Exclusive glazed pots from the South of France brighten landscapes
METAIRIE, La., July 16, 2009 — Pottery has been a revered craft in the South of France for centuries. This is one of the reasons Chad and Beth Harris, owners of The Garden Gates (http://www.thegardengates.com/), made a pilgrimage to explore the picturesque villages nestled in the hillsides near Montpellier. The husband-and-wife team was on a mission to source glazed pottery that would stand out from the typical. After four years of searching and many disappointments, they finally found what they were looking for at an atelier at the end of a winding lane in the countryside. The realized vision of potter "Corrine," this studio produced garden pots and adornments of such beauty and form that a partnership was forged ).
The couple is now showcasing these handcrafted French imports at The Garden Gates, their shop in Metairie, a suburb of New Orleans, as well as on the website http://www.thegardengates.com/. Made from special clay from the Basque region of Spain, each piece takes 180 days to cure. Hand-glazed in burnished shades of aqua, cream, French blue, green, red and yellow, most of the pots stand 25 inches tall, including an 8-inch tall lid adorned with either a bird or a pomegranate. The pottery ranges in price from $270 to $1,800 for the largest 32-inch pots, hand-signed by the artist in either aqua or cream. Inquiries about custom orders are welcome.
"Corrine's designs and craftsmanship exemplify what The Garden Gates is all about," said Chad Harris, a California native who opened the shop in Metaire with Beth in 1999, later adding an ecommerce option. "Our vision is to bring the exotic and beautiful within reach. This pottery is something special." The Harrises have more than 28 years of experience in the landscape design business, working in the golf industry for the PGA and on large installations like the Sculpture Garden at the New Orleans Museum of Art.
The Harrises travel throughout Europe not only to discover pottery but also to source the finest in statuary, fountains, patio furniture, lighting, home accessories, bird baths, benches and much more. For the home, The Garden Gates offers architectural elements, table and party ware, photography and wall art, furniture and accessories. "We discovered that we're retailers at heart," said Beth. "Nothing is ever good enough, and we're always looking for the next great thing."
For images from The Garden Gates, go to .
About The Garden Gates
Founded by Chad and Beth Harris in 1999, The Garden Gates offers the best in home and garden products from around the globe. Their collection includes French Country and Shabby Chic designs to enhance today's home. Visit The Garden Gates blog at .
Contact:
Chad Harris
504-415-6669
Email
http://www.thegardengates.com
Follow The Garden Gates on Twitter: http://twitter.com/thegardengates
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