Gift ideas for designers, chosen by designers
The countdown to Christmas is on! Looking for gifting inspiration for hard to buy for creatives? The Sydney Design School team is back for the fifth year to share their gift and wish lists.
HAY
“I love design books! They feel like a piece of art for my home and give me endless inspiration. I’d love the new HAY book launched to mark their 20th anniversary.” – Bella Taylor / Find the book here
Dinosaur Designs homewares
“Dinosaur Designs homewares collection for my wish list – beautiful, texturally swirly, gorgeous-form shapes in vibrant colours! Joyous to behold!” – Jan Handel / Discover the range here
Sage & Clare Venus Bowl
“I love colour, and Sage & Clare do colour so well. The party season is nearly upon us so I’d love to receive a gorgeous, individually cast, resin bowl. Just in time to celebrate the silly season!” – Wendy Beard / Find it here
Drop Kick Sweater
“Who doesn’t want to be called a drop-kick?! I just love all of the Castle and Things sweaters… they make me smile.” – Kylie Hickman / See the range here
Four Pillars Christmas Gin
“This limited edition gin would go down perfectly on Christmas day.” – Cherie Karlsson / Grab your bottle here
Interiors Beyond the Primary Palette – Arent&Pyke
“I’m a big fan of Arent&Pyke’s work so this book is something I would give to a fellow designer. I’d love to find it under my own Christmas tree too! Each of the projects featured include details like paint names and fabric brands as well as insights into how the stunning spaces were created.” – Nicky Kelleher / Find the limited edition book here
Marimekko clothes
“I’d choose a Marimekko silk ensemble. I love Marimekko values and how they keep evolving their textiles with material technology and updated colours.” – Suzanne Robbins / Get the look here
Summer School Workshops
“Workshops are always a great gift for someone who’s hard to buy for. So I’m just going to slip a little plug in here because our Summer School workshop menu is fabulous. There are options for everyone from the absolute beginner wanting to decorate and style their home, to a business course for creatives. We even have gift cards. Perfect!” – Amanda Grace / See what’s on offer at Summer School here
How to be Well – A Handbook for Women
“A friend gave this book to me and now I want to give a copy to all my girlfriends! Written by integrative medicine specialist Dr Karen Coates and renowned wellness advocate Sharon Kolkka, it’s not a design book, but one that I wanted to share anyway.” – Amanda Grace / Find out more here
Beautiful yarn
“I recommend giving a box of beautiful yarn to crochet a granny square throw or a cardigan.” – Di Strange
The Local Project – Print subscription
“Always a go-to for online inspiration, The Local Project publishes a print periodical three times a year. This beautifully curated insight into the latest architecture and design in Australia and New Zealand would be a joy to receive in the letterbox.”- Lisa Wrightson / Subscribe here
Barisieur Coffee Maker
“I think ‘I won’t wake up for less than coffee in bed’ is quite reasonable. I can dream…!” – Samantha Over / Find the Barisieur Coffee Alarm Clock, Coffee Maker, White here
Ceramic vessel – Pip Woods
“I have a bit of an obsession with ceramics and I try to support artisans rather than big stores when I can. I collect ceramics and love to give them to friends too. This vessel has a lovely finish and is such a gorgeous shape, I’d be more than happy to unwrap it.”- Lisa Wrightson / Visit Pip’s website here
Curate – Inspiration for an Individual Home
“This beautifully put together book is ideal for people who surround themselves with old artifacts, bringing joy in the human hand of history.” – Di Strange / Find Linda Gardener’s book here
AYU Perfume Oil
“I want another bottle of AYU Perfume Oil… it really is divine.” Cherie Karlsson / Check out the AYU range here
Kerryn Levy Ceramics
“I love the organic, textural and unique shapes of Karen’s ceramics which make then perfect for designers who can’t resist touching everything.”- Maria Georgiou / See Karen’s work here
Alexander McQueen: Unseen
“At the moment I am obsessed with Alexander McQueen. I’m in awe of his materiality, his process as a designer and his unexpected combination of fabrics and shapes! Love!”- Victoria Aleporos / Find the book here
Bush Honey & Wattleseed Coffee Liqueur
“Well sung by Michael Bublé, Christmas is definitely the most wonderful time of the year, and this liqueur is my favourite after dinner drink. It has an unforgettable combination of roosted walnut, chocolate and coffee. Seven Seasons is an amazing company that employs indigenous communities to harvest the best native ingredients in Australia.”- Daniele Mantovani Mello / Get yours here
Experiences
“In he spirit of my downsized life, my wish list is for experiences. A yearly membership to the MCA, Art Gallery of NSW, National Trust, Sydney Theatre Company or Opera House would do nicely.”- Sharon Raco
Indescratchables Sunglasses
“I recently got a pair of these and they are so well made and cool that I could do with some more. Most importantly, they’re scratch resistant! Very handy for someone as clumsy as me who is sick of getting scratches all over the lenses of nice sunnies.”- Julia Stockdale / Find them here
