Art Farm

Dan Martensen and Shannan Click's country home, all photographs by The Selby

When Hardwood was laid off this summer, we started to reexamine our lives. We questioned what we wanted to do, where we wanted to live and what kind of lives we wanted to lead. We met a young ceramic artist earlier in the year who bought a farm in Western Michigan and used all the out buildings for making art. We loved this idea and seriously considered the idea of moving from Chicago and starting our own Art Farm.

We want to be able to make a living off our art. We also love the idea of having a self-sustaining life. Growing everything we eat, bartering with other members of the community for services/products, etc. We even went so far as check out a farm for sale in Michigan. In the end we decided that we still had a bit of the city left in us. Plus we weren't financially able to up and move right away. This might be a five year plan sort of situation.

When I saw the Selby's photographs of Dan Martensen and Shannan Click's country home, all my country living/Art Farm dreams came flooding back. The simplified life, fresh veggies, pickling, ping pong tournaments and space to make noise and get messy. There's one more thing I'd like to add to our dream list: a pool!

Bonus Bone: Cameron's House

Remember this guy?

Some Jibber Jabber About Red Wings

Well, his house is for sale.

370 Beech Street, Highland Park, IL

"THE BEN ROSE HOME-site of the famous movie Ferris Bueller's Day Off, cantilevered over the ravine, these two steel and glass buildings, which can never be duplicated, have incredible vistas of the surrounding woods. This is a unique property designed by A. James Speyer and David Haid, both notable architects of the 20th Century."

We assume that, for the 2.3 million dollar asking price, all the damage from that Ferrari free-flight has been fixed.

If the views and structure aren't enough to grab you, just realize that you'd be able to make pancakes and check your mail in the very space where this lovable ticking time bomb finally let it all out:

I'll Go I'll Go

For these reasons, I, Cardboard, declare this a Design Boner.

You Feng Shui?

Feng Shui - Humorous Birthday Cartoon Greeting Card, at Amazon

So I'm cleaning up again (always) but - seriously now - I've got a whole lot of purging/arranging/painting/nailing ahead of me. As I lug furniture about, I've begun pondering the ancient Chinese art of feng shui.

The only thing I know, in compliance with this system, is that I'm not supposed to face a bed toward a door, a task that can prove challenging in Chicago's tradition of quaint and oddly-shaped bedrooms.

Since I just listed my only manual for sale on Amazon, I'm wondering...does feng shui really work?

Bonus Bone: Ohio Starter Home

The happy news of Grace's return came just in time. This weekend Alison Rose and Mr. Sketch moved into their very first non-rented home!


Buying a home requires courage but these two new homeowners are going beyond brave. They are not only moving right before the holidays but they're also hosting our family for Christmas! Bamboo, Mama C, and I can't wait to see it in person.


Congratulations, Buckeyes, and good luck unpacking! May I suggest shutting Grace up in the bathroom when the front door's propped open.


For these reasons, I, Cardboard, declare this a Design Boner.

Stage Yo' Self!

BEFORE: Living/Dining Room

I think I've only seen one episode of HGTV's The Stagers. I wasn't too impressed because there seemed to be more "reality" drama than true Before and Aftering. Yet I just came across a prolific slideshow of some of the actual work and...wow!

AFTER: Living/Dining Room

Seeing the photos (without the annoying commentary and hijinks) is much more powerful than watching the show. The slideshow has about 13 makeovers and each one is worth a glance or a double take. I also must admit to falling in quick love with that sideboard above (xoxoo).

BEFORE: Loft

Whether you're thinking of selling soon or just find yourself stuck in a design rut, the slideshow is a handy reference tool. Of course, you could just hire your own stagers, an agile troupe of decorators, flinging sleek lines and coordination all over your place. From what I figure, that'd be one easy but costly circus. Yet this slideshow, with its inspiring pics and helpful captions, might be all you need to make your home look its universal best.

AFTER: Loft

So bookmark this post for your future dealings in escrow and then get straight to work on that Craigslist ad for your puffy pleather sofas.

OH Teaser

Quiet an enchanting little porch, wouldn't you say? I can't say anything for sure (jinxes are so very real!) but we might be seeing a lot more of this sweet space.

Keep your fingers crossed and stay tuned for some big news from Ohio...

Bonus Bone: My Home's Exterior

As my sister got off the bus the other day, right outside of our condo building, she overheard the bus driver telling another passenger:

"I like that building. That's a nice-looking building."

Then she noticed that he was pointing at our building. And I recently helped choose the exterior paint color for our home!

For these reasons, I, Cardboard, declare this a Design Boner.

Toronto or BUST!

Big - HUGE - news, everyone! I'm moving to Toronto! I can't believe I kept my mouth shut this whole time but I'm a big believer in jinxes so I could spare no hints. After work tonight, I finally got the word that it's a done deal! Sorry I'm babbling but...yippee!

Long story short, I got a big fancy job with a company that begins with a T- and ends with an -ime Warner. That was the final piece of the puzzle I was waiting for. So now that that's done, I can get to the fun stuff like...

Nairn Ave

I put in an offer on this adorable little place! The alley next to the house isn't ideal but it's an honest-to-goodness house (!) and it's in a sweet neighborhood that reminds me a little of Brooklyn (with the occasional French speaker).

Elgin Theatre & OCAD

Once I get to my new hometown, I can check out the stunning Elgin & Winter Garden Theatres (above, left) or walk around Toronto's underground city. Of course, I'll be hitting up the Bata Shoe Museum (below, left) and the Ontario College of Art & Design (above, right). I'll spend my free time shopping for upholstery in the Fashion District and passing holiday weekends at icewine vineyards near Niagara. Mostly though, I'll just admire my new skyline (below, right).

Bata Shoe Museum & My New Home!

To celebrate (and because my new job is cushy), I snapped up this Danish Teak Dining Table on Ebay!

Should I pair it with the glitzy CB2 Bandit chairs (on left) or the curvy Queen Annes from Pottery Barn? I seriously can't believe this is all happening...!

Point & Cross photo by Thoughts Abound

Hardy ha, did I fool you? I almost fooled myself for a second there. And...sigh...now there's a part of me that wishes this wasn't a prank (because it's all stuff that I like).