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Designers have an eye for excellence that extends far beyond their professional projects — they demand the same polish and purpose from everything in their lives. So when the holidays roll around and you’re shopping for the designer in your life (or the design enthusiast), the pressure’s on. To help you find the finest products where form has a bit of an edge over function, we’ve put together this guide to the best design-forward gifts available right now.
Article Overview
- Bulova Super Seville (Model 98B458)
- Pretti Cool Rectangular Concrete Soap Dish
- Case Study Houses. The Complete CSH Program 1945-1966 (Taschen)
- Retradisc Portable Bluetooth CD Player
- Nicolai Canetti Space Wall Clock
- MiiR Coffee Hand Grinder
- Maison Ko x Olivia Snow Ceramics Pebble Lighter
- Nude Glass Malt Set Whiskey Bottle with Wooden Tray
- ENORME Telephone
- GUBI Multi-Lite Portable Lamp
- Carl Friedrik The Carry-On
- Herman Miller Nelson Basic Cabinet Series Bedside Table
- Vitra x Porsche ID Trim L Pepita Edition
Bulova Super Seville (Model 98B458)
Bulova has long understood that luxury doesn’t have to be expensive. Back in the ‘70s, the American watchmaker came out with its Super Seville, which allowed consumers to see that they don’t have to break the bank to be stylish. Today, the Super Seville is better than ever, with the vintage styling, a two-tone stainless steel case and bracelet, and the same TV-shaped housing from back in the day. Measuring 37.5mm across, the timepiece has a classic time-date display thanks to the reliable Bulova NM10 quartz movement inside.
Pretti Cool Rectangular Concrete Soap Dish
Who says you can’t gift a soap dish? Possibly the most stylish we’ve seen in this underutilized product category, Pretti Cool’s wavy dish is made right here in the USA from concrete with Terrazzo aggregate added to make each piece unique.
Case Study Houses. The Complete CSH Program 1945-1966 (Taschen)
What started as a practice in economically-manufactured houses post-War turned into a series of 36 homes that have become design icons decades later. To celebrate structures helmed by the likes of Eero Saarinen and the Eames brothers, Taschen made this compendium with over 500 pages of beautiful photography and key info on the history of the Case Study houses.
Retradisc Portable Bluetooth CD Player
Tech brands are having a blast with the designs of their new portable CD players. One such nostalgia-influenced product is this Retradisc, a transparent unit with anti-skip tech, USB-C charging, and Bluetooth capability.
Nicolai Canetti Space Wall Clock
Incredibly influential to clock design of the ‘80s and ‘90s, Nicolai Canetti’s Space Wall Clock debuted in 1984 and has now been recreated to show how cutting edge it still looks. You get all three hands on distinct discs that make up the design.
MiiR Coffee Hand Grinder
MiiR’s design-forward water bottles are arguably the best-looking in the category. And recently, the brand put its aesthetic know-how into the world of manual coffee grinders. Using conical stainless steel burrs, the unit is compact enough for traveling and easy to use with its ergonomic handle.
Maison Ko x Olivia Snow Ceramics Pebble Lighter
LA-based interior design studio Maison Ko has proven easily that there’s still room left to evolve a timeless device. Teaming up with ceramic firm Olivia Snow, they’ve crafted this refillable butane Pebble Lighter. For those who need it, the base doubles as an ashtray.
Nude Glass Malt Set Whiskey Bottle with Wooden Tray
If you’re going to be showing off your favorite whiskey, make sure you’re doing it with style. Finnish designer Mikko Laakkonen teamed up with Nude Glass for this 35.5-ounce handmade decanter and wooden serving tray set, sporting a beautifully minimalist design.
ENORME Telephone
Designers must typically straddle an appreciation for both old and new, looking backward to see its implications in the present. Back in 1985, Memphis Group founder Ettore Sottsass put 500 untouched units of his ENORME telephones in a time capsule, which was just opened this year. Now, Basic Space is selling the stylish touchtone phones, which still look as fresh as ever despite the antiquated tech.
GUBI Multi-Lite Portable Lamp
Louis Weisdorf’s Multi-Lit desk lamp is a true compromise of form and function. With style that oozes the ‘70s-era chic that it was born into, the portable unit also features movable shades for directing light in the direction you need it.
Carl Friedrik The Carry-On
When embarking on your upcoming trip, make sure you’re doing so in style with one of Carl Friedrik’s handsome suitcases. We are quite smitten with this Carry-On, featuring grooved hard-sided exterior and a leather strap across the top for accenting.
Herman Miller Nelson Basic Cabinet Series Bedside Table
Sometimes the simplest furniture pieces can make the biggest statement. That’s what George Nelson figured when he created his Basic Cabinet collection in 1946. Earlier this year, Herman Miller resurrected the series, including this Bedside Table you see here.
Vitra x Porsche ID Trim L Pepita Edition
Extend your automotive enthusiasm to your home office with Vitra’s Porsche collaboration, featuring this leather task chair that’s been lined with the marque’s famed Pepita fabric used for its cockpit seats.
