Josephine Ryan Antiques & Interiors

I get the Guardian Wrap on-line each morning, just a summary of the UK news, but very interesting points of view that we don't see here in the US. Their Observer on Sunday magazine was always a part of my weekend reading when I lived in Wales. Today, I found an article about Josephine Ryan Antiques and Interiors. She's just published a book called French Home, and although it doesn't look like it is available in the US, I want it!
Josephine's description of French decor is wonderful "...perfect imperfection... a look pulled together with a certain nonchalance underscored by enormous confidence. It's also about putting objects into new contexts: slatted garden chairs (like those in Paris's Jardin du Luxembourg) are welcomed into any room in the house, or glass soda siphon bottles are transformed into lamp bases. This mentality is bound up with seeing the multifunctional potential in any piece: an armoire, for example, can be used not only for storing clothes and bedlinen but also for crockery or food."
Her shop in Clapham Common in London is going to be on the list for my next trip over there. I love her mix of rough and smooth, soft and hard and old and not so old. The slightly faded and scratched only serve to highlight their history.What fun things! I can't wait to visit the store in person!