Treasure Island

Wouldn’t you like to slink down into this Le Cob bathtub from Casamonte?

Treasure Island
Tucked away on a side street near North and Elston avenues are three new showrooms. Casamonte (1355 W. Concord Pl., 773-278-4100) is a high-end hodgepodge—a little bit of bath, a little bit of lighting, a little bit of hardware . . . all modern, all gorgeously made in Italy and Australia, and all handpicked by showroom owner/interior designer Paul Fiermonte, who fell in love with the lines and decided he had to bring them to the United States. They include lighting fixtures from the Italian manufacturer Ono (we marveled at the ingenuity of the Pomolux sconce, held in place by invisible magnets) and bath lines from the Australian company Omvivo (of note are the sleek sinks with hidden P-traps and the jaw-dropping glass and resin Le Cob bathtub).

Berloni (at Vesta) offers many sleek options for kitchens and storage, including the Space modular furniture system.

Just across a charming courtyard is Vesta (1357 W. Concord Pl., 773-252-7300; www.vestachicago.com), a new showroom recently opened by the owners of the architecture firm 2RZ. Featuring three lines of kitchen cabinetry that the architects used successfully in their own clients’ homes, this is the place to find the Bulthaup or Poggenpohl look without the prices. Highlights include ultramodern shiny lacquer and textured laminate veneers from the German line Leicht and the many clean-lined options, from cabinets to closet systems, offered by the lower-priced-but-you’d-never-know-it Italian company Berloni.

Speaking of affordable and chic, just across the street, Galleria Concord (1348 W. Concord Pl., 773-489-9200; galleriaconcord.com) offers rustic-with-an-Asian-flair wood furniture—along with robust and lively accessories, from lamps to artwork—for a song. Made in India and shipped regularly in large containers to keep costs low, the dining tables and chairs, armoires, and accent pieces come in rosewood, mango wood, and acacia (black wood). A sturdy farm table and four nice-looking chairs for $800? A destination spot, indeed.

Hot Picks: Fueled by denatured alcohol, the EcoSmart ventless, flueless fireplace (available through Casamonte) is a green dream come true for chimneyless urban dwellers hankering for a toasty gathering place. Check out these models . . .

The Vision is a freestanding piece of furniture designed to accommodate the EcoSmart flueless burner. Put it against a wall (it has a toughened glass back) or use it as a room divider. The freestanding Igloo has a toughened glass frame and non-combustible floating Corian shelf that holds the EcoSmart system.

Photograph: courtyard Alan shortall