Chicago has a very definitive sense of that mid-western down-to-earthness mixed in with the perfect amount of cutting-edge. The city is steeped in history and for the most part, there's an interesting back-story to go along with any neighborhood you happen to find yourself in. The architecture is impressive, the lakefront is a gem and the skyline is in a class of its own. It's like a cleaner, friendlier New York (no offense, Manhattan, I happen to love you too, but it's true). But does Chicago have a true distictive style?

Frustrated trying to sell your home in this real estate market? Maybe you need to freshen things up a bit and have your home professionally staged. Many of the models you see on HomesPlus have been staged. Now we have some tips from an expert on how you can make your home staged, and it won't cost you much.

If the rising cost of gas and groceries is bringing you down and you find yourself sacrificing your home's style to pinch a penny - this blog's for you. Check out five easy ways to up the hip factor in your home for less than the price of filling up your compact's gas tank!

These days, we’re all so busy it’s hard to find time to hang a picture on the wall, let alone get your home ready to put on the market. But did you know that statistics show that a potential buyer decides whether or not they like a home within eight seconds of first seeing it? So, it's easy to see why as a seller, you should make sure your home has some serious curb appeal.

Okay, raise your hand if you remember seeing "The Money Pit" and thinking that while it certainly served up some fine Tom Hanks comedy ("Two weeks? Two weeks!") it also served as a great big red warning sign of what you're getting into when you decide to buy a fixer-upper. Okay, put your hands down. That movie and many, many horror stories like it (most of which were probably not nearly as funny) could be the reason that home buyers these days opt for the move-in ready variety.

In a recent survey, Coldwell Banker Real Estate found that just 7% of their brokers have first-time clients that are in the market for an older home that would require a little TLC (read: Time, Labor and Cha-ching!), while 81% report having clients that want their pad in tip-top shape on moving day.

If the state of the economy has got you down, then just look ahead for a pick-me-up; the holidays are right around the corner! I know, I know, you're probably saying "It's not even Halloween yet, Rochelle! Get a grip!" But I can't help it, I'm a Christmas person. And with each passing year, I look forward to the tinsel and carols and cookies of December a little earlier. Many a family member has gotten annoyed with my eager anticipation of the season, but I digress...

If you love the holidays like I do, then you'll be happy to know that our design diva, Julea Joseph, is hosting a seminar to teach home owners, real estate agents and anyone else who is interested how to get a home into the holiday spirit! It's called "Packaging Your Home for the Holidays" and it's next Tuesday, October 21st.

The before and after pictures after the jump show how you can take a small space and translate it into separate living areas filled with style! The positioning of the furniture and carpet line clearly define a family room and separate dining area. Plus, furniture and accessories like this can be found at discount stores or even at your favorite furniture store in the "bruised" section. If you do your homework, you can definitely find some great deals.

As far as the home is concerned - the kitchen is the center of the universe. It's where you gather, talk, help the kids with homework and eat standing up while you're looking for something to eat. Not to mention the fact that in most newer homes, the kitchen opens up to the main living area. So, it would logically follow that buyers are paying special attention to the kitchen these days.

I recently spent a weekend with my in-laws and got to enjoy their gorgeous new home. Being a city girl, the spacious kitchen and formal dining room drew my envy of course (though I've gotten creative with my 1,400 square feet, there's only so much you can fit in a 2-flat) but the thing that really turned me green was - of all things - the mudroom.

Just imagine having so much space you can dedicate an entire room to dirt! It was perfectly organized to house boots, coats, mittens and all of the other outdoor-wear you could imagine in its perfectly designed cabinets and cubes. There was even a beautiful granite countertop and sink for rinsing those messy pieces before stowing them. The happy owners of this mudroom, my husband's brother and his lovely wife, instantly became genius in my space-deprived eyes. So, imagine my surprise when I sit down to check out the real estate section of the Tribune and find an entire article dedicated to - what else - designing a mudroom! Apparently everyone is catching on!

The holidays are here! But if your home is on the market right now, you might be feeling a little less merry and little more grinchy. Understandable. But don't let the less-than-jolly market conditions get you down this holiday season. It's all about properly packaging your home for your buyers; and this time of year staging takes on a whole new meaning.

Despite a sagging economy, consumers are projected to increase spending on their kids' bedroom furniture by 23.5% by 2012 - meaning sales will reach $6.3 BILLION that year. That's up $1.2 billion from last year. So, I guess it's safe to say that where there are growing kids, there are changing styles and design needs. That applies not only to your little ones' furniture, but also to the entire layout and design of your home.

In the midwest, fireplaces aren't just decorative. And unfortunatly for those of us without them, this has been a week perfect for sitting by the fire and sipping from a mug of steaming hot cocoa! But fireplaces come with a bonus - not only are they functional during our frigid winter months, keeping us cozy and helping to keep energy costs down, but more and more people are adding them throughout the house as a design element.

If you're buying a house, you know all about the "must have" list. You know, the list of items you just can't live without; the deal breakers of your new home. While my husband and I were home hunting we had about a dozen things on our list that we refused to budge on...then my car got towed from a meter in River North during rush hour (his fault, not mine of course) and a deeded parking spot shot to the top of our list, knocking most of our "must haves" off the list altogether. But I managed to hang on to the one thing that was my only non-negotiable from day one: decked out closets.

If your new year's resolution for 2009 is to spruce up your home, but your budget (or lack of it) is already getting in your way that doesn't mean you have to rule out hiring a professional designer. It just means you need to be a bit more selective about how you work it. Here are a few tips when you're considering bringing in a pro to tackle a home that's more shabby than chic.

Trendy isn't just for the runway. Every year, the "experts" declare the hottest colors for the home and the predictions for 2009 are in. And not only will these colors make your walls pop; they just may affect your mood as well.

Read on for this year's shades and what they mean...

Even if you're not putting your home on the market anytime soon, there's no reason to keep living with that lime-colored linoleum and beat-up old cabinets. Your kitchen is not only the heart of your home, it's also the place where potential buyers (and your guests!) look to guage the quality of your home. So if your kitchen is stuck in the 70's, now is the time to think about bringing it into the 21st century. Because it will only add value in the long run - and you may as well get to enjoy it while you still live there!

Check out what areas in your kitchen add the most value...

Tomorrow is Valentine's day. Some of your will go Cupid-crazy - buying dozens of roses or perhaps enjoying a reservation at an impossible-to-get-into restaurant (tip: If you don't already have a reservation, I hear the name Abe Froman tends to get you in with the maitre'd. Just go along with it when he asks if you truly are the "Sausage King of Chicago..."). Others have labeled tomorrow the "Hallmark holiday" and will do nothing at all. But for all of you in-betweeners, there is a way to celebrate without going overboard and the best part is that you can enjoy it for many days after February 14th.

Bringing a little romance into your home is the Valentine's Day gift that keeps on giving...

I recently visited the IKEA in Bolingbrook and their resident design pro showed me how today's kitchen should not only be beautiful, but functional as well. Everything they're doing there, from top-lift cabinets to pull-out shelves serves the purpose of keeping you organized so that you don't have to call for take-out instead of pulling out the pots and pans! And since we're all looking to save a buck - they do it at a very affordable price!

Take a look...

Animal lover? Then this week's accessory is for you! Not keen on the clean-up and care that goes along with having a pet? No worries - this week's room transformer is still perfect for your home. It's a great conversation piece, works in a variety of different settings and adds a touch of elegance to any room!

Between HGTV's umpteenth Dream Home giveaway and the increasing number of home design mags and tv shows, chances are you've dreamt up your own version of heaven-on-earth. In the Dream Home gallery, below, you're sure to find a design that suits your taste. The fun part is comparing your favorites to your friends' favorites - you'll probably find that one homeowner's dream is another's nightmare...to each his own!

This week's room transformer (#7) is a little bit practical, a little bit artistic and according to Chicago designer, Michelle Williams, will make a HUGE impact in your home. It's the Modern Man table...and for the feminist side of you, there's a Modern Woman version too! If you're not into the human form as art, try any home goods store to find a side table that suits your style. As with most home accessories, side tables come in a wide variety of styles - and prices!

The weather is warming up (kind of) and before you know it, your life will move outdoors once again. So instead of a couple folding lawn chairs with ripped nylon seats, how about filling your outdoor space with something you'll actually enjoy this spring and summer? Making your home a place you'll enjoy is especially important if you're one of many cutting back on travel this year. So instead of going on a vacation - enjoy a STAYcation right at home! Here are some ideas...

In my home, spring = out with the old, in with the new. And lots of summer house guests = fun design projects that I need to complete before June! Once again, I'm finding it difficult to get started, but when I finish, it's always totally worth it.

This got me to thinking...I'm in a pretty good position to incorporate some funky new ideas into my home - after all, I get to work with design experts all the time. I come across fantastic ideas, unique accessories and insider tips constantly when it comes to home design. I usually store it away in the old brain and sometimes it comes out in a new design project at home and sometimes it just...fades away. Well, my momma taught me "waste not, want not," so in the interest of keeping mom happy, I vow to waste no good design ideas or cool accessories!

From now on, as I find them - I'm sharing them with you! Look for new design ideas in this blog a couple times a week...or more accurately, whenever I find something I like - starting NOW!

Read on for my limestone inspiration...

During the tour of a $3.9 million dollar home in Lincoln Park today (look for the tour in the show next week!), I saw something that had such a cool factor I just had to snap a shot and pass it along. The main floor of this home had two separate living/dining spaces, separated by a long modern kitchen which was wide open to both. The builder/architect, Greg Tomb, apparently has quite the eye for design because among the kitchen toys (built-in cappuccino machine and double hidden dishwashers to name a few) was a piece of art so built in to the architecture of the home that you couldn't imagine the space without it.

This week's room transformer is all about creating an overall feel for your room - a pleasant scent = an inviting home! Plus, it's pretty to look at...

Saturday, April 25th marks the 24th annual Parenthesis Kitchen Walk in Oak Park and River Forest. The walk features 10 amazing kitchens that have been renovated in the last year - plus, you can opt to tag along for an 11th stop which will feature a pro chef cooking up a storm in a totally state-of-the-art kitchen. Some of the designers of the kitchens will be on-hand to answer questions for inquiring minds. It's open to anyone who'd like to sneak a peak into some incredible homes!

Click here for more info or to order your tickets.

With Earth Day around the corner, I've set out to find fantastic design ideas that qualify as "green." And as we all know, using something that already exists as opposed to buying new is super eco-friendly. One of my new favorite places to find home treasures is the Rebuilding Exchange in Chicago. Maybe it's the hunt that gets me. I don't know, but this place is a warehouse full of home items that are screaming for some creativity - and some are so unique you probably wouldn't find them in the store if you tried. And of course, they've all been salvaged from Chicagoland tear-downs, so you may as well be hugging a tree.

My pick today - circular windows...

The HomesPlus team isn't sure who decides these things ... but the new "IT" color of the season for home design is ... BOLD YELLOW. Which, during these difficult economic times, is the perfect "IT" color. It sure does put a smile on our faces!

Click here to check out some very "BOLD YELLOW" accessories for your home.

And if you have any insight in how a color becomes the "IT" color, please leave your comments below.

This week's room transformer is perfect timing for Earth Day! It's an easy way to add a pop to any home - and the one we're showing is totally eco-friendly because it's made from recycled men's ties! Intriqued? Take a look-

If you just checked out the show and you're inspired to spend the rest of your weekend doing some shopping for your home, take a look at these places to find the items that you saw on HomesPlus -

If you're one of those people that shuns animal print in any form, then listen up! This week's room transformer (and the last of our ten weeks of featured accessories!) is WILD! Designer Michelle Williams showed me why animal print - in small doses - is a very, very good thing for any room!

Just because one person tosses it doesn't mean it's trash. No one knows that better than the folks at the Rebuilding Exchange on Chicago's south west side. If you follow this blog, then you've seen a few of the treasures I've found there, but now you can get a good look at the whole place and see what they're all about! Check out this video to see how you can get a deal on home materials (even REALLY basic ones like lumber) that are all recycled and donated by their previous owners.

Step away from Facebook - there's another way to Indulge your voyeuristic side this spring! Take a peek inside other people's homes by tagging along on one of the many house walks taking place over the next couple of months. From Madison, WI to Evanston to southwestern Michigan, you can get a ticket for a few bucks (which goes to a good cause - each walk has a different one) and walk through the homes of complete strangers.

Like many of you I'm sure, I spent a good portion of this lovely Mother's Day weekend at the local nursery, choosing the plants that will be the hardest for me to kill this summer. By yesterday afternoon, my window boxes were looking lush and I was feeling pretty productive, but was sad to see that once I had finished there was still something missing. Despite the colorful accent pillows I had added to the bench, the handsome new thermomoter on the wall and the bright vases I had strategically placed around the perimiter, it still looked like...a deck.

Whether you're spending your weekends working on your backyard, a small balcony or you're lucky enough to have a rooftop deck in the city, chances are you're looking to make it feel like another room in your home that you happen to only use during the summer. That's what I was going for. Outdoor room - not deck. So, I was looking around for something that would add that indoor quality and really get my deck on track to be the envy of the neighborhood this season and I found this...

I was recently at LuxeHome in the Merchandise Mart and took a walk through their Dream Home display. It's a full home's worth of rooms, each designed by a different LuxeHome boutique. Obviously there was a lot of great design in that little dream home, but the one that stood out to me as truly beautiful was a natural wood dining table that was placed in the center of an ultra-modern kitchen. The natural rough edges of the wood definitely did not mimic the clean lines of the rest of the space, but it totally worked. It got me thinking that there's always room for a little bit of nature, no matter how contemporary your space is. You just have to do it right.

Just in case you were wondering.

Painted with 24 karat gold to "evoke a summer day," this toilet is part of TOTO's Miyabi Collection and with a price tag that more closely resembles a car than a toilet, I'm thinking it had better evoke a lot more than that. But alas, it appears toilets are following in the footsteps of the refrigerator...if you're not going to hide it - then it had better look good. Fashion toilets are finding their way into many new collections - check out this photo gallery of today's most glamorous.

With the unofficial start of summer behind us, it's time to start gearing up for all of those summer street-fests throughout Chicago. My favorite thing about them? The local art! My first summer in Chicago, I found a gorgeous piece of art at the Retro on Roscoe festival which takes place every August in Roscoe Village. An artist had her booth set up with dozens of hand-painted city scenes, all done on windows discarded from old torn-down homes and buildings. I brought home the largest piece in her booth that day and it remains my absolute favorite thing in my home (except my husband of course).

But every time I venture out to a Chicago neighborhood festival I'm always struck by the creativity that exists in our city. Whether it's a city-scape, a photograph of the El or some other abstract Chicago-related work, local art definitely adds a little flair to your home - not to mention a fantastic conversation piece when you have guests. Plus, by buying your home's artistic accents in our city, you're doing your part to keep our local economy in decent shape. And buying local is always in style.

Find a street fest near you this summer by clicking here.

The cheapest way to create a new feel in your living room (or any other space for that matter) is to use what you have and arrange it in a different way, adding just one or two new accessories. And since most of us are cutting back and staying in, entertaining at home instead of going out - you want your living room looking its best! Check out these tips to create a well-designed living space...

By the time it started to warm up this year, I was already in desperate need of a change of scenery. Sick of spending time indoors, I made a premature effort at getting my back deck in order. As of today, I've used it a total of just three times. Sad, I know. I suspect many of you have had the same experience - a surge of creative energy that came with that first 70-degree day, but not much on the follow-through. I blame Chicago's roller-coaster spring (I'm still half-expecting flurries any day). But no matter who's fault it is - summer is only so long and once it really heats up, I want to be able to enjoy my outdoor space!

The only way I can tackle large projects is to break them down. So, this week I'm getting back to basics. And the first thing you need in order to enjoy your outdoor space is some place to sit. The perfect spot to sip your lemonade as you watch the sun go down this summer is in an adirondack chair. Snag a pair and share the sunset with a friend. Here are some options, depending on your budget and style preference...

If you've ever tried to shop for a home or decorate that home with a member of the opposite sex then you've probably noticed that guys and gals are looking through different lenses when it comes to the home. One North Shore architect estimates that women make about 80% of the decisions when it comes to home design and remodeling. So, what is it that makes us so different? Too much for one blog, I'm sure. But here's how it breaks down where homes are concerned:

During a time when we're all tightening our belts, inspiration is something we could use a little more of. Some people are inspired by nature, some are inspired by art and many of us are just envious of those model rooms in the Pottery Barn catalogue that hits the mailbox every week. Doesn't matter where your inspiration comes from, you can use it to create great design pieces in your home - without spending the big bucks to buy it from the store.

This morning on Today, Sarah Gray Miller of Country Living Magazine gave some tips on easy ways to create your own versions of those pricey designer items. With a little time and some creativity, who knows? Maybe your pieces will end up being the inspiration for your friends!

August is the beginning of the end for most people, but for coeds heading to college it's time to get in gear for another (or a first) year in the dorm. Just because the school of your choice has pre-selected bland desks, beds and wardrobes for you ahead of time doesn't mean you can't add a splash of your own personality to the mix. And now there's a tool that help you do it before you move in. DesignYourDorm.com allows users to select their dorm rooms (using a drop box, you choose your university and residence hall - though many school's specific dimensions still haven't been added to the database) and choose from a wide variety of products that they can actually place in the 3-D model of their room to see how things will fit (and look).

I put together a double room complete with matching nightstands, paper lantern lamps, a flatscreen tv, framed art and a black shag rug to tie it all together. Each time you add an item to the room it automatically gets listed in your shopping cart, so that once your room is complete you can purchase all and have the order shipped directly to your dorm. (No more U-Hauls, mom and dad!) You can even choose to add/purchase portable gaming centers, Nintendo Wii and kitchen and bath products. The selection is pretty complete.

The site also has a feature that allows roommates to share their saved rooms and select their own gear to fill it. Because it truly would be a shame to have clashing color schemes, wouldn't it?

The site still has a little ways to go (for starters, it really needs to enhance its database of schools and residence halls for more accurate dimensions), but as a concept, it's pretty genius; an all-in-one design/compare/shop/ship tool so that all you have to worry about upon arrival to campus is how you're going to fit all of your clothes in that tiny closet. Good luck with that.

The word wallpaper used to bring up images of the orange and brown styles leftover from the 70's in those homes that seemed to freeze in time. Paint has ruled the roost for the decades since then, but apparently that old adage "everything old is new again" has some truth to it. Because everywhere I look these days, I'm seeing papered walls.

From nurseries to master bedrooms to offices, wallpaper is back. Not the yellowed stuff of decades past, but new, modern, fresh colors and designs that more typically are used to accent one wall rather than a whole room. Take a look at this slideshow to see some examples of paper done right. It could be just the accent you're looking for.

Skinny jeans, neon accents, Ray Ban Wayfarers...and now, you can add bean bag chairs to the list of trends that reached the height of popularity decades ago and are back in the spotlight now. Fashion cycles, and so do home design trends. But those bean bag chairs of the 70's and 80's have grown up a bit and now they can be as sophisticated as you are, or...not.

Bean bags are a great addition to a kids room for fun, extra seating in a space that's usually relatively small. They also happen to be perfect for dorm rooms (as you may have seen on last weekend's HomesPlus dorm design segment with Michelle Williams!) But did you know they work in even the most stylish and chic homes too? Here are a few reincarnations of the original bean bag chair:

For the kiddies:
Try PB Kids for fun, personalized styles!

Dorm-room chic:
Perfect for lounging, watching a movie or studying...on a student's budget! Overstock.com has plenty of options.

Sophisticated and worldly:
Try Tazi Designs for a true Morroccan pouf in tons of crazy color options or West Elm for soft sheep skin.

Or, if you're feeling crafty, follow these instructions to create your own pouf!

I'm a very lucky girl. I have some of the sleekest, chicest designers in the city in my Outlook contacts, I work in the same building as the pros that cover home design for the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Magazine and Chicago Home + Garden and I get to spend some time during my workday searching the internet and design mags for the latest home trends...and it's actually part of my job. But of all of the tips, tricks and ideas that I've been privvy to because of HomesPlus, I'm about to share one (two, actually) of the seriously hidden treasures of this city's design scene. Ready?

Their names are Courtney and Lauren, but they'd just as soon be known as Kelly + Olive, since that's the name they gave their interior design company ("2 greens. Same color, different hue. A surprising combination."). The design duo has made it their mission to bring style to homes around Chicago, one room at a time. Their goal is to help you fall back in love with your stuff - yes, YOUR stuff. Meaning this re-design team won't be heading out with your credit card to replace everything you own. The ladies insist that creating a new look in any room should only require the items you already own and perhaps a fresh set of eyes to reinvent the space. They'll pull furniture, art and accessories from every corner of your home to turn a sad, unloved room into one you actually want to spend time in. (Bonus: it usually only takes a day!) Perfect for design-lovers in a recession. (Sidenote: they do virtual decorating as well!)

Keep watching HomesPlus, because in a couple of weeks we'll be meeting up with Kelly+Olive to get a crash course on breathing new life into a room that's on style-support!

I always thought that all home goods were created equal. Silly me. Evidently, there are certain magical pieces that will work in every home you ever have - from your cramped college dorm room to that massive estate you'll one day own in, you know, the future. Check out a few of these "transitional pieces" that work in different ways, in different rooms and will never be out of place in your home!

We're looking for the ugliest bedroom in Chicago! And if it's in your home - you'll win "The Ultimate Bedroom Makeover," courtesy of the Bedding Experts.

Here's how it works: take a picture of your ugly bedroom and go to the contest website and click on "submission." Just fill out the contest entry form, briefly explaining why your bedroom should get the makeover and upload a photo. It's as easy as that! If your bedroom is determined to be the ugliest of all of the entries, then you'll win a top-to-bottom bedroom makeover with a professional designer, new furniture and accessories and a brand new Sealy mattress and boxspring...worth $10,000!

You can submit your bedroom, a guestroom, a nursery or your kids' rooms - any kind can win! You just have to be available for the makeover to take place between November 1st - 9th and you and your new bedroom will be featured on a future episode of HomesPlus. You have until October 18th to get your submissions in, so hurry up and start taking those pictures! Check out the full contest rules here.

Good luck!

With less than 2 weeks to go in the Bedding Experts' ugliest bedroom contest, the entries are getting pretty serious. Turns out, there's a lot of you out there who are deserving of the $10,000 "Ultimate Bedroom Makeover!"

The entries so far range from simply dull...

...to outdated...

...to somewhat unkept...

...to seriously, how do you live like this?!

Check out the full gallery here - and keep those entries rolling in! You have less than 2 weeks to submit your ugly room for consideration, so don't waste any time! The contest ends on Sunday, October 18th and the winner will be notified that week. Check out the contest rules here.

This owner even had the guts to show himself in the picture! Good luck!

Here it is! Part one of the Bedding Experts' Ultimate Bedroom Makeover, worth $10,000! This was such a fun project to be a part of. There's nothing like seeing these different vendors come together to create something special for such a deserving woman. Michelle Williams put her heart into designing this room and her team of pros worked hard to get it done quickly.

Thanks to everyone who participated!

Now, grab a tissue and meet Dorothy...