Growing up in Watertown, MA, a blue-collar upbringing was at the base of John Derian’s childhood. The working class neighborhood where he grew up didn’t allow for much creativity or artistic endeavors. It’s clear from his memories that he was influenced by the bizarre surroundings that encompassed him: a local store-owner, the 40-year dweller living in his attic…
Derian’s design empire has the patina of flea market finds. The decoupage plates and paperweights he makes are his trademark and sold at his 3 East Village stores. A collector by nature, he’s managed to convey the feel of private hiding places filled with many unique and secret objects within his stores. Each shop is packed full of everything from marble fruit sculptures to yellowed love letters. It’s the art of collecting that Derian loves, and he’s been at it since 1989. Actually, using his treasures, some love antique love letters are the basis for his decoupage plates and paperweights; others he sells to those who want to step into a bygone era. There’s a sort of magic behind him that’s easy to get swept into… if only it was so easy to step back in time!
John Derian at his Cape Cod home. The 1789 sea captain’s house is filled with antiques and antiquities he’s collected for the past 27 years!
Image couresty of: Boston.com
John Derian collected these handwritten letters from various print dealers in New York and Boston.
Image courtesy of: Country Living, photographed by: Ryan Benyi
An example of Derian’s decoupage octopus dome paperweight. All decoupages are handmade in the New York studio using reproduced imagery from John Derian’s vast collection of antique and vintage prints. Trained artisans cut and collage designs onto handblown glass.
Image courtesy of: John Derian
