Store Opening: John Derian

I once had a boyfriend who loved to brag that he knew what ‘decoupage’ was — and, he’d add, he wasn’t even gay! (At the time, that is. In retrospect, I should’ve known. First, decoupage. Second, no man folds a swan napkin with such ease or willingness.) But the kid knew cool, and decoupage — the art of decorating an object by gluing colored pieces of paper onto it, once the territory of crafts classes and Martha Stewart — has never been chicer than in the capable hands of John Derian.

Like other designers before him who fell in love with Provincetown and subsequently opened up shop there, Derian has recently debuted a cozy home accessories shop in the picturesque Cape town. In an old carriage house, the shop features Derian’s decoupaged paperweights, lamps, ash trays, serving plates, dishes, etc. alongside other treasures culled from frequent scouting trips to France and beyond.

There are vintage Pakistani quilts, Moroccan poufs (who doesn’t need a Moroccan pouf?), French bedding, D.L. & Co. candles, Rogues Gallery tees, furniture, and lots of French and American antiques. It’s utterly charming, and gives off a Parisian flea market-meets-beach vibe. I walked out with a pair of decoupaged coasters; my ex would be proud (and jealous).

John Derian, Law Street (behind 396 Commercial St.), Provincetown, 508-487-1362, johnderian.com