Duende With Dahlia Brue
Colorful creature comforts at home in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Dahlia Brue is the owner of IDUN, a small women’s clothing store in the historic Cathedral Hill neighborhood of St. Paul, Minnesota. It is one of my personal favorite places for browsing and inspiration — it spans multiple floors and is filled to the brim with the best pieces from designers like Mara Hoffman to Rachel Comey to Beatrice Valenzuela.
While the shop is clean and minimal, Dahlia’s home is multifaceted, messy and ever-changing. The houses of St. Paul have so much character — they are old and nuanced, having lived through many life experiences and owners. As a family of five, she doesn’t feel too precious about things and nurtures a cozy, lived-in feeling at home. “I wanted IDUN to express the Scandinavian side of me, and have it feel ‘gallery’ like for the clothing to really stand out. My house is different because it’s my home. It’s where my three kids can run around and be tiny humans. I don’t have a particular aesthetic running through it — I have a very hard time getting rid of things, most things that come into my house stay forever,” says Dahlia. Her beautiful ceramics are used every morning, the kids eat snacks on the couch or ice cream on the rug by the fireplace. Her colorful creature comforts hold memories, joy and quiet familiarity. Read on for Dahlia’s Duende collection, and the notable feelings each piece brings.
Find Dahlia elsewhere:
IDUN
Instagram
Love,
Elise
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BUNN, Classic Coffee Maker
My favorite thing I own! My parents have used a BUNN coffeemaker my whole life. I don’t care about good coffee but I do care about really hot coffee that is made quickly!Vintage Tiny Glassware
I used to only have things the size of Texas! All of my friends had special small spoons and bowls, so my good friend Lisa Hackwith gifted these to me. She finds such beautiful items at antique stores and started collecting mini things for me. I cherish these tiny special glasses!Sarah J. Maas, A Court of Thorns and Roses Series
This is the second of the series, and when I see this book I only feel pure joy! It’s fantasy and fairies and romance! I just love seeing that wild green color on my shelf. If you haven’t read it, read it!Paolo Ventura, The Tennis Court, 2021 and Gail Albert Halaban, Rue du Faubourg St. Denis, Paris, 10E, Le 17 Mai, 2013
Both of the photographs are from my good friend Leslie’s gallery, Weinstein Hammons. If you are ever visiting Minneapolis/St. Paul, you need to go here. She has incredible work by amazing artists — the team’s knowledge and love for the work they represent is unmatched.Ginny Sims, Ceramic Vase, Cup and Candlestick
Beautiful functional pieces by a beautiful soul. Ginny is someone that I have appreciated forever, and I can’t believe we have her here in the Twin Cities! Now that I know her and am lucky enough to call her a friend, these pieces have become even more special to me!
Rachel Schultz, Abstract Floral, 16” x 12”, Oil on Canvas, 2018
My sister Rachel is so talented — this piece hangs above my fireplace and is so special to me. I look at it everyday and love it. My name is a flower, so I’ve always been drawn to them portrayed in different mediums.
Antique Spoon Set
This set was a gift from my grandmother. It’s a tradition in Norway to give tableware for any big event — birthdays, weddings, etc. We use these everyday and I think of different family members who have gifted them over the years!
Duende is the mysterious power of art to deeply move a person. It means a quality of passion and inspiration. With this bimonthly feature, we celebrate and honor our most meaningful possessions that go far beyond the physical — preserving memories, shaping identity, encouraging ritual, embodying experiences and loved ones. The things that surround us are not simply functional, beautiful, or aspirational, but encompass a soul and presence all their own. View past publications here.
Photo Credit: Duende custom collage designed by Meg Towle, featuring pieces from the home of Dahlia Brue. Photo of IDUN via the shop’s Instagram.