Holiday Shopping Guide 2009 |
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Inspiration from some of our favourite local boutiques for matching the perfect gift with every person on your list. |
Shopping Calgary
By Karen Ashbee |
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For the Collector
Circa owner Brian Imeson imports gorgeous vintage art glass vases, lamps, dishes, bowls and chandeliers from France, Italy, Belgium and the Czech Republic. Handcrafted by both established and up-and-coming artists—in sizes from five to 50 centimetres tall—each piece is stunningly unique in its intense colourations ($50 to $5,000).
1226A 9th Ave. SE, Calgary, 403-290-0145, circa5060.ca |
For the Hostess
If you want to be invited back, bring a little bling from Suzie Q Beads instead of wine or flowers. Choose from Murano glass, sterling silver or gemstones by Troll beads, or snap up the latest collection from Silverado. The shop is particularly known for Yu Design Jewellery (with which you fashion your own styles from interchangeable and add-on components). String a pendant, necklace or bracelet—with no two alike, they make a truly personal statement (from $42).
1409 9th Ave. SE, Calgary, 403-266-1202, suzieqbeads.com |
For the Kid (or Kid at Heart)
Cherry Home stocks pint-size furniture, accessories and bedding; bright bedding collections from Edmonton’s Seth and Grayson are hard to resist (from $497).
1215a 9th Ave. SE, Calgary, 403-262-7171, cherryfour.com |
For the Gourmet
Decorative bowls by Britain’s Azeti are the stars of an eclectic inventory at Murmur, each made of highly polished recycled aluminum and enamel—beautiful perched on any countertop ($46 to $88).
111–3411 20th St. SW, Calgary, 403-685-8007, shopmurmur.com |
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For the Art Lover
The season begins and ends with a visit to Rubaiyat Gallery. Among the sophisticated spoils are hand-blown glass bowls, carved wood goods, Asian pottery and beautiful jewellery. DayNa Decker Luminesse sculptural lamps are particularly popular this year: these clean-
burning “chandels,” scented or unscented, are available in a variety of wood-veneer finishes or high-gloss lacquers. The wicks are replaceable, making them a gift that keeps on giving ($30 to $715).
722 17th Ave. SW, Calgary, 403-228-7192, rubaiyatcalgary.com |
For the Eco-Conscious
Riva’s Eco Store is a modern home store of environmentally friendly goods from housewares to linens, skin care and baby items. Among their must-have items for the holidays: decorative throw pillows from K Studio Home, made of hemp, organic cotton or reclaimed wool ($100 to $200).
1534 17th Ave. SW, Calgary 403-452-1001, rivasecostore.com |
Shopping Edmonton
By Karen Ashbee |
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For the Gourmet
Bella Casa Design Centre recently expanded to include kitchenware and gadgetry that will elevate the epicurean in anyone. With its classic cast-iron design, Le Creuset cookware—like the Doufeu oven shown above—adds a dash of continental cool to any kitchen (from $165). The linen section houses a rainbow of Revelle Giza Egyptian sheets and duvet covers to curl up in during the winter.
9646 142nd St., Edmonton, 780-437-4190, bellacasadcl.com |
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For the Design-Conscious
We love the smore whimsical pieces at sleek and fashionable Posh at Home. Add colour to someone’s life with a Normann Copenhagen stoneware flower vase ($98) and find functional accessories such as teapots, water carafes and wine racks.
11235 Jasper Ave., Edmonton, 780-455-8863, poshathome.ca |
For the Host and Hostess
Commissioned for London’s Victoria and Albert Museum, the stylish Pretty Useful toolkit available at Elegant Expressions ($37) is decorated in vintage wallpaper and includes a hammer, slip-joint pliers and a six-in-one screwdriver. Foodies will savour Wildly Delicious compotes ($10) in flavours like blackcurrant and shallot; Cocoa Room dragees ($18) are milk chocolate-covered nuts as beautiful as they are delicious.
628 Riverbend Sq. NW, Edmonton, 780-988-7944 |
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For the Bathing Beauty
Wrap yourself in oversize Nandina bath towels from Flush Bathroom Essentials. Made from certified organic cotton and bamboo, they’re thick, super absorbent and available in naturally dyed colours like silver sage and almond pearl ($69). Coyuchi organic velour cotton robes have big collars and deep pockets for maximum coziness (from $139).
102–2537 Beacon Ave., Sidney, 250-655-7732, flushbath.ca |
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For the Oenophile
Upperlane Living has unique finds for hard-to-please pals. For a red wine lover, the Vinturi Wine Aerator ($60) softens tannins in seconds and lets those big, juicy wines breathe, creating smoother and more aromatic sips. For red wine spills, OhSoSoft luxury bamboo towels and dish cloths ($11 and up) make mopping up a pleasurable task—almost.
2508 Guardian Rd. NW, Edmonton, 780-481-3300 |
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For the Audiophile
A loudspeaker like the Bowers & Wilkin Panorama ($2,500) from Premier Audio makes a statement: that you appreciate cinema-like sound but also want something stylish and contemporary. The shop carries a range of upscale audio, from B&W iPod docks ($650) to pricey Wilson Audio Alexandria X-2 Series 2 speakers ($190,000), available in colours like Ferrari Red, to match the roadster parked in your driveway.
12323 104th Ave., Edmonton, 780-488-8778, premieraudio.ca |
For the Nester
Maria Brosch stocks CosaFina with everything you need for a warm and perfectly accessorized household: table lamps, oversize mirrors, fine European furniture and a large selection of pewter accessories. The lifelike Italian Cipolla pewter pheasant ($1,500) will look good on any dinner table or mantle.
10508 109th St., Edmonton, 780-428-1415, cosafina.biz |
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For the Entertainer
Owner Margaret Francis puts Canadian glassware in the spotlight at Shambles Gift Shoppe. Browse elegant hand-painted and hand-blown wine glasses, champagne flutes and platters (from $27) designed by Toronto artist Mella Roman. Stained glass art boxes ($35 to $200) by Mark Lewanski (aka Glass Box Guy) are ideal for jewellery or keepsakes.
12539 102nd Ave., Edmonton, 780-453-5123 |
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