The most memorable gifts are the ones that are unique and hand-picked with love. Something limited edition, that you won’t be able to track down forever, but is personalised, and shows the recipient just how well you know them.
One gift idea that ticks the box? Limited-edition homewares made in collaboration with Australian artists. Give the gift of Australian design, and support local artist collaborations.
Ahead, we’ve spotlighted five such collections, including picnic plates, serving trays and lunch bags, all by Maxwell & Williams. From a collection featuring watercolours that show nature as a mirror to life, to another bursting with colour and bold patterns, these Australian artists’ homeware collaborations are the perfect gift ideas to get your loved ones this Christmas. You’ll show them just how well you know them by picking the artist that best suits their taste and style.
Neha Gupte (aka The Blck Pen) – Golden Summer Collection
Neha Gupta, who goes by The Blck Pen, was inspired by the beauty and mystery of nature for her Maxwell & Williams Golden Summer collection. She uses watercolours and ink drawings to show nature as a mirror to life on her intricate designs spanning mugs, which come gift boxed, insulated wine sets, tableware, picnic carry-alls and more.
Our picks? Help add some colour to their outdoor dining spread with The Blck Pen Golden Summer Bamboo Salad Servers ($6.95) and The Blck Pen Golden Summer Bamboo Jug ($19.95), which recipients can fill with sangria, hard lemonade or simple iced water.
Rach Jackson – Rock Garden Collection
Rach Jackson is a contemporary abstract artist whose colourful pieces are inspired by the natural world and our place in it. She also aims to create a sense of peace with her artwork. Her Maxwell & Williams Rock Garden collection sees her using nature-inspired designs in shades of blues and pinks, coming to life across picnicware including bowls, chips and dip, a wine set, a cooler bag and a picnic blanket.
Our picks? Grab the Rach Jackson Rock Garden Rectangular Serving Tray ($24.95) for someone you know who loves entertaining. They can use the tray to serve drinks or meal courses at their next event.
Kasey Rainbow – Be Fierce Collection
Like the Be Fierce collection name suggests, this collection is bursting with colour and bold patterns, and encourages people to ‘live bright’. Featuring designs by Brisbane artist Kasey Rainbow, this Maxwell & Williams collab collection includes aprons, coasters, tumblers, lunch bags and mug pairs.
Our picks? The Kasey Rainbow Be Fierce Insulated Wine Set ($99.95) includes a 750ml insulated bottle and two 350ml insulated tumblers, both of which are made from double-wall stainless steel. The giftee can fill the bottle with their favourite chilled beverage and take it down to the beach to enjoy during the day or at sunset.
Katherine Castle – Bird Talk Collection
A seasoned Maxwell & Williams collaborator, Katherine Castle has, this time around, created a collection called Bird Talk, inspired by birds around the country. The collection includes tote bags, tea towels, mugs, insulated cups and oven mitts depicting birds like lorikeets, fairy-wrens and pink robins, in rich colours and fine detail.
Our picks? Any homemaker will appreciate an upgrade to their oven mitts, with this Katherine Castle Bird Talk Oven Lorikeets ($29.95). The mitt is made from 100% cotton and has an insulated synthetic lining.
Marini Ferlazzo – Wild Planet Collection
For any animal-loving kids on your giftee list, don’t go past Marini Ferlazzo’s Wild Planet collection, which celebrates wildlife from around the world on kid-friendly goods. The collection includes durable, yet lightweight placemats, kids’ aprons and matching chefs’ hats, mugs, insulated bottles and pieces for a kids’ dinner set. The products feature lions, tigers and an elephant, among other animals.
Our picks? The Marini Ferlazzo Wild Planet Placemat ($7.95), which shows a design of a young tiger, makes for an easy stocking stuffer for kids. Gift them their first piece of art in a fun, unique way.
Shop the entire collection over at Maxwell & Williams (and pick up a treat for yourself while you’re there).
