Into Everyday Life, a Few Drops Fall Anthropologie Ruan Hoffmann, who was born in Pretoria, South Africa, did not set out to be a product designer. He considers his expressionistic ceramic pieces to be art, not craft, and has shown them in galleries and museums throughout Africa and Europe. But after an exhibition of his work at the Anthropologie store in Rockefeller Center in 2011, the retailer encouraged him to create for a mass audience. Mr. Hoffmann set about designing everyday products that would enhance people's lives. "It's a big thing to ask of ordinary objects," he said. It's a lot to wish for from a shower curtain, for instance, but then again it could be the catalyst for a daydream. The Jardin Des Plantes collection, which will be introduced on Thursday, includes dinnerware, bedding, curtains, hardware, wallpaper, vases and, yes, a shower curtain ($108). The rest of the items are from $10 to $1,298. Information: 800-309-2500 or anthropologie.com.