Chicago Design Blog | Material Girls | Chicago Interior Design

Two of my favorites in the design world, Eddie Ross and Debra Phillips, the owner of Geneva, IL Scentimental Gardens, come together on June 17 for an event not to be missed.  Debra Phillips is an old friend of mine, and I always enjoy browsing her unique store that includes superb antiques, furniture and garden goods.  I have picked up many items myself to use in my own home and homes of clients. And, to share a little bit of GREAT NEWS- Debra and I will become neighbors later this month when I open my Interior Design Offices and Design Showroom in the city at 1820 W. Grand Avenue,  and she opens SGGrand next door at 1822 W. Grand.  Now, I can shop her shop much more easily!

If you have not yet become acquainted with Eddie Ross, I tend to rave about him on MG!  Check out some prior Eddie posts…”Congrats to Our Main Man Eddie Ross” and “Eddie Ross Brings a Sense of Style to a Chicago Flea Market.”  His brilliant concepts for home, garden and entertainment never cease to amaze me.  In fact, he recently won the “Big Window Challenge” at Bloomingdales in NYC back in December. I’m so proud of him!  He beat out Apartment Therapy and Elle Decor in this cool challenge.  An afternoon with the two is a match made in heaven.  If you are in the Chicago area on Thursday June 17, checking out this event is definitely worth your while.  They will be discussing how to make magnificent tablesscapes and arrangements out of  that which already exists in your everyday.   Check out some of the images below for a preview of the magic transformation of a table into a work of art, courtesy of Eddie Ross.

As a former owner of an antique showroom and an avid collector of vintage furniture and decor for both myself and my clients, I am constantly on the hunt for vintage hotspots.  There are quite a few out there, some good and many bad, and frequently very pricey.  The Vintage Bazaar however, a self proclaimed “modern pop-up flea market” will feature over 40 vintage vendors selling affordable, one-of-a-kind, housewares, furniture, clothing and accessories.  The event will be held on Saturday February 27 from 12-5 at the Dank Haus in Lincoln Square in Chicago (4740 N. Western Ave).  Best of all…admission is free!  ”Vintage” does not have to be expensive to be beautiful, and I will certainly be checking out this unique show.

The masterminds behind the show…Katherine Raz and Libby Alexander.

Check out their own antiques businesses: Back Garage and Alexander Salvage.

Have you caught wind of Blu Dot’s Real Good Experiment?

If you haven’t, catch this: 25 of Blu Dot’s iconic Real Good Chairs were abandoned and left for the taking atop New York streets with a few curiosities leading the way: “Who will grab them?” “Where will they go?” “How will they get there?” “What will their new homes look like?”… GPS tracking devices were discretely attached to journal journeys, and their stories couldn’t be more eagerly awaited. This experiment is above and beyond “real good” in my book and I love every ounce of imagination that founded the creation…

Will these glossy, vibrant, sturdy seats become permanent curbside furnishings or well-adored, adopted interior additions? Stay tuned for the Real Good Experiment Film, premiering December 15th, and unfolding the fate of each.

The One of a Kind Show and Sale, celebrated in Toronto, Vancouver, New York and the Windy City is back. Our very own Merchandise Mart has opened it’s doors to over 500 unique artists and artisans and has asked Buckingham Interiors + Design to celebrate the 9 year tradition by crafting a truly “One of a Kind Design Living Space” for all to enjoy.  Blending furnishings from sensational Mart showrooms (including Holly Hunt, Farrow & Ball, Interior Crafts, Boyd Lighting/Donghia and Atelier Lapchi) with exclusive pieces from artists exhibiting at the show, we have put together one show-stopping space and had so much fun unveiling and celebrating it amid unparalleled company and design last night.

Stop in this weekend and and enjoy the most “ONEderful” time of the year with us amongst exceptional art, gourmet goodies and holiday inspiration galore… For those of you who can’t make it to the Mart, check out more of our space in today’s issue of the Examiner Chicago.

Haute Living, never skimping on innovative luxury and style for both home and office, is hosting a floor sample sale through the end of November. Stop and shop phenomenal furniture from Fritz Hansen, Mooi, Piet Boon, USM, Rimadesio, Lema, Erba and Binova Kitchens and keep up to 50% in your pocket.

How haute are these?

Ant Chairs by Fritz Hansen:

Sam Loveseat by Piet Boon:

(Oh so handsome) Janszoon Armchair by Pietboon:

Viceversa Sofa by Erba:

Spazio Sofa by Erba:

Antonio Table by Lema:

Fab floor finds await!

When: Now through November 30th

Where: 222 W. Kinzie Street, Chicago

CS Interiors has announced the Grand Opening of Montalbano Furniture’s newest Fulton Market location. So thrilled to hear about a new addition to our city’s Oldest Furniture Manufacturer, Restorer and Importer. Congrats to the Family owned and operated Windy City treasure.

When: Thursday, November 19th from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Where: 1048 W. Fulton, Chicago

Come out and celebrate the Grand Opening amid antiques, art, appetizers and one of a kind pieces crafted by none other than Montalbano.

DIFFA’s Dining by Design is right around the corner, sure to showcase one of a kind spreads of all you can eat eye candy, entertaining inspiration and dining design just in time for the holidays. Come out and see some of Chicago’s finest set the table for a good cause… It doesn’t get much better than this!

I support so many of my design colleagues who are a part of this noble cause-and event.  I will be there next year designing with you all…out of town this weekend on business,  but will be there in spirit!  Chicago Design Rocks!

Proceeds benefit Chicago area HIV/AIDS service agencies… Let’s make a DIFFArence.

When: November 5th – 7th

Where: Merchandise Mart, located at 222 Merchandise Plaza, Chicago

Reservations required… visit DIFFACHICAGO.ORG for details!

To me, nothing signals the approach of the most wonderful time of the year more than Starbucks’ annual release of their signature red cups. Today marks the 12th Anniversary of the colorful tradition and I hope it brings you as much pre-holiday cheer and excitement as it does me!..  Let’s warm up with a little handful of red today…

A few more reasons I’m loving on this festive hue:

Rina Menardi has added a new shade to her already irresistable collection… Che bella!

I absolutely adore Farrow & Ball’s new Lotus print in red and can not wait to showcase it in my one of a kind designer space at the Merchandise Mart’s “One of a Kind Show” this upcoming December…

Can you imagine feeling anything but fabulous in this Jolie tub?  Regia earned Designer Plus 2009 status with this decadent design…

Getting warmer?

What’s in your red cup?

Neo Con at the Chicago Merchandise Mart has descended upon us, and yesterday I participated in a panel discussion entitled “How to Use the Media to Build Your Brand” as one of Neo Con’s various events.  This presentation took place at the Atelier Lapchi showroom, which I have mentioned previously on MG.  It truly is one of my favorite showrooms in all of the Mart.  I have used Lapchi carpets throughout the homes of many clients.  Not only do they have unbelievable carpets and a phenomenal and knowledgeable staff, but also all carpets are made in a sustainable and ecologically friendly process!

All carpets are woven entirely by hand, a process that inherently eliminates toxic byproducts of factory manufacturing.  All wool used is shorn from ethically treated sheep, mild soap is used in washing, chemicals are avoided, dyes are eco-friendly, and bulk shipping minimizes transportation resources.  Additionally, Lapchi works with the RugMark Foundation to end illegal child labor in the hand-made carpet industry and to offer education opportunities to children in Southeast Asia.  Since its inception, RugMark has rescued over 3000 children from the illegal underage workforce.  (Shown above: Satori shown in Range Brown, from the Floral collection)

Lapchi is particularly known for its customization process.  Lapchi was established in 2001 as the first manufacturer of hand-woven carpets to organize their entire business around the creation of made-to-order, custom carpets.  (Shown above: Meadow in Goldenrod, from the Modernist collection)

Offering a range of colors, patterns and designs, the Lapchi carpet collection has styles that include: floral, contemporary, transitional, mid-century, tribal, Asian-inspired, classic formal, and modernist.  There is something for everyone at Lapchi!

Here are a few of my many favorites from the Lapchi carpet collection.

Nebulous shown in Blaze, from the Texere collection

Thalia shown in Frosted Green, from the Transitional collection

Beaded Curtain shown in Driftwood, from the Mid-Century collection

Mughal shown in Sea Salt, from the Classic Formal collection

Mohave shown in Mist, from the Contemporary collection

Pinwheel shown in Hemlock, from the Modernist collection

Check out the Lapchi website for yourself to see these incredible works of art!  Can’t you just envision a room being created around any one of these carpets?

You may have read about NeoCon in my previous post, but this year I not only plan on attending the exhibition, but I will also actually be IN it!  I will be participating in a panel at the Atelier Lapchi showroom, one of my favorite showrooms at the Mart. (And for those of you who haven’t been to the Merchandise Mart, it’s ENORMOUS and filled to the brim with beautiful design options for both home and office!) Lapchi has the most incredible selection of hand-woven, custom carpets that I frequently use in the homes of my clients.  The event is co-hosted by Interiors Magazine and the panel will be moderated by James Barra the Creative Director of Interiors.

The panel discussion, which features two other noted and frequently published Chicago designers, is titled, “Views from the Top: How Designers Can Use the Media to Build Their Brand.”  I felt very honored to be selected to be a part of this event and will surely be giving a shout out to my fabulous readers at Material Girls!  I will also be discussing the importance of a well-designed, up-to-date website, how to establish and to communicate your brand, how to  get published,  and how to best utilize database resources (such as the Merchandise Mart’s Designer Portfolios) to reach out to potential clients.  The panel will then be followed by a Q&A.  I’d love to see some Material Girls in the audience!

Do any of you designer’s out there have any questions about how you can best reach potential new clients?  Love the idea of being published but just cannot break into the scene?   This panel discussion is for you.  Or, share your thoughts or questions here!

The event is open to the public, so stop by if you’re at NeoCon!

Tuesday, June 16 10:00 am, Atelier Lapchi, Merchandise Mart Suite 6-160, Chicago.  Champagne reception to follow!