Dee C.
Yelp
Ok, pronounced "okay" (I thought it was pronounced "ok" which means jade in Korean), is a wonderful little shop carrying culinary and design paraphernalia that would make fabulous gifts for those people you know who have everything. I have those impossible-to-shop-for friends and when occasions come around, I can count on Ok for some interesting wine items, stemware, Venetian glass vases, and there is always something sneaking in the corners that I discover with each visit.
I now know the owner and he is an interesting chap. He personally buys everything and, is there any tying motif, you ask? Nope, just whatever strikes his fancy. He obviously has an affinity with Asia (which is why I thought Ok was pronounced "ok") and appreciates the Japanese aesthetic (welcome to my--scratch that--everyone's world) in particular, thus there are a lot of fascinating books about Japan. I purchased a beautiful Japanese tea ceremony book (different from the ones I've spied here and there), so that I can learn it and impress my grandfather who lives in Kyoto.
There are also fantastic coffee table reads. Great books on photography, art, food and wine, cooking, James Dean and Steve McQueen, and the French New Wave. Pretty cool as school selection.
There is also this unique collaboration of art/design pieces that he showed me that reminds me of those pop-up books I used to flip through as a kid (I remember making a few, too). Visionaire is the company that releases them three times a year. They work with artists, designers, and image-makers to create an eye-catching, playful collection built around a theme in varying formats. This is not highbrow or what I would call serious/fine art, but just something fun yet creative, though I will be the first to concede it is more about image than art. This all said, color me happy, I am not much of a collector, but I want some of these! I'll start with Dreams, Magic, Woman, Chic, Paris, and true to my MO, Scent. The one currently out is called Surprise. More info here: http://www.visionaireworld.com/index.php
So, yeah, I like this store. Not much I wouldn't buy here down to the jewelry, cards, and stationery.