Elle Decoration - Life & Style

Elle Decoration - Life & Style

SPECIALISTS IN STYLE

We love La Maison du Pastel, the oldest pastel manufacturer in the world, which sells more than 700 shades of Handmade Roché pastels at its tiny shop in Paris. Roché was once the manufacturer of choice for artists such as Chardin and Degas, and today it still makes pastels by hand in small quantities (which explains the price tag: individual sticks start at 16 euros). These are divided into nine graduated ranges of gorgeous rainbow colours. Open every Thursday afternoon and by appointment.

After discovering this one-off boutique, we were inspired to go in search of more shops that have made their names by selling only one kind of product - whether it's carefully crafted umbrellas, vintage buttons or beautifully packaged tea. Here are more specialists that we would recommend adding to your secret address book.

  

Bellocq tea atelier Top of our tea list is Bellocq atelier in New York. There are single estate pure leaf teas, as well as handcrafted blends - with names such as 'Noble Savage' and 'The White Duke' - and herbal and oolong varieties, all of which come in striking yellow packaging. You can pick up stylish porcelain tea sets while you're there, too. Open weekends only (bellocq.com).