Hobnob with the ninth Earl of Spencer (that would be Charles, brother of the late, lovely Diana, Princess of Wales) at Barrington’s Honquest Furniture for Living, this coming Tuesday, September 8 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Charlie is in town to meet and greet fans…
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These porcelain cones ($20 each) from Grasshopper 510 are so cute, whether used for display or a vase or serving ice cream. The non-toxic, lead-free glaze makes them good for kids, too. Of course the kid will be bummed he can’t eat the cone. And you’ll be bummed if he drops it. Size is approximately 2¾ inches by 2¼ inches.
—GINA BAZER
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Kara Mann’s showroom is home to new pieces in the James Magni’s Home Collection. Magni, named one of Architectural Digest’s Top 100 Interior Designers, takes his inspiration from fashion (note the “cufflinks” on the armchairs, the “stilletos” on legs, and the use of metallic—a big fashion trend for fall/winter. Shown here: the Sting-Ray chair and the Jewel Table. The table is solid polished stainless steel with a hand-cast slab tabletop made from recycled glass. It’s mounted like a precious stone in a jewelry setting. Gorgeous!
—JAN PARR
Thousands of readers turn to Evanston graphic designer Jessica Jones’s blog, howaboutorange.blogspot.com, every month for posts on nifty craft and DIY projects. Now Jones’s own line of lively printed cotton canvas textiles is available at Bucktown’s The Needle Shop, 2054 W. Charleston St., 773-489-4230, and online at jcarolinecreative.com. Photography: Sarah Hartill for Robin’s … Read more
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The American Craft Expo has come and gone, but you can still check out the work of some of the local artisans who participated, including Andrew Stansell, who makes metal adaptations of traditional wooden furniture (such as this cabinet). Jordan Goodman’s X chair is a feat of engineering in ash with hand-tanned, cut, and stitched leather.
—JAN PARR
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The other day I blogged about the black sink and toilet in the bathroom at Nightwood. Shortly after, I got an email about the latest collection from Alessi: Il Bagno Dot in black (it came out in this color in May). This look is a bit more severe than that of Nightwood , but I gotta say, there’s something interesting about going noir in the loo. Il Bagno Alessi is available at Waterware.
—GINA BAZER
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Oak Park will soon have a new consignment shop for upscale home furnishings and accessories. Kellie Scott, the owner, is accepting consignments at 111 N. Oak Park Ave. She says she’s already got a ton of great finds, from a 1920s vintage art deco dining set to ultra modern tables and couches. Of particular interest: some 80 pieces from a modern furniture store that closed in Wisconsin recently. These brand-new pieces are at least 50 percent off their original price. She’s also got a $7,000 sectional that a North Shore interior designer is looking to unload because it’s the wrong color—it’s just $1,999. Divine Consign is open from noon–5 p.m. through the end of this week to accept consignments. It will be open to shoppers beginning Friday or Saturday, Scott says.
—JAN PARR
Photos courtesy Becca’s Blog at livehereoakpark.com
What could be better for die-hard Cubs fans than to have a memento of Wrigley Field in their own friendly confines? A local contractor who has worked on the interior of the ballpark has amassed quite a selection of historic seats, and is selling them at his warehouse-office located…
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I love the idea of Ellen Degeneres, Meredith Viera, Dr. Phil, and other daytime TV luminaries at the Orpheum Theatre for the Daytime Emmy Awards on August 29, chillin’ in the Green Room designed by Chicagoan Christoper Michiels. Michiels commissioned Sheri Zeman of Faux Design Studio to create some of her new custom textured art panels for the room. We can’t show you the Green Room, but here’s how this wall art might look in your living room.
—JAN PARR
The annual Dearborn Garden Walk is a great place to get inspiration for your garden. This year’s walk includes a tour of more than 20 Gold Coast gardens, ranging in style from minimalist to ornate. Five of the gardens will feature literature-inspired vignettes with furniture and accessories chosen by interior designers from local firms (SemelSnow’s … Read more
