Dwell Picks: 12 Products We’re Head-Over-Heels for This Summer

We’ve all fallen victim to nighttime online shopping and impulse buys that have turned out to be less-than-great—thankfully, that's not the case for these tried-and-true recommendations that we won't stop talking about.

Duncan Nielsen, Assistant Editor: 

"Shorts! Kind of a 'no-duh' for summertime, but as a chronic pants-wearer living in San Francisco (I can already hear you all quoting Mark Twain), this took some figuring out. I had to ask myself, 'What kind of shorts person am I?' The answer is the drawstring kind. So comfortable and versatile, and they pair great with loafers, sandals, tennis shoes, or bare feet."

Mike Chino, Senior Editor: 

"Summer is sandwich season, and Cold Picnic’s weird, plush pile rugs remind me of pimento loaf—in a good way. If that’s not your thing, there’s a rainbow of other tasty flavors to try."

Maris Berkowitz, Marketing & Sales Assistant: 

"Summertime for me means exploring, whether it’s heading out on a weekend road trip or taking a flight across the country. This cooler is great for hitting the road!"

"For long plane trips, this is my essential carry-on item." 

Jenny Xie, Executive Editor:

"In 1976, electronic composer Mort Garson released Mother Earth's Plantasia, billed as 'warm earth music for plants...and the people that love them.' Its playful tracks—with titles like 'You Don't Have to Walk a Begonia'—have since gained cult status, with Sacred Bones announcing the first official reissue in June. I recently got to listen to it at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden and can vouch for its healing qualities (at least for people, if not for plants). P.S. L.A. folks, Atlas Obscura is hosting another event at the UCLA Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden on August 10!"

Lara Deam, Founder & CEO:

"We went into their store in SoHo recently—hated the price tag, but they sounded so good!"

Sam Daly, Associate Editor:

"If you, like me, have let your jewelry lose its shininess from leaving them out (oops), these are a lifesaver! They're not very glamorous, but they've definitely saved some necklaces that I thought were goners. A pack of five clocks in at under $6, so you really can't go wrong."

"I finally got to try these beauties while on my trip to AutoCamp Yosemite last month. All the bathrooms are stocked with them—they're perfect for when you need a quick refresh in the summer heat."

Sydney Sibelius, Social Media Associate: 

"I'm a sucker for bags and have way more than I can count, but I consistently use my market bag way more than any others. It's perfect for heading to the beach with a book, towel, and water bottle, but also ideal for my weekly trip to the farmers market. And I love that it's multifunctional! It's a great storage basket when I'm not toting it around."

Nicole Wolfgram, CRO:

"My husband's favorite item in his closet: works for the West Coast, East Coast, and everywhere in the middle."

"If I get these for my kids, will they sit and stay on them?"

Erin V. Mahoney, Community & Social Media Manager:

"I love a summer sandal as much as the next person, but the realities of city living mandate closed-toed shoes. Recently I had a day to kill in Chicago and my Rothy's Sneakers took me all over town, from The Robey to the Riverwalk. When a late afternoon thunderstorm (inevitably) rolled in, I kept on trekking, knowing I could toss these in the wash as soon as I landed back in San Francisco."

We love the products we feature and hope you do, too. If you buy something through a link on the site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Reading:

Dwell Picks: 9 Products We Can’t Stop Gushing About This Spring