For the Young at Heart
Inspired Home Interiors Browse the chic warehouse space for that new sectional, armchair or ottoman. You’ll be right at home if you like furnishings with a contemporary vibe, especially if you like Canadian manufacturers (Perez, G. Romano and Italdivani, to name a few). We predict you’ll fall for Kartell’s newly released Lou Lou Ghost Chair (that’s right, children, your very own Philippe Starck chair!) for a mere $153. Or celebrate the holiday season in style with Martha Sturdy resin vessels; pick up her shallow bowl in shimmer red ($385).
Studio C, 11807 105th Ave., Edmonton, 780-482-6040

For the Techie
Audio Ark Go gaga for a pair of Grande Utopia-EM speakers from French manufacturer Focal, dressed in high-gloss red. The shop caters to the serious audiophile with its discerning selection of stereo components, speakers, turntables and state-of-the-art home theatre systems. But if the $185,000 price tag gives pause, don’t despair—Logitech Harmony programmable universal remote controls make a great stocking stuffer ($549 for the 1000 series) and frequent flyers love Audio-Technica QuietPoint noise-cancelling headphones ($299). iPod enthusiasts all want a Wadia 170i Transport docking station this season. 10745 124th St., Edmonton, 780-453-6624, audioark.com

For the Art Lover
Vivid Print It’s not your average commercial printer (no business cards made here), but rather the place to turn your travel, pet or family snapshot into large-format fine art. Choose from a selection of fine stocks, photo wallpaper or the popular stretched canvases (the smallest is 12 by 12 inches for $94) and simply bring in your photo (or upload from the Vivid website) to start the process. Create a custom piece from Vivid’s own growing image gallery, featuring local artists like photographer Bri Vos or even images from the City of Edmonton archives.
8728 109th St. NW, Edmonton, 780-428-4843, vividprint.ca

For the Host with the Most
Swish Flowers Sheryl Asp is a botanical ingénue who can turn a simple hostess bouquet from fine to fabulous (not to mention wreaths, urns and table centrepieces). She also stocks a formidable collection of exotic candles, like frosted pinecones from Voluspa’s Seasons collection. Decorate in a hurry with a room-themed scented candle in an oversize art glass vessel from Lafco New York; we like the Cortland Apples and Celery Thyme scents (each $62). New to Swish: charm bracelets from hot European jeweller Thomas Sabo. 14225 23rd Ave., Edmonton, 780-437-7493, swishflowers.com

For the Nester
Dwell Modern Lines like DellaRobbia, Kartell and Paola Lenti will have you sitting up to take notice, but nothing says relaxation like a beanbag. Your resident homebody can slouch in style on a Fatboy bag, starting at $295. For everyone else on your list, check out the shop’s selection of accessories from Vitra, including Algues, modular plastic algae that can be linked together to form a curtain, room divider or 3D wall art (package of six for $42).
10549 124th
St., Edmonton, 780-488-6464, dwellmodern.ca

For the Design Aficionado
29 Armstrong This downtown furniture and accessory store carries at least 10 decades of leading design: think Jonathan Adler pottery next to an antique Charles Rennie Mackintosh chair, perched near U of A grad Natalie Kruch’s balloon stool ($225) and a bamboo settee covered in an Eames fabric from textile purveyor Maharam. Let the resident barista ply you with caffeinated potions while you ponder your choices. Will it be the Tristan Zimmermann Park Planter or a Harry Allen for Areaware Pile wine bottle wine rack in amber resin ($110)? 10129 104th St., Edmonton, 780-758-4940, 29armstrong.com

For the Foodie
Jilly’s Home & Lifestyle We love some of the unique culinary delights at this well-stocked home decor and gift shop in Terwillegar. Our faves include handmade Hilborn pottery (in ebony, cinnamon or periwinkle blue) and the beautiful two-piece Berry Bowl ($93) which has a colander-like design for quick clean-and-serve potential. Add a bottle of enrobing sweet sauce from Wildly Delicious’s Luxe line (try the Chocolate Noir with Tart Cherries for $12) and you have the dish and the dessert taken care of.
14227 23rd Ave., Edmonton, 780-413-4079

For the Oenophile
Call the Kettle Black Your wine lover probably already has a cabinet full of grape-specific Riedel stemware. Gift a distinctive WMF decanting flask ($39.95) and a stainless-steel decanting funnel ($34.95) that would be a welcome sight at any dinner party. While you’re there, check out the shop’s fine selection of culinary tools and accessories, cookware and dinnerware, like Sophie Conran’s beautiful freezer-, oven-, dishwasher- and microwave-safe tableware collection for Portmeirion.
12523 102nd Ave., Edmonton, 780-448-2861; 444 Riverbend Sq., Edmonton, 780-434-1622, callthekettleblack.com

For the Fashionista
Bella Casa Specializing in luxury linens, custom window coverings and accessories for the home, this boutique carries Canadian-made Revelle luxury sheets, beautiful bamboo-blend towels, pillows, decorative objects and pretty powder-room furniture. Drape your fashion enthusiast in a sumptuous Italian throw from Somma in pumpkin-coloured boucle or a gorgeous two-tone damask in merino wool ($310-$360). She won’t be able to resist a Swarovski-crystal-encrusted manicure set, a bargain at $21.
9646 142nd St., Edmonton, 780-437-4190, bellacasadcl.com

For the Eco Warrior
Wild Prairie Soap Company Environmentalists and home-spa enthusiasts alike will enjoy a box ($25) of delectably scented, handcrafted soaps, salts and lotions made on-site at Wild Prairie’s uplifting Whyte Avenue boutique. Earth lovers will give the nod to the soaps’ 100 percent biodegradability, the company’s environmentally safe manufacturing processes and its package recycling program. Try the Pine Shower bar with a brisk, outdoorsy scent or the Good Grains Foot Granola bar with pumice, oatmeal, bran, flax and poppy seeds (around $5). The shop also stocks Turkish cotton towels, Barefoot Dreams throws, and vanity trays and laundry and bathroom containers by MacFABhome.
10746 82nd Ave., Edmonton, 780-439-6640, wildprairiesoap.ca