In hindsight, the “Mad Men” era fascinates us with both its sense of optimism for the future and naive respect for traditions past. It was a modern period on the cusp of modernity. The glasses above, made for General Electric in 1963, celebrate the history (to that point) of electricity, electronics and lighting—stars and lightbulbs—and […]
Vinho do Porto—called “Port” in English-speaking countries—is a fortified sweet wine from the north of Portugal. It is made of fermented grape juice, “fortified” with distilled grape spirits (similar to brandy). This stops the fermentation process (that is, the conversion of sugar to alcohol) resulting in a sweeter, lower proof wine. Because it is sweet, […]
The term “Depression Glass” is loosely defined and, quite frequently, misused. In its most accurate sense, depression glass was cheaply-made American (or Canadian) glassware—mostly functional, occasionally decorative—made to be given away (or sold inexpensively) as a premium or gift-with-purchase. Food manufacturers might nestle a piece of depression glass in its box of oatmeal or cereal—an […]
Fostoria Glass was founded in 1887 in Fostoria, Ohio. Lured by generous government cash subsidies and the newly-discovered natural gas, a group of glassmen from West Virginia and Ohio set-up a glassworks in this Northwestern Ohio town, employing 125 workers. The glassworks was successful, however, after four years, the natural gas boom went bust and […]
It’s a “Full House” at LEO Design—with our recent (and large) delivery of vintage glassware. Having been cleared-out during the spring and summer wedding gift-giving season, we’ve been working double-time to find new and interesting items to re-stock our “glass department.” Just back from a recent buying trip—specifically hunting for vintage glassware—we’re now fully-stocked and […]
The Twenties: Jazz Age, Modernism, Industry. These bookends capture their times perfectly. Made of cast iron, a sculpted, Cubist male figure dances dramatically on this pair of Art Deco bookends. Please come see them in-store—alongside dozens of other interesting bookends—or click on the photo above to learn more about these.
On this day in 1871, aviation pioneer Orville Wright was born in Dayton, Ohio. Sixty-eight years later, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt signed a proclamation making this day National Aviation Day—a day dedicated to educating American citizens about aviation and promoting an interest in the subject. The plane above, crafted of cast aluminum, was inspired by […]
No—from the other Saint Petersburg! Florida! A cast spelter Pelican opens his bill to hold your keys, coins, or cigarette ashes. A delightful souvenir from 1960’s Florida—and sure to be a conversation piece in your office, kitchen or at the doorway. Perfect for holding paperclips. ($95). Please come into the shop to see him or […]
One of the great glass-making centers of the world is Venice, Italy—more specifically the group of islands called Murano. This set of eight iridescent, mouth-blown bowls are laced with copper dust in a lovely “Arlecchino” pattern. At the center of each diamond is a tiny, hand-pricked dimple. The bowls would perform beautifully with fruit or […]
With August half-way spent, what better time to cherish the delights of the summer season, soon-to-be-over? Shown above, a pair of Syroccowood bookends, made in the 1950’s, depicting a crisply-cast sail boat at full sail. Syroccowood is a composite material made of wood pulp, resin and other binders that was popular in the second- and […]
On this day in 1945, Japanese Emperor Hirohito surrendered, accepting the conditions of the Potsdam Agreement. World War II was over! During the previous week and a half, the United States had dropped atomic bombs on both Hiroshima (6 August) and Nagasaki (9 August)—an act which unleashed heretofore unknown savagery upon the Japanese people. The […]
In 1506, Portuguese explorer Tristão da Cunha sighted the remote South Atlantic islands now anglicized as Tristan da Cunha. Because of bad sea conditions, he was unable to land, but, before sailing away, named the largest island after himself. Almost immediately, European maps began to include the archipelago under the Portuguese explorer’s (English) name. In […]
While the term “tramp” seems insensitive—in light of our modern understanding of poverty, mental illness and homelessness—it was used for many years to refer to a wide range of men (usually) who lived on the streets, in fields, or “rode the rails.” Sometimes the notion of “hobo life” was given a romantic twist—illustrated by a […]
Today is World Elephant Day, dedicated to promoting knowledge of elephants and educating the public about the plight of these majestic, endangered creatures. The annual event strives to reduce poaching, eliminate the trade of elephant ivory, and promote better care and management of Asian and African elephants—in captivity and in the wild. Wild elephant populations […]
In country markets, general stores or candy shops—in days of yore—one would often find glass display containers such as the cracker jar pictured above. Made in the 1950’s, during the waning years of the Art Deco movement, this covered jar was made for Lance, a maker of snack foods: nuts, crackers and cookies. This jar, […]
On this day in 1675, by order of King Charles II, the cornerstone was laid for the Royal Greenwich Observatory—an institution which would provide tremendous scholarship and advancement in the fields of astronomy and navigation. Greenwich, on the River Thames (just outside of London), has long been associated with maritime activities. Bustling docks and a […]
Henry David Thoreau wanted to shake-up his thinking, clear his head and contemplate life, mankind and society. In search of solitude and simplicity, he moved into a cabin on Walden Pond, on the property of his friend, Ralph Waldo Emerson, near Concord, Massachusetts. For two years, two months and two days, he lived alone, seeking […]
Let’s conclude our little “sextet” of summer cufflinks with this rich, Mediterranean blue pair, also from the 1920’s or 1930’s. Rich, Mediterranean blue enameling rests over a subtle floral guilloché design, making for a handsome accent upon the wrist. Perfect for late summer—or any time. Please click on the photo above to learn more about […]
We continue our daily presentation of newly-acquired cufflinks. Just in: this pair of hammered sterling silver American Arts & Crafts cufflinks from the 1910’s. An octagonal, shield-form features a hand-hammered central surface, ringed with a crisp Greek Key edge. A wonderful gift for the Arts & Crafts collector. Please come into the shop to see […]
On this fourth day of summer cufflinks, here’s a beautiful pair from the 1920’s or 1930’s. Sterling silver is engraved with a “striated” Art Deco guilloché pattern, then topped with a blanket of icy white enameling. A crisp Greek Key border surrounds the eight sides of the clipped-square form. Quite handsome, indeed—and perfect with a summer […]
Another pair of American Art Deco cufflinks, these finished with sapphire blue enameling. Beneath the enamel lies a handsome Deco guilloché pattern, a combination of swirling and radiant graphics. Please come into the shop to see our extensive range of cufflinks or click on the photo above to learn more about this pair. More cufflinks […]
Another nice pair of summery cufflinks are the white enameled Art Deco beauties, shown above. A stylized, foliate guilloché pattern shows through smart white enameling. The octagonal border reinforces the crisp masculinity of these links—which would look perfect on any color cuff, especially near a beach-tanned wrist. Please come into the shop to see our […]
For those of you not going back-to-school, here’s to another month of summer! Time for a few more days on the links. Or, perhaps, a few more days with some summer-appropriate cufflinks! Over the next few days, we’ll share with you a few of our recent acquisitions—especially those suitable for the second half of summer. […]
When I was a kid, school re-convened after Labor Day, during the first week of September. Today, it seems, the kids are heading-back and we’ve barely left July! Could today’s returning schoolboy be as excited as I used to be—considering he’s being sent back-to-task before the first sign of an Autumn chill? Perhaps an ultra-stylish […]
Let’s welcome August and celebrate one of the month’s birth flowers: The Poppy. Poppies are thought to have originated in the Western Mediterranean and have been cultivated by Western and Central Europeans from about 6,000 BC. Early on, people recognized the analgesic properties of the plant. Ancient Egyptian doctors had their patients chew a mouthful […]
On this day in 1886, Liszt Ferencz (known in the West as “Franz Liszt”) died of pneumonia in Bayreuth, Germany—home of the famous Wagner Music Festival. Liszt was a prolific composer, one who had an influence on the following century’s great composers, and he was considered, in his day, to be the world’s greatest pianist. […]
Let’s end our Back-to-School “procession” of bookends with this regal and handsome pair, from the 1920’s—newly-acquired by LEO Design. The worldwide Arts & Crafts movement (which was practiced in many Western countries and is referred to by various, regional names) often used decorative motifs or themes from local or national historical and mythological lore. The […]
Book lovers love bookends. They also love the quotes of the great writers—past and present. This pair of bookends, made in America in the 1920’s or 1930’s, share the quotes of two great English wordsmiths, Sir Francis Bacon and Samuel Johnson. Francis Bacon (1561 – 1626) was a philosopher, statesman, jurist, orator, essayist and author—and, […]
We’ve just acquired this handsome pair of cast iron Teddy Roosevelt bookends, certain to upgrade any “trophy room” regardless how grand. What a coincidence that Theodore Roosevelt’s home, on Oyster Bay, Long Island, has just reopened after a comprehensive renovation. In 1880, at the tender age of 22, Theodore Roosevelt purchased a 150 acre parcel […]
Alexander Pope and Andrew Young were both British poets—the former an Englishman, the latter a Scotsman—and both men were influential in their times. Pope (1688 – 1744) had a difficult early life. As a Catholic, he was not allowed to go to school (due to the English “Test Acts” which banned Catholics from teaching, attending […]
If we’re to learn “The Riddle of the Sphinx” it won’t be from this pair! They maintain a placid silence, gazing-out at things (perhaps?) beyond our understanding. They will, however, hold-up your books with loyalty and a great deal of style. Made in the 1920’s or 1930’s—a time when both Art Deco and Egyptology were […]
With summer vacation in the home stretch, I turn my attention to the Fall—back-to-school, books, and bookends. I love collecting bookends. Perhaps it’s because I love books so much. Anyway, I’ve just purchased several nice pairs of vintage bookends, mostly from the 1920’s and 1930’s. Over the next few days I’ll share a few of […]
We’ve just acquired a small collection of nice tie bars and tie tacks from the 1930’s through the 1960’s. Some have stones, like the moss agate option shown in front, above. $35 – $75. They join our existing collection of necktie accessories and cufflinks, always a Handsome Gift. Please come into the shop to see […]
The sunsign, LEO, begins today! Welcome the King of the Jungle with this handsome, British-made greeting card, now in store at LEO Design. LEO’s are known for their nobility, magnanimity, and regal bearing—not to mention, of course, their humility! They like to occupy centerstage and will usually strive to put-on a good show. They value […]
Since we’re talking toasts, how about another go! Shown above, a set of eight West German crystal coupes with hand-painted gold banding along the rims. Made in the 1950’s or 1960’s, these stems have a soft, Modernist aesthetic—without being cold or sterile. They would look beautiful on your well-appointed dining table or bar cart. Please […]
With New Year’s Eve less than six months away, perhaps it’s time for a little brush-up of your toasting skills. Let these crystal, hollow-stemmed champagne coupes help you. Just acquired, these coupes feature a hollow stem—replicating the “bubble crawl” one usually finds when drinking from a champagne flute. But who says champagne is just for […]
King Charles VII had a problem. He had been King of France for seven years and had not yet been crowned. France was in the 92nd year of the “Hundred Years War” with England—a war which, by the way, lasted 116 years (1337 – 1453). The Cathedral at Reims was the traditional and proper site […]
The ancient Mesopotamians of Sumer (which is now modern-day Iraq) invented the Cuneiform system of writing some 5,000 years ago. The name “cuneiform” comes from the Latin “cuneus” (meaning “wedge”) and “forma” (meaning “shape”). Wedge-shaped wooden styluses were used to impress marks into soft clay tablets which were dried (or fired) and, properly stored, would […]
The Bastille, in Paris, was a stone fortress built in the Fourteenth Century to defend the east gate of the city against invaders—which, initially, were the English. In time, it was used as a prison, especially for political prisoners as determined by the king. And prisoners held directly by the king could not avail themselves […]
Before the Twentieth Century, bookends were not commonplace—in fact, rarely were they needed. For before World War I, most “ordinary” families owned very few books—perhaps a Bible, a dictionary, some poetry, and the occasional cookery book. Large collections of books were to be found only in institutional libraries or the homes of very wealthy individuals—people […]
On this day in 1884, in the Russian city of Minsk (now Belarus), Lazar Meir was born. If only those around him knew how very much his life would change over the next seven decades—and how much little Lazar would influence a country an ocean away, all the while changing the rest of the world. […]
Emerald-tinted crystal is mouth-blown into this striking set of wine glasses, made in Germany in the 1960’s or 1970’s. We’ve just found two sets (of six) and they’re priced at $195 per set. Please come into the shop to see them—or call and we’ll be happy to help you purchase them by phone.
The birds of summer have alighted—thanks to talented artist Daniel Durkin. Dan, once a staff member at LEO Design, has gone on to bigger things, alas. But he still designs and produces many of the greeting cards on-offer in our shop. Shown above, his newest collection: wild birds on branches. Please come into the shop […]
On this day in 1357, King Charles IV—King of Bohemia and The Holy Roman Emperor—laid the first stone for what was to become Prague’s Charles Bridge (or Karlův most in Czech). When completed in 1402, the bridge crossed the Vltava River, connecting one side of the city (the “Old Town”) to the other side (the […]
In 1885, nine year old Joseph Meister of Schlestadt (Eastern France, near the German border) was bitten savagely by a rabid dog. On this day of that year, fellow Frenchman, Louis Pasteur—who was a laboratory scientist, not a medical doctor—administered his unproven rabies vaccine on the boy. Not only might the vaccine have harmed the […]
On this day in 1915, Philadelphia’s famous “Liberty Bell” set-out on its last tour. More about this later… The bell was cast in London in 1752 by Lester & Reed, a bell foundry. It arrived in Philly that August and, as the steeple was not yet finished, the bell was hung on a small scaffold […]
A happy Independence Day to all! Shown above, a set of printed, wooden blocks—one for each American president—detailing various facts about each man and his term. Screen-printed in child-safe, no-toxic inks, the blocks will form an American flag when turned the right way. They sit in a convenient wooden tray. $125. Please come into the […]
Let’s welcome the month of July and its birthstone, the ruby—the King of Gemstones! A good ruby is the most valuable of the four precious stones (a group which also includes diamonds, sapphires and emeralds) and, after diamonds, it is the hardest. Historically, the best rubies have come from Burma, though they have also been mined […]
In “the old days”—before direct-dial telephones—one would ring the operator and she would connect you to your desired party. In the event of an emergency, the operator (who was often local) would connect you with the fire department, police or a doctor (whom she happened to know was in-town at that moment). As phones became […]
The Globe was a theatre in Elizabethan London, built by William Shakespeare and his company of co-investors (called The Lord Chamberlain’s Men). Shakespeare owned a 12.5% share. The theatre’s opening production, in 1599, was either the premier of Henry V or Julius Caesar, depending upon whom you believe. Much of the lumber used to build […]
The Stonewall Inn was a restaurant and bar in Greenwich Village. In 1966, three mafiosi bought the Inn and re-opened it as a gay bar. It quickly became popular because management allowed dancing—despite NYC law forbidding men dancing together. Indeed, it was illegal to even serve a drink to a “known homosexual.” The Stonewall had […]
Whether you’re channeling Elroy Jetson, drinking a morning protein shake, or his father, George, imbibing something a little stiffer, you’ll be doing it with Space Age Style—if you use this set of Super Atomic highball glasses. Six tumblers, decorated with silvery futuristic stars and ellipses, come nestled in a black wire caddy. Please click on […]
Cool and sleek—almost ghostly—best describes this set of eight Mid-Century “Silver Fade” smokey highball glasses from the 1960’s. Where does the mirror end—or does it? Please come into the shop to see them or click on the photo to learn more about them. More cool glassware tomorrow.
Whatever you’re serving your guests—intoxicating or otherwise—you’ll do it with flair with this Mid-Century “Silver Fade” beverage service from the 1960’s. The generously-sized pitcher is accompanied by five matching highball glasses. Lemonade, iced tea, spritzers, sangria or margaritas—all will taste just a little better when served with such style. Please come in to see it—or […]
Another set of newly-acquired, Modernist glassware shown above: six “Whiskey Rounds.” Nicely-sized for a modest quaff, these spherical whiskey glasses have a stylish “Silver Fade” trim along their tops. And, whether you’re using them at the moment or they’re sitting patiently, awaiting their next deployment, they’ll bring certain style to your bar or bar cart. […]
Mad Men may seem like a receding memory—but the style can live-on for years to come with selections from our collection of swanky Mid-Century barware. Over the next few days, I’d like to share with you a few of the interesting items, now in-store at LEO Design. To start: a set of eight highball glasses, […]
Hearty thanks and a lot of love to the magnificent men who have nurtured, taught and cared for us. Your patience, sacrifice and example have made us the people we’ve become. The card above is part of our recent shipment of summer-themed cards, just received from England. Please come in to see the full assortment.
I remember so well the bittersweet pleasure of a school year’s final day. As sad as I was to leave my classes and teachers, I also looked-forward to a couple of months of playing all day, dressing in play clothes, and not having to complete any homework. And there was the occasional super-treat of meeting […]
Over the years, I’ve acquired boxes similar to the one shown above. They’ve always been French, hand-tooled pewter and, usually, they’re signed. Something about this box seemed a little different, though. For one thing, the design is strongly Secessionist, indicating that it might be Viennese (or Austro-Hungarian). Furthermore, the artist’s signature is apparent but indistinct—I […]
As we close-in on Father’s Day, let’s return to more examples of stylish barware, perfect for the stylish dad. Shown above, a set of eight “Mah-Jongg” whiskey glasses from the 1960’s. Printed in gold, black and red, they capture the modish sophistication of the Mad Men era. Please come into the shop to see them […]
There’s nothing like an ice cold beer on a hot day, after work. With this solid brass bottle opener, you’ll help Dad “crack a cold one” in style—and remind him he’s earned it. Made in Milwaukee, this durable tool is a little bit industrial, a little bit sculptural. And a great little gift for Father’s […]
Princess Mary, 17 year-old daughter of King George V, wanted to do something special for British troops wearing the country’s uniform during the Christmas of 1914—the first winter of World War I. She organized a funds drive by which every serviceman, nurse, and widow (or parent) of those killed in action would receive a special […]
For the American Arts & Crafts devotee, Roycroft metalworks are amongst the most coveted of shop marks. Above, find a pair of hand-hammered copper bookends finished with the Roycroft “Old Brass” patina. These bookends are simple, elegant, and earnestly Arts & Crafts—and a terrific Father’s Day gift possibility for the discriminating Dad. Please come into […]
If Boston Terriers aren’t your Dad’s thing, would a pair of German Shepherds do the trick? Made of cast iron in the 1920’s, these handsome bookends will prove very useful—and terrifically loyal. Please come visit the shop to see them in-person or click on the photo to learn more about them. More Father’s Day gift […]
For the past couple of weeks, we’ve been showing great Father’s Day gift ideas. Over the next several days, we’d like to share some of our newly-acquired bookends—always a handsome and practical gift. Shown above, a pair of cast iron bookends in the form of a sprightly Boston Terrier. Finished with a golden wash, they […]
Whether your father likes to hunt game or would rather appreciate animal beauty with his eyes alone, here’s just the Father’s Day gift! Made in mid-century Denmark by sculptor Arne Ingdam, this ceramic stoneware sculpture captures a fourteen-point bull elk in full call. Please come into the shop to see him or click on the […]
Remind your Dad who’s King of his Castle with this handsome, late-19th Century American Aesthetic Movement mirror, recently-acquired. While not the most typical of Father Day gifts, it will certainly make a handsome—and useful—addition to your father’s abode. Come see it in-person or click on the photo above to learn more about it. More interesting […]
From Laguiole, France comes this collection of handsome (and useful) pocket knives. Hardened stainless steel blades are clad in exotic hardwoods. Polished brass bolsters complete the look. At 3.75″ long (when closed), the size is big enough to be useful but small enough to be kept in one’s pocket. At front: Thuya wood. Behind (left-to-right): […]
As a dad gets older—and wiser—he realizes that time is his most precious resource. Help him monitor his asset with this handsome and classic watch by Ole Mathieson. Designed in Copenhagen in 1962, these watches are still made by the family firm. The watch above, with beautifully scripted Arabic numerals, has a battery-operated Swiss quartz […]
John Ruhl always wanted to be an artist. Throughout his childhood, his parents—German immigrants who ran a shoe store—tried desperately to dissuade him from his calling. Upon his graduation from the NYC public school system, they insisted he accept an offer to work as a clerk in an insurance company—a job he loathed. While working, […]
We continue our little run of handsome (alcohol-related) Father’s Day gifts with this stainless steel hip flask. Though contemporary, the design is based on an 18th Century English design which was popular in Colonial America. It has a softly-curved, concave back and holds one-half of a pint. $75.00. Please come into the shop to see […]
Yesterday we presented a range of antique corkscrews—stylish in their simple, “Country Mouse” kind of way. For those whose fathers resemble the “Town Mouse,” perhaps the “sommelier” above will do the trick. Made in Laguiole, France, the polished stainless steel instrument includes a foil cutter and is finished with polished cow bone. Also available in […]
One popular category of “Handsome Gifts” at LEO Design is our range of vintage bottle openers. Made between the 1880’s and 1930’s, most come from England and France. Wood and Horn handles top the curled steel corkscrews and some still possess their original horsehair cork brushes. Those shown above range from $125 to $145. Please come […]
While I generally lament the “electronification” of modern life, in this case, it’s provided a handsome and useful opportunity. Shown above, a small range of luxurious leather sleeves for one’s indispensable modern gadgetry. Italian calfskin—in rich, caramel tan or deep navy blue—is stitched into brass-zipped pouches. Inside, the pieces are lined in pebbled goatskin. And, […]
Amongst the most handsome pair of cufflinks I’ve had in while, this 1930’s pair hits the Art Deco nail right on the head. Sterling silver is machine-turned with a radiant guilloché pattern, enameled in aqua, then finished with black enamel banding. Very striking, indeed. Perfect for a handsome father! Please come in to the shop […]
The birthstone for the month of June is not a “stone” at all. It is the pearl—the mysterious and exotic treasure of mariners—which commemorates those born in the calendar’s sixth month. At one time pearls, which represent purity, innocence and humility, were the most precious of jewels. Egyptian aristocrats were buried with their pearls. The […]
How often has Dad encouraged us with words of wisdom? Let’s leave the month of May with some inspiring words for Dad: “Seize the Day!” Made of sand-cast pewter in Italy, this hand-crafted little box boldly proclaims the Latin “Carpe Diem” from the top of its hinged lid. About the size of a deck of […]
Schoolboy repp stripes smartly dress these Japanese leather-lined credit card wallets. Choose from three color combinations: {navy/red} or {royal/yellow/white} or {navy/brown}. Simultaneously handsome and fun. $85.00 Please come into the shop to see them for yourself or call us for additional information. More great Father’s Day gifts tomorrow.
Perhaps your father’s interests include the botanical. Shown above, a pair of Czech Art Deco white vases, made in the 1930’s. Bohemia—while it took design cues from larger cultural centers (like Vienna)—was no stranger to good design. From Mucha’s Art Nouveau to Moser’s Art Deco, there’s a rich history of good art, design and craftsmanship […]
On the heels of yesterday’s “Campagna” Italian pewter box, here’s a handsome, letterpress greeting card that might be right for your father’s day. Bears, rabbits, raccoons, owls and deer romp around the handsome graphic of this card, printed on Swan’s Island, Maine. Please come into the shop to see a wide range of Father’s Day […]
Sand-cast in Tuscany, this Italian pewter box bears a twelve point rack of antlers on its hinged lid. Great for holding cufflinks, cigarettes, or any manner of desk, dresser or bedside accoutrement. Its soft-rectangular shape is simultaneously gently modern and old-school. I can envision Burt Lancaster picking-up this box from the fireplace mantelpiece in Visconti’s masterpiece “The Leopard.” […]
Master artist Albrecht Dürer was born, lived and died in Nürnberg, Germany in the 15th and 16th centuries—though his great influence was felt throughout Europe, even during his lifetime. While he was an incredible painter, he is best known for his sensational printmaking which he sold while traveling throughout the continent and which made him […]
Mirrored rim banding is accented with a meandering Greek Key pattern on this set of eight Modernist rocks glasses from the 1960’s. Crisp, handsome and clean-lined, these glasses are sufficiently decorative in a masculine, understated way. $195. Please come into the shop to see them or call us for further information. More nice Father’s Day […]
Perhaps your father is more golf-enthusiast than numismatist. This set of fore four glasses, from the 1960’s or 1970’s, depict “The Basic Swing” in a series of stop-action images. The white and spring green graphic will make for an extra-refreshing refreshment. Please click on the photo above to learn more about them. More Father’s Day […]
With Mother’s Day behind us, we turn our attention to Father’s Day, a month away. Over the next few weeks, we’ll be sharing some of our newly-acquired “Handsome Gifts” for Dear Old Dad—beginning with some stylish barware from the time of “Mad Men.” Shown above, a set of six Mid-Century rocks glasses, decorated with depictions of […]
Father’s Day is one month from today. Over the course of four weeks, I’d like to present some “Handsome Gifts” suitable for Father’s Day gift-giving. Let’s start with this handsome pair of “T.R.” bookends from the early 20th Century. As a boy, not much was expected of Theodore Roosevelt. He was a sickly child, more […]
On my buying trip last week, I assembled this small collection of desk bells—always a good-seller at LEO Design. Made in the late Nineteenth and early Twentieth Centuries, they would have lived atop shop counters and hotel desks. Mostly brass, some of them have cast iron bases ($125 – $165). Please come into the shop […]
Amongst my newest finds is the matte white art pottery, pictured above. Collected during my recent weeklong buying expedition—piece by piece—it pulls-together nicely as a grouping ($75 – $110). Please come into the shop to see them in person—now combined with their previously-acquired relatives.
I’m just home from a week-long buying trip through New England—with lots of great, “Handsome Gifts” in tow. Shown above, more from our recently-acquired collection of Mid-Century mirrored barware. Here we have a set of six “Super Atomic” high ball glasses, complete with a black wire caddy. These glasses—seemingly out of The Jetsons—capture America’s Space Age […]
I’m finding lots of “Handsome Gifts” for the shop in New England this week, some of which might be your “just perfect” Father’s Day present. Shown above, a small sampling of Mid-Century “mirrored” barware which I’ve acquired this week. In front, a “mirror fade” high ball glass, part of a set of eight. Further back, […]
As I wend my way through New England, finding great, new items for the shop, I’ve put-together a collection of heavy, industrial tape dispensers, pictured above. Designed and made in the Art Deco 1930’s, they are made of heavy cast iron and were usually found in factories, workshops or sales counters. Because of their substantial weight, […]
I continue to travel through New England this week, in-search of “Handsome Gifts”—especially gifts for Father’s Day. I’ve assembled a collection of impressive mirrors, two of which are shown above. The front mirror, made during the 1840’s to 1860’s, is crafted of mahogany veneer over a curved “ogee” profile. The larger mirror, in back, is […]
I’ve taken to the road this week, traveling throughout New England, in-search of “Handsome Gifts” for the shop. Though I’m never quite sure what I’ll find, I do have a wishlist. At the top of the list? Great Father’s Day gift ideas. Shown above is one such idea: a pair of Goebel German Modernist terra […]
For the next several days, I’ll be on the road—hunting for “Handsome Gifts” throughout New England. Kismet plays a role, of course, but I will keep an eye open for great Father’s Day gift ideas—like the “find” pictured above: a pair of hand-hammered copper Roycroft bookends, finished in their “Old Brass” patina. Simple, elegant, and stylish, […]
Just-in: a new collection of marine-themed summer greeting cards, perfect for the up-coming Father’s Day—or any summer season occasion. We collaborated with New York artist Noha Mishriky to create this collection of six nautically-inspired works: anchors, lighthouses, rowboats, seahorses, starfish and seashells. She painted the originals in watercolor, then printed them on a nicely-textured watercolor […]
On my last trip to England, I spent a rainy Sunday traipsing around Sussex in the southeast of that country. In the mostly-Victorian (and slightly shabby) town of Bexhill-on-Sea, I came across an unexpected Art Deco jewel: the De la Warr Pavilion, built in 1935. The building was commissioned as a contest by the Ninth […]
Another sweet pair of vases—sweet without being saccharine—is this twosome from Austria. Made in the 1910’s during the Secessionist period, they exhibit the flavor of turn-of-the-century Vienna. The pretty, sky blue glazing and stylized buttressing are likely to make someone’s mother happy. Please come into the shop to see them or click on the photo […]
One year I gave my mother an orchid on Mother’s Day. It was a life sentence—for both the plant and for my mother who was (involuntarily) tasked with keeping it alive. I like this idea better (pictured above): a Dutch Gouda vase with a hand-painted, stylized orchid motif. Made in the Teens or Twenties, it […]
Made in (what was once) Czechoslovakia in the 1930’s, this pair of Art Deco Vases have a touch of femininity without fuss—which makes them a tasteful Mother’s Day gift. Perfect with or without flowers as they are beautiful individually or as a pair. $85 each. Please come into the shop to see them or call […]
Perfume has long been a favorite Mother’s Day gift. How about a perfume bottle? These crystal vessels, hand-blown in Sweden in the 1950’s and 1960’s, take the form of gourds, pears, and more-classic geometric or teardrop shapes. Each has a little stopper which doubles as a perfume dauber—some daubers are long, some daubers are short. […]
