I headed down to 400 S. Jefferson (it’s really on the corner of Van Buren and Des Plaines) in Chicago yesterday afternoon to be your personal scout at the Chiasso Warehouse Sale. What a happening! I even spotted a family making a day of it picnicking on the carpeting.

(The rugs were up to 80% off, but I know for a fact that the family was more than 20% “on.” They were definitely motivated buyers. You should have seen them earlier racing up and down the aisles. And they had really good taste, too, but put something down just long enough for someone else to pick it up.) Which brings me to your primary note to self: don’t blink–or the great office chair or modern sofa or contemporary clock or floor lamp or lamp shade or ottoman or mirror or mailbox or bar stool or side table or coffee table or console or wall art or fireplace accessory or table sculpture or wall hanging or placemats or area rug or floor tiles or TOASTER you had your eye on will either have vanished or have a big red SOLD sign on it and you’ll have to move on to some other great stuff. Lucky for you, there are plenty of “finds” to be found. And the people watching isn’t half bad either. You’ll have some real pros as competition, but the Chiasso staff is very friendly and helpful, as always, and will assist you in finding what you’re looking for as best they can. Everything is very well organized and the prices are terrific.