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Graham & Greene
This month interior designer Clair Strong curates her top ten interior design-inspired Christmas presents from Bath’s wonderful independent shops
Read on to find fun and creative Christmas present ideas for friends and family who love interiors as much as you do.
Clair Strong
Relaxed Maximalism: Curating a Maximalist Home with Soul
This beautiful book by Sarah Laming is out in time for Christmas.
How do you infuse your space with personality without sacrificing harmony? How do you mix colours, patterns, textures, and vintage finds to create maximalist décor? Maximalism is often thought of as an interior style with no rules but it’s a difficult look to achieve; you need knowledge and experience to create a harmonious look. Through beautiful photographs, sketches, top tips, and real room breakdowns, Relaxed Maximalism helps you embrace maximalist decor without descending into cluttered chaos.
Buy your copy from Toppings in York Street. The stunning shop features handcrafted bookcases with the store's signature rolling library ladders, lining two floors and a gallery and is a delight at Christmas.
Berdoulat egg rack
Wooden Egg Rack
An egg rack might seem an odd Christmas present, but this is the most beautiful object and will give years of pleasure. It is inspired by an 18th century egg rack, Patrick, the owner of Berdoulat, inherited. It has an oak top which holds a dozen eggs and is supported by tiny turned walnut columns capped with mother of pearl inlays.
Berdoulat in Margaret’s Buildings is worth a visit just to look at the beautiful mahogany counters and cabinets and 1840 wine display unit in this beautiful Georgian building.
The stunning shop features handcrafted bookcases with the store's signature rolling library ladders, lining two floors and a gallery and is a delight at Christmas.
Rustic Pillar Candles
The Loft is a beautiful concept store on Bartlett Street. Older Bathonians will remember shop was once Evans and Owen, which was a popular drapers and department store.
The Loft is great for all sorts of Christmas presents, but it’s always the rustic candles in a range of gorgeous, muted colours that I buy year after year for friends and family. From dusty pinks to deep olives, you’ll find a colour to match any home.
Always Sunday
Orange Fringed Velvet Cushions
A twist on a classic, Always Sunday sells gorgeous velvet cushions with a playful fringe to add detail and texture. The velvet appears to change colour depending on the light and direction of the pile and the orange colour way will really add a touch of glamour to a sofa or bed.
Always Sunday is a lifestyle and homewares store on historic Broad Street. As well as their collection of velvet cushions, you’ll find an eclectic mix of vintage objects and a stylish curation of decorative pieces for the home.
Floral Block Printed Throw
Traditional block printing techniques have been used to create the delicate floral designs on the Sherpa Throws shown on the header image. Made in Jaipur, India from lightweight cotton with a velvet frill lining, they are ideal for layering over your bedding. They come in three designs with peach, blue, yellow or red velvet frills.
You can find Graham and Green in a lovely old bake house on Walcot Street. Look at the wonderful tiles that still adorn the walls of this fabulous emporium for interiors lovers.
You can find Graham and Green in a lovely old bake house on Walcot Street. Look at the wonderful tiles that still adorn the walls of this fabulous emporium for interiors lovers.
Turquoise and Brown Pavillon Chandelier
This stunning chandelier is a present for someone very special! Created in Astier de Villatte's Paris workshop, this exquisite chandelier, with a crystalline tinkle and thousands of pearls, tassels and flowers in glints of opaline and amber is available to order in four finishes including a beautiful turquoise and brown colourway.
This chandelier of dreams will be available to order from Nam Store before Christmas. Nam is a tiny treasure trove in York Street that stocks Astier de Villatte along with a unique collection of beautiful objects d’art.
Instagram @namstore_bath
Nam Store
Old Havana Platter
Anthropologie’s exclusive Old Havana collection brings rustic charm to your table. Artisan crafted in Portugal; each crackle-glazed platter has a luminous pink edging. These platters look like pieces you’d find in an antiques shop and their faded aged look will go with any style.
Anthropologie are known for their innovative interiors’ collections and the Bath store in on New Bond Street has a great collection on the first floor. You’re bound to find something colourful, quirky and unique!
Capitol Carpets
The White Company
Blossom Light
Rust Chawley Pot
Everyone loves a beautiful pot. The textured Chawley range of pots from The White Company are skilfully crafted from terracotta in Indonesia. Each pot is moulded, baked and finished with a black coating and then put back into the fire for a cracked, antiqued effect. They’re perfect statement pieces for shelf styling.
The White Company on Northgate Street has plenty of beautiful gifts, including towels, bathrobes, candles and beautiful cashmere socks and scarves.
Flowerpot Portable Rechargeable Lamp
Designer Verner Panton's iconic Flowerpot collection is reimagined in a portable table light that features a sleek, 60's silhouette and a stunning range of colours and finishes. It is super lightweight, and you can use it indoors and outdoors. With an integrated dimmer and USB charging cable it is the perfect addition to any contemporary home.
Portable lights are huge in the interiors world so this would make the most beautiful gift for an interiors trend setter.
Holloways of Ludlow in Milsom Street are a family run business sourcing designs from the UK and Scandinavia.
Royal Crescent Ceramic Mug
A handmade Royal Crescent Ceramic Mug from local artist Wendy Calder features her pencil drawing of the iconic Royal Crescent would make a lovely gift for a friend who lives in Bath. There are two different Royal Crescent designs and one featuring the iconic Pulteney Bridge. Each mug is hand made on her potter’s wheel.
Homefront Interiors can be found in Margaret’s Buildings, a beautiful pedestrianised independent shopping street in Bath. It’s an independent homeware shop selling ethical, sustainable and artisan products for your home including home accessories, art and lighting.
Set of Sloane Cocktail Glasses
Made in Poland from high-quality glass this set of cocktail glasses are mouthblown by skilled artisans and adorned with a hand-finished, colourful dotty design. They come in a gift box so make a ready-made present. No wrapping required!
Neptune is an interior’s concept store in the old Tram Shed in Bath on Walcot Street.
I hope this has given you some ideas for some stylish interiors Christmas presents.
Neptune
If you are looking to revamp your space, working with an interior designer will really help you use your budget wisely and create a look that feels cohesive, pulled together and will stand the test of time.
We are a friendly, boutique business based in Bath, providing a range of interior design services for residential and commercial projects. With over 15 years experience, we work with a trusted network of professionals and trades offering complete design and refurbishment. From city centre apartments and retail units to large Georgian houses, our portfolio includes projects of all sizes. Our ethos is to take a collaborative approach with our clients, working with them to create spaces that meet their needs, improve their lives, and exceed their expectations.
You can see many of the projects I have worked on since 2006 on my website at www.clairstrong.co.uk or click the buttons below.