Christmas Season Sightings

   I have celebrated Christmas with family and friends  at home for 40 years.   Decorating for Christmas is one of my favorite "chores" during the year, so I truly missed it this year.  All of my Christmas decorations are packed up in storage, not to be opened until our new home is complete - hopefully by next Christmas. Since we sold our home in the summer and our new one isn't ready yet, we decided to spend Christmas in the city of  Chicago this year.

 

It was a different Christmas pace this year- having time to do little things- shop at a leisurely pace, try out a new recipe, have a facial, watch all the Hallmark Christmas movies that make me cry ! 

 

So I share with you glimpses of this  season- some moments that I will remember-

 for this final year in Chicago. 

 

Time to take bubble baths using these beautiful "bath salt cupcakes". - locally made in Hendersonville, NC.  

 

Time to shop antique stores !   Finding a set of fuchsia service plates at a wonderful price.

 

 

Again- time to shop in other retailers.  I haven't been in a Pier One Imports for over 10 years,

but this year I did!   Awesome selection of place mats and napkins.

 



 

Time to enjoy my  daughter's dining table set for the holidays! 

 Time to bathe and brush  my dog, Harry !  

 

The only holiday décor in our little rental- an antique pickle jar full of amaryllis.

Inspired by an article in an European home décor magazine,

 found time to scour the internet for  a red quill pen.

 

 



 Time to stare out the window of our hotel room at the Drake in Chicago

 and  enjoy the beauty of Lake Michigan..

 

 

 

Time to walk to Restoration Hardware for lunch and enjoy all the Chicago Brownstones that are

so beautifully decorated for the holidays.

 

 



 

Enjoying the lights in the city at dusk.

 

Having dinner at the Boarding House in Chicago on Christmas Eve- where the chandelier over the

bar is composed of  9000 clear wine glasses!

 

And the chandelier in the dining room is made of thousands of wine bottles.

 

Watching my husband take a homeless man, who had slept in the park all night,

 a warm breakfast on Christmas morning.

 



 Enjoying the architecture of the Drake Hotel.

 

Having tea in the Palm Court at the Drake on Christmas Day rather than cooking.

Wrapping little boxes of macarons for my husband's staff.

 



Time to enjoy my daughter's creativity.  I love this little clementine wreath that she made me. 

 

Being on Michigan Avenue on the day after Christmas and getting to score great deals on

Neiman Marcus ornaments.

 

Shopping the Ralph Lauren store the day after Christmas and finding a pair of the leopard shams that I have longed for so long- at half price!!

 

Returning home on the day after Christmas and not having to take down a dead tree.

Just put away an antique pickle jar that is filled with starry  lights.

 

 

Coming home and making my husband some apple rose morning rolls. 

 

Enough of these restful holidays!

Next year will be back to the hectic pace of a Christmas at home with a house full of people.

 

A crazy Christmas with all my family and friends -A time I hold dear to my heart!

 Merry Christmas to all!

Leggy Bird Designs Create Holiday Cheer at Home

An extremely talented designer duo have made their new home in Lake Bluff.  Victoria Lidstrom and Carol Carani are partners in the residential and commercial design firm, Leggy Bird Designs.  Their new offices on Scranton Avenue in downtown Lake Bluff are absolutely stunning.



 

The front sitting room in the offices of Leggy Bird Designs in Lake Bluff, Illinois.

 

Vicky also built her dream home in Lake Bluff, right down the street from her new offices.

And what a dream it was!

And lucky for us, the newly completed  home was open during the annual Lake Bluff Holiday Walk.  This was a  "must see" on my bucket list. 

 



 

The side of the garage is cleverly disquised with stable doors and lanterns.

 The front porch opens seamlessly into the living space when the series of French doors are completely opened.

Enter into the bold foyer- painted a lively yellow green which is contrasted with the teal and black accents.  A striking paper- combining all the colors -is on the walls of the powder room.

 

And then you enter into a peaceful, stunning white kitchen.

 



 An antique set of eight Savonarola chairs are placed at the long dining table.



 Even on a dreary dark day, this kitchen seems to be full of sunlight.



The kitchen is open to the dining space and a large gathering room- PARTY CENTRAL!!!

 

 

 



 

The table has been set for tea.

 

A soft pastel collection of antique china and old silver are layered on bistro shelves

to create this magical setting.

 

A plateau for the orchid bowl is created out of a slice of wood and some gold glitter. 



 

A large room with seating around a fireplace isono the other side of the dining space.

 



 

A bar cart stands ready for service!

 

I love the interesting mix of furniture styles in this room- all chosen for comfort.

 

 

 

 

 

In the service area of the home, even the washer and dryers are decked out for the holidays.

 A "serve yourself" bar is stationed on top of the washer and dryer. 

 

Who said laundry had to be boring???

 

The back doors gets holiday cheer with a red poinsettia and a log table that has been painted gold.

 

 

 

Now it is time to tour the master suite of the home.



A large fresh tree stands in the corner- twinkling with small white lights.



 

The stockings are hung by the fire for Santa to fill. I am sure he will enjoy resting by this stone fireplace and letting his toes warm up in the sheep skin rug.   So cozy!

 

 

A bold brass contemporary bed is dressed in whites and creams.

 

The soaking tub is flanked with romantic beaded sconces.

 

 

 

 

Upstairs,  barn doors open to additional bedrooms.

 

Sweet dreams in this room! 

 



 

 

A large workshop and office is also on this floor.

 

 

 

Wow-  this home was inspiring .  Every detail- the colors, the furniture and the accessories and art were carefully selected to create a thoughtful impactful design. I loved the contrast of textures and the contrast of the wall  colors- light against bold and dark.  It is  an inviting warm home-especially dressed for the Christmas season.

Welcome home Victoria!  And Merry Christmas!