The holidays are here and the Laura U Design Collective team is ready to celebrate! We’ve put together our much anticipated designer holiday gift guide for 2022. So, let’s get to it!
For the Holiday Host or Hostess
Elegant Colored Glass
Our team is obsessing over colored glass, and not just for the holiday season. Colored glassware is a great way to add personality, elegance, and beauty to any tablescape. A set of Estelle colored wine glasses was on the top of recently married, LUDC Designer Karsten’s registry.
Crafted in Poland, Estelle glassware is vintage-inspired yet refined for a modern feel. The luxury glassware company hopes their collections will start a revival of colored glass that is reminiscent of a past-time – which it definitely has!
When you’re not sipping cocktails, mocktails, or wine out of your colored glassware, they can be beautifully displayed in a china cabinet or on open-shelving. According to an article written by Sarah Lyon for the Spruce, colored glass can be used beyond the kitchen: “It also can serve as a great pop of color and vase for some blooms in the bathroom.”
Designer tip: mix and match colors to create a dynamic look.
Embroidered Cocktail Napkins
Cocktail napkins weren’t popular until Prohibition times. During its heyday, cocktail napkins were found as part of the décor of most bartenders’ establishments. In Veranda’s article, “18 Elegant Cocktail Napkins for Your Next Gathering,” they point out that great works of literature have been pinned on the back of cocktail napkins. “Aaron Sorkin wrote A Few Good Men on the backs of cocktail napkins while bartending at the Palace Theater in New York City. Marilyn Monroe used to write on anything nearby, most often on cocktail napkins, and collected them in her book Fragments: Poems, Intimate Notes, Letters.”
Our team always suggest you use cocktail napkins or coasters for beverages to protect your home’s furniture. But cocktail napkins don’t have to be boring! Senior Interior Designer Emily, adores the Ellie Mac X Alma Berrow embroidery napkins. Made to order, these individually freehand machine embroidered napkins are a part of a collaborative collection with artist and Ceramist Alma Berrow. Emily’s favorite is the heart with octopus, lemon and olive. Embroidered cocktail linens make the perfect holiday gift for the friend who loves to entertain.
For the Design Devotee
Design Books
Our 2021 Designer Holiday Gift Guide was packed full of our favorite interior design books – including the Tom Ford Cocktail Table Book, AD at 100: A Century of Style by Amy Astley, and Picture Book by John Derian. This year Designer Megan T. is eyeing the design books published by Actar. They have really interesting design subjects written by academics in the architecture field – perfect for the architecture nerd in your life. According to the Actar website, “…ACTAR was founded in 1993 in Barcelona with the objective of publishing titles that are a representative demonstration of the most influential practice and theory of established and emerging architects, designers and thinkers of contemporary culture.” Take a look at their vast offering and select your favorite subject or the book cover that matches your aesthetic!
Unique Ceramics
We love integrating art into all of our designs, and we are always on the lookout for unique pieces. From commissioning original art to totems to sculptures, our team always infuses art that matches the homeowners’ personality and aesthetic.
When looking for ceramics, British artist Alma Berrow is always top of mind. Her playful sculpture practice subverts the still life genre, depicting overflowing ashtrays or elaborate plates of food that act as physical talismans for lost moments of togetherness among friends. Senior Designer Emily loves Alma’s sculptures. Her work captures the beauty of a dirty table setting after a great night of conversation and food with friends.
Edgy Art
LUDC Marketing Coordinator Elizabeth introduced the team to artist Reagan Corbett. A native Houstonian, Reagan founded the ReagART Collection, an artist run gallery-like business with the mission to advance her art career while gaining understanding of how the economics of the art world works. From photography to mixed media to painting, we love the edginess her art brings to the table. Not ready to invest in art? You can still have a taste of her work with her newly released puzzles of her artwork. The perfect holiday activity for the family!
For the Professional
Staying Organized
As designers, we are constantly on the go – at site visits, client meetings in the studio, sourcing finishes, and selecting furnishings. Which is why we are always sketching concepts and taking notes. All the while, our operations team is supporting us every step of the way. So, staying organized is key! Our CFO, Barry, never leaves the house without his reMarkable tablet. It’s perfect for the creative who is always sketching graphics but also for business and personal note-taking. It converts your handwritten notes into text and makes it easy to organize. The reMarkable tablet is truly a great gift for anyone.
For the One Who Loves Sparkle
Artisan Jewels
It’s safe to say the entire Laura U Design Collective teams loves jewels! We always pack our Mother’s Day Gift Guide with our favorite pieces. But, who doesn’t love a little holiday sparkle! Founder and CEO, Laura Umansky loves this Serpentine Snake Hoop by Porter Lyon. On her list – the rose gold with emerald. The sizing is perfect for a second ear-piercing. At an affordable price point, this can be paired with another beautiful piece from New Orleans based jeweler Porter Lyon.
In addition, our Marketing Director Katherine, loves to select imperfect pieces. This mixed dangle diamond necklace designed by Houstonian designer Rebecca Lankford Designs is on her holiday list! Rebecca’s designs are inspired by nature and refined from raw materials. We love the organic feel to her pieces.
For the One Who Has Holiday Spirit
Brass Decor
Our team loves getting in the holiday spirit! As soon as November 1st hits, we are all itching to start putting up our holiday decor. That’s why Lead Interior Designer, Natalia, loves this organically formed Christmas tree stand that compliments your tree perfectly. “The Root” stand from Garden Glory brings sophistication to tree stands for the perfect high-end holiday look. They also have a vast selection of other brass accessories that we can’t get enough of! The matching “root” candle stands pair with the tree stand perfectly, and can be used year round. In addition, we love how elegant the brass door knocker is – setting the tone for you guests before they even enter your home.
Still looking for ideas? Check out our Designer Holiday Gift Guide from last year here.
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