First, let me say it's great to be posting at Apartment Therapy- thanks so much for having me.
I wanted to start by admitting that my taste tends to swing a bit more towards the cheap and fun- I live on a pretty low budget, so I try to make the most of stores that provide affordable homewares that I can order online. I don't have a car or a lot of money to have things delivered, so I tend to favor scouring the pages of Target.com over hoofing into the city and not being able to afford anything I like at Moss or Troy. Hence, my posts will focus on bath pieces that won't break the bank, but will definitely add some color and fun to your apartment. And don't worry, I'll try to keep in mind the line between tastefully playful and downright tacky.
Jonathan Adler, god of all things accessory, personifies taste and style to so many. So, you can imagine my delight when he decided to design for the masses with his line at Bed, Bath and Beyond. Bed, Bath and Beyond, in New York at least, is one of the most dreadfully crowded stores around. The last thing I want to do is run to 6th avenue for some handtowels when I know I'll end up waiting in line with the rest of Manhattan until 11 pm. However, Adler's introductions, especially in the bath area, have made my trips to Bed Bath a bit less hellish. And thanks to the wonders of the internet, you can now order them all online.
Adler has designed several pieces for his own Happy Home Collection along with pieces for Croscill, that are carried at BBB. The greatest thing about his work carried at BBB is its ability to combine colorful, modern patterns with affordable prices. There's not a single piece of his bath collection that goes above $40, which is music to this sponge's ears. My favorites are: his shower curtains and lacquer shower curtain hooks, his colorful line of terry hand and body towels and the bright lacquerware bath accessories that start at $11.99.
The shower curtains are, by far, my favorite of his collection. Yes, most of them are clear plastic (I know, visions of college dorms sweep across everyone's mind), but they are perfect pieces for adding bright color and bold patterns to your bathroom. His delightfully retro fish pattern (echoed in his current ceramic collection) curtain would be perfect in a child's room, or in any bathroom that needed a little touch of color and fun. His pop grid pattern shower curtains are like Dwell linens for your shower and sometimes a bright, graphic pattern is just what you need for a small space.
Adler's lacquerware is really gorgeous. For those of us who can't afford the pricier lacquerware at big name stores, these pieces provide a wonderful alternative without sacrificing style, color or integrity of design. Each piece comes in a wide array of colors that matches the poppy terry towels he designed for the collection. Starting at $6.99, the terry collection may not be the most luxurious towels you've ever felt, but they certainly fit the bill when you've got a limited budget but an eye for bright, bold color.
All of Jonathan Adler's pieces at Bed, Bath and Beyond can be found online right here. Enjoy!
Grace Bonney of Design Sponge
Enrique--
Those dot towels sooooo have your name writen all over them!
enrique should also get those cool dot shower curtain holders to go with his new curtain (no matter what he chooses).
welcome, grace--nice to have you on AT.
I'm a huge fan of Adler's licensed products, since most of them are based on his earlier pottery and textile lines. (But I'm not as big a fan of the newer designs at his shop.) I actually looked at the dots towels a few months ago, but decided to go with simple white ones. I already have the dots soapdish, toothbrush holder, lotion dispenser and lacquerware tissue-box cover. (You can see them on the sink--in the slideshow.) So... Jonathan Adler is already well-represented in the bathroom! You're right, Grace, the Croscill and Happy Home lines are great designs at an affordable price. Viva la democratization of good design!
Oooh. I so want a set of those dot towels, but I've been told I have too many already in my small apt. closet. Is there a place to retire old towels and bed linens too that aren't worn out yet ;-)? I need to make room for some newer ones.
On the Jonathan Adler new "brown & blue squares" shower curtin packaging , there's a towel on a shelf in the "Kensington Pattern" (like the sheets/duvet), where do u get those towels??
Thank You.
Hey JimKK:
Just thought I'd pass along an idea to you....I too am a linens addict, and in order to not have them take over the entire house, I donate linens that I no longer like/need (as long as they are in decent condition), to a local women's shelter. They are always desperately in need of things to put together for women who are about to leave the shelter, and start out on their own.
Hope that helps!
Sharon