We’re making our way through the senses in a curated selection of gift ideas for the design lovers in your life. Now to the colourful and bold – the sights of the festive season.
Here at Habitus, we’ve been curating gift ideas to spark delight, from the sense of taste (for those who love to host and cook) to the scents and sounds.
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Sight is one of our most prominent senses, and this list of design products is all about making an eye-catching statement.
Available in a multitude of colours to complement or clash, the Flowerpot VP9 Portable table lamp from Cult is a design classic with a little something extra. Quirky in its curving form, this slightly smaller and now portable version exudes the original attitude of Verner Panton.
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Cork and coloured glass fuse together with geometric precision in the Borghi freestanding basins by Italian bathroom brand antoniolupi. Never afraid to step outside the box, antoniolupi delivers unexpected design pieces that never fail to delight. Pushing boundaries, the Borghi is an evocative object in its own right, without forgetting functionality.
What festive season gift guide would be complete without a tree? But not just any tree will do when design is the order of the day. A totem of irony and subversion, the Gufram Cactus from Living Edge was designed to question the rigid nature of interior design, and more than 40 years later it still raises eyebrows. Designed by Guido Drocco and Franco Mello, the Cactus is a humorous and attention-grabbing take for those who live by their own rules.
Simple and elegant, the Johanna Ottomans from Cosh Living are designed with soft flowing, gentle curves. It’s a standout silhouette that lets the form and finesse do the talking. Part of a larger range including an occasional chair and sofa, as well as tables, the Ottomans can be blended as part of the family or a functional addition on their own.
A marvellous twisting candle sure to get a double-take, the Twist Candles by Lex Pott are all about elevating the simple things. Set your dining table alight (not literally) with these quirky and playful candles, available in three bright colour options – lavender, peach and neon orange.
Undeniably art deco with its stepped geometry, the Honey Pendant by Coco Flip is the result of craftsmanship and collaboration. Working with some of Melbourne’s best makers, the Honey Pendant features slip-cast ceramic stoneware made by Bendigo Pottery, woodturning by Charles Sandford and glasswork with artist Amanda Dziedzic. Honey comes in a combination of different colours and finishes, making for a sophisticated addition to your home.
The definition of iconic, the Up Series armchair designed by Gaetano Pesci is playful and exuberant. Originally designed in 1969, the chair by B&B Italia, available from Space, has drawn lots of attention for its voluptuous form and visual impact. The UP5_6 Armchair and Ottoman is a striking piece of furniture and not for the faint of heart.
A hefty tome that will look gorgeous on any coffee table, Architecture at the Heart of the Home is a new book by Jan Henderson and Dianna Snape, published by Thames & Hudson, that explores Australian residential architecture. Featuring practices of all scales, the one common denominator from each project within the pages is the exceptional design.
A chair that invites with its simple form, the Volley Swivel Chair has a wide and welcoming seat and back. Available from District in different base options, the swivel option makes it a versatile piece as an occasional chair, while the bright colour pop brings in a touch of fun.
