Wish list 4 by Tova

We love gifts that can be used every day; beautiful objects that also serve a purpose, while transforming daily rituals.

Georg Jensen's lovely Helena Tea Egg, designed by Spanish jewelry designer Helena Rohner, is graceful and really does feel like jewelry in the hand.  its the perfect gift for the tea lover in your life. 

Helena Tea Egg $50

Alvar Aalto's iconic series of glass vases from 1936 was inspired by the waves in water, its Scandinavian origin makes it feel at home in the Pacific Northwest.  The Salmon pink adds a nice touch of color to our sometimes gray winters.  

Aalto Vase from ittala, $175.

The oiled walnut Antipasti tongs by Side-by-Side are not only the perfect hostess gift, but they have a humanitarian edge; they are produced in German workshops employing the disabled. 

Side-by-Side tongs, walnut, $25.

Ruutu Vase from iittala

Simplicity in shape. Complexity in skill and craftsmanship. Ruutu,  “diamond” in Finnish, 

is the award winning creation of Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec. 

Available in five sizes and seven colors. They are striking individually but, 

when clustered together, create an ethereal sculpture of color, light and form. $95-$295 

Holiday Gift Idea: Alvar Aalto vase from Iittala

The Aalto vase dates back to 1936 - first presented at the Paris World Fair the following year.  Its fluid, organic form is still mouth blown today at the Iittala factory.  It takes a team of seven skilled craftsmen working as one to creat one Aalto vase - an icon of modern design.  Alvar Aalto is undoubtedly one of the greatest names in modern architecture and Scandinavian design.  
$175 for the clear 6.25" version

Holiday Gifting from Inform: Staff Picks

Allison's picks.  

No. 1 is  the Aalto Vase, especially for Tulips. I love how flowers almost lay in this vase, not tight and perpendicular, there's something more relaxed and natural with this vase.

8" white Aalto Vase $185. 

 Ding dong, Droog's Bottoms Up door bell has been a favourite since we first showed it 14 years ago.  Its whimsy endeared it to me right off, and 14 years later I love it still.  

I smile every time I hear the wine glasses chime.

Droog Bottoms Up $285.

Paul Smith's limited edition Angelpoise Type 75, the iconic British table light is a newer favourite.  Only 2500 produced world wide, 130 for the North American market, this is a must have, and at $220 its a great price, especially considering Paul Smith socks go for $30 a pair.

Paul Smith classic Anglepoise Type 75, $220.

John Pawson, times 2.  the Ebony wood salad servers are elegantly minimal, pair perfectly with his salad bowl, both from When Objects Work; these two pieces are minimal perfection at its best.

John Pawson Salad tongs oiled ebony wood $160.

John Pawson Salad bowl stoneware off white $170.

Inform at the Nordic Heritage Museum with Docomomo WEWA

Inform Interiors was pleased to present remarks about Poul Kjaerholm at Docomomo WEWA's event at the Nordic Heritage Museum's Danish Modern: Design for Living exhibit.

A refreshingly interested and engaged audience had all sorts of questions and comments and most made a point of trying out the 3 Poul Kjaerholm chairs we brought in for the event, the PK25, PK22 and PK9 (left to right in the top image). Furniture is meant to be sat in after all! 

One attendee, retired architect Audrey Legh Van Horne found her way to our showroom the next day just for a promised private tour with Hillary. It was delight going through the many pieces that we have at Inform from the same era as Poul Kjaerholm's work. We toured works from Hans Wegner, Arne Jacobsen, Alvar Aalto, Gino Sarfatti, and Charles and Ray Eames. Inform is available as a resource for the design community. Please visit us often to see what's new and revisit the classics we try to have on hand at all times.