Festive season gift ideas for designers, chosen by designers
It’s that time of year again. Time to be making a gift list and ticking it off. Need a hand? The Sydney Design School team have got you covered. We asked them to share gift ideas for our hard-to-buy-for designer friends… and wishlist items for themselves.
Bvlgarlic Market Bag
“When you don’t actually want the real thing…” – Victoria Aleporos / Visit The Cool Hunter here
Muller Van Severen – 2011-2021
“I want to unwrap the new Muller Van Severen Book! A celebration of 10 years work by my favourite designers – Belgian duo Fien Muller and Hannes Van Severen.” – Bella Taylor / Find the book here
Align by Thomas Gouws
“I’d love to receive art for Christmas, particularly anything by Australian artist Thomas Gouws. His minimalist, geometric works are textural and graphic, and his palettes are perfection!” – Lisa Tilse / See more of the artist’s work at Fenton & Fenton
HABITAT by Tom Hegen
“The book features extraordinary images from German aerial photographer Tom Hegen that show how the earth has been transformed by the impact of human presence.” – Sharon Raco / Find HABITAT here
Picnic Rug
“Picnics have been high on the social calendar this year while we’ve been in lockdown. A good picnic rug has become a must-have and would make a lovely gift.” – Debbie Cohen / See the range here and support Buy From the Bush
Menu Echasse Bowl – Smoke
“I love anything that Menu creates. Its soft minimalism creates a versatile and classy aesthetic that will elevate any space.” – Cat Crescini / Find the Echasse Bowl here
Vivid by Julia Green and Armelle Habib
“I want this book because I love all things colour and Julia Green is one of the most inspiring Stylists around. It’s a fabulous interiors book celebrating the influence of colour and how to use it in our everyday lives.” – Wendy Beard / Find the book here
Sage & Clare Nudie Rudie towel
“I loved reading the children’s book to my little girl. Being wrapped in a “Nudie Rudie” towel would make me smile… not that I could go nudie rudie anymore!” – Kylie Hickman / Head to Sage & Clare here
Georgie Porge candles
“I’m obsessed with candles… and also supporting small businesses! So when I heard one of our IDO students has a candle making business it was kismet. I also love that she repurposes vintage glassware for some products. Who doesn’t love a candle?” – Elise Cooper / Visit Georgie Porge here
Mr Black Coffee Liquor
“The year that was led me to take a closer look at spirits! Crafted in Australia, Mr Black was heralded by The New York Times as ‘The leader in a new breed of spirits’ and uses ethically cultivated, sustainable coffees. All good reasons why it’s on my list. ” – Cherie Karlsson / Find out more about Mr Black Coffee Liquor here
Concrete Jellyfish earrings
“I’m obsessed with Concrete Jellyfish earrings. I particularly love the birds and the mix and match sets. So much fun and what a statement!”- Julia Stockdale / Check out the vibrant range here
Gunners Barracks gift card
“A gift card for high tea or lunch at the Gunners Barracks would be lovely. The history, the view and the food… Amazing!” – Julia Stockdale / Head to Gunners Barracks here
Sphere Incense Burner – Travertine by Addition Studio
“I love simple and sculptural objects that serve a function and can stand strong on their own.”- Cat Crescini / Visit Addition Studio here
A visit to a bathhouse
“There are two experiences on my list. Firstly, a bathhouse subscription at Nature’s Energy, Balmain. Check it out click here. The design is lovely with black tiles and moody lighting. I like some thinking time alone here and it’s never super busy. And, now we can travel… This Japanese bathhouse just past the blue mountains near Lithgow has natural mineral springs. The entry is quite an experience – I won’t spoil it for you!” – Suzanne Robbins
Fazeek glassware
“This gorgeous glassware would look fabulous on my Christmas table… so an early gift would be lovely. Thanks!” Elise Cooper / Check out the Fazeek range here
Zaha Hadid. Complete works 1979 – today
“A beautiful, seriously chunky book of inspo I’d love for our coffee table and it’s perfect for any budding designer. Zaha was such a funky Architect.”- Kerry Selby Brown / Find the book here
How to French Country by Sara Silm
“This fabulous new book by Aussie expat, now resident of Southwestern France, is brimming with beauty, interiors, inspiration and colour. The next best thing to being there is to escape into the pages of this book.”- Cherie Karlsson / Start your escape here
Anything from Makers’ Mrkt
“This fabulous online store supports artists, craftspeople and small businesses. Makers’ Mrkt sources and curates high quality, sustainably produced products that are one-offs or limited edition. The perfect place to find a unique gift.”- Lisa Tilse / Visit Makers’ Mrkt here
Eileen Gray – A House Under the Sun by Charlottle Malterre-Barthes & Zosia Dzierzawska
“I’d like an airline ticket for next July to ‘a small villa by the sea in the south of France’ namely, Eileen Gray’s E-1027 house. But in the meantime, I’d love to read this book lying on a banana lounge in the sun, in a borrowed back garden.” – Samantha Over / See the book here
Symphonie Au Balcon by Malika Favre
“I’d love a limited edition print from Malika Favre because I love her illustration style and how she is able to convey detail with a limited use of colour ” – Yin Yin Wu / Take a look at Malika Favre’s prints here
Jovie Green Freedom sweater
“I always have to have something green for Christmas… and it’s my favourite colour. Every day.” – Sharon Gage / Find it at Jovie, here
Customised Nikes
“I need some new sports shoes and I always love to customise my own from Nike.” – Julia Stockdale / Customise yours here
I’ve Been Good Christmas sack
“Rachel Castle’s products are all so colourful, joyful and fun.” – Debbie Cohen / Head to Castle & Things here
Four Pillars Australian Christmas Gin 2021
“I’m not a gin drinker, but this sounds amazing: ‘With juniper-led Christmas tree notes and plum pudding character it smells like gin and tastes like Christmas’. I bought this for a friend who is a both gin lover and an art lover. The painting on the label is by Andrea Huelin and it’s just so evocative of a sunny Aussie Christmas day with prawns and a pav.” – Lisa Tilse / Read about the making of the gin and get some here
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