Whether you're on the hunt for an entire condo's worth of furniture or just the right accessory to polish off your almost-perfect abode, look no further than the flurry of new home stores. The best part of all of these recent entries? Chatting up employees and often-present owners who know the story behind why they've stocked every pillow, vase and chair.
Home buddies
Say hello to the city's latest crop of home boutiques
By Lisa Arnett and Cory Robertson
July 29, 2008Room Service
5438 N. Clark St., Chicago773-878-5438
Mid-century modern furniture is the focus of this clean-cut Andersonville shop. You'll find antique chairs, tables and lamps from the mid-'50s through the mid-'60s, all appropriately reupolstered or refinished so they're 100-percent move-in ready. Inventory is constantly on the move -- and consequently, owner Paul Lechlinski is always on the prowl for new pieces -- but a unique finds have included a pair of 1962 white slipper chairs from Bergdorf Goodman's lingerie department fitting rooms and a Hans Olsen circular dining table with three-legged chairs that nest compactly underneath. If you're not in the market to add to your furniture collection, check out colorful vintage glasses and vases, or hostess gift-worthy pick-ups like Vosges chocolate and candles.
homeboy
3327 N. Broadway, Chicago773-472-0548
This Windy City-centric home furnishings and accessories store carries only Chicago-based designers and manufacturers. The salesfloor is set up just like a home, with a dining area, kitchen area and bedroom area all displaying the correlating products, from napkin rings and stemware to utensils and spices to cashmere throws and pillows. Stand-out items include Circa Ceramics’ functional yet hip dishware and photographer Barry Wolf’s expressive images.
Home Accents
5653 N. Clark St., Chicago773-754-8466
This well-organized shop carries contemporary Asian home accessories selected by owner Kevin Ielewine on his visits to China and Hong Kong. Displayed according to color schemes such as black, white and silver, tangerine and chartreuse or aqua and blue green, the cornucopia of items carried here include lamps, vases, stained glass pieces and even garden statues.
Post 27
1819 W. Grand Ave., Chicago312-829-6122
This urban home store keeps things green with eco-conscious and vintage furnishings and accessories. Wander this spacious, industrial space and you might find a pre-cycled (i.e. made from industrial waste material that is recyclable) table by French designer Ibride, earth-toned ceramics by San Francisco crafter Lisa Neimeth and elegant yet whimsical silk pillows by agnes & hoss printed with jellyfish and other sleek yet offbeat motifs.
A Cooler Planet
2211 W. Roscoe St., Chicago773-248-1110
Sustainable, organic, fair-trade, eco-friendly -- all those buzz words can get convoluted when it comes to trying to buy green. This shop makes the process as simple as ever, with the salesfloor organized from morning until night, starting at the front with face wash, yoga gear and coffee mugs and ending in the back with organic cotton bedding and a wooden bed custom-made from fallen red elm trees. In the middle, you'll find everything from cleaning supplies to kids' toys to composting gear. Pricetags are crafted from used food boxes, as are plenty of small signs throughout detailing eco-friendly facts about various products.
Patina
4907 N. Damen Ave., Chicago773-334-0400
You won't find anything remotely ornate or fussy at this sunny furniture shop; all the antiques here have been hand-selected to mesh with a modern aesthetic. Owner Alan Shull sifts through the offerings at flea markets and antique auctions around the country and brings the best in 20th century furniture here; some pieces moonlight in his loft first before making it to the sales floor. Some notable finds include an industrial drafting table, library card catalogs from the '40s and a massive postal sorter full of cubby holes from a Philadelphia post office circa 1950. There's also a smattering of home accessories, from ironstone pottery to a set of vintage bowling pins.
Branca
17 E. Pearson St., Chicago312-787-1017
Mixing in the new with the old -- that's the decorating philosophy at this pleasant Gold Coast "lifestyle" boutique. Rather than divide itself by department, the three floors of this shop are decorated like actual rooms, with striped wool throw blankets draped over sumptuous couches and champagne glasses perched upon antique tables. You'll find gifts fit for just-married couples and gracious party hosts, such as wine journals, serving trays and candles.
Lisa Arnett is a the metromix suburbs and shopping producer. Cory Robertson is a metromix special contributor. To share shopping news, e-mail lmarnett@tribune.com.
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