My great-grandmother, Estelle London, opened The London Shop in Mount Vernon, New York, in 1939. She sold fancy dresses and accessories for special occasions—the sort of things you wore when there was something to celebrate. At a time when women had fewer opportunities to build businesses of their own, she had a vision and the determination to bring it to life.

I’m Heather, her great-granddaughter. I named this shop after her because I adore her name and am proud to carry on our family’s tradition of female entrepreneurship. Who knows? Perhaps one day my daughters or nieces will name a shop after their great-grandmother, too.

My own version of Estelle London began with a wonderful affliction: a fierce admiration for everyday objects that bring together form, function, and beauty. There is something irresistible about a piece that feels sculptural and substantial in your hands, catches the light just so, and also serves your favorite dish or holds your evening cocktail. These objects make daily rituals feel special. Some simply make your heart skip a beat.

I seek out these pieces, most made decades ago, for people who share my love of craftsmanship, artistry, and useful beauty. I’m drawn to thoughtful details, beautiful materials, and the ingenuity that turns an ordinary task into a small pleasure.

The best objects have withstood the test of time and still have so much to give. They find their way onto our tables, into our traditions, and through the generations, becoming the pieces that memories are made around.

That is the spirit of Estelle London.