Chicago Design Blog | Material Girls | Chicago Interior Design

Amazon from the Elements collection

 

I am constantly on the hunt for the new, the different, the bold and the often times daring to bring into my projects to give them depth and enduring interest.  I was in the Artistic Tile showroom at the Chicago Merchandise Mart when I spotted the incredible work of artist Ellen Blakely.  I was familiar with Blakely before, but had never really gotten a chance to take a close look at her work.  Blakely began her career as a ceramist, however she was inspired by shattered glass from a bus shelter to create innovative mosaics defined by clear glass that reveals treasures below its surface.  Literally anything can be used in these amazing mosaics, from family photos to leaves to scraps of newspaper.  You name it, Blakely can do it!  Her work comes in tile form, but can also be molded into sink basins, sculpture or used for tabletops.  If you can dream it, Blakely can do it!  I hope to be using Blakely’s work in projects in the near future.  Nothing says personal and unique like crafting a table or a counter from your treasured photos and memorabilia!

 

Moss from Elements collection

 

Fall Leaf from the Spotlight collection

 

 

Spring Leaf from the Spotlight collection

Black Lace from Core collection

Blossom from Core collection

New Yorker from  Core collection

Degas Dress

 

Degas Dress detail

 

 

Degas Dress detail

 

“My Girls” mosaic

“Heartwood” sculpture

“Meredith” sculpture

“You Are Here” sphere

Blue Bowl

“Dot Calm” gold sink

Sink, Wild Mango

Get ready, get set…almost go time for the Design Bloggers Tastemakers Tag sale on One Kings Lane beginning this Tuesday February 28, at 6 PM PST!  I am thrilled to be included in this fantastic event, as I have always been a huge fan of the site, and it is a true honor to be in such good company with other talented design bloggers, including fellow Material Girls Emily from Dallas and Lauren from Houston.

The Material Girls for the Design Bloggers Tastemaker Sale!

In addition to being an interior designer, I have owned antique and art design showrooms from Cincinnati to Chicago, so exhibiting products that I am passionate about has long been an important part of my career.  I can’t wait to share some of the best from my collection with OKL followers.

Looking forward to the One Kings Lane Design Bloggers Tastemakers Tag Sale beginning this Tuesday, February 28th at 6 PM EST…I hope all Material Girls out there have a chance to check it out!

A new image from my Buckingham Interiors + Design Showroom at 1820 W. Grand Avenue, Chicago

Stop by to visit and check out what we’re featuring…we curate new goodies constantly!

Photography for my headshot by Anthony Tahlier

{Jamie Dietrich New York Show}

I have been trying to get my hands on the fantastic pieces of Jamie Dietrich forever, but I seem to have a tough time coming across them.  Jamie’s signature vintage bottles, crosses, pedestals, coral and much more are so beautiful and versatile.  Then, out of the blue, a friend of mine called me from West Elm in NYC of all places to tell me about these fabulous “coral on pedestal objects” that she’d come across.  I instantly knew she was talking about Jamie Dietrich pieces and I had her put them all on hold for me!  En route to my Chicago showroom as we speak

{Dietrich piece at West Elm NYC}

{Dietrich at West Elm NYC}

{Dietrich West Elm NYC}

I was so happy to finally get a hold of Dietrich’s fantastic work and cannot wait to place them in my projects.  I wanted to share her work with you, but like the pieces themselves, images on the web seem to be hard to come by!  Dietrich’s website does not include photos of her work, so I found what I could on her Facebook page.  Jamie, if you’re reading this, please share your work with your eager MG readers!

Jamie’s company overview on her Facebook page:

“Jamie Dietrich’s vintage bottle art uses only authentic bottles from the 1800s to early 1900s, decorated with handmade crystals and shell work. Jamie Dietrich’s pillows use either silk velvet fabric, in many stunning colors, or vintage hemp fabrics from Europe. JD Vintage also designs handmade jewelry, shadow box shell art and floating framed vintage prints. All of our decorative collectibles are handmade unique works of art.”

Dietrich pieces can be found at the following showrooms:

-Kenneth Ludwig Showroom at the Chicago Merchandise Mart

-Dori Sanders Showroom at Dallas World Trade Center

-Bassman Blaine Showroom at Los Angeles Mart

-High Design Showroom at Americas Mart in Atlanta

{Jamie Dietrich New York Show}

{Jamie Dietrich New York Show}

{Jamie Dietrich New York Show}

{Dietrich’s work on Signature Jordan blog}

{Dietrich at Brown Boxie Trading}

I was so excited to see that Chicago Home + Garden recently featured the home of the creative director of FLOR, a modular flooring company based outside of Chicago. This home was beautifully captured and photographed by the uber talented Chicago photographer Nathan Kirkman.  Chicago Home + Garden always features fine Chicago Design-I look forward to each issue.

Not only do I love the look of Flor, but also several of my projects, my own home, and now my own dogs (as part of the set) have been featured in their campaigns.  We actually have a shoot later this week with the FLOR Photography Crew at the home of one of my clients-sans dog models. And, one of my oldest daughter’s roomies was the model in their latest catalogue.  She had a blast at the shoot with our Wheaten Terriers, Jane and Frankie, but stole the show!

FLOR is a great solution for affordable, custom sized carpeting, and the broad selection is amazing.  The look of Flor trends toward modern with basics to suit any decor style.  I have the “Fine Feathers” pattern installed inside my offices. Having worked closely with Chip and Cynthia over the years, it was so much fun to “peek” into their home. It comes as no surprise that the home of this creative director in suburban, family-friendly Elmhurst would have a very midcentury look…I love it!

The look of Flor…

What an charming 1940′s ranch home.

Dying over this orange couch.

Love the original stove and oversized chalk board…perfect for a home with creative little ones.

Fabulous onyx entry table.

Such a fun room for the little guys.

I could get some serious R&R in this patio area…

Please visit the Chicago Home + Garden site for more images of this amazing home and much more!

Greetings from the City of Lights!  I am here with my hubby John to attend the Maison & Objet Home Fashion Showcase, and we couldn’t be having a better time eating, drinking, sightseeing and shopping our way through this magnificent city!  Although the weather has been a bit dreary at times, that hasn’t stopped us from taking in all that Paris has to offer. Also a blast meeting one of my Chicago client’s at the flea market to find goodies for her new home.  I am so excited to bring the best of European chic back to the U-S of A for my clients and showroom!

Here is a look inside what we have been up to…

Hotel Plaza Athenee…our amazing hotel!  So Paris chic.  Lavish glam to the max! The Gallerie and Night Club were elegant and happening.  The Dior Spa and Fitness Center was one of my favorite haunts during my stay. Fitness was much sought out after foie gras intake daily.

Beautiful nighttime at our lovely hotel with the twinkling lights of the Tour Eiffel in the background. There is an ice skating rink in the courtyard of the hotel with children skating daily to the tunes of french music.

Restaurant Le Jules Verne at the Eifel Tower

Hands down the best meal and views of our stay in Paris.  I highly recommend for lunch, sipping champagne of course!

Clignancourt Flea Market…I was like a kid in a candy store even though I have visited many times….

My client and I trying to wrangle best prices while amusing the crowd

Vanves Flea Market…another endless world of treasures!

The main attraction of our trip, Maison & Objet Home Fashion Showcase.  Five days of the most amazing home furnishings and decor in the world!  What is it about Paris that makes everything so oo-la-la?

Check out these chairs…j’adore!

Some exhibitors and me in the Hall of Garden and Home Furnishing’s………..

A few little treats from Laduree to end the perfect day in our hotel …These are mostly gifts I swear!

Browsing Pinterest is like a great day of window shopping, except from the comfort of my own home or office (shhhhh)!  I open Pinterest and vow to only spend a few minutes for inspiration gathering.  However, those 5 minutes somehow turn into an hour.  This evening’s visit to Pinterest, per usual, produced many inspirational images that I want to share with MG readers-heck the editing process took at least an hour.  Check out my latest finds on one of my favorite sites.  Follow me so that I can see what your favorites are!

{Set of 50 Fretwork Coasters, $29 from One Kings Lane}

Now that the turkey coma is starting the wear off, the holiday spirit is really starting to set in.  While I have never been one to rush out to stores at the crack of dawn on Black Friday, the “cyber” Black Friday movement is right up my alley.  I could really do all of my holiday shopping with the click of a mouse.  Deals and steals without even leaving the settee!  Ok, I guess the turkey coma hasn’t totally worn off just yet…

Check out some of my favorite Black Friday finds from around the web…you just have saved yourself from undue stress this season.  Imagine having the shopping for all of your friends and family finished early this year?!   That spa day that you always envisioned (and rightfully so) around the middle of December may actually be possible this year

{Black + Blum Fruit Loop Bowl, $40 from Swirl}

{Black + Blum Loop Candlestick, $28 from Swirl}

{Menu Pourer and Stopper Set, $32 from Swirl}

{Joseph Joseph Food Preparation Set, $50 from Swirl}

{Thomas Paul Ornithology Coaster Set, $16 from Swirl}

{Thomas Paul Ornithology Tray, $26 from Swirl}

{Orange Mod Acrylic Tray, $49 from One Kings Lane}

{Holiday Lucite Tray, $69 from One Kings Lane}

{Lunares Round Bamboo Platter, $39 from One Kings Lane}

{Quilt Beaded Glass Tray, $29 from One Kings Lane}

{Artland Splash Champagne Flutes, $28 from Open Sky}

{Zodiac Mugs, $6 from West Elm}

{Square Lacquer Trays, $22-24 from West Elm}

{Honeycomb Tassel Hand Towels, $10 from West Elm}

{Shane Powers Hanging Glass Bubble Collection, $9-$24 from West Elm}

{Square Desk Clock, $10 from West Elm}

{Perpetual Calendar, $29 from West Elm}

{Scott Lifshutz Appetizer Plates, $24 from West Elm}

{Dip Dye Throw, $39 from West Elm}

{Op Art Tables by Anne Herbst}

I wish I could consider Sunday a day of rest, but in this line of work, it is a 24/7 operation.  Even when I am “relaxing” at home, I am still glued to my computer combing the vast sea of internet based interior design for inspiration, furniture and accessories.  Sitting down at home (albeit in front of my computer) is as close as I get to truly “taking the day to rest.”  Sigh…

On the flip side, I truly do love searching high and low for the absolute perfect, special “somethings” to present to my clients and use in my projects.

This Sunday took me to 1stdibs, a favorite online marketplace of all sorts of extremely high-end goods- from furniture to fine art to vintage clothing.  If your budget allows, it is an excellent place to find one-of-a-kind, fabulous pieces that really have that “wow” factor. I was approached by Michael Bruno to exhibit my wares when he first began -and now, I have inquired and am waiting patiently for his response.  I think that he may have forgotten about me- but I am still VERY interested :0

Check out my latest finds…ironic it was my “resting” day when thousands of others were running 26.2 miles in the Bank of America Chicago Marathon!

{Set of 6 Lucite Bar Stools by Lion in Frost}

{Mid-Century Ceruse Credenza}

{Mid Century Biomorphic Dresser by Popel’s}

{Digit 1 Wool Rug by Cristian Zuzunaga}

{Large 60′s Op Art Mirror}

{Pair of club chars by Leon Rossen for Pace Furniture}

{Set of 6 Teak Spindle Back Round Chairs}

{1960′s Italian Frosted Glass Fixture (pair Available)}

{1970′s French Black Lacquer, Brass, and Agate Table Lamp}

{Pair of Silvered Metal and Wood Table Lamps}

{Art Deco Lamp Base by Frederic Weinberg}

{Chrome & Glass Ball Chandelier}

{Low Table By FranÇois Monnet}

{‘Le Yacht’ drinks tray by Hermès, Paris}

{Pair of Italian Brass and Lucite Side Tables}

{Mid Century Console / Sofa Table in the Manner of Paul Laszlo}

{Mirror, Italian Ca. 1960′s}

{1950s Italian Pair of Bronze-Edged Mirrored Chests}

{Burl & Chrome Etagere by Paul Evans}

{Pair of Flame Veneered Semaniers}

{Restored Brass Serpentine Chest}

Also loving this whole vignette!

If I had to sum up my personal aesthetic in one word, it would be modern + antique.  Ok, two words plus a punctuation symbol.  Having been in this industry for many years, living in many homes, and owning/operating several shops and showrooms, I have become accustomed to searching high and low for artifacts- both new and old- to fit a space.  More often than not, such pieces can be very pricey, but I am always on the lookout for things that won’t break the bank.  One of my go to’s for affordable modern is CB2, the fun, funky and well-priced kid sibling of Crate and Barrel.

I was very excited to learn of CB2′s “Unlock Affordable Modern” event taking place in various cities across the country this fall/winter- including Chicago, DC, San Francisco, LA, New York and Atlanta.  The concept behind this initiative is the handiwork of some very creative minds…CB2 representatives will be traveling to the cities listed above (as well as five others) to hand out 95,000 “orange keys”, each with a unique code.  Orange key…you’ve got my attention right there!  These keys can be redeemed at CB2 locations for a chance to win a CB2 card, worth $10 up to $1000!

Over the weekend, the CB2 team dropped off keys for this event at my showroom and we all scrambled over to the store- but no winners yet.  Better chances for the rest of you!

Chicagoans…if  missed the drop off at my showroom and across town this weekend and want a key respond “Attending” to the “Unlock Affordable Modern: Chicago”event and swing by the CB2 store (800 W. North Ave., Chicago) October 8-9 to pick up your key!

If you are unable to get your hands on a physical key or want to learn more, you can receive a “virtual key” via text by visiting the “Unlock Affordable Modern” website.  Oh the joys of modern technology!

And…ONLY for MG reader’s a “secret” phrase mentioned at the Chicago or Washington DC stores for the first 20 reader’s will garner you another key..announce that “Material Girls Love CB2″ and you will grab another chance at winning.

To learn more about the event, what cities the CB2 team will be visiting and where the representatives will be handing out keys visit their website here.

More from CB2….

My Office/Showroom nearly always functions as a shop, with virtually anything in it being up for sale at any given time.  I have been an avid collector and antique junkie for many years, so acquiring and selling things has become a natural life cycle in my business and personal life.  I have learned to not become overly attached to particular pieces, as I am always shifting/gifting/selling/moving things around, and thus acquiring more.  In fact, my family has become accustomed to this “here today, gone tomorrow” mentality in which anything is fair game, including artifacts in my own home.  I have about 10 treasures that will always remain in my possession (the inspiration items that mean so very much to me) and remain NFS-not including my three “Jewels” and my “Prince”-aka children and my husband.

It has happened on more than one occasion where I have been asked “Didn’t we used to have a different lamp here?”  Like my love for fashion and searching for beautiful things, I am always craving something new and different for my own spaces.

The look of my Office + Showroom has changed  along with my latest art exhibits. Since I initially opened my latest Showroom in the West Town Neighborhood of Chicago last year (check out a post featuring the original decor here), I wanted to share the changes and  the current state of the BID headquarters. We have gone through changes all along- this keeps our inventory evolving and introduces our clients to many new and different artists and artifacts. Along with the virtual changes, we are thrilled to be aligned with the most amazing new clients- it is a pretty thrilling time on Grand Avenue.

If you are in the neighborhood, I’d love for you to stop by.  As we all know, everything looks much better in person!

Buckingham Interiors + Design 1820 W. Grand Avenue, Chicago.  All art and artifacts are available for relocation into your home-as always- but may change at any time