British craftsman Nic Webb sees the spoon "as a humble object that serves us every day." He has, however, managed to turn the humble object into a work of art. Salvaging wood from trimmed trees in London parks, Webb uses traditional tools and methods to carve his elegant spoons. His organic approach means that he looks to the character and grade of the wood to dictate the design, so every piece is a unique work. Prices start at £80 (no small amount); however, think of each spoon as a piece of art that can be used for a lifetime. Go to Nic Webb for more information.
Last week's Hotels, Lodging & Restaurants: Hotel Saint Cecilia in Austin got us thinking about design in Texas; on our wish list of shops to visit is Spartan, which offers a range of not-seen-everywhere essentials (and nonessentials) for the home.
N.B. For a tour of owner Currie Person's home, go to Design Sponge.
Above: A selection of domestic offerings, including the Raw Clock by Stanley Ruiz of solid maple, aluminum, and hand-cut leather; $230.
Above: Oddly appealing Spanish Wine Glasses; $6 each and only 2.25 inches tall (my most stylish friend in San Francisco uses these).
Above: Wood House Models from My House Party; "a small piece of modern perfection complete with low maintenance air plant and without a mortgage." Prices range from $12 to $26; contact Spartan for ordering information.
Bavaria-based Dibbern was founded in 1965 with a mission to combine "traditional arts and crafts with modern contemporary design." To this day, most of the company's finely detailed bone china tableware is turned by hand. We particularly like Dibbern's Solid Color Collection, which looks to the Bauhaus period for its shape and form. The line is available in a dizzying array of 37 colors (from somber tones to vibrant hues) and can be purchased online at Not Just White in the UK; Plates begin at £12.26, and Cups start at £19.72.
N.B. In the US, Dibbern's Solid-Colored Tableware can be ordered from Gumps in San Francisco; contact Gumps Tabletop Department directly.
Whenever we peruse the sites of high-end European specialist kitchen makers, we find ourselves admiring the built-in drawer storage units (such as the SieMatic drawer, shown below). For the DIYers among us, we've rounded up a selection of modular drawer components that allow you to instantly organize kitchen utensils, knives, and spices.
Above: We like Rebecca Matheson's (of All Said & Done) Rajtan Spice Jars, which fit in standard-sized drawers; $2.99 for a four-pack at Ikea.
Above: Our lucky UK readers can turn to Graham's Kitchen Components for an array of interior drawer unit options, such as the Beech Nova Drawer Insert with compartments for cutlery, knife, and spice storage; £118.
