The day had come, our community would come together to tour the beautiful homes of five generous families that so graciously open their doors to help the Glencoe PTO raise money for our schools and students. The sixth home gave us a resting point for lunch while presenting us with a remarkable view of the golf course to further enhance this special day. The weather couldn't of been more fitting, as the sun shine on these jewels and infuse good vibrations of joy, gratitude and inspiration among all of us.
The housewalk is a smart model for fundraising. The PTO highlights some of our community's natural resources -- talented architects, designers, artists and business people -- in order to raise funds. The event does more than raise money, it raises our sense of community, camaraderie and creativity. Thank you to all of the volunteers and the generous homeowners who worked together to support our children -- it was a beautiful day!" - Beth Karnes
"Each house was unique and beautiful in its own right. Very different styles, all lovely." - Monica David
"I think this years house walk was a fabulous culmination of talent and creativity. Each family who opened up their homes in order to raise money for the PTO should realize that it is beyond generous. I felt lucky to have walked into such magnificent homes and thank each homeowner for sharing their spectacular living spaces." - Kim Flashner
390 Grove was the perfect house to host the luncheon. It was sprawling, with 10,000+ square feet and the back doors opened to the breeze and tranquil landscape of the Skokie Country Club golf course. Worried we wouldn't find any seating, we realized the crowd took very minimal effort to relax because everyone was eager to continue their tour of this monumental home.
The view to Sheridan Road from the Robbins' home. As Michele Gorski so perfectly quoted "nature as artwork on Sheridan Road was inspiring!"
The word wondrous doesn't come close to justify the work of the owner, an architect, who built and design this home for her family. If you don't know Celeste Robbins of Robbins Architecture, now you do. This woman is a genius - from her ideas to the execution, there is nothing left at zero. As a person, even beyond her skillful craft, she is surprisingly approachable for someone who holds the capacity of talent she has. Bits of conversation with her are full of insight. Those who were able to see a glimpse of what she is capable of, now knows she holds a mental library of an almighty. Five steps in, I took a giant leap on my inspiration ladder that still has me thinking days later. Even now and for every chance I get, I will try to sum up my full admiration for her. I've become a devoted fan to her work and know there will never be a day I am completely comfortable in the company of talent like this.
"I cannot get over the privilege of seeing such hallowed space - let alone having the inspired creative genius behind it living right here in our community! Seeing this home was such a joy! It was restrained, calm, artful, environmentally-conscious...
"I look forward to the housewalk every year. It's a great day to see friends and impeccable homes. The two houses that stood out for me this year were the Briar home (which may be my all time favorite) and Celeste Robbin's spa like home. Celeste didn't over look a single detail when designing her new home and the end result is truly spectacular." - Kristin Farrell (far left)
"Briar Lane was a home that I could move into right away. The kitchen and gardens are so cheery and uplifting - I would stay in and cook every night. I loved how the homeowners truly put a piece of themselves into every room, showing their collections, interests, hobbies and family history. I loved all of the treasures collected over the years from flea markets and garage and estate sales placed throughout the house. The art was also so diverse and interesting. My favorite piece was the "Steel Drum Kimono" by Gordon Chandler which took an object of destruction and turned it into an object of beauty." - Deb Wineman
"While all the houses were beautiful, 360 Surfside was my favorite. I thought the wood work was flawless, every single door was amazing and my absolute favorite feature was the reading nook with the fireplace in the master bedroom - that did it for me." - Randi Valerious (as she approaches 360 Surfside)
From every single knob to the dining table with the heirloom jewelry, every detail had to of been conceptualize over years and years of planning, researching and gathering. Maybe it's my emotional understanding that hinders my logical viewpoint, but while others were saying "mediterranean, spanish, modern, glamour, clever", all I could think was, this is love. This is a home that is loved. The owners gave their four girls' a platform to be their own, but at the same time braided their sisterhood with an adjoining common space - a pure reflection of togetherness. Call me nuts, but the sketches in the powder room still stays with me. With daily affection reminders scattered throughout the house, this is home - even as guest, you feel completely grateful and welcomed.
Alison Gold with Michelle Seifman, one of the homeowners on the housewalk.
At 790 Grove, the outside is simply beautiful - but, a peek in the inside, it's built for you to not leave. How clever. If every kid knew there was a sports court hidden in the basement, an outdoor pool that glisten in the back, an arts and craft room for little fingers and a see-thru refrigerator in the kitchen, you many never see your child again. What I loved most about this house is how it combines kids' active lifestyles without losing the spunk of personal style. A complete juggling act for all mothers. This house proves to me that you can still throw hot pink pillows out there and not sweat over spilled milk on zebrawood countertops because hey, there's more to life, like a dip in the pool.
"While all the homes were beautiful and different, I admit the first thing I did when I got home was to make my kids' beds!" - Polly Heavenrich (second from right)
"What an amazing housewalk! The houses were spectacular and the day was perfect. This was my 4th housewalk and the best yet!!" - Laura Ulrich (second from left)
Whenever I visit this home, I feel far away from the Midwest. It feels like I'm in California, ready for an outdoor dinner party or movie screening on the green. No one combines it all like 536 South. A little bit of everything that can intrigue one's wonder on how different eras and styles combined with tangible elements come together to make a house a home. Completely livable, inviting, yet a steady balance of comfort vs. playful. It sits at the edge where you push the envelope to the exact point without going overboard. Talent and confidence - two aspects only an expert has, the work of Katie Rudnick of To The Trade, a local interior designer and fellow contributor to the blog who helped put the finishing touches on this Mediterranean wonder.
"What a beautiful day for beautiful homes!" - Katie Rudnick with Pam Maher, interior designer of the basement of 4 Briar Lane. A powerhouse of two talented, brilliant, perceptive design whizz.
"The day could not have been better. Thank you to all homeowners, volunteers and participants for making a long year of hard work worth all the effort! There was truly something for everyone with the diversity of home styles and decor, and the event was a wonderful way to bring the community together to support our students."- Loree Sandler (co-chair of The 2010 Glencoe Housewalk)
The sense of community buzzing around town on Housewalk Wednesday was infectious. The glorious sun was shining outside on six beautiful featured homes in Glencoe with rays of warmth of heartfelt living radiating on the inside. From the starting to the finish line, The 2010 Glencoe PTO Housewalk was destined to be nothing less than fabulous and it was more than spectacular! The hours spent by homeowners, volunteers and co-chairs Loree Sandler and myself were uncountable at times, unthinkable. The energy was always high with that end goal in mind:offering a housewalk to all that would have a little something for everyone as well as raise money for our kids attending Glencoe Schools. The final product offered at this year's housewalk was a collection of brand new, as in 3 months to charmingly old, as in the early 1900's and somewhere in between. Cherished travel pieces and character and historic treasures and family memories not to mention a golf course view, a sports court and a nature-filled ravine were some of the highlights captured by walk attendees. The balloons are gone now, but hopefully the memories of these six spectacular homes will linger on for a while. The housewalk emails are diminishing as I breath a sigh of relief and smile with the feeling of a job well done. My sites are set on enjoying those lazy summer days of Glencoe living with my wonderful children and husband. PEACE, LOVE, HOMERUN!" - Kathy Deveny (co-chair of The 2010 Glencoe Housewalk)
