About 10 years ago, I bought a $20 very pretty toilet brush. While $20 isn't a particularly large sum (a gallon of milk in 2024 dollars?), it was ten times as expensive as the cheapest (ugly) toilet brush I could've bought. And I spent more than money—I also spent time scouring the internet for "beautiful toilet brush." You'd be amazed where that google search leads. Did you know there are $175 toilet brushes rendered of gold-plate and marble?
Some would say I wasted both time and money. Some would say it couldn't possibly matter how a toilet brush looks because of what it does.
I say there is a deep truth with which, intentionally or not, the material beauty of even our lowliest tools cooperates: the ordinary operations of life contain dignity. The human person scrubbing toilets is precious, even in the midst of the mind-numbingly mundane or the downright gross. The beauty of our tools honors both our work and our humanity.
We use tools to cook our meals, make our coffee, dust our windowsills, and yes—clean our toilets. The work matters because we matter. Our tools could be beautiful or ugly, and when they're beautiful, they help express that these utilities of life are not meaningless.
Of course, this is a philosophical point and not an absolute one. There's no prudence in throwing away something functional or exceeding your budget. But the point is that both beauty and ugliness condition us, yet only one builds us.
Bonus: When your tools are pretty, you need less closed storage and less decor because the tools can be on display and double as design elements. Here are some pretty tools we have at home and enjoy both using and beholding. Many of these tools also make wonderful gifts to elevate the everyday for those you love.
amber soap pumps - the foaming mechanism makes your liquid soap go a lot further
copper measuring spoons - I love how these fit so well into jars
wide mouth jars - we use these for packing leftovers, homemade granola, and lunches, including jar salads which are themselves quite lovely
pretty toilet brush - et voila
stainless steel french press - this press is excellent: smoothly operating, high-quality construction, keeps coffee hot forever
teak spatulas - I have frequently gifted these
bamboo drying rack - pretty and sustainable
reusable bags - you will not believe how often you'll reach for these, and how much more pleasant they are to use than old plastic grocery bags
dustpan set - see bonus rule above
black toilet seat - I swear by this substantial-feeling black toilet seat to add instant style and character to the least stylish thing that exists
brass outlet covers - one of those small upgrades that makes a shockingly significant impact
lambswool duster - we love this little tool for its efficacy and because it looks adorable on our kitchen hook
writing pens - the simple joy of a perfectly designed instrument
dish scrub brush - au revoir, gnarly sponges
duralex picardie glasses - a French bistro staple that's super versatile for water, juice, cocktails, and wine (we use a stack of these for parties, too, instead of disposable cups)
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