As the director of brand at Tenmile Distillery, Eliza Dyson knows how to throw a bash. At the company’s lush property in Wassaic, New York, she recently invited her nearest and dearest to an outdoor dinner party with big salads, grilled meats (courtesy of chef Eliza Glaister and Westerly Canteen), and, of course, lots of whiskey. Here are her secrets for making any party a success. 

My go-to welcome cocktail: If we are at home, we set up a little bar with a few options: dry white wine, nice California Pinot, Listening Rock Gin with Boylan’s tonic, some flavors of LaCroix, and something else fun and fizzy that is nonalcoholic.

If we are at the distillery, we always compile a list of cocktails for that night: some seasonal, some greatest hits, some requested by the guests. There are a few drinks everyone orders if they see them—that includes our blended Greyhound, or the Tenmile, which is a take on a spritz we had on vacation. It’s gin, passion fruit, and sparkling wine served in a wineglass.

How I decide who’s coming: It’s always a mix of interesting people. Many know one another, but it’s always fun when there are a few folks who are new. 

I always ask people to bring: I don’t think people should bring gifts, as it is meant to be a treat for them. No cooking or cleaning, just eating and enjoying themselves!

Assigned seating, yea or nay: Yea! There’s less confusion and it makes people relax sooner. When they wonder where to sit, it can be awkward. 

Table linens I can’t entertain without: I like Ark Elements’s patterned tablecloths, and its solid napkins come in great colors with lots of different hem choices. The fringed ones are very special. I also love Gone Rural’s looped sisal placemats. 

My absolute favorite plates and flatware: I could go on and on about the subject! I love plates and flatware so much. Some of my favorites are Cabana Magazine, the Ark Elements, Laboratorio Paravincini, William Wayne, Moda Domus, Tory Burch, Get the Gusto, La Toile a Loup, Crate & Barrel, and Carolina Irving & Daughters—even Zara.

The serving platter I rely on: White ceramic Crate & Barrel anything! Nothing too big or heavy or hotel silver.

Candles that set the chicest glow: Houses & Parties has some great candle lamps it makes with custom shades, and Greentree Home has the best colors.  

Flowers I grab the day of: Anything in season! I like small arrangements of just a few stems in a glass—something like anemones or daffodils—something from the garden. I also like topiaries. 

Best conversation starter: We inadvertently started a game at a friend’s birthday when we made custom place cards with a choice of two things. Then we made the guests go around the table and guess which the birthday boy would pick. For example: Clouseau or Columbo? Jefferson or Jesterton? Elmer or Bugs? Jeeves or Wooster? It was an idea stolen from Houses & Parties (Rebecca Gardner is a genius) that we adapted a bit.

Dessert theory: big batch or individual? Depends on the group. I like to bring a dessert to the table, cut it, and serve to guests.

The sign of a successful party: People don’t want to leave, and you had a good time, too. Early preparation is key, and I’m very organized. And then it doesn’t really matter what happens—people are usually just glad to be spending time with each other!

Eliza’s Party Essentials

Listening Rock Gin, Tenmile Distillery ($37)

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Ginori Floral Charger, Cabana ($210)

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Table Love Folklore Embroidered Napkins, Set of 2, Cabana ($150)

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Marin White Large Oval Serving Platter, Crate and Barrel ($40)

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The post I’m Known for My Backyard Dinner Parties—Here’s the One Thing I Never Do appeared first on domino.

Much like home decor and paint colors, cookware can be a particular thing. Maybe there’s an affinity for stainless steel in your bones, or cast iron is your only go-to. Perhaps you only have eyes for candy apple red, or copper reigns supreme over all else. 

We’ve pored over, and tested, all kinds of cookware on the market throughout the years. The pull of heritage brands doesn’t seem to be waning—and that’s because most people want stuff that lasts (i.e., items that won’t need replacing in a few years’ time). And yet the wave of direct-to-consumer options that continue to hit digital shelves bring new ideas, attention-demanding colorways, and the hope of fixing everything that’s “wrong” with standard old pots and pans; we’re talking fewer toxins, more versatility, and better storage solutions. 

While we’re not about to get more hours in a day or more room in our cupboards, the best cookware brands continue to bring us back to the kitchen. Below, find our absolute favorites in the crowded space—broken out by brand and what they’re best suited for.

Best Cookware Brands for Sets

All-Clad

All-Clad D3 Tri-Ply Stainless-Steel 10-Piece Cookware Set, Williams Sonoma ($700)

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This stainless steel purveyor is a classic for a reason: The American-made brand, founded in the 1970s, introduced bonded cookware to the masses and has continued to innovate over the years without straying too much from its restaurant kitchen look. While there are several collections that span nonstick, copper core, hard anodized, and ceramic, the original material is hard to beat. Its D3 Classic set is an incredible value for the quality you get—even heat distribution, easy maintenance, good design. (I’ve cooked with this set for nearly a decade, and it’s still my go-to for everyday sautéing, sauce work, and so on.) It is one of those lasts-a-lifetime options. 

Ensembl

Stackware Core2, Ensembl ($594)

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A relative newcomer to the cookware world, Ensembl launched its smartly designed Stackware in 2021. As the name implies, the pieces in the collection are indeed stackable, from the wider saucepan to the braiser to the stockpot. The Full6 isn’t cheap by any means, but each of its six shapes is appropriate for almost anything you’d cook on a regular basis, and the details is where Ensembl’s quality really stands out. The solid stainless steel and aluminum construction results in even heat distribution, works on induction cooktops, and is easy to clean up. Measurement markers on the interior of the pots and pans is a nice touch, and the fact that there are no interior connections means no food bits get left behind. The design is easy on the eyes, too, and you’ll get patented removable handles (that really work; I’ve been testing ‘em for six months!) and flat-lying lids. 

Caraway

Cookware Set, Caraway ($395 was $545)

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Jordan Nathan got the idea for Caraway Home after getting a case of Teflon poisoning, so it’s no surprise that nontoxic materials are at the heart of the brand. But if PTFE-free coatings aren’t exactly sexy, the pots’ palette of moody hues certainly is, including sage green, cream, terracotta, navy, light gray, and more. “We created the palette to feel dusty and desaturated (which is normally accompanied by a matte finish), but added a gloss finish to create a unique contrast,” explains the founder and CEO. Plus the cookware set comes with a magnetic storage system that makes putting pots and pans away extra-easy, and our style editor, Julia Stevens, appreciates their casual look and that they easily stack.

Best Cookware Brands for Dutch Ovens

Le Creuset

6.75-Quart Oval Dutch Oven, Le Creuset ($445)

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If there were royalty in cookware land, Le Creuset would be it. The French brand’s enameled surfaces, vast array of colors (a collection that only keeps growing), and high-quality heat retention make each piece—and specifically the Dutch ovens—the crowning jewel in a collection. The cast-iron pieces are made by in-house artisans and are pretty much guaranteed to outlive you. While those after a deal may not be into the high prices that Le Creuset demands, it’s an investment you won’t regret. 

Staub

Staub 7-Quart Enameled Cast Iron Round Dutch Oven, Williams Sonoma ($330)

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If you prefer more fashion-forward hues and a slightly less rotund body, check out Staub. Another timeless French brand made since the 1970s, Staub products are resistant to scratching, chipping, and thermal shock thanks to three layers of glass powder and mineral pigments. Upkeep for the Dutch ovens is minimal; I’ve rarely seen anything stick to the enameled cast iron over the eight years I’ve owned one. The matte black colorway patinas particularly well over time, and jewel tones like a shiny emerald green will look right at home nestled among your tablescape. 

Made In

7.5-Quart Oval Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven, Made In ($299)

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Made In’s new 7.5-quart Dutch oven is a dreamboat. Nearly $150 less than a similarly sized Le Creuset and sporting a sleek and simple silhouette, its heat retention and distribution, as well as its naturally nonstick surface, is top-notch—we like it for braises and a boatload of red sauce. At 15 pounds, it’s not light by any means, so keep that in mind if you’re gifting it to someone. The stainless steel knob and six color options are pretty standard, but the antique white has our number. There’s something timeless and trusty about an oyster hue; you won’t get tired of seeing this one on your shelf.

Dansk 

4-Quart Købenstyle Casserole, Food52 ($135)

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The Dansk Købenstyle casserole is a mid-century design classic, and it can be a welcome departure from the heftiness of other Dutch ovens. Debuting in the late 1950s, the 4-quart enameled carbon steel pot can absolutely be tasked with cooking soup or rice and beans, but we love it as a perfect popcorn oven. Even better that the lid doubles as a trivet for stovetop-to-table snacks and meals. The white does take on stains if you don’t maintain the exterior properly, but there’s something about a little bit of browning that says, “I’ve used you lovingly.” 

Our Place

Perfect Pot, Our Place ($165)

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Shiza Shahid, Our Place’s founder, doesn’t believe in clutter. That’s why the kitchen equipment she creates serves more than one purpose. In the case of the Perfect Pot, you get eight uses out of one piece. This one’s ideal for stovetop devotees (think: lots of pasta or one-pot meals). It’s very lightweight at 4.5 pounds, nonstick, and comes with a nesting spoon and hybrid roasting rack–steamer. To note: The Perfect Pot is only oven-safe up to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. If you aren’t worried about an extra nine pounds and want yours to handle oven temps up to 500 degrees, spring for the Cast-Iron Perfect Pot.

Best Cookware Brands for Nonstick Fry Pans

Hexclad

10-Inch HexClad Hybrid Pan, Hexclad ($180)

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If you prefer high-performance, low-maintenance cookware, Hexclad is for you. Unlike other options out there that tout a nonstick coating, there are no crazy rules to live and die by here: You can cook with spray, oil, or butter. The proprietary hybrid technology combines an aluminum core, stainless steel, and a steel hexagonal pattern, which means that these fry pans conduct heat well, and any stubborn crusties wipe away without elbow grease. Plus you can actually toss these in the dishwasher. Our associate shopping editor, Morgan Bulman, reports that even after a year, she’s seen no staining or discoloration.

GreenPan

GreenPan Reserve Ceramic Nonstick Fry Pan, Set of 2, Food52 ($120)

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If you’re looking for an extremely durable, nontoxic option that still gets points for looks, GreenPan’s various lines will serve you well. The brand, known for its diamond-infused ceramic coating, offers up color, stainless steel, and thoughtful design elements that can often go unconsidered where nonstick is concerned. The GP5 and Reserve lines are the best-looking of the bunch, but the Venice pans have classic appeal as well. All are oven-safe up to 600 degrees Fahrenheit, and some are even induction-friendly. (Psst: The company has collaborated with Food52 on a line, too, like these beauties with wood handles. Just don’t put those in the oven.) It also makes an adorable rice cooker that we love.

Best Budget Cookware Brands

Lodge

Lodge 6.5-Inch Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet, Williams Sonoma ($15)

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Do you prefer to cook on cast iron and only cast iron? Tennessee-based brand Lodge is likely a contender. Pick up an affordable enameled Dutch oven for a fraction of what you’ll pay for a Le Creuset, or a combo cooker that basically gives you a two-in-one piece. The classic skillets range from just 3.5 inches in diameter to 15 inches, but not even the largest size exceeds $60. They come preseasoned and have that cozy cabin vibe that’ll fit right in with a farmhouse-y interior, but anyone who likes roasted chicken, braised greens, or sunny-side-up eggs would benefit from them. Not all of Lodge’s products are made in the U.S., so if that’s paramount to your purchasing decisions, check the fine print. 

Martha Stewart

Martha Stewart Castelle 10 Piece Stainless Steel Cookware Set, Amazon ($150)

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Martha Stewart launched an Amazon storefront this past winter, and it includes thousands of the multi-hyphenate’s products, including cookware. You can purchase singles of several styles from the Castelle collection, but the 10-piece stainless steel set is just $150 (and $10 more for nonstick). In addition to a pasta-perfect sauté pan, you get two frying pans, two saucepans with lids, and one 5-quart Dutch oven with a lid. They all have interior fill lines for easy measuring and are oven- and broiler-safe to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. The 18/8 stainless steel is highly durable, and an aluminum core guarantees even heat distribution. Plus you can use them on all stovetop types, including induction.

Tramontina

Tramontina Stainless Steel Tri-Ply 12-Piece Cookware Set, Amazon ($327)

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Tramontina is an enduring budget pick and makes an ideal entry-level 12-piece set for under $350. While not the least expensive of the brand’s offerings, it’s the balanced middle ground that you can expect to use for years. It comes with two skillets, three saucepans and lids, a sauté pan and lid, and a stockpot with lid; there’s very little else you’d need to have a fully stocked kitchen. We love the clean and sophisticated design, 18/10 steel construction, and lifetime warranty. Note: Stainless steel is safe to use on all types of stovetops, including induction.

Best Luxury Cookware Brands

Mauviel

Mauviel Copper 2.5-Quart M’150 B Saucepan, Williams Sonoma ($250)

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It’s hard to go awry with Mauviel. Founded nearly 200 years ago in France, the brand boasts several styles of copper cookware, and they’re all lookers. The straight rims, polished exterior, and stainless steel rivets contribute to an elegant package; choose between bronze, stainless steel, and cast-iron handles to finish things off. Various sets are available, some with different thicknesses, but a big winner for us is the M6S line—it’s induction compatible. 

Hestan

Hestan Stainless-Steel Classic Roaster With Rack, Food52 ($225)

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If you’re in the market for a serious upgrade from your first-apartment set or just want to add a new fancy piece to your collection, Hestan will make the splurge worth it. Whether bonded with titanium or made with a copper core or diamond-reinforced nonstick finish, it’s all made in Italy. The Thomas Keller Insignia line sports particularly lovely silhouettes, and the universal lid from that collection would make a great gift for an amateur chef. The quality doesn’t come cheap, so to help you out, the brand offers a quiz that’ll guide you to the right fit.

How We Chose These Products

Our editors have tested products from different cookware brands for months and years. All persuasions of material—stainless steel, copper, aluminum, nonstick, cast iron, enamel, you name it—have graced our gas, electric, and induction stovetops. We all have a preference for something, whether that’s style (class versus contemporary), sets (one to two pans or a whole suite), or versatility. There are regular entertainers among our ranks, and those who prefer to cook just for themselves and their immediate family, and we’re always on the lookout for new players, colors, and technology. Each brand on this list has either been personally tested (most of them) or recommended based on heat retention and distribution, care and maintenance, and aesthetics. 

If you have a favorite cookware brand to throw into contention, share it in the comments.

The post We Surveyed All the Best Cookware Brands to Find the 15 Worth Buying appeared first on domino.

When Tortuga Forma founder Andrea Hill and Light + Ladder designer Farrah Sit welcomed guests to a meal at Milan’s oldest Chinese restaurant last month, they purposefully nixed the dinner plates. Instead, they gave everyone a rice bowl. “Farrah and I wanted to communicate the love and nourishment that we personally feel when consuming Chinese food [at home],” says Hill. “Our friends loved the sensation of holding this warm, small bowl and putting it to their lips.” 

But it wasn’t just any ordinary rice bowl—it was one they collaborated on as part of Tortuga’s just-launched Kaolin collection. The assortment, which spans solid brass utensil holders, modular sauce containers, and more, is a modern take on Asian tableware, inspired by conversations between the two creatives about their shared cultural heritage as first-generation Chinese Americans. This week, Domino’s chief creative officer, Kate Berry, entered the chat. Berry, who immigrated with her family to the U.S. from Vietnam when she was 15 months old, sat down with Hill to talk about setting the table, comfort food, and celebrating your roots. 

This collection was sparked by a conversation between you and Farrah about your shared backgrounds. What were some of those moments you two spoke about? 

I told Farrah about my love for hosting small and large (and often messy) dinner parties and bringing our community around a table. Farrah then shared her experience growing up in Hudson Valley’s oldest Chinese restaurant, owned by her family. We compared notes over the different experiences of eating Chinese food at home versus at a restaurant, and it became clear that we wanted to bring the comfort and pleasure of the home-cooked Asian meal to life.

What role did the rice bowl play (and still plays) at your dinner table? 

I love nothing more than freshly steamed rice and have at least five different varieties in my pantry. The rice bowl is the singular vessel that can carry an Asian meal from beginning to end: It is a dining plate, appetizer plate, and soup bowl. 

I love how you’ve taken the humble rice bowl and put it on a pedestal; honoring it in that way.

It’s exactly what we are trying to do. We wanted to make the most beautiful rice bowl anyone could ever imagine. It can hold so many things, but we wanted to call it the rice bowl because that particular grain is so essential to all Asian cuisine. 

The collection is made with a custom porcelain clay. How and why did you customize the material? 

Porcelain is a historically important material in the history of tableware. The collection name Kaolin comes from the mountain range in China where the white silicate clay was traditionally mined. Our pieces are made in Vermont at an artisanal workshop. The makers are true artists and developed a custom clay mix that performs well in the mold and fires to a beautiful white color. I love that porcelain became synonymous and interchangeable with China because of the highest quality of porcelain coming from the country. 

For people who might not typically make Asian cuisine, how do you imagine them using the collection and integrating it into their tablescape? 

The Kaolin collection was designed to honor Asian cuisine, but the forms are universal and open to all foods. The footed serve bowl holds fruit as elegantly as vermicelli noodles. The serve platter is perfect for roast chicken or a whole steamed ginger scallion fish. The rice bowl is a perfect container for yogurt with granola. The sauce dishes also want to hold dips and snacks. Depending on orientation, the solid brass utensil holder can balance chopsticks or a knife-and-fork set. 

My culture is so much about gathering, and I think it’s very universal for all Asian cultures, right? 

Food is the language of love in all Asian cultures. I don’t know if you experienced this, but with my family, they never told me they loved me. They just always asked me if I was hungry.

That is so right. I say “I love you” so much to my daughter, but it’s that same thing where I’m like, “Can you please eat this? Please, for me.”

We’re always trying to work against this monolithic view of Asian culture and cuisine across the board. I hope one thing that comes from this collection is hearing how other Asian cultures eat. So I’m curious, what were the main dishes in your household growing up? 

We always had broth-y soup with a protein. My parents would start cooking pho broth on Friday, and we’d have it the next morning and throughout the whole weekend. We still gather at my brother’s house, and my mom will make bò kho, which is like a curry beef stew. We’ll make fun dishes like bánh xèo—the Vietnamese crepe. A lot of Vietnamese dishes are influenced by French cooking.

Do you cook Vietnamese food?

My parents divorced when I was young, so my mom didn’t really have an opportunity to teach me how to cook. It wasn’t until I moved to New York that I started cooking [it].

I’ve never made pho broth. 

Let’s try it together one day. I remember [as a kid] not wanting to eat a type of food because, oh, “it’s going to smell” or “people are going to judge me.” You just want to be normal. But now I feel like we’ve arrived. 

It took a lot of painful shared moments to get here. I’ve never thought more about identity than I have these past three years. 

You and I spoke recently about becoming more comfortable around talking about our cultures. I think a lot of creativity comes out of that. 

For both Farrah and me, it was an uncomfortable process revealing parts of [ourselves]. I think all of us grew up in this way, where we wanted to be recognized as individuals in spite of being minorities; it was the “in spite of” that was the challenge. But there is comfort when you realize, let’s not hide these things. Let’s take them out of the cupboard. Let’s put them on the table. Let’s celebrate them. 

Shop the Collection

Kaolin Brass Utensil Holder, Tortuga Forma ($98)

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Kaolin Sauce Dish, Tortuga Forma ($48)

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Kaolin Platter White, Tortuga Forma ($248)

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Kaolin Rice Bowl, Tortuga Forma ($78)

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The post “The Most Beautiful Rice Bowl Anyone Could Ever Imagine” Honors the Pleasures of Asian Home Cooking appeared first on domino.

As the minds (and hearts) behind Portland, Oregon–based soft-goods brand Madre, Jeanie Kirk and Shay Carrillo know a thing or two about making people feel at home. Their signature napkins and tablecloths, most recognizable for their contrasting embroidered edges, are what take even a bowl of cereal to the next level.

And they carry those good vibes over into their personal lives, too. “The way that Shay and I both really show our love is through cooking,” Kirk says. “So we wanted to make a meal together with people whom we share space with anyway.” This spring, the founders gathered their cool coven of friends to celebrate motherhood, the feminine economy, and, of course, their new line of madras linens—which debuts June 21—over dinner. Here’s how the whole thing came together. 

Pick Your Place 

The pair asked their friend, designer Joanna Bean Martin of After All Studio, to host in her colorful kitchen, which matched the sunny vibe they wanted for the laid-back affair. The fact that it coordinated with their new linens, which they used to set the table? A happy coincidence. 

Put Your Guests to Work

When you’re putting together a guest list, Carrillo and Kirk know that it helps to invite friends who can each play to their own strengths and contribute to the good times. “When mothers come together, they offer themselves up, like ‘Give me a job,’” Carrillo says. In this case, it also helps to have pals like sommelier Dana Frank, who owns local sipping spot Bar Norman and was put in charge of the vino; ceramist Martina Thornhill, who made the plates; Mahsa Darabi, who brought her Moody Chai; and Naz Sahin, who works on branding for Madre and designed the menu cards. And those blooms on the table? All courtesy of their bud Megan Arambul, who owns Fieldwork Flowers in town. 

Make the Food You Want to Eat

This isn’t the time to impress your guests with a multicourse production. Instead, a one-skillet meal means you won’t be tending to cooking during the entire party. Carrillo and Kirk went with potato-mushroom chicken thighs and two salads that could be passed around the table. To kick things off, they served oysters, radishes with butter, and warm olives, a dish Kirk first had at Carrillo’s house and now replicates all the time with Castelvetranos, coriander seeds, and orange peel. “It’s just so warm and inviting,” Kirk says. 

Serve the Little Ones a Separate Meal

Yes, children were invited to a party celebrating mothers, but Carrillo and Kirk delegated the little ones to a table outside and served them their own meal of chicken alphabet soup with bread and flower-topped butter. That way, the mamas could convene by themselves but were never too far away from the kiddos.

Remember: There’s No Such Thing as Too Much Dessert

Carrillo and Kirk had two cakes on offer at the end of the meal, both from local bakeries they love. The first, a buttercream-topped sponge filled with passion fruit curd from Sweedeedee. The second, a pistachio rose cake with lemon glaze from Milk Glass Mrkt, both brought to the table on Vivienne Kitchen & Pantry stands.

Carrillo and Kirk’s Party Essentials

Madre Picnic Linen Napkins (Set of 4), Food52 ($95)

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Moody Chai Tea, The Moody Persian ($20)

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Cast Iron Skillet, Field ($75)

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Tablecloth, Madre ($150)

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The post How Portland’s Coolest Moms Make a Mother’s Day Gathering Look Effortless appeared first on domino.

Take one peek into Molly Baz’s Los Angeles home and it’s clear that the cookbook author and food personality has some seriously great taste. And now that she’s launched her first line of kitchen tools and servingware with Crate & Barrel, you can bring that design goodness into your kitchen—and dining room and outdoor space—too. 

“Selfishly, [my husband, Ben Willett, and I] were like, let’s design the collection we’d want to see in our home,” she says with a laugh. That means cooking essentials in her signature primary colors (but also butter yellow, like her kitchen), cork coasters that mimic her floors, and lots of soothing wood pieces. Or in the words of Crate & Barrel SVP and head of design Sebastian Brauer: “Memphis, but in a California way.”

Molly Baz x Crate & Barrel Collection

The collection includes the basics for cooking—even a ¾ teaspoon, praise be—but one of the best things about the 58 pieces is that many are multipurpose essentials for gathering a crowd—and that can mean just a party of two. For instance, a salad bowl (with handles!) goes from countertop to table with ease and can be used as a fruit bowl when it’s off duty. (Storytime: At a recent dinner Baz hosted in New York to celebrate the collaboration, guests served themselves with the oversize tongs as waiters brought the bowl around the table.)

There’s also spritz-ready colorful glassware, a wood snack tray loosely inspired by iconic New York bar Bemelmans, and an ice bucket, which Baz has used to serve fried chicken or, in the case of that New York dinner, smashed potatoes. 

Baz even made a seafood tower, which she was sure she’d have to convince Crate & Barrel to let her include, but it turns out that a serving piece with three tiers, even one that’s technically meant for shellfish, can be used to set out, well, anything. At that same party, Baz filled the top level with butter and the bottom layers with torn bread. 

“The whole idea for the collection is that everything that lives in the kitchen can easily be seen on the table and vice versa,” Baz says. “If at the end of the night after having a dinner party, your kitchen’s a mess and this whole line is like all over the place—the kitchen will look better for it.” You heard Baz: Call your friends; it’s time to throw a dinner party. 

Shop the Collection

3-Tier Serving Tray by Molly Baz, Crate & Barrel ($90)

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Egg Yolk Yellow Apron by Molly Baz, Crate & Barrel ($60)

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Cae Sal Butter Yellow Stoneware Serving Bowl by Molly Baz, Crate & Barrel ($50)

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Wooden Salad Servers by Molly Baz, Crate & Barrel ($25)

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The Ice Bucket by Molly Baz, Crate & Barrel ($70)

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The Wine Glass in Paprika Red by Molly Baz, Crate & Barrel ($15)

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Blue Silicone Trivet by Molly Baz, Crate & Barrel ($20)

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Small Divided Wooden Serving Tray by Molly Baz, Crate & Barrel ($70)

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Set of 5 Stainless Steel Measuring Spoons by Molly Baz, Crate & Barrel ($17)

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Egg Yolk Yellow Stoneware Mug by Molly Baz ($15)

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The post Almost Everything in Molly Baz’s Crate & Barrel Line Is Multipurpose—Even the Seafood Tower appeared first on domino.

We love a good shopping challenge, and nothing compares to sourcing products for the most difficult-to-please people from a colossal online retailer. After putting our entire team to the task, we uncovered the best Mother’s Day gifts on Amazon that feel refreshingly unique—despite what their Prime eligibility might otherwise suggest. Our roster of 40-plus favorites covers a wide range of crowd-pleasing categories, from chic enamel kitchenware and elegant fuchsia gardening gloves to footed glass caviar bowls and silver elephant purse hooks designed by Alessi. The stacked list of surprisingly stylish Mother’s Day gifts on Amazon continues, below.

Best Kitchen Gifts

Our favorite Amazon kitchen gifts hail from Domino-favorite brands you might not know are hiding on Amazon: Studio 189’s handmade batik cotton apron, a Graf Lantz 100% merino wool pig trivet, Crow Canyon splatter-accented enamelware, sleek coffee makers by Fellow, Smeg’s premium Italian gadgets, trendy electric kettles from Caraway, and Laguiole’s French stainless steel cutlery. All gift-worthy catnip for cool moms who like to cook.

Star-Printed Hand-Batik Long Apron, Studio 189 ($110)

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Pig Trivet, Heat Protective 100% Merino Wool Felt, Graf Lantz ($42)

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Enamelware Salad Bowl, 4qt, Crow Canyon ($43)

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Porcelain Enamel-Coated Steel Pitcher, Golden Rabbit Enamelware ($41 was $45)

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Pour Over Coffee Set, Fellow ($80)

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Hand Blender, Cream, Smeg ($180)

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Whistling Tea Kettle in Marigold, Caraway ($195 was $225)

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7-Piece Stainless Steel Cheese Knife Set, Laguiole ($36 was $45)

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Best Gardening Gifts

For moms who garden, we selected an assortment of design-forward gifts to help them do so in style. Our ideas include elbow-length leather gardening gloves in an eye-catching fuchsia, Hunter clogs that make a compelling case to be worn beyond the tomato trellises, a shockingly chic watering can, Modern Sprout pruning shears, self-watering planter pots, and an all-encompassing herb garden kit.

Elbow-Length Leather Gardening Gloves in Rosy, HandLandy ($18 was $22)

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Original Play Clogs, Hunter ($55 was $85)

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Stainless Steel Water Can, 35oz, E.Palace ($22)

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Gardening Shears, Modern Sprout ($19)

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6-Inch Self Watering Pot, Phoenix Vine ($31)

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Organic Herb Garden Kit Indoor, Spade to Fork ($30 was $35)

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Best Glassware Gifts

Although Amazon might not be your first thought for procuring gift-worthy glassware, that’s not to say it doesn’t exist within the site’s virtual depths. After rooting around, we uncovered a collection of bona fide mom charmers: Elegant footed caviar bowls by LSA, amber tortoiseshell wineglasses handblown by a small business based in Mexico, Godinger’s handsome sea-tinted champagne bucket, the iconic Alvar Aalto vase by Finnish brand Iittala, a top-rated ribbed carafe-tumbler duo for under $20, and a color-blocked reversible vase.

Glass Caviar Serving Bowl, LSA International ($80)

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Handblown Amber Tortoise Shell Wineglasses, 9oz, Novica ($88 was $98)

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Silver Art Rondo Sea Blue Champagne Bucket, Godinger ($55)

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Alvar Aalto 120mm Clear Vase, Iittala ($140)

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Ribbed Glass Carafe with Tumbler, 15oz, Sizikato ($17 was $19)

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Reversible Large Glass Flower Vase and Bud Vase, Cloudnola ($65)

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Best Tableware Gifts

Amazon is already a Domino-editor favorite for affordable dinnerware staples, so taking things a step further and tapping the retailer for special Mother’s Day gift ideas was not much of a stretch. Our findings include charming Juliaska placemats and pretty patterned spoons, a pampas grass vase handwoven by a community of female artisans in Cambodia, stonewashed linen napkins made from 100% French flax, a block-print cotton tablecloth, a ruffled ceramic pitcher, quirky cork placemats, and a woven rattan wine caddy.

Tuileries Garden Placemat, Juliska ($20)

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Iberian Spoons, Set of 4, Juliska ($52)

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Hand-Woven Pampas Grass Vase, 6″, Liongle ($45)

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100% French Flax Stonewashed Linen Napkins, Set of 4, Eight Owls ($35)

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100% Cotton Block-Print Tablecloth, 60″ x 108″, Atosii ($50)

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White Ruffle Pitcher, Coton Colors ($60)

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Cork Placemats, Set of 4, Old City Unltd. ($35)

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Two-Bottle Wine Basket, Teng Tian ($70)

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Best Beauty Gifts

Amazon’s luxury beauty selection is strong, offering a wide range of crowd-favorite brands with verified storefronts—from Tatcha’s cult skin-care kits to Olio e Osso’s clean beauty staples to Diptyque’s status candle trios. Other gift ideas for Mom include little luxuries like Monpure’s silk scrunchies, Osea’s algae-infused body butter, and a Weleda hand-softening kit.

The Starter Ritual Set, Tatcha ($80)

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Natural Lip + Cheek Balm, No. 10 Tea Rose, Olio e Osso ($28)

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Votive Candle Trio-Baies, Figuier, Roses-3 ct., Diptyque ($116)

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Style and Protect Silk Scrunchie Trio, Monpure ($32)

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Undaria Algae Body Butter, 6.7oz, Osea ($56)

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Skin Food Hand Mask Kit, Weleda ($17)

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Best Food Gifts

Starting with a cheer-inspiring ceramic bottle of cold-pressed olive oil she can (and will) reuse and moving on to Alison Roman’s highly anticipated dessert cookbook, an assortment of Venchi’s Italian chocolates, and a lovely box of Korean tea sachets sourced from the fields of Jeju Island, our top picks for the best Mother’s Day food gifts on Amazon will not disappoint.

Cold-Pressed Extra Virgin Italian Olive Oil, 16.9fl, Antico Frantoio Muraglia ($75)

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Sweet Enough: A Dessert Cookbook, Alison Roman ($24)

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Gianduiotto and Cremino Gift Box, Venchi ($39)

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Premium Tea Collection Gift Set, 40 Count, OSULLOC ($40)

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Best Unique Gifts

As far as unique Amazon gifts go, there are quite a few for mothers. We clocked a plucky bunch of items that she would never buy herself. There’s the Domino-favorite Loftie smart alarm clock, a brass-cast spectacle stand, a Sensi Studio crochet sun hat, a centerpiece-worthy puzzle, Alessi’s stainless steel purse hook shaped like an elephant’s trunk, 100 postcards featuring illustrations from the New York Botanical Garden archives, Liberty-print dominoes, a teeny-tiny portable mushroom lamp, and an ethically sourced palo santo starter kit—for every one purchased, the brand will plant a tree.

Eyewear Stand, Craighill ($68)

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Hippie Fiesta Crochet, Sensi Studio ($156)

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Smart Alarm Clock, Loftie ($149)

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Hydrangea Floral Arrangement Jigsaw Puzzle, 500+ Pieces, Two’s Company ($22)

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Jumbo Purse Hook, Silver, Alessi ($20 was $36)

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Roses: 100 Postcards from the Archives of The New York Botanical, The New York Botanical Garden ($20)

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Liberty Double-Sided Wooden Domino Set, Galison ($37 was $40)

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Portable Aluminum LED Lamp, Lexon ($70)

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Palo Santo Sticks, 5-Pack, Bursera ($16)

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Vulcan Ceramic Smudge Bowl, Bursera ($29)

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The post The 48 Best Mother’s Day Gifts on Amazon Will Surprise You (and Your Mom) appeared first on domino.

Breakfast in bed is a classic Mother’s Day gift. Why not take it up a notch it this year? Instead of carrying a precariously balanced tray of scrambled eggs to her room for a solo Sunday morning, invite your mom to a beautiful table where you can celebrate over a long meal together. Read on for six Mother’s Day table-setting ideas that we promise are worth leaving the cozy warmth of a fluffy duvet. 

Pump Up Your Palette

Opting for two-tone enamel plates and color-blocked wineglasses in lieu of standard white turns even standard breakfast fare into an Insta-worthy Mother’s Day setup.

Set of 4 Enamel Dinner Plates by Crow Canyon, West Elm ($80)

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Colored Wine Set by Jochen Holz, The Future Perfect ($560)

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Let Your Centerpiece Do the Talking

Decorate your table with something unexpected and you won’t even need candles or flowers. This long powder-coated standing bowl is perfect for holding, say, a grocery store’s worth of citrus. If you’re dead set on candlelight, though, this frog bowl has room for your favorite tapers and a few sprigs of greenery. 

Ceramic Flower Frog Bowl + Taper Holder, The Floral Society ($128)

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Standing Bowl, FS Objects ($130)

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Make It Monochrome

The secret to an exciting monochrome tablescape is a handful of textural elements. Sculptural white bud vases overflowing with baby’s breath and silvery hem-stitched napkins add instant glamour.

Filetto Napkins, Sferra ($69)

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Pure White Ceramic Vases, West Elm ($13)

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Reinvent Grocery Store Flowers

Instead of sending Mom a bouquet this year, incorporate the florals into a special centerpiece. Line the table with mix-and-match bud vases (or regular glasses if you’re working with what you have) and display one or two standout blooms in each.

Little Gem Vases by Gary Bodker Designs, Bloomist ($28)

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Green Chinoiserie Column Vase, Terrain ($68)

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Mix and Match

Maybe you don’t have a cohesive dinnerware set. Don’t worry: Mismatched plates paired with a linen tablecloth make for an effortlessly cool look. We’re loving this stoneware design alongside a more classic motif with a twist.

Hand-Painted Dinner Plate in Blue, Pomelo ($92)

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Set of 4 Costa Nova Pearl Stoneware Dinner Plates, Pottery Barn ($130)

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Modernize Rustic

If you have a backyard or balcony, take Mother’s Day brunch outdoors and outfit the table with an abundance of wildflowers. Colorful glassware and splashy ceramic bowls elevate the more rustic decorations and make it a day to remember. 

Breakfast Bowl, Fefo Studio ($35)

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Large Reyes Cutting Board, Lulu & Georgia ($30)

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The post 6 Mother’s Day Table-Setting Ideas That Give Breakfast in Bed a Run for Its Money appeared first on domino.

On Sundays, we brunch. Read on for inspiration for every spring gathering, complete with make-it-your-own recipes and chic tableware.

Babes Who Brunch

On the Menu 

Ricotta-avocado toast to serve when the ladies arrive. Individual omelets with seasonal greens that are simple to whip up, keep your stove time to a minimum, and can be customized to particular tastes.

In the Glasses 

Beauty & the Brut (pink coconut water with sparkling wine for heady hydration). A pretty pot of loose dried flowering sage tea.

On the Table 

Cool vintage-inspired florals and traditional porcelain motifs in jewel tones modernize the ladies-who-lunch vibe.

Ginori Oriente Italiano Dinner Plate in Malachite, Scully & Scully ($125)

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20-Piece Rush Brushed Gold Flatware Set, CB2 ($80 was $100)

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Ginori Oriente Italiano Tea Cup, Neiman Marcus ($145)

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Breakfast for Two

On the Menu 

Soft-boiled farmers’ market eggs topped with American caviar feels special without breaking the bank. Toasted soldiers add a satisfying crunch, and make-ahead grapefruit compote is pretty and refreshing.

In the Glasses 

Bubbly with pomegranate seeds in your finest stemware looks extra festive—and is an invite to linger in bed all afternoon.

On the Table 

Fancy linens, brass flatware, and heirloom-in-the-making tableware delivered via cocktail tray with a side of Sunday crossword.

Marq High Gloss White Rectangle Tray, CB2 ($50)

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Bernardaud Cronos Rose Salad Plate, Paris Jewelers & Gifts ($50)

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Festival Napkins, Sferra ($69)

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The All-Day Graze

On the Menu 

Crusty breads with cheese, charcuterie, and potted terrine allow for build-your-own-bites. Fresh, bright melon spritzed with lime adds extra zing. Family-style roasted tomato tart that tastes just as delicious when cool.

In the Glasses 

A light saffron-honey sparkler that guests (and hosts) can dip into throughout the afternoon as a “healthy” libation.

On the Table 

Colored glassware and mix-and-match pieces pulled from various sets create fun pattern combinations.

Tresor Dessert Plate in Turqouise, Raynaud ($230)

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Set of 2 Littala Kartio Drinking Glasses by Iittala, Wayfair ($37)

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Jasper Conran by Wedgwood Pin Stripe Bread & Butter Plate, Amazon ($20 was $25)

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This story was originally published in our Spring 2017 issue with the headline “Sunday Funday.”

The post The Recipe for a Winning Brunch: Easy Ingredients Made Special and These Vibrant Table Settings appeared first on domino.

“The community out here in the desert is rich with musicians, painters, sculptors, writers, and designers doggedly pursuing their work,” says visual artist Lily Stockman of Southern California’s Joshua Tree, where she has a small cabin. “By the time the weekend rolls around, people are ready for some human interaction.”

Together with her sister, Hopie, Lily launched the Los Angeles–based textile line Block Shop in 2010. The two have since made the dusty pink home a satellite studio for hosting workshops on natural dyeing and hand–block printing—skills they learned while setting up production in India. Known for their scarves, baby quilts, pillows, and tabletop linens in a rich palette, the Stockmans introduced wallpaper in 2022.

To get their social fix, they often throw laid-back, last-minute dinner parties for whomever happens to be around. While the house is only 500 square feet, the white-walled courtyard doubles as an outdoor kitchen and dining room. The stark landscape inspires the sisters to embrace a pared-down aesthetic with splashes of color, like cobalt plates or a bunch of Mexican marigolds, and strong geometric forms, such as their block-printed napkins.

The menu follows a similar let’s-see-what-we-come-up-with philosophy. “We like to cook big vats of things and serve a main dish that can be shared,” Lily says. Cut to her fresh-baked loaves of no-knead bread; quinoa with Alphonso mangoes and cilantro tossed in a sweet yogurt–lemon juice–curry sauce; and family-style salads dressed with Hopie’s go-to vinaigrette. The bonfire pit comes in handy for the crowd-pleasing Tandoori-inspired chicken, grilled and kept warm in a Dutch oven until dinnertime, as well as a rustic strawberry-rhubarb galette served straight from a cast-iron skillet.

The Stockmans’ breezy approach to entertaining suits the wild backdrop that surrounds them—painted-sky sunsets included. “Parties around here usually start during the golden hour and end at what our friend calls ‘desert midnight’—9 p.m.,” explains Hopie. “Everyone gets up early.” After all, there’s work to be done.

This story was originally published in our Spring 2017 issue with the headline “Block Party.”

The post How the Block Shop Sisters Host Last-Minute Dinner Parties in Their Joshua Tree Courtyard appeared first on domino.

Magic is a word that comes up a lot when you talk to people about Rancho Pillow, a creative guesthouse compound just outside Round Top, Texas. The 20-acre property features a variety of eclectic lodging options, including a private teepee lined with hand-painted murals, a storage shed–turned–casita called the Love Shack, and an 18th-century barn that was relocated from upstate New York.

But what really adds to the funky vibes and kaleidoscopic style is the fact that several of the pieces, from the bedroom furniture to the artwork to the name (which was scrawled on a 1940s neon sign), come from the Round Top antiques fair, a twice-yearly extravaganza that turns a 17-mile stretch of Texas Highway 237 into a vintage lover’s dream. Rancho Pillow is the work of Sheila Youngblood, a wildly colorful soul who is the walking embodiment of the property: “What I wear, what my spaces look and feel like—these are expressions of my own heart,” she says.

The compound, which was formerly Youngblood’s family’s second home (they’re based in Austin, just over an hour’s drive west), has hosted dozens of events in high style over the years—300-person weddings, grand birthday parties, and raucous high school reunions—but family-style dinners held outside in the fields have become a signature of sorts.

A ticketed feast is open to the public during each Round Top season, and Youngblood also throws intimate gatherings for friends in town—such as Austin-based designer Claire Zinnecker, a Rancho regular who brought a few new recruits during her last trip.

Youngblood and Zinnecker decided to welcome them with a “Rancho Pillow–style shindig” featuring an Indian-inspired menu by chef Rachel Lomas, who created the Daphne, a supper club in Austin. (“She is my best friend in the world,” says Youngblood of Lomas. “We have really different design sensibilities, but we unite on two things: We never, ever wear pants, and we believe in the importance of color.”)

With florals prepared by another friend, Virginia Lyons, and a tablescape curated from Youngblood’s vast collection of Round Top pieces, the special evening was a natural marriage of Zinnecker’s bright, bohemian aesthetic and Youngblood’s unique brand of whimsical maximalism. “People might often look at a Pinterest image and think they have to have that exact thing, but it’s not about that,” says Zinnecker. “It’s about self-expression and having fun with it.”

The Menu

• Belgian endive with turmeric sheep’s milk feta mousse and pickled radish
• Chilled saffron corn soup with Ume plum vinegar, beet, and chili oil emulsion
• Local yellow tomato and pickled vegetable salad
• Yellow chana dal
• Lamb with Kerala curry sauce
• Indian-spiced rose pots de crème with corn cookies

The Centerpiece

Every item used for dinners at Rancho Pillow comes from Round Top. Since meals are held outside, florals are often foraged shortly beforehand. For this gathering, strands of coral vine, a fast-growing Texas weed with bright pink blooms, acted as a table runner.

The Dinnerware

If you have rich colors in the food, don’t fight it. “You don’t want your plates or flowers to compete with that,” notes Zinnecker. “We built this meal with everything in shades of deep pink and yellow—from the radishes to the chilled corn soup,” says Youngblood. Zinnecker balances the more-is-more look by paring down as the table comes to life. “You throw all those things in, then take a step back and say, ‘Oh, this color is competing too much’ or ‘That glassware feels too heavy.’ Edit at the end with fresh eyes,” she says.

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