February 2009
02/27/09Scoop | Morlen Sinoway Sample Sale
One of the city’s best modern furniture and accessories showrooms, Morlen Sinoway Atelier, is having a sample sale starting March 3 at 9:30. Find discounts of 20 to 70 percent off lighting, area rugs, accessories, chairs, and side tables. The sale runs through the end of March. Morlen says that last year he “dipped his toes” into the sample-sale waters, but this year the sale is much bigger. —JAN PARR Posted at 05:23 PM in Scoop | Permalink | Comments (0) |
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02/27/09InBox | Closeted
My friend Frances, a teacher who is way into modern design (she knows so much; like the educator she is, she does her homework), sent me a pic of these crazy closet-like frig/freezers from Smeg. They’re on wheels! Coolio! For where to buy in our area, click here. —JAN PARR Posted at 09:28 AM in InBox | Permalink | Comments (0) |
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02/26/09InBox | Affordable Finishes
One of our favorite decorative painting outfits, Simes Studios, is disputing the notion that one needs 14 layers to get a great finish. Simes’ latest newsletter outlines three one- or two-step processes that make for fabulous finishes at a reasonable cost. “We have not found a finish we can’t conquer in five or six steps,” the owners say. “Many of our best surfaces average three steps.” Shown here is the Charcoal finish, a dark pewter wash to be applied over a wood surface or floor. It’s a two-step process over sealed wood and we think it would look equally fab in a modern or traditional home. –JAN PARR Posted at 09:44 AM in InBox | Permalink | Comments (0) |
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02/25/09InBox | Simon Pearce Lamps
The two locations of Sawbridge Studios have created lamp galleries devoted to Simon Pearce's entire line of lamps. I love this creamy dreamy Low Hamilton lamp (left). It has a crystal base with a ceramic top ($550). The Nantucket, also made of crystal (wonder if those fishies get hot in that water?) is cool, too. It comes with a cream-colored silk shade (not black as shown) and is $495. -JAN PARR Posted at 07:46 AM in InBox | Permalink | Comments (1) |
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02/24/09Spotted | Bright Idea
I love this new bulb-shaped light at Willow. Sort of loosely reminds me of the more upscale Lucy Slivinski fixtures I just blogged about the other day. From Willow’s Web site: “Designed by Barend Hemmes, it's made out of laser-cut wood, which leaves a crisp burned edge and creates a satisfying, waffle-like glow.” It can be hung from the ceiling or rested on its side. Size: 16 inches high with a 9-inch diameter, $170. —Gina Bazer Posted at 10:07 AM in Spotted | Permalink | Comments (0) |
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02/23/09InBox | Local Talent on HGTV
Local designer Candice Sone sent us word that she won HGTV’s latest Designer’s Challenge (it aired February 9; find out more here. Sone created an eco-friendly interior for a family in La Grange. She chose wood from sustainable forests for the custom wall unit, sofa, and chairs; the drapes are cotton and the shades are raffia. —JAN PARR Posted at 03:37 PM in InBox | Permalink | Comments (0) |
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02/23/09InBox | Design Lite
A few days ago I met Joel Robare at his new home office in a highrise in River East. Joel, who grew up the youngest of 14 children in a small town near Rockford, has had a thriving design business in San Francisco and is expanding here. His company, JR Studio, has come up with a nifty “lite” design service plan for those who just want to dip their toes into the interior design world, or who, for budget reasons, are scaling back. He calls it “Elite Interior Styling” and it involves buying either a half or full-day consultation with Joel, plus you get his to-the-trade-only discount at participating showrooms—Frette Linens, Bang & Olufsen, Roche Bobois, Baker Furniture, Waterworks, Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, and more. (The list changes; contact JR Studio for specifics.) The discounts will likely make the consultation fee pay for itself. Of course, Joel also offers comprehensive design services. –JAN PARR Posted at 09:09 AM in InBox | Permalink | Comments (0) |
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02/20/09InBox | We Heart Lucy
Michael Del Piero of Good Design in Bucktown emailed to remind us that Lucy Slivinski, an amazing sculptor she represents in her shop (see the woven oak light fixture above), has an installation opening tonight at the Flatfile Gallery, featuring yet more of her unique sculptural lighting (see wire lamp above). The show runs through March 27. —Gina Bazer Posted at 05:13 PM in InBox | Permalink | Comments (0) |
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02/20/09Obsession | Bowled Over
Love these handpainted earthenware bowls and platters by Gale Garcia at Post 27. They have just enough chunk to them that they’re not too precious, and just enough artfulness that they’re not too blah-functional. Large serving bowl, $160; small, $40; platter, $160. —Gina Bazer Posted at 06:53 AM in Obsession | Permalink | Comments (0) |
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02/19/09Scoop | Red Hot Blog
Mary Jeanne Kneen, who ran the Au Coin du Feu antique fireplace surround showroom here for years, has a new blog about—antique fireplaces. The posts show readers how to use these gorgeous pieces to bring warmth and history to a room. She also shows fresh ways to use them. One entry shows an antique fireplace of gray and white marble looking totally fab it its setting—a 1960s-inspired bedroom with lavender walls and white bedding. Mary Jeanne still sells surrounds and fireplace accessories (she has an inventory of more than 3,000 one-of-a-kind French and Continental European mantels and accessories) through her Web site, and she is available for personal consultations at her River North office, which also serves as Chicago’s exclusive Nymphenburg porcelain showroom. —JAN PARR Posted at 03:21 PM in Scoop | Permalink | Comments (1) |
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02/19/09Scoop | From France, With Discounts
Through the month of February fabulous antiques straight from the French countryside (along with some vintage American pieces), including armoires, farm tables, primitive benches, cabinets, and collectibles, will be marked down by 25 to 75 percent at Porte Rouge. Dinnerware and home accessories, too, will be marked down. This is your chance to finally achieve that je ne sais quoi in your house! -Gina Bazer Posted at 08:44 AM in Scoop | Permalink | Comments (0) |
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02/18/09InBox | Jayson Preview
Here’s a little taste of what Jayson Home & Garden is cooking up for the big warehouse sale this weekend (Friday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m at 1740 W. Webster Ave.). This Clinton chair started out at $1,495, it can be yours for $750 and that angular bluestone-capped side table is reduced to $399 from $1,195. There are about 1,998 more bargains to be had in the 2,000-square-foot warehouse, and they’re throwing in free delivery. —BRADLEY LINCOLN Posted at 04:55 PM in InBox | Permalink | Comments (1) |
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02/18/09Scoop | Object Lesson
I can’t remember the last time I was asked, over lunch, “Jan, what’s your relationship with objects?” But this was Didier Milleriot, the owner of the now-closed Le Magasin on Wells Street, a French tabletop boutique. So the question seemed completely natural. It sparked a lively discussion about old things, new things, things we keep, things we give away. I believe I introduced the brilliant and quite-fluent Didier to the word “waystation,” a term I used to describe my basement, the place were unwanted objects go to chill out before they are given away. The main topic of lunch was Didier’s new Web site, ShopAndSource. On it, Didier, who, for personal reasons, moved back to France a few months ago, posts his daily finds—antiques, vintage pieces, and new decorative accessories he locates in the markets of France. All are for sale. Didier can also find a particular object for you (furniture, linens, an Art Déco vase). And should you find yourself traveling to Paris and/or Provence, he’ll shop the markets with you, translating and handling shipping arrangements. I love that he is completely upfront about his fees, which are posted on his site: about $128 to initiate a search, plus a 10 percent markup (search fee waived for big purchases). A day of shopping with the delightful Didier is about $900. Didier has already helped the owners of The Golden Triangle procure merchandise; see the results here. Judging from my interest in Didier’s finds, I’d say my relationship with objects is quite solid, thank you. —JAN PARR Posted at 08:24 AM in Scoop | Permalink | Comments (0) |
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02/17/09InBox | Uber Cool
Brandon McCleskey, the owner of UberModern, a terrific, under-the-radar vintage modern showroom at 2256 West Grand, just returned from a buying trip in Miami. He found lots of great Lucite and white lacquer-just the stuff to lighten up your décor for spring. -Jan Parr Posted at 04:23 PM in InBox | Permalink | Comments (0) |
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02/17/09Obsession | Soft on the Feet
I stopped by Green Home Chicago in the Fulton Market District the other day and my eyes (and fingers) were drawn to the same Tibetan Naturals handmade rugs I gravitate toward every time I stop by. These impossibly soft rugs are designed by Kurt Meinecke (who also designs rugs for Herman Miller) and made by Nepalese artisans out of various combinations of wool, silk, and/or yarn from plant fibers. No dyes are used; color variations depend on the breeds of the sheep used. The results are warm and wonderful, but not cheap—about $2,500 to $3,900 for a 5-by-7-foot size—and they must be special ordered. Small samples are on display at GHC, but for $250 you can order a 2-by-2-foot strike to get a sense of what the real thing would look like. Available exclusively at Green Home Chicago. —Gina Bazer Posted at 08:25 AM in Obsession | Permalink | Comments (0) |
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02/16/09Scoop | Tile-licious!
The new Artistic Tile showroom at Luxe Home at the Mart is beautiful. If you’ve walked by you’ve probably noticed the wavy tile display in the window: it’s the Ambra Collection by Giovanni Barbieri. It undulates and reflects light—who knew stone could do these things? All hand-carved out of one piece of stone, each piece is a work of art and makes me think, once again, that stone does not just belong in the bathroom or kitchen. Ambra retails for $40.00 per square foot and is available in two sizes: 24 inches by 24 inches and 12 inches by 12 inches and three colors: Gris, Lake Blue, and Moss Green. Above are some more shots of the space (the gorgeous Taif chandelier, $2,200, is by Barovier & Toso, inspired by a similar design made in 1980 for the home of a Saudi king). —Gina Bazer Posted at 03:46 PM in Scoop | Permalink | Comments (0) |
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02/16/09InBox | One to Watch
Several months ago I moderated a panel at the Merchandise Mart about getting interior designers and landscapers to work together. Everyone agrees this is a great idea, but no one’s doing much about it. Now one prominent landscape firm has put its money where its mouth is. Schmechtig Landscape Co. has hired Christopher Michiels, an interior designer who was named “One to Watch” by the Merchandise Mart last year. “There are missed opportunities incorporating the views, both internal and external, with the awe-inspiring interiors and landscapes of our clients,” says Michael Schmechtig, president of the firm. “Coordinating color continuity, style compatibility, and mirroring of the homeowners' personality will redirect the purpose of the beautiful large windows and doors and landscaping of our client’s homes." Sounds like a match made in heaven. —JAN PARR Posted at 07:50 AM in InBox | Permalink | Comments (0) |
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02/13/09Obsession | True Blue
Love these lamps by Ted Harris at Scout right now. They're runway lights salvaged from Meigs Field. “Perfect to flank a hallway table—smoky, sexy and sophisticated,” says Larry Vodak, owner of Scout. The man knows what he's talking about. Three are available, $285 each. Get them fast before the Mayor snatches 'em up. —Gina Bazer Posted at 02:02 PM in Obsession | Permalink | Comments (1) |
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02/13/09Scoop | V-Day Sale
Everything at Zella Brown (besides special orders and consignments) will be 30 percent off on Saturday. —Gina Bazer Posted at 09:47 AM in Scoop | Permalink | Comments (0) |
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02/12/09InBox | Mirror, Mirror
Seems like every pitch I get these days has claims to be green and low-cost. But here’s one that made me stop and look: MirrorMate Frames, a way to easily frame those big, flat bathroom mirrors found in so much new construction. So instead of throwing away the mirror, you attach a frame around it. You don’t even need to remove the mirror from the wall—just clip and glue the frame on. The company says it’s cheaper than buying a frame or a new mirror. Talk about your quick fix. —Jan Parr Posted at 09:00 AM in InBox | Permalink | Comments (1) |
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02/11/09Spotted | Go Fish
Check out these delicately spun crystal vases and bowls that were hand-blown on the Venetian island of Muran……PSYCH!—they’re rubber! A sparkling window display at the MCA lured my eye, so I took the bait and trolled in to investigate. The vessels are produced at architect and designer Gaetano Pesce’s Fish studio in Milan, and the flexible resin pieces jiggle like Jell-O when you touch them. Just the resilient accent piece if you have small kids, frisky dogs, or want to fool your guests by hip-checking one off a side table (they’ll fall for it hook, line, and sinker). Some remind me of striped ribbon hard candy, other anthropomorphic whimsies have the hint of feet or arms. The MCA has stocked quite a nice selection, and all are unique, numbered, and stamped with the Fish logo and G.P.’s moniker. —BRADLEY LINCOLN Posted at 08:19 AM in Spotted | Permalink | Comments (0) |
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02/10/09InBox | The New Ethan Allen
We were pleasantly surprised to see the new Ethan Allen catalogue and some of the sharp, modern pieces in it. Two of our favorites, shown here: The Xanadu bench, $439, made of brushed nickel. Choose any fabric for the seat (this white cotton would look great in a bathroom). The Paris Grid series of framed prints are $269 each. These antique-inspired giclées were created by enlarging and rescaling a Paris map from the 1850s. They’re 23 inches wide by 19 inches high and would look great hung en masse. Who says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks? —Jan Parr Posted at 08:48 AM in InBox | Permalink | Comments (1) |
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02/09/09Obsession | Dear Valentine
Dear Valentine (and those of you who might think that all special deliveries are created equal). I know you always mean well. You believe the promise of the florist on the other end of the line, assuring you with kisses on top, that your lovely sentiment will be delivered with love and care in swoopy-goopy script along with the bursting assortment of fresh blooms you’ve ordered. Sorry—not always so. I had my first “I am sure this isn’t what she ordered” moment in college when my Valentine was dear sweet Mom. A wilted mess arrived at 9:03 p.m. just as I was letting the day of love fade into oblivion. I quickly called the number on the card and assured them that if my mom could take a peek at what had just crawled to the door, that I was crystal clear she’d probably want her money back. I’m lucky to have had my share of floral deliveries that have made the grade (I heart a hand-tied bouquet, loose bunch of flowers I can arrange or selection of mixed whites). I think I am a florist’s worst nightmare. On the giving and receiving end. I’ve never told a single sender about my escapades, but often wonder if I am on some blacklist for my blooming bad behavior. Is it a right to get what you think is right? Or do you simply get what you get and don’t get upset? That said, I just received the most refreshing and promising press release from Jayson Home & Garden. While the shop is probably best known for delivering a new sofa or garden bench about town, its floral is always chic. Its Valentine arrangement ideas make me swoon. Not just for the artful mix—hot pink orchids in a black glass vase, a tight bouquet tucked in an onyx box—but for the “I want to keep it” containers. Many are under $100, delivery included. Dear Valentine, I’ve cc’d you here, in case you are still braving arrangements for the 14th. Happy Valentine’s Day. —Barri Leiner Posted at 09:25 AM in Obsession | Permalink | Comments (0) |
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02/06/09Obsession | Built-In Barista
I’ve seen dozens of wall-mounted coffeemakers in magazines and showrooms, but never actually had hands-on experience with one until visiting friends in Park City for the Sundance Film Festival a couple weeks ago (Zooey Deschanel says “hey,” by the way—she’s as cute as you’d think, and I wanted to put her in my pocket). I knew that Nassir was planning to redo the kitchen, but not much else, so I was curious to check it out. Wow. Deep chocolatey-gray Poliform cabinets line facing walls, and on one there’s this built-in stainless steel Miele coffeemaker that is just a dream. Punch a few buttons, and in about a yawn-and-a-half you’ll have a freshly ground espresso, cappuccino, or plain old cuppa. Sure helped kept us bright-eyed at 8:30 a.m. film screenings. It is practically silent, everything is stored behind the façade, and the grounds are tamped into neat pellets and plopped in a container until you’re ready to dispose of them. I investigated prices at Abt and found one I like for about $3,000, which translates into about 750 venti caramel macchiatos at Starbucks. Maybe I could switch to Folger’s for a few years…. —BRADLEY LINCOLN Posted at 08:03 AM in Obsession | Permalink | Comments (0) |
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02/05/09Scoop | Party Time
Turns out Bladon Conner, one of our favorite local designers (see our story about him here and his awesome Graffiti cabinet featured here) has some pretty cool neighbors in the Rockwell Industrial Corner, where his studio space is located. The folks behind Green Sawn sustainable furniture (see photo, right) and Kindling , a cool wood accessories line (see photo, above left), create their own masterpieces smack across the hall from Conner (read more about all of them in our upcoming May/June issue). I stopped by the Green Sawn space last week and was utterly taken with owner Aaron Pahmier’s furniture designs, some of which are collaborations with Conner; Aaron’s sister, Megan, designs the Kindling line, which her bro produces. On February 7 at 3 p.m., at 2612 W. Nelson St., 773-516-8686, the three are gathering their wares for an open house. This is a budding group to watch—and here’s a chance to buy their one-of-a-kind pieces straight from the sources. —Gina Bazer Posted at 07:54 AM in Scoop | Permalink | Comments (2) |
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02/04/09InBox | Neat IDE-a
Studio IDE , a new architecture and design firm, sent me a photo of a recent commission. The base of this table, which was built using a series of thick notched maple planks, is fully collapsible, using no mechanical fasteners or glue. Cool! You can have one made with a top of transparent or opaque glass, concrete, or stone. And in case you were wondering, IDE stands for Imagination, Design, and Execution. —JAN PARR Posted at 08:24 AM in InBox | Permalink | Comments (3) |
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02/03/09InBox | Quick Study
Harrington College of Design student Jahaila Sing has won the New Life Student Furniture Design Competition with her design, the sexy Chloe Sofa. Sponsors of t he competition were furniture stores Chicago's Mig and Tig and Mortise and Tenon of L.A. -JAN PARR Posted at 08:20 AM in InBox | Permalink | Comments (2) |
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02/02/09InBox | ON A JAG
There’s a new interior design firm in town. Greg Jagmin, who has ten years of experience as a partner with Anne Coyle and at Hudson Home, a design/build firm, also has a past life in accounting, making him the kind of eye you want on the job. I love his surprising color combinations, penchant for fine lines, and the construction and budgeting know-how needed to make a solid and stately plan for a kitchen, bath—or your whole darn house! He’s as dapper as he is casual—the perfect peek into his decorating psyche (check out his childhood pic—he’s still Mr. Sportcoat). -Barri Leiner Posted at 08:25 AM in InBox | Permalink | Comments (0) |
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With clients in Dallas, Orlando, and here in Chicago, he’s off and running. “I am always interested in creating a classic with modern elements,” he says. “I love French furnishings, fine but fun fabrics, and a little bit of glass, chrome, gilt, or mirror always in the mix.” He has reconditioned and restored a few pieces from the past in my own place, and his surprising take always impresses me. His new About This Blog
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