Design We Like is a blog series highlighting everyday items that complement the aesthetic sensibility of Turkel Design. By sharing these selections from our team, we hope to reveal more about our own design thinking: understated beauty, clean lines, high-quality materials, and work that is built to last. Durable rather than delicate, timeless rather than trendy, these are the essentials that are too well-designed to keep hidden in a drawer. There’s no sponsored content here—it’s a place for us to celebrate the things that we believe would fit in a Turkel Design home.
The holiday season brings both pleasures and pressures—especially for those of us with discerning people on our gift-giving list. It can be a challenge to find something that’s a perfect match for those closest to us—the gift they’ll love but don’t yet know they want. In the generous spirit of the holidays, we offer the following ideas for your loved ones with refined taste.
For old school types who still open letters
This simple yet highly functional and sculptural steel letter opener, designed by the great Enzo Mari in 1951, looks as great on a desk as it feels in the hand. The process of finding out what’s on last month’s credit card bill never felt so elevated.
For the person who can’t finish a cup of coffee
The Ember mug holds an important place between the first pour and the last sip by eliminating those pesky trips to the microwave to reheat your joe. Available in either 10- or 14-ounce sizes, the mug is something of a high-tech gadget; an accompanying app allows you to program the temperature from your smartphone. The ability to keep your beverage warm all morning long is worth the setup effort.
For someone very special who has it all, but still gets chilly
A recent trip to the London Design Festival left our designers amazed by the variety and quality of cashmere throws to be found. After reviewing many old and vaunted brands, they declared a clear winner: Begg & Co. While no doubt a splurge, this luxurious cashmere throw will become your go-to on a chilly winter’s eve. It’s sumptuous, simple, and achingly soft.
For the book lover who longs to escape
Slow Escapes: Rural Retreats for Conscious Travelers is filled with beautiful photography of dreamy escapes set in nature around the world. While leafing through its pages, it’s easy to imagine packing a light bag and disappearing into the heather. This decidedly aspirational volume looks great on a coffee table. Don’t be surprised when friends ask if you’re planning to leave town.
For the whiskey drinker who has a soft spot for Brutalism
Evoking monoliths of the Brutalist past without straying into kitsch, the Metropole Kiev decanter from LSA International is appropriately heavy and solid. (We like it so much, we’ll even forgive the common misspelling of the Ukrainian capital, “Kyiv.”) Station this decanter—made from mouth-blown glass—on a sideboard to showcase (and keep handy) your favorite tawny liquor with panache.
A home that’s fit for the holidays
At Turkel Design, we create warm modern homes that are customized to fit the life you want—the type of home that makes for memorable holiday celebrations.
How do you want to live? Contact us to start the conversation today.
