Mine's not unique, but there's a resistance feature that allows you to easily pull off a sheet with one hand. Here it is:

{{!gwi}}

ours is really basic (sorry didn't have a picture of it by itself):

I love our paper towel jar. It's a work of art:

Here is a link that might be useful: David T Smith - Paper Towel Jars

At the risk of sounding like a greenie-weenie (my bro's new nickname for me) I'm happy to say I won't be bringing paper towels into my new kitchen. The side benefit is that I don't have to make this decision! :) (I will have some in the house, just further away so they're less convenient to use. Gotta have something to clean up the inevitable kitty messes.)

Allison - That is a cool paper towel holder. Is is metal, ceramic or another material? I'm thinking my daughter could make this in her art class this year.

Stephanie

We have the same one as theresab1.

Thanks. It's pottery. Nice cracked glaze. The bottom has a raised center to hold the roll in place.

I don't think the link I posted above works. Try the one below and use the pull down menu on their website to go to Paper Towel Jars.

Here is a link that might be useful: Paper Towel Jars

I finally found the perfect paper towel holder, it ratchets with some tension so you can easily pull one-handedly. It mounts vertically or horizontally on/under a cabinet. Called the 'Perfect Tear paper towel holder.
No photo of it in my former kitchen, but here it is, it looks so insignificant, really, but one of my best kitchen finds ever:

Here is a link that might be useful: Perfect Tear

Mine is similar to boysrus2 and I love it. You just slip the paper towel over the top...don't have to unscrew anything to get it on. I got mine at Linen's N Things.

My holder is like circuspeanuts and I also feel it is really great. Someone posted one that looks really close awhile ago that comes from BB&B I think.

allison0703, that is really gorgeous, but I could not find it on the David Smith site. What is it listed under?

Thank you!

Based on recommendations from this forum (a couple years ago) I bought a Cuisipro. It's ok, but tearing the sheets is not as easy as an undercabinet mount and changing the roll is a hassle.

Cuisipro

In the laundry room I have the SimpleHuman wall mount under the cabinets and it works beautifully!

SimplyHuman

Under the kitchen sink and out of sight for me. I try to use washable rags rather than paper towels for almost everything, although there are a few instances where paper towels are a necessity.

I too am a non-paper-towel-user - though not really because of it being an eco-concern or anything... I had parents who never had paper towel growing up and somehow I've just never got it myself either. It is useful for some things when I'm at other peoples houses, but at home I just use J-cloths and washable hand towels (which we got SO MANY OF at our wedding a year ago [literally, today is our anniversary :) ])

SmilingJudy, I'm glad to see you're another "greenie-weenie." I was never big on paper towels and resisted the urge to start.

Trudymom, Click on Buy From Stock - Pottery" on the left side of screen in the green box.

Next page, go to the pull down menu on the right side of screen that says "Categories - Please select a Category" and pull down to "Paper Towel Jars."

I don't know why I can't direct link it below....will try again. I've done it before without problems.

http://www.davidtsmith.com/newsite/buy_pot2.asp

Here is a link that might be useful: Paper Towel Jars

Trying a direct link to one jar:

Here is a link that might be useful: Green paper towel jar

I appreciate seeing & reading all these posts! There's a lot of variety of different kinds of holders and a few out there that choose to not use paper towels, or to keep them in a cabinet.

I have gotten so use to having the roll on the counter, it would be hard for me to give it up. But, it doesn't have a holder...so, it's fun to see what's out there. allison0704 - the towel jar is original and like you said, it's like a piece of art!
Due to my budget, I will probably get something like boysrus2 or theresab1.
circuspeanut & natal have good ideas for wall & under cab mounts.
I also liked hearing how some of you have an easy (or not so easy) time of tearing off the sheet with one hand.

theresab1 - your kitchen is beautiful & I especially love your backsplash : )

mike r 2000 - Happy 1 year anniversary!!!!

allison, that is really gorgeous. Thank you for finding it for me!

I also splurged on the David Smith pottery. I love his stuff. I might of first saw this from Allison this past winter.

I remember that one! I love the one he had on the website yesterday with the deer. I was thinking the laundry room needs one! lol

Glad you were able to find them, Trudymom. I'm not sure why the links don't work anymore.

I keep a roll free standing in our appliance garage. I don't need it often but it's handy enough when I do. Not only is it out of sight but it's one less thing to move or wipe around when I clean the counters.

Hey neighbor, didn't realize you were the one who posted this question.

Below is our paper towel holder. I like it but would prefer to have one like CircusPeanut but I don't have the heart to drill into our cabinets to mount it.

If you want to try ours out for a week or so, let me know and I'll bring it down to your house.

{{!gwi}}

Jodi-

Thanks, Jodi! I may take you up on that offer sometime : )
That's the first "very close" close up photo I have seen you post that really shows off the beautiful detail in your backsplash...you can clearly see the color variations!

Jodi:
Could you share the source of your paper towel holder? As much as I try not to, I always buy items based on pleasing shapes, and I love the egg shaped finial on yours. I can't seem to find any similar ones online.

Laurie, you're right, the backsplash looks pretty good in the photo. I've found it's a bit of a challenge photographing the backsplash because the glass pieces, as lovely as they are in real life, are difficult to capture without them looking overexposed.

Dee, I bought our paper towel holder at T.J. Maxx Homegoods store.

Jodi-

I go through less than a roll a year. (Though I'm daubing on a lot of paint samples with them right now, because it's less trashy than a lot of little disposable paint brushes!)

I won't invest money or counter space in a holder. The roll will get stuck on a shelf in the cupboard.

If you're looking for an alternative, you can buy bags of cheap yet sturdy shop towels at the big box stores that you can use and wash and reuse for years. Much more absorbent and scrubby than paper for everything but the most disgusting or dangerous spills. Less germy than sponges.

Thank you so much for the information, Jodi.

Does anyone have theirs mounted under the counter any more? That's where mine is and I just figured thats where most people had theirs, but I see that's not the case.

Laurie

Laurie, mine is mounted under the counter but in the laundry room. I have never liked them so won't have one in the kitchen. And I rarely use paper towels except for quick kitty upchucks so there's no need for one in the kitchen.

But if I were to have one I'd definitely splurge on one like allison's or sduck's. Beautiful!