Christmas by design: interiors gift ideas from top London designers

If you’re struggling to settle on a gift for the interiors aficionado in your life, then look no further. We’ve canvassed some of the capital’s top design talent to find out what they would relish opening on the 25th; from inexpensive Lego flowers to hand-crafted one-offs, these present ideas score high on originality and kudos.

As the vision behind Annabel’s, Bacchanalia and Broadwick Soho, Martin Brudnizki needs little introduction.

1. New English Interiors: At Home with Today’s Creatives by Elizabeth Metcalfe

New English Interiors

This is a wonderful book that features many of my very talented friends’ houses, including fellow designers Luke Edward Hall and Duncan Campbell’s home in the Cotswolds, Gavin Houghton’s Oxfordshire cottage, and illustrator Fee Greening’s Dorset bolthole.

This year

Anut works with local craftspeople in Cairo — mainly women — supporting them with jobs while creating beautiful objects. I’d enjoy my morning eggs out of some charming chicken cups.

£110 for a set of four, Abask

Handout

The go-to for Londoners desiring remarkable family homes, as well as the vision behind Soho House’s Brixton Studio. Dauley is also the co-founder of United in Design, a charity to promote diversity within the design community.

Crafted Kinship: Inside the creative practices of contemporary Black Carribean makers by Malene Barnett

Artisan

This book, which highlights the practices of contemporary black Caribbean makers, is without doubt up there on my wishlist.

Frame Pillow

I was drawn to these playful cushions as soon as I spotted them — they would add a wonderful pop of colour and pattern to any interior.

The co-founder of Buchanan Studio is gearing up for a first family Christmas at home in north-west London. Shoppers can check out Buchanan Studio’s line of squishy chairs and cushions at its pop-up in Selfridges.

Lego

I am obsessed with Lego flowers and think they are a great gift; make a couple of boxes of the lotus flowers or roses, stick them in a vase and it’s a very lovely thing. Plus who doesn’t enjoy the deeply satisfying process of a Lego build?

Bath towel in Sienna stripes

Tekla

A Tekla terry bath towel makes me happy. It’s a great giant size, not to mention aesthetically very pleasing, and I love the mustard Sienna stripes. £60, Tekla

This year the Budapester wrapped up The Sessile, a chic new rental concept in Tottenham Hale, and an apartment at the revamped Bayswater landmark, The Whiteley.

Oh My God incense holder

The Object

The white porcelain “smoking lips” design combines humour, sophistication and a sense of individuality.

Choosing Keeping

Each year I like to add unique, story-driven pieces like this to our ornament collection so our tree feels personal. This delightful robin encapsulates the charm of traditional craftsmanship and festive nostalgia.

Christian Bense

South Africa-born Christian Bense’s approach to gifting is to find pieces which are off the beaten track but never wacky, and something practical which the giftee would never buy themselves.

Niwaki

Everyone’s got the “man drawer” and so everyone needs a workbox! I live in a tiny flat where every bit of storage is categorised. This box is nice enough to leave out and fill with bits and bobs — rubber bands, staples and bits of string.

Rose Uniacke

These are so much chicer than your average playing cards — they can live on a coffee table. During that purgatory period between Christmas and New Year, I’d reach for these with a glass of wine.

Pernille Lind

Lind has been spinning many plates, managing projects in London, her native Denmark, and overseeing Lind + Almond, the furniture studio she co-founded with her partner, Richy Almond.