Butter left exposed to the air in your refrigerator will turn sour quickly, picking up off flavors. And when we say quickly, we mean in just a few days. So, that is why folks have designed butter containers to keep the butter fresher longer. Unfortunately, most designs are either basic, bland or boring, or they require maintenance as in the designs that seal the upside-down butter container with water. (The latter eventually get moldy—believe us.) We wanted something simple and easy to clean. Say hello to this lovely Japanese porcelain and bamboo container, which seals tight enough to prevent your butter from absorbing off odors in the refrigerator. The angular, compact shape won’t command too much space on the shelf, and both the bamboo and porcelain are easy to wipe clean. Take your pick of crisp white or glossy black.

• Net Weight: 14 ounces
• Dimensions: Length: 5.5 inches | Width: 3.3 inches | Height: 2.2 inches
• Materials: Ceramic, wood
• Use: Accomodates butter sticks up to 1 inch in height.
• Care: Hand-wash only
• Butter Knife in image NOT included.  Wood Butter Knives available here.
  

The Opinel family in the French Alps has produced top-quality knives for generations, and this model might be the new favorite knife you never knew you needed: a breakfast knife that actually cuts. The Opinel Brunch Knife's 4.5-inch broad blade and rounded tip are very effective at scraping the bottom of jars and spreading butter and jam on toast; moreover, the partially serrated blade has a finer edge than most butter knives, so it also can cut through foods. It's not overly sharp, just keen enough to slice crusty toast and chewy sausages without a struggle. Choose between a natural beechwood or blood orange handle, both of which have sleek, classic designs that will match any table setting. To keep it in good condition, we recommend hand-washing and drying promptly.

Please note: only includes 1 knife

• Dimensions: Total: 8.25 inches | Blade: 4.5 inches
• Material: Blade: 12C27 Sandvik stainless steel | Handle: Hornbeam (orange handle) or beech wood (natural)
• Care: Hand-wash recommended; dishwasher-safe. Place knife in cutlery basket blade side down and wipe before storage.
• Place of Origin: Designed in France; manufactured in Portugal

The folding knife is Opinel's bread and butter, and the flagship No. 8 size has been produced virtually unchanged since 1890. Its 3.25-inch blade is made of high-grade Swedish Sandvik steel that holds an edge well, tunes up easily on any sharpening device and is thin enough to slice beautifully through delicate foods. We especially love the French company's ingenious “virobloc” collar-style lock, which firmly holds the blade in place by twisting sideways—it's far easier to use than most any other locking-blade knife and basically removes any risk of the blade folding onto exposed fingers. And the contoured wood handle nestles perfectly into the palm for firm control, making it a terrific choice for close hand work, like peeling garlic cloves or slicing apples. You'll want to use this knife everywhere, whether it's for breaking down boxes, cutting herb and flower stems or for all of your slicing needs on a camping trip.

• Dimensions: Total: 7.5 inches | Blade: 3.25 inches
• Material: Blade: 12C27 Sandvik stainless steel | Handle: Beech wood
• Place of Origin: France

These vibrantly colored, durably fashioned chopsticks from Japan are just the right length and width for most anything. We use them beyond the dinner table for stirring drinks, stirring batters and frying delicate items. Take note: The chopsticks come in a six-piece set.

We are amazed at how many home cooks do not use a salt box, considering how much easier it is to cook with one. With a container near your stove instead of a shaker, it is possible to precisely measure out salt or pick up a pinch with your fingers. There are lots of designs out there, but we are particularly fond of the salt boxes by French company Berard. Both the speckled grey ceramic and olivewood salt cellars have magnetic lids that easily pop open when you need seasoning but also fit securely for storage. Choose either the gray for a lid that comes off completely or the olivewood for a swivel-top mechanism. The olive wood used to make the lids on both versions is from older trees, making them denser and better at keeping out unwanted moisture and odors. This salt box is attractive enough that we sometimes use it on the dinner table for an elegant addition that doesn’t require shaking.

Olivewood Specs:
-Net Weight: 14.1 ounces
-Dimensions: diameter: 4 inches, height: 3 inches
-Capacity: 8 ounces
-Care: Hand wash Only
-Designed in France

Stone Specs:
-Net Weight: 9.8 ounces
-Dimensions: diameter: 4 inches, height: 2.75 inches
-Capacity: 7.5 ounces
-Care: Hand wash Only
-Designed in France

This knife from French company Opinel has a broad blade that is ideal for all of your butter, jams and nut or seed butter, and its shorter length also allows for more control when slicing solid terrines or hearty tapenades. We like to think of it as a multifunctional cousin of the company's Brunch Knife, with the compact shape designed exclusively for spreading. Made with high-grade Swedish stainless steel, it's durable and dishwasher-safe, while the varnish wood handle is smooth, comfortable to hold and will continue to look beautiful over time.

• Dimensions: Total Length: 6 inches | Blade Length: 2 inches
• Material: Blade: 12C27 Sandvik stainless steel | Handle: Beech wood (natural) or hornbeam (orange)
• Care: Hand-wash recommended; dishwasher-safe. Place knife in cutlery basket blade side down and wipe before storage.
• Place of Origin: Designed in France and manufactured in Portugal

Made from recycled fabric scraps, Rough Linen's reusable linen bread bag is durable, antimicrobial and takes up less space than a bread box. Linen is made of natural hollow fibers that transport excess moisture to the outer surface of the material so it quickly evaporates away, which creates an inhospitable environment for germs and helps prevent mold growth. The linen also decreases your bread's contact with airborne bacteria and maintains a consistent moisture level, both of which can help prevent it from going stale. Similar to a bread box, the rough, homespun quality of Orkney Linen is ideal for keeping bread insulated from light and humidity changes, with the added bonus that the bag takes up very little counter space.

The bag has a generous length to accommodate long loaves and baguettes. Its thick stitching and reinforced seams are not only attractive but more importantly make for a stronger product that is unlikely to rip, especially since the company uses strong, traditionally made linen from Belarus. Its durability makes for longer use and easy maintenance: To clean, simply throw it in the washing machine, preferably in cold water to avoid shrinking. And though it'll last for years, when you do finally retire your bag, the linen is 100% biodegradable for a reduced impact on the environment. To keep bread fresh for a longer period, and to prevent loss of moisture, we recommend to keep in the fridge.

• Material: 100% linen
• Dimensions: 5 x 20 inches
• Care: Machine-washable