Store

Set foot inside Lucca Statuary and you'll feel like you've crossed the time-space barrier to some forgotten Roman garden chock full of fountains, planters, plaques and statues, all made from concrete with a patina that makes them look ancient. Take a closer look, though, and you'll find other influences mixed in with the apple-bearing Venuses and armies of Cupids - Celtic crosses and planters decorated with knot work, Virgin Marys in various states of grace, Ganesh in his elephantine glory, trolls heralding each other with long bugles, laughing Buddhas and Chinese Fu dogs.

But those with a taste for modern lines will have enough to look at too - terra-cotta planters come in clean cubes, and simple fountains make the most of minimalism. It's a concrete menagerie here, too, and, just as old and new find common ground at Lucca, pensive squirrels share space with cats bearing binoculars.

And for inside the home, there's the sister store, Lucca Great Finds, down the pike at 5332 Ballard Ave. N.W. (206-782-7337). The store is modeled after Parisian gift salons of the 1920s and '30s with arty gift ideas such as bird cages, body-care products from Italy (with names like Officina di Profuma di Santa Maria Novella), and hand-made stationery.

Tip: Even if you don't have it in you to lug home a concrete statue or planter, stop in and get a few gift tags - they're all done in charming engraved printer's ornamental style on thick, creamy stock.

By Vanessa McGrady
Special to NWsource