Designer Holiday Gift Guide (Part 1)
The holidays are upon us again and it’s time to start scratching our heads thinking of gifts for all the special people in our lives. If you are having a hard time getting your gift list going we have just thing to get you started. The Arciform Design Team has put together their personal lists of gifts they think will stun even the biggest Scrooges on your list.
For part one of our guide Senior Designer Anne De Wolf, Design Assistant Marty Hegg, and Junior Designer Kat O’Neill share some of their favorite places shop at and items to buy for the holiday season. Take a look and get inspired to brave the crowds to get the perfect gift for the loved ones on your list.
Anne’s Picks
It’s easy to miss this warehouse filled with mid-century gems located one block off Hawthorne and only being open one day a week doesn’t help. Those willing to schedule some time on a Saturday or Sunday will be rewarded with a beautiful selection of furniture, art, and home goods.
For those of you looking for salvaged architectural finds this is your stop. Bret and his team do an outstanding job of finding and keeping alive some of Portland’s architectural history. If you know someone looking for that special period piece to adorn their home, this is the place to start looking.
Alder & Company is my favorite store for this sort of thing. I want everything in there. Right now on the top of my list is this striped throwbed in black and white or metallic.
Located on bustling Williams Ave., this one stop shop provides gifts ranging from house plants to jewelry to home goods. You’re guaranteed to check someone off your list if you make your way here.
Marty’s Picks
For me me me, a trip to this shop is on my list of to-do’s: Spruce Apothecary, at Union Way shopping corridor. This new-ish spot is owned by the same folks who own Canoe.
Lovely cards from lark press. There is nothing like opening that mailbox at the end of the day and finding a handwritten card from a friend. Why not send some of your own on pretty paper? Throw in a little surprise like a fun photobooth picture strip!
This is my dream teapot. It has a great size and shape and is made in Japan, where they know their tea!
This crescent bottle opener, by Japanese brand Futagami, makes beer-drinking just a little bit beautiful, doesn’t it? Available at Woonwinkel and Beam & Anchor locally.
Open this link if you’re a carnivore and you’re hungry. We’ve tried all of the salumis from the Spanish sampler, and can’t pick a favorite.
I love Pistils, up on Mississippi, and they can make up a custom terrarium for you for a really great price. These are my newest love there: Marimo Moss Balls. They naturally occur in freshwater lakes in Iceland, Scotland, Japan and Estonia, and grow five millimeters a year. Marimo are said to live to be 100 years old.
I’m a fan of Alexander Girard’s suns, but would love this wool/cotton blanket. Pendleton recreated his design, made for Braniff Airways back in the day. The only question now is which color?
I love to cook, and a cast iron skillet can be used on the stovetop, out camping, or in the oven. Look at this 8” octagonal skillet, made in Portland. Awesome gift!
Fetch eyewear for sunglasses or prescription, Amy Sacks (the daughter of tile maker Ann Sacks) created this great line of eyewear AND donates 100% of proceeds to The Pixie Project, a wonderful non-profit animal rescue and adoption center located here in Portland.
Oh, and a clear glass kettle, just like my dad has used since I can remember:
Adidas
And I heard about these customizable Adidas this morning! This might encourage me to do try running again?
Kat’s Picks
For my husband, who loves to cook, I’ll be getting a set of culinary salts from The Meadow (Sshh! Don’t tell!).
I love giving (and getting!) indoor potted plants from Cornell Farms, like rosemary in a pretty glazed terracotta pot for anyone who loves fresh herbs. They have great stuff all year round.
I’m about to hit the “add to cart” button on these pillows in Navy Blue. We’re jazzing up our family/media room because we’re playing host to a big group for Christmas. I love the hit of color these will add, the graphic punch, the playful not-too-serious tie-dye effect of the pattern. They’re down-filled, so they’ll be comfy – and because they’re not too expensive or precious, I won’t wince when someone inevitably spills on them.
If you really want to splurge on a one-of-a-kind gift for someone, a vintage rug from Atiyeh Brothers would be a fantastic gift. They can last for generations, hide spills and pet hair really well, and bring an authenticity to a home that new rugs just don’t carry.
Gift certificate to Powells. There’s no better way to spend a rainy Winter day in Portland. Plus, they have a café where you can refuel with hot chocolate and a croissant from the Pearl bakery when you need a break.
That does it for part one of our designer holiday gift guide. I hope you found some inspiration from these suggestions. Stay tuned for part two and more ideas to knock that gift list down to size.
Want more? Check out the other parts of this series:
Part 2: Senior Designer Kristyn Bester and Junior Designer Jeffrey Kelly’s Picks
Part 3: Chelly Wentworth and Trisha Hopkins’ Picks
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