Gift Guide: 5 Ideas by Toronto Designers
Great holiday goodies, straight from the studios of the city’s busiest elves
This holiday season, skip the ordinary and give something extraordinary. Our curated gift guide features unique ideas from Toronto designers, showcasing everything from industrial lights to minimalist soaps and quirky jewellery holders—perfect for those who appreciate craftsmanship and creativity.
ALL IS BRIGHT
Rob Southcott and Sarah Cooper’s Shelter Bay offers pendant lights with industrial flair. Choose from hand-welded steel-wire cages and spun steel shades in a variety of shapes and finishes. We dig this dynamic trio. From $190, at Stylegarage
MODERN MONOLITHS
Inspired by the purity of Korean bathhouses, Karen Kim created a range of super-simple soaps. Each of Binu Binu’s brick-like bars is made from natural ingredients using a traditional cold-process technique, offering a luxurious yet minimalist gift. $25 ea, at Souvenir Studios
JACKED UP
The mythical jackalope is fabled for its ferocity – making this porcelain jewellery holder designed by Ange-line Tetrault for Imm Living the perfect guardian of precious bling. Hang necklaces from the antlers and set rings in the base dish. $65, at Bergo Designs
CELESTIAL BODIES
Japanese design superstar Oji Masanori looked to the skies for inspiration for this made-in-TO carving platter. A small dish gracefully orbits a larger meat tray to provide a space for salty seasonings, while the surrounding grooves efficiently collect juices, making it as functional as it is stunning. $120, at Mjölk
ROCK BOTTOM
Leave it to the design studio behind Parts and Labour to envision a kitchen tool fit for gourmands and rock stars alike. Castor’s mortar and pestle features a beechwood bowl for soft milling and a marble dish for hard crushing, combining functionality with elegant design for the ultimate cooking experience. $100, at The Umbra Store
Originally published in Issue 4, 2016 as Stuff: Gifted Locals.
