Thursday, March 20, 2014

I'm A Decorator

When Linda and Tom were in Nerja the first time, they fell in love with a shop called Brea. They bought some fine art prints there and had been longing to go back for more. We left San Geraldo with his second cup of coffee and headed off. But Brea wasn't open. There were no hours posted, so I asked a woman putting out tables at a restaurant across the way if she knew whether or not the store would be open.

The woman smiled warmly and said, in Spanish, "Oh, yes. They're open every day. Always at 10... 

... Or 11 or 11:30."

SHOULD I GIVE THE CATS THE BIRD?
(BE BOLD. CLICK ANY IMAGE.)

So, Linda and Tom instead showed me a bit more of the neighborhood before we retrieved San Geraldo for lunch and sight-seeing. Then we all walked back over to the store. It was open and filled with unusual gifts, crafts, and home furnishings. Linda and Tom found three more prints and a beautiful art-glass bowl. San Geraldo and I found too many things but managed to leave with only a large funky platter for our coffee table. The owner was a charming woman named Viki. Her husband restores furniture and mirrors and also creates his own beautiful designs. His works are displayed all over the shop. (Check out his website here.) If you get to Nerja, definitely visit the store called Brea at Hernando de Carabeo (that's the street) #39. Just visiting with Viki for a few minutes will make the day seem brighter.

On a side note: 
I never knew that "brea" in Spanish means "tar" or "pitch." So "The La Brea Tar Pits" in Los Angeles if said completely in English would be, I suppose, "The The Tar Tar Pits."




CHARMING VIKI WRAPPING UP OUR PLATTER.
OUR PLATTER.
THE LOVELY LINDA DISPLAYING THE ART GLASS BEFORE IT WAS BOXED.
(THE PHOTOGRAPHER — YOURS TRULY — DID A TERRIBLE JOB.)
VIKI'S HUSBAND'S LATEST FURNITURE CREATION.

Decorative Dudo
Dudo drove me crazy ("Play with me. I've got string. Play with me!") while I tried to edit these photos and write this post. If it's not all up to my usual standards ("Standards? He has standards?"), blame Dudo. I tried to annoy him as much as he was annoying me. Apparently, that's not possible. (He doesn't care what I do, as long as I pay attention.)

"OOOH.  I THINK IT BRINGS OUT THE GREEN IN MY EYES."

16 comments:

  1. I like "The The Tar Tar Pits"! Wonder if they serve Steak Tartare nearby? What a great platter! Love the picture of Dudo with the string. I was on a business call, and Donna's cat, Pumpkin, jumped in my lap and tried to get between me and the cell phone. I kept saying "No, not now", and the person I was talking on the phone kept asking me whether I was talking to him or the cat this time.

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    1. Jo:
      Well, Steak "TarTar" would be the pits pits. I love your business associates finally words ... "this time"!

      Delete
  2. Oh I do like that shop, Mitchell! could spent some time there! I like your selection as well. And, Linda and Tom's (like I know them no less!) art glass bowl.

    And of course dear Dudo......who is SO neglected and starving for attention! But he is cute! And I think he really likes you!

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    1. Jim:
      The shop was a great surprise. I thought it was just a little place with art prints. Instead, it was filled with stuff... and unlike any I see in other stores. Usually, you go from one store to the next and see the same exact items. Yeah, I think Dudo really likes me, too. But aren't cats supposed to sleep most of the time?!?

      Delete
  3. I could go crazy spending money in this shop.

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    1. Stephen:
      I can't believe my newly acquired self-control. In the past (before our down-size and move to Spain), I would have left with a carload!

      Delete
  4. Wow, beautiful shop. I see why you guys spent money there.

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  5. The red glass is very nice and I really like the bird. Yes, a shop full of temptations.

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    1. Andrew:
      Sorry I didn't get a better shot of the art glass bowl. The colors are rich with blues and burnt golds. Really beautiful. There was a vase that was similar. it was twice the price of the bowl. We thought maybe Tom and Linda would buy both (the vase was stunning), but they're much more rational and practical than we are.

      Delete
  6. Replies
    1. Spo:
      Our platter is from Morocco. The platters from Spain were gorgeous, but none in the size and color we wanted. Probably a good thing. They were about four times the price!

      Delete
  7. That's my kinda store. I love me some cool bric-a-brac.

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    1. Bob:
      I haven't enjoyed (or been surprised by) an artsy store for a long time. Different and not expensive! I'd go back to Nerja just to shop there (well, and to visit the caves and do a real historic stroll).

      Delete
  8. Beautiful Dudo! Perfect color string. I love blue and white plates and wish I could wander around that shop "just looking".

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    1. Kristi:
      We also love blue and white plates, and Brea had especially nice ones. Unfortunately, blue and white doesn't "go" with our decor!

      Delete

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