Our Prop Collection | The Unique Origins of Our Pieces

Welcome to Chelfdom, where creativity meets craftsmanship. At Chelfdom, we specialize in creative direction, branding, recipe development, food styling, photography, and videography. Our commitment to creating visually stunning and impactful content is deeply rooted in the props we use, each chosen to tell a unique story. We believe that the right props can transform any project, adding depth and character. Our journey to find these perfect pieces takes us around the globe, exploring diverse cultures and histories. We source our props from a variety of places, including antique shops, flea markets, open-air markets, and auctions. Each item we collect has a story to tell, enriching our creative endeavors with its unique charm and history.

The Joy of Travel

Traveling is at the heart of Chelfdom's creative process. Each journey inspires and informs the selection of our props, allowing us to infuse our projects with a rich tapestry of global influences. Whether it's a bustling market in Vienna or a quiet antique shop in the English countryside, our travels are filled with discoveries that shape our creative vision.

On a recent trip to the Netherlands, we stumbled upon a charming thrift store in Horinchem. There, we found a beautifully aged white, compote bowl rich with patina and history. This piece, now a staple in our food styling projects, carries with it the essence of Dutch culinary tradition.

Every item we find has a cultural and historical significance that adds depth to our work. For example, a set of hand-painted ceramics from a small village in Sweden not only enhances our visual storytelling but also brings a piece of scandi heritage to our clients' projects. These treasures, each with their own story, make our creative direction truly unique and authentic.

Sustainability in Prop Sourcing

At Chelfdom, sustainability is a core value that guides our prop sourcing. By choosing items from antique shops, flea markets, and auctions, we reduce waste and promote a circular economy. These sources offer unique, high-quality items that have stood the test of time, ensuring durability and reducing the need for mass-produced goods.

Repurposing and upcycling old items is central to our sustainable practices. Transforming a vintage suitcase into a quirky storage solution or using antique kitchenware in food styling not only preserves history but also breathes new life into these items, making our projects both environmentally friendly and creatively unique.

The Beauty of Imperfection

At Chelfdom, we celebrate the beauty of imperfection in our props, finding that these pieces add a unique character and authenticity to our projects. Imperfect items tell a story, enriching our creative work with their history and individuality. For example, a weathered wooden cutting board, with its scratches and patina, tells a story of countless meals prepared and shared, while a slightly chipped ceramic bowl adds a touch of rustic charm to our food photography.

These imperfections do more than just add visual interest—they enhance the overall narrative we create. Each mark, scratch, and dent is a testament to the item’s journey, making it a more compelling and relatable element in our storytelling.

This approach aligns with the Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi, which finds beauty in the imperfect, transient, and incomplete. Wabi-sabi teaches us to embrace flaws and appreciate the passage of time, valuing authenticity over perfection.

In our projects, we often seek out items that carry this sense of history and character. An antique mirror with a tarnished frame, a piece of vintage fabric with faded colors, or a rustic kitchen tool with signs of wear—all these elements contribute to a sense of warmth and lived-in beauty. By incorporating such items, we create spaces and stories that feel genuine and relatable, resonating with a sense of humanity and real life.

Embracing imperfection not only enhances the aesthetic quality of our work but also supports sustainable practices. By repurposing and upcycling these items, we give them a new life and purpose, reducing waste and promoting a more sustainable approach to design and creativity. Through this, we strive to create a more thoughtful and meaningful visual experience for our clients and audiences.

The Importance of Uniqueness

In creative projects, the value of unique, one-of-a-kind items cannot be overstated. These distinctive props set our work apart, allowing us to craft a distinct visual narrative that stands out in a crowded field. Unique items contribute to a sense of originality and authenticity, making our projects memorable and impactful.

For instance, we once found a hand-carved wooden soup bowl at an open-air market in Slovenia. Its raw design and craftsmanship not only added a innovative touch to our food styling but also conveyed a rich cultural story that resonated with our audience.

Another treasured find was a collection of vintage glass bottles from a flea market in Greece. Each bottle, with its unique shape and color, brought a touch of history and elegance to our photography, making the scenes feel more authentic and visually appealing.

These unique finds are more than just props; they are storytellers. They bring a depth and richness to our work that mass-produced items simply cannot match. By incorporating such distinctive pieces, we ensure that each project we undertake is infused with a sense of individuality and creativity that leaves a lasting impression.

Supporting Local Artisans

In addition to sourcing vintage and antique items, we also value the importance of supporting local artisans and modern businesses that create handmade pieces. These contemporary craftsmen and women bring a fresh perspective to traditional techniques, resulting in unique and beautifully crafted props that add a modern touch to our projects.

Local pottery shops, for instance, offer an array of handmade ceramics that provide a perfect blend of contemporary design and artisanal quality. Each piece, from hand-thrown bowls to intricately glazed plates, carries the signature of its maker, adding a personal touch that enhances our visual storytelling.

One of our favorite finds is a set of hand-painted ceramic mugs from a small pottery studio in our hometown. The soft colors and unique patterns not only stand out in our photos but also support local artists, fostering a sense of community and sustainability. We haven’t gotten these yet but it’s on our to do list as soon as we return to Greece this winter.

These handmade pieces are integral to our creative process. They provide us with high-quality, unique props that enhance the aesthetic and authenticity of our work, while also allowing us to support and celebrate the talent and craftsmanship of local artisans. This commitment to sourcing both vintage treasures and modern handmade items ensures that our projects are always fresh, original, and deeply connected to the communities we serve.

When Clients Prefer Streamlined Pieces

While we at Chelfdom thrive on the unique charm of vintage and handmade props, we also understand that some clients prefer a more modern, streamlined aesthetic. For these projects, we turn to reliable sources like Zara Home, H&M Home, and IKEA. These brands offer a wide range of contemporary, minimalist pieces that perfectly complement our unique finds.

Sourcing from these stores allows us to balance the distinctiveness of vintage items with the clean lines and simplicity of modern design. This approach ensures that we can meet diverse client needs while maintaining a cohesive and polished look. For instance, pairing a sleek, modern glass from Zara Home with a rustic, antique table creates a striking contrast that enhances the visual appeal.

One of the reasons some clients opt for these modern pieces is to achieve a consistent look across various content creators around the world. By using props that are widely available, they ensure a uniform aesthetic in their branding and marketing materials, which can be crucial for maintaining a cohesive brand identity.

By blending the old with the new, we achieve a harmonious balance that showcases both the timeless beauty of unique pieces and the elegance of modern design. This versatility allows us to tailor our approach to each client's specific vision, delivering results that are both innovative and aesthetically pleasing.

From Flea Markets to Auctions | Our Best Tips

Our prop sourcing journey at Chelfdom spans a variety of exciting places, including flea markets, antique shops, open-air markets, and auctions. Each of these sources offers a treasure trove of unique items that add depth and character to our projects.

Flea Markets:

Arrive Early: The best items are often scooped up quickly.
Negotiate Prices: Most sellers are open to bargaining.
Stay Open-Minded: Be prepared for unexpected finds.

Antique Shops:

Build Relationships: Get to know the shop owners for insider tips.
Visit Regularly: Frequent visits increase your chances of finding new items.
Research Items: Know the value and history of what you’re buying.

Open-Air Markets:

Engage with Vendors: Learn the stories behind the items.
Explore Thoroughly: Don’t just stick to the main stalls; explore all corners.
Bring Cash: Many vendors prefer cash transactions.

Auctions:

Do Your Homework: Research the auction house and catalog in advance.
Set a Budget: Know your spending limit and stick to it.
Bid Confidently: Be decisive to avoid missing out on desired items.

By exploring these diverse sources, we ensure that each prop in our collection is unique, rich in history, and contributes to the authenticity and aesthetic quality of our creative projects. We hope that these tips, from our experience will help you navigate this space of treasure hunting too.

Diverse prop sources are essential to our creative process at Chelfdom, each offering unique items that enrich our projects with history and authenticity. Embracing both unique finds and modern pieces allows us to create a balanced and visually compelling aesthetic. We invite you to follow Chelfdom’s journey, stay updated on our latest discoveries, and see how these carefully selected props bring our creative visions to life. Join us as we continue to explore, innovate, and inspire through the art of prop sourcing.