This chair and ottoman are available at Wine & Design. SoBe, a dog owned by store owner Greg Morris, is the store’s mascot.
By Kim Crow
For us Average Joes and Josephines, the thought of hiring a decorator can be a little intimidating.
Evidence of the importance of interior design is all around us — entire TV networks have sprung up to support the idea in the past decade, for goodness’sake — but wanting an attractive, cozy home does not always translate into knowing how to achieve it.
“I can pick out my clothes perfectly well, but when it comes to picking out a chair or a couch, I just freeze up, ” admits Kristen Powell, 33, an insurance adjuster who lives in Cleveland’s Larchmere neighborhood. “It’s just such a big expenditure — and it’s not as easy to hide an ottoman in the back of the closet.”
But Powell says she’s never considered hiring an interior designer.
“It just seems sort of outside my budget, you know? That’s something that people with giant houses who can afford $1,000 curtains do, not me,” she says with a smile.
It’s exactly that kind of perception that a new breed of interior designers are hoping to combat. A handful of new home furnishing stores in the city of Cleveland have popped up that offer interior design services along with the usual scented candles and picture frames. Like-minded shops can be found across the region, but newer stores such as Wine & Design in Tremont and Duo Home in Gordon Square have joined longtime downtown stalwart Surroundings Home Decor in the Warehouse District in capturing the urban-chic market.
These glass designs reflect even more light when placed on a mirrored table. They can be found at DuoHome in the Gordon Square Arts District.
“Our goal has been to go against the stereotype of what people think an interior designer is,” says Tim Kempf, co-owner of DuoHome in Cleveland’s Gordon Square neighborhood. “The stereotype is that it is this fussy, expensive dictator rushing around, pushing you to spend thousands on custom upholstery. We’re happy to work with big budgets, of course. Who wouldn’t love that? But we’re all about good design at good prices.”
It was that same mind-set that Greg Morris embraced when he opened Wine & Design in Tremont in November 2009 in the first floor of a building he and his partner, Dan Rensel, spent months renovating into the ideal live/work property.
“We’re really trying to remove the intimidation factor of interior design,” says Morris. “It doesn’t have to cost a lot to have a professional guiding your choices. We can work with any budget. ”
As Powell, the insurance adjuster, puts it, “I really just want someone to tell me what to do, if this polka-dot chair I think is so fun now will look silly in 10 years. I don’t need a showplace, just a cool-looking apartment. Oh, and I need to know if painting a wall black is areally bad idea, too.”
Wine & Design Powell is exactly the kind of client Morris had in mind when he began dreaming of a retail space. The longtime interior designer wanted a showroom of sorts in which everything was affordable and available and exemplified his ideals of accessible design.
“We’re kind of a one-stop shop,” he says of his store, which packs high style into a compact space. “You can dash in and ask our opinion on anything from paint colors to throw pillows, look through our design books, or just buy a gift or a bottle of wine.”
Oh yes, the “wine” in the title of the shop is something theownerstake quite seriously. The well-traveled Morris and Rensel are ardent wine lovers, and knew that vino would have to play a part in whatever retail venture they came up with.
“We’ve just learned a lot about wine over the years, and we wanted to share that. Wine is another area that has this perception of being snobby and intimidating, but for us, it’s a way of life,completely intertwined with the way we live,” says Morris.
Along with a nicely edited selection of reds, whites, roses and sparkling wines, Wine & Design offers a terrific assortment of related home furnishings. From unusual cheeseboards to corkscrews to cool wine glasses with chalkboard bases (perfect for tastings or to just label which drink is yours), any hostess gift requirements are easily filled here.
“Wine brings people together,” says Morris simply.
To that end, Wine & Design hosts monthly wine tastings that include accompanying appetizers for only $10 per person. Sipping and shopping is encouraged here, among items such as Archipelago Botanicals candles and body-care items, Cucina home supplies and a selection of sustainable gift items from areaartists.
“We meet with our interior design clients here, to get a sense of what they respond to, then we go into their homes to really get to know them,” says Morris. “The whole process is designed to put people at ease. We’re bringing hard-to-find, unique furnishings to Cleveland in a way that won’t break the bank.”
Lisa DeJong, The PD
Unique chandeliers found at DuoHome are typical of items that can be worked into a decor by trained designers.
Duo Home DuoHome opened in November 2007, but Kempf and co-owner Scott Suskowicz nearly doubled the store’sfootprint by taking over a neighboring storefront earlier this summer. The expansion allows them to better display their sleek furniture selection and better share their design sensibilities with their clients in the chic 1,600-square-foot space.
“When we were crammed into a smaller space, the furniture seemed more like props than something you could actually buy,” explains Suskowicz. “It seemed more like our emphasis was home furnishings when, in reality, we offer complete design services. That’s the engine that drives us.”
And what a ride it is. DuoHome’s offerings may have always been available for order, but the drama of seeing a dozen striking Nuevo pendant lights and the sleek silhouettes from Younger Furniture is much more inclined to inspire the casual browser.
Contemporary stylings sit next to rustic pieces by Freddy Hill, a Cleveland-based artist who creates them from reclaimed wood from specific places in the city. Gift items are still plentiful, from cute cards to vases to glass platters, all “priced to impress, not depress,” chuckles Kempf.
“We offer boutique shopping without the boutique attitude,” he says. “Come in, have a drink, look through our design library and let’s start talking about your space.”
November 19- December 5, 2010 Auditions*: September 7-9, 2010 (Ages 7- up)
Music and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley
Adapted for the stage by Leslie Bricusse and Tim McDonald
Based on the book “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” by Roald Dahl
Roald Dahl’s timeless cautionary indictment of greed, the story of the world-famous candy man and his quest to find an heir comes to life in this musical stage adaptation of Charlie and The Chocolate Factory.
One evening, the village paper’s headline states that Wonka is holding a contest, in which five Golden Tickets are hidden under the wrappers of his candy bars. The contest becomes a worldwide mania, with people resorting to increasingly desperate and unscrupulous measures, to find the tickets. The first four are found by four hard-to-like children: the gluttonous Augustus Gloop, spoiled Veruca Salt, gum-addicted Violet Beauregarde, and television-obsessed Mike Teavee. Our hero, Charlie, one cold night in the snow, magically, finds the 5th! This tale is a frothy, thoughtful blend of scary and fun for children and adults.
Hit songs include “Pure Imagination” and “The Candy Man” and featured, of course, are those mysterious factory workers known as… the Oompa Loompas!
A two week winter Musical Theatre Camp
January 16-28, 2010
Ages 9-12 Fee: $50
Spring Older Teen & Adult Musical
May 6-22, 2011 Auditions*: February 22-24, 2011 (Ages 16 & Up)
Music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Book by James Lapine
Originally directed on Broadway by James Lapine
Orchestrations by Jonathan Tunick
An ambivalent Cinderella? A blood-thirsty Little Red Riding Hood? A Prince Charming with a roving eye? A Witch…who raps? They’re all among the cockeyed characters in James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim’s fractured fairy tale. When a Baker and his Wife learn they’ve been cursed with childlessness by the Witch next door, they embark on a quest for the special objects required to break the spell, swindling, lying to and stealing from Cinderella, Little Red, Rapunzel and Jack (the one who climbed the beanstalk). Everyone’s wish is finally granted, but the consequences of their actions return to haunt them later, with disastrous results. What begins as a lively irreverent fantasy becomes a moving lesson about community responsibility and the stories we tell our children.
Summer Youth Theatre
July 22-August 7, 2011 Auditions*: May 24-26, 2011 (Ages 13 entering high school - 19) Music by Claude-Michel Schonberg Lyrics by Richard Maltby Jr. and Alain Boublil Adapted from the original French lyrics by Alain Boublil Additional material by Richard Maltby Jr. Orchestrations by William D. Brohn Originally produced on the stage by Cameron Mackintosh *This production licensed by Josef Weinberger Ltd. on behalf of Music Theatre International and Cameron Mackintosh Ltd.*
Miss Saigon brings Puccini’s Madame Butterfly to post-millennium America in a moving testament to the resiliency of the human spirit. In the final chaos of the Vietnam War, an American soldier and a Vietnamese girl fall in love, only to be separated during the fall of Saigon. This is an intimate story of love, war, loyalty, survival and a mother’s drive to give her child a future of promise. Raw and uncompromising, Miss Saigon is an intense experience of the losses suffered and the sacrifices made in a fearful world using violence to achieve peace. Songs include: “The Movie In My Mind,” “Sun & Moon” and “The Last Night of the World.”
*= Auditions for Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka & Miss Saigon will be held at
Near West Theatre’s performance location:
St. Patrick’s Club Building, 3606 Bridge Ave., 3rd Fl.** in Ohio City.
Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka, Into The Woods and Miss Saigon are presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. 421 West 54th Street, New York, NY 10019 Phone: 212-541-4684 Fax: 212-397-4684 www.MTIShows.com
Dee Perry welcomes friendly Gordon Square restaurant rivals Marlin Kaplan of Luxe and Eric Williams of Happy Dog for a special barbecue call-in show, as we get ready to grill for the 4th of July holiday. Listeners can call to either 216-578-0903 or toll-free 1-866-578-0903 or email our chefs with your cooking questions or suggestions.
Cleveland is alive with art. It’s one of our greatest strengths.
Would-be artists have been awed by The Cleveland Museum of Art with its world-renowned collection and free admission. Budding violinists have been inspired by the Cleveland Orchestra at Blossom or a Celtic band in a local pub. Thespians have taken to local school productions after witnessing Shakespeare performed on Playhouse Square.
Great art, when combined with opportunities to create it, breeds new ideas, new art, innovation. Nonprofit organizations and community organizations provide instruction and incubation takes place in studios and backstage rehearsals.
This week, you can experience “Discover Gordon Square Arts District Day” on Sat 6/12, from 10AM until 10PM. During what promises to be “a day-long celebration of Cleveland’s new, hottest neighborhood!” Lolly the Trolley will provide round trip shuttle trips between Parade the Circle! on University Circle (corner of Ford and Bellflower) and Gordon Square (corner of W. 65th and Detroit) http://www.GordonSquare.org. Shopping is encouraged at cool retail outlets such as Room Servicehttp://www.RoomServiceCleveland.com. The after party “MADE IN THE 216″ (love the name, don’t you?) takes place at the Happy Doghttp://www.happydogcleveland.com. Enjoy live music, art galleries, shopping, walking tours, and guided tours. Classic cartoons will be shown on Saturday morning (just like when you were a kid but on the big screen) at the paitla Theatre at 10. Performance by Near West Theatre at 5 p.m. and Cleveland Public Theatre’s “End-of-Season Party” at Gordon Square. Theatre: Music & dancing! happens from 7PM – Midnight.
In Cleveland, arts districts invigorate our neighborhoods. Gordon Square Arts District was born when $20 Million was spent to renovate the near west side surrounding the Capitol Theatre. Restoration of the Capitol Theatre, a throwback to the era of classic movies like “Gone with the Wind,” was just the beginning. The Cleveland Public Theatre got a facelift and the Near West Theatre was constructed, making Gordon Square a destination for film and live theatre http://gordonsquare.org/capitol.html. You can watch a video of CoolCleveland.com’s Thomas Mulready interviewing Joy Roller of the Gordon Square Arts District by clicking the image below or here. Also pictured are Gordon Square Arts District Executive Director Jeff Ramsey and Cleveland City Councilman Matt Zone.
The streets were enhanced by new street lights, wider sidewalks, cool bus shelters [pictured] and accessible parking in the highway-accessible Detroit Shoreway neighborhood. Long underutilized and not-so-well maintained, Detroit Shoreway now enjoys great restaurants, musicals, galleries, films, and dance, in a clean and comfortable urban environment.
I headed out there on a Sunday afternoon to catch “Alice in Wonderland” at the Capitol Theatre. Others had the same idea– there was a line. Inside the theater’s lobby, the shadowy wall-sconce light and dark wood against light walls created the feel of the 1920s, the time of silent movies. The old Vaudeville stage (yes, it IS that old) remains amongst the three screens with digital projection foreign and independent, and the latest pop-culture, films, like Alice. Check out their Classic Brunch and Movie Series: a classic movie followed brunch in the adjacent restaurant, for $25 (call 440-349-3306, ext. 111 for your reservation). Late Friday Shift Schedule includes films like “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” and “The Room,” 6515 Detroit http://www.clevelandcinemas.com.
Cleveland Public Theatre has become the west side’s incubator for new talent. Dancers, choreographers, playwrights, musicians, and directors are encouraged to seek their muse and create art with the support of art professionals. Although students create raw material from inexperience, that doesn’t mean the show is deficient. The theatre has drawn a large audience from around the greater Cleveland area since 1983 http://www.cptonline.org. Check out an evening with W.B. Yeats at Cleveland Public Theatre sometime between May 13 and June 5.
Visual arts and design, including fashion, brighten 78th Street Studios a few blocks north on Lake Avenue. The Creative Arts Open House is the best way to see what the West Side’s art community has to offer. Check it out every third Friday, not the same weekend as the Tremont or Little Italy walks, which means you can walk and look at art on lots of Fridays. The hunger and thirst are staved off by light food and beverage every third weekend quarterly when the exhibits change, making it a happy hour experience from 5 until 9 http://www.78thstreetstudios.com. Music stirs in the Lava Room recording studios, and print media is alive and well at the Alternative Press.
After all that exploring, you’ll be hungry, and although Gypsy Beans & Baking Companyhttp://www.GypsyBeans.com is great for coffee and pastries, and pasta at Luxehttp://www.luxecleveland.comwill taste heavenly after all that walking.
Next up at Near West Theatre is “Rent School Edition,” opening Fri 7/23 and running through Sun 8/8. The Near West Theatre is a grassroots theatre with a focus on educating the public and strengthening people of all ages, with an emphasis on youth. Its philosophy is rooted in the transformative power of theatrical arts http://nearwesttheatre.org.
Discover Gordon Square Arts District Day, Sat 6/12, from 10AM until 10PM near West 65th and Detroit. http://www.GordonSquare.org.
From Cool Cleveland contributor Claudia Taller, whose passion for words has led to creation of the Lakeside Word Lover’s Retreats, an outgrowth of her work with Skyline Writers.
Her favorite foods are red wine, salmon, ice cream, and chocolate. She loves to read, write, tour wineries, ride her bike, ease into yoga, and cook gourmet meals for friends. Find her at http://www.claudiatallermusings.blogspot.com.
Cleveland is alive with art. It’s one of our greatest strengths.
Would-be artists have been awed by The Cleveland Museum of Art with its world-renowned collection and free admission. Budding violinists have been inspired by the Cleveland Orchestra at Blossom or a Celtic band in a local pub. Thespians have taken to local school productions after witnessing Shakespeare performed on Playhouse Square.
Great art, when combined with opportunities to create it, breeds new ideas, new art, innovation. Nonprofit organizations and community organizations provide instruction and incubation takes place in studios and backstage rehearsals.
In Cleveland, arts districts invigorate our neighborhoods. Gordon Square Arts District was born when $20 Million was spent to renovate the near west side surrounding the Capitol Theatre. Restoration of the Capitol Theatre, a throwback to the era of classic movies like “Gone with the Wind,” was just the beginning. The Cleveland Public Theatre got a facelift and the Near West Theatre was constructed, making Gordon Square a destination for film and live theatre http://gordonsquare.org/capitol.html. You can watch a video of CoolCleveland.com’s Thomas Mulready interviewing Joy Roller of the Gordon Square Arts District by clicking the image below or here. Also pictured are Gordon Square Arts District Executive Director Jeff Ramsey and Cleveland City Councilman Matt Zone.
The streets were enhanced by new street lights, wider sidewalks, and accessible parking in the highway-accessible Detroit Shoreway neighborhood. Long underutilized and not-so-well maintained, Detroit Shoreway now enjoys great restaurants, musicals, galleries, films, and dance, in a clean and comfortable urban environment.
I headed out there on a Sunday afternoon to catch “Alice in Wonderland” at the Capitol. Others had the same idea– there was a line. Inside the theater’s lobby, the shadowy wall-sconce light and dark wood against light walls created the feel of the 1920s, the time of silent movies. The old Vaudeville stage (yes, it IS that old) remains amongst the three screens with digital projection foreign and independent, and the latest pop-culture, films, like Alice. Check out their Classic Brunch and Movie Series: a classic movie followed brunch in the adjacent restaurant, for $25 (call 440-349-3306, ext. 111 for your reservation). Late Friday Shift Schedule includes films like “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” and “The Room,” 6515 Detroit http://www.clevelandcinemas.com.
Cleveland Public Theatre has become the west side’s incubator for new talent. Dancers, choreographers, playwrights, musicians, and directors are encouraged to seek their muse and create art with the support of art professionals. Although students create raw material from inexperience, that doesn’t mean the show is deficient. The theatre has drawn a large audience from around the greater Cleveland area since 1983 http://www.cptonline.org.
Visual arts and design, including fashion, brighten 78th Street Studios a few blocks north on Lake Avenue. The Creative Arts Open House is the best way to see what the West Side’s art community has to offer. Check it out every third Friday, not the same weekend as the Tremont or Little Italy walks, which means you can walk and look at art on lots of Fridays. The hunger and thirst are staved off by light food and beverage every third weekend quarterly when the exhibits change, making it a happy hour experience from 5 until 9 http://www.78thstreetstudios.com. Music stirs in the Lava Room recording studios, and print media is alive and well at the Alternative Press.
After all that exploring, you’ll be hungry, and although Gypsy Beans & Baking Company is great for coffee and pastries, pasta at Luxe will taste heavenly after all that walking http://www.GypsyBeans.com. That’s what I plan to eat after I spend an evening with W.B. Yeats at Cleveland Public Theatre sometime between May 13 and June 5.
“The Secret Garden” is playing at the Near West Theatre Thursdays through Sundays from May 7 through May 23 at 3PM. The kid-friendly production costs just $8 for adults and $6 for children. Call 216-961-6391 to purchase tickets. The Near West Theatre is a grassroots theatre with a focus on educating the public and strengthening people of all ages, with an emphasis on youth. Its philosophy is rooted in the transformative power of theatrical arts http://nearwesttheatre.org.
From Cool Cleveland contributor Claudia Taller, whose passion for words has led to creation of the Lakeside Word Lover’s Retreats, an outgrowth of her work with Skyline Writers.
Her favorite foods are red wine, salmon, ice cream, and chocolate. She loves to read, write, tour wineries, ride her bike, ease into yoga, and cook gourmet meals for friends. Find her at http://www.claudiatallermusings.blogspot.com.
Gordon Square Arts District. The Gordon Square Arts District is fast becoming Cleveland’s trendiest neighborhood. It’s on the city’s west side along Detroit Road (from about West 58th to West 73rd). The growing area has already attracted more than 30 new businesses! (2:33) » Read the rest of this entry «
These glass designs reflect even more light when placed on a mirrored table. They can be found at DuoHome in the Gordon Square Arts District. 
Lisa DeJong, The PD
I headed out there on a Sunday afternoon to catch “Alice in Wonderland” at the Capitol Theatre. Others had the same idea– there was a line. Inside the theater’s lobby, the shadowy wall-sconce light and dark wood against light walls created the feel of the 1920s, the time of silent movies. The old Vaudeville stage (yes, it IS that old) remains amongst the three screens with digital projection foreign and independent, and the latest pop-culture, films, like Alice. Check out their Classic Brunch and Movie Series: a classic movie followed brunch in the adjacent restaurant, for $25 (call 440-349-3306, ext. 111 for your reservation). Late Friday Shift Schedule includes films like “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” and “The Room,” 6515 Detroit 
From Cool Cleveland contributor Claudia Taller, whose passion for words has led to creation of the Lakeside Word Lover’s Retreats, an outgrowth of her work with Skyline Writers. 
From Cool Cleveland contributor Claudia Taller, whose passion for words has led to creation of the Lakeside Word Lover’s Retreats, an outgrowth of her work with Skyline Writers. 
