Each year we gather the suggestions of dozens of designers, architects, makers, curators, and other creatives into an annual guide focused on accessible Everyday Objects.
We’re interested in the objects that occupy our daily lives and last for years or even decades because they’re best in class at doing their simple daily tasks.
The fourth annual Everyday Objects guide includes delightfully straightforward objects that are useful, purposeful, and often magically mundane.
Handwashing Device, 吊り手水
Submitted by LILY CLARK
I'm constantly getting my hands dirty so I'm always using it between tasks to quickly clean. I love the fact that there's a tiny point of contact to release the water (rather than a sink with a handle that would inevitably get caked in residue). Plus, it doesn't take up any counter space since it hangs from the ceiling.
Vintage Bernard Pliers
Submitted by BRENDAN RAVENHILL of RAVENHILL STUDIO
Alexander Calder's choice of pliers, with built in cutters and the ability to apply an even, vice-like pressure. Their unique utility comes from parallel jaws that operate through a simple but ingenious triple pivot joint. They can grip and flatten wire and serve as a handy alternative to an adjustable wrench.
Hoechtmass Pocket Tape Measure
Submitted by ESOTERIC SURVEY
The Hoechstmass Rollfix was designed by Klaus Krebs in 1976. It does what it needs to do in a tight little package, retracts, and is easy to put in your pocket. Plus, they’re still made in Germany.
Vintage Brass & Steel Scissors
Submitted by HOUSE OF HONEY
Oversized hand-forged scissors blend meticulous craftsmanship with function. Every desk, shelf, or counter gets a playful touch of luxe with a vintage pair of brass and steel shears, which can double as a paperweight.
Tea Spoon
Submitted by LITTLE WING LEE
I bought it years ago and I use it everyday. I gave up coffee and now drink black and green tea in the morning. I love this spoon because of the beauty of the traditional Japanese hammering technique and the patina of the brass. The shape of the bowl forces you to slow down and carefully scoop the tea into your mug.
Natural Wool Sea Sponge
Submitted by CHANTAL ANDERSON
So much to love about this sponge. It’s a perfect gentle exfoliator, feels great in the hand and is lovely to look at.
Iced Tea Spoon
Submitted by JILL SINGER
Basically the Virginia Slims of flatware. I love kitchen implements that are slightly off in terms of size, and I use these iced tea spoons for just about everything. They're long and elegant, they make even yogurt feel fancy. I have standard issue ones from Crate & Barrel, but it's fun to hunt down vintage midcentury ones.
Bascal Italian Aluminum Cups
Submitted by MARGIE GARRISON OF RAVENHILL STUDIO
There's no better beach cup. The Italians have known since the 1960s how to keep your rosé ice cold with these oxidized aluminum cups. Plus the faded vintage tones are mwah.
Dangle Supply Bong
Submitted by LAURA YOUNG
I'm not a perfect person, nor do we live in a perfect world...this bong brings me joy and helps me forget, it's also totally idiot proof and easy to clean.
Paint Brush
Submitted by DANIEL DOORECK
It's a very simple, crappy brush I've used for 4 years and has painted almost every cup in my company.
Vintage Heath Ashtray
Submitted by ANAND SHETH
The V-shaped grooves are designed to hold your cigarette without letting it tip into the bowl. In the 60s when these were most popular, the Seattle Fire Marshal dubbed the ashtrays “safety” ashtrays and required public buildings in the city to use them. As an architect myself, recalling how much has changed over the last 60 years reminds me to consider how much will change over the next 60.
Domke Wrap
Submitted by GRETA RYBUS
I’ve used Domke protective wraps for my camera gear since college, they even let me wrap up my camera and carry it in a beach bag or tote. I have about half a dozen of them and use them to easily wrap up anything that needs a little extra gentleness.
Jicaras Mezcaleras
Submitted by ASTRID DIEHL of CADA ESTUDIO
To organize nuts and bolts during an assembly day but also to serve mousse au chocolat to my guests or just drink mezcal after work.
Knipex Plier Wrench
Submitted by BEC BRITTAIN
It's like a much more elegant crescent wrench, mixed with a really nice pair of non-marring pliers. Expensive and worth it.
Cardholder
Submitted by KRISTA MILEVA-FRANK
The art of losing isn't hard to master, so I've learned that I need a tactile reminder of where my ID and other cards are. This cardholder features a cute and slightly monstrous ant on a picnic blanket, & is also a great way to start conversations with cashiers and farmer's market vendors.
Engraved Fine Tip Tweezers
Submitted by LEXIE PARK of EAT NÜNCHI
Good for precision or just simply moving things around on a plate. These are an extension of my hands.
Fountain Pen
Submitted by MIMI ZEIGER
This fountain pen was given to me for my bat mitzvah. I used it for years, then forgot about it until recently when I found it in a box in my parent’s basement. I polished up the silver, cleaned the nib, inserted a new ink carriage, and it was good to write another day.
Tapmaster
Submitted by ISAAC RESNIKOFF of PROJECT ROOM
I'm in love with the Tapmaster, and we're putting it in all our projects. More low-tech than a gesture controlled touchless faucet — and much more useful — the Tapmaster is installed in the kick below your kitchen sink. It lets you use significantly less water than you'd otherwise use to wash the dishes, and wash your hands without spreading germs. Plus, it makes a pretty cool party trick!
Lawrence & Sons Roller
Submitted by KYLE SIMON of FARRINGTON PRESS
These rollers are so beautiful, every time I use them it feels like I’m waving a magic wand over my work. If I was going to be made into an Edward Scissor Hands-like creature, these are what I would like to have for my hands.
Quarter Sheet Pan
Submitted by ERIC TRINE
Given the prompt, it's the first thing that popped in my mind. I didn't give it a second thought. That is precisely the point, I believe, in a good everyday object - you don't think twice about it.
Stanley 25' Tape Measure
Submitted by NATALIE MYERS
I carry it around with me and end up using it daily, verifying site conditions, triple checking for furnishings, and even as a physical real world reference as I am designing digitally. I would feel naked without it.
Stainless Steel Rotary Herb Mill
Submitted by VICTORIA SMITH
There's something really joyful and satisfying about picking some herbs from my garden and then grinding them up into spreads, over fish like salmon, or adding fresh herbs to pasta sauce. I found this one a long time ago, and they're hard to come by, but you can sometimes find them second-hand on eBay, and they're well worth it. Such a fun little tool!
Toilet Paper Holder
Submitted by JAYE BUCHBINDER
We made these super simple toilet paper holders for Emeco House and they are perfect form and function. I love that they demonstrate craft in an object typically overlooked (of course with the exception of the incredible Marta exhibition a few years back.)
Alessi Juicer by Philippe Starck
Submitted by JONATHAN BURFORD
This "juicer" sits on our kitchen counter, as a reminder that you can be beautiful and completely useless.
Mat
Submitted by Nicole Katz of PAPER CHASE PRESS
It is, by far, the absolute thickest and most comfortable mat I have ever used. It's also insanely durable, I have used it almost everyday for the last 5 years and there's not a single sign of wear or tear.
Beach Stone Coasters
Submitted by ANDREW ROMANO
Sculptural, practical, sentimental. I always have one on my desk. When my kids and I go to the beach we like to look for stones tumbled flat by the sea. (So far Rincon has been our happiest hunting ground.) Back home we put felt pads on the bottom and use them as coasters.
