this just in...

new ceramics from Perch!

we have new shake-a-leg salt and pepper shakers, tiny baskets (great for ring holders or salt and pepper cellars), basket bowls and O bowls. the first grouping we had in the fall didn't last long, so be sure to get in soon and snag what you can ;o) happy shopping and happy holidays! k&m

this just in...

new work by Diana Fayt. you know, it's interesting sometimes how anticipation can often be more satisfying than that which you anticipated. not so in the case of diana fayt's objects. it's been a long, slow 6 months since we placed our order and yesterday my friendly neighborhood postman delivered the goods. i approached slowly to open the box and very careful began unraveling the bubble wrap so as not to burst my bubble to fast. but there was no need as the vase I held in my hand was every bit the glorious piece I had hoped!

it's really absolutely stunning work. images on-line do it no justice. thanks diana for all of your hard work. i know there were a number of bumps along the road to create our few beautiful pieces and we appreciate it. well worth the wait.

if you haven't heard of her or seen her work, you've got to get into openhouse this week and check it out. the process she uses is very labor intensive and can include up to 13 steps per piece from beginning to end. her work is all hand built with the use of handmade molds. all of her drawings are her own freehand originals on stoneware, using lead free materials. no two pieces are the same.

ny times mag article highlights the handmade

we just had to share this GREAT article in yesterday's New York Times Magazine about the handmade movement, something that openhouse, along with the richmond craft mafia, the bizarre market and other groups are trying to spread in richmond. it's nice to see here's a link to the original article.

and here's a reminder from handmade.org why you should by handmade this holiday season and always! support your local businesses (openhouse as well as all small businesses), support the artists and designers in your community and around the country and the world. let's get back to the basics! enjoy.

Why buy handmade?

Buying Handmade makes for better gift-giving.
The giver of a handmade gift has avoided the parking lots and long lines of the big chain stores in favor of something more meaningful. If the giver has purchased the gift, s/he feels the satisfaction of supporting an artist or crafter directly. The recipient of the handmade gift receives something that is one-of-a-kind, and made with care and attention that canbe seen and touched. It is the result of skill and craftsmanship that is absent in the world of large-scale manufacturing.

Buying handmade is better for people.
The ascendancy of chain store culture and global manufacturing has left us dressing, furnishing, and decorating alike. We are encouraged to be consumers, not producers, of our own culture. Our ties to the local and human sources of our goods have been lost. Buying handmade helps us reconnect.

Buying handmade is better for the environment.
The accumulating environmental effects of mass production are a major cause of global warming and the poisoning of our air, water and soil. Every item you make or purchase from a small-scale independent artist or crafter strikes a small blow to the forces of mass production.

pre-christmas sale at openhouse

thought we'd spread the word about the great pre-christmas sale at openhouse. we've marked down most of our inventory 15% which makes for some great deals on items like Lotta Jansdotter textiles, Lorena Barrezueta ceramics, Kim Westad vases, pillows from Three Sheets 2 the Wind, Sharon Spain and PaperCloud as well tea towels, pot holders, cocktail napkins and aprons from Lu Prints, Dermond Peterson and Inleaf.

we have some lovely new designers we'll be brining in in the new year as well as more beautiful items from our current roster of artists and we just have to make some room. our little space in The Shops at 5807 can only hold do much :o)

so if you have someone on your list you just can't seem to find the right thing for, come on by and nab some sweet deals on some one-of-a-kind wares.

daily candy

just a little eye candy from one of our favorite etsy photogs, jennifer causey. i have three of her breakfast prints in my kitchen. her colors are stunning and the randomness of her still lifes are so charming.

we're just loving her newest images. too cute. enjoy! k&m

we've arrived...

we're a week late posting this and there's already a new issue on the stands. blame it on the holidays, but we've just had to much going on lately with the shop, work, school and familial obligations to really be on top of anything ;o) thanks goes out to Katherine Houstoun, a great freelance writer, for her nice little piece on openhouse in this month's homestyle. if you missed it in print, check it out online through the rest of the month.

also, in the spirit of supporting local businesses and local designers, there's a nice article actually on newsstands by Brent Baldwin. it mentions some other nice shops carrying indie designers (sadly missing openhouse) and gives you statistical data as to why buying local is better. enjoy.

Lorena Barrezueta featured seller on etsy

check out openhouse artist Lorena Barrezueta's interview on etsy today! a great way to learn more about what goes into her work. then come by openhouse and check out our selection of her gorgeous wares! enjoy your sunday! k&m

friday night's alright for...

fighting? NO! that's saturday, friday is for shopping, seeing, being seen, drinking, eating. there is so much cool stuff in richmond tomorrow night, we thought waiting until tomorrow, when everyone had their plans, just seemed silly. so here's a friday update on thursday ;o)



the Visual Arts Center will unveil its completed renovation this weekend, december 7-9, 2007! from creating a large creature from plastic bottles to viewing the significant retrospective of sculptor Elizabeth King's work to dancing the night away, Re:Open! offers something to appeal to every friend, student and supporter. Don't miss it!

come to the richmond craft mafia's HANDMADE HOLIDAY SALE, friday, december 7th at 4025 yoga & wellness center.

fourteen businesses from the richmond craft mafia will be selling their handmade items in the beautiful 4025 yoga studios located on richmond's north side. the event is also part of MacArthur's illumination festivities to kick off the holiday season. shop for jewelry, purses, children's clothes and accessories, paintings, pottery, home decor and much much more! free holiday refreshments!

for directions, visit the 4025 yoga website.

or, head on down to historic broad street for first fridays artwalk. check out the cool holiday inspired window and light displays at a number of galleries and businesses. grab a cup of coffee at Lift to keep you warm. maybe a bite at the newly expanded Tarrant's Cafe. people watch and enjoy being a part of the city. bundle up, though, it's expected to be a cold one and possibly drizzly. but why let a little bad weather keep you in on one of the most interesting nights of the month! we'll be out and about, hitting all three of these, so we'll see you. k&m

this just in...

great new graphic wrapping paper for the holidays. 5 fun designs from our newest family member, funnel paper goods. designer Eric Kass creates his original printed patterns in indianapolis on durable 60# white uncoated paper.

openhouse is featuring 5 wintry designs: color urchin, knot tied, uncle bob's pajamas, dottie's decor and rangifer tarandus:

we were charmed immediately by his description of the paper:

'the simple pleasure of ink on paper. that distinctive aroma and familiar testure tickling your fingertips. the material connection between the feelings in your heart and the smile on their face. package your endearing thoughts, well wishes and romantic longings in paper goods designed to elate.'

who knew wrapping paper could sound so sexy ;o)

come check it out before it's gone. happy shopping. k&m

shop tonight and get 20% off

we're a bit behind in posting this, but come over to the Shops at 5807 tonight from 5:30-8:00 and join us and the folks from Belle, Style Weekly's newest publication, in celebrating the holidays. receive 20% off of your purchases and a portion of the proceeds for the night will go to benefit Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. looking forward to seeing you all out there! happy shopping. k&m

buying handmade, buying locally

in our perfect world, everything you would ever think to need could be found at openhouse. of course, then, it might just be another walmart...but we're smart enough to know that not everyone can find all they need for their long list of presents in our little store. so, we're offering some options to round out your shopping. support other local businesses as well as local artists and designers. we'll let you search out other shops on your own time ;o)

but here, thanks to erica over at off the record..., is a list of upcoming markets:

friday 11/30

17th street farmer's market holiday show, 5-9pm, 17th st farmers market

saturday 12/1

chop suey holiday bizarre market, Grand Opening (6-9pm)
a month-long local handmade consignment store in the upstairs of chop suey books originale

friday 12/7

richmond craft mafia's 3rd annual handmade holiday sale
6:30-9pm
4025 MacArthur Ave
the 14 local crafty businesses of the Richmond Craft Mafia selling everything from housewares to handbags to original art. join them for a fun and relaxed evening of shopping. free holiday refreshments.

friday 12/7 & saturday 12/8

virginia craft-n-istas winter craft-n-art market
5-8pm, 11am-5pm
2519 Hermitage Rd

local & regional craftswomen showcase their wares.

saturday 12/8

christmas on macArthur
12-4pm
4000 block of MacArthur Ave

holiday block party featuring the mom & pop businesses on MacArthur as well as local craft vendors (find many of the RCM ladies here too!). holiday family fun!

saturday 12/8

homegrown art & craft show
10am-2pm
Crossroads Coffee

benefits the Patrick Henry Charter School.

happy shopping! k&m

openhouse featured in belle

belle magazine, style weekly's newest bi-monthly publication, has featured two openhouse designers in their holiday gift guide! if you haven't checked out the mag, run out and grab one. it's everything a richmond girl could need: beauty and fashion updates, local personality highlights, health and fitness, music and books, events, food and entertaining. a one-stop guide to all things Richmond for women. it's smart and sophisticated and we're excited to be a part of it.

check it out here or on newsstands now!

looolo on design*sponge

joanna from looolo, an openhouse favorite, is featured this weekend on design*sponge with a yummy cupcake recipe. now that we've had our fill of pumpkin and pecan pie and our stomachs are returning to normal why not start drooling over the next sugary treat? joanna's recipe for white cake supreme cupcakes looks like it just might fit the bill ;o) hope you all have a safe and happy holiday weekend. and happy shopping. k&m

holiday baubles

openhouse is so very excited to announce that we will be carrying some absolutely beautiful hand blown glass ornaments from two of Richmond's own. ryan gothrup and keith mendak are the artists behind the holiday treats and we hope to have more from them in future. we only nabbed a dozen or so, so make sure you get by the shop and grab them before they are gone. At $20 a piece they make for a beautiful gift to a friend, hostess or yourself ;o)

modernism 2007

the 22nd annual Modernism fair, subtitled "A Century of Style & Design, 1905-2005" was last weekend at the Park Avenue Armory in Manhattan. a wonderful selection of exhibitors from 9 countries and 11 u.s. states displayed their furniture, ceramics, jewelry and fine art. a few fab pieces we are coveting are pictured here, along with Jonathan Adler, this years young designer award winner. (yay!)

[vladimir kagan table, Pascal Boyer Gallery, pair of bronze sheeps, 1970, Pascal Boyer Gallery]

[French Black Painted Oak Wood Cabinet with Glass Doors and Brass Details, 1940s, Coconut Company]

[Bartolucci table, Lost City Arts]

[eames La Chaise, ZModern]

m.i.a.

hi there! sorry for the disappearing act. busy getting the shop ready for the holidays. we've added a few new designers to the shop just in time for "black friday" :o) thought we'd highlight a couple today and get the others photographed and online soon.



very excited to have angela liguori join the openhouse family. she came to us through kathleen over at cake & pie and we're lucky to be the only US retailer to carry her beautiful letterpressed holiday cards. she designed the cards in collaboration with British artist susy pilgrim waters and printed them on Fabriano Medioevalis paper together with shelley of Albertine Press. a true artistic collaboration! we only managed to nab a small order, so make sure you get in and get yours soon! you can email us if you're out of town and just have to have 1 or 5!



we've been eyeing dermond peterson's exquisite textiles for quite a while. their line of holiday tea towels, guest towels and dinner napkins seemed the perfect way to introduce them. hopefully just the start of a beautiful friendship :o)

handmade parade

apparently retailers (and yes, we know that we now rank in that group) have decided that november no longer belongs to tom turkey and falling leaves and gourds. that all of these things must have been used up by october and that the holiday season starts November 1. the problem with that logic is that due to global warming and climate shifts, my leaves are still green and firmly planted on my trees. so i'm just now putting on sweaters and thinking about leaf piles and pulling out my browns and oranges and yellows. however, everywhere i look it's green and red and silver and blue. even the display bed at openhouse looks like a Christmas tree (hey, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em)

so in the spirit of the season (whatever season that may be) get on down to Norfolk tomorrow and buy handmade for the holidays:

saturday, november 10 - the handmade parade: hosted by the Norfolk Craft Mafia, it's an annual holiday bazaar showcasing quality, local artists and crafters. Handmade Parade will provide great holiday shopping for those who are looking for one-of-a-kind gifts while avoiding the mass-produced and supporting independent entrepreneurs instead! they will offer a wide variety of fine art, accessories, jewelry, pottery, house wares, baked goods, baby items, clothing and more.

chilly days ahead

grace just posted a great guide to throws and blankets over at design*sponge. perfect timing on a chilly and gray day like this. everything we have in stock made the list! but we thought we'd narrow it down for you to see just the openhouse highlights [clockwise from top left]: tracks plaid blankets from ratzer [$428], windows blanket from looolo [$495], child's plaid throw from ratzer [$250], handknit popcorn throw from twinkle living [$250], and the hand quilted tucks blanket from john robshaw textiles [$600 for full/queen].

exception to the rule: charity

we've taken the pledge. our hope is that you have to. buying handmade this holiday season is our main goal. but it's also important to by local, eco-friendly and charitably. it's the last one that has us asking local Richmonders, who have joined us on the path to a handmade holiday, to break the promise, if only for one night. thursday night is Crate & Barrel Shopping Spectacular to benefit Children's Hospital of Richmond. based around 5 core values - advocacy, collaboration, continuous learning, customized care and stewardship, Childrens has been providing medical care to Virginia children since 1917. the non-profit holds a special place in our heart and we urge you to come out and do some good, enjoy a drink and some yummy treats from local restuarants, and pick up a gift or two.

Crate & Barrel’s new Christmas items will be featured at the event and 10% of their sales, as well as all proceeds from ticket sales, will benefit Children’s Hospital Foundation. ticket holders will receive a special prize ticket for drawings that include Crate & Barrel gift baskets, gift certificates and much more. each ticket holder will also receive coupons from participating restaurants and a great gift.

our picks:

anything from Eva Zeisel's Classic Century collection.

or any of their gourmet treats.

r.i.p. house & garden

so, so, so sad to report that one of our absolute fave mags is closing it's pages this December after 101 years of publication. always happy to see the new issue in the mail slot, i would devour every page before doing anything else. many of the talented designers at openhouse were discovered on the glossy pages of h&g. we will miss the print issue and the great bloggers and contributors to the website. thanks for many years of design inspiration! you have had a well-lived life... k&m