After living in apartments in New York for the past 16 years, my husband and I recently bought our first home. Now that we’re on the ocean, our cozy, tiny 800 square foot home is undoubtedly the perfect size. However, a brand new empty house as small as ours presents two interesting challenges: 1) We have to furnish it completely from scratch and 2) Space is still a precious commodity.
While some may find these challenges daunting, I find them fun. In fact, I made a game out of it. How can I find the most beautiful and efficient things that save space for furnishing and decorating my home? One of the first things I found that met this extremely specific criteria was a beautiful trio of knives from Hedley & Bennett that give the term “razor sharp” a whole new meaning.
Hedley and Bennett is mostly known for their high quality aprons that come in trendy colors and styles, so it’s no surprise that their non-apron items are just as attractive and very practical.
Never before have I seen standard kitchen knives that are as beautiful to look at as they are functional. The ergonomic handles are comfortable and have solid brass rivets, which will patina over time. Despite being a neutral girl at heart, I opted for the Shiso set, and the little pop of green breathes life into my mostly white kitchen. But honestly, it was hard to choose a color. Other options include Capri Blue and Enoki, a very light grey, which are equally beautiful.
The previous owner of our house left a magnetic strip of knives on the side of the refrigerator next to the kitchen counter, offering the perfect place to store and display them. Who knew knives could be used as decoration? All three pieces fit neatly on the magnetic strip and are easy to access without taking up an inch of space.
Let’s talk a little about the function. The chef’s knife set comes with exactly the parts I need for everyday cooking: a chef’s knife, a bread knife and a utility knife. Made from triple layer Japanese steel, these knives are also the sharpest I have ever used. like, seriously sharp. like, they shredded the kitchen sponge I used to clean them into little sponge confetti sharp. As a bonus, they are beveled on both sides, making them perfect for both left- and right-handed users!
If moving into this small but sweet home has taught me anything, it’s that little things are really big things. Perhaps that’s why the unveiling of this modern knife trio feels like a pretty big win.
Buy: Chef’s Knife Set, $195 (regularly $265)