clairequilter's Profile

So many good suggestions! I'd buy a good, basic set of something -- you might want to choose an unusual color, like cobalt blue or pale yellow. And just like finding a great party dress at Target or the thrift store, spend your leftover money on a few gorgeous accessories. Buy a beautiful cake platter. Get brightly colored cloth napkins. A few fresh flowers and place cards are also inexpensive ways to make a table gorgeous.

Such a beautiful space! And I, too, am in love with the pink kitchen. Is it time for granite to give way to pastels?

How pretty! I love how this house combines stylish and comfortable. What a perfect refuge.

Very nice. I love the soft colors, especially the ones with the very calm, geometric addition of a single color.

I love the first photograph with all the plants. How lovely would it be to give someone something lush and tropical to get them through the dreary Chicago winter?

I'd also add Central Street in Evanston. Paper stores, great clothing stores, The Spice House, and great gift stores without the necessary body-checking of Michigan Avenue this time of year.

I've had a very similar set of windows and that same curtain dilemma: I hung the curtains with tension rods, in the inside frames of the windows to very good effect.