Posts by Renee DiSanto
Thoughts from High Point Market
Phew. We spent two jam-packed days at High Point Market last week, and our feet still hurt! We’re excited to give you a recap of what we saw, but first, a little background on the market. In spite of the fact that High Point is not necessarily a household name outside of the design industry,…
Read MoreP&O Tips: Lighting above an Island
The next installment of an occasional series where we share tips and tricks of the trade to help you navigate sometimes puzzling home design questions. Today’s Question: How high should I hang lighting above my island? Similar to installing lighting above a table, the lighting above your island should be hung with a 30-36″ clearance…
Read MorePark & Oak at Six
When we squeezed our eyes shut, linked arms, and dived headfirst into this partnership six years ago, we were just two working moms, with a passion, some ambition, and a yin-yang of skills that we hoped could equal success. We had dreams. Wouldn’t it be great to build new homes that had the character and…
Read MoreRange Hoods: The Quiet Star
When you dream about a new kitchen, what do you picture? Marble countertops? Custom-stained cabinetry? A magnificent French range? You are probably not immediately besotted with a particular style of range hood, though, right? Ah, but that is the one element with the power to tie it all together. The range hood can be the…
Read MoreCheckered Tile
Checkered tile has appeared in interiors throughout history, from Egyptian temples to French chateaus. We love using this classic style in a foyer, bath, or mudroom. Tile is, of course, a practical choice in these spaces where high traffic and muddy feet (or paws!) may be a concern. But, as always at Park & Oak,…
Read MoreReveal: 1912 Winnetka Refresh
Historic homes have such great bones. Our clients recently purchased this beautiful Georgian circa 1912, and because the home was so well-built and designed (in fact, by the same architect who designed the village’s city hall), no major renovations were necessary. Instead, we delighted in breathing new life into the gathering spaces of the home.…
Read MoreHouseplants
Our homes come alive in the details. A beautifully furnished room can be lovely to look at, but until someone lives in it and adds a special touch here and there, it will lack character, warmth. One of our favorite ways to add that life to a room (literally!) is with plants. We are so…
Read MoreP&O Tips: Lighting above a Table
Welcome to the first in an occasional series where we share tips and tricks of the trade to help you navigate sometimes puzzling home design questions. Today’s Question: How high should I hang my chandelier above my dining table? This one can be tricky! Too close to the table and the light fixture will be…
Read MoreCity-to-Suburbs Reveal
One of our longstanding clients recently moved their growing family from a Chicago brownstone we helped outfit to a larger home in the suburbs. We consulted in the beginning stages of their new suburban build, which allowed us to direct choices for the bones of the home that reflect their unique needs and make their…
Read MoreReveal: 1908 Hinsdale Renovation
It can be tempting in a large renovation project to go down to the studs and start completely fresh. The sky’s the limit! Endless options! And sometimes, that is the right and logical choice. But often, there are elements of a home well-worth holding onto. Details that make a home unique and give it the…
Read More