Photo Credit: Aubrie Pick
This holiday season instead of doing a traditional gift guide, I’ve reached out to my favorite local shop owners to learn what they recommend giving. The retailers stock their respective stores with gorgeous clothing, covetable home goods, sensational spirits, and delicious eats, so naturally they have a knack for selecting the perfect gift. I came up with a list of 10 quintessential SF personalities, from the gentleman farmer to the Color Factory girl, and asked the curator what they would give each unique type. Now through Christmas, I’ll be sharing their gift guides.
Photo Credit: Aubrie Pick
Maja Lithander Smith is a modern-day globe-trotting treasure hunter. Instead of searching for a pirate’s long-lost gold, Lithander Smith scours the world for the one-of-a-kind home goods. When she founds a unique piece—say a Palestinian blown glass pitcher, lacquered goatskin coffee table by Aldo Tura, or vintage Moroccan tea glasses—she brings it to San Francisco and sells it at her Sacramento Street boutique, Found by Maja. With an impeccable eye for design and a keen understanding of interiors, Lithander Smith knows how to pick out the perfect present. Here in her own words is her gift guide.
The Lady Who Launched: Hand poured bowls ($80) made in Copenhagen.
The Hoodied Tech Bro: Nu safari jacket ($385) by local brand Welcome Stranger.
The Fabulous Couple: Shagreen Aerin Lauder backgammon set ($2500).
The Cool Mom: The Point in Teal Python ($145) by Rothy’s—another local brand that makes stylish shoes out of recycled materials.
The Wine Country Escapists: Hudson Grace’s stone wine chiller ($68).
The Budding Mixologist: Found by Maja frame bottle opener ($65).
The Restaurant Hound: If Only’s caviar party ($1500), a partnership with The Caviar Company, that benefits The Tipping Point Emergency Relief Fund.
The Gentleman Farmer: March’s Oregon myrtlewood trug ($160).
The Interior Aesthete: The Future Perfect’s large Poltrona 008 in green mohair ($10,765.00).
The Color Factory Girl: Our silk ikat brass clutch ($120) made by a women’s collective in Malaysia.
Check out the other gift guides in this series!
Convert’s Randy Brewer
Jay Jeffers and Michael Purdy of Jay Jeffers The Store
Hero Shop’s Emily Holt
Bi-Rite market’s Liz Martinez
St. Frank’s Christina Bryant