Celebrate nature with all kinds of art

Artistic Gardener is the latest Long Grove gallery opened by Rachel Perkal and Tobin Fraley, owners of Woodland Grove Gallery and Trillium.

Artistic Gardener, 248 Robert Parker Coffin Road, features nature-inspired items for indoors and out.

American artisans made many of these articles.

"We want to showcase items that will resonate with the person who loves nature, enjoys being in it and wants to bring that feeling to his or her home," said Perkal.

Visitors will find metal and wood sculptures, platters, vases and bowls, glassware, wind chimes and furniture.

Although this steel butterfly bench that is almost 6 feet long costs $3,250, the Artistic Gardener shows creations in many price ranges.

Call (847) 793-8970.

Colors and patterns update IKEA's look

August is traditionally the month when IKEA catalogs are mailed to homes or included in your Sunday newspaper.

But we found one item so new it's not even in the catalog yet. It's the Vanik bed. Perhaps the best thing about it is the dramatic removable slipcover with the black and white floral design called Hovby. You can wash it if you want to iron it or have it dry cleaned.

The Vanik costs $369 as a double and $389 in the queen size.

You should be able to find this at the Bolingbrook and Schaumburg IKEAs.

Sofas can wear the Hovby pattern, too, and the new designs in slipcovers are one of the exciting things in the catalog.

New colors for casegoods will also catch your eye. Yellow, white and red are accent colors to perk up your decor.