November 2008

Cycle two of Bravo’s Top Design competition has come to an end, and the esteemed judges picked Nathan as the winner of the $100,000 cash and the four-page spread in Elle Décor magazine. Woo hoo. It seemed like the contestants were picked for their annoying laughs, celebrity relatives, or ability to perform shirtless, not for any great discernible design vision, and I mostly just watched to see what that crazy Kelly Wearstler would be wearing (a glitter beret and ankle socks with heels—cool!) and to hear Jonathan Adler’s snarky comments (these people were obviously working on his last, bare-ankled nerve by finals) rather than for design ideas. For the last challenge, the final three playas were given some cash and set off to furnish a townhouse. Beefy, Baldy, and Boho ran around L.A., and I was pleased to see them make a stop at Nadeau Imports. I’ve been a fan of the Chicago branch since it opened—they have a jam-packed warehouse full of solid wood furniture and accessories at unbelievable prices. One of the pieces Nathan picked was a huge Indian chest made of reclaimed wood, and Nadeau’s Midwest manager Keith Heric tells me they have one in stock that’s very similar (pictured above, 60” x 33” x 37”, $646). Using it in a smallish room with neutral furnishings almost cost Nathan his tiara (probably didn’t help that he referred to it as “an S&M sarcophagus”) but I think it’s got a great goth look, and would make a swell table base in a more suitable mise-en-scene. See you later, decorator! 

—BRADLEY LINCOLN

Don’t miss the St. Chrysostom’s Day School Holiday Faire this weekend, offering home accessories, jewelry, clothing, and more from dozens of local vendors, including interior design doyenne Alessandra Branca (witness her gorgeous taste in photo at left) and Home + Garden’s own style guru, contributing editor Barri Leiner, whose jewelry line, M&B Vintage (examples shown at right), is about as charming as it gets. The fair also offers free activities for kids and entertainment for adults. 1424 N. Dearborn Pkwy., 312-642-3422.

—Gina Bazer

Dining by Design, DIFFA’s big annual fundraiser, roared into town again last week at the Mart. At the cocktail party on Thursday, designphiles munched on crab cake, chicken, and shredded-pork sliders, sipped cocktails and Beringer wines, and took in the designer-designed tables. Shown here: Kara Mann’s goth forest space complete with Nymphenburg china, a mod and totally happy table by the students at Harrington College of Design (the trend of mixing modern chairs with traditional wood tables is one we’re seeing everywhere—these vintage chairs were donated by a faculty member), Sheri Zeman of Faux Design Studio’s faux-finished space (table, table base, walls, and floor are all faux-finished), and Susan Fredman Design Group’s elegant entry. Delicious.

—JAN PARR

Credit: Fredman photo by Nick Novelli, Novelli Photodesign.