7 Home Things That Always Make Me Happy

Including the only plant I have yet to accidentally kill.

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Like Pavlov’s dog, I have a fully conditioned response to certain external triggers. For example, every April, when those weirdly irresistible egg-dyeing kits start showing up at the store, I’m suddenly, inexplicably consumed by the desire to give away the entire contents of my home. As I write this, I am fighting the urge to immediately and ruthlessly organize my closet, my kids’ rooms, and just about every area of our house. It’s weird.

But there are meetings to attend, deadlines to hit, and kids to bathe, so instead of having a big, wonderful clean-out day, I’m just doing little bits at a time, which is not particularly satisfying, but we do what we can. While my free time is spent slowly culling outgrown sippy cups from the kitchen for a Baby2Baby dropoff and making a pile of Coachella-appropriate pieces for resale, I’ve also been taking inventory of the key pieces around the house that will not be thrown into a donation box in a fit of frustration—the items that have, and will always have, a place in our home. You know, the things I got right.

So in the spirit of “things that spark joy,” I figured it was worth sharing a handful of the home items that I have zero buyer’s remorse about purchasing. They are pieces that are aesthetically pleasing, functionally additive, and worth the investment, in my humble opinion.

But here’s the thing: Some of the items are expensive, which is true of many of the pieces I include in my stories. And I mention this because I am aware that people will read this list and immediately freak out over the price of a coffee mug I love. (You’re in good company; I can hear my father saying, “HOW much for a cup?!?” in my head already.) And that’s fair.

That said, these days, I am trying to vote with my wallet when I can, and by that I mean buying fewer, better things; searching for quality over convenience; looking for independent artists and makers; supporting small businesses when possible; and just being a more thoughtful consumer than I was a decade ago. I’m not saying you need this exact coffee cup; I’m saying find something that really speaks to you, that you will want to use over and over again. That can be a vintage mug from your local thrift store, or it can be an investment item. The point is to curate your home—and hopefully the rest of your life—in a thoughtful way when you can.

Things in My Home That Just Make Me Happy

Ficus Elastica Ruby Tree ($70)

I don’t know how to say this other than plainly, so I won’t even try: I have a black thumb. And by that I mean I murder plants. I don’t know why I am simply incapable of remembering to water them or take care of them in the slightest, but I just don’t. And yes, I’ve tried everything, including creating a watering schedule in my calendar, but I am just terrible about it. That said, hope springs eternal, and last year, I bought a pink rubber tree—yes, that’s the layman’s name—and honestly, it’s thriving.

If you’re looking for an indoor plant that’s pretty and low-fuss and grows even when its owner is negligent at best, I very much recommend this one. While I bought my tree at one of my neighborhood nurseries, there are all kinds of newer companies that will ship you one with a decorative pot. I like the options at The Sill, where the large plant is available as is or you can add a simple pot, but there are also other options at Ansel & Ivy and a beautiful extra-large iteration at Léon & George.

Yamazaki Home Foldable Silicone Drainer Tray ($34)

In a perfect world, all dishes would go into the dishwasher, and nothing would ever be left on the side of the sink to drain or dry, but that’s not how it really works in our house, despite my best attempts. While I despise drying mats as a category, I have to say this one is probably about as good as it’s going to get, and I have become rather fond of it.

The company—some call it the IKEA of Japan, which I think undersells it quite a bit—has been around for over 100 years and makes loads of sleek, well-designed organizational tools, if you’re into that sort of thing. (We also have its Steel & Wood Top Narrow Rolling Storage Cart next to our washer and dryer; it fits perfectly in the narrow space and holds all our laundry products beautifully.)

Mayware Ceramics Everyday Pasta Bowls ($52)

If I could only have one type of plate or bowl in my home for the rest of my life, it would be this one. I know that sounds intense, but honestly, it’s the most useful, versatile dinnerware I’ve ever owned, and while expensive, it more than pays for itself in both joy and frequent use. My husband originally bought a few of these for friends, and I loved them so much I bought them for our home under the guise of being an anniversary present.

They’re perfect for a wide range of dishes; we mostly use them for savory rice bowls, salads, or pastas, but honestly, they elevate anything you throw in there. Each bowl is handmade by Jeffrey Ryan May, and they’re microwave and dishwasher safe, too. We have the Specked Eggshell With Red Base bowls, but there is a range of glazes, all of which are lovely.

Pawena Studio B Mugs ($80)

When we bought our home four years ago, my husband and I made a conscious effort to try to only buy things we truly loved for our home, even if it meant going without key things for months or even years. In short, we wanted the opposite of disposable items. That means a lot of the things we own are vintage or thrifted and restored, and when we do buy new, we try to find pieces that are locally made, when possible, by artists or artisans we admire. And that’s how we ended up with these Pawena Studio mugs.

Again, these are expensive, but they were a birthday present (from me to Jonathan), we only have two, and we use them every day. They make morning coffee a lovelier ritual, they have a substantial hand feel, they hold a generous amount of coffee, and the wonderful ceramic artist who makes them has been really lovely to work with. (One of our kids broke a mug that is currently sold out; we emailed to ask if she would ever be creating more, and she made us a new one!) Her pieces go fast, so watch her IG @pawenastudio for new drops or to inquire about previously released pieces.

Natural Woven Floor Baskets ($18–$108)

At this exact stage in my life, living with a 2.5- and a 4.5-year-old, and a husband with a large collection of hand percussion instruments (cabasas, castanets, guiros, maracas, and more), floor baskets have become my friends. We have them in nearly every room, collecting assorted nonsense galore. We have lidded Lillis Baskets ($18–$34) from Shoppe, which is the genius retail destination by the brilliant Amber Lewis; a handmade Ghanese Striped Floor Basket ($108) from The Little Market; a black-and-tan Seagrass Basket ($36) from Target; and I have my eye on the fair-trade, ethically made, handwoven Oval Jute Basket ($70) from Will & Atlas that everyone from Marie Kondo to the deeply chic team behind Pierce & Ward likes.

Year & Day All Day & Night Dip Dishes ($40)

Technically, these little dishes are to be used as salt and pepper cellars, or as little receptacles for marcona almonds or Castelvetrano olives on your charcuterie board, but I have them scattered around the house to use as wedding ring holders. I have one in the kitchen, another on my bathroom counter, one beside my bed, and a whole other set for kitchen use too. They’re so beautiful, practical (dishwasher, microwave, freezer, and oven safe up to 480º), and pleasing in every sense of the word.

Vintage Jadeite Dishware ($5–$500)

When my husband and I were first dating, he offered to cook for us, and when I walked into his kitchen, I almost fell over. He had a set of incredibly lovely, simple, vintage jadeite nesting mixing bowls sitting on a shelf, a near-perfect match to a set I also owned. Turns out that we both had small, unintentional collections of mostly 1940s and 1950s Anchor Hocking FireKing pieces, plus some 1930s McKee and Jeannette additions, too.

We have a modest assortment in our kitchen today, with everything from those aforementioned mixing bowls to a butter dish, salt and pepper shakers, a cake stand, and more, many of which are displayed on our kitchen shelves, mixed in with the cookbooks. It makes me happy every time I see it, which is literally multiple times a day.

Does everyone need vintage jadeite in their home? No, but I do think it’s wonderful to find something simple and collectable that sparks joy and to find a way to work it into your everyday routine. I love having stories behind the things I use most and enjoy the process of finding new-to-us pieces too.

As always, thank you for being here, and thank you for sticking around. If you have any questions or concerns, or want me to touch on any topics in particular, I’m all ears. Leave a comment on Hi Everyone’s Bulletin or DM me on Instagram—I’m @hillarykerr—my inbox is always open!