DIY Homebody
Handy with a drill and a glue gun, insistent on the family using coasters, this woman puts her all into the home environment—even if it’s a manufactured house or a two-room apartment, for now. Holiday gift-buying for her is tricky, though. You want to satisfy her need to nest, without resorting to the mundane (remember that year you really thought she wanted a Dust Buster?). These choices help you ride that fine line.
Wall Speakers That Match the Wall
EARGASM 1249 Walnut Branch Lane, 755-5677, eargasm.com
Just because she loves surround sound doesn’t mean she’s fond of black and gray speakers intruding on her entertainment-area ambiance. Sacrifice neither style nor function with the assistance of Andy at Eargasm. He’ll help you select speakers in the $300-$10,000 range, design the space for them, and install them. Part of the package is matching the speakers to your darling’s walls—by color, for sure, but to the stain or wood paneling, too, if you like. (He’s been known to dip a piece of paper in your gallon of paint and send that off with the custom color order). And he’s got sources that actually produce speakers in custom colors, none of that painting on top after the fact that tends to look like crud a year or two later.
Brass Patina Boy and Dog Figurine $189 after discount applied
THE STOREROOM 1605 Prosser Road, 688-5215, storeroom-furniture.com
This fine-art brass figurine with a black waxtone base is a reproduction inspired by an antique and could grace most any tasteful living room or study. Only trouble is, you might find competing present ideas on a visit to the Storeroom. Behind its warehouse exterior lurks 40,000 square feet of period antiques and reproductions, fine furnishings (including a signature French line), and all the accessories that complete them. All regular-price items in stock are 30 percent off until Dec. 20, too.
Fine Persian and Oriental Rugs
PERSIAN GALLERIES 4845 Kingston Pike in Mercedes Place, 558-8777
Hey, no one can deliver a diamond every year. Instead, consider a “jewel on the floor—an exquisite Persian or Oriental rug that could be foyer-size all the way up to “Oh, you shouldn’t have!” living room dimensions. The wise and experienced staff at Persian Galleries will guide you every step of the way.
Gift + Gourmet and Interiors Gift Certificate
GIFT + GOURMET & INTERIORS 5508 Kingston Pike, 212-5639, gg-interiors.com
Some gift certificates are shopping cop-outs, but if the lady of the house is really into decor, she’ll be delighted to do her own selecting from Gift + Gourmet & Interiors’ striking accessories, linens, lamps, seasonal decorations—and that’s just a portion of the goodies at this showplace of a store.
Debossed Artboard Frame $80
ABODE 15 Market Square, 523-5090, abodeknoxville.com
When home is where her heart is, the gift-giver can never go wrong with a tasteful frame. This one’s versatile—its subtle patterns and gold leafing would work to accent a formal dining room or a sun-washed nursery, or any style room in between. It fits an 8 x 10 picture.
18 Karat Vase
NOUVEAU CLASSICS 4614 Kingston Pike, 909-0044, nouveauclassics.com
Everything 18 Karat brand is arty and classy, and this glass vase is a fine example, fit for a loft dweller or lover of beauty. Now for the practical side: Nouveau Classics has all its 18 Karat items 30 percent off through the end of the year, so you can be selective and budget-concious at the same time. Vase $96 after discount applied; other 18 Karat items $10 and up.
Gift Certificate to Ray’s Entertainment Sports Grill
RAY'S ENTERTAINMENT SPORTS GRILL 7355 Kingston Pike, 330-0159, raysesg.com
Even a decor-obsesssed homebody needs to get out of the nest every now and then. She’ll have lots of fun at Ray’s, whether her thing is live music, sports viewing, or kicking back on the all-season outdoor patio. Maybe seeing the 40 big-screen TVs and the wine and martini bar will give her some ideas for making improvements at your place...
Stuff those stockings
Vanilla/cinnamon scented hot pad, $10, scissor-shaped Wick Trimmers, $8, Green Earth Emporium, 588-9882
