Low and wide at 15.75 by 10.7 inches with only 7.1 inches of height, this one is shaped for a shelf or a vanity top rather than a floor. A hinged lid closes over the contents, the front edge curves instead of running straight, and a white poly-cotton liner lifts out for hand washing.
The lid is hinged rather than loose, so it swings up and stays with the basket instead of needing somewhere to rest. Its front edge is cut on a curve, which leaves a shallow scoop at the opening and makes the lid easier to lift without a pull tab. Closed, the basket hides cosmetics or sewing supplies behind a plain black surface.
A white liner in poly-cotton drops inside the weave and comes out for hand washing, which is the part that makes this basket usable for soaps and cosmetics. Loose powder and spills land on fabric that can be cleaned instead of soaking into paper rope. The liner also smooths the interior walls, so yarn and jewelry chains do not catch on the weave.
Paper rope takes a stain differently from reed: the twist holds pigment in its grooves, which is why the black finish here looks deep rather than painted flat. A protective coating goes over the fiber, useful on a basket handled with damp hands at a sink. At 7.1 inches tall it slides under a wall-mounted cabinet without clearance trouble.
Handwoven water hyacinth basket standing 17 inches tall, open at the top for blankets beside a sofa.
Seagrass stair basket shaped to sit across two steps, 16 inches deep, with two carrying handles.
