five-year, $16.875-million contract with the Chicago Blackhawks in late June, David Bolland is now working on another contract: the one to purchase a seven-bedroom house in Lake View..." /> five-year, $16.875-million contract with the Chicago Blackhawks in late June, David Bolland is now working on another contract: the one to purchase a seven-bedroom house in Lake View..." /> five-year, $16.875-million contract with the Chicago Blackhawks in late June, David Bolland is now working on another contract: the one to purchase a seven-bedroom house in Lake View..." />
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August 2009
Still Lovin’ Lille
   

Remember Lille a Shop on North Avenue? I was so sad when it closed, but it does still live online—and it’s got some great stuff on sale right now!  Shown above, this Michael Ruh hand-blown vase is marked down from $198 to $85; the six-inch semi-precious agate tray is also on sale, and going fast, $20 for a set of two. Perfect for gifts or to decorate your own tablescape.

—GINA BAZER

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Lofty Ambitions Deliver an Urbane Home—Near North Side
By Dennis Rodkin
List Price: $3.4 million
The Property: It must have been blind optimism that convinced Tom Tremback back in 1991 that he could turn a fleabag of an apartment building into a loft-style home. Whatever it was, he bought a 100-year-old structure on LaSalle Street that held five decrepit apartments and started renovating. It took ten years of work before he could move in—and a few more before he could call the entire place a... Read more
Bathroom Break
 

I had dinner recently at Nightwood, a wonderful place from the Lula Café people (see our story about the fantastic artwork at Lula here that was designed by Kevin Heisner (Empire Liquors, Bar DeVille, Angels & Kings). While going to the bathroom was not the highlight of the evening, I was impressed by howstylin’ it was for a loo (don’t laugh—we take bathroom design seriously around here!). It felt like it belonged in a vintage apartment more than arestaurant, actually. Heisner and his team did all the moldings and painted them in Benjamin Moore’s Honey Oak to match the handmade Moroccan cement tiles on the floor (from the online dealer Mosaic House. I love the black sink, too, though it could use some nicer pipes sticking out underneath. If you want a vintage look that feels fresh, try this for inspiration.

—GINA BAZER

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French Bliss
By Penny Pollack & Jeff Ruby
The Timeless Allure of the Bistro
Joseph Calabrese (owner of Zia’s Trattoria and veteran of Ambria and Spiaggia) has gone French at Café Touché (6731 N. Northwest Hwy.; 773-775-0909), a block from Zia’s. Calabrese describes the 80-seat spot—designed by his wife—as “a cross between a café in Paris and a French Quarter look in New Orleans.” The menu is straight-up... Read more
The Great American Novelty
By Michael Lenehan
The Fluffy Ball? Check. The Robolite Pop Up Book Light? Been there, done that. This time around, JD Ma, a Darien entrepreneur who connects American sellers with Chinese manufacturers, is on to something that just might revolutionize ... your closet? Read more
Guten Morgan
Don't-miss picks for 08.12.09 through 08.18.09: Who's crazier: Tracy or Tracy? … a Lolla redux for less … Béla Fleck's banjo odyssey … roving hordes of natty cyclists … more Read more
Light it Up
 

Ever since Scout opened six years ago, it has been home to the unique conversation-starting lamps of Ted Harris. If you are a fan of these re-purposed beauties, made of everything from bases of desk chairs to old globes to bowling balls, then Scout is the place to be this Friday night at 6-ish, when the shop will be illuminated by dozens of them, made especially for this special Ted-fest. Of course they'll be there until they're sold out, but Scout throws a pretty good party.

-GINA BAZER

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Mineral makeup boutique in Naperville
By Bridget Maiellaro
Made in the Shade
During her time as a fashion consultant and manager of various cosmetic counters, Heather Hanson, a Northwest suburbanite, stumbled into the field of mineral makeup more than a decade ago. Back then, the product was just breaking into the market and gave Hanson the idea to make a high-quality cosmetics line that was affordable. Hanson contacted... Read more