Thousands of tulips and daffodils greeted guests at The Chicago Botanic Garden Antiques & Garden Fair this weekend. My heart really gets racing for the display inspiration here. The dealer booths are packed with enough ideas to send you straight home to reconfigure and recover your furniture, rehang your artwork, and spruce up the tabletops arrangements in every room and on your patio. A vintage baseball mitt collection, shell assortment, even ‘40s swimsuits became art when framed. A pristine pink Salterini wrought iron patio set from Martha Peck was a show stopper. Ginsing root burl chairs from Pagoda Red were also faves. Michael Del Piero conducted a standing-room-only tablescape demo that had everyone swooning. William Heffernan Landscapes created a yards-long French picnic complete with white kites, moss covered stone benches, and baguettes that was beyond perfect. Molly Flavin floral design of Lake Bluff is a new favorite for her custom arrangements. Just think—just 11 months til next year’s show!
–Barri Leiner Grant