December 2009

Tomorrow Wright holds an auction of modern glass featuring masterworks from the 20th and 21st century, curated by Dan Ripley. Find many works by Dino Martens (pictured here). Wright now features live bidding online.

-JAN PARR

With Chanukah fast approaching (it starts December 11), there’s precious little time left to up your menorah factor. If I didn’t have to buy a boatload of superhero and Transformer-related toys for my four-year-old, maybe I would have some cash left over for aesthetically pleasing Judaica. Probably not this dreamy ebony and hand-forged steel beauty by Caste, which is $3,870 (top left); then again, Hannukah is all about miracles. The more likely option would be Jonathan Adler’s stoneware Utopia Man/Woman modular design ($295). Bonus: “Each piece is reversible with a hipster on one side and a ye olde character on the other,” per the website. The nice thing about a statement menorah is that you can display it year-round. The drawback is that it would be a shame to actually use it.

—GINA BAZER

Where’s Chicago’s  next Nate Berkus? HGTV is looking for designers to be on its Design Star on-air competition show. See the website for info on applying. Producers say they’re looking for passion, personality, and expertise. Oh, and of course, it wouldn’t hurt if you look great on camera. The deadline is January 19, 2010.
Camera-shy but still love a good contest, especially one that can win you a trip to Spain? Accredited architects and designers are invited to enter Tile of Spain’s contest. This trade group will take three designers and/or architects to Granada to see the Alhambra Palace and then on to Valencia, the center of Spain’s ceramic tile industry. The trip is from Feb. 5–13; applications must be received by Dec. 23. Get the entry form here.

—JAN PARR