Photography: Milo Barsanti-Gonzalez

The Frenchman’s Wife, La Grange

FRENCH CONNECTION
Even though Lisa Barsanti scores most of her antiques and one-of-a-kind finds on buying trips around the Midwest, they all have the same romantic European sensibility. After years of selling her wares at vintage markets and fairs around Chicagoland, she finally has opened a shop—The Frenchman’s Wife, open Fridays and Saturdays only—in the western suburbs. Is she actually married to a Frenchman? Non. But who cares? She’s got great taste. 8 S. Stone Ave., La Grange —Jessica Nikolich

 


Photography: Kimberly Creswell-Postma

Owners Jason and Rob Colosi-McCann; Inside Home, Chicago

MIX MASTERS
Ukrainian Village’s Inside Home sets a gleaming example for how good old and new can look together. Owners Jason (standing) and Rob Colosi-McCann marry mid-century pieces by Paul McCobb, Milo Baughman, George Nelson, and Warren Platner with accessories from such contemporary lines as Arteriors Home and Made Goods. Plus, they sell a line of their own upholstered furniture (sofas start at $1,800). Vintage or not, “we gravitate toward modern and Regency styles,” Rob says. 1942 W. Chicago Ave., insidehomechicago.com —Gina Bazer

 


Belgian white–finished birch chandelier from Alexa Hampton

LIGHT STUFF
Southern belle Circa Lighting has come to River North. The Savannah, Georgia–based company’s 2,800-square-foot showroom has more than 500 indoor and outdoor offerings, from Old World reproductions (such as this Belgian white–finished birch chandelier from Alexa Hampton, $2,730) to chic contemporary numbers. 444 N. Wells St., 312-321-1869 —J. N.

 


Mirror and desk from Frank Ponterio’s new line for Avrett

TO BE FRANK
If local interior designer Frank Ponterio has signed his name to it, it’s going to be polished. The 11 pieces in his new line for Avrett (including this gilded-bronze mirror and desk with a vellum-wrapped top and an iron base finished with gilded bronze, prices upon request) will fit comfortably in a classic space, like, say, Ponterio’s own 1924 David Adler house in Lake Forest. At John Rosselli
& Associates, Merchandise Mart. —J. N.