On a recent trip to Germany to visit my sister and her family, I found myself paying a lot more attention to the construction and design details of her home than I did when I visited her elsewhere in Germany four years earlier—that is, back when I wasn’t working for Fine Homebuilding. Having recently copyedited Martin Holladay’s article “Do Europeans Really Make the Best Windows?” (FHB #213) I was especially interested in the tightly fit, double-glazed, tilt-turn windows throughout the house. But I had to scratch my head when I saw the four “accessories” pictured here.
The two pictured in photo 1 are attached to the wall tile about 2 ft. above the counter. The ones in photo 2 are attached to the end of the floor cabinet just under the countertop. The cut-outs on the faces suggest that they are meant for holding specific kitchen utensils. But the faces on the ones in photo 1 bend and form a lip on the bottom that would block a utensil with a handle longer than an inch or so.
I snapped these photos hoping that managing editor Deb Silber might have seen something like this at a kitchen and bath show, but she was baffled too. If any of you have an idea of what these could be, I promise to lift my next glass of Hefeweizen in your honor.
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Photo 1
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Photo 2
View Comments
towel "hook" = tuchhaken
They are towel holders. You take a corner of a towel or wash cloth, stick it in the hole and slide it down into the groove. The way the groove gets smaller causes the towel to get kind of "wedged" into the slot. You lift it straight up to release it. Probably not as exciting as you hoped, huh?
http://www2.westfalia.net/shops/household/storage_solutions/hooks_and_hook_racks/hooks/526131-stainless_steel_towel_holder_set.htm
Don,
This isn't one of those Germany versus America things. It's just a towel holder. When you visit other people's homes, offer to do the dishes next time. You'll see them.
Thanks to all four of you for enlightening me on the purpose of these things. I'm grateful to know what they are, and I'm sure my sister will be happy to start using them. "Cheers" to everyone—or as the Germans would say, "Prost!"