Hope you have a super holiday weekend!

(prints available at Society6: I Love You A Latke, Christmas at the Skywalkers, and Let it Snow)

Zoe Garred runs Vancouver-based design studio Fleet Objects. She designed the Fleet Ribbon Ornament as a way to use up some aircraft plywood she had laying around. The thin plywood material proved to be bendable and very strong. Once several pieces were bent, she joined them together and fanned them out to create the spherical formation.

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Karte Design Fabrik recently launched its first collection entitled Wooded Hills, a set of Christmas cards inspired by Scandinavian design. The Berlin, Germany-based design duo specializes in handmade cards and candles. Co-founder Liz Mckeown designed the modern, geometric artwork featured on this collection of cards and gift tags. The simple repeated patterns and muted colors in the designs offer a nice alternative to the typical Christmas cards out there.

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Automata enthusiast and friend of Laikingland Sergio Pinese has created an automata making contest called Crankahead. With the competition deadline and Valentine’s Day fast approaching Martin Smith thought it would be fun to make a piece for both occasions and the result is The Heart Machine. Show your loved one how your heart beats for them!

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Happy Holidays from all of us at Design Milk to you and your family!

Pictured above is a Fallingwater gingerbread house by Melodie of Garden Melodies (via If It’s Hip It’s Here and Flavorwire).

BUILD LLC has created this re-usable Christmas tree prototype out of plywood.

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We don’t do gift guides here on Design Milk because everyone does them. We like to be different. Last year, we did staff wishlists and once again we thought it would be fun to continue this new tradition and ask each current contributor what was on their wishlist this holiday season — realistic or pipe dream. So, for 2 weeks we featured staff wishlists — see them all here.

These are some of my absolute FAVORITE designs that I would die to buy.

1. Aero by Balmuda
If I were to buy any desk, it would undoubtedly be this desk by Balmuda. Inspired by airplanes, manufactured by laser-cutting steel, coated with glass — I think the word “awesome” describes this desk pretty effectively.

2. Factory Planter by METAPHYS
I’ve been going through a “green” phase, and by that I mean I’ve been populating my whole home and office with plants. I want this.

3. Endless Notebook
Environmental, compact, and endless? I seriously don’t know why I don’t own this yet.

4. Humidifier Ver. 3 by plusminuszero
Yes, it is a humidifier. But it is designed by one of my all-time favorite designers: Naoto Fukasawa. Definitely deserves a spot on my wishlist.

5. Flat Tissue Box by Ideaco
I love plastic design, and this tissue box has just the right curves to make it to my wishlist.

We don’t do gift guides here on Design Milk because everyone does them. We like to be different. Last year, we did staff wishlists and once again we thought it would be fun to continue this new tradition and ask each current contributor what was on their wishlist this holiday season — realistic or pipe dream. So, for 2 weeks we featured staff wishlists — see them all here.

If you haven’t already heard on the interwebs, Mr. Design Milk and I have purchased a house. And not just any house, but our long-awaited, dream house. A mid-century modern ranch house that is the essence of all things Design Milk. But, until we move in, we’re all about dreaming, thinking, and planning about decorating, designing, renovating and remodeling! You can be sure to hear a lot more about the Design Milk House next year, but for now, here are some of the things on my house wishlist… and a few things for me too!:

1. A bold, yet minimalist white watch
Like this Hexagon one or the Nixon Vega.

2. Red LCWs
A dream of mine for my new house is to have a pair of red Eames LCWs in the living room.

3. A pair of Heima Candlesticks
To make my dream dining room tablescape complete!

4. Boots like these Bikkembergs
I want a really casual pair of tough-looking black boots that can take me through the elements but could still look cool with a skirt.

5. Zigzag Rug in Iron/Ivory/Fez Red from West Elm
I have lusted over this rug for so long. I have no idea where I would put it, but I know I want it somewhere.

6. Nelson Saucer Lamp
I bought a complete 1950s/1960s dining room set for my new house, but it needs the right lighting to showcase its mid-century beauty. I’m definitely getting a Nelson Saucer. I’ve actually been dreaming of this for years now and it will be great to see it all come together when we move in next year.

7. Zenzation Athletics Yoga Mat Bag
I’ve gotten really into yoga the past few months and I desperately need a mat bag. This one is fairly modern in style, simple and doesn’t have lots of hippie embroidery or crazy patterns. It appears to have a nice, thick shoulder strap, too. I think it suits me quite well.

8. Best Before Vases
To complete my milk carton collection, I need to get all three sizes of these milk cartons from Ricochet Studio.

9. The King is Dead by The Decemberists
Unfortunately, it’s not being released until mid-January but at least it’s available for pre-order!

10. Butterfly Chairs
I’ll take two, please! YUM.

11. Drop Bank
To make the ugly man valet full of change disappear from the top my dresser.

If you are looking for modern Christmas trees, here are a few options for you:

1. If you are gung-ho on getting a real tree, be sure to bring it to a tree recycling center when you’re finished.

2. Go buy someone’s old fake one on Craigslist or eBay so it goes to use instead of in the trash (we got a small 1950s aluminum one a few years back).

3. Try opting for one of the following modern options:

How about this silver one from Chiasso? It comes in gold too!

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We don’t do gift guides here on Design Milk because everyone does them. We like to be different. Last year, we did staff wishlists and once again we thought it would be fun to continue this new tradition and ask each current contributor what was on their wishlist this holiday season — realistic or pipe dream. So, for next 2 weeks we’ll be featuring staff wishlists.

I especially love Britton’s wishlist this year because I feel like you can really get a sense for who she is!

1. The Ace Hotel in Palm Springs
Yes, I want a hotel in my stocking. There are too many awesome things about the Ace Hotel Palm Springs to list so I’ll just take it all. I’ve never seen Desert-Mod-Nautical-Bohemian-Boy Scout done better.

2. Lyve Shield Necklace
Maybe it’s all of the Dark Ages battle sagas I’ve been obsessed with lately but this shield pendant, made in the ancient tradition, is the stuff legends are made of.

3. Nina Sings the Blues by Nina Simone
The original 1967 RCA Records pressing of Nina Sings the Blues by Nina Simone. Had it. Lent it. Lost it. No one sings it like Nina did. NO ONE.

4. Hand-Woven Market Basket
This lovely fair trade market basket is the perfect tote to get your farmer’s market veggies safely home. Hand woven by the Widow’s Weaving Cooperative in Northern Ghana.

5. Little Plum Vessel
Renewable wood fashioned after Pueblo pottery.

6. Screen-printed kitchen linens
Screen-printed linen. And feathers. Husband, wipe up your red wine with these and you are done for.

7. Heath Ceramics
Friends, food tastes better in Heath.

8. A Velorbis Studine Classic Ladies Bike
Your ride to the farmer’s market, pub and park just got waaaay more stylish.

9. 1000 Garden Ideas book
Written by Stafford Cliff, the author of 1974′s seminal House Book. If it’s anything like that, I want to see pretty gardens but I really want to see the crazy, too.