Hungarian Rhapsody!

Our shelves are filling up fast with lots of new stock for Christmas and we are just so pleased with our latest find! At a recent trade fair, we came across one particularly stunning stand, full of the most beautiful journals and stationery. We had to investigate and were delighted to find we had caught this fabulous Hungarian company at their first UK show. Of course, we jumped at the chance to offer something new and original!

We got chatting and discovered that the owner Károly, has, like Sarah, a passion for paper, going back to his childhood. As a lad, he would explore the touch and scent of different papers, so it is no surprise that he ended up creating his own stationery company. He started with just one shop in Budapest, but over the years he has widened his range to include a range of diaries, albums, journals, recipe and address books, selling all over the country. In the workshop, a team of expert bookbinders and leatherworkers brings to life the fine designs, using traditional methods and machinery and top-notch materials. High quality leathers, pigskin, goatskin and lambskin, combine with skilled workmanship to produce beautiful and really durable products. What a refreshing change from the mass-produced goods we see so much!

The Hungarian countryside and cityscapes are never far from the design process. Old maps and famous landmarks make their way into the beautiful papers that bind the books. Old postcards, posters, music and artwork inspire these most individual of designs.

What we loved about this range is how each book can be designed as a one off item. Sarah picked out leathers in deep blue, purple and brown and papers featuring hot air balloons, books and roses for our journals and address books, and when they arrived in the office we were so impressed with the results.

Unfortunately, we couldn’t have it all so we had to pick out a few favourites! We decided to go for three journals to start with – an A4 size with a deep blue leather spine and plain pages; these are so versatile as they can be used for sketches and notes as well as journals. Our next choice was a large brown leather journal, with a paper design of gorgeous old books; we thought this would be one for the guys as our male customers don’t go in for the pretty-pretty stuff! It made me think of an elegant gentleman writing in his study or library! (Not that I meet many of those these days!)

The third journal we picked was the lined purple one, which we thought would make a great travel journal.

The next book to catch our eye was the recipe book. We loved the image on the front and the Hungarian lettering. Inside are the most delicate lined drawings in old sepia shades that give it a real old-world feel.

No journal collection would be complete without a traditional leather wrap journal and we picked a lined one in a deep brown with a string tie and decorated flap.

But perhaps our favourite item was the little box of Thank You cards. They are just so exquisite and made us nostalgic for the days when people really made an effort to send thank you cards, not just a quick text! Once again, the quality of the design is stunning, right down to the individual boxes, wrapped in the beautiful papers that Károly produces. So we are really pleased to have these on the website in time for the Christmas season and I know a few will find their way onto my shopping list this year.