Brand Stories: Kinto

Modern life moves fast.

Think about the million and one things you do every single day between waking up and going to sleep. Eat. Commute. Work. Check social media. Exercise. Catch up on Netflix. The list goes on.

Sometimes, we need little reminders to slow down. That’s what the Japanese company, Kinto, is all about: slow living. “Let your day be filled with what inspires you.” This tagline is featured prominently on their website. It’s easy to see why.

The underlying theme of the Kinto brand is to take time to observe what is around us and within us. Stop to take in the beauty of our surroundings. Enjoy the people we love. Savor things that give us pleasure.

Kinto's products navigate both usability and aesthetics, perfectly supporting their mission to inspire you with the little things in life.

It all started in Hikone City, Shiga Prefecture. The year was 1972. They began as a wholesaler of dishes, slowly evolving into the global lifestyle brand they are today. Now, they offer a wide variety of collections for the home. 

Their collections have the ability to capture imaginations. Take their “Slow Coffee Style” line of products, for example. Coffee inspires connection between people; it’s a key feature of social life in many cultures around the world. In our opinion, Kinto’s attractive and well-made products give this special activity the treatment it deserves. There’s nothing like taking the time out of your day to brew some specialty coffee for yourself and others. The process is meditative. It requires the attention of all your senses. Touch. Sight. Smell. Sound. And, of course, taste.

We love the Travel Tumbler because it shares many of the same values. When you’re out on the road, it’s nice to have something that feels like a constant (as well as something that keeps you hydrated)! The design is absolutely flawless. It looks great, and its vacuum insulation keeps your drinks at desired temperatures when cold or hot.

Another collection we’d like to highlight is their Flower Vases. We think Kinto’s philosophy is beautifully captured into these vases. These glass vases are designed for water-based plants. What we love is how they don’t hide what’s underneath the surface. You can observe not only the leaves and flowers above, but the roots underneath.

As New Yorkers, we know firsthand how hectic life can be. Let’s remember to stop and enjoy the moment, once in a while.