modern fair™ marks the beginning of the mart’s premier 2004 event line-up

What makes a room modern? How can you simply update the look of a room with new fabric or a few new pieces? Discover emerging patterns and continuing trends at The Merchandise Mart Design Center’s 2004 Modern Fair™. Showroom events throughout the day will highlight the newest modern products through guest speakers, furniture design seminars, product launches and open houses. Enjoy hospitality while networking with colleagues and showroom personnel. This year, Modern Fair presents three exciting keynote speakers. At 10 a.m. in the 2nd floor Conference Center, join Allison Arieff, dwell magazine’s editor-in-chief, with two Chicago architects, Brad Lynch of Brininstool + Lynch and Doug Garofolo, Garofolo Architects, for a panel discussion entitled, "Modernism: Thinking Beyond Mid-Century." At 12:30 p.m., visit Pacific Showrooms West, Suite 16-130, to meet Stanley Jay Friedman, leading furniture designer, as he discusses the current challenges and potential expansion of modern design in America today. Then, at 3 p.m., Michael Heltzer will be in his showroom, Suite 1800, to illuminate his trademark use of unusual material combinations.Special thanks to AIA Chicago and AIA Northeast for their assistance with Modern Fair 2004!

henredon opens on the 18th floor

Merchandise Mart Properties is pleased to announce the opening of Henredon, a 13,000 square foot, to-the-trade showroom on The Merchandise Mart’s 18th floor. The new showroom’s concept is largely based on an "art gallery" presentation—spacious, well-edited selections and less of a focus on literal architectural room settings. Confident in designers’ talent and vision to select from the various Henredon collection pieces, the showroom will offer a "best of Henredon" approach to merchandising. In the limited space, the more open and fluid approach should allow for design creativity and interpretation. In addition to Henredon, Ralph Lauren, Kindel and Guy Chaddock will be showcased. The accessories and lighting assortment in the showroom will evolve as time goes on, allowing designers to suggest buying and product development. This will also provide time for products to be created specifically for collections. In order to strengthen the showrooms’ exclusivity to the trade, special finishes on many Henredon wood products will be offered and 800 sku’s of upper end fabrics in the new Henredon Signature Fabric Collection have been added. Barbara Pearson, showroom manager, adds, "We will now be able to offer exquisite embroidered silks, fine jacquards and plush velvets." Suite 1865

THE MERCHANDISE MART UPDATES

2nd tuesday™ at the mart
The 2nd Tuesday™ Design Inspiration series kicks off at The Merchandise Mart Design Center on February 10, 2004. Designers can expect a full day of exciting showroom events and promotions. Taking place each 2nd Tuesday, this event is a thank you to The Mart’s regular clients and a festive way for new customers to discover the country’s largest design resource center.
Beginning in March, CEU accredited morning seminars will highlight each 2nd Tuesday. The February speaker was forced to cancel due to schedule conflicts. However, look forward to March, when The Mart’s casual products and showrooms will be in the spotlight. LaneVenture will be officially debuting its new space on the 17th floor with a special presentation by designers Mimi McMakin and Brooke Huttig. In April, nationally recognized speaker Lloyd Princeton will present "Contract and Fee Negotiation." Barbara Pallat returns in May to discuss the important topic of "Building Codes and Regulations." Make sure to reserve the 2nd Tuesday of each month in 2004 for The Merchandise Mart Design Center.

design discourse
We asked Grace Sielaff of M Grace Designs, Inc.
What is the best design-related advice you’ve ever received?
She believes, "Build lasting relationships with people and offer clients personal service" and further explains, "Effective marketing combined with optimized high quality service is essential in our business."
M. GRACE DESIGNS, Inc. is a Chicago-based interior design firm dedicated to providing solutions to commercial, entertainment and residential clients. At M. Grace Designs, they believe that a functional interior is essential to designing an appealing and comfortable environment.
M. Grace Sielaff, Principal Designer
813 South Clark St., Chicago, IL 60616
Phone: 312-842-0800 Fax: 312-842-4399
Web: www.mgracedesigns.com Email: grace@mgracedesigns.com

2004 trend spotting: glamour
Stroll through The Mart’s Design Center and you’ll notice that Hollywood glamour is strongly influencing the furnishings world. Mirrored furniture, sleek lines, large prints and blue/gray tones are evidence of this evolving trend. View Julia Gray’s mirrored commode on page four of this issue and additional mirrored pieces throughout the Nancy Corzine showroom. Window treatments featuring luxurious silks and puddling, flowing luxury materials from ceiling onto the floor can be found throughout the fabric showrooms. Luxury is popular for every room of the home. The fashion world meets the furniture industry with Oscar de la Renta’s designs for Century and the Liz Claiborne collection for Lexington Furniture at J. Marshall, proving that the legendary style and elegance associated with couture is a must for the home as well as the wardrobe.
During Modern Fair™ or your next visit, ask how one or two new elements can add that opulent aura to your next project.

casual showrooms expanding
Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. is proud to announce that multiple casual furnishings showrooms will be expanding within The Mart. Five leading manufacturers to date, including Agio, Hanamint Corporation, Mallin Casual, RockWood Casual Furniture and Telescope Casual Furniture, have each expanded or moved showroom locations with long-term lease agreements. Combined, these showrooms will total over 28,300 square feet. "The Merchandise Mart and the casual furniture manufacturers have long been great supporters of the other. At the 2003 market, both the Casual Furniture Retailers (CFR) and the Summer & Casual Furniture Manufacturers Association (SCFMA) exclusively endorsed the International Casual Furniture & Accessories Market™ as the market for the casual furniture and accessories industry," said John H. Brennen III, executive vice president, MMPI. "The recent casual furnishings showroom expansions are a perfect example of that mutual support."

PRODUCTS AND PROMOTIONS

fabric

With its earliest debut ever, the Brunshwig & Fils Spring 2004 Collection has just arrived. Included are the Chateau de Grancey Collection, the Caravan Collection of wool trimmings, Brunschwig’s annual wallpaper book and a special selection of prints and wallpapers designed specifically for children. Please stop by for a visit top to look at these splendid new offerings. Suite 6-121

Hinson and Company is excited to introduce Zimmer + Rohde’s 2004 Spring Collection. Inspired by the sensuous period in Europe when chocolate was first introduced, Ardecora Collection includes a viscose velvet, Sacher, and romantic Praline chenille. Both evoke emotions of chocolate with their rich tones. Trinidad, a print, brings the serenity of a tropical paradise to interior design. Experience these fabrics and more of Ardecora at Hinson. Suite 6-117

Introducing a new leather collection consisting of smooth, silky calfskins and premium analine dyed leathers. Sixty-six rich colors are available. Suite 614

furnishings

 "Quick Ship" is up and running — three week production time on a wonderfully expansive selection of best sellers. It is as close to instant gratification as you can get. Please come in to learn about the program and get a Quick Ship brochure. If you missed the Nierman weeks luncheon, let the Corzine associates show you some of their new exciting products as well. Suite 622

Acclaimed in Europe as "Possibly the finest furniture built", the prestigious Italian product manufactured by L’Origine has appointed the deAurora Showroom as its exclusive Midwest agent. Check out the elegantly designed loft, located at the deAurora showroom, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Reservations are accepted. Suite 1871

Winter Sample Sale now in progress! Visit Charles Pollock for savings of up to 50% on its line of 17th, 18th and 19th century reproduction furnishings. The showroom is also having a year-end sale on Enzler & Co. accessory items. For a limited time, receive an additional 20% off this collection of antique and one-of-a-kind objects from around the world. Suite 1815

Century Furniture is proud to announce the arrival of the Sun Valley Collection. Please come and view the Rustic Lodge collection. Suite 1700

A new year means new arrivals at Melvin Wolf. Make it a point to come in and see all of the exciting new pieces from Woodland and Isenhour. The showroom also has many new occasional tables available immediately from the floor. Suite 1674

Beacon Hill has enhanced its offerings to cater to the professional needs of interior designers. The new exclusive Robert Allen furniture collections are making their debut in the Chicago Showroom. The showroom now has contemporary and transitional pieces in addition to traditional furniture. The total reconfiguration of the Beacon Hill showroom has provided a complete, inspirational resource where design professionals can decorate an entire home in one visit—from upholstered sofas to the most delicate accessories. Suite 1866

wall coverings

Koplavitch & Zimmer presents "Drapery Out of a Box," the first ready-made luxury product for windows. Available in a variety of fabrics and lengths. Stop by Callard & Associates today to view! Suite 1611

Farrow & Ball announces two new wallpaper collections: Plain Stripes and The Dragged Collection. Inspired by the 132 Colour Card launched in 2003, they are the largest collections of striped and strié papers available today, allowing customers to complement any scheme with confidence. All papers are traditionally printed using the finest Farrow & Ball water-based paints. Suite 6-113

The new, trendy Papier Collection has arrived. It features non-woven textile wall covering with small, embossed geometric patterns. Visit Stark to view the "shadow/light" effect!
Suite 6-102

Mart Moves

HENREDON INTERIOR DESIGN SHOWROOM welcomes Barbara Pearson, manager; Sarah Gillette, Maggie Grimm and Viviana Cossio-Fanizzo in sales and Carmen Vazquez and Ryan Rimkus in administration. Suite 1865

WINSTON/VINEYARD, now maintaining regular business hours, is proud to announce that Greg Smith is its new showroom manager. Formerly assistant showroom manager for the Brown Jordan showroom, Greg brings a wealth of experience to his new role. Please stop in to view the extensive new furniture collections, fabric and enticing accessory line now being offered for this season. Suite 17-100

BEACON HILL showroom welcomes Peter J. Guercio, new manager for the 18th floor. He brings 20 years experience in the design industry and will be working in partnership with the Robert Allen fabric showroom on the 6th floor. Suite 1866

For more information on any Merchandise Mart event,
visit www.merchandisemart.com or call 800-677-6278.