February 2009: A roundup of this month's sales, store openings, and shopping news. Read more
February 2009: Carol Felsenthal, Robert Loerzel, Jeff Ruby, Shane Tritsch, Michael Camarra, Mara Tapp Read more
In February’s letters: dad’s view, swords, missing a job, O-verexposure, breakfast, and a would-be nonissue Read more

There’s a new interior design firm in town. Greg Jagmin, who has ten years of experience as a partner with Anne Coyle and at Hudson Home, a design/build firm, also has a past life in accounting, making him the kind of eye you want on the job. I love his surprising color combinations, penchant for fine lines, and the construction and budgeting know-how needed to make a solid and stately plan for a kitchen, bath—or your whole darn house! He’s as dapper as he is casual—the perfect peek into his decorating psyche (check out his childhood pic—he’s still Mr. Sportcoat). With clients in Dallas, Orlando, and here in Chicago, he’s off and running. “I am always interested in creating a classic with modern elements,” he says. “I love French furnishings, fine but fun fabrics, and a little bit of glass, chrome, gilt, or mirror always in the mix.” He has reconditioned and restored a few pieces from the past in my own place, and his surprising take always impresses me.  His new blog, written with older sib Chris, a graphic designer with a fab line of home products we’ve featured in the mag , is my latest addiction. The combination of childhood snaps, back and forth banter, and tales of their two cities—Greg here and Chris in Arizona—make me smile. Sign up, then get Greg’s email, jagming2@gmail.com, and phone, 312-316-0968, on your speed-dial pronto.

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List Price: not available
Sale Price: $954,000
The Property: Charlie Wojciechowski, an anchor and reporter at NBC5 Chicago (WMAQ-TV), and his wife, Kate, a real-estate manager, have purchased a two-bedroom home on the 33rd floor of a new condo tower on Lake Shore Drive. The building is one of a pair of contemporary structures at 600 North Lake Shore Drive; in addition to the Drive, the buildings overlook...

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This story appears exclusively on Chicagomag.com and not in the print magazine.

THE SCENARIO: It’s been a little more than 100 days since President Barack Obama moved into the White House. So far, he’s been tested by the worst economy in 65 years, two wars, and a thicket of other international and domestic crises. One Sunday in May, the phone rings once again at three in the morning.
(Warning: contains adult language)

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She’s confident and levelheaded, and she carries the nurturing legacy of a close-knit South Shore family, an experience she wanted to re-create in her own home. After years of resenting her husband’s political career, Michelle Obama found her voice and flashed her style on the road to the White House Read more