Intriguing. Does there exist some website that contains curated examples of such things? I realize that my living space is bereft of beauty, and I already struggle to find “thoughtfully designed and aesthetically pleasing” objects. For instance, I’ve held off on buying quality kitchenware for nearly a decade now due to a paradoxical combination of too many choices and lack of discoverability.
One purchase we made 25ish years ago was some Global knives[1]. They have held up extraordinarily well and if somebody stole ours, I'd buy them again the next day. I think they look great, they feel really good, and they are very nice to use. They might be my favorite thing in the kitchen.
I don't know where our flatware is from. It doesn't have any branding on it, but the pieces are all pretty heavy. IMHO, a little heft feels pretty good.
If I had to buy new bowls and plates today, I'd probably get them from a smaller maker. I learned about East Fork Pottery[2] in North Carolina after they were hit hard by hurricane Helene and have been contemplating an upgrade ever since. I like their stuff, I like how it's made in the USA. Some of it is pretty expensive, but with care it should last a long time and it looks like it would be nice to use and live with.
