BB.07.59 by Lindsey Adelman

After editing for Home Journal for more than a year, I’ve had the privilege of interviewing design masterminds from around the world, which has yielded a true abundance of insights. Among all the diverse perspectives, though, I hear one pearl of wisdom time and time again: don’t overuse a piece, no matter how iconic, because people’s eyes will tire of the design. After flipping through pages upon pages of photos of stunning interiors, I’ve definitely found that to be true – even some of the most stunning pieces by some of the world’s most renowned designers can lose some of their allure after the nth encounter. This is one reason I covet Lindsey Adelman’s contemporary chandeliers – no matter how often I see her pieces in different homes, they continue to impress me just as much. The industrial elegance of BB.07.59 from the Branching collection, in particular, is pure science fiction.

Ring by Daimblond

Greenery may be Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2017, but my heart is still squarely in the world of pastels. Handmade in France, this resin ring with gold and copper flakes by Daimblond combines eye-catching metallics with a soft mint pastel shade in a single statement piece of jewellery. An added bonus: it’s also made of eco-friendly materials.

Other-Wordly by Yee-lum Mak

As the written word increasingly moves onto digital platforms, owning physical copies of books might be perceived as a practice of the past. For the most part, I prefer reading novels on my iDevices, but there’s something to be said for being able to tangibly turn a page rather than merely swiping across a screen. I make a point of purchasing print copies of my favourite tomes – and Other-Wordly is definitely on my list. An inspiring compilation of words in various languages that evade translation due to their specificity – such as the Swedish resfeber, the restless combination of anxiety and anticipation that occurs before a journey, and the Japanese natsukashii, a small thing that evokes fond memories and a feeling of wistfulness – Other-Wordly invites us to look at (and write about) the world with a fresh perspective.

Treacherous Water print by Victo Ngai

Illustrative art is an endless source of inspiration to me, especially pieces that feature themes of magical realism. I was intrigued when I discovered New York-based Hong Kong artist Victo Ngai, who was a speaker at this year’s Business of Design Week. Bright and dynamic, her work depicts scenes from everyday life or from nature, but always with a sense of the unreal and the impossible. (It’s not a surprise that she’s worked for clients such as the New Yorker and Penguin Random House, and was featured on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list for Art and Style.) I particularly love Treacherous Water, which is part of a limited edition run of 100 prints.

Samsung NX500

2016 was one of my best years for travel, and I’m hoping to continue the trend by taking even more trips next year – but I think it’s time to admit that iPhone shots just don’t really cut it anymore when it comes to taking memorable images. A bulky DSLR might be a bit of a reach for me, considering my lack of photographic expertise, not to mention it’d be unwieldy when ducking into curious side streets or trekking through hills. But Samsung’s NX500 seems like an excellent compromise between the two. With its small body and high-quality calibre of photos, it should make for the perfect travel companion.

Cavotagoo Santorini

Speaking of travel, exploring the islands of Greece has always been on my bucket list – and what better way to do it than from the chic white rooms of five-star hotel Cavotagoo Santorini? Since I may as well dream big, the suite featuring an outdoor Jacuzzi should serve as the perfect base – as well as a great vantage point to watch the sun set over the Aegean Sea.