We asked international branding consultant Cristina Belmonte to curate what she is seeing in Europe and at design shows like ICFF and Maison&Objet into a holiday gift guide for the home.
You dont need to go to IKEA or spend a fortune; you can easily buy quality, cutting-edge design at a relatively affordable price in Vancouver, she says of her 10 choices, all available locally.
Belmonte has helped launch such acclaimed projects as the new T2A terminal at Heathrow (designed in partnership with Norman Foster and Luis Vidal Arquitectos) and The Shard by Renzo piano in London.
Therapeutic Mustard Bath
Barefoot Venus
The line of bath products by Kelowna-based Barefoot Venus is one of my best recent discoveries. A great collection of indulgent accessories to make your bath a divine experience, they come with graphics reminiscent of Art Nouveaus naked goddesses and Alphonse Muchas muses, which, in my view, makes them totally irresistible.
$4.99 | Heather Ross Natural Eclectic
Soy saucer
I think this delicate soy saucer/creamer illustrates well the current fusion between Asian materials, dining habits and mindsets with Western design methodology and lifestyles. I love it because it is not mass-produced and has a touch of uniqueness.
$20 | Peking Lounge
Plate and Mug
Toiletpaper line by Seletti
A little bit of black humour in your kitchen from the encounter between Italian design company Seletti and Toiletpaper, the artist magazine created by Italian satirical sculptor Maurizio Cattelan and Pierpaolo Ferrari. A collection filled with creepy images that are equal parts chic and surreal.
Plate $29 & Mug $25 | Mint Interiors
Formula cushion
Bo Concepts new collection of cushions are made from delicate textiles and vintage fabrics. Designs use the geometrical patterns and neutral colours very common in Nordic design. Bo Concept offers modern furniture of the woody, down-to-earth kind, and good quality, European design without being outrageously avant-garde. It is a safe option for the North American customer who likes European style.
$69 | Bo Concept
E27 socket lamp
Mattiass Stahlbom for Muuto
I love this simple and versatile pendant by Muuto, a cutting-edge Danish design house. Stahlboms E27 Pendant Light is made of fade-and-heat-resistant indelible silicone. Minimal in its design, E27 departs from the essence of a lamp the socket making the object a celebration of functionality and simplicity.
$99 | TheModernShop.com (Canadian online shop based in Ottawa, with free shipping all over Canada)
Cire Trudon candle
Christmas limited-edition in red and gold colours
If Cire Trudon candles were good enough for Marie Antoinette, theyre certainly good enough for me! The candles of connoisseurs, Cire Trudon is a French wax making factory, founded in 1643, that makes some of (if not) the best candles in the world. They burn for a few hundred hours so they are great value for money and come with the most pleasurable aromas.
$115 | Provide
Mini Jambox, Jawbone
Yves Behar
Designed by one of my design heroes, Yves Behar, the Mini Jambox is the new pocket version of the Jawbone speaker considered the best wireless stereo/speaker on the market and by far the coolest one. The Mini Jambox explores new materials and manufacturing processes and it comes in a huge variety of colours. Minimum size, maximum volume and a 10-hour battery life.
$149 | Secret Location
Italian alpaca throw
For long and cold winter nights, theres nothing more comforting than a luscious, super soft alpaca wool throw. Alpaca is a hypoallergenic natural fiber with the touch of cashmere and the strength of modern synthetics. Restoration Hardwares designs are modern but classic at the same time easy to match with any decor, and they come in a variety of colours.
$169 | Restoration Hardware
Alessi Hot.it Kettle
Wiel Arets
I am a tea person and for me a good kettle is an indispensable item in the kitchen. I love the new one by Wiel Arets, a Dutch architectural and design practice, because it is sleek and architectural, simple and functional. Also, the heat insulated bottom allows you to place the kettle directly onto the table which is pretty handy. I love Wiel Arets designs for Alessi; I bought his vanity and bathroom collection for my house and I absolutely adore it.
$170 | Vancouver Special
Hoshigame table lamp
Issey Miyake for Artemide
Part of the eye catching IN-EI collection and designed by fashion designer Issey Miyake, Hoshigame is a little piece of art at an unusually affordable price. Artemides IN-EI collection keeps its shape without needing internal form. Each lampshade begins with a single piece of fabric folded to create a three-dimensional form thats a sculpture of shadow of light. Also, theyre made using a fibre derived from recycled plastic bottles. This light has the three factors: design, sustainability and price. You cant ask for more.
$345 | Inform interiors
