PART TWO — A Note on Style
Part Two of the Exceptional Gift Guide was created for creatives, collectors, and the stylish. The person who appreciates vintage, one-of-a-kind, or unusual finds. Their style is clear so you’ll feel confident in matching gifting items from the guides with their aesthetic. I’m also including a very personal gift I gave to both of my sons last year…read on for the details.
1 Books 2 Santa Maria Novella Melograno In Scented Terracotta; 3 Stamped Silver Eye Glass Box; 4 Custom Oil Painting 5 Schoolhouse x Pendleton® Canebrake Wool Blanket; 6 Speckled Serving Bowl; 7 Leather Catchall Tray $95; 8 Peri Taper Candle Holder small $96 (sale) or large; 9 Yvonne Leon Scarab Earrings; 10 Sezane X Antoinette Poisson Napkins (set of 2/$40); 11 Leather Jewelry Case Book Box $85 ; 12 Fairisle Cashmere Bandana; 13 Pewter Napkin Ring Set.
EVERYTHING LINKED ON SHOPMY
First, for someone special…a very personal gift of a small commissioned painting from a shared experience with meaning. It’s not as complicated as it may sound. Last year, I commissioned a Romanian artist on Etsy (Oxana Toz) to paint a small landscape from a photo I sent her. The image was from a meadow my family discovered biking in the Dolomites. The lighting, shadows and color were spectacular and we paused to take in the beauty. It was a special moment we all remember well. I asked Oxana to paint two – one for each of my sons – and gave it to them last year for Christmas. They loved it. She included this mini one for me as a thank you. (See 4 above)
If you have any questions about the commissioning process, ask in the comments. Oxana was kind and professional with a quick turn around including my requested edits. This was one of my favorite gifts to give.
Make it thoughtful and gift a selection of your favorite books on travel, cooking, decor, etc. Or if you know of an upcoming trip someone is planning, search out titles related to their destination, either fiction or non-fiction. Pre-bundled theme sets on vintage gardening, music, the outdoors make it easy.
Bundled collection of vintage books on the outdoors; Wine & Travel Set, or a Little Women set.
Skip the candle this year and look for a luxurious home fragrance in a unique format or compelling scent. A decorative object subtly diffusing a scent is the direction I’m after such as the terracotta pomegranate from Santa Maria Novella (a classic), the stone orb from Ginori 1835, or the amber perforated boule from L’Artisan Parfumer.
More on the catchalls…I love all of the handsome leather options I’ve seen lately. A hand stitched box, fold flat leather tray ($95 lots of colors), a simple stamped book box (or get a bundle of three to stack) are all good. I’m also impressed with this stainless steel/leather square valet from the CB2 x Nicholas Obeid collaboration. $89
For anyone setting up a home or those who continue to add layers for a collected look, exceptional blankets, pottery or a grouping of candle holders are thoughtful particularly when you match items to the recipients design aesthetic.
McGee & Co. Hand Painted Bowls $14 each – on sale; Sezane Boxed Set of Six Colored Candles Made in France $25; Nicky Kehoe Forged Iron Candle Holders ($36, $48, $60 sold individually)
For the hostess who loves to set a memorable table, linen napkins and napkin rings, or small serving sets are always welcome. The set of English pewter napkin rings with scrollwork inspired by Ralph Lauren Collection belt buckles is spectacular (opening image). In the vein of one for you, one for me, I purchased floral Antionette Poisson x Sezane napkins and will use them for holiday entertaining in December. I have the Quince Gingham Linen Napkins too. They’re an incredible price
Pewter napkin Rings S/4 $79;Farmhouse Pottery Artisan Forged Cheese Knives $125; European Linen Gingham Napkins (Set of 12) $70
These cashmere foulards are so good and an easy gift for stylish friends. I have a few solid cashmere neck scarves and love how they add personality to a basic tee or crewneck sweater. I’m obsessed with the Fair Isle and Argyle patterns on these from &Daughter.
And more of a splurge, so maybe on your personal wish list, these Yvonne Leon scarab earrings are colorful, eye-catching little works of art. Sooo pretty.
Gifted items in this post from Heaven Mayhem and &Daughter accepted with no obligation to share. All opinions are my own.
Links to everything in the GIFT GUIDE on ShopMy
I’ve listed the full Gift Guide (there’s more to come) on my ShopMy page for easy reference. If you create an account on ShopMy (it’s free), you can save your favorites from A NOTE ON STYLE or any other accounts you follow, making it easy to return to at any time. Consider curating your own personal wish list too and save it for reference beyond the holidays.