december fixations: a wish list

Eastern Expression: Tempera Petite in Nori

honestly, it feels as if 2024 was just a bit… extra. the past eleven pages of the calendar have had an overabundant assemblage of all things heavy (we work in tile; we know heavy), from the maladies of the world to our national political climate. but now that we’ve arrived at the very last page, we think you’ll agree: we all deserve a little something, n’est-ce pas? cue: the wish.

i wish i may, i wish i might,
have this wish i wish tonight.

december is made for wishes: reflections on what we wish we did (or in our case, didn’t) do this year; an endless stream of well wishes for the upcoming new year; the traditional wish to be with loved ones at the holidays; and of course, the wish list. our fixations communiqué for this most maddening of months is our wish list; things in the world that delight and excite each of our senses. it’s less about truly wanting a thing and more about the magic of what might be. that is what we — yes — wish for you this holiday: the magic of dreams. and if you are going to dream, do it big.

press play on our december playlist, read our list, check it twice, then sit on the nearest red-clad lap and summon some magic. you’ve earned it.

ps: if having more time is your wish, rewind to november’s fixations.

taste

it’s flavor that we’d love to savor.
share these yuletide yummies with someone you love.

hot chocolate trio from dandelion chocolate; for warm wishing.
oneg bakery’s double chocolate babka, because it reminds us of something.
the kitchen implement you never knew you needed (of course, it’s japanese).
a triple dose of dolcé (and gabbana):
        sweet sicilian nougats
        seasonally studded panettone; and,
        the crowning jewel: a bialetti moka. if you’re a delft fan, go for the blue version.
an introductory a-salt for your mouth via jacobsen.

start a new culinary adventure with this pasta making starter set.
taste with your eyes, because the journey should most definitely be part of the reward: read sift.
the ultimate epicurean experience (and decadent gift choice): a restaurant with no walls: outstanding in the field.
pair the whiskey of your choice with tom dixon’s tank whiskey set. after all, baby it’s cold outside.
the art of coffee in the art of nature, in malachite. wonder why we like this?
bid now, be grapeful later: where fine art meets fine wine, courtesy christie’s. château mouton rothschild.

see

feast your eyes during this most festive season.

this just looks so good. this collaboration between paul smith and our favorite gardening brand niwaki is stylish enough to use basically anywhere as part of your gardening kit, and perhaps even housing these super pruners. perfect for your next outdoor adventure.
peruse unexpected design wins, courtesy of the humble brick, in contemporary brick buildings. however, some light reading first.

oh, tannenbaum! helmut newton. berlin, berlin is a visual ode to the decadent, debaucherous grey city of the past.
an annual pass to america’s national parks. the original art galleries await.
anything, everything ceramic by sayaka shingu. we stan.
see? yes, we definitely see this on our desk. noguchi via roman + williams guild. please? we’ve been good all year. promise. pretty please?

smell

here’s wishing that your nose knows any of these optimal olfactory occasions

copper by comme des garcons. perfume for synesthetes. and since we’re talking metallics…
wickers creek whiskey nights scented candle in an edgy black metal container. the perfect pairing for a cold winter’s night is this (and for holiday in particular, the oloroso sherry cask.
the season in a bottle. simply splashing. fir & artemisia cologne by jo malone.
victoriana, via verbena, vetiver and violet. buly’s généraux d'empire. v v good.

a trip down holy wood boulevard, with this palo santo wood bundle.
from “the house” to your house: cowshed’s shelfie set.
lastly, if you’re going for a live one, make it a balsam fir. its aroma will evoke endless holiday memories. or remind you of car air fresheners. either way, you're welcome.

listen

it’s equally thrilling to both give and receive aural. do it loudly.

ah, the sound of unrestrained laughter at the jinx & dela holiday show.
an alarm clock for a gentle wake up, that also has meditation features.
audio is for hearing, but it should look good, too. bang + olufsen designs a sound experience for the wall or the table.

nousako’s wind chimes are a well designed way to tickle the ears. catch a breeze.
a box rocks: 2024 released boxed sets from the beatles, david bowie, bryan ferry and miles davis, plus limited editions from madonna, kacey musgraves and queen.
the grandfather of music festivals: glastonbury 2025, on sale now.
a subscription to the sound bath app, for — you guessed it — sound baths, on demand. or create your own on these crystal singing bowls. om my goodness.

touch

it would be quite touching to receive any of these tactile treats. it’s festive finger fun.

oas robes put a wrap on the hunt for gifts for men.
we would feel toasty while making a toast wrapped in giancarlo valle’s mohair blanket
these scottish wool border cable scarves will have you wanting moor.
a bauhaus blanket, for the non-pendleton set.
this washi tape will seal any deal. oh, and this to pair with
we have a thing for erica tanov as well as for platinum, so this leather weekender just tracks.

got game? heirloom quality games like clue or chess (you know how we love a board) or even an italian marble tic-tac-toe set. got game but on the go?
bode has you covered with this travel set-cum-tote
our enduring affair with marble expands to (of all places) the gym. weight just a minute.
cotton surely worth touching. our muse finds a new generation. celebrate sigh twombly.
for those bemused by burgundy, we’ve multiple maroon masterpieces worth touching:
     veronica beard’s koa skirt sparkles like new year’s eve.
     these sunglasses are a triomphe for celine.
     the rereleased 1970s flamenco leather clutch bag by loewe.
     three gifts in one: a cardigan, a scarf and a fashion must: erdem’s hybrid scarf is wrapping (for) our list.

here’s hoping you get everything you wish for.

our wish is simple: joy, peace and cookies for all this holiday season.