One of the prettiest books published last summer is “Weeds” (Chronicle Books, $19.95). Chicago photographer Howard Bjornson’s artful book contains almost no words-just brilliant color photos of 38 wild things he stumbled upon and shot. Too stunning to leave on a cocktail table, the book screamed for an ol’ design trick used by decorators for clients with short budgets and blank walls.
They plunder. And they frame. And it’s all very legal, according to our lawyers. And so, we pointed to Bjornson’s wild bergamot shot and let framer Alphonsa Burcheri do her thing.
The damages: $99.32 for the fancy framing.
To reach Burcheri, call 312-347-4560 or visit her studio at 220 S. State St., Suite 400. To reach Bjornson, who sells his original weed photographs (11 by 14 inches to 20 by 24 inches) for $300 and $500 unframed , call 312-243-8200.
— Karen Klages
VIVA ITALIA
Stepping into Il Coccio is like beaming oneself into a three-dimensional slice of Italian countryside. The four walls radiate with the sun-drenched colors and classic fruit and floral patterns of hand-painted Italian earthenware. Every wall and every inch of floor space of this 4-month-old shop is filled with tempting choices.
Just to mention a few: the Passagio line offers platters painted with pastoral scenes of the Tuscan hillsides. An 18-inch platter costs $200. Highlight of the Flamino line, inspired by the French Impressionist Claude Monet and the streets of Rome, is the charming pitchers, which can double as vases ($120 for a 12-inch-high pitcher).
Most of the earthenware is safe for use with foods; some are for decoration only. Il Coccio (which means “earthware”) also offers a just-arrived line of linens. It’s at 231 S. Washington St., aperville. Call: 630-848-1323.
— Mary Daniels
