I love the word “objets”. It’s a pretty, all-encompassing term for anything in a home that’s relatively small and gorgeous, and unabashedly afunctional outside the fact that it exists to be beautiful. An Eames house bird. A crystal paperweight. My Colin & Justin desktop bobbleheads. These are objets.
But what the heck are “bibelots”? I’ve seen this word pop up more and more in design literature, and as with anything I find that’s unusual and vaguely irritating, I ignored it and hoped it would go away. I finally broke down and looked it up this morning – apparently, it’s pronounced “beeble-ohs” – and it turns out it’s just an ultra-pretentious (not to mention silly sounding) synonym for “objets”.
Just as trends shape home decor, so do trends sweep through home decor jargon. I just hope this one’s short-lived.
More importantly, what’s on-trend in the world of objets? Just pop into Teatro Verde and take a look – these guys are honestly Toronto’s tastemakers when it comes to those small, gorgeous things that make a house a home.
Amber bubble spheres
Price: From $30 (3-3/4″ diameter)
Available at: Teatro Verde, 888-483-2876; Toronto, 416-966-2227