I’m writing this from the airplane en route to a family wedding in Texas. I wanted to share some ideas I have about holiday gifts. This is not exactly my dreamy gift guide of years prior in attempt to wow you with the uniqueness of others, but the original and one of a kind art, objects and experiences we offer at the gallery.

My flagship may look a little different this year as we continue to evolve in our creative corner of the world, but you can still shop the gallery for the holidays and I hope you do. Here are some of my favorites for giving and for getting that will leave you and the recipient feeling so special about your thoughtfulness. Everything here is meant to be loved long after we put away the garland.

I'll be rolling all of these out this week in detail, but here's your preview - Something worth noting since some of these items are quite rare and very limited. Email me for bookings hello@kristencoates.net

SHOP THE GIFT GUIDE HERE

I started the Unsual Colors six years ago and I love that they continue to delight 

1. A Series of Unusual Colors

These pieces arrive signed and framed and are an easy addition to any art collection or home decor because no two are identical and each one speaks to a different audience. With so many colors, there’s bound to be a meaningful message for even your most discerning recipient. If you’re not finding the perfect color and sentiment go ahead and ask for a custom piece and we will do our best to get it out by Christmas 

Palette and brushes in my studio from a recent commission

2. Gifting a commission painting

An unforgettable experience and a gift that will live on for years to come. When a client commissions a painting, they are fully immersed in the experience as decision maker and consultant to my process. We collaborate on colors, ideas and work over a few weeks to create exactly what they want (within the scope of my work! You can get ideas here). There are multiple points of approvals and revision requests before the artwork is completed and then transported right to the recipients home. What a marvelous experience to share

To book a commission, you are purchasing a non refundable deposit at $1200. Once a size is determined, you will be billed the balance of a 50% total deposit. When the painting is completed you will be billed the full balance.

A moveable feast, my dinner party tables are a work of art in their own right

3. Invitation to a private dinner at the gallery with me and other creative friends and artists. Enjoy dining while getting to know me and the creatives in my community while experiencing a unique event at the gallery. At the end of the evening, you will select a piece of art to bring home with you to commemorate the experience. I have become known for my artwork and my dinner parties - here’s the chance to enjoy both in a lively and festive setting.

$5000 Investment includes one ticket that provides dinner for one or two people and one piece of art either in the gallery or commissioned following the dinner. Date to be organized by me and recipient.

We know so many of Michael's images from Italy, but there are thousands more waiting to be seen and enjoyed

4. An original 1 of 1 photograph by Michael J. Paddon

Work with me to view a catalog of Michael’s images over the last decade to select your favorite photo. From Newport to Thailand and everywhere in between, access photos never seen by the public. Once you have your favorite we will have it printed, signed and framed. Delivery included.

4500 per image

Credit Brunello Cucinelli

5. The 1,000 book library

A recent story on the cover of WSJ Magazine about designer Brunello Cucinelli gifting his daughter for her wedding a 1000 book library filled with all the advice he would want her to have was so moving to me. My parents certainly did not have the means to do something like this for me or my siblings, but my mother did keep all of the letters I sent to her from the years I spent living in Los Angeles and New York City and along all my travels. It isn’t exactly the same, but the sentiment resonates when a collection can be read as if the giver and recipient are in an eternal conversation. What a gift.

This experience can be customized in a multitude of ways. For yourself, we would work together with my guidance and your interests to create your own library. For a significant other we could explore the types of books that are not only of interest, but meaningful. And of course, as legacy to a friend or family member.

$100,000 The process would be over 12 months and include all fees associated with the collection for 1,000 books. Entirely immersive experience for all involved

A home I refreshed in an afternoon in Hollywood, California

6. Love where you live, refreshed and styled

Love the way my world looks and yearn for the same feeling at home or your office, but just not sure how to get there? Invite me to see your space in person or virtually to reimagine your space by shifting a few things here, editing a few things there and working with what you already have before designing a plan to flush out the rest. Dozens of clients have welcomed me into their home to revive their space in a day or two and with varying budgets from pretty simple to super wow factor - and every single one has called to thank me for making their home feel like the space they always wanted. It’s only now that I am making the time to be able to offer this more often.

I love mixing in my finds from Forgotten Island into my projects and especially at the gallery

7. Save the planet, shop for re-gifts!

Have you heard of my Forgotten Island project where I collect various art and objects along my travels from vintage shops to estate sales and everywhere in between and bring them in, restore as necessary and shine a spotlight on them as new in the gallery? Everything has already been created, now it’s curated for you right here. Gifting Forgotten Island is an extraordinary opportunity to gift something unique and likely rare or one of a kind, but also won’t have the impact on the environment of mass producing another run of the mill item, something we can all lean into these days. Shop Forgotten Island here and here.

8. One of a kind, custom ceramic slab.

Hear me out, I know this one is a little abstract. A couple of years ago I made ceramic slabs almost like oblong tiles. I broke two and have two left. I’ve let them become so precious in my studio I cannot think of what to paint on them so how about you tell me and then you get to gift yours as something really personal and wonderful - like a home title, street address or small painting. $1000 each painted slab

My commissions start at $2400 so this is a lovely way to have a custom piece of art for less than half the usual price for a commission.

9. Our only sale before Christmas

I’m listing 5 paintings (above) for $2500 four five hours tonight + 5 hours tomorrow (seeing this is so late tonight!) until 12pm noon tomorrow. They are typically at higher pricing, but I want to continue to share work that is accessible to the clients that have come to know and love my work over the years and continue to follow my endeavors no matter how unusual I become. I can’t do sales or follow the calendar of holidays and selling seasons the way I have over the years, but when something fun comes to mind I’ll put it out there. And who knows. Maybe it’s the piece you’ve been eyeing in the price range that works and you get all you ever wanted for the holiday season!

10. Artist for the day

Paint with me at my gallery to create a one of a kind piece that’s all your own. Spend a couple of hours working through the concept, selecting colors and brushes then painting. We will enjoy a light lunch at Pasta Beach where we will chat about the work, art as process and last steps to implement to make the painting perfect using one of my favorite techniques I’ll share on how I find the end of an abstract. We will return to the gallery to work on your painting until it is finished. We will arrange a time for pick up or delivery once the piece is completely dry. Treasure a truly rare experience and have a painting and all the skills acquired to commemorate the gift.

$4500. The painting will be on a 36x36 or 30x40 gallery wrapped canvas and the fee includes all time, materials and lunch.

11. Shop with me

We will start the day by looking at your space or inspiration for your idea and then visit several shops and vendors to pull together a finished design with options for purchases. As a client of mine, the recipient will receive ideas, a design tote with the things I use to design and any discount I receive I will pass along. I will be on a small tour this spring so if you’re not in New England or New York this could still work! $4500

12. Newport Weekend Curated

Work with me to get an insider perspective to staying in Newport. I’ll help you plan the perfect weekend, events and accommodations. Enjoy all the benefits of my Rolodex and a truly one of a kind access to this island and beyond.

$20,000 Newport

$30,000 Capri + Amalfi Coast

This was such a fun list to write. If you enjoyed it or found some inspiration please share it with a friend or two. I really would love to expand my audience in an organic way rather than advertising online. I find it keeps me feeling more authentic and able to share that authenticity when my clients are friends and friends of friends

Live your most extraordinary life as soon as possible. 
Happy weekend from our family to yours!
XO Kristen