Notes from the host
Country Retreat
Breathe in the country air! Fall asleep to the murmur of crickets + wake up to birdsong at the historic Tile Mill Place. Your private oasis awaits only 80 minutes from downtown Chicago, straight south on I-57. Find a cozy country home with a private pond, perfect for intimate gatherings. Stroll our forest paths, toss a fishing line in the water or contemplate life under a 150-year-old tree. Relax in a hammock, sip wine by the water, or head out to explore! Escape the city for a country respite!
LOCATION: Located on 50+ acres of stunning woodlands, the Tile Mill Place offers a cozy, quaint escape to rejuvenate in nature.
WHY YOU'LL LOVE IT: By day, roam the beautiful forest, sighting wildlife, such as turkey, white-tail deer and myriad bird species. Throw a line in the pond or rock the worries away on the patio. The newly built deck offers prime opportunities for sunbathing or finally whittling down your book list. Kids will love the sprawling outdoor spaces and your "fur-kids" can run to their heart's content and play in the water! For rainy days and quiet evenings, we have a bevy of board games and books. Low key country living at its best!
OUTDOORS: When you're not enjoying the forest trails or picking wildflowers, there is much to do in the great outdoors. The expansive yards offer plenty of space for yard games and running around, with a fire-pit ready for roasting s'mores and a tire swing that beckons for hours of fun. The backyard is perfect for relaxation, frisbee, or a game of catch, and the star of the show, a brand new deck for entertaining and soaking up the wonder that is country living. A charcoal grill is available (bring your own charcoal).
BED/BATHS: The upstairs of our house offers three bedrooms: two with queen-sized beds and an expansive 3rd bedroom with two single-sized beds and one full-sized bed (perfect for all the kids or extra friends/family!) One newly remodeled, full bathroom awaits upstairs while another 1/2 bath sits off the kitchen. We also have a pack n' play for guest use.
KITCHEN: The kitchen is fully stocked with anything you need to cook an amazing dinner. From dishes, cups, wine glasses, silverware, bakeware, cookware, basic appliances, olive oil, salt and pepper, and spices, you will be ready to start cooking from the moment you arrive. The kitchen has a small breakfast table to enjoy a nice morning gathering or grab your coffee and head to the deck to sip in the great outdoors.
LIVING SPACES: The dining room offers comfortable seating for 6-7 guests. The attached living room has spacious seating, rocking chairs, reading material and picture windows that showcase the beautiful outdoors. And our delightful sunroom, with floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors is the cozy equivalent to a warm hug. You may choose to watch tv or curl up with a good book here, but we think you'll be enjoying the outdoors!
KID'S ROOM: Of course, we can't forget the kid's room, a haven for the little ones who want to color, play games, do puzzles and more! A special room just for them (and you, too, if you want to play pool, ping pong or table hockey!)
FUR-KIDS WELCOME: As dog lovers ourselves (we have two), we understand the need to travel as a WHOLE family, with our furry babes in tow. Your sweet puppers are welcome. We simply ask that you clean up after them in the yard and do the small things to keep our place clean (like wipe their feet when they come inside). We have some communal toys and a few dog beds in the house... plus the lake and timberlands, which they will LOVE! ($50 from every pet fee is donated to local animal shelters.)
LITTLE EXTRAS: Want a picnic in the timber? Perfect, we've got you covered! A metal "beer tub" for afternoons on the patio? No problem! Some yard games to spend time with the family? How's cornhole? (We'll keep the other games as a surprise!)
ONARGA, IL: The small towns of Onarga and Gilman are just a few minutes drive and offer a movie theater, grocery shopping, family-owned restaurants, a brewery and plenty of antique and curiosity shopping. Further abroad is Kankakee State Park for bike riding, kayaking and horseback riding! Take a day and head to Turkey Run or Champaign (shopping and wineries).
WIFI: We do have WiFi, but service can be limited at times (typical in the country!)
