Strange Closets

Welcome to the long awaited third installment in the Strange Closets Buchanan, Michigan triology (it’s epic . . . and no ewoks, I promise).  After hearing the murmurs and reading an article in Chicago Home + Garden, I finally visited at the invitation of rural pioneer and longtime Chicago antique dealer Alan Robandt.  In a [...]

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to interview furniture designer Bladon Conner in his Ukrainian Village apartment.  Bladon’s a rising star in Chicago’s design scene having appeared in Chicago Home + Garden and Time Out (among others). Bladon imbues every piece with an unexpected touch that elevates it; the first time I felt [...]

Dave and Laura are a funny, sexy and interesting couple living their dream after gut rehabbing an stately old brick home in Wilmette.  You may recognize top-notch Interior Designer Laura from the piece I wrote about her most excellent garage a few months ago (I used to drive by that garage sometimes, but I quit [...]

If you’re kicking yourself for missing out on buying your second home in Three Oaks or Sawyer Michigan before they gentrified, no need to fret because there’s one small but scenic and inexpensive Harbor County (at least I think it’s Harbor County) town left . . . Buchanan, and it’s pretty amazing . . .

Have you ever casually glanced through a catalog and realized that you recognize the “set”? That happened to me last week when I noticed that designer Julia Edelmann’s home (which was recently featured in Chicago Home + Garden) had been staged with Flor’s ultra-cool carpet tiles. Assuming these catalogs pay, that’s a pretty sweet gig. [...]

Ever since former Open House subject Dan Santow showed me his collection of vintage oil portraits, I’ve noticed them far more frequently (the “I never noticed so many Corolla’s until I bought one phenomenon”). I’ve also begun searching for the perfect one to add some vintage charm to my own home (the “Dan’s home is [...]

Scout owner, Larry Vodak’s incredible home, is featured in the latest Chicago Home + Garden. I picked up a free copy of Chicago Home + Garden’s September / October issue at last weekend’s Chicago Antique Market (did you go?), but I definitely would have paid for it. If you’re not reading Chicago Home + Garden, [...]