Habitually Chic Gift Guide: The Art Lover

I liked Domestic Art: Curated Interiors so much that I actually paid for price for it at Archivia books in NYC because I wanted to take it home and read it right away. Not only are the interiors beautiful but the art collections are too. It's definitely worth picking up for yourself or your favorite art lover.

For the art lover who needs a new daily planner, Smythson has launched the limited edition art diary. John Baldessari, Gary Hume, Ed Ruscha, and Rachel Whiteread have created these collectible works of art that are available separately or as a complete set of 8 for $2,800. I just wonder if they lose their value if you actually write in it!

Mrs. John L. Strong's Collector Diary and Directory seems like a bargain at $295 compared to Smythson and also lists all of the world’s most important art fairs, antique shows and auctions. And as my art advisor friend says, it's a buyers market right now so this could come in very handy.

Sometimes people wonder what an artist was thinking when they look at a painting and now Calvin Tomkins has come to their aid with The Lives of the Artist. Tompkins spent time with the 10 artists he profiles so the resulting essays are more intimate and personal than most over books. This would be a lovely gift for any art lover from a beginner to the serious collector.

One gift that keeps on giving is a museum membership. For the modern art lover, the Museum of Modern Art would be perfect. In addition to the regular memberships, the MoMA also has great affiliate groups such as the Junior Associates for the younger set and The A&D Circle for those interested in architecture and design.

Always a classic is The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Few people know that admission to the museum is actually free, but it's still nice to support them with a membership. They also have a great group for the young art enthusiast called The Apollo Circle.

Cire Trudon has a candle that's perfect for the art lover. The Dada candle celebrates the creativity and artistic expression of the Dada movement "with a touch of tea and vetiver, dressed up with crumpled mint leaves and eucalyptus." Of course, not many people can explain Dadaism so you can just tell them "ceci n'est pas une pipe."

If all else fails, just buy them a box of Marie Belle chocolates since each one is like a little piece of art. Just don't try to hang them on the wall!

It took me 40 years to find out that painting is not sculpture. - Paul Cezanne