Photo Courtesy of Patricia Urquiola
Step into Luminaire (301 W. Superior St.) and you will probably notice two things: the perfectly appointed selection of gorgeous designs and the hefty price tags attached to those pieces. But for the next month or so, you can walk upstairs and get a different experience. The second floor of Luminaire has been transformed into a pop-up shop called LuminaireX that is focused on offering good design at more affordable prices.
Patricia Urquiola’s Antibodi lounge chair (shown here), regularly $8,550, is $4,617. Still sound pricey? You can get the Saint Ethic Rocking chair, designed by Philippe Starck in 2008 (weather-proof for outdoor use, but good for indoors, too), for $348.
What’s up with the price cuts? Most of these pieces are no longer needed on the display floor (they aren’t in production anymore or Luminaire has stopped carrying the designer). In addition to internationally-known names, there is also a rotating cast of Chicago designers—from a kitchen supply company to a popcorn maker to a clothing designer—showing their goods.
While the close date is up in the air, the shop will probably only be around through mid-May, so check it out sooner rather than later.