> accessories

Decorative Objects

Whether it’s vases or plant pots, candlesticks or pretty things to display on your shelves, there should be plenty to delight you here.

Francesca Kaye Planter Anthropologie

The prettiest planter I ever did see. I love the sculptural nature of the flowers stuck on the side of this, and it'll look just as pretty sitting empty on a shelf as when it's filled with seasonal plants. It’s crying out to be displayed on an open pantry shelf.
Private Single Lined Linen Curtain with Eyelets La Redoute

Window dressings are expensive. But you’ll never go wrong with a washed linen curtain panel. If you don’t like the eyelet fixing and you have a sewing machine, you can cut the top off and sew on some ruffle tapes to turn it into a more traditional curtain. You can add your own blackout or thermal lining much more cost-effectively than buying bespoke. Plus, if a single width feels mean for the size of your window then just buy four singles (or two pairs) and double up to create extra fullness. La Redoute also does velvet ones.
Dustpan and brush set Zara

New term, new broom and all that. And if you have to do a boring job you may as well do it with a beautiful instrument. I have something similar that hangs on a peg in the pantry (grand word for small cupboard storing dried goods and cleaning stuff). It’s much more efficient than the Dustbuster and, of course, only uses your own energy.
Private ruffled linen curtain La Redoute

Window dressings are very expensive and can be a paralysing purchase if you think you might want to change your décor at any point. You can, of course, choose something neutral, but it’s a lot of money to spend on something that is unlikely to make your heart sing when you come into the room – and your décor really does need to do that. The answer, then, is ready-made curtains. You can’t go wrong with linen, and these ones from La Redoute come in four different lengths, from 180cm to 350cm, and 10 colours. If you want more luxurious width, then buy two pairs for each side and sew them together. If you want to personalise them visit the haberdashery and add some pompoms or braid to the edges – and that's easy to change with the décor.
Wooden vertical mirror Zara Home

Mirrors can be insanely expensive and long mirrors even more so. This tall and, crucially, narrow one, doesn’t need a lot of wall and, like most of Zara’s clever home collection, is minimally styled so it will work in both a pared back contemporary interior or provide a moment of calm in a riot of texture and pattern. It will also never go out of style, so buy it now and hang on to it.
Metal watering can Toast

Yes, I’m slightly obsessed with watering cans. I’ve no idea why. Maybe because I always fall in love with ridiculously over-designed ones that cost a fortune. This, however, doesn’t. It’s £20 and has a pleasing long spout so you can poke it in amongst the foliage to reach the earth rather than it sliding down the leaves and onto your feet. And it’s a pleasing shade of green.
Colour Analysis 1 Art Print Rockett St George

I rarely recommend art to other people as it’s so personal and pictures resonate with us on so many different levels that I feel it’s wrong to pronounce on something that might be felt so deeply by one and regarded as bad taste by another. However, when I saw this it reminded me so much of the art direction for Design Storey that I felt I had to include it. Might even have to buy it. On a more serious note, it’s a great colour palette and that stripe of black is what brings it all together and stops it being too sickly and soft. And that, people, is why every room needs a drop of black in it.
Hanson red marble coaster set Soho Home

The interiors magazines have been predicting a move away from classic Cararra marble for some time and this gorgeous warm red version is a good way to dip a toe in if you think Cararra is beginning to look a little cold and grey. My coasters are leftover from my shower when I asked the builder to cut surplus marble tiles into smaller sizes, but there’s no doubt that a set of round ones will contrast well with all the straight lines we end up with in our rooms and furniture.
Abstract white candle holders Graham & Green

Since 2020, the year when our kitchens became our restaurants, I have found that I am lighting candles more and more. These sculptural holders look great on the shelf, even when empty. They also come in black and you can pair with contrasting black or white candles or branch out into bolder colours depending on your mood. A little autumn/winter pick-me-up.
Twisted Beeswax Candles Etsy

These beeswax candles are handmade in Devon and come in a variety of colours costing £6 for two. Suddenly traditional cyclindrical candles look all sorts of boring and the colours will bring a splash of joy to your table. Would make a great present too - with or without a candlestick.