Alice Supply Co. coaxes tools out of the closet

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Anyone with tricky pipes knows the truth about plungers: They are just plumb ugly, destined to be hidden in the closet or garage along with dustpans, buckets and toolboxes. Well, no more. ‘The humble dustpan’s days of being shoved away will soon be over,’ swears Maria Barnes, left, co-founder of the Alice Supply Co. with Raili Clasen, right. ‘Toolboxes have feelings too.’

The recently launched Orange County-based design house has turned the most unglamorous household items into something more than objects of utility.

‘We didn’t set out to re-invent the wheel, just to make it more fun,’ says Barnes, who like Clasen is a former surf fashion sales executive. The line includes the plunger ($18.50), toolbox ($46.50), garden hose ($38.50) and bucket ($36). More tarted-up tools are pictured after the jump. Look for them in stores; some can be ordered from Delight.

Barnes and Clasen had their aha moment while on vacation in Sayulita, Mexico. ‘After three margaritas we stumbled into a dusty old hardware store and started pulling down neon-bristled brooms, brightly colored plastic buckets and old rusty tools with colored handles.’
To catch the eyes of modern guys, they added these manly designs. The dustpan and brush set is $31.50. The Woodgrain Home Warrior set with a toolbox, dustpan and brush is $88.50 at Delight.

-- David A. Keeps

Photo credits: Don Bartletti / For The Times and Paul Miller / Delight.com