i’ll have to say, one of the nicest things about the new site is that i can post long pieces like this without having to send you to a separate site or post off the main page. blogger wouldn’t let me add additional pages without creating a new blog so it’s really, really great to be able to host this guide right here, just after the jump. no separate pages, no extra blogs. hooray!
writer lizzie garrett created this fantastic chicago design guide and i added in commentary and links to my favorite shops to round things out. chicago is one of my absolute favorite cities for design so it’s great to have an insider’s guide to the city. i hope this will be helpful for anyone heading out to the windy city this fall. as always, if you feel a shop is missing feel free to add it below.
also, please don’t forget to rsvp to the chicago biz ladies meetup- can’t wait to meet everyone!
With inescapable forces like Mies van der Rohe and Frank Lloyd Wright anchoring this city’s architecture and design, it’s not surprising that there is a good deal of eclectic design stores—many heavy on the mid century modern aesthetic. It is the case with Chicago, like most big cities, that outskirt neighborhoods are now the center of the art and design scenes, fostering communities and avenues of innovation. Still, each neighborhood with it’s distinct look, feel, and smell carries with it an undeniable Chicago-ness. Happy shopping!
Getting there:
-Rail maps: CTA.
-On foot: While walking around note that Chicago is based on a mathematical grid system which divides the city into one-mile sections, which nearly everywhere contain exactly eight blocks to the mile. Every average block is assigned a new series of 100 numbers. Therefore, each 800 in numbers is one mile. For more info on this click here.
Bucktown/Wicker Park
- Lille: This is one of my favorite shops in Chicago. Lille has an outstanding collection of tableware and small vessels that make perfect gifts. A definite must-visit. [UNFORTUNATELY LILLE IS ONLINE ONLY NOW.] (G)
- Sprout Home: If I was forced, like Sophie’s Choice, to pick a favorite Chicago store, it would be Sprout Home. I cannot get enough of owner Tara Heibel’s excellent taste in plants, eco-friendly furniture and amazing accessories from local designers. Be sure to say hello to Tara’s friendly dog, Grifter. (G)
- Hejfina: Ok so i’m cheating- Hejfina is mostly clothing but I love their selection of hard-to-find designers. If you love dresses this is the place for you. (G)
- Willow: When I was last in Chicago Willow was just opening but already had an impressive line up of local and up-and-coming artists. They have a fantastic tableware and jewelry selection. There’s a new site coming soon, too. (G)
- Quimby’s: The founder of this fringe bookstore stated, “I want to carry every cool, bizarre, strange, dope, queer, surreal, weird publication ever published”. You could spend hours checking out their art and design section and never come across something you’ve seen before. The bonus is the old-school photo booth in the back.
- Grow: The Bucktown/Wicker Park neighborhood is certainly growing with design-savvy people starting families, so naturally there is a demand for Grow—a modern kid’s boutique specializing in organic products including furniture for infants and toddlers. I’m really digging the Ooba Nest crib.
- Zella Brown: Some great finds in this Milwaukee Avenue shelter shop—lot’s of colorful accessories including pillows, clocks, rugs and artwork. Zella Brown also offers customized design services.
- Modern Times: I almost got in a car accident driving past this Grand Avenue shop looking at a Nelson “Ball Clock” in the window. Lot’s of unique mid century furniture, jewels, and art.
- Renegade Handmade: Puppets, poster art, crafty cards, vintage cowboy shirts, what’s not to love? When I walked into this store for the first time I thought I was in Silver Lake, the second time I thought I was in Paris circa 1963.
- Pavilion Antiques: Two masters degrees from The Art Institute + frequent buying trips to Europe = an impressive collection of high-end French Mid Century Modern furniture.
- Virtu: A wonderful Midwest source for beloved brands like Perch, Egg Press, and Lotta Jansdotter.
- Stitch: Stitch carries a great line of tableware and personal accessories. Great place to find gifts for guys (G).
- Una Mae’s: This Milwaukee Avenue institution (originally called Una Mae’s Freak Boutique) is typically celebrated for their funkadelic threads—both vintage and new. The store also always has a fantastic find lurking in the store somewhere, like a poster, a handbag or record.
Lincoln Park/Lakeview
- I.D.: I’d admit, I’ve never visited I.D. in person but I’ve onlne window-shopped the heck out of it. They have a great collection of furniture and wall-hangings. (G)
- Greer: fantastic stationery and paper goods, including a custom line by owner Chandra Greer. (G)
- Jayson Home and Garden: I imagine that if I was born with a trust fund I would be shopping at Jayson Home and Garden 24/7. So far I’ve only saved up and splurged on one large piece from their shop but they’re bursting with gorgeous vintage furniture and accesories. If you need something a bit more budget-friendly they have a wondderful selection of modern tableware and personal accesories, too. Don’t miss the lighting department, they have some really unique pieces. (G)
- Artists’ Frame Service: Located right next door to Jayson Home & Garden, Artists’ Frame Service is the most wonderful framing experience to be had. No other framer can compare with these guys: They always promise a one week turn around, all their framers have art backgrounds, they stock wonderful frames, and their prices are reasonable.
- Twosided: Evolved from the frame shop called Foursided, Twosided is a complete neighborhood gift shop with a “million and one” gift cards, heavy on the whimsical and one-of-a-kind varieties.
- Art Effect: They bill themselves as a “modern day general store” and they deliver exactly that. This store on armitage is a must for every city, stocking copious amounts of design heavy hitters like Alessi, Eva Zeisel, French Bull, Jonathan Adler and Orla Kiely.
- Urban Artifacts: The place to find that must-have icon of a piece and maybe pay a little less than you would at DWR. If you’re into finding collectables by hunting for them, then this is a store to stop into.
- Bedside Manor: All things luxe for the boudoir, including Thomas Paul pillows and John Robshaw linens.
- Tabula Tua: Fab high-end home accessories selection from John Derian to Cat Studio to one of my favorites for the table, Mariposa.
- Praha: Just like it’s namesake city (Praha is Czech for Prague) this eclectic furniture store is a little off the beaten path, more than you expect, and the dollar goes a lot farther than you’d think.
River North
- Modernica: One of the companies only three outposts, the Chicago store is exactly what you’d expect from Modernica: case study fiberglass chairs made exactly as they used to be, as well as other mid-century replicas.
- P.O.S.H.: Fiercely anti-chain and mass-produced items, this general store, which focuses on tabletop, carries an eclectic assortment of vintage hotel silver, restaurant china and flea market finds.
- Jonathan Adler: Gotta love J.A. and his needlepoint pillows.
- Ligne Roset: This French company was founded in 1860 making walking sticks, now they are a multi-national contemporary furniture and accessories company, with some particularly stunning glass blown vases and bowls. Charles Eames made his start making leg splints for the Navy, maybe there’s something to this.
- Svenska Möbler: I was somewhat familiar with their L.A. outpost on La Brea, this store carries a very specific collection of furniture: Swedish modern and Argentine functionalist (read: clean lines, and rich woods).
Gold Coast/Old Town
- Frette: Expensive, yes. Totally worth it if you love nice linens? Yes. This isn’t somewhere to shop if you’re on a budget but if you have a spot spot for nice linens Frette is a must visit. (G)
- Room & Board: Similar to DWR, Room & Board provides clean and timeless design for a price.
- Museum of Contemporary Art Store: The MCA store, like other modern museum stores is the prize at the end of the tour. This one is particularly rewarding.
Northside
- P.O.S.H.: an incredible collection of tableware, glassware and silverware. They also carry home and kitchen accessories.(G)
Andersonville/Lincoln Square
- Haus: Haus sells a great collection of artwork that is perfect for gifts or adding that special touch to a room that’s been missing (G)
- Hanger 18: Hanger is a fun shop in Lincoln square that’s jam-packed with colorful accessories and tableware. If you like melamine and French Bull, you’ll love Hanger 18. (G)
- Scout: A well edited mix of antiques and new products which focuses on stylish utility items for the home. Scout is sophisticated, functional, and a tad masculine even. It’s urban and urbane—one of Chicago’s best.
Loop/West Loop
- Orange Skin: Futuristic modern furniture designed by big names such as Marc Newson, Karim Rashid and Philippe Starck.
- Salvage One: I am intrigued by this warehouse of a shop that rents and sells distinct home and garden furnishings—their online catalog is massive and has so many interesting pieces—everything from vintage furnaces to mailboxes, old doors, and a hefty supply of art deco and mid century furniture.
Extras (Contributed by D*S Readers):
- Broadway Antique Mall + Edgewater Antique Mall: just north of Andersonville in the Edgewater neighborhood and only about 3 blocks from each other. They have so much to offer, mostly items from the 1910’s -1970’s. Both have a great selection of Mid-Century Modern, which can sometimes be very difficult to find in your run-of-the-mill antique malls. (Seana)
- Urbanest: furniture and home goods (Dawnson)
- The Sweden Shop: the name says it all (Renee)
- The White Attic: furniture and antiques (Suzannah)
- Saffron: home, personal and kitchen accessories (Nicki)
- RR#1: “an old-fashioned shop for modern gifts” (Susan)
- Lightology: one of Chicago’s largest light retailers
- Paper Doll: stationery and paper goods (Susan)
94 Comments
Lille is now closed — I think they might be creating an online store — but there storefront is there no more.
One place I would suggest adding would be Architectural Artifacts on Ravenswood. It is similar to Salvage One but even bigger. They gather items from all over the world and sell them in their huge warehouse. I have seen everything from Argentinian cement garden sculptures to turn-of-the-century botanical prints to vintage condom and glove molds.
http://www.architecturalartifacts.com
I love the place so much I was actually married there a few years back.
thanks grace & lizzie for the guide! i’d add that my favorite eateries are crust, southport grocery and goddess and the grocer. and sadly, lille (such a cool shop!) is online only at this point.
wow – I am a Chicago designer and pro shopper and I hate to admit that I’m more than a bit disappointed in this guide. My initial look left me thinking it was too mainstream and lacked a knowledge of all the wonderful neighborhood hidden gems. Upon a little research into the author I see that she JUST moved here from L.A…not that it isn’t well written – there’s just A LOT missing!
Chicago could really blow your mind if you know where to go. bummer.
Great guide and includes all of my favorites! Two notes: Unfortunately Lille has closed (but thankfully is still up and running online at http://www.lilleashop.com) and Modernica, sadly, is closing as well.
I love Design Sponge! The new website is very sweet!
Greetings from Brazil.
Diego.
There are 2 off the beaten path Chicago antique malls that I LOVE, they are both truly treasure troves of really great stuff:
1) Broadway Antique Mall
2) Edgewater Antique Mall
They are just north of Andersonville in the Edgewater neighborhood and only about 3 blocks from eachother, I highly recommend them both. They have so much to offer, mostly items from the 1910′s -1970′s. Both have a great selection of Mid-Century Modern, which can sometimes be very difficult to find in your run-of-the-mill antique malls.
Nice selections… a couple others:
Rotofugi designer toys, just around the corner from Sprout Home.
Also up in Andersonville is Urbanest. They design their own furniture and have a nice selection of home goods.
The Illinois Artisans Shop located in the State of Illinois Center at Clark and Lake is also a great place to go. They have cards, jewelry, ceramics, paintings and other handmade items, all created by Illinois artists and crafts people. Unfortunately, it’s not open on the weekend.
The Chicago Architecture Foundation Shop at Michigan and Jackson is right near the Art Institute. They have wonderfully designed, fun items that are surprisingly affordable, considering the location.
If you’re on the North side and love Scandinavian design, the Sweden Shop is a good place to go. It’s on Foster, West of Kedzie. They have a nice selection of kitchen items, giftware, and gifts for children.
this is so fantastic! i just moved back to chicago after being in seattle for 5 years and i’m so excited to see what’s been popping up here. nice work!
I highly recomend Sprout and Willow in wicker park. Thanks to their wedding registries i got some amazing gifts that are NOT made of leaded crystal. THANK YOU!
susan
please feel free to suggest any hidden gems that you feel are missing. i did a pretty thorough search and all of my favorites are on here. we’re always open to new shops though, please do let us know what is missing.
grace
looking forward to moving back to chicago after reading this!
I second Sprout and Willow- but other than that I don’t see much missing that would be very “D*S”. There are some other shops but they don’t seem like they fit this style.
Susan,
Please do suggest other places I missed. I did just move here from L.A., but grew up here. Also, my cousin, who works for Chicago Magazine looked over the guide and agreed it was thorough and on point.
Lizzie
wow I really wish I would have had this last week while I was there! What a great city and great post thanks!
wondering, are you still blogging on House and Garden? Went there today to see the Gwyneth Paltrow Hampton’s home photos and didn’t see any recent posts from you. :(
blue
yes, i’ve just been so swamped with the redesign and the other work i do for the HG site that i’ve fallen behind. thanks for the reminder, i really do need to get back on it ;)
also, just to remind everyone, we welcome all suggestions. something missing in the guide? please leave a comment or send an email. please keep in mind that this is an edited list and has been tailored to fit d*s, it’s not designed to be an “every store in chicago” guide.
grace
I have to agree with Susan. Where’s Pagoda Red? The White Attic? Urbanest? The CAF and Art Institute stores? p45? Stitch?
And to give Room and Board, Jonathan Adler, etc. mentions but not C&B (especially their fabulous outlet where you can buy Marimekko fabric) is a major oversight.
I’ve been unimpressed with some of the stores on the list.
I appreciate the idea of the guide, but it does have holes.
Another great little shop in Bucktown is Saffron. Not a huge selection, but the owner is sweet and it’s a great spot for last minute gifts. http://www.saffronchicago.com/
I love the guide Lizzie! It is a wonderful paired down guide to all the wonderful design stores in the area.
thanks for all the suggestions guys! i’m going to go over all of these tonight and add any that we feel are a good fit.
grace
looks like a lot of them have been named already. here’s a few more:
RR#1 Chicago – my personal FAVE!! (in West Town, a MUST SEE when you’re here)
Paper Doll (on Division)
Threadless (just opened in Andersonville)
and you absolutely can’t have a Chicago guide without listing Uncle Fun!
Great list! Thank you for posting this, Grace and Lizzie. I was very excited to see design*sponge highlighting Chicago shopping. I would just add a few other suggestions that might help people new to the city.
For one, I really recommend CB2 – a chain store, but it is a fantastic resource. Also, Stitch in Bucktown is one of my favorite design stores in the city…in addition to brands like Missoni Home they also have beautiful handbags. In Old Town, I would suggest the wonderful papergoods store Greer. In Lakeview, I also really recommend Paper Boy and Fly Paper. The MCA gift shop is also amazing. I’m sure there are many more but that’s all I can think of now, design-wise!
Thanks again :)
great guide! I know I will be using it often. I live in Milwaukee, so this will make my next trip to Chicago all the more worth it!
I HAPPENED TO STUMBLE UPON THIS GUIDE AND I AM EXCITED TO LOOK! I AM ACTUALLY GOING TO CHICAGO FOR THE FIRST TIME AND WANTED TO KNOW SOME GREAT PLACES TO GO. THANKS FOR THE ADVICE! I’LL LET YOU KNOW HOW IT IS!
thanks to everyone for your contributions, i’ve added several of the suggestions to the list that i felt were in line with the look of things on this particular site. they’re listed in a special section credited to each of the commenters.
sprout and willow were already on the list and i wasn’t able to find c&b (crate and barrel?) so just let me know if you’d like to suggest anything else.
i’m trying to keep this a home store guide so i’ve left off toy shops, clothing and things of that nature. feel free to add those in the comment section here if you’d like.
grace
Having just moved to Chicago, I’m thrilled to have this guide as a resource. It has a great balance between the major design stores around town, however it’s not too main stream.
two more additions in logan square:
-wolfbait and b-girls – independent designers, handmade bags and clothing.
-fleur – beautiful flower shop, also selling gifts, cards, candles, etc.
HABIT in Wicker Park, although mostly a women’s clothing store, they also carry bags, wallets, belts and scarves worth checking out. All by emerging designers. The place to find cute felted wool scarves by d*s favorite Alyson Fox.
[quote]Twosided: Evolved from the frame shop called Foursided, Twosided is a complete neighborhood gift shop with a “million and one” gift cards, heavy on the whimsical and one-of-a-kind varieties.[/quote]
Having known the owner of Foursided when he lived in Michigan and loving every piece of art that I purchased in his shop, I can only imagine how wonderful his shops are in Chicago. Go, go quickly and shop! or at least look.
I just noticed that the link to Twosided is not working. It is http://www.foursided.net/
asrai garden on north ave is amazing. they don’t have a website, but here is what what oh joy! posted about the shop.
http://ohjoy.blogs.com/my_weblog/2007/08/chicago-favorit.html
Here’s the link to CB2 – cb2.com. It’s owned by Crate and Barrel — same quality, but with a lot more sass. 2 locations in Chicago – one on Lincoln Avenue, and one at North and Clybourn.
Orangeskin is in River North, not loop/West Loop. Might want to move that listing…
Hazel on Montrose (at Wolcott) is one of my favorite stationery/gift stores. They carry tons of accessories, including great bags that aren’t super expensive. They also have a shop on Taylor street. hazelchicago.com
We appreciate inclusion in your Chicago design guide and are particularly honored to be in such esteemed company, both in your list and the shops suggested by your readers. We are also bemused by having apparently moved from utter obscurity to “mainstream” status. FYI, Lucky Magazine’s November issue highlights their “40 favorite” Chicago shops many of which are on your list as well.
If you are looking for a great jewelry shop…right off grand (red line) there is a fabulous shop called “pistachios.” If you love silver jewelry you must check it out! Many different designers, modern, and unique!
There is an original Crate and Barrel on Clybourn too. C&B is just so Chicago to me, it seems like it’s missing if you don’t mention it’s in Chitown. And of course, who doesn’t love the Michigan Avenue store? It might be mainstream, but Urban Outfitters is on Clybourn, and I know Grace, you’ve written about it semi-frequently before.
- MM
Okay – It’s not in Chicago, but close…just a two-hour drive away in Madison, WI. Check out the website for architectural and vintage finds for the home: unearthedmadison.com
Oops – I see that the URL I provided above is inactive. Here, I hope, is an active link: http://www.unearthedmadison.com
[...] garrett has been such a wonderful contributor at d*s over the past year or so. she wrote both the chicago and los angeles city guides and is helping me with a fantastic new design guide (more of a [...]
[...] we like so i’ve been obsessing over real estate in other cities. my favorites right now? chicago and austin. i’ve been pouring over both cities’ craiglist real estate pages and [...]
[...] I’ll also have to study the Chicago design guide from design*sponge. There really are loads of little stores I’d love to visit, particularly [...]
Yes! RR1 is a wonderful gift buying shop at Chicago and Ashland. I could spend hours in there! Recently I purchased a Chicago Skyline necklace made by Le Photique and a heavenly candle by Tatine. I want to tell the world how wonderful that shop is!
If you’ve been searching for really cool ceiling fan pulls, I get mine at the Bucktown Arts Fest every summer from this great artist there–Trace Ellements. Now she’s got a website with a load of them listed, worth a look at http://www.traceellements.com
[...] Chicago My little weekend visit to Chicago was a bit of a whirlwind, with thanks for help from the Design*Sponge Chicago design guide assembled by Lizzie Garrett. What a fantastic starting point! I added a few more choices of my own [...]
the city is one of the best but the ‘burbs also has lots to offer. check out the really cool scentimentalgardens in geneva, il. actually geneva is great w/good restaurants, i take the train. check out http://www.scentimentalgardens.com
What about Le Magasin or Mecox on Clark!?
Chicago is a great place.
I believe Una Mae’s is gone. I didn’t see it last time I was up there, but I could be wrong.
Calling all Ceramicists, Crafts(wo)men, Builders, Blacksmiths, Jewelry Makers, Sewers of Bags, etc.
We are currently transitioning our art gallery into a boutique and are looking for artists here in Chicago, and across the country, to become a part of this process. We are marketing our store as a custom home décor and accessories boutique and because we want the customer to feel intimately connected with their selection, we want to work with artists who can facilitate a dialogue with our clientele in order to customize any object to fit their needs and preferences. As a custom home décor boutique we are looking for creative minds that can and have molded functional objects out of their desired mediums, to share their passion. We are open to all ideas as far as where this project can go. For all inquiries, suggestions, and/or interest in or about our project please contact me: clockwhys@gmail.com
Thanks.
You need to have the bookstore all about design on your list. Conveniently located in the loop.
Prairie Avenue Bookshop: Architecture & Design Bought & Sold
http://www.pabook.com
418 S Wabash Ave
Chicago, IL 60605
If you would like to experience other parts of the city, take the metra to Barrington, IL. The trains stops in historic downtown. You can browse lovely shops in 100 year old buildings and visit a great stationery store, TT Patton. Lots of great leather journals, fine stationery and writing instruments. Write with us!
TT Patton
http://www.ttpatton.com
123 East Station Street
Barrington, IL 60010
847-277-0073
I am hesitant to even share this store for fear that demand will drive up the prices but I’m hoping for good shopping karma here. Nadeau, Furniture With A Soul on Ravenswood & Montrose is truly unmatched in Chicago. They have been a wholesale resource for 12 years but in the last year began selling WHOLESALE to the public! They sell solid wood, handmade furniture imported from Indonesia, India and China that is truly inspiring and always a bargain. Every time I go in the store I find pieces that I want to design a room around. Check out the website and then GO! You can also get on the owner’s email list and he will let you know when he gets a new container in. You’re welcome!!! j/k
Thanks so much for writing this, i give this guide to already 2 of my friends who where visiting me.
I lived in Chicago for 3 years and was always on the hunt for artsy-gift shops. My favorite by far, is The Paper Boy on Belmont Ave. I seriously have to travel back there every so often just to stock up! Lots of wonderful paper goods and fun gift items.
http://www.unclefunchicago.com/pboy.html
stay in wicker park if travelling…hip town. I recommend: reckless records and myopic books on milwaukee… bin36… great wine and cheese!
fyi, north, damen, and milwaukee is where the “hipness” resides. fun times.
Hey! So I’m new to Chicago, can anyone recommend some fun restaurants around? Some place with a cute atmosphere?
Thanks!
Just found out about the Buckminster Fuller exhibit at MAC (!!!) and am planning a trip just to see it in early June. Any recommendations for hip-ish/affordable ($200 or less) hotels nearby?
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! I just moved here from New York and this is by FAR the most comprehensive interior design guide I have found!! You’ve even listed all of my favorite places. :)Although I do second the Mecox suggestion (amazing!!), and there is a cute store on Pearson called Branca.
Good stuff; thanks!
Have lived here 25 years and have to share my favorite store with a wonderful, fun owner. He goes to Europe every year to pick up replicas he’s had made there and gather up local antiques too. It’s on Lawrence near Damen. http://www.griffins-gargoyles.com/
Myopic Books (Wicker Park) – huge used book store with resident cat. Permanent Records (Ukrainian Village) – great record store that has a lot of free in-store shows. Devon Ave has great Indian food! NeedleShop in Bucktown has some great fabrics (Amy Butler, Alexander Henry, Kokka, etc) and they also teach sewing and screenprinting classes! Also, Chicago avenue in Ukrainian Village has a lot of vintage/handmade shops! The beaches up in Rogers Park are the best in the city!
Check out Post 27, located on Grand Ave (Wicker Park) within a mini modern design district that has sprung up along thata street. http://www.post27store.com/. Vintage finds, wonderfully refurbished/made-over pieces, original furniture & lighting designs, interesting accessories & jewelry…and Angela, the owner/designer is so personable and loves to share info on the neighborhood with visitors! LOVE this spot!
Although I live in NYC now, one way that I remember the great city of Chicago is through images taken by Chicago photographer, Bob Horsch.
He sells a ton of different prints of the Chicago skyline and sports teams on his website:
http://www.horschgallery.com
I have 6 of them!
Needs some editing, and perhaps it’s about time to revisit the Chicago guide?
1) Modernica’s showroom has closed
2) Saffron has closed
3) Haus MAY have closed – the website won’t work, and I don’t recall seeing their storefront when I walked down Clark yesterday
4) Prarie Avenue Books is DEFINITELY worth inclusion as a design resource.
hi aaron
we try to update the guides once a year but this one, along with my hometown of brooklyn, are definitely due for an update ;)
grace
Haus did close.
Surprised there aren’t any of the amazing fabric yarn or ribbon stores mentioned.
Another home store that must be added to your list is George Lowell! I never walk out of there without buying at least one thing…
Just an update. Both Hejfina and Willow are now closed. Very disappointing. They were great.
Another emerging neighborhood that is bringing unique and quality home store/accessory retail to the Chicago area is Madison St. in Forest Park. Most Chicagoans don’t realize that Forest park is 15 minutes west of the loop and accessible by the blue line el. Moss, Gallery Etc. and @WorkDesign, to name a few, each represent a unique point of view yet all provide authentic, thoughtfully presente product selection from new to vintage…modern to industrial. A must see!
Hefjina’s is closing :( so sad…on the upside, the website is having an “everything 40% sale”
Love the guide. Adding to the chorus to say that Haus is indeed closed. However, a few other Andersonville stores have opened up since. Room Service, Rooster, White Attic and Brimfield have been welcome additions to the neighborhood. Andersonville is a great place to shop for your home furnishing needs.
Andersonville: White Attic is amazing. They also recently opened in Bucktown
http://www.thewhiteattic.com/
Any suggestions on where to stay?
planning a girls trip for a friends’ birthday and would love advice on a b&b or hotel to stay at preferably where 6 could stay together or rooms were connected. From reading above, I’m assuming Wicker Park is the place to stay?
thanks!
Kylee – There aren’t really hotels in WP/B. Stay downtown near a red line and blue line stop and you can get anywhere you will want to go. WP/B is the Damen stop on the blue line.
My spouse is taking me to Chicago for the first time the first week in November and this guide has been so helpful. Thanks!
These guides are always great for my girl’s trips! Any suggestions for food? Going in 2 weeks. Can’t wait!!
I’ve just moved to the Western Burbs, (gulp). The store Clever Girl in Western Springs has become my suburban “go-to” spot for clothes and gifts. A hometown Anthropologie of sorts…
I was strolling down Grand Ave. this past weekend and came across a gem- Urban Remains. It is a huge warehouse filled with an amazing collection of repurposed furniture and vintage signs. They even have a whole crop of industrial goods: tables, stools, lamps, and even lockers. I’ve been looking for the old school signs (the kind that have light bulbs) for a while now and they had a bunch of them! i bought myself the letter “L” which is proudly being displayed in my window. I feel like this store should be mentioned in your guide…
C’mon Chicago Give me more then just stores to shop in! How about some interesting & Creative spaces to Eat, Drink, go see live Music!
I’m really shocked and sad that this guide hasn’t been updated like so many other cities!
yvonne
it’s in the works- like about 30 others ;)
grace
shop: Brimfield in Andersonville for kitsch home, Gold Coast for every retailer’s specialty store, Division street in Wicker Park for dresses and handmade items.
eat: Crust Eat Real and Milk & Honey Cafe in Wicker Park, Uncommon Ground in Uptown, Home Bistro in Lakeview, Takashi in Bucktown, The Purple Pig on Mag Mile.
Do: Second City in the Gold Coast, Architectural boat tour on the Chicago river, Game at Wrigley Field
Also, it is not in Chicago but Jackson Square Mall in LaGrange is literally the greatest antique mall I have ever been to.
It is huge and they easily have 100 dealers.
Best of all, they are super affordable.
Would love to see an updated Chicago guide. Maybe before a planned trip in June. PLEASE
If you are looking for a great speak easy, go to The Violet Hour. Although, not a speak easy The Drawing Room is another great place to sip a cocktail. A restaurant I didn’t see mentioned is Black Bird, it is a great place for foodies.
I created a google map called Chicago Design Sponge to help me plot my upcoming visit. Feel free to use it yourselves.
So awesome! Thanks, Kate. We are heading to Chicago in a couple weeks and this Google map will be perfect. If only I could get the same kind of map for restaurants!
wow… after reading the ST Louis guide, I was very disappointed in this Chicago guide… There are no eat, stay and do sections for each neighborhood… and it could desperately use some updating… I couldn’t agree more on the Broadway shops in Edgewater though… They are spectacular!
I love lightology I found some cheaper stuff as well at Light Craft Direct
Where are some fun places to stay in Chicago? Affordable, has character and with-in walking distance of good restaurants/bars is our preference. Thanks!
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