Five Uses For...

This antique rack of glass jars, called a caramelera, came from a candy store in Argentina. Architectural Artifacts almost always stocks them, in a range of sizes. What could you do with one in your home? We asked some experts for ideas

By Christine Bockelman
Photograph: Matthew Gilson
glass jar rack

Argentine Candy Rack
$3,800, at Architectural Artifacts
4325 N. Ravenswood Ave.
773-348-0622

Store Food Staples
"We've sold them to famous chefs [for use in their homes]. They put pasta, rice, dried beans, nuts, and that sort of thing in them."
-Stuart Grannen, owner, Architectural Artifacts

Artwork
"Remove the legs and mount the unit onto the wall. Place colored rocks and crystals in various jars to add interest. The final touch: incorporate overhead lighting to highlight the piece."
-Afiya Adams, AHA Designs, 312-225-9294; www.ahadesigns.com

Mobile Ecosystem
"Entangle elements of nature into the piece. In a random pattern place such items as coral, colored water, tropical fish, sand, and exotic plants into the containers. The end result will be a visually stunning conversation piece."
-Thomas Riker of JamesThomas, 312-738-7300; www.jtliving.com

Spa on Wheels
"Fill the top row with cotton balls, Q-tips, and spare toothbrushes, and plant ivy or moss in the last jar. In the next row, start with ivy or moss and fill the rest with bath salts. Fill the third row with white washcloths and the last row with planted ivy or moss. On a tray underneath, stack white terrycloth towels on one side and arrange white candles of varying heights and widths on the other."
-Kathy Taslitz, Kathy Taslitz Interiors, 847-412-6299

Light Fixture
"Using weather-resistant paint, spray the frame and jar lids the same color, but use flat paint for one and high gloss for the other. Mount one battery-powered light-emitting diode in each jar and line the jars with thin, textured paper to hide the bulbs. It would look like an expensive, vintage Italian piece from the late 1950s or early 1960s."
-Erin Shakoor, Shakoor Interiors, 708-679-1109; www.shakoorinc.com

 

 
This article appears in the Summer 2006 issue of Chicago Home + Garden Magazine.

Did you like what you read here? Subscribe to Chicago Home + Garden Magazine »

 
 

Subscribe Today
Chicago Home Chicago Magazine

Advertisement

Also in this Issue

Summer 2006
  • Paris, Perhaps »

    Livable style that only looks effortless, with charming surprises around every corner

  • Open Minded »

    A lean, clean mid-century condo makes the most of its moment—and its view

  • Drama Redefined »

    An architectural solution gives an art-filled apartment a bold new personality and more than a touch of glamour

  • Interior Motives »

    Looking for a classic modernist? An eclectic traditionalist? A transitional . . . oh, never mind. With so many designers and decorators to choose from, it can be tricky finding one you’ll click with. These five firms stand out from the crowd by specializing in a certain type of client—you, perhaps

  • Patio Party »

    Colorful accessories make al fresco dining even more delicious. Spend a lot, spend a little; who can tell the difference?

  • Grills, Grills, Grills »

    These aren’t your daddy’s cookers, but when it comes to stylish barbecuing, they are smokin’

  • True Colors »

    A few daring moves take a suburban house from ho-hum to humdinger

  • Shoestring Chic »

    Brice Cooper loves getting his hands dirty. The 26-year-old Chicago-based host and lead designer of HGTV’s Design on a Dime is used to making the most of not much—transforming rooms with back-alley finds, paint, and discounted designer deals. We asked him to share some tips, including the best neighborhoods for Dumpster diving.

  • Five Uses For...
  • A Taste for Simplicity »

    In his chicly minimalist restaurants and in his own sleek home, Donnie Madia likes order—of the highest order

  • Flower Arranging »

    Get maximum impact from cut flowers with a few simple tools and a bit of ingenuity

  • The Sociable Approach »

    Lush landscaping and creative space planning make a front and back yard downright friendly

  • It's a Splash »

    An Andersonville couple show how to jump-start an evening out by inviting folks in for a vodka tasting

  • Mod and Zen »

    River North has become a veritable playground for design junkies over the past few years. For those on the hunt for modern classics and ethnographic treasures, the selection just keeps getting deeper . . . and deeper

  • French Twist »

    At Le Magasin, hand-picked china, textiles, and other home goods from owner Didier Milleriot’s native France tell a story—each piece comes with information about the workshop or region where the piece was produced. Charmant!

  • The Great Cover-Up »
  • Play's the Thing »
  • Into the Woods »

    Go with the grain

  • A Little Birdie Told Us »

    Touches so fresh, they practically chirp