Me, My Shelf and I: Susan Hanes
The library of Susan Hanes' Gold Coast residence is the perfect place to while away a chilly winter's eve — cozy armchairs, a crackling fireplace and, everywhere you look, books:...
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Three artisanal ice molds to elevate your mixology game
We'll admit to not totally getting the "artisanal ice" trend. Maybe you've been at a fancy bar and ordered a drink on the rocks, only to get a lowball glass...
Room-by-room gifts for the home
Giving the gift of home decor can be a bit of a gamble. Do you base your gift choice on your hostess' known love of garden gnomes? Or her devotion...
Four interior design books we loved this year
"Conviviality, freedom and fun." Whenever British designer Ilse Crawford works on a project — be it a private residence, hotel or restaurant — she keeps these three intangibles in mind....
Me, My Shelf and I: Carly Kocurek
When students stop by Carly Kocurek's office at the Illinois Institute of Technology, they assume her extensive book collection is on loan from the campus library. "Wow, how many books...
Me, My Shelf and I: Dennis Webber
The kitchen of Dennis Webber's cozy Logan Square apartment features a built-in pantry — its shutter doors permanently flung open. "I work in the restaurant industry and never really have...
Go modern, minimal with traditional Finnish ornaments
Many Americans take a maximalist approach to holiday decorating: Out come the baubles, boughs of holly, paper snowflakes, mistletoe, candles, tinsel and strings of colorful lights ... etc, ad infinitum....
Artwork that does double duty as a speaker
Looking for an off-the-wall gift idea? Here's one that hangs on your wall: a piece of art that doubles as a speaker. Soundwalls — created, manufactured and sold by a...
Me, My Shelf and I: Britt Julious
When she needs to get out of a rut, over a hump or otherwise inspired, Chicago-based freelance journalist Britt Julious turns to books. "Matilda" by Roald Dahl, which she continues...
Give the gift of Chicago writing
This year, Chicago authors published books that grapple with, among other themes, identity, discovery, secrecy, citizenship and home. Some captured surreal images of city life with uncanny lyricism, as in...