Best Baskets

Woven baskets are making a comeback in a big way. I mean, they never really go away since they’re so great for storage and making a shelf look neat and tidy. But artisanal baskets from faraway places, or willow baskets made by hand here in North America with that timeworn rustic feel, are popping up everywhere.

Personally I love them for their natural tactile quality. In a modern space they add that much-needed earthy element. In a rustic space, they’re the perfect layer to cozy things up. Baskets can hold all kinds of things — large and small — and are my must-have accessory this week.

Above you’ll see some cheapies I love from Ikea. They’re small and perfect for desktop organization. Or use them to break up a mass of books in a bookcase. Can't beat the price either: $5.99!

Find lots of other beautiful examples at design outlets like HomeSense for a fraction of what you pay in department stores and craft stores. Toronto’s Chinatown is another good hunting spot and fair trade co-ops like Ten Thousand Villages are wonderful for an assortment of global imports. These one-of-a-kind handcrafted works bear the mark of the artisan, and shops like these help support struggling economies around the world.

Back from a recent teaching trip to Africa, my brother brought home some stunning examples from Tanzania that I love. Now I keep seeing them pop up in design magazines — even H&H! For more basket resources, check out the March 2009 issue of House & Home (p. 89) for my pal Stacy Begg’s Focus on nothing but beautiful baskets.

Photo credits:
1. Ikea Ljusnan baskets
2. Ten Thousand Villages NAWOU Star Raffia Basket from Uganda
3. Ten Thousand Villages Uganda Crafts 2000 Ltd. Red Raffia Rippling Star Basket from Uganda
4. Ten Thousand Villages Uganda Crafts 2000 Ltd. Black Raffia Rippling Star Basket from Uganda