Arnold d’Alger ferrets out porcelain dishes sitting in lonely stacks and updates them. The graphic designer uses gold glaze that he applies by hand with fine paint brushes and ink pens to give his dusty finds new dazzle. The upcycled wares are available at Bazar d’Alger, Arnold’s shop site, and by commission: he’s happy to works with pieces from his own collection as well as customers’ own plates and platters.
Arnold previously designed visual identities and did illustration work. Tired of solitary days at his computer, he signed up for classes in porcelain decorating and silk painting at Paris Ateliers, a great place, he tells us, for affordable intro courses in the applied arts. Assigned to bring in some plates to upgrade, Arnold turned to Leboncoin, the French equivalent of Craigslist, and found an affordable trove of grandmotherly castoffs waiting to be rediscovered.
Arnold now has an atelier in his apartment in the 10ème with shelves and shelves of second-hand French crockery. He does his own adorning here and hosts workshops: participants embellish plates à la Arnold. Have some unloved, hand-me-down dishware that could use zhooshing? Come consider the possibilities.
Photographs courtesy of Bazar d’Alger (@bazardalger), unless noted.
Embellished Vintage Tableware
![arnold uses a french ceramic glaze that\2\17;s a mix of gold and resin: 17](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/bazar-d-alger-custom-painting-on-vintage-tableware.jpg)
![bazar d\2\17;alger scalloped stardust plates are €\145 and s 18](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/bazar-d-alger-paris-stardust-patterned-plates.jpg)
![bazar d\2\17;alger alphabet bowls and plates take inspiration from child 19](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/bazar-d-alger-paris-custom-alphabet-patterned-plate.jpg)
![a leafy coffee set is €350. \2\20;gold has a power to enhance tha 20](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/bazar-d-alger-paris-hardwood-patterned-tea-set.jpg)
![arnold\2\17;s stardust, little heart, and palmito patterns combined. 21](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/bazar-d-alger-paris-embellished-vintage-ceramics-table-setting.jpg)
Hand-Painted Tiles
![arnold makes \2\20;tile murals\2\2\1; on commission. here, he& 22](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/bazar-d-alger-paris-custom-embellished-tile-in-progress.jpg)
![fancifully patterned custom backsplashes are a specialty. \2\20;white or 23](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/bazar-d-alger-paris-hand-decorated-tile-backsplash.jpg)
![arnold\2\17;s tilework is made to order for specific locations. here, a 24](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/bazar-d-alger-hand-painted-shower-tile-paris-gregory-zimmermann-photo.jpg)
The Studio
![arnold\2\17;s atelier/apartment is located in a converted workshop. part 25](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/workshop-bazar-d-alger-paris.jpg)
![workshop participants can bring their own wares to decorate or select from the 26](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/bazar-d-alger-embellished-vintage-ceramics-workshop-paris.jpg)
![arnold\2\17;s aim, he says, is \2\20;to give a second life to our 27](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/arnold-dalger-of-bazar-dalger-paris-rinck-gaspard.jpg)
Here are some easy tabletop upgrades:
- Trend Alert: Tiny and Imperfect Embroidered Napkins and More
- DIY: Refreshing Cooling Cloths from The Lost Kitchen in Freedom, Maine
- Priscilla Woolworth’s Conversation-Starter Place Settings Made from Castoffs
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