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Christmas 2014: 14 best gifts for the home
From bespoke rocking chairs to ornamental candles, here are pressies big and small to make Christmas all about the home this year
A perfectly-placed cushion, well-chosen lamp or an unusual accessory can help transform a room. Here are some out-of-the-ordinary pieces to give this year.
1. Jonathan Adler Muse Bleu Candle: £68, amara.com
Jonathan Adler is known for its unusual, design-led homeware. This blue candle scented with hints of sage and fir balsam will stand-out in their living room.
2. Wawa rocker: from £325, wawa.co.uk
Treat a loved one to a bespoke innovative rocker-cum-deckchair by East London-based designer Richard Ward. Also available in weatherproof fabrics.
3. Pentreath and Hall Cushion: £95, finecellwork.co.u
Give something that gives back this year like this geometric-pattern wool cushion stitched by male prisoners as part of the Fine Cell Work initiative.
4. Graham and Green Animal Heads: From £69, grahamandgreen.co.uk
An animal presence adds a certain something to a room. Choose from deer, stag or gazelle.
5. Charlene Mullen London Plates: £35 for four, royaldoulton.co.uk
Get a bit of London in their life with these city scape plates by homeware designer Charlene Mullen. Buy as a set of four – the London Eye, Gherkin, Tower Bridge and Tower of London -or individually
6. Haidee Drew Deconstructed Mirrors: from £35, haideedrew.com
East London-based designer Haidee Drew makes minimal-looking mirrors that are a bit special. They come in a range of sizes, shapes and finishes.
7. Tom Dixon Copper Bowl: £95, liberty.co.uk
Treat something to something ornamental and practical that they might not buy themselves, like this striking copper bowl from the British designer specialising in out-of-the-ordinary, eye-catching pieces.
8. Fenton Lampshade: £59, fentonartdesign.co.uk
Help support your British creatives with this shade. The design’s inspired by artist Eun Young Choi’s evocative work, 'I Steal Your Home'.
9. Seletti Bouché Glass Table Lamp: £125, heals.co.uk
Here’s an innovative and fun light in-a-bottle available in four colours. It’ll make an unexpected addition under the tree this year and, despite having a neon bulb, it’s creates a subtle glow.
10. Hamilton Large Spot Throw: £225, torimurpy.com
This English-made abstract leopard print throw is made from soft merino lambswool – they can use it as a cosy blanket or to jazz up a room.
11. Silken Favours Pineapple Cushion: £120, silkenfavours.com
If you like your cushions, bold, a little camp and a lot kitsch, try Silken Favours. Their hand-drawn prints make us smile, particularly this over-sized fruity cushion. There are various other animal designs - we also rather like ‘Dave The Dog’.
12. Design Noodle Magazine Rack: £28.45, etsy.com
Sometimes the coffee table’s not big enough for all the mags. This handmade wooden rack is a clever solution that will add a pop of colour to your sitting room. It comes in two parts that you just slot together. Simple.
13. Rabbit Door Stop: £11.95, ebay.co.uk
Don’t prop your door with an ugly stopper, try a sweet creature instead. We like this cute rabbit. There’s also an elephant or tortoise in the range.
14. Smug Geometric Blanket: £98, ifeelsmug.com
Winter’s the time for snuggling on the sofa. A nice blanket can help make this more of a decadent experience. These geometric-print ones – available in a range of colours – are 100 per cent wool. They’re really warm and there’s a shade that will go with any colour scheme.
Buy now
Verdict:
There are a lot of geometric bits and pieces around this year but we think the Pentreath and Hall cushion made by Fine Cell Work really stands out from the pack; it might be small but it packs a punch in the bold and bright stakes. For something smaller, one or all four of Charlene Mullen’s London Calling plates will look fab hung on the wall. They make a great gift for any Londonphiles, wherever they live.
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