Unique Home Décor Gift Ideas

If you receive Christmas money or a Visa/MasterCard/American Express gift card buy yourself a something truly unique. One area that is never lacking for the unusual is home décor.

Most home décor items are not functional.  They don't play music and you can't play games on them.  Their purpose is to enhance your surroundings. 

However, sometimes they also are functional.  Everyone has a clock or two and while all clocks are not necessarily artistic creations and all artistic creations are not necessarily clocks sometimes the two converge.  For example, we have a decorative clock that is a replica of an old Victorian antique.  It is beautiful to look at and it tells time.  Cell phones do that too, but there isn't a cell phone around that looks as good as this.  

Buying yourself a gift with holiday money is the perfect opportunity for you to get yourself something that no one else knows that you want.  Maybe you have a secret yearning for a gargoyle statue.  Not only is it unlikely that many people would know this, but it is less likely that they would know where to go to find one.   

If you want to concentrate on the outside of your home French Greenmen Wall Sculptures are as unique as anything and make great wall art.

For hundreds of other unique gifts please visit us at http://www.uniquegiftsanddecor.com/.

Brighten up Your Office

Whether you work out of your house or away from home have some fun with your office decor. 

It’s time for new calendars and a Gothic Temptress Calendar is a great way to go.   Not only is it artistic, but if you remember to turn the blocks it will tell you the date.

If you prefer something even more unusual check out the motorcycle riding dragon. It does absolutely nothing, but it will amuse you every time that you look at it.

Chances are that you have some books in your office.  If they are just scattered about put them between a great set of bookends and be amazed at how tidy your place now looks.

For more office decorating ideas check us out at http://www.uniquegiftsanddecor.com/.

Last Minute Gift Ideas

If you are not sure what to get someone how about something for their office?  Whether it is an office in a building or a home office, something to brighten up the place is always appreciated. 

Office décor is often overlooked. Many people are too busy working to worry about what their surroundings look like.  But when it is time to take a break a unique item or two can help to clear the head.  Go from the reality of work to the fantasy of dragons with our Realm of the Dragon Orb Set. Looking at two orbs with a one-headed and two-headed dragon on top has the magical ability to refocus you. 

Instead of the normal pictures, try three dimensional wall art featuring two battle ready knights finished in gold and silver.  Transporting yourself back to medieval days even just for a moment can be very cathartic.

 

If you don’t need the mystical powers of dragon orbs or the inspiration of knights then a set of bulldog bookends can brighten up a collection of books. They are made of authentic designer resin to capture every detail.

For other unique gifts visit us at http://www.uniquegiftsanddecor.com/.

Decorative Masks

We have just added some Carnivale/Mardi Gras masks.  These are for wall decoration, not wearing.  They are really interesting looking and are beautiful works of art.  They will make great gifts for anyone.  Their uniqueness is timeless and will always stand out.  Great conversation pieces.  Check them out at http://uniquegiftsanddecor.com/wall-accents.html.  You will need to scroll down some.

Holiday Sale Still Going On

Our holiday sale is still going on because obviously the holidays aren’t over yet.  We have a number of Christmas gifts with reduced prices.

You will find great deals on everything from decorative eggs to unique clocks and lamps that are perfect for home or office décor. 

For her we have our a Elephants on Parade Trio of keepsake boxes.  Small and ornate, they are perfect for earrings or other small jewelry items.  Regularly priced at $75.00 they are now $65.00.

For him we have a high quality museum replica of the U.S.S. Constitution.    It is incredibly accurate and includes hand-stitched fabric sails and faux brass guns and ports.  It would look great in an office.  The regular price is $375.00 and the sale price is $295.00.

Our Destiny's Muse Illuminated Sculpture not only would provide an art deco style glow in any room of the house but would be a unique conversation piece.

 

We have many other items on sale not just on our “Sale” page, but throughout our site. Come visit us at www.uniquegiftsanddecor.com.

Fairies Make Great Art

Fairies make great works of art as they should.  They excite our imagination and what they look like is limited only by our own creativity.  The fairy statues that we carry are incredible works of art.  Most are designed by artists who specialize in this mystical creature.

This got us thinking about the mythology of fairies.  Fairy folklore exists worldwide in every culture.  Descriptions vary from culture to culture but they share a common trait - fairies are creatures of magic.  They can tell if you have a good heart and reward you if you do by granting wishes.  They can play tricks on you if you are not good-hearted.  

It is believed that the ancient Celtic peoples are where fairies were first found.  They were worshipped there.  This society was matriarchic, so fairyland was seen as populated by females.  However, some depictions of male fairies can be found.  In fact, even though fairies are most often depicted as female, the term ‘fairy' actually refers to many types of supernatural beings of different genders and physical manifestations. 

For example, Gwyllion is a hideous-looking fairy.  Shefro is a male fairy who wears a green coat and red cap.  While most fairies are sociable Urisk is a solitary creature who lives by isolated pools of water.

Fairies are rich in culture and tradition. With the upcoming holidays, fairy statues and other works of art will make beautiful unique holiday gifts.

For more ideas about unique and special gifts visit us at http://www.uniquegiftsanddecor.com/.

Gift Idea: Bookends

If you are having trouble selecting a gift for someone we suggest bookends.  They are useful and the ones that we sell are artistic and of high quality.  Our brass bookends will last pretty much forever. They are hand cast, have nickel and bronze plating and are finished with an antique stain. This process gives the appearance of brass, without the continuous need for cleaning. Each bookend is hand polished to a perfectly smooth finish.  We are one of only a few select places where you can find this line of exceptional bookends.  They range from bookends for children to nautical bookends. 

If there is a doctor, dentist or lawyer in your life we have bookends for them that would make great gifts.

We also carry art deco and designer bookends.

Don’t forget about giving bookends as a gift.  They are not the first thing that comes to mind, but they are suitable for everyone. Great gifts for him or her.

Come to our Sale

It’s the holiday season so we are having a sale.  We have selected some of our most unique and unusual gifts.

We concentrated on some of our most popular categories such as sculptural bookends, decorative trinket or keepsake boxes, unique lamps and clocks and some indoor statues.

Holiday gifts should be special.  We have already noted our objection to gift cards other than for casual friends, workers etc.  These days teenagers seem to appreciate them which is fine because sometimes it is hard to figure out what they want if they already have an iphone, ipod, ibook,HDTV and other popular consumer electronic.  But for everyone else – a spouse, parent or special friend – the meaning is in the selection.

Only a few select items are on sale. We have hundreds of other perfect gifts for the holidays.  Drop on buy and browse our selection.  You might find something that is perfect for that special someone.

For more unique gifts ideas visit http://www.uniquegiftsanddecor.com/

Animal Statues as Gift Ideas

For half the price of an ipod or iphone you can give someone a gift of a unique animal statue. These are long lasting and they do not become technologically obsolete.  Also, they are works of art.  Many of the statues that we carry are hand crafted and hand painted.  They are not easily found.

A gift for him could be a Komodo Dragon.  Admittedly it’s not the nicest thing to look at but what guy wouldn’t want a replica of the world’s largest (and ugliest) lizard that can erase you with one deadly bite?  There is a “cool” factor here.  So as not to be sexist, woman may enjoy it too.

A gift for her could be a unicorn statue hand-painted in the soft palette of the dream world.  Again in the interest of equality it may be good for a guy (not really).

There are gifts that are suitable for both men and woman.  One is a beautiful majestic horse cast in quality designer resin with a rich bronze patina that makes it virtually indistinguishable from gallery originals. This one is more than an Ipod but it is everlasting.

Think about giving a gift of art that will be timeless.  You can get the ipod or iphone too, but don’t miss out on these.

For more unique gifts ideas visit http://www.uniquegiftsanddecor.com/

Back Away From Those Gift Cards

Every grocery store that I go to has a wall of gifts cards for sale.  Everything from Home Depot and Best Buy to The Cheesecake Factory.  The worst are the generic Visa, Mastercard and American Express Cards.  How much thought does it take to give one of these as a gift?

Admittedly if you are giving something to an acquaintance who you do not know much about these are a good idea.  But when it comes to someone with whom you have a special relationship – a parent, spouse, sibling, child – what does this tell them?  Maybe that they weren’t worth the time or effort to find something unique.

It’s not that hard.  How about a working, restored antique phone?   You can’t find these at many places.   Garden statues are appreciated by many.  Anything that adds to home décor is great.  The trick, however, is to show your loved one that you took the time and effort to find something that is uniquely for them.  Time is a valuable commodity.  Too many people do not use it for the people they care for.

We specialize in unique gifts.  We have hundreds of hard to find items.  Many are limited editions or created by known artists.  How unique?  Well we have a seven foot tall Brontosaurus Garden Sculpture.  But we also have “normal” type things – but unique nevertheless.

Come see our unique gifts at uniquegiftsanddecor.com.

The Process Matters

What sets several of our products apart from others is the type of casting process that is used.  Many of our scultures and even smaller items are made using the “lost wax” process.  This is a process that has been used by artisans for centuries.  Its main benefit is that it captures an artist’s intricate designs when they are reproduced in metal, resin or other materials.  Without using this type of a process a lot of detail in an artist’s original creation will not reproduce.  It is kind of like what happens when you make a copy of a copy etc.  Eventually the quality suffers.  This isn’t much of a problem when you are talking about copying a letter or other document.  But it is a big problem when you are talking about a work of art.  

The lost wax method originated in ancient times.  Early artisans found that making a wax model was the best way to capture every detail of creations.  This is still the case today although oftentimes clay is used instead of wax.  The process is more arduous than others, but the results are stunning when compared to those other methods.  Even dentists use this process for casting dentures because to the precision match that is needed.

Initially I thought that the name “lost wax” method referred to the fact that it had not been used for centuries and then was rediscovered.  However, this is not the case.  The name refers to the fact that during the process the wax is heated and escapes through a plaster mold, thus being “lost.”  There simply is no substitue when it comes quality of detail.

http://www.uniquegiftsanddecor.com/

Gnomes and Fairies Make Large Statements

Small statues such as gnomes and fairies can enhance your yard or garden.  Garden gnomes have always been popular. Take a look at a husband and wife team.  There is even one on a swing that you can hang from a tree and one that imparts his mystic wisdom.  These traditional garden ornaments add a bit of color to a garden or yard.

Fairies are popular too.  They can be placed anywhere and range in size from about 8 to 18 inches. Some of them are so detailed that they look like they were hand sculpted by great artists.  Fiona, the Flower Fairy Sculpture is an example of this.

Just think of the stories you could make up for your young children about why the fairy is riding the butterfly.  Maybe she is trying to escape from a wicked gnome, or looking for her fairy sister who is down by the pond.  The beauty of fairies is enhanced when they are made of stained glass.

Gnomes and fairies always add class to a yard or garden and they will do that for yours.

See others that are available by visiting http://uniquegiftsanddecor.com/fairies-and-gnomes-sculptures.html.

Remembering Your Loved Ones With Memorial Benches

Perhaps you have a loved one who has passed away and want to erect a lasting memorial to him or her.  A very personal way of doing so is to place a memorial bench in your garden or yard.

A beautiful cast stone memorial bench would be a thoughtful reminder and lasting memorial of your loved one.

Memorial benches come in a variety of designs and sizes with inspirational quotations engraved on them.  Examples include:

"If tears could build a stairway, and memories a lane, I'd walk right up to Heaven and bring you home again"

"Gone yet not forgotten, although we are apart, your spirit lives within me, forever in my heart"

Some benches come with a brass plaque on which you may have name and dates or even a few words of your own engraved on up to five lines.

When you lose a loved one you feel that you can never live without them, yet life goes on although they should never be forgotten.  By placing one of these memorials in your garden or yard you will make sure that they will never be forgotten, and whenever you feel down or if you are troubled and need some peace and quiet, you can sit there and remember.  Some people feel that their loved ones have never left them, and this is a good way to keep in touch with their memory.

More details on stone memorial benches are available at http://uniquegiftsanddecor.com/address-plaques-and-memorials.html.

Add Beauty to Your Patio or Garden with Water Fountains

Garden fountains bring a touch of class to any garden, patio or yard and are available online for any area, large or small. The range of these beautiful water features that is available is astounding, and most are affordable to any purse or wallet.

You can accentuate the fantasy with fountains made of angels, cherubs or Greek gods, or simply go for a young child playing with baby birds, as the water sparkles and dances into a basin set with acanthus leaves on a classical pedestal.

If you prefer a fountain with cherubs, then how about four of them playing in four foot fountain, a reproduction of a 15^th century French design with two bowls, one flowing into the other. Or how about something irresistibly cute – a well-mannered St. Bernard patiently quenching its thirst.  

There are many more fountains to be found for small or medium sized areas, and some collect the water so perfectly that they would be suitable for a patio or atrium.  Of particular beauty is a fountain with seven bamboo pillars.  Water cascades down from one to the other and is collected in the last to be recirculated back to the top.  This fountain is suitable for use outdoors or indoors.

You can even get a cherub wall fountain in a design from Tuscany, of particular benefit if you have no room in your garden for a full round design. This sits against any wall and also collects all the water that is circulated by means of the pump provided.

If you have a pond or a pool how would it look with a solid bronze otter sitting nearby?  This statue stands 16 inches high and will add class and a touch of fantasy.

Many outdoor fountains need care, especially in winter.   Freezing temperatures can cause damage.  Always follow the manufacturer’s care instructions to ensure years or use.   

Make Outdoor Walls Come Alive

Not many people pay a lot of attention to the outdoor walls of their home.  There is a real opportunity to add to the overall beauty of one’s home with outdoor wall décor.  There is marvelous range of outdoor wall accents that you can use to make your walls stand out, add that little bit extra to the walls in your garden area and even be used as part of a unique outdoor décor. 

Perhaps you need something to complement your garden, and are seeking a sculpture to sit on a garden wall, or maybe in a sunny window ledge?  What would look better than a beautiful wall plaque or sculpture?  A hand-painted, painstakingly sculpted owl or an angel sitting contemplating from outside your window also may do the trick.

You can adorn your outdoor walls with themes such as French art nouveaux wall sculptures known traditionally as Le Printemps and Le Etoile ( spring and the star - L'Etoile is also a leading ballerina). These can be fitted to an outside wall and used to hold growing flowers.  A copy of Bernini’s masterful Dove of Peace that is the focal point of the Throne of St. Peter in the Vatican would look fantastic. You have to see this to appreciate it properly, but it is available if you know where to find it.  This also is great for the indoors.

Another idea for an outside wall is the North wind, huffing and puffing, but this one won't blow the house down. It is simply one of many outside wall accents you can use.  You can even add a new member to your household.  The fantastical “half cat/half goyle” Catgoyle on the Loose Wall Sculpture can show your playful or mysterious side.

Don’t neglect your outdoor walls.  Use them to make a statement.  It is these extras that actually make a home unique and show off the tastes of its occupant.  By using any of these beautiful wall sculptures or accents, you will place a stamp on your home and show your good taste in art and decor.

Old Phone Styles are Today’s Art Deco

Genuine antique phones that work make wonderful gifts, and are also excellent and unique conversation pieces. Of course, for them to be used in modern telecommunications networks, they have to meet current-day standards, and most antiques are useless for anything but viewing or as an investment.  Nevertheless, many have been refurbished and rewired to meet today's standards, and can be used as a regular phone in place of your current telephone handset.   

Let's discuss some examples of old phones that work because they have been suitably refurbished. Naturally, their prices will be a bit higher than modern phones because they are genuine antiques - they have simply been upgraded to meet the needs of today so they can be used for their intended purpose.

There is a number of old cradle phones that originated in the 1920s and were produced right up to the 1970s. In order for them to be used they have been thoroughly cleaned, inside and out, and refurbished to varying degrees.  They are still of the original design, and are not fakes, but the real actual phones that were used during these periods.  

One example is the Electric AE 50 phone known as the 'juke box phone' because of its design.  It came in a number of versions, and the art deco wall version is particularly good looking and would grace any hallway wall. With new wiring to modern standards, these are available online at under $250. For approximately the same price you can get your hands on a chrome English cradle phone, with a beautiful chromed finish and black handset.  It looks truly magnificent and was dubbed the 'Toaster Phone'.  Made in the 1920s, this phone has been made ready to plug into your existing system.

For something a bit different, made in the 1970s even though it is of an older-looking design, the 1970s Decorator Cradle Telephone is a beautiful work of art in antique white, with white figures on a blue background.  

Another unique phone is the Kellogg's 1932 Pyramid telephone.  As originally built, there was no dial on this phone since it was originally used with an operator.  Now you can also get the Pyramid with a dial added.

So there we have just a few of an amazing range of cradle telephones that have passed the test of time and can still be used today since they have been refitted with modern wiring and network capability.  They are worth every cent for offering a unique and distinguished look to your home, and many homes have more than one.

Pewter Goblets Enliven Home Bars

The proper wine and bar accents can make a home bar extra special. A home bar should not only be equipped properly but it also should include a few accents that will make it look that little bit special.

Start with the glasses: a dragon pewter 16 oz glass goblet is very inspiring. The dragon twists its wings around to hold the glass goblet, and its tail twists to form the stem - a set of these would look absolutely stunning on your bar.  

If you prefer your goblets to be 100% pewter, then the same artists in Brescia have designed a three dimensional goblet with pewter laid on pewter, using techniques handed down for centuries. The base is a ring of fire with the dragon rising out from it. As well as looking great on your bar, a set of these would make a marvelous gift.

There are other pewter-smiths in Italy of course, and a company in Viale, in the Piedmont region of North-East Italy, offers a beautiful olde world style of pewter goblet that celebrates the grape harvest.  This goblet is encircled with a lush bunch of beautiful ripe grapes.

It's one thing having a home bar, but to have one that stands out and is commented upon takes some work and a degree of selectivity in furnishing it.  It's not so much the bar stools that make a good bar a great bar, and it certainly isn't the drinks, because anybody can have them.  What it is is your choice of goblets, glasses and the touch of class represented by them.

Great Accents For Coffee Tables

Decorative home accents can make a significant difference to the look and feel of your home décor.  Take the ordinary coffee table.  Usually there is a lamp, maybe a vase and even some magazines.  But how about something striking and unique.  Maybe a fantastic Celtic chess set with incredibly sculpted chess pieces boasting bold dragons, magical wizards, powerful horses, tall towers, brave knights, and fair maidens. 

You might prefer a beautifully expensive-looking Egyptian box, embellished with chariots, hieroglyphs and scarabs in an overall gold effect finish, and costing you under $30.00. 

Also, an art nouveaux peacock-shaped box containing potpourri that both decorates and offers your a delicate perfume makes a beautiful addition to any room.

Any of the above will make a difference to your home décor, but to combine them into one room would definitely make your guests gasp and you would be a very popular hostess.

Unique Candle Sticks Make Great Home Accents

Candles make great home accents.  But certainly not by themselves.  They just sit there or are stuck in some type of a underwhelming holder.  What truly adds to unique and beautiful décor are candle holders and candelabras.  

Change your uninspired candle holders to beautiful white angels with lovely feathered wings and draped gowns.  Or how about solid brass replicas of the candle holders in Chartres Cathedral, substantial examples of medieval gothic art that will showcase even the best of rooms?

Oftentimes overlooked are wall candle holders.  These can be transformative such as beautiful Byzantine pendant lanterns, with vibrant purple glass held in hand-tooled metal scrolls, dropping 18 inches down from a chain and embossed bracket.  If that is too ornate, you can choose from several themes to add a dramatic look.  Check here for a unique selection of candle holders.

Bookends Make Great Collectibles

Many people love collectibles, and bookends are wonderful things to collect.  They are fashioned in a number of shapes and designs and made of any number of materials to make each a unique collector’s piece.  For example,  collectible bookends can evoke historical periods such as medieval knights bookends.  Even the world of fantasy is represented.  A guy or gal  into the Dungeons and Dragons type of games would appreciate a set of gothic castle dragon bookends to hold up their hobby books or just to display.

One of the great things about bookends as collectibles is that, not only is there a unique selection, but quality bookends can be found for any budget.  A set of high-quality foundry cast iron 1920’s Flappers bookends will not break the bank and will make an unusual gift.

Bookends make great gifts.  Even if someone is not a collector, most people have a book collection of some kind, and they generally own a few books of which they are particularly proud.  They are thoughtful and imaginative gifts even for the non-collector.

If you are a already a bookend collector, or if you want to start your own collection, check out some fun and unique collectible bookends.

Gift Ideas For The Someone Who Has Everything

Although bookends make great gifts, they don't come first to mind when people are thinking of something unique or interesting to give somebody that seems to have everything.  You know the type of person, who has the Rolex, the jewelry, their home is stuffed full of all the normal gifts, and they aren't into sports.

However, most people read, and even if they don't have everything, bookends are a good choice simply because of the variety of designs and prices available. A set of bull and bear bookends would be an imaginative gift for a stockbroker for example.  So they do make a good gift, and are also good for offices, businessmen, and professionals to enable them to keep the books they use most on hand. 

The fact is that most people have a book collection of some kind, and they generally own a few books of which they are particularly proud.  They might like them to be on show to indicate how eclectic they are in their reading, or they may even have an expensive rare book collection that they want to display. A nice set of bronze book ends, such as the popular thinker bookend set,  is ideal for that, because they can display their books on a sideboard or mantelpiece rather than have them stuck away in a library shelf out of sight. Check out some ideas on which bookends might work for those on your list.

Great Ideas For Halloween Costumes

Try something different this year and make a big entrance to your Halloween Parties and Gatherings, in a costume from yesteryear.


You can choose just about any time period, from the Civil War or the Renaissance or the popular Steampunk costumes. For those not familiar with those, Steampunk relates to the science fiction or fantasy genre and these costumes are worth a look, especially for the guys.

For the ladies who want to make a spectacular entrance, look no further than this gorgeous Elegant Empress gown, or the stunning Tudor Queen Katherine.

Check out all these Historical Costumes, and have a great Halloween.