New York - June 10, 2005

Twice as Nice

John Derian Branches Out

Giant clam shells, a taxidermic porcupine, decoupage cake stands, the odd slipper chair …

John Derian’s charming East Village shop feels like somebody raided the attic of a Loire chateau. The cramped chaos is fun and all, but sometimes the cabinet is too full of curiosities.

Well, now there’s breathing room in the playhouse: They’ve doubled their space by opening John Derian Dry Goods, an airy annex two doors down, where the focus is on fabrics, antique furniture, and art.

Like Elsa C.’s rustic, hand-stitched quilts. (No one will know you didn’t get them in Provence.) Lisa Corti’s Italian-designed, Moroccan-inspired, Indian-made (now there’s a passport stamp) bedsheet-cum-picnic throw makes a perfect hostess gift. (And will guarantee a return invite.) John Robshaw’s bold textiles and bedding fill the basement.

The biggest coup may be the walls, which have been given over to British artist Hugo Guinness, whose blocky pictures of potted geraniums and toy battleships have made cameo appearances in everything from The Times to the Tenenbaums.

You may be tempted to move in, but don’t.

Your studio chateau would miss you.

John Derian Dry Goods, 10 East 2nd Street, between Bowery and Second Avenue (212-677-3917 or johnderian.com).