cincinnatimodern’s favorite things XII

by Susan RissoverNov 23, 2022ModObjects0 comments

12th annual gift guide for modern design addicts

Calling all design junkies! If you are like me, you may find yourself less and less attracted to random “stuff” and more interested in enduring objects that spark joy. While experiential gifts are always a great alternative, sometimes you need to purchase wrap-able gifts for those on your list – or put something tangible on your own list. And because I have an undeniable practical streak in me, most of these things are pretty useful, too

Please enjoy our 12th annual installment of cincinnatimodern’s favorite things. We hope you will appreciate our hand chosen and curated list of this year’s gifts of accessible good design. And check out the links at the bottom for previous lists of tried and true favorites.

This might well be our favorite Charley Harper painting. The modern house! The stylized people! Perfection! Perhaps with enough encouragement the Harper art studio would make prints of it? We can only hope!

igloo retro coolers – We love these Igloo retro coolers in many fun designs, but absolutely could not resist the Scooby Doo Mystery machine! Zoinks!

Jonathan Adler Ornaments – I have always been inexplicably drawn to these whimsical ornaments by ceramic artist Jonathan Adler. Each year features a new assortment for collecting. Feel free to ignore the seasonal application and create a year round menagerie of these adorable stylized animals.

Ikea Dejsa Lamp – These super affordable Ikea glass mushroom lamps are selling out everywhere and are destined to make it to classic status. There are even #ikeahacks to cover the base with vinyl (as shown in the pic below in GREEN) or wood!

Ikea dejsa lamp as it comes with mushroom colored glass base

#ikeahack dejsa lamps covered in kelly green vinyl. yummy!

Circa Bedwrap – Sometimes you just have to deal with a bed on an old school bed frame. But who wants a “fru fru” bedskirt to cover the ugly frame? Cincinnati based Standard Textile came up with this genius solution to turn traditional into sleek. We love how it looks in the guest room at the #roushlakehouseproject (see pic above with the green lamps). It’s a cinch to put it on, too!

Atomic Mobiles – I’ve always loved mobiles and stabiles. Probably dating back to my childhood memories of Toledo’s Franklin Park Mall with a huge Calder installation just outside the J.L. Hudson’s Department Store. I had no idea who did it or what it was, but I knew I loved it. Atomic Mobiles makes mobiles in so many sizes, styles & colors that can be custom ordered. I’ll take a green one, please.

Love it Lighting Globe Lights – Taking a page from the Case Study 22 (Stahl House) playbook, you absolutely cannot go wrong with a simple globe light! What sets these particular ones from Love it Lighting apart is that they can be ordered for indoor or outdoor use, in glass or acrylic, and in several sizes. We have used these extensively and always opt for the acrylic ones for outdoor use.

To go with your globe lights (and other lights) we also think very highly of these C by GE led bulbs and wireless switches (and or remotes) to control the lights. The full spectrum bulbs are fun for different seasons and can be fully controlled via the GE, Google and other smart home apps.

Cacala Towels – Love the bright colors available in these attractive and fast drying Turkish towels. Great for bathroom and kitchen use.

Hewi hooks – Ever since I first saw it in the 1980’s, I’ve been a huge fan of Hewi architectural hardware. Since 1969, the German company has been delighting designers & consumers with seemingly endless choices of bold bright colored door levers, pulls & hooks. Today they have an extensive line of well designed barrier free solutions as well. We have lots of original Hewi hardware at the #roushlakehouseproject and these recent addition yellow hooks on the porch were just what we needed for drying beach towels.

Architourism Book – Silly me! I thought we invented architourism. Haha – guess not. Here is a guidebook for your next road trip. There is also a west coast version. Happy Trails!

and for kids of all ages:

If you are local in Cincinnati, you can pick up these adorable Charley Harper board books (and a multitude of other Harper items) at one of the several Fabulous Frames & Art locations. Or order from their website.

Newfields Mobile Book – Remember my obsession with mobiles? What a great winter activity – a make your own mobile book! Our friend Jenny at Newfields is known for choosing the best gifts and objets d’art for her shop – way worth clicking around their website!

Playable Art Cube – Another great Newfields find, and not just for kids! I also may be a little obsessed with rainbow colors, so this is right up my alley!

**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 and 2021 for many more modern classics!

And don’t forget to shop local:

City Flea Holiday Market – December 17 & 18 at Washington Park
Crafty Supermarket – November 26 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 12^th 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!
Leftcoast Modern – new 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. Don’t miss the annual Harper Art Show December 4.
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