For the homeowners with a discerning eye for design, choosing a thoughtful gift could prove to be a daunting task. This guide may just help to alleviate that. Together with Vivendo – a group of companies specialising in the provision of services and finishes for homes, offices and hotels – we’ve shortlisted a selection of accessories by renowned designers from around the world that effortlessly blend fun, form and function.
Cork stool
A collection of cork pieces by Jasper Morrison in 2004 proves the enduring nature of timeless yet practical design. Whether used as a stool or side table, members of Cork Family stand out for their advantageous natural properties – lightweight, durable and velvety to the touch – as well as their sensibility for everyday use.
Ceramic container
The playful shape of this ceramic two-piece container is based on the original 1952 wooden design by architect and designer Alexander Girard, considered a leading figure in American design during the post-war era. The form of this hand-glazed ceramic piece is reminiscent of the traditional shapes of apothecary vessels or board game tokens.
Resting Cat
Swedish creative duo Front channelled their observation of sleeping or hibernating animals into a series of decorative creatures, called Resting Animals, including Resting Cat – a ceramic figure that can be used as a weight or an ornament, with a calming presence intended to communicate a sense of contentment.
Locker Box
A perfect gift for the keen organiser, Locker Box, designed by Konstantin Grcic, is a practical and portable caddy that is lightweight, easy to handle, and a useful accessory for someone who frequently shifts their work location, whether at an office or at home. It’s a neat and colourful stow-away for papers, cables, pens and more when you’re on the move or wrapping up your day.
Vases Découpage
An artistic object both when empty and filled, Vases Découpage by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec is a whimsical collection featuring compositions of cylinders, slabs and bars made from clay. All the elements, produced in a variety of colours, have a handcrafted appearance that create curious structures that look different, yet always lively, from every angle.
Akari 10A
For lighting enthusiasts, a piece from the vast collection of the Akari Light Sculptures, designed by Japanese-American artist Isamu Noguchi, would make for a pretty stellar choice. The 10A light piece is handcrafted from traditional washi paper with a bamboo and black steel frame. It emits a soft and diffused light which the designer intended to connote both illumination and physical lightness.
High Tray
Jasper Morrison’s High Tray gives a classic display bowl a contemporary twist, a testament of his ‘super normal’ design philosophy that seeks to breathe new life into proven solutions by means of reinterpretation and refinement. The colourful display tray can be put to any domestic use – from a fruit bowl to a cake stand.
Wooden Doll
Designed by Alexander Girard, an assortment of wooden figures carved out from solid fir were initially designed for his own home. Some joyful, others grim, the hand-painted Wooden Doll collection is a quirky and charming touch to any modern-day interior.
Photography: Vitra
