Gimcracks
and Geegaws
BY ALYSSA
ISENSTEIN
WELL-ARMED
A garden is much more than a patch of soil where plants,
flowers and trees take root; it is an outdoor room where
one can find solace and inspiration. Feng shui, then, is
key. Arranging staples of European-inspired gardens such
as benches and side tables is a no-brainer, but when it
comes to knickknacks, you've got to be careful. A
cast-iron
armillary sphere ($139, Gardens, 425 NW 11th
Ave., 223-4443) is a solid choice. In the continental gardens
of days gone by, the ancient astronomical instruments could
be found gracing quiet corners. This basketball-size globe
has an iron arrow shooting through the middle and is set
on an intricate stand. Like a gazing ball without the shiny
center to gaze into, the armillary serves as an elegant
conversation piece. Antique armillaries will set you back
hundreds of dollars, but a reproduction such as this, complete
with a rusted finish, is just as pretty at a quarter the
cost.
BETTER BUBBLY
The whirling jets in a Jacuzzi or
hot tub offer the ultimate experience in bathing fun.
Prohibitive costs and lack of space keep these pleasure
centers from entering most of our homes, but leave it
to Conair to bring bubbles to the masses with its portable
Water Jet Spa ($59.99, Target, 11826 NE Glisan
St., 251-9997). Just plunk the device into your tub, fill
with warm water, hit the on button and away you go to
la-la land. With its variable water jet and bubble control,
this bathing beauty can be adjusted to best soothe aching
backs and minds. While the apparatus is no substitute
for the six-person outdoor party spa, it does deliver
palpable poshness to ordinary loos.
A RARE BIRD
The country kitchen look is hot, hot,
hot (again), and nothing squeals rural charm more than
chicken-themed decor. That's right, chicken-themed decor.
Bring the farm indoors with a white-speckled ceramic
bird ($46, Powell's Books for Cooks and Gardeners,
3739 SE Hawthorne Blvd., 235-3802). Enticing to look at
and decadent in its uselessness, this life-sized poultry
replica is the perfect gift for...well, really, who wouldn't
be pleased with this thoughtful tchotchke? Sturdier and
classier than the gag rubber chicken, this objet d'art
can be used as a centerpiece for a bird-centered feast
or as a lovely doorstop.
SWEET LUCIDITY
Tropical fish swimming gracefully
in an aquarium have a therapeutic effect as potent as
Nico's vocals, a sort of massage for the eyes. But maintaining
a tank is total drudgery, and fish do not enjoy nine,
or even two, lives. In the end, it may make more sense
to covet crystal fish by Lalique ($99 each, Carl
Greve Jewelers, 721 SW Morrison St., 223-7121). Just as
beautiful as living fish, these non-edible delicacies
could become the next family heirloom. At $99 a pop, they're
spendier than lobster, but unlike real fish, these beauties
never need replacing. The fish are about the size of a
silver dollar and come in 24 colors.
FOUNTAIN OF WEALTH
Be it a double-wide or a penthouse,
any abode can benefit from the lifestyles-of-the-rich-and-famous
treatment with a cherub wall fountain ($259, Sofa
Table Chair, 2337 E Burnside St., 231-2782). Modeled after
fountains found in Italian villas, this cement fountain
sports a classically sculpted angel spitting a constant
stream of water into a crescent-moon basin. Indoors, the
fount provides lovely babbling background noise; outside,
it accentuates a patio garden and entertains birds. For
a Hollywood-party effect, add food coloring or soap bubbles
to the water supply.
SITTING PRETTY
Portraiture has a reputation for
being old-fashioned and hokey, but when conceived by a
modern eye, the results can be spectacular. A portrait
not only captures the moment but also reveals an essence
of human spirit not exposed in the daily hustle of car
pools and grocery shopping. This is the perfect gift,
because most people would never seek it out for themselves--it's
especially ideal for grandparents, parents with toddlers
and anyone who's married to a pet. A portrait sitting
at Ray Bidegain Studio ($65, 17 SE 3rd Ave., Suite
403, 289-5998) is nothing like an appointment with Olan
Mills. Bidegain shoots in black and white, delivering
a timeless print wherein subjects are less dated by the
color of their clothes and makeup. Free of dyes, which
fade over time, black-and-white photographs also last
longer than color pictures. A sitting with Bidegain lasts
between an hour and an hour and a half. The sitting fee
is a flat rate whether the portrait is of an individual,
a family or a couple with their beloved Spot; prints are
$30 for a 4-by-5, $45 for a 5-by-7 and $75 for an 8-by-10.
To view examples of his work, visit www.rbstudio.com.
(Beth Nicewonger)
A HANDLE FIT FOR HER HIGHNESS
Minimalist clothing,
decor and lifestyles all look great until you glance at
something rich, full and showy. Opulence is fun, plain
and simple. Sure, you can scoop ice cream with a standard-issue
stainless job, but once you see a jazzy variation on the
ordinary, such as bejeweled ice-cream scoopers
($55, Twist, 30 NW 23rd Place, 224-0334; 700 SW 5th Ave.,
222-3137), there's no looking back. The actual spoon part
of these utensils is made from utilitarian stainless steel,
but the whimsical handles are hand-painted into works
of art. Each rhinestone-riddled scooper is decorated differently.
Despite their surprising lightness, the scoopers are sturdy
enough to dig into the hardest tub of ice cream--and getting
to the stuff inside is still what's most important, any
way you scoop it.
NOTHING SAYS I LOVE YOU LIKE...
Some say buying flowers is a waste of money, 'cause
they're just going to die anyway. Flowerbud.com,
a Lake Oswego company launched last May, offers a
remedy for fleeting flowers. Cut just 24 hours prior to
delivery, the blooms from Flowerbud.com can be shipped
overnight to anywhere within the continental United States--directly
from grower to customer. That means a shelf life four
times longer than the average floral arrangement. Wintertime
bouquets have an icy freshness that spring's daffodils
and tulips can't compete with. Flowerbud.com offers four
seasonal packages; our favorite is Winter Package 2
($174, 877-524-5400), which includes an evergreen wreath,
a table-top bouquet and a large winter bouquet. Each can
also be purchased individually. The evergreen wreath
($45) can be delivered Dec. 1-15. The smaller bouquet
($49) is a lavish cluster of 25 tall red roses; the larger
arrangement bulges with more than 40 stems, a smart variety
of red and white blossoms ($84). Both bouquets will be
delivered on Dec. 21 and can be expected to look stunning
well past Christmas Day. (Beth Nicewonger)
PULSE-RACING PENS
You're driving down the freeway and something silver
in the rearview catches your attention. It's closer than
it appears. Your mouth begins to salivate and your eyes
instinctively turn to the left as it whizzes by. You've
had a brief encounter with a Porsche, and your Christmas
list will never be the same. This holiday season, you
can share the love of Germany's legendary automotive dynasty
by parking Faber-Castell's Porsche Design ballpoint
pen ($149, Colorado Pen Company, 700 SW 5th Ave.,
224-6367) under someone's Christmas tree. The pen is designed
with Tecflex race-car braking hose, and the woven stainless
steel body works like that of a Chinese finger-trap puzzle.
To complete the theme, a miniature Porsche car ($27) can
be purchased to house the writing vehicle. (Beth Nicewonger)
