Design Hunter | Chicago Botanic Garden Antiques Fair

Vintage swimsuits

A vintage table very similar to one I recently purchased for my apartment.

I Married Adventure - everyone's favorite vintage book.

I have a thing for fur pillows.

A pair of Fornasetti chairs

Malachite stool and brass and lucite lamp.

I'm on a mission to find something similar for my kitchen - I plan to mount it on linen and display in a lucite box frame.

Porcupine quills mounted in lucite.

Hello!  I hope everyone had a lovely weekend.  My mom and I went to the Botanic Garden Antiques Fair over the weekend and although I didn't purchase anything, I did find a ton of lovely pieces and loads of inspiration.  Some of my favorite items included a Fornasetti chair, porcupine quills mounted in a lucite block, a stunning malachite fabric bench and metal knife template that would look awesome framed in a lucite box and hung in a kitchen.

The International Antiques Fair at the Merchandise Mart opens this Friday so if you happen to be in town I suggest stopping by.  There is a keynote presentation by Charlotte Moss on Friday and a Young Collectors' presentation by Leslie Hindman on Saturday.  I plan to stop by the show on Friday so if you'll be there let me know!  Happy Monday!

images by kristin kerr luber

Life | Recently

Client's vintage Master Craft mirror

My new headboard and fur pillow!

Vintage brass table by Broncz

Suede and brass vintage buffet

Studded trestle table

Ebonized Vintage French Louis XVI Table w/ Tooled Leather Top (on hold for Darryl Carter)

Wow, what a week!  I was so busy running around town that I had zero time to blog.  Well that's a lie, I did have some free time but that was spent catching up on emails, hanging out with friends, going to yoga (I'm officially obsessed) and watching both seasons of Homeland in less than a week!  Am I the only one that thinks Brody is a babe?  

Anywho, pictured above are some of the lovely things I came across this week; a vintage brass Master Craft mirror hung in a client's entry, my new tufted headboard and vintage fur pillow, lots of vintage goodies at Old Plank including a French brass table with pyramid fasteners by Broncz, a fabulous black suede and brass 1960s French buffet,  a gorgeous studded trestle table that I would give my left arm for, and an ebonized vintage French Louis VXI table.  While I may not be able to afford any of these pieces they will definitely serve as inspiration for future projects.  Inspiration is everywhere so keep your eyes peeled this weekend!  See you Monday.

images by kristin kerr luber

I'm Loving. . .

The perfect home?  I think so!  My chin seriously dropped when I opened up the March issue of Elle and saw these pictures of Sasha Adler's chic Chicago apartment.  There's not one thing I don't love about this design -- it feels collected, inviting, thoughtful and most importantly trend-free.  A few of my favorite features; the giant Lynette Shaw painting in the foyer (notice the black wall), the raw oak floors, and the high gloss black bookcase with brass clad doors.  Sasha's fashion background is effortlessly infused into the home -- the pops of color, layers of texture and vintage brass accessories and lighting all reflect sartorial approach to interior design. I mean, just look at that 1970s Milo Baughman sofa recovered in a Chanel-inspired white bouclé. To die for.  Oh and the things I would do to cozy up with that giant fur pillow on this snowy Chicago morning? No words.  Such a talented lady!

photographs by paul elledge for elle

My Weekend in Pictures

I started down a new path in my life last week and set up shop at my dining room table.  There are check lists galore going on over here.

A new path means establishing new spending habit but I just had to treat myself to one last splurge.  This YSL clutch has been on my lust list for quite some time and I can finally say it's mine.

I set a new personal record and was fifth in line at the Jayson Home warehouse sale!  It was crazy crowded but there were incredible deals to be had.

I didn't purchase anything for myself but I did find this gorgeous settee and vintage pillow for my sister.

I spotted this Elizabeth Peyton book at J.Crew and was instantly drawn to the rich colors on the cover.

Paul and I went to dinner at Silver Palm.  Anthony Bourdain declared their Three Little Pigs Sandwich the "greatest sandwich in America" and I couldn't agree more!

On Sunday we went to the Bears game.  All fashion rules get thrown out the door when you tailgate in the pouring rain for two hours.  The Bears lost but I still had an absolute blast!

How was your weekend?

Design Hunter | CS Interiors Anniversary Home (Part II)

Kitchen by Julia Buckingham Edelmann

One of my favorite features in the home were these stunning petrified wood counters!

Master Bedroom by Tracy Hickman

A stunning nail head-trimmed box hides the TV--this is one idea I plan to use in the future! I just love how Hickman hung a painting directly over the piece.

Den and Guest Bathroom by James E. Rudd

Dining Room by Jessica LaGrange

Well happy Monday dear readers!  Did any of you have a chance to check out the CS Interiors Anniversary Home over the weekend?  Since the home is now closed to the public I thought I would share the rest of the pictures I snapped during my visit last week. I personally think I saved the best for last:

The kitchen, designed by Julia Buckingham Edelmann, featured the most beautiful petrified wood counters, chevron backsplash, and leather inset cabinet doors.  I feel like most designers shy away from using color in the kitchen so I just love how Julia incorporated bright splashes of orange, blue and green throughout the space.

The master bedroom, designed by Tracy Hickman, was an explosion of texture. The walls of the dark and sophisticated space were covered in overlapping black burlap and a linen covered cabinet was made to hide the TV. The rope-covered bedside tables, and woven, almost net-like curtains added another layer of texture. Flameless candles added a warm romanticism to the room.

The den, design by James E. Rudd, and the dining room, designed by Jessica LaGrange,  both nicely reflected the vision behind the inspiration couple’s company, Vosges Chocolates.  The accents and accessories in LaGrange's added a lot of interest and looked as is they could have been picked up on one of the couple's research trips to Paris.  Rudd did a beautiful job of incorporating the rich colors incorporated in company's packaging.

(images by kristin kerr for simply smitten)