Here's A Side Table For The Hardcore Chicagoan

By Chuck Sudo in Arts & Entertainment on Nov 19, 2012 10:15PM

Photo courtesy of Julie Purpura.

Furniture designer Julie Purpura owns 900 Blok, a contemporary design studio that's also one of a handful of female-owned furniture designers in Chicago.

Purpura calls her furniture designs "passion projects" intended to be simple and sophisticated, and made to show the enthusiasm she put into them and, hopefully, transfers to buyers. Purpura has a series of side tables made in the shapes of the states in the Union she says "evoke the feeling of nostalgia for a place. I’m also drawn to the history of the shape of each city and state. All too often I get caught up in wondering who drew these territory lines and what determined their locations."

Purpura is now taking the side table concept to city boundaries and Chicago is the first to receive the 900 Blok treatment, made from HDF board and solid oak legs with a spray lacquer finish. This will be part of 900 Blok's inventory and will kick off a series of city side tables. People interested in buying the table can do so online or at the newly opened home furnishings store Neighborly (2003 W. Montrose).