Believe it or not, it’s already that time of year again: holiday season. If you’re seeking out gifts with a design bent, browse some of our favorite picks for everyone from Fido and family to colleagues and yourself.
Crafts and Amusement
Pets
Home Decor
Kitchen
Productivity and Office
Winter and Holiday
Cinqpoints
Cinqpoints: Archifold Origami Set and Archipaper
This architecture-and-design-oriented company offers a number of block models and paper goods and stationery. Among them, Archifold is a packet of origami sheet paper emblazoned with architectural motifs, while Archipaper is a paper model set that even the arts-and-crafts-challenged child or adult can put together.
David Weeks Studio and e15
David Weeks Studio and e15: MR B
This yeti-inspired wood-block figure was born out of the mind of designer David Weeks and Bigfoot, so to speak. Actually, Bigfoot is the name of a simple wooden table introduced two decades ago by German studio e15, and MR B gets its initial cube form from the footprint of one of its table legs.
HAY
HAY: Twins and Pieces n Play
Twins are natural beech blocks in a unique, bowtie-like shape allowing players to get creative with building and stacking. The set includes 16 pieces (14 “twins” and two cubes). Pieces n Play is a mod domino set of 28 pieces entirely in plywood and painted in soft pastel hues.
Solé Bicycles
Solé Bicycles: All White Bike
The maker of affordable single-speed and fixed-gear bikes partnered with Richer Poorer to introduce a stylish all-white version complete with a studded white seat, white frame, chain, and rim, and complementing light-gray tires.
BZA (Creative Bazaar)
BZA (Creative Bazaar): 2016 Stitch a Constellation Calendar Kit
Fledgling astronomers or astrologers can stitch pre-drawn constellations in this 2016 calendar with glow-in-the-dark floss — regardless of embroidery skill. Each calendar card measures 6.25 by 7.25 inches; both an embroidery needle and floss are included.
Tegu
Tegu: Stunt Team Collection
Made from eco-friendly, sustainably sourced hardwood, this magnetic wooden block set includes models Daredevil, Skyhook, and Jumper — all in a retro aesthetic. Appropriate for children ages three and up.
Woody Skateboard
Woody Skateboard: Various
Constructed of either oak or solid ash, these retro-style skateboards are functional but also works of art with designs ranging from CNC-milled patterns to painted rims and black grip-tape bands.
Meze
Meze: 99 Classics
This elegant headset comprises wood ear cups, soft ear pads, and a spring steel headband. It comes in a black version with walnut cups and gold-toned hardware or white band with maple cups and silver-toned details. (Silver is available starting in January 2016.)
Pup and Kit
Pup and Kit: Various
You love your pooch or kitty, but you also love your modern decor. That’s why more and more designers are coming up with the ultimate in luxury furnishings — for the pet. Pup and Kit (also shown at top) offers snoozing and relaxing abodes for both felines and canines from four different wood bed shapes to a veneered plywood geometric “cave.” Cushions are available in a variety of mod-patterned or solid fabrics.
Catchitecture
Catchitecture: Octacat
Anyone who lives with a cat knows: cardboard is the ultimate kitty magnet. That, coupled with an eye-catching folded prism form, makes this easy-on-the-wallet piece a great gift for both cat and cat parent. Choose plain kraft color or one of three accent colors (silver, black, and pink).
The High Line Shop
The High Line Shop: Garden-in-a-Bag
Grow your own cat grass or catnip with these complete, compact kits. Each package includes a leak-proof rice-paper growing bag, organic seeds, growing medium, and coconut husks.
Meyou Paris
Meyou Paris: Cube and Ball
After a super-successful crowdfunding campaign, this product is finally getting off the ground. Ready to ship in March 2016, the cat hideouts are essentially woven cotton spheres held in either a metal-cube or wooden-leg frame. Inner cushion is included.
Cassina
Cassina: 080 Villa Le Lac Paulownia
Known for a very whimsical touch, artist-designer Jaime Hayon applied his stamp on this limited-edition home accessory collection. Made from Paulownia wood, the items are fun decorative objects that serve a purpose: the bird holds cards in either its beak or wings, while the birdhouse can stash mail, keys, and small personal items.
FunDeco Clocks
FunDeco Clocks: Flew the Coop No Cuckoo Cuckoo Clock
Product-launch platform The Grommet introduced a DIY cuckoo clock kit, sans the cuckoo. The baroque-style pieces are made of lightweight paperboard and come in small (7.75 by 11.75 inches) and large (11.5 by 17.75 inches) formats in white, fuchsia, gray, aqua, melon, or canary colors.
Monologue London
Monologue London: OP-Vases
The traditional cloche or bell jar gets a reboot with cut glass. These capsules create a kaleidoscopic view of flowers and plants within them and come in a small turquoise, medium water-green, or tall water-green version.
Nimbus
Nimbus: Roxxane Fly
A fun compact and portable LED lamp, Roxxane Fly gets its name from its wing-like form consisting of a square base and adjustable head. The head joint can be moved through 270 degrees in three planes, while the base’s magnets allow the unit to mount onto metallic surfaces. The luminaire’s cell is rechargeable via a micro-USB cable and operates from four to 20 hours depending on brightness level. Available in black, white, red, blue, or yellow.
Sea and Asters
Sea and Asters: Geometric Succulent Cactus Planters
These small wood planters measure just 2.5 inches square — perfectly proportioned for a small succulent plant. The finishing touch is colorblocking in apricot, neon pink, aqua, or marigold yellow. (Plant not included.)
Tom Dixon
Tom Dixon: Cell and Etch Tea Light Holders
Can’t afford the designer’s etched-metal light pendants? Consider his geometric tea-light holders. Cell comes in brass or steel, while Etch is available in brass, copper, or steel. Each measure approximately 4.7 inches in diameter.
Illy
Illy: Yoko Ono Mended Cups
She didn’t break up the Beatles, nor did she actually break these cups. However, Yoko Ono’s design for the Italian espresso brand sports faux cracks. The set of six cups (only five of which have cracked-line designs) accompany saucers emblazoned with the names of catastrophic events that have directly affected her, in her handwriting. The sixth cup, left unembellished, pairs with a saucer whose message of hope says: “This cup will never be broken as it will be under your protection.”
Krups
Krups: Savoy EC314
This affordable coffeemaker brews up to 12 cups at once (small-batch brewing can be selected, too), features an easy-to-read LCD display, and offers an adjustable keep-warm function for convenience and preference. Brewing can be paused at any time to remove the included carafe as needed.
OnOurTable
OnOurTable: Various Boards
This company’s beautiful serving boards are constructed of ethically harvested, American black walnut. Round, baguette, slab, donut, and different irregular geometric shapes are available. Perfect for presenting bread, cheese, and charcuterie.
Sunbeam
Sunbeam: Marc Newson
The award-winning Australian designer puts a retro-mod spin on toasters and kettles. The former offers two slots and an extra-wide crumb tray, while the latter features stainless steel construction and an ergonomic handle. Each comes in six colors: white, black, orange, yellow, blue, and bakelite red.
Valek Rolling Pins
Valek Rolling Pins: Various
Instead of the standard cookie cutter, why not try out a textured rolling pin to create intricate patterns — from paisley to reindeer and dinosaurs — on cookies? These rolling pins are laser-engraved solid beech protected with oil.
Zoku
Zoku: Iced Coffee Maker
Keep ice from diluting your coffee or tea with this special travel mug in as few as five minutes. The components include a freezable stainless-steel mug, an insulating sleeve, snap-on lid, and sipping straw. Also check out Zoku’s ice cream- and popsicle-makers for the kids.
Sempli
Sempli: Monti-Taste Set
This stunning set includes four beer glasses designed to hold IPA, pilsner, pint, and 12-ounce brews. An elegant box makes this an ideal gift for the craft beer lover. Orders will begin shipping in early December.
Mo Man Tai
Mo Man Tai: Year Round
Create a DIY planner/calendar right on your wall using this masking tape set. The eight rolls include numbers, months, days of the week, rule lines, and spaces for notes.
Wacom
Wacom: Bamboo Spark
Using a smart ballpoint pen and a smart folio, this notebook transforms handwritten notes and doodles into digital ones saved within the cloud or on tablets (both iPad and Android-based) and smartphones. Currently, the folio comes only in gray and measures 5.8 by 8.2 inches.
HAY
HAY: Wooden Rulers and Ruler Triangles
These are your grandparents’ measuring tools, perhaps. The wood constructions of the rulers and triangles boast an old-school feel, while color edging or patterning give the straight edges modern flair.
Grovemade
Grovemade: Keyboard Tray
Tired of all the desktop clutter? Keep it simple and organized right under your keyboard. These handsome keyboard trays are finished in solid walnut or maple and conceal small items such as business cards and a pen in shallow compartments. Be sure to check out the coordinating wooden desktop accessories that Grovemade offers — from phone docks to monitor stands.
Internoitaliano
Internoitaliano: Neri
A family of pens and mechanical pencils, Neri features a contrasting brass thumbscrew that is decorative while also able to adjust the point of the writing instrument.
Marmol Radziner Home
The Jewish Museum Shop: Marmol Radziner Home Collection Menorah
Los Angeles design-build firm Marmol Radziner makes this minimalist menorah right in its own workshop. It’s handcrafted in solid walnut with brass fittings to hold the candles. They also offer a raised shamash version.
The Glass House Store
The Glass House Store: Glass House Snow Globes
Get your very own miniature of Philip Johnson’s Glass House — in a snow globe. The house museum’s store now offers a limited edition blue snow globe in addition to the original.
CB2
CB2: Various Ornaments
This Crate and Barrel offshoot does the holidays in modern style. Its Christmas tree ornaments, for instance, range from metal wire bent in concentric geometric shapes to glass sputniks and mini disco balls.
West Elm
West Elm: Snow Globes and Wood + Metal Menorah
Among West Elm’s holiday offerings, we like these precious woodland-esque snow globes with one of three motifs: pines and a deer, a penguin, and owl — all made of white resin. The glass globe sits on a birch wood base. And the brand’s Wood + Metal menorah is a beautiful contemporary design featuring tall silver-finished candleholders set in a walnut base.
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