There’s a new trend among the young designers and decorators of Paris: an embracing of an aesthetic called fait main. Literally, this means “made by hand,” and in this case it includes not only newly created items fashioned by hand, but vintage objects as well as found objects that may have been be re-worked by a talented artist. What unites them is the discernible “handprint” of a talented creator.

Stylist Pia Bijkerk has discovered more than 50 shops in Paris that embody the spirit of fait main and where you’ll find the most original and creative clothing, jewelry, handbags, ceramics, home furnishings, and decorative objects in Paris. Some are shops owned by professional  chineurs, people who have an eye for the unique, who hunt out objects sought after by decorators, designers, and stylists. They often rework these pieces if they feel they can add to its original beauty without covering up its origins but rather enhancing it.

Pia also includes boutique/ateliers where a designer has a shop and studio together, showcasing the most original and creative new objects in Paris, from handmade clothing, ceramics, handbags, hand knit baby clothes and toys, hats, jewelry. One boutique offers with a highly edited selection of estate clothing allongside an exclusive line of vintage-inspired new clothing; another features  furniture and home décor by young European designers; another showcases paper and stationery made by French craftsmen.

Also included are shops providing exclusive French supplies if you want to make your own fait main objects: fabric, vintage silk ribbon, yarn, handmade buttons, flowers in feathers and silk, and more.

This is a book for all professional designers and decorators and lovers of design and decorating.