09 Jul Things We Love

Nesting Bowl Set by Alexandra Geller

We’ve found the perfect gift for the culinary artist: this creative set of nesting bowls, handmade by ceramicist Alexandra Geller. Working from her studio in Easthampton, Massachusetts, Geller draws inspiration from the ceramic vessels of ancient cultures. The bowls are hand-thrown on a wheel, using non-toxic stoneware clay, and fired at 2,200 degrees. Then, she glazes each one in a range of colors, including robin’s egg blue, hyacinth, spring green, and pumpkin. We love that they are distinctly beautiful and safe for the dishwasher, microwave, and oven (if they are put in the oven during pre-heating). 

Set of seven: $795
Largest bowl: 9 x 4.5 inches
alexandrageller.com 

Mission-Style Vanity from James Martin Vanities

If it’s time to update a bathroom and the desire is to create a relaxing retreat, James Martin Vanities may be just the ticket. The company produces bathroom vanities with the look of fine furniture. They add distinctive details to their chosen specialty: birch cabinets are sealed inside and out with a premium coat of finish for superior moisture resistance, and drawer bottoms are lined with their signature brushed aluminum laminate. We love this classic Mission design that’s based on 1820s and 1830s apothecary styles. With a honey alder finish and rustic iron hardware, this piece offers simple luxury and Craftsman style.

$5,457
71.5 x 22 x 34.25 inches
jamesmartinfurniture.com

 On the Roof of the Rocky Mountains by Sarah Chase Shaw

Colorado-based author and landscape architect Sarah Chase Shaw’s newest book is a celebration of the global reach of the alpine ecosystem and the unique climate that supports and sustains the hardy plants and animals that inhabit it. On the Roof of the Rocky Mountains: The Botanical Legacy of Betty Ford Alpine Gardens focuses on the gardens in Vail, Colorado, that were named in honor of the former First Lady, an avid gardener and part-time resident of the town. The Betty Ford Alpine Gardens showcase over 3,000 plant species and are open to the public from dawn to dusk. Shaw’s descriptive writing is accompanied by captivating photography of landscapes that few visit and even fewer inhabit. Published by Gibbs Smith, it’s sure to be a hit with garden lovers. 

$45 hardcover
276 pages
12 x 12 inches
bettyfordalpinegardens.org

 Indigo Bunting Bronze Vessel  by Melissa Cooper

Melissa Cooper grew up in Colorado with an appreciation for wildlife and art. Both of her parents are artists — her mother a china painter and her father a sculptor — and for 10 years, she assisted her father in finishing pieces at the foundry before sculpting her own works. That early practice paid off, and today, Cooper’s bronze animal sculptures are celebrated for their display of emotions. Her work was selected for inclusion in the  30th annual Colorado Governor’s Invitational Show in 2021, held in Loveland. We especially love this vessel for its unusual design, exhibiting the delicate habitat of buntings in sturdy bronze.

$4,100
36 x 12 x 8 inches
melissajcooper.com

Serbelloni Office Chair by Vico Magistretti

Working from home has become the new norm, so it’s a great time to bring comfort with a side of panache into your office with this Serbelloni Office Chair. It was designed by Vico Magistretti [1920 – 2006], who was dubbed one of the founding fathers of Italian design and received many awards, including recognition from the Royal Scottish Incorporation of Architects and the Royal College of London. The versatility of this chair is admirable; its base, on five polished chrome-plated steel spokes with black swivel casters, makes it suitable for carpeted floors, while the gray casters with soft treads and brakes are better for hardwood or stone floors. Made in Italy and available at Suite NY, the chair’s cowhide upholstery comes in Bulgarian red, brown, or black. 

$4,910
Approximately 28 x 28 x 37 inches
suiteny.com 

Outdoor Capistrano Daybed from Serena & Lily

We love the airy notes of this daybed, which is covered in Sunbrella canvas, a material that repels water and stands up to extreme sun exposure. Its other durable qualities include a weather-friendly resin and aluminum frame that’s finished to look like sun-bleached rattan. Completing the look, a French mattress, detailed with self-piping edges and button tufting, stands up nicely summer after summer. This daybed is perfect for lounging in the morning, at noon, or by night while counting the stars. Serena & Lily, based in Sausalito, California, is known for producing innovative, high-quality home furnishings with classic influences and modern lines. And the company’s motto comes to fruition in this dreamy piece: “We believe home should be a welcoming oasis — your favorite place to retreat, gather, and live well every day.”

$2,798
79.5 x 42.5 x 32 inches
serenaandlily.com

 Bee & Bee Puzzle from Wentworth Wooden Puzzles

Made in the heart of the British countryside, this creatively crafted puzzle will delight game aficionados. The Bee & Bee Puzzle contains dozens of “whimsies,” or uniquely shaped wooden pieces designed to match its theme. Not only artistic, it also shares a message and was designed by artist John Francis to help spread awareness about the importance of bees. Best of all, Wentworth Wooden Puzzles donates a portion of this puzzle’s proceeds to the Bumblebee Conservation Trust. 

250 peices: $49.50
500 pieces: $97.50
wentworthpuzzles.com/us

Crossbody Rattan Bag from The Little Market

The Little Market is a nonprofit fair-trade shop featuring ethically-sourced, artisan-made products. It was established in 2012 after co-founders Lauren Conrad and Hannah Skvarla took a trip to Tanzania and Uganda and met women who were making beautiful products but needed a bigger marketplace. They decided to establish a business with the mission that “every person has the right to dignified, safe jobs and fair, living wages.” The company sells a variety of home décor, accessories, and spa items. This trendy crossbody bag, for example, is handwoven by Cambodian women. The process for creating it requires a month to harvest, dry, and prepare the materials. And then, it takes a minimum of three days to complete the weaving. The classic rattan bag, with a leather strap and closure, is the perfect complement to any casual outfit, and it helps a good cause.

$128 | Approximately 8 x 3 inches
thelittlemarket.com