We’re all familiar with the concept of the Ikea hack, a design phenomenon that is even supported by the store itself, but until now it has been mainly about DIY versions. I know people who have repainted their doors, or even had new ones made and spray painted. I bought the cupboards but sourced my…
Created by Sebastian Conran (son of our Tel) Universal Export couldn’t be more British and yet I discovered it for the first time when browsing round the newly opened London branch of US store westelm. The name is a play on Universal Export, the fictional import-export company of James Bond which is a moniker that only…
Every time I go into Westelm, I pick up these gorgeous plank chopping boards. I love the style, the weight and the splash of colour at one end. It’s the perfect piece to kick off part two of the kitchen essentials started yesterday. Now I’m not claiming to make a complete list, I just wanted…
There’s your reminder. The clocks go back tonight, just in case you hadn’t quite clicked. This very fine example is by Newgate and is called, not entirely unsurprisingly, Tock. I rather like it. It manages to be both retro and modern at the same time. Now there’s no excuse for forgetting. Aram £57 Last year the…
Aren’t these espresso cups just gorgeous? Designed by Bristol-based illustrator Tom Frost, the set features an otter,a fox, a hare and an owl. I love the fact that they are all different but clearly a set and that each saucer continues the picture from the cup. If you’re not a coffee drinker then never fear,…
So you’re heading into the other room with a tray full of glasses and a wine bottle precariously balanced as well, or out into the garden with nibbles and cutlery for the barbecue, and the tray is a bit heavy and the door’s blown shut. And you need two hands for the tray and, at…
Blue and white is such a classic combination and this jug, with its pattern of sardines, just brings a modern twist to that. Following on from yesterday’s tea and coffee cannisters, it felt right to continue the drinks theme with this water jug. There is also a smaller milk jug if we want to take…
I don’t hold with decanting everything into pretty jars and boxes unless a) it’s to keep undesirable out (by which I don’t just mean the children) or b) it’s a particularly nice storage jar. Which these are. In fact the Danish design coupled with their shiny metalness (yes that IS a word I have just…
Feast yer eyes on that then! So firstly, what could be better for creating that cosy feeling and keeping the winter out than cake? Secondly, this will also work for cheese, which, with a little glass of something red, is also a wonderful treat. But thirdly, and therefore most importantly, it is my birthday. So…
Kippis means Cheers in Finnish and what better way to greet a cold winter day than with a really good mug. Perfect for morning coffee, afternoon tea or anytime hot chocolate, I rather like the fact that it’s a mug with a picture of a wine glass. I am also, as you may have realised…