Artful Objects at Michele Varian, in Soho

Photo by myself at Howard and Crosby Streets, in Soho.

While walking around Soho, Wednesday evening, I stumbled into Michele Varian, a striking interiors store, on Howard Street.

Let me say first that there are loads of furnishings stores in New York. Loads and loads. There are places selling antique furniture, knick knacks and decorative objects. Only rarely am I impressed by a store.

Michele Varian is one such store. Was it because their objects looked old? and were artfully displayed in an effortlessly eclectic way? or because the space was lofty and just tinged with age? I'm not sure.

All I know was that there was a ton to look at and the folks I met in the store were friendly. One woman told me that the space used to be a metalwork studio and that Jasper Johns used to own the building.
 

There were gorgeously decorated serving trays, precious drinking glasses and old-timey light fixtures. There was a giant bird cage dangling from a winch.

And there were a great number of quirky, arty objects that I can't even begin to describe, like candelabra, porcelain skulls, and jewelry made from porcupine quills. Fortunately I couldn't stay and actually shop, because I would have a hard time deciding what to buy (!).

To shop or browse around on the Michele Varian website, with more photos of their interiors, click here.

Related posts: Living in Style at A&G Merch, in Williamsburg, You Can't Take it With You, and Handcrafted Objects at the Architectural Home Show.