Home Furnishings

[November 26th, 2008]

52 Don’t Throw These Pillows

Don’t short yourself on pillows. This is your head we’re talking about, and you don’t want to lay it down just anywhere. Beautify your sofa and support a local crafter by picking up a pair of these lovely, hand-stitched throw pillows by Rebekah Dortmund ($38-$68. Noun, 3300 SE Belmont St., 235-0078). Dortmund, who sells many other creations at littlebyrdortmund.etsy.com, created the two-fabric design exclusively for the adorable Belmont Street shop. They’re made from very fine wool and upholstery fabric, and we had a very hard time returning the ones we borrowed for the photo shoot. (BW)

53 Trompe L’oeil

If you’ve ever lived in New York (or watched Law & Order, for that matter), you’ll feel a twinge of nostalgia at the “We are happy to serve you” cup from designer Graham Hill ($12. Canoe, 1136 SW Alder St., 889-8545). The iconic “Anthora” paper cup, introduced to the city in 1963, has been flawlessly translated into lead-free earthenware ceramic. New Yorkers go through almost 200 million of the paper version a year, but you can keep this one for life. (BW)

54 Ooh, That Smell

When you want scented soy-wax candles, remember: Serenity by Jan is not the answer. Skip the inferior imitators and go for the gold standard: Portland-made Pacifica candles come in a dizzying variety of scents, from standards like sandalwood and juniper to the surprising Mexican cocoa and Thai lemongrass. Try them all with a nine-candle assortment of either fruit and flower or wood and spice scents ($50. New Seasons Market, various locations, newseasonsmarket.com), or, for a more modest gift, pick up a three-piece set of body butter, solid perfume and a single candle in one scent for $16. (BW)

55 Shameless Geekery

Given that this is Portland, you probably have at least a dozen freelance graphic designers on your shopping list. I think I ran over five or six of the buggers on the way to work this morning; they’re everywhere. And even if you don’t think these Pantone mugs ($12. Tilde, 7919 SE 13th Ave., 234-9600, tildeshop.com) are ingenious, trust us—they will. Each standard-size mug comes in a bright Pantone shade and has the reference number on the bottom. Stock your cubicle with reference mugs and you’ll never come up short in a design-pitch meeting again. (BW)

56 Sheepish Modern

Seattle designer Brandon Perhacs had a stroke of genius the day he invented the eweTUBE vase ($39. Tilde, 7919 SE 13th Ave., 234-9600, tildeshop.com). It’s a surprisingly simple design: two sheets of merino wool felt fastened with metal rivets to form a stand for a test tube—pop a flower in it and you’re ready to go. The ensemble, which comes flat-packed with a spare test tube and a hex wrench for assembly, can be turned on its side to hold two tubes at once. Bonus: nice pun. (BW)

57 Precious Plates

There are way too many beautiful ceramics at the Hawthorne Boulevard headquarters of elsa+sam (4314 SE Hawthorne Blvd., 517-9942, elsasam.com) to list here, so we just picked our favorite, representative sample: the Small ’Hood Plate from tiny Boulder outfit Dovetail Studio ($26) adorns an irregular platter of fine, vitrified porcelain with a whimsical illustration of urban tenements. Other Dovetail pieces bear images of bicycles, octopuses or flying skulls. (BW)

58 Lip Toupee

I can’t really grow a mustache. It comes in strong around the edges but never grows to maturity. Thanks to Amanda Siska, though, I don’t need one. The Portland artist behind Bread and Badger has managed to turn her mustache pint glass ($15. Breadandbadger.com) into a full-time gig. The design has been licensed by Urban Outfitters, and it’s easy to see why: Lift a pint of ale to your lips, take a deep draught and—presto!— you’ve got a curly mustache befitting a true Western villain. (BW)

59 No Question

“Where should I put my coat?” You’ll never have to answer again with the Here! wall hook by Fred and Friends ($10. Artful Goods, 1233 SW 10th Ave., 295-3022). This emphatic arrow indicates beyond any question exactly where your guests should hang their hats. Now if only Fred would invent some sort of blinking neon “This way to the bathroom” sign. Then we would be set. (BW)

60 Rockin’ Bowl

If you can’t find that rare EP for the turntable lover on your list, turn to Christine Claringbold’s EyePopArt (eyepopart.etsy.com), where you can procure lots of functional art made from scuffed-up old records painted with bright acrylic. Pick up a wrist cuff ($10-$24) for the couch-surfing concertgoer or, for a giftee who actually owns a coffee table, the crinkle-edged mandala fruit bowls are a great choice ($58). (MHW)

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