There’s a cute new home goods store not far from me in Brooklyn called R&D Goods, and if you’re on or near Vanderbilt Avenue, do stop in—there is literally not one item in the entire store I wouldn’t buy if I could. I went for these graphic linen napkins, and haven’t regretted it, and will be back for more.
I need bowls, and all sorts of them: mixing bowls, pasta bowls, soup bowls, etc etc. This Le Creuset specimen would be a welcome addition to my (currently) tiny arsenal.
And I love how great-looking this fruit bowl is—and it’s marked down, apparently for a limited time.
Another item I’ve needed for ages is a butter dish, and this one is stylish and utilitarian, and currently rings in at $20.
This oak-based, leather-topped paper towel holder is so damn elegant.
I’d like a runner in my long galley kitchen, but kitchen rugs get so dirty. Which is why I’m tempted by this washable rug from Ruggable, a company people rave about.
Wooden spoons are a must in my kitchen, but they get so skanky after extended use. I’d like to swap out all of mine for this stylish set.
And finally: recycled stacking glassware that looks perfect for serving a cool summer drink.
Hello Kim, I remember you mentioned plans to try the Urban Decay setting spray this summer. I did buy the Air Brush setting spray you recommended. It’s helpful, but I’m not crazy about the strong scent. I hope you are planning to post something on this topic. Thanks.
I’ve vowed to not buy anything new for my current home so that I can start fresh for retirement (approx 4 yrs away). But I might not be able to hold out if Kim keeps posting cute stuff like this!
hey cw, just wanted to say, thanks for mentioning the GEM site/app the other day, bc it came up as a search result and I felt better clicking on it bc of you. I alllllmost found a twin for my chewed up old glasses frames – which would be sooooo much easier than trying to drag people into the glasses store with me! I am going to check back later. They had more than ebay, it seemed to me. I’d never heard of it before. It’s amazing what you can find on the intergoggle.
My daughter worked in a similar fancy housewares store in DC for a couple of years, and I have to say that all the presents she gave during that time were AMAZING . She actually recommends buying nice bowls like the one above when you see them at a good price because they make perfect hostess gifts.
Oh which one? The late, lamented Tabletop? I’ll be re-acquiring housewares in DC in a couple of years, after a renovation.
It was Salt & Sundry on 14th Street. They have such lovely things!
Love all of this and most of it will be going on our list of things/references to furnish our next home in a couple of years. We plan to sell everything and move to another country with clothes, mementos, and some kitchen stuff (mostly expensive cookware) that we don’t want to buy again. I can’t wait!
The rug design is just gorrrgeous. I don’t know about putting one in a kitchen though – if it were me, I might trip on it. (We have some of those small thick foam pads, and sometimes I almost trip on those. Though, it is nice to have the padding under foot. You put those pads in spots where you’re going to be standing a lot.) Anyhow it’s so pretty, you can hang it on the wall instead. … … … I too dig a good bois pattern, if that’s the right name.
I currently have 4 Ruggable rugs in my house and won’t ever buy from any other company. They’re gorgeous, and I can throw them into the washer and dryer with no problem. Guest room, bedroom, living room & bathroom….and I’m eyeing the kitchen…
Do they fit in a home washer though? Obviously it depends on size, but given that I have a messy dog, I’ve been wanting to try one of the larger ones.
I had a large Ruggable rug, and I can’t recommend it. The edges curl, it shrank a tad in the wash and so didn’t fully cover the under layer, and it has a way of funneling liquid spills through to the floor and trapping them there, which ruined my wood floor more than a conventional rug would have under the same conditions (read: pets). And you can’t properly clean the under layer. Add in that Ruggable products are polyester and so will break down poorly when disposed of, and, well, they’re not for me. I threw mine away because it was unsalvageable. I have read that the smaller sizes survive washing better. I’m going back to cotton and wool.
I had a Ruggable and just hated the texture and even the look. I did get a sample first, so it’s partly my own fault for thinking, “well, it’s okay, I guess”. I can’t comment on the wetness problems but I believe it. The rug ended up going into an estate sale. I have a hand me down wool rug now and am much happier.
I’d put wooden spoons near the top of the Life’s Small Pleasures list. Mine were looking shabby, so I just ordered the set here. Thanks, Kim.
Love everything here! My kid just moved out by R&D so eager to check that out soon… and also the butter dish link is wonky fyi, but in case that item is out, I just bought one of these and it is GREAT: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B084GRW7BM?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1 Especially if you buy the Euro shaped butter. It’s so great that I actually just got a second one for when the first is in the dishwasher.