July 2008

 Feeling creative? Got a cool concept for a piece of art, something in fashion, furniture, or an interior design element? Want to win $10,000? Nate Berkus is judging a design contest, sponsored by Basil Hayden Bourbon and Out magazine. Submit your design concept here by August 15. You have to be a resident of Illinois, Ohio, or Wisconsin, and be a least 21. (All the rules are at the link above.) 

—Jan Parr

 
 

John Reeves’ “modern-Baroque” dining and occasional tables (and bookcases) are just the ticket for schizophrenic designphiles who (like me) want it all: classical, contemporary, minimalist—you name it; these pieces have elements of each. All are made from solid wood and finished in lacquer or veneer (they’re available at Stitch in oak veneer and red, black, or white lacquer). 

—Gina Bazer
 

Images courtesy stitchchicago.com
 

 
I'm not sure if I'm going to add the new CBS show Swingtown to my TiVo faves just yet, but it's a lot of nostalgic fun to check out the furniture and home design on this Winnetka-set series that starts out in the summer of 1976. The shag carpeting’s wall-to-wall, the kids play Gnip Gnop  in a red, white, and blue bedroom, and there is more avocado than in Rick Bayless’s walk-in cooler. Upright yet open-minded Bruce and Susan move across the street from swingin’ Trini and Tom, who have awesome pool furniture. I got in touch with set designer Beauchamp Fontaine (you’re not going to find THAT on a keychain at Navy Pier!), who told me some of those chairs are Verner Panton S-chair repros, available locally at Orange Skin for $245, and the molded fiberglass lounge chairs ($595) came from Room Service L.A.  Groovy!

—BRADLEY LINCOLN