COUNTRY VS. TOWN: LESLIE LEE

LESLIE LEE grew up locally in Clarendon Hills and Hinsdale, and attended Hinsdale Central, where she swam on the state championship teams and met her husband, Gary. Leslie says, “I never realized it while living through it, but growing up in Hinsdale was truly a blessing. It was, and still is, an amazing community that has everything a child could want, and everything parents would want for their children.”

When it was time for them to leave the city 15 years ago, it was an easy choice for Leslie and Gary to move back to Hinsdale. Both sets of parents were still living in the area and having them close by was important. Leslie was able to work with her father at a large local residential design firm, which he founded the year she was born. It was an amazing experience to work so closely with her dad for 18 years until he passed two years ago and she loved every second of it. Leslie has since followed in his footsteps and started her own residential design firm, Fourth Avenue Design Group, with two of her closest colleges and friends.

When she’s not designing kitchens and bathrooms for her clients, there are three things she absolutely loves: her family, golf, and traveling. Her girls are now old enough to join her on the golf course and appreciate international travel. The Lee family is headed for Europe this summer. With such a busy family, Leslie treasures the occasional weekend with nothing planned except just relaxing and hanging out as a family. She also enjoys her current position on the Hinsdale Zoning Board of Appeals, and loves to volunteer for various causes with her family.

Mantra? Hope for the best, but always plan for the worst. On your reading stack? The Great Displacement, it’s a new book that covers climate change. I prefer non-fiction. Podcast? Smartless. Jason Bateman, Will Arnett and Sean Hayes are hilarious together. Favorite workout? Swimming laps. My kids love it too, so we workout together. Best grooming tip? Blowouts are a fun splurge. Whether it’s just for work or for a big event, they are worth it. Guilty pleasure? Milk Chocolate. We keep chocolate in several spots throughout the house. It’s a great pick-me-up. Early memory? Watching my Dad hand draw his blueprints when I was young. I was fascinated. Music you love? Everything but country. I love to mix it up, but if I had to pick only one genre, I’d choose Motown. Advice you would give to your younger self? Be confident – it shines through in everything you do.

WHEN IN THE COUNTRY

Your style is? Black on black for work, and comfy casual as soon as I return home. Favorite walk? We are walking distance from Fullersburg woods, so we head there all the time. It’s so peaceful. Favorite sounds or soundtrack? Living near the woods, I love when the birds start singing in the springtime. Can’t leave the house without? My to-do list always keeps me on track. Place to celebrate? Birthday dinners at Nabuki are a unanimous choice in our house. Best quick bite or hidden gem? The calzones at Guiliano’s are delish. Favorite festival or special event? Hinsdale’s Fourth of July Parade. Whether you are walking in the parade or watching, it’s Americana at its best. Best thing about the country? The people. Friends new and old here are amazing. Worst thing about the country? Mosquitos, for some reason they love me. The perfect day is? Golf with the family, dinner outside, and a glass of wine at home on the front porch with the neighborhood. We are so fortunate to have amazing neighbors.

WHEN IN TOWN

Your style is? Jeans and a chunky sweater with a great pair of boots. Favorite walk? Between the Planetarium and the Shedd Aquarium is my favorite walk in Chicago. You can take in so much of the city’s gorgeous architecture and the lakefront all at the same time. Favorite sounds or soundtrack? I’m a huge John Legend fan. Can’t leave the house without? I don’t feel complete unless I have my sunnies. Place to celebrate? The seafood tower at Bavette’s is a true celebration. Best quick bite or hidden gem? La Scarola has the best Italian food ever! And Irazu is an amazing little Costa Rican place we stumbled upon. Favorite festival or special event? Chicago Restaurant Week is always a great excuse to get out of the house in the middle of winter and head downtown. Shop? I love browsing the cute boutiques and gift shops in Lincoln Park. Best thing about town? The choices, everything is right there for you. Worst thing about town? After living in the country for 15 years, the tiny Chicago parking spots give me anxiety. The perfect day is? It was brunch at Julius Meinl and a White Sox day game with the crew. But we will have to find a new brunch spot as Julius recently closed.