By CELESTE GRACEY
Renton Reporter Staff Writer
May 14 2010, 5:16 PM · UPDATED
All roads lead to Poggibonsi, or at least that’s what it appeared when one Renton business owner was lost in Tuscany more than 10 years ago.
And so Keli DeRitis convinced friend Michelle Codd that the name Poggi Bonsi, split for tongue-tied Americans, would be perfect for a European-style kitchen store.
The import-savvy business is among 20 other companies in the United States to take part in the Made in Italy national promotion this week.
Along with free events, the storefront is packed with special Italian wares through May 22, Codd said. “We’re just celebrating Italy.”
Poggi Bonsi has been selected by the Italian Trade Commission as one of only 20 retailers in the United States to host the 2010 “Made in Italy” national promotion.
From May 9 to 22, 2010 Poggi Bonsi will host the work of Italian artisans — including hand painted ceramics, terra cotta, jewelry, olive oil and more — these products will be featured in our store at The Landing in Renton. On May 16 from 4-7pm Poggi Bonsi will host a reception featuring Italian food and wine.
Named for the Renaissance painter Raffael, Raffaellesco is one of the most popular and enduring Italian ceramic designs. The central motif of the Raffaellesco pattern is a stylized dragon which was thought to bring good luck and fair wind to seagoing merchants. You will notice the puffs of wind exhaling from Raffaellesco’s mouth. Our Raffaellesco Italian ceramic collection is hand painted in a small family studio in Deruta, Umbria. This pattern complements many decorating styles from traditional to contemporary. Visit PoggiBonsiGifts.com for our complete selection of Italian Ceramics.
Poggi Bonsi has received a new shipment of our exclusive artisan made French ceramic garlic plates, hand painted, in Vallauris, France, a small village perched high above the French Riviera–a region with a rich history in French pottery production. This new shipment of French ceramic garlic plates includes fun new designs and colors perfect for summer entertainiing and gift-giving.
Cheery and functional, these 4″ plates are hand painted and add French style to any table. Simply grate the garlic clove on the ceramic grater section to puree the garlic, add a little extra virgin olive oil and perhaps some balsamic vinegar or herbs…dip some artisan European bread and enjoy! Gifts of these inexpensive and traditional spots of Provencal color are a well received alone or accompanied by a Couleur Nature, french inspired, linen with colors to match any kitchen.
We had a delightful visit today from Cheryl who had traveled to Seattle from Houston to attend a family graduation. She and her family were dining at Volterra Restaurant in Ballard (one of our favorites restaurants!) and she admired the Raffaellesco salt and pepper dishes that they purchase from Poggi Bonsi for their tables. The server told her about our retail outlet in Burien and Cheryl “Googled” us on the spot. She bought the Italian ceramic salt and pepper dish as well as a Raffaellesco spoon rest, butter dish and utensil jar.
We always love hearing these stories and gaining new customers from all over the world. Cheryl has promised to visit PoggiBonsiGifts.com soon to add to her collection. Thanks, Cheryl!
Poggi Bonsi is delighted to introduce our exclusive artisan made French ceramic garlic plates, hand painted, in Vallauris, France, a small village perched high above the French Riviera–a region with a rich history in French pottery production.
Most of the pottery known as Tuscan pottery or Florentine pottery is actually made in Montelupo Fiorentino–a beautiful little village of approximately 11,000 which is located about 10 miles from Florence. Montelupo Fiorentino was one of the most important Italian ceramic centers in Italy during the Renaissance and immediately after and has seen a revival of its ceramic industry during the last 10 years. Our Toscana Collection of Tuscan pottery is made in a family-run studio in Montelupo Fiorentino.
Torrefazione , a northwest coffee company famous for serving its Italian-style espresso drinks in traditional Raffaellesco Italian pottery coffee cups, was purchased by Starbucks Corp. in 2003. Starbucks closed all Torrefazione retail locations in 2005; the coffee brand lived on but the Italian ceramics were discontinued. PoggiBonsiGifts.com has entered into an agreement with F.I.M.A. Deruta Italian Ceramics; the original family-owned studio in Deruta, Italy that first produced the popular Italian Majolica coffee cups and tableware sold at Torrefazione. Now collectors can special order Torrefazione Raffaellesco Italian ceramic mugs and plates, as well as platters, antipasti trays, biscotti jars, bowls, and more directly from PoggiBonsiGifts.com.
On our buying trips to Europe for PoggiBonsiGifts.com we are very privileged to take time to experience the local flavor. Last year, while exploring French pottery studios in Provence, we stayed one memorable night in Chateauneuf du Pape. We were envisioning that our gourmet group at home was green with envy especially our two delightful wine experts Tracy Codd and Scott (Herr) Schumacher. Here’s to Tracy and Scott!
By traveling to Deruta, Italy and meeting with the craftsmen in person we are able to design exclusive Italian ceramic patterns. Such is the case with our Azzurro Collection–the vibrant turquoise that highlights this design is not a tradtional color used in Italian pottery.
