Primitive recently moved from its long-time location in River North to a sprawling 30,000 square-foot exhibition space in the West Loop. Although we haven't yet made it over to the new flagship store, for many years Primitive has been one of our favorite spots to browse through Asian and African finds. They have a seemingly endless stock of tables, cabinets, bookcases, chairs, mirrors, artwork, and textiles...
In addition to the West Loop store, they have a warehouse in Bridgeport. Owner Glen Joffe has collected these pieces over a lifetime of travel, and he has a blog on his site with photos and first-hand accounts of some recent trips. These are quality, one-of-a-kind antiques that don't come cheap, but are worth the investment.
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Comments (3)
PRIMITIVE ROCKS!
If you have not been to this totally unique "store"/showroom....go- now.
Glen Joffee has taken an old Rubber Hose Companies building & carefully (and lovingly) rehabbed every square inch of this space.
From the gorgeous displays of artifacts from around the planet - to the TOTALLY unique Buddah Room he designed- there is no other space I've seen that compares! (OK- maybe, the new Golden Triangle on Clark.....maybe....)
The Budda Room, that I mentioned.....displays uniquely carved stone Buddahs from all over Asia - in an environment totally hancrafted with wooden doors, and purifying prayer fountains,& amazing handpainted Monestary Murals- with chant music, (that is allegedly The Dali Lamas favorite) softly playing in the background.
To say - that the experience is "religious" would be a huge understatement.
And, I'm not a Buddist.
I consider Glens colection on par with any Museum collection- all at prices that would amaze you.
Please don't miss seeing PRIMITIVES GALLERY- and get a nibble at the Sepia Restaurant across the street>as well - go see Gary at ASSEMBLAGE (mid-century Furniture,all 1st dibs worthy..) next to SEPIA.
Jefferson Street is THE place to be.....
I can't believe I've worked right across from this place and never found the time to go in! Looks very cool, though way out of my price range. Still, I'm going to check it out. Thanks AT! (ManofSteel---yeah, Jefferson Street!)
Hey AmberM- another thing I forgot to mention- PRIMITIVE also has an amazing collection of ethnic jewelery, tribal and non- clothing,pillows,and other acccessories.(all reasonably priced- especially in comparison to some of the Rugs, etc.)
Glen has even source out a small family based business to Private label, a most aromatic & musky incense for him, that is burned in some of the Tibetan monasteries!
Oh- and in the interest of full disclosure-I recently made a Custom Steel and wood ,Interior StairRailing for a client from an Wooden artifact from PRIMITIVES-
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kramerdesignstudio/2260506853/
BUT- was/have been a huge fan of his Gallery/Showroom since a few months after his opening.