Archive for the ‘things we love’ Category

We get a lot of requests for help picking out gifts. More often than not this starts with ‘They’re very designy’ or ‘Well, she’s an architect’. Here are some gift suggestions for the designophile in your life!

[Stelton vacuum jug $94, Jasper Morrison tray by Alessi $66, Jasper Morrison salt & pepper grinders $70 each, Ylang pur soap $29, alphabet vide poche by John Derian $72, black wood trays $41/small $51/medium $92/large, Columbina oil & vinegar set $115, Bricks & Brownstone $75]

Naturally inspired gifts.

[100% cotton 'herds' tea towels $19, sunflower paperweight by john derian $61, porcelain pear bud vases $15/each, butterfly mini tray by john derian $68, sustainably harvested teak bowls small/$95 large/$180, majestic oak oval paperweight by john derian $31]

[sustainably harvested teak bowl $148 & servers $40, loop candlestick based on the fibonacci code $35, glass sea urchin bud vase $15, natural wood cheeseboard $47, fern oval paperweight by john derian $31, eye of the leopard $75]

Give an eco-friendly gift this year!

[100% organic cotton tea towel $19, pack of 3 re-useable shopping bags $22, recycled glass tumblers $11 each, tyvek re-useable shopping bags in gold and silver $20 each, stainless steel water bottles $21-$23]

December is here and we are feeling like we need to spruce up our apartments for out of town guests and holiday parties. These plush baby alpaca pillows add a pop of color to any room! Available in 8 rich tones. 18×18. $120.

I’m so excited that on my first Saturday back from maternity leave Frances Palmer will be in our shop for the afternoon. Frances is one of our favorite artists (and people) that we work with. Her work is beautiful, sculptural and whimsical and her Pearl Collection is so user friendly. The collection is made from vitreous china so it’s oven, microwave, dishwasher safe and incredibly durable making it perfect for serving holiday feasts! As Thanksgiving approaches, we will be sharing some favorite recipes that look gorgeous in Frances’ serving pieces. The first recipe for a divine Bulgarian chocolate cake comes from Frances herself. Enjoy!
(Stop by the store to meet Frances and see her lovely work on Saturday, November 7 from 12-4.)

We just got new baggus in cool summer stripes and in the new *BIG* size. I have been using my big baggu for everything from carrying laundry to toting beach towels to farmers market trips (the big baggu is perfect for carrying the long sunflowers that are at the market right now). Regular sized baggus in all colors/stripes, $8 or 3 for $22. BIG baggus, $14.

We are loving the ‘daily aesthetics’ collection of kitchen objects inspired by our favorite disposable containers. All porcelain items are microwave & dishwasher safe!
milk jug/$19

porcelain canisters, small/$15, large/$22

luncheon napkin holder/$19

glass water bottle/$38

Ok, the weather has been a bit freakish lately but it is still summer! Since I’ll be taking time off when the baby comes in August, I’m not getting to spend as many of my summer days up in the Berskshires as I normally would. I miss walking in fields up there and the sky and sunlight. Luckily we have some of Christine Rodin’s beautiful photos in the shop to gaze at and pretend.

Christine photographs landscapes and clouds in the Hudson Valley and Catskills with a WWII camera and then prints the images on watercolor paper creating a dreamy, painterly effect. She then collects antique gilt frames and glass at flea markets to frame the images. We’ve been carrying Christine’s photos for several months now and we absolutely love them and everyone else seems to as well! Come by and take a look at her work, it really is so special. We are planning a show and party for her at the shop sometime in October, I’ll update the details on this closer to the time. Happy summer to all!

Summer is in full swing! We’ve rounded up the best hostess gifts, sure to get you invited back next year.

For a seaside weekend:

[from top left: iittala tea lights, $12.50 each; John Derian shell coasters, $25 each; John Derian spouting whale tray, $94; Hable Construction 5x7 frame in sky bead, $68; white lanterns, $59 each; Poems of The Sea, $13.50]

For a country retreat:

[from top left: Flights of Fancy, $19.95; John Derian swallow mini tray, $68; John Derian lilac oval paperweight, $31; The Gardener's Year, $11.95; handmade copper grater in tortoise, $37; porcelain pear vase, $15; handmade bird call (swallow), $50; Alessi parrot corkscrew, $58; glass chickadee bud vase, $19; John Derian flower petals oval paperweight, $31]

My uber-creative, super stylish, organic baker friend Sarah Magid came out with her first book, Organic and Chic, on June 2! We will be celebrating her with a book signing and party at the shop this Sunday, June 14 from 1-3.

Sarah is a Brooklyn mom of two ridiculously adorable kids who uses all of her creative talents honed in the fashion world (she used to design shoes and jewelry for companies such as J. Crew, Frye, Liz Claiborne, Henri Bendel, among others) to make the most amazing, beautiful, tasty, organic baked treats. Her ‘Goldies’ (organic twinkies with golden frosting) served as my wedding cake last summer! The book is totally beautiful, with photos by Noah Sheldon and styled by Kim Ficaro (style editor from Domino). We will be selling books, drinking pink prosecco and eating Sarah’s cookies and cupcakes all afternoon, so stop on by!

Where:
abitare
309 Henry Street btw. State Street & Atlantic Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11201
When:
Sunday, June 14 from 1-3pm