Some of these are pretty smart - I mean you can't really go wrong with a candle, soaps, a spicerack or a well-designed timer...

...but a rug? Isn't that rather taste-specific?
Seems like a return/store credit waiting to happen.

I loved that food scale from Anthropologie - until I saw the price tag. $248 for a food scale is ostentatious, and in any case, it's much more functional as a mantle piece than as an actual tool in the kitchen since it's not nearly as accurate as a digital scale.

That vintage kitchen timer, though? I'm all over that.

I adore the spice rack. Would that be a great gift!

Love the spice rack, but it's not in the budget to gift for a house warming. Something that's less expensive and very thoughtful - a pre-inked rubber stamp with the new address.

i want the compost bin - are they made different than a normal metal container though? i dont want to spend a ton (over $50) if i dont have to if anyone has alternative ideas.

Re: the spice rack, google it and you'll find them for a fraction of the price:

http://www.bayvillagestore.com/tetuspra.html?productid=tetuspra&channelid=FROOG

I also saw wood and more modern metal versions too.

Goodness, I like the look of the Dean and Deluca spice rack, but I don't think it is very practical. Exposing spices to light will quickly destroy their flavor.

I think this is the same compost bin at Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/Norpro-94-Stainless-Steel-Composter-Keeper/dp/B00061N0S2/

Its also $44, and free shipping.

This one is even cheaper...

http://www.amazon.com/Norpro-Stainless-Steel-Compost-Keeper/dp/B000OV55XM/

@happyleaf --

Used milk cartons make great compost collection bins...
...they're free and compostable to boot.

I am loving the vintage accessories!! Especially the timer...

Thanks for sharing!

Lindsay
www.adesignstory.com

That spice rack could easily be made by anyone who wanted to make it...

http://www.specialtybottle.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=114

http://www.containerstore.com/shop/kitchen/pantryOrganizers/shelfOrganizers?Ntt=basket&productId=10017496

That's $23 for 20 vials and the rack, and then just buy some spices (or use the ones you already have, if you're looking for a new rack for yourself).

@Kimbieker even if you DIY this you could spend a lot on the spices, but if you live in NYC, you can get great deals on spices at Kalustyan's.

But, I buy my spices in bottles at Penzey's and store them in a drawer. That keeps them out of the light and protects them from going stale. Penzey's bottles fit in a drawer-spice-rack from the Container Store.

I saw the same timer (or very similar) at anthropologie (similar in price, too). I was THIS close to buying it, but I was already at the register ringing up purchases I probably shouldn't have been making... but it's out my list of possible near-future buys!

While these things are gorgeous, this post is silly to the point of being irresponsible. Why would you buy these overpriced filled spice tubes from Dean & Deluca? You should have provided a link to a reasonably-priced source. Also, about "Having beautiful decor in the kitchen inspires and nurtures our soul." What a ridiculous, empty, throwaway statement. What does it even mean? That having pretty stuff makes you happy? Makes you a better person? In particular stuff in the kitchen?

carrier--new here? Throw away stuff, buy new stuff.

My soul's well-being isn't dependent upon externals.

carrier, you're being a bit harsh! The kitchen is the heart of so many homes (mine included). So, when you have unique items there it makes it even more of an inviting place. Chill out. Everyone has an opinion, and respect that. But I do agree that some are the items are pricey for a housewarming gift.

That compost bucket holds maybe a lunch's worth of scraps if it were in our house. It's teensy. We use a 10 gallon tahini bucket that we pulled out of the dumpster - its got nifty Arabic writing on it. I don't know if that's "decor" but it certainly fits with our lives.

As a recipient of the take out menu holder I can tell you it's silly. We eat a lot of takeout and this thing has never even been unwrapped. It's just doing what a drawer and a stack of menus already does. It's not like we have hundreds of favorite places...MAYBE it's good for a vacation home where you are helping out of town guests navigate the options...At least this post reminds me that it's a good item to pull out and pass on for a yard sale...

I have that exact compost bin - bought it at Winners (Toronto) for $18. Lee Valley (http://www.leevalley.com/) also sells it for something like $30. They also sell some others which I actually think make more sense - this one has a carbon filter in the lid, which works but you do need to replace it eventually.