13th annual gift guide for modern design addicts

Susan & Arlen of cincinnatimodern sporting our Stormy Kromer hats with our friend Jenny, Director of Retail Services at Newfields / Indianapolis Museum of Art at last year’s Winterlights

As we round the corner to the holidays, we take time to give thanks for 20 years of selling the most amazing homes in town, and dealing with clients who become friends, and friends who become clients. 

It is our 13th year of sharing our annual favorite things list.  We are so thrilled you are here to check out our curated collection of well designed objects that we have found and have enjoyed in our everyday life.  Perhaps something here will spark joy for you or someone on your gift list!

Stormy Kromer hats | You know we have a major soft spot for the Peanuts gang at Christmas, and what better way to pay homage than with a hat like Charlie Brown?!  Stormy Kromer out of Ironton, MI has been supplying the world with hand made, well designed and warm as toast caps since 1903.  And they come in many colors, plaids and sizes for the perfect fit (pro tip: size up one size from what the chart tells you). 

Grimm’s Rainbow Tunnel | Beautiful, educational (hello: roy g. biv) and addictive to play with for all ages (we may have bought this for our granddaughter, and we may have decided to keep it at the lake house for everyone to play with🤷‍♀️). Also, there is something about a simple wooden toy that just feels classic and takes us back to our childhoods. 

Kikkerland Bird Box Cutters |  These were in everyone’s stocking at our house last year.  They are the sure cure for Amazon-esia and are the safe way to open any box or mailer with their little ceramic beaks.  Don’t these just scream “come on get happy?” 

Glitter String Cone Trees | Modern, simple and super easy to store (they nest).  they sold out fast last year, so get them while the getting is good!  

on the left is the stock photo, and on the right are the trees at our lake house.  as you can see, the LED light color is a bit warmer in real life than in the stock photo.

Charley Harper Charcuterie Boards | Aren’t these gorgeous?  Made of solid walnut with a two-color epoxy inlay. All wood is sourced from a local lumber mill 45 miles outside of Cincinnati, and each piece is hand-crafted from start to finish at the Nielsen Moderne workshop in nearby Milford. 

Snapfish Photo Books | Our favorite gifts for clients to commemorate selling their family home. Easy and fun to put together, they are great gifts for many occasions. It’s worth the little bit extra to add additional pages and to do the ‘lay flat’ option.  Make sure you check for coupons! 

Peg Perego Siesta High Chair |  Always fans of well designed baby gear, the recent birth of our granddaughter led us to this Italian designed high chair.  It has wheels and adjusts for newborn through toddler years. Looks pretty sleek at Zuzu & Pops house, and when not in use, it compactly folds for storage in our hall closet.

Bold AF mobile | How cool that the mobile at our lake house was featured in an Atomic Mobiles ad!  What an amazing pop of color.  You can choose your own colors and hang the circles in any order.  #dailypopofgreen

Midcentury Chairs Scarf | Our friend Jenny @ Newfields (in picture with us above) gifted me one of these for my birthday.  With Eames & Jacobsen chairs, what a fun subtle way to let others know that you know #iykyk

Ackerman Modern Labyrinth Rug  |  We have been Evelyn & Jerome Ackerman fans pretty much ever since we discovered their work and were thrilled when cb2 came out with a collaboration this year reissuing some of their famous designs.  The tall fireplace wall at our lake house stayed empty for 3 years until we found just the right piece.  We ended up purchasing this 5 x 8 ft (New Zealand wool) rug, and hanging it as if it were a tapestry. Voila!  cb2 even liked the idea so much they asked for permission to use our photo in their advertising.  #dailypopofgreen

Chilewich Rainbow Mat |  This fits in quite well with our rainbow theme at the lake house and makes a happy accompaniment to the green door & globe light.  #dailypopofgreen

Heller cubes | Benches, tables, stools – these super versatile cubes are as functional as they are fun.  You already know we are Heller fanatics and the saturated gumball colors are addictive.  Like many of the items here, they are right at home at the lake house.  #dailypopofgreen

**items on this list were curated entirely by us.  we do not receive any compensation for recommending these items**

That’s it for this year!  But check out our previous lists from 2011, 2012, 2013 ,2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018,  2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 for many more modern classics!

And don’t forget to shop local:

• City Flea Holiday Market – December  9 & 10  at Washington Park
• Crafty Supermarket – November 25 at Music Hall Ballroom
• Hunky Dory Studio – available online or at Crafty Supermarket
• Fern– THE source for modern plants and planters 6040 Hamilton Ave, College Hill and 737 E McMillan, Walnut Hills
• MiCA 12/v – corner of 12th and Vine in OTR
• Artichoke OTR – coolest kitchen gadgets anywhere.  Adjacent to Findlay Market.
• Highley Vintage – Riverside Antique Mall 3742 Kellogg Avenue 45226. The rest of the mall is fun to browse around, too!
• Midcentury Modern Rescue – find them on instagram @midcenturymodernrescue and by appointment at their Mariemont shop. 
• Leftcoast Modern – 1326 Vine St. gallery in OTR
• Mainly Art – 3711 Madison Road, Oakley
• Modern Art Jewelry– 8316 Plainfield Road, Deer Park
• Fabulous Frames and Art – the definitive source for all things Charley, Edie, and Brett Harper.  Several locations around town including Montgomery, Kenwood, Tri County and Downtown. 
• Cincinnati Zoo – memberships and gift items that support conservation and our local treasure
• cf3 – gift membership to cincinnati’s only group dedicated to the preservation and celebration of midcentury modern design & architecture

Thanks to all of our cincinnatimodern followers for another great year.  We would not be celebrating 20 amazing years of cincinnatimodern without your support.  Peace, love and a happy healthy new year to all 💚