Rustic Elegance2

Luxury treehouses for those in search of an outdoorsy, upscale getaway BY MAUREEN CALLAHAN  Downers Grove resident Mike Ambrose is a lifelong tree house expert. “My dad was a carpenter, so my buddies and I were always building forts in our yards using the odds and ends of wood he didn’t need. One actually had…

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First Audience

How music begins at home and grows into a lifelong passion BY LAURA MICHAUD AND MELISSA G. WILSON The Living Room Debut Before there are stages, spotlights, or packed auditoriums, there is almost always a living room. Or a kitchen. Or the back seat of a car. For many performers, the first audience is family—people…

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Woodland Windows and Doors

Woodland Windows & Doors has spent more than half a century transforming homes across the greater Chicago area with quality, craftsmanship, and trust earned one project at a time. Founded in 1969 by John and Ann Mariotti, the company began in a small storefront and has grown into a respected full-service provider of replacement windows,…

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Reliable Home Improvement

Few home remodeling companies can point to more than five decades of continuous family leadership. For 58 years, Reliable Home Improvement has remained family-owned and operated, quietly shaping homes throughout the western suburbs. What began as a small family business has grown into one of the region’s most respected remodeling firms, guided by multiple generations…

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Mary Braatz

RE/MAX ENTERPRISES Mary Braatz chose a career in real estate after spending several years working in the Loop, motivated by a desire to build a profession rooted in her local community. “I wanted to work closer to home,” she said. Paired with her love of problem-solving, that decision continues to drive her work today. Whether…

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Moderne Living

Established in August 2005, Moderne Living was created to bring refined European contemporary design to Chicago homeowners seeking modern sophistication with everyday comfort. From its inception, the company has prioritized curated furnishings and architectural elements defined by clean lines, premium materials, and enduring craftsmanship. Today, Moderne Living delivers comprehensive, high-end design solutions that extend well…

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Lupfer Landscaping

During a recent journey to Japan, Lupfer Landscaping president Tom Lupfer immersed himself in centuries-old garden traditions that reshaped how he approaches landscape design. Walking through historic stroll gardens in Tokyo once built for Shoguns and Daimyo, studying the quiet restraint of Zen gardens in Kyoto, and learning directly from the experts who maintain these…

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Natalie Weber

Keller Williams Experience Realty She’s not just a part of the Downers Grove real estate market—she’s one of the forces shaping it. Ranked the #1 Luxury Realtor 2023–2025 in Downers Grove across all teams, groups, and brokerages, Natalie Weber has built a reputation for delivering a polished, high- performance client experience anchored in strategy, trust,…

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Alex Abramowicz & Meredith Van Syckle

Jameson Sotheby’s International Realty Alex Abramowicz and Meredith Van Syckle of Jameson Sotheby’s International Realty bring a collaborative, client-first approach to every transaction. Working as a seamless team, they take the time to understand each client’s priorities, whether that means pricing strategy, timing, or discretion, ensuring a thoughtful and tailored experience from start to finish.…

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Tracy Driscoll & Diane Crisp

Platinum Partners Realtors | Driscoll Crisp Team Tracy Driscoll and Diane Crisp are top-producing Realtors and the founding partners behind one of Downers Grove’s most respected real estate teams. Known for their elevated service, deep market expertise, and consistently strong results, The Driscoll Crisp Team brings decades of combined experience to every transaction. They approach…

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