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WHAT IT IS
A play-by-play of the massive rehab of a 1914 Chicago bungalow, including before, during, and after pics, rants from the owners, and tips for the uninitiated.
WHO’S BEHIND IT
Aaron and Jeannie Olson, adult education professionals well versed in new technology. They also run the Huffington Post of home rehab blogs, houseblogs.net, a portal to more than 500 home rehab bloggers around the world.
WHY WE’RE HOOKED
That irresistible combination of schadenfreude and inspiration. Weep with the Olsons when they find the destroyed remains of a once-beautiful fireplace. Rejoice at a completed bathroom.
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WHAT IT IS
A documentary of the trials of pulling off an environmentally sound gut rehab on a budget. See “Green Grumbles” for the angst involved in finding contractors who will build green for not so much green.
WHO’S BEHIND IT
Photographer Brian Warling and graphic designer Lisa Wright
WHY WE’RE HOOKED
Their “Links” section lists more than 30 local and national sites to help you live a greener life. Lisa used freecycle.com, craigslist, and eBay to get rid of light fixtures, computer equipment, and 14 old cans of latex paint. We’re learning by example.
Photography: david carter
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WHAT IT IS
Celebrating the spirits of both Frank Lloyd Wright and modernism, Prairie Mod reports on architecture and design news in Chicago and beyond. Read about Wright exhibits and lectures, personnel changes at Dwell magazine, Room & Board sales, and more.
WHO’S BEHIND IT
The PrairieMod Squad, a group of young design professionals who respect nature, simplicity, and craftsmanship—and wish to spread the gospel.
WHY WE’RE HOOKED
Finally! Somebody to keep track of all the breaking news on Frank. Plus, we like their aesthetic-meets-intellectual approach.
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WHAT IT IS
The Chicago branch of the apartment-centric site originally founded in New York. See virtual tours of Chicago homes, great design ideas for small spaces, and reader-posted design challenges (often tackled scintillatingly by other readers).
WHO’S BEHIND IT
The Chicago branch is run by Heather Blaha, who lives in a 900-square-foot condo with her boyfriend and, sometimes, his two kids; and Janel Laban, who also lives in a 900-square-foot condo with her husband, son, and pug.
WHY WE’RE HOOKED
They go through the crap on craigslist so we don’t have to, and link to the best buys. They also tell us about the best sales in town. And we love their contests, like Smallest, Coolest (for best apartment under 650 square feet). It’s a must for design junkies.
Photography: david carter
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WHAT IT IS
Two characters, Porcelain and Cardboard, waxing rhapsodic about attainable style. Their obsessions include green living, mid-century modern, headboards, dishwashers, and the perfect mauve. Geared toward hipsters with big dreams and small budgets.
WHO’S BEHIND IT
Jessica “Cardboard” Bartlett and Katie “Porcelain” Brown, both artists and library assistants at Northwestern University.
WHY WE’RE HOOKED
Bartlett sums it up best: “It’s not fun to look at things too seriously.” At least once a week, she or her partner takes an object, details its perfection, and proclaims: “For these reasons, I, Porcelain [or Cardboard], declare this a Design Boner.”
Photography: david carter