Reindeer delivering precious gifts (Photo: courtesy of Hermès)

The holiday gift season is in full swing, and of course it makes me think about both giving and receiving. Generally interior designers are known for giving beautiful presents.  But in return it may be a bit intimidating for some to find the right thing for this creative bunch known for exquisite taste and access to the most beautiful objects in the world.  But I also know that anyone appreciates a present that is personal and has thought put into it, which has more value than the most expensive treasure!

View from a country estate in Healdsburg, CA

We are really not that hard to please!  Personally I love the gift certificates for spa treatments if have received on a regular basis from one of my clients.  She knows that I don’t treat myself to R & R often enough, so I appreciate the thoughtfulness more than anything.  Also, I am certainly not the only designer who loves books on design and architecture.  So I often hunt for hard-to-find out-of-print books at flea markets and estate sales.  A dear friend of mine once tracked down a copy of the 1974 edition “Billy Baldwin Remembers” in immaculate condition, which meant a lot to me, especially considering the effort.  Additionally two of my clients let me use their weekend houses when available, one in Carmel and one in the Wine Country.  I am not only grateful for their generosity and trust, but also for a gift that keeps on giving.  I am a very lucky girl!

I was wondering about my colleagues and what some of their favorite presents may be, and I checked with interior designers from all over.  As expected books are popular, but so are jewelry and watches, more unique objects and charitable donations.  And Hermès rules as the top luxury brand it seems.  Did I mention that I am a fan too?

Our installation for Poggenpohl at one of my favorite charity events: DIFFA’s DINING BY DESIGN in 2010
(Photo: Crystal Shafer-Waye)

DAVID EASTON
I was once given the most beautiful Equinoctial standing ring dial, and it sits proudly on the mantel in my living room.  Another great gift was a few years ago, when a client gave me the use of a summer house in Provence, in a little town called Joucas, near Gordes.  I invited friends to stay, and people were coming and going all the time.  Also, a great book is always much appreciated.

Equinoctial standing ring dial, circa 1730 given to David Easton (Photo: courtesy of David Easton)

Library designed by David Easton for the Albemarle estate in Virginia (Photo: courtesy of Symm)

JAN SHOWERS
I absolutely love estate jewelry and pieces from my daughter Elizabeth Showers’ jewelry collection.  Another of my favorite gifts from Jim was a pair of her “Marilyn” earrings in turquoise, gold and diamonds.

My husband Jim came home one evening — it was not my birthday or any holiday, which made it even more special — and said he had a new wine he wanted us to try.  He poured a glass and then handed me my glass.  When I looked at it more closely, there was a beautiful watch in the glass. That watch will always be particularly important to me because of the great memory of that moment.

“Cintrée Curvex” diamond watches by Franck Muller (Photo: courtesy of Tourneau)

“Marilyn” earrings in turquoise, gold and diamonds by Elizabeth Showers (Photo: courtesy of Elizabeth Showers)

JEAN-LOUIS DENIOT
The best gifts I receive are normally the ones I give myself!  I love to receive gifts that have been given a lot of thought and that come from the heart.  I am pretty hard to buy for as I am very specific about what I like, and my close friends and family know me well enough to figure out what I would appreciate. I am always happy to receive a great book on art, a gift certificate for a good massage or a pair of large vintage cufflinks as I collect them. Otherwise, for an extravagant gift, you can always surprise me with a fabulous Anish Kapoor wall dish, a yellow gold Cartier Santos Dumont watch or a black Range Rover complete with driver!

Wall dish by Anish Kapoor

“Massierende Hände”

CANDACE BARNES
My favorite gifts are books, either a great novel or a gorgeous coffee table book dealing with the arts.  In addition to books, I love candles that are not too scented.  Vanilla is my favorite.  I also love to receive orchids.  They last so long and always make me think of the person who gave them to me.

Rare ghost orchid (dendrophylax lindenii) in Pompano Beach, FL (Photo: Mick Fournier)

Study designed by Candace Barnes (Photo: Patrick Argast)

DOUGLAS DURKIN
Gifts are funny for me; typically I like receiving experiences, such as a dinner out, rather than material things.  I am at the age where I want less things, and if I do want something I usually get it for myself.  Flowers always do the trick, and probably best of all are donations to favorite charities.  But with that said, I never say no to the Orange Box!!!

Floral arrangements by Dominiqe Pfahl of Floréal L’Atelier in San Francisco (Photo: courtesy of By Hand and Heart)

Hermès boxes (Photo: courtesy of  Fashion Baggage by Gregg Asher)

GARY HUTTON
Large, grand presents make me uncomfortable; so I particularly like something useful, a couple of beautiful wooden spoons, some Fleur de Sel, or an exquisite hand soap.  I love gifts that are small, but extravagant in their own small way, something one would never justify buying for one’s self.

My favorite gifts have been the ones where the giver was paying attention.  It could be something small like a beautifully designed cork screw, or in my case as I love design history, a book on someone rather obscure to the world at large, but important to the development of Design.

Agraria soap collection (Photo: courtesy of Agraria)

Corkscrews by Danish artist Just Andersen (Photo: courtesy of British Blades)

BARBARA ASHFIELD
I appreciate something creative, but in way of a creative idea.  I would much rather have some memento that had a lot of thought put onto it rather than something costly — of course a Bentley could have a lot of thought put into it, no?

Vintage gilt-rim demitasse with sterling cup holders by Coalport from Shreve & Co. in San Francisco (Photo: courtesy of Devonia Antiques)

2012 Bentley Continental GTC (Photo: courtesy of Bentley)

GEOFFREY DE SOUSA
Picking a gift for someone who is constantly surrounded by beautiful things in the design industry can be tough. One year I received an engraved leather photo album documenting a renovation project I did. It looked gorgeous (inside and out) and showed my client cared enough to go above and beyond a store bought good and create a personal item they knew I would enjoy.

Bas relief Italian leather photo album by Epica (Photo: courtesy of Epica)

MATTHEW McCAUL TURNER
An old classmate from Architecture school has continued to give me antique drafting & construction tools. One of them is a beautiful antique level of wood, brass & glass.  It fits in my pocket for when I visit the project site, and want keep the workers on their toes!

I also collect unique globes.  They are even better when they have an unrelated function.  I have globe cigarette holders, ashtrays, lighters, ice buckets, glass mugs, salt & pepper shakers.  One silver & brass globe splits open, revealing a travel clock and a place for a photo of your sweetie – the ultimate for the world traveler that misses someone at home.  And of course I love anything Hermès; I wear their scent “Voyage” every day.

Part of Matthew MacCaul Turner’s globe collection (Photo: Matthew MacCaul Turner)

“Méridienne” chaise longue designed by Antonio Cittero for Hermès (Photo: courtesy of Hermès)

JAY JEFFERS
I think honestly my favorite are charitable donations.  I am blessed with what I have and also a control freak, so a donation to help others is always good.

Every year a certain architect in San Francisco gives a new book on art or architecture.  I always look forward to receiving it.  Years ago I received a beautiful letter opener.  It still sits on my desk, and I use it almost daily.  Hotel Costes in Paris has my favorite scented candle.  The aroma is so sexy and wonderful and instantly makes me feel chic.  It is hard to find in the US, so when I received such a candle as a gift recently, I knew it was thoughtful.  I was also recently given a beautiful box that was gift enough, but when I opened the box it was full of vintage cufflinks.

Candle in signature scent by the Hotel Costes in Paris (Photo: courtesy of Hotel Costes)

Library in the Jeffers Design Group Studio (Photo: Drew Altizer)

MELANIE CODDINGTON
I will never (ever!) complain about a bottle of champagne, but it is really nice to receive something more personal.  Last Christmas, my partner picked out this gold cuff for me.  In addition to looking great with everything  it makes me smile when I think of the sentiment and thought that went into it.

Dom Pérignon Vintage 2002, Rosé Vintage 2000 and OEnothèque 1996 (Photo: courtesy of Dom Pérignon)

“Ainsley” cuff bracelet by Kendra Scott (Photo: courtesy of Kendra Scott)

MICHAEL FRIEDES
Like everyone, I love receiving a present.  For me, it starts with the wrapping.  I love opening a gift that is beautifully or uniquely wrapped.  It makes the experience of opening it that much more exciting and special. Some special presents are the ones where I feel as though the giver really understands me and my taste.  Recently a dear friend of mine surprised me with these cool silver vintage cuff links.   Once my aunt and uncle surprised me with a purple striped dress shirt (how did they even know that I had recently embraced wearing purple?).  I also think a beautiful pen is always a great gift to give or get, and something that everyone could use.

Paris fashion inspired gift-wrapping by Sande Chase of a gift wrapped life (Photo: Sande Chase)

Andy Gilchrest’s collection of cufflinks by Wedgwood (Photo: courtesy of Ask About Clothes)

DAVID HANSEN
I think the best gift for a designer is an iPad.  We have found numerous ways to utilize it when working with clients.  Plus I don’t know any designer who doesn’t like design books.  If someone is not intimate with the designer’s specific collection that might be translated into an Amazon gift card or the like.  Since designers are always seeking inspiration, a membership to a museum is always welcome as well.

iPad with deluxe alligator cover by MJ Art-Studio 777 (Photo: courtesy of MJ Art-Studio 777)

Collection of interior design books by Rebecca of Acanthus & Acorn (Photo: courtesy of Acanthus & Acorn)

Enjoy your own holiday shopping!  I would love to learn from you about some of your favorite presents and what they meant to you.  Please drop me a line.

Cheers,