Whose turn is it to dry?

Recently we discovered the perfect housewarming gift for just about everyone. . . tea towels in luscious color palettes and clever patterns that look simply beautiful in any style kitchen. Here you can see two patterns displayed on fancy vintage French hooks at Timeless Treasures.

We find them very appealing for another reason --they are designed and produced right here in the Bay Area. San Francisco art director and designer Christina Weber transforms a seemingly utilitarian object -- the everyday dish towel -- into a whimsical art textile. She collaborates with a printer in Oakland who hand silkscreens each one onto high quality linen/cotton from Poland.

Great for drying wine glasses without leaving lint and silverware minus any fingerprints, these tea towels are equally suitable for framing as a simple "pop" of subtle color in a kitchen or breakfast nook.

We are especially smitten with Christina's play on words with the "T" for tea towel, and now have in stock the four patterns shown below, available either in pairs ($42) or as singles ($22): the Stripe Tea Towel set, shown on the left, comes in willow and mineral. The Flip Tea Towel duo comes in mineral and cinnamon. Each towel measures 18" by 26".


You can see Christina's clever suggestions for using a towel to gift wrap a bottle of wine or champagne, as an oversize napkin to protect your dry-clean-only pants, to tuck into a waistband as an apron, and other details by clicking here.

The next time you're invited for dinner or a weekend away, consider packing a pair for your host or hostess. Then when you offer to dry the dishes, you know you're in for a treat.

As a gift for someone in a new place, or as a small wedding present for friends you want to congratulate with "a little something special", these tea towels are easy to mail.