Good Question: Cute Recipe Boxes?

Faith Durand
Faith DurandSenior Vice President of Content at AT Media
Faith is the SVP of Content at Apartment Therapy Media and former Editor-in-Chief of The Kitchn. She is the author of three cookbooks, including the James Beard Award-winning, The Kitchn Cookbook. She lives in Columbus, Ohio, with her husband and two daughters.
updated Jun 5, 2019
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(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

Do you know of any sources for good looking recipe boxes that aren’t stodgy? Something more modern…perhaps Marimekko-esque?

– Donna

This was a fun question – we went on the hunt for a good-looking recipe box. There are many, many cutesy and frilly boxes, which we really don’t enjoy either. Stodgy is a good word too. In the end, we came to the conclusion that there is a wide open space for an entrepreneurial crafter and a tasteful, modern recipe box – something that wouldn’t look out of place in Rare Device.

UPDATE: Also look at our revisit of this question here: Good Question Revisit: Jack and Lulu Recipe Boxes.

In the meantime, here are some of our best finds. Have other ideas? Tell us!

• eBay – Vintage Recipe Boxes: There are lots of vintage boxes out there on eBay, and for very reasonable prices too. Many of these have retro 60s and 70s patterns that are indeed rather Marimekko-esque. Clockwise from top left, above: Vintage tin Family Circle box, $3.99, Cream and green plastic Australian box, $4.37, Mod floral box, $4.99 – and, the best, a wooden box with a perhaps archaic spelling of “treats” – Threats wooden box, $.99.

If these don’t excite you, try a search for vintage recipe boxes and see what else turns up.

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

Shabby Chic Box: This may still be too traditional and stodgy, but we like how the stand is integrated into the design, along with the spacious two drawers. $69.99 at Organize.com.

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

Satin Finish Box: This clean and simple metal box is the most modern-looking one that we found. $22.95 at My Secret Pantry.

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

Martha Stewart Box: And there’s always Martha’s… $14.99 at Macy’s.