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How A Chicago Designer Decorates With Thrift Finds

By didurkes, July 20, 2010 at 10:09 pm
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Chicagoan Christopher Heitger is really good at design and thrifting.
His work with private clients, retail firms and the Chicago gallery Judy A Saslow shows his global talent. But at home, his knack for spotting and combining thrift scores shines a new light on his design skills. He's created a stylish, comfortable apartment on the lake in Rogers Park he shares with his partner, Joe Clauser, and their rescued standard poodles. 

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Chrisopher's best tips for thrifting fans: Shop often. Go west. This framed cityscape was bought last weekend in a western burbs thrift store.  Price for this molded plastic 70's piece was $14.

Another tip can be gleaned from touring his apartment: don't limit yourself to one brand or period. Christopher buys what catches his eye, even if it appears homemade or of unknown origins.

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Later, he'll look up more about a purchase online. The $6.49 painting is by a Chicago artist,  Stanley Dean Edwards.

As a design professional, Christopher helps his clients realize their design aesthetic. If you'd like to get in touch, you can do so through his interior design site here. Christopher is also launching an estate and house sale service designed to make change simple for those in a state of downsizing. You can find out more about it here. 

Below are more view of his finds and how he uses them in his
home.
 

Art Deco fixture hangs above, a prized posession.
In the sun porch, 70's lawn furniture around a 70's Breuer table.
A lucky aquisition in the entryway. The signed Man Ray mirror was from his display job with Express.
They reside in the living room along with vintage radios and pottery.
Living room coffee table vignette.
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They reside in the living room along with vintage radios and pottery.
From the Paris flea when Christopher worked for Judy Saslow.
The lamp is 70's Italian on a mid century side table.
Today, they're a sought after pair. Couch.
And chair.
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Today, they're a sought after pair. Couch.
It features two great Knoll pieces he found years ago in Ohio.
Christopher and friends in the living room.
Most of these are from the 60's.
30's lights and a new vintage looking clock.
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Above it hangs a panel Christopher made from a piece of fabric purchased for $5.
A thrifted danish modern bed.
The plaid drapes are from the 30's and have been used in several places Christopher has lived.
Chromacraft brown chairs.
An array of thrifted ashtrays.
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The top center fan was rented for a Sonic commercial.
A fun use for old office.
An aquisition from Christopher's job with Judy Saslow.
70's plexiglass table.
A collection of prints that were once sold at Field's.
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Fixture in the den is from a used furniture store.
This thrift store poster hides the electrical box where a sconce used to hang.
An alley find on the patio, it's a stained glass freeform lamp.
Mixers displayed on top of the refrigerator.
Hanging on a kitchen wall, these may be attributed to Eames.
Another find from last weekend, these Heath kit components came with the original manuals.
The clock is from Christopher's hometown. This room is being used as storage for items for the Vintage Bazaar. Christopher will have a booth there on August 22.
Sitting beside the chair is a Saarinen lamp from the early 60's.
Almost everything in Christopher and Joe's apartment is thrifted. Furnishings are a mix of 20's to 70's pieces. This mohair covered club chair is from the 40's.
It was purchased around 15 years ago.
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Filed under: Garage sale style

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  • clairehg said July 23, 2010 at 12:00 am

    Loveit and LOVE buying ?? art. It looks great, creates conversations...never kow what might end up valuable, either!

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