A recent delivery to our inbox: Moth, a small shop in Chicago that carries simple, well-made essentials from emerging Scandinavian and Japanese artisans (and, occasionally, a French or Irish artisan), all curated by owner Catherine Becker.
The Aviron Kitchen Towel by Japanese company Lino e Lina is available in blue and yellow (shown here); $24 each.
The Tapered Waste Basket by Saikai Trading is based off of a design from the 1960s.
According to the retailer: “It initially gained popularity during the high economic growth period in Japan with its basic yet beautiful form that cannot be produced by plastic. It was awarded the Good Design Long Life Design Award in 2015.” Nowadays, at Moth, it retails for $48.
The 100 percent linen Oven Mitt, also by Lino e Lina, is “best for small to medium hands;” $42 each.
SyuRo Three Soap Set is hand crafted in Japan and can be used the retailers say for washing hands dishes or even clothing or spot cleaning When it s made SyuRu soap is placed under...
...hot water repeatedly to obtain a sparkling white soap that contains only the purest soap ingredients and produces a foamy creamy lather A set of three in a Nara wood box is 34
Assorted black and white Linen Coasters are hand-made and mud-dyed by Japanese design duo Tomotake, and will “fade gradually with time and use.” They’re $20 each.
A petite Rectangular Tray by Danish duo Clib Klap can serve a multitude of uses around the house; $55.
Scissors, by Japan-based Craft Design Technology, are crafted by sword artisans and are available in black and stainless steel.
A Press Board Snap Pad A6 by Japanese brand Postalco is “designed for carrying and archiving clippings, print-outs, maps, and any other scrap paper.” Moth carries them in a variety of colors and sizes, but this one, in brick red, is $25.
A woven cotton Nereus Placemat by Finnish textile artist Johanna Gullichsen is $38.
And, an Organic Cotton Food Bag by Denmark-based The Organic Company is designed to replace plastic bags; it cinches closed with a drawstring and can be tossed in the washing machine for easy cleaning.