Boston - May 09, 2006

Homing Devices

Vessel Home Goods

These days, it seems like intelligent design is used to describe everything but aesthetics.

Visual (and psychological) relief awaits at the little-known Boston location of Vessel, the home goods supplier whose products are (mysteriously) more available in Europe and Australia than they are here.

Which is too bad, because Vessel makes products that are as sleek as they are usable. Bamboo trays are superb for cutting and serving. Minimalist squat modules do triple duty as shelf, bench, and table. Rechargeable fireless candles will delight uptight in-laws and giddy newlyweds in equal measure.

But the little things are what make all the difference. Vessel’s nifty inventions include the Toro tissue ring, a simple, ingenious design that allows only one tissue out of the box at a time. Portable glowing Luau lamps are subtle but utterly illuminating. A truly smart invention.

The very definition of impressive creationism, you might say.

Vessel, 125 Kingston Street, Downtown (617-292-0982 or vessel.com).