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Lower budgets have the Phrena Lights by Tord Boontje. Mid to higher priced budgets might consider the Folded Light Art of designer Jiangmei Wu. Each light is made from 100 percent recycled cotton paper and is made by using original origami folding techniques that Wu developed. And yes, each shade can be unfolded into flat pieces of paper, though it would be silly to try unless you’re an origami expert.
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Each of these side tables by British designer Gavin Coyle is made from one plank of Douglas fir. Pieces are stacked together in certain sequences to highlight the patterns created by the growth rings, which, as you can see, lends an extra level of refinement to the design. The tables are then are machined on a lathe to create geometric profiles.
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A folding bicycle helmet? Yes, please. Overade’s helmet is now available for pre-sale on Ulule, and it looks well worth some consideration for anyone who’s ever been on a bike. It folds down to a third of its size, making it easier to stash in a bag for quick trips around town. Suitable for cycling in all forms, skateboarding, skating, or scooters, and available in two colors and two sizes.

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The following post is sponsored by Aether Apparel.

Aether Apparel started out as a Men’s outerwear company, and was formed in reaction to its co-founders own frustrations while shopping. As outdoor enthusiasts living in the city, they felt there was a need for men’s technical performance jackets with a refined urban aesthetic. However, after their first season of Aether, they discovered this combination not only struck a chord with men, but with women as well – who have been asking for Aether Women’s since the company launched.
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Know someone who is slightly finicky about their lists? As in, things should be organized just so, and preferably with symbols to keep track of what’s done/undone? If so, turn their eyes towards this notebook that features a unique bullet point system to keep lists tidy. It aims to satisfy the most fastidious list maker with a ready made circle beside each line for denoting progress.
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What to get the person who needs nothing? Well, if they like whiskey, and you’ve $200 to spend, you should get them something beautiful and mostly unnecessary, like this whisky decanter by Laurence Brabant. Its bubble chamber enables one to measure the perfect jigger of liquor and then dispense the liquor through the glass tube into one’s glass. It should also be mentioned that this could double as a vase when needed (and when the whiskey is gone).

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Did you know that tops are one of the oldest recognizable toys found on archaeological sites? These set of 5 Tree Tops by Karl Zahn are both toy and holiday accent, so leave them out on a coffee or dining table for any and all to take for a spin. Made from Schima Wood, a genus of evergreen trees. Also available in a natural finish.
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Not all of us can afford the Tree Prints by Bryan Nash Gill, but thankfully most of us can shell out $16 for a collection of notecards based on Gill’s book Woodcut. Need it be mentioned that either the notecards or the book could be a nice gift for someone on your list?

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(often there are links to some really interesting textiles)

Have a fantastic weekend.

And now, for our fourth installment of gift ideas for 2012, we have Stephanie from even*cleveland sharing her list of gifts to give this year. Thanks Stephanie for your excellent perspective- we’re all the better for it.

1. For the person with your favorite face: Aesop Fabulous Face Cleaner

2. For those looking to leave their mark: a custom inspector stamp.

3. For the writer: a paperweight.

4. For pals: a beaded friendship bracelet.

5. For the friends you meet at the bar: a bottle opener.

6. For arty card players: colorful card games.

7. For the music lover: an artisan speaker.

8. For the traditionalist: a natty tatted handkerchief.

9. For neat freaks: a technicolor duster.

10. For pedestrians: colorblock sneakers.

Yes, the 10.3.2 Knife Shelf was just featured a few days ago, but this is a utensil crate, and is even more appealing as it would house all manner of kitchen utensils plus knives with its built-in rack to one side. It’s handmade to order, so unfortunately it’s too late for this to be a holiday gift, but keep it in mind as a future upgrade for your current utensil jar.
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If dark, moody, bookcases are your sort of thing, but you don’t have the budget to drop $10-20k for floor to ceiling shelves, don’t forget about wallpaper. The bookcase series by mineheart works for a focus wall, a nook, or a whole room, but do keep in mind the larger the wall, the more obvious the repeat might be. Done thoughtfully, it’s just the thing to add a little ambience to an otherwise boring area.
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The following post is sponsored by Aether Apparel.

A mix of form and function, the ALTITUDE ski jacket has been designed to combine the highest level of technical performance with a refined aesthetic and tailored fit.

Each winter Jonah Smith and Palmer West, co-founders of Aether Apparel, make a pilgrimage to the Canadian Rockies for a week of CAT skiing at Baldface Lodge. While there they keep a close eye on the different types of gear being worn. They noticed that while many of top-end ski jackets perform phenomenally under the conditions, they left a lot to be desired in terms of fit. Everything was just a little baggy. The jackets were also made from “hard” fabrics that crinkled like wrapping paper in the cold air. After seeing this, Jonah and Palmer decided it was time to make a top-end ski jacket of their own. One that incorporated all the technical features, but one designed with a more refined fit and quieter fabrics.
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Have you always itched to play the guitar? Or perhaps you know of a younger human who would like to learn? Either way, Loog Guitar is where you’d be wise to start. They have three versions of a small Beginner’s Guitar (Classic, Rectangle, and Triangle) all of which have three nylon strings so as to not overwhelm first learners. Assembly is required, but it only takes 15 minutes and will help you or a younger one understand and connect with the instrument, perhaps lessening the likelihood of it being tossed aside once the newness has worn off. You may also purchase the pieces of the kit separately, or add on some accessories like a Pickguard set, a cardboard Guitar-stand, or a Mini Headstock Tuner.
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Modern tabletop accessories can often fall into the angular camp. There’s nothing wrong with that, of course, it’s just that sometimes it’s nice to have more rounded, organic shapes to offset all the sharp corners we deal with on a daily basis. These stone-shaped salt and pepper holders look like real stones found at the waterside and one could assume their smooth surface would be nice to hold/use.

Designers: Chris Koens, Ramón Middelkoop of Invotis Orange

73 x 24 mm