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Designer Noz Nozawa Shares Her Valentine’s Day Gift List

The San Francisco–based creative selects expressive works of art and playful accessories

By Jill Sieracki
A collection of various accessories and decor items against a pink background.

One of the design industry’s most exciting rising stars, Noz Nozawa challenges convention with her daring use of color and pattern. Crafting exuberant residential and hospitality spaces everywhere from San Francisco to New York, Nozawa embraces bold stripes, geometric tiles, and rugs in every shade of the rainbow. Her own California home combines traditional wood furnishings and Tulip tables with personality-filled accents including animal print fabrics, lucite bar stools, and gallery walls of vibrant artwork.

Of course, she’s got an impeccable eye for details as well, which lends itself perfectly for creative gifting. Here, Nozawa gives a look at some thoughtful selections perfect for anyone on your Valentine’s Day list.

Woman in a patterned dress sitting on a blue chair in a decorated room with colorful curtains and a window in the background.
Noz Nozawa. Photo: Alanna Hale
Ceramic sculpture with cactus-like features and eyes on a white pedestal against a plain background.
No This is Actually My Crying Face by Leena Similu. Photo: Courtesy of The Future Perfect

1. Leena Similu’s Sculptures

“Artist Leena Similu’s radiant sculptures have a way of conjuring huge feelings. Her pieces are artwork on their own, but I love that they are also vessels, into which you could gift a floral arrangement.”

Rose gold oval carabiner with textured silver clasp adorned with small white gemstones on a white background.
Regular Consuelo lock by Marla Aaron. Photo: Courtesy of Marla Aaron

2. Lock by Marla Aaron

“Of all the carabiner locks I covet from Marla Aaron, this one walks a perfect balance of being elegant and badass. It can serve as a clasp for one of her claspless chains, or I would even wear it as a pendant on its own!”

Black tube of Saint Jane Luxury Sun Ritual Pore Smoothing SPF 30 with floral design on a light background.
Luxury Sun Ritual sunscreen by Saint Jane. Photo: Courtesy of Credo

3. Sunscreen by Saint Jane

“To me, this is the best sunscreen—it has the subtlest tint to prevent white-cast and the texture is luxurious. Gifting it sends the message, ‘I love your face, and I want to protect it!’”

Book cover of "The New Antiquarians" by Michael Diaz-Griffith with decorative tassel illustrations on a blue background.
The New Antiquarians: At Home with Young Collectors by Michael Diaz-Griffith (Monacelli). Photo: Courtesy of Monacelli

4. The New Antiquarians 

My absolute favorite design book from the past year, this anthology of creative people’s homes is page-after-page of inspiration!

Red socks with white heart patterns, each displaying the date 03.25.11, blue toe caps.
Photo: Courtesy of DivvyUp
Blue socks with repeated images of a happy dog's face, white bones, and gray paw prints.
Photo: Courtesy of DivvyUp

5. DivvyUp Socks

“I swear, something about putting your pet’s, kid’s, or partner’s face on socks makes them 200 percent cozier. I’ve given these custom socks as gifts to my husband and my closest friends, and they never disappoint!”

Olive green wallet with cartoon face design, featuring big eyes and a tongue sticking out, zipper with tassel.
Zany Envelope Zip Card by Anya Hindmarch. Photo: Courtesy of Anya Hindmarch

6. Wallet by Anya Hindmarch

“To me this wallet is the perfect size: it fits all vital cards, has a zip pocket, and is small enough to fit in your pants.”

Gold hand-shaped charms with various gemstone designs and a heart charm on a book cover.
Circa 1700 mechanical hand clasps. Photo: Courtesy of Circa 1700

7. Mechanical Hand Clasps

“When I first saw these gold mechanical hand clasps, I thought they were Georgian-era antiques. The movement is an absolute delight: the thumb articulates open and closed like a real hand. I use mine as a necklace closure as well as a charm holder.”

Red LOEWE scented candle in a ribbed ceramic holder.
Small Tomato Leaves candle by Loewe. Photo: Courtesy of Loewe

8. Candle by Loewe

“I wouldn’t believe it if I hadn’t smelled it myself, but tomato as a candle fragrance is pure olfactory vibes. The vibrant red vessel makes this one a keeper even after the wax is gone.”

Wooden box with abstract geometric design on its lid and a metal lock at the front.
Casaque Felin dans un Jardin Mexicain watch and jewelry box from Hermès. Photo: Courtesy of Hermès

9. Jewelry Box from Hermès

“When I don’t know what to give someone, I love to give them a thing that they can put other things in. This box is basically a work of art in leather, and it’s big enough to fit your everyday watches and jewelry.”

Vintage-style gold-plated mobile phone figurine on a wooden surface next to a light-colored lamp.
Nancy Pearce, Sony Cordless Phone, 2023. Photo: Courtesy of R&Company

10. Nancy Pearce Phone

“Nostalgia might be my love language, because I giggle every time I see my Nancy Pearce bronze Nokia cell phone. Her Sony cordless phone is a whole other level of landline memories, and it’s the perfect gift for someone who already has everything.”