We did the digging for you and found Alessi, Smeg, an Aalto vase, and more good design buried among piles of perishable furniture.
Admittedly, looking for furniture and other home goods at multi-brand retailer Wayfair can be a bit of a struggle. But it’s important to remember that much like everything else in life, there’s often something good amidst a large, heaping pile of bad, if you just spend some time, use your eyes, and look.
The rewards you reap for due diligence are plentiful: There are some proverbial diamonds in the rough, including sexy Italian housewares from Alessi, perky prints from Marimekko, and every possible iteration of retro kitchen appliances from Smeg. Good design is good design, regardless of its provenance, so take a look at the things we’ve surfaced. (Fun fact: Some of these picks are on sale as a part of Wayfair’s Way Day, a celebration of discounts on home goods for two days only.)
Alessi
Alessi Objets-Bijoux Blip Spoon Rest
[TAG1]Sinuous shapes for an elegant, functional object: Blip is the spoon rest designed to cradle spoons and ladles of different lengths and sizes. The name alludes onomatopoeically to the wave from a drop in water.
Alessi Stainless Steel Whistling Bird Kettle
[TAG2]The Graves kettle, with a bird-shaped whistle, is one of the best-selling Alessi objects in the world. The design of this kettle, created by Michael Graves in 1985, mixes the influences taken from European art, American pop, and quotes from pre-Columbian cultures. Graves's unique visual language is the reason behind the extraordinary success that the kettle has had since the year of its production. It is a smart object, elegant, but at the same time playful and fun: when the water starts boiling, the bird sings, leading to an inevitable smile.
Alessi Anna G. Corkscrew
[TAG3]The Anna G. corkscrew designed by Alessandro Mendini is an ironic tribute to a real woman whose smiling face has become a cult item over the years, resulting in a large collection of tableware and kitchen objects.
Alessi's sterling reputation is hardly a secret, and now, the cat’s really out of the bag, because you can find the brand’s stuff on Wayfair. The Italian design shop has been around since 1921, and their metalwork is world renowned for its sinuous curves and inventive design. If you’re not familiar, try and imagine the sexiest flatware you’ve ever seen or a corkscrew with a sense of humor, and you’ll have a pretty good idea of what Alessi does.
Fatboy
Fatboy Carpretty Black/White Indoor/Outdoor Rug
[TAG4]The majestic Carpretty Grand Frame easily transforms your room, terrace, or patio into a distinctive space. The sturdy, durable material gives it a robust look, but secretly, Carpretty is a real softie. Because of the way it's woven, the carpet feels wonderfully soft under your feet.
Fatboy Sumo 118.5'' Upholstered Sofa
[TAG5]As soon as you see it, there can't be any doubt: it's a Fatboy sofa. The Sumo sofa series is soft, strong, tough, and stylish. Overly generous too, immediately making its design iconic. The Sumo sofa was inspired by a collection of cushions but put together cleverly. This modular lounge sofa will transform your living room into your favorite hangout. A loveseat or a sofa of record-breaking length? Assemble your ultimate Sumo sofa or choose a fixed set and relax.
Fatboy Bolleke 8" Battery Powered Integrated LED Outdoor Hanging Light
[TAG6]Cordless, portable, and rechargeable. Creating light wherever you like! The basic design gives all the elementary components the opportunity to flourish. For example, when illuminated, the iconic round shape resembles a pearl. Thanks to its even contours, Bolleke creates uniform light in any space. Light is equally distributed throughout the entire lamp. A technology specially designed by Fatboy. Comes in a set of 2.
The Dutch design company makes elevated outdoor and indoor furniture that brushes the hem of neotenic design without actually embodying it in full: think puffy bean bags for outdoor use and marshmallow-y sofas. Fatboy’s offerings on Wayfair include some fantastic outdoor lighting and a graphic indoor-outdoor rug that skews Scandi, but would work in any setting.
Marimekko
Marimekko Pieni Tiiliskivi 100% Cotton Percale Sheet Set
[TAG7]Bring new style to your bedroom with a printed sheet set featuring an iconic Marimekko motif. Known for its bold colors and prints, you are sure to find the perfect one to brighten your bedroom. Crisp cotton percale provides a comfortable sleeping surface to lull you to bed. The yarns on a percale sheet are woven in a one-over, one-under pattern, which results in a more durable construction that leaves plenty of room for air to pass in and out. Every sheet will get softer after each wash for lasting comfort. The fully elasticized fitted sheet features premium elastic installed all around to keep the fitted sheet in place and the set is machine washable for easy care.
Marimekko Ajo 100% Cotton Percale Sheet Set
[TAG8]Bring a new style to your room with a new sheet set from Marimekko. The Ajo sheet set features a bold stripe design, while the soft color makes the pattern feel dreamy and fresh. Soft cotton provides a soft and comfortable sleeping surface. The sheet set is machine washable and easy to care for.
Of all the prints that exist in the wild and wooly world of bedding, Marimekko’s Technicolor florals are riotously cheerful without being aggressive. The Finnish brand’s signature poppies liven up even the darkest of bedrooms, but don’t sleep (ha ha!) on their graphic stripes—the black and white set is minimalism for maximalists, while the red and white set is a delightful take on subway tile but for textiles. Innovative! Fresh! On Wayfair!
Yamazaki Home
Yamazaki Home Leaning Ladder Rack, Steel
[TAG9]Keep often-used articles of clothing and accessories close at hand in the master suite with the help of this on-trend blanket ladder. Crafted from wood and steel. Five rungs offer plenty of space for you to display totes, scarves, towels, jeans, and more, while a pair of prongs up top help keep this piece popped up. No wall mounting required.
Yamazaki Home Umbrella Stand
[TAG10]More than just a spot to set your rainy-day essentials, this umbrella stand lends artful appeal to your entryway. Showcasing an openwork block design, it's sure to draw the eye with its distinctive appearance that enhances the look of contemporary and classic spaces alike. Measuring 16.9'' H x 5.9'' W x 5.9'' D overall, its clean-lined steel frame showcases a versatile solid hue. It's also resistant to water damage.
Yamazaki Home Steel And Ceramic Pet Food Stand
[TAG11]Finally, a pet food bowl you won’t mind looking at day after day. Chic ceramic bowls, a minimalist frame, and non-scratch padded feet. Two paws up for cats and small dogs. Pet food bowl and stand: Satisfy your cat or small dog's hunger and thirst and your sense of style. The ceramic bowls fit neatly into the sturdy metal frame, and padded feet help keep the stand in place. The modern, sleek design matches your aesthetic, while the elevation and capacity will offer your little feline and canine friends the perfect meal time. Non-toxic materials: The ceramic bowls are microwave safe and free of lead and other toxins.
Sometimes the best home decor item is the one that whispers instead of shouts. For this specific need, Yamazaki Home rises to the occasion beautifully. Think Muji but all grown up, and you’ll automatically understand what we’re working with here: simple and elegant storage solutions that wrangle the mess and clutter of a life well-lived into some semblance of organized chaos. Replace the clothing chair in your bedroom with a ladder rack and give your umbrellas a home that isn’t the floor by the front door.
Blu Dot
Blu Dot Open Plan Bookcase
[TAG12]The trick is there is no trick. What you see is all you need. The bookcase is about functional space that celebrates a single material and elevates your materials reading and otherwise. Back it up against a sofa, use it along a wall, or float it.
Blu Dot Deep Thoughts Leather Lounge Chair
[TAG13]Leather-wrapped contours form a relaxing position that equally invites introspection and socialization. The contrasting lumbar pillow slides to be where you want it and the blackened steel base provides all the support needed to start your journey of taking a damn load off.
Blu Dot Hot Mesh Lounge Chair
[TAG14]Sun's out, fun's out. A sumptuous seat that can handle the heat. Punched metal creates a bold graphic pattern that invites looks and sits. A simple, stackable tubular frame keeps the form crisp and the vibe easily breezy. Works its magic indoors or out.
Started by two architects and a sculptor, Blu Dot’s furnishings are modern without being inaccessible–the sort of chair that looks as good as it feels, with little frills, muss or fuss. The brand’s outdoor furniture is unmatched, but we especially like the credenza-adjacent bookcase with open shelving that’s versatile enough to be used in a variety of configurations: behind a sofa; as a media stand; in a particularly grand and imposing foyer. And if furniture is what you crave, the Deep Thoughts leather lounge chair is the adult version of Ikea Poang, dressed in its finest leathers.
Le Creuset
Le Creuset Enamel on Steel 1.25 Qt Demi Teakettle
[TAG15]The Le Creuset enamel on steel Demi kettle is crafted from fast-heating premium carbon steel glazed in our stylish palette of colors and unique designs to complement any kitchen. Useful for preparing French press coffee, oatmeal, and much more in addition to tea, durable carbon steel heats water rapidly, and a fixed single-tone whistle alerts when the water has reached a rolling boil. Le Creuset kettles make excellent gifts and are a beautiful way to add a touch of color to the kitchen.
Le Creuset 2 Piece Salt and Pepper Mill Set
[TAG16]Le Creuset salt and pepper mills combine classic form and modern technology with Le Creuset's iconic colors. The grinder is strong enough to crack peppercorns and corrosion-resistant for grinding salt. Adjust the grind setting with a turn of the knob clockwise for a finer ground and counterclockwise for a coarser grind. The acrylic ABS-finished mills do not absorb odors, grease, or moisture and are easily wiped clean. Spot clean or hand wash with a damp cloth and allow to dry thoroughly before refilling.
What is there to be said about Le Creuset that we don’t already know? The sturdy, heirloom-quality cast iron cookware was beloved by Julia Child and countless others and their Dutch oven is a mainstay of wedding registries for good reason: it’s a solid workhorse that does any job you throw at it, from braising a pork shoulder to baking bread. Other brand standouts that get a little less shine? The tea kettle is a hefty lass with a gentle but insistent whistle and the salt mill and pepper grinder set are classics of the genre.
Kohler
Kohler Archer 60" x 32" Alcove/Tile Soaking Bathtub
[TAG17]Taking its design cues from traditional craftsman furniture, the Archer line of baths reveals beveled edges and curved bases for a clean, sophisticated style. This bath offers a low step-over height while allowing for deep, comfortable soaking. A lumbar arch gently supports the natural curves of your body. Not Included: Drain Assembly/ WasteOverflow DrainFeaturesComfort depth®'s design offers a convenient 19-inch step-over height while retaining the same depth as a standard 21-inch bathMolded lumbar support offers extra comfort while bathingSlotted overflow allows for deep soakingThe integral flange helps prevent water from seeping behind the wall and simplifies alcove installation.
Kohler 6625-DGB IronTones® 33" L x 18.75" W Undermount Kitchen Sink
[TAG18]The Iron/Tones sink offers a simple design that is equally at home in modern or traditional kitchens. The large/medium bowls allow you to keep clean and dirty dishes separate while offering plenty of room for oversize pots and pans. A low barrier divides the two compartments, making it easy to wash and rinse large items while still keeping the two basins separate. Crafted from enameled cast iron, this sink resists chipping, cracking, or burning for years of beauty and reliable performance.
This brand is practically an American institution when it comes to kitchen and bath fixtures and fixings, and their products are sound. But what makes Kohler a bit of fun in this very overcrowded space is their inventive use of color. Think outside the box and marinate on a kitchen that doesn’t look like everyone else’s. A navy sink or a dark black tub isn’t for everyone, but it might be for you!
Smeg
Smeg 4 Slice Long Slot 50s Style Toaster
[TAG19]Enhance your morning with the 50s Retro Line four-slice toaster from Smeg. This toaster will look sleek on your countertop with a powder-coated steel body and polished chrome base. It features self-centering racks, a stainless steel ball lever knob, an automatic slice pop-up, and a removable stainless steel crumb tray.
Smeg Variable Temperature Kettle
[TAG20]50's retro style aesthetic variable 3D logo temperature kettle with stainless steel body material powder coated. Features include electronic temperature control, 7 temperature levels, and keep warm function.
If you love the look of vintage appliances but have no desire to manually defrost the freezer, then you are certainly familiar with Smeg’s offerings. The aforementioned refrigerators are probably the most recognizable—chunky, happy little things in bright colors—but if you’re really going for it, aesthetically, then why not pair your retro fridge with the toaster or tea kettle to match! Lean into that Leave It To Beaver fantasy.
Iittala
Iittala Aino Aalto 42.234 oz. Pitcher
[TAG21]Finnish design pioneer Aino Aalto combined a modern approach to functional, beautiful design that emphasized an honest use of materials. Inspired by ripples in the water, Aino Aalto’s pressed glassware won the Milan Triennial and has been in constant production at Iittala since 1932. The classic Aino Aalto collection features simple, durable glasses great for everyday use. Serve cold drinks in style with the simple elegance of the clear mouthblown Aino Aalto pitcher. The Iittala glass pitcher is versatile enough for casual and festive occasions. Not suitable for warm beverages.
Iittala Aino Aalto Drinking Glass (Set of 2)
[TAG22]Architect Aino Aalto helped pioneer modern design by creating contemporary products that were beautiful, functional, and used materials honestly. Inspired by ripples in the water, Aalto’s pressed glassware made quite the splash when Iittala introduced the Aino Aalto collection in 1932. The timeless collection features a simple, versatile design. The Aino Aalto tumbler comes in a set of two pieces that are durable enough for everyday use. Ideal for any table setting, casual, or festive occasion.
Iittala Alvar Aalto Handmade Glass Table Vase
[TAG23]Design pioneer Alvar Aalto combined simple design with a craftsman’s expertise to create iconic home design pieces that are functional and sculptural. Taking inspiration from the many lakes in his native Finland, Aalto’s asymmetrical, soft waves have become his creative signature from architecture to glass. Each precious vase is mouthblown, then hand-cut and polished at the Iittala glass factory.
Finnish glassware brand Iittala has been around since the 1880s, and are perhaps best known for their collaborations with vaunted and actually iconic designers like Alvar and Aino Aalto, the husband and wife duo whose work defined the mid-century Finnish aesthetic and are likely the reason why wobbly, curvy glassware endures. Plop a peony or three into Alvar’s lissome glass vase, have a little sip of something fun from the Aino-designed pitcher and attendant glasses, and think Scandinavian thoughts.
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