Sophisticated Living Chicago January/February 2019

{Chicago’s Finest}

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Jan/Feb 2019

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{Chicago’s Finest}

Jan/Feb 2019

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Jan/Feb 2019

on the cover: Petite but mighty media powerhouse Alison Victoria brings high design to HGTV’s newest show, Windy City Rehab—and she’s just getting started.

Portrait by Anthony Tahlier Makeup by Gaby Raguso

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SHIIR THING A collaboration between Oscar Isberian Rugs and Soucie Horner, Ltd., Chicago’s SHIIR raises the bar on artisan rug-making

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FASHIONABLY YOURS In town for a fashion show at Neiman Marcus Michigan Avenue, designer Zac Posen gives SL an exclusive interview on all things en vogue

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BRINGING SEXY BACK TO THE CITY HGTV star Alison Victoria unveils her latest show, Windy City Rehab, and shares her secrets to finding success

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TIME(LESS) MACHINE The eighth generation of the Porsche 911— the 2020 Carrera S—is more muscular on the outside and a whole lot sleeker on the inside

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THE BIG CHILL The latest refrigerator models from Gaggenau, Dolce & Gabbana x Smeg, Liebherr and more marry form, function and big personality

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WHAT’S COOKING Ten top chef cookbooks to up your kitchen game in 2019

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MAGICAL MAHEKAL The Mahekal Beach Resort in Playa Del Carmen entices with free-spirited hospitality and a boho-luxe setting steeped in Mayan culture

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CUPID SHUFFLE Make his or her heart skip a beat with a little somethin’ special off our Valentine’s Day gift guide

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WONDERMENT IN THE WILDERNESS One intrepid traveler reports back after five days exploring Canada’s Chilko Valley by foot, water, ATV and horseback

Designer to the stars Zac Posen chats with SL about inspiration and sophistication.

Shown here: model and actress Maya Hawke, daughter of Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman, wearing a pretty-in-pink look from Posen’s spring 2019 collection. Photo by Gia Coppola

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Jan/Feb 2019

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PROjECT. Interiors puts its distinctly luxurious touch on a family home in Hinsdale.

Shown here: For the foyer, PROjECT. opted for a white oak pedestal table, an emerald-green glass side table and a statement-making, hand-shaped bowl to make the abode’s first impression.

Photo by Cynthia Lynn Photography

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VESSEL ADVISEMENT SL’s cheat sheet for simplifying the wineglass selection process

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ICE ICE BABY The season’s most daring diamond jewelry from Harry Winston, Tamara Comolli, Anne Sisteron and more

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SPOT ON The new AMG G63 “G wagon” from Mercedes brings driving performance to the segment of unadulterated off-road vehicles in unexpected form

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SOPHISTICATED SOURCE Eight pages of winter’s coolest fashion, art and interior design looks you can’t live without

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CATCH HIM IF YOU CAN Artist Jet Levant grants us an all-access pass to his Lincoln Park studio—and leaves us guessing about the creative direction he’ll take next

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HANDS ON Meet artisan woodworker Ari Smejkal, the Chicago design insiders’ secret weapon

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HOME, SWEET HOME Fierce, fancy and unapologetically distinct are just a few ways to describe PROjECT. Interiors’ latest home in Hinsdale

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THE SUM OF ITS PARTS After absorbing Limelight Catering and positioning a sought-after chef at its helm, The Revel Group aims for pole position on Chicago’s events scene

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GOOD DESIGN Designs for Dignity unites Chicago’s interior design community to bring new spaces to nonprofit organizations in need

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CALENDAR SL’s list of not-to-miss events for giving back and good times

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SOPHISTICATED SOCIETY Chicago’s chicest parties, from philanthropy to fashion

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SOPHISTICATED WOMAN Terri Crittenden, CEO of Fredman Design Group, talks passion projects, personal growth and the things that set her soul on fire

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PUBLISHER Alison Victoria CREATIVE DIRECTOR Bridget Daley EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Elise Hofer Shaw DIRECTOR OF LUXURY BRANDS Sarah Kahi-Goitz ——————————————— ART DIRECTOR Jason Yann CONTRIBUTORS Writers Victoria Chase Marissa Conrad Ruth Crnkovich Colin Dennis Chloe Geller Anita Heriot Andre James Caylee Matthews Sally Meyer Taylor Morgan Marissa Nelson Lisa Shames Bridget Williams Photographers Cynthia Lynn Photography Erika Dufour Photography James Gustin for Fig Media Jill Buckner Photography Maria Ponce Stephen Lotho Photography Anthony Tahlier Y.O! Photography Photo Editing Stephen Luxem ADVERTISING SALES OFFICE 937.672.6448 ——————————————— SOPHISTICATED LIVING MEDIA Eric Williams - CEO Bridget Williams - President Sophisticated Living® is published by AVMM Media Group, LLC and is independently owned and operated. Sophisticated Living® is a registered trademark of Williams Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Sophisticated Living® is published six times a year. All images and editorial are the property of AVMM Media Group, LLC and cannot be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission. Annual subscription fees are $25.00; please add $5 for subscriptions outside the US. Address all subscription inquiries to the website slmag.net. Telephone 937.672.6448.

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From the Publisher

Portrait by Maria Ponce

On New Year’s Day, I watched the premiere episode of the show I’ve been working on for the last three and a half years: Windy City Rehab on HGTV. It’s hard to put into words just how much it means to me to finally be able to see on-screen all of the blood, sweat and tears I and my partner, Donovan Eckhardt, have put into making this a reality (show). From buying to selling—and all of the roller-coaster moments in between—I’m beyond proud to finally be able to show millions of viewers the reality of what it takes to renovate homes for a profit.

I’ve been on TV for nine seasons, but this is the first real representation of what I do day in and day out. It’s also a very real representation of what being a successful “flipper” is all about; what it takes and what’s at stake when you incorporate high-end design and finishes, the losses and the gains. Tune in to HGTV on Tuesdays at 8PM and let me know what you think! And read my interview with contributing writer Marissa Conrad for more on my show, inspiration and what’s coming down the pike in 2019 (“Bringing Sexy Back to the City”).

This issue is chock-full of stories on artists and artisans I have mad respect for, many of whom I’ve had the pleasure of working with firsthand. My personal favorite is this month’s profile on Chicagoan Ari Smejkal and his woodworking and design company, Hammer Design Group (“Hands On”). I first met Ari five years ago when I rehabbed his kitchen for my DIY Network show Kitchen Crashers—and we’ve been working together ever since. Ari is my secret weapon for breathing new life into old pieces. From trim work and crown molding to custom furniture and builtins, he’s a visionary and a true craftsman. I can show him a picture of a door I fell in love with in Paris and he can make his own modern version of it from scratch. I can buy an antique mantel and he can extend it up and out, install it into one of my homes and make you think it’s been there for 100 years. I have so much respect for anyone who doesn’t back down from a design challenge—and Ari never does.

I’m also smitten with this issue’s Sophisticated Woman subject: Terri Crittenden, the CEO of Fredman Design Group (FDG). The first time we met, we grabbed coffee at Le Pain Quotidien in Lincoln Park. At the time, she was transitioning into her new role as CEO at FDG. What amazed me the most about her was her willingness to openly share her experiences, ask questions and spitball ideas. Crittenden is curious, so much so, in fact, that her inquisitiveness is downright infectious. Anyone who wants to learn that much is someone I want to know. It’s what I love about her. I’m not a big fan of New Year’s resolutions—too much pressure—but if I had to pick one, it would be to stay curious in 2019. The more you know, right?

So here’s to a new year that’s full of new experiences, accomplishments and, of course, celebrations. Be sure to follow SL Chicago on Instagram at @sophisticatedlivingchicago for info on the mag’s milestones, our fave fashion and design finds, and ways to celebrate all of the wonderful businesses we partner with. There’s so much to look forward to in the coming year.

So stay curious, my friends. And may you put your most sophisticated foot forward in 2019.

Alison Victoria Owner & Publisher alison@slmag.net

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From the Editor-In-Chief

Portrait by Y.O! Photography

Not sure what it is about the New Year, but every January, like clockwork, I find myself in the mood to purge. After taking down the Christmas tree and putting away all of the holiday trimmings, I want to keep going, room to room throughout the house, cleaning out the clutter and organizing my world so that my brain can reboot. Out with the old and in with a neat and tidy environment that allows me to breathe and think clearly.

It’s amazing what one can amass, especially living in the city with kids. Which is why I have serious house (and storage space) envy over the PROjECT. Interiors-designed home featured in this issue (“Home, Sweet Home”). From the funky foyer to the utterly serene master bath, this Hinsdale abode is a dream property for people like me, who like their design with a serious dose of cozy, curated charm. That’s the genius of my friend Aimee Wertepny, founder and chief designer of PROjECT, and her awesome team (aka “tribe of design nerds,” as Wertepny calls them): Every project has an identity, function is as important as form, and each detail is approached with the eye of a risk-taking artist. Yet there’s no pretension to speak of. I’m always watching to see what they do next.

Smart, sophisticated, soul-satisfying design is a common theme this issue. Check out contributing writer Lisa Shames’ piece on Revel Global Events, Chicago’s largest, soup-tonuts event design house (“The Sum of Its Parts”). For the last decade, Britt Whitfield, Revel’s renegade founder and CEO, has been growing the firm from a small outfit into an integrated events agency boasting three physical events spaces. From wow-factor decor, food, logistics and more, Revel always delivers. And after acquiring Limelight Catering—a pioneer in the local food movement for events—and appointing Tony Quartaro (The Bristol, Balena) as executive chef, Revel is poised to widen its lead as Chicago’s go-to eventeur for trendsetting parties that leave a lasting impression. But don’t take our word for it. Cubs Charities, Google, FCB, Sprout Social, Optiver and now Zillow are all repeat Revel clients.

Also in this issue is a story that takes a closer look at Designs for Dignity (D4D), the Chicago nonprofit dedicated to empowering lives through design (“Good Design”). D4D was founded on the belief that every individual should have access to environments that support the wellness of the human spirit. And thanks to the pro bono work of Chicago designers like Terri Crittenden, the CEO of Fredman Design Group and the subject of this issue’s Sophisticated Woman column, D4D has been able to transform spaces like XS Tennis Village and Y.O.U. Evanston, breathing new life into existing nonprofit spaces and giving them the platform to serve individuals in need. D4D is a game changer in the nonprofit sphere. Setting people up for success by sharing one’s gifts is something I will always get behind.

Like D4D, I believe that our physical surroundings directly impact how we feel, react, aspire and engage. So here’s to seeking out serenity and positivity in 2019, and leading with our hearts in all that we do. Happy New Year from all of us at SL!

Elise Hofer Shaw Editor-In-Chief elise@slmag.net

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WHAT IS D ES IG N’S

TRUE PURPOSE? Meaningful interior design transforms our quality of life.

We approach our work with the passionate belief that every element in your home has meaning for you. This is our ongoing source of inspiration, indispensable to delivering finished spaces that truly speak to you.

INTERIOR DESIGN & ARCHITECTURE

Contributors “My favorite thing about being a journalist is getting to meet and talk to people who are so passionate about what they do. Alison Victoria is that person times 10,” says contributing writer Marissa Conrad about interviewing the host of new HGTV show Windy City Rehab (and publisher of Sophisticated Living Chicago!) for this issue’s cover story (“Bringing Sexy Back to the City”). “I can’t wait to watch the show.” Catch up with Conrad’s other recent work, including a feature on the future of non-alcoholic cocktails (New York Magazine) and a look at some gorgeous glass art coming out of Toledo, Ohio (The National), at marissaconrad.com.

“I first met Terri [Crittenden] a few years ago,” shares SL Chicago Creative Director Bridget Daley, who interviewed the CEO of Fredman Design Group for this issue’s Sophisticated Woman column. “I was running very late for our meeting because my daughter had gotten sick at school.

As soon as I burst through the doors with my apology, she just gave me a hug and asked how my daughter was feeling. That was my very first impression of Terri. She is a major force in the design world who leads with kindness, generosity and humility. Sophisticated, indeed.”

“Shooting Jet Levant was a total riot,” says photographer and Fig Media owner James Gustin, who captured the Chicago artist’s portrait for this issue (“Catch Him If You Can”). “He didn’t wait for art direction, he created it. Within minutes of unpacking my gear, he had decided on a shot where he was literally falling back in his chair and crashing to the floor. He did the gag seven times to get it right! Talk about making sacrifices in the name of art. It’s so hip to collaborate with the SL magazine creative team, Editor-In-Chief Elise Hofer Shaw and Creative Director Bridget Daley, who strive for spontaneity and movement in their work.”

“Designs for Dignity [D4D] thinks outside of the box, recognizing that your surroundings affect your well-being, self-worth and comfort level,” says contributing writer Marissa Nelson, who wrote about D4D—the Chicago organization committed to transforming spaces and empowering lives through design—for this issue’s charity spotlight (“Good Design”). “The organization is proof that you can find ways to help people in whatever field you work in and with whatever talents you have.”

“The term ‘renaissance man’ gets tossed around a lot these days, but Ari Smejkal of Hammer Design Group is the real deal,” says writer Lisa Shames, who wrote about the Chicagoan and founder of the custom woodworking and design company for this issue (“Hands On”). “Ari has his hands involved in a variety of projects—literally!—from creating furniture for homes and restaurants and appearing in a design-related TV show to creating abstract paintings and sculptures. And the fact that he’s so down-to-earth about it all just makes him even cooler.”

“It was so much fun shooting my friend Alison Victoria for this issue’s cover story,” says contributing photographer Anthony Tahlier, who spent a day at the Kimpton Gray Hotel shooting the HGTV star in an array of designer looks courtesy of Chicago’s own BY:FASHIONAHOLIC boutique (“Bringing Sexy Back to the City”). “Champagne and photos—a hard day’s work.” Tahlier is currently collaborating on a few cookbooks and looking forward to taking a little time off with his adorable family.

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SHIIR THING

By Elise Hofer Shaw

Callahan hair-on-hide and silk rug in Shoal by SHIIR

The right rug can tie a room together, whereas an exceptional rug can serve as inspiration for the design of an entire space. SHIIR Rugs, a collaboration between Chicago design heavies Oscar Isberian Rugs and interior design firm Soucie Horner, Ltd., produces the latter. SHIIR travels the world exploring ancient rug-making techniques alongside artisans who lend generations of craftsmanship to the trade. Their fiber-first approach to design and fabrication celebrates the nuances of knot counts, finishes, shearing, washes, layers, patterns and materials (think cashmere, silk, mohair or wool). The latest collection innovates with leather, exploring unique methods of treating the hides, then cutting and layering them with other fine materials for handcrafted, heirloom-quality rugs that mature over time as the leather naturally wears. The results are both edgy and elegant—and works of art. sl All SHIIR rugs are available custom and to-the-trade-only at Holly Hunt in theMART, 222 W. Merchandise Mart Plaza, Suite 1428, 312.661.1900. shiirrugs.com

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FASHIONABLY YOURS

By Elise Hofer Shaw / Fashion photography by Gia Coppola

In town for a Cocktails and Conversation event and fashion show at Neiman Marcus Michigan Avenue, celebrated designer Zac Posen chats with SL about sophistication, guilty pleasures and his spring 2019 ready-to-wear collection starring actress, model and muse Maya Hawke. sl

What is the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning?

I let my dogs out. I make my coffee. I turn on MSNBC.

What’s your favorite country to visit?

Japan.

Name one thing that you can’t live without.

In general, I can pretty much live without anything, except my loved ones.

Most sophisticated city?

New York City.

What is your favorite piece in your closet?

My new formal tail tuxedo that I made with Brooks Brothers—made in America.

What is the most elegant gift to give or to receive?

Generosity.

Who or what inspires you?

My customers—the women around me every day.

Who is your muse?

I don’t have one muse. My friend Maya Hawke [daughter of Uma Thurman and Ethan Hawke] is the star of my spring 2019 ready-to-wear campaign.

Most sophisticated person ever?

Hard question. I hope to meet them one day.

Proudest career moment?

Dressing Princess Eugenie for her wedding day.

What are you reading right now?

The Power of Myth by Joseph Campbell and Bill Moyers.

What is your favorite cocktail?

I don’t drink that much, but when I do at a party, on a rare occasion, I will have a vodka tonic with two lime wedges. Or I’ll have a Bloody Mary a few times a year. This year we did a rosé with VieVité, so I started experimenting with frosés a bit. They’re good.

Coffee or tea?

Both.

Place you go for utter peace?

In the veggie garden at my parents’ farm.

Name your top three vacation must-haves.

Great friends, great food and great museums.

Most sophisticated structure or building?

The Duomo in Florence rocks my world.

Where is your favorite place to go when you come to Chicago?

The Art Institute of Chicago.

No one should ever wear…

That’s a hard one because it changes per the individual—and these interviews last forever.

Everyone should own…

A Zac Posen dress.

Most universally flattering color…

Black.

Current must-have from your collection?

Our Liberty cotton dresses, our bondage crêpe fitted dress and the polka dot dress that Penélope Cruz wore.

Describe your line in three words.

Glamorous, eclectic and empowering.

How do you define ‘sophistication’?

Again, generosity.

Zac Posen collection is available at Neiman Marcus

Guilty pleasure?

Licorice.

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Maya Hawke wearing looks from Zac Posen’s spring 2019 RTW collection

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BRINGING SEXY BACK TO THE CITY

Chicagoan and female force of nature Alison Victoria brings her bold brand of glamour to HGTV’s newest show, Windy City Rehab—and she’s just getting started.

By Marissa Conrad / Photography by Anthony Tahlier The passion that inspired Alison Victoria’s new HGTV show, Windy City Rehab, started when she bought a historic home in Wicker Park. The place, built in 1905, had beautiful bones, but it had been neglected for years and needed some love. Victoria got to work. “I took it from a house that looked abandoned to a house that people stopped to take pictures of,” she says. “And I thought, ‘This is what I want to do for the rest of my life.’”

She was thinking something else, too: This kind of home restoration would make great TV. Victoria, a designer, developer and magazine publisher, had already spent nine seasons on-screen as the host of DIY Network’s kitchenrehab show, Kitchen Crashers. She partnered with a contractor, Donovan Eckhardt, and put together a sizzle reel, pitching a show where the two of them would buy houses in disrepair, restore and renovate them, then sell them.

HGTV loved the concept. And Windy City Rehab was born.

“Alison and I met on Kitchen Crashers—I was in three episodes—and realized we had a lot of friends in common, and then we became friends,” Eckhardt says. “One night, we went to a Blackhawks game and started talking about renovating old buildings. And we decided there and then to do it. I still remember us laughing and saying, ‘Let’s buy a building!’”

They named their company Alovan—a portmanteau of Alison and Donovan—and started with three homes: one on West Leland Avenue, one on North Paulina Street and one on West Wabansia Avenue that was built in the 1880s. Six months into their partnership, they had purchased 14 houses to restore. And they’re filming the whole way through. The premiere episode, airing Jan. 1 at 8PM CT, spotlights a Bucktown home that the duo overhauls from top to bottom, redoing the facade in salvaged Chicago Common brick, and installing architectural artifacts such as a vintage front door, antique mantel and pantry doors made from reclaimed barn wood. Victoria also builds out a chef ’s kitchen and a large master suite.

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Alison Victoria wearing an Oscar de la Renta blue-gray strapless tulle gown with gathered accents at bust, boning at bodice, full skirt with high-low hem and concealed zip closure at back. $450 to rent for 7 days at BY:FASHIONAHOLIC, 312.624.8803.

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Fendi silk crêpe de chine long-sleeved jumpsuit with wide-cut cropped pants, side pockets and matching belt. $400 to rent for 7 days at BY:FASHIONAHOLIC, 312.624.8803.

Victoria and Eckhardt set themselves apart by staying true to a home’s roots. They want each house they renovate to regain its original beauty, not stick out as the modern eyesore on a historically charming block. “We’re building homes that look like they could have been there for the last hundred years,” she says. That includes the interior, too—“Fireplace mantels, doors, windows, trim, hardware, you name it. We’re bringing all that beauty back into the build.”

They search for pieces made around the same time period that the home was built, scouring beloved Chicago vintage shops such as Urban Remains, Salvage One, Architectural Artifacts and The Golden Triangle, and under-the-radar spots, too, including a bakery Victoria found in Highwood that also sells antiques.

“We don’t leave one single detail unturned,” Victoria says.

“We’re meticulous in the way we build. I’m meticulous in the way I design.” Another one of her companies, Alison Victoria Home Staging, even stages each home with furniture, accessories and art from local spots like Jayson Home and Oscar Isberian Rugs, all of which can be included in the sale. “I pride myself on creating the 28 slmag.net

complete experience. I want people to move into the house and be like, we literally don’t have to do a thing.”

Eckhardt agrees. “A lot of developers rush things. All they care about is that a house has this many bedrooms, that many bathrooms—build it as quickly as possible. We’re spending extra time on the details, from mantels to custom cabinetry to lighting.

It’s another level of care.”

Not that it’s all sunshine and puppies. Working with historic homes, you’re bound to run into unexpected issues—“anything from a pipe bursting and having three feet of water in your basement to being almost done with the house and realizing your garage roof deck is crumbling down on top of you,” Victoria says. The reality of the process is something she’s dedicated to showing on-screen.

“This is as real as reality gets,” she says. “You get to see all of my stress and my anger and my pain alongside my happiness. This is a roller coaster. We’re showing people what the reality of quoteunquote ‘flipping houses’ is. There are so many shows that don’t show you the truth. I’m showing you everything.”

Alexander McQueen blazer dress embellished with beads, crystals and embroidery. $400 to rent for 7 days at BY:FASHIONAHOLIC, 312.624.8803. (All BY:FASHIONAHOLIC rentals include dry cleaning and one hour of styling tips from an expert stylist, as well as pick-up and drop-off services.)

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Real estate developer and Windy City Rehab general contractor Donovan Eckhardt wearing a dinner jacket

by Brooks Brothers and pants by Bonobos. On Alison Victoria: Valentino long-sleeve mini dress with blackand-white sequins and chiffon underlay. $400 to rent for 7 days at BY:FASHIONAHOLIC, 312.624.8803.

Makeup throughout by Gaby Raguso

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As creator and executive producer, she keeps a hectic schedule, sometimes changing outfits six times in one day to go to six different houses and film six different scenes. That’s on top of her publishing work, which is also making a splash. Victoria, who took over as publisher of Sophisticated Living Chicago in January 2017 (“It was a great way to marry my design work with print,” she says), just worked around the clock with her staff to launch the magazine’s new website, slmagchicago.com, full of up-to-the-minute stories about fashion, home design, fitness, dining, travel and more. This March, she’s also launching Sophisticated Living Las Vegas, a new magazine that will cover the best and brightest of the other city she calls home.

“I moved to Las Vegas when I was 19, and went to college out there and started my design firm out there,” she says. “I started building homes from the ground up right after college, with a company called Christopher Homes, where I was the youngest designer on staff.” Later, Christopher Homes led her to Park City, Utah, to focus on ski-in, ski-out properties, but it wasn’t long before she set out on her own, launching her own design firm, Alison Victoria Interiors, in 2005.

“Sophisticated Living Chicago really is a reflection of me and all the things, places and people that I love, whether it’s destinations to travel, places to eat, spas to enjoy, fashion houses to frequent or art galleries to admire,” she says. “Now, on top of that, I get to do the same thing in my other hometown of Las Vegas, with a new magazine.” The unifying theme, she says, is this: “I’m bringing sexy back to home building and to publishing. I’m building ‘sophisticated living’ every day with each home I design and build, and this is the same direction I’m taking the magazines in.”

Right now, she and Eckhardt are closing on their next round of houses for Season 2 of Windy City Rehab. There are so many stunning old homes to work with in Chicago, she doesn’t know if they’ll ever run out of them.

Plus, she and Eckhardt are finding the homes that no one else can. “We know some wonderful brokers and real estate agents who bring us deals that are offmarket,” she says. “These are very special houses.” You’ll have to watch the show, airing Tuesdays at 8PM on HGTV, to see for yourself. sl

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home is where life happens

TIME(LESS) MACHINE Brains and brawn combine in the eighth generation of the Porsche 911.

Written by Andre James

The eighth generation of the Porsche 911—the 2020 Carrera S—made its world debut at the Porsche Experience Center Los Angeles just prior to the opening of the L.A. Auto Show this past November. Retaining all of the hallmark design DNA that makes a Porsche instantly recognizable from all other vehicles on the road, the new 911 is a bit more muscular on the outside and a whole lot sleeker on the inside, thanks to a completely new layout.

On the exterior, a broader nose arches over 20-inch front wheels and 21-inch wheels at the rear, keeping power in check and

improving grip. Also helping drivers get a grip is a world first—a Porsche-developed Wet Mode—designed to detect water on the road, precondition the stability control and anti-lock brake systems accordingly, and warn the driver. Wet Mode is part of the standard equipment package, as is a camera-based warning and brake assist system, which detects the risk of collision with moving objects and initiates emergency braking if necessary. Optional upgrades include Night Vision Assist with a thermal imaging camera, Adaptive Cruise Control, and an innovative Emergency Assist function.

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Other notable exterior elements include flush integration of the electric door handles that extend outward when needed; new LED headlights; a front luggage compartment lid with pronounced contours that evoke the design of early 911s; a significantly wider, variable-position rear spoiler; and, a seamless, elegant light bar, which is now a feature on both two- and fourwheel drive variants.

The turbocharged flat-six engine of the 911 Carrera S and 911 Carrera 4S produces 443 horsepower, a 23-horsepower increase over the previous model. Equipped with an 8-speed PDK dual clutch transmission as standard, the rear-wheel drive 911 Carrera S Coupe takes 3.5 seconds to reach 60 miles per hour from standstill, while the 911 Carrera 4S Coupe with allwheel drive covers the distance in 3.4 seconds (0.4 seconds faster than the previous model in each case). Opt for the Sport Chrono Package to shave off another 0.2 seconds. Top track speeds are now 191 miles per hour for the 911 Carrera S, and 190 miles per hour for the all-wheel drive version. A manual transmission will be offered at a later date.

Porsche 911 models from the 1970s provided the inspiration for the completely new interior, characterized by the clear and straight lines of the dashboard with recessed instruments. Left and right of the centrally positioned tachometer are a pair of frameless, free-form displays that provide the driver with information. More than three inches larger than the previous model, the new Porsche Communication Management (PCM) with a 10.9-inch touchscreen display can be operated quickly and intuitively thanks to the new architecture. Located underneath the screen, a compact switch panel with five buttons provides direct access to key vehicle functions. The standard PCM system features Porsche Connect Plus including online traffic information based on swarm data.

The 2020 911 Carrera S has a base MSRP of $113,200, while the 2020 911 Carrera 4S will be offered starting at $120,600, each not including the $1,050 delivery, processing and handling fee. The models can be ordered now and are expected to reach U.S. dealers in summer 2019. sl

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Of Note...The Big Chill

Compiled by Colin Dennis

This page top to bottom: KitchenAid 29.5 cu. ft. built-in side-by-side refrigerator with PrintShield finish ($10,399; kitchenaid.com). Classic Fridge from Big Chill in French Blue with satin nickel trim ($4,795; bigchill.com). Frigidaire 19 cu. ft. glass door all refrigerator ($3,349; frigidaire.com). Subzero Pro 48 with 18.5 cu. ft. of refrigerator capacity and 11.7 cu. ft. of freezer space ($16,950; subzero-wolf.com). Dolce & Gabbana x Smeg The Sicily of Cavalleria Rusticana refrigerator ($50,000; neimanmarcus.com). Opposite page: True’s 48” Refrigerator with a glass door and a 30” refrigerator column outfitted in a cobalt blue from the Build Your True collection of custom finishes and hardware (price upon request; true-residential.com). Liebherr 24-inch built-in fully integrated bottom freezer refrigerator ($2,350; liebherr.com). Gaggenau Vario 400 series, a fully integrated, built-in modular range of refrigerators, freezers, fridgefreezers and wine climate cabinets that combine modularity with the smooth lines of seamless integration (gaggenau.com). GE Cafe Energy Star 22.2 cu. ft. counter-depth French-door refrigerator with hot water dispenser ($3,399; cafeappliances.com).

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Bibliotaph... What's Cooking

Compiled by Victoria Chase

Recipient of a 2018 James Beard Award for American Cooking, Sean Sherman, an Oglala Lakota chef, dispels outdated notions of Native American fare in his debut cookbook. His collection of healthy dairy and sugar-free recipes represent a tasty introduction to the modern indigenous cuisine of the Dakota and Minnesota territories. Sean Sherman with Beth Dooley— The Sioux Chef's Indigenous Kitchen—hardcover, 240 pages, University of Minnesota Press.

This cookbook tells the story of the wunderkind New York chef duo Jeremiah Stone and Fabián von Hauske, and their highly regarded Lower East Side tasting-menu restaurant Contra, and its more casual sister, Wildair. With a foreword by comedian and oenophile Eric Wareheim, the book's 85 recipes are accompanied by plated food, restaurant and travel photography. Jeremiah Stone and Fabián von Hauske with Alison Roman—A Very Serious Cookbook: Contra Wildair—hardcover, 256 pages, Phaidon.

In her debut cookbook, cheeky registered dietitian, food lover, and YouTube star Abbey Sharp shows us how she eats: healthy and nourishing meals that are packed with flavor. Many of the recipes are plant-centric and free of dairy, gluten, and nuts.

Abbey Sharp—The Mindful Glow Cookbook: Radiant Recipes for Being the Healthiest, Happiest You—hardcover, 288 pages, Penguin Books

Michelin-starred chef Anita Lo combines her experiences as a chef—odd hours and late-night meals—with years spent traveling and cooking around the world, to devise the ultimate guide to cooking for one. Should you find Matty Matheson, chef, purveyor of positivity, and star of something you want to share, the Viceland's It's Suppertime and Dead Set on Life, shares his favorite recipes alongside anecdotes about his youth in Canada recipes can easily be multiplied.

Anita Lo—Solo: A Modern Cookbook that make his debut cookbook a highly personal endeavor.

For A Party Of One—hardcover, Matty Matheson—Matty Matheson: A Cookbook—hardcover, 256 pages, Random House.

304 pages, Abrams Books.

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bib 'li' o 'taph, [bib-lee-uhtaf, -tahf ]: a person who caches or hoards books Former editor and publisher of Surfer magazine, and owner of an award-winning regional Mexican restaurant, author Jim Kempton presents an expansive collection of recipes sourced from his travels across six continents— accompanied by stunning surf photography. Jim Kempton—First We Surf Then We Eat: Recipes from a Lifetime of Surf Travel—hardcover, 248 pages, Prospect Park Books

An inspiring mix of classic cocktail recipes alongside exciting variations, this book offers tips, tricks, presentation ideas, and technical know-how to make your cocktails as sensational for the eye as they are for the palate. Pippa Guy—Let's Get Fizzical: More Than 50 Bubbly Cocktail Recipes With Prosecco, Champagne and Other Sparkling Wines—hardcover, 144 pages, DK Publishing.

Celebrity chef and TV star Carla Hall takes readers back to her Nashville roots as she traces the history of soul food from Africa and the Caribbean to the American South. The book's 145 original recipes are accompanied by 120 color photographs. Carla Hall and Genevieve Ko—Carla Hall's Soul Food: Everyday and Celebration—hardcover, 336 pages, Harper Wave Books.

Half design journal and half cookbook, New York-based architect and designer Glen Coben gives readers a fascinating glimpse inside the mind of an architect, and the journey from conception of a restaurant design to creating the space, and, finally, to cooking and eating.

Glen Coben—An Architect's Cookbook: A Culinary Journey Through Design— hardcover, 228 pages, ORO Editions An honors graduate in biochemistry, biotechnology and marketing, Isadora Chai worked as a clinical researcher and later in pharmaceutical marketing, before finding vocational serenity in pursuing her lifelong passion for food. In her lavishly photographed cookbook and food almanac, Chai presents the experimental recipes behind the themed degustations that occur each month at her hole-in the-wall restaurant, Bistro à Table, in Kuala Lumpur. Isadora Chai—Edible Satire: French Cuisine with a Twist—hardcover, 224 pages, Images Publishing Dist.

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MAGICAL MAHEKAL A beachfront oasis in Playa Del Carmen Written by Caylee Matthews / Photography by Chris Wimpey In stark contrast to its neighbors, whose behemoth developments cast a long shadow on the sands of Playa Del Carmen in Mexico’s Riviera Maya, the luxury Mahekal Beach Resort grew out of more humble beginnings and continues to distinguish itself by holding onto a more bohemian bent.

Situated directly on Playa del Carmen’s longest stretch of beach (920 feet to be exact), and at the terminus of a side street that branches off of bustling Quinta Avenida, what is most notable about Mahekal is that it almost goes unnoticed amid the lush tropical landscaping that envelopes the property. Five decades ago, a Mexican family built six thatched-roof palapas on this beachfront plot to rent to backpackers; over time, that number grew to more than 100 individual accommodations.

Although the property has changed hands several times, and

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underwent a $16 million facelift completed in 2016, the present ownership has remained true to the property’s free-spirited roots by ensuring that buildings don’t peek above the tallest palm trees, and that the bungalow-style accommodations and guest experiences incorporate aspects of the local Mayan culture. “The wonderful people and culture of Mexico deserve to be celebrated,” said general manager Attila Gombos.

Amenities spread among the verdant property include four swimming pools (three of them with swim-up bars); an oceanfront hot tub; the Revive Spa and fitness center; five restaurants and bars; an on-property dive center; a beachside fire pit; an boutique full of locally made crafts; an painting palapa where guests can paint their own ceramic souvenirs under the direction of an accomplished artisan; and, a unique Mayan Culinary Casita. A

Revive Spa

weekly calendar of complimentary events ranges from cooking classes to salsa dancing and beachfront yoga.

Guest rooms are luxuriously appointed, with a variety of settings to please those who want to feel like they are close to the action (beachfront rooms and palapas), as well as those who want to feel like they are a million miles away from it all (Treehouse rooms and palapas). Across the board, there is consistency among the luxurious fit and finish of all guest rooms, such as a lively color palette and textural touches, including stone, wood and natural fibers. The diversity of accommodations and amenities draws a varied clientele, from families to honeymooners.

Hanging next to the entrance of my Oceanfront Casita was a customized hand-painted ceramic welcome sign (which I was happy to bring home with me). To take advantage of the

constant coastal breezes and the theatre provided by parade of humanity meandering up and down the beach throughout the day, a crocheted hammock was strung just outside my front door.

Constructed with a soaring traditional palapa-style roof, my room was dotted with thoughtful touches that imbued it with a sense of place. Significant among these were pieces of pottery from Oaxaca, and a silk rebozos from Michoacán state gracing the foot of the bed.

Still under private ownership, Mahekal’s diminutive size in relation to neighboring properties affords it an admirable amount of personalized service within either a room-rate only European Plan, or a Modified American Plan, which provides breakfast and the choice of lunch or dinner daily. “We are able to provide an extra level of service because there is no corporate red tape to contend with,” said Gombos.

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Even with a selection of reputable dining choices, such as the taste bud-tickling Axiote (axiote.rest), a quick walk or pedal away (complimentary bicycles are available), the dining options on-property are truly commendable. Serving three meals daily, the interior of Las Olas, which is positioned to face the beach at the edge of an infinity pool, is defined by intricate chandeliers and Mexican-made tables. At the buffet-style Cocina, guests are able to sample cuisines that span the Yucatán and Latin America. My personal favorite was the oceanfront Fuego, where every dish is “kissed” by fire. Attesting to the quality of the ingredients across the dining spectrum, the popular Catch of the Day program allows guests to follow executive chef Crescenciano Nerey from boat-to-bite as he greets local fishermen on the beach to select the catches of the day.

Whether you are a foodie or an armchair social anthropologist, booking the Mayan culinary experience is a must.

Led by a Mayan chef working with a co-chef and translator, the interactive cooking demonstration and meal celebrates traditional Mayan ingredients, rituals and cooking methods. The experience begins with a Copal incense blessing, followed by a toast with Xtabentún, a liqueur made in the Yucatán region from anise seed.

The multi-course lunch features Tikin-Xik, a whole fish steamed

in a clay pot within a firepit dug into the earth. Guests depart with recipes to recreate the dishes at home.

Resembling a minimalist cathedral, the 2,500 square-foot Revive Spa is designed with whitewashed walls and a soaring ceiling highlighted by a fiber optic lighting that mimics a starry night. Indigenous-inspired and tailored head-to-toe treatments incorporate organic Kinich products.

Tempting as it would be to remain in the confines of the resort, you’d be remiss to miss the boutiques and restaurants of Playa del Carmen, as well as more adventurous excursions further afoot, including cenotes, Xcaret, Tulum, Chichen Itza and Yal-Ku Lagoon, all of which can be arranged by the concierge.

Bobbing about in the crystal-clear waters of the Cenote el Sueño, watching as slim, silvery fish darted in and out of pitchblack darkness only cracked by the singular beam of a flashlight, I wondered (in addition to thinking that this would be an ideal site for a horror flick), what the Mayans, who regarded these openings to underground rivers as sacred, would think of the area today. I couldn’t help but surmise they’d find some familiarity in the palapas and palette of magical Mahekal. Room-only rate at Mahekal Beach Resort from $190/night. For more information visit mahekalbeachresort.com. sl slmag.net

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CUPID SHUFFLE Valentine's Day Gifts and Garb to Make Your Heart Skip a Beat Compiled by Bridget Williams

Rita Vineris S/S 2019 (ritaveneris.com)

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From top to bottom: Margot McKinney Jewelry 18k gold pearl and stone drop earrings ($69,500; margotmckinney.com). Etho Maria 18k white gold and diamond ring (price upon request; ethomaria.com). Assael natural Sardinian coral and diamond leaf earrings and pendant/brooch set in 18k white gold (price upon request; assael.com). Man & Woman crystal bookends created by Robert Rigot for Baccarat ($1,260/each; us.baccarat.com). Oh Mon Dieu! No. 69 gift set from L'Objet ($225; l-objet.com). Bolt II Ruby from William Henry ($495; williamhenry.com). Poltrona Frau Zhuang Jewelry Cases by Neri & Hu (poltronafrau.com). Silvia Furmanovich marquetry Adam & Eve earrings ($14,300; silviafurmanovich.com). Boca do Lobo Millionaire jewelry safe made ion gold-plated polished brass (price upon request; bocadolobo.com).Vish NYC bespoke alligator leather dress (price upon request; vishnycity.com).

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From top to bottom: Novel Heritage 18k rose gold and malachite Kiss necklace ($1,800; nouvelheritage.com).

Katrine K ready-to-wear. Photo by Olga Kushik. Christolfe Graffiti silver plated tray ($325). Christolfe Graffiti silver-plated tray ($325; christofle.com). One-of-akind Graffiti Eve sculpture from Janus et Cie ($2,608; janusetcie.com). Luella tee from Camilla & Marc ($120; camillaandmarc.com). Blended in the Napa region, WineSociety's flagship collection includes TEMPT (red), CHANCE (rose) and FATE (white) ($132 as shown; winesociety.com). Luis Morais + Gemfields 18k yellow gold enamel and ruby earrings ($550; musexmuse.com).

Holly Dyment enameled 18k yellow gold ring with diamonds and precious stones ($8,250; hollydyment.com). Elena Votsi 18k yellow gold ebony and emerald Heart earrings ($4,180; elenavotsi.com).

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From top to bottom: Adina Reyter Tiny Heart bracelet ($178; adinareyter.com). Anuar Layon Re-Evolution FW18 Collection (anuarlayon.com). Photo by Izack Morales. Baume et Mercier Clifton Club 10339 42mm timepiece with rubber strap ($2,250; baume-et-mercier.com). Daniel Patrick anorak windbreaker ($500; danielpatrick.us). Ibkul mock neck top made with "IceFil" cooling fabric with a UPF 50 rating ($96; ibkul.com). Philipp Plein hi-top sneakers with crystal-covered midsole ($1,440; plain.com). Madrona duffel bag from Slate Collection in Midnight leather ($500; slatecollection.com). Aqua Blu Noir men's running shorts ($79.90; equable.com.au). Anabela Chan 18k gold ruby Love & Tears stud earrings ($350; anabelachan.com).

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From top to bottom: Berta evening gown (berta.com). 18k rose gold Amor Manet by KIM bracelet (price upon request; wempe.com). 14k rose gold BFF ring set with broken heart drop charms accented with diamonds from Shahla Karimi ($973; shahlakarimi.com). Sean Glisson for ASSAEL 18k yellow gold flexible bangle with Japanese Akoya Pearls ($9,900; assael.com). Anne Sisteron white gold and diamond XO cuff ($835; annesisteron.com). Lalique Folie perfume bottle ($855; lalique. com). Velvet Love slipper from Amerigo Milano ($225; amerigomilano.com).

Dreamy Massimo boudoir pillow from Sferra ($136; sierra.com). Herend Puppy Love figurine in Raspberry ($295; herendusa.com).

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From top to bottom: Soaring Love bronze finish sculpture from Artisani ($76; artisani.com). By Stolie 18k yellow gold choker with rubies ($9,995; bystolie.com). Pink gold ring with rhodochrosite, orange and pink sapphires, rubies and black diamonds from Lydia Courteille's Rosa Del Inca collection (price upon request; lydiacourteille.com). Sensi Studio RTW S/S 2019 (sensistudio.com). Chi Chi bikini top ($59.95) and bottom ($44.95) from White Fox Swim (whitefoxboutique. com). Dolce & Gabbana tumbled calfskin pouch ($995; usdolcegabbana.com). The Entrepreneur Stowaway with red lip lining from Streamline Luggage ($530; steamlineluggage.com).

Keystone roll-top leather backpack from Ezra Arthur ($1,270; ezraarthur.com). Chiapas red table runner from Maison Numen ($165; maisonnumen.com).

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WONDERMENT IN THE WILDERNESS The Chilko Experience

Written by Bridget Williams / Photography by Craig Sutherland It was so quiet that I could hear flesh tearing from bone as one of nature’s predominant predators, standing upright in the water less than 50 feet from the nose of my kayak, gorged on sockeye salmon. At that moment, grizzly bears outnumbered humans as I watched, my mouth agape, as a mother bear roared in protest as one of her cubs snatched a freshly snagged salmon from her mouth and triumphantly tromped back to shore. Engrossed in a moment of motherly camaraderie with this mighty creature, I was brought back to reality by a firm warning from my guide, reminding me that bears are capable swimmers and to maintain a respectable distance. After watching the family dynamic play out for some time, we paddled on in the misty morning, observing bald eagles soaring overhead, spying additional grizzlies on the opposite shore of Chilko Lake, and enjoying the solitude afforded by this pristine parcel of Canadian wilderness.

For decades, I have regarded the area in and around Yellowstone National Park as the bellwether for all that I love about the great outdoors. I mention this only after having had some 50 slmag.net

time to reflect on my five days at the Chilko Experience this past September, which was followed by a trip to Jackson Hole, Wyoming a few weeks later. Comparing the two, I can state with absolute certainty (and with my apologies to Wyoming and Montana), that this was the most soul-satisfying wilderness adventure that I have ever been privy to. While wildlife is abundant in the Chilcotin throughout the year, from August through October it is estimated that one million sockeyes complete a 500-mile journey to reach the spot where the Chilko River meets glacier-fed Chilko Lake, making easy work of scouting sleuths of bears.

There several routes for rambling about in this remoteness, but I am now at a point in my life where I prefer indoor plumbing over roughing it. At the Chilko Experience, which occupies 25 of the five million acres that comprise the Chilko Valley (approximately 150 air miles north of Vancouver), I was able to have the best of both worlds: enjoying the greatness of the great outdoors by foot, water, ATV and horseback, and then having the luxury of returning to the comfortable confines of my expansive log home.

The Tower House

Carl's House

The adventure begins with the arrival. Although it is possible to get to Chilko Lake by driving eight hours along mountainous roads from Vancouver, I’d advise opting for the 90-minute charter flight in a prop plane. While in flight you can spy verdant mountaintops peeking out from thin blankets of white clouds roiling about like the froth on a witches’ brew, as well as taller naked peaks wearing tiaras of snow that sparkle like diamonds in the sunlight. Awestruck as I soared above the creeping glacier fields, I felt intoxicated by the thought of what laid in store in the coming days, and wondered how anything as luxurious at the Chilko Experience could come to be in this remoteness.

Phil Huston, founder and jack-of-all-trades at the Chilko Experience, met us at the grass runway strip, located a short and bumpy ride away from the resort (stretches of unpaved roads are a given in the wilderness). A native of Kansas who now lives in Omaha (his next-door neighbor is Warren Buffett), Phil first heard of the Chilko region in the 1970s, when a hitchhiker he picked up on the way back from a car camping expedition in Alaska told him

The Main House

the area was worth checking out. He heeded the advice and was instantly smitten. The romance was rekindled in the late 1990s when Phil returned to Chilko Lake for a fishing trip, prompting him to purchase a derelict guest ranch for what was intended to be just a vacation home for his family. Some things, Phil soon decided, are simply too special to keep all to yourself.

Referring to an endeavor as a labor of love is done so often that the sentiment is often lost, but at the Chilko Experience, I can think of no better way to describe Phil and his wife Anne’s level of involvement and enduring passion for what they have created. Phil makes no bones about the monumental effort it took to build and then operate a property of this scope in such a remote area. “You have to be resourceful and self-sufficient,” he said. For emphasis, he pointed out that five tons of gravel were crushed on site for the roads, and the nearest grocery store is three hours away by car. The property, which can accommodate a maximum of 22 guests at a time, derives ninety-five percent of its energy from the sun. slmag.net

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Hiking with BooBoo on trails above the Chilko River. Photo by Bridget Williams.

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Construction commenced in 2002 and took five years. An architecture buff, Phil jokes that he had to build seven homes on the property so that Anne, a former Miss Nebraska and Miss World finalist, and now an antiques aficionado, could empty out a warehouse of furniture and accessories she’d collected over the years. The four log and three timber frame homes were built by Pioneer Log Homes and featured on the HGTV show Timber Kings. Phil remarked that the entire project was carried out with “a handshake and no bids.” “I have never had so much fun in all of my life,” he reminisced.

Sharing only a blue metal roof in common, each of the guest cabins are uniquely outfitted in an eclectic and rustic fashion with custom-built furniture cozying up to a mix of antiques hailing from different continents and periods. Positioned near the entry of each building at the Chilko Experience is a brass plaque naming both the builder and the sentimental name given to each structure. I stayed in Carl’s House, a two-story, two-bedroom cabin designed by Phil so that his friend Carl, a paraplegic, could experience the beauty of the Chilcotin.

Situated at the head of a verdant lawn that terminates at a 10-acre lake, the Main House, also called Tim’s House, is a central gathering place where guests congregate for meals, socialize at the lower level bar, and connect with the outside world, as it is the only place where Wi-Fi is available. There are two guest rooms in the lodge, with a third-floor

suite boasting an exquisite canopy bed crafted from 800-year-old Juniper logs. A lighthearted hand-painted mural in the Main House took 10 days to finish, and depicts fly fishing bears with human characteristics reflective of important people in the Hustons’ lives.

An architectural marvel, the 2,500-square-foot, three-story, one-bedroom Tower House was built as a private residence for Phil and Anne, but has since entered the lodging portfolio due to demand. Built onsite without plans and at a cost of $1,400 per square foot, Huston refers to the Tower House’s head carpenter as “the Michelangelo of logs,” and beams with pride as he recounts how the sinuous deck rail was carved with a chainsaw.

Phil is on property all season (June through October), and likens a stay at Chilko to an “estate experience”. “You get to deal with the owner like an insider...it’s like going to Disney as a friend of Walt,” he explained. The Chilko Experience operates like a family compound, with Phil and Anne joining guests around the communal dinner table each evening. Phil’s mandate to the chef that “flavorful, upscale food be served in a casual fashion,” results in a diverse and abundant lineup of hearty fare apropos for fueling myriad outdoor pursuits. During dinner, guests chat with Phil and his affable and über-organized general manager, New Zealand Native Craig Sutherland, about what they’d like to do the next day, based on their interests/abilities and weather conditions. slmag.net

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Chiko Lake is largest natural high-elevation lake in North America.

Chendi at his homestead.

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Muir Lake

Axe throwing at the Chilko Experience.

Night sky above the Main House

Opportunities for making oneself temporarily inaccessible are hard to come by these days; at Chilko they come in spades. With just 1,000 stalwart souls spread out over 32-million acres, don’t expect cell service until you return to the Main House. During a day-long fishing expedition, we traveled the entire length of the 50-mile Chilko Lake (the largest natural high-elevation lake in North America), and didn’t see another soul. Stopping at an inlet, Phil led our group up a loosely defined trail over spongy mosscovered rocks to Muir Lake, a secret oasis ringed by mountains that is open to anyone who knows its whereabouts. We could just discern the rumbling echoes of a 200-foot waterfall obscured by acres of pine forest. A 1980s-era cabin built by a family who leased the land from the park service sits at the edge of the lake.

Phil unbolted the cabin’s door and pulled out two volumes of a log book; I felt like I was joining a naturalists’ equivalent of a secret society as I added my name to the registry.

Later that day we dropped anchor at a popular fishing spot where a newbie fisherman in our group snagged a bull trout on his first cast. I was content with checking out bear and moose tracks along the shoreline with Anne, and picking up flat rocks to skip along water so blue and clear it prompted me to reminisce about a snorkeling trip in the Grenadines.

Because he is so immersed in the local community, Phil knows the most colorful places and people to visit. Among

these is Chendi, aka Frank Tannenbaum, a Philadelphia native who came to the area in the 1970s and has been living off of the land in the same picturesque plot ever since (and in spite of several deportation attempts by Canadian authorities).

Sporting a Santa-style beard, often shoeless if the temps are above freezing, and amazingly sane to those of us who could not imagine living in such a primitive fashion, Chendi tends an organic garden, pulls driftwood from the lake for building materials, has a cell phone and internet access, fashions and sells beautiful kitchen implements from exotic woods, and would give the Dos Equis pitchman a run for his money as the most interesting man in the world (albeit for different reasons).

I arrived at Chendi’s compound wondering how anyone could live so simply, and departed feeling slightly envious of his simple subsistence existence.

The Chilko Experience is an adventure adaptable for people of all ages and abilities, with Phil and his staff committed to delivering each guest with a once-in-a-lifetime experience tailored to their interests and expectations. “Mountains, glaciers, rushing rivers, pristine lakes, soaring eagles and wildlife have lifelong substance. Connecting people to nature at the highest possible level is my greatest enjoyment,” said Phil. All-inclusive rates at the Chilko Experience begin at $2,950 per person for 3 nights/4 days.

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VESSEL ADVISEMENT Written by Vicki Jakubovic

That awkward moment when the server brings an extra-tall wine glass for you, a tulip-shaped one for your dining partner, and narrow ones to the next table. It makes you wonder if you’ve been doing it wrong all along.

Why do wine glasses come in so many styles? How do you know which kind to use? Does it really make a difference? “ The world of wine glasses can seem intimidating,” acknowledges Gabe Geller, a top sommelier and Director of Public Relations for Royal Wine. “The varieties are endless. The truth is, it can be as simple or as complex as you want it to be.”

Rosés can be served in white wine glasses because the two are produced similarly. But, says Geller, there are glasses made specifically for rosés. They have shorter bowls that are slightly tapered and sometimes have a flared rim. “The rim affects the way you sip,” he explains. “The flair helps direct the wine directly to the tip of the tongue.”

Tall, narrow glasses, sometimes called flutes, capture the carbon dioxide in sparkling wines, keeping the bubbly bubblier.

The smallest of them all is the dessert/fortified wine glass, designed to send the sweet sip directly to the back of the mouth.

Red, white, rosé, sparkling, or dessert wine?

It’s all about physics, says Geller. “The bowl of the glass is designed with surface area in mind. Red wines generally need to breathe, so a fuller, rounder bowl with a wide opening is preferable. Whites stay cooler in bowls that are straighter on the sides.”

Differences within the differences Serious oenophiles may insist on subtle variations within the basic categories above. A pinot noir, for example, would be served in a balloon-shaped glass, while its more rarified red cousin, the grand cru, is best featured when sipped over a flared rim. A wider mouth

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Riedel’s handmade leadfree crystal Superleggero Series wine glasses ($99/ each; riedel.com)

A sommelier simplifies the wine glass selection process. helps release the bold, acidic qualities of full-bodied whites, whereas a smaller mouth holds the delicate aromas of light whites.

Glass or crystal?

In theory, crystal is preferable to glass. Geller says the biggest advantage to crystal is its mineral content, which makes it durable enough to produce very thin stemware. This allows for a smoother flow into the mouth, not to mention a clearer view of the wine’s color and viscosity.

But does it affect the taste? Some insist it does. According to the website Wine Tasting Reviews (wine-tasting-reviews.com), “The best explanation offered so far is that crystal is rougher than regular glass and this roughness creates turbulence in the wine which, in turn, causes more of the aromatic compounds in the wine to be released.”

But for most people, the main difference between crystal and glass is cost. Geller assures us it’s perfectly acceptable to

serve wine in a regular glass made of glass – preferably one that’s clear, un-etched, and uncut to better see what’s inside. Again, it’s easier to enjoy your wine when you’re not worried about breaking your valuable crystal.

If you had to choose just one type of glass…

Many in the industry share a healthy skepticism when it comes to amassing a collection of “perfect” glasses for every type of wine on the market. Geller agrees. “There’s no reason to think you’ll ever be judged by your stemware,” he says, “and you don’t have to be a professional sommelier to choose the right glass.”

In fact, you can get by with one set (or two if you like to serve bubbly). Geller recommends a thin glass with a large bowl that narrows at the top, ideally holding about 13 oz. of wine. “A good universal wine glass is perfectly suitable for anything, from a summer afternoon rosé to a vintage Bordeaux,” he says.. sl

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From top to bottom (spread): Anne Sisteron Tribal earrings ($2,235; annasisteron.com). PICCHIOTTI Xpandable ring ($79,400; picchiotti.it). Lightbox Jewelry Halo pendant with a 1/2 carat lab-grown diamond ($500; lightboxjewelry.com). Sanjay Kasliwal bracelet (price upon request; sanjaykasliwal.com). Aline Reyter Lightning Bolt earrings ($288; adinareyter. com). Eleuterio Blossom ring (price upon request; eleuterio.com). Aaron Henry Dragonfly brooch (price upon request; aaronhenry.com). Steven Kretchmer HO Full Channel engagement ring (from $10,150; stevenkretchmer.com). Cirari ring (price upon request; cirari.com). Art Deco by Harry Winston bracelet (price upon request; harrywinston.com).

Tamara Comolli Curriculum Vitae ring ($29,810; tamaracomolli.com)

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From top to bottom (spread): Harakh Peacock earrings (price upon request; harakh.com). Marc Alary articulated Monkey ring ($12,490; marcalary.com). Michelle Fantaci Sense Fan ring ($2,100; michellefantaci.com). De Beers High Jewelry Aria earrings (price upon request; debeers.com). Wendy Yue Feathers Cuff ($21,700; wendyyue.com). Sylvie Collection earrings (price upon request; sylviecollection.com). Alessa Arrow bracelet ($57,995; alessa.jewelry.com). MiaDonna Pretty Woman engagement ring (from $2,006; miadonna.com). Suzanne Kalan Ball ring ($12,000; suzannekalan.com). Mattioli bracelet (price upon request; en.mattioligioielli.it).

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SPOT ON The 2019 Mercedes-AMG G63 Written by Andre James One doesn’t need a G-Wagen, they want it. Historically, the boxy bastion of off-road coolness was more noteworthy for its distinguished appearance rather than its disposition of driving like a box truck.

Not anymore, explained Tobias Moers, CEO of MercedesAMG GmbH, “The new AMG G63 brings driving performance to the segment of unadulterated off-road vehicles in unexpected form. It was important for us to tie in with the original character on account of the cult status the G63 enjoys with our customers and fans. The vehicle has nevertheless reached a completely new dimension in terms of technology as well as in combination with the off-road characteristics, the agility and the vehicle dynamics achieved."

On the exterior, the reinterpreted design remains true to the boxy silhouette with considerable upgrades such as an AMGspecific radiator grille; an AMG bumper with large side air inlets and trim in matt iridium silver; flared wheel arches; standard running boards; twin tailpipes in high-gloss chrome that emit the typical AMG V8 sound; standard LED high-performance headlamps, indicators and tail lights; exposed spare wheel on the rear door with a stainless steel cover and three-dimensional Mercedes star; and, wheels up to 22-inches in diameter.

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Under the hood, a compact AMG 4.0-liter V8 twinturbo engine replaces the previous 5.5-liter V8 twin-turbo engine in the G63. The handcrafted power plant generates 577-horsepower and is capable of a 0-60mph sprint in 4.4 seconds, which is just shy of a full second faster than the previous model. Speed tops out at 137 mph, or 149 mph with the AMG Driver’s package.

To improve fuel efficiency, the G63 is equipped with the AMG Cylinder Management cylinder deactivation system. In the partialload range, cylinders two, three, five and eight are deactivated, which significantly lowers fuel consumption. The AMG main menu on the instrument cluster informs the driver whether the cylinder deactivation system is in use and whether the engine is presently operating in the partial or full-load range. The transition from four to eight-cylinder operation is fast and imperceptible.

Short shift times are brought about by the AMG SPEEDSHIFT TCT 9G transmission. A multiple downshift function permits spontaneous bursts of speed, while the double-declutching function in "Sport" and "Sport Plus” transmission modes allows for a more connected driving experience.

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For the first time in the history of the Mercedes-AMG G-Class, driving characteristics can be individualized at the touch of a finger with five on-road and three off-road driving modes. Independent of the AMG DYNAMIC SELECT drive programs, the driver has the option of pressing the "M" button to switch directly to manual mode, in which gearshifts are executed exclusively using the shift paddles on the steering wheel. The transmission stays in the selected gear and does not automatically shift up when the engine speed reaches the limit. If required, stages of the adaptive adjustable suspension can also be self-selected.

Outfitted with AMG Performance 4MATIC all-wheel drive, the rear-biased torque distribution provides a front/rear split of 40 to 60 percent, improving agility and traction during acceleration. A reworking of the off-road reduction gear helps to ensure that the G63 is able to master even more demanding offroad stretches, and can be engaged via the LOW RANGE switch at speeds of up to 25 mph.

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suspension system, which features coil springs all-round. For the first time, the front axle has an independent, double wishbone suspension; a rigid axle with a five-link suspension is used at the rear. To reduce body roll, the G63 has additional transverse stabilizers at the front and rear axles. Adaptive adjustable damping is standard and is adjusted individually for each wheel.

Model-specific cues from the exterior are repeated inside: the shape of the round headlamps is reflected in the side air vents, and in the shape of the indicators in the tweeters. The redesigned dashboard has analogue tubes as dial instruments as standard. A fully digital Widescreen Cockpit with virtual instruments directly in the driver's field of vision and a central display above the center console can be added as upgrades. Two 12.3-inch displays visually blend into a single unit beneath a shared glass cover, with the driver able to choose from three different views—"Classic," "Sporty" and "Progressive"—and access the required information individually.

Available in early 2019, the 2019 Mercedes-AMG G 63 will have a starting MSRP of $147,500.. sl

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photo production: Schawk Studios Account Director: Tearle Calinog Photographer: BETHANY PUTERBAUGH Styling: Aimee Ventura / Maggie Jarecki Art Director: Tomoko Nagle Model: Colleen Kloster -- Factor Chosen

SOPHISTICATED SOURCE

Shearling, velvet, cashmere and more to keep you cozy and warm this season, plus the coolest art and interior design trends.

by Elise Hofer Shaw

Love Knot, 2018, acrylic on canvas (48” x 48”), $9,500, by artist Jeff Zimmermman at Zhou B Art Center, 773.523.0200.

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Pseudo Romantic cotton crop hoodie, $160, by Ksubi at select Barneys New York stores and barneys.com.

Sunglasses, $295, by Smoke x Mirrors at select Barneys New York stores and barneys.com.

Cashmere beanie with faux fur pom, $55, by Halogen x Atlantic-Pacific at Nordstrom stores.

GG Marmont mini matelassĂŠ bag, $1,980, at Gucci, 312.664.5504.

Purple Kush scented candle, $29, by Boy Smells at Nordstrom stores.

Ametrine ring with amethyst and diamond double halo, price upon request, by Sloane Street at Razny Jewelers, Hinsdale, 630.455.1900.

Button medium canister, $84, by Gary Bodker Designs at select Barneys New York stores and barneys.com.

Jaipur 18K chalcedony stud earrings, $550, by Marco Bicego at Neiman Marcus Michigan Avenue, 312.642.5900.

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Axtara earrings in Argentium silver, $1,095,

by GhostLine Designs, ghostlinedesigns.com.

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Far left: Zip-front large G logo lamb shearling jacket, $4,200, by Givenchy at Neiman Marcus Michigan Avenue, 312.642.5900.

Shearling logo tote bag, $2,650, by Balenciaga at Neiman Marcus Michigan Avenue, 312.642.5900.

Sutton cashmere and shearling earmuffs, $195, by Rag & Bone at select Barneys New York stores and barneys.com.

Shearling and leather belt bag, $1,250,

by Saint Laurent at select Barneys New York stores and barneys.com.

Albany jacket with bell sleeves and shearling collar, $1,195, by RtA at VMR, 312.330.3778.

Shearling-lined suede platform ankle boots, $1,785, by AlaĂŻa at select Barneys New York stores and barneys.com.

Fenn ottoman upholstered in Tibetan sheepskin with brass base, $1,395, at Jayson Home, 773.248.8180.

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Uhuh pet table lamps, $523-$711, by Marcel Wanders for Moooi at Lightology, 312.944.1000.

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Velvet ankle boots with signature “broken” heel, $1,610, by Unravel Project at VMR, 312.330.3778.

Elianna open-back velvet blouse, $525,

by Nili Lotan at select Barneys New York stores and barneys.com.

Velvet logo cap, $290,

by Moncler at Nordstrom stores.

No Limit Rockstud small velvet shoulder bag, $2,445, by Valentino Garavani at select Barneys New York stores and barneys.com.

Velvet Haze eau de parfum, $165 for 1.7 oz. or $250 for 3.4 oz., by Byredo at Neiman Marcus Michigan Avenue, 312.642.5900.

Legacy armchair upholstered in black velvet with brass base, $2,750, at Jayson Home, 773.248.8180.

Triangle velvet pillow (20” x 20”), $378, by Kevin O’Brien at Bedside Manor, 773.404.2020.

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Sparkle and Pop All Access minaudière box clutch, $1,950,

by Balmain; and sequined knee boot, $1,995,

by Alberta Ferretti, both at VMR, 312.330.3778.

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Moncler Genius Guanti fur gloves, $895, by Moncler at Neiman Marcus Michigan Avenue, 312.642.5900.

Fox fur earmuffs, $350, by Barneys New York at select Barneys New York stores and barneys.com.

Squad 185mm ChromaPop snow goggles, $130, by Smith at Nordstrom stores.

The 2019 Range Rover Evoque available in Five-door and Convertible body styles, and introducing the Landmark edition with base MSRP starting at $41,800, at Land Rover Chicago, A Howard Orloff Dealership, 773.227.3200

Cotton parka trimmed and lined with fur, $7,995, by Mr. & Mrs. Italy at select Barneys New York stores and barneys.com.

Moose Canuk beanie hat with fur pom-pom, $118, by Moose Knuckles at Neiman Marcus Michigan Avenue, 312.642.5900.

Chevron faux fur tall boots, $398, by Tory Sport at Neiman Marcus Michigan Avenue, 312.642.5900.

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FLORAL | LIGHTING | FABRIC | FURNITURE & DECOR | ART & GRAPHICS HMRDESIGNS.COM | 773.782.0800 | CHICAGO, IL

“Gangbang in Neon” mixed media on paper (18” x 24”)

CATCH HIM IF YOU CAN Chicago artist Jet Levant gets candid about creativity, eccentricities and finding his calling.

By Elise Hofer Shaw / Portrait by James Gustin for Fig Media

Artist Jet Levant’s studio loft on North Kingsbury Street is an anthropological playground. There are drawings of beautiful birds and maniacs in tuxedos on pieces of stationery from The Aria in Las Vegas to The Ritz in Tokyo, a large American flag, a random pile of Hello Kitty dolls and the faint smell of patchouli. The books on his coffee table run the gamut from Roy Lichtenstein: A Retrospective to Ten Apples Up On Top! by Dr. Seuss. There’s a bottle of Ford’s Gin on the table, too, from which Levant takes a swig before our photo shoot. “I hate being on this side of the camera,” says Levant, which is surprising since his all-American good looks are more than a little bit distracting. “My mother is a photographer, so basically that was my childhood.”

Born in L.A., Levant moved with his family—his father, a commodities broker, mother, twin sisters and dog, Oreo—to Chicago when he was just 2 years old. Spending his formative years growing up in Lincoln Park and, later, Bucktown, Levant attended five—yes, five—different high schools, including Lincoln Park High and Gordon Tech, eventually graduating from Beverly Hills.

“What can I say? High school wasn’t for me,” he shares with a shrug and a coy smile. So, in 2009, after realizing art was the only class he ever consistently received an A in, he decided to become an artist, setting up a makeshift studio in his mother’s garage.

What was it that Isaac Newton said? Genius is patience… and Levant is the first to admit that he had little in his early twenties. But instead of becoming a recluse or cutting his ear off, he decided he needed some serious discipline—and enlisted in the United States Navy. It was admittedly another snap decision, but Jet being Jet, it was either all or nothing. Levant won’t go into too much detail on the record, but trust me when I say he has some blockbuster stories.

Fast forward a few years, and realizing that he wanted to be his own commanding officer, Levant returned to Chicago in 2014 to channel all of that newfound discipline into his art fulltime. For the last four years, he’s been honing his craft, holed up in his spartan studio in Lincoln Park. The floors look like a Jackson Pollock piece, splattered and stained with paints from many a late night of working well past the witching hour. His influences, when asked—John Currin, George Condo, Pierre-Auguste

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Renoir, Takashi Murakami, Willem de Kooning, Arshile Gorky, Marcel Duchamp, James Jean… the list goes on—are as myriad as the media he works in: oil, acrylic and house paints; pastels, ink, graphite and charcoals. “I try not to limit myself to any one, two or even three mediums—sometimes on a single piece,” says Levant.

Perhaps best known for his Super Mario street art that first put his name on the map in 2015, Levant’s current lane seems to be abstract surrealism—for now, anyway. “My mind is tangent-rich,” says Levant. “You can look at my work as a whole from the last three years and think there are seven different artists, but it’s just mine.” But, like the man, his art has matured. Now, at 28, he’d rather spend a night in, painting, than a night out painting the town. And his hard work is paying off. He’s still riding the wave from his recent debut solo show, Inside My Mind, at AdventureLand Gallery in Wicker Park. “I’m slightly conceited,” he readily admits. “I thought people should see my work from 2015 up until now—to see it all at once. So I hung 60 pieces salon-style. Organized chaos, if you will.” He has a group show with Tony Fitzpatrick under his belt, too, and some big-time commissions are coming in courtesy of the buzz surrounding his portraits of famous musicians like Jimi Hendrix and Madonna, which can be seen at live music lounge Bassment in River North.

So what do we really know about Jet Levant? You can’t put him in a box. The minute you think you have him and his art figured out, he changes it up. And despite the whimsy and Cubist cartoon characters, he’s an old soul, which resonates through his work.

Oh yeah, and he likes to paint barefoot. The tattoos on his toes read “chaos” and “order”—a fitting dichotomy for Levant.

For now, anyway. sl jetlevant.com

Chicago artist Jet Levant at his Kingsbury Street studio

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Pa i n t e d P r a y e r s a n d T h e A r t o f I n t e n t i o n #4 Cherry Blossom Chrysanthemums from the James’ Prayer Series OIL + GOLD LEAF ON STRETCHED LINEN 66” sq., 2018

HANDS ON Hammer Design Group’s Ari Smejkal spreads his wings while building upon Chicago’s go-to shop for gorgeous, custom woodwork.

By Lisa Shames / Portrait by James Gustin for Fig Media When a homeowner wanted a custom treehouse built inside of her North Shore mansion—complete with a giant slide, bridge and climbing wall—she knew just the guy to call: Ari Smejkal of Chicago’s Hammer Design Group. The same name came up for a Boeing Company airlines executive when he needed someone to create a safe room inside his home’s wine cellar. And when Alison Victoria, host of HGTV’s Windy City Rehab, needs a savvy carpenter, Smejkal is on speed dial.

But to simply call Smejkal a “carpenter” or “woodworker” is a gross understatement. “Ari is an unrivaled artisan,” says Victoria, who has collaborated with Smejkal for more than five years. “I can send him a picture of a random French Gothic door I saw in Paris and he can recreate it for me. He can take a 100-year-old mantel and refurbish it, expand on it, and if I want two builtins to match, he can do that, too.”

It’s safe to say that Smejkal, 55, was born to be an artisan woodworker. His great-grandfather was a carpenter in the former Czechoslovakia. At age 15, Smejkal began working alongside his grandfather and father, also carpenters, in the Fox Lake area of northern Illinois, building boats, docks, houses and, he says, “pretty much anything and everything you can imagine having to do with construction.” In the mid-1980s, he headed to Southern Illinois University to study landscape architecture, but by that time he already had his own company with seven employees. So in 1983, with the economy on a dive, Smejkal decided to leave school and focus his attention full-time on his growing business— and hasn’t looked back since. Today, he counts more than 10,000 pieces of handmade furniture and some 1,000 custom-built homes, restaurants and nightclubs among his handiwork.

From 1993-1995, his Hammer Design Group’s home base was a showroom in Barrington in an old ammunition factory.

A move to the city in ’95 came next with a shop in the old Engine Company 42 firehouse at 228 W. Illinois St. in River North along with a shared space in The Merchandise Mart to showcase Smejkal’s custom furniture. When the economy shifted again in 2008, Hammer Design Group moved its production to La Grange and added a small pop-up store in Portage, Mich., once again proving its agility. Currently business is booming, and a 3,000-square-foot workshop in the West Loop is where

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the woodworking magic happens. And next year, Smejkal plans to open a gallery and showroom on the farm he recently purchased—and is in the midst of rehabbing—in Germantown, Wisc., not far from Milwaukee.

As anyone who has worked with him will attest, one of Smejkal’s greatest gifts is tapping into trends before they catch fire, an ability nurtured, he says in his unassuming way, by his diverse roster of clients across the United States. “Traveling so much, I get to see trends before they come down the pike.” His sixth sense for the next big trend has served him well over the years, Smejkal says, referencing a reclaimed-wood table he saw in 1991 in an article about Ralph Lauren. “I began making my own version and selling them at the Kane County Flea Market in St. Charles, Ill. At the time, reclaimed wood tables were a relatively new style that was about to catch on. I sold one to a member of the Walgreen family who ended up hiring me to design her house as well.” Other big-name Hammer Design Group clients include Joan Cusack and the Chicago Blackhawks’

Oscar de la Renta blue-gray strapless tulle gown with gathered accents at bust, boning at bodice, full skirt with high-low hem and concealed zip closure at back. $450 to rent for 7 days at BY:FASHIONAHOLIC, 312.624.8803.

Hammer Design Group founder Ari Smejkal

Brent Seabrooks. “Next thing we knew, we were doing stuff all over the country and flying all over for commissioned jobs,” he says.

Smejkal also has the keen ability to visualize something in his head and then build it, and has earned a reputation for being undaunted by a project that others might consider too difficult.

“We’re the guys that, when people can’t figure out a way to do something cool, they call us,” he says. That means everything from the aforementioned tree house to custom built-ins and cabinets to entire rooms with everything made by hand. His woodwork can also be spied in Chicago restaurants Aba, Beatrix and Summerhouse, as well as chic boutique hotels such as the Graduate Hotels in Minnesota, West Virginia and Milwaukee. “We enjoy doing the research and coming up with new and different ideas and concepts,” says Smejkal, who now boasts a team of six, bringing on specialized guys when the project demands.

It’s a sentiment echoed by Wade Weissmann, president of Wade Weissmann Architecture and a longtime collaborator with

Hammer Design. “There are people that you work with who, when you give them an idea, they immediately start looking for reasons as to why it won’t work. Ari is just the opposite,” says Weissmann.

“One of the huge values he adds is that he’s an artist who is constantly exploring new and better ways to hone his craft.”

In fact, Smejkal is expanding his artistic horizons as we speak, creating large-scale abstract paintings and experimentalstyle sculptures—skills he picked up while watching and working alongside his friend, painter René Romero Schuler. A show in the spring at a gallery in Lake Forest is in the works. “I’m getting older, and I don’t want to be doing heavy construction all my life,” says Smejkal of his newest venture.

But that doesn’t mean Hammer Design Group—or, for that matter, Ari Smejkal—is slowing down. With his three sons now working by his side, his business is stronger than ever. Apparently, when it comes to this family, the apples don’t fall far from the tree. sl Hammer Design Group, 346 N. Justine St., Suite 402, 773.742.3160. hammerdesigngroup.com

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ALMIGHTYSPIRITS.COM

A channel-stitched sofa from Restoration Hardware, an oversize globe lamp from Noir and a navy cowhide rug from Garrett Leather create a clean-yet-cozy setting in the family room.

HOME, SWEET HOME PROjECT. Interiors puts a global-luxe spin on a family home in Hinsdale.

By Marissa Conrad / Photography by Cynthia Lynn Photography and Christopher Bradley Photography “Unapologetically distinct” is how Aimee Wertepny describes the work she and her tight-knit tribe do at PROjECT. Interiors, the design studio she founded in 2005. Indeed, PROjECT. has a reputation for creating some of the most fierce living spaces in Chicago, mixing edgy pieces with glamorous, glossy, highcontrast decor—all while expressing the personality of the family who owns the home. “Our interiors evoke storytelling,” says PROjECT. designer Lauren Warnock. “Once we leave and the family’s living there, they are surrounded by collected, meaningful items that we’ve carefully curated—there’s a story to tell.”

For a recent home redesign Warnock spearheaded in Hinsdale, the story starts with a family of four with a unique travel goal: to see the seven wonders of the world together.

“Channeling the family’s interest in travel was important,” Warnock says. So was displaying a few especially meaningful family heirlooms. In the dining room, she turned a collection of saris that had belonged to the owner’s mother into a piece of art, draping them on custom Lucite sculptures alongside strings of glass beads made in the mountains of Ghana by the Ashanti and Krobo tribes. The sculptures play off a pair of PROjECT.-

designed head chairs sporting Lucite legs, suede fringe, black-leather-studded trim and a serious rock ’n’ roll vibe. The juxtaposition is striking.

“This house was definitely missing contrast,” Warnock says. “It was more of a dark, traditional, jewel-toned home, and they wanted to modernize it without doing a whole lot of construction.”

Because the owners love to entertain, the PROjECT. team turned what used to be a formal living room into a sexy music lounge with pops of metal, from a Maxim Lighting chandelier draped with nickel-finished jewelry chain to swoopy metallic graffiti hand-painted by artist Amanda Morrison of Colorblind. “This was our version of an oil painting,” Wertepny says of Morrison’s handiwork.

In fact, throughout the home, “our best ally was paint,” Warnock says. “We repainted pretty much every surface.” In the kitchen, rather than replace the cabinets, they painted them in a deep shade, complementing that with a new, modern island and hood. In other rooms, they paired stark white walls with rich black window frames, helping achieve the contrast they sought. “The window frames make such a bold statement,” Wertepny says. “It really changed the character of the home.”

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The library’s outgoing personality comes courtesy of a curved sofa from Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, an antiqued mirror cocktail table from Jayson Home and a “framed photos” wallcovering from Andrew Martin.

Above, from left to right: A white oak pedestal table from Mr. Brown, an emerald green glass side table from Luminaire and a Grande Hand Bowl from Global Views make for a chic first impression in the foyer. For the guest bedroom, PROjECT. picked linen bedding by Parachute, a graphite leather headboard from Restoration Hardware and a wall-hanging monkey lamp

by Seletti. A crystal chandelier from Restoration Hardware and puffy chairs from Ligne Roset punctuate the kitchen’s breakfast nook.

Playful pieces—a PROjECT. signature—pop up around the house, including a Seletti pendant lamp that looks like a monkey dangling from the wall, clutching an Edison bulb on a string; and, in the kitchen, Ligne Roset Serpentine chairs designed by French artist Eléonore Nalet. “Those chairs are one of our favorite pieces ever,” Wertepny says. Resting on each simple aluminum frame is a showstopping marshmallow-puffed white cushion, made of indoor-outdoor fabric that can handle spills, sunlight and whatever else comes its way.

Accessorizing the home’s library came back to travel.

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from around the world, as well as other objects the family loves, including their leaning Buddha statue, a carved bone sculpture and a set of meditation bowls from India. To finish the space, Warnock chose wallpaper by Andrew Martin Studio, printed with a pattern that looks like hundreds of individual black-andwhite Polaroid pictures.

Roche Bobois Sensation dining room chairs in a rich emerald are one of the few pops of color in this black, white, gray and metallic home. “I can count on one hand where there’s a moment of color in this house, but when there is, it’s there,” Warnock says.

The dining room delivers drama thanks to emerald green velvet chairs from Roche Bobois, custom fringed head chairs by Bradley Hughes and an art wall featuring tokens from the family’s travels.

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Large scale concrete gray tiles by Porcelanosa, a River Stone cocktail table by Phillips Collection and a woven pendant light by Bover keep things Zen in the family’s sunroom.

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A custom bed by Barron Custom Furniture, flanked by black lacquered and textured chests by Kara Mann for Baker Furniture, anchors the light and bright master bedroom.

For the master bathroom, PROjECT. chose a custom vanity by Green Millwork Living, steel-framed round mirrors by Croft House, sconces from Studio Dunn and a concrete soaking tub by Native Trails.

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On the second floor landing, a charred wood female sculpture from Gold Leaf Design stands atop a highgloss lacquer table with raw wood legs from Jayson Home.

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PROjECT. upped the elegance in the music lounge by commissioning artist Amanda Morrison of Colorblind to hand-paint a sexy, graffiti-esque design on the walls.

PROjECT. even gave the outside a refresh, scattering illuminated white mod balls throughout the spacious yard, amid clean-lined outdoor furniture framed by a trellis strung with patio lights. The result is stunning, especially in front of the home’s castle-like exterior.

In the end, both Warnock and Wertepny appreciate that the owners gave PROjECT. free reign to do what the studio does best. “We do our best work when we’re allowed the freedom to be innovative, when we have clients who appreciate our creative and whacky ideas. We love working with clients that are excited about us bringing it,” Wertepny says. She’s also thankful for PROjECT.’s trusty partners, including Konrad with Konrad’s Paint Effects, who did most of the painting, and contractor Mike Zalud with

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Northridge Builders, who helped with an overhaul of the master bathroom—the only room they had to do a total remodel on.

“Throughout the home, we chose carefully what to demolish and what to preserve,” she says. “No need to add to a landfill if a version of what was there could be cool.”

Environmentalism and philanthropy are both important to Wertepny, Warnock and the other five members of the PROjECT. tribe. A few years ago, they traveled to Nicaragua with an organization called Build On to help build the foundation for a school. Next up is a trip to Nepal with the same organization. “We’ll do a trip every two to three years,” Wertepny says. The work is a perfect fit with their team philosophy: “Make design matter.” sl PROjECT. Interiors, 3146 W. Chicago Ave., 773.394.1174. projectinteriors.com

THE SUM OF ITS PARTS

Chicago’s own The Revel Group raises the bar on creating radical events that leave a lasting impression.

By Lisa Shames / Photography by Erika Dufour

“Over promise, over deliver” is the mantra at The Revel Group, Chicago’s premier event marketing and production agency known for delivering unforgettable, buzz-worthy, Insta-fabulous experiential parties for occasions big and small. But Revel is so much more than your average party production firm. Technically speaking, it’s an integrated events agency with five independent companies—decor, catering, destination management, three physical events spaces and a hipster bodega—all under one roof, working together to create some of Chicago’s chicest experiences. Or, more simply put: “We celebrate better,” says Britt Whitfield, founder and CEO, on what sets Revel apart from other event companies out there. And with some 5,000 statement-making events under its belt last year alone, odds are you’ve experienced the magic of what Revel can do for yourself, be it at a wedding, gala or branding bash.

Back when Revel opened for business in 2007, though, things were a bit more improvisational. “It was just myself and a small group of dope people producing events without any rules—and having a great time while doing it,” says Whitfield, a self-confessed rabble-rouser, who cut her teeth at two of Chicago’s top catering companies before heading out on her own.

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But while the company has grown considerably over the last decade, Revel still remains firmly focused on fun—both in regards to the out-of-the-box events it creates and the teams that put them together. “We have designed a bad-ass company culture that allows us to be creative,” says Whitfield. “We put a lot of time, energy, care and heart into establishing that kind of environment for our employees to thrive and be artistic.”

It’s a concept that’s translated into countless devoted clients.

For more than five years, The Revel Group has been the Cubs Charities event management company of choice and has worked several of its fundraisers, including Rizzo’s Cook Off for Cancer.

When The 606 unveiled its $95 million elevated park, the org worked with Revel to help produce the over-the-top gala, which included a 20,000-square-foot tent, opening remarks from Mayor Rahm Emanuel and small bites from celebrity chef Rick Bayless.

Beyond its high-profile client list, which includes Google, FCB, Sprout Social and Optiver, The Revel Group was No. 21 on Crain’s 2018 list of the Chicago area’s 50 fastest-growing businesses.

But to truly understand what Revel is capable of, you need to breakdown the separate businesses that comprise it.

Black acrylic tables topped with up-lit black pampas grass set a cool and moody scene for a recent omakase dinner hosted by The Revel Group to showcase Limelight Catering Executive Chef Tony Quartaro’s inventive fare.

Opposite page, clockwise from top left: Yang cocktail: Nigori “milky” sake, vanilla vodka and lychee syrup garnished with cherry pâte de fruit screw. Edamame and black truffle gyoza dumplings. Parsnip ice cream with puffed amaranth and caramelized white chocolate drizzled with parsnip “honey” (juiced parsnips cooked down with lemon and sugar until honey-like in texture).

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Guests enjoying chef Quartaro’s one-of-a-kind omakase tasting

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Cured Hokkaido scallops with ajo blanco and green fennel served with a foamy mousse made of ajo blanco (a traditional Spanish white gazpacho with garlic, grapes, green apples and Marcona almonds)

Revel Décor, the first branch to be added in 2008, heads up the design and production arm of the company, ranging from florals and immersive environmental creations to custom build-outs. Revel Space runs the brand’s three venues: Revel Fulton Market, a 30,000-square-foot urban-chic warehouse; Revel Motor Row, a restored 50,000-square-foot city landmark building in the South Loop; and Vertiport, a flexible warehouse space in the heart of the Illinois Medical District.

Then there’s Spotlight, which specializes in Chicago destination management, including assisting out-of-town guests with accommodations and activities as well as transportation and logistics. And don’t forget Limelight Catering, one of the city’s premier catering companies and a pioneer in the local food movement at events.

Limelight joined The Revel Group in 2014 and recently brought on Tony Quartaro as its executive chef and secret weapon for creative cuisine that keeps people talking (see sidebar). Revel also runs Belly Flop, a groovy summer beach bodega in Long Beach, Ind., because, well, it’s fun—and because the sun-seeking crowds from Chicago are big business, says Whitfield.

All of Revel’s divisions can be used separately or together.

“It allows us to have such a different level of talent than our competition in these individual buckets,” says Whitfield in regards to the group’s broad bandwidth. And the buzz is at fever pitch. The company recently signed on to handle events nationwide for Zillow, the online real estate database company. “We’ve always done events outside the Chicago market, but we’ve never had a client that utilized us for everything in every market,” says Whitfield.

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Limelight Catering’s service teams are always polished and professional.

Cauliflower and black truffle Japanese egg custard (a.k.a. “chawanmushi”) served with purple radish, red crab and calamansi of macerated apple and radish

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For Limelight Catering’s recent omakase dinner held at a pop-up gallery in the West Loop, The Revel Group opted for hyper-modern, hand-painted cocktail tables to complement Chicago photographer Jason M. Peterson’s photographs.

Tuna poke push pop with avocado, yuzu and nori

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Looking forward, Revel plans on exploring new ways for guests to interact with food and beverage (think spray-painted “graffiti desserts” that guests can design themselves) and upping its game when it comes to collaborating with organizations that bring change to communities. And while it might be a bit controversial, Whitfield predicts cannabis will play a role at events in the notso-distant future. “Who knows what crazy stuff we’re going to be doing, but we’re definitely going to continue positioning ourselves as the people who do it best,” says Whitfield, clearly amped about Revel’s opportunity to spread its wings.

“A great event isn’t just based on a hashtag or a wow factor, although those can definitely be part of it,” Whitfield says, summing up. “If people at our events walk away thinking, ‘I didn’t want this party to end,’ then we’ve done our job.” sl The Revel Group, 2412 S. Michigan Ave., 773.292.9100. therevelgroup.com

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Homemade mini English muffin, smoked sablefish, bottarga (cured and pressed tuna roe) aioli, Blis steelhead roe and dill from Closed Loop Farms. “The idea was for a lox and bagel effect with a more tender and luxurious bite,” says chef Quartaro.

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Leave it to Limelight Catering’s Executive Chef Tony Quartaro to bring inventive flavor combinations to your next event— one bite at a time. Tuna poke push pop, chicken-skin-wrapped sweetbreads, housemade mini English muffins with smoked sablefish, Hokkaido scallop carpaccio, parsnip ice cream with puffed amaranth and caramelized white chocolate… This isn’t your average event fare. And that’s because Tony Quartaro—with some 13 years of restaurant experience, including time at The Bristol, Balena and Formento’s—isn’t a typical catering chef.

Since starting a few months back as executive chef of Limelight Catering, a division of The Revel Group, Quartaro has already turned out private dinners for 10 people and massive events for 1,000. Then there was the recent omakase dinner for 85 people, which included the dishes mentioned above along with five more flavor-pushing courses and an unforgettable, cereal-inspired dessert table.

“For me, one of the biggest selling points when I came on board is that the single goal at these events is to surpass clients’ expectations and to make sure the guest experience is out of this world,” says Quartaro. “With my culinary experience combined with the team’s operational background, together we can explore the less obvious routes when it comes to creating food that’s outside the box.” limelightcatering.com

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GOOD DESIGN

The XS Tennis facility lobby features donated tile from Fireclay Tile and Crossville.

D4D provided more than $230,000 of donated materials and pro bono design services to make the facility a reality for Chicago’s underserved youth.

Designs for Dignity is transforming Chicago’s nonprofit spaces and empowering lives through thoughtful (and thought-provoking) design.

By Marissa Nelson A few years ago, Apna Ghar, the nonprofit that, along with advocacy and counseling services, provides housing to survivors of gender-based violence, was operating out of a small, single-family home on Chicago’s North Side. The gathering spaces, like many homes, were open. The living room connected to the kitchen, and there wasn’t a designated space for the Apna Ghar staff to privately hold one-on-one counseling sessions with its residents.

“Part of the living room was sectioned off as the staff ’s workspace, and that’s where survivors would have to come and tell their oftentimes very difficult stories,” says Neha Gill, executive director of Apna Ghar. “There was no privacy.” At the time, the nonprofit served about 15 people at a time, each residing under its roof for about three months. This meant that roughly 100 people lived in the home each year. That kind of traffic wore down the home pretty quickly, says Gill. “We had been making the space work as a shelter—as a kind of emergency safe home for the survivors, adults and children. But we knew it wasn’t ideal, and had begun to think about transitioning into a different, more empowering kind of space.”

So in 2015, Apna Ghar reached out to Designs for Dignity (D4D), the River North nonprofit on a mission to renovate and design new spaces for nonprofit organizations by leveraging nonprofit project budgets and in-kind donations to create environments that empower both its clients and its staff.

Apna Ghar had a vision: The new facility should be able to accommodate more people, yet retain the home-like environment the current space had. This meant incorporating a calming color scheme, comfortable couches and reading spaces in each bedroom.

It required adding commercial-grade plumbing, heating, and cooling, as well as a larger kitchen and, most importantly, private spaces for counseling sessions and meetings with residents.

“It’s simple things. It’s creating a functional kitchen. It’s having a workflow that makes sense,” says Jennifer Sobecki, CEO and executive director of D4D, who spearheaded the 100 slmag.net

Apna Ghar project with the help of Chicago designers Elizabeth Pasquinelli (debaun studio) and Lauren Smith (Lauren M. Smith Interiors), who donated their time and materials. “Design is beautiful, and should be attainable for everyone—to live and work and thrive in an environment that lifts you up and helps you be your best self.”

Since its inception in 2000, D4D has transformed more than 250 nonprofit spaces, secured more than $10 million worth of donated furnishings and materials, and provided more than 90,000 pro bono design hours (which equates to about $12 million) to worthy Chicago organizations like Y.O.U. Evanston, Anixter Center, JourneyCare Hospice Facility and Aspire Career Academy. And while most of D4D’s projects are in the Chicagoland area, its impact is now bicoastal, too, through nonprofits like Y2Y (Youth to Youth) in Boston, Cream City Foundation in Milwaukee and Society of St. Vincent de Paul in San Francisco. “At the end of the day, what we’re providing is a commercial-grade product that is going to withstand the test of time,” Sobecki says. “So they’re not operating out of mismatched chairs and sofas that a board member or a donor gave them because they were gathering dust in their basement.”

The immediate D4D team is small but mighty, including Sobecki, Design and Logistics Coordinator Jordyn Hunter and design intern extraordinaire Julia Richardson. However, the nonprofit’s support system spans far and wide, including its board

Case managers at Y.O.U. meeting in the staff lounge which was transformed with the support of D4D.

The community kitchen at the Apna Ghar shelter in Chicago was designed by D4D

D4D provided more than $89,000 in donated design services and material donations to outfit the Y.O.U. (Youth & Opportunity United) facility in Evanston.

of directors, associate board, Dignity Circle members (D4D’s individual donor gifting circle where donors give a minimum of $1,000 annually toward its programs and operations) and currently about 500 volunteers. And those boards are stacked with some big names in Chicago design, including Michael Abrams, Jordana Joseph of Jorje, Fredman Design Group CEO Terri Crittenden, Nicholas Moriarty and Space Defined’s Diane Falanga.

At any given time, D4D has about 15 active projects in the works. So how does it all come together? First, the nonprofit organization seeking help from D4D pays an impact grant fee that can range from $5,000 to $25,000 depending on the scope of the project. This covers the coordination of the project as well as the delivery and installation of donated furniture and materials.

Next, each project is assigned a team, which includes two or three designers who volunteer their time for the project. From there, the team designs the target space, utilizing its established network of companies, vendors and manufacturers to secure donated or discounted furniture, materials and services. And while D4D’s volunteer designers do not provide architectural services, they are involved in every part of the process, offering advice and collaborating with vendors willing to pitch in for a good cause.

When working with Apna Ghar, D4D was most influential in designing the kitchen at its new facility. “Our team recognized that the kitchen needed to be larger than the original design in order

to accommodate the number of people that would be living in the space,” says Gill. “The new facility would be able to accommodate 30 people, twice the capacity of the older facility—and that’s where the bulk of our resources needed to go.” The design team also helped choose the flooring, countertops, cabinets and furniture. In total, D4D provided more than $148,000 worth of pro bono design services, furniture and material donations to Apna Ghar. “It was a huge return on investment, not just in terms of the space itself, financially, but also in terms of connecting the design community to a charity that needs continuous support and awareness,” says Gill. “I think that’s been as rewarding as the savings that we had.”

Looking forward to D4D’s 20th anniversary, which is only one year away, Sobecki says the nonprofit has high hopes for taking its mission to more states across the country. They also hope to grow their own infrastructure in order to expand upon the good work they do, helping more nonprofits and empowering more lives through design.

“Designs for Dignity is based in such an important kind of idea that people who need help deserve the dignity that all of us deserve,” Gill says. “Every individual should have access to environments that support the wellness of the human spirit. Our ability to create spaces that reflect that is really important and, from our experience, really transformative.” sl Designs for Dignity, 445 N. Wells St., Suite 402, 800.351.6354. designs4dignity.org

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SOPHISTICATED SOCIETY Presented by

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The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation presents the Jean Banchet Awards for Culinary Excellence, banchetawards.com The official kickoff event of Chicago Restaurant Week, First Bites Bash, benefitting Pilot Light, features food tastings from more than 65 of Chicago’s most celebrated chefs and restaurants, choosechicago.com Chicago Restaurant Week will be the largest ever in its 12-year history, with more than 390 local restaurants, choosechicago.com Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago hosts the 18th annual d’Vine Affair, catholiccharities.net/dvine

DARKROOM Feb. 28 at Venue SIX10, 610 S. Michigan Ave. VIP Reception | 5:30-6:30PM Benefit Auction and Party | 6:30-9PM Join the photography community for the Museum of Contemporary Photography’s annual benefit auction and party, DARKROOM, and enjoy a festive evening of cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and an auction. All proceeds will support MoCP exhibitions, public programs and community engagement initiatives. This year’s event will honor photographer Lalla Essaydi with the Silver Camera Award for her contributions to the field. Tickets available at mocp.org.

Converging Territories #11, 2006, by Lalla Essaydi. Image courtesy of the Museum of Contemporary Photography

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Grand Chefs Experience benefitting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, cffgrandchefs.com 10th Annual Eisenopoly benefitting the Eisenberg Foundation, eisenbergfoundation.org “i have a Voice” gala benefitting GiGi’s Playhouse Down Syndrome Achievement Centers, gigisplayhouse.org The Joffrey Ballet presents the world premiere of Yuri Possokhov’s historic reimagining of Leo Tolstoy’s classic novel, Anna Karenina, joffrey.org The 39th annual Boys Hope Girls Hope of Illinois Women’s Board Evening of Hope Gala, chicagobhgh.org

Photos by Stephen Lotho Photography

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BEDROOMS & BUBBLES

The new Bedside Manor flagship store in Lincoln Park welcomed more than 50 guests to fete its new, larger location on Halsted Street. Co-hosted by Alison Victoria and SL magazine, the party filled the store with longtime customers, friends and vendors—some that traveled from as far as New York and California for the celebration. Pistil & Vine provided the florals, while Limelight Catering served up creative bites and Diamond Importers kept glasses full.

The elegant new store now boasts twice as much space for vignettes that showcase handmade furniture, beautiful bedding and home decor, not to mention an expanded bath area devoted to top brands like Abyss Habidecor, Yves Delorme, Matouk and Missoni. –Taylor Morgan

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1) Annie Colegrove with Bedside Manor owners Michael and Meg Carroll 2) Store manager Karen Willman, Carol Ysla and Vanessa Gargantos 3) Fernanda Cabeceira. Guests enjoyed pours of wine courtesy of Diamond Importers while admiring Bedside Manor’s beautiful linens. 4) Annie Schweitzer and SL magazine Editor-In-Chief Elise Hofer Shaw 5) Kathleen Carroll and Molly Montgomery 6) Allyson Jurkschat, Margy Heinrichs, Karen Willman, SL magazine Owner/Publisher Alison Victoria, Nancy Laatsch and Meg Carroll 7) Bedside Manor dressed the front bed in Missoni Home for the Bedrooms & Bubbles party. 8) Limelight Catering served delicious appetizers to guests at the Bedrooms & Bubbles event.

Photos by Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images for Barneys New York

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BARNEYS NEW YORK X CRF EVENT

Barneys New York Creative Ambassador at Large Simon Doonan, along with Karina and Jason Heinrich, and Amy and Jason Williams, hosted an evening of celebration and shopping in support of the Children’s Research Foundation (CRF) at the Barneys New York store in Chicago. Jewelry designer Eli Halili, handbag designer Jeffrey Levinson and shoe designer Valentina Micchetti of Alevi were all present to help support the cause. Established in 1951 for the sole purpose of raising funds to advance medical research, CRF has raised more than $100 million toward its cause. –Elise Hofer Shaw

1) Jason Williams, Kyle Schauenberg, Trevor Schauenberg and Amy Williams 2) Erika Maschmeyer, Michelle Delaney, Michelle Dermenjian and Justyna Della Balle 3) Designers Jeffrey Levinson, Valentina Micchetti and Eli Halili 4) Simon Doonan, Creative Ambassador-at-Large of Barneys New York 5) Janet Mandell and Ceta Walters 6) Emilia Silva, Ana Ernst and Lisa Marie McComb 7) Karina Heinrich and Stephanie Applebaum

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Photos by SeanSuPhoto | PurplePhotoCo

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GOLD COAST FASHION AWARD SHOW

The Children’s Service Board, an affiliate organization of Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, hosted its signature fundraiser, Gold Coast Fashion Award Show (GCFAS). The event added more than $1.2 million to their new campaign to raise $2.5 million over the next two years for the Department of Family Services. Held at Revel Fulton Market in the West Loop, the 63rd annual GCFAS kicked off with a cocktail reception and fare from many of Chicago’s top restaurants, including Aba, Le Colonial and Steak 48. Later, guests enjoyed a high-fashion presentation from Neiman Marcus Michigan Avenue as well as a paddle raise and live auction. –Sally Mayer

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1) Emily and Justin Manly 2) Allyson Becker (CSB co-chair), Alison Heyman (CSB co-chair), Emily Flaherty, Kirsten Schloss and Darcey Collins 3) A behind-the-scenes peek during the Neiman Marcus Michigan Avenue fashion show 4) Cynthia Holbrook, Wendy Krimins, Susan Wyderka and Tina Koegel 5) The evening’s fashion presentation courtesy of Neiman Marcus Michigan Avenue 6) Rebekah Shalit, Erin Estell and Julie Lakonishok 7) A model wearing a blazer by Altuzarra and pants by Theory with earrings by Oscar de la Renta and a bag by Balenciaga

Photos by Stephen Lotho Photography

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KITCHEN CONFIDENTIAL: EGGERSMANN KITCHENS/ HOME LIVING X SL MAGAZINE EVENING OF DESIGN More than 30 VIP designers and influencers attended Kitchen Confidential, an evening of cocktails and conversations at Eggersmann Kitchens/Home Living in River North. Co-hosted by SL magazine and HGTV star Alison Victoria, guests—including interior designer Brynn Olson and Windy City Rehab star Donovan Eckhardt—mixed and mingled throughout the showroom, exploring Eggersmann’s newest, cutting-edge collections. Chefs from BOKA Catering Group circulated bites from GT Fish & Oyster and GT Prime for partygoers to sample alongside sips of wine from Diamond Importers, and musicians Daniel Legacy and Carolina Gómez played the violin and cello, respectively, for everyone’s listening enjoyment. –SM 3

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1) Musicians Daniel Legacy (violin) and Carolina Gómez (cello) provided the evening’s entertainment. 2) BOKA Catering Group plated creative dishes from restaurants GT Fish & Oyster and GT Prime. 3) Eggersmann’s contemporary spin on a traditional kitchen layout featuring Calcatta Fiume honed worktops and Windsor sandblasted, solid European oak doors.

4) Annie Schweitzer, Emily Ahlering, Elizabeth Miller and Kim Bowman 5) Brynn Olson and Donovan Eckhardt 6) SL magazine Owner/Publisher Alison Victoria, Lucas Fuksa and SL magazine Creative Director Bridget Daley 7) Sherri Kirschbaum 8) Guests sipped fine wines courtesy of Diamond Importers.

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CHILL, AN INTERNATIONAL WINE AND CULINARY EVENT

LuxeHome at theMART Chicago, in partnership with Wine Spectator magazine, welcomed more than 3,000 guests to the 12th annual CHILL: An International Wine and Culinary Event. The evening featured 150 superb wines from winemakers worldwide paired with cuisine from more than 50 distinguished Chicago chefs, all enjoyed amidst the ambience of the world’s largest collection of premier boutiques for home building and renovation. More than $250,000 was raised for The Lynn Sage Foundation, Respiratory Health Foundation and Saturday Place. –TM

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1) Rama Dandamudi and Toni McIntosh 2) Lauren Niimi, Shivani Desai and Anna Sosa 3) Cameron Sage, Laura Sage and Halee Sage 4) Max Stern, Margaret McSweeney and Denise Buchar 5) Mindy Segal and Jaime Laurita 6) Zachary and Rachel Schulman with Kristen Opsahl and Brandon Ham 7) Rashied Davis (in hat) with attendees

Photos by Widia Viti Photography & Rush Photo Group

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AN EVENING OF WHIMSY

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The Woman’s Board of Rush University Medical Center presented its second annual fall benefit, An Evening of Whimsy, at The Art Institute of Chicago. The party drew nearly 300 Chicago-area civic and social leaders and featured cocktails in the Chicago Stock Exchange Trading Room, a seated dinner in Griffin Court and post-dinner dancing to the sounds of Indigo. Chaired by Chicago’s Samantha Schwalm, the event raised more than $350,000 to help the Woman’s Board achieve its goal of raising $450,000 to expand the Rush Education and Career Hub. –TM

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1) Colby Gaines 2) Frannie Garvey, Samantha Schwalm, Dr. Andrea Madrigrano and Laura Malec 3) SL mag Creative Director Bridget Daley and SL mag Owner/Publisher Alison Victoria 4) Susan Merlin 5) Caroline Burns 6) Mirja Haffner and Marion Rice 7) Lenore and Bill MacDonald

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MANSION: A SOFA SOIRÉE

The Golden Triangle and River North Design District (RNDD) hosted the inaugural after-party for SOFA CHICAGO, Chicago’s premier gallery-presented art fair dedicated to three-dimensional art and design. The party took place inside The Golden Triangle’s showroom in River North, where more than 300 guests were invited to peruse more than 20 works by Chicago artist Adam Siegel, including the debut of his new show, Archetype: Excavation and Expectation. Orchestrated by eventeur Jon Cotay, the evening featured music by DJ Kimberlite, dancing, performance art, food from Eataly and artisanal beverages from Not Your Father’s Bourbon and New Amsterdam Vodka. –SM 5

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1) Kasia Fahmy, Jai Myers and Carrie Lannon 2) Victor Mateevitsi and Vasia Rigou 3) Mimi the Entertainer 4) Johnson Yur, Darcy Nathanson, Ed Horner and Connie Horner 5) Jessica Johnson and Sarah Solomon 6) DJ Kimberlite 7) Doug Van Tress and Mark Yee

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SL MAGAZINE COVER LAUNCH PARTY

WarholKids and Sophisticated Living Chicago magazine welcomed more than 200 artists, influencers, contributors and clients to the magazine’s latest cover launch party. At a pop-up gallery courtesy of Colorblind and featuring the work of Chicago photographer Jason M. Peterson, guests posed for pictures in front of an oversize version of the black-and-white cover (Peterson’s Faded photograph of a couple embracing by the Cloud Gate), sampled creative bites by Limelight Catering/The Revel Group, sipped custom cocktails by Almighty Spirits and wines by Diamond Importers, and listened to music sets by New York DJ Jonny Famous. –EHS

1) Karina Heinrich, Ryan Marks and Chantel Luxem 2) Seth Savoy and Nikki Moore 3) Mary Pat Wallace, Debra DiMaggio and Jade Thamasucharit 4) Ji Suk Yi and Mickayla Jay Murray 5) SL magazine Owner/Publisher Alison Victoria and photographer Jason M. Peterson 6) Mark Gill and Greg Weinstein 7) Kelli Meyer, Kristen Maslowski and Becki Colby 8) Kevin Hickey and Michael Zhou

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SOPHISTICATED WOMAN

By Bridget Daley / Portrait by James Gustin for Fig Media

TERRI CRITTENDEN CEO, Fredman Design Group

When you look back on your career so far, what are the moments that you are most proud of? I am most proud to be in the company of the humans at Fredman Design Group [FDG], who believe in building something that matters. As a team, we honor each other’s growth and success. As a company, we are passionate about cultivating a future for new interior design creatives.

What is your favorite quote or motto? I have a few that I love, but the one that sits next to me everyday reads, “Be truthful, gentle and fearless.”

Who is your mentor or muse? My FDG family has been my mentor for many years. I have grown into myself with their support and guidance, and sometimes our shared challenges.

They have taught me to lead with love even when it feels impossible, and that collaboration is the very best gift we can give each other.

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What sets your soul on fire? The magic of seeing and experiencing amazing creativity. I’m inspired by innovation and thinking big and what’s next. It all reminds me of the endless design possibilities yet to be uncovered!

What is your biggest challenge that you work on every day? My biggest challenge professionally is letting go and delegating responsibility.

I love every aspect of the work we do and I care so deeply about all of it. We have an immensely talented team. The key, for me, is noticing where I need to focus and where I can let go.

Give us one word that best describes how you live your life. Authentically with a big dose of optimism and belief in abundance.

Use three adjectives to describe the sophisticated woman you aim to be.

Kind, fair and, above all else, courageous. sl fredmandesigngroup.com

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