About
About Violet and Le Nikko Art & Letter
Violet Le Nikko is a collector and seller of art, antiques, specialty papers and rare books . She is the proprietor of Le Nikko Art & Letter, the shop that houses all of her wares and a business that was originally started by her uncle, Herman.
She is an adventurous traveler, the owner of a mini Dachshund named Peter Karl (PK) and aside from sharing her late uncle’s business, she inherited his passion for French food and wine.
She lives in a large, rambling Victorian that does double duty as her shop along with her younger cousin Allis, who acts as her assistant and resident herbalist.
About Piper’s Ferry
The village of Piper’s Ferry is a small enclave on an island off the shores of Lake Michigan with the same name. Surrounded by dark pines and rocky shores, the village center is just a mile away from the mainland and accessible by either narrow cross bridge or small ferry that runs on an unreliable schedule.
From Chicago to Piper’s is about a 22 mile trip. On a good day with no traffic -and if you just happen to be there when the ferry arrives- you can make the journey in about 40 minutes.
Piper’s Ferry is known for its small but prestigious college, Beckent, highly regarded in the historical arts and theatre communities and for its shopping district, a collection of cobbled streets appropriately named, The Cobbles. Here, unique boutiques, galleries and restaurants have collected just off the ferry landing and foot bridge.
Peter Karl, aka PK
PK is a longhaired mini Dachshund who belongs to Violet. He is a seasoned traveler and this being a fictional blog, is allowed in places where he most likely would not be in the ‘real’ world. Suspend your disbelief as he roams the galleries of the Louvre, explores the tombs of ancient Egypt and enjoys Afternoon Tea with Violet around the world.
Maeve
Maeve opened her florist shop, The Flower Maeven as a small floral boutique but soon found herself in demand as an events planner when she had to step in for one of her clients at the last minute. The client was the daughter of one of Chicago’s most notable families and the event made newspaper and magazines across the country. Today, it’s not unusual for Maeve to be planning events from one end of the country to the other, from her charming shop in The Cobbles.
Maeve and Violet grew up on the island and have been friends for years. Georgie is her little Terrier, and friend of PK.
Uncle Herman
Herman is Violet’s uncle. He was and is a dealer of rare books, prints and maps. Before he moved to London, he published art books under the name Le Nikko Art & Letter. He gave this business to Violet, along with the Victorian he once called his home, however there’s a wing of the house that is always ready and waiting for him when he visits.
Allis Merian
Allis is Violet’s younger cousin. She is skilled in herbology and recently moved her business and herself into Violet’s Victorian, along with her cat, Mrs. Danvers. Allis studied in Switzerland for five years learning both the practical and the traditional folk uses uses for plants, healing and magic.
French Fontaine
French ‘Fren’ Fontaine moved to Piper’s Ferry ten years ago after retiring from her position as director for the Greenwich Village Arts Collective in NYC. Now, she runs the Fren Fontaine Gallery on the island and hosts a very successful series of lectures for collectors and artists alike.
Suzanne Shelby
Suzanne is a well-known interior designer with classically good taste and a personality with an edge - the kind that sometimes comes from having too much money. Like Violet and Maeve, she grew up on the island but being twenty years older, they were more or less just acquaintances through Suzanne’s son, Gregg - until recently.
The Shelbys are one of the richest families in the Chicago area and definitely the richest on the island.
Clark Smith
Clark is a professor of classical studies at Beckent College, which sits in the center of Piper’s Ferry. He also paints, primarily abstract expressionism, and collects modern art and architecture books. This in contrast to the ancient Roman and Greek art he teaches.
Sabrina Fabian
A gifted designer in almost all aspects, Sabrina is head of the Midvale (Beckent College) Theatre’s costumes and sets. On her own time, she painstakingly recreates garments for historical institutions, opera houses and the occasional well-funded reenactor.