Sometimes, it seems that the universe aligns to deliver the book you need at the exact moment you need it. This January, Paris In Winter was that book.*
‘walking the dogs’
Written and gloriously illustrated in watercolor by Minnesota-based artist David Coggins, Paris In Winter (powerHouse Books $24.95) serves as a memoir/journal of his family’s annual trips to Paris, a tradition that spans more than 30 years. Though their initial visits were in warmer months, eventually they discovered that winter’s slower pace suited their schedule perfectly. (It is worth noting that, as Coggins spends most of the year in Minneapolis, a January getaway to Paris will usually be a favorable trade in the weather department, too.) Coggins, his wife and two adult children spend their days living the Parisian good life, which means lots of leisurely meals, chats with restauranteurs and shop owners, and plenty of afternoons spent wandering Paris’s many museums, galleries, and parks, all of which appeals to me immensely. I found myself constantly stopping to jot notes as I worked my way through the book, not only to remember a new place to explore but also to stop and do a quick bit of research into Paris history (including shoring up my art history knowledge, which is woefully lacking).**
‘notre dame with christmas tree’
The book’s tone lures you in: it feels a bit like reading missives from a dear friend — — so much so that I was constantly imagining myself into the scene — and the illustrations whimsically and endearingly capture snippets of their adventures.
‘boy in scarf’
The closer I get to empty-nest status, the more time I spend thinking about “what’s next”, and I’m hoping that it will include an annual getaway like this. Travel is not only for inspiration, but restoration, and Paris is the perfect location to find both.
* Though, as usual, when you dig a bit deeper you discover there were forces guiding you towards discovery all along. My road to Paris In Winter started with some of my savvy Internet friends who recommended the book last fall. Then, a January weekend trip to Paris sparked a love for the city in winter. I bought the book as an early birthday gift to myself. And per usual, now that I’ve been introduced, I’ve started to notice David Coggins’s influence everywhere, including an interview for Paddle8 where his son discusses art with Andy Spade. (updated as I incorrectly assumed it was the elder David Coggins when I read it)
** A short list of places I’ve added to my “must-sees” includes Galerie Vero Dodat, Maille, and Librairie Galignani.
images courtesy of powerHouse books: Paris in Winter is currently available at Barnes&Noble stores and online: the reprint will hit Amazon late March (I told you it was good!)
kombu kelp (irish moss)
I continue to envelop myself in January’s quiet, poring over gardening magazines and taking lots of walks. A recent addition to my magazine habit is the English publication Gardens Illustrated — which oddly enough, I came across while at the Chicago Botanic Garden over the holidays.
While flipping through the latest issue, dreaming of my future garden, the work of Irish designers Superfolk caught my eye.* Based on Ireland’s west coast, Superfolk artists Jo Anne Butler and Gearóid Muldowney designed a range of botanical prints, block printed on Japanese washi paper, that capture the beauty of the wild foraged edible seaweeds found along their country’s coastline.
Mesmerizing in their simplicity, the prints reflect my desire for art that encourages pause and reflection. (Introspection is the essence of the late winter brain.)
sea spaghetti
atlantic wakame
images from superfolk.com : follow them at Instagram and Twitter
* the magazine featured superfolk’s more-colorful but still quite simple dandelion print, available through makers&brothers
42 pressed | london map
Serendipity led me to Top Drawer over the weekend. I went to see one person*, and fell into a rabbit hole of fun finds in the stationery section. It felt like NYC in May for a moment as I wandered the aisles.
42 Pressed
It was a delight to stumble across 42 Pressed at the show. They were sharing space in what appeared to be a “Best of Charleston” booth** and I fell in love with their new foil-accented city posters. The typeface and colors were perfect, with a range of favorite cities to choose from, including London, Paris, Chicago, and yes, Charleston.
42 pressed | paris map
big jon | graphic letter prints + cards
Big Jon
If you want to grab my attention, framing letters in the typeface Didot will usually do the trick. Big Jon’s booth featured simple, graphic designs which made it easy to connect the dots to designer Jon Harvey’s roots as a graphic designer/art director. The “251216” cards — yes, for next Christmas, and I’m not really ready to talk about that just yet — were brilliant, too.
big jon booth
imogen owen | a little box of gratitude
Imogen Owen
It’s hard to find fault with a company whose tagline is “Handmade by nice people in England”, and über-talented calligrapher Imogen Owen charmed me with her simple boxed notecard sets, greeting cards, and the prettiest calligraphed ribbons and wrapping paper. (If you’re a fan of her style, you might like to enroll in one of her calligraphy workshops at Quill London.)
imogen owen | boxed sets + ribbons
à l’aise booth
À L’aise
Founded in 2015 (and launching at Top Drawer) À L’aise is focused on minimalist luxury stationery. I thought the greeting cards, with their muted color palette and simple labels for each message were undeniably sweet and immensely appealing — I wished I could take a few home with me. Can’t wait to see where designer Suzie Dicker is headed with this brand, which also boasts custom calligraphy and leather goods, given the strong début.
à l’aise greeting cards
meticulous ink | ampersand print
Other Friends It was also nice to see old friends like Meticulous Ink (with their beautifully luxe letterpress options) and new to the London shows, Egg Press (featuring their classic, clever + cheery range of paper goods). All in all, a very happy outing.
* which I CAN NOT WAIT to tell you more about but you’ll have to wait until February.
** there were candles on display from Rewined and Produce (also Charleston companies that feature package design by my friends at Stitch). Curious, I asked the rep if all the artists were from Charleston, and I got a very British non-answer. If I had more time, I would have dug deeper to figure out the connection.
all photos by jane potrykus
Here we are at January, again. Suddenly, there’s all the time in the world but less that I’m motivated to do. I’ve dragged out the non-original, repetitive (yet well-intended) resolutions for a re-boot, and am hopeful that in this winter/spring of uncertainty, that the pieces will naturally fall into place.
Less broody is the thought of travel and visitors on the schedule for January and February. I’m looking forward to exploring with friends, returning to Paris (because I never tire of that), and gleefully taking note of the ever increasing daylight.
In this season of nesting, and reflection, I hope you enjoy this current selection of favorite things:
Instagram
- Christmas silver full moon
- morning | winter | still life | homebody
- untitled
- legoman
- CONGRATULATIONS
- third year in a row ….
- protect the tiny envelope!
- I loved the larger-than-life plates ….
- I call this one “Chair #onlinden.” ….
- untitled
- Spent the day with @nruphoto ….
To Watch
- Batkid Begins
- Infinitely Polar Bear
- The Comeback Kid
- Master of None
To Visit
- Plain Goods this home furnishings and design shop in New Preston, CT (found thanks to Tricia Foley) perfectly suits my minimalist tendencies. Am busy stalking their Instagram in advance of the website launch. And planning an in-person visit as soon as possible.
photo at top taken January 1 by Jane Potrykus
framed english matchbook collection
The problem with sale shopping (for me, anyway) is that I immediately abandon the plan to scavenge for deals and instead home in on the new, full-price merchandise. Case in point: yesterday’s scroll through Jayson Home‘s “Flea” sale ended with me coveting the gorgeous, not-on-sale items. I’d love to add one of the pieces shown here to my gallery wall. (Alternatively, the framed matchbooks would look great in a powder room.)
(To be fair, there were some good finds in the sale, too: have a look.)
framed vintage french cigarette bag (from a selection)
vintage original french textile design
vintage framed flashcard
images from jaysonhome.com
