Hi, Cool Yearbook

I know we haven’t known each other very long, Yearbook, but I’m already enrolled in your fan club and hope we’ll be BFFs. This frosh new Forest Park vintage shop and design studio has opened with validation from mayor Anthony Calderone, extra credit from home-savvy headmasters, and hip-hip-hurrahs from shoppers. “When you put something out there that you’re passionate about, it’s gratifying to see it received with such delight and enthusiasm,” co-owner Noel Eberline told me. “Some people have said they wish they could live here, and that’s affirming our goal of creating a unique environment and experience—not just a store with cool vintage stuff.” The welcoming preppy/summer-camp/mid-century vibe of the place that he and his partner, Jef Anderson, have put together really rings a bell for me, and I’m looking forward to upcoming study-hall events, such as next Thursday’s discussion and demo on bringing home the Yearbook style (October 6 at 7 p.m.; $20 tuition; save your seat at info@yearbookstudios.com).

Harvested Interest

The attendants of last year’s inaugural Design Harvest street festival in West Town could tell that something pretty special was going on. There was excitement in the (rather chilly) air and lots of selling, dancing, and interesting people—I had a feeling this would grow into a popular annual event. Well, DH#2 takes place this weekend along Grand Avenue between Damen and Wood Street on Saturday and Sunday, from 11–8 both days, and I don’t often say this, but it’s a don’t-miss free event, celebrating a well-juried pack of Chicago’s independent furniture designers and vintage home and accessory dealers (no cheap sunglasses or lewd T-shirts here). Exhibitors include Green Home Chicago, Revision Home, Morlen Sinoway, Jason Lewis, Urban Source, and ReAdapted’s Bill Mitchell (here he is in his booth last year). Co-producers Post 27 and the West Town Chamber of Commerce invited the Hideout to schedule the music again, and hayrides and square dancing will be making a comeback. They’ve enhanced the experience this year by adding events such as a hands-on art party, amped-up street fare from popular food wagons, and a chance to “Paint It Forward” by getting home color schemes picked out by Nate Berkus’s design team (bring pics and $10; proceeds are going toward a cafeteria redo for Talcott Elementary School). Design Harvest also provides an optimal opportunity to check out all the home stores in this rapidly evolving neighborhood, such as SG Grand, Urban Remains, Modern Times, and Buckingham I.D., where Jan will be signing copies of Chicago Spaces: Inspired Interiors on Saturday from 4–5:30. The book will also be available at the Chicago Home + Garden booth, which is also offering ten-minute design consults with top designers—reserve a time slot and read about the designers here.

Home, Alone

It’s going to be a busy weekend for Revision Home, because in addition to manning a booth at Design Harvest the high-style vintage home store is having one of its infrequent warehouse sales, around the corner at 2132 West Fulton Street, Friday from 11–3 and Saturday and Sunday from 11–8. Get first dibs on owner Katie Ernst’s new finds (such as this green lacquered media cabinet) at tonight’s hip happening, which will also feature intricate works on paper by Chicago artist Brent Fogt and a fashion show and sale from the Oak Park clothing boutique Muse (recently given a shout-out by Lucky magazine as one of the best-edited shops in the Chicago area; featuring “chic vegan shoes”—tasty!). Peep the kicks and the sticks tonight from 5:30–8:30.

Buddy, You Got a Problem?

Any HGTV fan knows that interior design issues can be frustrating to diagnose and tricky to solve, especially when you can’t put your finger on why a room doesn’t feel quite right. Occasionally the dilemma calls for Jackie Kennedy to step in and organize a complete rehaul, but often a situation requires just a few minor adjustments to make it copacetic, sort of like sticking three inches of knee out when you get too hot sleeping under a comforter. Snap some pictures of what’s bugging you in your home or office, and bring them in to get gratis professional advice from ASID designers at the Picture This event at the Mart’s Chopping Block, October 11, 6–8 p.m. I’m telling you now because you’ll need to RSVP and fill out a little questionnaire first here.

Sound Investments

When I was in college, I worked as a waiter at Spiaggia for a while, and remember one mysterious, beautiful blonde who lived in the building and frequently ate lunch, alone, at a window-side table in the café. “How are you today, Amahl?,” I asked her one afternoon as I freshened her iced tea. She put down the forkful of grilled lemon octopus salad in her hand, looked contemplatively up at me and said, after a few seconds, “Well, Brad, today I am feeling colors and seeing sounds.” I’ll have what she’s having, I thought to myself. I think Amahl would dig the new fall colors the BeoSound 8 music-dock covers from Bang & Olufsen come in, such as this warm red (orange, yellow, and gray are the other new options—what, no blues?). The BeoSound 8 is a chicly designed docking and speaker system that is directly compatible with iPods-Pads-Phones, etc., so no need for extra cords or adapters. Nice and tidy with great sound, and easy-peasy to use and transport. It’s $999, and the fabric covers are $60 a pair, available at Abt, or B&O’s 609 North State Street location. Check, please.

Movie Night

If you haven’t yet seen the fascinating design doc Objectified and are looking for something fun and free to do tonight, slip around to the back of Room Service for its alfresco courtyard showing of the film at 7 p.m. The Andersonville home shop will be serving concession-stand staples such as Junior Mints, Goobers, and popcorn, and a local paletas peddler is pedaling over with his ice cream bike. While you watch, whet your thirst with complimentary Prosecco and beer—Room Service delivers.

Kenilworth Walkabout

For the first three weekends of October, Orren Pickell Designers & Builders is opening the North Shore doors of one of its latest renovation projects to the public. The firm did a major ugly-duckling-to-swan transformation at a broken-down old traditional home at 100 Abingdon Avenue in Kenilworth, with a neglected indoor pool, weird layout, and overgrown landscaping. You can check it out and meet the Pickell team from 10–5 on the next six Saturdays and Sundays. Looks like they did a swell job, and someone’s going to have fun cooking Thanksgiving dinner in this magnificent new kitchen.

Photograph: (Yearbook) courtesy of Wes Cleaver Photography