spring flower show, 2011

Towards the end of January, the days are getting longer but it still feels like winter will never end—and when its sunny in Chicago, that means its especially cold.

Which makes it the perfect time to visit the Garfield Park Conservatory for some humidity to soothe chapped lips, to bask in the sunlight for some vitamin D, and to visually feast on colorful spring blossoms for a nature fix.

Once inside, the beauty of nature creates a picture perfect view from any angle. The Victorian architecture of the conservatory is not only piece of local history, the ‘oversized greenhouse’ is inspiring to recreate on a small scale as a terrarium in glass cylinder vases. Search out your favorites plants, check their viability in a terrarium, and get your hands in the dirt. Once complete, these mini ecosystems are virtually carefree.

If you don’t have a green thumb, how about photography? The Spring Flower Show starts this weekend so consider investing an afternoon there. Get recharged and come home with some vibrant images that can be artfully cropped and frame favorites to display in your office or home.

finding vivian maier: chicago

photo courtesy of: tetuWhat: Finding Vivian Maier: Chicago Street Photographer
When: thru April 3, 2011
Where: Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington, Chicago

Born in 1926, Vivan Maier came to the northern shores of Chicago to work as a nanny. In her free time, she would venture into the city armed with a Rolleiflex camera to document everyday people living their everyday lives.

While her work spans decades after WWII, only recently have tens of thousands of negatives been rediscovered—and never have they been exhibited so close to home.

Don’t miss this first American curated exhibit of her compelling work—just 80 pieces—which will surely leave us wanting more.

the making of: dangerous liasons

Designed by Legendre+Rutter to pay homage to the 2009 theatre poster for the Canberra Repertory Society production of the 18th-century tale, “Les Liaisons Dangereuses”; Chicago designer Lance Rutter’s original illustration and lettering achieved its rich coloration and detail with a unique process that included rendering every line with a brush pen and printing directly on bright red paper.

Hand-tufted—in reverse, then backed—using Indian and New Zealand wools, each dangerous liaisons rug takes approximately two days to produce. Execution of the design is a tribute to the talent of the craftsmen who interpret the original illustration into a tapestry using just six yarn colors.

To fully appreciate the drama of the design, contact your local hardware store for hardware to hang one on a wall as artwork.

27th annual christmas sing-along: chicago

photo courtesy of: 20 LettersWhat: The 27th Annual Christmas Show
Where: Music Box Theatre, Chicago
When: Friday, December 17-24, 2010

For the past 26 years, holiday revelers have come to the vintage Music Box theater to watch two classic films of the season—‘White Christmas’ and ‘It’s A Wonderful Life’.

What makes the evening a holiday tradition is when Santa Claus, accompanied by the theater organist, leads a sing-along of the most cherished Christmas carols before the screening of each film. In case you never knew the words to Auld Lang Syne, Follow the “bouncing ball” as the lyrics are projected onto the screen and enjoy!

month at the museum: begins today

What: Month at the Museum
Where: Museum of Science+Industry Chicago
When: October 20-November 18, 2010  

Today the Museum of Science and Industry’s new roommate, Chicagoan Kate McGroarty, begins a historical thirty days as their first live-in visitor. A 3-sided, 16x16’ glass cube just outside the main rotunda will remind daily visitors that Kate’s there 24/7—but she’ll also be out and about doing some research, collecting her thoughts, writing and blogging about living in this home to more than 35,000 artifacts and one of the largest science museums in the world—not to mention an architectural gem.

Built in 1893 for the World’s Columbian Exposition to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus’s arrival in the New World, ‘The Palace of Fine Arts’ is the only surviving permanent structure from the fair. Designed to follow principles of the Beaux Arts movement highlighting symmetry and splendor, it officially opened as a museum in 1933.

In preparation for her stay, the out-in-the-open cube and behind-the-scenes living quarters were designed and set-up by another Kate, our Lincoln Park designer. Her job was to translate a briefing by selecting pieces to meet Kate’s needs. Architectural details provided a spectacular backdrop, but modern furniture and bold colors that add energy and excitement are all key to this very modern exhibit.

What pieces were chosen and why?
Our hope is that the cielo sectional will help Kate feel comfortable in her temporary home—she can cozy up in the corner or sprawl out on the chaise to write or watch TV on her laptop. To compliment it, the slot coffee table offers some privacy with its hidden compartment while she’s in the open, on display. In addition, the fold desk is durable and hints of an industrial lab for any science experiments she takes on—and while the glass cube allows visitors to see Kate from just about any angle, the positioning of the furniture allows them to observe without feeling intrusive.

Tucked inside the sprawling 14-acre museum, her living quarters are a prime example of small-space urban living—which also had to be modern, functional, and just as fun as the exhibits outside.

Painted a cool grey and with the architecture as a key element, brilliant white multi-functional furniture pieces set a bold stage and are great for small spaces. An odyssey dining table doubles for dining or work, and with city slicker as a side table, ottoman, or extra seating in a pinch—it’s lightweight so Kate can move it around as needed. Alpine was chosen for its space-saving headboard/nightstand and a theo duvet keeps the overall color palette strong and ties in with the Museum’s contest graphics. A parlour sofa is the focal point in lemongrass and a shop chest adds another pop of color to the room—not to mention ample storage for Kate’s 30 t-shirts, one for every day of her stay so you can’t miss her. Go to these links to follow her on twitter or facebook.

Thanks to kate, store designer lincoln park, for contributing to this submission.