Welcome to TGP Tidbits where we round up the happenings and our musings of the design industry each week. This week we take a look at the “Christmas Vacation” movie advent house, Grace Coddington for Astier de Villatte, and Fashioning Wonder. Written by Natalie Aldridge.
The “Christmas Vacation” Movie Advent House
It’s no secret—we we absolutely adore advent calendars! And just when we thought we’d seen it all, we stumbled across the most extraordinary creation on Etsy: a custom-made advent calendar that is an exact, full-sized replica of the iconic advent calendar featured in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, where the Griswold family counts down the days to their hilariously chaotic, old-fashioned holiday celebration.
These stunning pieces are handcrafted to order and showcase impeccable craftsmanship that truly sets them apart. Each Advent House is meticulously designed and entirely hand-built in Montana with extraordinary care to ensure every detail. From scale to perspective, this calendar an accurate homage to the beloved film prop.
The Etsy Description says:
TheAdventHouse is born of a love of the movie Christmas Vacation. In that movie are a few super short moments where a small window is opened on a large Advent Calendar, in the shape of a large House. We loved that so much that we developed the original Advent House based on those few movie screenshots. We began by creating plans so people could build the Advent House themselves (which are no longer available). Then we moved into creating kits for the more difficult parts (such as the small window shutters), and finally, we now provide all of the parts and pieces you need to build your very own Christmas Advent House! We also create a few Fully Assembled Advent Houses each year! We’ve also worked hard to make the kits easy to assemble, as well as fast and effective! So get your Advent House Kit today and have it ready to go for this next Christmas!
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Now taking Fully Assembled orders for Christmas 2025, these advent calendars are heirloom-quality masterpieces that capture the magic of Christmas nostalgia. Contact Tiger Mountain Christmas Advent House to inquire.
Grace Coddington for Astier de Villatte
For decades, Grace Coddington has reigned as the creative force behind American Vogue, cementing her status as a fashion icon and storyteller extraordinaire. Yet beyond her celebrated editorial brilliance lies a quieter, whimsical side to her artistry that often goes overlooked: her charming little drawings. Brimming with wit and warmth, these illustrations reflect her enduring love of cats—a devotion that has spanned more than 50 years and countless feline muses.
Now, this lesser-known facet of Grace’s creativity takes center stage in a collaboration with Astier de Villatte. Renowned for their imaginative partnerships, the Parisian atelier has joined forces with Grace to bring her sketches to life in a delightful collection that seamlessly blends her playful artistry with their signature craftsmanship.
The collection includes a whimsical tea set adorned with her cat-inspired illustrations, as well as beautifully designed postcards and matching envelopes. Each piece radiates charm, making the series a perfect fusion of Grace’s artistic vision and Astier de Villatte’s distinctive style. Whether you’re a devoted cat lover, a fan of Coddington’s work, or simply in search of a thoughtful holiday gift, this collection is a delight.
Fashioning Wonder at the Museum at FIT
The beloved Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology has revealed their next exhibition and we cannot be more excited. Step into fashion’s own cabinet of curiosities with Fashioning Wonder: A Cabinet of Curiosities. This spellbinding exhibition reimagines the 16th-century wunderkammern, the original museums of the rare and extraordinary. Featuring nearly 200 garments and accessories from FIT’s collection, many on display for the first time, it’s a true feast for the curious and the fashion-obsessed.
The exhibition begins with the history of curiosity cabinets, born during the Age of Exploration, and their evolution into modern museums. A standout piece is Mary Katrantzou’s intricate butterfly-and-seashell dress, a love letter to the joy of collecting.
From there, the show dives into thematic galleries that feel like stepping into a living cabinet of curiosities. The Specimens room channels natural inspirations with garments like Tom Ford’s zebra-beaded gown to earrings displayed like scientific treasures. The Aviary room enchants with feathered finery, while the Anatomical Theatre turns the human body into art, featuring Arzu Kaprol’s metallic skeletal dress.
The Artisanship section pays tribute to craftsmanship with miniature fashion pieces and tools that blur the line between functional and beautiful. In Kunstkammer, art history meets high fashion with a Comme des Garçons dress inspired by Giuseppe Arcimboldo’s surreal Vertumnus. Meanwhile, Vanitas reminds us of life’s fragility with butterfly shoes and skull-shaped accessories.
Curated by Dr. Colleen Hill, it’s an ode to the curiosity that fuels both collecting and creativity. This exhibition is a treasure trove of inspiration! Running from February 19th to April 20th, 2025, be certain to following along on Instagram for updates and insights from the museum.
Read our favorite articles of the week!
Meet the Rule-Breaking Florist Who Thrilled 1930s New York Society written by Deborah Needleman for Frederic.
This 1920s Colonial in Canada Could Have Been Plucked Right Out of the English Countryside written by Grace Haynes for Veranda.
Shop this week’s inspired finds!
x Natalie
