A Fine Setting

The window display of Michael Devine dinnerware at William & Wayne.

"I'd love to put one of your favorite new collections in my Lexington Avenue window," read the message I received from William Meyer. Meyer is partner with Wayne Adler who together created New York's great independent home store William - Wayne & Co. The collections he was referring to were my hand painted Limoges pieces that are created from my fabric designs by Marie Daage in Paris. So off Thomas and I went to our first meeting and less than a month later I am thrilled to report the window is installed on Lexington Avenue as promised.

There is never a shortage of blue and white in the shop.

What makes the store so wonderful is that its variety is more like a curiosity shop than a home goods store. The chock a block space is filled with every item that one could need to finish a decorating project or pick up a last minute hostess gift. Meyer believes, "I want to have something across the board for everyone. Even if it is a five dollar gift. I want to be able to give the customer something that is beautifully wrapped and ready to go."

A best seller. Pig doorstops.

It's a formula that was clearly working the afternoon I was there working on the window. A steady stream of well heeled customers, many who were greeted like old friends seemed to file through the door and just as often left with a find in a bag on their arm.

Small tables, lamps, brackets, pillows and accessories compete for attention in this corner.

The store started in 1989 downtown in a former antique shop. Meyer is a natural for retail since he grew up in his family's retail business. He also was lucky enough to have parents who took him to auctions as a kid where he developed his eye for design. His passion for tabletop started at home as well, "I always loved to set the dining table as a child," he explained. Today its the corner stone of the business.

The new cereal bowl collection (bottom right) vies for attention in the window.

My collection fits right in with the assortment of tabletop that the store stocks. I am delighted that they are the first to carry the wonderful new cereal bowls that I added to the collection. They are available in all the current colors and patterns and like the rest of the collection are made to order. William - Wayne & Co. is open from 10:30 to 6:30 Monday through Saturday. Closed Sunday. 846 Lexington Avenue between 64th & 65th Streets.