Photo Tour . . . NeoCon and the Merchandise Mart

This year's Neocon and Fine Design Residential Furniture show, which ran from June 9th to 11th, gave me an excuse to wander around the Merchandise Mart while deluding myself into thinking I was working. More than 1200 showrooms and exhibitors presented the latest in corporate, hospitality, retail, government, healthcare and residential furniture and products.

I found myself more interested in the Fine Design show, which most interesting residential showrooms were open to attendees

If you were actually at work, here are a few random photos from the day.


















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Photo Tour . . . 2008 Guerrilla Furniture and Art "Truck" Show

The Guerrilla Furniture and Art show, which debuted successfully last summer, held its second event last night, and it was stimulating, visually and intellectually. Held at the corner of Fulton and Aberdeen, the furniture designers and artists back up their trucks and open the doors to present their temporary showrooms. The local galleries, shops and bars get in the act, staying open later, propping their doors open and offering appetizers and drinks.

The evening was perfect - the people cool, the designs amazing, the sky clear, the temperature temperate and the air clean and breezy. Enjoy some photos of the event.

Were you there? How did you like it?










































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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


Everybody's doing it.

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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?







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Photo Tour . . . 2008 Artropolis at the Mart

The fourth annual Atropolis show was held last weekend, taking up three floors of Chicago's massive Merchandise Mart. A super-event that combines five shows (Artrpolis, The Artist Project, Intuit, Bridge and NEXT), Artropolis celebrates art and antiques.

Sculptures lined the Chicago River outside the Mart, and the interior floors were transformed into countless showrooms and galleries. Many of the stores I've become familiar with through 1st Dibs displayed their merchandise, and as always, it felt affirming to meet and talk with similarly impassioned people.

I was happy to lay eyes on a double x-backed chair (offered by Andrew Hollingsworth) that I've long coveted. I'd only seen it online, its gorgeous lines inviting a strange voyeurism not to be confused with commerce. And it looked even better in person, which, as anybody who's tried to meet a paramour through the Internet knows, is not usually how it goes.

And I was surprised (but I shouldn't have been) that one of my favorites, Golden Triangle, managed to nearly duplicate the feel of their unbelievably gorgeous River North showroom in a relatively small (and temporary) setting. To see my original review of this space, click here.

Did you make it to the show? How did it compare to previous ones? What made you swoon?

For all the thumbnails, click here.
For a Flickr slide show, click here.

Photo Tour . . . DWR's M+D+F

Michael Dreeben's Billet Chaise - Best in Show

When I'm wrong, I say I'm wrong. And I think I've been a bit too hard on Design Within Reach. I've been a bad and bitter blogger (has it been a bother?).

My attitude about DWR changed last night at their fourth annual M+D+F exhibition of emerging designers. The space was packed with design enthusiasts, finally all together in the same space, milling about and viewing the exhibit, which included a number of interesting concepts by independent artists. It was glamorous, the designers besieged, the observers anything but impartial.

I can't think of many other chains that really celebrate design the way DWR does, that elevates independent artists to celebrity, even if its just for the evening. And that's pretty damn cool. But don't get me started on Pottery Barn.

Before leaving, I had the opportunity to meet Janel, Apartmenttherapychicago's beloved blogger. She was very cool. I also met my personal favorite designer, Michael Dreeben, whose Billet Chaise won the Best in Show; Congrats Michael.

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

Photo Tour . . . Jayson Home & Garden's European Flea Market

Jayson Home & Garden calls to me periodically, and as much as I try to resist, it's futile. I was on way there this past winter (winter's done now, right?) when, as if my immune system flipped a switch, I realized I had the flu. So I did what any sane person would do (if they've been to Jayson), and kept driving. Despite feeling worse every minute, I wound up milling about the space for over an hour. Now imagine how much time (and money) I spend there when healthy.



Jayson's always a bit ahead of the latest trends and often, they're just out there on their own, staying true to their vision and leading rather than following. The only problem is with their location in the Cybourne Corridor, an area massively over-built, its narrow, poorly designed streets constantly choked with traffic. My friend has dubbed the Clybourne Corridor "the crotch," (but she's a bit restrained).

I have my own analogy; I've not been pregnant (yet), but I hear giving birth is painful. And driving through the Clybourn Corridor, on the same clogged roads as Schaumburg soccer moms and yuppies in BMW's (who live four blocks away) is painful too, quite possibly more so. But don't worry, just keep breathing and everything will be fine. Because Jayson is like morphine (only a bit more expensive).

Jayson Home & Garden specializes in furniture, lighting and accessories, mostly new, but with a few special, vintage pieces mixed in here or there. The store also includes a floral department with lovely flowers and plants.

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

Jayson Home & Garden is located at 1885 N. Clybourn Avenue (in Lincoln Park*). 1-800-472-1885








* It's North of North, so does that make it NoNo? Are you as over this trend as I am?

Photo Tour . . . Hollywood Mirror

When I was 23 and had just moved to Chicago, I loved Hollywood Mirror and went there all the time. It seemed perfectly located, under the surplus store and down the street from Berlin, within a one (glorious) block radius of leather stores and sex shops and strip clubs and street commerce.

But I haven't been there in years, so when my recent profile of "Johnathon" brought me to the neighborhood, nostalgia alone compelled to check it out again. And it's as wacky as ever, which was a comforting surprise in the often unrecognizable Lakeview.

The Hollywood Mirror reminds me of what the neighborhood used to be: punks and gays and old people, co-mingling at Ann Sather and hanging around the Dunkin Donuts parking lot. Now it's cleaner and safer and a bit yuppy, which has its charms (I know, I can't think of any either) but is not quite the same. Check out Hollywood Mirror for a flashback (if you don't have one, you'll certainly witness one) and lots of unusual, retro "stuff."

Just go, it's fun. Maybe you can skip Crate and Barrel today and head to Lakeview instead. Hey, settle down, Crate and Barrel is less than a mile away; you can do both.












Hey, there's Jesus again. Cool.