Our Community's Favorite Picks for Summer
With so many great new brands and makers joining Kaufmann Mercantile lately, we wanted to highlight some of the standout products that our community has been enjoying this season. From artisanal accents for your home to heritage inspired leather goods, useful tools for your kitchen and everyday carry to outdoor essentials for cooking and entertaining, there’s something for everyone to appreciate.
The Wick is an exceptionally designed table lamp that marries modern technology with the aesthetics of the past. Combining the romance of a candle with the utility of a flashlight, Wick adapts to and fits a broad variety of contexts, from an intimate home dining room to a warm backyard gathering. Wick is perfect as a gift or for your own enjoyment. Available in brass and graphite finish.
The Dutch oven is a versatile workhorse that can handle just about any recipe or task in the kitchen. Le Creuset adds to its durable cast iron construction with a vibrant colorful enamel that makes it a statement piece in your kitchen you won’t want to hide away. We’ve covered 7 was to use your dutch oven beyond the basic stews and soups (though we love those too).
We’ve often spoken about the benefits of cast iron cookware so we’re hardly surprised that this Grill Pan from Skeppshult made this summer’s list of community favorites. One of the ultimate benefits of cast iron cookware is the process of bonding fine layers of oil from cooking with the metal of the piece, called seasoning. As the pan becomes more seasoned, it naturally gains the properties of a more modern non-stick pan without the potential danger of harmful chemicals that some cheaper, modern aluminum pans contain. It’s a must have for any home-chef.
While maybe lesser known than other brush clearing tools such as the axe, the Nata tool, from Barebones is just as versatile. Clear brush, strip bark, plank wood, make kindling–all with one thoughtfully-crafted tool that’s inspired by a traditional Japanese implement and constructed with heritage-quality materials. The stainless steel machete-like blade and a solid steel core that extends through the length of the hardwood handle lend stability and greater swinging weight yet it still packs thin and light, making it an essential addition to any collection. This piece is part of our Woodsman Collection.
Recently profiled on the KM Guide this summer, the Obakki team travels around the world to forge meaningful connections with artisans and establish sustainable local markets before taking their products global and sharing their stories with audiences worldwide. As a result, every piece is limited in quantity and totally unique. The Camel Cable knit design gives this blanket a heavier, comforting weight; making it the perfect accessory for a chilly night. Neutral colors and a classic aesthetic mean this throw also doubles as a beautiful design element in any space.
Craighill is a design and manufacturing brand rooted in curiosity, ingenuity, and pleasure. They are all about balancing the limitless magic of an object with its tactile, real-world functionality. The Nocturn Catchall is equally at home on your dresser, desk, or coffee table, this solid American hardwood catch-all provides an ideal home for your daily essentials. Surprisingly hefty, and with a smooth satin finish, you might wind up loving the Nocturn Catch more than the objects you keep on it.
We’re all for cutting back on single-use plastics and when we can do it without sacrificing on form and function we’re especially happy. The A6 Memobottle is in a league of its own and fits perfectly in your pocket or handbag. It's a work of art that keeps you hydrated and fits where other traditionally shaped water bottles won’t. Not to mention the stylish leather sleeve Memobottle makes to protect your bottle that keeps getting better with age and use.
Pewter Shave brush, $100 & Cup, $85
After the folding-handle straight razor made it practical for men to shave themselves rather than visit the barber, a shave set became a status symbol—especially one made of lustrous, high-shine pewter. The shave brush eliminates the pre-shave routine of washing and applying lotion to the face. Moving it across your skin works as a gentle exfoliant, and it lifts and softens facial hair for a smooth, close shave. The shaving brush also infuses your shaving cream or soap with water, creating a richer lather than you can achieve with your fingers. The cup acts as an elegant way to mix your shave lather and apply it to your brush. For a full shaving experience these items are best paired with a St. James Safety Razor and a soothing aftershave.
In addition to curating amazing shave products, our friends at Samson stock some of the best grooming products around too. Tenax hair pomade is a water-based wax that guarantees a super firm hold and high-shine finish. Apply a small amount of wax to the palm of your hand and rub hands together to mold your favorite hairstyle. Perfect on dry or damp hair. Tenax fixes a modern, relaxed hairstyle without stiffness.
Dog Collar, from $56 & Leash, $71
Sturdy Brothers started with a simple design for this collar and leash. They added extra stitching for strength, simplicity and beauty. As pet owners ourselves, it seems hard to find quality pet leashes and collars that look good and truly last. Sturdy Brothers, as well as the other pet brands we swear by, solves this problem by crafting truly exceptional pet products.
Explore more of our community favorites and top picks for the season HERE.
Written by Connor Roe