Directbuy of Northern Illinois

GURNEE, ILLINOIS…

An “outdoor kitchen” used to mean roughing it over an open fire and sleeping on the ground. Nowadays, items that used to be considered indoor-only are making their debut outside, especially when it comes to outdoor kitchens—a trend that’s taken cooking on the grill from a summer activity to a year-round thing. DirectBuy of Northern Illinois, the leading members-only home improvement and home furnishings club with direct insider prices, not only sells “outdoor kitchen” units and other accessories at manufacturer’s low prices, but offers some helpful pointers on selecting the right equipment and setup for your home.

For starters, when it comes to selecting a grill, DirectBuy Club recommends considering:

• Stainless steel gas or charcoal grills – outdoor kitchen means just that: sun, rain, wind and in some markets, snow. Even covered, your grill will be exposed to the elements to a certain degree and you want a grill made of materials that will withstand bad weather and corrosion.
• Free-standing or under-the-counter refrigeration units – help minimize trips to the “other” kitchen and gives you a place to store leftovers for the next cookout.
• Infra-red burners – make sure the grill you do select uses infra-red burners, which heat up faster.
• Storage – choose a grill with plenty of shelving and cabinets

“The beauty of the outdoor kitchen is it reduces trips to the real kitchen to get supplies. This means you can actually spend time with your guests while preparing your meal. That’s why it’s just as important when selecting your outdoor kitchen to not forget the comfort of your guests,” said Dave Kushner, owner of DirectBuy of Northern Illinois. “DirectBuy also gives members the opportunity to save a lot of money by buying outdoor furniture for their outdoor kitchen, directly from the manufacturer.”

When it comes to selecting furniture for your outdoor “dining room,” there are a number of options in terms of style – sling, metal, cushioned, and strapped to name a few – and materials – aluminum, iron, resin, teak, wood, wicker, fabric, and vinyl. More choices mean more decisions on materials, fabrics, and colors. DirectBuy not only has great outdoor furniture at manufacturer-direct prices, but also designers who can help you make some of those decisions.

“One rule of thumb is unless you’re planning to buy an entire set of outdoor furniture at once, stick with neutral colors like white, taupe or sandstone,” said Kushner. “Even if the shades aren’t a perfect match, it won’t matter if there’s a little distance between items.”

DirectBuy of Northern Illinois carries a large selection of brand-name appliances and furniture for your outdoor kitchen at direct insider prices from manufacturers or their authorized suppliers. DirectBuy of Northern Illinois also employs product specialists and designers who can help members create an outdoor kitchen that’s functional for the cook as well as guests.

Conveniently located at 3900 Washington Street, Gurnee, Illinois, DirectBuy Club offers consumers a comfortable setting where they finally have the financial control of buying direct.

For more information on a DirectBuy membership, you can visit http://www.directbuycares.com.

About DirectBuy Club

Since 1971, DirectBuy has helped hundreds of thousands of families enjoy a better quality of life, enabling them to buy directly from more than 700 manufacturers or their authorized suppliers. Buying direct makes members’ hard-earned money go much further, while having the selection and choice not available at any retail store. Access to confidential prices, local suppliers, and unparalleled selection helps make members’ dream projects a reality. The DirectBuy Clubs serving the greater Chicago area are part of more than 130 locations throughout North America.

Consumers interested in becoming members may obtain a Visitor’s Pass to attend an Open House by visiting http://www.directbuy.com. 

Locations of the DirectBuy clubs serving the greater Chicago area include: DirectBuy of DuPage County, 1864 High Grove Lane Ste. 124, Naperville, IL; DirectBuy of Northern Illinois, 3900 Washington Street, Gurnee, IL; and DirectBuy of Tinley Park, 18400 S. 76th Avenue Ste. B, Tinley Park, IL.

To learn more about the superior value and benefits of a DirectBuy Club membership, visit www.directbuycares.com.

Bringing the indoors out… DirectBuy of Northern Illinois offers tips on setting up the perfect ‘outdoor kitchen’.Read More

CHICAGO, GURNEE, NAPERVILLE, TINLEY PARK, IL …

If this were Minneapolis, we would have Mary Tyler Moore’s smile to brighten up our winter days. In a Chicago winter, homeowners need to be a little more resourceful. In fact, many homeowners show their metal as designers by showing more “metal” in their interiors.

“Walls that are painted to a matte finish can bring a room down and look flat or one dimensional, while adding hints of metallic accents add depth and excitement to a space,” said Stephanie Nickolson, a designer at DirectBuy of Northern Illinois. “Metallics are the hot look right now. I love incorporating them into a space, especially in winter and during the holidays.”

So, how can you incorporate metallics into your space? Here are few ways:

• Pillows – Throw some metallic fabric or even metallic leather pillows with decorative fringe applied to them on one of your sofas or chairs.
• Vases or bowls – Place a tall clear glass vase or large bowl on a cocktail table and fill it with metallic holiday ornaments.
• Wallpaper or paint – Putting up wallpaper with metallic stripes or adding stripes with a high-gloss metallic paint, ideally six to eight inches wide, can provide an effervescent quality to a room.

Nickolson also recommends using mirrors if you’re looking to brighten up your home this winter. Specifically, she advises placing one large mirror in every room you’re trying to lighten up. Mirrors give the illusion of space as well as add that reflective quality to a room, thus opening it up, making it appear larger.

“Another idea is to find an accent piece of furniture, for example, a console table with a mirrored front,” said Nickolson. “Again, this will add to the illusion of space and lighten things up.”

DirectBuy Club offers home furnishings and merchandise in addition to items for home improvement projects to help all homeowners brighten up their homes all year round— at direct insider prices. DirectBuy also employs product specialists and designers, so if you need some assistance in selecting products or taking on a home improvement project, you have experienced professionals at your service.

About DirectBuy Club

Since 1971, DirectBuy has helped hundreds of thousands of families enjoy a better quality of life, enabling them to buy directly from more than 700 manufacturers or their authorized suppliers. Buying direct makes members’ hard-earned money go much further, while having the selection and choice not available at any retail store. Access to confidential prices, local suppliers, and unparalleled selection helps make members’ dream projects a reality. The DirectBuy Clubs serving the greater Chicago area are part of more than 145 locations throughout North America.

Consumers interested in becoming members may obtain a Visitor’s Pass to attend an Open House by visiting http://www.directbuy.com. 

Locations of the DirectBuy clubs serving the greater Chicago area are: DirectBuy of Chicago North, 6325 North Avondale Ste. 110, Chicago, IL; DirectBuy of DuPage County, 1864 High Grove Lane Ste. 124, Naperville, IL; DirectBuy of Northern Illinois, 3900 Washington Street, Gurnee, IL; and DirectBuy of Tinley Park, 18400 S. 76th Avenue Ste. B, Tinley Park, IL.

To learn more about the superior value and benefits of a DirectBuy membership, visit www.directbuycares.com.

Show your metal as a designer…How to brighten up your home’s interior.Read More

CHICAGO, GURNEE, NAPERVILLE, TINLEY PARK, IL …

It’s difficult to think of an intercom system without conjuring up images of your old apartment and buzzing friends up. Yet a current trend with homeowners is to have an intercom system installed within the home. This not only gives homeowners a convenient way to communicate to household members in other rooms or on other floors but an added safety and security measure.

“Intercom systems can give you ears and, with some systems, eyes, as to what’s going on in your house,” said Jeremy Vest, owner of DirectBuy of DuPage County. “That can be valuable to parents with little ones or if there is an elderly member of the household who has trouble getting around.”

While an intercom system does enhance household communication, it can also provide an added layer of security for your home—both inside your house and outside. And with wireless options available, an intercom system can be relatively easy to install without being obtrusive.

One other perk to today’s intercom systems is that it gives you the option to play and project your favorite music throughout the house and even on your patio. Today’s intercom systems and speakers can rival most stereos.

“When you think of an intercom, it’s difficult not to think of it as a punch line in a sitcom, like Two and a Half  Men or, for those willing to admit being old enough remember, Carlton the Doorman from Rhoda, the Mary Tyler Moor Show spinoff,” said Vest. “An intercom system can be very useful in communicating with others, tightening up your security, and being a fun way to enjoy your favorite music.”

In addition to intercom systems, DirectBuy Club offers home furnishings and merchandise as well as items for home improvement projects to help all homeowners create their dream homes— at direct insider prices. DirectBuy also employs product specialists and designers, so if you need some assistance in selecting products or taking on a home improvement project, you have seasoned professionals at your service.

For more information on DirectBuy Club, please visit www.directbuycares.com.

About DirectBuy Club

Since 1971, DirectBuy has helped hundreds of thousands of families enjoy a better quality of life, enabling them to buy directly from more than 700 manufacturers or their authorized suppliers. Buying direct makes members’ hard-earned money go much further, while having the selection and choice not available at any retail store. Access to confidential prices, local suppliers, and unparalleled selection helps make members’ dream projects a reality. The DirectBuy Clubs serving the greater Chicago area are part of more than 150 locations throughout North America.

Consumers interested in becoming members may obtain a Visitor’s Pass to attend an Open House by visiting http://www.directbuy.com. 

Locations of the DirectBuy clubs serving the greater Chicago area are: DirectBuy of Chicago North, 6325 North Avondale Ste. 110, Chicago, IL; DirectBuy of DuPage County, 1864 High Grove Lane Ste. 124, Naperville, IL; DirectBuy of Northern Illinois, 3900 Washington Street, Gurnee, IL; and DirectBuy of Tinley Park, 18400 S. 76th Avenue Ste. B, Tinley Park, IL.

To learn more about the superior value and benefits of a DirectBuy membership, visit www.directbuycares.com.

Testing, 1-2-3, testing… Home intercom systems provide security and entertainment.Read More

CHICAGO, GURNEE, NAPERVILLE, TINLEY PARK, IL …

How often have you heard the expression “doing more with less”? In a sluggish real estate market, many homeowners are staying in their current homes by necessity rather than upgrading to a larger home with more space. This places the challenge on the homeowner to make a smaller room look and function like a bigger space.

“When we think of making a smaller room work better, much of the focus is on throwing stuff out and organizing,” said Dave Kushner, owner of DirectBuy of Northern Illinois. “From a design and décor point of view, there are things homeowners and apartment residents can do to make a smaller space function and feel bigger.”

Kushner recommends the following:

Space planning – Creating a focal point in the room can keep visitors’ eyes from wandering and visually sizing up the entire room. Painting one wall a darker hue than the others accomplishes this quite nicely.

• Mirrors – Consider mirroring the length of an entire wall to add depth and dimension to a room.
• Lighting – If you can avoid it, do not use any hanging fixtures for lighting. These tend to accentuate lower ceilings. Track lighting is versatile and keeps the area above your furniture sight-line free.
• Storage – In a smaller room, you need to be as efficient as possible with your storage. Make sure all the pieces of furniture you select for your smaller room have storage options (e.g. an electronics console with drawers, storage ottoman, etc.). Avoid open bookcases, which add to the cluttered, closed in feeling if they are full.
• Décor – Remember, less is more. Select accessories that mean something to you and then think about removing one or two of those.
• Flooring – If the square footage of the room is limited and it feels like the walls are closing in on you, the floor can be an ally. By sticking to neutral colors for the floor surface and then accentuating with a bold rug, you bring the focus of the room down to the surface.

“While everybody would like more space, decorating a smaller room does force you to do one thing that’s beneficial no matter what the size of your home—reduce clutter,” said Kushner. “By following just one or two of these guidelines, you can create a more livable space and, perhaps more importantly, make it feel more livable.”

About DirectBuy Club

Since 1971, DirectBuy has helped hundreds of thousands of families enjoy a better quality of life, enabling them to buy directly from more than 700 manufacturers or their authorized suppliers. Buying direct makes members’ hard-earned money go much further, while having the selection and choice not available at any retail store. Access to confidential prices, local suppliers, and unparalleled selection helps make members’ dream projects a reality. The DirectBuy Clubs serving the greater Chicago area are part of more than 150 locations throughout North America.

Consumers interested in becoming members may obtain a Visitor’s Pass to attend an Open House by visiting http://www.directbuy.com. 

Locations of the DirectBuy clubs serving the greater Chicago area are: DirectBuy of Chicago North, 6325 North Avondale Ste. 110, Chicago, IL; DirectBuy of DuPage County, 1864 High Grove Lane Ste. 124, Naperville, IL; DirectBuy of Northern Illinois, 3900 Washington Street, Gurnee, IL; and DirectBuy of Tinley Park, 18400 S. 76th Avenue Ste. B, Tinley Park, IL.

To learn more about the superior value and benefits of a DirectBuy membership, visit www.directbuycares.com.

How size can matter less…Secrets for decorating smaller rooms.Read More

CHICAGO, GURNEE, NAPERVILLE, TINLEY PARK, IL …

The initial intent of Labor Day was to provide a day off for workers. For many homeowners, that “off” day provides a perfect opportunity—three full days—to start and finish home improvement projects. Sometimes the largest question to ponder is which home improvement project to take on for the long Labor Day weekend.

“It’s nice to be ambitious and to try and take advantage of that extra day off, but the biggest mistake homeowners can make with the Labor Day weekend is starting something that bleeds into the next week,” said Dave Kushner, owner of DirectBuy of Northern Illinois. “The goal should be to pick one project that you can easily finish in one day so there’s still enough time to enjoy the weekend and rest up.”

Some simple Labor Day weekend projects Kushner recommends include:

• Paint and wood protection – Painting or finishing wood surfaces usually works best in warm weather. While this summer has been unusually warm, you never know when the weather will turn. So, take advantage of the long weekend to stain/seal your deck.
• Concrete protection and sealing – Another area where homeowners fail to take precautions before winter. Whether it’s your driveway, walkway, patio or the surface of your storage shed, a coat of sealer can prolong the life of the surface. You can find concrete sealer at most hardware stores and home improvement centers.
• Clean carpets – You can rent a steam cleaner at your local supermarket or home improvement store. Be sure to start this one on Saturday so your carpeting has time to dry by Monday.
• Mulching and winterizing flower beds – While most consider mulching to be a spring time activity, mulching again in the fall accomplishes a few things. First, mulch tends to fade in the summer heat, so “refreshing” your mulch is not a bad idea. Second, mulch offers a layer of protection for plants during the winter.
• Paint – Painting remains the home improvement project that reaps the largest return on investment (a 250% return on your investment for freshly painted interior walls, according to HomeGain.com). Limit costly mistakes and spills by using drop cloths and painter’s tape.

“There really aren’t many days off when you own a home,” added Kushner. “But completing one of these projects can improve the look and feel of your home and give you plenty of time to enjoy that Labor Day cookout.”

About DirectBuy Club

Since 1971, DirectBuy has helped hundreds of thousands of families enjoy a better quality of life, enabling them to buy directly from more than 700 manufacturers or their authorized suppliers. Buying direct makes members’ hard-earned money go much further, while having the selection and choice not available at any retail store. Access to confidential prices, local suppliers, and unparalleled selection helps make members’ dream projects a reality. The DirectBuy Clubs serving the greater Chicago area are part of more than 150 locations throughout North America.

Consumers interested in becoming members may obtain a Visitor’s Pass to attend an Open House by visiting http://www.directbuy.com. 

Locations of the DirectBuy clubs serving the greater Chicago area are: DirectBuy of Chicago North, 6325 North Avondale Ste. 110, Chicago, IL; DirectBuy of DuPage County, 1864 High Grove Lane Ste. 124, Naperville, IL; DirectBuy of Northern Illinois, 3900 Washington Street, Gurnee, IL; and DirectBuy of Tinley Park, 18400 S. 76th Avenue Ste. B, Tinley Park, IL.

To learn more about the superior value and benefits of a DirectBuy membership, visit www.directbuycares.com.

Working for the weekend… Top five Labor Day weekend projects.Read More

CHICAGO, GURNEE, NAPERVILLE, TINLEY PARK, IL …

DirectBuy of Northern Illinois, the leading home improvement and furnishings club with direct insider prices, recently announced a partnership with Victoria Banquet Group, a banquet, catering, and livery service company with three locations throughout the greater Chicago area.

 As part of a preferred vendor arrangement, DirectBuy Club members will receive discounts up to 20 percent for any event held at Victoria Banquets’ Victoria in the Park, Victoria Rosemont, or Victoria Beau Jolie. In addition, members will also receive 30 percent off any Victoria Banquets’ transportation services, including its Flying Lady Livery featuring Classic Rolls Royces and Vintage Trolleys.

 “Many of our members join DirectBuy as young couples about to get married and use their membership to save money on various life stages—weddings, birth of children, children growing up and moving out, etc.,” said Dave Kushner, owner of DirectBuy of Northern Illinois. “Our relationship with Victoria Banquets enables those members with special events that require function facilities to get even more value from their DirectBuy membership.”

Sam and Victoria Ferraro founded Victoria Banquets in 1937 with a simple pledge to serve only the highest quality food, at a fair price. Today the second generation of Ferraros continues that tradition with the same high standards of quality and service.

“For nearly 40 years, DirectBuy has shown a genuine commitment to quality and service for their members,” said Vince Bavuso, Victoria Banquets Group’s DirectBuy representative. “We share in that commitment and that’s why we’re thrilled to make this discount available to any DirectBuy member from any of the 150-plus DirectBuy Clubs across North America, including those in the Chicago area.”

For more information on Victoria Banquets, please visit victoriabanquets.com or contact Vince Bavuso at 708-456-1575. 

About DirectBuy Club

Since 1971, DirectBuy has helped hundreds of thousands of families enjoy a better quality of life, enabling them to buy directly from more than 700 manufacturers or their authorized suppliers. Buying direct makes members’ hard-earned money go much further, while having the selection and choice not available at any retail store. Access to confidential prices, local suppliers, and unparalleled selection helps make members’ dream projects a reality. The DirectBuy Clubs serving the greater Chicago area are part of more than 150 locations throughout North America.

Consumers interested in becoming members may obtain a Visitor’s Pass to attend an Open House by visiting http://www.directbuy.com. 

Locations of the DirectBuy Clubs serving the greater Chicago area are: DirectBuy of Chicago North, 6325 North Avondale Ste. 110, Chicago, IL; DirectBuy of DuPage County, 1864 High Grove Lane Ste. 124, Naperville, IL; DirectBuy of Northern Illinois, 3900 Washington Street, Gurnee, IL; and DirectBuy of Tinley Park, 18400 S. 76th Avenue Ste. B, Tinley Park, IL.

To learn more about the superior value and benefits of a DirectBuy Club membership, visit directbuycares.com.

Victoria Banquets caters to DirectBuy Club membersRead More

CHICAGO, GURNEE, NAPERVILLE, TINLEY PARK, IL …

Legacy of Barrington, a conservation development located in North Barrington, recently announced an exclusive offer for DirectBuy Club members for referrals and purchases. Legacy of Barrington will pay DirectBuy members a $5,000 finder’s fee for referring a buyer of one of Legacy’s 14 lots. In addition, if a DirectBuy Club member wishes to purchase a lot, Legacy will deduct $10,000 off the sale price.

“Legacy of Barrington is attempting to do something truly special by building luxury homes in harmony with conservation land,” said Dave Kushner, owner of DirectBuy of Northern Illinois, located at 3900 Washington Street in Gurnee. “By offering these incentives to DirectBuy members at any of our Chicago area clubs, we’re hoping interested and environmentally conscientious homeowners will take advantage of this incredible opportunity.”

Located eight miles north of downtown Barrington at the end of Tara Drive north of Indian Trail Road, “Legacy” features 14 approximately one-acre lots surrounded by more than 25 acres of high-quality natural areas, including woodlands, savannas, prairies, sedge meadows, and wetlands. Legacy is also part of Barrington Unit School District #220, which has been consistently ranked among the state’s top five percent of school districts academically.

Legacy gives prospective luxury homebuyers the opportunity to share owners Mary and Eddie Chin’s dream of building single-family custom homes in a conservation community. Conservation development seeks to restore a more natural balance and improve the quality of habitat for both people and wildlife in the following ways:

• By effectively managing storm water on-site with vegetated swales and other such natural methods, flooding is reduced in the neighborhood and downstream.
• By using natural storm water management methods, silt, salt, and surface pollutants like automobile fluids, cleaning solvents, and other chemicals are naturally removed from ground water, providing cleaner drinking water.
• By discouraging the use of certain chemicals, fertilizers, and weed killers, the level of toxins are reduced in the air, ground, and water, providing a healthier environment for all residents.
• By encouraging the use of environmentally sound materials and methods for homebuilding, the negative impact of building on the environment locally as well as globally is reduced.
• By restoring native ecosystems, a creature and plant-life biodiversity evolves whereby species populations are naturally kept in check, providing homeowners access to lovely woods, prairies, and other native vistas.

“At Legacy, we envision time-honored and exquisite custom design elements paired with high-quality construction in homes that feature awesome, expansive views of open prairies, oak savannas, and native woodlands. This is where conservation and luxury meet,” said Scott Nelms, Project Manager for Legacy. “We think future Legacy property owners will have no problem feeling good about the stewardship of natural areas and habitats at Legacy. We are excited about talking to potential buyers as to how we can partner with them to build their dream home in a community that truly cares about the environment.”

For more information, go to www.legacyofbarrington.com or call (847) 592-6250 to schedule a tour. Visitors to the community will be entered in a raffle to win a Luxury Hotel/Spa Package in a Green Seal-certified downtown Chicago hotel. In addition, Legacy will host three open houses:  July 24, August 21, and September 25, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. 

About DirectBuy Club

Since 1971, DirectBuy has helped hundreds of thousands of families enjoy a better quality of life, enabling them to buy directly from more than 700 manufacturers or their authorized suppliers. Buying direct makes members’ hard-earned money go much further, while having the selection and choice not available at any retail store. Access to confidential prices, local suppliers, and unparalleled selection helps make members’ dream projects a reality. The DirectBuy Clubs serving the greater Chicago area are part of more than 150 locations throughout North America.

Consumers interested in becoming members may obtain a Visitor’s Pass to attend an Open House by visiting http://www.directbuy.com. 

Locations of the DirectBuy clubs serving the greater Chicago area are: DirectBuy of Chicago North, 6325 North Avondale Ste. 110, Chicago, IL; DirectBuy of DuPage County, 1864 High Grove Lane Ste. 124, Naperville, IL; DirectBuy of Northern Illinois, 3900 Washington Street, Gurnee, IL; and DirectBuy of Tinley Park, 18400 S. 76th Avenue Ste. B, Tinley Park, IL.

To learn more about the superior value and benefits of a DirectBuy Club membership, visit www.directbuycares.com.

A natural development…DirectBuy Clubs partner with Legacy of Barrington, a conservation development.Read More