Archive for the ‘gift guide’ Category

We love textile design and especially Japanese fabrics so we were thrilled when we found these pin cushions made from antique kimono fabric. They are handmade by a retired couple in Japan, the husband does the wood part and the wife does the kimono bit (she has been collecting kimonos for years). It is the perfect gift for someone who sews or someone who loves textiles.

And Katsumi Yumioka’s book, Kimono and the Colors of Japan, (pictured below) gives a beautiful visual instruction on the meaning of kimono colors in Japanese culture.

abitare has caught wedding fever. People are ordering from our two new wedding registries every day and we have stacks of pretty wedding gifts filling our office just waiting to be picked up. And Joanne just created a beautiful wedding window to go along with the season!

Check out our homemade clothespin bride and groom! (kit available from http://www.thesmallobject.com/products/clothespinDollKit.html).

And one of our real brides, Carly. If you are looking for Carly’s registry you can click here.

Looking for the perfect gift? Here are some of our tried and true favorites.

[Alessi "Pescher" trivet $82; striped bud vase $40; Renzo Piano serve set $115, glass chickadee vase $19; cotton bread basket $39; set of 13 colored shot glasses from Japan $170; Marsaiile soap $20 and body lotion $32 in summer grapefruit; hand loomed kitchen towels from Italy $32; crystal decanter $70]

Father’s day is coming up on Sunday! Here are some gift ideas for dear old dad.

[Alessi shoe horn $27, Stelton vacuum jug,$89 Striped Cow Parade Cow $17, John Derian ship mini-tray $68, Hand blown wine glasses $87/set of 2, Calvin Klein frame $65, Dozi paperclip holder $23, Parrot corkscrew $54, Stelton messenger $33, Compagnie de Provence soap $23, Carrot & Stick orange fish note cards $16/pack, John Derian whale pencil tray $92]

10 wedding (or engagement) gifts for under $100!

[clockwise from left: burl wood frame $75, glass decanter (made in France) $55, porcelain sea urchin votives $15/each, Stelton vacuum jug $89, John Derian tray $90, porcelain lover vase in red $62, set of 2 champagne flutes (with wooden gift box) $100, stainless steel 'pescher' trivet $82, Jasper Morrison wine glasses $7/each, stainless steel bread basket $87]

If your summer looks anything like mine, it is chock full of weddings to attend -
and that means gifts to buy. I’ve put together some wedding gift ideas for the
design-saavy and those not wanting to give the usual resgistry fare. Enjoy!

For the traditionalist: Frances Palmer fluted vase
5.6″h x 7.375″w, $75

For the modernist: Alvar Aalto’s iconic 1930’s vase
6.25″h, $135

For the home cook: Alessi’s oven-to-table porcelain dish with stainless steel holder
$260

For the couple who has everything: Hand blown glass sake set. Made in Japan.
$90

For the best friend: Baby alpaca throw
$270

Summer is in full swing and it’s time for outdoor entertaining.
We’ve combed the market looking for trays and here is what we found.
Whether you’re serving cocktails by the pool or watching a netflix
on the couch, you’ll love using these trays as much as we do.
And serving trays make the perfect hostess gift too!

Meg Cohen bentwood tray. Shown in 18″multi-colored, $65, with matching coasters, $10/each

Scanwood solid beechwood tray with melamine coated MDF base. Small (15″l x 11″w x 1 1/2″h) $34 and Large (23″l x 16 1/2″w x 1 1/2″h) $59

Alessi mirror polished steel tray with scalloped edge. 20″l x 13 1/2″w x 1 1/2″h. $166

Painted wooden tray. Available in black and white. 15″x 15″ $35

If you are looking for a hostess gift we have the perfect thing -
John Derian’s hand made decoupage plate with a pineapple motif. ($49)

In Colonial America pineapples (which were imported from the Caribbean)
were an incredibly rare delicacy and highly prized. The pineapple came to
symbolize hospitality and friendship. It was carved into gateposts,
cast in brass and used in the weather vanes of public buildings
and woven into table linens.

I love the idea of bringing your host or hostess a pineapple
to thank them for their hospitality. And it comes with a bit of trivia
to entertain your hosts!