JOURNAL RSS
While I have never smoked—and would never encourage smoking—I must admit that I have befriended many a smoker. And I really like the accoutrements of lighting-up. So, if you must, please do it in style (until you quit, that is). For a few days, I will share some of our Spanish smoking accessories—all now on-line at LEO Design. We end our parade of smoking accoutrements with this large Spanish humidor, made to accommodate between 50 and 70 cigars. It is wrapped in black calfskin and lined with Spanish Cedar. It also includes a Credo Humidity Regulator and and Electronic Thermo Hygrometer. Please click on the photo above to learn more about it. Though our Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed, LEO Design...
If You Must - part III
While I have never smoked—and would never encourage smoking—I must admit that I have befriended many a smoker. And I really like the accoutrements of lighting-up. So, if you must, please do it in style (until you quit, that is). For a few days, I will share some of our Spanish smoking accessories—all now on-line at LEO Design. For those who really want to take-along that coveted stogie, maybe this handsome Spanish cigar case will prove practical and stylish. Made of hand-stitched black calfskin, it telescopes to hold a cigar of varying lengths (and is the right diameter for a Corona). Click on the photo above to learn more about it. Though our Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed, LEO Design...
If You Must - part II
While I have never smoked—and would never encourage smoking—I must admit that I have befriended many a smoker. And I really like the accoutrements of lighting-up. So, if you must, please do it in style (until you quit, that is). For a few days, I will share some of our Spanish smoking accessories—all now on-line at LEO Design. This handsome telescoping leather "case" is intended to dress-up a pack of cigarettes with élan. Made in Spain, of textured black calfskin, it can also be used as a unique business card case or wallet of sorts—holding credit cards, licenses and a collection of business cards kept safe for reference. Please click on the photo above to learn more about it. Though our Greenwich Village store...
If You Must - part I
While I have never smoked—and would never encourage smoking—I must admit that I have befriended many a smoker. And I really like the accoutrements of lighting-up. So, if you must, please do it in style (until you quit, that is). For a few days, I will share some of our Spanish smoking accessories—all now on-line at LEO Design. Shown here is a Spanish calfskin cigar humidor, lined in Spanish Cedar. It will hold 12 to 18 cigars (depending on their sizes) and is fitted with handsome chrome hinges. It also includes a Credo Humidity Regulator. Please click on the photo above to learn more about it. Though our Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed, LEO Design is still alive and well!...
A Little More Cheer
Here's a nice gift for your favorite gentleman sportsman or the groomsmen in your Autumn wedding party: a six ounce hip flask by CC Filson. Made in the US, the stainless steel flask is wrapped in stitched bridal leather and is fitted with an attached screw-down cap. And the vessel has a gentle curve to it, making it a nice fit in a breast or hip pocket. Please click on the photo above to learn more about it. 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). We also can be found in Pittsburgh's historic "Strip District" at Mahla & Co....
Cheers, Mate!
Autumn is nigh, and there's a foreboding snap in the air. Why let the chill keep you from your favorite outdoor sport (or sporting event)? Take along a little warming nip—in this stylish Art Deco inspired stainless steel hip flask. It has a gentle curved surface, ideal for a ride in your hip or breast pocket. It holds six ounces which remain well contained beneath the effective screw-down cap. Click on the photo above to learn more about it. 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). We also can be found in Pittsburgh's historic "Strip District" at Mahla & Co. Antiques (www.mahlaantiques.com) or in...
Key to Style - II
Here's another Japanese key wallet, this time wrapped in a bold red and navy blue repp stripe. It's lined in leather and fitted with brass rings and a closure snap. Click on the photo above to learn more about it.
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).
We also can be found in Pittsburgh's historic "Strip District" at Mahla & Co. Antiques (www.mahlaantiques.com) or in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania at The Antique Center of Strabane (www.antiquecenterofstrabane.com).
Or call to arrange to visit our Pittsburgh showroom (by private appointment only). 917-446-4248
Key to Style - I
Key wallets, such as the example shown above, are popular in Japan, where this one was made. They've wrapped it in a Royal Blue repp stripe, lined it in leather, and added brass key rings and a closure snap. Please click on the photo above to learn more about it.
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).
We also can be found in Pittsburgh's historic "Strip District" at Mahla & Co. Antiques (www.mahlaantiques.com) or in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania at The Antique Center of Strabane (www.antiquecenterofstrabane.com).
Or call to arrange to visit our Pittsburgh showroom (by private appointment only). 917-446-4248
Shaving in Style - part VI
Another classic (and long carried) vendor at LEO Design is D.R. Harris from London. Founded in 1790—when barbering and medicine were nearly one and the same—D.R. Harris has been serving stylish Londoners for over two centuries. For the next few days we will show a sampling of our D.R. Harris range. Let's end this little parade of shaving accoutrements with this clever "Travel Shave Brush" by D.R. Harris. Made of "Best Badger" hair set into an Ivorine handle, it also comes with a heavy plastic tube for travel. Click on the photo above to learn more about it. Though our Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed, LEO Design is still alive and well! Please visit our on-line store where...
Shaving in Style - part V
Another classic (and long carried) vendor at LEO Design is D.R. Harris from London. Founded in 1790—when barbering and medicine were nearly one and the same—D.R. Harris has been serving stylish Londoners for over two centuries. For the next few days we will show a sampling of our D.R. Harris range. As previously noted, a good badger shave brush should last a man most of his shaving lifetime—as long as the instrument is stored bristles down (for proper drainage). This modest Ivorine shave brush holder will store and protect your shaving brush. It will stand on a flat surface or can be attached to the wall with foam tape. Please click on the photo above to learn more about it....
Shaving in Style - part IV
Another classic (and long carried) vendor at LEO Design is D.R. Harris from London. Founded in 1790—when barbering and medicine were nearly one and the same—D.R. Harris has been serving stylish Londoners for over two centuries. For the next few days we will show a sampling of our D.R. Harris range. A good badger shave brush should last a man most of his shaving lifetime. But it's essential that the brush be properly stored—which means bristles down. When stored this way, any liquid within the handle will drain out, thus protecting the hand-knotted badger hairs from rotting. Shown above, a handsome solution to this storage requirement. Made of chrome and Ivorine, it will keep your sink area tidy and your...
Shaving in Style - part III
Another classic (and long carried) vendor at LEO Design is D.R. Harris from London. Founded in 1790—when barbering and medicine were nearly one and the same—D.R. Harris has been serving stylish Londoners for over two centuries. For the next few days we will show a sampling of our D.R. Harris range. Like yesterday's journal entry, today we feature a chrome and Ivorine shaver—this time for Gillette "Mach 3" blades. Please click on the photo above to learn more about it. More D.R. Harris products tomorrow. 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). We also can be found in Pittsburgh's...
Shaving in Style - part II
Another classic (and long carried) vendor at LEO Design is D.R. Harris from London. Founded in 1790—when barbering and medicine were nearly one and the same—D.R. Harris has been serving stylish Londoners for over two centuries. For the next few days we will show a sampling of our D.R. Harris range. Bring a bit of the Old Time Barbershop to your bath with this chrome and Ivorine shaver, designed for Gillette "Sensor" blades. It can be used alone or with the handsome matching Shave Stand, sold separately in the LEO Design on-line store. Click on the photo to learn more about it. More D.R. Harris products tomorrow. Though our Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed, LEO Design is still...
Shaving in Style - part I
Another classic (and long carried) vendor at LEO Design is D.R. Harris from London. Founded in 1790—when barbering and medicine were nearly one and the same—D.R. Harris has been serving stylish Londoners for over two centuries. For the next few days we will show a sampling of our D.R. Harris range. This English shave brush is made of select badger hairs which are hand-knotted and set into an Ivorine plastic brush handle. The hairs fluff-up the shaving lather, whether in a shaving bowl, cup or in the hand. And, while applying the froth, one's beard is lifted for a closer, easier shave. D.R. Harris sources its non-endangered badger hair from sustainable farms and they monitor the animal welfare practices of...
Saint John Cardinal Newman
This morning, 13 October in Rome, Pope Francis canonized Saint John Cardinal Newman—Oxford educator, Anglican priest, writer, philosopher, and towering intellectual. As a clergyman in the Church of England, he developed and lead “The Oxford Movement” which encouraged the return of his church to the Latin rites and theology used by the Roman church. In 1845, Newman converted to Roman Catholicism and, eventually, was elevated to cardinal. In 2010, he was beatified (at which point he was called “blessed”) which was the final step before canonization to full sainthood. In 1888, the first Newman Club was established at Oxford, inspired by the writings of Cardinal Newman. Today there are Newman Centers found around the world—Catholic student centers at otherwise secular universities. Newman...
English Leather - part IX
For several days we are sharing selections from our collection of Bill Amberg leather goods from London. We've been selling Bill's designs for over twenty years—and still admire the quality of his craftsmanship and materials. Most of the items are stitched in vegetable-dyed English bridal leather and will develop a rich patina with use. Even if all night raves are well in your past, a little flash of "The Clash" might give you a frisson of those glory days. Bill Amberg's black bridal leather wallet is secured with a silvery zip—exuding just the right balance of tailored elegance and countercultural remembrance. It definitely projects a sophisticated urban simplicity—all while providing good storage for your credit cards, coins and cash. Click on...
English Leather - part VIII
For several days we are sharing selections from our collection of Bill Amberg leather goods from London. We've been selling Bill's designs for over twenty years—and still admire the quality of his craftsmanship and materials. Most of the items are stitched in vegetable-dyed English bridal leather and will develop a rich patina with use. If it's Saturday night and you're heading-out on the town, sometimes this modest credit card sleeve is the perfect companion for your jeans. It has three pockets and will accommodate a license, a credit card and maybe a Twenty or two. And its slim profile means it will fit into your front pocket or shirt pocket with ease. Click on the photo above to learn more...
English Leather - part VII
For several days we are sharing selections from our collection of Bill Amberg leather goods from London. We've been selling Bill's designs for over twenty years—and still admire the quality of his craftsmanship and materials. Most of the items are stitched in vegetable-dyed English bridal leather and will develop a rich patina with use. Like the other Bill Amberg items shown this week, this Zippered Wallet is vegetable-dyed—but it is not bridal leather. It is stitched of "pebbled" leather. Pebbled leather is mechanically wrinkled (usually in a tumbler) or imprinted with a pattern (through rollers). It allows the tanner to utilize mature hides—perhaps with light scarring or marks—which are otherwise of high quality. The pebbling also creates a finished skin...
English Leather - part VI
For several days we are sharing selections from our collection of Bill Amberg leather goods from London. We've been selling Bill's designs for over twenty years—and still admire the quality of his craftsmanship and materials. Most of the items are stitched in vegetable-dyed English bridal leather and will develop a rich patina with use. Like yesterday's Journal entry, this Bill Amberg wallet can be used as either a Dress Wallet or a Checkbook Wallet. This option, shown here in black, holds only seven credit cards, however, making for a slightly slimmer profile (a consideration if you plan to insert a checkbook and a register booklet). The black vegetable-dyed bridal leather will develop an elegant lustre with use. Click on the...
English Leather - part V
For several days we are sharing selections from our collection of Bill Amberg leather goods from London. We've been selling Bill's designs for over twenty years—and still admire the quality of his craftsmanship and materials. Most of the items are stitched in vegetable-dyed English bridal leather and will develop a rich patina with use. A "Dress Wallet" hearkens back to the days of Double-Breasted Suits and Homburgs. Imagine Paul Henreid stepping-up to the reception desk of an elegant, tropical hotel lobby. Meant to ride in a suit breast pocket, it could also be carried in a handbag or attaché case. This model holds 14 credit cards and has multiple slots for currency bills—or it can hold a standard checkbook. (See...
English Leather - part IV
For several days we are sharing selections from our collection of Bill Amberg leather goods from London. We've been selling Bill's designs for over twenty years—and still admire the quality of his craftsmanship and materials. Most of the items are stitched in vegetable-dyed English bridal leather and will develop a rich patina with use. "British Tan" is a wonderful, classic leather color. But (with the best leather goods) the color "evolves" with use and wear—it is not fully-realized on Day One. Bill Amberg uses vegetable dyes which develop a rich patina when handled over time. The change is most dramatic in the British Tan color—which loses its orange tone and becomes tanner (browner) with age. The leather surface will also...
English Leather - part III
For several days we are sharing selections from our collection of Bill Amberg leather goods from London. We've been selling Bill's designs for over twenty years—and still admire the quality of his craftsmanship and materials. Most of the items are stitched in vegetable-dyed English bridal leather and will develop a rich patina with use. Here's something you don't see much anymore: an elegant leather "Travel Wallet." It's longer than a traditional checkbook and was designed to hold documents and cards for one's journey. There are slots for eight credit (or identification) cards, three pockets for different currencies, and a slot for conveniently accessing a ticket or boarding pass. Keep it in your briefcase, handbag or breast pocket—and set-off in organized...
English Leather - part II
For several days we are sharing selections from our collection of Bill Amberg leather goods from London. We've been selling Bill's designs for over twenty years—and still admire the quality of his craftsmanship and materials. Most of the items are stitched in vegetable-dyed English bridal leather and will develop a rich patina with use. Looking for something a little less bulky than a traditional wallet? This bi-fold credit card wallet is slim, and has four slots to hold a couple of credit cards and a driver's license. You might also fold a couple of Twenties into one sleeve, just in case. The vegetable-dyed British Tan leather will darken handsomely with use, becoming browner, less orange. Click on the photo above...
English Leather - part I
For several days we are sharing selections from our collection of Bill Amberg leather goods from London. We've been selling Bill's designs for over twenty years—and still admire the quality of his craftsmanship and materials. Most of the items are stitched in vegetable-dyed English bridal leather and will develop a rich patina with use. The zip wallet, shown above, is our most popular Bill Amberg offering. The zippered closure helps keep things neat, tidy and secure. And the interior coin pocket—a concession to British Pound coins—is a handy place to keep-safe a small, precious possession. This chocolate brown leather is especially nice with use—developing a rich lustre with years of use. Click on the photo above to learn more about...
National Best Boyfriends Awards
According to the fine people at Wikipedia, today is National Best Boyfriends Awards Day. So how about a fun prize for your fun guy? (A fun prize other than you, of course). Perhaps a pair of enameled cufflinks proclaiming "Guinness is good for you." Made in England the 1930’s, they’ll remind your special guy that he is a special guy, indeed. You might also remind him that the beer is made in Ireland! Please click on the photo above to learn more about them.
A Platinum Ring
Is it too early to think about New Year's Eve? Perhaps these quality crystal champagne coupes will put you into the mood. The set of five glasses are rimmed with platinum—which provides a stylish punctuation and helps to preserve the rims from chipping. And the bowls stand atop elegantly hand-faceted stems which give just a little extra pop of light. Click on the photo above to learn more about the coupes. 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). We also can be found in Pittsburgh's historic "Strip District" at Mahla & Co. Antiques (www.mahlaantiques.com) or in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania at The Antique Center...
Welcome, October!
Help us welcome October—a month with two gemstones: the Tourmaline and the Opal. Tourmalines were first mined in Ceylon (now called Sri Lanka) and brought to Europe by the Dutch East India Company in the 17th and 18th Centuries. At the time, they were considered an expensive and exotic luxury. Since then, they also have been discovered and mined in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Africa and Brazil. Tourmalines come in a wide variety of colors including black or multi-colored specimens—like the “Watermelon Tourmaline” which is pink at one end and green at the other. New Age practitioners claim that the semi-precious stone will detoxify the human body, reduce stress, and have a beneficial effect on the nervous system. Jewelers promote the sales of tourmalines...
Sundays Have Never Been the Same Since
On this day in 1939, NBC broadcast the first American Football game ever—to a total of 1000 television sets. The game pitted the Fordham University Rams (in the Bronx) against the Waynesburg University Yellow Jackets (near Pittsburgh, PA). The game was played at (and televised from) the Triborough Stadium on Randall's Island, New York City. One camera and one announcer covered the match, won by Fordham (34 to 7). The Japanese crystal football, shown above, was made by Sasaki in the 1980's. It bears no team name or other branding and would make a nice paperweight or "conversation piece" on your desk or bookshelf. Please click on the photo above to learn more about it. Though our Greenwich Village...
World Heart Day
Today is World Heart Day—a day when we should stop to consider how important our hearts are and to learn how we can better care for them. Heart diseases are the leading cause of death in America and Worldwide. And how can we pamper our hearts? See your doctor. Participate in vigorous activity (commensurate with your age and fitness level). Eat healthy foods (especially fruits and vegetables). Don't smoke or vape. Lose weight. Simple, yes (though not easy). The hearts above are cast of pewter and finished with a brassy finish. They are "punched and ringed" to be used as a keying. Perhaps it would be a nice "love token" to one's beloved. Or a reminder to care for our hearts—which...
Good Night, Sweet Prince - part V
Frogs and toads don't hold the copyright on being mis-judged. At least one swan baby (a "cygnet") has been bullied—and called "an ugly duckling." And we all know how that story ends. This little swan, cast in bronze, is well-past his awkward age. Let him skim the surface of your desk—or sit atop a stack of papers. Click on the photo above to learn more about him. 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). We also can be found in Pittsburgh's historic "Strip District" at Mahla & Co. Antiques (www.mahlaantiques.com) or in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania at The Antique Center of Strabane (www.antiquecenterofstrabane.com). Or call...
Good Night, Sweet Prince - part IV
This solid bronze tree frog is beautifully sculpted. His feet and finish suggest a clammy viscosity on this climber's clinging surfaces. He'd make an intriguing paperweight on your desk or credenza—or a clever accent in your planter pot. Click on the photo above to learn more about him.
Another "hidden prince" tomorrow.
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).
We also can be found in Pittsburgh's historic "Strip District" at Mahla & Co. Antiques (www.mahlaantiques.com) or in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania at The Antique Center of Strabane (www.antiquecenterofstrabane.com).
Or call to arrange to visit our Pittsburgh showroom (by private appointment only). 917-446-4248
Good Night, Sweet Prince - part III
This resolute little toad seems to be "over it." Perhaps he struggled to climb upon his rock? He's cast in brass and finished with a verdigris bronze patina. He would abide an outdoor location, though his finish will age and weather much more quickly. Click on the photo above to learn more about him. Another "hidden prince" tomorrow. 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). We also can be found in Pittsburgh's historic "Strip District" at Mahla & Co. Antiques (www.mahlaantiques.com) or in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania at The Antique Center of Strabane (www.antiquecenterofstrabane.com). Or call to arrange to visit our Pittsburgh showroom (by private...
Good Night, Sweet Prince - part II
This "Prince-in-Waiting"—warts and all—is, indeed, rather handsome. He is silver-plated and plays "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star." Though intended as a baby gift, he will be just as popular sitting on an adult's desk. Click on the photo above to learn more about him.
Another "hidden prince" tomorrow.
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).
We also can be found in Pittsburgh's historic "Strip District" at Mahla & Co. Antiques (www.mahlaantiques.com) or in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania at The Antique Center of Strabane (www.antiquecenterofstrabane.com).
Or call to arrange to visit our Pittsburgh showroom (by private appointment only). 917-446-4248
Good Night, Sweet Prince - part I
Literature is replete with stories of beautiful creatures hidden behind an ugly mask. Toads are often cast in this role; a spell-bound prince is trapped in the warty skin of a repulsive toad—and he only needs a kiss to break the spell. This toad—admittedly more repugnant than charming—was made of cast iron in Japan. I promise he'll make a loyal companion on your desk; I cannot ensure that he'll turn into a charming prince. Click on the photo above to learn more about it. Another "hidden prince" tomorrow. 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). We also can be found...
Welcome, Fall!
Early this morning—at 3:50 am Eastern Time—the Earth will experience the "Autumnal Equinox" which marks the first day of Fall. "Equinox" means "equal night" and it refers to the moment when the center of the sun is right over the Earth's Equator. All around the world, night and day will be approximately equal in length. For those of us in the Northern Hemisphere, going forward, the nights will begin to be longer than the day. In the Southern Hemisphere, days will begin to be longer than the nights. The golden leaf, shown above, is a little plate, sculpted in the form of a maple leaf. It is finished with a brassy wash and would make a perfect place for you to...
Heavy Hearted
This is a heavy heart—in the best sense of those words. Rustically modeled and cast in pewter, it is a sculptural paperweight or a substantial token to the object of one's affection. It is also available in a brassy finish. Please click the photo above to learn more about it.
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).
We also can be found in Pittsburgh's historic "Strip District" at Mahla & Co. Antiques (www.mahlaantiques.com) or in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania at The Antique Center of Strabane (www.antiquecenterofstrabane.com).
Or call to arrange to visit our Pittsburgh showroom (by private appointment only). 917-446-4248
Run for the Roses
All the long, lazy mornings In pastures of green The sun on your withers The wind in your mane Could never prepare youFor what lies ahead The run for the roses so red. -Dan Fogelberg A handsome pair of horses—one "winning by a nose"—feature on each of this pair of bookends, made in the 1920's or 1930's. Crisply modeled and cast in iron, each pair is framed by a horseshoe. Is there any animal more noble than a horse? Made by Bradley & Hubbard, they would make a wonderful gift for your favorite equestrian (or bookie). Please click on the photo...
Amber Deco
The highlight of these American Art Deco cufflinks from the 1930's is the handsome amber-colored glass enameling which rests over radiant guilloché etching. They are finished with gold-plated backs, a nice attention to detail. Although the enamel is amber-colored, it does not contain the actual gemstone. But these cufflinks do bring-to-mind, however, the beauty and geological fascination of amber which has fascinated humans for over 10,000 years. Amber is the fossilized remains of tree (usually pine) sap which was buried and transformed into the gemstone under heat and pressure. Away from sunlight, rain, microbes and extreme temperatures, the sap hardens over the course of millions of years. While some amber has been dated to 370 million years ago, it is believed that 2 to...
Puppy Eyes
Who can resist a pair of "Puppy Eyes"? This little fella will be picked-up a lot—delighting the curious with his wind-up musicality. This little spaniel pup plays "Brahms's Lullaby" and looks adorable while playing it. Though a baby gift, adults seem helpless under his spell. Click on the photo above to learn more about him.
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).
We also can be found in Pittsburgh's historic "Strip District" at Mahla & Co. Antiques (www.mahlaantiques.com) or in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania at The Antique Center of Strabane (www.antiquecenterofstrabane.com).
Or call to arrange to visit our Pittsburgh showroom (by private appointment only). 917-446-4248
Pre-Easter Parade - part III
Easter is about seven months away—yet our collection of cuddly bunnies already are awaiting their cue. Let's end our three day parade of rabbits and hares—all ready to hop your way—with this adorable little creature. Our precious silver-plated baby bunny is actually a wind-up music box which plays "Rock-a-Bye Baby." Though intended as a baby gift, he is better left in the hands of a careful adult. But his classic tune may help a little one drift-off at bedtime. He'd also be a favorite plaything on an executive desk or coffee table. Click on the photo above to learn more about him. Though our Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed, LEO Design is still alive and well! Please visit...
Pre-Easter Parade - part II
Easter is about seven months away—yet our collection of cuddly bunnies already are awaiting their cue. We're in the middle of our three-day parade of rabbits and hares—all ready to hop your way. The brass hare, shown above, is finished with a verdigris bronze patina which gives him an aged, outdoorsy look. In fact, he can stand living out-of-doors—although it will expedite his weathered look. His sculptor captured the tentative energy and slightly skittish nature of a watchful rabbit, ready-to-flee. Learn more about him by clicking on the photo above. Another rabbit tomorrow. 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). ...
Pre-Easter Parade - part I
Easter is about seven months away—yet our collection of cuddly bunnies already are awaiting their cue. Over the next three days, we'll share a trio of rabbits and hares, all ready to hop your way. Shown above, a heavy solid-bronze standing rabbit. He was made in Canada and his modest size belies his hefty weight. Let him keep you company on your desk (as a paperweight) or watch over the proceedings from your windowsill. Click on the photo above to learn more about him. More rabbits in days to come. 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). We also...
Bear on a Bottle
This little hand-carved bear was born in the Blackforest of Germany in the 1950's. He sits atop a cork, giving your unfinished wine bottle a bit of rustic Olde World charm. Click on the photo above to learn more about him.
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).
We also can be found in Pittsburgh's historic "Strip District" at Mahla & Co. Antiques (www.mahlaantiques.com) or in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania at The Antique Center of Strabane (www.antiquecenterofstrabane.com).
Or call to arrange to visit our Pittsburgh showroom (by private appointment only). 917-446-4248
Addio, il Sommo Poeta - part II
On this day in 1321 (or was it yesterday?), Italy's greatest writer, Dante Alighieri, died in-exile in Ravenna, Italy. Dante, born in Florence, found himself on the losing side of a political battle, after which he was banished from his beloved hometown on pain of death. He settled in Ravenna, some 65 miles away. It was here that he wrote his greatest work, the Divine Comedy. Ravenna, at first glance, is a somewhat modest town. But the city's plain appearance belies the glorious Early Christian (5th & 6th Century) mosaics which encrust the interiors of many churches and tombs. I sometimes imagine Dante standing before (or under) them—they were already 800 years old when Dante lived in Ravenna—gaining inspiration for his...
Addio, il Sommo Poeta - part I
On this day in 1321 (or was it tomorrow?), Italy's greatest writer, Dante Alighieri, died in-exile in Ravenna, Italy. Banished from his beloved Florence, il Sommo Poeta ("The Supreme Poet") perished—but not before changing the history of Western literature. Before Dante, serious Italian literature was written in Latin, a language accessible only to the educated elite. Dante wrote in the vulgate, Italian, using the local Tuscan dialect of his home town, Florence. Additionally, Dante's depiction of the afterlife in his signature work, the Divine Comedy, affected artists' portrayals of Heaven, Purgatory and Hell for centuries to come. Of course, those of us who have looked at that artwork have been affected by Dante, too. Even future writers have credited Dante with...
What's a "Page Turner"?
Once the printing press caught-on—and books became affordable for the middle class—there was a boom in mass publishing, bookbinding and book selling. One method of bookbinding was to print longs "strips" of paper (composed of numerous pages printed side-by-side on both sides) which would then be folded (accordion style) to form a "signature" or "gathering" (a single portion or segment of the larger book). Many signatures would be printed, folded and stitched-together to form the complete book. The last step was to "cut open" the pages which gave the book's edge a classic "deckled" texture. On occasion, a reader might discover that a page had been missed by the cutter. In order to progress, the reader would have to cut-open the...
Eighteen Years On
I remember 11 September like it was yesterday. I was heading to the gym before opening the shop. It was a beautiful, crisp Tuesday morning—an election day. New York days don't get better than this . . . (or so I thought). Since then, eighteen years have flown by. And what can happen in eighteen years? A child born on that fateful day would be an adult today. We'd see Americans pull together—only to sharply divide some time later. And we'd see the best and worst in American leadership. Perhaps eighteen years isn't so many years after all? I was born in the Sixties and, yet, World War Two (which always seemed like ages ago) ended only eighteen years before my...
To the Letter - part VI
For several days, we will be sharing some of our newly-acquired letterknives—some antique, some contemporary. Please check our website—under "Desk Accessories"—to see the full collection. We end our parade of letterknives with this contemporary beauty, also made in a Rhode Island jewelry workshop. The knife is cast in pewter, plated in 24 karat gold, enameled with a seductive olive green, and decorated with hand-set Swarovski Austrian crystals. It would make a handsome and useful addition to any desk—at home or at the office. Please click on the photo above to learn more about it. 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 the Letter - part V
For several days, we will be sharing some of our newly-acquired letterknives—some antique, some contemporary. Please check our website—under "Desk Accessories"—to see the full collection. There's something about British Thirties design that really intrigues me. Perhaps it is the understated simplicity—the result of difficult economic times—combined with a small dash of style, an optimistic stretch towards better times ahead. This polished brass letterknife is a perfect example of British restraint and refinement—just a hint of style which will not interfere with getting the job done. Click on the photo above to learn more about it. More newly-acquired letterknives tomorrow. Though our Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed, LEO Design is still alive and well! Please visit our on-line store where...
To the Letter - part IV
For several days, we will be sharing some of our newly-acquired letterknives—some antique, some contemporary. Please check our website—under "Desk Accessories"—to see the full collection. Made by a Rhode Island jeweler, this contemporary letterknife is a joy to hold and use. First it is finely-cast in pewter, then treated to a 24 karat gold plating. Finally, the handle is punctuated with hand-set Swarovski crystals from Austria. I usually do not like to buy items which too closely resemble true antique pieces. In this case, however, I could not bear to pass on the letterknife's handsome design and exceptional quality. It is made to the very high standards one might have bought new 120 years ago. Please click on the photo...
To the Letter - part III
For several days, we will be sharing some of our newly-acquired letterknives—some antique, some contemporary. Please check our website—under "Desk Accessories"—to see the full collection. This understated beauty is perfect in its modest dimensions. Brass sheeting is cut, folded and riveted before being sharpened and polished. It's a bit of functional English Arts & Crafts simplicity—handsome and useful. Please click on the photo above to learn more about it. More newly-acquired letterknives tomorrow. 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). We also can be found in Pittsburgh's historic "Strip District" at Mahla & Co. Antiques (www.mahlaantiques.com) or in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania at The Antique Center of...
To the Letter - part II
For several days, we will be sharing some of our newly-acquired letterknives—some antique, some contemporary. Please check our website—under "Desk Accessories"—to see the full collection. Shown above, a contemporary Italian pewter letterknife—understated, handsome, functional. The polished pewter blade is topped with a stag's horn finial. It's the perfect combination of urban sophistication and countryside chic. Please click on the photo above to learn more about it. More newly-acquired letterknives tomorrow. 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). We also can be found in Pittsburgh's historic "Strip District" at Mahla & Co. Antiques (www.mahlaantiques.com) or in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania at The Antique Center of Strabane...
To the Letter - part I
For several days, we will be sharing some of our newly-acquired letterknives—some antique, some contemporary. Please check our website—under "Desk Accessories"—to see the full collection. We start with an English brass letterknife, executed in the Rococo Revival style. The original Rococo Movement was developed in France and Italy before moving North to Germany and Russia from about 1730 to 1780. It was typified by its theatrically exuberant style, often using asymmetrical scrolling, shells, flowers and other botanical elements. Curving lines, over-the-top decoration and the illusion of motion and drama aimed to cause the first-time viewer to be overwhelmed with surprise and awe. Critics of the Rococo considered it vulgar and in the following decades it was replaced by the Neoclassical...
Winter "On the Ice"
Up North, we're enjoying these last, gentle days of Summer—and beginning to brace ourselves for the cold season to come. Down "on the ice," in Antarctica, it's still winter. Penguins huddle against the cold, keeping eggs warm in very harsh conditions. This little penguin, made in Japan, seems to be a little more carefree. He's cast in bronze—so finely, in fact, that one can see his feathers!—and then cold-painted in the tradition of the best Viennese bronzes. He's perky, winning and a very nice companion on your desk or bookshelf. Click on the photo above to learn more about him. Though our Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed, LEO Design is still alive and well! Please visit our on-line...
Happy Birthday, Brad!
Brad Soucy composes the perfect shot—through LEO Design's Greenwich Village door. Once or twice in a lifetime, an extra-special person will enter one's life. For me, Brad Soucy comes immediately to mind. A recent Chicago Art Institute graduate and new to New York City, Brad walked-into my shop on Bleecker Street, looking for a temporary job while he got his art career up-and-running. I hired him on the spot; Brad was smart, creative, friendly, handsome and—most importantly—kind. I knew that customers would come to like him. Little did I know, fourteen years later, I would still have a working connection with him. Brad was born on this day in 1981. It was a Thursday which means I was probably sitting...
Celebrating America's Workers
Today we pause to thank those who have made America great by the sweat, muscle and strain of their bodies. Labor Day reminds us that the country was built-up with labor—and that laborers should be built-up by their country. The working man, shown above, is a Danish blacksmith sculpture by Axel Thilson Locher for Bing & Grøndahl. He was made in the 1950's or 1960's. Learn more about him by clicking on the photo above. 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). We also can be found in Pittsburgh's historic "Strip District" at Mahla & Co. Antiques (www.mahlaantiques.com) or in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania...
Welcome, September!
September begins, with it's most-elegant of birthstones, the sapphire. The sapphire is a variety of the mineral corundum. Most people think of sapphires as blue although they also can come in shades of green, yellow, orange, or purple—but not red (for then it would be a ruby). Some sapphires display more than one color and others have inclusions which create radiant, six-pointed “stars” which glow from within the stone. The studio vase, shown above, is not made of sapphires—but it does display a wonderful crystalline sapphire glaze. It was made by Wendelin Stahl in the 1950's or 1960's. Please click on the photo above to learn more about it. Though our Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed, LEO Design is...
Ready for the Bell - part 6
Little "Billiken"—"the god of things as they ought to be"—would be a good luck charm wherever one goes to school. It's most effective, however, at Saint Louis University in Saint Louis, Missouri. Created by Florence Pretz in 1908, this little bank was made of cast iron in the 1910's or 1920's. Click on the photo above to learn more about him. 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). We also can be found in Pittsburgh's historic "Strip District" at Mahla & Co. Antiques (www.mahlaantiques.com) or in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania at The Antique Center of Strabane (www.antiquecenterofstrabane.com). Or call to arrange to visit our Pittsburgh...
Ready for the Bell - part 5
Two British poets—a Scotsman and an Englishman—will bookend the growing library of your favorite British Literature scholar. Made by Bradley & Hubbard in the 1930's, they celebrate words, wisdom and knowledge. Please click on the photo above to learn more about them.
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).
We also can be found in Pittsburgh's historic "Strip District" at Mahla & Co. Antiques (www.mahlaantiques.com) or in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania at The Antique Center of Strabane (www.antiquecenterofstrabane.com).
Or call to arrange to visit our Pittsburgh showroom (by private appointment only). 917-446-4248
Ready for the Bell - part 4
When your desk is in your dorm room—packed tight with two roommates—neatness and organization go a long way. This Edwardian English stationery stand will help you keep note cards, papers and important printed items at-hand. It was made around 1910 of quarter sawn oak. It is handsome, useful and will serve a student for many years to come. Please click on the photo above to learn more about it. 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). We also can be found in Pittsburgh's historic "Strip District" at Mahla & Co. Antiques (www.mahlaantiques.com) or in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania at The Antique Center of Strabane...
Ready for the Bell - part 3
What to give that Italian Classics major? She'd love this pair of stately bookends from the Twenties! Dante Alighieri, seated upon his chair of knowledge, leans forward, eager to hear every word. They are bronze-clad, patinated with an aged brass finish, and hand-painted in sections to give them a handsome "pop." And, while they will certainly supply inspiration during the school years, they will be a welcomed companion for decades to come—holding-up books and lending a classic air to any office, library or bookshelf. Click on the photo above to learn more about them. 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...
Ready for the Bell - part 2
Off to school? College freshmen may be leaving the home for the first time. Help him sort himself—financially, at least—with this classic black calfskin billfold. It has two currency pockets (perfect for that semester abroad!) and room for plenty of credit, identification and meal cards. Click on the photo above to learn more about it.
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).
We also can be found in Pittsburgh's historic "Strip District" at Mahla & Co. Antiques (www.mahlaantiques.com) or in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania at The Antique Center of Strabane (www.antiquecenterofstrabane.com).
Or call to arrange to visit our Pittsburgh showroom (by private appointment only). 917-446-4248
Ready for the Bell - part 1
Listen for that school bell—any minute now—for class will soon be in-session! And what a way to start: with this handsome (and loud) English Aesthetic Movement bell with turned ebonywood tip. It was made around 1880 of polished cast bronze. You'd be teacher's pet, for sure, if you gave her (or him) this lovely gift on your first day. Please click on the photo above to learn more about it. 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). We also can be found in Pittsburgh's historic "Strip District" at Mahla & Co. Antiques (www.mahlaantiques.com) or in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania at The Antique Center of...
Two Lords A'Leaping
Not really "Lords A'Leaping." Not Donner or Blitzen, either. But we are four months from Christmas Day! A good time to start shopping! Perhaps these Art Deco cast iron "Leaping Gazelle" bookends will do the trick. They're handsome, useful and very stylish—not to mention the ultimate "green gift." Please click on the photo above to learn more about them. 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). We also can be found in Pittsburgh's historic "Strip District" at Mahla & Co. Antiques (www.mahlaantiques.com) or in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania at The Antique Center of Strabane (www.antiquecenterofstrabane.com). Or call to arrange to visit our Pittsburgh showroom (by...
Apple Time
Autumn is right around the corner and soon we'll feel a snap in the air. A snap in the air means the snap of apples cannot be far behind. This Arts & Crafts vase, made in England in the 1920's or 1930's, has a gourd-form shape and is finished with two dappled glazes: apple green and tree bark brown. It's part of a new shipment, just received from England. Click on the photo above to learn more about it. 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). We also can be found in Pittsburgh's historic "Strip District" at Mahla &...
Dog Days of Summer - part VII
While we sweat through The Dog Days of Summer, let's not forget: the Fall will be upon us shortly. Here are a few handsome canines—now in-stock at LEO Design—which will bring a little cool for the next few weeks. Let's end our "Dog Days" parade with this happy chap, a "Slouchy Puppy" sculpture cast in brass and finished with a verdigris bronze patina. Large enough for a bookend or doorstop, he's the perfect combination of physical relaxation and attentive energy. Please click on the photo above to learn more about him. 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). We...
Dog Days of Summer - part VI
While we sweat through The Dog Days of Summer, let's not forget: the Fall will be upon us shortly. Here are a few handsome canines—now in-stock at LEO Design—which will bring a little cool for the next few weeks. Whether you remember Donny Osmond or not ("Someone help me!—help me!—help me p-l-e-a-s-e!"), you probably remember your first Puppy Love. And this delightful little chap will help soothe the memory. He's made of cast bronze, sculpted and crafted in California, and he bears the letters L, O, V & E on each of his four paws. A lovely gift for your Puppy Love—right now or from years ago. Click on the photo to learn more about him. To hear the song,...
Dog Days of Summer - part V
While we sweat through The Dog Days of Summer, let's not forget: the Fall will be upon us shortly. Here are a few handsome canines—now in-stock at LEO Design—which will bring a little cool for the next few weeks. This pampered pooch is rendered beautifully in cast brass, made in England in the 1920's or 1930's. He'd make a perfect gift for the Pekingese lover in your life—and bring a little touch of Imperial Grandeur to your office, den or bookshelf. Please click on the photo above to learn more about them. More "Dogs of Summer" tomorrow. Though our Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed, LEO Design is still alive and well! Please visit our on-line store where we...
Dog Days of Summer - part IV
While we sweat through The Dog Days of Summer, let's not forget: the Fall will be upon us shortly. Here are a few handsome canines—now in-stock at LEO Design—which will bring a little cool for the next few weeks. This sculpted brass "Slouchy Puppy" captures the relaxed—yet attentive—energy of a handsome and beloved pup. He'll loyally await your time and attention, never getting older nor chewing your favorite Italian leather shoes. Click on the photo above to learn more about him. And look for his larger sibling, also on-line in the LEO Design store. More "Dogs of Summer" tomorrow. Though our Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed, LEO Design is still alive and well! Please visit our on-line store...
Dog Days of Summer - part III
While we sweat through The Dog Days of Summer, let's not forget: the Fall will be upon us shortly. Here are a few handsome canines—now in-stock at LEO Design—which will bring a little cool for the next few weeks. American Bulldogs are a popular breed—as they were in the 1920's, when these bookends were crafted. Why, then, are Bulldog items so difficult to find? Perhaps bulldog lovers are loathe to give-up their treasured Bulldog accoutrements? In 25 years, I've found precious few Bulldog bookends, like the pair shown above. Click on the photo above to learn more about them. More "Dogs of Summer" tomorrow. Though our Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed, LEO Design is still alive and well!...
Dog Days of Summer - part II
While we sweat through The Dog Days of Summer, let's not forget: the Fall will be upon us shortly. Here are a few handsome canines—now in-stock at LEO Design—which will bring a little cool for the next few weeks. This winsome fellow, sculpted in California and cast in bronze, hides a little secret: each paw is marked with the letters L, I, F & E. Perhaps he'll be a loyal talisman, keeping-away misery & misfortune. Click on the photo above to learn more about it. More "Dogs of Summer" tomorrow. 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). We also...
Dog Days of Summer - part I
While we sweat through The Dog Days of Summer, let's not forget: the Fall will be upon us shortly. Here are a few handsome canines—now in-stock at LEO Design—which will bring a little cool for the next few weeks. Bring a little touch of shooting party "Downton Chic" to your office, mantelpiece or bookshelf—while sparing the birds. This pair of "Hunting Bird Dogs" bookends, made in the 1920's, will hold-up your books loyally. Click on the photo above to learn more about them. More "Dogs of Summer" tomorrow. 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). We also can be...
We Need a Little Christmas!
I don't know about you, but I need a little Christmas right now! And, so, it was fortuitous that I happened to unpack another box of merchandise from our Village shop—and out-popped this cast pewter Christmas ornament! It will happily hang on your tree (or window latch), it could stand on your desk (or mantelpiece) and it could even be pressed into service as a jolly candlesnuffer. Click on the photo above to learn a bit more about it. 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). We also can be found in Pittsburgh's historic "Strip District" at Mahla &...
Golden Florence
The city of Florence, Italy, was important in the Middle Ages—and became even more so in The Renaissance. Poetry, literature and book-binding have long found fertile ground in the cultured Tuscan city—think Dante Alighieri, Leon Battista Alberti or Niccolò Machiavelli. And don't think that the stodgy world of books and ideas were exempt from impeccable Florentine elegance. Books, inside and out, were often covered in elegant "marbled papers" which have come to be associated with the city. To make marbled paper, oil paints were floated atop water in a large pan, the color was stirred artistically, and sheets of paper were carefully laid upon the pigment—just enough to transfer a bit of the patterned color to the paper. Once dried,...
Iridescent Sheen
While I suspiciously avoid an iridescent sheen at the beach, on the sidewalk or in my tap water, I love it on this little English Arts & Crafts vase, made around 1910. Purples, blues, greens and golds all shine-forth—on an otherwise primitive conical vase with pierced "tab handles." It was made by Dickerware in the South of England, circa 1910. Please click on the photo above to learn more about it. 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). We also can be found in Pittsburgh's historic "Strip District" at Mahla & Co. Antiques (www.mahlaantiques.com) or in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania at The Antique Center...
Classic White
Classic, timeless, elegant—and not at all boring. This Thirties Art Deco vase is clean and simple, dressed in a satin white finish. Made by Roseville, in Ohio, in the 1930's. It would happily sit in most any decor from the most traditional Upper East Side apartment to a downtown industrial loft. Click on the photo above to learn more about it. 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). We also can be found in Pittsburgh's historic "Strip District" at Mahla & Co. Antiques (www.mahlaantiques.com) or in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania at The Antique Center of Strabane (www.antiquecenterofstrabane.com). Or call to arrange to visit our Pittsburgh...
Going Platinum
Stylish, beautifully made, and so nice to hold, this set of twelve glasses from the Fifties is just perfect for wine or craft cocktails. A platinum rim, at top, adds to the tumbler's elegance—all while helping to protect the glass rim from chipping. And a set of twelve will cover most dinner parties. Click on the photo above to learn more about this handsome glass. 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). We also can be found in Pittsburgh's historic "Strip District" at Mahla & Co. Antiques (www.mahlaantiques.com) or in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania at The Antique Center of Strabane (www.antiquecenterofstrabane.com). Or call to arrange...
Back to the Sixties
Entertain in Jetsons Style with these six rocks glasses from the 1960's. Each "Roly Poly" form is finished with a "mirror fade" at the base. Please click on the photo above to learn more about them.
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).
We also can be found in Pittsburgh's historic "Strip District" at Mahla & Co. Antiques (www.mahlaantiques.com) or in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania at The Antique Center of Strabane (www.antiquecenterofstrabane.com).
Or call to arrange to visit our Pittsburgh showroom (by private appointment only). 917-446-4248
Follow us on Instagram: "leodesignhandsomegifts"
Follow us on Facebook: "LEO Design - Handsome Gifts"
Summer at Sea
Imagine the frothy wake behind your ship—cruising the deep sapphire waters of the Mediterranean. If this year's summer plans are a bit more modest, this German Modernist vase might take you there (at least for a moment). Click on the photo above to learn more about this piece. 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). We also can be found in Pittsburgh's historic "Strip District" at Mahla & Co. Antiques (www.mahlaantiques.com) or in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania at The Antique Center of Strabane (www.antiquecenterofstrabane.com). Or call to arrange to visit our Pittsburgh showroom (by private appointment only). 917-446-4248 Follow us on Instagram: "leodesignhandsomegifts" Follow us...
Always Popular: "Hope"
Edward Burne-Jones intended to become a churchman, studying theology at Oxford College where he met William Morris. The two men—and a few others—created a "brotherhood" of ideas and aesthetics, eventually publishing a periodical called the Oxford and Cambridge Magazine. They were influenced by Aestheticism—the philosophy that art should be appreciated for its beauty alone, no moral lesson or message required—and developed an affinity for Ruskin, Tennyson and the Middle Ages. They were also influenced by the artistic philosophy of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood (founded 1848), especially painter Dante Gabriel Rossetti. Soon, Burne-Jones abandoned his religious calling and joined William Morris in founding a decorative arts studio, manufacturer and design firm which later would be called Morris and Company. Burne-Jones pursued his painting...
Born To Sculpt
John Ruhl (1873-1940) always knew he wanted to be an artist. His hardworking German father—who ran a shoe shop—discouraged his son's dream at every turn. Instead, 14 year old John was compelled to take a clerkship in an insurance office. The next year, John began taking art classes at the Metropolitan Museum where he entered an art competition (unbeknownst to his parents). When John's sculpture won, his father was impressed with seeing his son's name in the newspaper as well as the $100 prize—more than a month's earnings in his shoe shop. Ruhl was allowed to quit his job at the insurance company and apprentice himself to a prominent NY sculptor. He later joined the Piccirilli Brothers—one of the foremost...
Four Cheers for the P.O.D.!
From the look of this feisty donkey, the P.O.D. ("Party of Democracy") is "Rarin' to Go!" Four tumblers from the 1950's will slake your thirst with every quaff. Please click the photo above to learn more about these glasses. Onto 2020!
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).
We also can be found in Pittsburgh's historic "Strip District" at Mahla & Co. Antiques (www.mahlaantiques.com) or in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania at The Antique Center of Strabane (www.antiquecenterofstrabane.com).
Or call to arrange to visit our Pittsburgh showroom (by private appointment only). 917-446-4248
Follow us on Instagram: "leodesignhandsomegifts"
Follow us on Facebook: "LEO Design - Handsome Gifts"
A Collection of Corkscrews - part V
We've just added a small collection of handsome and useful corkscrews to our on-line shop. Click on the photo above to learn more about this piece—or search for "corkscrew" or "corkpull" to see other options. This extra-long corkscrew is topped with a voluptuously-turned hardwood handle. It was made in France around 1910. Click on the photo above to learn more about it. 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). We also can be found in Pittsburgh's historic "Strip District" at Mahla & Co. Antiques (www.mahlaantiques.com) or in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania at The Antique Center of Strabane (www.antiquecenterofstrabane.com). Or call to arrange to visit our...
A Collection of Corkscrews - part IV
We've just added a small collection of handsome and useful corkscrews to our on-line shop. Click on the photo above to learn more about this piece—or search for "corkscrew" or "corkpull" to see other options. This Edwardian English corkpull, made sometime between the wars, would have been used by a butler, servant or restaurant sommelier. What it lacks in flair, it makes up in industrial chic—and would be perfect on that bar cart in a converted factory loft. Click on the photo above to learn more about it. Another handsome corkscrew tomorrow. 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). ...
A Collection of Corkscrews - part III
We've just added a small collection of handsome and useful corkscrews to our on-line shop. Click on the photo above to learn more about this piece—or search for "corkscrew" or "corkpull" to see other options. Here is a couple of nice vintage corkscrews, both made in France. The top corkscrew, made from the tip of a stag's horn, has an elegant—almost delicate—look to it. The bottom option is made from a thicker piece of center horn—and is therefore more rustic. Learn more about them by clicking on the photos above. Another handsome corkscrew tomorrow. 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...
A Collection of Corkscrews - part II
We've just added a small collection of handsome and useful corkscrews to our on-line shop. Click on the photo above to learn more about this piece—or search for "corkscrew" or "corkpull" to see other options. Cast yourself in a Jean-Luc Goddard film with these 1950's corkpulls, hand-crafted in France. Perfect for a picnic, or backyard barbecue, they'll bring a touch of New Wave style to your next summer gathering. Better yet, impress your friends as you open a bottle before a screening of Breathless. Click upon one of the two photos above to learn more about them. More handsome corkscrews tomorrow. Though our Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed, LEO Design is still alive and well! Please visit our on-line...
A Collection of Corkscrews - part I
We've just added a small collection of handsome and useful corkscrews to our on-line shop. Click on the photo above to learn more about this piece—or search for "corkscrew" or "corkpull" to see other options. Open that anticipated bottle in manly style with this French corkscrew from the 1920's or 1930's. A rustic stag's horn is polished, fitted and capped with two steel bolsters. Click on the photo above to learn more about it. More handsome corkscrews tomorrow. 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). We also can be found in Pittsburgh's historic "Strip District" at Mahla & Co. Antiques (www.mahlaantiques.com) or in...
Welcome, August!
Welcome, August, and your birthstone Sardonyx. Sardonyx is a layered version of chalcedony—irregular bands of "sard" and "onyx." It is usually found in red or brown with white banding, though the gemstone can also be artificially colored to heighten or change its natural shade. New Age believers tell us that sardonyx encourages integrity and good behavior, a lucky coincidence since the stone will also attract people to whomever holds or wears it. Sardonyx is believed to boost happiness, optimism and confidence. Ancient Egyptians believed that sardonyx provided a protective benefit, hence they sometimes installed a stone in each corner of their homes. Roman warriors would carry the stone into battle, usually engraved with a likeness of the god Mars. In more...
Summer Blues - part IV
Let's end the month of July on our backs, staring-up at the the blue sky and fluffy clouds—or something like that. This handsome bud vase, made by Jopeko in the 1960's or 1970's, is dressed in a dappled blue and white glaze, reminiscent of a Constable painted summer sky. Please click on the photo above to learn more about it. 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). We also can be found in Pittsburgh's historic "Strip District" at Mahla & Co. Antiques (www.mahlaantiques.com) or in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania at The Antique Center of Strabane (www.antiquecenterofstrabane.com). Or call to arrange to visit our Pittsburgh showroom...
Summer Blues - part III
Summer—at least in 2019—is chock-a-block with campaigning and candidates, all hoping to Make America Good Again. And tonight, we witness the start of Round Two of the Democratic Presidential Debates. Get into the Summer Blue spirit with this all cotton cap, embroidered with contrasting stitched lettering. Please click on the photo above to learn more about this cap. 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). We also can be found in Pittsburgh's historic "Strip District" at Mahla & Co. Antiques (www.mahlaantiques.com) or in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania at The Antique Center of Strabane (www.antiquecenterofstrabane.com). Or call to arrange to visit our Pittsburgh showroom (by private...
Summer Blues - part II
Summer's not complete with out a dip in the sea—and the foamy white glazing atop this West German vase will certainly remind you of seafoam dissipating on the sand-sloped shore. Click on the photo to learn more about this piece.
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).
We also can be found in Pittsburgh's historic "Strip District" at Mahla & Co. Antiques (www.mahlaantiques.com) or in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania at The Antique Center of Strabane (www.antiquecenterofstrabane.com).
Or call to arrange to visit our Pittsburgh showroom (by private appointment only). 917-446-4248
Follow us on Instagram: "leodesignhandsomegifts"
Follow us on Facebook: "LEO Design - Handsome Gifts"
Summer Blues - part I
By my count, Midsummer is a little over a week away—and it's not to early to stop and appreciate the beauty of the summer season. Shown above, a West German Modernist vase made by Scheurich in the 1960's or 1970's. It is dressed in the wonderful sapphire blue which envelopes the lucky bather who dives into the depths of the Mediterranean Sea—complete with gently-rising air bubbles. Please click on the photo above to learn more about it. 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). We also can be found in Pittsburgh's historic "Strip District" at Mahla & Co. Antiques (www.mahlaantiques.com) or in Canonsburg,...
Gorgeous Gunmetal - part VI
Let's end our "space race" with this little cabinet vase made in the 1910's or 1920's. Using a classic "loving cup" form—like one might find on a tankard or trophy—the piece has been finished with a nice iridescent gunmetal glaze. It was made in Sussex, in the South of England, by Dickerware. Click on the photo above to learn more about it. 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). We also can be found in Pittsburgh's historic "Strip District" at Mahla & Co. Antiques (www.mahlaantiques.com) or in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania at The Antique Center of Strabane (www.antiquecenterofstrabane.com). Or call to arrange to visit our...
Gorgeous Gunmetal - part V
Is anything really new? Artists (and artisans) are forever struggling to give life to a new idea, a new style or a new aesthetic. Just succeeding at creating something novel does not mean it will be beautiful, be popular, or capture a viewer's admiration. Sometimes a successful craftsperson will simply take something old and present it in an altered (and fresh) way. The ceramic two-handled pot form, shown above, could have been created any time in the last 5,000 years. It is the most classic of clay vessel shapes and could have been made by the Egyptians, Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Babylonians, or anyone else since then. A vessel like this could have been used for food, spices, ointments or the...
Gorgeous Gunmetal - part IV
The "beanpot" has a modest past in the history of ceramics—utilitarian, functional, no-nonsense. But it is a classically beautiful form nevertheless. This Danish piece takes the chunky beanpot and moves it into futuristic Modernism. Two glazes are juxtaposed: a tactile, almost sandy microcrystalline matte glaze, topped with a reflective, iridescent gunmetal treatment above. It's a perfect shape for holding flowers or just sitting empty on a bookshelf or mantelpiece. Click on the photo above to learn more about it. 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). We also can be found in Pittsburgh's historic "Strip District" at Mahla & Co....
Gorgeous Gunmetal - part III
The Art Nouveau Movement (called Arts & Crafts in England) was an early expression of Modernism. Its simplicity and focus on excellent handcraft anticipated the best of Modernist design to follow in the next 50 years. One early design pioneer was Dr. Christopher Dresser. As early as the 1880's, this Englishman was pointing the way for "Space Age" design in the future. The vase above, made by Dickerware in the South of England (circa 1910's - 1920's), emulates a bit of Dresser's rocket ship aesthetic and pointed angularity—though it is admittedly far more "folk-crafted" than most Dresser objets. Nevertheless, it shows us a preview glimpse of future space-inspired design to come. Click on the photo above to learn more about...
Welcome Back, LEO!
It's 23 July—the first day of the sunsign LEO! It was during this month (24 years ago) that LEO Design first opened shop on Bleecker Street. What a time it's been! Although we've moved three times (eventually to Pennsylvania), we have not stopped buying and selling "Handsome Gifts" and home furnishings. Take this handsome pair of lions, perched on rocks, surveying their domain. They are bookends and are dated 1926—which makes them 93 years old. When I opened my store in 1995, they were only 69 years old! That's the nice thing about antiques: they just keep getting older and older. Click on the photo above to learn more about them. Though our Greenwich Village store is now permanently...
Gorgeous Gunmetal - part II
I am not entirely certain of this stoneware "studio" vase's history. I purchased it in Europe and date it to the Mid-Century Modernist era, circa 1960's. What I do know is that it is elegantly crafted—with a beautifully tapering neck—and finished with a handsome, sophisticated iridescent gunmetal glaze. Handmade pieces like this are rarely made in high-production workshops. The labor-intensive nature of studio ceramics indicates that they are made slowly, one at a time. Please click on the photo above to learn more about it. 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). We also can be found in Pittsburgh's...
Gorgeous Gunmetal - part I
In recent days, the excitement about Apollo 11's fiftieth anniversary has turned my attention to Space—and all things "outer-spacey." Consequently, LEO Design's nice collection of (mostly) English Arts & Crafts ceramics with "otherworldly" iridescent gunmetal glazing ended-up catching my eye. Over the next several days, I'll be sharing a selection of them with you. This English Arts & Crafts flaring "trumpet" vase was hand-thrown and glazed with an iridescent metallic gunmetal glaze. It was crafted in Sussex by Dickerware in the 1910's or 1920's.. Click on the photo above to learn more about it. 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...
"...One Giant Leap for Mankind."
"The Eagle has landed." With these words, the Apollo 11 Lunar Module touched-down in the Mare Tranquillitatis ("The Sea of Tranquility") on the moon's grey and dusty surface. NASA was meticulously ticking another box—each step a milestone in American (and Humanity's) history, science and knowledge. It happened fifty years ago today. After 76 hours en route to the moon (some 240,000 miles), three astronauts were just hours away from completing their historic mission: to set human foot upon the moon. Astronaut Michael Collins stayed behind, manning the Command Module "mothership", while Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin descended to the moon in the Lunar Module (the Eagle) which would spend some 21 hours on the moon's surface. Like the rest of the multi-segment...