Pearl Jam
The collective group of artists that goes by the name of Pearl was so pleased with the success of its fall pop-up art show and market in Blue Island that it’s at it again this weekend. This time Pearl rolls in to George’s Sweet Shop (5306 North Clark Street) to string up a temporary showcase featuring hand-painted furniture, terrariums, dinosaur lamps and planters, wine-stoppers made of chess pieces, and prints, photos, and paintings. This delicately patterned glassware is by artist and founding Pearl Heather Klausa. The ephemeral show will be only open tomorrow from 5–11 and Saturday from 11–5. Oh and even though George’s sells an irresistible selection of ice creams, don’t go trying on any handmade felt necklaces or shark baby buntings until you finish your cone. That’s just rude.
Hort Couture
When I first saw the term hort couture I thought there was a typo, but it turns out to be a mash-up designation for the symbiotic relationship between flowers and fashion. (It also brings to mind that bitchy Dorothy Parker quote: “You can lead a horticulture, but you can’t make her think.”) Fashion designers have always been inspired by nature, and organizers of this year’s Chicago Flower & Garden Show are exploring the other side of the table by spotlighting landscape design and floral arrangements that reference high-style fashion. Ramsey Jay Prince, the local event planner and floral, interior, and fashion designer whose work is shown here, will be creating a fantasy tablescape and three outdoor-living vignettes. There will be 11 other over-the-top tablescapes, including a Lilly Pulitzer Palm Beach–acid trip designed by Kenneth Ludwig, whose Mart showroom is the first in the city to carry Pulitzer’s home line. The show opens this Saturday, March 10 and runs for a week at Navy Pier, and tickets are $17 to $19 (save $2 by ordering online).
Bedded Bliss
Interior designer Brynne Rinderknecht was inspired by Valentine’s Day to come up with the concept of bedroom design consultation gift certificates, but she’s of the belief that regardless of the time of year or your relationship status, you should be thinking about sprucing up the bedroom. “Bedrooms by Brynne is an important service,” she says, “as it can be a catalyst in creating a personal narrative in the bedroom. My gift certificates [$250 for a lengthy session] can be a lovely wedding gift, or for when you’re starting your life anew and want to ditch that mattress with the major history.” (Really, that’s what she said.) Brynne sent shots of a project she’s just finished in the Kenwood neighborhood near President Obama’s house, a bedroom suite in a Georgian Revival manse designed by Benjamin Marshall, the architect who is behind the Drake and Blackstone Hotels and other Chicago landmarks. I like the historical references conjured up by the refurbished vintage pieces of different eras, such as this blush-mohair upholstered headboard and white daisy Marbro lamp. Paint from Colori was used on the walls, the en suite sunroom was transformed into a walk-in closet, and accent pieces include a romantic Murano glass chandelier and a refurbished optometrist’s examination desk (insert your own “bedroom eyes” joke here).
Blog Roll
Jenny Rossignuolo does a terrific job keeping her stylish fingers on the worldwide pulse of design trends. She has to, in order to procure the kaleidoscope of au courant wall coverings and fabrics that she peddles from her interior design studio, Urban Source (1429 West Chicago Ave.), which just launched a blog to share insider knowledge, tips, and inspiration, as well as news about new lines the shop is carrying. Small-batch, indie lines such as Victoria Larson, whose bold and beachy fabrics begin life as watercolor paintings or carved block prints (pictured) before being printed on green material using green inks. Check it out to learn fun stuff like I did today: Kate Spade’s spring collection claims famous Aussie wallpaper doyenne Florence Broadhurst as its muse and spirit.
Recommended Dosage
It’s time for another Dose Market at the River East Art Center, and dealers and vendors have been knocking around like crazy to get ready for Sunday’s sale, March 11, 10–4. Ten bucks (eight if you order online) gets you admission to the fair and the chance to see what kind of quirky Agent Gallery brings this month (I’m digging this vintage croquet set), and other steampunky goods from Industrial Evolution and Artpentry. There will also be more than 30 other vendors and dealers selling foodstuffs, clothing, tableware, and eyeware.
Altered States
Once upon a time, I told you about my introduction to Ikea hacking, the practice of modifying an inexpensive piece of furniture or shelving to fit custom needs or simply to give it some personality. Iron man Randall Kramer was the first to clue me in on the concept three years ago, and a website where hackers, including Kramer, show off their projects. He’s still at it: When he found a $139 white leather and stainless steel Bernhard chair in the as-is section recently, marked down to $59, he snapped it up. But he needed a bar stool, not a dining chair, so what to do? He built Bernie some stilts, had them polished to a mirror finish, and the problem was solved. Sweeeeede!