As a child, and now as an adult, there has never been a retail experience more thrilling to me than a visit to a good hardware store. The feeling of discovery, the sense that immense potential is everywhere and that solutions are within reach, is electrifying. Anyone who has found artistry in keeping house or soulfulness in home maintenance will know what I mean. As local hardware and specialty houseware stores with distinct perspectives become a thing of the past, most that remain have found their way online, inviting us to observe the props of domestic rituals that are not necessarily our own. In the final section of this piece are a few of the greatest hardware stores that are keeping the magic alive; each comes highly recommended by friends near and far. While nothing can replace the feeling of perusing the aisles yourself, I hope you will find this handheld version no less rewarding.
Office
O’Band Rubber Band Tin ($10)
Japan’s bestselling rubber bands since 1917.
From Japan by Kyowa.
L2.4 in.
Stainless Steel Waste Can (€179.00)
Restaurant-grade waste can with pedal operation and wheels.
From Germany by Skyrainbow.
L38 x W38 x H63 in.
Metal Tape Dispenser ($36.00)
The most ergonomic and effective tape dispenser on the market.
From Italy by Neighbour.
L6 x D2.25 in.
L-1 Desk Lamp ($373.44)
Iconic task light with clamp for easy placement on desk or nightstand.
From Norway by Luxo.
L104 x W16 x D16
Stainless Steel Multipurpose Shears ($89.99)
Excellent German shears.
From Germany by Zwilling J.A. Henckels.
L20 cm
Industrial chalk (€6.42)
Industrial chalk for marking on construction sites and woodsheds.
From France by Maison Empereur.
L110 mm
Hardware
Stas Zipper ($4.87)
Stas Zipper Mechanism for hanging art over tile, windows, or finishes you do not want to put a hole into.
From USA by STAS.
Various sizes.
Handcrafted Brass Sasso Coat Hanger (Inquire for pricing)
Oval hat hanger with hook; also ideal for tote bags.
From Italy by Poignee Fabrique Creative.
W66 x D66 x H73 mm.
Atticus Radiator (€239.95)
Extra tall, totemic, English radiator, reminiscent of a classical column.
From England by Milano.
Various sizes.
Egg Knob Door Handle (€83.95)
Timeless yet unusual egg-form knob.
From Sweden by E A Næsman & Co.
H55 mm.
Classic Pull Handle in Nickel-Plated Brass (€13.95)
Drawer or cabinet door pull with four-screw fastening.
From Sweden by Sekelskifte.
L92mm.
Porcelain Door Knob (€14.35)
These knobs, which are ubiquitous in French houses, can skew Bauhaus or more classic.
From France by Merigous.
W16 x D8 x H20.8 cm.
Home
Acrylic & Chrome Folding Chairs ($73.99)
Translucent, acrylic, and metal folding chairs with a ubiquitous 1970s design.
From USA by VINGLI.
W18.7 x D18.7 X H29 in.
Directoire Candlestick Table Lamp (Inquire for pricing)
Restrained directoire-style candlestick table lamp; ideal for a mantel or hallway table.
From England by Vaughan Designs.
W5 x D5 x H15 in.
2L Cabbage with Lobsters ($855.00)
Ceramic cabbageware tureen with lobster-form adornment.
From Portugal by Bordallo Pinheiro.
L310 x W312 x H216 mm.
Wick Trimmer (€28.00)
Elegant wick trimmer for the obsessively precise candle fanatic.
From France by Diptyque.
W2.4 x D1.3 x H6.9 in.
Glass Paneled Salt and Pepper Shaker ($1.67)
Diner-grade salt and pepper shaker.
From USA by Tablecraft.
L1.63 x H3 in.
Vintage Gibson Nesting Bowls (Inquire for pricing)
Nesting China mixing bowls with double blue stripe.
From USA by Gibson.
Various sizes.
Appliances
Pro 300 ($1,799.00)
Top-tier espresso machine with milk steamer for domestic use.
From Germany by Profitec.
W255 x D415 x H385 mm.
Grill Toaster with Quartz Radiators (€199.00)
Multi-function grill toaster favored by private chefs for its durability, cleanability, evenness, and speed.
From Italy by Milantoast.
W33 x D23 X H25 cm.
128/168 FFL/1 Steel Column for Oven, Fridge, and Dishwasher (€7,780.00)
Combined oven, fridge, and dishwasher unit on legs.
From Italy by Alpes Inox.
W128 x D64 x H168 cm.
Mini Home Ice Cream Maker (€657.30)
The Ferrari of ice cream makers; perfect scale for countertop.
From Italy by Musso Lussino.
W45 x D30 x H27 cm.
GA 20/100-A Extractor Unit (€2,205.76)
Highly effective extractor hood with mesh panel; perfect for an industrial “look’; does not require additional casing and can be mounted exposed.
From Italy by Alpes Inox.
W100 x D20 x H30 cm.
Bath
Double Washbasin ($12,560.66)
Extraordinary double sink, ideally installed in the center of a bathroom; designed by Luigi Colani for Villeroy & Boch.
From Germany by Villeroy & Boch.
W130 x D115 x H200 cm.
Toothbrush CS 1246 ($8.95)
Velvet Smart toothbrushes available in beautiful colors for differentiation among households or personal variety.
From Switzerland by Curaprox.
Cotton Bath Mat (€1,000.00)
The most beautiful French bath mat in cotton; original Art Deco design.
From France by La Manufacture Cogolin.
L100 x W60 mm.
Waxed Receptacle Liners ($35.46)
Waxed brown paper liners for woven or decorative waste bins that get occasional use.
From USA by JBS Supply.
W7.5 x D3 x 10H in.
Stainless Steel Toilet Brush Holder ($125.00)
Pure and elegant wall-mounted toilet brush in steel.
From Denmark by d line.
W79 x D79 x H400 mm.
Sun Shower Curtain in Honey ($42.00)
Amber vinyl translucent shower curtain to make your bathroom glow.
From USA by Quiet Town.
W72 x H72 in.
Storage
Oval Wood Shaker Box with Handle ($134.00)
Shaker style box with handle; nice scale for hobby supplies.
From USA by Boston General Store.
L11 x W8 x H4 in.
Float Shelving System (Inquire for pricing)
Modular shelving system with substantial glass shelves.
From Italy by 6:AM.
W32 x D240 x H188 cm.
Trunk Shape Toolbox ($38.00)
These Japanese toolboxes have remained essentially unchanged since 1969.
From Japan by TOYO STEEL.
L7.5 x W4 x H2 in.
Stockholm Letter Box (Steel Blue) ($12.99)
Elegant cardboard boxes in light blue available in multiple sizes; ideal for office organization.
From Sweden by Bigso.
L13.88 x W10.38 x H3.38 in.
Aluminum Perforated Sheet Pan ($22.49)
To be paired with PR10-3W Sheet Pan rack.
From USA by Advance Tabco.
Various sizes.
Handled Bamboo Lunch Basket ($99.00)
Stackable, handled lunch basket.
From Japan by 1basketry.
Various sizes.
Surfaces
BR Rubber Flooring Tiles (Inquire for pricing)
Rubber flooring tiles with molded, round studding from an original 1920s Pirelling design; as seen at Pierre Chareau’s Maison de Verre.
From USA by Activa Rubber Flooring.
L500 x w500 mm.
Single Square of Braided Seagrass ($5.00)
Woven rush rugs in a pleasing geometric grid pattern, made of individual tiles sewn together; tiles can be swapped out upon the inevitable “accident”; order extra tiles!
From USA by Rush House
L12 x W12 in.
Vinyl Back Entry Mat in Red (Inquire for pricing)
Natural matting for entry carpet in distinctive red color.
From USA by Coco Mats N More.
Custom sizing.
Jute Burlap Wallpaper (Inquire for pricing)
This is the plain ground of Stud Stripe and Colton Chevron.
Custom sizing.
Pampelonne Rug in Raphia (Inquire for pricing)
Refined tatami-inspired raffia rugs, handmade in France with a subtle pattern; favored by grande dames and fashion cognoscenti.
From France by La Manufacture Cogolin.
Custom sizing.
Hibiscus Blossom Wall Tile ($24.00/sq. ft.)
This wall tile shows an unopened White Hibiscus Trionum blossom, printed from an original hand-painted work by artist Pilar Almon.
Custom sizing.
Decor
Piemonte Oval Double Frame ($523.00)
Classic pewter double oval frame.
From Italy by Match.
W12.1 x H8.2 in.
Servento Screen (Inquire for pricing)
Practical screen designed by Achille Castiglioni in the 1980s, still in production.
From Italy by Zanotta.
L150 x H66 cm.
Stool 60 Villi (Inquire for pricing)
Stool 60 Villi, designed in collaboration with Formafantasma, features natural markings such as wood knots and the trails left by colonizing insects, highlighting the impact of climate change and industrialization of the forest.
Available in a wide variety of colors and finishes.
W38cm x H44cm.
Lincoln Logs 100th Anniversary Tin ($49.99)
Engaging toy presented in its re-editioned original tin on its 100th anniversary; designed by John Lloyd Wright (Frank Lloyd Wright’s son).
From USA by Lincoln Logs.
W11.25 x H13 in.
A Nastro Bottiglia Vase ($446.00)
Hand-blown vase by esteemed Venetian maestro.
From Italy by Yali Glass.
W11 x H17 cm.
Garden
Niki de Saint Phalle Nana Inflatable ($400.00)
Pool toy designed by Niki De Saint Phalle; suitable for interior decor as well.
From USA by Marlo Plastics.
Matte Silver Watering Can ($127.00)
Glorious silver-plated watering can for the most discerning gardener.
From France by Le Prince Jardinier.
L34 x H24 cm.
Classic Clog in Varsity Red ($49.00)
The most comfortable clog in the world; easy to clean, biodegradable, favored by restaurant workers.
From USA by Crocs.
Various sizes.
Bamboo English Pin Umbrella (€229.00)
Luxurious yet subtle black umbrella with bamboo handle by legendary Neapolitan maker.
From Italy by Mario Talarico.
H63cm.
Black Sun and Moon Kenzan ($38.99)
Versatile and useful combination ikebana kenzan for flower arranging; useful for Western-style arrangements as well.
From Japan by Wazakura.
L93 x W59 x H21 mm.
Textile
Fruits Tablecloth (Inquire for pricing)
Restrained, yet no less joyful. A tablecloth embroidered with fruits.
From Switzerland by Ebneter & Biel.
L370 x W180 cm.
Herringbone Wool Blanket ($199.00)
The perfect washable wool bed blanket for making beds the old-fashioned way; less useful with a duvet.
From USA by L.L.Bean.
Various sizes.
“Riga Gemma” Napkin (€27.05)
Exquisite textiles handwoven in the Dolomites with unusual patterns.
From Italy by Chiarastella Cattana.
L20 x W20 in.
Linen Flowers Doily (Inquire for pricing)
Darling hand-embroidered doily or coaster from iconic Swiss shop.
From Switzerland by Ebneter & Biel.
W10 cm.
“Gea” Tea Towel (€27.87)
Exquisite textiles handwoven in the Dolomites with unusual patterns.
From Italy by Chiarastella Cattana.
L31.5 x W25.5 in.
Platters Table Covering ($150.00/yard)
Fabric by the yard by artist Betty Woodman in collaboration with the Fabric Workshop and Museum.
From USA by Betty Woodman x FWM.
W56in.
Window
Upholstering Trimming II (Inquire for pricing)
18th-century-style curtain tie-backs exquisitely made by hand.
From France by Passementerie Verrier.
Custom sizing.
Sudare Blinds (Inquire for pricing)
Classic Japanese sudare blinds made from bamboo in a variety of distinctive patterns.
From Japan by Kawasaki Sudare.
Custom sizing.
Brass Tassel Sinker (Inquire for pricing)
Perfect for the end of a curtain pull or even as a keychain.
From Italy by Poignee Fabrique Creative.
W37 x D37 x H75 mm.
Printed Curtain in Osterley Teal (€150.00)
Printed Curtain in Osterley Teal.
Charming, premade, floral-printed curtain.
From France by Simrane.
L250 x W110 cm.
Stores
C. Adolph
Savignyplatz 3
10623 Berlin, Germany
030-313-8044 / 030-313-8045
c-adolph.de
Baller Hardware
2505 Hyperion Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90027
(323) 665-4149
doitbest.com/ballerhardware.com
P.E. Guerin
23 Jane St
New York, NY 10014
(212) 243-5270
peguerin.com
Ditta Francesco Paolucci
Via di Montoro, 5
00186 Roma RM, Italy
+39 06-681-34625
turismoroma.it
Nacka Byggnadsvärd AB
Eknäsvägen 2
132 4 Saltsjö-Boo, Sweden
+46 8-556-609-9
nackabyggnadsvard.se
Terue-Tokyo
1 Chome-5-10 Nishiasakusa
Taito City, Japan
+81 3-3844-4511
La Beppa
Salizada San Francesco, 3166
30122 Venezia VE, Italy
+39 041-522-6968
visit-venice-italy.com
Legatoria Polliero Venezia
Campo dei Frari, 2995
Venezia VE, Italy 30125
Lejeune Frères
209 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine
Paris, France 75011
+33 1-43-72-99-26
lejeunefreres.com
Janvier Gruson Prat Company
3 Rue de Saintonge
Paris, France 75003
+33 1-42-72-14-11
artmetal-framex.com
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