Chicago Furniture District While River North may have given up some of its ground as a gallery district to the upstart West Loop, the neighborhood continues to quietly build on its reputation as one of the country’s best areas for home design. Spread out across a healthy geography just north of Merchandise Mart, the Chicago Furniture District is a collection of mostly independent furnishing boutiques, ranging from the antique Asian furniture of The Golden Triangle to the classical whimsy of Mig & Tig to the four-story contemporary collection of the Design Studio. Don’t limit your explorations to the retailers who’ve participated in the Web site and neighborhood map, though, lest you miss the likes of Orangeskin, Raul Carrasco, Mobili Mobel and many other quality stores. Chicagofurnituredistrict.com
Audience choice: Ikea 1800 East McConnor, Schaumburg, (847)969-9700; 750 East Boughton, Bolingbrook, (630)972-7900
