Keys to the City: Chicago, IL
Leave it to the Windy City to fill our sails with inspiration, antiques and market-fresh florals. In this installment of Keys to the City, we’re exploring Chicago’s vintage scene–and getting lost in the most awesome parking structure we’ve ever seen.
Vintage Garage takes place in an actual parking garage in Uptown Chicago, where 75-100 vendors fill the first three levels and ramps of the structure with the best in vintage and antiques. You won’t be surprised to hear that it was our first stop!
EBTH Columbus - Hilliard
Landscape Oil Painting of Countryside Estate, Late 20th Century
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Veronica Beard Single-Button Blazer
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Men's Filson Quilted Jacket, L.L. Bean Fishing Vest, Orvis Rain Jacket, and More
EBTH Columbus - Hilliard
Marc Chagall Color Lithograph Front Cover From "Verve," 1956
We parked our EBTH vintage turquoise pickup truck (complete with a garden bed of spring flowers from a local nursery) and set up a display of vintage vases and pottery for sale. We loved sourcing the variety of vessels, which included colored glass, polished ceramic, mosaic tile, painted porcelain and metallic, in sizes ranging from small bud vases to large-sized pots.
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Offset Lithograph After Guy Coheleach "Snowy Egret"
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Irma Pfannmoeller Portrait Oil Painting of Happy Chandler
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Kathleen Quinn Oil Painting After Carol Rowan of a Still Life with Tulips, 2003
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Sterling Diamond Inside-Out Oval Hoop Earrings
We partnered with local florist, Flowers For Dreams, which specializes in locally-sourced stems and hand-curated bouquets. Like EBTH, they’re an honest service offering and great alternative to a traditional industry ridden with flaws (they donate ¼ of profits to local charities). With every vintage vase purchased, each customer received a complimentary Flowers For Dreams bouquet, in addition to an EBTH tote and a copy of the EBTH Edit.
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Illustrated "Every Boy's Book of Hobbies" by Cecil H. Bullivant, Early 20th C.
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Sparky Anderson and George Foster Signed Rawlings Official MLB Baseballs
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Leif Janek Abstract Acrylic Painting, 21st Century
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Offset Lithograph After John Butler "Ring True I"
Then we took a tour around the fair. Don Colcough and his wife, Lisa Polito hauled their stellar record booth, Mr. Modern, all the way from Michigan. We spotted an estate-found bin of Electro vinyl that contained an enormous collection of New Wave and Electro–including a rare test press of a Kraftwerk LP.
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Still Life Oil Painting of Glass Marbles, Figurines, and Cookies
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Offset Lithograph of Abstract Composition After David Belova
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Faux Pearl and Rhinestone Ring
EBTH Columbus - Hilliard
1870s Mappin & Webb Nautilus Shaped Silverplate Spoon Warmer, English
Inspired by the thrill of the hunt and a handy resourcefulness, Lumenology is a product line of repurposed lighting and home accents made out of everyday appliances–from cheese graters to salon hair dryers.
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Chanel Precious Jewel Single Flap Medium Bag in Quilted Lambskin Leather
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
G Loomis Walleye GLX Fishing Rod with Stradic C1 4+ Reel
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Tiffany & Co. Sterling Earring Grouping with Elsa Peretti Bean and Open Heart
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Pair of PE Rattan Chaise Longues
Some good digging was in order for Faris Shadid’s Four Eye Finds, which was a hodge podge of goods from all over the place. While the vintage patches were a delight to sort through, we ended up going home with some incredible vintage wool blankets for a steal!
One of the major highlights of the garage had to have been Ken Dawg Collectibles by Ken Kennedy. Kennedy has been collecting original posters, art and advertising for over 30 years, from around the world and all different eras.
Stan’s Donuts and Coffee started in Los Angeles, but have expanded their whimsical line of donuts and coffee to the Midwest — it made for the perfect post-fair treat. We weren’t so adventurous, but kept it classic with a gluten-free blueberry donut and iced black coffee. So good.
There was a strict no-photo policy in Myopic Books, but the place has a ton of used books that you can buy, sell and trade. We spotted a used copy of Alchemy of Light by Mary Conover.
When it came to the evening’s intimate dinner event, EBTH was very excited to partner with Homepolish, who have an established network of emerging interior designers in Chicago. We chose Soho House as the venue, who provided the beautiful tablescape (with flowers provided by Flowers for Dreams). Once again, our “Love It or Lose It” gift exchange game was a hit! This round, the most popular gifts included a vintage Tiffany & Co. catch-all tray, mid-century vase and a set of marble bookends.