Five years ago, Spiro Tsiranidis, the owner/president of Stiloso, an exclusive distributor of Italian kitchens and baths, was an interior designer who focused solely on kitchen and bath design.
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In the course of his work, he began studying the Italian market and found that “the U.S. market was behind as far as understanding the functionality of Italian design.” Especially Italian kitchen and bath products.
He decided to become an importer and distributor of these sleek Italian products — from complete systems of kitchen cabinetry units and islands, to lighting and plumbing fixtures, and exquisitely colored glass mosaic tiles. His aim was “not just selling people,” he says, but also educating them to a way of creating the sleek-yet-functional kitchens.
Tsiranidis opened Stiloso in March on the street level of Institute Place.
Asked about the difference between Stiloso and other manufacturers and dealers, he says while he offers the same look, the same finishes, the same high-functioning mechanics and hardware, “our prices are 20, 30, 40 and in some cases, even 50 percent less than in other showrooms.”
His exclusive imported lines include kitchens by SCIC Cucine d’Italia, and baths by OXO Collection by Albedo, Toscoquattro, Rifra, Oasis. Furniture (chairs) are by Odue, and Lighting by Movelight, Metalspot and ILTI Luce.
Beyond their well-engineered storage capabilities, the kitchen units are especially attractive for their colorfulness. (There are 200 color choices.)
Bathroom suites, complete with sink, cabinets, mirrors and faucets are $3,500 to $10,000, he says. Kitchen prices range from $9,000 to $30,000, without appliances. Prices depend on whether the job is a replacement and reconfiguration of cabinets and appliances, or one of taking the kitchen down to a shell and beginning anew.
Stiloso offers design services and installation, requiring a non-refundable $1,500 retainer.
215 W. Institute Place. 312-787-9500.www.stilosodesign.com
BARGAIN HUNTING: Those shopping for living room furniture should head over to Stitch in Bucktown, where, through Oct. 18, shoppers will receive 10 percent off the first piece, 20 percent off the second piece and 30 percent off the third piece they buy from the store’s Gus* Modern Furniture line. The Canadian-based line includes sofas, side chairs and ottomans, as well as coffee tables and side tables, all of which are easy to mix and match. Buyers can choose from the store’s “quick-ship” stock, which offers four to five color choices in each upholstered furniture piece and ships within three weeks, or go custom, which offers a selection of about two dozen fabrics to choose from, ranging from pony hair to tweed. (Stitch’s promotion also includes a number of new fabrics.) Some prices: A “quick-ship” 86-inch sofa is $1,750; a tufted side chair with arms, $990; leather tufted ottoman, $1,430; Macassar ebony side table, $350 and a zebra wood coffee table, $650. 1723 N. Damen Ave. 773-782-1570. www.stitchchicago.com … OCTOBER IS SALE MONTH at Pine and Design Imports in Old Town. Shoppers will find furniture and accessories (everything in the store; floor samples only) at 20 to 50 percent off the regular retail price. The sale includes lighting, tableware, decorative accessories, reproduction furniture made of pine and French oak, Asian antiques, European antiques, upholstery and leather chairs. Some prices: A (new) pine dining table that was $1,600 is on sale for $1,280. An upholstered sofa that was $2,700, is $2,160. The sale runs through the end of the month. 511 W. North Ave. 312-640-0100. www.pinedesignimports.com … “A NONSTOP EXTRAVAGANZA” is the way furniture designer Lee Weitzman describes the ongoing sale at Xyloform, the retail division of his eponymous design studio, Lee Weitzman Furniture. “Prototype studies, a lot of moderately priced furniture marked down 20 percent, Angela Adams rugs, also marked down 20 percent” are some of the highlights of the sale, he says, which runs the gamut from casegoods, seating, bedroom furniture, mirrors, tables and desks to artwork and accessories, all contemporary in style, all discounted 20 percent. Sale hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through Oct. 8. 1423 W. Chicago Ave. 312-455-7949.
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