papa stour

we promise we're not trying to turn keen eye into a blog about fabulous sources overseas that you may never get to visit (although we do love showhome, hygge, and compact desk). but we just have to share with you this online store we came across the other day: papa stour.

conceived in the spring of 2005, papa stour is the brainchild of one rosie brown, who hoped to create an online shop to showcase some of scotland's best modern and inspirational products. the collection is a contemporary mix and includes unique home accessories, gift items and art. the artists and makers come from all over scotland and all do completely different things but have one common thread: dedication and talent. did we mention that the photography on this site is utterly amazing? well it is.

here are a few of my favorite things:

this set of three scottish ash bowls, created by ruth mae, are charming in their rusticity. turned in unseasoned timber and allowed to dry naturally, each one has a slightly different, oval shape. they would look lovely on a kitchen table or windowsill, filled with little curiosities.

this set of four bone china cylinders are, in a word, breathtaking. nearly translucent, and crafted out of bone china paper clay, they are handmade by andrea walsh. due to the making process, every single piece is unique. think how gorgeous they'd be, clustered in the window, holding budding paperwhites to keep with the pure white theme, or, preferably, something pink. don't they look delicate and fragile? predictably, i also covet these "wee" porcelain bowls to keep my favorite earrings and other jewelry in.

finally, papa stour also stocks photography, paintings and prints. i just adore these 'plant studies' done by catherine chalmers. measuring at about 7.5" x 7.5", these pieces are simply ethereal. i think they'd look gorgeous hung as a series by the bedside. click over to the website to have a better look.

since the keen eye is dedicated solely to feathering the nest, i won't go into detail about the gorgeous jewelry and scarves that the shop also carries, but you really should check it out.

"in a world of mass produced products, papa stour choose to relish in the opposite and embrace art and craftsmanship in its purest form."