Even if romance doesn’t quite top food, clothing, or shelter on the hierarchy of needs for most Chicagoans, it’s a good bet that it tops the list of wants for many. In the following pages, we explore the intimate side of our town—and find it to be far friskier than the staid Midwestern stereotype suggests. Ever wonder what goes on in the bedrooms of ordinary Chicagoans? Or what really happened inside the Playboy mansion when Hef was frolicking in his Chicago heyday? For the answers to these and other urgent questions, read on. Read more
July 2009
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The new Ukrainian Village brunch spot Jam doesn’t only offer a yummy gourmet brunch at a reasonable price—it’s got some great design going on, too. An open kitchen keeps things casual, while chic, modern touches throughout the space give it an upscale flavor. The décor is simple: gray walls broken up with lots of white moldings and mirrors. Ligne Roset’s Plexi light fixtures (from the Josephine 5d collection) add some glamour on the walls, while CB2’s pressed vinyl Dot placemats by Chilewich in citrine lend some punch—and civility—atop charcoal-hued stone tables. If you’re in a decorating, um, jam, find some inspiration here. Jam, 937 North Damen Ave., 773-489-0302
—Gina Bazer
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These fun chairs by Anna Hrecka, inspired by the dandelion, are newly available at IQMatics in Schaumburg, one of the suburbs’ hippest furniture stores. The Comfee, as it’s called, comes in black or white mesh ($699) or aniline leather ($2,299) in several colors and stitched patterns.
—JAN PARR
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A friend of mine just went to Paris and, knowing that Design Dose readers would appreciate it, snapped this photo of Belgian fashion designer Dries Van Noten’s boutique there. My friend said it best: “It was the perfect blend of done and undone, luxe but not pretentious. And so original—just like Dries himself.” The New York Times covered its 2007 opening here. The space was formerly a bookstore and I love how Dries kept that feeling alive with the tall shelves, replacing books with clothing and using those tomato red boxes as accents. The use of color is fantastic.
—Gina Bazer
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