7 of the Best Items from Small/Cool That You Can Score for $20 (or Less!)

When I saw these salt and pepper shakers in designer Jenna Pilant’s color-loving room, I knew I had to have them. So scanning the QR code and realizing my dream could come true for $16? A beautiful moment. The ceramic set is just so cute, will add a little whimsy to any table, and ensure your food will never go unseasoned.

Might I suggest: The perfect housewarming gift. When I moved into my new apartment, my friend gave me a lovely set of woven cloth napkins that not only make me feel so adult, but make me think of her every time I use them. Help your pals upgrade their table settings with these stone-washed linen napkins that come in a whole rainbow of neutral shades.  

Looking to spice up your tablescape? Spoon your hummus and place your carrot sticks on these gorgeous glazed porcelain dishes. The blue and white patterns are reminiscent of hand-dyed textiles, and the color contrast is perfect for summertime. Layered among the warm-toned hues of designer Peti Lau’s Small/Cool dining room (“A Collector’s Eye”), the serving plates offered up a cool pop of pattern.

Apartment renters well know the woes of looking for temporary decorating solutions. Enter: This chic, matte wallpaper made from poly-woven fabric, that also happens to be peel-and-stick. Designer Sourya Venumbaka used the treatment all over the walls of her living room-meets-home office, “Bespoke Style,” and it transformed the blank slate into a space that felt conducive to kicking back and getting work done. To personalize the paper even more, she created her own floral stamp to punctuate the boxes the grid pattern forms. Who says you can’t make a rental home feel permanent?

They say you eat with your eyes, so this soft pink flatware is bound to be the precursor to some delicious meals. Each set comes with a fork, spoon, and knife, and if the rosy resin handles don’t quite go with your decor style, it also comes in a deep amber hue or, the color I’m eyeing, a marbled jade. 

I’m a big fan of a mismatched plate collection. Picking a dish specifically for each use (an antique china plate for my morning toast and a pale pink IKEA bowl for salads, for instance) is one of life’s simple pleasures. And seeing this fun green checkerboard plate on Jenna Pilant’s colorful Small/Cool table instantly made me want to add it to the roster. Personally, I’m picturing it as the perfect platter for a classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich, cut on the diagonal, of course.

Scattered throughout the Small/Cool spaces, plants from Jungle NYC helped the rooms come to life. If you’re looking to breathe a little fresh air into your interior, New York residents can have these plants and planters delivered right to their door. I would like about a dozen of these small Tradescantia Nanouk plants, which are characterized by bright green, pink, and purple leaves.