Shaping spaces for functionality and beauty

homesandgardens.com - April 2024

How to Make a Home more Accessible – 7 Universal Design Tips to Improve Your Space

By Lola Houlton

As published by homesandgardens.com, April 2024

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realtor.com - February 2023

9 Things Everyone Forgets When Renovating Their Kitchen

By Jamie Wiebe

As published by realtor.com, February 2023

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reviews.com - July 2021

Home Modifications for Seniors and People With Disabilities

By Terri Williams

As published by reviews.com, July 2021

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Redfin - August 2020

Expert Tips for the Best Home Office Designs

By Alison Bentley

As published by Redfin, August 2020

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sleepnumber.com - Summer 2020

Your Retirement Bedroom

As published by sleepnumber.com, Summer 2020

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insider.com - July 2020

Interior designers reveal 17 trends they wish would disappear

By Sophia Mitrokostas

As published by insider.com, July 2020

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chicagocaregiving.com - Spring/Fall 2020

Prevent Falls with Smart Design Tips

By Nancy Maes

As published by chicagocaregiving.com, Spring/Fall 2020

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heavy.com - May 2020

31 Best Essentials You Need to Stay Healthy
(and Sane) During the Quarantine

By Terri Williams

As published by heavy.com, May 2020

Contemporary Stone & Tile Design stoneworld.com - April 2020

One-on-one with Leslie Markman-Stern

As published by Contemporary Stone & Tile Design stoneworld.com, April 2020

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hiann.org - November 2019

Home Modifications for Seniors and People With Disabilities

By Michael Hume

As published by hiann.org, November 2019

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reviews.com - September 2019

Home Modifications for Seniors and the Disabled

By Terri Williams

As published by reviews.com, September 2019

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Channel 19 Highland Park - June 2019

"Making Your Home Work for You" interview with Pam Chill of Highland Park Ped Access

By Pam Chill

As published by Channel 19 Highland Park, June 2019

Carallel-Help for Caregivers - December 2018

How To Age In Place

By Kim Ranegar

As published by Carallel-Help for Caregivers, December 2018

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ncrsilver.com -

How Lighting Sets the Right Mood for Shoppers - The right lighting is key in making customers feel welcome - and safe - at your small business.

By Meg Hall

As published by ncrsilver.com

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Home & Garden - Spring 2018

Spring Home & Garden —
Make an Entrance

By Melissa Erickson

As published by Home & Garden, Spring 2018

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Marijuana Venture - February 2018

Retail Design Theory — Four experts talk about how to keep customers engaged,

By Patrick Wagner

As published by Marijuana Venture, February 2018

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Fit Small Business - January 2018

Planning Your Store Layout: Step-by-Step Instructions — Create Comfort Zones & Other Amenities

By Krista Fabregas

As published by Fit Small Business, January 2018

diyweek.net - November 2017

Light the Way for Your Customers

By Leslie Markman-Stern

As published by diyweek.net, November 2017

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Icon - June 2017

Equitable Spaces — When accessibility is done right, the design elements don't look different - they just act differently.

By Diana Mosher

As published by Icon, June 2017

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SASI - June 2017

Accessible Kitchen Design Can Make Meal Preparation Easier

By Leslie Markman-Stern, ASID

As published by SASI, June 2017

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advanceweb.com - Spring 2016

Office Design Influences Retention — An ideal space can generate an ideal workplace

By Lindsey Nolan

As published by advanceweb.com, Spring 2016

Aside from attaining an adequate salary, a comprehensive benefits package and a tolerable commute, job-seekers now largely consider what a company's workplace environment has to offer before accepting employment...
Chicago Tribune, Senior Housing Guide - 13 April 2016

Making a Move — Tips to downsizing a life's worth of stuff

By Rose Marie Mikolajczak

As published by Chicago Tribune, Senior Housing Guide, 13 April 2016

There is help to achieve your goal of a simple, sweet life. Many retirement communities have move-in coordinators/interior designers who can help you make these decisions and then arrange for the sale, donation or removal of unwanted items and even recommend reliable packers and movers. They also can aid in decorating your new place, giving tips on combining the old and the new.

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Chicago Tribune - 20 March 2015

A Good Fit — Keys to right sizing into a smaller space

By Rose Marie Mikolajczak

As published by Chicago Tribune, 20 March 2015

The kids are grown and on their own and you've decided to right size" into a condo, apartment or retirement community. Sounds good on paper, but just how do you take years of living and its accumulated stuff and it make it all "fit" your new life?

You consult the experts and someone who has done it.

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fitsmallbusiness.com - 13 November 2014

Planning Your Store Layout — Step-by-Step Instructions

By Jason Rueger

As published by fitsmallbusiness.com, 13 November 2014

"When talking with Leslie Stern of Leslie M Stern Designs, retail design expert, she mentioned how important it is not to overlook other necessities that take up floor space. She gave several examples..."

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fitsmallbusiness.com - November 2014

How To Set Up Your Retail Store Lighting

By Jason Rueger

As published by fitsmallbusiness.com, November 2014

"To ensure that we have the best and most practical information for you, I spoke with Leslie Stern, retail design/lighting specialist and owner of Leslie M Stern Design, who provided some helpful information, counsel, and feedback on the article."

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CJE SeniorLife - Fall 2014

At Home With Universal Design

By Mary Keen

As published by CJE SeniorLife, Fall 2014

"The term "universal design" was created in the 1980s by architect Ronald L. Mace to describe the concept of designing all products to be aesthetic and usable to the greatest extent possible by everyone..."

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ABC 7 Chicago - 20 July 2014

Chicago-Area Interior Designer Focuses On Accessibility & Style

By Karen Meyers

As published by ABC 7 Chicago, 20 July 2014

Images Publishing Dist Ac - June 20 2014

The Kitchen Bible

By Barbara Ballinger and Margaret Crane with Jennifer Gilmer

As published by Images Publishing Dist Ac, June 20 2014

"In one kitchen, a butler's pantry was transformed in a kitchen-cum-laundry room designed by decorator Leslie Markman-Stern..."

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Primetime, Chicago Tribune - 7 February 2014

Ask The Expert — Condos, townhomes great option for aging in place

By Lisa Davis and Leslie Markman-Stern

As published by Primetime, Chicago Tribune, 7 February 2014

For many seniors, owning their own home is still preferred. But for those with declining health or increased mobility issues there are many housing communities with one-level single family homes and townhomes as well as condominiums...

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Life + Style, Chicago Tribune - 26 January, 2014

Cook's Choice — 12 must-haves on your wish list for kitchen renovation

By Barbara Ballinger

As published by Life + Style, Chicago Tribune, 26 January, 2014

Kitchens remain at the top of remodeling wish lists - the room that most brings together family and friends. If you're longing to renew your cooking space, whether to up the ante on your culinary creationd or make more room to serve drinks and takeout food to friends, design your kitchen so it meets your needs but have an eye to what's new and cutting edge.

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Primetime, Chicago Tribune - 11 October 2013

Designed For All Kinds

By Jane Adler

As published by Primetime, Chicago Tribune, 11 October 2013

Modifying a home to make it more accessible can also make it easier to sell when the time comes to move. Simple changes such as new lighting can enhance the safety of the home for current and future residents. Big changes, such as a complete kitchen redo, can make it easier for anyone – young or old – to navigate the space which can boost a home's appeal.

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Small Room Decorating - Fall 2013

Small: The New Big

By Barbara Ballinger

As published by Small Room Decorating, Fall 2013

Reflective surfaces are great space expanders and amplify light in rooms with no windows. To give this small powder room lots of drama yet still have it remain elegant, Leslie Markman-Stern started with pink glazing for walls and then selected a gold sink, both of which cast back light from the pendant in the room...

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Medical Office Today - 19 June 2013

Curtain Call — Window Coverings for Your Medical Practice

By Carrie Rossenfeld

As published by Medical Office Today, 19 June 2013

Window coverings are an integral part of your office décor. From plain blinds to colorful shades and drapes, there's a host of options available from which to choose. Which is the best choice for your office? MOT explored the pros and cons to each and uncovered the latest trends, and here's what we found out...

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Jewish Womens International Magazine - Spring 2013

Entrepreneurs With A Love For Design Find Business Success

By Susan Josephs

As published by Jewish Womens International Magazine, Spring 2013

"The work I do for clients is supposed to express their personalities, not mine," says Leslie M. Stern, a Chicago-based interior designer who specializes in creating environments for the elderly, the disabled and others with special needs.

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www.bloomberg.com - 29 November 2012

Remodeling As Retirement Planning

By Carla Fried

As published by www.bloomberg.com, 29 November 2012

Richard Hayman, 67, and his wife Carolyn are shelling out $110,000 to complete a strategic part of their retirement plan. They aren´t purchasing a fixed annuity...

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www.more.com - September 2012

How To Fall Proof A Home

By Leann Reynolds

As published by www.more.com, September 2012

Falling can become your worst enemy as you age. A fall can lead to broken bones and other health complications. However, there are small changes that can be made to mitigate fall risks...

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Chicago Tribune - 29 June 2012

Making Life Easier At Home

By Leslie Mann

As published by Chicago Tribune, 29 June 2012

Living in a two-story house became a challenge for Susanand Paul Toback and their two sons, one of whome is physically and cognitively disabled. Their newer one-level house in Bannockburn makes life much easier.

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Arthritis Self-Management - May/June 2012

Furnishing An Arthritis-Friendly Home

By Amy White

As published by Arthritis Self-Management, May/June 2012

Furnishing a home is about more than making a space look appealing; it is also about creating a place that is functioal and works for the people who use it. When you have arthritis, you may have a

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HomeStyle -  January 19 2012

Access Granted

By Cathy Cassata

As published by HomeStyle, January 19 2012

Think slip-resistant floors. Whether you like stone, marble or something else, Markman-Stern says make sure it's honed, not slippery...

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Kitchen Style and Design, Country Collectibles - Winter 2011

Light, Fun & Functional

By Ballinger Barbara

As published by Kitchen Style and Design, Country Collectibles, Winter 2011

When an actor living in Chicago hired designer Leslie Markman-Stern to redo his dark, gloomy kitchen, he asked for a room that would be light, fun and functional...

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Medical Office Today - 16 August 2011

Designing Your Office For Durability

By Carrie Rossenfeld

As published by Medical Office Today, 16 August 2011

When it comes to your practice and your medical office space, it's vital to consider the durability of the materials you choose for flooring, walls, furniture, countertops and sinks. Ignoring this element In favor of lower prices or aesthetics can ultimately cost you big...

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Chicago Tribune - 29 July 2011

Making Extra Space Count

By Leslie Mann

As published by Chicago Tribune, 29 July 2011

"Now we entertain here instead of the living room, where all you can do is have conversation..."

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www.lowesforpros.com - July 2011

New Home Design: Material Selection For Home Interiors

By Laura Schlereth

As published by www.lowesforpros.com, July 2011

From choosing cabinetry to flooring, material selection can transform a house into a home. But there are many things to consider...

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Medical Office Today - 16 March 2011

Creating The Right Design Aesthetic For Your Practice

By Carrie Rossenfeld

As published by Medical Office Today, 16 March 2011

"In addition to age, consider the income level and other significant traits such as special needs, celebrity status or terminally ill patients. Your design should reflect the needs and tastes of those demographics as well..."

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Medical Office Today - 22 February 2011

Making Your Breakroom More Comfortable

By Carrie Rossenfeld

As published by Medical Office Today, 22 February 2011

When you think about the way you want your office to look, what do you see in your mind's eye? The images that spring up translate into the feeling you want to convey through desiqn elements, also known as your design aesthetic...

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Medical Office Today - 13 September 2010

Universal Design Principles For Your Medical Office

By Daniel Casciato

As published by Medical Office Today, 13 September 2010

"Many people have visual and glare issues, she says. You need to find lighting to accommodate all of your patients..."

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Distinctive Kitchen Solutions - Fall 2010

Designing For A New Generation - Water Everywhere But With Conservation In Mind

By Barbara Ballinger

As published by Distinctive Kitchen Solutions, Fall 2010

We caught up with Leslie at the recent National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) show. Here's her advice for designing your own special bathroom retreat...

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Chicago Home Improvement magazine - July, 2010

The Light In Your Life

As published by Chicago Home Improvement magazine, July, 2010

Leslie Markman-Stern, ASID, president of Leslie M. Stern Design Ltd. in Chicago, notes that as you age, the need for lighting significantly increases—seniors need three times as much light as young adults.

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Chicago Tribune, Money & Real Estate - 23 May 2010

Cheap, Chic Updates

As published by Chicago Tribune, Money & Real Estate, 23 May 2010

"Instead of spending money replacing your 30-inch upper kitchen cabinets with the newer 42-inch type, hire a carpenter to trim that cavity with wooden back panels and molding. The result is an open cabinet that's great for display items. Or, replace your upper cabinets with open shelving for a contemporary look at a fraction of the cost."

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Chicago Home and Garden magazine - Nov./Dec., 2009

Design Resources, Interior Designers

As published by Chicago Home and Garden magazine, Nov./Dec., 2009

Stern's interior designs are meant to help families live with and love their home as their needs change. She creates innovative spaces for couples, upsizing to accommodate children, empty nesters (for those looking to downsize) and those with special needs including disabled people and seniors. Offering full-service interior design of new construction and renovations of existing spaces, Stern collaborates with architects developers and members of the trades. Her designs often involve renewable and sustainable materials; she especially likes to come up with creative solutions for lighting needs.

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Chicago Home Improvement magazine - June, 2009

Get More With Less

As published by Chicago Home Improvement magazine, June, 2009

Painting or Faux-Painting a feature wall to give it a new and interesting color and texture makes you want to walk into that room," says Leslie Markman-Stern, ASID, with Leslie M.

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Chicago Tribune - 6 March 2009

Enjoy Your Home" Homefinder Special Article

By Festival of Homes

As published by Chicago Tribune, 6 March 2009

Maybe it's true the current economic situation, but more people are choosing to entertain at home these days. Whether it's a great room that combines gaming areas with a wet bar or a home theater room, home entertainment spaces are increasing in popularity...

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Developer Magazine - March/April 2008

Design For All

By Barbara Ballinger

As published by Developer Magazine, March/April 2008

For years, even decades, universal design represented a little-known concept. Design professionals who worked with people with any number of physical and mental challenges understood its importance–to create comfortable, accessible and safe settings by including such features as zero-threshold entrances...

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Distinctive Kitchen Solutions - 2008

Hotel Amenities: Updated Traditional Decor

By Barbara Ballinger

As published by Distinctive Kitchen Solutions, 2008

Because of the age of their 1913 suburban Chicago home, a couple with three children wanted their remodeled bathroom to reflect the time period when the house was built. They also wanted the bathroom to have the feel of a high-end hotel and to be a lot lighter (it was dark when they moved in) as well as...

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Distinctive Kitchen Solutions - 2008

Light, Fun & Functional

By Barbara Ballinger

As published by Distinctive Kitchen Solutions, 2008

When an actor living in an 1880 Victorian home in Chicago hired designer Leslie Markman-Stern to redo his dark, gloomy kitchen, he asked for a room that would be light, fun and functional. The designer immediately picked up on his humorous personality and went hunting for design ingredients that were quirky enough to make everyone chuckle, yet would also function superbly...

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Reaching Out - Winter 2007

Making Your Home Work For You

By Leslie M. Stern

As published by Reaching Out, Winter 2007

Whether you are born with a disability, develop a condition later in life that alters the way you are able to use your living space, or trying to prepare for the changes that may accompany your MS diagnosis, it's a good idea to thing about designing your living space so that it will accommodate all of the physical changes you may experience...

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Realtor.org - June 2007

What's Cooking In The Kitchen

By Barbara Ballinger

As published by Realtor.org, June 2007

Senior citizens aren't the only ones concerned about kitchen safety. With the first baby boomers turning 60, and younger home owners knowing that serious accidents and illnesses can occur at any age, a host of noninstitutional looking designs are grabbing attention...

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Distinctive Kitchen Solutions - 2007

Kitchen Works With A View — A New House Brings Lake Vistas Indoors

By Barbara Ballinger

As published by Distinctive Kitchen Solutions, 2007

Because the wife likes to cook and wanted her kitchen in Chicago, Illinois to be highly organized, she hired designer Leslie Markman-Stern to help plan its final look while the design/build firm of Benvenuti and Stein, Inc. was constructing the house and custom cabinets...

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Distinctive Kitchen Solutions - 2007

An Amateur Chef Gets It Right — Years in the Making, a Remodeled Kitchen Rates Five Stars

By Barbara Ballinger

As published by Distinctive Kitchen Solutions, 2007

When she moved into her current home 18 years ago, the wife, a nurse, knew that she would remodel the kitchen someday. She loved to cook, had taken classes and thought nothing of making fresh bread, pasta and every imaginable dessert, but only from scratch...

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Distinctive Kitchen Solutions - 2007

Updated Hollywood Glamour — A Dark Drafty Bathroom is Made Over to Resemble a Five-Star Gem

By Barbara Ballinger

As published by Distinctive Kitchen Solutions, 2007

After they became empty-nesters, the owners of a house in suburban Glenview, Illinois, decided to make their home into an adult retreat. They asked Chicago designer Leslie Markman-Stern to transform their master bedroom into a sanctuary...

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Residential Lighting - 2007

By Design — Thinking Green

By Jennifer Pinto

As published by Residential Lighting, 2007

"I have a very strong feeling that we should approach interiors in such a way that the space is designed for any user; for accessibility but also for comfort and beauty. Design is so expensive, and there should be a lot of thought put into it, so you're designing so the client doesn't have to change things five years down the road because certain things weren't considered."

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House Beautiful: Home Remodeling & Decorating - March/April 2005

Lakeside View

By Casey Ellis

As published by House Beautiful: Home Remodeling & Decorating, March/April 2005

A ramped ranch house expands into a spacious home with stunning water views. The 1950s ranch house on Chicago's North Shore had a multitude of minuses, including cramped rooms and a leaky roof, but it had one major plus: a bluff-side site with splendid views of Lake Michigan...

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It's Your Bed and Bath - 2004

It's Your Bed And Bath — Hundreds of Beautiful Design Ideas

By Joan Kohn

As published by It's Your Bed and Bath, 2004

Staying true to its origins, this design collected all its ideas from the past, then without great expense, polished them for maximum storage and light...

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North Shore - August 2002

Design For Living — A Few Simple Changes can Make a House Safer for Homeowners as They Age

By Carolyn Barth

As published by North Shore, August 2002

"Safer designs should be both beautiful and functional, the thing to keep in mind is that every room should have a focal point. If you've got beautiful bay windows, let's feature them as a focal point..."

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Crain's Chicago Business 2000 & Beyond / Extra - 7 June 1999

The Space Age

By Barbara B. Buchholz

As published by Crain's Chicago Business 2000 & Beyond / Extra, 7 June 1999

To accommodate employees' increased mobility, companies will position more small service facilities throughout an office, outfitted with copier machines, computes, printers and wet bars...

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Real Estate Education Company - 1999

Successful Homebuilding And Remodeling — Real-Life Advice for Getting the House You Want without the Roof (or Sky) Falling In

By Barbara B. Buchholz and Margaret Crane

As published by Real Estate Education Company, 1999

First decide whether you can tackle the project on your own. Unlike years past, you may be able to because there are so many more resources available today...

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Realty & Building: the Renovation Issue - 14 October 1995

Designing Office Space

By Leslie M. Stern

As published by Realty & Building: the Renovation Issue, 14 October 1995

Designing an office can be an overwhelming experience. Many decisions have to be made such as space planning, lighting, material and finish selection. Each phase of design has to be properly though through because of its impact on the client...

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Realty & Building - 29 October 1994

Designing For The Hearing-Impared

By Leslie M. Stern

As published by Realty & Building, 29 October 1994

The Americans with Disability Act has become a very important consideration when planning for an accessible space. Before a project commences the question needs to be asked; how is this space going to be used and by whom...

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Realty & Building - July 1994

What is the Americans with Disabilities Act and What is its impact on the Real Estate Industry?

By Miriam Imrem PC and Sima Lisa Kirsch PC with Leslie Markman-Stern ASID

As published by Realty & Building, July 1994

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Daily Herald, Home & Garden - 6 March 1994

A Sound Partnership

By Pat Gerlach

As published by Daily Herald, Home & Garden, 6 March 1994

While some decorating and design rules are made to be broken, the restrictions on the lamp were absolute. Because Eileen Sudling is impaired, the lamp in question serves as one of the woman's links to the outside world, blinking to let her know someone is ringing her doorbell...

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