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Collection by Jonathan Simcoe

The 2020 Minimalist Gift Guide

This year I've curated thoughtful, well-designed items selected to remind you to delight in the everyday simple pleasures that life affords: medium.com/pro...

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BELLROY / APEX SLIM SLEEVE Bellroy makes incredible products. From backpacks to totes to wallets and phone cases, their 3-year warranty on their goods tells you everything you need to know about this company, their approach, and their values. The Apex Collection is the culmination of 10 years of insight, design, iteration, technology, and mastery. Using magnets for closures, beautiful contrast trimming, premium leather, and custom woven fabric, the Apex Slim Sleeve is the perfect minimal wallet that is easy to carry and develops a rich personality and feel over time. https://bellroy.com/products/apex-slim-sleeve/leather_rfid/onyx#slide-0
BELLROY / APEX SLIM SLEEVE Bellroy makes incredible products. From backpacks to totes to wallets and phone cases, their 3-year warranty on their goods tells you everything you need to know about this company, their approach, and their values. The Apex Collection is the culmination of 10 years of insight, design, iteration, technology, and mastery. Using magnets for closures, beautiful contrast trimming, premium leather, and custom woven fabric, the Apex Slim Sleeve is the perfect minimal wallet that is easy to carry and develops a rich personality and feel over time. bellroy.com/pro...
BELLROY / APEX PASSPORT COVER The Apex Passport Cover is similar to the wallet in its elegance and design. The magnet closures make it feel like something from the future, while the rich leather and fabric tones evoke a simple sophistication. https://bellroy.com/products/apex-passport-cover/leather_rfid/onyx#slide-0
BELLROY / APEX PASSPORT COVER The Apex Passport Cover is similar to the wallet in its elegance and design. The magnet closures make it feel like something from the future, while the rich leather and fabric tones evoke a simple sophistication. bellroy.com/pro...
WESN / BLACKED OUT Having a utility knife handy is essential. If you need to have a knife and/or carabiner handy, then WESN’s beautiful and minimal Blacked Out versions of the Allman and CB are carry essentials. https://wesn.com/collections/all-products/products/allman?variant=31196991094897 https://wesn.com/collections/all-products/products/cb?variant=37451032527019
WESN / BLACKED OUT Having a utility knife handy is essential. If you need to have a knife and/or carabiner handy, then WESN’s beautiful and minimal Blacked Out versions of the Allman and CB are carry essentials. wesn.com/col... wesn.com/col...
MISSION WORKSHOP / THE DRIFT SF-based Mission Workshop makes some incredible gear that is minimal, durable, stylish, and ready for adventure. Their new Drift Tote is no exception, offering ample space (including an internal padded laptop sleeve, a slot for tablets/notebooks, and numerous outer/side pockets). The textured bottom panel is rugged and abrasion resistant, meaning you can haul lots of stuff anywhere you need to go. https://missionworkshop.com/products/the-drift
MISSION WORKSHOP / THE DRIFT SF-based Mission Workshop makes some incredible gear that is minimal, durable, stylish, and ready for adventure. Their new Drift Tote is no exception, offering ample space (including an internal padded laptop sleeve, a slot for tablets/notebooks, and numerous outer/side pockets). The textured bottom panel is rugged and abrasion resistant, meaning you can haul lots of stuff anywhere you need to go. missionworkshop.com/pro...
MAURÈLE DATUM NOTEPAD & LEATHER SLEEVE I came across Maurèle last Winter and I’ve had delightful email correspondence with co-founder Nick D’Urbano. Based out of Montreal, they are responsible for simple, beautiful, timeless paper materials and accessories that foster thoughtful engagement, technology disconnection, and slowing down. From their Datum Notepads to their handmade leather goods, Maurèle exudes both style and simplicity in everything they do. https://maurele.com/collections/notepads https://maurele.com/collections/leather-goods
MAURÈLE DATUM NOTEPAD & LEATHER SLEEVE I came across Maurèle last Winter and I’ve had delightful email correspondence with co-founder Nick D’Urbano. Based out of Montreal, they are responsible for simple, beautiful, timeless paper materials and accessories that foster thoughtful engagement, technology disconnection, and slowing down. From their Datum Notepads to their handmade leather goods, Maurèle exudes both style and simplicity in everything they do. maurele.com/col... maurele.com/col...
ITO BINDERY Hailing from Japan, ITO BINDERY makes incredible paper products by hand. For the past several years I’ve become more enamored with Japanese stationery and ITO is at the top of my list. Their notebooks use incredibly thin paper that is durable with no bleed-through. Their drawing and desk pads are trimmed in durable, smartly-colored chipboard and are perfect to draw, doodle, write, and capture notes with. If you outside the U.S., you can browse ITO BINDERY’s site below and find a stockist in your area. If you are ordering from the U.S. I would recommend Yoseka Stationery’s curated collection of ITO goods. https://ito-bindery.co.jp/ https://yosekastationery.com/collections/ito-bindery
ITO BINDERY Hailing from Japan, ITO BINDERY makes incredible paper products by hand. For the past several years I’ve become more enamored with Japanese stationery and ITO is at the top of my list. Their notebooks use incredibly thin paper that is durable with no bleed-through. Their drawing and desk pads are trimmed in durable, smartly-colored chipboard and are perfect to draw, doodle, write, and capture notes with. If you outside the U.S., you can browse ITO BINDERY’s site below and find a stockist in your area. If you are ordering from the U.S. I would recommend Yoseka Stationery’s curated collection of ITO goods. ito-bindery.co.jp yosekastationery.com/col...
LAMY PICO Every creative practitioner needs a well-built, beautiful writing instrument. Flow, construction, and balance are all important design elements for a workhorse pen. Bonus points if it can fit in your pocket. The LAMY pico hits all the marks. https://lamyshop.us/collections/ballpoint-pen/products/lamy-pico?variant=32726072983661
LAMY PICO Every creative practitioner needs a well-built, beautiful writing instrument. Flow, construction, and balance are all important design elements for a workhorse pen. Bonus points if it can fit in your pocket. The LAMY pico hits all the marks. lamyshop.us/col...
APPLE iPHONE 12 MINI Given the expansion of big tech over the last several years, I’m leery of recommending mainstream technology in the gift guide. This year is different. The iPhone 12 mini is the smartphone I’ve been wanting for a long time. It has the perfect form factor (a reduction in size and distraction) while offering a new OLED display, incredible camera tech, and smart (dare I say “fun”) accessories. Bundled with the Widgets and App Library of iOS 14, Apple’s new device is both a modern marvel and a welcome shift in strategy. https://www.apple.com/iphone-12/
APPLE iPHONE 12 MINI Given the expansion of big tech over the last several years, I’m leery of recommending mainstream technology in the gift guide. This year is different. The iPhone 12 mini is the smartphone I’ve been wanting for a long time. It has the perfect form factor (a reduction in size and distraction) while offering a new OLED display, incredible camera tech, and smart (dare I say “fun”) accessories. Bundled with the Widgets and App Library of iOS 14, Apple’s new device is both a modern marvel and a welcome shift in strategy. www.apple.com/iph...
REMARKABLE 2 reMarkable 2 lives up to its name in every possible way. It is the perfect writing/connected/smart tablet. Capture, writing, reading, and thought are effortless, and the wonderful creative experience is augmented by simple smartphone/desktop/browser tools to foster engagement, reflection, and quiet work. I’ve become skeptical about “distraction-free” devices (many of which have such woeful hardware/software glitches that they are not useful or elegant). reMarkable 2 is a great tablet that enables you to sync your creative work everywhere while still offering a reprieve from the onslaught of endless feeds, apps, and distractions. The textured experience of writing on the tablet is a dream and it fully exceeds every expectation I had when I first turned the device on. https://remarkable.com/
REMARKABLE 2 reMarkable 2 lives up to its name in every possible way. It is the perfect writing/connected/smart tablet. Capture, writing, reading, and thought are effortless, and the wonderful creative experience is augmented by simple smartphone/desktop/browser tools to foster engagement, reflection, and quiet work. I’ve become skeptical about “distraction-free” devices (many of which have such woeful hardware/software glitches that they are not useful or elegant). reMarkable 2 is a great tablet that enables you to sync your creative work everywhere while still offering a reprieve from the onslaught of endless feeds, apps, and distractions. The textured experience of writing on the tablet is a dream and it fully exceeds every expectation I had when I first turned the device on. remarkable.com
JARVIS PLY STANDING DESK Fully's signature piece is their Jarvis Standing Desk (reviewed in Designer Ply). The desk is completely customizable (including desktop color and size, leg color, accessories, handset controls, and cord management). The desk is solid, beautiful, easy to assemble and affordable. The warmth of the plywood accents augments its beautiful, minimal colors and lines. https://bit.ly/2I2VNLH
JARVIS PLY STANDING DESK Fully's signature piece is their Jarvis Standing Desk (reviewed in Designer Ply). The desk is completely customizable (including desktop color and size, leg color, accessories, handset controls, and cord management). The desk is solid, beautiful, easy to assemble and affordable. The warmth of the plywood accents augments its beautiful, minimal colors and lines. bit.ly/2I2...
KNOLL REGENERATION DESK CHAIR If you are looking for a well-designed affordable task chair, then I would recommend the Knoll ReGeneration Desk Chair. It offers a range of different seating configurations, has clean lines, and is built to be durable and functional. It’s the perfect companion for a home office setup. https://bit.ly/3l41mrN
KNOLL REGENERATION DESK CHAIR If you are looking for a well-designed affordable task chair, then I would recommend the Knoll ReGeneration Desk Chair. It offers a range of different seating configurations, has clean lines, and is built to be durable and functional. It’s the perfect companion for a home office setup. bit.ly/3l4...