This Week at . . . Porte Rouge

For some reason, whenever I visit Wicker Park / Bucktown, I neglect Division Street, which, when I wasn't looking, transformed from a seedy, rundown strip to a European-like promenade. Recently, I stumbled upon Porte Rouge, which offers beautiful, French antiques, tabletop decor and most famously, imported tea.

And despite all the loveliness within those four walls, the friendly staff assured me that their tea was loveliest of all . . . which is why they were sold out. The tea, imported from France, is so fragrant and delicious that Porte Rouge has begun supplying restaurants across the United States. When a shipment comes in, the email goes out and the tea sells out quickly. Don't fret; they're expecting a shipment soon, but in the meantime, stop in and say hello.

Porte Rouge is located at 1911 West Division in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood. For questions, visit their website or call 773-269-2800.


















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This Week at . . . Womanmade Gallery

Nancy, the subject of last week's Open House, has a new series of artwork, "Between Lines" that debuted at the Womanmade Gallery last Friday and runs until July 24th. I attended the event with my elegantly coiffed confidant, Janis (whom you may remember from a past Open House). Although it had been particularly hot and humid all day, somebody ordered a cool breeze, which ushered the worst of it away, resulting in a nearly perfect warm summer evening.

The event was very well-attended - drinks were consumed, art was admired and the murmur of conversation was punctuated with laughter and the occasional squeal of delight.



If you've only seen Nancy's photos online, do yourself a favor and check them out in person. I found myself drawn as much to the extremely detailed backgrounds as I was to the subjects.

The Womanmade Gallery also offers sculpture and functional ceramic pieces that are thought-provoking, beautiful and often disturbing. Much of the work is, refreshingly, affordable (especially the pottery and smaller pieces).

The Womanmade Gallery is located at 685 N. Milwaukee. For questions, call 312-738-0400.






These shoes are made for bleedin'




















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This Week at . . . Scout (New Shipment)

Love; it's the only thing there's just too little of. Oh, and Scout.

I wish that the Andersonville urban antiques shop could be cloned somehow (God knows, others have tried with somewhat unsatisfying results), but for now, we're going to have to make do with the original.

If you haven't visited this Andersonville gem lately, I suggest you do so soon. If you don't live in Chicago, plan a trip and build it around Scout.

Owner Larry Vodak just received one of his largest shipments to date (and it's really good). Hurry over if you want to stake your claim.








This lamp was featured in the most recent, "O at Home." To capture the essence of this look in your own home . . . .


Visit Scout, which carries a line of lamps that are made from recycled parts. Guess where these came from?


This is so bloody beautiful - plaid flannel lining in a chest of drawers.






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This Week at . . . FourSided

FourSided is the most recent addition to the small and independently owned framing company that Todd Mack began more than eight years ago when he opened a shop on Broadway in Lakeview. A third store, TwoSided (which I wrote about several months ago) does not provide framing services and is primarily a card and accessories shop.

But calling owner Todd Mack's vocation "framing" is like calling the Mona Lisa a sketch. Mack's an artist; give him a razor, ten minutes and a piece of matte board, and he'll give you a piece that will make you consider tossing the art and framing the matte by itself.

Continued after photos . . .





Mack's that good; and his talents extend to the retail portion of his store, which carries an eclectic mix of globes, maps, artwork, letters, bookends, curiosities and cards. There's more, but my fingers are tired. Check it out for yourself.

FourSided's merchandise is a bit whimsical, a bit Decoratus Absurdum and a whole lot of fun. Support the arts. Support independent business. Buy vintage (the best way to be green). And have fun.

FourSided is located at 5061 N. Clark in Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood. For questions, visit their website or call 773-506-8300.








The multiverse is back




You may remember that I promised no clowns. I lied. Why do bad things happen?



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This Week at . . . Vosges Haut-Chocolat

There are worse strategies for a growing niche food company than emulating Starbuck's. Like Starbucks before it, Vosges Haut-Chocolat presents an upscale image and is establishing itself by opening shops in premier urban neighborhoods. But the city hipsters who hang out in the type of neighborhoods Vosges inhabits require a bit more authenticity.

And Vosges is nothing if not authentic; the chocolate boutique presents a good example of how design impacts brand perception (aka street cred). A funky purple and white color scheme is complemented with vintage chairs and tables and the type of accessories you might find at a country flea-market. Every boutique is a little different because it has to be. Contrast this with Starbuck's or with Vosges's competitor, Ethyl's whose artificial decor is like visual corn syrup.

So this is my pick if you want a snack so sweet or just a little treat. Vosges Haut-Chocolat is located at 951 W. Armitage in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood. For questions, call 773-296-9866.








Yum











Oh, hey. How's it going? What are you doing down here?

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This Week at . . . Urbanest (Big Summer Sale)

Urbanest, the Andersonville furniture store that combines style, affordability and even a bit of environmental consciousness (much of their merchandise is "green"), is having a big summer sale to make way for new merchandise. And if you make it in before Monday the 30th, all custom upholstery is 20% off.

The store has continued to evolve since I last reviewed it, and I'm impressed with the overall aesthetic, which offers a seamless mix of rustic and sleek.

Urbanest is located at 5228 N. Clark. For questions, visit their website or call 773-271-1000.














Clowns are scary. Subscribe for guaranteed no clowns (maybe).

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This Week at . . . Vintage Pine

Vintage Pine is one of the best-kept secrets in Chicago, a large antique mall specializing in European antiques, located not in the Merchandise Mart, but in an old factory located just south of the bustling North Avenue Shopping District (I'll never say SoNo and I'll mock you endlessly if you do). Despite its proximity to Pottery Barn and Restoration Hardware, the vastly superior Vintage Pine is nevertheless patronized primarily by those in-the-know - serious collectors and interior designers.

But it's not going to be a secret for very long; this great little organic store called Whole Foods is opening across the street, so I expect throngs of people will be acting like they discovered Vintage Pine (and wondering how they managed to spend $100 at Whole Foods for a gallon of milk, a pint of blackberries and a pre-made lasagna entree.)

Continued after photos . . .





When I ventured in last weekend, I was surprised and delighted to discover that some of the best antiques dealers in-town have set up shop (including Strange Closets favorites like Daniel's Antiques and Figaro Antiques).

While you're liable to find just about anything in the cavernous 2-floor showroom, Vintage Pine offers an extensive selection of dining tables, chairs and beautiful tabletop decor. I was also stunned by the variety of vintage, gilded mirrors, an elegant addition to any room.

Vintage Pine is holding their big summer sale as we speak with 10 - 70% off everything in the store. So hurry over.

Vintage Pine is located at 904 West Blackhawk. For directions and additional information, check out their website or call 312-943-9303.

For a full set of photos, click here.
To view them as a Flickr slide show, click here.




Figaro Antiques rocks. Jeanne Steen's vintage, French fashion sketches and art are gorgeous.





















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This Week at . . . Crossell & Co.

Crossell & Co. goes against the prevailing Wicker Park / Bucktown type with a space more small town cottage than big city chic. This setting, perfectly located in a cozy Bucktown house, might make you believe that the furniture and accessories sold there are a bit staid and traditional, but in truth, Crossell offers a number of surprises (a Louis XV chair upholstered in black patent leather, for example). It's a great place for tabletop pieces and it offers a number of interesting gift choices. Crossell also offers interior design services.

Crossell & Co. is located at 1922 North Damen in Chicago's Bucktown neighborhood. For questions, call 773-252-9010.


















What's your sign?

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This Week at . . . Patina

Who wants a hand?



Patina, an industrial-chic boutique, is one of those places that seems to hover just under the radar. Located in a slightly subterranean storefront on a slightly residential, slightly commercial stretch of North Damen in a neighborhood I can't quite identify.

Owner, Alan Shull opened the store after gradually building his inventory over five years.* The result is an eclectic mix of furniture and accessories with an emphasis on mid-century, rural and industrial. And the prices can't be beat (check out the chairs for especially good deals). Overall, Patina's well worth the trip.

Patina is located at 4907 N. Damen Avenue in Chicago's Ravenswood (?) neighborhood. For questions, call 773-334-0400 or e-mail patinachicago@yahoo.com.

* So that's what I'm doing in my basement.
















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This Week at . . . Room Service

We, the good citizens of Andersonville, have been blessed with a bounty of design stores that deliver the goods, including Scout, Urbanest and White Attic. Adding to our riches last week is Room Service, which carries an interesting selection of vintage furniture, lighting, accessories and garden elements. Room Service is independently owned, affordable and eclectic, qualities which make it my favorite kind of store and a near-perfect fit in its new Clark Street location.

Within moments of entering the well-designed space, I discovered the perfect chair for my new writing desk. Attempting to thwart my impulsive nature, I decided to sleep on it but then spent the next 24 hours doing just the opposite, as I franticly stressed that the chrome and leather beauty would be snatched away by well . . . you. (Better luck next time!)

Continued after photos . . .





Don't worry - Room Service offers many items I covet and which give you the means to settle the score. I'll even give you a hand; my wish list includes antique milk jugs, seltzer bottles, antlers and a fabulous pair of mint-condition maple chairs. Budget permitting, these items will soon be mine. But we know that all is fair in love and shopping, so you should take advantage of my financial doldrums, show me who calls the shots in this relationship and support the new game in town.

Room Service is located at 5428 North Clark Street in Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood. For questions, call 773-878-5438 or email info@roomservice-chicago.com.


I love these


I love these


I love these














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This Week at White Attic . . . Build-a-Lamp (Lamp Bar)

And speaking of lamps, White Attic in Chicago's Andersonville, has unveiled a lamp bar concept. Simply pick a ceramic base and then go wild with 30 color choices and 67 shade fabrics. It's a lot like a salad bar without the "All You Can Eat" option or the prospect of salmonella.

Here are the specifics:

$185 - $255
6 week turn-around
$25 shipping (they conveniently arrive at your doorstep)

This Week at . . . I.D.

I.D. was started by two gents with very different strengths and interests. One of them wanted to open an optical store and the other had a design background. You know where this is going, don't you?

The result, which is located on Halsted in Lakeview, is a store that somehow manages to be both without losing its focus. I.D.'s got humor, funk, high design and that machine that tests for glaucoma by shooting a poof of air into your eyeball. Strange, huh? Truth be told, it probably wouldn't work with a different selection of products. The idea's a bit weird, but the selection (which includes a bright neon green roller skate sculpture/doorstop, gilded pigs and hanging vases) is a bit weird too, blending effortlessly with a perfectly chosen contemporary selection from companies like Blu Dot, Flor and Modernica.

One thing's for sure - if the lenses don't clear up your vision, the visual stimulation might. I.D. is located at 3337 North Halsted. For questions, call 773-755-4343 or visit their website.












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This Week at . . . Revival

I've written about Revival before (here), one of the only boutiques in Chicago that should come with a warning label and addiction counselors on-site. Sadly nothing has changed. When I dropped in a couple of weeks ago, I immediately felt a buzz that quickly spiraled into a near-stupor as the range of interesting options began to overwhelm me. The upscale antique shop carriers a mix of periods, but the 70's reign (as they should). Even the price tags are cool.

Revival is located at 1401 W. Irving Park. For questions, call 773-248-1211 or email info@rerevival.com.

To see all my thumb nails, click here.
Or, for a Flickr slide show, click here.



















* Yes, a couple of weeks. If you see something you like in the photos, it's probably gone. Do subscribers get updates in real-time without the two week delay? Good question and luckily for you, although I won't answer it here, it's easy to find out.

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This Week at . . . Grasshopper 510

I saw you driving the one block to the grocery store the other day (in your Hummer). I saw your incandescents burning brightly in unoccupied rooms. I saw you throwing your Diet Cokes cans in the garbage instead of recycling. I know what you're thinking. "From you OK. I learned it from watching you."

That's why you should join me and hop on over to Grasshopper 510, a new eco-boutique in Bucktown. To be frank, being green's not enough to make me visit a store or buy a product, but the mix of products make a visit to Grasshopper 510 well worthwhile.



I really dug the platters / art made out of recycled road signs, a deer crossing sign offering a clever twist on the antler crazy. But they have a bit of everything - kids clothes, jewelry, candles, home decor and other accessories - perfect gifts (even if its a gift for you).

Grasshopper 510 is located at 1944 North Damen Avenue in Chicago's Bucktown neighborhood. For questions, call 773-292-0510. Or email info@grasshopper510.com.














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This Week at . . . Pavilion Antiques

Pavilion Antiques (a favorite of Nate Berkus) has been in its current location for eleven years and specializes in 20th and 21st century French and Italian antiques. Other than Casati Gallery, which strictly deals in Italian, Pavilion's the only game in town, and it shows. I challenge you to find anything in Pavilion's showroom anywhere else in Chicago.


I. Want. This.

I'm especially in love with a 1930's parchment top table, but like a philandering husband in Vegas for a convention, I can't control my wandering eye; I'm always looking for something special to take home, fearful that I'll feel a little guilty in the morning; but I never do.

Pavilion Antiques is located at 2055 North Damen Avenue. For questions, call 773-645-0924 or email info@pavilionantiques.com.












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I 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.