A new shop from Chiasso had just opened its doors for the first time about 10 minutes before we arrived today.
The online/catalog retailer made the move back from paper and digital only to brick and mortar when they opened in Lincoln Park today.
The shop has the best of the online items, and as usual, we are always happy to be able to see everything in person. White and silver is the big color story here, with dark wood as an accent. There are both familiar design stand-bys like Flor tiles and Chilewich mats and items that were completely new to us. It's a good mix of familiar and fresh.
There is seating and storage, lighting, floor coverings and decor. We liked the "outside" stuff, like the mailboxes, house numbers and door mats. Garden goods, especially the bird feeders are worth a look.
The lighting options are well priced, starting under $50. and going up to around $300. for floor lamps. Another good selection are the organizers/entry way items, with useful goods like key holders, 
I remember shopping Chiasso when they had their Water Tower location several years ago.
My only real gripe about them is that they mix authentic designer items with crappy import knock-off items, leaving the uneducated customer confused as to why some items are reasonably priced and others seem expensive.
Example: Elise Floor Lamp: Chiasso Price $298, which is about the same as everywhere else, but when compared to the overpriced imported
You know, their identity always puzzled me...it seems a bit unfocused for the reasons Devyn pointed out, and it's really apparent to me in their catalogue. The owners of Chiasso are the same as CB2 & Crate and Barrel, so I'm just wondering how they're positioning Chiasso, what's the strategy with a store like this--a combination of CB2 and Crate and Barrel all rolled into one? Or maybe the West Elm of home design. Or maybe over time they'll create their own niche? I like some of what they're doing but focus seems to be the key word here.
I used to shop at the Chiasso store that was in Water Tower. I loved that store but their new one on Clybourn is even better! Along with having some fun, small gifty items, they have a great selection of modern, well-priced sofas and chairs. And they have a fantastic lighting wall with a good range of prices. I bought the Galaxy lamp, so cool, $98.00!!!
There is a lot of stuff at this store that I havent seen anywhere else so it is definitely worth stopping by.
a lot less generic than either CB2, Crate, or West Elm. Chiasso feels like a real design stores, with some high ticket items, and some very affordable items- there's something for everyone- and you won't see it in everyones home- or even worse- dorm room. Adults can happily shop here, too. Congratlations on a job very well done.
Chiasso was purchased a few years ago by the son of Gordan Segal, founder of Crate & Barrel. They are unrelated otherwise.
Gordan Segal is the CEO at C&B, but is now a minority owner of C&B.
i think that they are trying to cover too many bases at once by offering something for everyone, even though that might mean a hodge-podge of pricing scales and oddly designed items out on the sales floor/catalogue/website. but, i also think they're beginning to pull things together from years ago when they had that store in chicago place mall on michigan ave.
I think the new Chiasso looks great the upholstery choices are pretty cool and not seen any where else in Chi-town.