The next part of this series on Christmas Gift Guides is the home office. Now I know not everyone has, or needs, one of these but there’s no reason why we can’t look at a few gorgeous gadgets and luxurious stationery which we can use in any part of the house is there?
Personally I’m a total sucker for all that stuff and nothing makes me happier than an amazing stapler or set of gorgeous notebooks – both of which you will see here. I love the Christian LaCroix notebooks which I have in silver, black and red, but the current collection includes blush pink and cobalt. There is also a fabulous hardcover book which I have had in previous years too. On the subject of notebooks The Curious Department has some gorgeous ones for £6 and you can never go wrong with a moleskine. Throw in a couple of nice pens, a mug and some biscuits and you’re on the way for not much money. This can, of course, grow with the budget as you will see below – and don’t forget to read the captions for more ideas.
When it comes to the useful stuff then a stapler is a stapler until it’s a copper one by Tom Dixon. And don’t forget the sellotape dispenser and pen holder as well. All those will make a humdrum desk look more beautiful and perhaps, in turn, inspire better work. Well I believe in that anyway.
Next up for the office, Vitra has been making a real effort with its accessories this year and this is a great way to buy into a brand. After all we can’t all afford £3,850 for the Eames lounge chair – or perhaps we can but we just don’t have the space (let’s go with that) but the classic Eames house bird is more like it at £135 and this year it has been issued in white too as you can see in the top picture. I love it so much but it was loaned to me for the picture and, by the time you read this, will have returned to roost in the Vitra showroom. It’s limited edition and will only be available until the end of January so be quick. You can also see the low side table in the top picture which also comes in black and white and gold leaf.
Now obviously there’s all sorts of techy presents that can go with presents for this room from the camera (with a book of gorgeous photographs or a voucher to photobox or to the computer, headphones and speakers to which you can add music – in the form of vouchers or subscriptions or even, coming back round – vinyl as it is now called. Records as we called it then.
Then, of course, for the dedicated homeworker there is always the dilemma of the heating. We feel we’re not supposed to put it on in the day unless it’s actually snowing. Which is was when I took this picture at the top, but otherwise it’s cosy throws and fingerless gloves to the fore, add a scented candle for visual warmth and that garret at the top of the house is already looking more inviting. This throw is handmade in Uruguay for Aessai and helps keep the chill off, but you can find good throws all over the place these days depending on your budget.
Don’t forget a pretty carafe and glass set to encourage much water drinking throughout the day or even a great coffee machine and accessories – whether it’s a Stelton vacuum pot that stays warm, a bean grinder and expresso maker or a full on nespresso machine. This with a notebook and pen is a fabulous gift for anyone who is creative or works from home. You can swap the coffee for tea or even Gin, depending on who’s getting the present.
Finally, I’m going to mention Trouva here, I’m not being paid too (as I’m not being paid for any of these guides by the way) but it’s a clever idea and you should know about it if you don’t already. I have tried, wherever possible to link to small shops and independent businesses and Trouva is one way to find them all in one place.
Basically anyone with a bricks and mortar shop can sign up to the site, which acts like a giant online umbrella store meaning that these stores can reach more customers. You are basically shopping from small businesses and high street stores but without having to travel to them. Trouva provides a lifeline to many of these small shops who, in bad weather and remote locations, may not have many customers in their actual shop but Trouva allows them to be seen by hundreds of people every day, all of whom are looking to buy things. It’s a clever idea and we should support it.
Right there we go – home office ideas and small shops done. Drop into tomorrow for the final – the sitting room.
