Arty, snarky, display-worthy tea towels! Your (dish) rags-to-riches story starts here…

Are you entering your tea towel era? For some, it happens at around the time you find yourself taking an interest in bird species and early bedtimes. For others, it’s about adding a little whimsy (or snark) to the day-to-day. Whatever it is that brought you to this page, we’re glad you’re here because, boy, have we found some beauties for your kitchen bench… 

SOMETHING FROM HOME

You know what makes a great gift? Tea towels. Sure, your 10-year-old self might disagree, but here are the facts: they’re easy to pack, always required and can be a bit of an indulgence (if you go for linen or a cotton-linen blend). The hand-drawn Australian delights from The Nonsense Maker are ethically made in Melbourne, with a unique touch of old-world whimsy. Designed for your wall and not your washing up, Castle smiled and gave us a (hand embroidered) vegemite sandwich. And if vintage nostalgia is more your cup of tea, then Pink Peacock have an extensive range of preloved and unused Australiana designs.

FOR TWITCHERS AND FEATHER FANS

Bird nerds will love Hello Maë’s hand-drawn ducks, digitally printed using biodegradable water inks, and the Black Cockatoo by Melbourne artist Catrice Lam at Monster Threads blends gallery-worthy watercolour art with everyday kitchen practicality. Meanwhile the Flock of Favourites from Wilson Payne features some of Australia’s most loved feathered friends.

THE FABRIC OF COUNTRY

For creations from First Nations artists, Third Drawer Down has many amongst their overflowing drawer of designers, such as the iconic work of Kaylene Whiskey of Iwantja Arts. Who wouldn’t want help from Dolly and Tina to dry the dishes? Sage advice on the willie wagtail front comes from award-winning Quandamooka artist Delvene Cockatoo-Collins, of Minjerribah, North Stradbroke Island, and Kakadu Plum Co bring a splash of colour to your kitchen with Aboriginal artists such as Judy Watson, Thelma Beeton and Marianne Burton.

SAY IT WITH A SASSY DISH CLOTH

Sister, cat lady, exhausted mum friend… Make that someone special feel seen with a tea towel that captures her in all her hot flushing, hormonal glory. The aforementioned design says what we all want to say about menopause thanks to Blue Q; a company that donates 1% of the sale of their tea towels to hunger relief, including malnutrition programs at Doctors Without Borders. The woman with a healthy interest in cats is celebrated by Able and Game – all handprinted in Naarm/Melbourne – and that crafty pal holding it all together with tape and glitter will appreciate this Ethical Clothing Australia accredited design by Mount Vic and Me.

FLOWER POWER

Put a spring in your step with these pretty-as-a-posey tea towels! Holly Neilson of Paper Hands celebrates the hardworking beauty of garden faves with her handpainted nasturtiums, hydrangeas and lilies, while Emma Morgan’s glorious hand drawn tea towels are inspired by foraged wildflowers, embracing the beauty of native flora. Kirsten Katz’s bold, stylised take on botanicals is exactly the colour pop you need in your kitchen (or framed on a wall!).

SEAL OF APPROVAL

Still on the fence? Just take a gander at one of our fave online personalities Tom Forrest aka Outback Tom’s wonderful collection of tea towels, sourced from friends, markets and op shops. “Wherever I go, I always have a tea towel on me,” says Tom – and one day, he’d “like to own the biggest tea towel collection in Australia.” We can get behind that dream!