Although seemingly impossible, choosing an ace gift for the décor addicts can be super simple: beauty plus function plus uniqueness equals a trifecta for a well-loved item of design. From entertaining tools to home scent to art, I've scoured the city and made my top five picks for the ultimate gifts of style.
COPPER AROMA BURNDER AND SIGNATURE ESSENTIAL OIL
Available at Kaarigar Handicrafts, 1012 Mainland.
$54 for the burner, $21 for the oil blend.
Anyone with an appreciation for the impact of a beautiful space understands the importance of creating a full sensory experience. Scent plays a large factor in first impressions of a room and the overall vibe of spending time in it. These copper burners are a discreet yet highly effective method of beautifying a space through scent – with a minimalist design that offers a global appeal, the concept of tealight-to-oil is rudimentary yet unparalleled. Kaarigar offers an exclusive essential oil blend of Tuberose, which from personal experience has an impact on almost everyone who experiences it; the ideal invitation into a room, this signature scent is the perfect gift pairing to the copper burner.
ETCHED SKULL DECANTER
Available at The Cross Decor & Design, 1198 Homer.
Glamour with an edge for the ultimate entertainer. It's no secret that the Holidays are made for entertaining, which puts the bar of any host(ess) on full display; having barware that rivals his or her decor is a must for a chic Holiday soirée. This hand-etched skull and smoked glass decanter creates a striking statement that is sure to impress even the most discerning of tastes. A departure from the detailed crystal work of traditional decanters, this piece offers a stronger, modern take on a formal bar.
VOLUSPA CANDLE COLLECTION
Available at The Cross Decor & Design, 1198 Homer.
Sizes and prices vary.
Ambience, for me, is the key to a successful design; one of my most favourite tricks to achieving instant ambience is through a layered grouping of candles. Useful for both scent and varied light, candles provide multi-sensory experience. Voluspa recently released a full new collection of scents, which The Cross fully embraced; ranging in size from petite 4.5 ounce tins to luxurious 36 ounce glass jars, they can burn up to 100 hours (for the larger sizes). Voluspa creations are hand-poured coconut wax blends, finished with a wide array of scents and colour coordinating vessels; they are made with no phthalates, parabens or sulfates and – for me the most important – no animal testing.
COAST MODERN SCREENPRINT
Available at Vancouver Special, 3612 Main.
$130 unframed, $300 framed.
Art is the jewelry of a home, making it an essential element for any décor lover. Personally I love an eclectic art collection, ranging from fine art (preferably from stellar local artists like Zoe Pawlak, Dana Mooney and Jamie Bizness) to bold typographic prints like this Michael C. Place piece designed for Build UK. Printed in a standard A1 size on high gloss Lustralux paper, this design is a strikingly simplistic two-colour black and flourescent pink celebration of the launch of acclaimed documentary film Coast Modern in London. This screen print is a limited edition second run of 100, and is numbered and signed with a certificate of authenticity.
GOLD POTTED SUCCULENT ARRANGEMENTS
Available through Botany Living.
$22 - $60.
Adding life to a space, on a literal level, is a favoured trick of design buffs in the know. Plant life creates a sense of nature and organic appeal to a room, softening even the most minimalistic of decor styles. Succulents make ideal house plants, especially for the busy urbanite, as they remain a manageable size and require little effort to keep them happy. Due to their small stature, it's easy to get creative with how they are displayed; the team behind local brand Botony Living have created the perfect gift with their trip of gold-potted succulents, which are available as a trio grouping or as a single pot. To check out their full collection, you can find Botony Living at the South Granville location of West Elm for a pop-up, or follow them on Instagram.
