Design Desires
The introduction of one new element of furniture or decor—whether that’s a lamp, textile, mirror or another object—can change an entire room. And while everyone’s design preferences are distinctly personal, gifting design items can be deeply meaningful, with a glimpse of something on display acting as a reminder of shared memories or familial moments. With this in mind, we’ve assembled our Design Desires gift guide, complete with subtle objects, bombastic additions, items imbued with thoughtful messages and purely impressive pieces, too.
Image courtesy of GUBI
Calla Lily Murano Goblet
Calla Lily Murano Goblet
With a focus on traditional artisan crafted items, NYC-based homeware brand el mono meticulously sources Murano glass pieces, pottery, table linens and more. Their Calla Lily goblet is made by hand in Italy and incorporates a charming floral pattern. As every piece is handblown, no two are exactly alike. And while the Calla Lily may be our preference, there are Daisy and Dahlia versions, too.
Added: February 2024
This product is sold by El Mono Home
Piero De Vecchi T8 Brass Candle Holder
Piero De Vecchi T8 Brass Candle Holder
Designed by Piero De Vecchi in 1947, the whimsical T8 candle holder entered the echelons of homeware iconography when it was awarded a prize at the eighth Triennale di Milano. Crafted in Italy from a single brass swirl, the candle holder is now available through the online high design platform Abask, where it’s joined by other acclaimed De Vecchi works.
Added: February 2024
This product is sold by Abask
Tease Vibrator Ring First Release
Tease Vibrator Ring First Release
Celebrating CRAVE’s 10th anniversary, co-founder, designer and force of nature Ti Chang created a limited edition Tease Anniversary Edition Ring. Both a statement piece and a powerful vibrator, it draws on the brand’s ethos of beautifully designed and engineered accessories that also have a second, more personal purpose. Proudly but discretely displayed, her work is empowering and pleasure-positive. Vibration at multiple speeds is activated by a subtle button and recharges via USB. Cleverly designed, the silicone ring attaches to the Tease, and it’s sold in small, medium and large options, each including four rings in consecutive sizes to ensure your best fit, The Tease Ring is made in San Francisco and its First Release edition comes in hand-polished stainless steel (currently priced at $135) and 24k gold plating (currently priced at $195).
Added: January 2024
This product is sold by Crave
Pleats Chair
Pleats Chair
From Helsinki-based designer Didi NG Wing Yin, the Pleats Chair is crafted from horizontally oriented fir wood and incorporates a brushing technique that enhances the wavy grain of the material. This unique chair is part of the designer’s greater Wood Pleats collection, which includes magnificent vases and stools.
Added: January 2024
Alcova
19 Degree Aluminum Briefcase
19 Degree Aluminum Briefcase
It’s been a minute since we’ve swooned over a briefcase, but this aluminum statement piece is giving us all the feels. Simple, elegant and practical, it’s functional, too. Three leather interior pockets help keep you organized, and the optional shoulder strap comes in handy when you’re on the go.
Added: January 2024
This product is sold by Tumi
Snap Phone Tripod Stand MOVAS
Snap Phone Tripod Stand MOVAS
There are no shortage of tripods available for your phone but the MOFT X TOMBOGO Snap Phone Tripod Stand MOVAS, part of the collab’s Creative Commuter collection, is a new take. It folds flat to only .27″ thick and attaches using MagSafe to compatible iPhones or any other device using the included adhesive metal ring. The extra height really helps when capturing photos or video, or when viewing content. Devices can be mounted horizontally or vertically. MOFT’s Snap-on Phone Stand + Wallet easily attaches as well should you have or desire to add a wallet. Made from durable vegan leather, its available in two colors on its own or as part of the Creative Commuter collection.
Added: January 2024
This product is sold by MOFT
Piero Lissoni Environments
Piero Lissoni Environments
Finally, a complete view of Piero Lissoni’s decades of work across architecture, interior design, furniture, furnishings, graphics, landscape and more. This substantial book, edited by Stefano Casciani, presents the Lissoni & Partners studio work in a well-organized and easy to peruse manner, from The Middle House hotel—our go-to in Shanghai, to the chic Sanlorenzo Yachts SP110 plus working, retail and living environments, there are beautiful images and inspiriting designs to inspire.
Added: December 2023
This product is sold by Amazon
Nesting Set
Nesting Set
Gossamer worked with artist Kickie Chudikova to create The Nesting Set, a sophisticated three-piece glass collection crafted for the modern smoker. The sage green set includes a versatile ashtray with lid, a durable standing pipe and a sleek one-hitter—all made from heat-resistant borosilicate glass. Designed for functionality and aesthetics, the ashtray doubles as an incense holder or storage for smoking essentials, while the flat-bottomed pipe and compact one-hitter offer both style and convenience. Perfect for discreet storage or elegant table-top display.
Added: December 2023
This product is sold by Gossamer
Cascade Down Barn Quilt
Cascade Down Barn Quilt
This limited edition box quilt collab between Buck Mason and Eddie Bauer hits all the right notes—it’s based on an archival quilt, updated with new materials and tech in Buck Mason’s favorite color ways. The half-square triangle quilt pattern features recycled ripstop nylon parachute fabric on one side, nylon and cotton shell on the other, and it’s filled with Responsible Down Standard 650-fill.
Added: December 2023
This product is sold by Eddie Bauer + Buck Mason
Smudge Tool
Smudge Tool
Designer Chris Martin’s brief was simple—design an incense holder that was “not too hippy”—and his industrial vibing Smudge Tool in galvanized yellow metal delivers on that brief. A flexible holder for incense and smudge sticks, it’s part of the brand’s Spiritual Sandbox collection.
Added: December 2023
This product is sold by Massproductions
Unraveling Stories
Unraveling Stories
Giorgia Lupi and her team at Pentagram, in collaboration with Well Woven, have created a unique rug collection titled “Unraveling Stories,” which is a data-driven representation of lost and endangered textile traditions from around the world. These intriguing rugs not only serves as attractive decor but also as a rich information graphic, telling the story of various textile techniques that have either become extinct or are currently endangered. Each rug’s design elements—such as lines, colors, and spaces—symbolize the history, endangerment status, materials, tools and reasons for the decline of 59 different textile techniques over more than 1,000 years. Available in four different sizes and two different colorways, Unraveling Stories rugs come with a connected tag explaining how to interpret each of the design elements. Price shown is for the smallest size, 5’3″ x 7’3″.
Added: November 2023
This product is sold by Well Woven
Laptop and Tablet Cases
Laptop and Tablet Cases
We discovered these great laptop and tablet cases when we visited Johanna Gullichsen’s store in Helsinki. Known for her colorful, vibrant, geometrical fabrics and upholstry, these soft, padded, zippered cases bring a little joy to the otherwise mundane. Available for laptops, tablets, and more.
Price is in Euros for the 13″ (35cm) size, other sizes and products are available
Added: November 2023
This product is sold by Johanna Gullichsen
Custom Calligraphy Address Stamp
Custom Calligraphy Address Stamp
From Brooklyn’s Paperfinger calligraphy studio, you can select one of several hand-lettered return address styles that get turned into a rubber stamp, which you can use with any color ink to create a personal imprint for all of your correspondence (or that of your thankful friend). Orders take approximately three weeks.
Added: November 2023
This product is sold by Paperfinger
Moonlight
Moonlight
From CH fave Jill Platner’s latest collection, Calypso, this piece features three nested hammered sterling silver circles strung on a 17” crocheted Gor-tex cord. It’s handmade in NYC and like all of the pieces in this collection evokes a feeling of harmony and rhythm while feeling effortless to wear.
Added: November 2023
This product is sold by Jill Platner
The Cowie Collection Glass
The Cowie Collection Glass
This chic spirit sipping glass was designed to showcase the spirit’s color, provide space for aromas, and to create a bit of “audacious” drama. Commissioned by Mortlach whisky and designed by Felicia Ferrone, it’s both technically compelling and beautiful to hold in your hand. Made of borosilicate, this collaboration is available in a limited edition. Price is for a set of two glasses.
Added: November 2023
This product is sold by fferone
Chronomaster Sport Aaron Rodgers Edition
Chronomaster Sport Aaron Rodgers Edition
The first watch from brand spokesperson, quarterback Aaron Rodgers, this limited edition Chronomaster Sport chronograph’s appeal isn’t limited to his fans. The 41mm steel case and bracelet feature a lacquered dial, ceramic bezel and tricolor dial with jersey-inspired Arabic hour numbers. It runs on the brands stellar El Primero 3600 movement, which features a 60 hour power reserve. The edition is limited to 250 units.
Added: November 2023
This product is sold by Feldmar Watch Company
Leica Cine 1 Cinema TV
Leica Cine 1 Cinema TV
The Leica Cine 1 4K laser projection television ups the ante in home entertainment, delivering the world-class image quality you expect from the brand along with a beautifully designed device that stands by discreetly and opens up when in use. Dolby Atmos audio similarly presents the best available sound. If you’re not familiar with the benefit of laser projectors, they can sit very close to the surface they are projecting to—they do not need to be mounted on the ceiling, etc. Powered by a Leica-engineered Summicron lens and the brand’s image processing technology it delivers graduations and contrast in natural colors. It easily connects to the rest of your home theatre gear and streaming services. Its flawless industrial design speaks to the brand’s meticulous design and engineering, and it’s among the most beautiful pieces of home entertainment hardware you’ll find. It’s available in both 100″ and 120″ display sizes.
Added: November 2023
This product is sold by Leica
Natural Indigo-Dyed Cashmere Crew Socks
Natural Indigo-Dyed Cashmere Crew Socks
These natural indigo-dyed cashmere socks (78% cashmere, 21% nylon and 1% spandex) are hand-dyed, and each sock celebrates a unique shibori pattern. Knit in North Carolina and dyed in Lancaster, PA, they come in a special gift box.
Added: October 2023
This product is sold by american trench
The Dark Side of the Moon Turntable
The Dark Side of the Moon Turntable
Yes, there’s a turntable celebrating Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon”s 50th birthday, and it’s a beauty. The limited edition turntable pays homage to the band, album and its iconic album art created by Storm Thorgerson’s Hipgnosis design firm. Pro-Ject brings the art to life in 3D with a triangular MDF plinth, a dimmable rainbow backlight and the quality components you expect from the brand, including a precision aluminum sub-platter, 10mm thick glass platter, precision belt drive, an 8.6″ acrylic tonearm and a Pick it PRO special edition cartridge. Available by special order only.
Added: October 2023
This product is sold by Pro-Ject Audio Systems
Collapsible Umbrella Recovered Collection
Collapsible Umbrella Recovered Collection
Umbrellas are not easy to recycle, and one way to reduce your eco imprint is to buy a quality umbrella that is built for the task and can sustain ongoing use. We’ve all suffered the short-term benefits of cheap umbrellas that bend, rip and fail at the slightest gust. Enter Weatherman, long our go-to for quality and performance. Their well-established Collapsible Umbrella is now available in several tricolor combinations using repurposed material. The easy-to-carry auto-open umbrella has a closed length of 19.5″ which opens to a generous 42″ diameter.
Added: October 2023
This product is sold by Weatherman
Ridgeback Engineered Garments Special Edition Dyed DYNEEMA
Ridgeback Engineered Garments Special Edition Dyed DYNEEMA
DSPTCH’s Ridgeback debuts a new silhouette and a new collaborative technique using hand-folded dyed DYNEEMA created by Engineered Garments that makes each pack unique. The simplified, flexible pack design allows you to further customize your pack with pouches and clips if desired. The backpack comes in three new colors, and the collection offers a range of products, which are also sold by Engineered Garments / Nepenthes.
Added: October 2023
This product is sold by DSPTCH
Eden Backgammon Set
Eden Backgammon Set
Jonathan Adler’s love of games meets his penchant for high-glam with a touch of provocateur. This high-gloss lacquer set features two snakes weaving through the board’s red and black points, with darting tongues dueling mid-board. Of course it looks great when it’s closed too, with the snakes’ tails in a graphic twist on the set’s top.
Added: October 2023
This product is sold by Jonathan Adler
Ripple Collar and Leash Set
Ripple Collar and Leash Set
These colorful wavy leather collars from Sweden bring a little fun to your dog’s collar and leash game. Available in several colors, the collar and leash are also available separately.
Added: September 2023
This product is sold by Scado
The Atlas of Car Design: The World’s Most Iconic Cars
The Atlas of Car Design: The World’s Most Iconic Cars
650 of the world’s most iconic cars—from 30 countries and 190 manufacturers—are presented in this comprehensive design-focused survey. Written by Jason Barlow with Guy Bird and an introduction by Brett Berk, it’s as much an authoritative reference book as it is design inspiration for novices or simply a nice addition to a coffee table. Organized by country and decade, it provides helpful insight into historical design trends. It’s currently available for preorder.
Added: August 2023
This product is available on Amazon
The Door Amulet
The Door Amulet
From Sage & Salt, our go-to resource for crystals and related products, The Door Amulet serves as both an art object to adorn your door, and equally importantly as a force for neutralizing negative energy from entering your home. Hand-crafted by gemstone artist Luis Alberto, each is a unique piece with carved and inlaid quartz, lapis, obsidian and brass. Like all of the brand’s stones, those in the amulet are ethically sourced, ritually cleansed and charged by burying them in a vortex in the Arizona desert. It’s also a great gift for celebrating a friend’s new home.
Added: August 2023
This product is sold by Sage & Salt