How To

Styling With Hardware: The Tinsmith Soap Dish

Whilst living in NYC for many years, I noticed that every restaurant is required to have 'Employees Must Wash Hands' in the bathrooms. One would hope that this is already a given! I wanted to offer a humorous take with it edged into a coated tin-formed soap dish, to cheekily remind anyone using the bathroom to maintain hygiene standards.

Inspired by the many years I’ve spent living in NYC, surrounded by societies both old & new. The Tinsmith honours the heritage trade of its namesake, yet is crafted from solid brass. You can read more about why we choose to use brass here.

The design of the Tinsmith is a nod to every restaurant's requirements of an 'Employees must wash hands' sign in the bathroom. I am making it easier by offering a slightly humorous soap dish with the phrase etched into the brass.

A Little Snippet of History

Tinsmithing is a skilled metalworking craft with a long and fascinating history that dates back centuries. It involves the shaping, cutting, and joining of thin sheets of metal.

The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Photography Collection, The New York Public Library. "Travelling tin shop, Brooklyn, N.Y." The New York Public Library Digital Collections. 1936.

The earliest evidence of tinsmithing dates back to ancient civilizations such as the Egyptians and the Romans, who used tin to create decorative and functional items like containers, utensils, and even jewellery. Tinsmithing was brought to North America by European settlers, and it quickly became an essential trade in colonial society. Today, tinsmithing survives as a traditional craft practiced by artisans and hobbyists, preserving this time-honoured skill.

From its humble beginnings in ancient civilizations, tinsmithing has left an enduring mark on craftsmanship and design. This is why I was inspired to make what was to become one of our most iconic pieces to date.

How to Style

Of course, in it's original intentions this is designed to be a Soap dish | a wall-fixed option for carrying a bar of soap above the bathroom or laundry basin. Fitted with small holes for aeration on the underside and is coated in a satin gloss lacquer for longevity.

However, other styling options could be;

Brushes | Why keep useful shaving brushes or nail brushes tucked away under the sink? Have them on display and resting in the Tinsmith Soap Dish.

Perfumery & Oils | Makes for a lovely display shelf to hold delicate bottles of your go-to scents

Kitchen utensils & essentials | The Tinsmith is a great option for holding small kitchen essentials that you can grab with ease

Mixing Metals

The Tinsmith looks great alongside other metals. So if your interior is predominantly chrome or you have nickel, black or white finishes - the Tinsmith will pair beautifully as though it were there all along

Shop the Tinsmith Soap Dish

Keep Reading

Imaginarium | A compendium of Inspiration

Imaginarium is a magical place, revealed in an oversized picture book of objects, travel, colour & interiors. It is an immersive visual journey, through my 25 years in the world of styling & interiors, that invites you to use it for your own creativity, to keep as a beautiful object on your coffee table, beckoning you to turn a page each day. Please feel free to lose yourself among its pages, allowing it to spark your imagination for faraway lands & special places.

How To

Whimsical Children's Room Design Ideas

The enchantment of childhood has a transformative effect on design, infusing it with whimsy, playful patterns, and vibrant colors.

Travel to the Seaside Haven of IL Delfino, Yamba

Nestled along the picturesque coast of Northern NSW lies a hidden gem, a place where the sea meets the sky in a breathtaking dance of colors. This place is Il Delfino, a 1948 restored Seaside Inn located in the charming village of Yamba.