iNSIDE

If you are like many of my friends and clients who would like to graduate from your collection of framed posters, but shudder at the thought of the price tags that accompany 'real' art, keep reading.

Yesterday, I checked out two local sources that I've been meaning to visit for quite some time: Sacred Art in Roscoe Village and Homey in North Center. I was really glad I did as both spaces showcased a lot of really great work, but at accessible prices.

Sacred Art is the smaller of the two galleries, but it crams as much as possible into the little shop on the main drag in Roscoe Village. Its owner, Sarah, will happily guide you to the works that are appropriate for your taste and your budget. She showcases all Chicago artists and the pieces run the gamut from photography to paintings and textile arts. Be sure to tell Sarah what you are looking for. As the space is so small, she has some things in storage. Also, if you don't see what you like in the store, several of the artists will work on commission. (Sounds scary, but the prices make it less so)!

Homey is the more expensive of the two, but is still reasonable considering you are paying to have unique art that you won't see all over town. Homey's owner, Mike, will walk you through his collection, which includes photography, paintings, sculpture, some furniture pieces and select accessories. If you are looking for a larger piece, Homey may be the better bet. And, if you are nervous that the painting you are eyeing won't fit in your space, you can take it home for a test drive.

So, when you go to hang that framed Chagall poster you've had since college, consider at least a peek at these two galleries that showcase art for the 'rest of us.'

Sacred Art
2040 W. Roscoe
773.404.8790

Homey
3656 N. Lincoln
773.248.0500

Just got this mailer from Scout and wanted to share. I saw these tables while recently in the store and can attest - they're fantastic! As with everything at Scout, these tables are unique and up the style factor in your space. I love the fact that they are customizable, too. Just think of the fun you'll have in telling the story of your find.

Definitely a must see!

www.scoutchicago.com

It's been a while since I've visited Praha, so I felt a return trip was long overdue. Once there, I quickly remembered what attracted me to the store on previous visits.

Looking for well-priced furniture, but not so thrilled about seeing your piece in all of your friends' homes? Praha shop owners had you in mind, then, when they developed the concept for their store. Here, you'll find a wonderful collection of cottage-y furniture - tables, buffets, dressers - as well as great looking custom-order upholstered furniture. If that isn't enticement enough, everything is priced even lower than what you would expect to pay at a comparable large-scale retailer. (Think: somewhere in between Target and Crate & Barrel). If the word 'cottage' has you running for the hills, fear not. This is today's cottage, which translates into clean-lined yet rustic feeling, and without any country details.

Shop owners Todd and David travel frequently to the Czech Republic to replenish their ever-changing inventory. About 70% of the store is from the CR (thus the name). The remaining goodies are either antique finds or cool, unique accessories. Worried that the word will spread and you'll still see all of your things all over town? These guys have you covered. In an effort to make your items feel more unique, Todd and David usually carry only 6 of one item. So, good news - exclusivity at a great price; bad news - you may need to snap up that table you've been eyeing because it may not be there next week.

So, on your next trip to CB2 or after a date at Sola, be sure to cruise on over and check it out.

Praha
3849 N. Lincoln Ave.
773.549.1227
(no website)

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We’ve all lived in one at some point. Maybe you are living in one now. Our politically correct culture might name them “area challenged” or simply: “quaint.” The rest of us know them better as small spaces.

In today’s age of ‘bigger is better,’ I find small spaces to be cozy and charming and often an eco-friendly alternative to their colossal counterparts. They can, however, be a bit of a design doozie if you don’t know how to make the most of their assets. Here are a few tips to keep in mind as you tackle your diminutive dwelling.

1. Mirror, mirror, on the wall...

Ever notice the night before you are moving to a new place and everything has been removed from the walls that your space looks a lot smaller? That’s often because you’ve literally erased a dimension from the room: the one created by your wall hangings.

Well-placed mirrors work wonders in small spaces. A lot of good design is all about fooling your eye to perceive things in a more complimentary manner. Mounting a mirror opposite windows, for example, reflects the natural light and gives the impression of additional depth. Reflective surfaces such as lacquer, glass, and shiny metals like nickel or aluminum serve the same purpose. This works in any space – big or small.

2. Color me large.

A continuous color scheme is a nice idea in a large space as it unifies disparate areas. In a small space, it’s a must. Smaller, choppier rooms tend to look like individual showrooms if each is done in a different color. Fret not; this idea isn't as boring as it sounds. Start with a semi-neutral base color – gray-green, deep taupe, crisp white - and paint any adjoining rooms this color (or a one or two shade variant). Then, choose some complimentary accent colors and a couple of punchy ones and weave those throughout your rooms for a cohesive and more spacious look.

3. On a scale of 1-10...

...scale is a 10 in terms of its importance in making your small space look larger. Avoid too many little items in your space. This creates the dollhouse look and achieves the opposite effect of what you are striving for. Opt instead for fewer pieces that fill out (but don’t overwhelm) the room and that do double-duty. For example, could your dining table function as a desk? Could your bed frame be crafted from several drawers or low-slung dressers on which your mattress sits? What about using storage cubes or side tables as extra seating, when needed?

Scale is also extremely important in the choices for your artwork. Again – think fewer and larger and nix the choppy. Can’t afford ‘real’ art? Consider making your own. Paint large artists’ canvases solid colors – or – create a frame with some architectural molding and frame some wallpaper pieces.

4. Cut a rug.

Area rugs are a great way to unify a seating arrangement or to define a room within a room. (Think of studio apartments or lofts in which there is one large room vs. several smaller rooms). When placing your furniture on a rug, be sure that all or most of it sits atop the rug.

Large good-quality area rugs can set you back a few pennies. If the size you need is cost-prohibitive, look into having a custom rug created from carpet remnants. Just about any carpet retailer will take an existing remnant and bind it for you to create a rug. Notch it up a degree and have them create a border for your rug out of another complementary-colored remnant. This can be done for a fraction of what it would cost for a wool area rug. Natural rugs such as sisal or seagrass are also a lower cost alternative when you need a large sized rug.

5. Let there be light.

Observe your space at night. Where are the dark corners? Add a beautiful floor lamp or side table lamp to eliminate the shadows and create additional space.

In the daytime, make sure that you are utilizing all the available natural light. Select sheer curtains rather than heavy velvet ones. Also, mount your hardware and hang your drapes outside of the window frame. The rod can be hung a foot or more above the window frame. This gives the impression that what’s hiding behind your curtains is actually more window. Also, when the drapes are left open, it permits all available sunlight to make its way into your room.

category: tips_

Many, many thank yous are needed to properly thank Holly Becker for featuring design i on her blog, decor8. If you don't know decor8, do not pass go and immediately visit the site! Doing so will give you countless ideas for finishing out your space, and will give you great gift ideas for your design junkie friend. decor8 features 'fresh finds from sofas to stationery,' and is updated daily. I frequently check out the site to keep my finger on the pulse of what's new & exciting, and sometimes just to get my design fix.

Thank you again, Holly! I greatly appreciate your kind words and a forum to discuss fresh and affordable options to the existing model of interior design.

Click here to check out the interview. Enjoy!

category: press_