With its gleaming glass grooves and handsome silhouette, it strikes quite the pose on our shop’s shelves. Gorgeous, but what’s it for? visitors ask. Cocktails? Serving candy? Decanting wine?
The answer: Coffee. For folks who like a classic drip style, our pour-over stand is simply the prettiest, easiest way to brew your morning cup—and it looks like a million bucks on the countertop the rest of the day, too.
Crafted in brass with an American walnut base, our stand includes a cut-glass pour-over vessel, the Hario V60, and a starter pack of filters. (As many coffee snobs will attest, Japanese brand Hario produces the crème de la crème of pour-over coffee accessories.)
It’s also height-adjustable, in case you’re brewing into a tall commuter mug or iced-coffee glass. Over time, the brass will develop a rich patina (but can be polished if you prefer a bright shine).
A close-up of the Clerk brass pour-over stand.
To brew, place a paper filter in the glass cone and add freshly ground coffee—you can experiment with volumes, but we like 20g coffee for an 10-ounce cup.
Next, “bloom” the grounds: Gently pour a small amount of boiling water over the coffee in a circular motion, then stop. This step allows the grounds to soak up the initial moisture, helping them release more flavor into your brew.
After 30 seconds, resume pouring in circles, taking care to pour water onto the grounds only, not the paper filter. Pause as needed to ensure you don’t overflow the cup; you’ll nail the liquid volume with practice.
That’s it—a simple morning ritual that takes barely more time than loading a plastic coffee pod, and produces a far more flavorful brew. (Less waste, too.)
Check out our recent reel of the stand in action. Intrigued? Shop our Brass Pour-Over Stands and other kitchen classics here.
]]>The thinking behind our self-care selection.
]]>Eons ago, before owning a shop, I was a magazine editor. After college internships, my first “real” editor gig was at a magazine rebranding itself from “New Age Journal” to “Body + Soul.” At 23, it felt like hitting the big time. My beat? Green lifestyle, with an emphasis on food and beauty—those product-filled editorials we needed to produce to garner the advertising that would keep the magazine alive.
It was a good fit. A southern California native, I was not unacquainted with the idea of living sustainably. As a ‘90s teen I volunteered for beach cleanups, wore vintage, learned yoga, and ate alfalfa sprouts at a vegan shack on the weekends.
But a green life was still pretty fringe in the early aughts, the archetype a dusty food co-op smelling of oats and damp cardboard. And the “clean” beauty industry in particular was not ready for prime time. I wandered the aisles of big natural-products expos, searching for story-worthy finds.
It was so disheartening. The brand messages I heard were, by and large, angry: bitter diatribes on the toxic and carcinogenic compounds in lotions and shampoos, and how evil mainstream companies were for leaving them in. Left out were any promises of radiance or results.
What’s more, most of the products were flat-out ugly, with names like “Essence of Nature” or “Demeter’s Delight.” Everything smelled like tea tree oil, or hay. I stewed in my hotel room at night as I slathered on Burt’s Bees.
Oh, the poor advertising team that had to deal with me in those days. “You need to show the packaging in your stories,” they’d plead. “Can we please fit this brand in somewhere?” I’d counter: How are we supposed to motivate anyone to toss their luxe-but-possibly-toxic products when this is what’s being served up instead?
I was young and stubborn. An unnecessary pain in the ass. But I wasn’t wrong. And finally, decades later, it’s here: Clean beauty as luxuriously curated and effective as the stuff that’s bad for us, if not leagues better. It looks good. It smells good. You’re happy to see it out on your bathroom counter, a little reminder to indulge, to take care.
At Monroe, our limited selection focuses on skin, hair, and body care items that work for all types, and can be layered into an existing regimen. Beautiful packaging, presentation, and scents are a must—no sacrifices for us!
Here's a look at some of the lines you'll find in the shop.
But we knew there were a few items that we’d just HAVE to stock forever. Like a pair of perfect-fitting jeans, you need versatile, classic and indispensable pieces that balance the trendy and new.
Cue our now-bestselling bistro tumblers. The same stackable glassware you’ll find in every Parisian brasserie, the design was conceived in 1954, and they've been a favorite for everything from hot coffee to cool cocktails ever since.
Thanks to a glassmaking method developed in 1930, the glasses are exceedingly impact-resistant, making them a great choice for homes with kids. In fact, they are the drinkware of choice in many Parisian nursery schools, where children are taught how to drink out of real glassware, not plastic.
Vintage Bowie + vintage bistro glassware = Cool beyond cool.
Come summer. or winter, you'll find us sipping sparkling water, tea, or Old Fashioned cocktails out of our glasses. Want your own? Create your own collection here.
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The funny thing? It's not new at all. After years of the Modern Farmhouse (howdy, shiplap) and Pacific Natural (hellooo, pampas grass) looks owning the decor scene, we are thrilled to see designers and homeowners embracing a more historic, layered, and collected aesthetic these days. Think: antique wood furniture, William Morris wallpaper, pleated lampshades, wicker baskets, and all the brass candlesticks.
Seeing the new title Heritage Style cross our desks confirmed our suspicions of late—that traditional details are back in the style conversation. And while we always aim to apply trends with a light hand, our region’s architecture and history—so many 1800s homes!—makes this one feel right. In other words? New England, it’s our time to shine.
Not sure where to start? Here are a few of our rules of thumb for bringing the time-honored vibes home.
Take cues from the color experts. We're big fans of the British paint line Farrow and Ball—our shop's kitchen cabinets are one of their perfectly moody hues—and their social feed and website are treasure troves of historical color inspiration. The historical palettes by Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams also offer solid color guidance—what shades to pair, and where to use them.
Incorporate something worn. Whether it's a wooden side chair you've been passed from a relative, or a vintage Persian or Turkish rug showing its age, there's something inherently comforting about pieces with wear and tear. It signals ease, and a mindset that home is a place where things are lived with and used.
Choose pieces that will patina—and let them. When choosing accessories and finishes, know that natural and unpolished materials like unlacquered brass, honed marble, and raw wood will eventually show fingerprints, tarnishing, discoloration, and even dents and chips. This is a good thing, as it lends that same "collected" feeling as an antique chair or patchwork throw. Resist the urge to bristle at every little imperfection that shows over time—layered one over the other, weathered pieces add up to a space with a story (and look better than any faux-antiqued pieces ever could).
As you build your collection, stop in and see all the traditional touches we have to share, from etched wine glasses to taper candles. And definitely don't miss our selection of vintage rugs—new (old) things arrive every month.
xo
Monroe
]]>Here's how we brought our signature style to the desert—and our picks for what to do on arrival.
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Confession of a California-born shop owner in Boston: We know spring's just around the corner, but man, does March test our limits. The tease of 50-degree days followed by 10-degree wind chills; the gray skies stretching on for eternity. Unnnggggghhhhh.
This is why March is the perfect time to hop a flight out west, for a weekend fix that'll set us straight until the daffodils arrive. This year we did just that, heading to sunny Palm Springs and taking some of Monroe's warm-weather finds for a test run.
Scroll on to see how we brought our signature style to the desert and, if you decide to follow suit (maybe you’re headed to Coachella?), get our picks for what to do on arrival.
Forecast: Not snow.
1. Pack with Purpose.
Our POV on packing: A stay in Palm Springs is all about the accessories. Dress code tends to be resort-casual out West, so spend your suitcase space on shade-giving hats, artsy jewelry, a few pairs of comfy sandals, and some rich nourishment for that sun-shy New England skin. We were sure to tote our packable new Luxe Resort Hat by Australian brand Lorna Murray, our “Reserved” beach towel, and the Earth clay mask—a perfect post-pool treatment for overexposed skin.
2. Find a Stay with a Scene.
Speaking of pools, our favorite accommodations make sunbathing into a sport. The iconic Colony Palms Hotel brings all the vintage charm with its cabana-striped umbrellas, posh al fresco eatery, and wallpapered interiors—it’s a can’t-miss if you can manage to score a room. The Saguaro is another icon, with its colorful, Instagrammable exterior, bright yellow cabanas, and poolside daybeds. We stayed at a newer entrant to the hotel scene, Arrive, where we floated to the Saturday-afternoon poolside DJ, watched guests play ping-pong, and sipped coffee and cocktails by the toasty fire pits. Other resorts that earn raves: The bright and whimsical Parker, and newcomer Drift.
3. Take the Wheels.
Sure, you could head out for a hike, ramble through the desert on an ATV, or sweat it out on a horseback ride. Our brand of outdoorsing? Peeping local architecture from astride a cruiser with a bell. Some hotels, like Arrive, offer bikes to guests (we recommend reserving yours early), but you can also rent from a local bike shop.
4. Shop With Abandon.
As a longtime playground for Hollywood’s elite, Palm Springs has some of the best vintage shopping you'll find anywhere. Standout retailers include Iconic Atomic for housewares and period menswear, along with dresses that look plucked from the Mad Men set, and the luxe Shops at 1345, a collection of boutiques in an E. Stewart Williams-designed building. We lost ourselves in M Designer Vintage, whose owner Monika is a former celebrity stylist in LA; her impeccable eye and decades of collected vintage make for an assortment that feels current, classic, and edgy all at the same time.
Other local shopping gems include Thick as Thieves, a sweet and curated boutique full of books, decor, jewelry, tees, and California-made beauty finds, as well as Hits Studio, a hip vinyl-themed cannabis shop (and the perfect post-lunch, pre-pool pit stop).
5. Dine Like You Mean It
No Palm Springs trip is complete without some over-the-top dining. The hot tables are at Bar Cecil (hint: get there early and slide into the bar) and Le Vallauris, a Soho House eatery where guests clink glasses under the trees in an impossibly charming garden. For fans of Tiki cocktail culture, Bootlegger brings the Mai Tais and mixology. And in the morning? We got our A.M. fix of single-origin brews at the pint-sized cafe Cartel, adjacent to Arrive.
A Taste of the Trip
A few Monroe finds in keeping with the Palm Springs vibe. (Time to get shopping!)
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First up: The Perfectly Imperfect Home. Written by Deborah Needleman, a founder of Domino magazine and longtime editor at the New York Times' T magazine, this joyful and insightful read is all about living with our things.
Via witty essays and watercolor illustrations, Needleman explores the many, many nuances that go into making spaces not just look good, but feel good. She breaks down how to style a space, not with specific must-have items, but rather categories of things, ranging from “A Really Good Sofa” and “Pretty Table Settings” to concepts like “A Bit of Quirk” and “Cozifications.” You’ll learn what to look for, whether treasure hunting an an antiques shop or browsing a high end boutique, and uncover new ways to use things you already own. Her approach is genius, and so very chic.
For those who could benefit from very concrete styling guidelines—that is to say, all of us—we haven't found a more concise, user-friendly volume than The Interior Design Handbook. Whether you're trying to choose the right rug size, considering paint hues and color matching, or deciding how high to hang your wall art, Swedish stylist and author Frida Ramstedt comes through with the rules of thumb. Her book has been called "the new comprehensive bible of interior design"—need we say more?
Finally, Melanie Acevedo and Dara Caponigro—like Deborah Needleman, fellow alums of the old monthly Domino mag—are the aesthetes behind a book we don't hear nearly enough about: The Authentics.
A display-worthy dive into the homes of stylish creatives, the oversized book's text and photos are intriguing, real, and inspiring. Who wants perfect when you can have a home with such a mood? Who needs pretty when you can be so unbelievably cool? Trust us: Flip through a few pages and you'll see just what we mean.
Want more? A selection of our curated book lineup can be found right here.
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Maybe you’ve seen them in the shop. More likely—although you may not have noticed them—you’ve seen them in a fancy Instagrammer’s kitchen or in a magazine spread. “They,” of course, being the Atlas pepper and salt mills.
Why so popular? And why on earth are they $98 apiece?
More than just a fancy way to season your food, these gleaming Greek-made mills are a staple of in-the-know cooks because they work. Based on the design of traditional Turkish coffee grinders, which allowed soldiers to prepare their beloved, fine-ground Turkish coffee in the field, Atlas pepper mills have a 100 percent metal mechanism that grabs, cuts, and grinds peppercorns rather than simply smashing them, releasing more flavor from the spice than your typical mill.
The salt mill, meanwhile, is crafted with some plastic components on the interior, which protect the metal from the natural corrosion that can occur with exposure to salt. (If you purchase the duo, an easy way to tell them apart without turning them over is to look for the brass screw heads present on the pepper mill only.)
And yes, while they're costlier than the grinders you’ll find in a big-box store, an Atlas mill is likely to be the last one you’ll ever buy: They’ve been made the same way since 1977, and are designed to last for decades. If you’re lucky enough to stumble on a vintage, patina-worn one at a flea market or antiques shop, give it a few turns—more than likely, it’ll work just fine.
Shop our Atlas salt and pepper mills, and other kitchen classics here.
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Conscious consumption. As a purveyor of goods, it’s a topic that’s always on my mind. But the subject feels particularly weighty as we move through “market season”—that time of year when retailers converge on places like New York, Las Vegas, Atlanta and Paris to meet vendors new and old and do months’ worth of buying for their stores.
The shows are spectacles of excess and fun. (The trends! The merchandising! The schmoozing! The boozing!) But after two decades in the home industry, for me they have also become an opportunity to reflect on where we are as consumers and where I want to be as a business.
Context: I entered the world of small retail after years producing lifestyle content as an editor for magazines, then for a big e-comm retailer where volume and market share were everything. As an editor, I had gone to these shows to see what was trending, and as an e-comm content creator I accompanied buyers as they scoped out trends and looked for ways to get them to customers cheaper, faster, and on an ever-larger scale.
As a small retailer, by contrast, my goal is to curate an experience, tell the stories attached to things, and share a point of view. My shop features a mix of products from New England and around the world, and I try to combine affordable, gotta-have-them items with handcrafted pieces made by people who care about everything from sourcing to packaging to knowing our names as partners.
That can be hard. As uncomfortable as it is to see some customers nudge each other and whisper when they see a price tag in the shop (“So expensive! Who buys this stuff?”), it’s even harder to open a box from a new vendor that’s filled to the brim with Styrofoam, and full of items made in haste and en masse.
The dirty secret is that there’s no such thing as cheap home decor. Somebody, somewhere, always pays. Whether it’s poor quality, poor wages and working conditions, or harm to the environment, cheap is cheap for a reason. And every year I become less and less OK with that.
So in my shop I try to strike a balance, focusing on the small batch and handmade—which tends to be higher priced—while stocking a limited amount of decor from companies that sell low-priced items but hold themselves to a higher standard. And once everything is in the shop, my team and I try to mix things up so it’s hard to know at a glance what’s high and what’s low (a skill that, when mastered, is the epitome of chic).
For our part, when considering an item to buy for the shop, regardless of price, we run through a laundry list of questions:
And after all that, can we confidently say that it’s worth it?
Once we find products and vendors that feel worth it, we tend to stick with them. And so instead of going to every show, we pop in from time to time to keep tabs on where the industry is heading—but we don’t chase trends.
Because timeless style always tops a cheap thrill.
Because choosing quality over quantity is what is going to save this planet.
Because we’re small, and we care.
Thanks for caring, too.
XO
Donna
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There’s a clinking sound, instantly recognizable, that we often hear coming from the back of the shop, which sounds like two coffee mugs gently tapping one another. Inevitably we look up and see someone looking quizzically at the bell-shaped vessel in their hand, and at the little crock from which it has emerged. And then the question: “Um, what’s this for?”
Others pick it up and coo: “I first saw one of these at my grandmother’s!” Or “Oh, aren’t these amazing?” Because if you know, you know: it’s a French butter bell, and once you’ve had one, you’ll never go back to a regular butter dish again.
Put simply, a butter bell allows you to keep butter fresh at room temperature for up to a week. No more jabbing at a cold hard block right out of the fridge, or tearing up your toast or waffle with a stubborn pat. Soft, fluffy butter all. The. Time. It will change your life.
To use one, let your butter soften on the counter for 10-15 minutes, then unwrap it and use a butter knife to pack it into the bell portion attached to the lid, smoothing the surface when done. (You should be able fit an entire stick in an empty bell.)
Next, add about 1/2 inch of fresh, cold water to the other piece, the crock. Invert the filled bell into the crock so that the water surrounds and makes contact with the butter, sealing out air.
Stored this way, butter stays fresh and usable for at least a week. We recommend refreshing the water every few days, or whenever you add a fresh stick.
Once you’ve made the switch to a butter bell, you’ll notice you can taste the difference between a great butter and an inexpensive one, and it’s worth it to splurge on quality. (Our current favorite is Kate’s Butter from Maine.) Your toast, pancakes and dinner rolls will thank you.
Bon appetit!
xo
Monroe
]]>It’s high summer, and seeing New England’s markets and farmstands brimming with berries, corn, melons, fresh flowers, and herbs brings us pure delight. How to double the joy? By toting your fresh picks home in a basket so practical and pretty you’ll want to leave it in your kitchen or hallway through fall.
For light shopping, nothing compares to a double-handled French market tote. Ours come from Morocco, where they are hand-woven from palm leaves and finished with durable, butter-soft goat leather handles. Use the longer handles to sling it over your shoulder when you tote a small load, or stuff it full and grab the shorter handles for a larger haul.
When not in use, you can even leave it by the front door as a cute holder for umbrellas, too. (Note: this wheeled beauty is only available in-store. Come by and take yours home!)
Happy shopping!
XO
Monroe
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You've seen them in the shop. In some of your favorite magazine interiors. Or if you've been lucky enough to visit Morocco, you've seen them in stores, homes, hotels, and overflowing from market stalls. Traditionally made of goat leather, these versatile pieces make amazing footstools, extra seating, and playroom additions.
What no one often explains, however, is that Moroccan poufs (the good ones, anyway) are often sold unstuffed. In the shop, we sometimes stuff them with packing material for display, but for daily use, you'll definitely want something more substantial inside. Here are some of our favorite ideas for filling one up.
1. Old clothing, linens, and towels
This is the method mostly used by Moroccan families, and it’s our favorite! It creates a super comfortable, heavy and structured feel to your cushion—ideal if you plan to sit on it occasionally—not to mention it’s eco-friendly. Try filling it with outgrown clothing, old duvets or comforters, or even down jackets. Your closets will thank you.
2. Pillows and cushion inserts
If you have some on hand, you can absolutely reuse old pillows or new cushion inserts to stuff your pouf. We have found that four or five Ikea Fjadrar 26” feather pillow inserts do the job nicely, but don’t fret about the exact size. Just stuff the pouf with as many as you need to make it look and feel full. The more filling material you use, the firmer and more structured it will be.
3. Upholstery supplies.
This option is more expensive, but gives a nice, even fill and weight. Look online for DIY upholstery suppliers and craft shops that stock cuts of upholstery foam or shredded memory foam.
4. Bean bag balls.
This isn’t our favorite pouf-filling method for environmental reasons, but if your pouf is purely for looks and/or you prefer a lighter weight, EPS polystyrene balls are cheap and easy to find online. Beware: The bean bag balls have a tendency to escape, so tie them up in an old pillow case before stuffing them into your pouf.
“Um, what am I holding?” asks many a sheepish-looking customer standing at the Monroe checkout counter and holding a strand of colorful, slightly misshapen glass beads. “It's gorgeous. Is it a necklace?”
Close. Anyone could be forgiven for thinking these cool-looking baubles are jewelry. Our strands of recycled glass Ghana beads come strung on raffia cord, and are just the right length to slip over your head.
But the cord is just a conveyance—a chic way that the artisans who handcraft them in Africa bundle them for sale. Also known as krobo or powder-glass beads, these pretty orbs are made from pulverized, recycled glass. Ghanaian artisans crush anything from soda bottles to seaglass to medicine vials, and blend the powders to achieve a vast array of different colors and textures. The material gets poured into bead molds made from locally dug clay, then fired at high temperatures to re-form the glass. The hole in the beads is traditionally formed with the stem of the cassava plant, a plentiful local resource.
Some folks remove the beads from the raffia strands and incorporate them into jewelry, but these raw bead strands are popular displayed as decor, as we do at Monroe. We love the texture, color, and dimension they add to a stack of books or a grouping of objects on a tray.
Our selection is ever-changing, but check out our current lineup of recycled glass beads here.
xo
Monroe
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So you bought a vintage rug for your hallway/bedroom/kitchen/anywhere. Smart move! The beauty of vintage wool floor coverings, besides their character-filled, one-of-a-kind good looks, is that they're made to withstand daily life. Wool is extremely stain-resistant and durable (sheep live outside!), and the complex patterns in vintage rugs tend to hide dirt and debris. With regular vacuuming and occasional cleaning, your vintage rug will continue looking great for years to come.
That said, many vintage rugs (the ones we love most!) already show signs of past wear. So follow the guidelines below, but don’t fret. Any abuse your rug sees from day-to-day living will only increase its character and cool-factor.
Placing a rug pad under your area rug will help keep it in place, make it more comfortable underfoot, and extend its life. You can order many types of rug pads online, but we like the recycled wool type with a layer of latex rubber underneath. Trim the pad to just an inch or two shorter than the rug on each side.
Regular vacuuming using your vacuum’s simple suction head is the most straightforward way to maintain your hand-made rug. Do not use a vacuum head with a rotating beater bar, especially not on the fringe or edges of the rug, as this can pull on the fibers and damage the weave.
As often as possible, flip the rug and vacuum the back side as well, as fine dust and dirt tends to settle deep into the fibers.
Rugs with flat or no pile can be firmly brushed of surface debris with a stiff broom.
Professional cleaning every year or two by a service experienced with Oriental rugs will help keep your handmade rug looking and smelling great.
Whatever the spill, first soak up as much liquid as possible by pressing a clean cloth over the spill, both from front and back of the rug. If there is no remaining stain, the rug can be dried using a hand-held hair dryer. Other common stains may be treated as follows. Never use bleach!
Red Wine
After absorbing as much liquid as possible, wipe the spot with white vinegar, and then with water.
Mud
Allow to dry, and then vacuum or brush out.
Pet Urine
Absorb as much liquid as possible, then wipe with a damp sponge and let dry. Follow with white vinegar, then a damp sponge again. If an odor or mark remains, gently dab it with a mix of 3 parts alcohol to 1 part ammonia and follow with a damp sponge. Allow it to air dry.
Still thinking about making a vintage wool rug your own? Pop in the shop whenever we're open, or shop an edited selection of our vintage rugs here.