8 Great Gifts for the Design Connoisseur in Your Life

Even the most discerning friends will appreciate these chic objects by Kelly Behun, Gaetano Pesce, and Alexander Lamont

This whimsical decorative bowl is sculpted in ebonized European oak and accented with brass; it embodies the sophisticated artistry of the L'Objet Kelly Behun collaboration.
Photo: L'Objet

Stumped on what to get the design-savvy friend in your life? Look no further than Galerie’s design gift guide below, which features sleek offerings by Gaetano Pesce, Kelly Wearstler, and Alexander Lamont. There are drippy “psychic wand” candles by designer Chris Schanck, a burl-wood matchstick holder by New York design studio Glaze, and blown-glass boxes from the Invisible Collection. A connoisseur would also surely appreciate anything from L’Objet’s new collection with Kelly Behun, who crafted art deco-inspired trays, frames, and lazy Susans for the brand. Our favorites are the leaf-shaped bowls made of ebonized European oak with bronze accents. See the rest of the picks below.

Elementary Particles Boxes; from $390. Photo: the Invisible Collection

1. Elementary Particles Boxes from the Invisible Collection

These lovely blown-glass spherical boxes from the Invisible Collection are available in two colors—emu-egg blue or clear with gold swirls—and are perfect for providing small treasures a world of their own. Handcrafted in France by Limoges-based artisan Frédéric Arnoux, the boxes come in three sizes and are all set in brass.

The Psychic Wand candles. Photo: Prospect New York

The Psychic Wand candles. Photo: Prospect New York

2. The Psychic Wand by Chris Schanck from Prospect

These ombré column candles spring from the fertile imagination of Chris Schanck, who recently made a splash at Design Miami/ with his coral-esque chandelier at Friedman Benda’s booth. Dubbed “Psychic Wands” by the Detroit-based artist and designer, the sculptural sticks come in a set of two (for $42) and are available at Prospect.

Gaetano Pesce Mini Vessels. Photo: Coming Soon.

3. Gaetano Pesce Mini Vessel from Coming Soon

Beloved for his imaginative furnishings and objects, Italian design legend Gaetano Pesce hand-crafted these gloopy vases in flexible resin in nine saturated colorways for Fish Design (available at Coming Soon). Measuring about six inches tall, each one is stamped with his signature and fully functional as a flower vase but could easily make a striking statement on its own.

Bowls from the L'Objet Kelly Behun collaboration. Photo: L'OBJET

4. Kelly Behun Leaf Bowl on Stand from L’Objet

Sophisticated yet whimsical, designer Kelly Behun’s new homeware collection with L’Objet features 14 Art Deco–inspired pieces including serving trays, lazy Susans, and picture frames. Our favorites are the sunning bowls ($375), made of ebonized European oak and adorned with brass accents, which measure nine-and-a-half inches tall and arrive in a luxury gift box.

Palm dish. Photo: Kelly Wearstler

5. Palm Dish by Kelly Wearstler

Design maven Kelly Wearstler, who recently unveiled the stylish interiors at downtown L.A.’s new Proper Hotel, conjured this chic palm-shaped dish that nods to figurative sculpture. Perfect for displaying trinkets and baubles, the solid-bronze piece ($195) adds a playful sense of artistry to any design-lover’s space.

Quartersawn Box by Alexander Lamont. Photo: Alexander Lamont

6. Quartersawn Box by Alexander Lamont

Though he deploys an array of unlikely materials for his seductive furnishings and accessories (think iridescent beetle wings and charred eggshell), British designer Alexander Lamont is well-known for his expert handling of straw marquetry. This mesmerizing Quartersawn box ($740), hand-crafted in his Bangkok atelier, is comprised of maple slivers in hues ranging from platinum blonde to apricot.

Maple Burl Match Box. Photo: Glaze

7. Maple Burl Match Box by Glaze

New York design studio Glaze crafted these unique burl-wood matchboxes ($165) in a limited-edition series of 56—all impressively sourced from a single maple tree. Handmade in the United States, these eight-inch-long boxes come with a set of matches and arrive inside an illustrated drawstring-cloth pouch.

Underground Diffuser and Medium Candle. Photo: Tom Dixon

8. Underground Diffuser and Candle Set by Tom Dixon

Comprising a pair of hand-spun copper vessels with shapely forms, this fragrant set ($193) by British designer Tom Dixon gives off a heavenly ginger aroma with base notes of woody Haitian cardamom. The candle comes with a solid Banswara marble lid, while the non-alcohol diffuser comes with ten black reeds that last up to 12 weeks.

Cover: This whimsical decorative bowl is sculpted in ebonized European oak and accented with brass; it embodies the sophisticated artistry of the L'Objet Kelly Behun collaboration.
Photo: L'Objet

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