2025 Gift Guide: Little luxuries for a well-lived life

A curated collection of pieces that bring a little everyday beauty into the home.

The best gifts are the ones that quietly elevate a space - the ones that feel considered, and loved long after the holidays are over. These are a few of the pieces I reach for again and again, whether I’m styling a project, sourcing for clients, or trying to bring a little more lived-in luxury into my own home.

Design Books Worth Leaving Out

My love language is a beautifully bound book with weight and presence. Think of them as the quiet anchors of a vignette: grounding, classic, and endlessly useful. Bonus points if the spine has a great texture.

Image and styling by @henryreynoldsdesignco

PRO TIP: BUY VINTAGE. If you can, head out to a local thrift or antique store to see what they have. These books will add so much charm and personality to a home.

Handmade Ceramics

A simple, one-of-a-kind mug or vessel makes everyday rituals feel just a little more intentional. The organic shapes and subtle variations add that warm, collected touch every space needs.

Image, kitchen design and styling by @henryreynoldsdesignco

Below are three artists, local to Toronto whose pieces I have purchased in the past. I've seen these women at the Interior Design Show in past years and love their work.

REMINDER, shop local whenever possible.

Textured Throws

Not the decorative kind that never gets touched - the cozy kind that moves from sofa to reading chair to the end of the bed. I gravitate toward chunky knits, soft neutrals, and anything that drapes beautifully.

Image sourced from 1st Dibs, this product is sold out.

Minimalist Glassware

A slightly sculptural wine glass or a clean-lined tumbler always makes the list. Glass pieces catch the light in ways other materials can’t, adding a bit of sparkle without overwhelming the space.

Image and styling by @henryreynoldsdesignco

Small-Scale Art

A framed sketch, a block print, or a small abstract is the perfect “I didn’t know I needed this” gift. They’re easy to style, easy to move around, and add instant personality.

Image sourced from Pinterest. Designed by Adam Bray, Photography by Oskar Proctor

Truly anything can be considered art, just know your audience. For the creative weirdo, a sculptural piece of wall art. My personal favourite. For the traditionalist, an original, unique watercolour they can add to a gallery wall. For the plant lover? A quirky, stand for them to display their planet babies.

A Signature Home Scent

There’s something grounding about walking into a space that smells like it belongs to you. Whether it’s a softly smouldering incense stick or a candle with depth and warmth, a good scent sets the tone for the entire home - calm, cozy, and unmistakably intentional.

Image sourced from @rowsebeauty

A Final Thought

The holidays have a way of nudging us back into our homes - into the cozy corners, the slower mornings, the shared meals. These gifts are the little details that make those moments feel even more special.

And at the end of the day, good design is really just that: creating spaces that make everyday life feel just a bit more beautiful.