Here are some things I’ve been coveting lately. I must admit I am not a huge online shopper but I do spent time looking for beautiful objects regularly, just for the pleasure of the hunt. Since a couple of you have requested advice on where to shop in the digital world I figure I might just start sharing my favorite websites. Some sites I have talked about before, some are local, others will take you to a far away exotic country. I would love to hear your tips and addresses.
I. vintage wishbone chair | II. ceramic jar | III. toiletry case | IV. brass cuff | V. flat ankle boots | VI. incense sticks | VII. tufts cushion
I’m sure you have seen similar vases before in different sizes, colours and with all sorts of different glazes from dripglaze to volcanic. I’m not an expert when it comes to West German pottery. I’m still learning as I go. The first insight I got was by the lovely shop owner of Feelings in Antwerp, a shop stuffed with ceramics, lamps and small furniture from the 50s, 6os and 70s. After the very first piece seduced me with its bright colours and intriguing surface at a flea market, I walked into this shop for advice, not sure of what I actually just bought. She taught me to take a look at the bottom of the vase. There, if lucky, (some vases are blank or have markings which are barely readable) you’ll find two numbers (the first defining the shape, the second -usually- the hight in cm) and the confirmation that indeed it is produced in West Germany.
Some surfing on the net (with this website as main source of information) taught me that there are different brands like Scheurich and Bay Keramik and honestly, for now, that’s all I need to know. I’m not a collector. If I stumble upon reasonably priced piece I’ll consider to buy it but if the colour and texture doesn’t appeal it won’t go home with me. Some pieces, though, are really worth taking a closer look at.
How I would love to develop fabrics or wallpaper inspired by those glazes. Anyone a idea where and how to start?
all pictures by elisabeth for aestheticshelter.com
No, this is not turning into a blog with daily posts of my lunch. Please look beyond the toast. I was searching for wooden bread boards for a while now. I was fancying these but they are slightly too expensive for my tast. Once in a while I used to check al the major homes stores without finding anything to my liking. Over the weekend I discovered BON BAZAR, a new shop that opened a couple of months ago in Antwerp and focusses on organic and ecological home products. There I found this beautiful alternative.
I just love the drawing of the olive tree wood.
BON BAZAR
Steenhouwersvest 33
2000 Antwerpen
all pictures by elisabeth for aestheticshelter.com
What to do when a packaging is as delicate and refined as the object it contains? This scented Cire Trudon candle has been standing on my mantle piece wrapped in it’s pristine white box for the last six months. It was suppossed to be a Christmas gift for my mother but when I left the store i realized I have never seen her light a single candle my whole life. Guess on a subconscious level I was projecting my own Christmas wish list on others. Sounds familiar? When I finally decided to unwrap the candle I found a beautiful note describing the delicious scent in a way only the French can. If I had to describe it using one word I would say: summer. Since we are dealing with such flaky weather I’m more than happy with this breath of scented air.
