Ad Categories: Home and Garden

I can’t remember the last time I was asked, over lunch, “Jan, what’s your relationship with objects?” But this was Didier Milleriot, the owner of the now-closed Le Magasin on Wells Street, a French tabletop boutique. So the question seemed completely natural. It sparked a lively discussion about old things, new things, things we keep, things we give away. I believe I introduced the brilliant and quite-fluent Didier to the word “waystation,” a term I used to describe my basement, the place were unwanted objects go to chill out before they are given away. The main topic of lunch was Didier’s new Web site, ShopAndSource. On it, Didier, who, for personal reasons, moved back to France a few months ago, posts his daily finds—antiques, vintage pieces, and new decorative accessories he locates in the markets of France. All are for sale. Didier can also find a particular object for you (furniture, linens, an Art Déco vase). And should you find yourself traveling to Paris and/or Provence, he’ll shop the markets with you, translating and handling shipping arrangements. I love that he is completely upfront about his fees, which are posted on his site: about $128 to initiate a search, plus a 10 percent markup (search fee waived for big purchases). A day of shopping with the delightful Didier is about $900. Didier has already helped the owners of The Golden Triangle procure merchandise; see the results here. Judging from my interest in Didier’s finds, I’d say my relationship with objects is quite solid, thank you.

—JAN PARR

Brandon McCleskey, the owner of UberModern, a terrific, under-the-radar vintage modern showroom at 2256 West Grand, just returned from a buying trip in Miami. He found lots of great Lucite and white lacquer-just the stuff to lighten up your décor for spring.

-Jan Parr

I stopped by Green Home Chicago in the Fulton Market District the other day and my eyes (and fingers) were drawn to the same Tibetan Naturals handmade rugs I gravitate toward every time I stop by. These impossibly soft rugs are designed by Kurt Meinecke (who also designs rugs for Herman Miller) and made by Nepalese artisans out of various combinations of wool, silk, and/or yarn from plant fibers. No dyes are used; color variations depend on the breeds of the sheep used. The results are warm and wonderful, but not cheap—about $2,500 to $3,900 for a 5-by-7-foot size—and they must be special ordered. Small samples are on display at GHC, but for $250 you can order a 2-by-2-foot strike to get a sense of what the real thing would look like. Available exclusively at Green Home Chicago.

—Gina Bazer

The new Artistic Tile showroom at Luxe Home at the Mart is beautiful. If you’ve walked by you’ve probably noticed the wavy tile display in the window: it’s the Ambra Collection by Giovanni Barbieri. It undulates and reflects light—who knew stone could do these things? All hand-carved out of one piece of stone, each piece is a work of art and makes me think, once again, that stone does not just belong in the bathroom or kitchen. Ambra retails for $40.00 per square foot and is available in two sizes: 24 inches by 24 inches and 12 inches by 12 inches and three colors: Gris, Lake Blue, and Moss Green. Above are some more shots of the space (the gorgeous Taif chandelier, $2,200, is by Barovier & Toso, inspired by a similar design made in 1980 for the home of a Saudi king).

—Gina Bazer

Several months ago I moderated a panel at the Merchandise Mart about getting interior designers and landscapers to work together. Everyone agrees this is a great idea, but no one’s doing much about it. Now one prominent landscape firm has put its money where its mouth is. Schmechtig Landscape Co. has hired Christopher Michiels, an interior designer who was named “One to Watch” by the Merchandise Mart last year. “There are missed opportunities incorporating the views, both internal and external, with the awe-inspiring interiors and landscapes of our clients,” says Michael Schmechtig, president of the firm. “Coordinating color continuity, style compatibility, and mirroring of the homeowners’ personality will redirect the purpose of the beautiful large windows and doors and landscaping of our client’s homes." Sounds like a match made in heaven.

—JAN PARR
 

Everything at Zella Brown (besides special orders and consignments) will be 30 percent off on Saturday. 

—Gina Bazer
 

Seems like every pitch I get these days has claims to be green and low-cost. But here’s one that made me stop and look: MirrorMate Frames, a way to easily frame those big, flat bathroom mirrors found in so much new construction. So instead of throwing away the mirror, you attach a frame around it. You don’t even need to remove the mirror from the wall—just clip and glue the frame on. The company says it’s cheaper than buying a frame or a new mirror. Talk about your quick fix.

—Jan Parr