Carta Pura
A Paper Shop with a sense for beauty
A really good pair of scissors, a pretty notebook with a matching pen, glue that we won’t want to hide in a drawer…don’t we all wish for everyday items that look beautiful and bring us joy?
At Carta Pura, you’ll find all of this, from writing utensils to bookbinding supplies and fine stationery.
Plus, there are artistic sheets for paper enthusiasts who truly appreciate them.
I have a soft spot for traditional, often family-run specialty shops.
In Munich, this includes Johanna Daimer, a store for felts of all kinds, located in the historic town hall and operating since 1883.
Kamm Weninger, a brush and shaving goods shop near Viktualienmarkt that’s been around for over 80 years, is another gem (our hair has become noticeably silkier since we treated ourselves to high-quality natural bristle brushes from there).
Kremer, in Maxvorstadt, has specialized in color pigments for almost 50 years. It’s a cornerstone in Munich for restoration and monument preservation. But even as amateurs, we enjoy the distinctive, high-quality aesthetic of the pigment powders.
Our favorite specialty store in Munich, however, is the stunning paper shop, Carta Pura, located on Schellingstraße.
Since 1985, the shop’s bright green cash register has stood before shelves lined with paper-covered boxes, colorful ribbons, pastel letter paper, and handmade leporelli.
The walls are adorned from floor to ceiling with exquisite Japanese and Italian paper sheets.
In dozens of small compartments, you’ll find clips, fountain pens, pencils, heavy-duty scissors, and rulers - each item more beautiful and meticulously crafted than the last.
Since gradually outfitting our desks with supplies from Carta Pura, we now genuinely look forward to our “office days.”
And of course every staff member in the shop radiates an appreciation for beauty and a love for fine things.
In all the years we’ve been coming here, we always found the team in a good mood and have been patiently and expertly advised.
This is undoubtedly due in no small part to the store’s founder, Jonathan Osthoff, whose calm demeanor and passion for all things beautiful have gathered like-minded souls around him over time.
The lovely shop is truly an oasis of subtlety and style.
