Jonas Wagell, the architect and designer behind the Swedish design studio JWDA, picked six Christmas gifts for his close ones from Finnish Design Shop's selection. Wagell's choices include both design classics and fresh design pieces.
JONAS WAGELL, what is the best Christmas gift you have received?
“To be honest, receiving physical gifts is not that important to me. I appreciate social things like a surprise dinner much more. Buying stuff is easy and I try to be very selective with what I get – perhaps I'm also very picky! However, when you were a kid it was different. Some of my favourite gifts that I can remember was slalom skis when I was 10 and an RC car a few years later.”
Where will you be spending this Christmas?
“The last years we have actually spent Christmas in the south of Spain where my parents wisely have relocated to half of the year to escape the Swedish winters. At first, I thought it would be odd without snow and chilly air. But let's face it – it's pretty great to sit in the sun in shorts on the balcony on Christmas Eve! This year, however, the family will gather at our place in Stockholm instead, which will be fun as well.”
6 Christmas gift picks by Jonas Wagell:
1. To my girlfriend
“Perhaps I don't buy fresh flowers as often as I should – and when I do, there is never a vase big enough to fit them. Iittala's large Ruutu vase by the Bouroullecs has both a crafted and minimal look which I really appreciate. And if I forget to buy those flowers again, it will at least look great on its own.”
2. To my nephew
“Charlie is four and a half and only wants Lego and Spiderman stuff – and has lots of it. Last year we gave him a kid's Fjällräven backpack. The little bag was gorgeous, but he literally hated it! So, no soft gifts this year. Instead, I will give him a Paper Collective poster for his room and hope he will like it one of these days.”
• Paper Collective Sketchbook Abstracts poster >
3. To my sister
“Vilhelm Lauritzen's Radiohus pendant for the Danish Radio House in Copenhagen from the 1940s is an absolute classic and something I've always wanted myself. There is even one in the Eames House in Los Angeles. I would give the new small version to my sister so I could at least enjoy it when I pop over there for coffee.”
• Louis Poulsen VL45 Radiohus pendant >
4. To my dad
“My dad loves Spain and the mild winters in the south. This small rechargeable Setago lamp by Jaime Hayón will be perfect for the balcony table to extend the evenings.”
• &Tradition Setago table lamp >
5. To my mum
“I would like to give my mum the new JWDA floor lamp, the latest addition to the JWDA collection from Menu. However, it's a costly piece and I don't really think you should give too expensive gifts – especially not for Christmas. Instead, I will give my dear mum the JWDA table lamp in white marble for her nightstand. I will try to save up to give my parents the floor lamp for midsummer instead.”
6. To myself
“Richard Sapper's classic kettle 9091 from 1983 is for myself. In fact, I already have one since many years, but it's the original version with copper base which I no longer can use on our induction stove. So one gift will become two, as I plan to pass on my old kettle to a dear friend. Win-win.”
See also:
• Jonas Wagell's designs >
• More Christmas gift ideas >
Edit: Nora Uotila Images: Manufacturers