Useful AND Beautiful

“Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.”

This quote by the British designer William Morris (who was influential in reviving the traditional textile arts during the Arts & Crafts movement in the 19th century) rings as true to me today as it must have others when Morris spoke it.

However, for our purposes at The Hare & The Hart, I contend that the “or” in the sentence should be replaced with the word “and” – because at our shop, and in our home, we adore objects that are useful AND beautiful.

Joy in everyday living can be simple – why not a pot brush that is well-made from wood and natural bristles rather than plastic? Why not a pretty Le Parfait glass jar that can be used over and over again to store various items rather than (again) plastic? And beautiful art that hangs on the wall is inherently useful, in my opinion, because it sets a tone and elevates a mood when entering the room.

At our shop in downtown Thomasville, Georgia, we curate a selection of artisan goods that are English at heart with a Southern sensibility & a French twist. When sourcing items for our customers, those objects need to pass the “useful and beautiful” test. And when designing our original art and patterns (and the products they are offered on) we definitely strive for an aesthetic and functionality that combine to make everyday life a little more pleasing.

xo,