Stocking fillers: Picky Nicky’s edit of tiny trinkets for your nearest and dearest
Brass Animals: Part of a charming miniature menagerie designed by Mitsumasa Kokubo for Nousaku, these small stylised brass animals come with a mirror finish that will acquire a warm patina with age. The item comes with a sanding cloth so you can choose to restore it to its original state, or let time make its mark on it. Available at the Wallpaper* Store.
Founded in 1916, Nousaku is based in Takaoka, a city on Japan’s main island of Honshu that has been known for its metalwork since the 17th century. Having started by producing altar fittings, vases and tea sets, Nousaku’s craftsmen now create all kinds of exquisite cast metal pieces in tin, brass and bronze, using traditional techniques as well as specially developed silicon moulds
'Tis officially the gifting season and time to think stocking fillers. Our edit, from WallpaperSTORE*, is all about gleaming goodies in gold, brass and bronze.
Small yet perfectly formed, these are treats that your nearest and dearest are sure to treasure. Our suggestions include Mitsumasa Kokubo’s miniature menagerie from Nousaku; ‘Odeurs Royales' mini candle set from Cire Trudon; Carl Auböck’s playful cast polished brass key rings; Jan Philip Holler’s 'AC10 Haus’ paper weights from E15; 'The clip' paperclip set by Tom Dixon; Postalco’s hand milled brass ’Abacus Totem' key holders; Mark Holmes' brass pocket mirror from Minimalux; the ‘Love Heart’ coffee mug featuring Alexander Girard’s motif from Vitra; and the 'Classic' paperweight, rollerball pen and magnet set by Yi & Yanko, for YStudio of Taiwan.
Our very own creative market place for design, WallpaperSTORE* stocks, wraps and dispatches our pick of the finely formed and forward thinking from around the world
Nick Vinson, also known as Picky Nicky, has been an editor at Wallpaper* since 2012, curates the selection for WallpaperSTORE*, where he is general merchandising manager and also pens the monthly 'Vinson View' column in Wallpaper*
'Oudeurs Royales': The Odeurs Royales candle set from Cire Trudon contains three opulent scents that recall the magnificence of the Grand Siècle, when Louis XIV reigned supreme. Fragrances include: Trianon, Solis Rex and La Marquise. Available at the WallpaperSTORE*.
The oldest and most prestigious wax manufacturer in the world, Cire Trudon boasts an impressive and storied history of traditional candle-making that dates back to the 17th century. From its humble beginnings in 1643 as a small local shop under the ownership of a grocer and wax merchant in Rue Saint-Honoré, Paris, to supplying the French monarchy with exquisite fragrances – and surviving the birth of the 'electric revolution' during Napoleon's reign – the French powerhouse has heroically conquered the wax and parfum industry for over four decades. Hand-blown candle vessels, the brand's signature golden emblem, exotically-influenced base notes and impulsively titled colognes are among a few of Cire Trudon's many distinguishing elements that, to this day, remain unremitting in their exquisite sense of refined olfaction and candle making
Key rings: Bauhaus-trained Carl Auböck II is an influential figure of Austrian modernism and his original workshop in Vienna still houses the family business. The company’s portfolio of hand-made pieces includes these playful key rings, made of polished brass and available from the WallpaperSTORE*.
A metal workshop founded in the 19th century, Carl Auböck is still situated in its original premises, with the fourth generation of the family now at the helm. The company is famous for the modernist designs of Auböck II, the current owner’s grandfather, which include thousands of original objects and pieces of furniture, most of them made of polished brass
'AC10 Haus': Though technically a paper weight, Haus is a playfully ambiguous item that can be utilised in a multitude of ways throughout the home and office. Designed by Jan Philip Holler in 2013, the piece is made from brass and belongs to a series of four differently shaped architectural forms which are at once light-hearted and introspective. Available from the WallpaperSTORE*.
Taking its name from the postcode of its very first workshop in East London, E15 was founded in 1995. Bringing together high-grade materials and handcrafted production methods, the Frankfurt-based brand offers a diverse yet distinct collection of objects for the home. Led by co-founder and architect Philipp Mainzer, and designer and art director Farah Ebrahimi, E15 is renowned for its collaborations with designers, architects and artists to produce furniture, lighting and accessories
'The clip' paperclip set: Part of Tom Dixon’s ‘Tool’ collection, this set of six paperclips in various geometric shapes was created from a single sheet of solid brass. Embossed with the designer’s heritage logo, 'Eclectic', and stylishly packaged, they are the perfect gift for stationery fans. The range also includes a ruler, a geometry set, more clips and a stencil sheet, all available at the WallpaperSTORE*.
Tunisian-born British designer Tom Dixon dropped out of the Chelsea School of Art to play bass in a band, before teaching himself first to weld, then to produce furniture. By the late 1980s he was designing the iconic ‘S’ chair for Cappellini. A former creative director at Habitat, Dixon is best known for his sleek light fixtures and chic interior designs for the likes of Shoreditch House and Mondrian London
‘Totem' key holders: A neat alternative to a traditional key ring, the ‘Abacus Totem’ is a solid brass rod on which keys can be threaded by unscrewing a small cap. As its name indicates, its wonderfully simple design is inspired by the pearls on an abacus. Hand-milled by Postalco’s team of skilled artisans in Japan, it accommodates up to ten flat keys. Available from the WallpaperSTORE*.
Specialising in beautifully made stationery and leather goods, Postalco was founded in New York in 2000, after bag designer Mike Abelson created an envelope-shaped case for his wife Yuri, a graphic designer who needed something to cart her paperwork around in. Now based in Tokyo, the husband-and-wife team continues to create supremely practical, understated accessories, from wallets to key holders
Brass pocket mirror: Minimalux's lifestyle accessories contrast a pared-back aesthetic with labouriously pored-over design details. This 50mm pocket mirror features a subtle satin brass rim and polished brass back. It has been expertly cut for a clean and modern shape, and of course, it is available from the WallpaperSTORE*.
Founded in 2009 by design troubadour Mark Holmes, Minimalux is a London-based design brand and global online retailer that specialises in beautifully pared-back home and lifestyle accessories. A collision between unique polar opposites gives Minimalux's distinguished collections their one-of-a-kind identities; through intertwining simple shapes with splendorous design elements, the brand's lighting, furniture, tableware and jewellery designs – each exquisitely crafted from premium materials – comprise a robust and effortlessly contemporary force
'Love-heart' coffee mug: American post-war designer Alexander Girard’s exploration of colours and shapes led to the creation of hundreds of textile patterns and clever objects for the modern home. The Vitra porcelain coffee mug range features different motifs from the designer’s rich archive, available at the WallpaperSTORE*.
Few contemporary furniture manufacturers have made the impact Vitra has. The Swiss company collaborates with leading designers from across the globe on products, furniture and exciting projects such as the Vitra Campus architecture and the Vitra Design Museum. Many of its 'Classics' range have been in continuous production since the 1950s
'Classic' paperweight: Taiwanese stationary experts ystudio dedicate their work to the creation of powerfully minimal everyday objects – such as this paperweight. Designed by the firm’s founders, Yi & Yanko, the gold-coloured brass piece will hold your documents in place, while adding a sculptural touch to your desk. Find it at the WallpaperSTORE*.
ystudio was founded in 2012, aiming to create objects with meaning and imagination. Simplicity in design is one of the brand’s core values; the company’s powerfully minimal stationary pieces were created to bring beauty to everyday life
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Also known as Picky Nicky, Nick Vinson has contributed to Wallpaper* Magazine for the past 21 years. He runs Vinson&Co, a London-based bureau specialising in creative direction and interiors for the luxury goods industry. As both an expert and fan of Made in Italy, he divides his time between London and Florence and has decades of experience in the industry as a critic, curator and editor.
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