Rochelle Newman Rubinoff

PAST PERFECTED

A drive through the Village of Glencoe provides a veritable masterclass in architectural styles. A short trip will take you past stately mansions by Howard Van Doren Shaw, low-slung modernist masterpieces by Keck & Keck, and a humble cottage by Frank Lloyd Wright.

This vaunted architectural pedigree, however, has been undermined by a string of recent teardowns. Mid-century modern homes are at particular risk and have been listed on Landmarks Illinois “Most Endangered Historic Places” since 2015.

80 Sr2023 03 095 6 — View of the kitchen and family room where a brick wall was removed to combine the rooms into an open layout. Sofa from Montauk and chairs from Bernhardt.

A mid-century Glencoe brick ranch, designed by noted Chicago architect Irving Bryon Moses in 1972 for a seafood company executive and his family, could have been demolished like the Keck & Keck-designed house on Glencoe’s Lapier Street or the house on Glencoe’s Sunrise Circle designed by famed Water Tower Place architect, Edward Dart. Instead, Brianne Bishop of Brianne Bishop Design reimagined this architectural gem for a young 21st-century family. The project’s excellence was recognized when Bishop won first place for the ASID (American Society of Interior Design) Design Excellence Award for “Best Residence over 3,000 Square Feet.”

“I’m a big architectural history buff,” says Bishop, who was thrilled to learn that Moses, listed as a “Notable Architect” by Marquis Who’s Who, had designed and built the house.

Unlike many buyers who are only looking for great land opportunities, Bishop says her clients never considered knocking down the property and starting over. “They absolutely fell in love with the architecture, character, and history of the house.”

80 Sr2023 03 096 7 — View into the custom designed kitchen by Brianne Bishop Design featuring wood grain cabinetry, quartzite countertops, and a plaster hood.

This seems to have had an impact on the sellers. “There were a lot of people who wanted to buy the property because of its proximity to the lake and town and then tear it down. We feel that one of the reasons they sold to us was because we wrote a letter and let them know that we wanted to preserve the house,” explains the home’s new owner.

Bishop and the owners have a long-standing relationship. “By the time you work with the same client for the fourth or fifth time, they’re basically like family.”

The owners, Alexis and Catherine Pinkham Berger, couldn’t be happier with the renovations, which were carried out by general contractor Juniper Construction & Design.

“We wanted to modernize the house but we also wanted to preserve its integrity,” Alexis says. “Brianne did a wonderful job of balancing. She not only has impeccable taste, she understands the needs and dynamics of family life.” Catherine and Alexis currently have a toddler, Meyer, and a baby on the way, so Bishop’s ability to accommodate them at each phase of their lives has been of paramount importance.

80 Sr2023 03 097 17 — Primary bedroom with a custom design wood wall and pendants from Gabriel Scott.

One of the first projects was to stain the wood beam ceilings. “They were pickled, which came across as peachy and clashed with the brick,” Bishop explains. “It took a little convincing but using inspirational images we got the clients on board to go dark on the ceiling.”

When the owners purchased the house, bricks covered the large front entrance windows. “There was just a little clerestory window at the top,” Bishop explains. “We wanted floor-to-ceiling windows to reflect the architect’s original intent.” This change creates a warm feeling the moment you enter the home.

Preserving the bones of the house required quite a bit of work and the help of Downey Szafarz Architects. “We completely moved the locations of everything. However, as it is an all-brick masonry house, there were very set walls that we had to work within,” Bishop notes. “In the new layout, the primary bedroom occupies the space of the former primary bathroom and the old dining room is now the kitchen. We moved the laundry room across the house and added a mudroom.”

“Our favorite part of the home is the all-season room,” Catherine says. “We put heaters in the ceiling and it’s a fun place to sit and gather with family and friends.”

80 Sr2023 03 098 12 — Powder room with Patagonia granite with an integrated sink by Terrazzo and Marble Supply and a vintage mirror.

Catherine and Alexis are grateful for how everything evolved. “It’s just a very warm and inviting home,” Alexis says. “And that is what we want people to feel when they walk into it.” For Bishop, the project was “an absolute dream come true because I was able to respect the architecture, restore, preserve, and honor it but then completely modernize it for daily living.” Indeed, Bishop’s renovations have not only maintained the home’s pedigree but have performed the rare feat of perfecting the past.

For more information about Brianne Bishop Design, visit briannebishopdesign.com.

Striking The Right Chord

Dr. Rajan wearing Cinq a Sept white sequin blazer and winter white wool trousers, AS by DF vegan leather strapless top, *neimanmarcus.com* PHOTOGRAPHY BY LISA SCIASCIA / STYLING BY THERESA DEMARIA / HAIR AND MAKEUP BY CATHLEEN HEALY

Dr. Rekha S. Rajan has devoted her personal and professional life to creating and sharing music in nearly every way imaginable. Now this classically trained opera singer, musician, author, and arts educator, is inviting children to express themselves through the magic of music.

Rajan holds both a doctorate and a master’s degree in music education from Columbia University, a master’s degree in early childhood education and a bachelor’s degree in vocal performance from Roosevelt University. She has performed as a professional opera singer and musician, taught in higher education, and worked and conducted extensive research in early childhood education.

Rajan’s latest venture is the much anticipated This Is Music series published by Penguin/Random House. These four beautifully illustrated board books, focusing on drums, horns, strings, and voice encourage young children to be creative, to express themselves, to feel confident, and mostly to see, hear, and feel the music that exists all around us every day.

“I think as a musician myself and having studied music for over 25 years and taught music, there’s a misconception that taking music lessons and studying music is very expensive,” Rajan says. “We really wanted to show young families and children that music is all around them. A tabletop could be a drum, your own belly could be a drum. That’s what this series is trying to teach and what I’ve been trying to teach my whole career.”

Rajan lives in Barrington with her husband and three children, ages 9, 11, and 13. Of course, they all play instruments together! “When you really sit and observe toddlers and preschoolers, they will spontaneously make music and create rhythms and engage with their environment musically. I wanted to tap into that and take a very intentional approach. It’s not just the piano and guitar that have strings, there are stringed instruments all around the world. And, a unique feature of the series is that the back of each book has an instrument for the child to play.”

Tania Yakunova is the talented illustrator who has brought these books to life. “She is wonderful,” Rajan says. “She’s from Ukraine and has won multiple awards for her art. The books are just so vibrant and depict children of different colors and different body types—very inclusive and welcoming. “

Another children’s book Rajan recently had published is entitled Amazing Landmarks (Scholastic). It is a fully illustrated collection of ten iconic landmarks and includes interactive stories, prompting readers to understand the history behind each one.

Rajan also recently completed The Read Aloud Factor: How to Create the Habit That Boosts Your Baby’s Brain (Chicago Review Press). Published this fall, it is a unique new parenting book that has already received a starred review in Library Journal and Booklist. The book is broken up into sections that talk about how reading aloud and music support children’s brain development, their social emotional learning, and language acquisition.

Rajan has many appearances scheduled where she will not only read from her books but also bring instruments that children can try out and play and explore. In fact, Rajan has an entire room in her home filled with over 100 musical instruments she has collected from all over the world.

It’s clear that Rajan is truly passionate about music and the importance of introducing it to children at a young age. “We’re exploratory when we have young children at home and we’re trying to have them have as many experiences as possible. It’s so important to introduce music at a young age because once we enter school, the natural ability to take risks and be creative, to want to express themselves in front of their peers greatly shifts.”

Rajan’s passion and enthusiasm for improving the literary and musical lives of children is truly contagious. Whether it’s singing, dancing, or playing an instrument, Rajan emphasizes that the social and emotional benefits of music are enormous. How fortunate are we to be able to bang on our own belly drums and take advantage of her knowledge, talent, and expertise, located right in our own backyard.

Let the music begin!

For information about Dr. Rajan’s upcoming appearances please visit her website at: RekhaSRajan.com or follow her on Twitter and Instagram @RekhaSRajan.

TINY DANCER

Samantha Barnett wearing top by Katie J NYC from Soul 2 Soul and Lululemon pants. Photographed at Soul 2 Soul Dance in Highland Park PHOTOGRAPHY BY KATRINA WITTKAMP / STYLING BY THERESA DEMARIA / HAIR BY CATHLEEN HEALY

The lights go down, and the magic comes up. Samantha Barnett has been putting her dancing shoes on since she was 4 and her feet have never stopped.

Dance offers so many wonderful benefits to students of all ages. In addition to the physical exercise, dance students get to experience the priceless feeling of community, friendship, creativity, and a sense of accomplishment.

A fifth-grade student at Lake Forest Country Day, Barnett has been part of the Soul 2 Sole Dance family in Highland Park since she started taking lessons. She heads to the studio four days a week and is part of five different teams competing in five dance competitions throughout the year. “They compete with studios all over Illinois,” Laura Barnett, Samantha’s mother, says.

“Samantha loves dance and is proud of the hard work she has done over the years that has allowed her to grow and advance,” Laura says.

This is clearly Samantha’s passion. Yet, dance has not always come easily to her.

“There’s a lot of discipline involved and a lot of responsibility— she cannot miss practice even if she isn’t feeling well. As long as she’s fever-free, she still needs to sit on the sidelines and watch. I think it shows her that if you work hard at something you will reap the rewards.”

Both Samantha and Laura say that they’re beyond grateful that they have Drew Tamez-Hull as Samantha’s coach. “I love my coach,” Samantha says.

“Drew is really special,” Laura continues. “He coaches at several studios in the city, and he’s a professional dancer and actor.”

Samantha Barnett wearing Burberry dress from Neiman Marcus Northbrook with her dance coach Drew Tamez-Hull

As a coach and artistic director at Soul 2 Sole Dance, Tamez- Hull’s goal is to inspire and make every student count on the dance floor and to help them achieve their personal goals.

“From my experience, I feel like dancing is a healthy outlet and a form of expression for these kids. I sometimes think of it as dance therapy. Kids are constantly in environments where they’re told to be quiet. Sit down. Calm down. When I get them after school, they’re all wound up. They have all this energy, so they’re coming in and getting therapeutic movement.

“The second big takeaway I’ve noticed over the years is that dance creates a community of people whom students can get to know artistically, creatively. So, it gives them a sense of belonging,” he observes.

Not surprisingly, the respect that Samantha and Laura have for Tamez-Hull is reciprocated. A student like Samantha does not come along every day.

“Samantha is not only an inspiration, but she is the ideal example of what it means to be a part of a team. She is somebody who had to work super hard a few years ago just to get noticed or to even get the smallest part. But she would always have a huge smile from ear to ear. And for me as a coach, this is somebody whom you want to support because every year you can grow with that student. There’s no ego with her. It’s just all about hard work.”

For now, Samantha is thrilled to keep working hard, being part of the team, hanging out with her awesome coach and nice dance friends, and, of course, keep dancing.

Sole 2 Sole Dance is located at 799 Central Avenue in Highland Park, sole2soledance.com.

DREAM HOME, DREAM TEAM

Wendy Smith, Andrea Miller, Lori Stellwagen, Courtney Otis, Trish Herakovich, Kate Murlas, Pam MacPherson, Lori Hooten. Not pictured: Molly Weisman and Emily Gangwer. PHOTOGRAPHY BY INDYWRAP

Once a winner, always a winner. Pam MacPherson, President of the MacPherson Group at @properties Christie’s International Real Estate, can’t help but believe in the power of a team. A lifelong athlete, she participated in a variety of sports while growing up, ultimately landing a coveted setter position on the volleyball team at Duke.

MacPherson takes that teamwork sensibility to her profession every day as a realtor with @properties Christie’s International Real Estate. “I always knew I wanted to lead a team,” MacPherson says. Her office is located in Winnetka but she and her team cover a wide range of luxury markets all across Chicago and the suburbs. This dedicated, enthusiastic group includes: Western Suburbs Specialists Emily Gangwer and Lori Stellwagen; North Shore Specialists Trish Herakovich, Lori Hooten, Andrea Miller, and Wendy Smith; City Specialists Kate Murlas, Courtney Otis, and Molly Weisman; Staging Specialist Xochitl Sanchez; Business Manager Anne Warnsman; and Transaction Manager Fallon English. All are well-known throughout the industry for their honesty, integrity, and ingenuity.

Each member of the MacPherson Group has a particular area of expertise, yet they work together seamlessly to provide the ultimate in concierge services for their clients. One of the main advantages of working with the group is the system they have in place to make the most of every buying or selling experience and to help with any issues sellers and buyers typically encounter along the way. Their team includes professionals who provide decluttering services, staging, and contractor referrals. A high priority is put on creating advanced marketing tools and the group works diligently on all marketing—print, social media, and digital—to reach not only city and suburban markets but also national and international markets. With so many experts working together, they have cornered the market on community insights garnering the largest selection of off-market listings.

What MacPherson finds most fulfilling is trying to be the matchmaker between her clients and their “dream” house. “We try to be very creative,” she says. “We have strong connections with people in construction and extensive remodeling experience. It’s very hard to find the absolutely perfect house for someone. We need to be innovative with how we can help clients create that perfect house for themselves. I really do love that challenge. And then when we’re listing, we have our own stager and decluttering expert so we come in and help transform the house to be the perfect house for the buyer’s eyes.”

MacPherson grew up on the North Shore. “I think real estate has always been in my blood. My mom has always done various construction projects. Probably every three years she would add on to or remodel our house. So, I got to watch our house change over time while growing up.”

MacPherson is a person who loves to move. “I always love the next adventure, the next project!” In fact, when she and her husband were first married, they moved five times in four years. “I always had to research communities and learn a lot about the areas. As I was already doing it for myself, I figured I might as well get my license and do it for other people.”

When not selling houses, MacPherson enjoys spending time with her husband and three children and cheering on the Northwestern football team.

When you sign on with the MacPherson Group, you know you will receive the benefit of their huge network, impeccable customer service, strong negotiation skills, extensive market knowledge, and unflappable attitudes.

“One of my friends bought me a sign that says, ‘Chaos Manager.’ I love it. I do very well in chaos,” she laughs.

The MacPherson Group is a real estate team with @properties Christie’s International Real Estate in Winnetka, 30 Green Bay Road, 847-508-8048, atproperties.com/agents/5382/pam-macpherson.

REDEFINING SERVICE

Jena Radnay of @properties PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROBIN SUBAR

From the moment you start to speak to Jena Radnay, you instantly think of the word “spunk.” This number one real estate broker on the North Shore is energetic, light-hearted, opinionated, honest, and, with a work ethic like a black stallion, is always striving to bring the best to her clients.

And on top of that, she is truly grateful. “There isn’t a day that I don’t look at my Jena Radnay sticker on my steering wheel and say ‘Wow, I am doing what I love with people who trust me. How did I get this lucky?’”

“COVID changed everyone,” Radnay says. “Everyone has gotten so used to hitting the ‘easy button.’ People got lazy, everything can be delivered to your doorstep. And sadly, what I see the most is people just not caring about their jobs the way they used to. They figured out how to press the easy button and do the minimum versus the maximum. It drives me crazy.”

“I now find myself constantly overseeing incompetence. For example, I tell the gutter cleaner to make sure all gutters are cleaned before listing a house, to only then see that they forgot to do the detached three-car garage. Being able to get them to come back fast is almost impossible. Then it takes another two days to get back onto their schedule. ‘No,’ I say, ‘come back today as that is what you were hired to do.’ So, the lesson now is for me to check their work before they leave.”

This persistence is one quality that sets Radnay apart from every other real estate broker. She views her role as more encompassing than just a broker and considers herself a consultant.

“I always expect something to go wrong,” she laughs. “And that’s why I offer so much more than the typical broker. I am a guru of real estate way beyond just the transaction.”

Practically speaking, just what does that mean? When Radnay gets ready to put a house on the market she prepares a comprehensive plan of everything that needs to be done to prep a home for sale. “My job is not just the real estate selling piece. It’s everything in between. And I know there’s definitely no one else who matches my level of detail. I really take pride in making sure it’s done right.”

She continues, “I think it comes down to the fact that times have changed and now more than ever, it’s all about service and problem-solving for clients before they’re even thinking about it. I’ve got everything handled down to an Excel spreadsheet of every single cost that was put into a house.”

But what really is distinctive about working with Radnay is that she has the inside skinny. “I have an incredible wealth of information. Because I get to meet with so many people, I know what’s coming on the market before it’s listed. I also make a match for my seller too, so they don’t need to do the dog and pony show to sell. Sometimes sellers would rather sell privately and fast than expose themselves to everyone coming through their house and hearing that the kitchen is awful.”

“There’s an added value when you work with me because I’m aggressive, and I know how to get in front of a house before anyone else can even see it. People trust me, they know I have integrity, I don’t play games and I know how to keep private information confidential. What you see is what you get.”

“So I guess it comes down to this,” Radnay says. “If you want everything done right with no worries about your real estate, I am your ‘easy button.’ That is exactly how I want people who work with me to see what I bring to the table!”

Jena Radnay is with @properties in Winnetka. For more information, call 312-925-9899 or visit jenasellshomes.com.

50 YEARS IS GOLDEN

Finnegan Gallery owners Marty Shapiro and Kaye Gregg PHOTOGRAPHY BY KATRINA WITTKAMP / STYLING BY THERESA DEMARIA

The Antiques + Modernism Show, scheduled for November 3 through 6 at the Winnetka Community House, is definitely not your mother’s (or grandmother’s) antique show. Featuring 50 dealers from the United States, Italy, and the United Kingdom, it is easy to see why this is one of the area’s most anticipated fall events.

Kim Ronan, a co-chair of the show with Elyse Hahner, promises that this year’s Antiques + Modernism Show, which is celebrating its 50th year and is a benefit for the Community House, will be better than ever. The show last took place in 2019, as the 2020 and 2021 events were canceled due to COVID. “The anticipation of bringing the event back and seeing the special pieces our exhibitors bring with them just for this show is absolutely wonderful.”

Marty Shapiro and Kaye Gregg, the husband and wife owners of Chicago’s Finnegan Gallery and long-time Winnetka exhibitors, also perform double duty as the liaisons for the Antiques Council, a nonprofit organization of antique dealers, which has managed the show for the past 13 years. The Council is responsible for the recruitment and careful selection of every participating exhibitor at the show. Expect to find items ranging from fine period American and European furniture, jewelry, glassware, works of fine art, and vintage clothing, along with many pieces of cutting-edge 20th-century design.

“For people coming to the show there is something at every price point, but one of the most important things we do is to ensure that all exhibitors guarantee and stand behind every item they offer for sale,” Shapiro says. “All merchandise is examined by Antiques Council representatives before the show opens to the public. Exhibitors are required to have labels on all pieces which at a minimum must include: A brief description of the item, the age, country of origin, and any restoration or repairs as well as the price.”

Finnegan Gallery owners Marty Shapiro and Kaye Gregg

“You will find that almost all of our dealers go out of their way to make every visitor feel welcome,” says Gregg. “As passionate collectors themselves, dealers love to chat about and show what they have brought.” Gregg speaks from experience as she and Shapiro have owned the highly regarded Finnegan Gallery for more than 25 years. The 6,000-square-foot gallery—open by appointment during the week and open to the public on weekends— is located in Chicago’s Forest Glen neighborhood and specializes in antique garden furniture, ornament, and architectural items sourced from Europe and the United States. Landscape and architectural design firms nationwide view the gallery as a go-to source for some of the finest garden antiques to be found anywhere in the country.

“We travel to Europe and the United Kingdom with a large ‘wish list’ approximately four to five times a year and always in search of only the best pieces for our clients,” Shapiro says.

The Winnetka Antiques + Modernism Show will open at the Winnetka Community House with a preview party on the evening of November 3. The show will open to the public beginning Friday, November 4 and end on Sunday, November 6. The featured speaker on Friday will be Megan Caswell, who will share her journey of becoming an interior designer and her experiences on HGTV. Most importantly, she’ll explain “how to avoid design crime” and create your own livable home.

Saturday will feature Laura Dowling, author, speaker, designer, and the White House’s Chief Floral Designer from 2009 to 2015. She will present a program featuring her signature floral tips and techniques for fall and winter as well as share some behind-the-scenes stories of her White House years.

All funds raised will benefit the Winnetka Community House. “The Community House is really the center of our community … a hub if you will,” says Ronan. “This show directly goes to supporting that!”

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit thewinnetkashow.com. For more information about Finnegan Gallery, visit finnegangallery.com.