This roundup of things we liked this week originally appeared in the August 15, 2024 edition of the Secret Strategist newsletter, a weekly email where we share the stuff our staff — plus a rotating cast of writers, design-world people, and various others with very good taste — would otherwise keep to themselves. If you want to get our picks straight to your inbox each week, sign up here.
Reath Design founder Frances Merrill’s rooms are so special and specific and instantly recognizable (she likes a painted floor, patterned fabrics, and colorful roller shades). We asked if she’d send a us a very general list of “items she’s excited about” right now, and she generously complied — filling us in on some very reasonable handwoven pillows and a handsome outdoor coffee table she uses inside. —Katy Schneider & Simone Kitchens
This Week’s List
* “I love the trippy graphic florals on 19th-century stick spatter, a.k.a. spatterware, a.k.a. sponge pottery. I scored a set of dishes on Live Auctioneers, but if you can’t wait and/or can’t be held responsible not to bid maniacally, then Etsy and eBay all have good options.”
* “Rietveld Originals x Hay Crate Table. I love this Gerrit Rietveld reproduction, especially in the iron-red color. We are living on the edge because we have it in our living room even though the copy specifically says “indoor use not recommended.” Every once in a while, I examine it for signs of what I am not sure, but it has been a year and so far so good.”
* “These Swedish candles called Grenljus are traditionally used at Christmas, but why not year-round?”
* “Los Castillo silver from Taxco, Mexico. Another recent Live Auctioneers rabbit hole that can also turn up on Etsy and eBay. I particularly love the pieces that mix silver with other materials like malachite or clay.”
* “We used vintage overshot bedspreads in our Cape Ann project, but Family Heirloom Weavers makes some great ones using vintage looms. Pillows also!”
* “Greta M. Grossman Gräshoppa floor lamp. A classic that is in my opinion a perfect standing lamp: clean lines, good colors, and ideal for reading. The olive brown and vintage red are especially pretty.”
* “I was recently at a dinner party and learned you can grow your own saffron — and harvest it with tweezers! Very excited to start this experiment once my pre-ordered bulbs ship in the fall. At the very least, I will have some pretty flowers for our table.”
* “I recommend listening to artist Kaffe Fassett on color via Ehrman’s website. He is the coolest. I am a hundred hours or so into this needlepoint kit, designed by Fassett, and am finding it super relaxing. It also comes with the added bonus of being able to commandeer the more comfortable TV-watching seat because I ‘need the good light.’”
* “These are my favorite Portuguese bath mats — they’re only $13. And now thanks to this Etsy seller you don’t have to go to Portugal to get them.”
The Strategist is designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read about here. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
