One thing you’ll notice when you move into your home at Grand Bend at Green Bay is the abundance of windows and the way they bring the outside in. This certainly gives the illusion of the rooms being spacious — not that they’re small!

But large windows have their own decorating challenges. A great online resource, Rental Decorating Digest, has these helpful hints:

Don’t be afraid of color. Neutral is safe, but deep, rich colors, especially when you pair two complementary ones together, can make a statement.

If you have to go neutral, mix textures. The next best things to vibrant colors around large windows is playful use of varying textures in a single color. If neutral is absolutely for you, pair window treatments that have interesting textures.

Design in stages. You’ll have beautiful views at Grand Bend at Green Bay and all those windows may seem a little intimidating. No problem. Start with blind one month then add your first curtain a couple of months later. Add a second curtain or other detailing after that. Change is good — embrace and plan for it.

We’re not sure if you heard, but our newest condo project in Evanston, Grand Bend at Green Bay, has a great Lease-With-Purchase-Incentive Plan. Now, living at the luxury-packed GB@GB is even easier than before!

As the seasons change to hues of rust, auburn and amber, we thought we’d present a few decorating hints you can use for your new home, courtesy of Rental Decorating Digest. They key here is to incorporate new trends and treatments into your personal style — remember, like the seasons, a home that changes from time to time is interesting while still being warmly inviting.

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Ferris Homes is changing the shape of luxury condos in Evanston. In fact, you might even say that we’re ahead of the curve. Literally!

The sleek curve captures your attention and will make you slow to down to enjoy every angle (or lack of) along the northeast face of the building. Hear what Andrew Ferris, founder and president of Ferris Homes, says about the uniquely elegant residences of Grand Bend at Green Bay.

Roll-over the video player and click a thumbnail image at the bottom to view each of the four interview questions.

To celebrate the repaving of Ridge Avenue, Evanston residents, for the first time, will be able to bike down Ridge during a special bike event on October 26th. Growing interest in this event, first suggested by Alderman Ann Rainey, led to a request for funding from Evanston’s City Council Administration and Public Works Committee. The city of Evanston is supporting the bike ride with 25 officers to make sure the event runs as smooth as the freshly laid asphalt people will be riding on.

Everyone is invited to show up at Ridge Avenue from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. to ride up and down the street, and enjoy lemonaide and cookies being sold by St. Nicholas Roman Catholic Church on the corner of Washington Street.

As the season changes, our summer weather slowly is getting cooler. While it’s still pleasant, check out some of the area’s timeless homes and gardens. Evanston has a rich cultural history immersed in art and architecture. Take some time to appreciate the history and fine beauty you’ll find right around the corner. Here is a short list of local attractions that you won’t want to overlook.

1. Northwestern University Sculpture Garden and Gallery
   1967 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL 60201
   847-491-2300

   The Sculpture Garden of Northwestern University’s Mary and Leigh Block Museum of Art constitutes one of the most significant groupings of modern sculpture in the region. In 1987, Leigh Block, bequested a large group of outdoor bronze sculptures to the museum. These pieces formed the core of the collection, which now features monumental sculptures by some of the 20th century’s most renowned European and American sculptors. In 1989, the Block Museum opened its Sculpture Garden with nine of the monumental bronzes donated by Block. The Sculpture Garden was designed by Chicago architect John Vinci and has grown to 22 pieces. Located on the University’s Evanston campus, it is open year-round. Free Block Sculpture Garden Tours are available by appointment only. For more information about the Sculpture Garden call (847) 491-4852. (more…)