This morning Kate gave us her holiday gift list — she was focused on gift ideas for someone who doesn’t want more stuff. Me, I wanted to spotlight ideas for gifts that are still made from original midcentury designs and designers. The “real deal”, not interpretations or knock-offs. Following are my top-10 ideas, not in any particular order.
1. Eva Zeisel floating picture frames
My first pick is a set of three Eva Zeisel floating picture frames (closeup shown above). These were designed by Eva when she was 104. What is particularly super cool about these is that you can change out the artwork they showcase very easily — the frames are set out from the wall, and the artwork is adhered with strong magnets. Beautiful and supremely useful, too — now that is great design! These look to be on sale for $90 for the holiday season, from Wexel Art.
2. Vintage Vera Neumann tablecloth
I also love my Vintage Vera. It’s kind of hard to keep track of where you can find housewares and clothing based on her design. Every time I go to look at all my complete source list for Vera Neumann designs, the product line and links have changed. This time around, my favorite is the Vintage Vera Flowering Branch table cloth from Bed, Bath & Beyond. There are matching serviettes, too. I can always use more tablecloths!
3. Eames House of Cards set
Ray and Charles Eames’ delightful The House of Card sets were first produced in 1952. Each card — which is printed with playful images — has six slots — and you can build the cards into structures. Hours of fun for the kids (of any age) — and no batteries or digital headaches (imagine that!) involved. They come in three sizes, small, medium or large:
5. Gainey Cylinder Planter
The Gainey Cylinder Planter has been in production since the early 1960s, with minor tweaks. Still Made-in-the-USA, still family-owned.
6. Lagardo Tackett planters by Vessel USA
These are spendier; I never said this was a blog only about the cheap-and-cheerful; sometimes it’s a blog about the green-with-envy really expensive designer stuff. I wrote a big story about Lagardo Tackett planter designs a year ago: “In 1998 Vessel USA resurrected the iconic ceramics originally made famous by Max and Rita Lawrence’s Architectural Pottery company beginning in 1950. These LaGardo Tackett planters — which comprise the largest portion of Vessel USA’s line today — accessorized the famous Case Study houses, and were featured in a Museum of Modern Art exhibit as early as 1951.”
I want to marry the planter above.
7. Festivo candlesticks by Timo Sapraneva for iittala:
I don’t need any more glass candlesticks, but if I did I would ask for these: Festivo candlesticks designed in 1966 by Timo Sarpaneva for iittala. At Finnstyle — which has little round candles made just for these candlesticks — and other places online.
8. Charley Harper Travel Posters
Some time in the late 20th century, the famed illustrator Charley Harper designed a series of travel posters for the National Park Service. You can still get the last of these posters — the original stock — from the U.S. Government Bookstore — at great prices — several sizes — free shipping — no taxes. This is gonna be a really cheap and cheerful — yet still authentic midcentury — gift. Continue to keep it affordable by checking out our recent story, 9 afforadble ways to hang a picture or poster.
Psych! I am still hunting for my # 9 and #10 picks for my 10-item gift list this year. I’m being picky. I am always picky.
Annie B. says
Really late here, but how about Blenko glassware??
pam kueber says
You’re not too late at all!
Kristen says
Amac boxes?
Shelly in PHX says
Don Featherstone pink flamingos! Nothing to store/dust, fun in multiples, inexpensive, and still made from the original design molds.
pam kueber says
Yes, always a classic!
Janet in CT says
Those picture frames are fantastic! I especially love the idea about how simple it is to change the picture whenever you want, suited to the season or the theme or the time period. Lovely idea!
tammyCA says
What about Haeger Potteries from the good ole Midwest? In business for 140 yrs!
http://www.haegerpotteries.com/haeger.php?section_id=3
Not exactly hard to find since they sell at Crate & Barrel, Penneys, etc. but still MC. (I wonder now if that is where my aunt got her black panther sitting on the t.v. set in the ’50s/’60s since she lived in the same town.)
Kkmk says
I would love an Eichler house Santa! http://www.houseplans.com/eichler-modern-plans
Lynne says
How about the bullet planters from Hip Haven?
Stacia says
I love fiestaware but have this weird thing where I don’t think the food looks as good on all those colors. I also wanted new dishes, because I wouldn’t want to put my vintage ones in the dishwasher and with 3 kids, handwashing is out of the question. So I got the Homer Loughlin diner dishes. I mixed stripes and checks in 3 colors. Same made in USA, and coordinates with Fiesta for accessories. Here they are at Macy’s:
http://www1.macys.com/search/index.ognc?SearchTarget=*&cm_sp=navigation-_-top_nav-_-search&Keyword=homer+loughlin
Rebecca Prichard says
Plus the vintage have lead in them!
pam kueber says
See this story that Kate did, in which we ask the maker of Fiesta ware about the lead issue –> https://retrorenovation.com/2012/07/05/fiesta-dinnerwares-newest-color-flamingo-plus-made-in-usa/
Robin, NV says
I’m in love with those Charley Harper prints. I have several of the old WPA National Park posters but would love to add some midcentury works to the collection. I especially like the Sierra Range print, probably because the Sierras are my backyard!
How about some C. Jere sculptures? I inherited my grandmother’s C. Jere and it hangs proudly in my dining room. I have the “bandstand” (my grandfather taught music at the University of Oregon) but would like to have one more of my own choosing. I’m fond of the “raindrops” and “seaside village” sculptures.
pam kueber says
Love Jere sculptures, but my list is for “new items you can buy today” but that are midcentury designer authentic…
Rebecca Prichard says
Is this cool? Does it follow your criteria?
I think it’s great. I saw it at the MOMA Museum store and loved it. I actually got for Xmas. I think it’s a great gift because buying a toy for yourself is kinda hard to rationalize. 🙂
http://www.colorforms.com/classic-60.htm?CF_CC_C60