People & Stories
Brittany: A reminder of good times in far away places...
... this towel serves as one kitchen's primary design feature.
Time spent in a kitchen: 20 months
Three words: Färgglad (colorful), special, babied
Softness In A New Home
Objects hold memories. This piece reminds us of the first home where we used it, in Sweden. Now that we're back in the US, it brings back good memories of times spent abroad and times spent with friends.
Not The Workhorse
I am the workhorse in my kitchen; my dishtowel is my ever loyal companion. And this one makes me happier to be there.
Design Element
Our dish towel is the pop of color in our otherwise neutral kitchen. While it serves the traditional purpose of drying dishes, it is most importantly our only design accessory in the most important room in our home.
Actually Works
Unlike our other towels, this towel is actually absorbent. We do use it but have hesitated to use it for really messy cleanups for fear of staining it. It’s priceless to us because of who made it. If we had purchased it, we would be equally as careful with it but it would still get used.
The Long Haul
I have to admit that we baby this dishtowel. We put it out for when guests come over and we are extra careful not to stain it. This towel has a story and we want to keep it around for as long as possible.
Richards: Maintaining peace and sanity in a busy family kitchen.
Time spent in a kitchen: 8 months
Three words: Vibrant , beautiful , soft
Dishtowels See a Lot of Love at Our House
But this towel is more colorful, softer, and more meaningful than regular dishtowels.
The Towel as Art
We love knowing that the absolute precision and thoughtfulness Heather puts into her weaving work is evident in such a functional and important item in our kitchen. We have had lots of opportunities to appreciate the artistry in both visual and functional ways.
A Case For Using It
It reminds me of a dear and treasured friendship.
Treasured. And...
I found myself saying things like, "Please don't step on the towel," or, "This towel is not for washing rocks or paintbrushes," because I do want to take good care of it so it lasts a long time.
I love that such a functional item can also be a work of art.
Katie: Stands up to the multiple demands of enthusiastic kids
Part of a set of sibling towels.
Time spent in a kitchen: 7 months
Four Words: Sturdy, beautiful, calming, a forever item
Multi-Purpose
Unlike other towels, this one is beautiful, useful and looks like we have never used it even though it is in the daily chaos. Also, it has served as a cape, a wig, a blanket, and a yoga mat.
Annoyance Be Gone!
My husband constantly leaves dish towels on the backs of chairs or over his shoulder. Usually I find it irritating but with this towel I forgive him because it is a gorgeous towel. I don't mind if he chooses to use it to spice up his look!
Love It Because...
... it doesn’t show the dirt and stain that inevitably are on it! It holds the spills, the remnants of cooking and the memory of each and every meal eaten in our kitchen. Also, I think of my solid friendship with Heather each time I use it, so it’s basically like Heather lives with us. :)
Beauty In The Use
Having three kids, I can’t imagine having things in our home that are not used. The beauty is the use! The towel is still just as aesthetically beautiful even after daily use, weekly laundry and many hands touching it.
Kristen: In direct competition for hardiest workhorse in the kitchen
It's opponent: the cast iron pan.
Time spent in a kitchen: 9 months
Three words: Pretty, absorbent, soft
Regular Rotation
I use it to dry my hands and dishes, and occasionally for cleaning counters.
Happiness
I was happy to see and use this towel. Instead of solely focusing on a task I was doing, the towel made me think of weaving and the artist.
Handwoven
There is something special about using objects that are made by hand.
Teamwork
It is possible to have a relationship with an object. My relationship with this towel is a partnership. We work together.
Hell's Kitchen: Named for the NYC neighborhood it has lived in since before the pandemic...
...this towel opens bottles of champagne like a boss.
Time spent in a kitchen: 8 months
Three words: Artisan, haptic, hygge
So Many Uses
Drying dishes, fingertips, holding hot pans, cookie sheets, oven racks and ice packs.
Different From the Usual
For a dish towel we typically go with the cheapest option that gets the job done - sturdy enough that it won't fall apart, but utilitarian in essence. Maybe a bright color? Otherwise unremarkable. This dish towel was none of that.
Tactile Luxury
I did have the thought, Too beautiful to use. At first. Then I found that it met the functional needs so nicely - not delicate in the way we have the preconceived notion that hand-made objects are (though it's often quite the opposite).
The mental hurdle is that dishtowels generally are not where I would invest in truly quality household linens. Bedding, bath towels - fabrics that have closer and more direct connection to our skin - that's where we want to feel luxury, or where we are more acutely aware of a textile's softness. So in that sense, the high quality hand woven dishtowel was an unexpected treat, in that I don't have the same expectations for tactile luxury in the kitchen.
The Go-To
This towel has been the favorite, the go-to. As soon as it is laundered, it's back on the oven grab bar, ready. It is a treat to reach for something so soft and quality-made. I don't think it has affected my views on cleaning though!
Donna: Adding pizazz to the place while conjuring up comfort and family history.
Time spent in a kitchen: 8 months
Four words: Cheery, absorbent, artistic, right-sized
Named For a Beloved Grandmother
I am Jessie, but this towel should be named for Donna, my grandmother. She loved making food for her family. She would often have a dishtowel swung on her shoulder to quickly wipe her hands after making a pie crust or some other floury dish.
Donna loved and collected the red Swedish dala horses. Those and antique egg beaters with little wooden red handles were displayed in the kitchen. This towel would have looked great in her kitchen, on her shoulder.
A Shift in Perspective
At first, I was gentle with the towel because I knew the labor involved in making it. I don't want the color to fade! I don't want a stain on it! But after I saw how it handled the first washing beautifully, it became a signature/staple of the kitchen. It is designed for frequent use in the most daily of rooms, so thinking of it as a fragile piece changed quickly.
Workhorse
Dishtowels get no say in what is wiped on them or when they are grabbed to clean an unexpected mess. It's a daily grind--almost nothing in their use is delicate (unless I'm drying a wine glass).
Relationships
There is so much symbolism in objects for most of us. I like cloth and textures. I like color. But this is definitely the first time I have had appreciation and care for a kitchen towel. And somehow it connects me to my grandma. Months after owning it, I still think of my her whenever I use it.
Art-At-Work
It is special and appreciated, but special in that its function is to be used, to be tactile, to be a part of my life, to assist me. Artwork and art-at-work.
Franco: A standout amongst all the dishtowels in the drawer
Time spent in a kitchen: 6 months
Three words: Plush, elegant, comforting
Honey, Where's That Towel?
I definitely always look for this specific towel when opening the towel drawer. The texture of the towel is very unique. Sometimes, I have hesitated in using it on messy areas in fear that I would have to toss it in the washer and couldn't use it for a while.
Second-In-Command
Dishtowels definitely work hard in my kitchen, but I would say my favorite knife is the workhorse in my kitchen.
Hot Shot at Pots
Besides being thick and absorbent, this towel is also better at handling hot dishes and pot handles.
More Than Just a Towel
The texture of this towel is richer than my other dishtowels--and they are also all white. This one is a beautiful green, somehow deeper in color, maybe because of the weaving process? Every time I use it, I feel as if I am wearing an elegant piece of clothing or accessory.
My Favorite Things
There are certain objects I do get attached to. I can see this making the list.
