Donghia’s new collection of eight colored glass vessels celebrates the centuries-old craft of Venetian glassblowing, renowned since the Middle Ages. Each piece is individually crafted, hand-blown in bold contemporary shapes on the Venetian island of Murano, where the doges once sequestered their artisans in an attempt to keep their skills secret. Connoisseurs of colored glass will glow over the flecks of gold leaf fixed within colors such as amethyst, mustard, straw and blood red. Approximate retail prices range from $810 to $1,650, available through architects and interior designers; call Donghia Showrooms, Merchandise Mart, between Orleans and Wells, the Chicago River and Kinzie, 312-822-0766.
— Mary Daniels
NEW HUES FROM MACKENZIE-CHILDS
In time for summer’s informal living, MacKenzie-Childs introduces its Wittika collection, a line of majolica tabletop pieces reminiscent of early American farmhouse pottery. In addition to a new experimental glazing process, Wittika features a few of M-C’s signature Alice-in-Wonder-landlike touchessuch as exaggerated shapes and unexpected colors. The collection ($34 for a mug to $249 for a pastry stand) is due in stores by month’s end. Find them at Neiman Marcus and Marshall Field’s stores, and Findables, 907 W. Armitage Ave., 773-348-0674.
— Mary Daniels.
