Dining With the Stars
DIFFA’s annual autumn Dining by Design benefit kicks off tonight, and this year they’re dishing out the event in several courses over three days. The popular fundraiser collects cash for Chicago-area HIV and AIDS service and education groups, and has cooked up an astonishing $5.5 million since its inception. Join participating designers and industry insiders who’ve created sybaritic tablescapes in Mart showrooms for tonight’s Cocktails by Design ($100), or stop over for an amuse-bouche Friday at the public open house from 10–2:00 ($10). The philanthropic feast continues Saturday with an appetizing table hop from 11–3 ($40), followed by the main course: a gala dinner and auction ($500). Notable designers and showrooms include Holly Hunt, Kravet, Atelier Lapchi, Maya Romanoff, and Steelcase. The dramatic setup here was served by Michael Del Piero for last year’s festivities.
Rugamarole
Leslie Hindman auction house has gone all Arabian Nights for a week or so, partnering with Oscar Isberian Rugs to put on a massive carpet-bomb tag sale of more than 500 handmade rugs, at Leslie’s West Loop location. It’s bound to be a mixed bag, with a wide variety of styles, sizes, and prices. I’ve snagged some great deals on mats and area rugs when these two fashionable friends have joined forces in the past, so if you’re looking for some quality floor coverings, check this out. The sale will run Friday, November 5 through Sunday, November 14, 10–5 each day.
Goltz Growth
Since starting the Artists Frame Service more than 30 years ago on a then-lackluster stretch of Clybourn Avenue thought of more as a commuter’s shortcut than the dining, entertainment, and home-decor destination it has become, Jay Goltz has expanded his business to include Chicago Art Source and Jayson Home & Garden. All of Jay’s babies have some goings-on going on this weekend, including the monthly Sunday frame-off at AFS and the new small-scale, original artwork that will be offered at the opening weekend of CAS’s Bizarre Bazaar, but I’m especially stoked for the Jayson Home & Garden discount sale, which will be taking place offsite at Goltz’s new, bigger-and-better warehouse located at 701 North Albany, on the western edge of Ukie Village. The sale runs Friday through Sunday, 10–5, and promises 50-to-90 percent off Jayson’s inventory of antiques, lighting, store props, samples, holiday and gift items, and furniture (such as this studly Delano chair, marked down to $599 from $1,495). Don’t worry about the schlep factor—you’ll get free local delivery on any items purchased, plus a coupon good for 15 percent off anything at Jayson this weekend.
A Date With Luxury
There’s a rare, swanky meeting of the high-minded next Thursday, November 11 from 6–9 p.m. at The Experience Event, held at the Chicago Luxury Beds showroom at 440 North Wells Street. Tesla Motors and Bang & Olufsen will be demonstrating their latest and greatest (test-drive one of Tesla’s zero-emission electric roadsters, and envelop your senses in the crème de la crème of B&O’s stylish home theatre and music systems), and founder of Chicago Luxury Beds, Mary Pat Wallace, will be on hand to show off sleeping beauties from Hästens and Vi-Spring and do her best to convince you that owning a $20,000 mattress belongs on your bucket list. Wallace first tried a Hästens bed on a trip to Sweden, and has since become a passionate exponent of their transformative abilities. (Who doesn’t feel superpowers after a great night’s sleep?) This is Vi-Spring’s Magnificence Supreme model; other styles include Sublime, Tiara, Baronet, and Regal—obviously the company has no issues with low self-esteem. To experience the sweet dreams, smooth rides, and astounding sounds, as well as champagne and hors d’oeuvres, RSVP by November 5 to statestreet@oebgroup.com or 312-787-6006.
Craft Services
The weirdness and wonder of SOFA is plopping down at Navy Pier this weekend, so get ready for an afternoon of oohing and aahing over insanely intricate sculptures, functional art pieces (lots of angular jewelry and crunchy wearable art, but elevated to the nth degree from typical art-fair offerings), and furniture. This is a fun show to take kids to, or the less-than-efficient art aficionados, as most of the works are approachable (in aesthetics, not price tags) and many are truly gasp- and smile- inducing. A ticket is $15, and will also get you in to see The Intuit Show of Folk and Outsider Art, another of my favorite shows, also presenting at Navy Pier this year.