Michigan Avenue - Niche Media - Michigan Avenue magazine is a luxury lifestyle magazine centered around Chicago’s finest people, events, fashion, health & beauty, fine dining & more!
Issue link: http://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/665995
PHOTOGRAPHY BY ERIKA DUFOUR (OBJECTS); STEPHANIE BASSOS (PORTRAIT) Gild Assembly offers everything from luxe home accessories to design books, art, bespoke furniture, and more. BOTTOM, LEFT TO RIGHT: Co-founders Jennie Bishop, Melissa Benham, and Kristen Ekeland. "WE WANTED THESE PIECES READILY AVAILABLE FOR OURSELVES, SELFISHLY." —MELISSA BENHAM GILDED AGE A TRIO OF BUCKTOWN- BASED INTERIOR DESIGNERS DEBUTS A GLEAMING NEW STOREFRONT. BY AMANDA MCDONALD "We do have different brains— sometimes," quips Jennie Bishop of her close rapport with business partner Melissa Benham. To her left, Benham nods in agreement, laughing, "We're always pinning the same things on Pinterest." Benham and Bishop first put that like-mindedness to use two years ago, teaming with Kristen Ekeland to launch Bucktown interior design firm Studio Gild. Now the trio has unveiled Gild Assembly, a multipurpose retail space within the studio for modern home accessories along with their bespoke furniture line—a passion project that hits close to home for Benham. "We wanted [these pieces] readily available for ourselves, selfishly," she says. Among their favorite items from the series? The Superior Console in satin lacquer and powder-coated aluminum that can be customized in an array of wood, leather, and metal finishes. Eight other pieces make up the rest of the furniture line, while a diverse mix of glassware, pillows, books, and art pieces round out Gild Assembly's offerings. Noting the concept's eclectic pieces from artists and craftsmen both local and international, Bishop observes, "We like either the absolutely far-reaching source, or locally made… I like the extremes." 2110 N. Damen Ave., 312-528-7825; studiogild.com/ gild-assembly . 146 MICHIGANAVEMAG.COM SPACE NOW OPEN