Country Store
From Sarah, our native Northumbrian, just back from a visit:
My parents live in a town called Corbridge, in a part of England renowned mostly for its Roman ruins and large, draughty castles. 
Stomping through the countryside in the rain is the main activity here.
But, eerily enough, one of the most charming and esoteric shops anywhere has opened in the village, seamlessly mixing high design with whimsy. Called RE (for re-found objects) and owned by two refugees from the fashion world, the shop is located in a cavernous, converted garage. On display is an impeccable selection of modern and vintage household goods–some familiar, others you’ve never seen before (no mean feat for compulsive magazine/catalog readers like us).
Here’s what you’ll find: French fabric and journals, polished aluminum hooks, natural Swedish wash brushes, along with vintage glass cake stands, Sheffield bone handle knives, leather measuring tapes, French wooden bread boards, antique signage and Welsh blankets.
It’s this juxtaposition of goods that makes a stroll through the store akin to shopping in an open-air market. Pull open a wooden drawer and you’ll find a selection of Italian Leone lozenges; on a nearby table is a display of simply striped vintage tea towels. From the ceiling hangs a constellation of crystal chandeliers next to jelly-mold lights.
The shop is continually updated with finds from the owners shopping sprees across Europe and afar. Happily, the store has an excellent website: www.re-foundobjects.com, and ships overseas. Prices are surprising reasonable, to boot.
Add comment February 10th, 2007
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