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A Gift Shop with Lots of Character in New York City
If you are a fan of design-oriented accessories, housewares, toys, and patio furniture (to name a few categories), Character's collection of such things will cause your eyes to dance.
Does Character have character? The owners of this medium-sized store actively solicit local artists and designers, who, in turn, infuse Character with an art gallery or contemporary museum vibe.
Character's staff enjoys sharing the details behind everything they sell. After you learn more about individual artists and designers, who knows? You might become a collector. Best, if you love unique items, many on display are exclusive to Character. To stay on top of their ever-changing environment, ask to be invited to designer openings, many of which are held in the shop's beautiful back yard.
In case you don't know the meaning of the phrase "design-oriented accessories," these items tend to be simple, but not plain. Unlike sculpture, which is appreciated exclusively for form, design-oriented objects are clever-although-utilitarian in that they are meant to be used in some way. Simultaneously, they are also meant to be seen as works of art, regardless of their use, and can stand alone in terms of their design, without considering their utility.
Pictured above is the work of Tord Boontje who incorporates images of flowers, leaves, and vines into ceramics, and paper-based vases, lampshades, and garlands. The 12-inch high, laser-cut, gold-toned vase shown here is actually a "vase chimney" that can be placed over an appropriately shielded candle for shadow play, incense, or a bottle holding flowers. It is sold flat, making it easy for mailing or storage, and is assembled by connecting easy-to-fasten tabs. ($45)
Other Items with Character
Picture-Frame Bookends: The utility of these picture-frame bookends absolutely mesmerized me the moment I saw them. I recommend that you give them to anyone who loves books, or perhaps much better, buy several sets for yourself.
How should you use picture-frame bookends? Here are some ideas:
For a few months prior to a trip to Paris, I had a group of tour books displayed where I could easily access them. When I returned home, I celebrated the trip by inserting my own photos of Paris into the bookends. That said, any subject-specific group of books can be highlighted by your own pictures. Do you love fiction? Insert pictures of you (or your kids) reading while curled up on a favorite chair. Cookbooks? Frame pictures of your own baked creations.
Coloring Book: Character features a number of children's toys that are fun for adults, too. This one, The Street Coloring Book, which contains outlines of real street art, offers fun for everyone and can provide significant "creative" relief during a slow day at work when you are out of doodles and are, perhaps, sick of surfing the net.
Beach-Glass Bud Vases: I grew up very close to Lake Michigan and as a child, amassed a beautiful collection of sand-worn beach-glass. The distressed bud vases seen here glow with the same beach-glass quality and look good intermixed with any type of collection.
Photomobile: The floating picture-frame mobile seen here is actually quite a bit bigger than this picture of it suggests. Each photo suspended from the mobile is approximately 4-inches by 5-inches (although you can put in any size within reason). The affect of these overhead photos is stunning.
Suggestion: Let your kids select the photos for greater family involvement. I'm sure they'll be enchanted seeing pictures of their friends floating overhead.
Designer Lamps: This photo shows one of several designer lamps available at Character.
What You See Is What Will Change! All pictures were taken in Fall 2007, so I can't guarantee that you'll see the same products when you visit as stock quickly turns over. No matter what you see, however, strike up a conversation with manager Adam Kautz, who knows the background of everything.
Prices are quite reasonable, ranging from $10 to around $1,800 for designer patio furniture.
If you are particularly interested in specific artists and/or designers, ask to be kept abreast of their new items and, if you live in the metropolitan area, see if you can be invited to designer openings.
Character
www.CharacterNYC.com
19 Prince Street
one block south of Houston, near Elizabeth Street
New York, NY 10012
212 274-1966
Questions? Just ask!
Karen Little
Article and photos by Karen Little. First published on 11/1/2007. All rights reserved by www.Littleviews.com.
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