BRIGHTEN UP YOUR KITCHEN
When domestic scientist CYNTHIA KLING went searching for colorful tools to add a little humor and fun to kitchen drudgery, she discovered that some clever industrial designers had been making products with exactly the same thought in mind. Check out her finds.
[ cleaning stuff ]
a sense of humor will definitely
lighten this load
The Spoon Sisters
These gloves are perfect for the ab-fab kitchen types.
Designer Dish Gloves, $36
boston warehouse
This rockin' guy is recyclable when he gets old and tired.
Sud Green Scrubber, $11
casabella
Another option for cheery scrubbers.
Casabella Dish Scrubber, $4.19
renova
What's the point of grandmothery paper towels when you can get them in slammin' colors like shocking pink, neon orange or taxi yellow?
Renova Paper Towels, $10.44
full circle
The perfect brush—strong, sexy and hard-working.
Full Circle Grunge BusterGrout & Tile Brush, $8.99
[ food prep & tools ]
good design always works better
fred & friends
Dry measure cups designed as traditional Russian Dolls: Kind of clever, right?
M-Cups Red Measuring Matryoshkas, $13.93 & up
boston warehouse
Shouldn't spoon rests be silly?
Fabulous Flip Flops Spoon Rest, $10.99
architec
These mid-century modern cutting boards are knife friendly so they'll never dull your blade.
Gripper Cutting Board, $14.99
now designs
These mitts come up to your elbow. How practical is that?
Now Designs Red Bold Stripe Oven Mitt, $6.95
connected goods
These cups are a sweet way to organize small tools.
Hand Painted Enamel Floral Tumblers Set, $40
joseph joseph
This is either a perfectly designed mortar and pestle or a tiny sculpture.
Orb Pestle and Mortar, $28.99 & up
pure komachi 2
Totally slick, but most importantly, they're great knives.
8-Piece Knife Set, $76.95 & up
animal house
Since this tool is always flying out of the drawer, it makes sense that it should be a bird.
Bluebird Corkscrew, $10.14 & up
animal house
This toucan opener, with stainless steel cutting blades, puts his head to good use.
Toucan Opener, $14.18 & up[ table top ]
liven it up with these
inexpensive ideas
furnish
This clever vase is a great way to re-use empty wine bottles and make an instant arrangment.
Bottle Vase, $10
mydrap
These 100% cotton dinner napkins, in sophisticated colors, come on a roll. Tear them off, reuse and recycle as needed.
Napkins on a Roll, $16.49 & up
paul smith
These colorful bowls are the perfect example of industrial design for the kitchen table.
Paul Smith Bowls, $51 & up
patina
Intricate lace that happens to be vinyl is pretty great for spills. Even better, at $1.95 each, you can get a couple of colors and layer them.
Blue Vinyl Placemat, $1.95
Amco Houseworks
This hot spoon rest demands to be in the dining room.
Stiletto Spoon Rest, $14.99[ storage ]
easy-on-the-eye upgrades
doron lachisch
Doron Lachisch's polypropylene shelving is incredibly strong, stable and a great way to get it all organized.
Cubitec Shelving, $55-$265
emma bridgewater
Why not fill your kitchen with love?
Pink Hearts Biscuit Barrel, $38
zak!
Stackable canisters with silicone seal tops make total sense and keep the little critters out.
Zak! Stackable Canisters, $7.99 & up
emma bridgewater
These are indispensable for any baker.
Starry Skies Cake Tins Set, $82
west elm
A lacquer finish adds a rich hit of color on these rectangular tins.
Rectangular Biscuit Tins, $9 & up
