Where did you grow up and attend school?
I grew up on a farm on the Canadian border in North Dakota, where I had only eight classmates in school, but got to know birds, butterflies, wild animals, trees and other plants at an early age. I received a bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of North Dakota. Growing up on a farm and my degree in Biology explains my fascination with natural history.
What brought you back to Minneapolis from California?
I moved back to Minneapolis following the Loma Prieta earthquake in the Bay Area. I had lived in Minneapolis before and missed the slower pace that Minnesota offers. I now live in Lowry Hill.
Encountering Isles Studio for the first time is such a surprise. I’m sure that first-time visitors are astonished to discover such a sophisticated shop in the Twin Cities. We’re lucky to have it in the neighborhood. What is Isles Studio?
Isles Studio is a home decor store. We sell everything from sofas, chairs, pillows, candles and incense, and books on interior design and natural history, to art by local artists, taxidermy birds, and framed butterflies. We feature products that can be found nowhere else in Minnesota, and in many cases nowhere else between Chicago and San Francisco.
How did you develop your aesthetic?
I have surrounded myself with things that I love, mostly inspired by nature. Nature inspires. If you look at great design, you can find inspiration from the natural world, whether from the shape and texture of a feather or fern or leaf or from the color of a bird, a flower, or a butterfly. I tell customers that they could choose one of our birds and decorate their entire home using the colors in the bird.
My aesthetic has evolved over time. The natural world has always been our underlying inspiration. We acquired some French lines early on and started traveling to Paris every September and January for a large design show, Maison & Objet. Our key vendors are French. These include Astier de Villatte, Trudon, Antoinette Poisson and others. These are vendors inspired by history. Astier de Villatte is known for their creamy white ceramics made of black terracotta in which they are preserving ancient shapes whether it is a vase, a cup or a bowl. Trudon has been making candles in France since 1643. Antoinette Poisson is recreating domino paper and fabrics found at Paris flea markets. As much as possible, I feature handmade products that are truly works of art, such as vintage jewelry from Sandy Stewart, ceramics by Laura Zindel, original photos by Shelly Mosman, and paintings by David Coggins, our Lowry Hill neighbor.
What are your favorite places to visit to find wares to sell at Isles Studio?
Our favorite place for finding products to sell is France, mostly Paris, but we have found lovely things in the Netherlands, Belgium and Italy, too.
What are some of your bestselling items?
Our bestselling items are ceramics from Astier de Villatte, pillows from Anke Drexel, and framed butterflies. The holiday season also brings in customers who are collectors of natural history. We have a great collection of taxidermy birds from artists in the Netherlands.
You have the exclusive rights to sell certain products. What are they and what makes them special?
We are the only retailer in the upper Midwest of Anke Drexel pillows from Germany; Antoinette Poisson notebooks, domino wallpaper and paper mâché boxes; and Astier de Villatte ceramics, candles, incense and dish soap. The Astier de Villatte ceramics collection also includes exclusive designs by New York decoupage artist John Derian. Each piece is entirely handmade in Paris. The Anke Drexel pillows are handmade from silk. The Antoinette Poisson papers are all hand-colored on historic 18th century French patterns. The Astier de Villatte ceramics are hand-made following long-forgotten historic shapes.
Do you have any stocking stuffer recommendations for Hill & Lake Press readers?
I would suggest packages of Boissier candy from Paris; a miniature version of Audubon’s Birds of America; intaglio sculptured soap of Diana, Cesar, or Hercules from Bridie Hall in London; incense from Astier de Villatte in Paris; decoupage mirrors by John Derian; notebooks by Epigram in Paris; ex-votos from France; hand-made Christmas ornaments; matchboxes; Bastide hand cream from Aix-en-Provence; scented soaps by Claus in Porto; and, for children, stuffed dolls by Parisian artist Nathalie Lété. I also have a collection of hand-made Victorian-style ornaments by Vintage by Crystal. Each ornament is one of a kind.
What other gifts do people like to receive?
Some of my regular clients have asked their partners for an especially gorgeous bird or a ceramic vase from Astier de Villatte, an Astier de Villatte John Derian Plate or a piece of Sandy Stewart’s jewelry.
What are your hours of operation?
Our hours vary by the season. We’re now open every day from noon to 5 p.m. until Christmas. Other seasons we typically open the same hours but only three days a week.
