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Spring Shopping at the Marston House
March/April 2017
By Bobbie Bagel
After this winter's chilly temperatures, gray skies, and glorious rain, we can now happily anticipate sunny spring weather. Our very wet winter will be a boon for San Diego gardens. We can look forward to colorful blooms coming up all over.
And it is beginning to look a lot like spring at the Marston House Museum Shop in the estate's carriage house. There's some wonderful merchandise that may inspire you to get out in the yard and start digging.
Pick up one of the lovely, handy trowels that are decorated with William Morris floral patterns. Both practical and elegant, these tools were first created for the Victoria & Albert Museum in London and are based on richly romantic Morris designs in its collection.
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The Gardener's Collection is a lovely selection of soaps, candles, and notecards with matching floral designs inspired by Morris designs. They are attractive, functional, and reasonably priced. Not only will they brighten your home, they will make cheerful gifts for friends and neighbors.
The Gardener's Collection soy candle rests in a 4½"-tall glass, burns for 60 hours, and comes packaged in an attractive keepsake box. There are several scents to choose from, including soothing lavender with a touch of Italian bergamot, and red currant with a hint of citrus.
The collection's boxed set of three handcrafted soaps is beautifully wrapped and makes an elegant impression. The soaps are available in the same captivating scents as the candles. If you look forward to a long soak in a relaxing bath after working in the yard (or anywhere else), consider the Spa Salts in this collection. This natural blend of sea salts and essential oils comes in a reusable wooden box. Look forward to the fairest of seasons with these and other components of the Gardener's Collection.
The Museum Shop's vivid selection of Arts & Crafts style ceramic art tiles inspired by nature is another harbinger of spring. The pastel tones of Starry Flowers, the newest design from Motawi Tiles, are as gentle as an ocean breeze. Spring Chickadee is another seasonal favorite from this acclaimed studio in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
SOHO is also proud to feature San Diego ceramic artists, Eric and Rose Franco, owners of ERF Tiles. They specialize in old California and Spanish Revival styles that they make and hand-glaze in their Spring Valley studio. Their popular floral tiles are splashed with brilliant red poppies and yellow daffodils that reverberate against a glossy black background.
Deirdre Lee, a well-established Bankers Hill artist, designs striking ceramic tiles influenced by Fauve artists and the Arts and Crafts era. Using vibrant, intense colors, she creates fanciful tropical bird and floral images that are exciting and engaging. In some of her spare time away from the kiln, this artist volunteers as a docent at the Marston House. Thanks, Deirdre!
So, go ahead, indulge your green thumb and enjoy a spring feverish shopping spree at the Marston House Museum Shop. There is a lot to see and savor, and your purchases support SOHO. Members enjoy a 10% discount.
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