Originally popularized in the 1950s, the split-level home plan continues to steal the hearts of homebuyers and it’s easy to understand why. Providing an open and airy feel, this style is a perfect match for those who crave affordability, functionality, and benefits like multiple common living spaces, more privacy, and ample natural light. While some might shy away from a split-level home based on the name alone, these timeless properties have plenty to offer. Rediscover the iconic design with a brief history of bi-level home plans, the nuances between the four main styles, and the unique advantages offered by split-levels.
Whether you’re in the market for a new home or planning to tackle renovations in the near future, honing in on your preferred design style can help make selections easier. To do this, understanding the various styles is a helpful starting point to narrow down the seemingly endless options. Here’s the breakdown to help you jumpstart your home design plans.
There are inevitable home items — storage containers, hardware, fixtures, among others — that are necessary to create a functional space. Including these practical pieces in your home helps contribute to an overall comfortable way of living. However, these unavoidable selections don’t need to be generic or eye sores. Below are room-by-room options to improve the aesthetics of these essential home features, without sacrificing style.
Chicago homes are often defined by built-ins – bookcases, hutches and sideboards carefully crafted out of wood and tucked into vintage apartments and condo spaces, bungalows and even new construction homes for sale. The conundrum is how to style your mantel and still maintain storage space, especially during the holiday season.
We asked the experts, home stagers and stylists Stephanie Mandrell and Erin Szott of Style & Edit, to guide us through a mantel makeover. Continue reading
Whether you’ve already signed the papers or you’re still looking around for the perfect place, it’s important to prepare yourself for your new space.
If this is your first home, you might feel a little overwhelmed with how much furniture you’ll need to fill up your new space. You probably have a lot of the smaller household items but what about the bigger ticket items like sofas, tables and beds? How do you decide which one to buy? What do you even buy first?
Going through the milestone of furnishing your first home is a big deal that comes with big purchases. So it’s important to stick to your budget and prioritize your needs. Here are the five essential pieces to start off with to build your space. Continue reading