Gift guide: For the home

Stylish decor, beyond the candle holder and vase

Hello and welcome to this week’s edition of The Bell!

Did you catch last week’s gift guide? It’s 100% focused on Asheville, NC small businesses affected by the hurricane, and features a lot of consumables for your loved ones who don’t need more stuff!

Today, my second 2024 gift guide is here: decor gifts for your loved one’s house or apartment.

Gifting decor can be as difficult as gifting clothes! The items we surround ourselves with in our intimate spaces are deeply personal. But as a decor-loving (and highly particular) person myself, there are still some things I’d be delighted to receive as a gift. And I think your friends and family will, too!

My advice when selecting your gift is: think accessories, keep it small-scale, and consider the recipient’s color palette.

And don’t be afraid to personalize! Many people love a monogram, but there are a myriad of other ways to customize a home gift: the house number, the house’s name or nickname, a family catchphrase, a reference to a tradition, a pet portrait, an inside joke, or an iconic image from the yard, such as a specific tree.

Let’s dive in!

Personalized matchboxes

Image courtesy of For Your Party.

What’s more luxe than lighting the fireplace with your home’s own custom matchbox? Your recipient can leave a bowl of these on the coffee table; it’s also such a fun memento for a guest to take home.

Or, a personalized matchbox sleeve *small business

Image courtesy of Matilda Goad.

More of a keepsake option: engrave a silver matchbox sleeve with something meaningful. It’s the modern day personalized silver cigarette case!

Matt Alford plug-in sconce *small business

Image courtesy of Matt Alford Studio.

I own this sconce, I influenced one of my friends to buy it, and it would be so easy to gift because it’s petite, doesn’t require hard-wiring, and slots in on any small patch of wall space. (I got this shade for mine.)

Tree ornaments that represent their year (or your relationship with them) *small business

Image courtesy of John Derian.

John Derian has a massive collection of very specific glass ornaments, so scroll their site for your friend’s most niche interest or popout event from the year—or something that you two love to do together, like brunch or karaoke.

Designer tissue box cover

Image courtesy of Matouk.

Your stylish friend can’t just have pops of Kleenex’s questionable graphic design distracting from her beautiful room. It’s not okay! Matouk has a lot of beautiful fabric options for the traditional/preppy/urban recipient, and I love Heather Taylor Home for a more boho/casual/country house. Weezie Towels also just launched these structured marble boxes, which would slot right in to any bedroom or bathroom.

Chic tray *small business

Image courtesy of Beata Heuman.

Everybody needs another tray. This is a fact. Trays organize stuff on the coffee table. Trays deliver breakfast in bed. Trays carry your drinks and charcuterie out to the back porch. I like the size small in this tray from The Lacquer Company, and this lightweight round one from Beata Heuman is a stunner.

Vintage silver vessel

Image courtesy of Etsy.

It’s easy (and cool) to find silver at estate sales and antiques markets. Keep your eye out throughout the year to find the perfect piece, but if you’re in a pinch, Etsy has great options. Silver plate is pretty too, and a better price point. Every household can use a small bowl for nuts, candy, or other apéritif snacks, and the glow of silver is unbeatable.

Fancy bath mat *small business

Image courtesy of Matilda Goad.

Stepping out of the shower or tub onto a really special textile is a treat. Go frilly and British with this one from Matilda Goad, or personalize this one from Weezie Towels with appliqué or embroidery.

Throw pillow *small business

Image courtesy of Svenskt Tenn.

While we’re on textiles, it’s a little bold to gift a throw pillow, but take note of your recipient’s style and color palette and your gamble will pay off! I love this understated one from Antoinette Poisson, or in contrast, this extremely punchy one from Svenskt Tenn.

Unique wall hooks *small business

Image courtesy of Svenskt Tenn.

Storage can be decorative! I equally love this feminine brass bow hook or this sturdy cast iron hook, depending on the context.

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Stay tuned for next week’s gift guide: clothing and accessories designed to last. Until then, I’ll talk to you Friday with this week’s recs.

xx Jane

P.S. If you’re looking for gifts for the homebody,

Skye McAlpine

has a beautiful guide up on her Substack.

This newsletter includes a few affiliate links. I like to shop small and don’t exclusively feature brands that are part of an affiliate program, so not all links will earn me a commission. But some will! If you plan to buy something featured in this newsletter, using my link will help support the time and love I put into writing these for you. I appreciate your support so much!