A Fair to Remember
Birds of a feather are flocking together up on the North Shore, where for the first time ever, the events formerly known as the Winnetka Antiques Show and the Modernism Show have been combined into one entity, the Antiques + Modernism Winnetka Show. It makes good sense to me, as I always saw something of an overlap with the two. (It seems to be a trend, this sort of merging of minds—earlier this month the Mart’s Antique Show had its Emporium section, focusing on eclectic fun goods at affordable prices.) The big noise in Winnetka happens this Friday through Sunday, with a $15 ticket, and there are a couple of special la-di-da parties and events that will cost a bit more. This tableau is from the Finnegan Gallery, a private Chicago dealer specializing in garden furniture, architectural elements, and folk art.
Rug Rage
The Rug Company, England’s luxe, fashion-focused carpet makers with the lay-it-on-the-table moniker, rolled into River North last week with anticipation and excitement not seen since Liz Taylor’s Cleo got a meet-and-greet with Rex Harrison’s Caesar by barreling out of a berber in Cleopatra. After seeing the space, I’m happy to say that the end well justifies the means. The glittering 3,000-square-foot box of a showroom (with 30-foot ceilings!) perfectly showcases the company’s collection of dramatic rugs, cushions, and wall hangings, and it’s nice to be able to see and smooch these lauded babies in person. This is Susan and Christopher Sharp’s 15th store, and only the fourth in the U.S. The Brits started the biz in 1997, and offer handmade mats envisioned by such dapper designers as Vivienne Westwood, Kelly Wearstler, Paul Smith, Tom Dixon, and the gone-too-damn-soon Alexander McQueen, whose pillow is pictured here (that recognizable skull pattern is available on tightly knit rugs as well). All RC’s products are made in Nepal and India, with emphatically ethical standards, and can be custom ordered to your specifications.
Art à la Carte
During the Design Harvest event a few weeks ago, I was more than a little impressed by the home offerings at the businesses that dot the 1800 block of West Grand Avenue year-round, from Post 27 to SG Grand to one of the newest studio-showrooms, Buckingham Interiors + Design. Interior designer Julia Edelmann hung her shingle here this summer, but is celebrating the move this week with a fine art exhibition on site, curated by the Gregg Lane Art Management company. Gregg Lane is an arts consultation, installation, and framing company headed by partners Lisa Gregg and Kate Lane Ferraro, and the ladies bring a lot of knowledge to the table garnered over years of experience working in galleries, art consulting, and architectural design marketing. For this project (pictured) they selected works to complement Edelmann’s sense and sensibilities by Francine Turk and Kimberly Thurston, all available for viewing and purchase by appointment. They’ll also help clients acquire and display personal collections, as well as organize this type of temporary retail exposure.
Pitt Step
The Bridgeport high-end hotel furniture liquidator Fort Pitt is on the move, and as of Monday, Oct. 25, will have spacious new digs (60,000 square feet, on a single level) at 4920 S. Central Ave. This is your wakeup call to check out the bargains at the old location at 1400 W. 37th St., which will be open through Sunday, offering special moving-sale prices. This little patio set can be had for $79, all three pieces. Steve Zawitz has a good eye and a flair for the dramatic (witness his statement-making home, which we profiled last summer, if you don’t believe me), and he promises he doesn’t take all the best treasures home. If you’re skeeved a bit at the thought of bringing hotel furnishings home, don’t be—we’re not talking duvets and pillows here, and at these bargain prices you can reupholster and refinish and still come out ahead in the game. Might I suggest rising design stars Kylie Egge, and Kelly Rauch, or the seasoned stuffers at Romann Custom Upholstery, if you’re allergic to DIY.
What’s Your Poison?
Halloween falls on a Sunday this year, so Saturday would be a ghoulishly great time to throw a sophisticated cocktail get-together or dinner party for those of us of a certain age who aren’t going to be slapping on Snooki Bumpits or Avatar-ing ourselves a sheet-staining blue and hitting the bars, but still want to celebrate and spook-out in style. Art Effect has some seasonal suggestions for tableware (that won’t have to come out only on Allhallows’ Eve), such as these handblown old-fashioned glasses with skulls etched on both sides. If you’re beyond the big red plastic cups favored by frat-party planners and New Jersey housewives, a set of the $23 tumblers might make a nice edgy addition to your cabinets.
Dog Show
As of September, Anne Leuck Feldhaus’s Roscoe Village studio-gallery at 2040 W. Roscoe St. is open only by appointment or accident, so if your tail has been wagging for a pop-art (pup-art?) portrait of your pet, tomorrow night from 6 to 9 p.m. is a good time to stop by and see what the options are, while helping out the Chicago Animal Care and Control organization. Enjoy wine, savories, and locally made Parks Chocolates, and maybe even take home an adoptable friend. Donate a pet supply (leashes, collars, dog beds, box of treats, etc.) and you’ll get 20-percent savings on any of Anne’s artwork or gifts.