art
Hermitage
It’s a kid-in-a-candy-shop moment for those with a love of the modern, the organic, finely crafted work that shows the maker’s hand. We imagine Jennifer June, who owns the new Hermitage (1024 NW 19th), is seeing a lot of people coming in with their eyes shining. Hermitage has a mix of sleek ceramics, jewelry, objects, and the most incredible selection of thrilling and idiosyncratic wallpaper. June brings to the shop a fine art background. “My approach in selecting designers is really about creating a story,” June says. “I look for pieces that are well crafted, conceptually driven, and have a unique take on the classic form.
This translates to quietly beautiful snowy ceramics from White Bike Ceramics, Paige Russell, and Mud Australia, Marije Geursen jewelry, handmade brushes from Sweden by Iris Hantverk, and goods from the design duo behind Boukhou Designs.
And her wallpaper selection is out of this world: incredible wallpapers from ferm Living’s modern organic prints to Erica Wakerly’s dynamic geometrics and the all-out lush and wondrous designs from Nama Rococo (above). Of the wallpapers June says, “It is important to me that the artist’s hand is present in production, meaning most of the designs are either block printed, painted individually, or hand pulled silkscreen. These prints are works of art and can be framed individually or cover an entire wall.” Find designs by Flavor Paper, Mod Green Pod, Louise Body, Palace Papers, and Jill Malek.
So is it named after THE Hermitage in St. Petersburg? Yes and no. June plays both sides of the coin. She’s refering to THE Hermitage which “famously houses one of the largest collections of art in the world,” and as June boils it down, “The most important thing I want to convey in my shop is that our homes should act as our own private museum.” But she’s also thinking of “the dwelling of a hermit.” While June may not be a hermit, she is, “decidedly a nester and perhaps that is what drew me to opening a home décor shop.”
POSTED: January 8th, 2008 | AUTHOR: lisa | FILED UNDER: art | TAGS: art, ceramics | 6 Comments »
Thank you Lisa for the wonderful write up!
Hermitage is an amazing collection of design. s! The wallpaper is scrumptious I must fill my house with it!
i feel so greatful that jennifer june opened such a marvelous home boutique in portland!! i fell in love with the beautifully crafted prints, wallpaper, and jewelry (many of which can not be found anywhere else in the US!) talk about one of a kind!!!
A beautiful shop full of treasures! A must visit!
Nice display case.
I wish I had one of these shops near me! I can´t seem to find anything but paint and predictable posters to cover my walls with. Best of luck Jennifer June! I hope Portland receives you well.