Two different homes with the desire to make their basements a family friendly extension of their first floors, yet two very different style preferences.  Both families were looking for a place their kids could retreat with friends, a destination for entertaining all ages and a place where play is welcome. 

In an interview for GoodHousekeeping.com's millions of visitors, Rachel shares how the goals for the lake house impacted the design, how functional and fun features were built into to the home and how we wove in nautical inspired touches to embrace the lake life.

A growing Glen Ellyn family was ready to update their home with a renovation and first floor addition in a way that was family friendly and functional with a classic and elegant appeal.

In an interview with The Spruce, Rachel shares thoughts on the top trends in window treatments. 

For the third Blackberry Market location, our aim was to have the Oak Brook restaurant feel all at once familiar and brand new - and we did it! This is truly an updated interiors concept for the restaurant that still manages to keep the cohesive brand front and center.

We first gave a teaser about this space last fall, after our clients approached us for some help making their seldom-used dining room into a cozy cocktail lounge. Check out this space to see how we shuffled around the furniture to go from a lounge to a dining room.

In a fun full-circle moment for me - Two Hands Interiors has been engaged to help with the historic renovation of the  Athenaeum Theater in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood!

This Old House shared how three primary bathroom remodels each take a bathroom out of the 1990's with updates to the look, feel and function.

This year has us completing two brand new homes from the ground up.  While they are very different projects - a custom lake home and a semi-custom row home - both properties offer a glimpse into the pros and cons of new construction.

This dream project began with a long-standing relationship between our clients and introducing them to one of our favorite construction teams - and then convincing everyone we could make this new home nestled into the dunes of Lake Michigan a reality!

People often ask what kind of clients we help at Two Hands Interiors.  Residential?  Commercial? We actually help both.  The Two Hands team loves the mix of having both residential and commercial clients because each have their unique traits and design goals.

Every once in while, a piece of advice (whether solicited or not) comes across your path and it hits home. Reading the blog, Cup of Jo, the advice to “‘Don’t bite the hook,’” was such a great reminder to pause and realize that not everything warrants a reaction.

A little while ago, Bryn was explaining the details for a fabric decision to an intern and he suggested that she start a YouTube channel.  We had a good chuckle in the moment and ever since, we've tossed around YouTube channel ideas for all the passions our team has extending through and beyond design.

This unique home is really all about the setting - nestled into the edge of the forest preserve, it has forested views and privacy at nearly every window.  It was a spectacular process to watch the transformation of this special property. 

How do we define logical and intuitive in regards to the home?  Intuition guides us to know what feels good and right, and logic is hopefully there to remind us of the pros and cons of any intuitive approach.

In an interview with The Spruce, Rachel explains how this living room is now a sought after room for entertaining guests or a family game night with a thoughtful layout, updated vintage piece and layered neutrals.  

Our client had a good foundation of quality furniture and hoped to finish up some rooms, introduce a few completely new pieces and showcase some fabulous new art. Learn how we mixed new and exisiting design.

The color choices impact every surface and every feature - the walls, ceiling, trim, doors, furnishings and accessories. Take a look at what we consider when creating our designs.

While also embarking upon refreshing his living spaces, our client was ready to finally take his sleeping quarters to the next level - sophisticated, masculine, comfortable and refined. Enjoy our latest room reveal!

After working with us previously to renovate their kitchen and keeping room, our clients were ready to tackle their adjacent family room. Read more about the process.

This winter has been tough, but we are surviving. This month we are sharing a few ways the Two Hands team coped with the longest month of the year.

We’ve been honored to be included in a variety of Houzz recognitions - from Best of Houzz featured basements, top 10 kitchen styles and most popular kids’ spaces. Find them all here.

Clients often come to us with kitchens or baths that are "good enough" in regards to finishes or age and wear and tear - but they just weren't designed well for the space they inhabit. See what our exploratory space planning came up with!

I asked everyone to share a highlight from 2023, as well as something to leave behind, and we closed with what we are looking forward to in 2024. 

For this recent project, our client came to us for help in transforming her room (a large space with a fireplace - valuable real estate!) into a place where family and friends would enjoy gathering. 

When we started to think of 12 traditions we could share as a team, everyone pulled out their phones and flipped through pictures. We’re hoping that by sharing some of our team’s family traditions you may find something in common, a new idea or just a little mood boost.

Our clients have a dreamy in-town row house perfect for empty nesters who still have kids bouncing home frequently for visits.  Fresh off a trip to Europe, they were inspired by the allure and appeal of so many details from the Parisian apartment they had called home on their travels.

Third time's a charm for this fabulous client! We loved being invited back to the “Preppy Vintage Charmer” -  this go round was to finally address a never-used office that had become a dumping ground for all the stuff of life. The design brief: No television needed and comfy, moody and eclectic were top priorities.  

Fall in the Midwest is one of my favorite seasons - crisp, clear days and nights that can be enjoyed outside for a few sweet weeks. Entertaining during this weather likely means a mix of indoor and outdoor areas for guests - here are a few quick tips from around our table of seasoned hosts.

Local folks in Glen Ellyn and LaGrange know the magic of Blackberry Market - fast and healthy fare, yummy indulgences and great coffee.  "Local" will soon include Oak Brook with a new location opening December 2023. Here are some take-aways from our process with a few sneak peeks.