Crème de la Crème, a new destination for cool and cultured home décor, opened in Carytown Court on April 4.
This fragrant and cheery shop is stocked with dinnerware from Arte Italica and Vietri; table linens from Jacquard de Français; cheerful flatware by Sabre; pasta bowls from Deruta; and mustard, navy and cornflower-colored textiles from the South of France.
With fragrant Mistral soaps and Eccolo wood frames, too, a focus on French and Italian wares rings through.
But Crème de la Crème’s not just about European goods. There are wicker baskets by Calaisio made in remote villages in Indonesia and upcycled bowls by Wola Nani. These pop-art-like bowls are handcrafted by people living with HIV/AIDS in South Africa.
Greeting cards from local makers and books like The Happiness Code, Flirting with French and Carolina Bride show the shop’s witty, below-the-Mason Dixie-line side.
It’s a magnetic mix. I asked Crème de la Crème’s Kianna Graham to try to sum it up. “We have the best of Southern charm with European flair,” she said.
“We’re also about family,” chirps in L.A. Phipps, Crème de la Crème’s manager. “Most of our lines are family owned and so is the shop.”
Owners Tara and Ben Wedgman own two other Crème de la Crème stores. One is in Leesburg and the other in Middleburg.
I always love being introduced to new products and Crème de la Crème delivered. It’s here that I came across table linens by Libeco. Made halfway between Bruges and the border of France, these fine Belgian linens combine artisanal weaving with high-tech production. Their quality and color offerings are superb, with hues from jewel-toned Verde and Fig to yellow, taupe and pristine white.
Pictured is a 69-by-108 inch tablecloth ($145) in elegant flax. The shop also stocks Libeco napkins ($16).
Now it’s your turn to explore. Stop by Crème de la Crème’s this Saturday, May 16 for their Grand Opening. There’ll be food, art, live music and a raffle throughout the day.
I’d love to hear about your favorite finds.
Crème de la Crème is at 3156 W. Cary St. Store hours are Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
