Ad Categories: Home and Garden

Walking down Superior Street the other night, I spotted a shapely red fiberglass chair in a window across the street. I crossed Superior to get a better look and saw more colorful fiberglass seating and several other midcentury modern pieces, arrayed amid stacks of rugs. I was intrigued but left hanging: The store was closed, and there was no visible signage. So I walked by again the next day, saw a familiar face inside, and suddenly it all made sense. Juhm, the man with one name behind the recently shuttered White on Kinzie Street, has resurfaced to sell his reproduction classics at Generations Rug Gallery (200 W. Superior St.). He’s scaled back the offerings from his White days but also has some beautiful new pieces in wood—stools in the style of Finn Juhl, an incredible daybed in homage to Hans Wegner, and sleek modern planters. I’ll continue to save my pennies for the real thing, but I’m glad Juhm is back and that instant gratification remains an option. Store hours are Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m. to 7p.m., or by appointment: 312-222-0922.

—Megan Duffy Rostan
 

I’ve been going on and on for a while about how I’d like to bid on something at an auction. I’m scared of them for some reason—even eBay! So the other day after spotting the above table in the catalog for Leslie Hindman’s August 13 Marketplace auction, I mustered up the courage to go for it. OK, to be honest, a coworker of mine—an auction vet—shoved the phone-bid form in my hand and basically forced me to fax in the darn thing. I didn’t have much to lose. The estimated value of the table was $40 to $80. My max was $50.
    “They’ll probably call you and say, ‘We have an opening bid of $70,’ and then you can just say, ‘No thanks,’” my coworker said encouragingly. She also gave me a tip: “Don’t choose a round number like $50 or $100 for your limit; make it $55 or $110, because a lot of people have a round number in mind, and will drop out at that point. You’ll be mad at yourself if you stop at $50 and someone else gets it for just a few dollars more.”
     The next morning at 10:30, a polite gentleman from Leslie Hindman called, and from there on, it’s all a blur. I think he confirmed that I was indeed Gina Bazer, that I wished to bid by phone, that my lot would soon be up. In the background, I heard voices. It was the bidding process for the item preceding mine–“We have $400. Do we hear $425?” I thought, forget it, I’m out of this game. But then my turn came, and the nice man said, “We’re opening at $40. Would you like to bid $40?” And I said yes. There was some rumbling, and then suddenly I heard, “Congratulations. Someone from our accounting department will contact you later in the day.” What? That was it? The table was mine? I felt like I had won on a game show, which is exactly how my friend told me she feels when she gets her pick. The other nugget of info she shared a tad too late—since I was the only bidder, I probably could have gotten that table for $20! Oh, well. Bid and learn.

–Gina  Bazer
 

Aldo Castillo Contemporary in the River East Arts Center is having a large, eclectic group exhibition starting Friday, September 5 with nothing priced over $500. We’re not talking posters and sketches here—these are original paintings, prints, and sculptures, from 40-plus established international artists. Chicago image-makers include Lorna Marsh, Scott Ashley, and Luis Fernando Uribe. There’ll be about 180 pieces on view, and the show stays up through October 11. Seems like a great way to start up or beef up your home art gallery. Me gusto mucho the pieces shown above by Carlos Zamora (left) and Amparo Climent (right). There’s an opening reception from 5:30 to 8:30, and I’m guessing small cubes of cheese and plastic tumblers of chardonnay will be involved. If you’re still hungry, grab some ceviche and drink in the scene next door at over-the-top resto Delacosta.

—BRADLEY LINCOLN

The emerald ash borer infestation in our area is so sad. We’re likely to lose thousands of trees. A slight silver lining: giving the lumber from the trees a second life in the form of furniture. See what several local designers, including Barry Newstat (whose tables are shown here), Michael Dreeben, and Sean Scott, have designed using ash in a group traveling show. The stops: Morton Arboretum, August 22 to September 7; Hafele America, October 6-7; Design Within Reach, November 7-21, and 445 N. Sacramento Blvd., December 4-February 28.

—JAN PARR

Photography by Peter Rossi

Danish Modern furniture dealer Andrew Hollingsworth’s new book, called, simply, Danish Modern (Gibbs Smith), just arrived at our office. It’s hitting bookstores in October, but here’s a sneak peek of what you’ll find inside. 1. Lots of historical information and a good definition of what exactly this movement is, along with profiles on its key players (Arne Jacobsen, Finn Juhl, et al). 2. Pictures of important pieces. 3. Interior shots of homes showing Danish Modern in all its clean-lined glory, with Chicago residences designed by local designers figuring prominently. The book is both well organized and easy to read. Kudos to you, Mr. Hollingsworth-first for bringing us your amazing shop (and, yes, we even forgive you for moving and going to appointment-only!) and, now, this wonderful compendium of your knowledge and passion.

-GINA BAZER

Thos. Moser at Tree Studios on State Street is exhibiting the botanical photography of interior designer Laurel Feldman through October. Framed against white mats and hung in a group, the Georgia O’Keefe–esque photos seem to pop off the walls. Makes sense that a designer would find just the right shots.

—GINA BAZER