Love it! - Woven basket

Do you have large potted plants/trees like I do? You know, the ones that come sold in a black plastic pot. Well no need to re-pot them soil and all, just get a great basket like this one from Crate & Barrel to sit it in. This natural woven basket with handles is a classic that will compliment any large plant!


www.CrateandBarrel.com - Basay Basket $59.95

Love it! - Pottery Barn baskets

I love nothing more than a uniquely woven basket. Whether it's being used to store wood logs, newspapers, flip-flops and beach toys, or a gorge house plant, generic storage containers are so passe. Find a woven basket that makes a statement with that special woven pattern and silhouette.





www.PotteryBarn.com

Love it! - Macy's Rwanda Path to Peace Project

A year ago I first posted about Macy's philanthropic effort, "Rwanda Path to Peace Project" bringing shoppers exquisitely woven baskets handmade by Rwandan genocide survivors. I just received an email announcing the launch of this season's newest baskets, just in time for Mother's Day! With a larger selection of sizes and color combinations, helping other women earn an honest living, sustain themselves and their family is a gift in itself.

"Established to create a viable, sustainable business that provides economic stability, the Rwanda Path to Peace project promotes an environment of peace to positively impact the future of Rwanda’s eight million citizens. Willa Shalit, an American businesswoman, has spearheaded the four-year effort to develop an American market for Rwandan women’s crafts. Shalit believes that women helping each other can change how Rwanda rebuilds its society, empowers women, and sustains economic security beyond traditional forms of assistance.

Focusing on trade, not aid, the export and sale of these baskets has put real, sustainable income directly into the hands of Rwandan women, most of whom are heads of households and were previously living on less than $1 a day. This income has visibly changed the lives of the weavers in remarkable ways by providing food, shelter, medical care, education, and other necessities, while also imparting a great sense of pride and self esteem. Rwanda has never exported their fine crafts on this scale before. There are now over 2,500 weavers across Rwanda, including both Hutu and Tutsi women, from both sides of the 1994 genocide. These women sit side by side as they talk and weave together, slowly healing themselves and their society."


www.macys.com/rwanda - $35 - $120

Love it! - Woven seagrass baskets

Love the versatility and texture of these woven seagrass baskets. Bring your spring flowers or potted pants indoors, or just use as a catchall for magazines and newspapers. Better yet, think further outside of the box and sit them in your mud room to store summer beach toys or flip flops!



www.BallardDesigns.com - Malu Seagrass Baskets $49(Set of 2)

Love it! - Rwanda Path To Peace

After seeing these gorgeous baskets I couldn't wait to tell you all about them! Each one is unique, tells a story in it's design and a tradition passed down for centuries. Sponsored by Macy's and handmade my women in Rwanda, each sale goes to sustain their livelihood. To be able to buy such a stunning piece of functional art and at the same time enable these women to earn an income is a true gift.






The Rwanda Path To Peace Collection
Only at www.macys.com/rwandabaskets
Baskets $40 and up (each is unique, colors and sizes vary)

Love it! - Ceramic baskets

How could you not love these baskets perfect for bread or fruit?! Fabulous colors, beautifully woven, but ceramic - how brilliant! Any table top would be lucky to have it.





Oval Stoneware Baskets $49 each - www.Williams-Sonoma.com

Love it! - French iron basket

What a glorious French-made iron basket. In the Winter, collect wood logs and in the Summer, store flip-flops and beach towels in your foyer.


Rustic Iron Basket 14"hx17"dia. $105.60 - www.FrenchGardening.com

Love it! - Set of baskets

These baskets are simply gorgeous. Delicate, vintage in look - just the right touch of color, pattern, texture and flared lip. With a set of 5, there's so many possibilities - storage, potted plants, the large ones under a console table or the small ones to adorn your accent tables and book shelves.


Iringa Baskets Set/5 $175 - www.SundanceCatalog.com
Note: This is a sale price so act fast!

Love it! - Chicken wire basket

This over sized chicken wire basket makes a great log holder, but also try rolled up towels in the bath, or newspapers and magazines under your coffee table.


French Wire Basket 25"x19"x8" $75 - www.Mothology.com
(click link, then 4th thumbnail down in the menu)

Love it! - Alessi metal baskets

Tired of the typical woven baskets? Looking for something a bit more modern to hold your fruit or bread - well the MoMA Store has partnered with Alessi to re-release some of their archived mid-century designs. These two metal baskets are perfect for the summer and will brighten up any table or countertop!



www.MomaStore.org

Love it! - Cane baskets

You absolutely can't beat the price of these super-cute cane baskets. Great for summer tabletop decorating, they're also great for presenting gifts. Jars of jam, plants, fruit, muffins - forget the wrapping paper, just tie a big bow on them and you're good to go!


Oval Cane Baskets Set/3 $28 - www.CarolyneRoehm.com

Love it! - Open weave baskets

For a less heavy and more airy look, try using these open weave baskets for storage. Stay organized while keeping their contents easily identifiable.


Open Weave Baskets $14.95 and up - www.CB2.com

Love it! - Nantucket wicker

Cute and functional Nantucket baskets. Decorate a summer table setting with plants, fruit, bread wrapped in a gingham tea towel. And how great are the votive holders! They complete the look by adding a warm and homey ambiance.



All available at: www.CarolyneRoehm.com
Nantucket Wicker Baskets Set/3 - $45
Wicker Covered Votive - $10 each

Love it! - Rwanda Path To Peace

After seeing these gorgeous baskets I couldn't wait to tell you all about them! Each one is unique, tells a story in it's design and a tradition passed down for centuries. Sponsored by Macy's and handmade my women in Rwanda, each sale goes to sustain their livelihood. To be able to buy such a stunning piece of functional art and at the same time enable these women to earn an income is a true gift.






The Rwanda Path To Peace Collection
Only at www.macys.com/rwandabaskets
Baskets $40 and up (each is unique, colors and sizes vary)

Love it! - Cane baskets

What I love about these finely woven cane baskets from Pottery Barn are their delicateness. Unlike chunkier wicker baskets, these are more sleek and understated - you get the natural material without the heavy country look.



Cane Baskets $24 and up - Pottery Barn