Chicago - November 10, 2006

How Zella Got Her Groove Back

Zella Brown Opens

Your designer friend’s pad is to die for. (Watch your back, Berkus.)

And while she graciously invited you over for cocktails, all you can think about is trashing the joint. (Oops! I didn’t mean to spill my red wine on your fabulous white rug.)

Envy is not your best color. You might want to try brown — Zella Brown, that is, interior designer Trisha London’s new home store in Wicker Park.

London’s stocked Zella Brown with art-deco and midcentury inspired furniture; unique lighting fixtures (we’ve got our eye on the crystal link lamp); and accessories like pillows, throws, bowls, vases, sculptures, and paintings.

The shop is set up in color vignettes (brown, blue, green, and pink), so the design-challenged can get practical, real-life inspiration. Love the orange lacquer side table but need it in a different hue? Many of the items can be custom ordered to suit your space.

Unfortunately, though, that deep red wine color is a tough match.

Zella Brown, 1444 North Milwaukee Avenue, between Evergreen and North Avenues (773-276-1746).