What about interactive items in the player shops? Lets say a cafe or tea shop run by a player? Would be nice to have working table and chairs. Or maybe someones tart shop from their tart kilns, candy jars, cake boxes, etc. or even just a bar and stools. An interactive NPC merchant for RP flare, maybe even with an extra monthly charge (once rent is is re-activated) mostly just RP flare, but I think it would make a great addition.

No, not as an artisan skill, though that poses a great idea. But like tart kilns that you add mana breadand fruit to produce a tart, once a day candy/cake/doughnut/pie? Boxes that you rub to create a limited number of various flavors of whatever type the item produces. Tea kettle teas, coffees, etc