Restoration Hardware has always had reliable, quality pieces, but this fall’s collection, which arrived this past weekend to stores, has a truly distinct French-industrial style going on, offering dozens of gorgeous large-scale pieces—trestle tables, mirrors, sideboards—made out of distressed salvaged timber, and others made with hand-welded steel. Some items, such as the reproductions of the vintage draftsmen stools shown above, would be ideal to acquire in their original state, but, hey, they look pretty good new, too. The company had me last season with its still-available Brickmaker's Table, made out of 100-year-old wood planks (once used to transport bricks in Belgium) built into a distressed steel base, but this fall’s catalog really completes the modern French country look.
—GINA BAZER
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Restoration Hardware has always had reliable, quality pieces, but this fall’s collection, which arrived this past weekend to stores, has a truly distinct French-industrial style going on, offering dozens of gorgeous large-scale pieces—trestle tables, mirrors, sideboards—made out of distressed salvaged timber, and others made with hand-welded steel. Some items, such as the reproductions of the vintage draftsmen stools shown above, would be ideal to acquire in their original state, but, hey, they look pretty good new, too. The company had me last season with its still-available Brickmaker's Table, made out of 100-year-old wood planks (once used to transport bricks in Belgium) built into a distressed steel base, but this fall’s catalog really completes the modern French country look.
—GINA BAZER
" />
Restoration Hardware has always had reliable, quality pieces, but this fall’s collection, which arrived this past weekend to stores, has a truly distinct French-industrial style going on, offering dozens of gorgeous large-scale pieces—trestle tables, mirrors, sideboards—made out of distressed salvaged timber, and others made with hand-welded steel. Some items, such as the reproductions of the vintage draftsmen stools shown above, would be ideal to acquire in their original state, but, hey, they look pretty good new, too. The company had me last season with its still-available Brickmaker's Table, made out of 100-year-old wood planks (once used to transport bricks in Belgium) built into a distressed steel base, but this fall’s catalog really completes the modern French country look.
Restoration Hardware has always had reliable, quality pieces, but this fall’s collection, which arrived this past weekend to stores, has a truly distinct French-industrial style going on, offering dozens of gorgeous large-scale pieces—trestle tables, mirrors, sideboards—made out of distressed salvaged timber, and others made with hand-welded steel. Some items, such as the reproductions of the vintage draftsmen stools shown above, would be ideal to acquire in their original state, but, hey, they look pretty good new, too. The company had me last season with its still-available Brickmaker’s Table, made out of 100-year-old wood planks (once used to transport bricks in Belgium) built into a distressed steel base, but this fall’s catalog really completes the modern French country look.
SEEN IN ACTION at the Museum of Science & Industry’s Smart Home exhibit; msichicago.org Having a hard time finding just the right area rug? Create or customize your own through West Loop–based Organic Looms, an eco-minded company that works one-on-one with clients to design wool and silk rugs that are later hand-knotted in Nepal and … Read more
Frette has a fun new line called Edmond that offers the status of this luxury linen company without the price tags. The styles are also a bit more youthful. Prices range from $75 for a pillowcase to $425 for a duvet cover.
Now that we’ve got several choices for ultra luxe mattresses in town (Duxiana, Hastens, and Nilson at Haute Living), it makes sense that someone would come up with customized luxe pillows. Jolie Maison in Highland Park has recently added a Pillow Bar, a freestanding “bar” that contains all the ingredients to create a down pillow just for you. Side, back, or stomach sleeper—you’re covered (the pillows were designed with consultations from a neurosurgeon and a chiropractor). In just a few minutes, you’ll walk away with a monogrammed, 300-thread-count, double-stitched 100-percent cotton sateen pillow filled with sterilized and double fluffed 650-fill white Hungarian goose down, complete with a scented sachet.
Social networking is a hot topic these days, and Craftsquatsch, a Chicago designer and Twitterer, has launched a line of graphic pillows to celebrate the online phenomenon.
One of our favorite local designers, Maxine Snider, has introduced four designs for fall. Available to the trade through the David Sutherland showroom here, the pieces (available in different woods and finishes) are clean, elegant, and modern, as we’ve come to expect from Maxine.
Catherine Edelman Gallery, a premier dealer of contemporary photography in Chicago, is holding a workshop called In Focus to educate people about the ins and outs of starting a collection of this increasingly popular medium. Led by Catherine Edelman and other prominent members of the local art community, the class will meet at CEG on four consecutive Saturday mornings from 9:30 to 11:00 am, starting October 17. The fee is $100 for all four sessions. Registration has already started on the gallery’s website. Shown above: “American Gothic” by Julie Blackmon, photo courtesy of Catherine Edelman.
Nice vintage bookcases are hard to come by, especially those charming cottagey ones with the glass doors. White Attic is now offering custom-made versions of such old-school designs, based on some of owner Terry Ledford’s favorite pieces that he’s sold at his shop over the years. Prices range from $695 to $1,100, depending on size, and you can choose your colors and either satin nickel or oil-rubbed bronze hardware. All locally made. Allow four weeks for delivery.
Remember Lille a Shop on North Avenue? I was so sad when it closed, but it does still live online—and it’s got some great stuff on sale right now! Shown above, this Michael Ruh hand-blown vase is marked down from $198 to $85; the six-inch semi-precious agate tray is also on sale, and going fast, $20 for a set of two. Perfect for gifts or to decorate your own tablescape.
