Just knowing where to begin can be the trickiest part of a design project. When you’re starting from scratch, every decision feels monumental, the myriad options are dizzying, the possibilities endless. But the secret to starting strong, any designer will tell you, is to first find your inspiration. “Art is an incredibly rich source of […]
SOFA: the Sculptural Objects Functional Art + Design Fair (held Nov. 6–9 at Navy Pier) is nothing short of overwhelming. Each year, it averages 80 dealers, 35,000 attendees, and sales are estimated at $15-20 million per show. But don’t let this daunt you. The exhibition, which focuses on three-dimensional artworks, brings a wonderful breath of […]
Looking for something beautiful and original to hang over the mantel, but don’t know where to start? Buying a piece of artwork can be both daunting and overwhelming. There used to be two types of people: those who collect art, and the rest of us dopes, with galleries only willing to talk to the former. […]
With the art fair season getting into full swing, it’s time to dispel some misconceptions about art and interior design. Myth #1: If I own a traditional home, I have to buy traditional art. Just the opposite, declares Anne Loucks, owner of Anne Loucks Gallery in Glencoe “I love the juxtaposition created when interesting, engaging […]
Is your house home base this week for visiting family and friends?
Think of it as “What Not to Wear” for your house. We polled local interior designers for their thoughts on the most common design mistakes and tips on how to fix them. 1. Out-of-whack proportions Too many times Julia Edelmann of Buckingham Interiors & Design sees spaces where the scale and proportion of the […]
Redecorating? Recycle your art! If you’re updating an old look for a new, the art that once graced your home can now find a new one, thanks to The Art Center’s Recycled “Pre-Owned” Art Sale later this summer. The Art Center is currently accepting donations of unwanted paintings, jewelry, prints, ceramics, antiques, sculpture, furniture, art […]
When fifth generation artist LeAnita Ragland-Brooks creates a work of art and sells it—even though she knows it will be worn and appreciated—she has trouble letting go. “There’s a little separation anxiety,” she says with a laugh. “It’s like a child. It’s a piece of me going out into the world.” But when a […]
“Theater is a living, moving art,” says Susie McMonagle, the Evanston actress who is starring in the Chicago production of “Billy Elliot.” “It’s a collaborative work of art; that’s what I love about it,” she says. And the theater loves McMonagle right back. She is “Mum” in “Billy Elliot,” which is a great tear-jerker […]
Going from the big business, adult-only world of being an international tax attorney to crawling around on the floor with a camera making monkey sounds for children is one scenario Julie Floyd never imagined for herself fifteen years ago. Floyd, the photographer who founded and owns Classic Kids Photography, followed her passion when she […]
