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Better Tools for Living: Casa González and González in Madrid

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Better Tools for Living: Casa González and González in Madrid

January 31, 2020

Have you noticed how mood-elevating a great dustpan can be? Here at Remodelista we’re eternally on the hunt for the best versions of everyday essentials. “Who has the interest—and stamina—to spend months tracking down the world’s best light-switch covers?” we wrote in our first book. “We do.”

Over the years, we’ve discovered a few standout sources, such as Labour & Wait in London and Everyday Needs in Auckland—yes, we’re willing to travel (or to admire from afar). Our latest favorite find? Casa González & González in Madrid (with thanks to @the_shopkeepers for tipping us off).

Set in a tiny two-room storefront in the city’s boutique-filled Salesas district, the emporium is devoted to the useful and the well-made. It’s owned by childhood friends Maria Rosa Amor González, who previously worked in the art world, and Javier Carrasco González, the in-house interior designer. “We search the world for timeless, functional products with a story,” they say, noting that most of their wares come from family-owned manufacturers who use natural materials. Looking for plastic-free household tools pretty enough to put on display? Come browse.

Photography courtesy of Casa González & González (@gonzalezygonzalezstore).

 javier modeled the look of the shop after &#8\2\20;tiny, stuffed old  17
Above: Javier modeled the look of the shop after “tiny, stuffed old corner stores from the 19th century.” The sign translates as “Everyday Items: Genuine and Functional Timeless Goods.” Maria Rosa is shown here carrying a Portuguese woven tote with Otto, the shop pup.
the offerings range from english dipped beeswax tapers (€9.90) to german 18
Above: The offerings range from English dipped beeswax tapers (€9.90) to German rattan carpet beaters (€12) and Japanese brooms (€17.50).
the shop fittings are a combination of custom made and vintage. 19
Above: The shop fittings are a combination of custom-made and vintage.
stainless steel korean teapots (€\29.90) share a shelf with portuguese o 20
Above: Stainless steel Korean teapots (€29.90) share a shelf with Portuguese olive oil decanters (€10.90) and lunch containers (€21.50). The glassware is French, and the enamelware is by Falcon of the UK, a longstanding Remodelista favorite.

The custom graphite and other paint colors are from MC Pinturas.

 elevated on metal legs, old french bread trays, shown on the right, are u 21
Above: Elevated on metal legs, old French bread trays, shown on the right, are used as display tables.
purchases are wrapped in brown paper tied up with string. 22
Above: Purchases are wrapped in brown paper tied up with string.
made in america since \19\29: huberd&#8\2\17;s shoe grease (€\15.50) 23
Above: Made in America since 1929: Huberd’s Shoe Grease (€15.50), a beeswax-based waterproofing treatment.
kitchen accessories are arrayed around a concrete sink counter. the zellige bac 24
Above: Kitchen accessories are arrayed around a concrete sink counter. The zellige backsplash tiles and brass bridge faucet are both Moroccan. The under-shelf brass sconces (€45) are a González & González design.
 &#8\2\20;javier was determined to re create a shaker peg rack because 25
Above: “Javier was determined to re-create a Shaker peg rack because of its utility and because it perfectly sums up the spirit of González & González,” Maria Rosa says.

The enamel pendant lamps are vintage.

scrub brushes (from €3.50) and marseille soap (€4.50) are the sho 26
Above: Scrub brushes (from €3.50) and Marseille soap (€4.50) are the shop’s best sellers. They’re displayed in a wooden case that came out of an old shop near London.
among the pantry offerings: le parfait jam jars with hard to find black lids (& 27
Above: Among the pantry offerings: Le Parfait jam jars with hard-to-find black lids (€2.20).
the shop&#8\2\17;s brooms (€\17.50) and zinc buckets (€49) ar 28
Above: The shop’s brooms (€17.50) and zinc buckets (€49) are made by a small workshop near Tokyo.

González & González is located at 68 Calle Pelayo. To see more interiors designed by Javier, go to A Rustic-Luxe Mountain Rental in Spain’s Sierra de Gredos.

Three more spots to know about for household staples:

N.B.: This post is an update; the original story ran on February 21, 2018.

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