Notes on our most coveted art & design pieces and collaborations.
£20
Still searching for the perfect decorations? The Weston Shop at Yorkshire Sculpture Park (also available online) has you covered, with these candy-striped ‘Sprinkles’, perfect for hanging up on the tree or a mantlepiece for festive cheer. Made by Liz West in collaboration with King & McGaw, they come in a pack of five, printed on conservation board and finished with a gloss varnish that gives them a beautiful patina as they catch the light.
£128
Good things come in small packages, so they say. These dazzling, bejewelled linen stockings for hanging up by the fireplace come Christmas Eve night are perfect for all the modest-sized presents – hand-beaded and embroidered with zardozi accents, they’re the most elegant stocking we’ve seen. So stylish you might even want to hang them up sooner than the 24th.
£80
We’re thinking all things festive at The Wick this week, as we put the finishing touches to the decorations at home and begin to plan our Christmas Day tablescape. This candle holder with its red bow is handmade in Brighton by Grace of independent designer gracehmade, using stoneware clay and food safe glaze. The delightful red bow is the epitome of Christmas cheer and exactly the finishing flourish we’ve been searching for.
£50
Rounding off our selection is this glass, handblown bauble by British designer Paul Smith, for something more bold and graphic to brighten up your living space. Each bauble is painted on the inside with the brand’s signature stripe, available in two designs, andis as delectable as a Christmas candy. Best hung with a glass of mulled wine.
What could be more chic than a Christmas bauble by Claridges? We defy you to find one that matches this hand-blown glass take on the Christmas classic, using the inside-out painting technique, where the artist begins from a central focal point and moves outwards in a fluid line. This bauble is a nod to Claridge’s own history – depicting the two ladies who feature on the doors to the Foyer & Reading Room.
£10
It’s time to get festive – and this week we’re dreaming up the perfect artist-designed baubles to adorn our tree. How about owning a Grayson Perry at a very accessible price? We also think it adds a bit of fun and quirkiness to the tree, and as each Red Alan is handmade, they really do all have their own unique personality. All made with fair trade wool, and a mischievous smile.
£19.99
There’s never not a good time to revisit Julia Cameron’s classic, the bestselling The Artist’s Way. In the book, first published in 1995, the artist, educator, essayist, and poet leads you through a comprehensive twelve week, step by step programme to discover your creativity and banish obstacles – self-sabotage, jealously, guilt, addictions – and replace them with artistic confidence. Linking creativity to spirituality this revolutionary book has changed lives and continues to do so.
£350
Richard Rogers and Renzo Piano’s Parisian landmark is the inspiration for the New York-based designer Jonathan Adler’s candle holder, translating its inside out structure into a playful, colorful piece for gifting. The acrylic pipe, finished in polished nickel, in a cheeky nod to the building’s architecture. It’s designed to hold three tapered candles, and comes in an elegant gift box. A little piece of Paris for the home.
£695
Design duo Campbell-Rey has crafted this sumptuous and supremely soft handmade rug from New Zealand wool for their collection for Nordic Knots. The folding ribbon motif is a decorative nod to Nordic neoclassicism, and reimagines the ribbons and swag emblematic of 18th century Gustavian decor. The deep ruby red contrasts with auburn folds, giving a trompe l’oeil effect. The ultimate evocation of winter. Be quick – only a few are available in each size.
£15
In keeping with this week’s goddess theme, the ubiquitous tote gets a seriously chic upgrade at M&S courtesy of this collaboration with Bella Freud. Many of the pieces in the collection – which was inspired by M&S’s archives, and also features timeless separates and playful slogans – have already sold out, but you can still get your hand on this iconic Divine Feminine pure cotton canvas tote in black with white font – ideal for work or weekends. A steal at £15.
