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Time for tours Holiday housewalks provide lots of decorating ideas and get visitors into the spirit of the season.

Article Excerpt
Byline: Deborah Donovan Daily Herald Homes Writer

The kitchen in Karen and Jeff Chamberlin's home has a lot of personality - appropriate since Jeff is an engineer who was very involved in designing the house.

"Between my husband and his friend, the architect, they thought of everything," Karen said. "There really isn't much I would change."

The Chamberlin house and four others are part of the Mount Prospect Historical Society's 16th annual Christmas Housewalk Friday. Many other communities are celebrating with this traditional kickoff of the holiday season.

The chile pepper theme in the Chamberlin kitchen was inspired by Karen's roots in the Southwest - and the fact that she and Jeff both like spicy food.

The island countertop is man-made granite from Kromark of Wheeling. The top level is red, and the color flows onto part of the off-white lower section.

"It's supposed to look like someone poured red paint," Karen said.

The color also covers the walls of the adjacent octagonal eating area. Peppers are depicted in the tile mural above the cooktop and on individual tiles set in the green backsplash.

Another highlight of the ranch house with the open floor plan is the family room with the cathedral ceiling. Cherry cabinets surround the fireplace and hide the entertainment equipment, and there isa a catheradral ceiling.

A wall of windows is trimmed in oak, including very wide side pieces and large bull's-eyes on the corners.

Jeff originally purchased a small house in the Northwest Meadows neighborhood near Prospect High School when he was single. The couple lived there and eventually decided to tear it down and build the new house that they moved their young...

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