(Near the Loop in the City of Big Shoulders, Heather leads us on..... Comment away.)
Morlen Sinoway is a welcoming and sophisticated highlight among many other showrooms, galleries, studios and shops in the West Loops Fulton Market. The area (and Sinoway) draws industry professionals regularly and encourages curious Chicagoans during the annual Explore Fulton Market weekend, when businesses and studios open their doors for open-house style tours.
I picked the perfect time of day to stop in to this West Loop hot spot: The sun was seeping in the front windows casting dramatic light over the felt wall hangings and a gorgeous wood screen.
A recent judge for the DWR's MODERN+DESIGN+FUNCTION: Chicago Furniture Now Competition, Morlen Sinoway is critically active among emerging talent. His showroom boasts a variety of fresh, new work alongside the many pieces designed by Sinoway himself. Specializing in contemporary designs in wood, metal and glass, the pieces are artful and individual, often in limited production, one of a kind, or made to order.
Many pieces are multifunctional. The Solid Stock Stool can serve as both a stool and a table (and looks curiously and wonderfully like a giant wood spool). Some are even stackable. The three-legged steel tables (about $300 a piece) look and stack best in threes, and are available in any color. With art books and hanging lights running along the lower end of prices (think $30-$100), the custom or imported furniture and accessories run higher, and youll find a price list in the store rather than announced on the website.
The in-store experience feels a bit like walking around someones exquisite home where everything deserves close inspection and conversation. Morlen Sinoway converted this Fulton Market space himself, which may explain the stores sense of warmth and ease. - Heather
The pictures posted look amazing but the website is dullsville. The should fire their web designer.
It is a beautiful shop, I always enjoy peeking in when I'm in the neighborhood.
I live right around the corner from this and other fine galleries in the Fultom market area. What do we have to do to get a "chi.apartmenttherapy.com" started? Just curious.
Looked thru their website. I found lots of stuff that's super interesting. I'm in the process of designing a kitchen. Really an area where you can cook, BUT it doesn't look like a kitchen with an area for sitting and using the internet [OK, Apartment Therapy...]
I'm in the San Francisco Bay Area and it looks like I'm going to traveling to Chicago to take a look:
When is the Explore Fulton Market weekend? Sounds like a great time!
Perhaps there should be a Chicago AT community meet-up...
Cool shop, Heather! Makes me want to schedule a trip to Chicago.
kathryn:
the Explore Fulton Market '06 is set for sat. may 13 from 10-6!
Morlen is the best.
I love the color scheme of the photos you chose! The felt hangings and screen are pieces I can envision in many differently-decorated spaces--nice for those of us who don't want an ultra-modern home but still need some things to spice up a room. Yet another reason to return to Chicago before too long!
I plan to visit this shop at some point - thanks for introducing us! I've been leaning way too much on IKEA and CB2 for decorating, and this looks like just the right place for a custom piece.