New
York: A Tour with John Derian around his
East Village stores. The
John Derian Company Inc. brand is becoming well known far beyond the
cognoscenti - though it is synonymous with decoupage, it is much more. In John
Derian's three store in New York's East Village you can find not only his
complete decoupage collection, but also gifts and household objects, furniture,
dry goods, all especially scouted and hand picked from around the world, from
small producers, flea markets and antique shops. Like John himself they convey an understated
elegance and freshness, their quirkiness and playfulness, they make special unusual
gifts, not found elsewhere. His illustrious clients are people who do not
necessarily "want to appear"
they appreciate the quality and uniqueness and sense of humor and often fun the
goods convey.
Above.
The iconic John Derian Company Inc. flagship store at 6 East Second Street.
John
Derian. John Derian takes
Contessanally, on a special tour, around his three stores, all located next to
each other, on Second Street in the charming East Village of New York City. He picks
out some of his favorite things and explains why he is especially fond of them.
Above.
John Derian in front of Animal Heads: Made mostly of paper in Asia, designed by
Cody Foster. “I love the humor and handmade quality of this animal friendly
taxidermy.”
John
Derian - John Derian Dome Paperweights. “Part of our vast decoupage collection,
I love a little bit of color on a desk, I keep adding more and more to this
part of my collection.”
John
Derian - Tulip chair covered in Tissus Tartares. “Our own Tulip chair design
upholstered in Russian-inspired Tissus Tartares fabric. I love all of the
prints from Tissus Tartares they seem modern even though they are based on
19-18c prints.” In the background a vintage unicorn.
John
Derian – Hugo Guinness Paintings and Watercolors. “One-of-a-kind Hugo Guinness
paintings framed by Hugo himself with vintage frames. I have been showing Hugo’s
works for 10 years and they keep getting better!”
John
Derian - The Green Vase Paper Flowers. “Handmade in New York City using
hand-dyed, hand cut papers and vintage pots. I love the charm and wit expressed
in these beautifully handcrafted flowers by Livia Cetti.”
John Derian - Amanda
Moffat Ceramics. “Handmade in Brooklyn by Amanda Moffat using stencils and
hand-painted motifs. Amanda has been a potter for many years; this new blue
print is a favorite reminding me of the old blue and white pottery from the 18c.”
John Derian - West
African Textiles. “Indigo-dyed men's garments from Burkina Faso. I love indigo
and couldn't resist making these pillows out of our vintage African textiles.”
John Derian – Astier de
Villattes Ceramics Collaboration. “Handmade in Paris. It was exciting for me to
work with them on this collaboration I love their work and that the pieces are
functional and dishwasher safe.”
John Derian – John
Robshaw Pillows. “Designed in New York City, hand block printed in India. John
Robshaw does great work in India but this group is especially nice.”
John Derian – Papiers
Dominotes Book. “A beautiful book of antique French wallpapers, I basically
worship anything paper and 17c so this book was a must for me when I found it
in Paris.”
John Derian – Ino Schaller
Halloween Decor. “Made in Germany, I love that these are all handmade using
their original molds from the 19c.”
John Derian. John Derian
in front of a theater backdrop and a Dromedary sofa. “The theater backdrop is
European, late 19th century. I love a bit of fantasy and theatrics so anytime I
find backdrops I have to get them! The love seat was from France, re-tweaked
and now a favorite piece in my collection. It's called the Dromedary and is
upholstered in Tissus Tartares fabric, which is a Russian-inspired fabric line.