How To Wrap Christmas Gifts Using Handmade & Recycled Things From Around The House

If you haven’t guessed yet from the shortage of posts, my life has been super busy. But not too busy to wrap Christmas presents in a new way (for me). I decided that this year I would wrap everything with materials I already had on hand. I started with newspaper, and embellished each package with decorations I cut out of wallpaper samples, left-over wrapping paper, etc. I also used rubber stamps and markers (particularly silver and gold). Read More…

Design Hole’s Gift Guide For Design Lovers Who Love Food

Jeez, how do I follow up misterarthur’s man-manship gift guide? It was obviously spot on. Well, they say that the way to man’s heart is through is stomach. So if you can’t afford a riding snow blower, here are some gift ideas for the special man in your life, or anyone who loves food. Read More…

The Man Decorating Gift Guide for 2010

Hello, misterarthur here reporting for Design Hole on gift guides for men. It’s never too late for Christmas shopping in a man’s world. Need proof? Visit a mall on the twenty-third of December and see for yourself. You’ll find the shoppers are 90% male, shopping at the last minute.

This being an interior design site, you might expect me, the man decorator, to have some interior design-y gift ideas for Christmas.  I think it’s important to point out that in most homes, the manly parts are limited to the garage and/or the basement. Hence, while this gift giving guide may not appear to be directed towards improving the look of your home, it might make for a happier home life overall. Read More…

4 Beautiful Holiday Place Setting Ideas

How do you set the perfect table for the holidays? Here are four ideas I dreamed up to help and inspire you. Plus, a few of my usual tips so you can create your own special table.

Traditional Christmas

Owning a set of Christmas dishes is a wonderful thing. It adds to the traditional atmosphere of the day. A special set, like Grenadiers (Bernardaud, $67.00 dinner plate) becomes a family heirloom.

For this place setting I started with a cotton place mat with holiday embroidery (C&W Imports, $7.00). To show off the dinner¬† plate I placed a burgundy charger underneath to create contrast (Picard, $99.00). The salad plate (Decor Or from JL Coquet Limoges, $124.00) in a style that complements the plate. I’m not a master napkin folder, I made a simple fold using a matching embroidered napkin (C&W Imports, $7.00) to finish the setting.

For accents, keep things traditional with cut crystal stemware. Candles candles should match the plates. Different heights are nice.

Vintage Simplicity

Sometimes the best things in life come from garage sales. That’s where I found these napkins. They make great placemats. Because they’re not a traditional size, I’d start with a white tablecloth with the placemats on top. The dishes are vintage Lenox – the Cretin pattern from the 1960′s.

I kept this simple, with stainless flatware and a vintage, handmade wine glass I bought on a trip to Venice. The “focal point” is a handmade Christmas ornament.

A Sophisticated Table

I wrote about the nxt two place setting last week, but decided to put them all together in one post. Hope you don’t mind! I wanted to show how you can dress a place setting by creating a focal point. A small dish in the center of the dinner plate focuses the eye on the center. I added a matching glass ornament, tied with a satin ribbon to finish the look.

The dishes are a charger (Anciennes Manufacture Royale, $150) topped with one of the most beautiful dishes in the world – Herend’s Elizabeth ($250.00). The focal point dish is Gold Leaf by Bernardaud, $79.00. I used a contrasting napkin at set it above the plate just to be different. A snowflake napkin ring is a nice touch.

Casual Christmas

IF you own a nice set of everyday dishes, you can dress them up for the holidays with linens. At yet another estate sale I found this handmade lace tablecloth. That adds some nice texture. Christmas colors set the holiday mood. I used a green placemat (Bodrum, $15.00) with a country-style red and white napkin (Williamsburg, $5.50). The beautiful dishes are from Juliska. I centered the look with a cutting from the garden, tied with a red satin ribbon.

Jennifer’s Tips

• Use natural fibers. All cotton, linen and satin are the key to a perfect table setting. Synthetic fabrics don’t have the same look or feel. Satin or grosgrain ribbon are good choices because they don’t look like gift wrap.
• Create a focal point with a small dish and a napkin or Christmas ornament. A dreidel is another perfect choice.
• Buy a set of matching wine glasses. You can find stemware at the grocery store!

I’d like the thank The League Shop for lending me all the pieces for my place settings. They sell things both contemporary and traditional. If you live in Detroit, pay them a visit. We all need to buy locally. If you live elsewhere, you can still call the shop – they’ll be happy to place an order over the phone.

Do you have a favorite place setting idea?

DH Gift Ideas For A Beach Cottage

It may be cold in some parts of the world, but it’s summer in others. And as sure as day follows night, I’ll soon be shouting, “surf’s up!” at Chum Bucket. Which means that it’s always the season for a beach cottage gift.

My current favorite are these glass nests created by Heather Palmer. They come in four sizes and three colors. The small size retails for $60.00 at Maxwell Silver.

Here are a few other suggestions. First, the always wonderful Hable Construction. Check out their pillows and this photo frame ($65.00). They also make great Christmas stockings.

Next up are these glasses from Cat Studio. They make vacation-themed pillows and glasses that are lots of fun. These are from Tabula Tua. A set of four sells for $48.00.

Finally, a classic Mediterraneo bowl designed by Emma Silvestri for Alessi. Find it at Unica Home ($75.00 for the small size).