Sunday, December 5, 2010

A Million and One Decadent Gift Ideas

If you are anything like me, I try really hard to find the perfect gift for each person on my gift giving list. Although there are budget considerations, for me it is more about finding a really special gift that will make that special someone smile, whether it's handmade, vintage, $10 or $100. For this post, I thought I'd share some of the most unique gift ideas that I found through either friends or searching the web. Yes, some of them are really out there, but, hey, Christmas is about dreaming, isn't it?

So get your list on hand and let's go shopping!

Petite Paper Shoe - For the Friend who has Everything $36


Here's a handmade little shoe made of paper, plaster and details of a soft delicate paper flower from one of my favorite designers and friends, Noel Solomon of Fanciful Designs! Each one varies slightly as they are handmade. Comes wrapped in a cotton Fanciful shoe bag.

This makes a wonderful gift for your friend who has everything or someone who appreciates art, shopping and shoes!

If you're interested in more than one petite shoe for a special event or as gifts, contact the artist, Noel at fanciful.noel@gmail.com

*Recently featured in October 2010 Romantic Homes Magazine & Your Wedding Day Magazine*
Measures Approx 5.5" x 3"h x 1"w. Price: $36.00

Wood and Cotton Sailboats

My six year old son, Liam, would love these sweet wood and cotton sailboats. Great for decorating those coastal beach homes. These were made by a brilliant designer ... you can now order them direct at whiteflowerfarm.com or via my blog pal at Red Ticking.

Linen Teatowels $47.50

I can never have enough household linens and these french ticking tea towels from Atlanta Bartlett's new online store, Pale and Interesting, are absolutely perfect for any decor. Gorgeous white linen tea towels with red stripes made from un-used antique linen roll fabric.

L 78cm W 42cm apx. Machine wash. Please note that these are handmade items made from antique fabric and therefore no two are identical and they are not in pristine new condition…just the way we love them! 29.95 GBP or $47.50 USD.

Classica Linen Duvets and Shams by PomPom At Home $391 (Queen)


I carry these linens in my own store and I get so many people oohing and aahing. Made of 100% washable linen, these duvets, sheets and shams are so soft and the more you wash them, the softer they get. "Classica" is a sophisticated line with ornate center embroidery in white yarn finished with a classic hemstitched 3” flange. This duvet features some charming details on the top fold as well. Available colors - Embroidered Plain, Beige/White Beige, Blue/White Blue, Grey/White Grey, White/White White.
Available sizes – Twin, Queen & King. $391 for Queen.

You can view the entire collection by visiting Pom Pom at Home.

If you would like help ordering any of the collection, please feel free to contact me.

Private Commission from Renowned Photographer, Dorothy Blum Cooper


As many of you know, I lost everything in Hurricane Katrina. Among the things I lost that upset me the most were all my photographs of loved ones no longer with us or my little ones when they were born. So for me, capturing that special moment is so very precious.

Give yourself or someone you love the gift of a thousand words with Dorothy Blum Cooper's photographs. A native of Louisiana, raised in Kentucky and now residing in North Carolina, Dorothy Blum Cooper has been documenting and preserving her view of the world around her since childhood. This self-taught, self-styled photographer has the ability to spot the character of her subjects in an instant, creating an enduring image of ageless quality.

Working with her husband, award-winning artist and fine art photographic printer Bobby Cooper, Dorothy is able to allow her creativity to push the limits. Her genuine gift is her ability to reveal the heart of her subjects through her instinct and spontaneity. The distinct character of each subject is evident in her final prints. Dorothy works with her camera and film the way the painter works with brush and oils...her perception is rare. A work of art evolves through her capable eye.

Residing in private and public collections throughout the United States and Europe, Dorothy’s photography has won awards in local and national exhibitions. She offers her work in limited editions and accepts commissions in Louisiana and North Carolina. Commissions start at $475. For additional information, please contact Dorothy Blum Cooper.


A Decadent Handmade Accessory from The French Mouse

Nope, you can't have this one as this one is MINE!!! Seriously, I can't wait to get it and wear it in my hair in time for a holiday party. From one of my wonderful friends and fellow designer, Hope Ava of The French Mouse, this and other decadent fripperies make wonderful gifts to anyone who wants a bit of french flair in their hair, lapel, or purse. Ranging in price from $12 to $100, Hope's pieces are truly a work of art. Visit The French Mouse on Etsy and get one of these for every girl in your list -- including one for you!


An Exclusive Precious Jewel Design from Karen Sugarman

Affluent Amazonite and Shell Necklace
Gorgeous soft aqua and ivory colors make this necklace the perfect candidate for the “most flattering necklace”. A copious amount of cultured freshwater coin, stick and baroque pearls are mixed with the clean aqua color of generous amazonite beads and a very clever aqua shell bead to create a divine explosion of textures. The uniquely carved 2.75” long pendant creates an interesting focal point. Gold vermeil toggle clasp. Sold.

For more stunning designs visit Karen at Karen Sugarman Designs.

A Gorgeous Hat from Anya Caliendo Couture Millinery Atelier

I have a fetish for beautiful hats and this one is on my bucket list. I adore, simple adore, Anya Caliendo's design and this would be the perfect gift for the woman who loves hats (... Frances Russell perhaps????). Anya has a divine collection of millinery. For a real treat, visit her collection here.

Christian Lacroix Shoes

If I could only catch my breath to say something......

A Gorgeous French Gown or Maybe Just the Louis LXV Chairs

Sorry, I don't know where you can get this gown or the chairs, but I thought we just needed a moment to sigh after all this shopping....


Italian Crystals Sconces

I think Emily Blunt just needed these sconces in that room to put us over the edge.

Handcrafted in Italy with murano (venetian) glass crystals exclusively for disegno Karina Gentinetta. Crystals are hand knotted and tied and crystal beadings are wrapped around each of the antique gold iron arms. Absolutely magnificent with 6 lights. Custom sizes available. Please contact me or visit my 1stdibs store for more information.

Handcrafted Martini Table Gilded in Gold Leaf

Just in time for those holiday parties, my own Martini table. Handcrafted in metal and hand gilded in gold leaf (shown) or silver leaf. 12.5" diameter x 27.5" tall. $685. To order, please contact me at kgentinetta@gmail.com

19th c. Italian Settee or Sofa in Tufted Muslin

Live beautifully......... Gorgeous antique Italian tufted settee with painted wood and gilded frame. Beautiful gilded carvings and original patina. Upholstered in muslin. For more information, visit disegno Karina Gentinetta on 1stdibs. Or simply click here.

So have you crossed out everyone on your list??????

11 comments:

  1. Hello,dear Karina:-)*

    Your new post is SO special,SO extraordinary nice because of SO much gorgeous holiday gift ideas!!!
    A little paper shoo makes me smile,but breathtaking talented work...and OMG,Anya Caliendo hat is one of the mostly fabulous design hat!!!

    Thank you so very much for share all these exellent ideas,
    Much Love,
    ***Violetta***

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  2. Wonderful finds... the linens are beautiful.. tok a quick tour through their website...fabulous duvets!! HHL

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  3. WOW ... all I can say is "WOW" .... Karina I am coming shopping with you! We definitely do have the same taste and everything is stunning! Those paper shoes are divine and definitely I am the "Hat Girl" for you.... and then that necklace is breathtaking and I really feel made for a Marie Antoinette type of gal! Karina those linens are also stunning and I didn't know you had linens as well... I am going to call you as I absolutely love them ...... and then at Christmas time popping the glass of bubbles on your martini table whilst gazing at those sconces would make the perfect day! (As long as I get the turkey right!!!) Beautiful post my lovely friend ...
    hugs and kisses
    Frances

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  4. HI Karina! what a fabulous list of resources you have put together here...everything so beautiful!

    What a lovely post!

    xoxo

    Kit

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  5. Karina I am so thrilled to see this post of some of the most special gifts ever!! I adore Karen Sugarman's Jewelry designs. You pieces are so elegant!

    Do come and enter my giveaway from Fifi Flowers!

    xoxo
    Karena
    Art by Karena

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  6. Hi again Karina! thanks so much for putting the Chic Provence Design Tour button on your blog...do leave a comment too so I'll count you in the drawing for the silk filled duvet!

    And.. please do come on the trip with us! that would be fun!

    thanks my sweet friend!

    Kit

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  7. Thank you so much for including my little shop among your list of such beautiful things! What a wonderful surprise...I was enjoying the list so much and then, hey! that's one of mine! :) I have been lusting after tea towels like that for a long time...I may have to indulge for our new house. And I''m sorely tempted by those duvet covers...I have been looking for a simple white coverlet for our bed. We have a padded headboard that I upholstered in a bold black and white flocked damask, so I need a bedspread that does not compete with that strong pattern.

    Happy holidays Karina! xoxo
    Hope Ava

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  8. What an exquisite list of jewels you've shared here. So many 'tempting' items...definitely eye candy for the soul.

    On a side note...I am beyond flattered with your generous inclusion of my work to this list of "Decadent Gift Ideas". Merci beau-coup, Karina, for everything!!!

    Dorothy-

    Dorothy Blum Cooper photographie
    http://www.dorothyblumcooper.com

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  9. Hi Karina~

    I was just catching up on reading some blogs.. This is a great post! I LOVE those sail boats!
    Thank you SO much for including my shoe.
    Wishing you all the best and an extra bright season.

    Kindly
    Noel from Fanciful Designs

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  10. Hi Karina-

    I'm so glad that you sent me that tickler email. I have not come up for air all day and I truly enjoyed my virtual shopping spree with you this afternoon!

    Those bed linens are just divine and Dorothy's photography is just so very special. I think that hat just might need to go on MY list since hubby LOVES hats!

    I knew from the first time we "spoke" via email about that soon-to-be-mine gorgeous cherub mirror, that you were a very special person. You just "get it" (and you get it right all the time!). I cannot thank you enough for including my jewelry in your Decadent Gift Ideas. I feel so honored to be included with so many talented artists!

    I hope your holidays are enveloped in the love of family and friends.

    Fondly,
    Karen

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  11. Dear Karina, you are simply amazing!!! Thank you so very much for including me in your list and what a magnificent list you've created. i want everything on it!!!:-) Noel's little shoes are simply beyond sweet.:-) And I fell in LOVE with your fabulous martini table. I even thought that I would immediately write to you to ask if you will be willing to do a lay away for this table for me, but then thought that it would be probably rude of me to impose on you in this manner. The table is simply a treasure. You have an amazing taste and great eye for beauty.:-) You store on 1Stdibs is my top favorite. i always stop by and marvel at beautiful things you have listed there. Wishing you wonderful day!
    P.S. There is a book named "Master And Margarita", I do not if you ever had a chance to read it. In this book Master, sick and desperate, burns the manuscript in the fire place. The manuscript described the last days of Christ on this Earth. Thinking that the only copy of it is gone forever his lover,Margarita, turns to the Devil to help poor Master and he does, he saves the Manuscript. He says that things like this: memories as well as words born out of soul can not be destroyed by fire, by water, by anything else. And so I believe that even though you have lost every memory on paper, it is still not lost. Let you not be scared that the words in the book were spoken by the Devil. The wisdom can come from anywhere: from good and from evil (like Hurricane Kathrina). I believe that your heart stores all you memories in the most safest manner. :-)

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