The dining room is used so infrequently for entertaining, but meanwhile, office space and additional lounge spaces are popular needs among our clients these days. This combination has us flexing our design muscles to create hybrid dining room spaces that can adjust to meet all sorts of needs.
Read moreHoliday Entertaining Tips: How to Set up a Festive Bar Area
It is that time of year when we typically welcome family and friends into our homes for some festive evenings full of catching up, reminiscing and toasting to all that the holiday season brings. Setting up a beautiful bar in your home just takes a few simple steps and we’ll dive into them here.
Read moreRachel Alcorn is swooning over sunbaked cinnamon fabrics, pale pink trims and classic key motifs: A Featured Mood Board full of Inspiration
It is such an honor to share what's currently inspiring our designs with our fellow interior designers in a feature with Business of Home.
Read moreContemporary Meets Classic in a Kitchen and Family Room Renovation
When a family with contemporary taste moved into a beautiful traditional home, they knew their kitchen and family room would need at least a few updates. In weighing the options, the costs of making updates twice, and the present needs of the family, a complete renovation became the clear path forward.
Five Tips for Styling Bookshelves
Integrating bookshelves into a home can make a big difference. Not only do they add to the overall appeal of a room, but bookshelves provide the space to add personal touches, display meaningful souvenirs and add layers of interest.
Read moreBuilding a New Home From Across the Country: How this Modern Farmhouse Welcomed a Colorado Family to Glen Ellyn
Moving across the county is a big deal, but moving across the country and building a home from the ground up before you actually move is a really, really big deal. Our brave and ambitious clients did just this in their journey from Colorado to be closer to family in Glen Ellyn and Chicago’s surrounding suburbs.
Read moreSmall Spaces: Make Every Square Inch Count with These Genius Ideas: An Interview with Good Housekeeping
Check newsstands for the September 2021 issue of Good Housekeeping! We are thrilled to share a few tips from a recent attic renovation.
Read moreTurn Your Bedroom Into the Cutest Place on Earth: An Interview with Girls' Life Magazine
For designing rooms for our youngest family members, we shared some tips and insights with Girls' Life magazine as a feature in their back-to-school issue.
Read moreConsiderations when Designing Kids Rooms
When designing a room for a child, we take into consideration their unique needs and style while balancing how to keep the room in line with the aesthetic of the home and letting it reflect the interests of the child. These are the top considerations to keep in mind.
Read moreThe Design Lessons Found in Nature
Recently I’ve had one of those late afternoon carpools that lands you just far enough from home that it makes sense just to bide your time until pick up instead of more drive time. I’ve been finding different local forest preserves where I can take a walk and I’ve been reminded just how much nature inspires my design work.
Read moreStudio Renovation Progress - Slowly but Surely
Back in December when we first started putting elbow grease, love and money into our new studio, I had grand visions of a completed space in time for summer. We’ve come a long way - but there is a ways to go.
Read moreOur Top Picks for Summer Reading
Whether it is pool side, lake side, beach side or just in between carpools, we are hoping for a few slower moments this summer to sit and read - to get to our “to be read” pile. Here is a range of serious, heartbreaking, fun and funny reads.
Read moreThe Artists that Inspire Us: Laddie Neil
Through a group on Instagram, we found a young artist from South Carolina, Laddie Neil. She paints abstract landscapes with fresh and uplifting color stories. We were drawn to her work because it is both compelling and peaceful.
Read moreA Look Inside the Advantages of the Collaboration between Designers and Builders
When we help clients through a major build, there are so many pieces of the puzzle that are simplified thanks to a synergy with a building team. This synergy is honestly worth its weight in gold and we’ll explain how it helps here.
Read moreKitchen Confidential: Featured in Modern Luxury CS
Modern Luxury CS interviewed our clients and our team about this beautiful kitchen remodel that blends a modern Italian aesthetic with a Craftsman style home.
Read more5 Tips for Outdoor Living
As the flowers pop up in the spring, so too do the casual outdoor gatherings, the back yard barbecues and the family get togethers that this year - just feel safer outside. No doubt, gathering outside this year is even more appealing than in years past. And, with the temps climbing, we’re hoping to spend more and more time outside.
Read moreA Peak Behind The Lead Times in the Design Industry
We’ve spent a lot of time telling our lovely clients that their furniture, wallpaper, lighting - you name it - is backordered or delayed. If it helps you to understand the vagaries of the marketplace and how Covid has complicated the supply chain, please read along!
Read moreThe Artists that Inspire Us: Marissa Voytenko
Rachel first met Marissa through mutual friends at a holiday party years ago. After learning about her work and process, she asked to borrow a piece for our studio. We are excited to share her insights and several of her beautiful pieces here.
Read moreAn Update on our Studio Renovation
As we shared at the end of 2020, our plans for 2021 include a new studio for Two Hands to call home. We have officially moved and are in the midst of making our new studio into all that we know it can be. Here, we’ll share with you all the fun of Phase I.
Read moreMid-Century Modern Country Club Vibes Bring Style and Function to an Unfinished Basement
This newer build home provided a wide open playground with tall ceilings - and of course, plenty of HVAC runs to accommodate. When the client shared her style hopes for the space, we knew the potential and inspiration could come together for something special.
Read more