Useful, Simple and Beautiful Objects

Everyday objects have a beauty in their simplicity and utilitarian design. Consider taking another look at some everyday objects in your home. These items are found in thrift stores and flea markets, perhaps they have avoided the landfill because they are still useful and some (including me) would say beautiful.

Small antique berry bucket

The Shakers were masters of simple, useful, and elegant design and lived by principles such as “Beauty rests on utility” and “Don’t make something unless it is both necessary and useful; but if it is both necessary and useful, don’t hesitate to make it beautiful.” This might be a practical philosophy to live by when trying to simplify and declutter. Don’t bring anything home unless it is useful, necessary or beautiful.

Antique stacked Shaker boxes

Simple, useful and beautiful design doesn’t have to mean expensive. Glass canning jars come in many shapes, sizes and colors. They continue to be popular today, because of their utility, design and affordability.

Blue glass canning jars

Danish design, now thought of frequently as Mid-Century Modern, has clean lines and simple beauty, much like Shaker design. The warm, smooth finish of the wood and the simple lines are sought after vintage collectibles. I love the design aesthetic but find the prices hard to deal with. Check out the Danish Design Store in NYC.

* Photo Credit: Vintage Danish Modern - Warehouse full of Danish, Modern furniture.

I was wondering if tag sales in Europe have much of this stuff? Apparently, they do, I found this awesome company that ships containers full of stuff to the U.S. They are Vintage Danish Modern in Maine and Oregon.

Sometimes I take the things around me for granted and then I see someone else blog about it or read a magazine article with a new clever use for an item. I’m reminded then of the beauty found in the simple design. Vanessa over at Thrift Core, a new blog I have been following, has another good example of using an everyday object in a new way.

ThriftCore's Vanessa uses vintage trouser hangers to display her art. *Photo Credit: ThriftCore.com

Need some help finding simple, useful things? A perfect place to visit and shop online, of course, The Museum of Useful Things and check out Apartment Therapy for another helpful list.

A simple white bowl.

And of course don’t forget to check out local thrift stores, antique malls and flea markets. Let me know what you find.