting and accessories will soon be launched. For the Designer, the showrooms are an invaluable resource to […]

How to Plan your Outdoor Living Space – Design tips

Outdoor living with white all weather wicker

Is your Outdoor Living Space Ready for Summer? Now that we are seeing signs of Spring, it’s a good time to start reviewing the state of your outdoor space and make plans to create or enhance the living space you desire. Whether you design an entirely new space, complete with outdoor kitchen and fireplace, replace […]

Magnificent Ways with Tile: New Trends and Inspiration for your Bathroom

Award winning Contemporary Bathroom Remodel on Chicago North Shore

Attending a presentation in Chicago last week of New Ravenna tile and stone, inspired me to devote this month’s blog post to stunning new designs in tile that are so creative and artistic, I just had to share a few with you!  They reflect new trends in tile and design which I will explain here. I […]

Tips for Brightening your Home to Cure the Winter Blues

Winter can be pretty gloomy especially in Chicago where I am based.  Waking up in the dark and getting home in the dark doesn’t help.   Light or the lack of it, affects how we feel, our mood and energy levels.  There is even a medical condition called SAD or Seasonal Affective Disorder, which  is caused by the disruption […]

How to Bring Old World Charm to your Christmas Dinner Table

Dining table decorated for Christmas in vintage old world style

Christmas is a time for celebrating our traditions and honoring memories while gathering with friends and family.  I love to incorporate the old with the new in my holiday table decorating, weaving in vintage pieces which have meaning to my family and recall the past.  I also like to add some element of the outdoors into […]