This Week: Ipso Facto (Three Oaks, MI)

I write about Ipso Facto a lot, I know, but I can’t help myself.  Former Chicagoan and Ipso Facto owner Brandon Nelson’s eye for color, space and dimension makes me want to dance, er, take photos, and so I do.

Nelson’s decision to locate Ipso Facto in Three Oaks gives him the luxury of space, and he’s made the most of it, filling the shop’s two large floors with his fantastic vintage discoveries, although the term “discoveries” is somewhat misleading.  Discovering something implies that the objects existed before Nelson found them, and of course, they all existed, albeit with their utility stripped away and their destiny in a trash can.  Nelson discovers, yes, but he also transmutes, changes them into something special, something with value.  Car ornaments and prison shanks become wall art, and a large wood revolver that advertised a gun shop becomes a large wood revolver that would look amazing hanging above the bed.   And in that way, Nelson and others like him, are filling a vital need, giving objects value so they’ll be passed along and saved rather than discarded.

Continued . . .

Nelson’s artistic eye and relentless curiosity allows him to see beyond the obscuring function to the artist form, the chewy good stuff in the middle, which he recognizes, rescues and sells.  Because Nelson declared it worthy, for example, I found myself agonizing about whether or not to buy an old cult-ish lodge banner that I certainly would have passed by (or even thrown out) on any other occasion.  Does that make me a follower?  I believe we’ve already established that fact, but I’d like to think I follow the best (or at least the best for me), and I’m in good company in my admiration for Nelson; Scout owner Larry Vodak cites Brandon Nelson as one of his influences in Luxe’s Fall 2009 issue, and like Scout, Ipso Facto’s a different store every time I stop in, the products turning over quickly.

If Nelson’s good will, humor and kindness are any indication, Nelson’s abilities extend beyond mere things and inform his entire world view.  During my visit, Brandon’s two lovely daughters arrived with a group of fellow trick or treat peeps, and I wondered what it would be like to have a cool dad like Brandon Nelson, a dad who owns a shop and plays music and has cool parties and most importantly, who’s kind to everybody.  I think it’d be like having a rock star for a dad without all the baggage and angst.  And that’s what it looked like when the kids stopped in and promptly mobbed Brandon.  From my vantage point, they all felt pretty hip and very happy taking a trick or treat break to hang out at Ipso Facto.  This is the concluding sentence where I advise you to stop in next time you’re in-the-area.

Ipso Facto. One West Ash.  Three Oaks, MI. ipsofactoantiques@sbcglobal.net. 269.756.3404

From Friday 11/6 – Sunday 11/8, Ipso Facto, Scout and many other vendors will be exhibiting at this year’s Winnetka Modernism show at the Winnetka Field House.  Please stop by to support your favorite modernist dealers and to celebrate the show’s 20th anniversary.

Click here to see Brandon and his wife Lisa’s home, which was featured in Chicago Home + Garden.

Mini trend report: Vintage toys are coming, so hop on it.