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This Friday night I will be sharing a rather unattractive sofa with Nate Berkus. How could this possibly be, you ask? Berkus will be a guest on the Interview Show hosted by my husband, Mark Bazer—and the venue, the charmingly bohemian Hideout bar at 1354 W. Wabansia will also be the location for a launch party I’m having for my new children’s book called “Now Hiring: White House Dog." Please join Nate and me as we try to give the Hideout a little makeover. With his magic touch, I predict it will look like the photo above in no time! At the show, you’ll also enjoy an interview with local author Joe Meno, live music, and comedy, all for only $5.  Show goes from 6:30 to 8 p.m., with the book release party following.

—Gina Bazer

Post 27 is celebrating its one-year anniversary this Saturday, April 25 from 5–9 p.m. with a kick-off party for Ottomania!, a special showing of one-of-a-kind ottomans made by 12 local artists and designers. The stools will be on view and available for purchase until May 24. Post 27 owners Angela and Barkley are also announcing expanded hours—their west side store will now be open on Mondays, so you can shop for mid-century-modern trappings, artwork, and eco-aware home goods seven days a week. Shown above: chrysanthemum design by textile artist Noel Ashby; round-top ottoman made of vintage belts by Aaron Pahmier of Greensawn Furniture. Aaron is featured in the May/June issue of Chicago Home + Garden—on sale May 1.

—BRADLEY LINCOLN

I’m not big on tattoos. Maybe I’m kinda lame, but I just think to myself, “Ouch—now was that really worth it?” when I see them. When I see a lot of them on one person, I swear I feel a bit of physical pain myself. But tableware with tattoo designs—that I can get behind! Steven Burgert from ID e-mailed recently that California-based Ink Dish Design has paired with Hollywood tattoo artist Paul Timman to make some bad-ass plates, and Burgert is carrying them at ID. On this note, I must refer you to a fun post about the tattoos of the glitterati written by one of our contributors, Lizzie Garrett, on her blog, Design Watcher. All I can say is: Et tu, Caroline Kennedy?

—Gina Bazer

My patient husband decided to be green and frugal and instead of replacing tile in our bath, he dug out the old grout and regrouted. I can’t believe how new it looks—shiny and white. If you don’t have that sort of determination, call Sir Grout, a local tile care and cleaning service. This DIY project actually inspired a bathroom remodeling story for our July/August special kitchen and bath issue, so stay tuned. I’ll also be blogging more about it.

—Jan Parr