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Archive for the week of

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December 04, 2005 November 20, 2005 - November 27, 2005 November 13, 2005 - November 20, 2005 November 06, 2005 - November 13, 2005 October 30, 2005 - November 06, 2005 October 23, 2005 - October 30, 2005 October 16, 2005 - October 23, 2005 October 09, 2005 - October 16, 2005 October 02, 2005 - October 09, 2005 September 25, 2005 - October 02, 2005 September 18, 2005 - September 25, 2005 September 11, 2005 - September 18, 2005 September 04, 2005 - September 11, 2005 August 28, 2005 - September 04, 2005 August 21, 2005 - August 28, 2005 August 14, 2005 - August 21, 2005 August 07, 2005 - August 14, 2005 July 31, 2005 - August 07, 2005 July 24, 2005 - July 31, 2005 July 17, 2005 - July 24, 2005 July 10, 2005 - July 17, 2005 July 03, 2005 - July 10, 2005 June 26, 2005 - July 03, 2005 June 19, 2005 - June 26, 2005 June 12, 2005 - June 19, 2005 June 05, 2005 - June 12, 2005 May 29, 2005 - June 05, 2005 May 22, 2005 - May 29, 2005 May 15, 2005 - May 22, 2005 May 08, 2005 - May 15, 2005 May 01, 2005 - May 08, 2005 April 24, 2005 - May 01, 2005 April 17, 2005 - April 24, 2005 April 10, 2005 - April 17, 2005 April 03, 2005 - April 10, 2005 March 27, 2005 - April 03, 2005 March 20, 2005 - March 27, 2005 March 13, 2005 - March 20, 2005 March 06, 2005 - March 13, 2005 February 27, 2005 - March 06, 2005 February 20, 2005 - February 27, 2005 February 13, 2005 - February 20, 2005 February 06, 2005 - February 13, 2005 January 30, 2005 - February 06, 2005 January 23, 2005 - January 30, 2005 January 16, 2005 - January 23, 2005 January 09, 2005 - January 16, 2005 January 02, 2005 - January 09, 2005 December 26, 2004 - January 02, 2005 December 19, 2004 - December 26, 2004 December 12, 2004 - December 19, 2004 December 05, 2004 - December 12, 2004 November 28, 2004 - December 05, 2004 November 21, 2004 - November 28, 2004 November 14, 2004 - November 21, 2004 November 07, 2004 - November 14, 2004 October 31, 2004 - November 07, 2004 October 24, 2004 - October 31, 2004 October 17, 2004 - October 24, 2004 October 10, 2004 - October 17, 2004 October 03, 2004 - October 10, 2004 September 26, 2004 - October 03, 2004 September 19, 2004 - September 26, 2004 September 12, 2004 - September 19, 2004 September 05, 2004 - September 12, 2004 August 29, 2004 - September 05, 2004 August 22, 2004 - August 29, 2004 August 15, 2004 - August 22, 2004 August 08, 2004 - August 15, 2004 August 01, 2004 - August 08, 2004 July 25, 2004 - August 01, 2004 July 18, 2004 - July 25, 2004 July 11, 2004 - July 18, 2004 July 04, 2004 - July 11, 2004 June 27, 2004 - July 04, 2004 June 20, 2004 - June 27, 2004 June 13, 2004 - June 20, 2004 June 06, 2004 - June 13, 2004 May 30, 2004 - June 06, 2004 May 23, 2004 - May 30, 2004 May 16, 2004 - May 23, 2004 May 09, 2004 - May 16, 2004 May 02, 2004 - May 09, 2004 April 25, 2004 - May 02, 2004 April 18, 2004 - April 25, 2004 April 11, 2004 - April 18, 2004 April 04, 2004 - April 11, 2004 March 28, 2004 - April 04, 2004 March 21, 2004 - March 28, 2004 March 14, 2004 - March 21, 2004 March 07, 2004 - March 14, 2004 February 29, 2004 - March 07, 2004 February 22, 2004 - February 29, 2004 February 15, 2004 - February 22, 2004 February 08, 2004 - February 15, 2004 February 01, 2004 - February 08, 2004 January 25, 2004 - February 01, 2004 January 18, 2004 - January 25, 2004 January 11, 2004 - January 18, 2004 January 04, 2004 - January 11, 2004 December 28, 2003 - January 04, 2004

Kevin & Dop's Playful Uptown Loft
House Tour

Name: Kevin Byrne and Dop Troutman Location: Chicago (Uptown) Size: 884 square feet (1 bedroom loft in former department store; built in 1915 converted in 2003) Years lived in: 1 Kevin shared his f...

5 Weekend Cleaning Projects
That Make a Big Impact

Cleaning is one of the cheapest ways to improve your home, and one of the most beneficial. If you've been thinking about doing some weekend cleaning, click below to pick a project that will really s...

Color Combo: Autumn Golds, Red-Oranges & Browns

This color combination is inspired by the leaves that have already started to turn in some parts of the country. As we get ready for the seasonal change, we're looking at rooms that take their ...

A Modern Family-Friendly New York Apartment
Martha Stewart Living

We love the look of classic pieces with fun, homey touches. Nashel, Chused and Benjamin's apartment is a great example of place that looks chic while still being warm and inviting and the playroom in ...

Chicago Sources for a Long Slipcovered Sofa?
Good Questions

Q: I am currently on the hunt for a Pottery Barn-esqe slipcover sofa without such a high price tag (under $1200 preferably). The tricky part is that ideally it would be a over 90" long (I am blessed w...

Finally! The Official Chicago Freecycle

Since May '03, Freecycle has been helping consumers purchase and throw away less, by encouraging an active community of exchanging and recycling goods. Listed as either "offered" or "wanted," the conc...

Inspiring Interiors from a New Graphic Novel

This is by far the most modernist comic book we've ever seen. Written and beautifully illustrated by David Mazzucchelli, Asterios Polyp is the story of an architect who escapes to the Midwest after ...

Look! Seating at the Local Mexican Eatery

When my sister took me to her favorite hole-in-the-wall for Mexican food recently, the tostadas were excellent. That, I expected. What I didn't expect was that the seating would woo me, too......

More Craigslist Finds For States That Are Left Behind

We know it can be hard to see all the fabulous Craigslist finds in other states and think to yourself, "Wish I lived there!" This morning we're taking another look at Craigslist areas that are...

Midwest Scavenger: We'll Take One Of Everything

The weather through most of the Midwest should be a bit cooler with a little rain, which makes it a perfect weekend for bargains! Shopping when it's a little wet out deters other scavengers an...

Roundup: Sunny Yellow Walls

Right now, it's gray outside our window, so we thought we'd look indoors for some color. Yellow is one of our favorite hues for a kitchen or a sunroom. The trick is to......

Moooi Random Light - $495
Chicago Scavenger

You are only saving about $60 including tax by purchasing this hanging lamp from its seller on Craigslist, but it is claimed to be brand new so it should be worth the trouble. Jump below for l...

Ideas for Decorating with Plants

Plants are one of the most multi-purpose things we can bring into our homes. They improve our air quality, bring color and life to a space, and sometimes even provide us with food or flowers. T...

Inspiration: Dark Walls, Light Floors

This look is the flipside of the trend towards dark floors and white walls. It's a way to create unexpected contrast in a space, and the pairing of richly colored walls with a fluffy white rug ...

Bamboo Wall Clocks by Decoylab

Since our son was born our perception of time has never been worse so we've added a few more clocks around the house to help us out. Decoylab has recently added some cute bamboo animal clocks to their...

Advice for Unpleasant, Unlivable Roommate Situation?
Good Questions

Q: I'm hoping you wonderful people can help me with my irksome roommate problem. I was in a hurry to find a place to live, so I stupidly rushed into a year lease with a roommate I found on Craigslist....

Fashion Underfoot Collections by Elson & Company

With a new season of Project Runway underway (hooray!), we're reminded of some serious overlap between the fashions we wear and the designs we use at home. A small corner in the fashion/decor m...

List for a Rainy Day: Ways to Enjoy Your Home

I opened my eyes / And looked up at the rain / And it dripped in my head / And flowed into my brain. These lines from Shel Silverstein pretty accurately capture the way we've been feeling here in Ch...

Orchard Ladders

I recently spotted this orchard ladder at a local garage sale for $50. It was something like 13' high and wasn't very sturdy, but its shape was very appealing. Thus started the search for other...

Bed Bunker: Perfect For The Zombie Apocolypse

Although we jokingly say this under-bed storage locker is ideal for taking on the walking undead (it can hold 32 rifles and 70 handguns, plus ammo), it would outlast even the hottest house fire...

Historical Milwaukee Neighborhood Posters

Since 1983, Jan Kotowicz has been defining Milwaukee neighborhoods in print, one after another. Her work is done with a little art deco inspiration and paired with the history of each neighbo...

Loungy Set Ups for the Coffee Table

Yesterday we looked at rooms that skip the coffee table completely; today we're taking a different approach. The living rooms above use floor cushions and low-profile seating to transform the c...

CB2 Bed - $550
Chicago Scavenger

Up for grabs today is a super modern take on the four poster bed from CB2. Jump below for links to this and more good finds: ...

The Weekend Guide: Sales and Events
Chicago 8.27.09

THIS WEEK • Thos. Moser Showroom • Artemide • I.D. Chicago • Urbanest • Sprout Home • Morlen Sinoway Atelier • Cambium • @Work Design • Grand Street Gar...

Dramatic Dining Rooms

Maybe it's the gorgeous glow of a chandelier or the sense of occasion that a beautifully set table brings to a dinner party. Whatever the draw, we love looking at high-drama dining rooms for in...

Christopher's Stylin' Studio
House Call

Name: Christopher Abair Location: Chicago, Illinois I bought my small studio condo 5 years ago as an attempted pied-a-terre apartment, assuming I'd be able to upgrade to a one-bedroom after a ...

Origin and Value of Chairs from Dad's Basement?
Good Questions

Q: These chairs were in my boyfriend's Dad's basement. There are two of them, in this matching yellow almost boucle upholstery. He said that they were in his grandparents house and were probably fro...

Blog Closeup: Thos. Moser Podcast

In this great interview with Thomas Moser, we learn about the furniture maker's design philosophy and production details, the differences between his main influences (Shaker) versus his son David's in...

Living Rooms Without a Coffee Table

When we posted a little while ago about rooms that break the rules of traditional furniture arrangement, we got a lot of responses in the comments from people who don't own a coffee table. As a...

Look! One Des Moines Commute

A friend in Des Moines recently shared with me his enviable commute to work. He bikes daily, and often chooses this scenic route over a more direct path:...

Fattened Eames Chairs

Atlanta based artist Mark Wentzel has used Eames Lounge Chairs and their ottomans to create quite a stir and visual statement. Although we can appreciate his artistic representation of his societal ...

The $5 Front Porch Makeover
Before & After

There's something to be said about adding a little curb appeal to your home. The hard part is, when budgets are tight, you're usually budgeting most your funds for inside purchases and upgrades. Th...

Small Space Solution: Double Desks

When two people live together in an apartment, a double desk is one way to maximize your home office. Rather than have two separate work areas, which would eat up more space, a double desk cons...

Retro Daybed - $499
Chicago Scavenger

Although the designer is not known on this retro daybed, it is terribly handsome and functions as three pieces of furniture in one. Bed, couch, and side tables are all wrapped together in one ...

Maisonette by Studio Gang Architects
ArchDaily

More good work from Chicago's Studio Gang Architects, whose office and community center have inspired us before. ArchDaily takes a look at one of their residential projects, an airy apartment c...

End-of-Summer Getaway Ideas for Design Lovers

Still searching for a good way to spend your Labor Day weekend, or your last remaining vacation days, before summer ends? If you read this site, your idea of a great vacation might mean going to a f...

Should I Paint this Brick Fireplace?
Good Questions

Q: My husband and I are in the process of acquiring this large brick fireplace (and it's home) that looks very late '70's. I think it makes the little family room seem dark, but I'm uncertain about th...

Krista Peel Miniature Roomboxes

You may remember artist Krista Peel from her apartment featured on Small Space Big Style. In addition to her creative use of living and work space, we learned of Krista's miniature roomboxes, t...

Modern Tabletop Finds Under $10

If you're trying to set the table on a budget, our best advice is to keep it simple. Take a classic approach with white plates, basic glassware, and wooden serving bowls. It looks great, and wo...

4 Live Edge Objects

We love a simple interior mixed with a natural element, like this live edge headboard from Urban Hardwoods. Don't have the space or the budget for such large furnishings? Here are four small li...

5 Great Repurposed Home Decor Ideas

We're all for recycling and repurposing, especially when the results are as fabulous as this. See what each of the above items is made from (a few even surprised us), after the jump! ...

New Stimulus: Energy Saving Appliances

Along the same lines as the Cash For Clunkers program, the government will be sending out stimulus rebates on all Energy Star home appliances purchased from mid October to late November. Good news, ...

Then and Now: 90210 & Melrose Place

We've been seeing ads everywhere for the new Melrose Place on CWTV. Following last year's debut of the new 90210, it seems like remaking 1990s teen dramas is all the rage right now. We thought ...

Modern Coffee Table - $375
Chicago Scavenger

Handmade from African Mahogany by the current owner's father, this boomerang coffee table has a great story and fabulous style. Jump below for links to this and more good finds: ...

Sarah & Steve's Attic Aerie
House Tour

Name: Sarah, Steve, and Otto (our greyhound) Location: Chicago, Illinois Size: 2-bedroom rental, 1,000 sf (more or less) Lived in: 4 months As we come to the end of a month dedicated to “setting ...

8 Creative Storage Solutions

With the exception of those blessed with a surplus of closet space, storage is an issue for most people, especially if you live in a small apartment. We love spotting unexpected solutions to th...

Accent Color: Bright Red with Wood Tones

Natural wood is a great backdrop for jewel tones, which play up its richness and warmth. Lately, we've fallen in love with the look of bold reds, used as an accent against more subdued blonde a...

Vintage Indian School Desks

We really like the short legs of these vintage desks from India. Kids can sit on the floor comfortably to use them, or you can also use them on a bed or couch. Check out the entire post on: Ohdeedoh...

Well-Priced Upholstered Bedframe in Full Size?
Good Questions

Q: I was hoping that some shopping savvy readers could help me find my dream bed. I *love* the Colette bed from C&B (shown here) but it is out of my price range and too big for my full sized mattress....

Roundup: Apartment Therapy Homes and the Oh Chair

Of Karim Rashid's many loved designs, the Oh chair has withstood significant popularity over the years. At dining tables, desks, and in bedrooms and hallways, this chair (and its many colors) f...

Store Closing: Prairie Avenue Bookshop

Sad news for lovers of interior design monographs and rare architecture books. Chicago's premier architectural bookstore, Prairie Avenue Bookshop, will be closing this month. On the upside, the stor...

Mid Century Interiors by Bruce Goff

Oklahoma architect Bruce Goff, who was most prolific in the mid 20th century, created homes with unmistakable exteriors and interiors. A few of the latter are collected here:...

Found: Wall Mounted Ceiling Fans

One of the common problems many of our readers have is the love/hate relationship with ceiling fans. Even if you have ceilings high enough for them, they aren't always at the top of the attrac...

Flickr Finds: Retro, Old School & Vintage Dorm Rooms

Although we've offered a few tips and tricks for our college aged readers, many of us have long left dorm life. The idea of a "designer dorm room" can seem crazy when all we needed was a few p...

Luxury Camping: Dunton Hot Springs

The end of summer always reminds me of sleepaway camp. As a kid, I left home every August for one or two weeks to live in a cabin with a bunch of other kids, go hiking in the woods, and sit aro...

Copper Pendant - $349
Chicago Scavenger

Up for grabs in Chicago today, this "designer sample" Louis Poulsen 4/3 copper pendant. A little pricier than your standard light fixture, but truly a showpiece worthy of a prominent place in ...

2 New House Tours & Ways To Live Without
Chicago Hot Posts

Click to view these Chicago Hot Posts in bold below Francesco's Well-Curated Flat Jason Weinbeck's Mid Century Frugal Fix Up 5 Money & Space Saving Furniture Tips Simple Ways to Set Up the Bedroom ...

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