Waste baskets

One of the last things on my list once we had moved into our newly built addition was to find a trash can for every room.  Not a glamorous task, but trash cans are necessary parts of life, and I spent a while trying to find practical ones that were also beautiful.  Here are a few favorites:

The Woodrow Can from Umbra is made of laminated wood, and comes in great colors.  The classic design has a little modern edge, but not too much of one.  I have three by my desk for trash, magazines, and office paper.  Available from The Container Store.  

The Lotus, also available at The Container Store, is made of plastic so it's very practical, but the material looks like tortoiseshell, so it looks very chic--that is if you even notice it.  It tends to disappear in a room, exactly what waste baskets should do!

This is also an Umbra design: the Skinny can in galvanized steel, an industrial material made glamorous by the asymmetrical rim and sleek handle.

Another favorite: the Translations can from The Container Store.  This one is not a workhorse like the others--it's paper mache.  It's ideal for a powder room where it will get only light use, and be a clever little surprise for guests.  The red interior really makes this fabulous.