Shiny & Clean

© Saskia Vanderstichele

Brussels has quite a few specialised shops, from artisan craft beers to shoes for people with large feet. One of the latest additions to this list is Shiny & Clean, a luxury house-ware shop.
Living in a big city often equals living in a small apartment with limited storage. Does that sound familiar? If so, then you probably store your brush, dustpan, laundry basket et cetera somewhere in a corner. Not pretty to look at, but at least it’s out of the way.
If it was up to Frédéric, owner of Shiny & Clean, those tools could or should be on display. At least, if you get them from his shop, because he focuses on pretty and durable housewares. A couple of examples, so you get the gist: a metal bin in blue, red, and yellow Mondrian colours, a golden sponge, a flycatcher made from bamboo and leather, and a duster with real ostrich feathers. Something completely different from the typical red, plastic versions most of us have. A bit more pricey too, but they’re made from natural materials and are supposed to last a lifetime.
Frédéric stocks a few brands only, such as the Parisian Perigot. Amongst the bestsellers: a trendy caddy to do your shopping – made from lightweight aluminum with a bag lined with Tyvek – and a shopping bag that can be folded into a bear when not in use. There is soap by Les Savonneries Bruxelloises and scented candles by Alixx, made with real wax and natural perfume.
Love it or hate it, but with the fancy kitchen tool trend still in full swing, somebody was bound to continue the rage in another domain. You can find Frédéric’s shop near the Sint-Gillisvoorplein/parvis de Saint-Gilles, where he opened about six months ago. And as you’ve got to strike the iron when it is hot, a second shop opened just a month ago near Ma Campagne. Both shops sell a similar range and almost make household chores seem like fun. Almost.

SHINY & CLEAN ●●●
avenue Jean Volderslaan 72, Sint-Gillis/Saint-Gilles & chaussée de Waterloosesteenweg 367, Elsene/Ixelles, 02-539.12.00, www.facebook.com/shinyandclean
di/ma/Tu > za/sa/Sa 11.30 > 18.30