The Case for One More Bowl
Jul 3, 2026, 9:15 AM
West Sound
Originally published on West Sound.
I’ve said it a million times: “If you find an exciting kitchen bowl, grab it.” Many might say in response: “I’ve got more bowls than I can use now.” This is where I take you by the hand, lean in, and gently whisper: “You can never have too many kitchen bowls.”
Of course, that might be a bit dramatic, but what’s cozier than seeing that feel-good item on the kitchen counter? One can have too many bowls when space prohibits, but that is when you perhaps gift or donate a few to just make room for more.
Think of the kitchen as a canvas, an arena for performance, a happy place where visual treats capture the eye. One simple bowl can command our attention. Its round, smooth shape has the purpose of holding things. And if that bowl is a fantastic theme color, even better.
I’ve done a lot of research on bowls. I had a Pyrex museum in Bremerton and operated a large fine art gallery where I became an expert on the subject. In the gallery, I had many potters, an exclusive representation of clam water bowls, and whale tail bowls.
The Pyrex Museum was bowl city and gained international attention. It was featured in publications, was on the Washington state tourism register, and was even featured three times on KING 5’s “Evening.” In the last month of the 10-year-old museum, I was interviewed by the Wall Street Journal.
I’m sharing this now because this last week was all about bowls. My niece, Carrie, and I decided to go thrifting, with our first stop being the HUB, a nonprofit thrift shop in Belfair serving seniors. We entered and immediately saw a woman with a set of clear Pyrex bowls in her cart. They had a blue pattern on them.
“Nice bowls,” I said, and she happily declared there were others, leading me to several shelves.
Soon, Carrie joined us, and even a few strangers walked over to share their opinions on the bowls. We were told that there was even more the previous week, and they quickly sold.
I have noticed that the super Pyrex craze of 20 years ago has slowed. Kitchen bowls, on the other hand, are always popular.
It was a fun day thrifting with Carrie, and yes — we walked out with bowls.
