12 Semi-Fancy Things In My House That Really Make Me Feel Like A Functioning Grown Up
It’s a real high/low situation in my home. But today, we are focusing on the high.
If you buy something we link to, The Candidly may earn a commission. Gifted items will be called out (gifted), and affiliate links will include an asterisk (*). We have to eat, after all.
by Audie Metcalf
Of course I shop mostly at Target and Amazon and Home Goods. But to make all that stuff look less cheap, I mix in some gorgeous pieces, weird finds, high-end things, annd true investments, until the whole shebang looks chic and original and gorgeous.
Some of it is just pretty stuff to look at, and some of it is entirely functional and allows me to live my life. Not that beautiful things don’t help me live my life. They do. Beauty is art. And art is essential in the human experience.
Maybe you’ve been waiting for a sign to actually finish the transaction for that magical piece that’s in your cart. Or maybe you want to steal one of my magical things below.
This is your sign.
1. Gorgeous containers chic enough to be displayed
WHAT: Caraway Glass Airtight Container Set
I store my “dusts” in these fully airtight containers, and they’re pretty enough that I can have them on the counter, which tricks me into eating more of said dusts. Because I have to create content visual reminders to make good choices. When I see these out I remember to make my maple blueberry overnight oats that are exploding with protein—and in fact, they’re so delicious and taste like dessert so I don’t even know why it’s a chore. Should I do another article for this and share the recipe?!
And you can use the code CANDIDLY to get 10% off.
Price: $295
2. The best knife no matter your skill level
WHAT: Global Chef’s Knife
I have never been more confident of anything than the fact that a very good knife will make you a very good cook. Almost all cooking starts with cutting something and if you’re using a shitty knife that experience will be horrific. A good cutting board that doesn’t slide all over your counter and a great knife that feels natural and comfy in the hand are the cornerstone to cooking. And of course this is biased/annoying because I do cook, but I think being able to cook is also the cornerstone of adulthood. I can’t sew though. Which is pathetic.
Price: $105
3. Enormous canning jars as drinking glasses
WHAT: Weck 743 3/4 Mold Jar
I know mason jars as drinking glasses were all the rage on our 2013 Pinterest boards, but I like to think I invented the Weck canning jars as drinking glasses in 2023. They are so enormous and therefore, I drink more water. And guests go absolutely apeshit for them. Oh, and I use these straws* with them.
Price: $45 for 4 jars
4. This gorgeous planter I use without a pot
WHAT: NewMadeLA Standing Geometric Planter
I’m not amazing with plants but I’m also not the worst. I’m fortunate to have a husband who likes to faff around with moisture readers so overall our plant babies are pretty robust.
But because I’ve not yet figured out how to wrap my head around watering plants/wood floors, I just have various air plants perched atop these planters. So chic! So wildly low maintenance! Here’s another one in another dark part of the house and look at it thriving!
Price: $85
5. A matching hand and dish soap makes me feel like I’m living inside of a Nancy Meyers movie
Williams Sonoma Lavender Cedarwood Hand Soap & Lotion 3-Piece Set
I’ve tried MANY matching sets and weirdly they are often bad quality or dry out my hands. I love this set and I love this smell. So fresh and joyful. It’s really worth it to see this on my sink. I buy the huge refill tub so even though it’s plastic it’s not wasteful. Slippery glass jars around the sink with a distracted man and a chaotic 13 year old is just not something I’m interested in.
Price: $85
6. A luuuuuuuxe robe
WHAT: Piglet In Bed Sandstone Red Pembroke Stripe Cotton Robe
I love a robe. Do you love a robe? I designed this bathroom in this dusty pale clay-rose color so I needed a robe to match it of course, but I also am enamored by this brand in general.
Price: $72
7. This near psychotic sculpture that’s the best thing in my house
WHAT: Wonder Table Lamp
This was actually a gift and every time I look at it I feel a physical burst of joy.
Price: $469
8. This niche pillow only 4 of you will profoundly love
WHAT: Schoolhouse x Clare V.® Georges Shag Wool Pillow
I realize this is almost too specific to this room (which is my office btw) but I am so utterly charmed by this pillow and this collab that I had to tell you about it. It’s Clare V! Mixed with Schoolhouse! Two of my favorite brands! I designed this gallery wall because I had suddenly become transfixed by the colors brown and blue together, and once it all came together, I found this perfect little pillow as the cherry on top. I swear I get more compliments on it than almost anything else in my house. I am also strategically not showing you one side of the room because it’s a cluttered nightmare and I want you to think I’m naturally perfect. Fine I’ll show you.
Price: $139
9. Hans j wegner flag halyard chair
There’s no link for this amazing chair, sorry, just a reminder that Facebook marketplace is a constant source of unexpected joy and wonder.
10. A comically large bowl for sweet potatoes, onions, etc etc etc
WHAT: Emile Henry Large Storage Bowl
For some reason I hoard sweet potatoes and onions, and this enormous bowl keeps them all fresh. The belly of the bowl also keeps potatoes from growing eyes. Something about cork? Plus look how chic. Those avocados are from Carolyn’s avocado trees! What’s more adult than that?! I collapse with envy.
Price: $200
11. The world’s best tongs
WHAT: Edlund 9" Tongs
The tong world is a chaotic place. It feels like tongs are tongs, yes? But tongs are not tongs. The way they open, if they pinch your skin, if they’re petite enough to have purchase, all of these details are crucial. Like the knife above, I feel strongly that the key reason people haven’t discovered the joy of cooking is because their basic tools are bad. I have 7 pairs of these tongs because when they’re in the dishwasher I have a panic attack and can’t function properly.
Price: $18
12. The softest blanket I’ve ever touched with my hands
WHAT: Cozy Earth Cuddle Blanket
I’ve written about this blanket before but only because it’s the most cozy, hallucinagenically soft blanket on this earth. I gift it to everyone I know (though I have to love them deeply) and it soon becomes their favorite blanket, too. It’s so unbelievably worth the splurge I can’t even tell you.
Use the code CANDIDLY to get 35% off.
Price: $310
Audie Metcalf is the Editor-in-chief of The Candidly, and lives in LA with her family. You can find more of her articles here.
At The Candidly, we try a lot of stuff so you don’t have to. We only recommend things we truly love, and that we think you’ll love, too. All products are chosen independently by our creative team, and all details reflect the price and availability of products at the time of publication. If you buy something we link to, The Candidly may earn a commission.
We have to eat.
