Heartland Honeys
If driving to Harbor Country is on your bucket list for the summer, then grab your keys and a copy of the summer issue of Chicago Home + Garden—which has a nice little guide to shopping in Harbor Country—now. This Saturday, June 9 is the Heartland Alliance Home & Garden Tour (yes, it’s only two days away, but come on, this is your bucket list!). What makes these houses—be they craftsman cottages or modern structures—such gems is that they’re designed for kicking back and appreciating nature, so the same relaxing vibe pervades the tour. I’m particularly intrigued by Nancy Nagy’s “Secret Garden” in Union Pier, a cottage with intricate landscaping done by Roger Boike that took 10 years to complete. The tour is 10 a.m.—6 p.m. eastern time. Tickets are $100 in advance; $125 at the door. Check-in is at the Lakeside home decor shop Lovell & Whyte. After you’re hoarse from ooh-ing and ahh-ing, hit the silent auction and after-party, from 5.p.m to 8 p.m. eastern time, at Burnison Galleries in Lakeside (where a $100 raffle ticket could win you tickets to a week in Paris!). Proceeds go to the Heartland Alliance for Human Needs and Human Rights. —Gina Bazer
Uptown Goods
We love the fact that, over the past few years, Uptown has landed a pin on the vintage-market map, thanks in part to the awesome Vintage Bazaar, which returns to the Aragon Ballroom, 1106 W. Lawrence Ave., from noon to 5 p.m. on June 10. Expect dozens of fantastic outdoor and indoor vendors; we’re talking Houndstooth, Manly Vintage, Jet Set Vintage and more. Admission is $5; kids 12 and under are free. There will be food trucks, food not on trucks, music, and alcohol. Plus, Uptown historian Albert Walavich will conduct free 25-minute architecture tours of the Aragon Ballroom on the half-hour between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. I’m pretty sure I’ll feel better about buying a bunch of stuff if I also do this tour. Because if you don’t do the tour, you’re just plain materialistic. —GB
Book It
On June 10th, from 1-2 p.m., HGTV star Monica Pedersen and Chicago Home + Garden editor Jan Parr will appear at the Good Eats tent at the Printer’s Row Lit Fest. Pederson, the author of the new book Make it Beautiful: Designs and Ideas for Entertaining at Home, will be doing a demo on entertaining and Jan will bemoderating a Q&A session with her afterward, as well as signing copies of Chicago Spaces: Inspiring Interiors. —GB
Extreme Makeovers
Everything old really can be new again. At least that’s what the duo behind Co’tour believes. The two designers go around to sample sales and estate sales, pick up cool furniture that would otherwise get tossed aside, and enlist the help of local artisans and companies to refashion the pieces into modern home décor. I’ve spotted some of their wares at Dose Market, and Bridgeport consignment shop Coyle & Herr, and this Friday you’ll be able to see it in Pilsen as part of the Chicago Arts District 2nd Fridays Gallery Night. On display will be armchairs in gold leaf fabric or metallic silver (shown here) and tables and desks in vibrant colors. The event is in artist Bryant Johnson’s gallery at Art Revolution from 6 to 10 p.m. And if you see something you like, go ahead and buy it! Many items will be marked down 20 percent. —Alice Oglethorpe
Guerrilla Fanfare
The 8th annual Guerrilla Truck Show is back on June 12th, and promises to be bigger and better than ever. The event, which takes place in the loading docks around Morlen Sinoway Atelier at Aberdeen and Fulton Mkt., is a nontraditional way to see the work of local independent artists and designers. Each truck (there will be more than 40) will have its back rolled up to reveal new products and designs inside. Take a peak while listening to music from live musicians and a DJ), sipping on wine, and nibbling on food from Big Delicious Planet. It’s all free and runs from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.. No RSVP necessary. Nearby, at 217 N. Carpenter, don’t miss the Bright and Shiny exhibit, a show featuring the design work of Strand Design, Studio Murmur, and others. —AO