Restore Yourself
Did you know there is a Restoration Hardware outlet in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, just about an hour away from Chicago? If you are in the market for a huge beige upholstered sofa or a vaguely antique, vaguely Belgian, vaguely industrial accent piece, we hear the pickings are good. Discounts go all the way up to 50 percent off, but mostly hover around 30 percent. The store is about the same size as a retail store and has everything from linens and pillows to sofas and tables. While all sales are final and there’s no delivery service, they will hold purchased items for up to 24 hours. Sales assistants are friendly about inquiries regarding particular items, so don’t hesitate to call before you head north. I’m a bit of a sucker for all the moods and eras Restoration Hardware so grandly evokes, even if they aren’t entirely authentic. It’s like they take the charm of old Europe and supersize it. Oh, heck, why analyze? It’s summer and a nice time to take a drive (or two, if you must come back with a truck). —Gina Bazer
Eau de Paris
The scent of Paris can be anything from the buttery sweetness of a patisserie to the awful stench of dog poo (often the two can hit in uncanny proximity). But mostly what lingers in one’s olfactory memory is the alluring je ne sais quoi of decadence, and it has been bottled by Quintessence-Paris, a luxury line of home fragrances that includes candles and sachets for drawers and closets. Chicago Luxury Beds in River North is having a party to introduce this chi-chi line to Chicago (the store is the only one in the Midwest that carries it) today, July 26, at 5 p.m. Come sniff for yourself. —GB
Weekend Treasure Hunt
Secret Treasures Antiques & Collectibles is cleaning out its basement for the Evanston Sidewalk Sale on Saturday, July 28, “from 9 a.m. until it’s all gone,” according to the website, so we can only assume this means motivation is high to get rid of stuff—and that means deals! The Sidewalk Sale runs Friday through Sunday, and more than 100 merchants participate, selling all kinds of vintage and brand-new things, from apparel to home goods to handmade decorative pieces. —GB
Shady Business
You don’t need to be Tom Skilling to know this summer is hot, hot, hot. But don’t let that keep you indoors in front of your air conditioner—especially this weekend, when the Randolph Street Market returns for its July event. This time around, there will be a special Shade Shack cabana filled with items that have a shade theme. Think beyond sunglasses (which, yes, they will have)—you’ll also find custom lamp shades and bases by Ronda Ruby Ceramics, shown here, and offerings from a new vendor to the market, Darin Miller. He’s selling cool vintage decor like fans (cool—get it?), typewriters, and clocks. See for yourself Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are $10 at the gate, $8 in advance online. —Alice Oglethorpe
Brew & View
Craft beer has long inspired chefs to come up with perfect food pairings, but a brew inspiring a painting or sculpture? It sounds strange, but that’s exactly what you’ll find at the Arts & Crafts event on Wednesday, August 8, at Public House. The Chicago Artists’ Coalition, an organization for local artists in the city, held a competition for its members to taste a local beer and come up with a work of art inspired by it. Judges then chose the top five projects, which will be on display for the night. For $30, sip your way through five local craft beers from Solemn Oath, 5 Rabbit, Goose Island, and Finch (which inspired this piece by artist Shawn Stucky). While enjoying the suds, you can check out the art, talk to the artists, and vote on your favorite pairing. You might even find a new favorite talent to support and get some new art for your home. The event runs from 6 to 10 p.m. and tickets must be purchased beforehand at publichousechicago.com. —AO