Scout is an urban antique shop, located in the heart of Andersonville, whose approach to design is to take familiar elements, simple and unadorned, and make them feel interesting and sophisticated again. As they put it, “Timeless utility and clean lines combined with second-hand comfort.” Truly, a company after my own heart!

With a constantly changing selection of used home goods, Scout is a combination of family treasures, flea market finds and contemporary flair. Sure, we’re all looking to find the hidden treasures trapped in our attics and crawlspaces, but having a unique and tasteful retail option is always fun too! Check them out when you have a chance: scoutchicago.com.

Stores and catalogs are filled with terrific accessories we’d love to have in our houses, but why not “shop” in your own house first. You’ll be amazed at the bargains you’ll find!

Look in the attic and garage for objects with interesting shapes, color or a function that can be reinterpreted. On a recent project, I explored the client’s garage. I found a retro child’s wooden rake and an unused wrought-iron garden trellis.

I hung the child’s rake above the mantel in a simple, yet fun, autumn display. The trellis became a more permanent part of the home. I cut off the sharp metal spikes that normally go into the ground and hung it in a hallway between the kitchen and the kids’ bedrooms. We clipped photos, school projects and artwork to it. (Think: All that stuff that usually hangs on the refrigerator door.) At Christmas, the client cleared it off to make room for Christmas cards. Although we did a major remodeling for this client, it’s the trellis she often shows friends first!

When spring nears and grocery store floral departments begin blooming with tulips, I get giddy. These small bunches of color can renew your spirits and your home. I like to display them on a table near the front door. That way, I’ll see them each time I pass and they greet guests with a smile.

Problem is, before I know it, they begin to droop splay unbecomingly in the vase and then droop rather dramatically. Imagine, Scarlet O’Hara fanning herself on a hot summer’s day and then falling in a hoop-skirted heap into a chair on the veranda.

To tame a tulip turned tramp, place two or three pennies in the bottom of the vase when you add the water and stems. And, choose a medium-height vase with a narrow mouth. The copper in the coins encourages the stems to stay firm and the right vase gives them the support they need.