Annual Sidewalk Sale coming Up!

Hi there! Yes, Summer is here and truly in "high steam" this year...

 Well that's somewhat of a good news for us because great weather is what we need for our forth coming Annual Sidewalk Sale.

The Sidewalk Sale has now become a traditional event here in Winnetka, IL where our flagship store/showroom is located.

This year will be held on July 20th and 21st 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Our store is located in the Hubbard Woods district of Winnetka at 990 Green Bay Road.
Come by because (as usual) we will have GREAT DEALS on selected merchandise along with a 20% OFF Store Wide.

Unable to attend?
Do not worry! Thanks to internet, we will concurrently run the same in-store promotions as well in our beautiful web site: www.artistica.com

Just MAKE SURE we have your email address on file so we can inform you of our special events. You can register very easily here.
Not sure if registered? Re-Register as our system will automatically delete duplicates and you will never receive more than one message.

Come by! Beginning Wednesday July 18, we'll have a "First Look - Private Sale" just for registered customers and we all will be looking forward to see you!

Ciao

Marco & Alice Margaritelli

April Showers

The weather forecast for Chicago is predicting rain, including some thunder showers for the next three days.  Perfect time to introduce you to our fine collection of Umbrella Stands.
I have one in my foyer which is, of course, filled with umbrellas and a collection of antique canes, one of which belonged to my late great Italian grandfather. 

They can also be used as planters, filled with summer greens and flowers or branches and grasses in the fall.

I have a client who purchased two of our Florentine Umbrella Stand/Vase (#17-FLO).  They had two large niche in the foyer which needed just the right pieces to compliment the architecture.  We filled them with fresh bamboo grass to welcome guests to a summer party. 

For those of you who live in the Chicago area, we are participating for our 8th year in the Winnetka Club "Lifestyles" housewalk Wednesday May 15th.  It is a wonderful opportunity for us to showcase our merchandise in some of the North Shores finest homes.  Tickets can be obtained at thewinnetkaclub@gmail.com
This year we will be in a "transitional" home, where we can show how our dinnerware and table top accessories look in both traditional and contemporary kitchen and dining rooms. Looking forward to seeing you there, Frank

Been Away Too Long...

I'm back after spending a few weeks in South Carolina and Florida...only to find that Winnetka was warmer than both....arriving home to find green grass and trees blooming like they do in mid-May.

With the holiday this weekend, I"m thinking what makes an ordinary table great???  The center piece. I've attached our collection for you to enjoy.  My favorites are any that are footed.  They add an elegance to the table and can be filled with fruits, vegatables, or flowers.  Many are decorated inside and need nothing to make them a table-top knockout. I also like to add candle stixs, fabrics, and metals to make an impactful theme.

You can also use our centerpiecs on kitchen islands  mixed with larger overscaled piece, like our large ceramic candle sticks or large wrought iron candlesicks for a more rustic look. Depending on the island size I like to do larger items like urns filled with greens and our trays.

Have a spring celebration Happy Easter and Passover to all. Frank

Welcome Spring

Spring is finally here???

The temperature in Winnetka, Illinois [just north of Chicago] is 70 degrees, 2 days in a row... Makes me feel like getting outside and preparing my patio and garden for the warm seasons ahead. 

I've attached our selection of beautiful planters for you to explore.
The warm Tuscan colors will only enhance the beauty of what you plant in them. We have sizes to fit a large indoor or outdoor tree, down to the most petite orchid.

You can also leave them outdoors all four seasons down to 20 degrees below zero... The opening needs to be covered to keep rain and snow from collecting inside.  Enough about cold weather.

There are several shapes that I think you will enjoy.  After the blooming summer plants fade and the holidays are over, I like to fill my collection of planters with green plants and orchids and put in rooms all over the house to make the rooms come alive with shades of green til they can move outdoors and the cycle begins again....off for a couple of weeks, headed south.
Frank

CLICK HERE to view our fabulous CACHEPOTS & PLANTER selection...

Welcome Spring

Busy today, not much time to write. 
Thought you might enjoy seeing our Orvieto collection.  I've been to this stunning mountain top Tuscan town.  I promise you it's cathedral is well worth the trip.
With spring almost here it brings my thoughts to pops of green shooting up from the frozen earth... Even though it's been mild in Chicago-land, it's still winter with brown trees and cold nights
. 
Orvieto's "spring chicken" motif, albeit centuries, old brings with it the promise of spring. 
Mr Rooster walking amid the leaves with dots of pink and yellow, hints of flowers???
You can also enhance your table setting with our Adriana wine Goblets and footed Water Glasses in sunny golden yellow.
The fine Murano hand blown glassware is like a ray of sunshine for your table scape.
Take a look at the whole collection, what a great way to welcome the new season. 
Enjoy the longer sunny days ahead.
Frank

Exciting Dinnerware News!!!

We've finally done it! 
Of course you've heard of Dining parings, where the perfect wine is pared with your appitizer, fish or meat entrees, and desserts. We'll now we've made the process of selecting just the right glassware and flatware to enhance our beautiful Deruta dinnerware. 
I've given you selections that match or enhance our assortment.
For example I've pared our Faenza dinnerware with our Cobalt blue Murano goblet and water glass as well as our Brilliant blue Vietri flatware.  Or select Fruttina where I've used our cobalt drinkware and added our stunning Martellato stainless, note the fine hammered details in the handles, to add sparkle to your table top.
Best of all we'll extend a discount to customers who purchase our complete dinnerware parings.  To view dozens of other parings, simply click below and see all the wonderful selections I've made just for you.
Until next week, Frank



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Renaissance Wall Plates for your home...

Today my thoughts are all about Artistica's beautiful selection of elegant wall plates.
Many can be found as part of our vast collections.
These fine hand-crafted pieces are truly "fine art" for the home.
Each wall plate is hand painted and decorated, many have themes that date back to the 14th and 15th centuries.  They come in many sizes one just right to fit your unique space.
Some of my favorites are part of our Majolica Delfino and Cornucopia collections, but you may also like our "Vino del Convento" wall plate from our Prima Classe Collection.

As a designer, I suggest that wall plates can be hung as a single piece or can be clustered or grouped together to make a more impactful presentation. They will enhance your kitchen, breakfast room, or back splash.
Of course they work well in traditional and Tuscan interiors, but can also lend a bit of history to a more contemporary interior.

Click below image to review our wall plates.
Frank

Give your Valentine something special from Artistica

Some friends of mine just returned from Tuscany, after their first trip to Italy.
I think his description was "exceptionally beautiful" referring to the country, people, and of course the food.
Though they were unable to get to Deruta, they said that on Saturdays the Deruta manufacturers would come to Perugia and do what we here call a "pop-up" store for just a day... They were enchanted by the color, craftsmanship, and beauty of each and every piece.
They also noted that rather than carry ceramics home they knew they could just come to Artistica's Winnetka showroom to find many of the same ceramics they had seen in Italy. 

Secondly, Valentine's Day is just 11 days away...
Just enough time to select from or extensive collection of fine ceramics to warm the heart of any sweetheart this Valentine's Day.
Ciao!
Frank...

CLICK HERE for some great ideas...

Murano glass

Hey Artistica Blog Followers,

This week I'm obsessed with Murano Glass.  We recently had a shipment of our Murano stemware.  The hand crafted glass comes in both wine and water glass sizes, in several colors. Our glassware works beautifully with our Artistica dinnerware collections, as well as your own fine and casual dinnerware.
I have recommended to clients that they mix many colors on the same table.  Would love you to look at all the colors, just click on the link below.
glass

Our glass comes from the finest manufacturer in Italy located in Murano, a series of islands off the Venetian coast producing glassware that will add sparkle to your table, and enhance every table setting.

As spring approaches, don't forget about out Bridal Registry, giving your guests the opportunity to purchase special items selected by you.

Til next week,  Frank

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