Think Jasper Johns’ “Flag” print mixed with a little American history lesson. Not only are these wood blocks individually printed with fun facts on every American president, but together they form the flag.

Each of the blocks are made in my home state of Michigan with sustainably harvested Bass wood. Flip them over and the blocks depict everything from each president’s photo to their party affiliation. It’s a great learning tool for kids (and adults!) to learn what order the presidents took office. We have so much fun with them at the store!

Fun fact: Jasper Johns was the previous owner of the SoHo building my design store sits in.

Available in our store and at a special price on OpenSky of only $88 till tomorrow only!

Just In:  A Trio of Penguin Classics with female protagonists: Little Women by Louisa May Alcott, Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.

Just in: Penguin Classics Cloth bound Re-Issues with Ultra-Modern and Cool Cover artwork - great gifts for those starting their own libraries, young people who are interested in the classics, and those of us who already love the classics and enjoy paying tribute to them with beautiful covers. These are a set of 3 with male protagonists: Great Expectations by Charles Dickens, Dracula by Bram Stoker and The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde.

I love the book cover of JayZ’s, “Decoded”. Publishers are pushing the design envelope in order to keep print books relevant. Great news for us design geeks. Plus, I’m really curious to read about JayZ. he’s obviously a really smart man.

For the NYTimes article: click here.

The best “On the Go” Christmas Decor ever: Needle Free Christmas Tree This printed cotton canvas tree measures 37”x67” and can be easily hung on the wall. It can be left plain or decorated, either by pinning ornaments to it or painting directly on to the canvas. It comes packaged in it’s own cardboard tube which makes it easy to store every year.

Available on MicheleVarian.com and at my store: Michele Varian, 27 Howard St, Soho, NYC.

or call t. 212-343-0033.

The full bounty of the holidays, the yummiest of foods served up on our Acacia Wood Over-Sized cutting or Serving Boards. I took this photo at a recent party. Having these boards which are big enough to put big hunks or bread and cheese, makes entertaining easy. They’re featured from Michele Varian in the NYTimes Gift guide today, but they are available on our website for $80 and our store, Michele Varian, 27 Howard St, Soho, NYC.

Here is the rectangular Acacia Wood Cutting Board. I used both this and the round version at a recent party and for preparing Thanksgiving dinner. I love how much they can hold and they’re really light weight too.

Both are available on my website and at my store: Michele Varian, 27 Howard St, NYC, Soho.

Check out this Acacia Wood Over Sized Cutting Board featured from Michele Varian in The New York Times Gift Guide. We also offer it in a rectangular shape and I have both at home. They both have a lot going for them, especially if you like to entertain. Acacia wood has a beautiful color and tight flame patterned grain. It is also very light weight, but hard wood, which grows quickly, making it very sustainable.

Besides being over sized, so that you don’t lose what you’re cutting to the floor, the wood is super light weight, making these boards easy to pick-up when full of food. The long handles give you great leverage for carrying them when they are full of food for serving boards.

They make great Hostess Gifts.

Available at MicheleVarian.com and at our store Michele Varian, 27 Howard St, Soho, NYC t.212-226-1076

A Hand-Painted Walnut Rocket featured from Michele Varian in The New York Times Gift Guide. I love this minimalist interpretation of a rocket, made locally in Brooklyn. This piece is beautiful added to a Mid-Century Modern collection of objects as well as a contemporary interior. It’s a great gift for the guy (or girl) who has everything, but wants to keep it minimal.

Available on: MicheleVarian.com

Great Gifts: Desktop toys for Adults and Design Geeks. If anyone asks, just call them sculptures or paperweights. Wooden toys by David Weeks.

Available on: www.michelevarian.com, but till the end of this weekend they are at a special discount on OpenSky, plus get an additional $10 off by clicking this link.

 Here is just a sampling of some of the first items that will be offered on the Michele Varian Curated Page at OpenSky. Better yet, once a week, my followers will receive special offers.

(Source: michelevarianblog.com)

I’m excited to invite you to the Michele Varian launch as a Curator on a new Shopping Site called OpenSky. By clicking on this image, my friends will receive an exclusive $10 credit towards their first purchase. Through this weekend only, there will be an additional discount on the products I’ve selected.

It’s a pretty unique platform, because they’ve selected people like me, tastemakers, most of whom are celebrities (not like me), to choose our favorite products to share with people who follow us.