10 Design Treasures to Gift This Holiday Season
From playful "little somethings" to limited-edition works that support architectural landmarks, these unique ideas are sure to please even the most discerning collectors
Trinket Tray Blue 1 by Lina Shamma from Invisible Collection. Photo: Courtesy of Invisible Collection
Hotel Olympia "Do Not Disturb" pillow from the Invisible Collection. Photo: Courtesy of Invisible Collection
1. The Invisible Collection
ClubRoom, The Invisible Collection’s curated vertical of small decorative accents, is a wonderland of gorgeous gifts. Spruce up someone’s vanity table with cheeky accessories like the darling porcelain trinket tray by Lina Shamma that’s handmade in Lebanon, or an embroidered pillow by Olympia Le-Tan, a veteran of Chanel and Balmain who creates witty home goods under her Hotel Olympia label.
Imperial Hotel Drawing pillow from the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation. Photo: Courtesy of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation
2. The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation
Museum and gallery gift shops are usually a goldmine of gifts for architecture buffs and design enthusiasts. Located within Taliesin West in Scottsdale, Arizona, the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation’s gift shop has a plethora of unique pieces. Browse the online store for everything from furniture and decorative accents to puzzles, tableware, and jewelry—sales of which benefit the organization. This pillow features the architect’s drawing for the now demolished Imperial Hotel in Tokyo, Japan.
Knot of Friendship candleholder by Josef Frank from Svenskt Tenn. Photo: Courtesy of Svenskt Tenn
3. Svenskt Tenn
This Stockholm store represents the absolute best in Scandinavian design, including the work of pioneering creative Josef Frank. Minimalists with a cheeky side will love this stunning brass candleholder, a 1938 design by Frank, with a name perfect for the season of giving—the Knot of Friendship.
Chinese checkers by Giobagnara x Poltrona Frau. Photo: Courtesy of Poltrona Frau
4. Poltrona Frau
Smart shoppers know not to overlook the big furniture stores for small treasures, like this elegant Chinese checkers game set by Italian leather studio Giobagnara for Poltrona Frau.
Delta Nil candles scented with sea salt, papyrus flower, and moss from Baobab Collection. Photo: Courtesy of Baobab Collection
Trio travel candles in Rio, Mexico, and Miami from Baobab Collection. Photo: Courtesy of Baobab Collection
5. Baobab Collection
Candles are the perfect gift to have on hand for unexpected occasions. Belgian brand Baobab Collection elevates home fragrance with exceptional blown-glass vessels—ranging in size from small to 13-inch vase—filled with heavenly scents crafted by Grasse perfumers to evoke a sense of place.
Miya Ando, Winter Dawn Clouds (The Glass House). Photo: Courtesy of The Glass House
6. The Glass House
Every purchase made from the Glass House gift shop supports the preservation and restoration of the Philip Johnson landmark in New Canaan, Connecticut. Among the selection of high-design home goods is an array of artist-made special editions, each inspired by the Glass House. New this year is this iridescent glass work by Miya Ando, Winter Dawn Clouds.
Guframini Sunrise Cactus by Gufram x Paul Smith. Photo: Courtesy of Gufram
7. Gufram
Among design collectibles, there are a few ubiquitous pieces—a Yayoi Kusama pumpkin, a Jeff Koons Balloon Dog, and a Gufram cactus. This year, the company debuted a Guframini version of their coat-rack size design crafted in collaboration with fashion designer Paul Smith. This desktop edition has the same candy colors and textural surface, but fits in the palm of your hand.
Vessel by Loie DeVore from Liz O'Brien. Photo: Courtesy of Liz O'Brien
Charta Alba candlesticks by Studio Palatin from Liz O'Brien. Photo: Courtesy of Liz O'Brien
8. Liz O’Brien
Shopping at Liz O’Brien’s East 61st Street location has been known to induce “kid in a candy store” fervor, where fabulous pieces of collectible design share space with cool works by contemporary makers like Stephen Antonson, Loie DeVore, and Nancy Lorenz. Find gifts big and small, from Brutalist vessels and decorative objets to artwork and soft goods.
Mixteca bowl from Obakki. Photo: Courtesy of Obakki
9. Obakki
This marketplace for sustainable, artisan made goods around the world finds unique pieces by thousands of makers in 14 countries, including Mexico, France, and Italy. Browse from a thoughtful selection of handmade textiles, home accents, and tableware such as this Mixteca bowl from Oaxaca, Mexico, and shop confidently knowing the company foundation gives back to the local communities.
Silver 1970s Teghini snail silver-plated ice bucket. Photo: Courtesy of Abask
Cocktail napkins by Loretta Caponi. Photo: Courtesy of Abask
10. Abask
Looking for a gift for the New Year’s Eve host? Let them know how much you appreciate their craft cocktails and holiday spirits with unique pieces for their home bar. This 1970s silver-plated snail from Teghini Firenze doubles as an ice bucket while the Loretta Caponi embroidered napkins help inspire a decadent drink menu.
