Property Management

Ultimate Design Lover Gift Guide

November 26, 2022

Discover the perfect holiday gifts for design enthusiasts in Summer's exclusive guide. Explore hand-picked, stylish items from MoMA Design Store, Kinto, and The Citizenry, curated by top designers like Stacy Drew and Ninze Chen-Benchev. Find the perfect gifts to add a touch of elegance and comfort to every home and impress your design-loving friends and family.

In this article

With gift-shopping for the ultimate design-enthusiast comes great responsibility. Luckily, we've got guidance from some of the most design-savvy in the business. Learn about the importance of thoughtful and impactful gifts and Summer’s home gift recommendations to impress the design-lovers in your life.

Importance of thoughtful gift-giving

Crafting thoughtful gift ideas is more than just a gesture – it's a heartwarming way to show someone you truly understand and appreciate them. In today's fast-paced world, where generic gifts are all too common, taking the time to find something meaningful can make all the difference. Whether it's a hand-picked book for an avid reader or a customized piece of jewelry that speaks to someone's personal style, a thoughtful gift is a powerful way to strengthen connections and create lasting memories. It's these little details that show we're not just giving a gift, but we're giving a part of ourselves - our time, attention, and care. That's what makes thoughtful gifting an essential ingredient in nurturing our relationships, turning simple moments into cherished experiences. Thoughtful holiday, housewarming, or hostess gifts can be intimidating, especially for design lovers, but there are many tips and tricks to picking the right gift ideas that can be appreciated by any recipient. 

Summer’s expertise in gift giving

At Summer, we leverage the expertise of our designers in home construction, interior design, photography, and graphic design to craft a Holiday Gift Guide that transcends the ordinary. Each item is chosen for its unique blend of functionality and aesthetic appeal to ensure a memorable gift-giving experience. Below outlines our top picks for holiday, housewarming or hostess gifts guaranteed to impress your creative friends without clashing or disrupting their interior design aesthetic. Click here to learn more about Summer’s interior design and home renovation services that help transform vacation rentals into top performing memorable experiences.

Summer’s design lover gift guide

First up, we have Stacy Drew's list of hand-picked gifts for the design-lover, hitting a variety of price-points. If Stacy's home-styling work and aesthetic look familiar, it may be because she designed our beautiful ski condo in Park City!

"I love gifting thoughtfully-chosen pieces that I know my friends or family would love, but maybe not buy for themselves, like everyday items that just have a little something special about them."

Stacy's first pick is the Eames Playing Card set from the MoMA Design Store. "Every design-lover knows who Charles & Ray Eames were, and are familiar with at least one or more of their timeless designs," she says. "With each card depicting one of the duo’s iconic prints and coming in at less than $30, these are the perfect stocking stuffer."

MoMA Design Store's Eames Playing Cards, $27.

Next up on Stacy's list is the Slow Brew Coffee Set & Stand from Kinto because it serves "the best slow-living vibes." Great danish design, solid craftsmanship, and rich, aromatic, slow-brewed coffee? Yes, please.

Kinto's Brewer Stand, $188.

Last on Stacy's list is this handmade alpaca throw from The Citizenry. Why? "One can never have too many cozy blankets," she says.

The Citizenry's Liso Throw, $200.
"One can never have too many cozy blankets."

Next up, we enter the world of Ninze Chen-Benchev, one of the driving forces behind Summer’s signature aesthetic. Having designed, furnished, and outfitted the majority of the homes within the Summer network thus far (with the most recent being the beautiful Germantown barn), it's safe to say we're tempted to buy anything that has earned Ninze's stamp of approval. Ninze's picks are curated for those quiet, cozy days inside by the fire (in your Summer home-away-from-home, of course).

Ninze's first pick is this pair of cashmere socks from Le Bon Shoppe. "These socks are a staple in my store, Long Weekend, and everyone them with a passion," she says. "I think they have a cult following at this point. They're also a perfect stocking-stuffer size, and the quality and feel are amazing for the price."

Le Bon Shoppe's Classic Cashmere Socks, $24.

Second on Ninze's list is something she's already preordered for herself: The Sight Unseen Book, which is meant to "[act] as a primer on how to maximize the visual and emotional impact of your interior, regardless of your space limitations, style preferences, or budget."

The Sight Unseen Book: How to Live with Objects, $60.

For her "splurge" pick, Ninze recommends the Homecoat by OFFHOURS. "This is the comfiest, most stylish home-robe, and it is like wearing a blanket. I'm obsessed with all the color combos and it's perfect for winter snuggling."

The Home Coat by OFFHOURS, $295.

Happy gifting, and we hope to host you and your loved ones over the holidays!

The key to gift ideas for design lovers

‍In today's world, where personal style and home aesthetics vary widely, the art of gift-giving can be a nuanced affair. The key to a universally well-received present lies in opting for simple, neutral gifts that exude quality. Such items effortlessly blend into any décor or personal style, ensuring they're both cherished and utilized. Think of elegantly designed kitchenware in subtle hues, luxurious yet understated linen, or classic timepieces that speak of sophistication without overpowering. These gifts, with their clean lines and minimalistic charm, not only avoid the pitfall of clashing with individual tastes but also add a touch of elegance to everyday life. Their high-quality craftsmanship ensures they are not just gifts, but lasting tokens of appreciation, adaptable to any setting or style. At Summer, we fit our rental properties with unique but minimal items of quality and luxury to provide a sense of sophistication without overwhelming the visual senses. This allows us to position the uniqueness of the home, such as the view, architecture, and comfort of the surrounding space as the selling point, rather than short-lived design trends or inefficient use of space, helping to elevate the homes satisfaction for customers and success for renters.

Summer’s approach to interior design

In search of outsourcing design needs for simple, effective, and cost-efficient home design? Summer can help! Summer’s design service is more than an aesthetic enhancement; it's a strategic tool designed to increase rental income and enhance the guest experience. From optimizing hundreds of rentals, our team of design and STR experts have the tools, connections, and experience to make thoughtful and impactful recommendations, in addition to steering clear of ineffective recommendations and costly designers upselling their services. 

More About Summer

Summer offers innovative solutions designed to streamline and enhance the vacation rental experience for both property owners and guests. Central to their offerings is a professional interior design service tailored for short-term rentals, ensuring properties are not only visually appealing but also functional and guest-friendly. This service extends from conceptual design to furniture sourcing, with a keen focus on creating spaces that attract positive reviews and repeat bookings. Book a free consultation to learn more about how Summer can transform your short-term rental into a top performing, professionally design destination. 

In addition to design services, Summer excels in comprehensive property management and flexible financing options, aiding property owners in renovations and cash flow management. Visit gosummer.com to learn more.

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