Leslie Hindman is gearing up for two of her company’s most popular events—auctions of fine jewelry (December 6 to 7) and contemporary art (December 15)—which happen in the thick of holiday shopping season. That’s not all the 60-year-old Hinsdale native has on tap. The seventh and eighth locations of her namesake auction house will open in Washington, D.C., and Detroit within the next six months. “I’m thrilled with all that’s going on at our firm,” says Hindman.
In 2012, she purchased and gut-rehabbed the Gold Coast single-family home she shares with her cats, Robert and William. Fine antiques and exquisite art fill the space, which, despite the rare pieces, is warm and inviting and the site of frequent get-togethers. Here are some of her favorite things.
Belgian tapestry from the 1600s
“A little odd, but I think it’s fabulous. And it’s wonderful
that it’s so old.”
Working by Studs Terkel
($17, Book Cellar, 4736 N. Lincoln Ave.)
“What we do for a living is so important and identifies us to ourselves and other people.”
Her mother’s Art Deco diamond brooch
“It’s stylistically simple, and I like the clean lines.”
Canton porcelain plate
($40 for similar, julielindbergantiques.com)
“Very inexpensive and durable. It’s interesting-looking.”
Chet Baker Sings
($11 for CD, Barnes & Noble, 1441 W. Webster Ave.)
“I grew up with big band music. My dad played sax in a big band that practiced at our house every Sunday after church.”
Engraved sterling silver Paul Revere bowl
($250 for similar, etsy.com)
“I love the texture, and silver is underrated.”
Crane & Co. stationery
($25, Ashley’s Custom Stationery & More,
30 E. First St., Hinsdale)
“The art of letter writing is lost. I believe in thank-you notes.”
Hydrangeas
($9 a bloom, Green, 1718 N. Wells St.)
“I think you should spend as much on flowers as you do on food.”
Taxidermied peacock
“All the taxidermy I have is old, from the ’60s or earlier.”
Hermès silk scarves
($395 each, 25 E. Oak St.)
“Versatile things you can just throw on.”