| Viva La Cucina Just when you thought there couldn’t possibly be room for another Italian kitchen showroom at LuxeHome, Ernestomeda appears, scheduled to open its first U.S. outpost in June (with another opening in Los Angeles at the same time). What makes it different? "We offer a very wide range of styles, from transitional to modern to living-on-Mars modern-all at very good prices compared to the other showrooms of the same quality," says owner Luca Lanzetta. 131 Merchandise Mart, 312-479-5632; ernestomeda.com. |
The Elektra kitchen, a transitional option |
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All Together Now Local design duo Robert Segal and Alicia Rosauer have garnered some attention since they started their Unison bedding and pillows collection a year ago. Now they have a new line of table linens in their signature modern-yet-cozy style. The expansion was natural for the couple, who came to Chicago after four years in Finland working at the renowned printed-fabric company Marimekko. "We enjoy entertaining, but we also like using tablecloths and placemats just for our own meals," Rosauer says. And why stop there? The online shop now offers vases and other home accessories, curated by the designers. Tablecloths from $90, placemats $16 each, napkins $12 each, at unisonhome.com. -Tina Trenkner |
| Not So Plain Jane It’s not polite to spy on your neighbors’ backyard parties. But when their outdoor furnishings are as fabulous as the Lino Codato collection from local company Jane Hamley Wells (janehamleywells.com), it’s hard not to. Wells has traveled the world to find what she calls "livable modern" outdoor pieces durable enough to withstand Chicago’s weather, and she’s out to prove there’s no aesthetic difference between indoor and outdoor decorating. "I love seeing furniture outdoors that looks like it could-or should-be used inside," she says. Available through Orange Skin, 223 W. Erie St., 312-335-1033, orangeskin.com. -T. T. |
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