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The faces, places, and sources making an impact on the home design front
Design Star: Robb Whittlef
Since his Great Estate days, Robb Whittlef (pictured) has been on the move, literally. Between meetings with local and L.A. clients, the designer flies monthly to Belgium or Poland, where he connects with his Bobo Intriguing Objects design team to develop pieces for their private label and for Restoration Hardware. Like a friendlier version of Flipping Out’s Jeff Lewis, Whittlef is a hardworking guy who’s constantly consulting, creating, and writing (he has two books in the works). Plus he’s filming his own pilot–stay tuned for details. We’re thrilled this jet-setter set up his new Historic Studio space in Minneapolis. Inside are vignettes of what Whitleff calls “refined eclecticism,” mixing antiques, worldly accents, and custom furniture. (Fancy a 10-foot tufted lavender couch?) It’s a sensory-overload experience that’s to the trade/appointment only, but keep your fingers crossed for a sale in early 2012 that will be open to the public. Could Whittlef for Target be in our future? Let’s just say there have been discussions. Historic Studio, 4950 W. 35th St., Mpls., 952-933-9924, historicstudio.com
Local Collaboration: Room & Board + Bell Manufacturing
Minneapolis-based Room & Board continues to wow, and we appreciate that so many of its goods (more than 90 percent) are American-made. We adore its steel designs and the fact that each piece is the product of a strong collaboration with brother-and-sister-run, Golden Valley–based Bell Manufacturing. The family company takes recycled American steel and recreates it into sleek bed frames, tables, and bookcases for look-good, feel-good furniture. 7010 France Ave. S., Edina, 952-927-8835, roomandboard.com
Garden Evolution: Wise Acre Eatery
When the guys behind Tangletown Gardens opened a restaurant next door, it was bound to take indoor-outdoor décor to a new dimension. We love Wise Acre Eatery's turf out front, the greenery inside, the wood bar, and the arty lightbulbs. Having a glass of organic wine here is true escapism. 5401 Nicollet Ave., Mpls., 612-354-2577, wiseacreeatery.com
Hand-Crafted Furniture: Lucero Studio
Bill Costello and Mark Bouchard—architect and craftsman, respectively—caught our attention with their modern, angular furniture. The design duo makes everything by hand in Minneapolis and is constantly developing new products for their Lucero line of wood, glass, and steel furniture and accessories. lucerostudio.com
Salvage Venue: Architectural Antiques
If you need a historic mantel or a period chandelier, Architectural Antiques is a must. But the venue also has become an intimate backdrop for weddings and the very cool site for Northern Grade–a pop-up shop where local companies such as Pierrepont Hicks and Faribault Woolen Mills showcase ties, blankets, and more (the clawfoot tub full of beer bottles was a nice touch). 1330 NE Quincy St., Mpls., 612-332-8344, archantiques.com
Wallpaper Source: Hirshfield’s
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: Wallpaper is here to stay like premium denim. We’re lucky to have so many sources and showrooms offering the best of it here in the Twin Cities, but we have to hand it to Hirshfield’s for staying atop the trends—offering digital and custom photo paper, commercial wall coverings, and of-the-moment patterns and textures. Twenty-three locations including 721 2nd Ave. N., Mpls., 612-374-8901, hirshfields.com
Dose Of Turquoise: Victory
Linden Hills got a lovely shot of glamour with the recent makeover at Victory, where chandeliers gleam, Madeline Weinrib fabrics dot the walls, and everything is painted inside and out in a perfect, gorgeous turquoise. 3505 W. 44th St., Mpls., 612-926-8200, shopvictory.com
New Showroom: AJ Maison
Brenda and Fritz Westphal are pros at curating a classy selection of bright, colorful textiles, wall coverings, and furnishings. They’ve opened a to-the-trade showroom called AJ Maison (named after their daughters Addison and Julia) with offerings by the likes of Zoffany, Patricia Edwards, and S&L ironwork, all priced affordably less than at sister store Scherping Westphal next door. International Market Square, 612-339-1747, aj-maison.com>
10 To Know
Fabric Outlet: SR Harris
Crazy big and unbelievably cheap, this Brooklyn Park warehouse is an upholstery secret among local designers and stylists. 8865 Zealand Ave. N., Brooklyn Park, 763-424-3500, srharrisfabric.com
Place to Scour: St. Paul Retro Loop
From Mad Men to Hollywood glam décor, you’ll find it at this group of retailers. stpaulretroloop.blogspot.com
Modern Displays: ID Inside Design
Fab vignettes of modern furnishings and accessories with designer Greg Walsh’s very cool point of view. 212 3rd Ave. N., Mpls., 612-317-0045, id-insidedesign.com
Tabletop: Ampersand
Barbara Armajani’s impeccable taste makes this a tableware treasure trove. Galleria, 952-920-2118, ampersandshops.com
Antiques: Melrose Antiques
In addition to vintage, find gasp-worthy antiques from luggage to bedroom sets. 13 NE 5th St., Mpls., 612-362-8480
Nordic: Finn Style
Bright, bold, sophisticated Scandinavian designs. 160 Glenwood Ave., Mpls., 612-333-2127, finnstyle.com
Classic Furniture: Baker Knapp & Tubbs
Good grown-up furniture that’s chic and comfy for every generation. Open to the public for browsing. International Market Square, 612-341-2906
Kitchen Knife Sharpener: Eversharp
Joe Gamache has sharpened more than 1 million knives and offers classes on slicing, cutting, and handling in his Northeast Minneapolis store. 344 NE Taft St., Mpls., 612-379-1300, eversharpknives.com
Gifts: Anthropologie
A must for happy kitchen accessories as well as hostess and teacher gifts. Four metro locations including 4999 France Ave. S., Mpls., 612-285-9164, anthropologie.com
Modern Accessories: ROAM
With a sleek new storefront, this hot spot is bursting with home accents and gift ideas. 2941 Hennepin Ave., Mpls., 612-377-6465, roaminteriors.com
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