December 2008
01/02/09Scoop | In These Times
It seems like everyone is discounting these days—even those who rarely do. On the Thos. Moser Web site it says, “Our long-time customers know that we don’t have “sales”. However, during these unprecedented times….” Now the company is offering 10 percent off its most popular sellers (such as the New Gloucester rocker, now $1,595, and the Lolling chair, $2,600, and ottoman, $855, both shown above). Also look for up to 20 percent off on showroom samples and customer returns. —Gina Bazer Posted at 09:47 AM in Scoop | Permalink | Comments (1) |
||||
12/31/08InBox | Sweet Dreams
I can’t wait to get over to Arelle Fine Linens to manhandle their new ultra-luxe sheets. Arelle says that Sferra Bros created the super-soft sheets and duvet covers after two years of research and development. Giza Egyptian cotton is said to be the finest in the world, previously only available for fine men’s shirts. The cotton is grown in the valley of the River Nile; it’s woven in Italy. Yum. —JAN PARR Posted at 08:35 AM in InBox | Permalink | Comments (0) |
||||
12/30/08InBox | Tile, Topped
This new collection of tile-topped tables comes from Fran Brady, a furniture maker who is the force behind Madeline Fairchild Designs. The tables are handmade here in the U.S. from wood or iron bases—the tile comes from around the world. —JAN PARR Posted at 08:20 AM in InBox | Permalink | Comments (0) |
||||
12/29/08InBox | From Russia, With Love
Perhaps it’s my family roots in Mother Russia tugging, but when I got an email from Gallery KH announcing an upcoming exhibit of the fantastical paintings of Soviet-born, France-based Roman Zaslonov, I was immediately compelled. Can you imagine having such a dramatic painting in your home? I guess I’m not alone in feeling this way: enthusiasts wait for years to acquire pieces of his work—which will be on display for the first time in the U.S. at KH from January 16 to March 7. By the way, the painting above, La Robe d'Architecte en Rouge, is priced at $97,000 —Gina Bazer Posted at 06:52 AM in InBox | Permalink | Comments (0) |
||||
12/26/08InBox | PrairieMod Sale
The folks at one of our favorite blogs, PrairieMod, are having their first open house and warehouse sale December 26-28, 10AM to 6PM at 955 W. Liberty Drive in Wheaton. Get Teco Art Pottery and licensed Frank Lloyd Wright reproductions for 40 percent off. Check their blog for more details. —Gina Bazer Posted at 01:59 PM in InBox | Permalink | Comments (0) |
||||
12/24/08InBox | Coffee Table Talk
We’ve written about Jan Janders in the past and we just found out that he will have an exclusive line of coffee tables (made from his trademark concrete) at Haute Living. It’s not easy to find a modern coffee table that also has some heft to it (the ones I see tend to be skinnier and geared toward small spaces). These two certainly fit the bill. —Gina Bazer Posted at 08:23 AM in InBox | Permalink | Comments (0) |
||||
12/23/08InBox | Last Minute Gift!
—Gina Bazer Posted at 02:22 PM in InBox | Permalink | Comments (0) |
||||
12/22/08InBox | Gifts under $50
At Cambium, very cool salt and pepper shakers made of water buffalo horn ($24); a three-bowl pewter snack set (round or square; each $45). The Simon Pearce crystal tea lights ($30 each) are from Sawbridge Studios. —JAN PARR Posted at 09:31 AM in InBox | Permalink | Comments (0) |
||||
12/19/08Spotted | Amazing Space!
We stopped in at Diana Ostreko’s Amazing Space in Oak Park a couple weeks ago and snagged this great vintage floor lamp—which is made of paper but looks like ceramic—for just $37. It’s about 16 inches wide and throws off great light. Everything in the store—including new and cool accessories from Roost and Global Views—is half off through the end of the month. Ostrenko is closing the store in January but will continue to sell online. —JAN PARR Posted at 06:57 AM in Spotted | Permalink | Comments (0) |
||||
12/18/08Scoop | Take it Off! Take it All (Half) Off!
You need a PhD from MIT to figure out the sales at a lot of stores this time of year. Discounts on this-but-not-that; special extreme bonus savings on Monday and Thursday (but only on items that start with A-M); knock an extra 23% off if you bring in a can of turkey chili…it’s too much. That sort of thing drives me crazy, which is why I’m thankful that Stuart from Architectural Artifacts is keeping it simple this year at his twenty-first annual holiday sale. Everything from soup to nuts in this crazy-cool store is 50% off, now until December 23. A.A. is just the place for meeting those quirky pieces that will add soul, history, and humor to your home and yard. So get over and save big bucks on things like this cast-aluminum clown head (was $895), the swiveling table and chairs set (was $4,200), or a circus banner (was $3,800). Thanks for cutting us a deal, Stu. —BRADLEY LINCOLN Posted at 07:54 AM in Scoop | Permalink | Comments (0) |
||||
12/17/08Happy Hour | Uber Modern
Paging Bob, Carol, Ted, and Alice: The funkiest bed I’ve ever seen—a large round vintage number that converts to an oval—is on display at Uber Modern, a great little store in the burgeoning Grand Ave. design district (of COURSE I forgot to get a photo of it; you’ll just have to go see for yourself). I was there for a little holiday cheer (Brandon, the owner, poured champagne into cool vintage glasses he’s selling) and fell hard for this bar cart. There’s also wonderful glassware, pony-skin end tables/benches, and tons more authentic midcentury treasures. —JAN PARR Posted at 06:38 AM in Happy Hour | Permalink | Comments (0) |
||||
12/16/08InBox | Asian With a French Accent
How cool is this industrial metal chair, circa 1920, part of a new shipment from France that’s just arrived at The Golden Triangle? Or the club chair, circa 1930? Co-owners Chauwarin Tuntisak and Douglas Van Tress took a few trips to Paris markets recently, and filled a crate with some amazing vintage furniture and accessories, all at nice discounts over last year’s prices (the combo of a lower Euro and widespread discounting). While in Paris, they tapped the connections and expertise of, among others, Didier Milleriot, our favorite Frenchman, who operated Le Magasin here til he moved back to Europe a few months ago. These new pieces are set in the shop amid the “Exposed” collection of modern, reclaimed wood pieces. “It’s a dry, angular backdrop to the curviness innate to the French things,” says Van Tress. “The intent is not to create a French shop in my store, but to create powerful, earthy, often industrial” items that are complementary to the rest of the store’s merchandise. We think he’s done it! —JAN PARR Posted at 09:19 AM in InBox | Permalink | Comments (0) |
||||
12/15/08Obsession | Subtle Holiday
Greg Steffens of Haus in Andersonville just emailed with a smart alternative to traditional holiday décor: these porcelain logs from the Brooklyn-based art studio KlienReid, he says, are not only perfect for putting in your non-functioning fireplace, but also make for a cool-yet-cozy centerpiece for your dining room table or a sideboard. Evoke the spirit of the holidays in less predictable way. —Gina Bazer Posted at 09:27 AM in Obsession | Permalink | Comments (0) |
||||
12/12/08InBox | All in Unison
One of our favorite local design studios, Unison Home, is holding a Holiday Market, the next two Saturdays (Dec. 13 and 20 from noon to 6 p.m.) and also from Dec. 16 to Dec. 19 from 4 to 7 p.m. at 2000 W. Fulton St., 312-492-7960. This is a rare chance to shop straight from the source (Unison’s fun wares are sold at CB2 and a few other local retailers) and get your hands on some exclusive items (Unison aprons, Christmas tree skirts, holiday table runners, and ornaments). The Greater Chicago Food Depository will receive 15 percent of all sales. –JAN PARR Posted at 09:15 AM in InBox | Permalink | Comments (0) |
||||
12/11/08Scoop | Whither Raul Carrasco?
The Raul Carrasco showroom on Hubbard is closed. A few days before Thanksgiving, a spokesperson who was packing up told us that there had been some sort of dispute with the landlord, and that the company was securing a new location. We’ve tried to follow up, but have not had calls returned and the voicemail for the Chicago showroom (the firm started in Miami) gives no information. —JAN PARR Posted at 09:21 AM in Scoop | Permalink | Comments (1) |
||||
12/10/08Scoop | Looking for Lowell?
After several years at his Lakeview location, home enhancer George Lowell has joined the Andersonville pilgrimage and opened up shop at 5123 N. Clark Street. This stretch of Clark south of Foster (I can't bring myself to call it SoFo, I just can't) is developing into quite the lively design district, with shops like Baan Home, Marguerite Gardens, Foursided, and now Lowell's emporium of sharp and eclectic furniture and accessories. Things are going swimmingly, reports George, who has tripled the size of his store and packed it with creamy ceramic urns, Adler-esque pillows, oversized Romanesque statuary, and lots more me-approved merchandise. Mostly new, with the occasional antique in the mix. He's also an experienced interior decorator who brings a fun formality to his work, playing with scale and using unexpected artwork to liven up spaces. -BRADLEY LINCOLN Posted at 02:41 PM in Scoop | Permalink | Comments (0) |
||||
12/09/08InBox | Farewell, Casamonte
Casamonte, a great off-the-beaten-path showroom that offers a mix of high-end products from Australia—including EcoSmart flueless fireplaces and Omvivo wash “planes” and other unique bath accessories, such as the Le Cob tub (both shown above)—is gearing up to close its doors. Discounts of up to 50 percent are available until the merchandise is all sold. Owner Paul Fiermonte will still represent these vendors in the U.S. —Gina Bazer Posted at 06:49 AM in InBox | Permalink | Comments (0) |
||||
12/08/08Spotted | Wacky Packages
My mom loved wrapping presents, especially at Christmastime. She was obsessed with it, and even set up a designated section of the basement, with a folding table and ribbons sorted by color. She would spend days making puffy bows, folding origami tags, and collaging works of art that really were a shame to tear open. She also had a wicked sense of humor, and loved to trick us by putting gifts in inappropriate boxes. She’d tuck a doll for my sis in a power-tool package, my Mork rainbow suspenders in a cigarette carton—that sort of thing, just to see our (momentarily) disappointed faces. She would have slapped her knee silly with these fake boxes that the Onion store sells: “Visor-ganizer—turns your hat into another pocket” and “KleenStride—the personal debris removal system.” They have six Onion-y designs, they’re 12 in. by 9 in. by 4 in., and $7.99 each. Watch out! —BRADLEY LINCOLN Posted at 09:17 AM in Spotted | Permalink | Comments (2) |
||||
12/05/08InBox | Holiday Shopping at Branca
We can think of no more festive boutique this time of year than Branca, set in a townhouse on Pearson Street. Stop by Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. for cider and treats, and feel good knowing that 15 percent of all sales that day will be donated to Children’s Memorial Hospital. Need some gift ideas? Branca’s gorgeously designed new website has a few excellent suggestions. Love the faux croc credit card pouch for $40 (even better with a Branca gift card inside); the faux bois glass hurricane for $175; and the set of four garnet lowball glasses for $120; the striped are $80 for a set. —JAN PARR Posted at 11:07 AM in InBox | Permalink | Comments (0) |
||||
12/05/08Scoop | To the Manor Bought
I went to college in Lake Forest, and used to ride my bike up and down Lake Road, checking out all the estates, daydreaming about getting adopted, hoping to spot Daisy and Jay (or Mr. T. I’d have settled for Mr. T.). Most of the really big places are hidden away behind gates and walls, but one of my favorites was always Bluff’s Edge, a stately red-brick manse near the ravine and the lake, so it was cool to see that Leslie Hindman Auctioneers is opening it up for a veddy, veddy proper tag sale this weekend. There will be English and French antique furniture, Italian carved marble urns, important Oriental carpets, wingback chairs, a big collection of Audubon prints, and even a Steinway piano, all up for grabs on Sat. Dec. 6 and Sun. Dec. 7, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 620 Lake Rd. Oh and should you have an extra $7 million rolling around in the bottom of your Birkin, this Georgian peach of a home is up for sale itself. For more info on that, contact Baird & Warner’s Mona Hellinga at 847-814-1855. —BRADLEY LINCOLN Posted at 09:07 AM in Scoop | Permalink | Comments (0) |
||||
12/04/08Spotted | Drinking Buddies
Whilst strolling the Boul Mich the other day, the new window displays at Cole Haan caught my eye. They have a new line of leather bar accessories, and they’re swell for the dipso holiday season. These leather wine totes are over-the-top—they also come in shiny red patent leather and the signature C.H. woven pattern. At $98, it’s a pretty classy chassis for your two-buck Chuck, so you might want to just use and reuse yourself when you go to BYOBs or over the river to Grandmother’s house. This leather handled corkscrew ($55) comes with its own carrying case, and the witty set of coasters ($65) is printed with the options olive/twist, straight up/on the rocks, dry/dirty, and stirred/shaken. —BRADLEY LINCOLN Posted at 10:25 AM in Spotted | Permalink | Comments (0) |
||||
12/02/08InBox | Holiday Gifts at Golden Triangle
We received an email from The Golden Triangle with some great ideas for gifts. The good news: many are on sale! New Thai celadon ceramic vases are just $22; the 11-inch Chinese fishing float glass globes (circa 1970) are $175 each; new Peking yellow glass objects are (left to right) $280, $145, and $325. —Jan Parr Posted at 11:48 AM in InBox | Permalink | Comments (0) |
||||
12/01/08Scoop | Maine Event
Leon Leonwood (his friends call him L.L.) Bean has opened a huge new store at the Old Orchard mall in Skokie—only their second retail location in Illinois—and I think that there’s something very comforting about that. In trying economic times, chunky warm Bean boots, —BRADLEY LINCOLN Posted at 02:58 PM in Scoop | Permalink | Comments (0) |
||||
aromatic Maine balsam wreaths, and striped Hudson’s Bay blankets are appealingly nostalgic. Prices are reasonable, quality’s sturdy, and you can’t beat their customer service. I liked this line of Mission-style hardwood furniture (that bookshelf is only $179) and some surprisingly modern hand-hooked wool rugs (that’s the Multi Windmill pattern, and it’s $499 for a 6’ x9’ size). While you’re at it, get yourself one of those prepped-out monogram tote bags for greener grocery runs, and a set of buffalo-plaid flannel sheets to tuck in with the latest issue of Chicago Home + Garden. Just stay away from the mom jeans. About This Blog
Advertisement
Contributors
 | Chicago Home + Garden’s trends and products editor Barri Leiner has her finger on the pulse of all things stylish in the world of home design |
 | Contributing writer and copy editor Bradley Lincoln is our turn-to guy for everything from placing commas to tracing trends. |
Categories
Recent Posts
- Working It | Comments (0)
- Tripod Trend | Comments (0)
- Heads Up, Jetsetters! | Comments (0)
- Bridal Bliss | Comments (0)
- Kenmore Live Studio | Comments (0)
- Italian Feast for the Eyes | Comments (1)
- Pimp My Ride | Comments (0)
- Spring at Pierre Deux | Comments (1)
- Hostess Gifts | Comments (0)
- Danish Deluge | Comments (0)
Archives
- March 2010
- February 2010
- January 2010
- December 2009
- November 2009
- October 2009
- September 2009
- August 2009
- July 2009
- June 2009
- May 2009
- April 2009
- March 2009
- February 2009
- January 2009
- December 2008
- November 2008
- October 2008
- September 2008
- August 2008
- July 2008
- June 2008
- May 2008
- April 2008
- March 2008
Feed
Subscribe to the Design Dose Feed ยป
Design Blogs We Love
- Apartment Therapy
- Design Boner
- Design Diaries
- Design Watcher
- Making it Lovely
- PrairieMod
- StrangeClosets
- Urban Green Project
Advertisement
Copyright 2010 Chicago Home + Garden Magazine
| A Godengo Technology | Privacy Policy | Copyright and Terms of Service
