Gift Guide: For the Home

1. Arianna Belle Grey Ikat Pillow ($60) // 2. C. Wonder Monogram Jewelry Box ($78) // 3. Jo Malone ‘Lime Basil & Mandarin’ Diffuser ($75) // 4. Gold Wishbone ($68) // 5. Set of Horn Vases ($50) // 6. Small Bird Canister ($5) // 7. ‘I Can & I Will’ Poster ($25) // 8. DvF Small Leafwood Bowl ($60) // 9. Marc Blackwell Old Fashioned Glass ($75)

One. When I moved into my new place in October, I was horrified by what pillows cost. They’re feathers and cloth for goodness sake, how can they cost $300? Arianna Belle is a small specialty store that has some of the most adorable pillows around.  I like this grey ikat and this abstract dot pillow.

If you think even $60 is too much to pay for a pillow (and I am not faulting you for that), I like this medallion throw pillow from World Market ($29) and the texture on this faux fur pillow from Target ($20).

Two. Most of the jewelry boxes you see for sale are coated in soft leather or cloth, so I like the idea of a hard bodied one like this box from C. Wonder.  I especially like the initial on the clasp.  It would make a great gift for a young woman or a teen.

I also like this glass jewelry box for $50, and this box covered in metallic foil.  West Elm also sells some lacquer boxes in cool colors ($24), though these aren’t specifically made for jewelry.  And if you need your jewels where you can see them, try a jewelry frame for $34.

Three. I was originally going to post a Jo Malone candle, but this weekend, my neighbor’s condo experienced a candle-related fire so I thought twice about it. (She is fine, her condo is water logged.) Instead, a diffuser like this one makes a great gift for a friend or a hostess gift. Jo Malone’s scents, esp. the citrus ones, aren’t too strong, so you won’t force the recipient out of their home.  If you’re looking for something a bit cheaper, NEST makes a lovely grapefruit-scented diffuser that is $34.

Four. Little trinkets to place on a bookshelve or on your desk can be good gifts.  I like this wishbone because it has a universal meaning, and would fit in with most decor. A Jonathan Adler ceramic bird would also suit the purpose, as would a classic silver piggy bank.

Five. Natural touches, like these horn vases, bring modern elegance to a table or credenza.  If you like the look of horn, but would like it in a less obvious form, this picture frame is lovely, as is this bowl.  And if you want to go all in on the animal theme, Restoration Hardware has cast resin antelope horns and Pottery Barn is selling a faux steer skull for $50 on sale.

Six. I have these bird canisters in my bathroom.  They hold bobby pins, rubber bands, the fasteners for my curlers, etc.  I also have the larger size, which is perfect for Qtips and cotton balls.  I own the trays, which I use to keep my lotions and potions handy.  And the ring stand, so my jewelry doesn’t go walkabout at the end of the night.  All in all, they are really sweet and functional, and a GREAT price at under-$15 a piece. 

Seven. Small inspirational prints like this one can be a good gift for friends, coworkers and family members.  I chose this one because if I see “Keep Calm & Carry On” (or its variations) one more time, I might throw something.  It was cute and first, but now, it has jumped the shark.  Etsy is a great place to find nicely designed prints like this one, or like the one I have in my bedroom closet from Sarah & Bendrix.

Eight. Small bowls and trinket trays are a great gift because you can use them for anything.  I toss my keys in mine at the end of the day.  I adore this wood bowl with a gold accent, because it won’t damage as easy as ceramic.  Need something for under-$5? Try this one from Pacific Merchants.

Nine.  Gold accents are abundant in home decor right now (I blame Pinterest), and I adore these gold-trimmed glasses with their square shape and wide accents.  But the price of these Marc Blackwell glasses, $75 a piece, is just too much for me.  Luckily, Williams Sonoma makes a similar round glass, and a set of four is $96.