Company Spotlight . . . Blu Dot Furniture

Do you love that large globe in the corner? Scout, in Chicago's Andersonville, has one available now. Hurry.

Furniture manufactured by Minneapolis-based design collective, Blu Dot, is showing up with increased frequency in my favorite design magazines and in stores like Haus in Chicago. You may recognize Blu Dot's clean lines and pops of color from the set of TV shows like Real World and Friends (finally an explanation for how they could afford those giant Manhattan apartments). It makes sense that Blu Dot's pieces are showing up in the media; they're stylish, contemporary and affordable.


This Blu Dot, inspired by McCobb's Origami chair, is available at Haus and I.D. and costs under $100.

So what's next for Blu Dot? The company is set to introduce 23 new pieces, including sofas, chairs and tables at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair in New York next weekend. To coincide with the release, Blu Dot is releasing their new catalog which was photographed by LA-based rocker photographer, Dan Monick. The catalog's funny, a quality sometimes (ok, usually) missing in the world of high design. Next up, Blu Dot's teaming up with Dwell magazine to sponsor a Furniture Design Competition; put your thinking caps on.

Do you own Blu Dot pieces? What do you think?




I love practically everthing about this image - the tile, the art, the chandelier, the yellow table, Robin's Egg Blue shoes and the goofy people.

Curiously enough, this image from Blu Dot catalog photographer, Dan Monick's website, brings to mind the famous "Pale Blue Dot," photo of Earth taken by Voyager from 4 billion miles away as it left our solar system (below).

This Week at . . . The Resale Connection

I've always wondered about the fabled antique shops and malls in the suburbs; were there really incredible deals to be had or was that just an urban myth? So when I ventured out to Lisle on an unrelated meeting, I was happy to discover the Resale Connection.

And it turns out, I stopped in at the right place. Julie, the friendly staff member, had been working there for nearly 27 years and was happy to share her experiences.

I asked her about mid-century modern. "We can take it or leave it," she said, immediately making it difficult to listen to her as I scanned the aisles for that $50 original Eames lounge chair.



What about Hollywood Regency?, I asked, remembering that Jan at the Ravensood Mall in Chicago said it was hotter than Danish modern. She scrunched up her nose as if she smelled something rancid. "You couldn't give it away." Damn that Adler. He was hitting these little towns, buying up the goodies cheap and then hoodwinking us with his "hot new styles".

So there are two reasons to make the (long, long) drive right off the bat. And as I discovered, the great deals are no urban myth. Take a look at my photos; if you see something you like, guess what it would cost in the city. Then divide that number by four or even five and you'll be in the ballpark.

The Resale Connection is located at 1719 Ogden Avenue in Lisle, IL. For questions, call 630-963-0600.






Imagine this chair (top, Resale Connection) painted a bright blue and it would take on a similar look as the chair in this image from Domino (bottom).




Lamp from Circa Lighting - north of $400


Lamp at Resale Connection - south of $50


Gorgeous chair at Johnathon in Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood, north of $500


Traditional club chair at Resale Connection, south of $50

Trend Report . . . Patterned Carpet is Back

Metropolitan Home




Patterned carpets are everywhere. It's breezy and cool now, but there's a 40% chance that it'll turn nasty before the end of the season.

Rooms I Love . . .

From the New York Times, July 19th, 2007

While much smaller than I prefer, I do appreciate the tasteful mix of marble, the formal chandelier and the traditional rug. But no skylight? No master bathroom terrace? How do they get by?

And while we're on the topic, I believe that every bathroom needs a chandelier - there's something about the combination that's a bit decadent and wonderful.

What do you think?

That Was Then . . . 1001 Decorating Ideas 1965

1001 Decorating Ideas - 1965

Some people don't shop vintage because they think everything will appear dated and tired. While this might be true sometimes, it's far from a universal rule. And to prove it, I've attached an image from a 1965 issue of 1001 Decorating Ideas. Look at the room color, lines on the chocolate chair and the pattern on the floor. All are back in a big way.

Throw in a zebra print, and this looks like it came right out of the new Williams Sonoma Home catalog. I've included an image from House Beautiful, which recently ran a story about the home of Patrick Wade and Dave Demattei, who are both executives with Williams Sonoma (and who know a thing about style and trends).

So another lesson that the more things change (grid patterned vinyl in 1965), the more they stay the same (grid patterned rug in 2008).


House Beautiful - 2008


New York Spaces - April 2008

This Week at . . . Broadway Antique Market

It's located just north Hollywood on Broadway, which all sounds very glamorous, but really it's just an antique mall in Chicago, right? Edgewater? That doesn't sound like a very star-studded locale.

But Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson bought a dining room set there. And John Malkovich bought vintage clothing. Joan Cusack and Billy Corgan and Cindy Sherman and David Copperfield and Nate Berkus have all graced the 20,000 square foot Broadway Antique Market.

The space, a massive 20,000 square foot facility, has been visited by notables in the world of art, music, design and cinema. And every day it's visited by (just as) notable folks like you or me, by kids just out of college and furnishing their first apartment, by doctors looking for the perfect mid-century credenza, by costume designers and artistic directors looking to recreate the 60's or by people who just want to reject design cloning, shear their Dolly fur and create a space that reflects their unique DNA.

(continued after photos)





The Broadway Antique Mall (BAM) rocks. It's easy to get sucked in. Don't stop if you only have a few minutes; give yourself an hour or two. It's like the Smithsonian . . . .with price tags. And it's so damn close for we lucky Chicagoans. You New Yorkers are also close as BAM just added a location there.

Here's my recommendation (please learn from my mistakes). When you need a desk or a chair or anything really, give yourself some time . . . breath with it a little bit, slow down . . . take a couple of hours and find what inspires you - avoid ubiquity. When you buy vintage, if you find out that one of your neighbors has the same thing, you'll get excited (a kindred spirit!) instead of annoyed. And your place will be cool and rare and truly "green", the design equivalent of the moss living on the shaded trunk of a giant Redwood.

The Broadway Antique Mart is located at 6130 North Broadway in Chicago. For questions, call 773-743-5444 or email antiques@bamchicago.com.

For thumbnails, click here.
For a slide show, click here.

Tuesday Top 10 . . . Tips for Vintage Shopping

From Spendtimeinlondon.com, Portobello Market, London.

Antique stores and thrift shops have their own culture and social norms, and shopping in those places isn't the same as shopping at the Mall of America. Here are 10 tips to ensure that you have a good experience.

1. Accept that you're going to have to dig a little. Things aren't going to be displayed in the same way as they are at Pottery Barn. The very thing that makes shopping vintage inherently cool (that one of a kind find) also makes them inherently more difficult to display. Like objects usually get displayed together at chain stores, which makes them stand out (which is also a neat trick for displaying your collections at home).

When there's only one of something, that visual Pop is impossible. Factor in space limitations and its understandable that the displays may not look quite as well organized as the ones at Restoration Hardware.

2. Build a relationship with the store owners. They love regulars and will watch for items on your wish list.

3. You can bargain, and it can be fun, but if they won't budge on the price, don't feel insulted. This is how they make their living and at the end of the day, this is a job for them - they know their margins and what they need to make to ensure their business is successful. And look at it this way, you're buying from (and helping) a real person instead of a corporation.



4. Having said that, most malls are authorized to take 10% off the price if you ask. So ask. If not, you're leaving money on the table.

5. Having said that, firm means firm. Allow me to translate; firm means don't ask. They're answering you in advance and annoying them is not advisable (or nice). So be nice.

6. Finally, stop expecting everything to be cheap. We've been trained to assign more value to new things than to vintage or second-hand items. That's not going to change anytime soon, but try to imagine what a similar, mass-produced item might cost, even somewhere as cheap (and low quality) as Ikea.



7. Go against your intuition. Don't look at things holistically. Try to imagine the object in a different color (you can paint it) or with a different fabric/shade/finishing touch. Focus on the lines.

8. As always, context is key. Look at objects by themselves, get them away from the clutter. The change in context will radically change your perception of the object.

9. Keep a layout of your home and measurements with you when shopping vintage. Unlike 99% of mass merchants, the object you love in an antique mall or thrift store may be gone tomorrow. If you love something, you'll be glad you don't have to hazard a guess as to whether or not it will fit in its new home.

10. Linger, don't rush. Walk through the aisles a few times - the longer you wander through a space, the more likely you'll begin to really see each object (and quite possibly, find the perfect piece for your home).

What did I miss?

Trend Report . . . Colored Glass

From Metropolitan Home, June 2008

I love this image from Metropolitan Home; the addition of jewel-toned glass vessels adds a touch of color and glamor to what would ordinarily be wasted space.

Colored glass is beginning to show up more commonly in design magazines and when done right, it's beautiful (when not, it looks gaudy and dated, so tread carefully). But if you think this is the look for you, check out Chicago's Ravenswood Antique Mall or the Broadway Antique Market, both of which offer a very large selection.

And check in later this week for full reviews and photos of Chicago's top purveyors of vintage goods.






Above: Images from the Ravenswood Antique Mall in Chicago, Illinois.

Guest Commentary. . . Spotlight on Monocibec's Mono Tile

Robert Grillo of Robert Grillo Creative (and Strange Closets friend and logo designer), will be doing occasional guest commentary on the world of design. Today, he writes about one of his favorite tile lines, a heavy-duty commercial grade porcelain floor tile from Italian manufacturer, Monocibec's Mono collection (you can find it at Tileworks in Chicago). Instead of using the tile on the floor, Robert used it as his kitchen back splash (you may recognize it from the recent Strange Closets Open House photo tour of his West Andersonville gut rehab.) So, without further adieu, it's over to Robert Grillo:



"For me the Mono tile line is a fascinating play on a primitive-modern dynamic. On the one hand the dot pattern mimics ancient forms of calligraphy, more specifically accounting practices that used a similar dot pattern inscribed in stone tablets. On the other hand, it makes me think of data streams, streams of light or Pacman. I know the last one is a stretch but I do have a vivid imagination. The other cool feature of this tile is that the dots are actually inlaid with some kind of metallic ink or substance, while the surface of the tile itself is matte. What's kind of amazing about this tile is that it looks so different in different light and different settings.

From a distance and when the light shines on it from an angle, the tile in my kitchen looks like corrugated metal. Up close, you can actually see a crackle pattern with brown behind the bluethat is never seen just a few feet away. It resembles the fine crackle you see in Chinese porcelain. These photos were taken directly from Monocibec 's catalog, and I love the 'film noir' style."

Thanks Robert. And if you have ideas about design, please contact me. I'm always looking for contributors to Strange Closets.

This Week At . . . Scout

Writing this piece was a bit tricky for me, as I'm in no way impartial; I've been making weekly (sometimes daily) trecks to Scout since Larry Vodak opened his urban antique shop two years ago. To make it even more tricky, I'm a contrarian by nature, always seeking to stir things up, sometimes as an intellectual exercise but often because I simply see things in a different way. By nature, I get suspicious when things get too popular, when ideas or memes gain a foothold among the masses.

So loving Scout (and I really do love Scout) is a different experience for me. Scout stands for everything that only a few of us are supposed to "get" - finding beauty in the old, making the world a more interesting place, going against the grain . . . but there's one problem with this particular "supposed to" - I'm in no way alone; my voice is part of a chorus (which hasn't begun to reach its crescendo). Scout somehow strikes a chord in everybody without watering down (or dumbing down) its offer.



On several occasions, I've had the pleasure to be on-the-scene when Larry receives a new shipment, his cadence quickening, his arms gesturing as he darts from discovery to treasured discovery. His passion is infectious, and it's usually not long before I'm just as excited as he is (and standing at the register waiting for my receipt). Unlike many of the shops I adore, Scout's affordable, and as a result, the goods (which are oh so good) turn over quickly, making even my weekly trips more distinct than yearly trips to other stores.

Perhaps most importantly for me, Scout helped me rediscover myself. At some point, I forgot how much I loved antiques and vintage "stuff"; I dipped a toe into consumer culture (just to test the water, just because I could) and before I knew it, the undercurrent had me and I was drowning in an ever faster stream of Pottery Barn and Crate and Barrel and Target goods. Larry threw me a life preserver (a vintage one, of course) by helping me rediscover my love for objects with a little history, a little soul.

And that's why my Scout review tops off this week, which will focus on the best places to buy vintage - places like Scout, the Broadway Antique Market and more. Where do you go to find secret treasures?

For all my Scout thumbnails, click here.
For a Flickr slide show, click here.

Scout's located at 5221 N. Clark Street. For questions, call 773-275-5700

Ebay Score . . . Oh Crap

Oh my Lord. What have I done?

Am I alone in my compulsive behavior on Ebay? I could try to explain this, but I just . . . there are no words. It's three feet tall - what was I thinking?

So, I beg you (in all seriousness); please outbid me on this before it's too late. Your kids will love it (or maybe a niece or nephew).

And if it's already too late by the time you read this, will you please say a little prayer for me? Because I'm going to have some explaining to do.

Blogs, Friends and Favors

When I approached Robert Grillo, owner of creative services firm, Robert Grillo Creative, about taking photos of his fantastic gut rehab, I never expected that he would take it upon himself to design a proper logo for Strange Closets. But I should have. If you spend any time with Robert, you'll quickly figure out that he's one of the good guys, both personally and professionally.

Robert asked me a number of questions, all quite casually but in hindsight, mischievously designed to provide some insight into what Strange Closets is all about. If developing a blog brand and logo is anything like writing, a hazy concept was forming, almost as if the process were larger than him. And then one day, I open my email and . . . wow . . . for the logo, for creativity, for the unexpected, for friendship, for Robert.

On any given day, Robert's frenetic work schedule could consist of developing corporate identities, building web design templates and concocting a brand strategy into a brand design language, so his kind gesture was not insignificant. If I weren't already a friend, I'd be on a long waiting list until his scheduled lightened up.

So thanks Robert. I am in your debt.


Robert Grillo of Robert Grillo Creative

Trend Report . . . Tortoise Shells

From Domino

An image in the latest Domino caught my eye - large tortoise shells used as wall decor. It surprised me, and while I love their use in that setting, I'm less certain that shells will appeal to me when they start popping up on every davenport (remember those) in America.

But I guess I'll find out, because shells are beginning to show up at mass merchants (like Z Gallerie) and from there, they'll filter out and reproduce in homes across America.

Surprise is often the element that makes us love a particular room and it's probably just chemical; studies show that novelty releases endorphins in our brains. So why are we all so quick to give up that critical element and take the easy road when decorating? It makes me want to withdraw into my shell until this craze is ancient history.




Turtles available at Z Gallerie.

Rooms I Love . . . Quintessentials Ad???

I can hardly believe it, but I'm in battered and bloody love with this kitchen from a Quintessentials advertisement. I love the counters, especially with dark wood, but the KO came when my eyes landed on the entirely white marble island. I tried to get back on my feet, but it was just too much to take, so I rolled up the magazine as a pillow and took a little nap.

Isn't it fantastic? But what about red wine? Details, details. It's not like I'd use it anyway. I'm all about image and flash.

Fantastico?

Art Above the Door?

Figuring out what to do with the bayonet I inherited from my grandpa was a frustrating endeavor, but finally, I decided to have it framed. Figuring out where to hang it, however, proved to be even more vexing.

But the other night, I curled up with a stack of design magazines and as I read House Beautiful, a brilliant idea popped into my head - to hang it above the door in my entry hallway (well ok, it was also idea #36 in the magazine's 101 Easy Makeovers article.)

My grandpa, a marine mechanic, found the bayonet on Okinawa during World War II; when I was a kid, he'd get it out from time to time and start telling stories. He didn't see battle, so his stories were pleasant tales of army buddies and foreign cultures and a young man, a kid really, seeing the world for the first time.



My brother and my cousins and I gathered around him, enthralled and used his words as a vehicle to experience a life more glamorous, more dangerous than the one we were living in the small town (or was it a village?) an hour outside Chicago. When my grandpa died and then my grandma, we all wanted that sword. But using military-like maneuvers, I won that particular battle (and in my mind, that may as well have been the war).

So even though the bayonet is really just a souvenir and my grandpa didn't use it to make war, its presence above the door seems somehow protective. While the idea of hanging it above a door seemed counterintuitive in theory, it works perfectly in practice. (But I won't be trying idea #101 which involves adding something purple, which I hate, to a room when all else fails).

Have you tried this? How did it work? And does mine work?

Mother's Day is Coming . . . Top 10 Chicago Shopping Destinations

From the Jayson reminder email that has me panicked.

I'm getting lots of emails today from stores having Mother's Day sales. This is coming kind of early, I thought upon scanning the email. Then it dawned in me; Oh crap, where was this last week when I really needed it?

Yes, Mother's Day is Sunday, so be sure to call or better yet, visit. And don't forget to bring a gift.

My mom's personality is more flour than flower, which means great cookies for me but also more thinking and creativity when it comes to gifts for her (and thinking is hard). So here are 10 stores that might help other slackers to meet the Mother's Day deadline:

1.) Jayson Home & Garden in Lincoln Park.
Jayson has a fantastic floral department and some of the best accessories in Chicago. Read my coverage of their recent European Flea Market here.
(And speaking of Jayson, look for my interview with Creative Director, Caroline Scheeler, soon.)


Jayson Home & Garden

2.) Edgewater's Blue Hydrangea.
This amazing flower shop, coupled with Pause Coffee, has taken a formerly derelict strip of Berwyn and made it downright European. Dan, the owner, is an artist, so I tell him how much I want to spend and then trust him to throw a little paint. I'm always surprised and the recipient, delighted. Read my review here.



3.) Andersonville's Scout.
When my mom visited Chicago last year, all she talked about was seeing Nate Berkus. I tried to explain the whole 3 million people concept, but she was undeterred. So I was shocked when we ran into him looking for the perfect accessory at Scout. And that, my friends, is the the Mother's Day gift that keeps on giving; if Nate's not there (remember, 3 million people), you'll find a more than suitable alternative gift. I'm writing my Scout review now, but don't wait for it. If you haven't been yet, go NOW.

4.) Zella Brown (online or in Wicker Park).
Zella Brown has a fantastic mix of items and something for every budget. More on Zella Brown in a future review, but in the meantime, stop in or check out their excellent website.

5.) Mecox Gardens (online or in River North).
Mecox has a huge selection of design books and unusual accessories that you won't see everywhere. If you're splurging, check out the stuffed leather animal foot stools - the perfect accessory and my favorite item in the store. Mom will approve and dad will like it too. My review, here, has more photos and details.


Mecox Gardens.

6.) Two Sided (and sister store, Four Sided) in Lakeview and Andersonville.
Two Sided offer a wide variety of unique gifts and cards that won't break the bank. I never leave without buying something. For more, click here.

7.) Praha in Lincoln Square.
This store is like a real-world application mash-up, offering many different styles, time periods and accessories - it's always a fun way to spend an afternoon. Todd and David are awesome and there's literally something for everybody, whether you're looking for a candle, interesting curiosity or a high-end sofa. Take a look at the store in my review here.

8.) Golden Triangle in River North.
Buy Mom something stunning and find inner peace in the process - this is literally one of the most amazing spaces in Chicago. Go there to buy, but if not, just . . . be. Read my review here.


Golden Triangle

9.) Haus in Andersonville.
Buy your mom something unique, hand-crafted and beautiful. Owner, Greg Steffen's dream is to help local artisans make a living doing what they love - and as the Barefoot Contessa might ask, "How cool is that?" This shop is amazing (check out the beautiful hand-blown glass lamps which will elevate any room from ordinary to extraordinary). For more information, read my review here.



10.) Etsy and Vitamin (D)esign.
And tied for 10 are a couple online options for you desk jockeys. Etsy can be a bit overwhelming, but it offers a number of interesting options by artists. Vitamin (D)esign is another good choice for quirky finds.

What did I miss?

Help!

I. must. have. that. desk.

Help. Do you know who makes it? If you do, please email me.

The x is so . . . please help.

Open House . . . John's Edgewater Coop

If you're anything like me, you're dying to tour the classic buildings in your city, and in Chicago, it doesn't get much more classic than the Edgewater Beach Coop building. The pink palace was originally built in 1927 to capitalize on the success of the grand and celebrity packed Edgewater Beach Hotel. The two massive buildings stood side-by-side until the classic hotel was torn down in 1968, a victim of the overall decline of U.S. cities in the post-WWII era. You can read my post about the hotel's history here.





So I was over the moon when my friend, John welcomed me into his lakefront apartment. For as long as I've known John, he's been talking about selling his coop and buying a new place, so I was beginning to think that it was probably a dump.

Imagine my surprise when I finally laid eyes on this fantastic and spacious one bedroom unit which boasts large rooms, killer views, vintage moldings, and an original bathroom complete with subway tile and a doorway to nowhere (a dash of mystery that's woefully absent from most newer buildings). Plus the building offers amenities perfect to help endure Chicago winters - indoor parking, a large swimming pool and a fitness center. I'd not only never sell it, I'd probably never leave the building.


Christmas 1948

As you can probably tell, I am in love with John's unit . . . uh, apartment. It conjures up the grandeur of a bygone era. And based on our last conversation, I think John's beginning to see the light; he's now talking about staying for awhile and investing in an updated kitchen and bath. John, I beg of you, don't replace that original bathroom tile - buy yourself a pedestal sink and call it a day.

And if you live in a classic Chicago building, let me know. We're all interesting in seeing your space.

For a full set of thumbnails, click here. And to see a Flickr slide show, click here.

And to read past Open House tours, click here.

Attack of the Butterflies

Pottery Barn butterfly prints - on sale $12.99 - $249

They're either coming or going, but I can't figure out which, because I'm seeing them everywhere, but almost always on sale.

My trendar is off. Please help.

Do I need to buy something with butterflies on it? Or do I need to laugh at you for having something?


Pottery Barn butterfly trays - square charger available for $6.99


Jayson moth tray - $125 (this one's not on sale)


West Elm butterflies - On sale for $1.99

Fridges With Windows?

Chicago Home + Garden May/June 2008

While this is altogether quite chill aesthetically (or in other words, wow!), I eat this strange organic material called food, which is messy. The only thing that prevents my borderline OCD personality from scrubbing the fridge furiously in the middle of the night is the absence of a window.

Our forefathers had the foresight to not add windows to this particular kitchen appliance, and I don't think we need to start messing with their Betty Crocker Constitution now. And by the way, did you actually look at this image? What sort of person subsists on the occasional apple and like, a bottle of Pellegrino? Diet coke I get, but Pellegrino? That's just nuts.

What do you think? If your cold box looks like mine, my advice is to save your energy and close the door on this product.

Rooms I Love . . . Better than Eames?

Elle Decoration, April 2008

It's familiar, but surprising. I like that. And I love the green leather.

And what's with the little caravan of animals? Their addition is so random but fun.

Today at 1st Dibs . . . Assemblage Mirror

This 1980's gold leafed Jay Spectre mirror is a hair away from over-the-top opulence but the elegant lines save it from Dynasty decadence. This piece commanded my attention and stood out from everything on the page (if you've spent any time perusing the products on 1st Dibs, you know this is a real feat.).

Would you hang this in your home?

Here's the dirt from 1st Dibs:

A part of Spectre's revival of art deco in the 1980s, this large mirror is beautifully detailed, and stunning in person.

Measurements
height: 117.47 cm (3 ft. 10.3 in.)
depth: 5.08 cm (2 in.)
width/length: 92.71 cm (3 ft. 0.5 in.)

Assemblage Ltd.
121 North Jefferson Street
Chicago
IL, 60661
Phone: 312.234.9200
E-Mail: info@assemblageltd.com

Dealer Ref. : Mwh4713

This Week At . . . Andersonville Galleria

I've written a bit before about Andersonville's transformation into Stroller-ville - babies and gay folk slowly replacing all the Swedes (Hej då, I miss you already, but maybe I'll see you shopping for antiques from the old country at the wonderful Svenska Mobler).

I'm very conflicted about gentrification, and my strange, quirky and utterly fantastic mix of friends from all walks of life and with a wide range of opinions, doesn't help matters much. But the explosion of design shops on North Clark has made the loss of parking, Cafe Boost and the Delwood Pickle (I know I'm a broken record) almost worth it.


Subliminal . . . I like it.

A recent addition to the formerly sleepy strip, the Andersonville Galleria, provides a gorgeous two level space which spotlights local artists, artisans, designers, toffee-makers (which you've got to try now) and resale shops. The first time I visited, I was underwhelmed, but the space was new and there was enough potential there for me to give it another chance. And I'm glad I did; they've definitely kicked it up a notch.

Check out the vintage lamp shop (which is as impressive as Lightology but vintage, rarer and cooler), Terry's Toffee, the and the awesome plant boutique. Those are my favorites, but there's something for everybody, one-of-a-kind t-shirts, artwork, photography and jewelry.

Check it out and tell us what you think. For thumbnails, click here.
Or, for a slide show, click here.

This Week At . . . Eboniste

Eboniste, the Arizona based design, manufacturer and retailer, carries not only their own architectual line of end tables but also that of some of my favorite companies, including Bungalow 5, Emeco and Visual Comforts (which manufacturers an excellent selection of lighting from designers like Thomas O'Brien.)

But you're busy and there are a million stores v