This year, A|N asked a few of our favorite architects and designers what they’re most excited about this holiday season—and boy, they did not disappoint.
Patrick Parrish, owner, Patrick Parrish Gallery
Steal: Amazon Echo $180, amazon.com
I was at my in-laws’ house and was amazed at the convenience of speaking to an object and actually having it work! I couldn’t stop speaking to it, which was both fun and weird!
Splurge: Jean Prouvé Architecture’s Temporary School of Villejuif, 1957 $3,405,952, patrickseguin.com
The houses of Jean Prouvé are the ultimate collectible piece of design and are warm and very livable, not to mention transportable!
Thomas Randon, general manager, the Museum of Modern Art/Retail Division
Steal: Glass Water Kettle $50, store.moma.org
I started using this kettle about a month ago and love it. I never thought watching water boil would become interesting!
Splurge: WaterRower Rowing Machine John Duke, 1987 $1,500, store.moma.org
Made famous by Frank Underwood in House of Cards, this rowing machine is a beautiful design object made with love in the USA. It’s rare to find a workout machine that doesn’t damage the look of the room it’s in. This one enhances it and works beautifully.
Giulio Cappellini, art director, Cappellini
Steal: Classic Trays by Alexander Girard, Vitra $65–100, vitra.com
These are very beautiful and useful objects. The designs on each are incredibly graphic—sleek, yet whimsical, and the variety of patterns and shapes allows for so many different uses.
Splurge: Toio Lamp by Achille Castiglioni, Flos$1,395, flos.com
This lamp represents an icon of design history. It’s so unique and inventive and can be used everywhere.
Alex Mustonen, cofounder, Snarkitecture
Steal: Connection Candleholder by Philippe Malouin for OTHR, $480, othr.com
I love the clean lines and simplicity of Philippe’s candleholder.
Splurge: Pratone Lounge Chair by Ceretti/Derossi/Rosso for Gufram, Price upon request, gufram.it
The Gufram piece is both playful and comfortable. The lounge chair and candleholder speak toward different aspects of design that I think are important. Now if I can just find space for the Pratone…
Elizabeth Brown, CEO, Viyet
Steal: Hafod Grange Paperweight, $68, theline.com
A whimsical touch for any workaholic’s home office.
Splurge: Christopher Flach bust, Price upon request, geraldblandinc.com
We borrowed one of his busts to style a mantel for a photo shoot last year, and I have been a huge fan of his work ever since.
Shant Madjarian, designer, Juniper
Steal: Dueto Fineliner Pen + Stylus, Beyond Object, $65, aplusrstore.com
I love to see companies making products that stand in complete defiance of the disposable design market. For that reason I love this pen by Beyond Object. It is beautiful, and I am sucker for anything that is made in the +/- 0.002-inch precision level. I hope it is as smooth and heavy-in-the-hand as it looks. I can’t wait to try this out.
Splurge: Mercury Ring, Spinelli Kilcollin, $3,000, spinellikilcollin.com
While I love luxury, I love it to be understated. So if I could splurge on something today, I would not think twice about the Mercury ring for the person I love (or maybe for myself—men’s sizes are also available). I am enamored and inspired by just about everything this design couple creates—especially this piece because of its elegant simplicity. It whispers luxury.
Roman Alonso and Steven Johanknecht, principals and founding partners, Commune
Steal: Valerie Confections Goodmix Bars, $10, communedesign.com
Valerie Confections makes such delicious chocolate. We love the Goodmix Bars we collaborated on—the recipe is so good, people call it “chocolate crack” because it’s so addictive. Along with the fun packaging, it makes the perfect holiday gift.
Splurge: The Elder Statesman Picasso Sweater, $1,070, elder-statesman.com
His sweaters are truly the softest and most amazing quality cashmere. They make you look forward to the cold weather!
Jean and Oliver Pelle, designers and owners, PELLE
Steal: Metal Cast Tulip Petal by Swallow, $73, dearswallow.com
A decorative metal casting of a small tulip petal made by Swallow, a wonderful home-and-gift store filled with collectibles and curios located in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn. We can imagine one or a couple of these tulip petals sitting on a windowsill.
Splurge: Cody Hoyt Pentagon Facet Vessel III, Price upon request, patrickparrishgallery.com
Cody Hoyt’s hand-built, slab-constructed ceramic vase, titled Pentagon Facet Vessel III. He’s such an amazing artist and does incredibly skillful work.
Chris Beardsley, co-founder and CEO, Stickbulb
Steal: Personalized foil-embossed Moleskine notebook, $16, moleskinecustom.com
Give a classic architect’s accessory a personal touch by having the cover foil embossed.
Splurge: John Hogan glass sculptures Price upon request, johnhogandesigns.com
I love the glass sculptures by John Hogan. Their mesmerizing prismatic color effects are beautiful and they can sit on a desk or tabletop.
Fred Bould, design director and founder, Bould Design
Steal: Roku Express, $30, roku.com
Everyone should have a streaming video player—there is so much great content. People like to get together and watch movies during the holidays and a Roku makes it easy.
Splurge: Home WiFi System three-pack, eero, $499, store.eero.com
The holidays mean visitors and sharing wi-fi. With the eero app, proud owners can easily share guest network access while keeping the mulled wine flowing and the stuffing on schedule.
