Progress is happening! New flooring, new lighting, the new space smells of sawdust and fresh paint. With each box that’s unpacked we’re more and more in love with our new space, basking in its newness. Everything is crisp and clean, thanks to our southern facing windows dousing everything in brightness. Can’t wait to show you! Our re-opening date (May 19th) is fast approaching…

Though the shop & studio are a dizzying display of boxes and installation crap, oh, everywhere, our eyes are on the prize. Here’s some of the inspiration behind the new space’s concept, which is currently in production. One day, very soon, we’ll unveil. Just a reminder to everyone, our new address is just across the street at 1818 (in the space where our friends Painted Lady used to be – we’ve pulled a Trading Spaces style move).

Regular business hours will resume May 19th.

Catch you on the filp! Keep popping back in for more details as they evolve!

Image credits: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 all from our moving inspiration board on Pinterest, Downsize/Upgrade.

We are so proud that Details Magazine is noticing the talent we have right here in Chicago. Thrilled to have a mention in this article, along with several of our hard-working comrades in design crime. Among them: Strand Design, Morlen Sinoway Atelier, Dock 6 Collective, Luminaire, and the Haymaker Shop. Wow, thanks Details! Click the image above (three times to be exact) to see a larger version that’s big enough to read. Hell yes, that’s right, Chicago Design is off the charts!

Just a quick reminder about our moving sale tomorrow! Discounts will be running deep, 30-50% off the vintage gear we’re not moving to the new space (clothing excluded). We want to see you and send you home with gorgeous things! As always shop’s open at 11am, in the words of Bob Barker, come on down!

*UPDATED* Just to say the sale doesn’t END on the 17th, it goes until April 29th!

the sunken living room……

I cannot stop drooling over this cocktail table, and not to mention the room that it sits in.  Let’s see, an aquarium “esq” window…. uhhh yes, textured wood walls – a must,  and pops of color = I’m in love. Yet another incredibly designed space to get my design gears cranking! Bring more circles into spaces and don’t be so square!!!

open and airy 

What we all dream of when living in the city. This space is refreshing and uplifting. Oh Mr. Ponti, you are my hero.  The diagonal pattern of the marble floor is the perfect tweak in this otherwise linear space, the perfect skew to give the room needed edge.  Now to figure out how to transplant myself into one of those lounge chairs with a glass of white Bordeaux in hand.

A few fun shots & outtakes from our Frei opening last week (I didn’t realize this, but it’s the last party in our space before we pack up & move! Aw, so nostalgic!). This is the first time we’ve done the photo booth idea and it was so fun! Backdrop courtesy of Ina Weise, maybe you recognize it from our invite for the event. It’s letterpressed wallpaper if you can believe that! The floral headpieces were done by Caitlin of Foxglove Studio, another amazingly styled element to complement Annie’s spring duds. More fun pics on ze Facebooks.

An inspiration to me since I was a kid… rocks, gems and minerals. Unbelievable wonders of color, shape, sheen and texture. It is hard to believe that they are naturally so vibrant and sculptural.  I have a collection of vintage gem and mineral books, my favorites are from the 60′s with bright colored backdrops and dramatic lighting.  I recently visited the Harvard Musuem of Natural History…. and the mineralogical and geological galleries were out of this world, a must see if you are in Cambridge.

My suggestion, add a few books to your collection! Here are a few I found online:

Minerals Natures Fabulous Jewels; Rocks and Minerals; Minerals and Man; 5 centuries of Minerals ; Book Gems

(1. Fluorite and Calcite ; 2. Azurite with Malachite and Limonite; 3. Aluminum Variscite; 4. Apophylilite, Stilbite, and Scolecite; 5.Bayldonite; 6. Calcite with Limonite; Above images from Minerals by Ian Campbell and Rocks and Minerals by E.P. Bottley)

Organized Chaos  : Yes Indeed

It’s that time of year, to clean and organize those hidden areas.  I always need a jump start, an excuse to get me going.  This tricked out customized closet is so inspiring. Custom laminate drawers, cubbies and dividers along with a cork tack board. Sign me up.  Vintage file cabinets and drawers painted and stacked would be a great start.  A few things to get your organizational groove on….

Blue drawers – great for organizing all of those small things:

http://bit.ly/HcC3wq

Green Box drawers – 50% off at Post 27 :

http://www.post27store.com/products/storage-bin

Always love these:

http://bit.ly/HB9Puk

I am taking on quick “help outs” for those of you who have a vintage or antique piece of furniture that you want to give new life to, and need help conceptualizing the new and improved.

Sarah has a 50′s rocker / lounger that is in need of new foam and fabric, and possibly some work on the springs. This piece has it’s own personality, the shapes and details make it what it is, so we don’t want to mess with those two characteristics.  I love the blue headrest, armrests and bottom trim, I would like to see this re-upholstered with yummy buttery dark blue leather (if it is in the budget). If not there are some surprisingly amazing vinyls out there in the world.

I would like this piece to go more monochromatic, so that it is less “cute” – lets make this chair dapper and a little more serious. I have pulled a super sexy wool upholstery fabric, in gray and white.  My latest obsession is grids, and I love this wool grid, nice price too (make sure you order a sample first to make sure the quality is good.)

Now for the details – The body of the chair (wool grid) needs to have blind seams (meaning you don’t have piping or exposed stitching),which will give it a super clean and modern feel. For the leather areas – exposed stitching in a medium gray string would be delicious, and I could even see two to three buttons added to the seam of the headrest in the same leather. The edges of the leather should be left raw. The arms and base of the chair should be refinished in a medium tone gray. Wow, this chair is going to be super hot!

Here are a few links for the materials:

+ Gray grid fabric that I am in love with.

+ Fishman’s Fabrics, my favorite place in Chicago to visit every week or two, where there is a ton of great remnants for great prices. You do have to frequent often if you are looking for something specific /in this case ask about the suiting fabrics. Sometimes they are thick enough for upholstery and you will be sure to find a similar grid there.

Furniture Revival works hand in hand with upholsterers and do a wonderful job refinishing and repairing – this will need to be done before the piece is upholstered.

Budget:
This all depends on the state of the “innards” meaning the frame, springs, foam, etc- this is impossible for me to tell from just a photo, assuming this piece is in almost perfect shape with the exception that it needs new foam in the seat and back. With fabric, refinishing, foam and upholstery, I would say approx. $325.00 to $425.00.

Best of luck to you Sarah! Please send photos once the piece is completed!

Need some inspiration and concepts for a furniture re-do?  email : Angela at design@post27store.com, send a photo or two of the piece that needs a little love, also include a glimpse of the room where the piece will be and let me know what you are looking to do!