If there's one thing I can't resist, it's a wood bowl. They are incredibly functional, timeless, durable, and beautiful, especially the hand-made ones. Our collection is made up of pieces collected over time - some from thrift or antique stores, some given by friends, and some sourced from local shops. They look great with any decor style or table setting, too, so even if our tastes change over time, our trusty wood bowls will always have a place.
Wood bowls may be a silly thing to write about, but I've been really intentional on focusing on things that make me happy these days. There is a lot going on in the world, and I think that if we can find joy in simple things in our day-to-day lives, it can help us get through the hard times. So, whether you have some wood bowls laying around you haven't given much thought to, or if you have something similar that can give you that same little boost of happiness, I encourage you to recognize it and savor it! I am in no way encouraging you to go out and spend a bunch of money on wood bowls (unless you need a good serving bowl and want to support a small business, of course!). Wood bowls make me happy, and I hope this will inspire you to find some small, simple things that make you happy, too.
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Our Wood Bowls
We just got these tiny condiment cups a few weeks ago from a local shop here in DC. They are made by Fletcher's Mill in Maine with New England hardwoods. While the company is known for their pepper mills, I love these tiny little wood bowls. Perfect for condiments, toppings, and even storing small items like jewelry. Cary can testify to the fact that I love small kitchen items in general... tiny bowls, tiny spoons, etc. It's odd, I know, but I'm owning it.
A friend made this one for me in college. We've used it for everything from keys to snacks to decoration. So versatile and beautiful! It also makes me want to learn how to use a lathe...
My absolute favorite place to find wood bowls is at thrift stores or antique shops. I was so excited to find this one at a consignment boutique when I was visiting my mom a year or so ago. The large one in the first photo I found at a thrift store in Lancaster. Not only are they beautiful and functional, but they have a history associated with them, and repurposing is always a great way to go.
Others I Love
Maple Serving Bowls: These beautiful nesting bowls, made by Holland Bowl Mill, are on our wish list. You can never go wrong with a large wooden serving bowl for salads and other dishes. These particular ones are sold by East Fork Pottery, but Holland Bowl Mill has them through their website as well.
Beechwood Serving Bowls: I've had a hard time deciding between these bowls and the maple ones, both made by Holland Bowl Mill. These are sold by June Home Supply, one of my favorite home-goods resources.
Olive Wood Serving Bowls: I have these on my wish list as well, even though I definitely don't need anymore wood bowls... These are handmade from olive wood and come in a few shapes and sizes. They are sold by Connected Goods, a great place to shop for hand-made pieces and gifts.
Oval Olive Wood Serving Bowl: This is the oval version of the olive wood serving bowls. Another beautiful option.
Tondo Serving Bowls: While these aren't hand-made by a small company, I still love the Tondo line from Crate and Barrel. They have a few sizes and are a really pretty shape and color.
Vintage Bowls: My favorite source of wood bowls are thrift stores and antique shops, as they tend to have the most character. Most of the ones we have were thrifted. Etsy is also a great source for vintage wood bowls.
This post is not sponsored or in partnership with any of the aforementioned brands, and there are no affiliate links included. All opinions are my own.