Getting a Feel for Design

Question: Is it beautiful?  
Answer:  Sometimes you have to see/feel/touch and experience for yourself.
Confession:  At first sight, it wasn't true love.  Then it was.

It was only after making my morning coffee with Liz's new kettle that I realized the real beauty of its design.  When its gentle whistle summoned me, that was the first clue: it was clear but not harsh. Then the insulated handle said, "Sure, Joan, hold on. I'm soft … and won’t get hot."  The clincher was the pour.  No splatter, just a smooth easy glide over the coffee grinds. Graceful and friendly.   This superior functionality immediately won me over — to say nothing of the handsome matte finish that sits so quietly against the black grates of the cooktop. The point is that before I actually used it, I hadn't been totally convinced of its beauty.  Was it a bit too squat, I wondered.  Maybe the handle design (which stops abruptly in mid-air) isn't completely resolved?  Nope, my aesthetic hesitations resolved instead!  Like a friend who becomes more beautiful as you get to know her, I came to love Lizzie's kettle.  I bought one, and now I love seeing every day … and most importantly, I love using it.

Back Story:  Liz is my daughter.  She lives in LA and has great taste.  

Design Takeaway:  There is more to good design than meets the eye.

Life Lesson:  Listen to your children and watch what they do. Haha. Sometimes they know better.