Decoration Technology
Advances in technology have made these very exciting times to live in, but with the constant introduction of got-to-have-it gadgets and call-in-sick-to-line-up-for iWhatevers they can be more than a little overwhelming. Ruh-roh! If you don’t have a robot maid like the Jetsons did, Susan Fredman Design Group is here to help you navigate the hi-tech terrain and integrate those cah-razy things with spacely planning at home to control televisions, window treatments, sound systems, lights, and more. On Thursday, March 24, reps from Grand Home Automation and designers from SFDP will be hosting a Your Pad and the iPad evening tech talk at Fredman’s River North location, with demonstrations, drinks, snacks, tips, and a raffle for an iTunes gift card. It’s from 6–8 p.m. and free; just RSVP to Jamie at jfields@susanfredman.com.
Daniels Boon
We alerted you in January that Daniels Antiques was leaving its Damen Avenue digs for an undisclosed new location; now I can fully disclose that the multifaceted veteran marketers are comfortably ensconced in their new shop at 4507 N. Lincoln Ave., and ready to party. This is the fourth location for Dan Popuch since he left Gary Marks Antiques and hung his shingle almost 20 years ago upstairs at Architectural Artifacts. Celebrate the move and scope out new acquisitions—everything from antiquities to mid-century modern—with Dan and his wife, Cynthia Diaz, tomorrow night from 6–9 p.m.
Lord of the Fleas
Jayson Home & Garden scouts came back from worldly winter buying trips so amped up about their finds that they couldn’t wait until Jayson’s massive annual autumn flea market to show the wares off. Hence, this weekend we are getting a scaled down, “petit flea” at the Clybourn location and online. Settees, lighting, tables, tableware, and all manner of curious gorge hailing from Provence, Palm Beach, Belgium, and beyond will be on display Friday through Sunday. Some things are kept in as-found condition while others, such as this vintage chinoiserie daybed, have been given the extreme Jayson makeover with new finishes and upholstery (it’s $4,995). Did I mention they’ll be serving champagne?
Better Homes and Groupons
The controversial Chicago-based online discounter Groupon has just launched a niche nook on its site, dedicated to services and products of the home and garden variety. I’ve notice for a while now that Groupon has been diversifying from the deal-of-the-day restaurant and spa offers it seemed to build its business on when it launched in November 2008 (these days you’re just as likely to find an electrolysis coupon or a discounted cha-cha class as you are a cut-price massage or profitable prix fixe in your inbox). It’s convenient and fun to have a focused home channel, and with such recent vendors as Colori Eco Paint Boutique, Chicagoland Custom Closets, and Rubin’s Furniture, it looks like Groupon is going after a nice mix of established, quality companies. Here’s a shot of the paint job Colori did for the nursery at the Smart Home; watch for their Groupon and have Michelle come over for a discounted color consultation (and watch for 2011’s Smart Home to open late next month).
Shamrock Shakedown
The distinctive matte green finish on Arts and Crafts pottery is one of my favorite colors and textures; there’s something about it that comforts me and strikes a chord in my Midwestern soul. Just looking at my little collection calms me down, even if I’m upset about Mr. Trump’s final decision on Celebrity Apprentice (ooh, it’s good and crazy this season, people). For the rest of this unusually green month, PrairieMod is discounting all verdant Teco handcrafted pottery at their online store by 35 percent, if you enter the promo code GREENMAR11 at checkout. Here’s a little tip of the shillelagh for you: If you want a different color, they’ll honor this deal just the same. This elegant Fernand Moreau rocket vase retails for $85 (do the math, lass).
Mien’s Warehouse
The chi-chi French furniture company Ligne Roset is having its annual in-store clearance sale this week at the River North location, 440 N. Wells St. (run over to Rick Bayless’s XOCO while you’re in the neighborhood for some toe-curling churros and hot chocolate). Ligne Roset needs to make some room for incoming arrivals from the 2011 European furniture shows, so it will be bringing in warehouse items such as rugs, cabinetry, beds, accessories, and lighting, and pricing them 30–60 percent off retail. The sale started this morning at 10, and continues until Sunday at five.
Japan
It’s numbingly sad to learn details and watch coverage of the aftermath of the tragedy that occurred in Japan last week, and all I can really say is that Mother Earth, you have definitely got some explaining to do on this one. Please give what you can, today, to the American Red Cross to help, or at least skip a couple of lattes and make a $10 donation by texting REDCROSS to 90999. Members of the design and art community are doing their part to contribute, including Chicago printmaker Phineas X. Jones, who has created this print inspired by Namazu, the giant catfish of Japanese mythology that lives under the mud and causes earthquakes when his captor Kashima is caught off guard. The $40 signed and numbered prints are available at Octophant, and $15 of every sale is being donated to relief efforts.