It's Seven-Eleven! And, when I think of 7/11, it conjures the word "convenience." In our modern world—with so much coming at us all the time—I (try to) rely on habit and discipline to help smooth the (otherwise) rough edges of getting through the day, on time. For me, I could not function without designating a place to keep my "exit essentials": keys, wallet and various "membership cards" which I need at different points in my schedule. In our household, we have a handsome French ceramic pie plate, glazed navy blue on the outside, glazed white on the inside (complete with a beautiful ruffled edge). It was the wonderful gift of a friend, Steve Leamer, who once made us a pie in it. The pie plate was a part of the gift. In the intervening 25 years, we never used it for another pie, however, it's become one of the most useful pieces in our kitchen—right near the door—in which we safekeep our important, quick-grab items. Thanks to Steve, I nearly never have to hunt for my keys or wallet when I should be rushing out the door.
Shown here, a variation on this theme: an Italian sand-cast pewter "pocket caddy," fitted with a leather pad along the bottom. Sand-casting is an ancient method of creating metal items. In the earliest days, an object (either a "model" or some other object which one wished to duplicate) would be pressed into sand and removed, leaving an impression. Molten metal would then be poured into that depression, creating a rough but serviceable "copy" of the original item. Although today's techniques have been modernized, sand-casting remains a primitive method of metal casting. Flaws, burrs, bubbles and other idiosyncrasies are created, all of which need to be "chased"—manually sanded-down and removed (not to mention, removing all the sand which had become stuck to the metal). This creates a handsome imprecision, an "old world charm." In the case of this Italian pewter tray, these "flaws" are the details which give the piece its warm character. Click on the photo above to learn more about this handsome piece. And never lose your keys again!
Though our Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed, LEO Design is still alive and well! Please visit our on-line store where we continue to sell Handsome Gifts (www.LEOdesignNYC.com).
To arrange a visit our Pittsburgh showroom (by private appointment only), please call 917-446-4248.