Design Center at theMART, Author at Design Center

beth

SAVE THE DATE Design Chicago 2021

May 24, 2021

Save the Date: Design Chicago 2021
In-Person October 27-28, 2021 at theMART

The Midwest’s Largest Residential Design Conference: A two-day trade event featuring presentations by industry experts, CEU seminars, new product debuts, open houses and much more

WHAT: Design Center at theMART and LuxeHome will host Design Chicago 2021, the Midwest’s largest residential design conference, October 27–28, 2021 (Wednesday-Thursday) in person at the Merchandise Mart. The two-day event will welcome leading interior design, architecture and luxury custom home building professionals for educational and innovative programming in the 100+ showrooms on the Merchandise Mart’s 1st, 6th, 14th and 15th floors, which feature the finest in kitchen, bath and home furnishings.

WHO: Design Center at theMART, the world’s largest resource for custom indoor and outdoor home furnishings and interior design (Floor 6, 14, 15) and LuxeHome, the world’s largest collection of premier boutiques for home building and renovation (Floor 1)

WHEN: Design Chicago 2021, October 27-28 (Wednesday-Thursday), 2021

WHERE: Merchandise Mart
Floors 1, 6, 14, 15
222 Merchandise Mart Plaza
Chicago, IL 60654
In-Person at theMART

REGISTER: This is a trade-only event. Complimentary admission to all daytime programming for trade professionals. Details on registration coming soon at www.designchicagoevent.com

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About Design Center at theMART
The Design Center, located in Chicago’s historic Merchandise Mart, is home to four floors constituting the world’s largest and finest design center. As a leader in the $65 billion residential home furnishings market, the Design Center offers the largest presentation of high-end, customizable, residential and outdoor home furnishings worldwide, all under one roof. Encompassing 750,000 square feet, boasting more than 125 showrooms and featuring more than 2,500 product lines, it is the ultimate resource for designers and design enthusiasts of luxury furniture, fabrics, floor coverings, wall coverings, lighting and much more. For more information, visit designcenter.com. Follow Design Center on Facebook and Instagram.

About LuxeHome
LuxeHome is the world’s largest collection of premier boutiques for home building and renovation located on the first floor of the Merchandise Mart in Chicago. With more than 125,000 square feet of showroom space featured in over 45 boutiques, LuxeHome is host to the finest products for home building and renovation from the most recognized and respected manufacturers worldwide. LuxeHome offers discerning homeowners and trade professionals one-stop shopping convenience with access to the finest kitchen, bath, tile, lighting, cabinetry, appliances, countertops and much more. LuxeHome displays the widest selection of products to suit all upscale design styles, from modern European to classic American to traditional English. In addition to the extensive lineup of premier brands, each boutique offers knowledgeable designers who are available to assist with all phases of each design project. For more information, visit luxehome.com. Follow LuxeHome on Facebook and Instagram

About theMART
theMART (formerly The Merchandise Mart), located in the center of the sought-after River North submarket, is interwoven into the fabric of Chicago as an innovator in culture, art, business, fashion, media and more. As the largest privately held commercial building in the United States, it is one of the world’s leading commercial buildings, wholesale design centers and the preeminent international business location in Chicago. Encompassing 4.2 million gross square feet, theMART spans two city blocks, rises 25 stories, and is visited by an average of 30,000 people each business day and nearly 10 million people annually. Offering continuous innovation and creativity from leading manufacturers and showrooms, theMART serves as a business hub for interior designers, architects, contractors, business owners and buyers, and recently has become home to Chicago’s most creative and technologically innovative companies including Motorola Mobility, 1871, Yelp, PayPal and MATTER, as well as Fortune 500 companies Conagra, Allstate, Kellogg, Beam Suntory, and Grainger. theMART was awarded LEED Silver Certification in 2007 and LEED Gold Certification in 2013 and in 2018.

New Acquisitions at The Richard Norton Gallery

May 13, 2021

New Acquisitions

The Richard Norton Gallery has recently acquired an array of original artwork from local artists, affiliated with the Art Institute of Chicago and the University of Chicago. The collection features pieces from 1931 – 1960, with oil and acrylic works, featured below.

They are located in Suite 612 of the Design Center at Merchandise Mart. The gallery may be contacted at info@richardnortongallery.com or by phone at (312) 644 – 8855 for more information. Additional artwork can be found HERE.

Sharing Art for Generations

Gerald Hardy, Untitled (Abstraction), Oil on Canvas on Masonite, ca. 1960

Growing up with a father and grandfather who were antique dealers, Richard Norton, Owner of the Richard Norton Gallery, with the help of Sue Klein, Gallery Director, is keeping the spirit of the family business alive by acquiring and selling original pieces from Great Lakes Region artists. The gallery, which first opened its doors in 1936 in Chicago’s historic Merchandise Mart, contains many original elements, including centuries old flooring from France and a sign inside from the first shop. It holds original works as well, featuring paintings, sculptures, and sketches from the 1880-1980s, with a focus on art from the 20s – 40s.

Rudolph T. Pen, Untitled (Sailing Off Belmont Harbor, Chicago), Oil on Masonite, ca. 1950s

The gallery sets themselves apart by encouraging dialogue around the pieces, practicing thorough visual inspections, and offering free shipping. They keep an extensive collection of artwork organized in file folders in the back room, where designers may pick their piece and framework. The showroom houses art that fits within a variety of budgets and design styles, showcasing something for everyone. As Sue says, art is “jewelry for the walls,” and the Richard Norton Gallery works closely with the design industry to provide the perfect piece to accent any room.

Richard Norton Gallery

HAROLD HAYDON, Untitled (Rooftop), Oil on canvas, 1931
Richard Norton Gallery

HAROLD HAYDON,Untitled (Seated Man in Studio), Oil on canvas, 1933
Richard Norton Gallery

ELIZABETH EDDY, Untitled (Abstraction), Oil on canvas, ca. 1958
Richard Norton Gallery

KENN KWINT, The Wild Lands, Acrylic on canvas.

‹‹ News

Pattern on Pattern with Schuyler Samperton & Shelley Johnstone

March 12, 2021

Pattern on Pattern: Mix Match & Go Mad
Join Schuyler Samperton & Shelley Johnstone as they launch Swatch What Happens: IG LIVE and chat about how they create richly layered rooms with Patterns on Patterns.
View their conversation HERE.

About Swatch What Happens: IG LIVE
A series of engaging conversations bringing together the best in design from across the country to talk about what’s inspiring them now. Follow @designcentermart to be notified of the latest Design Center at theMART IG series and listen in to casual chats that are both entertaining and enlightening.

‹‹ News

FLOOR DAILY: theMART Reports on Showroom Leasing

March 5, 2021

TheMart is pleased to announce that 11 leading manufacturers have established new showrooms and 19 other existing tenants have renewed or expanded their spaces ahead of NeoCon 2021. The news underscores the continued importance of brick-and-mortar showrooms in successful omnichannel business practices.

Overall, the new movements in the building represent robust leasing activity in the contract industry. Bernhardt Design has returned to TheMart with a new 7,500 square foot showroom on the third floor designed by the Chicago design firm Kuchar Studio. Pedrali has leased a suite on the third floor which will serve as the brand’s launchpad for its growing U.S. business. Momentum Textiles & Wallcovering and Watson have both doubled the size of their showrooms and relocated to the third floor for long-term leases.

Additionally, TheMart and NeoCon have welcomed several new brands, including Claridge Products, Formaspace, Zgo Technologies, Loftwall, Howe, OM Seating, Ethnicraft, and KFI Studios.

Recent long-term renewals include Keilhauer, Arcadia, Andreu World, Wieland, Alur, Arc-Com Fabrics, and CF Group. The activity extends into the home furnishings sector of TheMart, as Holly Hunt, A. Rudin, Kravet, and Fabricut, Inc. have recommitted to their leases. The Bright Group and Michael-Cleary have also renewed their leases, while also expanding their spaces-Michael-Cleary has doubled in size. TheMart’s ground level LuxeHome Boutiques also remain a vital destination for both trade and the public to source kitchen, bath and building products-Sub-Zero, Wolf and Cove, and Miele have both extended their leases, Gaggenau, Thermador, Bosch has expanded their space, and new showroom, BauTeam German Kitchen Tailors has opened its doors in LuxeHome. Click Here to Read Full Article

Michael-Cleary Expands to New Showroom

March 1, 2021

Michael-Cleary Expands to New Showroom in Design Center at theMART
Long Time Showroom Doubles Space, Adds New Lines

(March 1, 2021 – Chicago) – Design Center at theMART is pleased to announce that Michael-Cleary has expanded its Chicago showroom located in the iconic Merchandise Mart. The new space, in Suite 6-161, more than doubles their footprint on the sixth floor. In addition to creating space for new brands and expanded collections from the company’s lines, the new layout will feature a 2,000 square foot fabric, lighting and wallcovering gallery and a dedicated Bungalow 5 gallery.

Michael-Cleary Showroom at Design Center at theMART Expansion Ribbon Cutting (from left to right) Melissa Vargas, Showroom Sales; Matt Costigan, Showroom Owner; Rebecca Arens, Showroom Sales; Judy Kuhnlein (Matt’s sister)

“We are looking forward to being able to show a lot more products for our clients,” said Matt Costigan, Owner, of Michael-Cleary. “Minton-Spidell has exciting new introductions and we will have new fabric and wallcovering lines that haven’t been seen in a while.” When asked why he chose to expand within theMART, Costigan noted “the minute you walk into the Merchandise Mart, you know that you’ve stepped into something remarkable. The Mart started Design Centers. It’s the place to be.”

“Design Center is thrilled that Michael-Cleary has chosen to expand its presence at theMART,” said Beth Hicks, Managing Director, Marketing, for Design Center and Casual Market Chicago. “The showroom is already a destination for discerning designers looking for top brands in lighting, furniture, fabric, wallcovering and accessories. With extra space to show more product, it becomes an even more important source at theMART.”

Michael-Cleary Expansion Ribbon Cutting

ROBERT ALLEN FABRICS/DURALEE FABRICS wall in fabric gallery; Peak into the Lighting Gallery
Michael-Cleary Expansion Ribbon Cutting

CAMERON COLLECTION Sectional, Ottoman & Chair; NIERMANN WEEKS Chandelier; BUNGALOW 5 Lamp & Accessories; KEITH FRITZ FINE FURNITURE Mirror
Michael-Cleary Expansion Ribbon Cutting

(from left to right) Melissa Vargas, Showroom Sales; Matt Costigan, Showroom Owner; Rebecca Arens, Showroom Sales; Judy Kuhnlein (Matt’s sister)
Michael-Cleary Expansion Ribbon Cutting

(from left to right) Melissa Vargas, Showroom Sales; Matt Costigan, Showroom Owner; Rebecca Arens, Showroom Sales; Judy Kuhnlein (Matt’s sister)
Michael-Cleary Expansion Ribbon Cutting

CAMERON COLLECTION sofa & chair; ERINN V. Dublin Cocktail Table; ARTISAN RUGS rug
Michael-Cleary Expansion Ribbon Cutting

MINTON-SPIDELL furniture, NIERMANN WEEKS chandelier

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About Michael-Cleary
The Michael-Cleary showrooms opened in the Washington Design Center in 1990 and in the fall of 2005 at the Design Center at The Merchandise Mart. Working closely with the design community, Michael-Cleary offers over 45 lines of residential home, fabric, lighting, wall covering, floor coverings and accessories. For more information visit michaelclearyllc.com.

Michael-Cleary Brands:
ARTISAN RUGS
BLISS STUDIOS
BUNGALOW 5
BURTON-CHING
CAMERON COLLECTION
DURALEE FABRICS
ERINN V.
GEMELLI
GRAG STUDIOS
HECTOR FINCH LIGHTING
J.H. LIGHTING
KEITH FRITZ FINE FURNITURE
LAWRENCE & SCOTT
McLEAN LIGHTING
MINTON-SPIDELL
NIERMANN WEEKS
ROBERT ALLEN FABRICS
SJW STUDIOS
TEXTURES IN WALLCOVERING

About Design Center at The Merchandise Mart (theMART)
The Design Center, located in Chicago’s historic Merchandise Mart, is home to four floors constituting the world’s largest and finest design center. As a leader in the $65 billion residential home furnishings market, the Design Center offers the largest presentation of high-end, customizable, residential and outdoor home furnishings worldwide, all under one roof. Encompassing 750,000 square feet, boasting more than 125 showrooms and featuring more than 2,500 product lines, it is the ultimate resource for designers and design enthusiasts of luxury furniture, fabrics, floor coverings, wall coverings, lighting and much more. For more information, visit designcenter.com. Visit Design Center on Facebook and Instagram.

beth

Richard Norton Gallery

Richard Norton Gallery

Richard Norton Gallery

Richard Norton Gallery

Michael-Cleary Expansion Ribbon Cutting

Michael-Cleary Expansion Ribbon Cutting

Michael-Cleary Expansion Ribbon Cutting

Michael-Cleary Expansion Ribbon Cutting

Michael-Cleary Expansion Ribbon Cutting

Michael-Cleary Expansion Ribbon Cutting