Something Old, Something New
Last Friday night, Primitive threw a phancy phiesta to launch Phuture Primitive, the second chapter of its With Primitive series, the in-house quarterly invitational in which local designers use the shop’s inventory to set up living environs in small spaces. For this installation, Lukas Machnik of Florense and Jennifer Sweas of Jennifer Sweas Design transformed 900 square feet of Primitive’s third floor into a melding of modern elements with ethnographic artifacts and Primitive’s furniture designs. Nearly 200 people showed up to see and be seen (the comely Jennifer and Lukas are pictured here; more shots can be seen here). I especially liked the recycled steel plates they combined with weathered wood panels as flooring, and the wild W.C. they set up with curvy floor screens and a gnarled root basin. The installation will be on view through October, but don’t put it off—I know how you are.
This Sale, It Has Three Corners
The Golden Triangle celebrates 20 years in business this week with a big blowout anniversary sale, starting Friday and running through August 15 at its beauteous River North emporium at 330 N. Clark Street. I can remember when Doug and Chauwarin, The Triangle’s owners, had a jam-packed storefront space on Chicago Avenue that was more gifty than glitzy, and am pleased that these nice, knowledgeable guys have exponentially grown their business, reputations, and services (custom design, retrofitting, restoration, anyone?) over the past two decades. We included this sharp shop in our Best of Chicago Design Issue last year; check that out here and then make plans to hit the sale. Some items are already available for viewing and presale online, such as this ornate lacquered Burmese temple-offering urn, marked down to $285 from $950, and great-looking chunky benches and tables made from reclaimed Thai railroad ties.
Sunday Schooling
The Tree Studios branch of the mid-century modern powerhouse Design Within Reach has started a program of Sunday design advice consultations, every week from 11 a.m. till 3 p.m. (Or call to arrange another time.) Stop by for coffee and juice, and bring your floorplans and pictures—design pros will help you solve problem areas in both home and office. The store also often has selected floor samples discounted up to 35% off—call 312-280-4787 anytime for a current list.
Clean Up On Kenmore
It has never really been Domestica’s raison d’être to call out estate sales, unless they are really rock’em-sock’em, there are a lot of them in one neighborhood, or, say, Oprah and Nate Berkus decide it would be a hoot to dump some tchotchkes. Katherine Raz does that most efficiently already, at her BackGarage site and blog. But several things about this Edgewater sale make it seem promising: It’s in a mansion at 6023 N. Kenmore that has been earmarked for Chicago Historical Preservation; there will be thousands of items ranging from $5–$2,000, from Wedgwood tableware to books to trunks and mirrors, most from early last century; and the whole enchilada is being handled by Jay Goltz’s Chicago Art Source. The sale is this Saturday and Sunday, 8–4 both days, and here’s a preview. Why not run through the Broadway Antique Market while you’re in the neighborhood? They always have some quirky thing I never knew I needed.
Get Carded
Save 20 percent at more than 200 tony home stores, restaurants, boutiques, and salons throughout the North Shore area (some Chicago spots too) with a $75 donation to Jewish Child & Family Services that gets you a key card good for unlimited discount offers from August 15-22. Participating shops include Bedside Manner’s luxe linen locations; Highland Park’s Adesso, Anthropologie, Antiquaire, Idlewood Electric, and Table Compliments; Northbrook’s Unique Accents and Lewis Floor & Home; Glencoe’s Art Store Gallery; and Chicago’s Chiaroscuro, Home Carpet One, Lewis Floor & Home, and Material Possessions. Go to jcfs.org to see a complete list of vendors and get your key card. (They can also be purchased at some of the stores.) Proceeds benefit the North Shore Auxiliary of JCFS.