Window Shopping for: Glassware
Can I interest you in a tiny glass?
Since moving in together, my boyfriend has had to endure the consequences of my addiction to über-tiny, semi-useless glassware. Gone-in-two-gulps is the way I prefer to sip, but I can understand how the average person may not feel inclined to invest in that kind of glassware. While I highly recommend visiting your nearest thrift or antique store to find glassware at an affordable price, there are also small (and not-so-small) businesses that offer stylish, functional tableware that sit pretty and serve up! I tend to scope out glassware that has a vintage-feel, especially any that would look aesthetically appealing if we were to ever have open shelving in our kitchen.
This DIY, renter-friendly kitchen makeover by interior designer Madelynn Hudson is the perfect inspiration for the beauty of mixing and matching glassware sets. A few coupes, some goblets, and, of course, a set of standard drinking glasses are all you need to sip from and style your kitchen.
East Fork Pottery La Mère Smokey Glass
I keep coming back to this smoky glassware set from East Fork Pottery, one of my favorite small businesses. While their ceramic wares—from mugs to plates—rightfully receive endless praise, their other odds and ends often fly under the radar. This particular glassware set actually inspired one of my top antique finds of 2024: a set of six smoky Collins glasses (which, thanks to my overzealous dishwasher use, have since shrunk to five). The East Fork set strikes the perfect balance of elegance and effortless, elevating any dinner table. There's also something subtly masculine about them—like I can totally picture my dad sipping whiskey from one of these. While they’re sold out at the moment, I highly recommend bookmarking them and keeping a close eye out for restocks.
Porta Bedside Carafe and Glass Set
This bedside carafe set (and, honestly, the entire Porta website) is like a beautiful, fiery car wreck—utterly irresistible and impossible to look away from. This bedside carafe set (and, honestly, the entire Porta website) is like a beautiful, fiery car wreck—utterly irresistible and impossible to look away from. Normally, I’m not one to gravitate toward colorful glassware; it doesn’t quite match my vibe, and I can’t picture it sticking around for the long haul. But this set? This one’s an exception. Porta’s copywriter really nailed the product description, calling it “an exemplary piece of Murano craftsmanship.” The stripes are somehow soothing to the eye, despite their boldness, and the carafe is the perfect size—“a realistic amount of water for one,” as they put it. If this set isn’t for you, I highly recommend getting lost in the rest of their trinket collection. They’ve got range, from the practical to the, let’s say, more unrealistic (I’m looking at you, radicchio salt and pepper shakers).
IKEA 365+ Goblet
If you’re someone who thinks IKEA just isn’t for you, let me tell you—you’re shopping IKEA all wrong. These goblets are a prime example of how timeless their selection really is. I stumbled upon this style on Pinterest and immediately fell for the silhouette (pro tip: they’re technically stackable). Perfect for a small sip of wine, beer, cocktails, mocktails—you name it. Hell, sip some damn water out of them if you’re feeling fancy on a school night. Oh, and here’s a wild idea: use them to serve up snacks. The possibilities are endless. Get creative!
Saikai Wine Glass
There’s really only one word to describe this wine glass—sexy. She’s petite, curvy in all the right places, and basically your dream girl. I’ve had this glass on my mind for quite some time and even featured it in my second issue of Winding Down, my Sunday musing newsletter. The price tag feels like you're pulling off the world’s most luxurious heist, but the craftsmanship? Absolutely flawless. Even though I just scored a handful of new glassware for holiday gifting, I’m still seriously considering adding a few of these to my collection. For me, good glassware goes a long way. Some of my best meals have been paired with a natural wine or batched cocktail in a quirky glass, and it’s those little details that make the moment unforgettable.
CB2 Marta Tasting Glass
As much as I hate to give in to Big Glass™, I can’t help but keep coming back to the Marta line of glassware from CB2. Fair warning: these glasses should never, ever glance in the direction of your dishwasher (they’re arguably too delicate for daily use). But when I moved into my own apartment for the first time, these glasses were my very first “big girl purchase.” For a one-person household, they’re compact and perfect for any beverage. I can’t promise you won’t be getting up every few minutes for a refill, but honestly, that’s where a good pitcher or carafe comes in handy. My boyfriend absolutely loathes these glasses—and honestly, I get it. He doesn’t quite see the appeal of a tiny glass, and I can’t fault him for that. That said, I do not recommend getting the larger versions of these glasses. More surface area equals a higher chance of breakage. However, the double old-fashioned size? It’s chef’s kiss perfect for a mezcal Negroni.
Silje Lindrup Twisted Wine Glass
This glass—the glass of all glassware! I actually gasped out loud when I stumbled upon it on the Mociun site. Mixing homeware with high-end jewelry is no easy feat, but Mociun has pulled it off with effortless style. Their website is like a visual playground for decor-obsessed adults, effortlessly transitioning from kitchenware to art, vases, and beyond. As a sweet gift from my fairy godmother
, I was treated to a generous gift card to explore Mociun's offerings. When I sent Grace some photos of my picks, her response was, “Exactly what I hoped you’d get… something gorgeous and impractical!” The “gorgeous” part was all about these funky, twisted wine goblets. The “impractical” part? That would be this drip candle holder, which—if you know me—you know I just had to have. This glass is perfect for any fancy beverage, from cocktails to mocktails, which is especially important to me since many of my closest friends are into the world of low- or no-alcohol drinks (all year round). I absolutely love glassware that makes even sipping on orange juice feel like an event. And this twisted goblet does just that. Fair warning: the wine glass is slightly larger and taller than I expected, so for a more petite goblet vibe, I’d recommend opting for the liqueur glass style.Chin-chin and happy window shopping! What are you on the hunt for right now? Comment below — your latest bookmarks may just inspire my next post!