Ad Categories: Home and Garden

Lee Weitzman just sent us a pic of his new table, a riff on the classic Noguchi. Weitzman’s Mantis coffee table, shown here in mahogany, is available in five wood finishes; the size is customizable. He’s working on a design for a side table to complement this one as well.

—JAN PARR

Rain may have dampened the turnout at The Guerrilla Truck Show on Tuesday, but, luckily, design enthusiasts could seek shelter and satisfy their cravings at the corner of Huron and Franklin where an empty showroom was taken over for the night by Object Society, an ad-hoc consortium of Chicago-based furniture designers. It was hard not to caress Michael Dreeben’s midcentury-modern inspired chair covered in a creamy tan cowhide (see photo above). Dreeben’s curvy lines also showed up on a cocktail table and wood-veneered light fixtures (pictured above), which he did in collaboration with Ray Doeksen — their simple elegance the result of countless hours of engineering, according to Ray. Michael Koehler never ceases to impress us with his gorgeous walnut creations, and the credenza he had on display made me consider whether all I might need to make me happy was one piece of furniture. (Did I dream it, or did the credenza really open up to reveal a hidden storage space for a rifle?) Other highlights included a great new floor lamp and fabulous teak outdoor lounge chair (pictured below) by Carson Maddox (Maddox’s pieces are on display for a limited time at Lee Weitzman’s showroom in the same building); Jason Lewis’s refined lounge chair (pictured below); metal nesting tables (pictured above) in a perfect color palette by metal+works; more inventive takes on recycled furniture by Roscoe Jackson — I was particularly taken by his white recycled-plastic nightstand with one organically shaped wood drawer. The group plans to hold other events in the future — follow us on Twitter and Facebook for updates!

—MEGAN DUFFY ROSTAN

Did you miss the work of recent School of the Art Institute grads at Milan’s Salone Internazionale del Mobile in April? You’re in luck—it’s moved here. “Making Modern,”  a new exhibit at the School’s Sullivan Galleries, showcases the work of recent Architecture, Interior Architecture, and Designed Objects grads. Shown here: backpack hook by Garrett Smith, and laptop pillow by Junghwan Chei. Through July 25.

—JAN PARR

We attended a party at MaxAlto on Superior Street last week and loved the vignette in the window—a perfect example of how to use color punches in a neutral setting. Speaking of color, we’re looking for bold uses of color in a room—if you’ve got a publication-quality photo of a colorful room you think we’d like, send it along, to jparr@chicagomag.com. We’ll contact you if we want to discuss using it in our September/October issue.

—JAN PARR

I had a sneak preview of the new Flor showroom—located in Jayson Home & Garden’s previous annex space, just south of the nursery, at 1873 N. Clybourn Ave.—the other day and was very impressed. As well done as the catalog is, it doesn’t compare to being able to see and feel the carpet squares in person. The store has small swatches of every color and pattern on display, as well as samples of the full-sized tiles (about 20 by 20 inches) that can be used within the store to build an actual demo rug (a section of the space is devoted especially for this purpose). For inspiration, large swaths in multiple colors and textures are grouped together on the shop’s floor. Still, it might be a good idea to arrive with a game plan because seeing so many options in one place can make you lose your focus. As of now, the storefront is simply a vehicle for the company to show its products up close and personal—customers will still make their orders online or on the premises with a sales person, and then get their rugs delivered to their homes. Things may change in the near future (for example, if a certain pattern is well-stocked, you may very well be able to pull up in your SUV and drive off with your rug). Shown above, Alexander Girard’s Flora rug kit (about $160 for a six-tile rug). The company’s new metallic designs are also very cool. Doors open today. Free parking across the street. Exciting times for Flor fans.

—Gina Bazer

I saw these great pieces in the window as I walked past Crate & Barrel the other day. I love Lucite anything, but the sophisticated detailing made these stand out. The tailored edges (in contrast to more-typical Lucite tables’ curvy silhouettes) allow for the placement of a lower shelf in the console—and make for a sharply modern statement in a foyer or living room. Vista console table, $599; Vista side table, $449.

—Megan Duffy-Rostan

This Saturday, June 20, the Oakbrook West Elm is hosting an event prior to opening (9am–11am) at which the in-store designers will offer decorating tips. Attendants will receive 10 percent off all purchases made that day just for attending class.

—Gina Bazer

Primitive, the West Loop dealer of Asian antiques and art, as well as contemporary furniture, has launched a new program called With Primitive, wherein local designers are invited to decorate a small room within the store using items from the store.  Shown above is a “before” and “after” of the first installation, done by Brian Snow of Semel-Snow Interior Design. If these snapshots are not enough, I can attest that the transformation was profound; I happened to be there the day Snow was plotting his first moves. The mother of pearl wall treatment by R&B Faux Studios is particularly impressive. I also like the double etageres—a formula that just never fails for lending drama and balance to a space. Snow’s scheme will be there until late summer, when another designer will take on the challenge.

—Gina Bazer