From affordable stocking stuffers to practical housewares and cozy winter attire, these are the items your fellow design enthusiasts have been adding to their shopping carts lately.
The holiday shopping season is upon us, and the Dwell team is always on the hunt for new gift ideas. We turned to our audience to see what items were trending, and the results did not disappoint. The most sought-after products from Dwell readers last month include lots of goodies from our holiday gifts under $25 guide, as well as a number of items that were also popular picks in October, such as a sleek, over-the-sink drying rack and a neon accent light recommended by our creative director.
Food52 Five Two Over-the-Sink Drying Rack
The Five Two Drying Rack rolls out, fits over your sink, and stows away in seconds. Silicone-coated stainless steel holds up under hefty pots and supports delicate glassware, while a perforated ledge and built-in utensil caddy makes room for all the extras. The rack and caddy are designed to promote extra air-flow, which makes for quicker drying times, too.
Gate 35 Bug Hotel
Give tired bugs and insects a place to stay in your garden! Attracting bees, butterflies, ladybirds and a host of other insects, this bug hotel offers a safe place for insects to rest, hibernate, nest and lay eggs away from prying predators. With tubes and holes of various sizes and different kinds of nesting materials, and made from environmentally friendly materials.
Case Study Houses: The Complete CSH Program 1945–1966
A complete retrospective of the Case Study Houses program. The Case Study House program (1945–1966) was an exceptional, innovative event in the history of American architecture and remains to this day unique. The program, which concentrated on the Los Angeles area and oversaw the design of 36 prototype homes, sought to make available plans for modern residences that could be easily and cheaply constructed during the postwar building boom. The program’s chief motivating force was Arts & Architecture editor John Entenza, a champion of modernism who had all the right connections to attract some of architecture’s greatest talents, such as Richard Neutra, Charles and Ray Eames, and Eero Saarinen. Highly experimental, the program generated houses that were designed to redefine the modern home, and had a pronounced influence on architecture—American and international—both during the program’s existence and even to this day.
Flint and Tinder Wool Camp Socks
Chunky wool blend socks keep your toes toasty and add a touch of classic style to any outfit. Pair these with your favorite boots, jeans, and a flannel, and you’ve got a certified classic fall outfit on your hands. Plus they’re functional—the wool blend keeps your toes nice and toasty whether the weather’s fair or foul.
HAY Neon Tube LED
Designed to look like a neon tube, this long-lasting, energy-efficient light is made with an integrated LED. Hang it on a wall, place it on a table, or stand it upright in a corner to add dramatic atmosphere and colorful glow to any space. It’s available in a range of colors that can be mixed and matched to create an interesting light installation. Bulb: 12W LED. ETL Listed.
Reset the Table Conversation Cards
U.S. Women’s National Team members and World Cup champions Megan Rapinoe, Christen Press, Tobin Heath, and Meghan Klingenberg created re—inc, a purpose-driven lifestyle brand to boldly reimagine the status quo and champion equity, creativity, progress, and art. They host Reset the Table events, at which they use conversation cards as an invitation to spark dialogue. Now available to the public for the first time, these Reset the Table Conversation Cards inspire exploration, collaboration, and reflection with others. Encased in a tray and sleeve with silver letterpress, these 20 cards with 40 thoughtful questions plus an instruction card can be used as starting points to dream big, think differently, and act with purpose.
Wellen Quilted Sweatpants
Endlessly comfortable and effortlessly cool—these are lightweight sweats for staying stylish and comfortable at the same time. The Quilted Sweats are designed with a dialed-in fit that never sags, and their breathable, lightweight build is perfectly suited for year-round lounging.
Greys The Outdoor Slipper Boot
Sliding into a pair of Greys slippers gives you the same satisfying feeling as a nice, steep pour of bourbon after a long day. A cozy wool blend keeps your feet nice and toasty, while the grippy rubber sole lets you take them beyond the bedroom—whether you’re venturing across the slippery kitchen floor or across the street to your local coffee shop. The shape is handsome enough to keep your neighbors from raising any eyebrows, while a thoughtful, stub-proof toe box keeps you from shouting expletives in public. Every pair is naturally moisture-wicking and odor-resistant, and comes with a leather pull-on tab to easily slip ‘em off (though we’re not sure why you’d ever want to).
Ilex Studio Avocado Vase
Weird to think we usually only see about half of an entire plant above the ground, while the interweaving, ever changing system of roots grows in every direction beneath the surface. Ilex Studio sheds a bit of light on the unsung hero of the plant world, giving you an in-depth look at the equally beautiful roots system thanks to their Avocado Vase. Built from premium glass and remarkably easy to use, this vase looks right at home on any desk or table. You’ll quickly appreciate the detailed intricacies that make plants so unique, all while helping the planet by growing another tree.
Peugeot Whiskey Tasting Set
A French-designed set that chills your whiskey while enhancing its aroma. When you get ahold of the good stuff—a WhistlePig 15 Year, a Booker’s 30th Anniversary, a Macallan 18—you can’t just pour it in a coffee mug. Well you can, but this set will extract far more pleasure out of your well-deserved investment. The Peugeot Impitoyable Whiskey Tasting Set is designed to hold back the alcohol burn while releasing the subtle aromas of the spirit. At the same time, the base cools your whiskey to around 45°F in just a few minutes without any ice dilution, letting you enjoy the good stuff in the best way possible.
Whiskey Peaks Pacific Northwest - Set of 4
Sippin’ on the rocks. While there's nothing quite like taking a swig from a beat-up flask at the top of a mountain, it's unrealistic to think we can experience that exact moment every Thursday at 7 pm. Thankfully, there's Whiskey Peaks to help channel that same energy with a more "Don Draper" attitude. This collection consists of a handsome set of four handblown whiskey glasses made from premium lead-free glass. Featuring a raised topographic impression of some of the greatest, most majestic peaks in the world, Whiskey Peaks will keep you inspired and sippin’ "on the rocks" whenever 5 o'clock calls.
Haoma Earth Soap
Formulated for body, face, and hands, this gently exfoliating cold-processed soap creates a rich cleansing lather that fortifies the skin's natural moisture barrier, leaving your skin fresh, clean, and deeply hydrated.
Full Windsor The Muncher - Multi-Tool Utensil
This ain’t your dad’s camp spork. This is The Muncher, an incredibly useful update to the classic utilitarian utensil. Full Windsor took the spork, already an item built to maximize utility, and carefully, deliberately packed it to the brim with 10 different functions that’ll come in handy no matter where you find yourself pulling it out, all at a featherlight 0.7 oz. Photo Courtesy of Full Windsor
Nocs Standard Issue 8x25 Waterproof Binoculars
Compact enough to be at the ready in your glove compartment or on your window ledge, these rugged binoculars are also waterproof and fogproof. Featuring superior optics and 8x magnification, the binoculars are designed with twist-out eye cups, so you can hold your smartphone up to the lens and get some great shots.
Design Within Reach Note Side Chair
While designing the Note Chair (2017), Kristoffer Fagerström, Charlotte Ackemar, and the rest of the members of Note Design Studio examined many different chairs to find the most comfortable angles and measurements. "We changed every angle and millimeter over and over again to find the right comfort and aesthetics," Fagerström says. The result is a chair with graceful weight, astonishing comfort, and exceptional durability. Stacks up to six high. Made in Thailand.
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