Smart Living Lakeside

11/27/2025

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Smart Living Magazine and Hughes Media Corp! Today we’re extra grateful for our readers, advertisers and the communities we serve across the region. Wishing you a safe, joyful holiday filled with family, friends and good food. 🧡

11/18/2025

At Wausau Homes Elkhorn, the real foundation isn’t concrete — it’s trust. After 30 years in the trades, Greg Ingersoll builds homes by building relationships first, from clear budgets to a crew of partners he’s worked with for decades.

Building a lasting home requires a foundation of more than concrete. It needs trust.That’s the guiding principle for Elkhorn native Greg Ingersoll, owner of Wausau Homes Elkhorn, who’s spent more than three decades in the trades.“Building a home is not an easy thing to do,” he says. “We’...

10/31/2025

🎃 Wishing You a Spooktacular Halloween! 👻

From all of us at Hughes Media Corp, may your night glow bright with jack-o’-lantern smiles, warm company and just the right amount of fright. ✨🕯️

10/29/2025

With open-concept interiors and endless design options, today’s “barndominiums” are anything but ordinary.

Think pole barns are just for the farm? Not anymore. These versatile structures are the starting point for all kinds of buildings – even single-family homes. If you can dream it, a pole barn can probably fit the bill. FBi Buildings has been constructing pole barns since 1958, and although agricul

10/28/2025

A slice of JFK’s birthday cake. Houdini’s straitjacket. The original 1989 Batmobile. They’re all under one roof at Historic Attractions, where rare relics and pop-culture icons come together in a museum unlike any other.

Where can you see a piece of JFK’s birthday cake, Houdini’s straitjacket and a Batmobile, all under one roof? Step into Historic Attractions and you’ll find the kinds of curiosities, icons and collectibles that most people only see in books or on screen. It all started in the late ’80s when ...

10/22/2025

They look traditional, but plantation shutters are quietly one of the smartest home upgrades you can make.

Window treatments come in many styles, but few offer the level of energy-efficiency, privacy, control and value that come with plantation shutters.What exactly is a plantation shutter? It’s a frame with movable slats that sits over your window. They’re typically installed inside your home, so yo...

10/21/2025

In Williams Bay, Faith Christian School, is shaping students for life and eternity. From mission trips to the Dominican Republic to in-depth theology classes, its lessons reach far beyond the classroom.

What students learn at Faith Christian School in Williams Bay will last an eternity. The school, which was established in 1981 for those in pre-kindergarten through high school, started out in a home basement and has now grown to include 250 students representing about 50 denominations. The sc

10/18/2025

When the lake stills and the air sharpens, the work begins.

When Mother Nature says the boating season is over, it’s time to prepare for winter.In business for more than 70 years, the award-winning Reed’s Marine, 174 WI Hwy. 50, Delavan, not only helps customers find the perfect boat, but they also offer all the services to keep a boat in top condition.....

10/09/2025

For 40 years, Joe Weller has helped homeowners find calm through better design. His Belvidere-based company, Shelving & Bath Unlimited, shows how an organized space can make daily life a little easier — and a lot less stressful.

The arrival of spring brings an opportunity to get our homes in order. Better organizing in our personal lives can lower our stress levels and reduce frustration. Joe Weller has seen this firsthand many times since he began installing closet systems 40 years ago. Back then, options were pretty li

10/07/2025

Forget the gym. Rockford-based Flexcourt turns backyards into full-court fun.

Flexcourt gives new meaning to the words, “play ball.” Its custom play surfaces for basketball, pickleball, shuffleboard, volleyball and other sports eliminates the need to travel to a park or recreation center for pick-up games with friends. A division of Plastic Parts International, Flexcourt ...

10/03/2025

The right surface — carpet, hardwood or the ever-evolving luxury vinyl — can shift a space from ordinary to luminous.

Although flooring is often a homeowner’s last consideration in home renovation projects, it has the power to completely transform a space – sometimes serving as the single change that gives a room an entirely new look.“Flooring and painting make the biggest transformation in a home because it ...

10/01/2025

In fall, Lake Geneva becomes both sanctuary and stage — for boat rides, bike paths, cider stops and more.

As summer fades, the Lake Geneva region transforms into a breathtaking display of autumn colors. Crisp air and golden leaves create the perfect backdrop for everything from outdoor adventures to cozy lakeside relaxation. Whether you’re craving high-energy thrills or a peaceful stroll by the water,...