Good Schmutz, aka Things I Found and Love, vol. 13
Arty wine, design toilets, flexible marble (?) and more.
Happy December, Schmatta readers! Once again, it’s time for Good Schmutz, my roundup of what’s good, great, and (sometimes) funny in design.
#1: The placing-tile-on-furniture thing isn’t new, but this Welcome Cupboard by Matthew Raw has an entirely high-craft vibe.
#2: I’ve long felt that bathroom design has been particularly stagnant. People talked a lot about this very ridiculous toilet at last year’s Salone (Milan’s furniture fair). But the most interesting thing I’ve come across in a while is Trone, a Parisian bathworks brand whose slogan is “Finally, good-looking toilets, basins and accessories in bold colors.” And yes, the below is a toilet.
#3: Here’s a good one to note if you’re looking for the perfect holiday gift that’s a crowdpleaser that also leans design. The Prisoner Wine Company, a Napa Valley favorite, donates 5% of proceeds from each bottle in its Corrections series to the Center for Art & Advocacy. The 2022 Corrections Stags Leap Red Wine features artist Jesse Krimes’ Purgatory artwork. (Krimes, formerly incarcerated, recently had this work acquired by The Met.) You can also try The Prisoner’s flagship 2023 Red Blend, featuring an etching by the 19th-century Spanish artist and social activist Francisco de Goya. The Prisoner Wine Company donates 3% of Red Blend sales to The Center for Art & Advocacy. #partner. For ages 21+.
#4: Gergei Erdei (if this dude doesn’t have a tongue-twister or a limerick with his name, he needs one) has designed this gorgeous, Grecian-esque sconce in collab with Porta Romana.
#5: Just discovered glass artist Mad Mad Raven and their gorgeous stained glass fan designs. Would have made for great holiday gifts, sadly, seems as though there is a waitlist.
#6: I’ve written about Koala Eco before, but I want to reiterate how much I LOVE these cleaning products. They’re not so fancy that you feel bad even using them, but they’re high-end enough to make you feel like you’re better than Windex. (And you are.) Honestly, the Complete Collection ($81 for 8 products…a steal) would be a wonderful gift.
#7: Justine Menard glass. She makes jewelry and decor…and sometimes the decor looks like jewelry.
#8: Attn: Interior designers! Here’s a plug for my own product. I’ve written and edited hundreds of home tours over the course of my career, so I’ve put together a guide for interior designers about how to talk to the press about your work. Purchase the PDF solo, or add on a personalized coaching session.
#9: As Brownstone Boys put it — color of the year? We prefer wood. Take this beautiful, rich wood kitchen by Workstead:
#10: Cabana Mag’s shop has a bunch of really great marbled wares that aren’t too, too pricey. My pick is this marbled cup and pencil set:
#11: Bitossi x Patricia Urquiola vases and centerpieces. Put these two together and you can do no wrong.
#12: More cork for 2026! It’s an eco-friendly, affordable material and I’m seeing more and more applications in bathrooms. See: this design by Charlap Hyman & Herrero:
#13: Finnish bird houses:
#14: Flexible marble??? My mind is blown:
#15: My obsession with Wedgwood continues. Don’t we need these ornaments for our Xmas trees?
#16: Great gift alert for the person who has EVERYTHING. These candleholders for Mutina designed by Ronan Bouroullec are modular and can be moved into several configurations. It’s a limited run of 100 and you have to email editions@mutina.it to inquire.
