FORGET IT: Don’t get sucked into “vacuum marketer” claims that make a big deal about touting their cleaning machines as purveyors of allergen relief as well. “Practically any vacuum should be able to handle pollen, mold spores, and other typical allergens,” says the October issue of Consumer Reports. “At roughly 100 times larger than the smallest specs we measure, allergen particles are large enough to fall to the floor, where they’re easy to capture.” The magazine offered its signature Ratings score card, naming brand names and models that scored best in its tests. The Kenmore (Sears) Progressive with Direct Drive 35922 vacuum ($300) scored highest among the uprights in overall performance and performance/value.
— Karen Klages
BELIEVE IT: Yes, 40 years have passed since Amana unveiled the first countertop microwave oven to consumers here in Chicago at a trade show. It was the first of many Radaranges (Amana kept that model name through all these years). It weighed in at 90 pounds and sold in 1967 for a likewise hefty $495, which is about $3,000 in today’s dollars. Amana is celebrating the milestone with a 40th anniversary Radarange model. But we’re more excited about its new commemorative online cookbook. “Fast Food Redefined: 40 Years Ago Amana Invented a new Way to Cook” is available free at www.amana.com/cookbook and includes 40 microwave recipes, from appetizers and snacks to sweets and treats, from “Snappy Glazed Meatballs” to “Marvelous Marble Cheesecake.” Many are nostalgic recipes that have been updated.
— K.K.
TOUR IT: One of Oak Park’s most recognizable residences, the Elizabeth F. Cheney Mansion, reopens to the public this weekend [Sept. 9] as the 35th Annual Oak Park River Forest Infant Welfare Society Designer Showcase House & Garden. Twenty-one rooms in the 12,000-square-foot 1913 home have been taken over by local interior designers for a variety of fun, fresh approaches. Tour the home every day of the week except Mondays through Sept. 30. Tickets are $30, with all proceeds going to the Oak Park River Forest Infant Welfare Society Clinic.
220 N. Euclid, Oak Park. 708-848-0528, ext. 300, infantwelfareoakpark.org.
— Shaila Wunderlich
SHOP IT: It’s Fall Furniture Sale time at Jayson Home & Garden. Through Sept. 30, shoppers will find all upholstered furniture (both in-stock merchandise and special orders) marked down 20 percent. Chairs, sofas and ottomans are included in hundreds of fabric options. The sale also is online.
1885 N. Clybourn Ave., 773-248-8180, www.jaysonhomeandgarden.com
— K.K.
SHOP IT: Design Studio, a stalwart of contemporary design in the north and northwest suburbs, is moving from its Skokie location, where it has served up a smorgasbord of American and European contemporary furniture for the last 20 years.
President Howard Galler sold the building in Skokie and is negotiating the terms of a lease on a new location in a shopping center in Northbrook. The new space will be more than 15,000 square feet.
“The building [in Skokie] is over 50 years old and starting to get worn,” says Galler, who also notes that since opening a second Design Studio (in River North in 2003; he also owns the Roche-Bobois store in River North) his clientele now is more clearly divided between the city and the north/northwest suburbs with Northbrook being the center of his suburban customer base.
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Until late October when the store closes, the Skokie location is running a moving sale. Almost everything on the floor at that location is marked down 50 percent to 70 percent. Some examples: a Thayer Coggin sofa that was $8,069 is now $2,495; a marble dining table (measuring 79 by 40 inches) was $3,745, now $895; a set of eight Directional dining chairs was $8,624, now $3,295.
Galler hopes to have the Northbrook Design Studio open for business by early December. And this winter (weather permitting) he hopes to break ground on a new building in River North at the corner of Hubbard and Wells Streets, adjacent to his Design Studio building and across the street from his Roche-Bobois store. He plans to move Roche-Bobois (a French-based company that specializes in European contemporary furniture) to this new, bigger location when construction is complete, hopefully, Galler says, by fall 2008.
— K.K.
SEE IT: The North Maywood Community Organization hosts its 2nd annual Maywood House and Garden Walk on Sunday [Sept. 9], featuring homes with architectural styles from Queen Anne to Prairie, many done by famous architects of a century ago. Starting point is the First Congregational Church and a trolley tour of homes in the southern part of town also will be offered.
Cost: $15. Purchase tickets at First Congregational Church, 400 N. 5th Ave., Maywood. Hours: 1 to 5 p.m.
— Hilary Shenfeld
SEE IT: Get a big dose of history and some decorating ideas during the 44th Annual Historical Homes Tour in Marshall, Mich. The Sept. 9 walk features eight private homes, six historic museums, two art centers, one downtown business and one church.
Cost: $20. Purchase tickets at city entrance points and all homes on tour. Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call: 800-877-5163 or visit www.marshallhistoricalsociety.org.
— H.S.
ATTEND IT: Daniel Buck Soules and Gary Sohmers, who have appeared on the PBS favorite “Antiques Roadshow,” come to Wilmette Saturday [Sept. 15] for the fourth consecutive year to inspect and appraise antiques in the name of a good cause. A $10-per-item donation benefits the local Misericordia facility. 4th Annual North Shore Treasures: Collectible and Antique Appraisals at Plaza del Lago, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Plaza del Lago, 1515 N. Sheridan Rd., Wilmette. 847-884-0000; www.plazadelago.com.
— S.W.
SHOP IT: Deer Park got its first Crate and Barrel store last weekend, and it’s a different sort of a Crate and Barrel to boot. Straying from its usual multi-floor, multi-department layout, this location experiments with mixing all inventory — housewares, furniture, everything — together on one ground-level floor. 20530 N. Rand Rd., Deer Park. 847-438-0031; crateandbarrel.com.
— S.W.
SEE IT: A Frank Lloyd Wright prairie-style home will be among five houses and one historic church on view Sept 15 during the Batavia House Walk, a fundraiser for Batavia Main Street. Complimentary tea in the church hall. Cost: $25 online at www.downtownbatavia.com. Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call: Sharon Harwick, 630-482-9402 or visit www.bataviahousewalk.com.
— H.S
SEE IT: On Sept. 15, the Early Childhood Preschool at The First Presbyterian Church of Chicago Heights hosts its Nosey Neighbor Housewalk. The walk will high