The guys are having all the fun these days. Men's wear retail stores have begun to take on an artisinal elegance, so relaxed, I want to go hang out with a novel and hearty mug of coffee. To wit:
Hostem in London, above, as presented by design überblog
Remodelista Daily. How about that egg-and-dart detail on the washed wood door or the old church pew turned shop counter?
The tone brought to mind
Billy Reid, the Southern men's wear retailer that's making quite the impression with its use of comfortably aged elegance in its stores. Actually, Billy's got a little something for the girls too, but that's not the point. The focus is on the fellows and a fine aged-in-the-wood ambiance.
Pan back to Hostem, and love the grit and grace of an old concrete plinth displaying hightop sneakers. Equally important is the tent effect of the ceiling, draped with painted hessian cloth.
Billy Reid, meanwhile, turns a grand old beadboard bookcase into a display platform for shirts and so forth. Note the set of crystal decanters at lower right set upon a silver tray.
I'm loving the juxtaposition of the industrial cage lighting fixture and the ancient piece of masonry displaying boots at Hostem.
Juxtaposition of a different sort: graceful milk glass cake stand and simple vase of wild posies set amid the sexy masculinity of softly starched fine cotton shirts. Billy Reid gets it just right.
There is contrast and confluence between these two shops -- Hostem so minimal, Billy Reid filled to the brim with high taste, and both of them possessed with a healthy respect for that which is worn, warm and welcoming.
à bientôt...Tatie
(My Chouette posts take a look at other blogs, newsletters and what-not, all of which bring a little aesthetic to the table.)
Fine silver along with rich wood and upholstery make a combination that hits on so many senses: touch, taste and, of course, visual. Perhaps there's no finer way to serve something for the senses than with vintage silver butler trays, above. Add an element of men's haberdashery for a peppery note, and you have the intriguing highlights of a recent Remodelista report.
One item presented Obsolete, a Venice, California, furniture maker and their chair that's all tufts and men's haberdashery tailoring. This piece is upholstered in men's fine shirting.
It's not much of a jump at all to a table appointed for tea at the Wolseley in London, where late afternoon light reflects off a silver tea setting and an intimate gathering among friends.
Then, it's back to the deep and delicious tones of Obsolete's library chair upholstered in men's suiting.
I'm longing for crisper temperatures and the shadows they cast that remind me of a European autumn. These treats for the senses almost hit the spot.
á bientôt...Tatie
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