Sometimes you just have to get something down on paper. As someone who built a career as a professional communicator before being tempted down the path of color, fabric, and fun that is decorating (for me), I know that sometimes the most effective approach is to start typing. You can always edit later. Or throw it away. But usually the kernel is there. Decorating is the same. I’ve seen family, friends, and clients deliberate endlessly about the merits of six essentially ident

That's what I heard recently, in spades, as guests entered our home last weekend for my daughter's graduation party. We've steadily transformed our eighties-beige & oak (with a touch of mauve) home into a kaleidescope of color and creativity and modernity. Even those friends who think deep taupe is a radical departure from, say, warm taupe -- not kidding, they are actually Pantone colors -- love the space. Most interesting are the men. They check out my vibrant-pink ceilinged

Time to cozy up, cuddle down, and wrap up in warmth to embrace the inevitable -- winter in Chicago. And for that, I’ve got just one word: layers! You’ve probably got the idea mastered for yourself. Starting with a base layer, perhaps a cuddly sweater over on top, a lush scarf as an accent (and another layer of warmth), a jacket over that, and – just in case – a rain jacket to shield against the threat of water. Practical. Chic. And why should you limit this to your look