Ad Categories: Home and Garden

Debra Koertge is helping make suburban Geneva into more of a design destination with her new shop, Artemisia. She recently moved it from a quiet corner of St. Charles to Third Street, Geneva’s main shopping drag. The 3,000-square-foot space is filled with a smart and ever-changing selection of furniture, architectural artifacts, and the best work of local ceramists, jewelers, and woodworkers.

—THOMAS CONNERS

Have you been to Fishman’s Fabrics lately? It looks even huger than before! The fabric mecca just remodeled, raising its 12-foot ceiling to 22 feet high, exposing the original wood trusses and visually expanding the space. Since completing construction at the end of November, they have added about 1,000 rolls of upholstery from high-end furniture manufacturers from around the U.S., with new fabrics coming in every two weeks. Textile lovers, we guarantee you will feel like kids in a candy store. Those leather hides are $2.50 to $3 per foot.

—GINA BAZER

We’re liking arches these days—McDonald’s golden arches, that is. Since 1977, the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana have built four large-scale residences near hospitals for families whose children are receiving medical care far from home. It’s a wonderful non-profit that provides private rooms, hot meals, laundry machines, computer facilities, and emotional support for families with sick children. This month, RMHCC is starting work on the fifth Ronald McDonald House, scheduled to open in the spring of 2012 at 211 E. Grand Avenue in Streeterville. This “Skyline Oasis” will be 14 stories high, with 86 private rooms, a kitchen, and a rooftop deck, making it the largest Ronald McDonald House in the world.

But the RMHCC needs help, and who better than our readers to recognize the importance of a comfortable home close to the ones you love? Now through Dec. 25, Thos. Moser is accepting donations of new unused household items, from Clorox wipes and scotch tape to bath towels and queen sheet sets. Showroom manager Laura Murphy contacted RMHCC because Thos. Moser wanted to work with a local charity. You can also donate year-round at the four Chicagoland locations in Lincoln Park, Hyde Park, Oak Lawn, and Hines, or purchase a coconut fiber “Welcome” mat from the foundation for $50.

—LISA GARTNER

Love supporting independent design? Post 27 does. This hip antique shop is hosting a holiday shopping event tomorrow from 11AM to 6PM for Coterie, a local collective of artisans and designers. There is also a reception from 5 to 9PM tonight. Shown above, pillows by Coterie member Kiyomi Kimble.

—GINA BAZER

Arrelle Fine Linens is now offering in-home consulting and a window treatment service. The shop has enlisted veteran window treatment pro Phillip Bernal to help customers dress their windows. His services are free til the end of the year (normal charge is $150 per hour with a two-hour mininum for a home consult, but the fee can be applied toward purchases of $500 or more). Arrelle has also expanded its fabric selection to include more fabrics with ultraviolet protection, insulation, and light-blocking qualities. Too focused on the holidays to think about curtains and shades? The shop has great gifts and free gift wrapping.

—JAN PARR

Through January 30, stop by Primitive’s showroom (like you need an excuse) and see the room vignette designed by designer Madeline Gelis. We attended the opening reception a few weeks ago and were wowed all over again by Primitive’s four floors of fabulousness.

—JAN PARR

Tomorrow Wright holds an auction of modern glass featuring masterworks from the 20th and 21st century, curated by Dan Ripley. Find many works by Dino Martens (pictured here). Wright now features live bidding online.

-JAN PARR