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As a college student in Chicago, Rachel James coveted the vibrant nail polishes she saw modeled on social media. But the posts also vexed her: The lacquers looked great on white hands  —  but would that be true for a Black woman like her? Inspired, she began mixing her own colors, using her friends as test subjects to determine how the shades worked against various skin tones. Pear Nova’s flagship suite of polishes, BrwnGrlMgc, was born. Ranging from the milky beige Frida Be Free to the bronze-brown glitz of Cleo F*ckin Patra, the four nudes flatter all  —  yes, all  —  skin tones. “The success of that collection was the stamp of approval we needed,” says the 33-year-old, who’s expanded the line to include a kaleidoscope of colors. Sales more than doubled last year, a feat that can be credited not only to the pandemic  —  which had people polishing at home  —  but also to Oprah Winfrey, who featured four hues in December’s “Favorite Things” list. Look for a holiday collection this fall: In it, James surprises by ditching clichés for turquoise and rose gold. 2150 S. Canalport Ave., Pilsen

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Mick De Giulio
Owner of De Giulio Kitchen Design in Wilmette and River North

The popularity of open-floor plans makes it important to allow things to be easily put away and out of sight, yet kept handy at the same time. I carve out the space within the back wall of a countertop or sink for shallow-depth shelves — even just two inches in depth will work. This can be valuable space that would typically go unused, and it’s perfect for smaller things like spices, oils, and vinegars. Putting sliding panels made of stone, glass, or wood over these shelves ensures they can be covered at a moment’s notice. The panels also keep spices protected from heat. Looking for every opportunity in a kitchen to create more function is what it’s all about.

Brianne Bishop
Founder of Brianne Bishop Design in West Town

Where and how to store my spices is the first feature I thought of when I recently remodeled my dream kitchen. I try to start with a shallow drawer near the cooking surface with angled display trays, which can also be customized for the size of jars being used to maximize storage. If a shallow drawer does not fit your kitchen design, you can plan or retrofit a tall, narrow cabinet as a spice pullout, like the one made by Häfele. Uniform glass jars are not only the perfect way to keep your spices fresh but are also visually appealing. I prefer the small glass jars with a cork lid, but stainless lids are nice, too, since you can clean them easily.

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Time is rarely kind. What was once the height of fashion is, sooner or later, not. That was the case with this handsome 1880s Lincoln Park greystone, which had gotten a very of-the-minute redo in the 1990s. “It was all bleached wood and stainless steel,” recalls designer Julia Buckingham, who spent years turning the place around for a professional couple with two young children. “Everything intrinsic to the house in terms of its original appeal had been wiped away.”

Buckingham and her clients weren’t out to orchestrate a historic restoration, but the slick touches of the recent past had to go. Floors were warmed up with a darker stain. A chrome fireplace surround was replaced with brick. The contemporary kitchen was toned down with a diamond-patterned tile that Buckingham ran across an entire wall. When it came to furnishings, she combined French curves with linear forms for a transitional look propelled by bright colors. “Julia’s ‘Modernique’ take on things — modern meets antique — really defines the spirit of the house,” one of the homeowners says. “The dining room table is very modern, but the wall covering reminds me of Monet’s water lilies.”

Like the previous owners, who had linked a carriage house to the home, the current residents expanded the property by adding two conservatories. One, attached to the side of the house and visible from the street, contains a living room. The other, joined to the kitchen in back, serves as a breakfast room. Both additions also include extensive living space in their lower levels, with a den, an exercise room, and a guest suite under the new living room area and a playroom beneath the kitchen.

Designed by Northworks Architects in collaboration with the Maryland-based fabricator Tanglewood Conservatories and installed by 130-year-old construction company Bulley & Andrews, these fresh additions are the most compelling rooms in the home. The sheer volume of the two-story spaces creates a powerful impact, and the extensive windows provide an abundance of natural light, normally at a premium in older townhouses. The fluid yet industrial structure is evident in the living room, where the steel frame contrasts with the white walls and ceiling. The all-white breakfast room — a space as large as many formal dining rooms — offers views of the landscaped garden from its numerous windows.

The design scheme, informed by tradition but loaded with bright colors and vibrant patterns, is exemplified in the living room, which is grounded by a carpet with a jewel-like pattern and outfitted with upholstered seating in saturated shades of pink, blue, and orange. Buckingham wrestled the soaring room into shape by flanking the vintage fireplace mantel she installed with super-tall polished nickel and glass étagères she developed with Al Bar Wilmette Platers and hanging a large tendril-like pendant from the ceiling.

Buckingham worked on this project for eight years, first focusing on the interior design of the existing house and then devoting 18 months to planning and furnishing the conservatories. So it’s not surprising that she shares a special connection with her client. “She loves colors, but not just any colors. When I pulled five chairs for her to look at, it wasn’t just any five chairs. I learned to think like her,” Buckingham explains. “Sometimes this house feels like my house.”

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Warren is not your typical high school football powerhouse. The No. 2 Blue Devils have never won a state championship. Gurnee isn’t a wealthy western suburb. Warren is basically your typical, large public school.

That doesn’t usually lead to consistent high school football excellence. The Blue Devils are the only school in the state’s top 10 in enrollment that is also in the Super 25.

Warren, led by coach Bryan McNulty, has crashed the party and demanded a spot near the top of the rankings the past several years.

So what changed? How did the Blue Devils go from a regular one and done Class 8A playoff team to a program that played for the state title two seasons ago?

“A lot of accountability,” McNulty said. “That was the big change. Gurnee kids are tough by nature. The parents are tough, the community is tough. It was just a matter of getting those kids disciplined and then accountable to all their actions all the time. And that starts in the offseason with lots of lifting and being on time, and your grades are right, and all those other things.”

The Blue Devils are 36-7 the past four seasons.

“We really figured out in my second year here that we needed to produce better people,” McNulty said. “We’ve got the kids. It’s a big school.”

Warren dominated its schedule over the spring as much as any school in the area, including Loyola. The Blue Devils weren’t a contender for the No. 1 ranking though, due to strength of schedule. They were only allowed to play in their conference because of COVID.

McNulty has a ton back from that squad. Warren returns 10 starters on defense and eight on offense, including quarterback Aidan Lucero and running back Maurice Edwards, a Vanderbilt recruit.

“It was great to get those six games in last year, but kids get seasoned in the playoffs,” McNulty said. “So as many kids as we have back, we are also as untested as everybody else. Those kids got a lot of game experience but they didn’t get those huge games.”

Warren’s Caleb Falls develops his rushing technique at practice in Gurnee.Kevin Tanaka/For the Sun-Times

McNulty’s teams have been known for defense, but that may change this season. It’s the fastest offense Warren has had in McNulty’s eight-year tenure.

“Our offense might even be more skilled than the defense,” senior fullback Ben McLaughlin said. “There’s a lot of fast guys and a lot of big hitters.”

Lucero is a heady, dual-threat quarterback and Edwards is a load.

“Edwards is a special athlete,” McNulty said. “He’s barely scratched the surface on how good he could be. He’s going to be a great college player. He’s the real deal.”

Linebacker Jalen Handford, a Central Michigan recruit, is a major factor on defense along with safety Ben Wilson, defensive back Jailen Duffie and lineman Kameron Shaw.

Also keep an eye on senior defensive end Caleb Falls.

“He’s a leader,” McNulty said. “He’s kind of a skinnier kid but he is all juice and he goes hard all the time and the kids really listen to him.”

Warren has a challenging opener at Barrington and then comes the real test, a Week 2 showdown against Maine South.

“That’s going to be fun,” Falls said. “I can’t wait to see all that we’ve been working so hard on practice put to the test.”

WARREN SCHEDULE

Aug. 27 at Barrington

Sep. 3 vs. Maine South

Sep. 10 at Zion-Benton

Sep. 17 at Lake Zurich

Sep. 24 vs. Stevenson

Oct. 1 vs. Waukegan

Oct. 8 at Mundelein

Oct. 15 at Libertyville

Oct. 22 vs. Lake Forest

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DEAR ABBY: When I was an unmarried 18-year-old, I had a child out of wedlock. Unsure that I could provide for him, I chose to place him for adoption so he would have a chance for a better life. This year, we connected through DNA. The reunion has been great, even though I choose to remain in the background because his mother is still living.

Would it be appropriate this fall and winter to include him in my holiday festivities as long as it doesn’t interfere with the time he should be spending with his family? And, after his mother passes away, what role should I play in his life? His father is deceased, and he and his adopted brother are estranged. — BIO MOM IN TEXAS

DEAR BIO MOM: Your son should have told his adoptive mother about the reunion, regardless of who initiated it. I think it would be better for everyone if she was included. A way to do that would be to thank her for taking such good care of your son and helping him to become the man he is today. I do not think secrecy is healthy. If it backfires, there will be deeply hurt feelings because of the subterfuge. At this point in your son’s life it’s too late for you to be his mommy. However, you CAN be a good friend, since his only family now is the woman who loved and raised him.

DEAR ABBY: I have been dating a man for almost three years. He’s retired; I’m still working. He refuses to stay with me during the week because I need to go to bed early. I see him only on the weekends. Am I wrong for wanting him to stay with me during the week? I feel like we really don’t have a relationship. My previous boyfriends would stay with me every night. Am I doomed with this man? By the way, he’s been married four times. — WANTS MORE IN MICHIGAN

DEAR WANTS MORE: Wake up. The man you have been dating isn’t going to change. He has struck out at marriage four times and may have “plans” during the week that do not include staying with a “Sleeping Beauty.” If you want more companionship than what you’re getting, you are going to have to seek it elsewhere.

DEAR ABBY: My daughter is getting married. Her father and I never married, but legally he’s listed as her father. For the past 40 years she has used my last name. Well, her wedding invitation arrived today and her father’s name is on it. Mine isn’t even mentioned!

My parents and I raised her. Her dad was around but never an active father. I raised her, but he gets the glory and the privilege of walking her down the aisle? She says I’m being “a wacko.” Must I accept this and let it go? I feel so hurt that I really don’t want to go to the wedding. — LOVING, LEFT-OUT MOM

DEAR MOM: I understand your feelings. If you haven’t asked your daughter why she chose to do this, you should. At the least, you deserve an explanation. Please understand that if you refuse to go to her wedding, it could create a permanent rift. There may be grandchildren and milestones you also could miss. Of course, the decision is yours to make, but since you asked me to weigh in, I’m suggesting you take the high road, attend and support your daughter on “her” day.

Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.

To receive a collection of Abby’s most memorable — and most frequently requested — poems and essays, send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 (U.S. funds), to: Dear Abby — Keepers Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Shipping and handling are included in the price.)

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