Designer Holiday Gift Guide (Part 2)
For part two of our designer holiday gift guide Senior Designer Kristyn Bester and Junior Designer Jeffrey Kelly share some of their favorite ideas for holiday gifts. Whether you’re shopping for an adventurer, foodie, or vintage enthusiast, we have something that will knock them off your list. Take a look and stay tuned for our third and final installment of our designer holiday gift guide.
Kristyn’s Picks
One of my most favorite places to stay. Astoria is a fun, sleepy town to wander around. If the weather turns bad, the hotel is an easy place to lock yourself away with a good book and cup of coffee and never leave. The view is incredible from every room and the spa is super relaxing, so don’t forget to book a massage!
For a special and personalized gift, a brass constellation bracelet or necklace with your loved one’s star sign is a beautiful option. They are made by New York artist Julie Nolan and are available on her Etsy shop or in person here in Portland at Lizard Lounge. You can see the Sagittarius bracelet here.
I am obsessed with Pacific Pie Company, who I think makes the best savory pies in Portland. They offer Pie Making 101 to those who want to learn the art of pastry, crust, pies and more! You even go home with a fresh baked pie and extra pastry.
Antique Stores
I like to go antiquing for unusual and one of a kind gifts. I love Kenton Antiques in North Portland, Stars Antiques in Sellwood, Grand Marketplace on Grand Avenue in SE Portland, and the salvage section at Rejuvenation. Outside of Portland, my favorite is Vintage Hardware in Astoria. Some of my finds for gifts include vintage art and books, collections of ledgers for my accountant husband (I found one from someone living in Paris during WWII), mirrors, and small furniture pieces. You are certain to find the most unique gift!
A Night Out on the Town
I love to give and receive experiences as gifts, so I often look for upcoming events such as a Timbers game or a play at Portland Center Stage. I buy one ticket for the lucky recipient and one ticket for myself – then we are guaranteed a date together in the future!
Jeffrey’s picks
Who doesn’t like to smell good? These hand made fragrances from Portland’s Heather Sielaff are a perfect gift for the guy or gal on your list that wants to smell nice but not overpowering. With offerings mixing scents like cardamom, Indonesian vetivert, tobacco, wood, lemon, and bergamot, these unique perfumes stand out in the crowd of typical fragrances. You can visit their newly opened shop Milk Milk Lemonade on SE Belmont to see their workshop and pick from their line of perfumes.
I’ve known Hazel for many years and have always been in love with the things she designs. There is something about her aesthetic that is so beautiful to me and it fits perfectly here in Portland. You can buy directly form her or at stores like Yo Vintage! or Palace.
Made right here in Portland, Beckel Canvas products are a perfect gift for the outdoor enthusiast looking to get back to the roots of camping. They hand make their line of canvas bags, tents, and accessories in their Clinton St. storefont. I was recently on a rafting trip and one of my fellow companions was able to set up his Miner tent, pictured above, with two oars and some rocks before any of us even had our tent poles constructed. I was impressed to say the least.
It’s hard not to fall in love with every piece of this iconic line of ceramics. From their fantastic tiles and house wares to their classic line of dinnerware, there is no denying that Heath Ceramics has earned it’s status as a coveted item for any home. Pick up a platter or bud vase for a loved one and you are sure to please.
If you have a foodie on your list then the butchery and cooking classes offered by Portland Meat Collective are a great way to give an interactive gift. Ranging from basic animal butchery to charcuterie to multi-day courses, there is bound to be a class that matches the level of your cook’s skill. I was lucky enough to have received this as a gift and will always remember the techniques I learned in class.
This showroom, located directly off of Burnside, contains some truly drool-worthy pieces. Specializing in mid-century and industrial furniture, The Good Mod curates a jaw dropping selection of pieces you’d be hard pressed to find anywhere else. If you want the real deal pick of furniture you’d expect to see in a magazine or history book, this is your place.
I hope you found some good ideas in part two of our gift guide. By this point your list should be dwindling but just in case it is still lengthy, we have one more installment to help you finish up your holiday shopping. In our next and final part of our gift guide senior designer Chelly Wentworth and junior designer Trisha Hopkins share their go to places for inspired presents.
Want more? Check out the other parts of this series:
Part 1: Anne De Wolf, Marty Hegg & Kat O’Neil’s Picks
Part 3: Chelly Wentworth and Trisha Hopkins’ Picks
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