Basket Case
These one-of-a-kind Serena & Lily Senagalese storage baskets are handcrafted by artisans in Africa and add an earthy yet simple touch. Perfect for holding anything from toys and craft supplies to linens and laundry, they’re great for new parents, hobbyists or your design-savvy mom.
$68–$290 at serenaandlily.com
No Small Change
Make your little one’s sky-high hopes a reality by stashing extra change in this precious sterling silver rocket ship bank by Tiffany & Co. There’s nothing like saving in style.
$1,975 at Tiffany & Co., 350 Post St., 415-781-7000, tiffany.com
Branching Out
Bring flowers back to their roots with these gorgeous Wild Woodland tree trunk and branch vases by Bay Area ceramicist Sherry Olsen. Her organic forms bring nature inside—your recipient’s coffee table will get an instant upgrade.
$18–$28 at Anthropologie, 880 Market St., 415-434-2210, anthropologie.com
Green Thumb
Bring the garden indoors with Pottery Barn’s decorative terrarium. This weathered, antique-looking version is crafted from responsibly harvested pine and resembles a greenhouse, so your nature-loving friend can fill it to the brim with potted plants and natural objects—cause for a follow-up visit to Paxton Gate.
$129 at Pottery Barn, 2390 Market St., 415-861-0800, potterybarn.com
Home Plate
San Francisco artist Tina Frey's resin bowls may look fit for a museum, but they’re dishwasher safe and shatter-resistant, making them an irresistible option for those who love to entertain. Choose from blue, gray, red, green, yellow, and ebony brown.
$20–$240 at tinafreydesigns.com
The Bargain
Tin Sense
Herbs and spices are no longer just for cupboards. Himalayan Trading Post’s spice tin candles scent the home in fragrances such as patchouli ginger, campfire, and vanilla hazelnut. The distressed ivory-on-metal design lends a shabby-chic air to any room.
$18 at himalayantradingpost.com
Snuggle Up
Snuggies may be acceptable at the ballpark, but they’re not so cool at home on a mid-century couch. Opt for the real deal with Serena & Lily’s chunky throw made of super-soft Australian wool, which will keep your loved ones toasty while roasting chestnuts on the open fire.
$265 at serenaandlily.com
Wall-to-Wall
Deck the walls with handcrafted paper art by renowned textile designer Sondra Alexander. Working from her San Francisco Victorian turned studio, she uses only the highest quality, eco-friendly materials and recycled and recyclable papers to create the most dynamic designs. The Cloisonné, Moiré, and Summer of Love patterns are our favorites. Perfect for friends who are remodeling, the wallpaper can be purchased through designers, who you can locate through local design centers.
$70 per 24x36 sheet for Summer of Love and $76 per yard for Cloisonné and Moiré; yangki.com
In the Doghouse
Having pets shouldn’t mean sacrificing style. This eco-friendly DIY doggie duvet kit by local pet company Molly Mutt is an affordable solution to maintaining the status of your home décor. The set includes two easy-to-wash dog duvets and a stuff sack, all of which make keeping a clean, chic pooch-friendly house simple as pie.
$91 at Cheengo, 2250 Union St., 415-337-8481, mollymutt.com
Monkey Business
Life shouldn’t be taken too seriously. In collaboration with Iomoi, this monkey catch-all tray of hand-poured brass was sculpted by a New York artist. Irreverent and playful, this piece will add a touch of flair to your desk as a business card holder or to your dresser cradling jewelry or trinkets.
$168 at iomoi.com
Add-OnThis one goes out to the nerd in your life. Turn math into art with this interactive CB2 abacus featuring diamond-shaped rubberwood beads and an iron framework. The wall piece comes unassembled, meaning creating and recreating a pattern to suit your geek’s fancy is part of the fun.
$149 at CB2, 34 Ellis St., 415-834-9370, cb2.com
