Welcome to this week’s Wednesday Watch List, where I share the random things that captured my attention and stole my heart over the past week!
This post contains affiliate links for your shopping convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.
1 – This new traditional home tour is one for the books. I just can’t get over this stunning dining room! The table remind me a lot of ours and I just can’t get over that grasscloth or the combination of chairs! So much coastal goodness!
2 – I’m completely obsessed with this gold and acrylic tripod floor lamp. I think it’s going to be one of those pieces that sells out super fast because it looks a lot more expensive than it actually is and it already has nearly perfect reviews! floor lamp:Â There’s also a tabletop version as well!
3 – This woven basket is a really great alternative to some much pricier versions I’ve seen lately at stores like Serena & Lily and CB2. Not only that, it comes in six colors and three sizes! So cute to use as a basket for a plant (think fiddle leaf fig) or to store toys or blankets!
4 – For the past few months I’ve been contemplating investing in a Le Creuset (or semi-equivalent) French/Dutch oven. Kurtis and are basically using the pots and pans we both bought in college and nothing matches. Plus, food is sticking like crazy and we’re pretty sure we’re ingesting some of the coating. Awesome, right? So, I’ve thought of buying some adult cookware (especially now that we’ve proven we can eat at home). With fall and winter being the closest in proximity, this size seems the first place I should start. I’m actually really loving this basil color right now from Staub, but in the long-term, I think I’d be happier with the matte white or matte navy blue from Le Creuset. You can also see a bunch more options here. I had a friend suggest I check out HomeGoods to see their supply, and although they had quite a bit, it was all a tomato red color. So, my question is, if you own either, do you feel it’s worth the investment? What size is the one you use the most? Is there another brand I should look at? These both seemed to have the most consistent positive reviews. I’d love to get your input!
5 – I bought this book and it’s been a fun one to peruse from both a recipe and styling perspective. With the holidays quickly approaching, it has lots of practical ideas and tips for hosting as well as how to style your bar cart to coordinate best with your home. I also bought this book this week and can’t wait for it to arrive!
If you would like to follow along on more of my home decor, DIY, lifestyle, travel and other posts, I’d love to have you follow me on any of the following:
Pinterest / Instagram / Facebook / Twitter / Google+
disclosure: some affiliate links used
Marie says
My Le Creuset dutch oven is the best thing in my kitchen. I love it and feel that it’s well worth its price tag. I braise meat in it, make soups and stews and spaghetti and meatballs in it, fry things in it.. and love that I can start something on the stove in the LC and then slide it all into the oven. And the inside cleans beautifully – even when I think something is stuck on, a little soaking in warm soapy water does the trick. They do darken over time, though, so I’d caution you from getting white, as i’m not sure it would stay white. But blue seems like a safe option. Williams Sonoma is having a sale NOW on Le Creuset cookware too.
Rebecca says
I have a white one. The exterior has stayed white and fresh. I use it daily and store it on my stove, so it takes a beating. The interior is cream and has some staining, but I think this would happen anyway. But you are 100% correct – the inside is easy to scrub clean without a lot of effort.
Tiffany says
Love this basket as a Christmas tree skirt alternative! Clean but stylish at the same time! I just ordered one in black, thanks for the recommendation! Hope you’re having a great week 🙂
Rebecca says
Regarding the Dutch Oven: If you can swing the price, I think this is a smart investment. I still have my mother’s that she was given as a wedding gift.
I’m one of the people who bought a white one at Home Goods. I paid $60. The only thing I regret is there were tiny chips in the enamel on the top and handle. Those have gotten bigger in the year I’ve owned it, but I also use it almost every day and store it on my stove, so it takes quite a beating. I don’t mind as it doesn’t impact the interior at all. Even my mother’s 60+ year old one has some chips. I do think it’s worth looking at Home Goods more.
Final thought – I think the basil color is as neutral as the matte navy or matte white. You can’t go wrong with any of those colors. 🙂
Kim says
Dive in and get the pot. You will use it the rest of your life. They are wonderful. Keep checking home goods…they get lots in….and so much cheaper.
Karen says
Check nearby outlet malls for a Le Creuset, they have great sales!
Linda says
Cast iron enamel pots are an essential to me. So many things you can cook beautifully in one because of the even heat. Having said that, I have 4 in different sizes, 2 are Le Cruset, 1 is from Home Goods and 1 is Martha Stewart. They all get a lot of use and all cook with the same even heat, easy to clean that I love. They are all heavy. The cost, however, really varied and I can say from my own experience that the brand has not guaranteed anything. My large dutch oven Le Cruset is my oldest and has multiple chips in the outside enamel. The others have less. I attribute this more to the weight and difficulty manuvering it in the sink issue rather than anything to do with the brand. At this point, if I add more cast iron to my collection, it will be a lesser expensive brand than Le Cruset because I am convinced they all cook the same and they can all chip if they bang against anything heavy or against each other in your sink. You can take that to the bank. I also think the matte finish is a trend which won’t last.
Rebecca says
Great point about brands. Thank you!
Rebecca says
Great point about brands. Thank you!
Kara says
I love my Dutch oven. I have a bright white round 6qt Martha Stewart one from Macy’s and they deeply discount them throughout the year plus you can use coupons so you can buy multiple sizes. They gave an 8qt oval shape and 8qt round and go down to a 4qt. Pretty decent color range. If you don’t plan to use it regularly this might be the way to go if you aren’t ready to invest yet. I love it and it cooks so evenly. Lodge is another highly rated brand and I have two of their skillets from C&B that are rated second behind Le Creusant for a fraction of the price. You really can’t go wrong with any of them as long as you care for them properly. 🙂
Katie says
I have Staub because their more elegant aesthetic suits me more than Le Crueset’s more casual one (the Grenadine color is stunning). In terms of quality, they are equal. I actually use it less than I would have thought because it’s so darn heavy! I mean, REALLY heavy when you are trying to turn it all over to rinse in the sink, and I’m afraid of chipping it.
I do all my large cooking in an 8 quart ALL-Clad stainless pot – everything from making meatballs, boiling pasta, braising, frying, soups, etc. it goes in the oven and is dishwasher safe (but I hand wash because it takes up too much space in the dishwasher anyway). It looks beautiful and I keep it looking like new by cleaning any stuck-on foods with a mini-Brillo that I toss when I’m done. It takes about 1 minute to clean. All-clad shows up at Homegoods all the time too, and they usually get a ton of stockpots in this time of year for the holidays. Expect to pay about $150 for the 8qt at Homegoods if you go with it. Be careful about which line of All-clad you are looking at, some are not dishwasher safe (and the copper core and D5 lines are more expensive, but not really worth it unless you like the look of them specifically).
Katie says
If you are investing in multiple pieces of cookware, I absolutely recommend All-clad’s polished stainless steel line. I’m a professional chef and it’s wonderful to cook on. If you Google All-clad outlet sale, you can find a link to get on their mailing list for their semi-annual online outlet sale and really rack up some big savings. I bought all of my pieces at Homegoods or at their factory seconds sale in Cannonsburg, PA, but I’ve heard the online sale is just as good.
Nelly says
It is an investment but a good one. Definitely buy Le Crueset or Staub. You won’t regret it.
Camille says
We have three Le Creuset that we’ve had for over 20 years and they are still going strong. (I’m over the green we chose, but they don’t even have a chip so I can’t say they NEED to be replaced. The interior enamel is a bit worn, but they are still heating evenly and easy to clean, so my desire for glossy white replacements will have to wait.) We use the 5 qt one the most, but love having the 8 qt for large batches of soups, stews, meatballs/sauce. We don’t use the 2 quart much, but it has come in handy now and then. I’d buy the larger two again in a heartbeat. Well worth the investment.