I stopped by Vesta Chicago's Fuego grill launch party last week and it was sizzling. What makes the Fuego grill so cool is that it doesn't really look like one. Architects, designers, and friends of Vesta (a dealer of modern kitchen cabinetry and wardrobes) gathered around what looked like several industrial-style kitchen islands to collect their delicious burgers and fish tacos. The Fuego has no visible lid (it's fully retractable), so there's no physical barrier between the grill master and his/her friends. Teak and slate countertops surrounding the cooking surface allow you to set down your plates and drinks as if it were a bar. The grill also has tons of hidden storage (including a place to hide the gas tank), and for purists, a drawer containing an optional charcoal-grilling system.
Next, it was on to a soirée at the remodeled home and studio of the husband-wife architect team, Lisa and Ron Elkins, owners of the eco-friendly firm 2 Point Perspective. We checked out their cool new kitchen with its bamboo cabinets, recycled glass countertops, and energy-saving LED lighting (we will post photos as soon as we have them), and we marveled at the huge, gorgeous planks of rough reclaimed wood, freshly purchased from Horigan Urban Forest Products , that they had leaning against their living room wall next to a sign proclaiming: “Future dining table.” The nice people of Greenmaker, an eco-friendly remodeling supply store, were on hand raffling off gift certificates.
-Gina Bazer
Claudia Skylar of Mastro & Skylar Architects, Colette Rodon-Hornof of Vesta Chicago, and Ann Clark of Nicholas Clark Architects
A Fuego grill in all its glory
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I stopped by Vesta Chicago's Fuego grill launch party last week and it was sizzling. What makes the Fuego grill so cool is that it doesn't really look like one. Architects, designers, and friends of Vesta (a dealer of modern kitchen cabinetry and wardrobes) gathered around what looked like several industrial-style kitchen islands to collect their delicious burgers and fish tacos. The Fuego has no visible lid (it's fully retractable), so there's no physical barrier between the grill master and his/her friends. Teak and slate countertops surrounding the cooking surface allow you to set down your plates and drinks as if it were a bar. The grill also has tons of hidden storage (including a place to hide the gas tank), and for purists, a drawer containing an optional charcoal-grilling system.
Next, it was on to a soirée at the remodeled home and studio of the husband-wife architect team, Lisa and Ron Elkins, owners of the eco-friendly firm 2 Point Perspective. We checked out their cool new kitchen with its bamboo cabinets, recycled glass countertops, and energy-saving LED lighting (we will post photos as soon as we have them), and we marveled at the huge, gorgeous planks of rough reclaimed wood, freshly purchased from Horigan Urban Forest Products , that they had leaning against their living room wall next to a sign proclaiming: “Future dining table.” The nice people of Greenmaker, an eco-friendly remodeling supply store, were on hand raffling off gift certificates.
-Gina Bazer
Claudia Skylar of Mastro & Skylar Architects, Colette Rodon-Hornof of Vesta Chicago, and Ann Clark of Nicholas Clark Architects
A Fuego grill in all its glory
" />
I stopped by Vesta Chicago's Fuego grill launch party last week and it was sizzling. What makes the Fuego grill so cool is that it doesn't really look like one. Architects, designers, and friends of Vesta (a dealer of modern kitchen cabinetry and wardrobes) gathered around what looked like several industrial-style kitchen islands to collect their delicious burgers and fish tacos. The Fuego has no visible lid (it's fully retractable), so there's no physical barrier between the grill master and his/her friends. Teak and slate countertops surrounding the cooking surface allow you to set down your plates and drinks as if it were a bar. The grill also has tons of hidden storage (including a place to hide the gas tank), and for purists, a drawer containing an optional charcoal-grilling system.
Next, it was on to a soirée at the remodeled home and studio of the husband-wife architect team, Lisa and Ron Elkins, owners of the eco-friendly firm 2 Point Perspective. We checked out their cool new kitchen with its bamboo cabinets, recycled glass countertops, and energy-saving LED lighting (we will post photos as soon as we have them), and we marveled at the huge, gorgeous planks of rough reclaimed wood, freshly purchased from Horigan Urban Forest Products , that they had leaning against their living room wall next to a sign proclaiming: “Future dining table.” The nice people of Greenmaker, an eco-friendly remodeling supply store, were on hand raffling off gift certificates.
-Gina Bazer
Claudia Skylar of Mastro & Skylar Architects, Colette Rodon-Hornof of Vesta Chicago, and Ann Clark of Nicholas Clark Architects
I stopped by Vesta Chicago’s Fuego grill launch party last week and it was sizzling. What makes the Fuego grill so cool is that it doesn’t really look like one. Architects, designers, and friends of Vesta (a dealer of modern kitchen cabinetry and wardrobes) gathered around what looked like several industrial-style kitchen islands to collect their delicious burgers and fish tacos. The Fuego has no visible lid (it’s fully retractable), so there’s no physical barrier between the grill master and his/her friends. Teak and slate countertops surrounding the cooking surface allow you to set down your plates and drinks as if it were a bar. The grill also has tons of hidden storage (including a place to hide the gas tank), and for purists, a drawer containing an optional charcoal-grilling system.
Next, it was on to a soirée at the remodeled home and studio of the husband-wife architect team, Lisa and Ron Elkins, owners of the eco-friendly firm 2 Point Perspective. We checked out their cool new kitchen with its bamboo cabinets, recycled glass countertops, and energy-saving LED lighting (we will post photos as soon as we have them), and we marveled at the huge, gorgeous planks of rough reclaimed wood, freshly purchased from Horigan Urban Forest Products , that they had leaning against their living room wall next to a sign proclaiming: “Future dining table.” The nice people of Greenmaker, an eco-friendly remodeling supply store, were on hand raffling off gift certificates.
-Gina Bazer
Claudia Skylar of Mastro & Skylar Architects, Colette Rodon-Hornof of Vesta Chicago, and Ann Clark of Nicholas Clark Architects
We were sad to hear that Mary Jeanne Reese is closing her fantastic Au Coin du Feu showroom so that she can concentrate on her Nymphenburg USA business. It’s a real loss for Chicago, but there’s a silver lining: if you’re in the market for fireplace surrounds, fireplace accessories, reclaimed fire brick and tile, hearthstone, flooring, or antique home and garden accessories, they’re discounted at 50 to 75 percent off retail to clear. You’ve got til July 31; call 312-850-2655 or email mj@acdf-fireplace.com for an appointment. Look for Reese to open her Nymphenburg showroom this fall; we’ll keep you posted.
—JAN PARR
An iron fireback typical of Au coin du Feu’s inventory
I’ve already bought five sheets of these fab stamps (gave one sheet as a hostess gift, along with wine, last weekend). At first, I was stingy about using them on actual envelopes, then thought, hey, why shouldn’t the person who processes my car insurance bill get a little treat? Buy them at the Postal Store here.
My trusted Home Depot warhorse of a ceiling fan died last fall, after years of devoted sunroom service. The downlight still worked, so replacing it wasn’t on the top of my to-do list, but with a Chicago summer heating up, it was time for action and an upgrade. I blew over to Lightology and met up with my pal Jeffery Morris, lighting specialist, who showed me this sexy Minka Aire number from Artemis. I got it in maple, but it also comes in clear, mahogany, and nickel finishes, and later this summer the company is adding red, black, and copper versions. I’m a big fan.
What a great idea: a house tour of “modest” but well-designed homes in Oak Park. I toured eight houses last Saturday on the “Southeast Style” tour and found a bit to like in each (it was particularly fun since my husband and I own a bungalow in southwest Oak Park). One favorite was a gut conversion of a brick bungalow—inside it feels like a downtown loft. Brian and Angela Pettit did most of the design work themselves. Brian told me he reasoned that bungalows are essentially modern—he just took it a few steps further. I’ll keep you posted should the tour be held again next year.
My long-time favorite home store extraordinaire, Jayson Home & Garden, is expanding this fall. Starting September 1 (you can sneak a pre-opening peek mid-August), the entire basement will be converted into a subterranean loft-like selling area to house an expanded collection of upholstered (adding Cisco sofas to their Mitchell-Gold mix) and casegood furniture, more lighting, and a hand-picked selection of rugs. The outlet now in the basement will close, but big warehouse sales at the store’s Elston space are promised. And be on the lookout for pre-expansion sales— there are sure to be stellar buys.
Water Wise Perennials that don’t ask for much. The pros at the Chicago Botanic Garden recommend the following plants for their drought resistance, bug tolerance, and adaptability to different soils. Roll over each flower to read what the pros are saying… A. You can grow healthy plants, for one thing, as it’s the unhealthy … Read more
