If you’re struggling to settle on a gift for the interiors aficionado in your life, then look no further. We’ve canvassed some of the capital’s top design talent to find out what they would relish opening on the 25th; from inexpensive Lego flowers to hand-crafted one-offs, these present ideas score high on originality and kudos.
Martin Brudnizki
As the vision behind Annabel’s, Bacchanalia and Broadwick Soho, Martin Brudnizki needs little introduction.
1. New English Interiors: At Home with Today’s Creatives by Elizabeth Metcalfe
This is a wonderful book that features many of my very talented friends’ houses, including fellow designers Luke Edward Hall and Duncan Campbell’s home in the Cotswolds, Gavin Houghton’s Oxfordshire cottage, and illustrator Fee Greening’s Dorset bolthole.
£28, Daunt Books
Anut egg cups
Anut works with local craftspeople in Cairo — mainly women — supporting them with jobs while creating beautiful objects. I’d enjoy my morning eggs out of some charming chicken cups.
£110 for a set of four, Abask
Alexandria Dauley
The go-to for Londoners desiring remarkable family homes, as well as the vision behind Soho House’s Brixton Studio. Dauley is also the co-founder of United in Design, a charity to promote diversity within the design community.
Crafted Kinship: Inside the creative practices of contemporary Black Carribean makers by Malene Barnett
This book, which highlights the practices of contemporary black Caribbean makers, is without doubt up there on my wishlist.
£30 (was £35), Blackwell’s
Colour frame pillow
I was drawn to these playful cushions as soon as I spotted them — they would add a wonderful pop of colour and pattern to any interior.
£78, Anthropologie
Angus Buchanan
The co-founder of Buchanan Studio is gearing up for a first family Christmas at home in north-west London. Shoppers can check out Buchanan Studio’s line of squishy chairs and cushions at its pop-up in Selfridges.
Lotus Flowers set
I am obsessed with Lego flowers and think they are a great gift; make a couple of boxes of the lotus flowers or roses, stick them in a vase and it’s a very lovely thing. Plus who doesn’t enjoy the deeply satisfying process of a Lego build?
£12.99, Lego
Bath towel in Sienna stripes
A Tekla terry bath towel makes me happy. It’s a great giant size, not to mention aesthetically very pleasing, and I love the mustard Sienna stripes. £60, Tekla
Linda Boronkay
This year the Budapester wrapped up The Sessile, a chic new rental concept in Tottenham Hale, and an apartment at the revamped Bayswater landmark, The Whiteley.
Oh Mon Dieu incense holder
The white porcelain “smoking lips” design combines humour, sophistication and a sense of individuality.
£86, L’Objet
Robin Christmas ornament
Each year I like to add unique, story-driven pieces like this to our ornament collection so our tree feels personal. This delightful robin encapsulates the charm of traditional craftsmanship and festive nostalgia.
£35, Choosing Keeping
Christian Bense
South Africa-born Christian Bense’s approach to gifting is to find pieces which are off the beaten track but never wacky, and something practical which the giftee would never buy themselves.
Niwaki Y-Type toolbox
Everyone’s got the “man drawer” and so everyone needs a workbox! I live in a tiny flat where every bit of storage is categorised. This box is nice enough to leave out and fill with bits and bobs — rubber bands, staples and bits of string.
£36, niwaki.com
Twin pack playing cards
These are so much chicer than your average playing cards — they can live on a coffee table. During that purgatory period between Christmas and New Year, I’d reach for these with a glass of wine.
£108, Rose Uniacke
Pernille Lind
Lind has been spinning many plates, managing projects in London, her native Denmark, and overseeing Lind + Almond, the furniture studio she co-founded with her partner, Richy Almond.
Marea etched glass
Hand-blown and etched in Mexico by artisans, these are just so pretty and add romance to a table setting. I would drink red wine out of these.
£34, Slow Roads
Spirituelle candle
The scents from Mad et Len are very seductive and calming. And the black iron container adds to the crafted element of their product.
Approx £83, Mad et Len
