03/31/10

InBox | A Very Modest Cottage

Just as we were closing our annual second-homes issue, Tereasa Surratt’s book, A Very Modest Cottage arrived in the mail. (Actually, it arrived in an adorable metal vintage-looking picnic basket.) The book chronicles the moving and rehabbing of a small cottage that Surratt and her husband transported to Sugar Creek, Wisconsin, from Beardstown, Illinois. We featured the cottage in our last second-homes issue . The book, which Surratt designed herself, is available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other booksellers. It has great tips for how to thrift and junk your way to domestic bliss; it also makes for one Very Charming Coffee Table Book.

—JAN PARR

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03/30/10

Spotted | Blue Plate Special

When I walked by the tiny display of Ceramika Artystyczna Polish stoneware at the Housewares Show (yes, there is yet more to cover on that subject!), I couldn’t help but think of this kitchen, which I saw on an Apartment Therapy post about grey kitchens a while ago. I don’t own any blue and white dishes (nor do I have a grey kitchen, for that matter), but I always find myself attracted to both. I love the grey cabinets in this pic—what an easy fix if you hate your icky wood or white ones! As for the dishes, I like the idea of incorporating old-world, European-style pieces on a modern table, or using a bunch for decorating against a white background. The line shown here has just been picked up by Coveny Lane in Riverside, but you can find the same look in mismatched varieties at thrift shops and antique stores.

—GINA BAZER

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03/29/10

Spotted | A Splash of Missoni

The Rythme sofa, upholstered in Missoni fabric, has just landed at the Roche Bobois store in River North. It’s not new to the company, but new for the Chicago location; with franchises, certain more-daring styles sometimes trickle down slowly to our neck of the woods. Nevertheless, this modular three-seater is absolutely charming live and in person. Pick and choose your own combinations of the fabrics shown, or buy the one on the floor for $9,409.

—GINA BAZER

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03/26/10

InBox | Architectural Digest Home Design Show

Naomi Cooper, marketing director at Pierre Deux, sent us this guest blog after attending the Architectural Digest Home Design Show in New York last weekend:

Manhattan’s Pier 94 was filled with more than 300 vendors showcasing their latest ideas and products for the home—from furniture and lighting to kitchens and baths. From bright contrasting hues to optical illusions to runway-inspired patterns and twists on the traditional, this is what I am coveting this spring:

•Furniture from The New Traditionalists. The NY-based company’s mission statement: If you think traditional and cool are not mutually exclusive, you are a new traditionalist. Well then, I guess I am a New Traditionalist. The collection of case goods and furniture is influenced by classic silhouettes, exceptional clothing, shape, and history. With so many finishes and colors to choose from, the New Traditionalists is haute couture for your home.

•Eskayel Bespoke Wallpaper. I love to see a trend from the fashion runway translate itself perfectly into a room. Artist Shanan Campanaro’s wallpaper collections evoke visions of one of this season’s hottest fashion trends, tie dye, seen in Bluemarine’s and Proenza Schouler’s spring/summer collections. Shanan’s day job is designing for a reknown fashion retail chain, but the inspiration for her wallcoverings comes from digitally manipulating designs from her art, which she has been exhibiting since she graduated from London’s Central St. Martins in 2003. This year she extended her collection to include pillows and tabletop items, which she debuted at the show.

•Featuring patterns in Pantone’s spring 2010 palette, Amy Helfand’s rugs are not for colorphobes. They’ll make the most basic rooms pop. Helfand, a Rugmark licensee, works with one of the most reputable manufacturers of carpets in Nepal. Rugmark is a global non-profit working to end child labor and offer educational opportunities for children in Nepal, India, and Pakistan.

I love Art Addiction’s new Art: Lex collection featuring contemporary imagery printed on a special acrylic material. Each piece is affixed to an invisible mount, creating a three-dimensional floating effect. Can’t you see these vintage books mounted above a suspended shelf?

—Naomi Cooper

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03/25/10

InBox | Sina Pearson

Outdoor fabrics just keep getting better. We like this modern interpretation of Mexican folk textiles. Colores de Mexico is a new line from Sina Pearson Textiles woven from Sunbrella acrylic fibers. That means it will stand up to sun, rain, mildew, chlorine, spilled margaritas, or whatever else the great outdoors throws at it. Available soon through Rearrange. For more outdoor fabrics, see our new issue, on newsstands now.

—JAN PARR

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03/24/10

Spotted | More Housewares to Love!

These adorable appliances by the Swiss company Stadler Form, distributed in the U.S. under the name Swizz Style make us smile and serve the most practical of purposes. Clockwise from top left: The Oskar humidifier ($149.99); the Otto fan ($199.99); the Fred humidifier ($99.99); and the Max space heater ($99.99). Certain styles are available at Bed Bath & Beyond, online only or you can order them directly through Swizz Style.

—GINA BAZER

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03/23/10

Spotted | Housewares Show Part 2

Here’s what’s on my radar after a recent spin (OK, make that trend-seeking triathlon) around the International Home and Housewares Show. Purple royally ruled the runways and furnishing forecasts last season; now it’s trying on housewares. Fav execution? Le Creuset’s enamel cast iron and utensils in Cassis and their Lilac and Violet stoneware counterparts. Aluminum frying pans sporting anchors, Union Jack and bright finishes on their meant-to-be-seen bottoms were swoon-worthy! For the kitchen sophisticate, go for shimmery mineral tones sure to match countertop and tile trends. Two examples: Kitchenaid’s Artisan Series mixer in lush metallic and Farberware’s pots and pans in black and bronze with a hint of glimmer. Wesco’s breadbox and knifeblock in New Silver looked retro-fabulous. Garbage cans got the treatment in prints from The Macbeth Collection; keep an eye out for their new line (we heard The Container Store chain is a fan). Loved their chic prints on shower curtains—even tub mats! On the cleaning scene, I’d like the mini Mint automatic floor cleaner to come dust and mop my hardwood floors. Even germophobes can delight in high design with touch-free paper towel dispensers from Clean Cut and iTouchless. If the person who swiped the Pantone color-sample books (worth hundreds of dollars) from that company’s booth happens to be reading this—please return them immediately, and shame on you.

—Barri Leiner Grant

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03/22/10

Spotted | Housewares Show

Imagine McCormick Place as a giant Bed, Bath & Beyond, with aisles and aisles of pepper grinders, knives, glasses, toasters, cookware, ironing board covers, and the like. That’s the annual International Home & Housewares show. Overwhelming to say the least, but certain new products always make an impression. For ingenuity, I appreciated the Andrea air purifier system, which uses a real plant to help it function. But for sheer beauty, I loved the new Alyson Fox tabletop line, called “May,” from Ink Dish, which will be available at Hazel on Montrose at the beginning of April (shown here, place setting for a suggested retail of $72); ASA Selection’s simple vases and tableware, which will be sold at I.D., and these new eco-friendly trivets from Epicurean, which you can likely pick up at Chopping Block. Watch this space (and our mag) for more cool stuff we found at the show.

—JAN PARR

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03/19/10

Obsession | Tabletop Terrariums

My latest design obsession? Tabletop terrariums. These lush little vessels can be filled with moss, succulents, or flowers (I’d probably go with moss because it’s easy to keep alive). If you dig the trend, options abound. This model at Amazon has a gambrel roof and looks like a mini green house. Anthropologie’s take is more modern. A smooth glass lid tops a wood base for an effect that’s rustic, yet sleek. My favorites, though, are manufactured by Roost and available at Asrai Garden (see photos above). The interiors are custom-designed by owner Elizabeth Cronin. Among the foliage, Cronin artfully arranges ceramic figurines from Brooklyn Rehab. Bonus: She can customize the tableau with your chosen figurines and plants.

–BRIDGET HERMAN

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03/18/10

InBox | Sentenced to a Life of Aesthetics

Have you been to the BoConcept website lately? The Danish design company just released some really fun products, but first, I just have to point out their new irreverent marketing campaign—right on the homepage, the words “no limits in small spaces,” stamped across a photo of what looks very much like a jail cell, decked out in (what else?) BoConcept furniture. I’m not kidding. A little shocking, but if you’ve ever felt confined in your own small space, it’s also pretty amusing. So to deck out your own personal slammer, may we suggest, the Bristol pendant ($249), some nice metal candleholders (starting at $19 each), and to hold those chic orange jumpsuits, a multi-colored clothes-hanger set ($35). Guilty as charged.

—GINA BAZER

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03/17/10

InBox | Working It

If you haven't been by Workroom lately, now is a good time to do so. The upholstery, window treatment, and wallcoverings studio has just received its spring offerings, including a slew of fresh prints with flowers, birds, and insects that the owners promise will add “whimsical sophistication” to your home (Thomas Paul's designs for Duralee definitely fall into this category). Also just in: Marimekko wallpaper, which was released last summer, is now available through Workroom (exclusively in Chicago, according to the owners).

-GINA BAZER

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03/16/10

InBox | Tripod Trend

Love this new lamp ($299) from Z Gallerie. For other great options in tripod floor lamps, which can add some Old Hollywood drama to a living room or den, check out our new issue, on newsstands now.

—JAN PARR

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03/15/10

InBox | Heads Up, Jetsetters!

The German design house Vitra, which is represented locally by Manifesto just opened the doors to the amazing VitraHaus, a showcase for the company’s home furnishings collection, on the Vitra campus in Will am Rhein, Germany. Even though it’s very far away, we can still marvel at this amazing design by Herzog & de Meuron. See more photos on the Vitra website.

—GINA BAZER

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03/12/10

InBox | Bridal Bliss

For tabletop settings, there is no place like Tabula Tua. Owner Grace Tsao Wu has an amazing eye-just look at the mini works of table art shown above, which she created. On March 14 from 1 to 4 p.m., she will host a bridal event at her store featuring the settings above, in addition to others inspired by some of Chicago's most iconic landmarks, including the The Art Institute and Millennium Park. Other event participants include florist Heffernan Morgan, caterer Calihan Catering, wedding cake designer Bittersweet, and invitation designer Sarah Drake Design. Admission is $35. To buy tickets, go to Tabula Tua's website.

-GINA BAZER

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03/11/10

InBox | Kenmore Live Studio

Kenmore is heating up. Last December, the brand rolled out a string of stylish appliances. I’m smitten with the retro-looking Elite Steam CareT Washer and Dryer. The Elite Stand Mixer is on my wish list, too—it’s certainly charming enough to coax me into the kitchen. Thursday at 7 p.m., the brand will debut Kenmore Live Studios, a pop-up gallery meant to showcase its design-savvy. Appliances will be spot lit, suspended from the ceiling, and generally displayed as if they were works of art. Swankier than shopping at Sears, eh? Top Chef Stephanie Izard will also be on-hand to host cooking demos, and a troop from The Second City will perform sketch comedy about domestic duties. Thursday is the just the beginning, as the Studio is slated to span at least four weekends. Stop by 678 North Wells Street, Fridays from 6 to 9 p.m. or Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. or 6 to 9 p.m. Look for more guest chefs to appear, including from Roger Herring of Socca and Matt Wile of Moonshine.

–Bridget Herman

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03/10/10

InBox | Italian Feast for the Eyes

If you love Arclinea kitchens and cooking demos of Italian food (that you later get to eat!), we recommend stopping by Arclinea Chicago at 314 W. Superior St. on Thursday, March 11, from 6 to 8 p.m. for the event Italia in Cucina. Chef Federio Comacchio of Phil Stefani’s 437 Rush will be manning the stove.

—GINA BAZER

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03/09/10

InBox | Pimp My Ride

Dad always said it’s what’s on the inside that counts. So when he sent along an e-mail filled with these kitschy but clever photo tarpaulins, I finally figured out what he meant! They’re made by a German firm that went from window and door decals to Style Your Garage. Neighbors will certainly stop in their tracks (or move!) at the sight of your swanky new Cesna, mid-life crisis mobile, stable doors, garage band, or any of the many hilariously designed cover-ups SYG offers on their site for $200 and up. So whether you have a warped sense of humor or no solution to your unsightly “up and over” garage door—they’ve got you covered. The site says they are as easy to attach as a screen in a window. All it takes is the Velcro fastener system they include, 15 to 30 minutes, an extra hand, measuring tape and a bit of moxie.

—BARRI LEINER GRANT

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03/08/10

InBox | Spring at Pierre Deux

Naomi Cooper, director of marketing and public relations for Pierre Deux, the French Country boutique, was in town last week to present a preview of the company’s new spring line. If French Country isn’t your style, fear not: We spied plenty of things at the new store in River North that would blend beautifully with many types of décor. In particular, we loved these mega bottles ($120) of hand-blown glass (they’d look terrific grouped on a side table) and this line of pillows (shown: 12 inches by 18 inches, $250) from Ankasa, hand-embroidered, from France. Couture for your couch.

—JAN PARR

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03/05/10

Spotted | Hostess Gifts

I stopped by Kneen & Co. a week or so ago for the trunk show for the Côté de Bastide fragrance line from Provence, which Mary Jeanne Kneen is carrying exclusively in the Chicago area. Made of all-natural ingredients, the line includes hand-poured candles, as well as soaps and bath salts and other yummy and beautifully packaged items that make great hostess gifts. Speaking of which: check out these notepads with prestige Zip codes.

—JAN PARR

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03/04/10

InBox | Danish Deluge

MCM Grand has just received a huge shipment of vintage Danish furniture direct from Denmark. Designers include Kristian Vedel, Hans Wegner, Finn Juhl, Johannes Andersen, Kai Christiansen, Ole Wanscher, Oman Junior, Borg Mogensen, Illum Wikkelso, and H.W. Klei. MCM’s owners believe they now have the largest selection of this style in the Chicago area.

—JAN PARR

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03/03/10

Spotted | Lovely Lights

Love these mouthblown glass lamps by Tracy Glover, available at At Home in the City. Prices range from $550 for a table lamp to $885 for a floor lamp.

—GINA BAZER

Photo courtesy tracygloverstudio.com

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03/02/10

InBox | Safe Shopping

The Nantucket-vibing Winnetka home furnishings shop Seagrass has just issued a very enticing offer: “We’ll come to your home before you come to our store. For free.” Not bad if you need a little advice before making the plunge on a home accessory or piece of furniture. And it’s a darling shop, too.

— GINA BAZER

Photo: Denise Orlin

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