Ad Categories: Home and Garden

Our Classified Advertising Manager, Kelly Zech, wrote a guest blog for us today:
Dark walls can be intimidating things. But I keep bumping into some super amazing-looking rooms that have them, and now I sort of crave one of my own. My dining room is large—and would look totally classy with some dark charcoal gray. I plan on keeping the chair rail, baseboards, and ceiling crispy white. I also would love to use that color to incorporate a small bit of chalkboard wall into a yummy, herby green kitchen. If I put magnetic paint underneath that chalkboard paint, perhaps I can create a sweet cooking spice wall using magnetic spice tins?
 
These thoughts led me to create a new household color palette of charcoal, beach, and spice and inspired me to create a mood board to think it all though. I want to transition this space into cool, springy tones that bring to mind the first grill out on Lake Michigan in late May.

—kelly Zech

Photos from:
 
1. Apartment Therapy
2. Flickr: Rhapsody
3. Hotel San Jose, Austin, TX
4. Domino magazine (RIP), 11/08
5. Flickr: Littlemagpie (PAINT: Knight’s Armor; Olympic Interior Laytex Eggshell)
6. Dick Blick – Color
7. above: herbs from my garden; below: my son on the beach of Lake Michigan
8. Strange Closets Open House: Tim and Megan’s River North apartment
9. Strange Closets
10. Flickr: Bimma
 

Yesterday afternoon, I noticed a handwritten sign in the window of an empty storefront at 501 North Wells. It read: “Like it? Need it? Buy it!!!”, and listed a website for people looking to purchase goods. The place was closed, but through the window I spotted a framed Picasso poster ($150), a pair of darling upholstered armchairs, and two shapely wooden stools, along with lots of vintage-looking rugs, tables, dressers, and artwork. There were plenty of designer handbags and heels on display, too. I scribbled down the web address and, according to the shop’s blog, it’s a pop-up estate sale and will be open today (May 27). For inquiries, email poseyfisher@comcast.net. Happy hunting!

–Bridget Herman

Nothing is more personal than a portrait, but not everyone can afford to hire an artist to create a rendering in oil paints of their favorite person. That’s where Smallish Art comes in. Former local marketing professional Jill Stalowicz draws mini-portraits for her clients; at 5 by 7 inches, they’re charming as anything. Just send her a photo of your subject, give her 3 to 5 weeks (and $395) and you’ll get a piece of artwork you will cherish forever. Stalowicz draws people in pencil, pets in pastels.

—GINA BAZER

Stephanie Wadell of Agnes & Hoss just informed us that she is discontinuing her retail line of silk pillows, purses, and scarves. That means 50 percent off all her gorgeous, nature-inspired pillows, from now until they are all gone.

—GINA BAZER

Many antique and salvage dealers in town are making a big percentage of their sales via the web. But what’s sort of ironic is that the web has prompted more out-of-towners to come to Chicago to see items in person. And this whole trend caused at least one dealer, Urban Remains, to move to bigger digs. Owner Eric Nordstrom said he felt a little embarrassed bringing customers by his former cramped, crowded, and ill-lit location. So a week or so ago he took up a 3,000-square-foot space next to Post 27 at 1819 W. Grand Ave. where his inventory—including period hardware, vintage doors, medical and apothecary items, signs, and historic building terra cotta—is easier to browse. (Nordstrom is keeping his old space on Paulina as a warehouse and shipping facility for his web business.) Across the street from the new showroom is a sister store, Bldg. 51, a gallery, or sort of museum, which incorporates his personal collection of notable artifacts (some for sale, some not). He’s got pieces from the old Stock Exchange, a Frank Lloyd Wright window, ironwork from the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis, a burned zinc gutter spout from the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. “Every piece I’ve either salvaged myself or I know its provenance,” he says. The showroom is open on weekends and by appointment other times; the gallery is open by appointment only.

—JAN PARR

The Friends of Pritzker School’s second annual birdhouse auction is coming up this weekend, May 22 from 6 to 10 p.m. at artist Wesley Kimler’s Studio, 2046 W. Carroll Ave. Tickets to the event are $30 in advance and $35 at the door and include open bar and appetizers. All proceeds go toward supporting A.N. Pritzker School. More than 70 birdhouses will be auctioned off, including the ones shown above (from left to right: by Anne Benjamin, Maria Ponce, and Lynne Warren).

—GINA BAZER

I popped into the new Space519 on the fifth floor of the 900 Shops, and left craving enchiladas. The “refined general store,” as owners Lance Lawson and Jim Wetzel (former owners of the now-defunct clothing boutique Jake) describe it, currently has a fun display inspired by a recent trip they took to Santa Fe. The wares include fashion accessories (chunky, colorful bead necklaces and other Southwest-chic jewelry) and amazing black-clay skillets that Lawson uses to heat up enchiladas on the stovetop and than transfers directly to the table (one skillet per guest, presented on colorful woven mats—also available at Space519). “Whether my friends are ultra-modernists or have a big country kitchen, they love the way this cookware looks,” says Lawson.  I was certainly taken. The store also has a funky beach-living theme going right now (with fun vintage driftwood lamps, hip totes and more) and has plenty of candles, some vintage furniture and a great selection of travel books. Themes change seasonally. Refined general store, indeed.

—GINA BAZER