08/20/08

InBox | Andrew Hollingsworth's Book

Danish Modern furniture dealer Andrew Hollingsworth's new book, called, simply, Danish Modern (Gibbs Smith), just arrived at our office. It's hitting bookstores in October, but here's a sneak peek of what you'll find inside. 1. Lots of historical information and a good definition of what exactly this movement is, along with profiles on its key players (Arne Jacobsen, Finn Juhl, et al). 2. Pictures of important pieces. 3. Interior shots of homes showing Danish Modern in all its clean-lined glory, with Chicago residences designed by local designers figuring prominently. The book is both well organized and easy to read. Kudos to you, Mr. Hollingsworth-first for bringing us your amazing shop (and, yes, we even forgive you for moving and going to appointment-only!) and, now, this wonderful compendium of your knowledge and passion.

-GINA BAZER

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08/19/08

InBox | Photo Op

Thos. Moser at Tree Studios on State Street is exhibiting the botanical photography of interior designer Laurel Feldman through October. Framed against white mats and hung in a group, the Georgia O’Keefe–esque photos seem to pop off the walls. Makes sense that a designer would find just the right shots.

—GINA BAZER

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08/18/08

Spotted | V. Amsterdam

I stopped by the Antiquarians Building on Kinzie yesterday to check out the newly expanded V. Amsterdam, which now consumes the entire lower level of the building, and fell in love with the shop’s mid-century collection.
    Owner Marilyn Vogel offers an overwhelming assortment of 20th century American pieces, with an emphasis on Art Deco-period items and Asian influences. The result is a rich and sophisticated look that left me drooling.
    Vogel, a former lawyer who flips houses on the Gold Coast when she’s not busy collecting, opened V. Amsterdam five years ago. I spent much of my time there petting a striking 1940s American, curved-back side chair with tufted gold upholstery, pictured here. One of a pair and a perfect addition to my living room, but, unfortunately, not part of my currently non-existent home-décor budget. Other items I oogled longingly: a funky pair of Danish walnut-twisted leg stools, circa 1880, with a patterned leather upholstery and beaded trim ($1,550, also shown here); a 1950s Chinoiserie mirror with antiqued glass ($500); and a charming pair of late 19th century walnut bedside tables with mesh inset doors ($1,500).
    Lighting is obviously a passion of Vogel’s: lamps of all shapes and styles rest on every tabletop and stand in every corner. Among them was a pair of regal-looking black-shaded 1950s bronze table lamps ($1,400), and a beautiful set of Borghese library lamps ($1,250). I found a great pair of neoclassical-style milk glass table lamps for just $200.

—Jessica Linn 

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08/15/08

Spotted | From Arhaus to Yours

I’m not usually a fan of patchwork patterns (in home design, not clothes—I live in madras all summer), as the look often comes across as too calico-country-kitchen, but these sassy Casama slipper chairs at Arhaus made me smile when they showed up on the cover of the latest catalog, hanging from trees. Like snowflakes and Meryl Streep roles, they’re one-of-a-kind, and are made of multipatterned color-saturated fabrics in a little village in India. You can choose a bright or a muted combination—I’m thinking one, maybe two brights for a sunroom or porch. The introductory price is $399, until the end of August when they go to $569.

—BRADLEY LINCOLN
 

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08/14/08

Scoop | Details, Details

How many times in our pages have we written about details making all the difference in a décor? A leather trim here, a grosgrain border there? Well, the mother of all tapes, tassels, fringes, braids, and more, Samuel & Sons Passementerie, has opened on the sixth floor of the Mart. It’s to-the-trade-only, but it’s an institution, so if you have a designer and you love to sweat the small stuff, this a place to see.

—GINA BAZER

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08/13/08

Scoop | Golden Touch

I popped into The Golden Triangle over lunch today and was completely blown away. While we covered the shop’s move/expansion in the mag, I personally hadn’t been there until today. I often stopped by the old location to browse, but this is something else entirely—a truly gorgeous space (23,000 square feet; they rent it out for parties). I love the dark paint and reclaimed wood on the walls, and the way Art Deco and contemporary pieces are mixed in with the store’s signature Asian collection. The vast space keeps things airy and uncluttered. Also, did you know that Golden Triangle does kitchens? I certainly didn’t. You can have yours re-done out of reclaimed elm from demolished buildings in Beijing. (The showroom has one on display.) If you are in the market for a coffee table (which I am—particularly the one pictured above!), they have plenty to choose from, and can make one for you out of reclaimed wood. Look for great deals at the sidewalk sale (40 to 70 percent off) August 15 to 30.

—GINA BAZER

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08/12/08

Scoop | Hejfina Goes Home

Since Hejfina’s opening day, I’ve swooned and saved my coin to shop the well-edited selection of well-cut and oozingly cool clothing lines for men and women, and the small, artful selection of furniture by the likes of Carson Maddox and Michael Koehler that was in the front of the store. While she is no longer representing the furniture makers, shop owner Heiji Choy Black has caught the home bug harder than ever. The front of the shop now boasts a carefully curated cache of tabletop goods and art, including a sustainable line from Denmark called Mater (see white pitcher above) and Lexon clocks (see clock radio above). This month, Chicago-based artist Noelle Allen’s window display kicks off the shop’s collaboration with local artists, whose work will be shown throughout the space.  Look for a new artist every month, with photographer Doug Fogelson and multimedia artist William J. O’Brien coming soon—as well as more homewares.

—BARRI LEINER

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08/11/08

Spotted | Push It Good

 It’s that back-to-school time of year again, and even though I haven’t seen the inside of a classroom in a while I still think about grade school shopping lists of Pink Pearl erasers, number two pencils, and Mead spiral notebooks every time the dog days of August start barking. (Maybe it’s the tree-and-a-half’s worth of circulars that slips out of my Sunday papers every week.) Kids have a lot more options these days, though. I saw some great, stylish school/office supplies the other day at Staples. No kidding. Who’da thunk that this utilitarian supplies chain would come out with a quirky line of stationary and office products that rivals Target in its creativity and sophistication? The line is called M by Staples, and it’s available at select Staples locations (4610 N. Clark Street, for one) with limited online availability. I especially like these pushpins and binder clips that are made to look like old typewriter keys. They’re $5.99 for a set of eight, and they’ve taken my cubicle to the head of the class.

—BRADLEY LINCOLN

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08/08/08

Spotted | Euro Trippin'

I recently returned from my vacation to Germany, Austria, and Croatia, and my head is still swimming from cultural overload (or am I just detoxing from all of that great beer?). We spent most of our time driving through Southern Germany and then took a train to Salzburg, Austria, by far my favorite place on the trip. What struck me the most were the painted houses and buildings: pinks and grays were neighbors to yellows and greens—and for some reason they all seem to get along quite nicely.

     One interesting color factoid emerged from our tour through the countryside (The Sound of Music tour; don't laugh—I initially resisted, but it turned out to be a great way to see the city) and a stop at Hellbrunn Palace, a striking yellow-gold summer home built for the Archbishop of Austria in 1613, which you can see from a mile away. Our guide informed us that “Schonbrunn Gold” was the favorite color of Archduchess of Austria Maria Therese and thus became the standard for her palace buildings, garden walls, and just about any administrative built under her rule. The color is also supposed to have the unique characteristic of repelling mosquitoes. Interested in trying it out for yourself? The closest thing I can find is Farrow & Ball's “Babouche 223.” Luckily, it's not available in exterior masonry paint (I don't think your neighbors are quite ready for your Austrian bungalow), but it is available in exterior eggshell-perfect for doors, gates, large flower pots, or even your old picnic table. Just add a stein of beer and your palace is complete.

-Adam Moroschan

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08/07/08

Obsession | Charming Chairs

I’m a sucker for the words “Paris flea market” or “Paris café.” Use them in the description of your product and I’m like Pavlov’s dog with measuring tape. Yes, I’m very nostalgic about the several months I spent living in Paris after college (though I don’t miss stepping in Pavlov’s dog's poo every day as perfectIy dressed and irritatingly smug Parisian women looked on pityingly). Anyway, I love these chairs not only for how they look, but for their associations. The white one, described on the Willow website as “styled after a 1940's Paris flea market treasure,” caught my eye yesterday while I was checking out Willow’s new offerings online. The galvanized steel chair has been on my radar for a long time. It’s available at DWR and through the Sundance Catalog, where it is described as follows: “First manufactured in 1934, these ever-stylish steel chairs were designed to withstand the wear-and-tear of bistro and brasserie patrons while remaining ever-recherché.” They are still made in France today. Oh charming chairs, take me away!

—Gina Bazer

Photos courtesy of Willow and Sundance

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