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I haven’t blogged about my new old house in a little while, largely because there is so much to do to whip this place into shape that the time to blog about the process is scarce. Also, I’ve realized that the world just doesn’t need another person chronicling the updating of their ancient home… well maybe I’ll change my mind about this once we finally get to the fun stuff, (i.e., decorating). So far, we’re mired by boring stuff like electrical work and new windows (which, by the way, are no longer going to be vinyl—we’re springing for wood and doing fewer windows at once; that’s just one example of how much energy goes into making the smallest of decisions… it took us a month to determine this game plan—now how long will the installation take?!). Here’s what has happened so far. Trusty friends Larry Vodak (owner of Scout) and interior designer Laura Soskin came over to take a gander at the new crib before remodeling commenced. They gave me the following tips:

Go as dark as possible on the floors. (We went dark, but probably not as dark as they were talking about; anyway, it looks so much better than the original scuffed-up golden oak!)

Laura suggested an amazing color for the walls, something that goes great with those dark floors: Martin-Senour Paints’ Soapstone. She is absolutely right. So far, only one room has been painted in this subtle grayish-taupe-ish shade, with Benjamin Moore’s White Dove in a satin finish for the trim. Love it!

They also gave me good advice about how to approach the challenging shape of my living room. They advised using one big rug to unite the space (I had planned on doing separate seating areas). And, here’s their secret budget tip: Cost Plus World Market in Evanston has an outdoor sisal rug that can be ordered for cheap by the foot; you can cover your whole living room for $150. Of course, it won’t be the plushest of surfaces, but you can unite your space and save the rest of your funds for furniture!

Here’s what I’ve learned the hard way: rain showers aren’t all they’re cracked up to be! I was so excited that we were buying a house that already had one. Then I stood under this thing and, yes, I got wet. But that’s about it. The pressure is like zero, as is the invigoration quotient. I felt like I was falling asleep in there. The shampoo was impossible to wash out of my hair. It was the most stressful shower of my life. Mercifully, there is a handheld component to this system that has more pressure. That was my saving grace. As for the much ballyhooed rain shower? You’re outa here.

—Gina Bazer

I recently attended the MCA’s press preview of the provocative and downright kitschy artist Jeff Koons and was left inspired by the way Koons elevates everyday household items to high-art status. Hoover Convertibles under glass. Wow! A toaster memorialized in a florescent bulb backdrop. Cool! We sit around in editorial planning meetings oohing and ahhing about the latest stainless pots and pans, groovy garbage cans, and finely designed bars of soap. Hey, don’t we, too, desire to bring people the latest in cool wares? Don’t we memorialize materialism? Note for next meeting: figure out a way to elevate it to a new level. Does the MCA hear us knocking? Just teasing Mr. Koons. Seriously, please pop by this only-in-Chicago affair and see how it inspires you.

-BARRI LEINER

The Elmhurst-based carpet company FLOR  has just released a line of eco-friendly modular tiles inspired by the textile designs of iconic Herman Miller mid-cent-mod tastemaker Alexander Girard, and they are a sunny delight. The folksy, colorful patterns were based on the interior design of  La Fonda del Sol restaurant, a 1960s New York eatery that was completely envisioned by Girard, from the dishes to the furniture to the napkins. There’s so much to like about FLOR tiles—you can mix and expand (these would be great wall-to-wall in a small space, mixed with solid squares), they fasten to each other so no gunky adhesives are needed, individual tiles can be removed for cleaning or replacement, and they keep things fresh by launching different patterns all the time. Martha Stewart even has a line, and Martha don’t make no junk. The La Fonda del Sol comes in four six-tile designs measuring three-by-five feet, and are available at A Cooler Planet, I.D. Chicago,  and Healthy Green Goods for $159.99.

—BRADLEY LINCOLN

PR contact at FLOR: Gina Forst, gforst@flor.com, 630-516-4230

Indie home shops have been hanging up their shingles in Andersonville at a frenzied rate these days, and there’s a brand-new kid in town that really shines. Owner Paul Lechlinski chose this strip of North Clark (5438 North) to open Room Service in part because of its proximity to Scout and White Attic, and there’s definitely a shared sensibility. Lechlinski, a California native, has a background in the luxury apparel industry and moved to Chicago four years ago to head up Oak Park–based Oilily USA. He’s put together a great mix of vintage furniture/accessories and new product lines here, including a collection of Lafco House & Home candles ($52) concocted by fragrance for each room in the house. Cilantro-orange-watercress for the kitchen, fresh-cut grass for the laundry, etc. The mid-century furniture is culled from all over the country, and impeccably reupholstered and refurbished. I was feeling this lacquered blue metal chest ($595) and tubular steel chairs ($250 each). Maybe I can find a denim-blueberry candle to go with them.

—BRADLEY LINCOLN

Most of our staff came out last week for Trimline Custom Designs, who does a lot with veneers and custom woodworking. He talked about how to trick out standard cabinets,including various hinge options, backlighting options, veneers, etc. (I really like the bar stool prototype on his site as well.)•45 degrees has made four very modern … Read more

Highland Park home décor devotees have probably noticed the relocation of the once teeny (well, 1,200 square feet is teeny when your furniture is scaled for North Shore homes) Jolie Maison at 640 Central Avenue to its roomy new headquarters across the street at 643 in the 6,500-square-foot space of a former Banana Republic (phone number is 847-433-4555). It’s kind of refreshing to see a chain being replaced by an expanding independently owned biz (not that I don’t gladly swoop down on the sale rack at Banana whenever given the opportunity!). For those who don’t live in the HP, here’s the DL: In addition to carrying luxurious traditional-feeling furniture, accessories, and bed and bath wares, the store offers design services and in-home consultations. It is the largest distributor in the Midwest of Burton James furniture (see photo of sofa to get a feel for this swanky line). Jolie also carries hard-to-find brands, including the Parisian line R&Y Augousti, known for its signature exotic skins on everything from purses to furniture. This is a no-minimalists zone.

—Gina Bazer

We’ve heard of lots of fun sales lately: Andrew Hollingsworth is have a “garage sale” at its warehouse at 2021 W. Fulton  and at its showroom at 222 W. Huron. Find contemporary and vintage furniture and accessories marked down 30 to 90 percent off list (such as this Louis XVI armchair for just $250). The deepest discounts will be at the warehouse, an employee tells me. The sale is June 13 and 14, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Pottery Barn on Michigan Avenue is closing and having a blowout sale. Champagne Furniture Gallery is moving to the Mart in August and clearing out everything at 30 to 50 percent off. And Poggenpohl in the Mart is clearing out several of its modern display kitchens at at least 50 percent off.

–JAN PARR

Holly Hunt, center, with interior designers Laura Kirar and Doug Levine (her former staffers, featured in our May/June issue)

It was the biggest design party of the year. That’s a risky statement as I am not the biggest partier at the office, but I’m going to throw it out there ’cause I haven’t been to a party like this in a long time (I blame a certain three-year-old who lives in my house for this). Holly Hunt’s 25th anniversary bash Monday night on the terrace of the Harris Theater was HUGE. Some 1,200 beautifully dressed people showed up to fete the design doyenne, who seemed genuinely touched by the show of support as she addressed the crowd from the stage before introducing the evening’s entertainment, Poi Dog Pondering. Hunt is beloved by the design industry and this showed—as did her long-held business mantra of offering the “best in class.” The food and wine were abundant and delightful, and the setting was classic and perfectly appropriate. Guests looked like movie extras lounging on the Holly Hunt Great Outdoors casual furniture line, displayed in surprisingly un-muted tones, below a gigantic billowing white tent that was illuminated by modern orange-shaded fixtures. Even the day’s iffy weather cleared up just in time. Here’s to another 25!

—Gina Bazer

Photos by Chris Guillen Photography