Everyone Needs an Oven Mitt Shaped Like a Colorful Bean

Once upon a time, Marie Kondo asked us to pick up an object and ask ourselves if it sparked joy. I still live by that rule with each and every item I bring into my home—and I would undoubtedly bring the below five products home. From a towel designed by an emerging artist to a $50 lighting hack to an ocean-hued toaster, they’re anything but thoughtless purchases—you’ll want to keep these around for the long haul.  

Dry Off With Plunge’s Towels

I recently came across Plunge, a San Francisco-based brand that commissions rising artists to design limited-edition towels. Its founder sources the freshest work out there, from graphic oil pastel drawings by Vincent Jackson to whimsical, surrealist figure paintings by Anjelica Colliard. The towels are more than just for looks; Described as "usable artworks," they’re made of cotton terry cloth woven in the USA. 

Clip Commune’s Perforated Shade Onto an Exposed Bulb 

While Commune is most commonly known as the design firm behind the Ace Hotel and countless retail stores from Goop to Heath Ceramics, its online shop is filled to the brim with unique housewares. One particularly smart product I recently noticed is this light socket shade for only $50. It’s made from perforated powder coated steel, comes in four colors, and can clip onto any G16 bulb. It's designed to be paired with the Commune Light Socket, which is offered in a whopping eighteen colorways. 

Protect Your Hands from Heat With Gohar World’s Pot Mitts

Oven mitts are an easy host gift, but how often do you come across a pair that’s actually worth gifting? Like most Gohar World products, these have a cheekiness to them; The bean shape is guaranteed to put a smile on the face of whoever is lucky enough to receive them. Looped hangers make them easy to display on a pegboard, because they’re way too wonderful to keep hidden away in a drawer. 

Make Eating Toast Even More Exciting

Smeg appliances are cute no matter what color, but the new Matte Jade Green Colorway is particularly striking. Exclusive to Crate & Barrel and offered in both the toaster and kettle, its oceany hue is a palate cleanser for your counter. 

Allow Sunfish to Grace You With its Presence

I can’t stop talking about the new-to-me furniture design studio Sunfish. Since launching in 2021, the duo has been creating pieces that honor simple materials and transparent construction methods. The tailored body of work includes carved white oak chairs, a lamp with stones as its base, an end grain coffee table, and more.  

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