Photos: Rachel Nadeau
Gifts inspired by the favorite rooms in your house.
The Front Hall
The old saying tells us that home is where the heart is. And since home is where we spend most of our time, this year, let home guide your gift giving.
Don’t think gifts for the home. Think gifts for the people in your home or inspired by the special places in the home that we gravitate toward, where we express ourselves or pursue our passions, the places where we feel free to let go and relax. For example, a cook loves the kitchen, a fashionista loves her closet and a tinkerer loves the garage. And the person who just needs to get away from it all may love the bathroom, the only room in the house where it’s always OK to keep the door shut.
So if you have difficulty thinking of a gift for someone, just close your eyes and picture them in their house, doing what they do best.
Slouchy Vegan Tote with Oversized Clutch
This reversible leather tote is two bags in one; the roomy, tailored and affordable bag is also reversible. Comes in black, brown, natural and burgundy. $68. Free People.
Bag Charms
The newest accessory for young and old alike, a bag charm personalizes your daily carryall and elevates the style quotient. Choose from faux-fur pom-poms for fun and leather tassels for sophistication. Reach your hand inside the tassel to find two hidden USB adapters—beautiful and practical! Faux-fur pom-pom bag charm, $16, available in seven colors. Leather tassel bag charm, $26. Free People.
Lockhart Suede Wallet
This ultra-soft checkbook-style wallet will feed your inner hippie chick. It looks good and feels even better. $48. Free People.
Punchy Magnolia Hats
Local mom Terralee Armbruster needed something to help prepare her little girl for Minnesota winters, so she called on her Canadian roots and created the Punchy Magnolia touque. Each touque is locally handcrafted and upcycled from a rescued cashmere sweater. The ethically sourced fur pom-pom is its calling card, a look you will definitely see on the streets of Edina this winter. $130. Room No. 3.
The Kitchen
Single Mark Mat Placemat by Modern Twist
Let the kids create their own place mats over and over again with these artist-designed write-on/wipe-off silicone placemats. Includes one set of markers and a load of inspiration. $19-$26.50. Pacifier.
Alessi Pet Products
Keep your kitchen looking good with high-design dining options for your pets. Alessi makes dog and cat bowls that are so colorful, so cheeky — they look like they belong in your favorite cartoon. Don’t forget the treat jar and the brightly striped, easy-to-clean Chilewich pet bowl mat to complete the look. Big Dog Bowl, $67. Lidded Dog Bowl, $62. Lidded Cat Dish, $56. Double Cat Dish, $70. Dog Jar, $32. Chilewich Pet Mat, $25. Ampersand.
Cooking for Jeffrey by Ina Garten
Fans of Ina Garten know that Jeffrey, her husband of 48 years, is her most loving food critic and biggest admirer. Many have been begging for a book of his favorite recipes for years, and she finally delivers in Cooking for Jeffrey. Her most personal cookbook yet is filled with his special requests as well as charming stories of their many years together. $35. Cooks of Crocus Hill.
The Dining Room
Alex Marshall Ripple Bowl
Elevate your dining space with a simple but dramatic statement piece like the handcrafted ceramic Alex Marshall Ripple Bowl. Fill it with colorful clementines or green apples for a stunning invitation to eat more fruit. Or use it to collect the keys, receipts, gift cards and mail that would otherwise litter the dining table. Small bowl, $75. Large bowl, $192. Ampersand.
The Living Room
Alessi Chiringuito Cocktail Shaker & Hampton Tumblers by Simon Pearce
A cocktail is always more fun when you shake it up in something intriguing. The Chiringuito Cocktail Shaker is that and more, a sleek contemporary piece of art that gets your party started. Pour your creations into Hampton Tumblers, handcrafted in Vermont by Simon Pearce. It’s a classic design that feels substantial in the hand. Cocktail shaker, $210. Hampton tumbler, $65-$70. Ampersand.
Audio-Technica Turntable and Speakers Set; Vinyl Records
The best new accessory for entertaining isn’t new at all: an old-school turntable and your favorite vinyl records. It’s one of the first things party guests notice and they love playing DJ. If you sold all of your records at your mom’s garage sale, no worries—the Twin Cities is chock-full of used record stores. And Barnes and Noble carries a solid collection of re-mastered classics, alongside newcomers who value the richness of vinyl. Turntable, $159.95. Vinyl records, various prices. Barnes and Noble.
The Closet
Stripe Pocket Square
When he doesn’t feel like wearing a tie, a pocket square will add style and formality to his ensemble. $29.50. HammerMade.
Shirt of the Month Club
The perfect gift for the man who likes to look his best but hates shopping, HammerMade’s Shirt of the Month Club delivers a hand-picked, locally designed dress shirt to your doorstep on a regular basis. Just answer a few questions about who you are and what you like, and your stylist takes care of the rest. Exchanges are easy at HammerMade’s local stores. $98.50-$148.50 per month. HammerMade.
Limited-Edition Boxer Shorts
HammerMade collects the remnants from their shirt making and sews them into boxer shorts with matching cloth gift bags. Who knew underwear made from upcycled fabrics could look so good? $24.50. HammerMade.
MPLS Unisex Tee
The MPLS Tee is one of Parc’s most popular items. It’s sleek and modern, easy to dress up or down, and it says exactly what we’re feeling. $26.50. Parc Boutique.
Kenda Kist Jewelry
Equally appropriate for both T-shirt and cocktail dress, Kenda Kist’s designs are simple, clean, dramatic and ageless. Prices vary. Scout & Molly’s.
The Bathroom
Baxter Shave Tonic
With essences of rosemary, eucalyptus, spearmint and menthol, the smell is fresh and crisp and oh so manly. Aloe and vitamins E, D and A soften and soothe the skin. $16. Spalon Montage.
The Self-Care Solution: A Modern Mother’s Essential Guide to Health and Well Being by Julie Burton
Local author Julie Burton shares her journey from overwhelmed mother of four to a self-care crusader. Why is this in the bathroom category? Just a subtle hint to read it while you are soak in a relaxing tub. $16.95. Barnes and Noble.
Charity Pots
Each Charity Pot is full of a delicately scented body lotion that is handmade, ethically sourced and never tested on animals. And 100 percent of the proceeds go toward supporting humanitarian, environmental and animal rights causes locally and around the world. The holiday season is the Charity Pot’s time to shine, raising over a million dollars in donations last year. This year’s causes include Friends of the Headwaters and local efforts to bring artistic experiences to homeless youth. Small pot, $7.95. Large pot, $27.95. Lush.
The Bedroom
Silk Pajamas by Asceno
A nice set of pajamas says “I care about your comfort.” And nothing says comfort like silk. Asceno’s classic menswear-inspired designs for women are available in a variety of sophisticated colors and handsome patterns for some extremely stylish lounging. Pieces priced separately. $180-$190. Room No. 3.
Mer Sea Classic Travel Wrap
Part robe, part wrap, part washable travel blanket, the Mer Sea Wrap is at home in any room. It keeps you covered during nights out or nights in, or even in the air (each wrap comes conveniently packaged in a matching bag, perfectly sized as a travel pillow). $110. Room No. 3.
*Thank you
Special thanks to REFINED, LLC custom home builders for providing one of their beautiful homes as an inspired photo backdrop for these home inspired gifts.
