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I wasn’t going to say anything, but it’s true. Don’t get too excited, though. I met him (briefly) last year, expressed my love for his beautiful work, and when it was clear he didn’t feel the same way about me, I picked myself up and under the guise of ‘retail therapy’ proceeded to spend a small fortune in his two, to-die-for shops in the East Village (and then tried to work out how to get my loot home to Sydney). I could have gone back every day of our visit to New York.

Are you getting the picture? I am a h u g e fan of John Derian’s work. HUGE.*

Here’s my favourite John Derian purchase (so far)…

Image of John Derian's Cache Pot 'Frogs'

John Derian’s ‘Frogs’ Cache Pot 
(Image © John Derian)

If you are not yet familiar with John Derian’s work, it is absolutely gorgeous. Truly. John (and his wonderful team) have been making découpage homewares since 1989. His production studio is neatly tucked away on 2nd street in New York’s East Village. He collects 18th century imagery, which he then lovingly transforms into beautiful découpage pieces. When you visit his gorgeous découpage shop, the sheer number of options suggests that this old craft is easy to create. It isn’t. Trust me, I have tried it!

Now that we’ve determined that John Derian is a legend in his own lunch-box, I feel I need to let you know that découpage does have one major down-side. Because it’s a paper-based craft, water is the enemy of any découpaged piece. So, pretty to look at, but at times, not the most practical…

Now I’m learning that John Derian has teamed up with the almost-as-fabulous people at Astier de Villatte, the French company known for their beautifully imperfect white ceramic tableware. Together, they have created a 29-piece range of tableware with illustrations drawn from antique book-plates and ephemera.

Have a look at these (it’s ok to drool. I did)…

Image of John Derian's Knife & Fork Saucer for Astier de Villatte

John Derian ‘Knife & Fork Saucer’ for Astier de Villatte
(Image © Astier de Villatte)

Image of John Derian 'Blue Butterfly' Dinner Plate for Astier de Villatte

John Derian ‘Blue Butterfly’ Dinner Plate for Astier de Villatte
(Image © Astier de Villatte)

Image of John Derian 'Ladybird' Soup Plate for Astier de Villatte

John Derian ‘Ladybird Soup Plate’ for Astier de Villatte
(Image © Astier de Villatte)

Image of John Derian 'Round Chair Platter' for Astier de Villatte

John Derian ‘Round Chair Platter’ for Astier de Villatte
(Image © Astier de Villatte)

Image of John Derian 'Large Flower Plate' for Astier de Villatte

John Derian ‘Large Flower Plate’ for Astier de Villatte
(Image © Astier de Villatte)

Image of John Derian Mug for Astier de Villatte

John Derian Mug for Astier de Villatte
(Image © Astier de Villatte)

I think if I won the lottery tomorrow, I would buy myself a whole dinner set of these. [swoon]

John Derian’s original (découpage & imported goods) shop is located at 6 East Second Street in New York. Bookmark it for next time you visit. It is so gorgeous. Alternatively, check out the beautiful and comprehensive website here. It is frightfully expensive to ship his work to Australia, but it can be done.

Astier de Villatte also have a seriously impressive website here.

*Just in case you’re wondering, LM has a man-crush on Adriano Zumbo. That’s why I get away with having a crush on John Derian. If you don’t know who Adriano Zumbo is, please check him out here before you plan any trips to Sydney!