Felt Like 80 on Wednesday, But it Was Snowing Over on Cottage Hill—For Real

With Wednesday's high temperature just shy of 80 degrees,  the snow on the ground at 285 Cottage Hill caused passers by to do a double take. The white stuff wasn't fake, either. It was real, cold, wet snow.

Adding to the congestion in the area, film crews and equipment lined the street.

So what was all the commotion about?

The Meijer company was filming a holiday commercial at the home of Chip and Cynthia DeGrace.

"The inside of the house has been completely transformed with a Christmas tree and all the decorations," Cynthia said. "And on the ouside, they have snow that they spray."

It's not the first time the DeGrace home has gotten some extra attention. It was featured earlier this year in Chicago Home and Garden magazine, and it also is featured in a special edition of Good Housekeeping, which is on newsstands now.

Elmhurst residents also might remember the DeGrace home from the Reindeer Route House Walk in 2010.

The appeal of this home, built in 1947, is in its creative restoration, completed by the homeowners themselves, both of whom share a passion for design. Cynthia owns an interior design firm, and Chip is the creative director at Flor, which sells carpet squares homeowners can assemble to create custom rugs of all shapes and sizes.

How does a company like Meijer find a home like the DeGraces' to film their commercials?

"We have our home (listed) with a location scout who works for a lot of companies looking for locations to shoot," Cynthia said, adding the spread in Chicago Home and Garden brought a lot of attention to the home.

After living in the home since 2008, the DeGraces just last month listed it for sale. But they won't be moving far.

"We're planning to stay in Elmhurst, for sure," she said.

And with all the creativity generated between the husband and wife team, their next home is sure to get the personal touch, as well. 

Cynthia expects the Meijer ad to air soon, since the holidays are rapidly approaching.

"It's probably coming out right after Thanksgiving," she said. "It's been a lot of fun."