Dulcet Delights

Image: Message in a Bottle Necklace, Dulcet

"Imagine an attic filled with books, birdcages, costume jewelry and old linens. Antique trunks overflowing with dresses, photos, maps, advertisements." Meet Dulcet, a treat for the wandering eye, a store overflowing with decorative accents, divine papers, and delicate jewelry. 

I discovered Dulcet's wares this past fall while browsing Etsy and was immediately captivated by the store's beautiful photographs marketing a unique selection of lovely products. Many of these photos could easily be described as well-framed works of art. Dulcet's creator does a wonderful job of presenting old maps, postcards, papers, and jewelry in a beautiful and thoughtful way. And further, Dulcet's store is reminiscent of a visit to a simple but well-appointed country cottage. In viewing its treats and treasures, I am transported to a world of freshly wrung clothes billowing on the line, homemade concord jam spread thick upon just-baked tufts of bread, and long afternoons sitting on the front porch sipping lemonade. These fond recollections of a forgotten place of rest and wonder press upon me with a sense of serene timelessness. They push me to go deeper and linger longer, dwelling upon the polaroids of moments now scattered in gray matter. These images urge me to probe and widen my aesthetic sensibilities, realizing that good design tells a story and weaves its readers into an intricate plot that is thick, rich, and life-giving.

Image: Evangeline Fragrant Bath Tea, Dulcet

An Intriguing and Practical Wall Adornment

I happen to love artistic touches that utilize collages and mixed media. When looking for a way to spend a bit of Christmas money on some decorative elements for my apartment that weren't cookie cutter but also wouldn't break the bank, I ran across this lovely calendar/collage at Etsy.

This canvas-sized calendar packs a punch thanks to the creative twist that its developers have used in forming its contents. Using various letterhead images from photos taken in Paris, this functional collage provides a cool way to bring a hint of European charm to a home or workplace. Owners of this beaut can customize the numbers to fit the current month, providing a chic way to display dates in a setting where a more traditional calendar might stick out like a sore thumb.

To learn more about how this lovely work of art was made, check this out:

In case you're interested, you can purchase the calendar either at Etsy in the "Little Brown Pen" store or at littlebrownpen.com. Or, if you're feeling artistic, perhaps you can take a bit of inspiration from these creatives and go make your own one-of-a-kind collage.