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.)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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Megan Reynolds is Dwell's Senior Home Guides Editor. She's previously worked at Jezebel, The Billfold, and many others. She feels strongly about neon as a neutral and loves a good lamp. Holler: megan.reynolds @ dwell dot com.
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