Hasta La Ideas

The classic symbol of Valentine’s spirit, heart-shapes don’t just inspire cutesy objects but also dynamically influence form, color and meaning with their anatomically-derived contours. To help with what is a challenging holiday for many, below we picked our favorite heart designs that redefine the typically corny celebration of love.

For even more options, check out the Cool Hunting gift guide.

Verner Panton’s 1959 Heart-Shaped Cone Chair for Vitra is still as desirable today as it was when it shocked the design world for its supreme modernity. The now classic piece would serve as a beautiful reminder of love in any home. Pick it up from Hive for $3,670.

A geektastic gift, Becky Stern‘s sterling silver ASCII heart necklace makes the ultimate symbol of modern love and affection. Get it from her Etsy shop for $150.

First cast in fine porcelain and then glazed with pure platinum, Jonathan Adler’s large aorta sculpture works as either an elegant vase or simple objet d’art. It sells online and at Jonathan Adler boutiques for $295, or check out the smaller version for $165.

Nambé‘s charming Love Bowl perfectly contains jewelery of Valentines past, small candies or any other sweet bits. Designed by Sean O’Hara, the Love Bowl comes in large ($100), small ($30) or glass ($20) and sells online from Nambé.

Show the font lover in your life how much you care with House Industries’ limited edition Valentype heart. The solid maple wood block comes with a pre-drilled hole for easy hanging, leaving the rest of the evening open for even more creativity. Order online from House Industries for $50.

Charmingly delicate and romantic, the heart ring will please minimalists and high-maintenance types alike. Comprised of solid 14k gold, it’s also part of a series of initials that easily combine with the heart or other letters. Grab it online from Catbird for $88.

For the craftier set, say it with cheese. The heart-shaped mold can churn out an assortment of cheeses from paneer to chevre, or try making Coeur à la Crème, the famed French desert that’s perfect for this amorous holiday. Available from Urban Cheesecraft for $12, where you can also buy DIY cheese kits.

Add an extra thoughtful touch to the standard Valentine’s Day mix tape with these heart-shaped ear buds from Fred Flare. Get them online or at their Brooklyn brick-and-mortar location for $15.

To prompt warm and cheery feelings on gloomy days, the heart umbrella makes a great light-hearted gift to shelter sweeties through the storm. Designed by Moscow-based Art.Lebedev Studio, the umbrella sells online for $60 and comes in a variety of colors.

A limited edition of 200, this anatomically-inspired work of art by Portland-based Esque Studio looks as beautiful as it does creepy. Creative partners Andi Kovel and Justin Parker use glass as their medium for art objects, creating works like this intricate heart vase along with simpler but equally compelling items like their water drop jugs, (highlighted in a CH video about the impressive studio). Unica Home carries the signed and numbered vase for $450.

Centered around the power of compassion, the Humanity Fragrance radiates a bouquet of Indian white lotus flowers mixed with hints of vanilla and other spices. While we haven’t smelled it ourselves, the seemingly delightful scent captivated us with its handmade and numbered anatomical glass bottle and white glass cork. All proceeds go toward the construction of the Humanity Fragrance Fountain in Brooklyn, built together with Trust Art. Purchase the bottle online for $125.

An exquisite piece of cutlery designed by Miriam Mirri for Alessi, the love spoon is the ultimate romantic way to share a bowl of passion fruit sorbet. Sold individually from Alessi for $32 or with its companion ice cream bowl at MoMA for $54.

This homage to the great textile designer and 20th century renaissance man Alexander Girard is an ideal present for artistic companions. In typical Girard style the International Love pillow looks so aesthetically pleasing it deserves year-round display. Pick it up in either red or white from Urban Outfitters for $38.

The anatomically-correct human heart locket will have honeys swooning but for extra points, hide a special memento inside. Cast in sterling silver and strung on a long chain, Chicago-based designer Peggy Skemp handcrafts each one. Sold under her label Heron Adornment, the locket is available from her Etsy shop for $224.