"A stylish addition to a front door, and once installed it's a fast and nearly foolproof way to unlock a door without fiddling with keys." - Jon Chase (wirecutter)

The convenience of a good electronic lock makes me think that eventually our current key setup will go the way of skeleton keys and become a relic of the past. I’ve been using several different Schlage electronic locks for about 5 years now and they keep getting better and better. There are still some limitations however: batteries can go out, they don’t always react well in polar vortex temps, and their remote wifi connectivity is not always 4 bars. That said I’ve used them for both my Airbnb as well as personal residence (for all of those times I’ve walked out without my keys) and have no plans to stop. I haven’t gone the way of exclusively using them for all exterior doors (at $200+ it can get pricey) but love having at least one per residence. I can set a specific code for the cleaner to access, another code for friends, and there are even ones that allow a code to be set for a certain timeframe (perfect for Airbnb guests so their code can expire at checkout time).

Separately, I have always referenced Wirecutter for great reviews and testing on products that I care about, so check out this article on eLocks and link to any other product reviews you are curious about!

-Anthony

Logan Square is home to a variety of icy, sweet, Instagram-worthy treats to keep you cool. From ice cream bars, to shaved ice, to authentic Mexican sweets, Logan Square's ice cream shops are sure to quench those cravings!

The most common place to find a rooftop deck is in the city, where lack of space lends itself to building up. Roof decks are meant to provide views of the city surrounding the home, as well as lounge areas, gardens, & dining spaces + they provide tremendous value to the home!

Check out this gallery provided by Houzz to see a collection of Chicago roof decks, as well as, rooftop lounges in other cities in the U.S.

2,500 e-scooters were dropped off this past Saturday on the Northwest / West sides of Chicago where Divvy bikes are less available as part of 4 month pilot program.

Chicagoans have taken to social media to voice their opinions on the pilot. Some have expressed their concern with the way they are placed on the sidewalks, bike lanes, & streets in an unorganized way. While others have applauded people following the rules and being courteous of others on the street. We will be taking to social media to post a video of our first experience. Standby for Instagram fun!

It takes a $1 to activate the scooters and 15 cents / mile, which makes this option of transportation easy, affordable, and fun.

Hangout Lighting is a local light fixture workshop where you can walk in and create your own masterpiece!

John’s Experience with Hangout Lighting:
My favorite band Phish was in town for a show and one of the band members, Mike Gordon, typically posts photos on Instagram of local artistic businesses. While in Chicago he posted a photo of a company called Hangout Lighting and it just so happened that Luke and I were in the process of rehabbing a building and were seeking out designer light fixtures that would take our units to the next level. I was instantly impressed by when I stopped by. The workshop offers a space where you create your own custom light fixture choosing from dozens of unique bulbs and fixtures. Jennifer, (the founder!) personally assisted me in creating some options for our apartments. If you’re looking for really cool and unique light fixtures I highly recommend stopping by! -John Westbrook

Hangout Lighting started out as a small company and since their opening in 2009 they have been featured on The Profit and expanded their inventory giving you many more options to choose from. Check out their website and/or stop by their workshop at 2100 W Grand Ave for a unique and fun experience.

The go to for local Chicago vintage & mid-century modern furniture & decor. They are known for their American & Danish design collections and 70s funky vibe pieces.

Kara's Experience with Dial M For Modern:
I walked into Timothy Burkhart’s shop (Dial M For Modern) and stumbled upon a massive Harry Bouras piece. At first glance it reminded me of giant collage of postage stamps. The piece was covered in numbered squares and what looked like stamped mushrooms in all different directions. It was such an odd piece, but I couldn’t peel my eyes away. Much of Dial M For Modern has that effect on you! They collect some really unique pieces and you can always find something new and quite incredible each time you visit. -Kara Cunningham

Tip: If you’re in need of a thoughtful gift for someone, Dial M For Modern offers small gifts & home goods on top of all the vintage | mid-century modern goodness!

Amazon just continues to get more interesting! They haven’t been known for larger items, such as cars or houses, but they might be headed in that direction. Amazon has just re-stocked their tiny house kits offering multiple options as far as design and square footage. These are great for anyone needing office space, pool storage, or a space for guests, etc. According to Amazon, the pre-fab/kit tiny homes only take two people to build in less than 8 hours! Watch this space to see if Anthony ends up putting one of these up in his side-yard...

Residents of Chicago generally look forward to summers in Chicago more than any other season! We enjoy spending our weekends along Chicago’s lakeshore at one of the many beaches/parks on Lake Michigan, which is why the non-profit advocacy group Preservation Chicago is working to protect the open lakefront by way of getting it to be recognized as a national park. The non-profit states too much time and too many resources are being spent on battling plans to build museums on lake and park land (i.e. Chicago Children’s Museum -Grant Park 2011, Lucas Museum - 2016, Obama Presidential Center - Jefferson Park). They maintain that if the lakefront and parklands are recognized as a national park it will not only protect the open space, but will take that financial burden off of the city.

The Chicago proposal will require backing from both city and congressional officials. Keep an eye out to see how this develops.

As the weather in Chicago begins to warm up, now is the ideal time to start drumming up ideas on patio & balcony design and decor. Maybe you just need new furniture to spruce up your outdoor space or you might be starting from scratch with your exterior decor and you're in need of a little inspiration. 

The good news is there are endless design / decor options out there that will have you re-thinking your outdoor havens! One of the larger trends is mixing indoor and outdoor pieces while adding in textures and prints to give it a cozier feel. In Chicago we only get to use these wonderful spaces about 6 months a year, but when selling your place a tasteful outdoor space is a game changer!

This article not only gives cool decor tips, but also provides 21 different designs to inspire you.

If you have yet to check out this new boutique hotel featuring a rooftop pool + Peruvian-style restaurant, Mediterranean restaurant, and an underground cocktail bar, you must put it at the top of your list! The Hoxton originated in London and it's Fulton Market, Chicago location is one of eight around the world and the third in the U.S. 

The Hoxton Chicago is the first of this trademark to introduce coworking spaces open to the public. The Flora Blahnik Team will be looking to schedule all future meetings pool-side this summer and Anthony and Luke have already given the swanky basement bar Lazy Bird two thumbs up!
 
 

Hotel Ella (formerly Goodall Wooten House) is an 1898 Greek Revival mansion turned modern / historical boutique hotel. With pops of color, velvet pieces throughout, and a mix of sleek & contemporary with historic roots, this space is one to inspire! 

We love when original features of a structure are restored and highlighted within renovated spaces and when we get to partner with clients in Chicago who make this happen it's even better! Hotel Ella is a great example of this and as you walk through you will see original tin pressed ceilings, lead-cut glass, crown moldings, and their incredible collection of artwork.

So if you are ever down in Austin, TX (one of our favorite destinations) be sure to visit this one-of-a kind original landmark and check out the free Salon Series, which encourages conversation about art, literature, film, and music. 

The newly proposed development for the city-owned parking lot across from the Logan Square Blue Line for an affordable housing complex has members of the neighborhood divided over how this plot should be utilized.  

An open community meeting on this matter is being held this evening from 6:30-8:00 PM at Avondale - Logandale Elementary School, 3212 W. George St.
 

Let's not forget about those entryways!  A beautiful first impression can be made possible in even the smallest spaces of our homes. It's about honing in on the right style and finding the right pieces to fit the space. 

A little graphic wallpaper, a large mirror, console table, rug, plants, etc. can transform a small space into an inviting entryway for your guests. 

If your home is missing a foyer or you struggle with choosing the right decor design for a small entryway this article will you give the inspiration you need!

Whether you're a female entrepreneur working from home, in the corporate world needing a change of scenery, or a stay at home mom looking for a supportive community, The Wing provides a unique and creative shared spaced designed full of opportunities solely for women. 

The Wing provides social events where women can network, join support groups, sit in on Q&A's with politicians, celebrities, and other influential women!

A high-style mix of wood, leather, and vintage accents are all part of this playful design at Freehand Chicago. The half hostel / half hotel is located in River North in the 1920s landmark Old Tokyo Hotel where many of the architectural features have been refurbished and the additions of fabric wall hangings and other woven masterpieces spanning the floors beneath your feet give off that "art-school cool vibe." 

You can expect a vibrant and social atmosphere between the Broken Shaker Cocktail Bar and the Nicaraguan style Integral Cafe located in the lobby. You must add this one to your Chicago hotel bucket-list. Freehand Chicago is perfect for a weekend staycation!

From the third tallest skyscraper in Chicago (Vista Tower) to the last and only undeveloped lakefront parcel in the city being filled (61 E. Banks) are 42 high-rise projects currently under construction and are all part of reshaping the city's famous skyline! 

These new developments will provide around 4,400 new apartment units in 2019 alone! Additionally, these high-rises will include high-end condos, boutique hotels, and restaurants & bars.

What if your kitchen was a piece of furniture? These beautiful pieces have us re-thinking kitchens less as a room and more as a piece of furniture. Sure you still need plumbing and electrical connections, but isn't this the most beautiful thing you've ever seen?!

Activated charcoal Goth Bread, CBD-infused cocktails, & dancing are just a few reasons this is our new favorite Logan Square spot! A visit to the new Young American is definitely a memorable experience. Check out the first photos of the food and drinks at this new restaurant/bar in Logan Square, led by the team behind Estereo (Logan) & Ludlow Liquors (Avondale).

New boutique hotels have been popping up all over the U.S. And Shinola's new hotel in Detroit is giving us all the feels! Shinola also has a store at 1619 N Damen here in Chicago. It's a great place to grab a premium gift for someone special. Made in the midwest, great watches, leather goods, and more!

Pro tip: Get a leather journal and you can have it monogrammed in the store. It's affordable and looks super custom. 

Chicago is on the brink of adopting more friendly policy towards Coach Houses. Coach houses have a long history in Chicago and bring up questions regarding neighborhood density, supplemental income, and architectural quirkiness. We love coach houses and this would be a fascinating change!