An urban garden softens the sometimes harshness of the concrete neighborhoods inherent with living in the city. They become an oasis off the street for many homeowners and outdoor living is trending very high in real estate – making it a must have for an urban lifestyle. Middlefork wants to impart our wisdom on what to be aware of and how to assess your space logically and creatively.
“Cabin fever is an idiomatic term for a claustrophobic reaction that takes place when a person or group is isolated or shut in a small space with nothing to do for an extended period.”
Living in a colder climate Chicagoans relate to “cabin fever”. The weather teases us at this time of the year with promises of warmer, sunnier days and they are right around the corner. Our neighborhood focus in this article is Lincoln Park. Because we have built and sold many homes in the area, we like to support local businesses and ideas but fear not, you don’t have to live in the area to take advantage of all it has to offer…
With longer daylight hours and the retirement of the parka, Chicagoans are chomping at the bit to go out and have fun – and the much needed dose of vitamin D is welcomed. The top 5 are on our minds and we hope you enjoy these as much as we do. Without much further ado – number one on our list of favorite things about spring, happy people!
The Last Countertop You’ll Ever Own
Who doesn’t love a huge slab of white stone on an island? Clean, crisp and classic. But when selecting a countertop material, all of us are focused on questions like: Will it stain? Will it etch? What kind of maintenance does it require?
The answers to these questions varies, depending on the type of material selected. Every species of stone is different and the same organic properties that make them beautiful also cause different answers. Marble is the softest of all stones – easily stains and etches. Quartzite is more resilient, but still needs to be treated with care. Granite is the toughest, but doesn’t come in pure white.
Light it Up!
First impressions matter… Have you ever entered a room and felt an immediate sense of warmth and comfort? What made you feel that way? Perhaps it’s the lighting – creating the “atmosphere” in a space is just as important as the lamp choice you make for the room. Think of lighting as self-expression.
Ideas for Home
Creating elegant homes in Chicagoland’s most prestigious neighborhoods is our goal- At Middlefork, we strive to provide unique beauty and unsurpassed craftsmanship! We believe your home should be an oasis from the bustling day in an urban environment. Through thoughtful planning and design, we create settings appropriate for elegant parties or cozy dinners by the fire. Environments that are both welcoming and liveable for children and parents alike. In our blog, named Ideas for Home, we will share with you the products we love, design trends, entertaining ideas and the things that inspire us everyday. We hope you find inspiration here as well, and recognize our commitment to assisting you in developing, maintaining and honing your lifestyle.
“The Art of Tile”
Whether or not you’re new to tile or have been seduced by its beauty for years, tile can be utilitarian or a piece of art.