My friend Julie is the master at picking out gifts for any occasion. Which is a perfect talent for her, since she owns Virtu, a lovely boutique in Bucktown that specializes in unique, artisanal gifts. One day I was asking Julie to help me find something to give to a client at the end of a project. I wanted to say thank you and leave her with something beautiful that she could use in her new space.
Julie immediately walked to the front of store and handed me a delicate off white ceramic milk bottle that had painted on it a bird’s nest with two robin’s eggs and the words “a new home”. She then instructed me to fill it with a simple bouquet of flowers. Perfect, perfect, perfect. I loved it and so did my client.
You can find Beth Mueller milk bottles with just about any sentiment hand painted on them. Her simple yet elegant vases come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and the price points are very reasonable. They are just as beautiful sitting alone on a desk or shelf as they are in a grouping. Use them to hold pens, makeup brushes, or flowers. I use one to hold my toothbrush that says “dream” and has the image of a ladder reaching all the way to the moon. I like looking at it before I start my day.
Virtu carries many of these darling vases but each one is a limited quantity so if you are having trouble picking the perfect one, just ask Julie. She’ll help you make the perfect choice, every time.
Virtu: 2034 North Damen Avenue, Chicago IL 60647 (773) 235-3790 www.virtuchicago.com
