The Journal

The romance of a diner mug that won't break
Mid-century America built its everyday things to outlive their owners. Here is why that matters now. Read more...
The quiet art of the mismatched cup
In the back-street coffee houses of Shōwa-era Japan, nothing matched — and that was exactly the charm. Read more...
Why a scratched brass tray is worth more than a perfect one
The French have a word for the beauty of a used thing. We went to the Saint-Ouen flea market to learn how to read it. Read more...