{Zig Zag Sticky Notes, $8.95}

I was browsing Paper Source the other day and came across the display of Jonathan Adler Office Collection.  In true Jonathan Adler fashion, the notepads, pens and calendars (along with a variety of other items) are bold, bright and colorful.  These well priced goodies would make a great gift for any occassion….teacher’s present, stocking stuffer, party favor…you name it!  Check out some of the hot items from the Jonathan Adler Office Collection.

{Calendar, $19.95}

{Calendar Detail}

{Multi Chevron Thermal Mug, $15.95}

{Multicolor iPhone Case, $19.95}

{Greek Key Pocket Papers, $5.95}

{Multi Chevron Memo Cube, $13.95}

{Multi Colored Highlighters, $11.95 for set of 5}

{Multicolor Laptop Sleeve, $29.95}

{Acapulco Mini Spiral Notebook, $10.95}

{Buckingham Interiors + Design showroom, featured in CS Interiors}

Chicago has always held an important place in the design world, with not only the world renowned Merchandise Mart but also a plethora of international design showrooms within the Mart and around the city.  A new and exciting design trend to come to the Windy City is the combination interior designer showroom + shop.  I myself have decided to embrace this concept, with my newly opened Buckingham ID design space on Grand Avenue in the West Loop area of Chicago.  My plan is to showcase the multitude of talented local artist and artisans as well as those from across the country and globe in my space, changing it up on a regular basis.  And of course, most items are available for purchase. Right now, the space features art by local artist Marilyn Borglum, lighting by LA based Marjorie Skouras and furniture from various artisans at Outdoorz Gallery in Paris.

{feature article in CS Interiors}

My good friends from Scentimental Gardens are now my next door neighbors in this shop/showroom venture!  In fact, we bought the space together and then split it for our respective uses.  The West Loop area is the latest up and coming neighborhood in the city, so I’m excited to be on the cutting edge of this impending design boom!

Other Marjorie Skouras Pieces:

{Chandelier I used in my showroom}

Other Marilyn Borglum Pieces:

More pieces from Outdoorz Gallery:

{ Big Bloom Twin XL Sheet Set; Regular $26.00 – $49.00 SPECIAL $19.00 – $22.00}

With the start of school just around the corner, (seriously, where has this summer gone?!) it’s time to start loading up supplies for your son or daughter.  If your child is heading back to middle school or high school, you’re probably making a beeline for Target right about now.  If he or she is heading back to college, you’re probably scrambling to find bedding/room decor to liven up that cinder block, cell-like dorm room that is pretty much standard at any college throughout the country.

A great place to find affordable and fun college age bedding and furnishings is PB Teen.  Yes, at times it can be a little kitschy but using select items for pops of color can really make cold, sterile dorm room feel more warm and inviting.  Check out PB Teen’s twin xl bedding selection (plus some cool throw pillows) for some eye catching and well-priced options for that strangely sized dorm bed.  Be sure to scroll all the way to the bottom for a selection of guy’s bedding too.

GIRL BEDDING SELECTION:

{Zebra Twin XL Sheet Set; Regular$26.00 – $49.00 SPECIAL $22.00 – $39.00}

{Double Dot Twin XL Sheet Set; Regular$26.00 – $49.00 SPECIAL $20.00 – $39.00}

{Surf Stripe Twin XL Sheet Set; Regular $28.00 – $69.00 SPECIAL $18.00 – $59.00}

{Paisley Pop Twin XL Sheet Set; $26-$49}

{PB Classic Essential Twin XL Sheet Set; $15-$22}

{De-Vine Organic Twin XL Sheet Set; $28-$69}

{Nouveau Floral Organic Twin XL Sheet Set; $28-$69}

{Zig Zag Pillow Cover; Regular$25.00 SPECIAL $19.00}

{Double Dot Neck Roll Pillow Cover; $19.00 SPECIAL $12.00}

{Lighthouse Beach Lumbar Pillow Cover; $29.00 SPECIAL $19.00}

GUY BEDDING SELECTION:

{Classic Plaid Organic Twin XL Sheet Set; $32-$89}

{MLB Twin XL Sheet Set; $26-$49}

{Classic Twin XL Sheet Set;  Regular $26.00 – $49.00 SPECIAL $22.00 – $49.00}

{Big Leaf Organic  Twin XL Sheet Set; Regular $28.00 SPECIAL $22.00}

{Stripe Favorite Tee Twin XL Sheet Set $28.00 – $69.00}

While perusing the cosmetic department of Bloomingdale’s SoHo the other day, a friend of mine spotted possibly the hottest, coolest most exciting pairing since Brad and Angelina: Jo Malone + Farrow & Ball.  Well…maybe not quite to that extent.  Nevertheless, I can’t stress enough how much I love the sophisticated and classic look of Farrow & Ball paint and wall coverings as well as the fresh, intoxicating, sexy scents of Jo Malone.  Both self proclaimed “British lifestyle brands,” the two joined forces to bring F&B’s signature colors to Jo Malone’s signature scents in the form of scented candles.  Don’t they compliment each other perfectly?  Both the scents and colors of these respective brands are classic, timeless and sophisticated.

Find the Farrow & Ball Jo Malone collection at Farrow & Ball showrooms as well as Jo Malone stores. (And perhaps some Bloomingdales too?)

{Chinese Courtyard Panels, Original Price: $2,280/pair, Sale Price: $1,596/pair}

Just wanted to give all Chicago Material Girls a heads up that my good friends over at Pagoda Red are having a fabulous weekend sale!  I am a big fan of this wonderful Asian home and garden outpost for their incredible variety and unique selection of antiques, artifacts and art work.  While Pagoda Red has two locations, the 30% off sale is taking place in their Winnetka garden (their other location is in Wicker Park).  Take a look at a few of the items on sale, and be sure to take advantage of the beautiful (albeit hot) weekend by stopping by Pagoda Red!

Pagoda Red, 902 Green Bay Road, Winnetka IL, 60093 PH 847.784.8881

{Pair of Stone Finials with Peaches and Persimmons, Original Price: $12,800/pair, Sale Price: $8,960}

{Large Turquoise Glazed Jar, Original Price: $2,880, Sale Price: $2,016}

{Large Reclining Dragon, Original Price: $6,280, Sale Price: $4,396}

The day has finally come when Buckingham Interiors + Design moves out of its long time North Shore home and into its new space.  The space is far from all work, no play however.  I wanted it to feel like a comfortable home in which clients are able to get a feel for the BID design experience.

With an ever expanding project list and the addition of several more (wonderful!) employees, it was time that BID moved into one of the hottest design district’s in the city- the West Town neighborhood. Naturally as a designer, this was an exhilarating new project!  We took an old industrial plant and crafted it into an urban gallery setting.  I have done several commercial spaces before, but this was the project that I really had been waiting for for years.

In addition to being the hub of our design firm, we have an ever-changing array of featured artist’s and furniture designer’s that are exclusive to Buckingham ID in Chicago.  Some of these artists’s are brought to us by the Outdoorz Gallery in Paris. We also are lucky to feature Marjorie Skouras lighting rooted in Los Angeles and Marilyn Borglum- a local amazing artistic find. And, of course there are many of my unique finds culled from all over the world to add to the mix of my classic design- meets modern world aesthetic.

Thanks to Jo and Kim at Desire to Inspire for featuring our new showroom on their blog.   Also, many thanks to my family, friends and my fantastic design team; Nancy, Paulina, Alison, Shannon, Adrienne- and our summer interns, Danielle and Madeline- and our amazing clients for being so supportive and enthusiastic.  Couldn’t have done it without all of you!

Come swing by the Buckingham Interiors + Design showroom at
1820 West Grand Avenue Chicago, IL 60622.

I am very excited and proud that my home city, Chicago, will be home to the first and only Culti showroom in the United States.  The amazing Italian luxury brand brings together the finest in furniture, perfume, spa products, and many other luxury lifestyle items under one label.  Culti’s founder, Alessandro Agrati, has been in the interiors and design business for years and has a great passion for creating a beautiful, versatile, and personal collection of products to suit the individual who purchases them.  With that chic spirit so unique to European design, I cannot wait to browse the store for myself in search of wonderful finds and inspirational ideas.

CS Interiors puts it perfectly when they say that, “they can’t think of another luxury brand that sells everything from leather slippers (with cashmere insoles) and sleek living room tables to innovative swirl-themselves wine glasses and apothecary products.”  I would definitely have to agree!  And if you can think of any others, by all means please share!

Check out Culti’s boutique at 840 N. Michigan in Chicago.

It’s about time West Elm came to Chicago!  With locations all over the country, it seemed rather strange (almost hurtful?) that West Elm lacked a Chicago outpost.  With the abundance of young, working professionals and inundation of modern high rises popping up all over the city, it seemed almost blatantly obvious that Chicago ought to have a West Elm.  But the day has come when the Williams-Sonoma owned retailer opens its doors in the Windy City.  Located at 1000 W. North Avenue in Chicago, West Elm is conveniently located to its sister store, Pottery Barn (both are owned by Williams-Sonoma). I sent my crew to the Grand Opening last week and after asking them about all of the goodies surrounding them I was told that the place was sooo jammed that they couldn’t see most of the pieces. But, the food was excellent and abundant!  With its look that I like to equate to a sort of higher quality blend between Ikea and Pottery Barn, West Elm suits the needs of those who want fun, stylish pieces without spending a fortune, but without the short life expectancy of certain other unnamed retailers (hint: assembly required…)

And Branca is too!  Our favorite queen of red (white and black too, of course) is Alessandra Branca, and for Valentine’s Day weekend all red items in her Chicago boutique are 30% off!  What a nice way to show someone (or yourself!) that you care.

Even if you don’t find any LOVE-ly crimson hued goods to bring home, the store itself is quite a treat.  Be sure to check it out 17 E. Pearson, Chicago.

On one of the last days before my children headed back to school for the Spring Semester- one back to Los Angeles, one back to Boston and one just back to the books at home, we decided to head to the city for a visit to the Modern Wing at the Art Institute of Chicago.  As I reported in a post back in September, the Modern Wing is one of my favorite places in the city and is truly as beautiful on a cold winter’s day as is was back in the summer and fall.

Located in the new Modern Wing of the Art Institute of Chicago, the highly anticipated Terzo Piano is a must-stop for lunch and Thursday dinner. It featuresthe signature cuisine of Chef Tony Mantuano, who has been delighting Chicagoans for years at the four-star Italian restaurant, Spiaggia. The food is all fresh, local, organic and sustainably produced. There is even an authentic cava di stagionatura (cheese cave), where some of America’s most interesting artisanal cheeses are kept at ideal temperature and humidity. Outside you can dine al fresco on the covered piazza, while enjoying spectacular views of Millennium Park, Michigan Avenue and the Bluhm Family Terrace. Unfortunately, today was not one of those picture perfect piazza kind of days with the temperature hovering at around 28 degrees…..

Here is the beautiful rooftop deck of Terzo Piano- this picture was obviously taken in another season. Only 5 more months until we will feel that kind of sunshine here in Chicago…..

The interior of the restaurant is white, fresh and endearingly modern. Our lunch being over was quite a sad event but now was the time- after browsing countless priceless pieces of art that we came to the part of the museum experience that makes my credit card start to exit my wallet in anticipation: the gift shop.

Museum gift shops have become destinations in themselves.  Filled with unique, tasteful gifts, museum gift shops are the place to go to find a hostess gift, birthday present or even a little something for yourself!  Needless to say…I did not leave empty handed that day

Check out some of the cool finds in the gift shop at the Modern Wing at the Art Institute….

Computation clock…Color and style will work with almost every  decor. Adds a bit of whimsy.

Modern lighting galore…

These vases would be beautiful with a single bright bloom to help us get through these gray days of winter.

Interesting and textural bowl for a dose of color on a tabletop or placed on a shelf for a more rugged perspective.

Lucite candelabra.  Just add candles and you have an amazing centerpiece.  Have placed this on a white Saarinen table.  Looked really nice. Clean and simple.

Check out the online shop here for more amazing finds.  What are some of your favorite museum shops?  And, what did you find?