Larkspur, the fabulous Bucktown floral shop, has started selling flowers that its owners are growing from heirloom seeds on their farm in Southwest Michigan. They say they’re the first flower shop in Chicago to grow their own. 

—JAN PARR

—Gina Bazer 

The emerald ash borer infestation in our area is so sad. We’re likely to lose thousands of trees. A slight silver lining: giving the lumber from the trees a second life in the form of furniture. See what several local designers, including Barry Newstat (whose tables are shown here), Michael Dreeben, and Sean Scott, have designed using ash in a group traveling show. The stops: Morton Arboretum, August 22 to September 7; Hafele America, October 6-7; Design Within Reach, November 7-21, and 445 N. Sacramento Blvd., December 4-February 28.

—JAN PARR

Photography by Peter Rossi

Danish Modern furniture dealer Andrew Hollingsworth's new book, called, simply, Danish Modern (Gibbs Smith), just arrived at our office. It's hitting bookstores in October, but here's a sneak peek of what you'll find inside. 1. Lots of historical information and a good definition of what exactly this movement is, along with profiles on its key players (Arne Jacobsen, Finn Juhl, et al). 2. Pictures of important pieces. 3. Interior shots of homes showing Danish Modern in all its clean-lined glory, with Chicago residences designed by local designers figuring prominently. The book is both well organized and easy to read. Kudos to you, Mr. Hollingsworth-first for bringing us your amazing shop (and, yes, we even forgive you for moving and going to appointment-only!) and, now, this wonderful compendium of your knowledge and passion.

-GINA BAZER

Thos. Moser at Tree Studios on State Street is exhibiting the botanical photography of interior designer Laurel Feldman through October. Framed against white mats and hung in a group, the Georgia O’Keefe–esque photos seem to pop off the walls. Makes sense that a designer would find just the right shots.

—GINA BAZER

—JAN PARR

C’est Moi, a delightful shop in Vintage Pine, is closing. The owner says no reasonable offer will be refused on rugs, bedding, candles, oilcloth bags, David Fussenegger throws (shown here) and lots more. 904 W. Blackhawk St., 312-944-2116.

—JAN PARR


 

Pillows are the T-shirts of the home design world.  (Funny—in our last issue, I recall writing that “pillows are the shoes of the home design world”… OK, so the fashion and design worlds have some crossover, and I like to point that out… repeatedly! No big deal.) Anyway, I say this because pillows (like shoes and T-shirts) provide a relatively inexpensive way to express yourself. You can easily tone down a formal room by tossing in a vibrant or, in the case of Jonathan Adler, cheeky pillow. Enter Adler’s latest line of needlepoint pillows, shown above. They may be too precious for some, but I think if you don’t overdo it (like throw the “drugs” AND the “hugs” pillow on your sofa), the look is kind of fun.

—GINA BAZER 
 

How much do you love your house? Enough to have a portrait of it painted by a professional artist? If you like the idea of having your casa immortalized in watercolor, you’ll be happy to know it doesn’t cost all that much. Send Jim Pinto a photo of your precious and he will deliver a 12-by-18-inch rendering for $350. It’s a little kitschy, maybe even sappy, but sort of sweet, too. Pinto sells gift certificates as well, so you could get your parents a portrait of the home you grew up in before they sell the empty nest and head to Arizona. Most of the photos in his gallery are of traditional homes, but I think it would be fun to shake it up and have him do your ranch. Or an interior shot? What do you think? I think it would be even better if you could get a paint-by-numbers kit of your house. Business idea, anyone?

—Gina Bazer

 

We just got word from Steven Burgert, owner of I.D., that the shop is now the exclusive Chicago retailer of Trove wallpaper. This gorgeous paper feels more like art than a wall treatment. I actually would like to buy some just to frame it. It costs about $13 to $16 a square foot.

—Gina Bazer