1. Arzberg Teapot
A mainstay of the original Crate and Barrel store, this simple teapot inspired by the Bauhaus school was designed in 1931 and manufactured at the Arzberg porcelain factory in Germany. Perfectly proportioned in white porcelain, the teapot caught the eye of a young Gordon Segal who as a teenager gave it to his mother as a birthday gift. Years later, the teapot was one of the first products offered at the flagship Crate and Barrel store and continues to be a customer favorite today. For something so outwardly simple, the teapot has a lot of character with its round belly, curving spout and perky knobbed lid. Paired with vintage cups, dessert plates and a tea cozy, it makes high tea out of an afternoon pick-me-up. The teapot fits right in with more modern dinnerware, too, making the teatime spread look streamlined and contemporary.
2. Milo Baughman® Leather Chair
Prized by collectors and showcased in museums, this striking leather chair represents an exceptional collaboration between furniture designer Milo Baughman and home furnishings legend Thayer Coggin that began in 1953. The flat-bar stainless steel frame, angled seat and padded leather arm wrap are iconic elements of modern design. Unlike many contemporary designs, however, this chair doesn’t sacrifice comfort for aesthetics. The fiber-filled cushions are plump and inviting, and the leather-clad armrest cushions add a welcome layer of padding. With its timeless design, the Milo chair integrates seamlessly with modern as well as traditional interiors. In a living room, tell a modern-meets-classic leather story by placing a couple of Milo chairs across from a traditional tufted leather sofa. Section off a corner of the master bedroom for nighttime reading or relaxing by pairing a Milo chair with a floor lamp and nightstand.
3. Working Glass
With its soda-shop facets and jelly-jar rolled rims, this all-purpose glass is beloved for its casual style and versatility. The aptly named Working Glass has been a Crate and Barrel mainstay for years, achieving just the right balance between design and function. Serving everything from lemonade to craft beer, the glasses are made of molded glass that’s sturdy and open to all kinds of beverages. The glasses are also heat-resistant, enabling them to be used for tea or coffee. Matching lids (sold separately) make the Working Glass even more versatile, protecting smoothies, cold brew and even pancake batter from spilling or picking up odors while stored in the fridge. Available singly in three sizes and in sets of 12, there’s a glass for you. The 14-oz. glass is just the right size to hold a can of pop, seltzer water or milk, while the larger 21-oz. version is perfectly proportioned for large servings of water or iced tea that you can sip during the day. The taller 24-oz. glass is ideal for ice cream sodas or yogurt and fruit parfaits.
4. Dansk Kobenstyle Butter Warmer
Instantly recognizable for its high-gloss enamel finish and distinctive Scandinavian style, Kobenstyle cookware exemplifies Crate and Barrel’s emphasis on showcasing the best of modern European design. The uniquely designed butter warmer is distinguished by its charming wood knob handle and inventive lid that doubles as a trivet. Enamel-clad steel not only gives the butter warmer it’s glossy color, it improves durability and creates a nonstick surface. Talk about stove to table, this delightful server is an excellent way to serve not only clarified butter for steamed crab but also dole out jus for roasts, creme anglais for desserts and dressing for salads. Feel free to stick this little pot into the oven, it’s oven-safe up to 400 degrees, making it even more versatile. How cute would it be serving individual servings of crème brûlée oatmeal or French onion soup?
5. Iittala Krouvi Glass
Crafted by Finnish designer Oiva Toikka in 1973, this beer mug is another example of Crate and Barrel’s long-standing commitment to curating Scandinavian design for American audiences. Textured to look nice and frosty, the mug has a grip-friendly handle and low profile that’s perfect for a cold pilsner or session beer. A clear rim enhances a frothy head, while embossed measurements aid in transferring just the right amount of craft brew from a can or bottle. A classic not just for its great design, this carefree mug is dishwasher- and freezer-safe. Pop a few in the freezer so you’ll always have one on hand for a cold brew. Available in sets of four, Krouvi mugs make a wonderful wedding gift or birthday present for your favorite beer connoisseur.
6. Tondo Bowls
Crate and Barrel’s Tondo bowls embody the Scandinavian aesthetic of using simple designs to express the essence of natural materials. Available in a range of sizes, the low-profile and wide-mouth bowls are gently curved and lightly stained to highlight the wood’s unique grain, knots and other markings. You’ll find all kinds of ways to warm up the home with Tondo’s timeless and organic presence. Achieve a mixed-material look by placing a large Tondo bowl as a centerpiece on a white marble table. Go organic by scattering a few Tondo bowls on a live-edge coffee table. A clear food-safe lacquer topcoat enables the bowls to be used as containers for snacks, salads and fruit. Or fill them with faux botanicals, river rocks or dried seed pods as a nature-inspired table display.
7. Direction Barware
A gift-registry staple, Crate and Barrel’s Direction glassware continues the company’s tradition of working directly with artisan workshops. Made at the Krosno glass manufactory in Poland, each hand-blown glass features a uniquely shaped open bubble in its hefty sham base. You can build an entire bar around this eye-catching look with beer, wine, champagne and four types of cocktail glasses as well as a decanter and mixing glass. But Direction doesn’t stop with the bar; it’s also available as a tealight candle holder and three sizes of vases. Whether it’s the satisfying heft of a glass in hand or the bubble’s cheeky riff on a classic design, the Direction collection has caught the imagination of the Crate and Barrel customer, making it one of the company’s most popular glassware designs.
8. Bialetti Espresso Maker
Before fancy espresso makers with lots of bells and whistles, there was the Bialetti Moka pot. Still available at Crate and Barrel, this time-honored Italian coffee maker creates a delicious cup of espresso with an ingenious two-part design that you can use right on your stovetop burner. To create a delicious cup of coffee, simply fill the top part of the Moka pot with coffee beans freshly ground to a fairly coarse drip grind and fill the bottom portion with hot water. Place over heat and when the pot begins to hiss and bubble your coffee is done. For a smoother cup, cool down the lower chamber with a cold towel or run under cold tap water. If you're not sure what type of coffee maker is right for you, check out our article on how to choose a coffee maker for an in-depth look at different options.
9. Arden Candle Holder
This modern heirloom was designed at the British design studio Robert Welch, which boasts works in museum collections around the world. True to Crate and Barrel style, the candle holder is both simple and elevated, made of polished stainless steel with a streamlined trumpet shape. Available in small, medium and large, the candle holders look sculptural and stately lined up in one size on a table runner or clustered in varying heights on a mantle or buffet table. An affordable decor item with elegance to spare, one or a group of Arden candleholders paired with a selection of taper candles makes a lovely gift for a teacher, coworker or dinner host.
10. Stow Storage Ottoman
With its clean lines and concealed storage, it’s easy to see why the Stow ottoman has remained in the Crate and Barrel lineup. This leather-clad and neatly tailored ottoman flips its cushioned seat to reveal a wooden tray top that converts it to a handsome end table. Plus, the open interior provides lots of room for storage. Use the tray top to serve an impromptu appetizer of cheese, nuts and Aperol cocktails. If clutter threatens to compromise a surprise visit, stash your newspapers, knitting or throw blanket in Stow’s roomy interior. A space-conscious choice for small rooms or apartments, a couple of ottomans can configure a coffee table or position about the room to host a glass or offer a spread.
These are just a few of the time-honored products that have helped to define Crate and Barrel’s distinctive clean and modern look. We’d love to see what products you think are classics in the making. Show us your favorite timeless decor with the hashtag #CrateStyle.
