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The final countdown is starting — there are only 10 more shopping days until Santa works his magic.
This is a season for giving, a time for celebrating with friends and sharing experiences with loved ones. I realize that wish lists are really for children, but as I've been scouring the city trying to pull off a few last-minute holiday miracles for clients, I've been preparing a mental list of lovely little (and not so little) things that I think would make amazing gifts.
I'm not really one for making lists, much to the dismay of my husband and family. When asked what I want for any occasion, I am generally stumped for an answer. (The automatic response that drives my husband bonkers is, "I don't want anything.") I am not exactly easy to shop for and I completely understand that this is a totally frustrating answer. So I've been thinking about it lately.
I love buying for others. It gives me extreme pleasure and delight to find the "perfect" gift (something unique, unusual, unexpected and thoughtful is usually my mandate). I get frustrated by the excess and the waste that accompanies the season, as I find there are too many gifts that are just a passing fancy and will soon be stuffed in a drawer, to be forgotten and never used. So here's my thinking: Why not buy something for the home that will be appreciated, needed, used and cherished?
There are hundreds and thousands of relatively inexpensive little gifts out there that will allow you to tick everyone off your list, but I wanted to think about the big picture.
With that in mind, I created my dream list, and hope you might find a few treasures to add to yours.
If no one gives you any of these, you can always buy them for yourself!
Flowers for a year
Treating yourself to fresh flowers is something we all say we would love to do but rarely follow through on.
Going to the flower shop, selecting them, then arranging them at home can be a time-consuming process, and it gets edited off the to-do list when too many other pressing matters jump the line and demand attention. But one of the most thoughtful gifts is one that keeps on giving — beautifully arranged flowers delivered to your door once a month for a year.
Original art
At the end of a design project, there usually isn't much money left over for artwork. It's wonderful to invest in items that are unique and make you happy. The good news is that while some prices for art are up in the stratosphere, many excellent pieces are quite affordable. Like most things in the world of design, I feel passionate about pieces at both ends of the price spectrum.
Candlelight
A home's ambience is enhanced by the delicate glow of candlelight, and nothing provides that quite like my all-time favourite votive holder. Our Swedish counterparts know a thing or two about capturing the mood of a cold Northern winter, and I think the Kosta Boda Hurricane Snowball is pure genius. Whether your taste is modern or traditional, this sparkling little orb is a perfect gem of a gift. Buy just one or use a few of them in a grouping for dramatic effect. (And don't think they're just for the holidays — I use them all year round and never get tired of them.)
Inspiration
One of the best gifts of the holidays is time. It's an opportunity to rejuvenate, relax, read and not think about work. Myself, I would love to curl up with a hot cup of tea and spend a sunny afternoon touring the homes and learning about the lives of famous style-makers from around the globe. Vogue Living: Houses, Gardens, People by Hamish Bowles (Knopf ) offers just that: 400 pages of luxury, and the opportunity to travel and see stylish worlds without ever leaving your armchair.
A pretty perch
While sipping your tea and dreaming of being a world-famous scene-setter, you'll need something to rest your cup on, as it's impossible to hold a 400-page book and a cup at the same time. The search for the perfect side table could become a designer's lifetime pursuit, but I think the Brigitte stool is a contender for top-tier status. The oval shape is lovely, the Asian influence is not overdone, and the colours complement any interior. You'll also want an unbelievably beautiful and luxuriously soft Kevin O'Brien pillow to make sure you are totally relaxed.
A cozy throw
When the snow is blowing and the fire is blazing (and you are drooling over the pages of Vogue Living), you'll need an extra layer to keep the chill at bay. I'd love to while away the day under a thick and yummy merino wool throw, made from the finest wool Britain has to offer in a variety of subtle neutrals to blend seamlessly into your oasis of calm.
Vintage art glass
A little vintage bowl for nibbles, and a presentation piece such as a footed vintage Steuben bowl to put on your favourite table are sure to be useful for years to come. I can't resist the allure of beautiful glass from some of the best makers in the world.
Bubble bath
I love bubble bath, but it reminds me of what I really want: a superb tub that will allow me to surround myself with bubbles right up to my chin. If you have space to spare, there are oodles of choices for giant soaker tubs, but if every inch is crucial, the Ove is the tub of choice. It's elegant, streamlined and the ultimate masterpiece to add luxe to the master bathroom.
Exotic luxury
No one knows the art of luxury like the French, and no designer does it better than Andrée Putman. I am crazy for her entire signature collection designed for Christofle. From earrings and cufflinks to trays and bowls, there isn't a piece I wouldn't like to call mine. For example, a box turned out in Macassar ebony with a silver handle, a piece that's sure to be admired and appreciated daily.
Zest for life
When shopping for the people who truly have all they need, want and can use in life, I think it's always safe to stick with the necessities in life. You can never go wrong with luxury soap since it will likely be used. Forget fussy rose and opt for something zingy and fresh, such as Caswell-Massey's kaffir lime bath soap. It's been in business for 250 years, so you can bet its products beat your basic drugstore find.
Sarah Richardson is host and co-producer of Design Inc. on HGTV and principal of Sarah Richardson Design (www.sarahrichardsondesign.com).
