And speaking of Matt Lorenz, this bedroom, which he designed for the Merchandise Mart Dream Home, is one of my favorites. I love the black and white; the gray warms up the normally contrasting colors and the result is an incredibly sophisticated and sexy boudoir.
In addition to being a crazy cool space, Lorenz's design, which utilizes white tile on the wall behind the bed, completely changed my perception about what can be done with the material. How did it arbitrarily get assigned to bathroom and kitchen duty? In other countries, intricate tile floors are quite common. Do they look at us, with our predominant use of hardwood and carpet, as incredibly boring?
What do you think? Would you tile a bedroom wall? How have you used tile in unusual ways?
Have a fantastic weekend. And come back next week for:
Tuesday Top 10 - Stairways (As of yet, no nominations. That means more work for me. Thanks, and enjoy your BBQ while I'm typing my fingers to the bone and trying to avoid paper cuts while I tear through design magazines.)
Thursday - Open House Home Tour - This week, we're touring a recently rehabbed, high-rise, Lakeview condo.
More Wicker Park store reviews.
And a big announcement from Domino!
Just try it . . . you might like it. 
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Friday, May 30, 2008
Have a Great Weekend
Is anything ever really DIY? (a long and somewhat boring post)
I recently featured a review of the Andersonville Galleria. I loved a number of the vendors, but I was especially drawn to Figaro Antiques, Jeanne Steen's booth chock full of French furniture and accessories. In particular, I fell in love with a 1940's Parisian bistro table (the larger of two tables in the same style). While I didn't "need" a table (the way I need Diet Coke, for example), I've been trying to buy what I love, even if I don't have a specific place in mind for it. Sometimes this strategy yields unexpectedly lovely results. Other times, I wind up quickly putting the item (or mistake) back on Ebay.
After just enough debate to fool myself into believing that it wasn't an impulse purchase, I bought the table, and this time, I quickly found the perfect place for it - as a replacement for one of the large oversized leather chairs in my living room.
While I liked the idea of 2 chairs facing each other in front of the fireplace, I felt that a.) the room had a case of over-symmetry (it was oversymmetricized?) and b.) the chairs were a bit large for the scale of the room. By replacing one of the chairs with a desk, the room feels more open and it takes on more of the "salon" feel I've envisioned since first moving in two years ago.
There was still, however, a problem. The table had a blue formica top, and while interesting, it didn't jive with my "vision"; to me, the table was screaming for white, honed marble.
The living room before. While I think it looks nice, the chair squared is a bit too Pottery Barn, a bit oversize for the room and the leather, a bit dark.
Don't worry, I'm almost done.
I'm very happy with the final product, which is a bit funky, a bit elegant (my favorite combination).
So here's my resource directory for this project:
Andersonville Galleria
Figaro Antiques (specializing in Parisian furniture and accessories)
Scout
Laura Soskin (Also, check out Laura's gorgeous home in Chicago Home + Garden)
Send in your design DIY's. How did you improve an old piece of furniture? Have you ever gone down that road and realized you were making a big mistake? Email me your amazing tales of victory . . . and defeat, and I'll share them on Strange Closets.
Subscribe in a readerI found my voice at Mecox Gardens . . . well, not mine
I stopped in at Mecox Gardens the other day, intent on buying a new design book. I'm attracted to homes with lots of books, and I especially love to see piles of huge hardback design books all over - on tables, mantels, even stacked on the floor; they somehow override my anti-clutter, OCD gene.
If you haven't been to Mecox, go for their library alone - they have a fantastic selection. Some places dabble in them, but Mecox takes them seriously. The staff is very knowledgeable and they made a number of recommendations (that frankly, made me want them all and left me all the more confused). I found myself torn between a book about the designs of Jean-Michel Frank and the new book, "David Hicks: Designer," by his daughter Ashley Hicks.
So I do what I always do when confronted with this situation - I listened for that inner voice . . . and listened . . . and listened . . . nothing. No inner voice.
Then Matt Lorenz, the Top Design superstar, strolled in with his assistant Vanessa. A little starstruck (ok, a lot), I hovered around them, pretending to be fascinated by pretty much anything in their vicinity. As I was eavesdropping, Matt mentioned that Bravo picked up Top Design for second season with a new judge, India Hicks (the other daughter of David Hicks).
I immediately picked up the Ashley Hicks book, satisfied that fate had made the decision for me.
Matt Lorenz - Mankato Free Press
Matt's Top Design Grand Finale - Elle Decor
The lesson is . . . well there are a couple lessons. First, sometimes your inner voice comes from somebody else (thanks Matt). Second, I am more than a little pathetic.
Look for my book review if I ever have the time to read it. (And speaking of pathetic, imagine how I felt upon seeing Linda Yu at Cosi earlier this week. )
Linda Yu lunching at Cosi. I respected her privacy by not approaching her.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Open House Photo Tour . . . Janis's Lakeview Abode
Janis is a rarity in Chicago these days; she bought her house in 1980, paid it off, plans to live there for as long as she's in the city and doesn't really think about what it's worth. And unlike well . . . me, she's never gutted it or thrown out everything to decorate a room from scratch.
"Nobody decorated back then," she explained to me as she described how her house came together . . . slowly and over time. Janis moved to Chicago as a teenager and first settled in New Town (now more commonly referred to as Lakeview) when it was a hippie enclave. After stints living in East Lakeview and Andersonville (when the Swedes still lived there and there was nary a gay in sight), Janis settled into her current home.
Janis is a fan of antique and second-hand stores, preferring to buy items that she finds more interesting and less expensive. Her shelves are full of delicious eye candy and other curiosities, things she collected over the years.
I love Janis' house because she makes decisions based on what she wants, not on what's "in" or how a decision will impact the resale value of the home where she's spent the past 28 years. For example, when she first moved into the house, the floors were damaged and she didn't like the idea of carpeting (which if you will recall, was all the rage in the eighties), so she painted the floors white, an inspired choice that very few of us think of, let alone have the guts to do.
Talking with her is like being deprogrammed by an expert. "Why don't you get white marble counter tops?", I asked her when she started talking about remodeling the kitchen. "Because I like formica, and it's cheaper", she said. Huh? But after a hundred conversations like this, I realized that one doesn't actually need marble to prepare food - it's possible to cook without them.
The point is that Janis has been innoculated against the B.S., and that's what I so value about our friendship - she doesn't conform to expectations, she doesn't bow to corporate culture and she's the first person I met who liked the city better in the eighties, before it was transformed by gentrification run amok. Her tale of meters bountiful and grit majesty sound like a fairy tale now, a better time when the city was really cool, when apartments were cheap and money so besides the point. The city was about families (natural and intentional), it was about art and culture and conversation. And hanging out with Janis makes you believe that maybe, just maybe, her Chicago isn't just a long time ago, but perhaps her (and our) happily ever after.
For a full set of thumbnails, click here. Or, for a Flickr slide show, click here.
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This Week at . . . Michael Del Piero
Sometimes life takes you in a different direction than the one you had planned. Chicago-based designer, Michael Del Piero, didn't set out to open her own store; she was just looking for an office space for her thriving interior design business. But as they say, one thing led to another and now she's designing out of her new Bucktown boutique. I'll cut to the chase; the space, which opened to much fanfare just a few weeks ago, deserves the hype and must be put on your "To Do" list for your next Bucktown shopping excursion.
Michael Del Piero (the store) is calming, a respite from the Wicker Park hustle and the Bucktown bustle. The showroom consists of a luxurious mosaic of neutrals - taupe, cream, gray, sand and chocolate - which envelop you. The subtle tonal distinctions and texture variations catch and reflect the light, creating an almost shimmery effect. Michael covered the walls in reclaimed cypress, white burlap and shades of gray, creating a sophisticated elegance using what are traditionally seen as rustic materials. The stunning woven oak, sculptural lighting by Lucy Slivinski beautifully complements the space (and is carried exclusively by Michael Del Piero in the U.S.)
I especially love the vintage French benches, modern accessories and over-sized furniture, perfect for a large home, a city loft or just to make a bold statement. Michael's juxtaposition of ultra-modern and vintage furniture and accessories is seamless. It's as if time collapsed, different eras and styles jumbled up like shards of shattered glass, and Michael decided to improve upon history when she carefully put it back together. She succeeds.
Michael Del Piero (the person) is talented, determined and ambitious, a design warrior. She spoke of customer satisfaction several times during our conversation and when a woman wandered in with questions about her rehab, I was impressed at the number of questions Michael asked her about the project, budget, goals and on and on. If I were fighting the forces of design mediocrity, I'd want her on my side and in the trenches next to me.
Michael Del Piero is conveniently located at 1914 N. Damen (in a rapidly emerging home design area that includes Wow & Zen, Pavilion Antiques (as seen on 1st Dibs) and Daniels Antiques). For questions, call 773-772-3000 or better yet, stop in.
For all my thumbnails, click here. For a Flickr slide show, click here.
The Tosca chair (from Magis)
Chair One (also Magis)
Michael in the trenches.
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Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Today at 1st Dibs Paris . . . Chandeliers
1940s Murano Glass Chandelier by Veronese for Andre Arbus - $22,912
If you each gave me just $1 . . . I still wouldn't be able to afford any of these fabulous chandeliers available at 1st Dibs. And there are so many more where these came from.
Aren't they stunning? Chandeliers are the ultimate accessory for a room - the bling, the va-va-voom, the pizazz. Yum, they're delicious. They're the ultimate mixed metaphor - tasty and shiny.
Any one of them would be a big improvement over recessed lights (going, going . . . ).
1970s Italian Chandelier - $4406 (they've calculated to the penny)
1960s Italian Chandelier - $2820
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This Week at . . . Daniels Antiques
I've been going to Daniels Antiques for years, enchanted by their massive Ashland Avenue showroom (complete with a giant back storage garage, open to the public and filled with goodies just waiting for their moment in the front). So when he closed up shop, I was irritable, bitchy and generally hard to be around. (I know what you're asking, what's my excuse now?)
(And because I love parentheses, you'll never guess why he moved to Bucktown. They razed his old building to make way for . . . can you guess? That's right -they're building condos. I know, new condos on Ashland? Shocking, right? [But there's a shortage, so that's cool]).
At Daniels, you get the presentation, selection and expertise offered by higher-end dealers at a fraction of the cost.
He's awake - look behind you Dan!
Dan understands what his customers want, which means he understands trends, and he stocks his store accordingly. In contrast to previous Strange Closets favorites like the Broadway Antique Market, the selection at Daniels is a bit more classic, more formal - think mahogany, brass, deco, chandeliers and oil paintings. The style resonates with me (and helps contribute to the diversity of Chicago's antique and second-hand community). It's chock full of good deals on well-made and stylish but classic pieces like Baker and Hickory.
When I saw that he had relocated to a smaller storefront, I frankly questioned if he could duplicate the feel of his massive Ashland Avenue space, but I was astonished to find that I liked it even better. The space constraints force Dan to play his A game, and the result is flawless. So where did his huge inventory go? Rumor has it that he has a huge warehouse, packed floor to ceiling with goodies that will eventually make their way to the store. So if you're looking for something, ask.
Daniels Antiques is located at 2062 N. Damen (across from Pavilion). For questions, call 773-276-9600.
To read my Top Ten Tips for shopping vintage, click here.
Daniels Antiques is also one of the vendors at the Chicago Antique Market. To read my review and see some photos, click here.
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This Week at . . . Fluevog's (Shoes)
I know nothing about shoes except that I'm a size 11 (yep, 11, almost 11 and 1/2) so I will not attempt to speak ab0ut the quality of the footwear at Fluevog's, a Wicker Park shoe store (OK, 10). I will say that when I wasn't fawning over the space, the soles looked positively enlightened.
I wish the world was as good-looking as this store. Wouldn't life be fun if the post office were this completely incredible space that made the hours in line bearable? Or, like, if Nate Berkus designed the Currency Exchange?
The lesson? Design matters (but if you're reading this, you knew that already), so next time I need a pair of boots, Fluevog's is a shoe-in.
Fluevog is located at 1539-41 N. Milwaukee Avenue. For questions, call 773-772-1983.
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Tuesday, May 27, 2008
This Week at . . . Zella Brown
Although it wasn't Saturday morning when I first discovered Zella Brown, the crazy cool boutique in Chicago's Wicker Park, I felt as if I had been transported to a cartoon world, complete with:
- Guns that shoot flowers
- Disembodied hands phasing through the walls
- Tiny furniture
- Brightly colored phones
- Teacup clocks
- Birds, birds, everywhere (including the most creepy take on this trend yet).
Named for owner Trisha London's, grandmother, Zella Brown is just plain fun. But in this case, fun doesn't mean fluff. Trisha believes in offering her customers a mix of unusual and interesting products that you're not going to find at your ordinary chain stores. As it turns out, this dovetails nicely with her passion to support independent companies (including Strange Closets favorites like Bungalow 5).
Trisha is also a passionate art lover, so she spotlights local artists in her store (which helps them to gain a following and to sell their work.) This independent eco-system is a win-win (win, if you include the customers).
Every home needs a touch of whimsy, and Zella Brown delivers. Visit soon; it's positively . . . smurfy (sorry, I couldn't resist).
Zella Brown's located at 1444 N. Milwaukee Avenue in Bucktown. 773-276-1746. info@zellabrown.com
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Subscribe in a readerTuesday Top 10 . . . End Tables
Birds Side Table. - Crystal Fox.
You heeded the call and sent in your favorite end tables, but kudos to Beth for nominating five, making her by far the biggest contributor this week. Thanks Beth! Thanks also to Brenda, Jack (again) and Nancy.
Next week, we're looking at stairways. Where am I going to find stairways? With your help, it'll be easy. So please page through your magazine file (to clean it out if nothing else - it's amazing how many images will no longer appeal to you), scan and email them to me for next week's Tuesday Top Ten.
And what do I get for this effort, you might be asking. If you grant me this favor, I will personally enter your email for a free (that's right 100% free) subscription to Strange Closets; that's my commitment to you.
Marble and Brass Side Table - Daniels Antiques (See this week's review of Daniel's)
Hudson Side Table - Williams Sonoma Home - $795. This one's mine - it reminds me of my favorite desk, which you can see here.
George Nakashima End Table - Ebay
Gilt Wheat Sheaf Table - Aspire Auctions
Meret Oppenheim Traccia Table - Italy 1971. Wright Auctions
Regency-Style Tray Table - Dargate Auction Gallerie
Gold End Table - Johnathon
Bracelet Drum Table - Baker Furniture - $2553
And my favorite is . . .
Tada!. This beauty from Mecox Gardens. I love the variation on clear lucite, which makes the piece a bit less retro and gives it a bit more presence in any room.
Which one is your favorite?
Lucite End Table - Mecox Gardens
Chicago Antique Market Report . . . What Goes Around Comes Around
Continuing my series of reports about the first Chicago Antique Market of the season, there were countless opportunities to adorn your home with the latest design (ok decorating - who are we kidding) accessories without spending a lot of money. I'm hesitant to write about this because it turns you, my faithful readers, into future adversaries, competing for the same unbelievable deals. But my altruistic nature trumps my greed (this time). This isn't a threat, but the more subscribers I have, the more likely I am to defeat the greedy devil who sits on my shoulder.
While I'm not a big fan of the (admittedly classic) Greek Key motif, this occasional chair has nice lines. You can either buy them vintage or spend a lot more and buy them new (they were available until recently at Williams Sonoma Home).
Check out the Chicago Antique Market on Randolph Street on the last Saturday and Sunday of every month this summer (the next one is June 28th and 29th). For hours and additional information, click here.
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Monday, May 26, 2008
Photo Tour . . . Wicker Park / Bucktown
Una Mae's - 1528 N. Milwaukee
For the next couple of weeks, the focus is on Wicker Park / Bucktown, one of the most fashion-forward and stylish neighborhoods in Chicago. While not exactly easily accessible to my "home" neighborhood, Andersonville, it's certainly worth the trip. (By the way, where's that El that connects the east and west sides?)
One of the most dramatic examples of gentrification, Wicker Park's transformation from notoriously seedy to edgy/artistic to Lincoln Park West is textbook - first the artists moved in, followed by coffee houses and clubs, then urban pioneers attracted by low prices and finally, the CEO's. When I moved to Chicago in 1997 (God, I'm old), the Chicago Reader was still speculating about whether Wicker Park could ever support a Starbucks (it could and does).
Una Mae's
But the neighborhood had arguably better choices like Urbus Orbus (a moment of silence, please), Filter Coffee (will Taps play in the lobby of the Bank of America that replaced it) and Earwax Cafe. As much as I mourn what was, constant change is integral (and unavoidable) in a dynamic city like Chicago; it makes the city hum, and the corner of Milwaukee, Damen and North remains incredibly vibrant. For an interesting history of the neighborhood, visit the Wicker Park and Bucktown Chamber of Commerce.
Although I fondly remember what was, I find myself incredibly engaged by the design and artistry, still on fire despite the torrential downpour of bank branches, chain stores and high prices that have drenched many an artists dreams. Good design and interesting style is weaved into the fabric of everyday life, resulting in a rich tapestry where even shoe stores exhibit interesting design schemes.
On this Memorial Day, enjoy a few photos of the neighborhood (click here for the thumbnails or here for a Flickr slide show), and tomorrow, I'll begin reviewing a few of my favorite home design stores.
One more thing - I'm not going to cover everything, so why don't you help support your favorite business? Take a few photos and write up a short review of notable Wicker Park design destinations. Email me for details.
Store B
Una Mae's
Store B
Store B
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Photo Tour . . . Chicago Antique Market
This is my new friend, desperately searching for the final A in Strange Closets.
The Chicago Antique Market is back and based on the rumblings I heard while milling about with the sweaty masses, it's better than ever. I found a reason to stop at every booth. And whether the stop was to gauk and laugh or to study and buy, the day was pure entertainment and offered countless opportunities for Decoratus Absurdum, which as you know, I love.
While the focus this week is on Wicker Park / Bucktown, I'll also be sharing a few thoughts about various finds at the Market.
Although the first Market of the season is over, you'll get many more chances to experience it for yourself. The Chicago Antique Market happens on the last Saturday and Sunday of every month throughout the summer and fall.
In the meantime, click here for all thumbnails. Or, for a Flickr slide show, click here.
This is a Chicago Home + Garden photo shoot for a "dream room." Check out upcoming issues to see how they used furniture and accessories at the Chicago Antique Market to create it.
What does that spell?
Not subscribing is not nice.
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Sunday, May 25, 2008
Things that make you go hmm . . . New Andersonville Store Coming
Color me intrigued.
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Friday, May 23, 2008
Something Old, Something New . . .
From Argosy. Thanks.
Decorating your home is a lot like getting hitched. There's the initial excitement:
Your honey: "I met 'the one.'"
Your home(y): "It's the best apartment EVER."
There's the first conflict:
Your sweetie's face: "Why are you so stubborn? What the $%@#!"
Your sweet space: "They painted over wallpaper? What the $%@#!"
There's agonizing over perceived flaws:
Your lady/lad: "I wish they were taller."
Your chic pad: "I wish this sofa was longer."
And finally, you accept what you cannot change and you optimistically commit, swearing off novelty and excitement for the infinitesimally tiny chance at happiness:
Your marriage: "Until death do us part"
Your mortgage: "Until we sell or 30 years pass (or the sweet embrace of death claims us), whichever comes first."
So if you want a long and happy relationship with your space, try applying the old wedding tradition to your decorating scheme.
Something Old - A common theme seems to be bubbling up no matter who I talk with - a brand new home with all brand new things feels a little sterile or worse, a little boring. Flat. Buy something vintage, something worn, something a bit beat-up, a family heirloom, a 70's-era end table, a beat-up old occasional chair. You'll be amazed at how it simultaneously blends into the space while adding some interest. The tension creates the interest. Warning - when you see how cool it looks, you may find yourself trolling antique shops on the weekend.
And where are these antique stores? Try Daniels Antiques (in Bucktown), Pavilion Antiques (across the street from Daniels), Scout (Andersonville), Jayson Home & Garden, Revival (Irving and Southport) or a million antique stores in your city. Check out 1st Dibs online (but give yourself a couple of hours). And if you're in Chicago, be sure to check out the Chicago Antique Market on Randolph Street tomorrow and Sunday. I'll be there, so if you see me, say hi.
Vintage French Bistro Table from Figaro Antiques, a shop within the Andersonville Gallerie.
Something New - I'm rethinking my hatred of trends. As I discussed earlier this week, there are some trends/concepts/decorating schemes that I hate in theory but am very attracted to in reality. After touring Beth's apartment for this Thursday's Open House photo tour, I completely changed my thoughts on antlers. I'm in love with zebra prints, I like all the birds everywhere, and I just bought a Chinese stool. So go ahead, use trends to bring a little currency into your design scheme. Try to choose items that you think you'll still like when the craze fades. Then move them around to keep from getting bored.
Z Gallerie
Z Gallerie
Where do I go for groovy accessories? I recommend Jayson (I know you're tired of hearing about Jayson, but I love that store), Mecox Gardens (my heart just started beating faster) or Z Gallerie (sometimes their stuff is so very, very ugly, but damn it if I don't respect their crazy buyer, whoever he or she is. This place is a family-owned chain, and whenever I go, I find myself incredibly interested. Crazy buyer, if you're reading this, can I interview you?). Also try George Lowell, Zella Brown (review coming soon) or just hit the antique stores. All illustrate that even the most current trends are things our parents have seen before (and got tired of).
Something Borrowed. This is an underused but brilliant idea (if I do say so myself) to keep your place fresh without spending a lot of money. It's also "green". Find something you like in your friends space, basement, garage, etc. and ask them to borrow it. Remember Robert's house tour from a few weeks back? He borrowed the art from his artist friend. When he returns it, he'll borrow something else. His place stays fresh and he doesn't have to spend a lot of money. (And remember to return the favor and loan out your favorite stuff to your favorite friends).
Borrowed artwork at Robert's house.
And finally, Something Blue. I love blue, but in the right setting, I love almost every color (yellow not so much. Purple, I don't like purple. Oh, and peach. No peach. I don't like that salmon terra-cotta color either. But other than that . . . ). So, for the sake of making this post work, something blue. For the sake of your real-life apartment, something colorful - a bright pillow, an accent chair, a bunch of flowers - any color. But blue's good.
From Gump's. I bought the one on the left - the zigzag bench. If you think it's ugly, I sort of agree with you, but I also love it.
So that's my Friday post. Have a great weekend. Next week:
- Tuesday Top 10 (End Tables - what's your favorite?)
- Intelligent Design Interview
- Open House Tour - Thursday
- Wicker Park/Bucktown. It's the focus. Store reviews. Photo tours. (I need a fantastic space for an Open House tour in Wicker Park. Who's got one for me to photograph?)
I need new home tours. We both know you know somebody.
I need to identify 10 (10!) cool end tables. Please help.