For our first holiday gift guide, we asked our design-savvy contributors around the world what they would love to give (and receive). Here are their picks, from gorgeous housewares out of London to Memphis-inspired ceramics from Los Angeles and the ultimate farmers’ market bags from New York.
1 Lifestyle bike by Royal Dutch Gazelle
“Berlin is a great city to bike in and a dependable city bike is essential. I’ve been dreaming about this three-speed Originals Tour Basic R3T Dutch Bike – which boasts a front drum brake, a closed chain case and dress guards, and a kickstand built to last – in butter-yellow for a while now.”
– Mairi Beautyman, Berlin
2 Blue Mountain Pottery by Dominic Stanzione
“The vintage pottery market is a total score right now, with gorgeous pieces entering auction houses and eBay. Original BMP mould makers and glazers produced a handful of experimental and one-off pieces, like this mustard-ketchup vase – a test/art piece of a new glaze that Blue Mountain Pottery eventually released. The Canadian vintage market is about tip, so do your friend a favour and buy this beauty.”
– Todd Falkowsky, Toronto
3 The Strap Collection by Alissia Melka-Teichroew
“Melka-Teichroew is both global and local – she’s a Brooklyn-based Dutch designer – and this collection of woven bags (perfect for a trip to the farmers’ market) are made in L.A.”
– Josephine Minutillo, New York
4 Peter Shire ceramics
“Shire, of Memphis fame, has a pottery studio in East L.A. and every year he (and other artists) holds an open studio and holiday sale full of one-of-a-kind ceramics. Plus, you get a peek at Shire’s Memphis stuff in the studio. The pottery is also available for sale through select stores.”
– Katya Tylevich, Los Angeles
5 Clamp light by Pablo Design
“It’s not the sexiest holiday gift one can ask for, but I’ve been coveting a really nice task light for my writing desk. And I love the slim LED lamps by Pablo Design, based in the Dogpatch neighbourhood here in San Francisco. I’m especially enamoured with Clamp, by Canadian designed Dana Cannam – the white oak model with a red cord, please!”
– Andrew Braithwaite, San Francisco
6 Tiipoi’s table accessories
“These come in beautiful warm materials, such as wood, glass, brass and copper and are sold exclusively online and in Harrods at the moment. The creative director is Indian but based in London and the pieces have a sort of Tom Dixon/Muji-esque sensibility: they do less with more and are decorative as well as super functional. I love them.”
– Giovanna Dunmall, London
7 Sudbury Special lunchbox by L. May Metal Fabricators
“A classic Canadian design icon that was built for the miners in Northern Ontario. Tough as nails, with an authentic low-fi, rugged beauty…a perfect tough box for a worksite lunch or a designer’s/artist’s tools. I use mine as a little household toolbox under the sink.”
– Todd Falkowsky, Toronto
8 Erin Considine earrings and Fort Standard Crest Bottle Openers
“Two jewel-like designs: The earrings, by Erin Considine, are light yet bold, and I love their Aztec feel, along with their subtle asymmetry and mix of material. The elegant bottle openers, by Fort Standard, are like Egyptian hieroglyphs, and are beautiful enough to leave out on a coffee table (optional personalization will help ensure that they stay there).”
– Kimberlie Birks, New York
