I came here during Chicago Architecture Foundation Open House 2013: the combination of the view and…read morecatchy name made me very curious to check out the space at least. The space was brilliant with modular design and incorporation of multimedia elements to advertise their business concepts. The balcony view was open for a gorgeous panoramic view of the Chicago River! If you have a chance to visit this space it is a premier view of the city. As far as the DIRTT company, it took me a while to figure out what it was all about (and this is not a review of the business, since I am not a customer, more the site) since it is a unique concept-driven business that applies to many settings. The website is filled with more opaque statements: but after a few re-reads I think it is summarized by the main page when you click on "What is DIRTT"---"We are Doing It Right This Time, because last time with conventional construction, the computer power didn't exist to go from design, to real-time 3D, to specifications, to the production floor. Last time environmental sustainability wasn't tied to the bottom line. Last time there was no such thing as being able to affordably manufacture individualized spaces. This time, DIRTT is giving clients and the interior construction industry a new way to Build better. This time we are doing it right."

What a neat little place! I was invited to a happy hour at this place a few weeks back. For anyone…read morefamiliar with the Merchandise Mart (I'm not all that familiar myself), this is another one of those furniture places that showcase all of their...merchandise (sorry, there was no better word). This company works in modular furniture wall structures, and they have some really neat things. Essentially, you can change your whole room with the products they have. Some of there really fascinating items are the beds/couches that fold out of the wall!! I'm sure to anyone who's familiar with furniture, you'd say this is no big deal. Well, then, if furniture, design and architecture is your niche, then this is also the right place to host your next gathering. Obviously, a lot of their architecture is their product, but the space itself has it's own flavor to it. The company is located on the top floor of a building on the south side of the Chicago River - it has a nicely designed patio (and glass curtain wall for the remainder of the North side of the space) that overlooks the river as well as the wonderful architecture that Chicago has to offer.

I still shop here and this store really does still match my taste. As I type this I'm wearing both…read morea shirt and socks from Moth. The shirt is one that the owner specifically brought back for me from Japan, which was really kind of her -- it wasn't something she otherwise carried, and she went out of her way to get it for me. It remains the case that if you go for a really subtle, muted color palette -- but the solution of an all-black uniform does not appeal to you -- this store is a treasure. Lots of earthy greens and browns, burgundies, multiple shades of navy: basically, the longtime menswear color palette but for women. Really nice timeless styles and high quality fabrics. I commented in my earlier review that this is a store for people willing to take care of their clothes and that remains the case. Hand-washing or delicates washing (in a mesh bag) and hanging to dry will go a long way to extending the life of these clothes. Given the price point, the goal should be to maximize wears! I can't remember the first thing I bought here, but I definitely have pieces from Moth in active rotation that are 4-5 years old.

The products were lovely, but the staff was quite unwelcoming. I came in ready to purchase a gift…read morefor my partner, but left feeling judged --like I wasn't seen as a serious customer or that the items were out of my price range. Disappointing experience. I won't be returning.

Love everything about Dovetail, and I go here quite often…read more I'm hoping now that Spring is here, it's GRODZIESKI time! At any rate, find me outside on the patio, sipping a low ABV delectable beer. Great people, delicious beer and fantastic atmosphere. JUST GO HERE.

Super cute store. Very impressed with the vintage items and jewelry. I got the cutest Rhinestone…read moreblingy earrings. They instantly caught my eye. They had some really unique fur jackets and trench coats. The boutique is a good spot to pickup a one of a kind item. I enjoyed browsing the store. The owner was really nice and the store wasn't overcrowded. That is always a plus. I will be back as I wanna grab the this roller perfume and maybe even grab some earrings that I left.

I walked into the store, and no one greeted me, even though there were only two other customers…read moreinside. There were four employees standing together, talking about the guys they were dating instead of acknowledging customers. They clearly saw me as I walked around the store, but no one offered to help or even said hello. I was planning to purchase a bag, but the lack of customer service made me feel uncomfortable and unwelcome, so I decided not to. Unfortunately, based on this experience, I would not recommend shopping at this location.

The wife stepped in here and bought a purse. She and the daughter are both fans of this brand…read more The wife had something in mind and found it here. They do have a big inventory it seems, and wife mentioned the prices here are about 1/2 of retail, and can be even better if you catch a promotion. The young sales associate, who has only been there for 2 months, was friendly, engaging, and helpful. It was nice to make a $100+ purchase, as we used it for the first time to validate 3 hours of free parking. Otherwise, we would have left within the hour given the mall's current ridiculous parking rates.

Dial M for Modern is a fun furniture and accessories store located on Milwaukee Ave. They scout out…read moreand sell vintage and mid century modern furniture. Many of the items displayed during my visit were unique and playful. The sales staff is friendly and allow some room for negotiation. The shop has two floors so make sure to go downstairs. I did not make a purchase during my visit but my niece is strongly considering a lovely expansion table with 12 chairs.

If you're a fan of mid-century modern furniture, decor and artwork, then you'd be doing yourself a…read morefavor by stopping in at this store when you're looking to furnish your new place. Prices are extremely reasonable and there's a wide selection across two floors with new pieces constantly rolling in (I find it best to follow the store on Instagram to see the latest). What I like about the store is that it's tastefully maintained to have more of a showroom feel that's well merchandised and arranged than a warehouse with stuff stacked randomly in every corner. It helps you get a better idea about how a piece might fit into your home and what other pieces may compliment it. I've bought a few smaller items -- end tables, art print, some ceramics -- and always thought the owner, Tim, has great taste. He's also super friendly and not pretentious unlike some other vintage dealers I've come across. The new location in Logan Square is great and is worth dropping in on if you're in the neighborhood. Even if you're not looking for furniture, there's some great pottery and candles, too.

Excellent. Karen's experience and expertise is matchless. She was knowledgable and her stock was…read moreendless. She delivered a great experience and all appointments for her and for the delivery were onetime. I'd highly recommend her. She provided window treatments for my entire house.

I have completed 4 of the 5 windows with T W T. They were installed sooner than I expected, which…read morewas a plus! Karen gave me a great option on the 5th window to redo the drapes which I really appreciated. The only qualm I have is the color we chose for the "family room" blinds is that they do not go with the walls. I was told, by Karen, that they go with the fireplace but I really don't think so... I dread the thought of having to paint. My advise would be to maybe take more time and check the small sample provided by the company and view it in different lighting.

Fabulous finds at this store if you are a Kipling bag fan, like I am!…read more I now own a Kipling rolling suitcase, 2 backpacks, and several cross body bags from Kipling. I use them everytime I travel and they perform well. I love the lasting quality of their bags, cute Kipling accessory key chains, easy to clean materials, and durable zippers. The bags easily organize my stuff too, with multiple pockets. Found several cute items on my last visit here, and they were on sale. My Kipling tip: Sierra stores often have a few Kipling bags on sale for cheap too. I always look for them in the purse section.

We really like Kipling's quality products. We have several bags that we use for travel and they…read moreare durable, versatile, and very useful with their various pockets, straps, and linings. It's very nice for us to have this franchise conveniently located in the Fashion Outlets of Chicago. We came here with the kiddos as they are at the age now where they like having these small crossbody mini-bags and we let them shop to their content and we picked up a couple of mini-bags at a nice discount. Melania was the friendly and helpful young lady staffer patiently showing the kiddos what was available and what was on sale, and going back to the stockroom to pick out a new item (if available) instead of the display model. These mini-bags were marked down from $54 to $17.28 each, and that was a nice compounded 60% and 20% sale that was going on. Big thumbs up and thank you Melania for your help today!

Zaps is an amazing experience. What I understood started out as an enthusiast collector of flea…read moremarket and garage sale "treasures" many decades ago now morphed into a giant warehouse full of wekk, just about everything and anything you can imagine. These collectibles have now become a family "Prop" rental business, renting out their props for Hollywood movies, TV, theater, events and well anyone who wants to rent them. From Space Suits to complete bar and diner decor, thrones, giant Elvis status and anything you can imagine, it's no wonder Zaps is one of the top ten "must visit" recommendations for the Chicago Open House Weekend. A family business run and supported by some of the most delightful people you'll have the pleasure of meeting.

Did a shoot here, amazing collection of props and staff is incredibly sweet and helpful. Great…read morebusiness.