The Convergence of Old and New at Astier de Villatte in Paris
Astier de Villatte is a brand that was founded 17 years ago by Benoît Astier de Villatte and Ivan Pericoli and that produces extraordinary tableware, ceramics, vases, candles, perfumes and notebooks among many other pieces that may be perceived as delicate but are quite strong for day-to-day use. As I have mentioned here and in my book, I'm hopelessly obsessed with plates and beautiful dinnerware. I think one can be so very artistic setting a table and yet not have to spend a fortune in doing so.
Astier de Villatte's boutique at the Rue St. Honoré in Paris has a bucolic-chic feel, as if it wasn't trying too hard, yet the handmade pieces are crafted in an antique Bastille workshop, historically home to Napoleon Bonaparte's own silversmith and everything inside the store is carefully curated. I love how they combine traditional methods starting with black terracotta clay and finishing with a glaze and yet the designs are contemporary like these eye-catching red, blue and white plates and cups that I could not stop admiring.
The notebooks, accents, candles, furniture and textiles are all awe-inspiring and remarkably cool. They have also made collaborations with John Derian and with Commune de Paris and the resulting products are of course tres magnifique. I mentioned Astier de Villatte as part of my roundup of products for the fall and luckily for us, some of their pieces can be found at ABC Carpet & Home in New York.
