Gift Guide: Brighten Each Room

The countdown to the holidays is on, and (despite high inflation rates) we are ready to spend. Canadian consumers are expected to dole out an average of $645 on holiday gifts this year, a significant increase from the $589 spent last year, according to a new study from the Chartered Professionals Accounts of Canada (CPA Canada). Need some ideas? Try thinking of a room in someone’s living space that could use an injection of thoughtfulness and good design.

For the TABLETOP

Tableware | Obakki

This Vancouver-based homewares and lifestyle brand believes it is important to both understand and respect the process that goes into creating the objects that are included in one’s life. As such, everything they carry, from tableware to décor pieces, has been produced in partnership with a global network of artisans. Seen here are the Trulli spice mill, Clear luisa coppa, Puebla Mortar and Pestle and Minimalist Plate, handmade by craftspeople in Italy, Mexico and Australia.

For the PARLOUR

Meltdown | Seletti

A homage to British culture by JordanLuca, an Italian-English fashion design duo whose creations combine pop culture, contemporary art and street culture, this collection imagines novelties that unite two symbols of the United Kingdom: the traditional tea ritual and the wild culture associated with music festivals. Party psychedelia transforms the classic tea service form to give rise to surprising porcelain mugs, cups, saucers, trays, and teapots, whose unruly forms are embellished with a fine touch of gold.

For SHEVLES

Capsule Collection | Studio Laurence

Laurence Carr’s inaugural collection of 12 sculptural, sustainable vessels are made from recycled, cradle-to-cradle materials in collaboration with Nature’s Legacy, a manufacturer known for transforming natural resources into patented biomaterials. The striking forms embody mindful luxury while simultaneously employing closed-loop, zero-waste processes and production methods that mitigate environmental harm and can be used indoors and out.

For the LIBRARY

Internet_Art & The Brutalists | Phaidon

Phaidon is the undisputed heavyweight of beautiful must-have tomes that become the anchors for design aficionados to build a book collection around. Two titles launched earlier this year were particularly noteworthy: Internet_Art: From the Birth of the Web to the Rise of NFTs explores how the most significant mass medium of our time has fostered new possibilities for artists across a range of media, both analogue and digital. Dr. Omar Kholeif presents the trailblazing artists who have engaged in networked culture over the last three decades and examines the monumental effects of the internet on art production and consumption, from the earliest browser-based art to the recent explosion of NFTs.

In The Brutalists: Brutalism’s Best Architects, Owen Hopkins presents architect profiles alongside more than 350 images of iconic Brutalist buildings from 1936 to today. Organized A to Z by the architect’s surname, The Brutalists features the obvious and the underrecognized, from Le Courbusier and Peter Smithson to Mayumi Watanabe de Souza Lima and Igor Vasilevsky.

For the KID’S ROOM

Rocking Horse | Fritz Hansen

A homage to a piece of design history. Originally launched in 1946, the reissue is based on the image of a prototype dating back to the first attempts at die-cast veneer. It is made from a single piece of pressure moulded ash veneer, with a flag halyard “tail” and harness leather ears.

For the BATHROOM

Linen Robes | Fogo Island Workshops

To replicate the Fogo Island Inn experience at home, the iconic Linen Robes given out to every guest at the Inn are also available for gifting in white or natural hues and made of 100 per cent washed linen. Specifically constructed to wick moisture away from the body, these robes grow softer over time.

For the KITCHEN

Go Cordless System | KitchenAid

Expanding its footprint in the small appliance market, the new cordless system includes six small appliances including the Hand Mixer, Hand Blender, Food Chopper, Personal Blender, Coffee Grinder and Kitchen Vacuum. Every tool in the Go Cordless System is powered by one removable, rechargeable battery for cord-free, space-saving food prep.

For the SINK

Super Scrubber | Dotti

A new Canadian company, founded by sisters Rachel Garbutt and Amanda Riva, aims to refresh the cleaning category with a modern revival of the classic sponge. Made from antibacterial food-grade silicone, this scrubber is odour-free, non-scratch and top-rack dishwasher safe, ensuring a longer life cycle with one Super Scrubber lasting as long as six regular sponges. And $1 from every purchase supports mental health research and programming.

For the HOME OFFICE

Pro Fit Ergo TB550 Trackball | Kingston Technologies

This 2023 Red Dot Award winner combines the feel of a wireless mouse with the convenience and accuracy of an advanced trackball. A sculpted ergonomic design with 45° tilt helps improve wrist and forearm alignment and takes up less desk space than a conventional mouse. It also features long-life rechargeable battery, made of 51 per cent recycled plastic, and patented ball ejection system for easy cleaning.

For ANY ROOM

Seasonal Candle Collections | Dans Un Jardin

The Québec-based, family-owned company of lifestyle wellness products continually experiments with ingredient combination for its aromatherapy candle line, including pear and cardamom or chili, honey and orange blossom, among others in the new line. “We are committed to having less waste, less plastic, and more renewable materials for better waste management and sustainable practices to protect our health and our precious planet,” says Paule Lafrance, Creative Director of Dans Un Jardin.

For the GARAGE

Apollo Pro | Apollo Scooters

This Montréal-based company picked up a 2023 Red Dot Award for versatility, as it can be converted from a normal e-scooter to a seated one for one to two people or a cargo version thanks to its extensive range of accessories. A solid one-piece aluminum frame gives it strength and speed, reaching up to 70 km/h and a range of 100 km.

For the WORKSHED

Cordless Drill Kit | Makita

Compact and lightweight, this cordless variable two-speed, reversible drill kit features 16 Clutch settings that deliver up to 340 in. lbs. of torque. With an ergonomic soft rubber grip design for vibration absorption and comfortable operation, the kit includes all metal gears for more efficient power transmission and a single sleeve keyless drill chuck for easy bit installation and removal. Lithium-Ion batteries, charger and tool bag are included. Covered by a three-year limited warranty.