Header: Anna + Nina
The holiday season is almost upon us, which means that we need to start thinking about finding time to be with our loved ones, decide which will be our New Year’s resolutions, and choose which gifts will bring a smile to the people around us. Gift-giving can be stressful, especially when you don’t know much about someone’s favorite subject, history, science, sports, or design. We can help you with one of these categories: design.
After spending a year researching the best designs and designers, writing about them, and keeping personal lists of our favorite pieces, we feel we can give you great ideas. As budgets differ, our list considers that a gift’s price may have to be low, however, its design quality can never be put into a secondary position. This year, offer great designs without worrying about the price. Whether kitchen wear is your loved one’s Achilles tendon or lighting design brightens up their eyes, we are sure you’ll find your next present idea here.
D5’s Curated Gift List
Lumos Bougeoir, Broste Copenhagen
Made from aluminum and with a toned-down metallic finish, this item holds four candles and is sculpted in an abstract, organic shape. Its unique form and color contrast with the warm nature of a lit candle, making this a simple and functional piece that looks good in any room.
Gres Porcelain Spoons Vaisselle 70’s, HKLIVING
This set of ceramic spoons inspired by the 70s is designed for anyone who enjoys that last bit of foam in their coffee or adds sugar or milk. Each spoon features a distinct finish and is made from gres porcelain, known for its strength and durability, making them functional and versatile for everyday use.
Thin Striped Bedding Set, Ever Lasting
This bedding set is made from 100% washed cotton and was designed in a simple, straightforward red and white stripes pattern, which is sure to bring a pop of personality into any bedroom. Imagine how happy anyone would be to wake up in these.
Forest Richie Large Candle Holder, Anna + Nina
The Forest Richie Large Candle Holder combines a bold bubble design with alternating green and purple sections, accented by gold details. Its vibrant and structured form not only goes well with the shifty nature of a flame, but it also helps create a comfortable ambience in any space.
Rattan Table Lamp Burgundy, HKLIVING
This table lamp’s mushroom-shaped, woven construction and retro color options (like this rich burgundy, our personal favorite) bring a vintage touch to any home, both in how it diffuses light and how it can easily fit in any setting.
Gone Fishing, The Platera
This set of six ceramic plates features hand-painted fish illustrations at the center, framed by simple blue border lines. Each plate has a different fish design, and since they are hand-painted, details may vary slightly, adding character to each piece.
ES17, Ettore Sottsass X Alessi
This corkscrew was designed with the word “bold” in mind, making it a fun piece to have around due to its ergonomic shape (which makes it easy to use) and colors. Made in Italy with eco-friendly paints, this is the perfect quirky gift for your designer friend who also can’t say no to a good wine.
Botanica, Ichendorf Milano
This glass set combines the durable borosilicate glass with a simple, soft floral design. The ribbed bowl is heat resistant, and the stem, shaped like a branch, is incredibly hard to break, making this a functional yet decorative piece perfect to be used every day.
Lampada Celeste, Marie Olsson X HKLIVING
The playful vintage design of this lamp, made even better with its candy-like base, is precisely what gift-giving is all about: choosing a piece that others might be too afraid to spend their money on, but oh, how great would it look in their living room?
12-Piece Tins, Louis Sherry
This collection combines chocolate with timeless design, making this, perhaps, the perfect Christmas present on this list. Each of the collection’s 46 tins features unique artwork, making them a simple yet thoughtful gift for design lovers. While the chocolates inside are a classic, the packaging is truly what reels one in.
Photo credit: Louis Sherry
Silky Ruffle Bedding Set, Ever Lasting
The bedding set is made from 100S Australian cotton with a jacquard weave, featuring wide black stripes and ruffled hems that make anyone want to slide into bed and dream of a glam Hollywood life.
