I was driving down North Avenue the other day and noticed the birth announcement of a West Elm home store, sprouting up at North and Sheffield, in the old Whole Foods space. The modern furniture chain has planted the seeds for its first Chicago branch, opening February 3, and creative director Alexandra Bates is pretty excited about it. “We are thrilled to be expanding into the Chicago market,” shae says, “especially with the success…
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Got a bathroom in need of serious revamping? The Tile Shop is holding a contest to find the ugliest bathroom in the area. When they find it, they will bestow upon the owner tile, cabinets, fixtures, lighting, paint, and professional design and installation advice. Find all the details and enter by February 4 here.
—JAN PARR
Photograph: Courtesy HGTV.com
It’s amazing the beauty that can result from the need to conceal an ugly steel post in the middle of a room. In this 3,000-square-foot penthouse on the curvilinear southeast corner of Helmut Jahn’s 600 North Fairbanks building, architect Jon Salzmann of Eastlake Studio (eastlakestudio.com) designed a floor-to-ceiling media cabinet to cover the offending … Read more
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Just the other day I blogged about the staying power of yellow, but the folks at Pantone have other ideas. The color authority has selected 15-5519 Turquoise as the 2010 color of the year. Come to think of it, I have been craving a turquoise purse lately, and I got a scarf in that color last year, and have been happy to have it this season. Stop controlling my mind, Pantone! Still, for my home, I’m not loving this hue. Too harsh, I think. (Although Kartell’s Frilly chairs by Patricia Urquiola, shown above, are pretty fun. So is the floor in this Nantucket boathouse kitchen, featured in the current issue of House Beautiful.) Any other opinions on the matter?
—GINA BAZER
Distinctive modern architectural components add up to beauty, warmth, and light in a new house in Lincoln Park
What to want in 2010
Q: I’m not looking for a major redo of my home, but want to hire someone to help me rearrange, reorganize, and spruce things up. What should I know?
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Spurlock Antiques & Decorative Arts, a relative newcomer to the antiques scene in Chicago, is offering discounts on existing inventory (such as this unique desk made of Jasper stone) and consulting services. Serena Newmark Mout, who has done stints as Alessandra Branca’s art and antiques assistant and at Carswell Rush Berlin in New York, opened her business last year. She’s offering 30 percent off all merchandise in her small warehouse (open by appointment at 1645 N. Francisco Ave.) and is charging $30 an hour (down from $50) for consulting. Wondering if grandma’s couch is worth reupholstering? Looking for a specific type of painting or furniture? Mout can help. She works with designers, collectors, and architects to quickly locate pieces and give advice. The sale runs through February 28.
—JAN PARR
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I admit that I don’t think of Pier 1 first when I think of great design, but a couple of items recently made my head turn. Everyone on staff wants the 8 Ovals Mirror ($129), which is 35” wide by 3” deep and 21” high. And this Hayworth console ($350) is a glam piece that would sex-up any living room or entryway (buffet available for $800). Yes, Pier 1!
—JAN PARR
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If you are looking for pieces that are significantly rough around the edges, check out Urban Remains. This messy but charming hole-in-the-wall salvage shop in West Town has a great selection of any—and everything you can imagine ever coming out of a factory circa 1940. Stools, tables, lamps—all with great patina. Come on, grunge things up a little. The mixing of clean and contemporary (or even polished and more traditional), with anything old, rusty, and metal is a trend that’s not going away soon.
—GINA BAZER
