60 Tea Time
The proper use for a
is for drying dishes. But
creates these artful,
) that are too fanciful for cleaning up. These are frame-worthy—especially
by Australian artist David Bromley. And with a whole host of various international and national artists to choose from, it's a worldly gift on the chic and cheap.
61 Animal Planet
Friends no longer let you pet-sit after that unfortunate incident, but still need to nurture your love for animals and plants alike? Present yourself with the
(
): a win-win situation. Bright-red shrimp and free-floating algae exist symbiotically in this self-contained and self-sustaining sphere of natural curiosities, originally developed by scientists at NASA's jet propulsion lab. The only instructions? Display in front of a significant light source (natural or artificial). Read: minimal care with maximum decorative capabilities!
62 Eggin’ You On
No doubt it's a little oddly shaped, but this decorative felt
makes for a sculptural, modernized version of the everyday catchall. Holds anything from an apple-on-the-go to spare keys, and it solves the annoyance of rummaging around for MAX fare any day. Case in point: "Have any quarters, honey bunny?" "Right there in that egg thingy, sweet tits." Problem solved.
63 Nesting Instincts
Nabbing chicks may have never been your strong point, but attracting feathered creatures is a different story with
. Top picks: orange peel, aqua and fire-engine red. Chickadees and wrens will flock to these functional modern art pieces. And what lady could deny a sweet little bird lover?
64 St—St—Studiooo!
Scared of things that go bump in the night? Michigan-made
, playfully embroidered with birds, woodland creatures and quirky stick figures with whimsical expressions, will promise to keep you company during the wee hours of the night, and better yet, they won't steal the covers. Thumbs up all around.
65 Let’s Twist, Again
Revert back to the magical times of childhood with
graphic take on a
. This personal accessory is perfect for loose change, jewelry and anything else that's small enough to fit this 3-by-3-inch origami fabric box. Also, check out
version of decorative tabletop
. Local rising-star designer Amy Ruppel has garnered international and national praise for her birds-'n'-trees motifs (hand silk-screened on nontoxic silicone), adding her own simplistic twist to an otherwise overlooked dining-room detail.
66 Organized Chaos
Holiday cards are hard—as in, hard to throw away. Sometimes you feel like you're chucking a family member. And that sucks. But photos of distant cousins frolicking on the snowy slopes of Aspen, Colo., in '96 can't sit on the fireplace mantle forever. Enter
classic
. Perfect for organizing and archiving those dated snapshots that you just can't bear to send to the bins.
67 Whet Your Appetite
The 12 days of Christmas meet the dinner table with this
. Each little dish is peppered with ornate illustrations—from a partridge in a pear tree to 12 drummers drumming. Crafted with eclectic fonts, asymmetrical graphics and bright holiday cheer, these will be sure to garner a whole host of "oohs" when you plop them down in front of even your most formidable family member.
68 The Art of Living Well
Internationally recognized NYC-based artist Hunt Slonem is known for his eccentric, travel-inspired paintings and sculptures. In
, readers are thrown down the rabbit hole of his private universe with this photo essay documenting various studios and homes he's decorated with his works.
69 Stuck Up
Contemporary and colorful,
represent the future of wallpaper graphics without any hint of Granny florals. Recreational silhouettes (sailboats and rocking horses), organic, nature-inspired themes (birds of paradise) and abstract illustrations (skulls with bunny ears) are perfect for walls, windows, ceilings or even floors.
Gimme More
Heartbreaker:
Local artist Jill Torberson's Valentines series
are one-of-a-kind thumpers, made from recycled steel, that just might break your heart.
Sweet:
Make your the house smell like Hansel and Gretel's favorite joint with Seattle's own
, or go for a little flower power with a Fleur flamer
.
Nixon-era Holiday Cheer:
Before it closes its doors at the end of December, Bernadette Breu has over 500 vintage ornaments
representing every style from the pragmatic striped bulbs of the '40s to the do-it-yourself sequined balls of the '60s.
WWeek 2015