John Derian Company
Tu-Su 11am-7pm
10 East 2nd Street; 8 East 2nd Street
In 1989 John Derian had his art studio here. As the story goes, when people began to stop by just to view the work he was creating, he got the idea to turn the place into a store. Every time I entered this shop, I do not know where to look first. The decoupage plates that Derian is famous for – featuring old-world-style prints of sumptuous fruits, glorious seashells, and endearing love letters – occupy a mere portion of what can be found while wandering. I was also fond of the massive array of vintage dishes, from leaf-shaped plates and knobby oversized bowls to floral cake stands and hand-painted glassware. Vintage brushes, colorful light fixtures, rubber duckies, a collection of books and even old-fashioned dusters are among the display. John Derian Company is charming, crave-worthy and genius.