My Top 5 Interior Designer Gift Picks

Jennifer DeWitt
3 days ago
3 min read

After 21 years of designing for clients, I can tell within minutes of walking into someone's home whether they have a point of view or they just bought what was trending. There's a world of difference between homes that look curated and homes that look decorated.

These gifts are for people in the first category. Those are your friends whose homes tell a story, where quality and originality take precedence over what everyone else has. They’re the ones who would rather have one devastatingly beautiful thing than five trendy things.

These are elevated, unique, well-made items that show you understand good taste. Nothing here will be duplicated at every other house on the block.

1. Pooky The Walter Cordless Rechargeable Metal Ruched Shade Table Lamp

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I just ordered this for my own kitchen, which tells you everything you need to know.

The brass has this warm, lived-in quality that photographs beautifully but looks even better in person. The pleated shade adds texture without being fussy, and the square shape feels bold, rather than trying to disappear into the background. With tons of shade options, you can literally find something to work in any interior!

But here's what makes it brilliant: it's cordless and rechargeable. You can use it anywhere—on a console table with no outlet nearby, on a bookshelf, or moved to the patio for dinner. The portability means it goes where you need light and beauty, not just where the electrical layout allows.

2. Famille Rose Bud Vases, Set of 3

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Single-stem arrangements are having a moment, and these porcelain vases make that aesthetic feel classic, rather than minimal. The multicolored botanical pattern with birds and butterflies is intricate enough to be interesting but refined enough to work in sophisticated spaces. The glazed finish catches light beautifully, and the set of three means you can group them or separate them throughout a room depending on your mood. These little vases are also substantial enough to display on their own when empty.

3. Nesting Scalloped Hand-Marbled Trays

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These beautiful trays are made by multi-generational artisans through small-batch production, which means every single one is slightly different. The hand-marbled pattern in green and pink creates movement and depth that machine-made items simply can't replicate. The scalloped edges add a playful sophistication, and the nesting design means they store beautifully when not in use.

Use them for jewelry on a dresser, keys by the front door, drinks on the coffee table, or displayed on a shelf as art. The swirling colors work in both traditional and modern spaces because the craftsmanship transcends style.

For anyone who values makers and sustainability alongside beauty, these check every box. They're conversation pieces that also happen to be incredibly functional.

4. Green Quartz Photo Frames, Set of 2

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Most photo frames are either too ornate or too basic, but these octagonal frames are the ideal middle ground. Each one is handcrafted from genuine quartz stone, which means the natural variations in the material make every frame unique. With a sophisticated, organic quality that works with both color and neutral palettes, the octagonal shape is unexpected without being trendy. This combination of stone and geometry means both your modern and traditional friends and family will love to display them for years. The set of two means you can create a pairing on a bookshelf without it looking too matchy.

5. Half Past Seven Starry Night Water Glasses

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I ordered these glasses earlier this year and have genuinely loved using them for both everyday dinners and special occasions. They're handcrafted in Mexico from recycled glass, and the hand-etched stars are delicate enough to feel special without being precious. The clear glass means they work with any table setting, but those stars catch the light in a way that makes even Tuesday night pasta feel a little more glamorous.

These lovely glasses are beautiful enough for guests but durable enough for daily life, which is exactly what you want in anything you use regularly.