Chicago

By John Parris Frantz -- Gifts & Decorative Accessories, 3/1/2001

A personal care line with an apothecary look and clean packaging is new from K. Hall Designs at Creative Visions, Chicago Merchandise Mart (CMM) 1599. Among the selection of bath oils, salts, etc. of typical personal care lines is a unique array of milk-based lotions, candles, and bath gels. The all-natural ingredient line has some unusual accouterments such as linen presses, sea sponges, and framed botanicals.

Light art comes to Meyda Tiffany, CMM 1492, in the name of the new Emile Galle Collection of decorative table lamps. Galle was one of the leading artists of the French Art Nouveau Design Movement. The line inspired by his work, line features unique sculptured motifs in layered art glass. Meyda also unveiled a new line of wooden furniture such as occasional tables and other home decor. One particularly unique item is the New World Sofa Table featuring a map on the tabletop.

New throws and decorative pillows that are hand-painted and hand-silkscreened in six color variations of 20 patterns have arrived at Richard Fischer, CMM 1590. Additional items include bedding and robes that use the same coordinated patterns. Fischer also has Peignoir Cochon, a moderately priced bedding and pillow line that just added six bright European colors such as tangerine and lime.

New on the 15th floor is Duncan & Co., which moved from CMM 13-145 to CMM 15-133. Duncan brings the powerhouse line, Colonial Candle of Cape Cod, to the full-time showroom, along with its divisions-Kate's Original Recipe and Colonial At Home. Filling the additional 2,000 square feet are other Duncan lines such as the frame company, Burnes of Boston; the metal accessories of Dover House; and the giftware division of Baldwin. This year is the first year that Colonial Candles introduced the coming year's Christmas collections in January.

Hop on down to Kurt S. Adler, CMM 1481, and see whimsical bunny figurines with colorful designs from Mary Beth Designs. Part of the Easter World Collection, Mary Beth Designs features items such as a 14" Bunny Artist Painting Eggs, or a 15" Bunny Lady Carrying Bird. Kandy Kottontails introduced decorative plates, bowls, candleholders, and other items for spring.

New from Freedom Designs are leaves, pansies, and magnolias silk-screened on barware, stems, and other glassware at Ira Jones, CMM 1546. Appearing for the first time at Jones and in Chicago is Manorisms, a ceramic and glass line of vases, frames, flatware and other tabletop items that are all coordinated. Essex, the dinnerware people, just added painted children's furniture, rugs and other decorative accessories.