Melbourne's iconic three-day design market is back again this year in plenty of time to knock off that pesky Christmas gift list. And highlights of the line-up of 230-plus designers reads like a who's who of inspired craftsmanship.

Volker Haug (lighting), Bridget Bodenham (hand-made tableware), Kate & Kate (cushions and throws), QueenSo (hay-filled ottomans), Lumiere Art & Co. (art prints, wallpaper and furnishings), Robyn Wood (Tasmanian Oak furniture), Designstuff (Scandinavian homewares), Tjanpi Desert Weavers (sculpture), Fictional Objects (bed linen), Grafa (artisanal garden tools) and Bride & Wolfe, whose quirky mesh shelving is pictured above.

There's a new champagne bar, limited-edition showbags, free workshops and kids' activities, an outdoor bike-testing track, plus an installation under the great dome of the Royal Exhibition Building by designer Emily Green.

December 4, 5 and 6, Royal Exhibition Building, 9 Nicholson Street, Carlton; adults $2, kids 12 and under free; thebigdesignmarket.com.

SAINTLY STAIRS

In keeping with its reputation for sourcing timeless decorative items from Europe, Richmond's Momu found this distinctive polished brass lamp with a bronze finish on one of its buying trips abroad. The talking point is, of course, the staircase that could be spotted by inquisitive guests in a living room on a buff et or console.

The design was inspired by the Loretto Chapel in New Mexico which was built in the late 19th century but was left without access to the choir loft after the architect died suddenly.

Mystery surrounds the free-standing spiral staircase that rose up soon after as it was said to be the result of divine intervention - it was made without a single nail.

After praying for nine days, the Sisters of Loretto said a carpenter off ered to build the stairs as long as he was left in isolation. Many claim the shabby-looking stranger was St Joseph.

Loretto table lamp, rrp $1,150, 30cm x 75cm, Belgian cotton shade (included); Momu, 550 Swan Street, Richmond; momu.com.au.

CREATING KARMA

Hand-woven designer rugs created by traditional artisans in a remote North Indian village using recycled sari silk are part of a new range by Australian interiors company Boyd Blue. The 25 designs were inspired by the Nepali and Kashi rivers, which are spiritually significant to the rugs' creators. The rugs are made using traditional hand weaving and knotting techniques.

"Sadly it's a dying art and one I'd like to help sustain for these communities," says Boyd Blue founder Shelley Boyd, who has recently been shortlisted for the 2015 Telstra Business Woman of the Year Award.

"The pattern and design of each of the Limited Edition rugs actually reflectsthe mood and feeling of the artisan at the time of creation," she says. While the rugs are luxurious underfoot, Boyd says they are robust enough to be passed on as family heirlooms for generations to come.

Maken, the rug pictured, is hand woven from recycled sari silk; 2420 x 3040mm; rrp $4,805; 1390 High Street, Malvern; boydblue.com.

HAPPY CHAPPIE

US celebrity designer Jonathan Adler breezed into Melbourne earlier this month and shared some amusing asides about the inspiration behind his happy-chic pieces.

Whether it's conceiving a bud vase shaped like a peeled banana or groovy-baby '60s patterned swivel chairs, Adler advises that creativity means getting his "chakras tingling" and that he is "wildly selfish" in the pursuit of his vision.

Playing ping-pong after dinner every night, as he has with Simon, his partner for 21 years, helps a little, too.

Our pick of Adler's latest releases is his monumental miniature Brass Horse Ring Bowl, great for stashing jewellery and accoutrements. Each bibelot is designed and sculptured by Adler and his team in the Soho studio. Next it's cast in solid brass and polished by hand. Over time, the brass develops a rich natural patina.

Brass Horse Ring Bowl, rrp $125; Coco Republic, 500 Church Street, Richmond; cocorepublic.com.au.