iNSIDE

I’ve been putting off writing this for one very selfish reason – I want to keep Scout my little secret. Once you meet the owner of this ‘urban antique store,’ you’ll understand why I’ve concluded it would be almost mean to not share him (or this treasure) with anyone who will listen.

There is just something about this place that makes people turn heads. Is it the well-crafted and ever-changing window display? The cool clean lines of the store’s signage and logo? The friendly face behind the counter that beckons? What IS it about this place that whispers to you to come on in and check it out?

Scout is an homage to all things found. This is the place you visit in search of those pieces that add both gravity and levity to your space. Need a little history to balance your uber modern taste? What about a little whimsy to lighten the mood of the place? In Scout you will find this and more.

The store is put together with such a good eye and a loving hand that it just feels good to be there. While you may equate ‘previously owned’ items with musty piles of antiques arranged with no rhyme or reason – here you will find nothing of the kind. What you will find is a constantly fluctuating inventory of treasures that its owner, Larry Vodak, has ‘scouted’ and generously offered up for you to buy. Larry handpicks these treasures so he knows where they all originated. He loves telling you the story of a piece, (be sure to ask); especially what it was about it that he responded to. Not only can you find major furniture pieces here (unique dining tables - priced as low as $500!, storage pieces, desks, and chairs), but also those oh-so-difficult-to-find ‘little’ items that take your standard Crate & Barrel living room to a new level.

I believe that half the reason to visit Scout is to shop; the other is to chat with Larry. You will soon discover, as I have, that Larry’s passion is aligned with his vocation. Having no previous retail experience prior to opening, he started Scout in a quest to find his passion and to make a living doing it. A rarity in an environment usually filled with pushy salespeople, Larry makes you feel at home – like you can come in, kick the tires, and just hang out. Understanding that sometimes you just need to see how his things work in your space, Larry is happy for you to take home your item for a test-drive. Should you find that it doesn’t work as planned, just bring it back to the store for a full refund.

(I think I’m going to be hard-pressed to find something I don’t like about this place...)

So, in summary:

- The store is always changing. Stop by often to see what Larry has found.
- A storeowner who loves what he does translates into a positive and relaxed shopping experience.
- Antiques don’t have to be stuffy, smelly or expensive.
- A home put together as well as Scout would be a beautiful place in which to live!

Scout
5221 N. Clark (Andersonville)
773.275.5700
www.scoutchicago.com



category: resources_

If you happen to be like a lot people I know, my guess is that you are hanging your pictures too high. I have a friend who hung some bathroom pictures so high that I literally needed a step stool to look at them square on ... and I’m 5’9”.

There are all sorts of rules and calculations for determining the correct distance between objects. For example, some say that you should have only 6” between your piece of furniture and whatever is hanging above it. Perhaps. I feel a better gauge is to ask the question: if these things were people, would they look like a happy family (they should) – or - do they look like an angry couple who just had a nasty fight? Worse yet: did you unknowingly isolate your poor piece and hang it all by itself with no close neighbors? Unless you just acquired a Jackson Pollock that takes up a large portion of your wall, it is likely that your picture could use some company.

I was recently chatting with a shop owner about this subject and he had some great simple advice his mother had given him: Determine on the wall where you think you should hang your pictures. Now, hang them lower! Perfect.

category: tips_

A veritable oasis in the midst of its giant retail counterparts, P.O.S.H., located in the Tree Studios, is a fantastic place to find truly unique and affordable pieces to accessorize your space. I recently sat down with the store’s owner, Karl Sorensen, and Lisa, an extremely amiable and knowledgeable salesperson, to talk about P.O.S.H. and what it offers its customers that you (truly) can’t find anywhere else.

Karl accurately describes P.O.S.H. as a ‘cool well-edited flea market’ where all of the work of sorting through items has been done for you, (not to mention that you don’t have to lug it back from overseas)! They carry an extensive collection of pre-WWII silver, much of it from world-famous hotels and most of it from France, Belgium and England. (A lot of it is silver-plated, Lisa added, as silver-plate is much more durable than sterling silver). P.O.S.H. is especially known for their mix and match flatware (a unique look that I love). Although the clientele is diverse, most come to the store in search of pieces with some history and romance to them. P.O.S.H. also carries newer items to balance the vintage pieces. Karl described the rationale saying: ‘the new things give the old a fresher feel and the old things give the new more character.” (I quickly learned in talking to Karl that we share a lot of the same design philosophy and that his musings on the store are directly applicable to putting together a home!)

When asked what he feels is the best bargain in the store, Karl admits that he is really partial to what the store refers to as ‘flea market finds.’ These, he says, are ‘charming pieces that are full of personality that reflect your individuality and make you smile.’ I couldn’t agree more. *Some of these ‘finds’ are showcased on the website, but be sure to check them out in person. As you can imagine, items for which there is no back inventory are very difficult to post on the website because they are well priced and move out of the store very quickly.

When I asked Karl to give some parting advice to homeowners trying to create a beautiful and unique space, he said it basically boils down to investing in an environment that is pleasing to you – buy things that make you happy. (Insert Amen chorus!)

So, in summary, if you are like many who wish they had inherited some pieces of character (but didn’t) or are looking for a truly memorable gift, in P.O.S.H. you will find a fun European market-like shop full of one-of-a-kind pieces to lend a little 'je ne sais quoi' to your space - all without doing too much damage to the wallet.

(Many thanks to Karl, Lisa and the other staff members who graciously took me in and answered all of my questions.)

P.O.S.H.
613 N. State Street (*Many of you may remember the store when it was on Southport. It has been in the Tree Studios since September of 2004.)
312.280.1602
www.poshchicago.com (Fun fact - be sure to check out the FAQs to see what P.O.S.H. stands for and to learn the true derivation of the word).

category: resources_

In working with my clients, I have found that several topics come up again and again as they tackle their design projects. This is the first in a series of tips to address some of the more common questions.


One of the pitfalls I see my clients fall into over and over again is not owning their design decisions. Throughout the design process, they are getting input from friends, family members, the UPS guy - you name it. Stop for a moment to consider the most uniquely stylish person you know. Now think of the confidence that person has in his or her appearance. They don’t ask for your permission prior to getting dressed and probably don’t care if what they chose is pleasing to you. It may not be the way you would dress, but you recognize their confidence and likely admire it. One place where I have seen this trend catching on is in expectant parents who wait to reveal the name of their child until he or she is born. They present the baby to the world without (gasp!) asking for anyone’s input on the name.

I think it would be great if we could all apply this trend to the manner in which we put together our homes. The way you create your home environment is for your pleasure and your utility – not to please everyone else. What makes you happy is never going to be exactly what makes your best friend or your mother happy. Think back to your stylish friend and try to translate that confidence into how you feel about your space. Does it suit your needs? Does it make you happy? Does it reveal a little bit about you?

Everyone is going to an opinion if you ask. I suggest asking the only person who really counts, calling it a day and owning it.

category: tips_

Welcome and thank you for visiting iNSIDE, a forum for me to share a collection of all of the gems (people, places, ideas) I encounter in my business as a Chicago-based Interior Stylist. In my daily work, I am constantly pounding the pavement, visiting local stores and meeting new creative folks in my quest to find goods and services for the design-savvy yet budget conscious homeowner. Through iNSIDE, I hope to share these finds with you and be able to talk up some really cool and talented people I’ve met along the way.

I invite you to share your thoughts and any of your own tips – whether you know of a good store to check out, have a new idea or have a design question. Thanks again for visiting and I hope that you’ll check back frequently to get the iNSIDE scoop.