The ancient Greek mathematician Plato believed the world was made of four elements — Earth, Air, Fire, and Water — and that four geometric shapes (now called Platonic Solids) were the building blocks of these elements. Inspired by this, the Celsius54 Candle company created the ELEMENTS candle collection in four shapes: Icosahedron, Octahedron, Tetrahedron, and Cube, each imbued with a different scent and color. $30. Available at: https://54celsius.com/
If you are looking for a different way to give flowers this Valentine’s Day, consider gifting your loved one the MoMA Design Store’s Pieces of Time Flower Objet d’Art. Designed by Soojeong Shin and Jiseon Park from Korean Studio Style Jieum, these sculptures feature fresh flowers that have been encased in domes of hand-blown glass and filled with preservation fluid. When viewed through sunlight, the object seems to contain a calm forest of plants that feels like a real landscape.
Each Pieces of Time Objet d’Art is handmade by specialists in floral design, and its design will vary slightly. The handcrafted glass may contain small bubbles that are a natural part of the creation process. They can be displayed individually or as a group.
To care for your objet d’art, store indoors in a cool place and do not open its silicone plug. Each measures 2.8”w x 5.1”h.
$80 each at the MoMA Design Store.
Images courtesy MoMA Design Store.
Here are some designy gift ideas for your holiday season, from a snowflake you can cuddle to pencils you can plant in the garden.
Jellycat arguably makes some of the most adorable plushies in the world, combining the softest materials with a small smiling face that brings personality to all types of everyday objects and animals.
Designed in London, this snowflake ($30.00), Christmas Tree ($40.00), or potted Poinsettia ($48.00) can adorn a mantle or work as a festive table centerpiece. Available through the MoMA Design Store.
Designed in London and handmade in India by a team of master embroiderers, these ethically sourced fabric holiday ornaments are made through the traditional technique of “zardosi” (sewing with gold), historically used to decorate the most luxurious of courtly finery.
Ornaments in the collection include Claude Monet, Alma Woodsey Thomas, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Frida Kahlo, and Vincent van Gogh. $16.95- $18.95. Available through the MoMA Design Store.
The Glass House design store offers an exclusive design collaboration with Italian architect and designer Paola Navone and the porcelain manufacturer Reichenbach in Germany. The trays in the collection features graceful baroque lines in fine white porcelain and pearl rim relief.
Cake Plate ($125.00), Biscuit Tray ($75.00) and Coffee Cup + Tray ($68.00). Every purchase made supports The Glass House.
The new bFRIENDS series of the sustainable, 3D printed accessories are manufactured using a 3D printing process with petroleum-free bioplastic PLA, which eliminates the use of fossil raw materials in all phases of production.
Designed by Pearson Lloyd, the new collection of decorative accessories features whimsical animals from land, air, and sea, available in 13 standard shades. https://www.batch.works/collections/bfriends
When a Sprout pencil becomes too short to write with you can plant it in the ground, giving new life to an end-of-life product that you would otherwise throw in the bin.
Sprout World’s pencils are available with different seeds that grow into vegetables, flowers and herbs, as well as a tree. https://www.amazon.com/Sprout-Bee-friendly-Eco-Friendly-Sustainable-Inspirational/dp/B095WR87L9?ref_=ast_sto_dp&th=1
Brightly has fused the principles of a classic Swedish Dishcloth with the timeless whimsy of a greeting card. Simply write your message with a permanent marker on the inside/back, and after your friend has read it, they can use it as a dishcloth. With just one of these, you get the same use you would out of 17 rolls of paper towels. ($35 for a set of six) https://brightly.eco/
For every Ukraine Twist candle sold, the Celsius54 Candle Co. is donating $25.00 to Sunflower of Peace, a Boston-based charity directly helping victims of the war.
Sunflower of Peace is a nonprofit organization with a mission to mobilize support and aid for Ukrainian orphans, internally displaced persons, and those most affected by the current situation by providing medical assistance and other necessities.
Due to the current crisis, Sunflower of Peace started a new fundraiser to provide medical and humanitarian aid that will be used by the paramedics and doctors in the areas that are most affected by the violence in Ukraine. They are acquiring and distributing first-aid backpacks, medicine, medical instruments, and other items that are saving hundreds of lives.
Celsius54’s twist candle for Ukraine combines the country’s flag colors of blue and gold in a sleek modern design. Made in the Netherlands, the candle costs $40. Available at: https://54celsius.com/.
Toff & Zürpel, a Dresden-based brand that designs natural, and reusable beeswax wraps, is now available in North America through AMEICO. An alternative to wasteful one-use products such as cling wrap and aluminum foil, Toff & Zürpel beeswax cloths bring a colorful touch to covering salads, cheeses, cut fruit, veggies and more.
Toff & Zürpel beeswax cloths are made of bio-cotton, regional organic beeswax, traditional pine resin, and fair trade organic coconut oil. The wraps are water repellant and are available through AMEICO in four sizes and three color schemes.
The wraps come with a natural beeswax soap bar which can be used to clean the wraps after use and as a general kitchen or hand soap.
A starter kit including four different sized wraps sells for $40.00 and the soap sells for $13.00. All images courtesy of AMEICO.
While you can’t go wrong with roses and chocolates, why not earn some extra points this year with a Valentine’s Day gift that is both unexpected and well designed? Here are a few new designythings for all the ones you love. Single this year? Then, in the immortal words of Tom and Donna from Parks & Rec, Treat yo’ self!
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Handmade in Prague using traditional Czech methods, this lovely 6” x 3” porcelain bowl gives you its heart. When filled with coffee or tea, soups, or snacks, the bowl transforms its contents into a heart shape. The bowl is paired with the Apiniste Limoges Serving Platter (shown below). Available in white or pink through The Glass House Design Store. $45.00
Wordbits are lightweight yet strong alphabet magnets to surprise your Valentine with a personal love note on a fridge or any magnetic surface. Available in a premium matte finish and a custom typeface four colors (blush, mustard, slate, and white). Comes with 60 characters measuring 1.2” tall. BPA and phthalate-free. Intended for ages 14+.
Available for $39.00 from MustardMade.
Here are some heart-warming, well-curated gifts available through the MoMA Design Store, including a magic heart bulb, a flower vase, and a comfy robe and slippers.
Design brand Moooi offers a collection of quirky and bold animal-themed pillows to give your Valentine something to snuggle up to when you aren’t there.
Italian brand Seletti offers several quirky takes on the heart motif with these clever gift ideas.
Yes, it’s a shameless plug, but my book on erotic product design truly is a fantastic give for a romantic partner, design lover, or someone who is a little of both. Schiffer Publishing. $34.99.
