Spirited in design and ethos, Roopa Pemmaraju is a sustainable, artisan-made lifestyle brand that upholds traditional techniques while taking cues from their roots in Australia, India and the US. They recently debuted their first-ever home collection which includes this vibrant throw pillow cover. Designed in Brooklyn and made in Bengaluru, this piece allures with naturally dyed hues of red and pink, a luscious fruity motif and silk velvet. It’s finished with ample fringing that adds to the bright panache.
Osaka, Japan-based candlemaker Olga Goose balances the cute with the off-kilter in a kind of Art Brut manner. This butterfly candle is no exception, with its cheerful face and bright colors. Entirely handmade, it promises a subtle fragrance and a vibrant look.
Buenos Aires-based brand Ramo Filos (which translates to “bouquet blades”) balances asado culture with traditional Japanese kitchenware to create elegant, one-of-a-kind knives. One such knife is the Nazarena, a take on the Japanese Nakiri, replete with full tang, 420 MOV stainless steel and an ash and coihue burl handle. With contrasting wood, marbled metal and a sharp silhouette, the Nazarena flows—both visually and literally while at use in one’s hand. It is, however, just one of the models available in the full Ramo Filos collection, which also includes the multipurpose chef’s knife Santiago, the agile Olga, the filet knife Yanina and many more.
Handmade in Lyon, France, these tiled floating shelves not only provide storage without taking up floor space, they also add color and whimsy to interiors. They’re available in various hues from pastel green to vintage yellow and crème, terracotta, orange, blue and more; buyers also have the option to choose grout color. Though they’re miniature (measuring 200 by 160 by 200mm), they’re as durable as they are charming thanks to a sturdy bottom made from agglomerated wood and a back which includes four thick stripes of heavy-duty tape that can hold up to 100kg.
Sold as a set of four (two green and two striped), these handmade coasters by Ugly Rugly are inspired by the hypnotic, blobby shape of amoebas. Delightful and mesmerizing, these pieces are made from 100% poly rope that is water-, UV- and mold resistant, ensuring the playful colors and space invader-shape endure through time.
Warsaw, Poland-based design studio Siup crafts fun, experimental lamps, vases and figurines. The Minty Bubble Lamp—with its calm pastel and unconventional, bulbous form—perfectly embodies whimsy. Handmade and one of a kind, this ceramic lamp (compatible with a 30W tungsten bulb) is replete with an on/off switch and pale pink cord. Price is in Euros.
Natasha Ghosn’s jewelry and fragrance line, MONDO MONDO, blends mythological inspiration and traditional craft with contemporary charm to make timeless pieces. The brand’s 14k yellow gold Mini Daisy studs are dainty (measuring about 6.5mm) with a vintage feel. The handcrafted pieces are sold as singles or in pairs.
These espresso cups with large, looping smiles make drinking coffee a touch more humorous. Sold in a set of four, they are hand-cast and hand-glazed in Brussels and are dishwasher safe. A yellow-tinged, graffiti-reminiscent smiley face embellishes each of these unique porcelain cups with character—and no two are exactly alike. Price is in Euros.
From Justine Clenquet’s eponymous brand (which she founded when she was 18, in 2010) comes the Honey Necklace, a brass piece dipped in palladium and pale 24k gold, designed and handmade in France. Contrasting traditionally masculine and feminine elements, silver and gold and chunky and loose chains, this 46cm necklace is a subversive take on a classic style. Price is in Euros.
Handmade in Richmond, Virginia, these incense cones are formulated with a smokey aroma, achieved using toasted pipe tobacco and rare oud wood, both lightened through the addition of Moroccan rose. Together, the sensuous combination crafts a romantic and evocative fragrance that’s rich without being cloying.
From Copenhagen-based Studio Arhoj and named after the Japanese flower, the porcelain Hana Vase collection is composed of hand-cast and -glazed vessels. The collection comprises three styles: the curvaceous and cylindrical Kiku; the round, full-bodied Ume; and the tubular Sakura. Each enchanting shape is available in small or large and in various vibrant colors. Price reflects the size small.
Made to order, each of these minimalist rings comprise a glass band upon which a transparent orb sits. Available in green, mustard, orange or yellow, this accessory is an elegant yet colorful everyday addition that enchants on its own or, for even more brightness, can be stacked with others.
From Brooklyn-based photographer and potterer Helen Levi, the Artist’s Spoon Crock is elevated without becoming impractical, whimsical without becoming kitsch. The stoneware vessel’s speckled rainbow pattern, coated in a clear glaze, adds color and flair to any kitchen.
Brooklyn-based artist and designer Piera Bochner’s Romanesco candle is a study in maximalism and eccentricity. Handcrafted by the artist, this beeswax candle is modeled after Romanesco broccoli in custom, spirited colorways. As the candle burns, the wax drips down unconventional paths, forming new color patterns and structures. An investigation into the multiplicity of wax, wick and fire as well as a functional art piece, Bochner’s candle illuminates in more ways than one.
Handmade by Toronto-based ceramic artist Julie Moon, this leaf-shaped pipe swirls with abstract patterns and subtle hues. Whether in use or on display, this pipe contributes a touch of whimsy.
Mriga Kapadiya and Amrit Kumar’s Bombay-based NorBlack NorWhite partnered with Diaspora Co (an equitable spice trade company that empowers 150 farms across India and Sri Lanka) on this vibrant, functional apron. Hand-dyed and screen-printed by NBNW’s team, each apron is fitted with deep pockets for handy storage and designed for machine washing. This classic style is uplifted by bright, sunset-inspired shades of yellow, orange and pink.
