It makes sense that West Elm and Pottery Barn are owned by the same parent company. If West Elm is where young city dwellers go to furnish their first apartments, Pottery Barn is where they end up when they have kids and move to the burbs.
While my age and living arrangements put me firmly in the latter category, my aesthetic belongs more to the former. I prefer small spaces and modern, more playful pieces, and I like to support makers and craftspeople—all of which aligns with West Elm’s ethos.
Here are 11 small storage picks, many made by artisans, from West Elm.
Above: These Rustic Hooks, by New York–based Monroe Trades, are hand-assembled from half-inch pipes, then finished and distressed; $18 each. Above: A Remodelista favorite for carrying casseroles, baked goods, and other dishes that need to remain upright, the Culinary Tote Bag by Aplat is made of organic cotton and salvaged denim and sewn by a team of women in San Francisco; $50 to $64, depending on the color. Above: These Crinkle Baskets have the appearance of Kraft paper but are actually made from a durable reinforced paper that is washable. Use them to corral office essentials—or as planters! They come in brown (shown) and gray; $2 to $13. (See 10 Easy Pieces: Washable Paper Bags for Storage.) Above: Keep your tablet or cookbook clear of spills and splatters with the handcrafted Marble Cookbook Stand; $29. Above: These Woven Seagrass Baskets feel distinctly modern on account of their simple lines and black hue; $20 to $55. Above: We first spied the Copper Wire Kitchen Paper Towel Rack in situ here. The playful wall-mounted piece is $19. (See 10 Easy Pieces: Wall-Mounted Paper Towel Holders in Stainless Steel.) Above: Proof that even the most practical of objects can be interesting when thoughtfully designed. These colorful Toilet Paper Holders by LA-based designer Eric Trine are $38 each. (See 12 Creative —and Easy—DIY Toilet Paper Holders.) Above: A mirror, three hooks, and a shelf all in one entryway set. The steel Entryway Mirror and Hooks is $199.99. (See 10 Easy Pieces: All-in-One Entryway Stations.) Above: Here’s another design by an LA maker. The Hand-Shaped Leather Trays by Made Solid are crafted using traditional Western saddle-making techniques; $32 to $55 each. Above: The stainless-steel, rust-proof Wire Mesh Hanging Double Shelf is perfect in a bath, entryway, or kid’s room; $99. Above: I usually find labels on bins a little hokey, but the modern font on these stoneware Utility Kitchen Canisters is pleasing; $19 to $39 each. (See 7 Favorites: Classic Glass Pantry Storage Jars.) For similar stories, see:
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