The pandemic altered shopping habits beyond return, not only are people shopping in new ways, they also have higher expectations from stores which makes Palmer & Penn one of Sydney’s 2021 retail winners. It has grabbed even more of the online and in-person shopping experience this year becoming a serious seller with its impeccable edit of high-end brands. It filled the gap for consumers who turned to Ben Palmer’s impeccable edit of furniture and homewares in record numbers over the past 12 months, not only for high-end brands like Ralph Lauren, Aerin, Frette and Lalique but also for Baccarat which saw record growth.
The store stocks some of the best brands around – with an impeccable edit, proof that there’s no hard and fast style capital of the world. You can find as much inspiration right on your doorstep as you can in London, Paris or New York.
Apparently, the brand’s $20K crystal vases are in hot demand. We hear vases are the hot new collectible people are going mad for. You also have to see the dazzling new shipment of Aerin vases and cachepots, Frette bed linen and more in-store this week which make the furniture and homewares shopping experience a lot different than what it was even a year ago.
As Sydney opens up, Palmer & Penn is the hot place to shop around town, bringing the best design on the planet to locals – and there are no shipping delays. There are two floors of high design brimming with quality pieces that will retain their value and hold their own as investments. It’s luxury with a capital L, loved by every style guru in town, that will work whatever your look. Just as the pandemic is winding down for most people an ‘end-demic’ is revving up. “Lockdown has made people want to live. They are buying these pieces for their everyday things. It’s a case of – do it now while you can,’ says Palmer.
“After months of isolation, clients and customers can’t wait to welcome family, friends, and colleagues into their homes and are upgrading décor with a “you only live once” attitude,” that he says is unprecedented.
Ralph Lauren Collection Garden Vine Tableware, starting at $60, palmerandpenn.com.au
“Splash out on the Baccarat vase or flutes you’ve always dreamed of. Get the crystal glasses. Twenty years from now you’ll be more disappointed by the beautiful home you didn’t create for your family – and the things you didn’t do in life,” says Palmer.
“It’s an investment. It feels decadent. People don’t want to wait anymore.”
“We have seen a huge increase in sales of vases this year, which is interesting.” Vases are representing a time, a movement and a consumer, right now.
Vases quickly define our age through artistic expression. They are loaded with much more than just flowers.
“Since January, they have become a commodity hotter than ever before,” says Palmer. Thanks to everyone staying at home, people wanted their interiors to look good. “What I think is appealing about a vase shape is it’s a little miniature piece of table architecture and really open to interpretation.”
“They are designs meant to hold cut flowers or other foliage. But they often work as decorative objects even when empty”.
Baccarat
Tastemakers are scooping up Baccarat vases, flutes, wine glasses, and tableware, imported from Paris, in record numbers, says Palmer. Baccarat has become our biggest brand in 2021. Many know Baccarat as the French purveyor of pristine crystal, but few are aware of its history.
For much of its past, it worked almost exclusively on commissions from royalty, nobility and heads of state. It’s the crystal made for historic names.
This service began with an 1840 order from King Louis-Philippe of France, who requested glassware etched with his royal monogram.. Other kings, queens, shahs and sultans followed suit, filling their homes with unique goblets, fingerbowls and chandeliers, earning Baccarat the nickname “the crystal of kings.”
This regal patronage continued into the 20th century. See the pair of whiskey decanters, made for the 1956 wedding of Monaco’s Prince Rainier and Princess Grace. Or a tall glass conceived for the Duke and Duchess of Windsor’s yacht, in 1930, with a sturdy square base for neat cocktails on even the roughest seas.
Despite these establishment ties, the brand’s aesthetic has always been surprisingly avant-garde. The chandeliers it designed for Napoleon III’s apartments in the Louvre were aggressively rococo. The geometric, midcentury modern hors d’oeuvre plates it made for performer Josephine Baker’s 1947 wedding were uncompromisingly spare.
Baccarat Eye Vase Oval 24cm, $3,200, palmerandpenn.com.au
And the chandeliers and tableware of the ’00s by talents such as Ettore Sottsass and Jeff Koons were subversively minimalist. The Eye vases are one of Baccarat’s current best sellers as consumer’s continue to seek collectables with staying power. Palmer & Penn tell us Baccarat has been its #1 selling brand this year, with a huge demand for vases, flutes, wine glasses and more.
Aerin
Then there’s a new shipment of knockout vases and cachepots for real hostesses by Aerin Lauder. Seek out the best looking vessels we’ve seen in years such as Calinda, Marion, Sienna, Paola, Mirabella, Colette, Eloise, and Gilded Clover in shapes unlike anything else around and beautiful shades of white, gold, grey, Blue Grotto and Forest green.
Aerin’s vases are the kind of piece everyone needs to bring life to a room, adding warmth, texture and character – plus they will make your flowers look right.
Also, well worth investigating are Aerin’s Neo throws in 10 colours, including pink, moss, pine, peridot, golden straw, dusk blue, all in-store now, to keep at the end of your bed, and add sensuality to rooms.
With WFH going no where fast what better time to stock up on desk essentials from Aerin.
Plus, plenty of other real accessories that should be your everyday things including classic hurricane shades by every loved by every hostess on the planet, that work whatever your look and a huge range of Aerin’s scalloped nesting serving dishes, Mayoette chip and dip sets, cachepots, Ella bowls and plates, Lucas coasters, Carina trays and much more.
Ralph Lauren
You’ll also find new Ralph Lauren furniture and homeware releases. Almost every interior designer lists Ralph Lauren as their inspiration.Try coordinating and contrasting Ralph Lauren Burleigh Faded Peony plates, bowls, jugs and its knockout Wyatt Salad bowl with leather handles, or Wyatt double champagne cooler.
Oh and, check its Ralph Wyatt cocktail shaker, Academy flatware, and Leigh votives to create your own stunning Spring setting that will take you into Summer and the holiday season.
Just finish with the Ralph Lauren Cheyenne Hurricane or Allen Hurricane shades for height, confidence, and elegance.
After all, your family and friends might not remember the three courses you didn’t serve, but they will remember the beautiful table setting.
We love the casual Ethan range of salad bowls, red wine glasses, and flutes, too – with plenty of stock just in. Even if all you’re serving is something simple, great dinnerware and glassware like this will make it seem like so much more.
Frette
The place to find the biggest collection of Frette bed linen in the country, the 160-year-old top drawer Italian sheeting used by royalty throughout Europe, the Ritz in Paris, The Savoy in London, and Raffles in Singapore.
It was also used on The Titanic, and the Orient Express.
Expect a palette of white, ivory, caramel, coffee and black including the popular Bold in black or Doppio. Also bespoke sheets that can be monogrammed to great effect, for yachts with custom crests too.
Cire Trudon
Christmas 2021 Candles and New Diffusers Lots of stock of the great French candles by Cire Trudon including its much-anticipated Christmas 2021 candles that arrived in-store this month in scents of Fir, Bayonne, Gloria, Ernesto and Gabriel with three sizes to choose from plus the French candlemaker’s brand new diffusers which are tipped to be a hot gift this season.
It’s the quality! And staying power, that fits successfully between style and honest-to-good usefulness that sets Palmer & Penn apart. These are brands and pieces to love for a lifetime, with a transformative power that has to be seen to be believed.Following is our edit of the best vases, dinnerware plates, bowls, platters, and pieces you need now, that will bring good design into your home and achieve that longed-for combo: style and practicality.
It’s a place to find proper statement pieces; plus, they will look after you.
Keep in touch over at Instagram @melissa_penfold, where we’ll be revealing extra favourites from Palmer & Penn over the coming days.
16 Transvaal Ave, Double Bay NSW 2028, (02) 9328 4800, palmerandpenn.com.au
