10 Luxurious Gifts to Give

Philippa P. B. Hughes’s title at The Pink Line Project is chief creative contrarian—apropos, as Hughes is leading the charge when it comes to spicing up DC ’s cultural climate. Hughes and Pink Line connect and celebrate everything art-related in the Washington area: heralding new talent, announcing gallery shows and events, and promoting innovative ideas. Which is why when Hughes professed her love of Joel D’Orazio’s work, we immediately knew he was deserving of a place on our gift list. “Joel’s sculptures are whimsically Suessian and wonderful eye candy,” says Hughes. “But look closer, and you will see he has embellished mid-century furniture by the likes of Eames and Betroia and others with found industrial materials.” Whether cable wire, translucent tubes stuffed with pipe cleaners, or foam, D’Orazio, a former architect, creates original works, repurposing the everyday into the abstract. A gift such as the bold, locally crafted beauty seen here is as unique as they come. “They’re quite functional,” says Hughes of D’Orazio’s pieces, which also include paintings. “But they also add visual interest and are true conversation starters in any art collection.”