Bottle Drying Racks or Hedgehogs!

Hi Friends: 

What do you know about bottle drying racks? The bottle dryer or hedgehog hails from France where they are called Egouttoir or Herisson bouteilles (bottle hedgehogs). Made of iron, zinc or galvanized steel, they were originally used to do as the name suggests - dry refillable bottles.  How impressive is this bottle drying rack covered with vintage commercial mugs? 

When Georgia's spied it at Fishs Eddy in New York City, we stood in awe. Later, at ABC Carpet & Home, we came across this small countertop rack.

We loved it, bought it and immediately headed back to Fishs Eddy  for some vintage mugs.

Happy with our purchases and preparing for our road trip to the Country Living Fair in Rhinebeck, New York we thought, if only we could find vintage bottle dryers at the fair. Imagine our delight when we found two! Here we show them with vintage Fire-King jadeite dishes stacked on top of one and a plant nestled into the top of the other.    

How about this wall mounted version! 

We love them in the kitchen, the office/craft room, the laundry room, even the potting shed. Hang mugs and glasses, ribbons and tags, mittens and hats, herbs and garden utensils and even ornaments on them. Whether vintage or reproduction, why not let a bottle dryer bring a little French country flair to a corner of your home.