High Culture Meets Lowe’s Culture
Curated sales are not just for the members-only denizens of One King’s Lane or Joss & Main anymore. Lowe’s has just launched 3Flat—its own take on the limited-time-offer designer-backed online sale—and unlike cupcakes, food trucks, and Uggs, this concept is hitting Chicago first. Sales are themed by project (such as patio makeover or bathroom remodel) and the elements—which, so far, seem to have a modern bent—are available for three weeks before they are replaced by new selections. The website also has a few dozen other “featured” home-improvement products that are available at all times, ranging from pillows to deck stain. —Gina Bazer
Decadence by DIFFA
They say you can’t judge a book by its cover, or a wine by its label (though, personally, I’ve gotten by pretty well with this method), but can you judge a party by its promo video on Vimeo? This year’s farm-to-table-themed DIFFA gala, “Believe Gardgengala 2012,” has a teaser so lush, so beautiful, so heirloom-tomato-ish it’s like foodie porn. So, let’s just say I have a pretty good feeling about this year’s event. It’s Saturday, June 9; check diffachicago.org for deets. —GB
Color Burst
I am a huge fan of Andersonville’s White Attic and if you haven’t been there lately, I suggest stopping by (or checking the Facebook page, where offerings are updated weekly). The bold color trend that’s so hot right now in fashion (don’t you just love how walking into J. Crew feels like taking a Skittles shower?) is in full force at Terry Ledford’s cheerful shop. Check out the fruity furniture—it’s still mostly reimagined vintage, with some new White Attic-designed pieces mixed in. —GB
Happy Birthday, Haymaker!
Tomorrow is the one-year birthday for Andersonville’s Midwestern-made furniture and home accessories mecca The Haymaker Shop. To celebrate, they’re throwing a party for you all weekend long. Any time you make a purchase on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, you get entered into a raffle with numerous chances to win (top prize: a $250 gift certificate to the store). And Sunday things get really festive with an all-day customer appreciation event. There will be balloons, beer, and a few fun surprises. Want even more special discounts? Become a fan of the store on Facebook or follow them on Twitter (@haymakershop)—where they’ll announce extra birthday treats. —Alice Oglethorpe
The Art of the City
One of the things I love most about Chicago is its skyline—is there anything better than the first glimpse of it when you’re driving in from the airport after a trip away? So I recently decided that I wanted some representation of it in my home and searched Etsy to see what they had. The answer: Lots! I’m still deciding between a white drawing of the skyline printed on a piece of reclaimed barn wood, a more modern print of the outline of the skyline in a bold orange, and this cool throw pillow (shown here).—AO