Sweet Somethings #12
On my homeware wishlist: soap dishes, flatware, bud vases, and more
Hello and happy weekend!
Teo and I are gradually moving to our new apartment (!) over the course of this month, which means that we’re living in an in-between state, surrounded by boxes of clothing and bags of books. In the few days since we started shuttling things over, I’ve already found myself searching for something, only to remember we’d already brought it to the new place. Tough luck.
Our new neighborhood, Carroll Gardens, isn’t too far from our current one, but has its own fabulously Italian-American vibe, with spots like Caputo’s Fine Foods selling all the good things: guanciale, fresh pasta, mozzarella, marinated artichokes. The streets are lined with old brownstones and full of strollers and dogs, and on Sundays, a small-but-mighty greenmarket pops up in Carroll Park with ACQ bread and Lani’s vegetables.
As we’ve started sketching out our apartment and thinking about what we need to buy, what I already knew has become even clearer: Teo has the big-picture, architect’s-son sense for space, layout, and furniture, and I do not. I’m a hundred times more interested in the little details. Give me the task of finding a moka pot, shower curtain, or pasta bowl, and I’ll giddily research all day.
Because this is where my head’s at, today’s Sweet Somethings is a roundup of homeware currently on my wishlist. Thank you for being here!
Sweet Somethings
Homeware Wishlist Edition
Soap dishes
I have a thing for soap dishes — tiny pieces of functional art. These ones from Etsy are lovely: enamel, leaf, ridged.
Shoe racks
I refuse to resort to our last apartment’s solution, which involved chaotically tossing all of our shoes into a single bin. Enter the shoe rack. I like this stackable red one for a pop of color, but this tall one might be more practical, offering more space for shoes plus a surface on top for keys and other knickknacks.
Flatware
I can’t wait to own a set of flatware from Sabre Paris one day — particularly from the Bistrot line, like this set in Ivory. Elegant and timeless, with the right amount of sturdiness and heft.
Moka pots
In the move, we’re losing access to our roommates’ fancy espresso machine and will be returning to our moka pot ways. Here are a few fun ones I’d be interested in if we didn’t already own five too many: Alessi, Etsy (vintage!), Bodum.
Shower curtains
I’m loving the look of these Quiet Town shower curtains, particularly in the shades Honey, Olive, and Sunny. Right now, I’m leaning towards Honey, which is rich and glossy and will pair well with our navy-and-white towels.
Stainless steel mixing bowls
Pure function, zero glam. From my time in professional kitchens, I know that having lightweight stainless steel bowls in various sizes makes a huge difference, and it’s about time I get a set for myself. Maybe this one, or maybe something more affordable from a nearby restaurant supply store.
Butter warmers
I bought my dad a Dansk Købenstyle butter warmer in Chili Red last year, and am delighted by how often he uses it. A dedicated breakfast chef with a specialty in pancakes and waffles, he reaches for it whenever he needs to melt butter. I make my fair share of pancakes, too — maybe it’s time to invest in one myself.
Striped duvet covers
There’s something about a skinny stripe that always catches my eye. At the moment, our bed has a gray striped duvet from IKEA, but I’m considering a yellow version from Brooklinen for the future.
Noguchi lamps
I fell for these sculptural, glowy lamps upon visiting the Noguchi Museum in Queens. These are decidedly out of budget and decidedly beautiful: Akari BB3-75DD, Akari UF4-L8, Akari BB3-33S.
Pasta bowls
We eat the majority of our meals in pasta bowls (not quite bowls, not quite plates), whether or not pasta is involved. I love everything East Fork makes, and one day I’d like to upgrade our current set to their version: The Coupe. I’m especially drawn to the mismatched sets in both cool and warm tones.
Whimsical pillows
I love the playful aesthetic of the artist Donna Wilson, and am currently coveting her soft lambswool cushions in fun shapes: a cottage, a cloud, a paint palette.
Bud vases
I’m drawn to the look of a single bloom in a miniature vase — perfect for a windowsill or bedside table. Crate & Barrel has nice ones, and so does Etsy.
Kitchen linens
You can never have enough high-quality kitchen linens. Fog Linen is a favorite source for all things linen, like this pink-and-white kitchen cloth and this black houndstooth one. Dove and Donkey makes gorgeous stuff, too, like these textural placemats.
Salt cellars
Do you need a specific vessel designed for salt when a small bowl works just as well? No, but these are chic: white, wooden, speckled.
Throw blankets
Soft, weighty throws like these make a living room feel cozy: sheep, Matisse leaf, floral, modern.
Thank you for daydreaming with me!
More soon,
Phoebe
It’s giving registry :)
omg, i live in carroll gardens and own most of these things down to the quiettown shower curtain. welcome to the neighborhood!