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Christofle
900 N. Michigan Ave., Level 1
312.664.9700
Monday – Saturday 10 to 7, Sunday 12 to 6
christofle.com
Having been the preeminent supplier of fine sterling silver, crystal and china to the European aristocracy, Christofle continues to create a variety of
elegantly sophisticated products from gold and silver tableware and dining table accessories to decorative pieces of silver, crystal and porcelain.
COUNT ON FINDING: Ornate candelabrum gleam inside the softly lit space while entire sets of sterling silverware and delicate crystal pieces shine in display cases. Designs range from traditional to modern, detailed to simple, and all are painstakingly fashioned using centuries-old techniques.
WHAT'S NEW? Christofle is increasingly broadening its collection to include more gifts and decorative objects for all those occasions that call for a beautiful present. From desk, bar and smoke accessories to delicate cups and saucers for children to Adam Tihany-designed martini glasses, each is a sure treasure.
Crosell & Co.
1922 N. Damen Ave., 773.252.9010
Tuesday – Saturday 11 to 7, Sunday 12 to 5, Monday by appointment
www.crosellandco.com
White flowers line the front fence of this two-story black-and-white house set back from the street. Nestled inside is owner/interior designer Diane Crosell's eclectic and traditional mix of one-of-a-kind home design accents.
COUNT ON FINDING: Stunning handmade tabletop collections from Vietri, Terrafirma and Gien. Classic pieces like Nambé candlesticks, Simon Pearce glassware and whimsical ceramics by British designers Emma Bridgewater and Mary Rose Young.
WHAT'S NEW? Traditional furniture pieces with updated upholstery and fabrics, stainless-steel carving.
Ethel's Chocolates
520 N. Michigan Ave. 312.464.9330
Monday – Saturday 10 to 8, Sunday 11 to 6
900 N. Michigan Ave.312.440.9747
Monday – Saturday 10 to 7, Sunday 11 to 6
www.ethelschocolate.com
Seek sweet relief at one of the famous cocoa-brown and strawberry-pink lounges where guests can splurge on desserts like chocolate fondue or scoop up packages of silky and decadent treats.
COUNT ON FINDING: From cocktail-infused creations to classic truffles, a true chocolate-lover can always count on Ethel's to deliver the guilty pleasure to perfection.
WHAT'S NEW? Look for gingerbread, pumpkin pie, orange spice and more in this fall's new Spice Collection. The company also introduces a three-piece peppermint collection with minty delights in white, milk and dark flavors. As always, Ethel's turns out stellar stocking stuffers with its specialty lollipops and novelty items.
Findables
1643 N. Milwaukee Ave., 773.235.9740
Monday – Friday 11 to 7, Saturday 10 to 6, Sunday 12 to 5
www.findables.com
This vibrant 23-year-old boutique features 4,000 square feet of artful gifts, whimsical accent pieces and sophisticated decorative pieces for virtually any occasion.
COUNT ON FINDING: Christopher Radko Christmas ornaments, beaded bags by Mary Frances, candles and potpourri by Aromatique, hand soaps and lotions by Votivo, Mille Fiori reed diffuses, Michael Aram serving pieces, Mariposa polished aluminum trays, fun cookbooks and creative cards.
WHAT'S NEW? Interchangeable pewter necklaces by Xovo Designs, new lamps by Arteriors, delicious-smelling bath and body items from the Thymes Bath.
Mary Mary
706 N. Dearborn St., 312.654.8100
Monday – Saturday 11 to 7 and by appointment
www.marymarygifts.com
A friendly, slightly off-the-beaten-path shop bursting at the seams with gift ideas at every price point. You'll feel like you discovered a secret stash of frames, bags and quirky decorative items picked out especially for you.
COUNT ON FINDING: Exotic handblown glass perfume flaçons, shiny lacquered bowls, embroidered straw bags and mounted antiques from Asia. Kids will squeal over tiny tea sets, ladybug backpacks and even a wigwam. At the high end, hand-carved armoires transform even the simplest abode into a castle.
WHAT'S NEW? Traditional chandeliers to make a statement in nearly every room in the house and small bags and boxes to meet the packing needs of the modern traveler with panache.
Michaelian & Kohlberg
401 N. LaSalle St., 312.467.1490
Monday – Friday 10 to 6, Saturday 10 to 5
www.michaelian.com
Award-winning rug designs from India, China and Nepal in a head-spinning assortment of colors, styles, size and materials.
COUNT ON FINDING: A rug to suit virtually every taste: contemporary, transitional and traditional styles to please minimalists, sensualists and everyone in between. Patterns include simple stripes, intricate Oriental motifs and abstract graphics. Traditional methods like time-intensive hand-knotting techniques and materials like natural dyes and handspun wool result in heirloom-quality pieces. To add even more Asian flair to an abode, there are antique painted chests, wooden tables and polished horn boxes.
WHAT'S NEW? The Gibraltar collection, carpets of hand-spun Turkish yarn whose rich colors and contemporary graphics recall Moroccan and mid-century design.
Multiple Choices
840 W. Armitage Ave., 773.477.4520
Monday – Saturday 10 to 6, Sunday 12 to 5
4612 N. Lincoln Ave., 773.334.6900
Tuesday – Saturday 10 to 6, Sunday 12 to 5
841 Elm St., Winnetka 847.441.5240
Monday to Saturday 1- to 5:30
www.shopmultiplechoices.com
The place to find a gift for just about any occasion: from baby showers to housewarming parties to holiday presents, you'll find something for everyone here—including yourself.
COUNT ON FINDING: Mariposa tableware; Marye-Kelley Decoupe frames; Smathers & Branson handmade needlepoint belts; Vineyard Vine ties (the Chicago neighborhood tie is an exclusive); and a huge collection of college-themed gifts including college pottery; college monopoly; college board books; and college snow globes that feature campus scenes and play college fight songs.
WHAT'S NEW? A brand-new line of NFL pottery; Vera Bradley bags in new fall colors; custom stationery, invitations and holiday cards; Buyer's Choice holiday collectibles; Big Ten college ornaments and Landmark Creations' Chicago ornaments.
P.O.S.H.
613 N. State St., 312.280.1602
Monday – Saturday 10 to 7, Sunday 11 to 5
www.poshchicago.com
A year-round European flea market in the heart of Chicago, P.O.S.H. offers the experience of wandering into a small storefront in Paris or Provence.
COUNT ON FINDING: Pieces for the kitchen and home with an evocative history: vintage hotel silver, restaurant china and flea-market picks like vintage bocce balls and apothecary bottles. But there are also plenty of new treasures including cute breakfast plates adorned with pineapples, and guidebooks to help you plan your own Grand Tour.
WHAT'S NEW? White porcelain china sets from France with colored rims and gold and platinum bands as well as a huge shipment of more exciting flea-market finds.
Spertus Bariff Shop for Judaica
618 S. Michigan Ave., 312.322.1740
Monday – Wednesday 10 to 5, Thursday 10 to 7, Friday 10 to 3, Sunday 12 to 4
www.bariff.org
The museum shop of the renowned Spertus Institute is the place for creative housewares, ceremonial objects, books, music and other offerings related to Jewish culture.
COUNT ON FINDING: Lovely holiday-related decorations like an olive branch menorah by noted designer Michael Aram as well as ornate jewelry by Israeli artists. Cookbooks give tips on traditional Jewish cooking, while a Moses Action Figure is fun for both kids and kitsch value.
WHAT'S NEW? Besides the walls—the shop expects to move with the museum to its brand-new facility by the end of November 2007—expect to see lots of new products and jewelry from Israel not available anywhere else in the States.
Store B Vintage
1472 N. Milwaukee Ave., 773.772.4296
Tuesday – Friday 11 to 6, Saturday 10 to 6, Sunday 11 to 5
Owner David Ginople stocks his store with an intent to “preserve a piece of history”—think quality, wearable vintage clothing for both men and women.
COUNT ON FINDING: A boutique that specializes in items from the 1940s to '70s including a well-edited selection of vintage and designer shoes, handbags, jewelry and items for the home. Recent finds include Ferragamo boots, shoes by Roger Vivier and Stuart Weitzman as well as vintage and contemporary looks from Giorgio Armani. While the pieces you'll find here are always in pristine condition, shoppers can bring in their vintage items to be repaired and restored in-store.
WHAT’S NEW? Ginople is always shopping, so the merchandise is changing all the time. For summer, try a vintage wicker handbag from the 1950s or '60s.
Virtu
2034 N. Damen Ave., 773.235.3790
Tuesday – Friday 11 to 7, Saturday – Sunday 10 to 6, closed Monday
virtuchicago.com
Owner Julie Horowitz-Jackson believes that “a gift should be as thoughtful as friendship” and stocks her shop accordingly. Expect personalized, hands-on service and a well-edited collection of jewelry, textiles and housewares.
COUNT ON FINDING: The largest collection of Snow & Graham stationery, notebooks, candles and wrapping paper in the city, meticulously illustrated botanical ceramic bowls, mugs and vases by Laura Zindel and an intimate selection of Beth Mueller vases.
WHAT’S NEW? Stitched fabric pictures from renowned folk artist Chris Roberts-Antieau. The nationally celebrated artist cuts her designs freehand from collected vintage country quilt fabrics and finishes the detail with a sewing machine.
The Watermark
109 E. Oak St.
312.337.5353
Monday – Saturday 10 to 6
This colorful shop features brightly hued fine papers, which you can have custom printed. You'll also find cute greeting cards and notepaper that will have you toying with the idea of correspondance that doesn't involve the @ symbol.
COUNT ON FINDING: Have your invitations custom designed at this cheery space or pick from a vast selection of ready-made ones. The store also carries stylish stationery, thank-you notes and irresistible desk accessories.
WHAT’S NEW? "Irresistibles" including paper that matches the vibrant flowers in your garden—pinks, greens and yellows are all in bloom.