orange and pear
a fresh perspective on gift giving
about us:
 Having grown up in the same town as my maternal Grandparents, who were both very talented artists, I have fond memories of hanging out in their light filled, dusty studio, enjoying the smell of oil paints and being soothed by the crackling classical music on the radio. Sadly, they are no longer with us but their art remains and I am grateful to have a large collection of their paintings, watercolors, wooden signs and ship models. The company name was, in fact, inspired by a still life done by my Grandfather. Both my parents and brother are also artists. I, however, have not inherited their artistic talent but I do have a strong appreciation for what artists do and their desire to create something beautiful, something meaningful and something that will remain. My Grandparents’ decor was an antique bureau sitting next to a yellow fiberglass Eames chair. I, like my grandparents, love the old and the new in design. My goal was to create an assortment that represents both sides- the artsy, antique side and the modern or contemporary side, because both can exist harmoniously.
I have been in the retail business for many years, mostly in apparel, working for high end specialty stores. It has been such a refreshing change to work closely with the artists and designers who have created the items on our site. These items aren't just things or stuff. It's more. It represents their years of hard work, their art, their imagination, their talent but mostly it's about their passion and my passion for their work. Look closely- there are stories being told.
So what is orange and pear truly about?
It's about absolutely loving the feeling of linen and being able to discuss, for an hour, the perfect embroidery thread color to monogram a towel [Boxwood Linen].
It's about stationery designers acquiring antique letterpress machines and plates just to make fun, witty cards, despite the plethora of e-cards [Zeichen Press]. Because receiving a real card in the mail is so much better.
It's about finding beauty in the unexpected urban landscapes like the Battersea Power station in London, power lines or barbed wire [Snowden Flood].
It's about spending years collecting antique papers, letters, and botanical images and seeing the beauty in these seemingly mundane images and making them remain in a decoupage plate [John Derian].
It's a about finding humor and whimsy in home decor with pottery and color and believing that "handmade tchotchkes are life-enhancing." [Jonathan Adler]
It's about being the first company to print on sustainable bamboo paper and to do it beautifully [Smock Paper].
It's about still making soap in Portugal the same way it was made 117 years ago and carefully wrapping it in fabulous art deco papers from their archives [Claus Porto].
It's about sleeping in a 240 thread cotton nightshirt made from fabric that is from Liberty of London, a 135 year old mill. Because sleep is truly a beautiful thing [Elizabeth Cotton]!
It's about a 20 year old French tea company who sources tea from all around the world just so you can have that oh-so-necessary soothing moment, deliciously [Le Palais des Thes].
It's about loving great design, talented artists and life's little luxuries. It's about wanting to share those luxuries with a friend, a sister, a co-worker, a hostess, a mom or a grandmother. It's about your gifts representing your sense of style yet also appealing to theirs. It's about not running to the local store to buy another cellophane wrapped bottle of wine or a bad box of chocolates.
It's about finally being proud of what you are giving, the presentation of the gift and most importantly what's inside.
Enjoy!
What do we offer?
Aside from great gifts, we offer gift wrapping for only $1.00! Our boxes are a rich (recycled) chocolate brown kraft and made in the USA. Our wrapping paper is also a (recycled) chocolate brown kraft. Our ribbons are double face satin- in a yummy orange and a fresh green. We throw a silver ribbon into the mix for Holiday. We will also attach a small gift tag. If you'd like to write a longer message - we have 3 1/2" x 4 7/8" cards that we will hand write for you and include in your box. Your gift will be well-presented.
We will do our absolute best to give you excellent service because happy customers are our most important priority.
We will try to offer you products made by small companies and talented designers who produce their product in the USA and produce in a way that does not further harm our earth.
We hope to inspire and excite you with our assortment. Please tell us how you feel we can do better.
Jennifer Hassell
contact information
orange and pear
post office box 44
rowayton, ct 06853-0044
p (203) 286-8652
f (203) 286-1022
email: staff@orangeandpear.com
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