If you're looking for some wonderful Japanese minimalism design, you'll love the original Tortoise General Store and the new Tortoise. These dual-duty boutiques are situated on the quaint Abbot Kinney Boulevard, in the artist's district of Venice, California.
These well-designed spaces offer all things from Japan like ceramic soy pots, interesting + rare art books, pretty Japanese stationary, hinoki cedar bath accessories, and other goodies, too. Their hand-dyed tenegui cloths would be terrific framed on a wall, or as napkins. I especially like to tie mine around wine bottles to give as a dinner party or house warming gift, along with the wine, of course!
Picks from Tortoise General Store
"Kamado-san" Rice Cooker
This handcrafted, earthenware pot is one of the oldest and most traditional Japanese kitchen tools. It's especially made for cooking and steaming rice, can withstand high flames and be used on gas burners, and because of its thick clay body and authentic infrared effect, the rice is especially delicious.
Cardboard Kid's Furniture Set
If only every kid could be so hip. This cardboard, easy DIY furniture set is available in three fabulous colors, comes with two stools and a desk, and stores in a snap! Perfect for your mod dwellings.
Postalco Notebooks
Postalco notebooks are, simply put, indispensably chic. Using starch-pressed cotton, each piece is masterfully crafted with water-resistant treated fabric, and the company's original pin-graph blue paper, embossed with it's carrier pigeon logo. The result, love affairs formed by stationary affectionados everywhere, craving their beautiful writing pads. Available in three different sizes and five pretty colors.
By the same folks that brought us the Tortoise General Store just down the street, here's Tortoise, where you're transported to splendid Japan, and whimsical design and craftsmanship flash before your eyes.
This small but light, airy space has a unique charm and an atmosphere created for lingering. The owners + couple Taku and Keiko Shinomoto are very friendly and helpful, but also allow customers to have their space to shop around. Half of their retail space is dedicated to products with a flair for tradition, and the other half features more modern elements from ceramic designer Ryota Aoki, along with other beautiful things like Mayumi Katsuya's canvas laundry bags, Yasuki Hiramatsu's jewelry, and a cool DIY table for pique-niques and dinner soirees.
If you don't live locally, you can shop their websites for their one-of-a-kind items; they don't sell all of their home accessories online since their inventory changes frequently. If you know someone who likes Japanese design or appreciates the charm and practicality of Japanese sensibility, they'll love the Tortoise stores.
Need to refuel? Here's your chance to check out Intelligentsia Coffee in Venice. Yay!
Tortoise General Store 1208 Abbot Kinney Boulevard, Venice California 310/314-8448
Tortoise 1342 Abbot Kinney Boulevard, Venice California 310/396-7335
Intelligentsia Coffee Venice 1331 Abbot Kinney Boulevard, Venice California
Check out my post on Intelligentsia Silverlake, if you need a refresher on this glorious kaffeehaus.
P.S. I just spent the afternoon connecting (in person!) with super talented author Elizabeth Wix, after we had been talking online for a few months. Elizabeth is a creative and vibrant woman, and she will be leading a writing workshop in Morocco from February 19-26, 2010 for a private, intimate group of 10 at the ultra-exclusive Peacock Pavilions owned by Maryam Montague of the blog My Marrakesh. Read more about it right here.
Have a great Friday!
(images linked to their source)
