ANDERSONVILLE — Looking to decorate your home? Head to Andersonville, where new home goods shops, some offering interior design services, continue to sprout up in the neighborhood, further solidifying its reputation as a design district.
"Working together we create a great design district in our neck of the woods," said Bret Taylor, who opened his shop, 5140 Shop by Bret L Taylor Design, 5140 N. Clark St., in December.
Taylor, who has worked in the interior design business for a decade, compared the local retail shops in Andersonville to the design district on Grand Avenue.
"I don't think there's any reason why this neighborhood can't be the same," he said. "The better one of us does, the better all of us do."
Mina Bloom says many of the store owners are friends:
A week ago, an independently-owned home goods and design studio, Norcross and Scott, opened in the heart of the neighborhood. Other furniture stores, offering both new and old items, line Clark Street in Andersonville, including Scout, Andersonville Antiques and Brownstone Antiques, to name a few.
Taylor, who moved to Chicago four years ago from Michigan, joined other shop owners on Clark Street because he believes "everyone should have access to a beautiful space and beautiful objects," he said.
"I don't have half a million to donate to my personal living room, and I don't expect my neighbors do either," Taylor said. "I don't care if somebody has $2,000 to spend. They get the same level of experience as someone who has $2 million to spend."
The inside of 5140 Shop by Bret L Taylor Design, 5140 N. Clark St., which opened in December. (Courtesy/Bret Taylor)
Originally from a small town in Ohio, Taylor said Andersonville was the natural location for his shop because it provides the "perfect balance for being a small town boy."
"It's a small town feel. You know the shopkeepers, but you're in the third largest city in the country, he said.
At Taylor's shop, there is no need to make an appointment for interior design services. Walk-ins are encouraged, Taylor said.
In addition to offering interior design services, the shop sells furniture, lighting, wall coverings and home accessories, Taylor said. Prices range from $89 for a lamp to $4,000 for a sofa covered in Kravat fabric.
Expect to see local brands like Mitchell Black and Circa Ceramics, a Ravenswood-based husband-and-wife team who makes ceramic vases and tumblers, as well as brands from around the country.
Taylor describes his style as "traditional with an edge," like a wingback chair with an exposed walnut frame that is dressed in black distressed leather.
"I think a lot of people get stuck with design," he said. "They have an idea but they don't know how to pull it together. Going to a designer can be intimidating, but we want to have an open dialog and let them know we're here."
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