InBox

Lovely Lanterns

2008-05-16T11:25:09-05:00

Interior designer Kara Mann just sent over pics of some new lanterns from Casamidy that she is carrying at her showroom. They are so cool, I want one in every room of my new house (about which I will soon be sharing—so exciting!). They are meant for the outdoors, of course, but I like the idea of pretending that I live in a medieval French castle. (At least for now, while the electrician is updating some of the wiring in our new, um, old place).

—Gina Bazer

Photos courtesy Kara Mann

The New Bronze Age

2008-05-15T12:24:37-05:00

Two great local companies have teamed up to produce a new line of cabinetry with gorgeous hardware. Jill Salisbury of el: Environmental Language has partnered with New Bronze Age Tile to come up with sustainable new cabinet doors in her el: Kitchen line. These fab new doors—in sustainable rift-cut oak or walnut—feature custom metal inlays and handles.

—JAN PARR

Not Your Neighbor’s Sunbrella

2008-05-09T07:44:04-05:00

SilverState just sent along samples of its newest Sunbrella collection of outdoor fabrics, called Casual Elegance by Joe Ruggiero. Still packed with all the good no-stain-no-fade-couldn’t-wrinkle-if-you-tried properties of its well-known past. But, wow. Yes, WOW. It’s soft. The patterns are swanky. The colors are sophisticated. Why leave it outside? Bring it on in! Make a shower curtain. Cover a small bench for the bath. Heck—cover the whole family room in the stuff. If it resists mold and mildew, surely it can stand up to a stampede of messy kids. Available through designers only (it’s about $50 to $70 per yard).

—BARRI LEINER

Images courtesy of SilverState

Pretty Pottery

2008-05-05T01:24:46-05:00

We’ve written about the history of Teco Art Pottery, which is now being reproduced in Carol Stream by Prairie Arts. Two new shades, aqua and orange, have been added to the palette of glaze colors. This “Kiss” vase is my favorite shape. And love the new modern shades.

—JAN PARR

Ann Sacks Rocks!

2008-05-02T02:06:10-05:00

Just got a press kit from Ann Sacks featuring all of the incredible new designs the company introduced at the recent Kitchen/Bath show. The colorful Paccha line (see red and white tile above) is the real Moroccan deal, handmade in Marrakech. I’m not sure where I would put this bold flooring—perhaps in a powder room? Kitchen? Probably a small space to pack a punch. Also love the carved stone by Robert Kuo (see the Hua, or “bunches of flowers,” design above). It’s marble hand-chiseled with subtle Chinese motifs that feel both modern and ancient at the same time. Finally: the Perennial line of ceramic mosaics (see the royal blue and white photo above). What a cool alternative to wallpaper.

—GINA BAZER

Photos courtesy of Ann Sacks

I Dream of Teepees

2008-05-01T10:26:20-05:00

Two long months. Two hundred–plus listings. (Shelia Starr from Baird & Warner deserves two million gold stars for patience alone!) A two-block radius to stay within the desired school district. Two exhausted kids. Two losing bids. Too many grim rentals to even consider. Then, one fine just-when-you’re-not-looking-day, the answer arrives by way of email. Leave it to Orange Skin, that bastion of hip furnishings. They call themselves a “complete resource for modern design,” but who knew they had entered the real estate game? My girls are so excited when they see the snaps of the modern wigwam designed by Jose A. Gandia for Gandia Blasco. Comes complete with a small interior mattress made of nautical plastic. We’ll add some Piramide portable lamps (see the lighting leading up to the teepee in the photo) and be done. What more could a girl ask for? I think we’ll take three. Hope Nettelhorst school will let us put up our teepees on the playground. You can’t get more chic—or in-district—right?

BARRI LEINER

Images courtesy of Orange Skin

Modernica at I.D.

2008-04-17T04:20:04-05:00

We were sad to see Modernica close its showroom in River North earlier this year. So imagine how happy we were to hear that the store’s fiberglass chairs, bubble lights, Noguchi tables and chairs, and other modern furniture has found a home at I.D., one of our favorite home accessories stores. A manager at I.D. tells us they have a sampling of Modernica’s most popular items, but that any item can be ordered through I.D.

—JAN PARR

Diesel for the Home

2008-04-14T09:47:00-05:00

I just got an invitation to attend a party in Milan on April 16 celebrating the launch of Diesel’s new home collection. Too bad I won’t be able to make it. I think I have lunch plans at Potbelly in the Nordstrom building that day. But, as a proud wearer of Diesel jeans (the same pair from like 1995 or something!), I thought other Diesel fans might want to know that the company is jumping on the interiors wagon. OK, now don’t rush into Diesel tomorrow expecting to buy a perfectly distressed premium-denim sofa—they’re starting with linens this fall and will gradually move into furniture, accessories, and lighting, all of which are sure to embody that company’s devastatingly hip je ne sais quoi.

—GINA BAZER

Photo courtesy Diesel

Totes to Love

2008-04-11T09:48:26-05:00

In our May/June issue you will read about one of my favorite shops, Asrai Garden in Wicker Park. But here’s a little something that landed in my InBox after we went to press. These totes from Patch NYC, available exclusively at Asrai in Chicago, will make as fun a statement thrown over your shoulder on a Sunday afternoon at the flea market as they will hanging from a hook or storing magazines in your house.

—GINA BAZER

Photo courtesy of Asrai Garden

Stockholm Objects’ new location

2008-04-02T10:04:09-05:00

We just got a note from the ladies at Stockholm Objects in Hinsdale that they have moved into a larger space and expanded their selection of home design (they also carry clothes). This means if you are willing to make the trek out to Hinsdale you will be rewarded with a fab selection of Scandinavian home goods. (Live in Hinsdale? Go now!) You’ll find accessories like the cool Block lamp, $125, and Tablo tray table, $159, (both by the Swedish company Design House Stockholm) and lots of clean-lined dinnerware and kitchen utensils. 39 S. Washington St., 630-655-0966.

—GINA BAZER

Photo credit: Photos from stockholmobjects.com