Photo Credit: Linly Designs

Linly Designs, one of Chicagoland’s most premier interior design firms, is putting the finishing touches on their Annual Christmas Open House on Thursday, November 7^th, 2019.

Known for their luxurious, high-end interiors, Linly Designs is transforming their 11,000 sq. ft. showroom overnight into a Winter Wonderland, inviting guests to shop their exclusive 2019 holiday collection while enjoying champagne, gourmet hors d'oeuvres & live classical music. The event will feature luxury Christmas decorations such as exquisitely-adorned trees, one-of-a-kind florals and garlands, embellished home décor, and much more.

Photo Credit: Linly Designs

Linly Designs’ Thursday evening celebration is the design firm’s official start to the Christmas season and a must-see event for their clients, as hundreds of decorations adorn the showroom floors, walls, and ceilings. Each furnished vignette displays unique and spectacular examples of ways to decorate: from grand dining table centerpieces, & festive staircase garlands to embroidered tree skirts and hand-painted Santas & elves, clients can bring their Christmas decoration ideas to life and create their own Winter Wonderland.

Photo Credit: Linly Designs

“We take such joy in creating our Winter Wonderland and seeing how happy it makes our clients. We all need some magic in our lives and this event aims to get people in the holiday spirit, ease their stress, and resurrect their sense of wonder and delight,” says Janet Linly, President of Linly Designs, “Every year, we are proud to showcase the very best in holiday décor – our designers are true artists and they put in countless extra hours to share their talent and skills with the public.”

The design firm & showroom has unique pieces of constantly changing décor that takes all of the guesswork out of holiday decorating. On display during their Open House event are luxury Christmas as door swags, custom dining table centerpieces, unique designer tree toppers, beaded and embroidered stockings, hand-made table runners, exquisitely-dressed Santas and elves, one-of-a-kind staircase and fireplace garlands, and so much more.

Photo Credit: Linly Designs

But the true showstoppers are Linly’s designer Christmas trees. Each one is designed to fit a particular theme and then elegantly dressed accordingly. Featuring bold and impressive tree toppers, the Linly Designs trees are a sight to behold and truly inspiring. Past tree toppers have featured elements of floral stems, peacock feathers, crystal branches, jeweled crowns, lavish bows, and so much more.

Photo Credit: Linly Designs

Linly Designs goes even further to offer clients the opportunity to have their homes professionally decorated for the holiday season. Complete with an in-home consultation, expert advice, and designer assistance, the Linly team has been helping home owners over the years transform from every day to holiday ready in as little as a few hours. Popular selections include custom-made staircase garlands, one-of-a-kind centerpieces and a personalized Christmas tree design, topped with an amazing tree topper display. What’s more, once the season is over, the team deconstructs and packs away all of the decorations for the next year’s use. During a season that is busy with shopping, social events, and hosting guests, this exclusive service eases the everyday stress and gets homeowners into the holiday spirit.

Photo Credit: Linly Designs

The Holiday Open House and Winter Wonderland reveal party is one of Linly’s most significant events of the year. It will be held on November 7 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at their Clarendon Hills, IL showroom at 445 E Ogden Ave.

Photo Credit: Linly Designs

Guests can RSVP to the event which will include access to the company’s exclusive 2019 holiday collection.

Photo Credit: Linly Designs

The post Linly Designs’ Annual Christmas Open House is the Event of the Season! appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

I recently tried a wild experiment. My husband and I invited friends for cocktails and when they asked what they could bring, I said “nothing but yourselves!” They asked again, I replied the same way. The experiment failed, miserably. Not a single guest came without food. It is a kind sentiment but it was just a cocktail party and as a host, I felt confident I could provide enough sustenance to compliment champagne for two hours.

So, here’s a wild suggestion: the next time someone tells you to bring nothing, how about show up with a host gift? It’s old school and elegant- Miss Manners would be proud.

Previously a freelance journalist for prestigious media outlets such as  Architectural Digest, T: The New York Times Style Magazine, Departures and Women’s Wear Daily, Alicia Brunker recently founded The Scope, a private members club that puts the designer’s story at the forefront. The site curates an exclusive collection of luxury furnishings and decor from established and emerging designers that they believe are the icons of our generation. Their goal is to educate buyers about the artful aspects of design.

Haute Residence checked in with Brunker to ask for her top five recommendations for hostess gifts this season. Here are her luxurious suggestions sure to please any hostess.

Trakata Candle Holders by Farrah Sit

Credit: TheScopenyc.com

I always think it’s better to gift a candleholder as opposed to a candle, because its presence is permanent rather than fleeting. And Brooklyn-based designer Farrah Sit handcrafts solid brass and white rhodium variations with a timeless appeal that suits just about any aesthetic. $480

Element Wall Hanger by Anna Karlin

Credit: TheScopenyc.com

Overnight guests can earn their keep with designer Anna Karlin’s polished brass and leather wall hangers. The display rings’s geometric shapes offer a chic storage system for extra throws or hand towels in the guest bathroom. $400

Placemat with Brass Corners by Slash Objects

Credit: TheScopenyc.com

An asymmetrical shape and brass detailing add the ideal amount of glam around the dinner table. Meanwhile, the placemat’s terrazzo rubber surface makes cleaning up a cinch — a quality your host will be especially grateful for. $38

Paper Bowls by Christopher Gentner

Credit: TheScopenyc.com

During the holidays, it’s essential for a host to place mini bowls of peppermint candies and chocolates around the house, and these hand-forged brass bowls by Chicago designer Christopher Gentner are an innovative stand-in for traditional serveware. For extra glitz, a 24K gold option is available upon request. $150

Decanter by Anna Karlin

Credit: TheScopenyc.com

An elegant decanter is an absolute necessity during a dinner party. From cognac to egg nog, this handblown borosilicate glass vessel by designer Anna Karlin is anchored by a polished brass stopper that can easily be removed for refills.  $170

The post Top Home Decor Gifts To Give Your Host This Holiday Season appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

“Sales tend to increase as everyone is trying to get the sale in before the end of the year for tax benefits,” said Caryn Botknecht, Fort Lauderdale-based real estate agent.

While end-of-year economic rewards may largely push sales up, a slew of fine details further fuel the market. With people flocking to the region to escape the frigid weather up north or even abroad, a holiday vacation can easily turn into a house hunt. The festivities also allow for elegant home decorations that often rival posh shop windows and showcase the premier décor possibilities a space can offer.

Commencing in early November, around The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, this time of the year might be conducive of real estate transactions, but some common caveats remain as strong as ever.

“Buying a home can be a great gift, but it can be an extremely overwhelming process without the right help,” Botknecht said. “Make sure you are working with people you trust in all aspects of the sale - starting with agent, to inspectors to a mortgage broker, etc. You have a number of factors to be considered when purchasing a home and the time of year should not deter you from that – despite all the distractions you might be facing at this time of the year.”

Selling a residence can pose an array of considerations that are equally overwhelming. Picking the right asking price is crucial, Botknecht said, but it is far from easy. It requires a firm grasp on the local real estate market, its dynamism and complexities. “If financially it is the right time for you to sell, sit down and speak with your trusted real estate agent,” she advised. “Someone who is familiar with the area will give you a good idea of what price you will need to list at if you would like to sell in a reasonable amount of time.”

In the last several years, prices have settled in a sensible range, even while Fort Lauderdale has risen on the global scene of luxury properties. This trend carries over the holiday season and into the new year, Botknecht said.

“I think buyers and sellers are becoming more realistic in their selling and purchasing price,” she said. “When you live in paradise, as we do, it’s hard to imagine anyone not wanting to live here!”

Caryn Botknecht is the exclusive agent representing the East Fort Lauderdale, Florida real estate market as a member of the Haute Residence Real Estate Network. View all of her listings here.

The post Caryn Botknecht: How The Holiday Season Affects South Florida’s Luxury Real Estate appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.