When Constance King, a Chicago antiques store owner, had difficulty making deliveries because she couldn`t find street numbers on the homes, she was irritated. But she knew she had found a niche.
King launched a counterattack on those unidentified homes by finding what she deemed to be an ”interesting line” of street numbers for her store. This was four years ago, and since then she has become known for these unique markers made of ceramic tiles.
The lack of numbers on the exteriors of homes was far from the European tradition, she said.
”All over the Continent, tiles with numbers or street names are set straight into buildings,” King said. ”They`re not only beautiful, they`re durable and enduring.
”They (Europeans) have been doing it this way for centuries, while we just expect everyone to figure it (an address) out for themselves in this country.”
Janet Smith, manager of the Museum of Contemporary Art Store, would agree with King.
”No matter how old a tradition street numbers may be, they`re obviously not ubiquitous,” Smith said. ”Creative ones that are classic yet
contemporary are extremely hard to find, so now we`re carrying a new line of very architectural-looking numbers fabricated in anodized aluminum.”
The markers that King sells are handmade in America by artisans who came up with the line after a trip to Europe. Like their Continental prototypes, these markers consist of numerical tiles hand-set and grouted into painted plaques with decorative borders. King has more than a dozen styles to choose from and does the finishing work on each plaque.
C.J. Schnakenberg, proprietor of two Ace Hardware stores that bear his name, had a similar experience when he tried to accommodate customers six years ago.
”Everyone was asking for nice street numbers, but there weren`t any out there,” Schnakenberg said, noting that ”a lot of companies were making the same old stuff.
”Of course, there`s nothing wrong with the same old stuff if it`s decent to begin with, but most of what I saw was shoddy. Something doesn`t have to be expensive to look nice or be well-made.”
With this in mind, Schnakenberg started a search for street numbers and now stocks a wide variety. He chose numbers that were unusual as well as utilitarian. His favorites are thick Euro-style markers made in white metal.
”I had to persuade the Swedish manufacturer who fabricated this particular style to bring them into the States,” he said, ”but it was well worth the effort because they`ve been extremely popular.”
He has a large assortment of styles that are simple and well-designed.
”There`s a great demand for numbers, and not everyone wants something novel,” he said.
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Sources: Constance, 1961 N. Halsted St. (312-944-5600).
Schnakenberg Ace, 2767 N. Lincoln Ave. in Chicago (312-281-6622) and 1746 2nd St. in Highland Park (708-432-1150).
The Museum of Contemporary Art Store, 237 E. Ontario St. (312-280-2685).
Ballard Designs, 1670 DeFoor Ave. N.W., Atlanta, Ga. 30318-7528
(404-351-5099).
