The Gift of Giving

In light of Mother’s Day coming up, and any other occasion where you need a thoughtful gift, opting for something from the homeware department can go a lot further than just a scented candle. Buying gifts for the home can be a great way to give something that’s long lasting, sentimental and unique. Whether it’s a house warming present, a birthday or holiday, or just something to show someone you care, a thoughtful home accessory can be the perfect gesture.

There are two ways you can look at it when it comes to gifting home accessories to a close friend or family member; adding to their already existing theme of pieces and ornaments, or giving them something a little outside their comfort zone, something they wouldn’t ever get themselves. When giving homewares there is a chance to get creative, have a little fun and give a touching present.

Typically, when it comes to the big touches in a home, the owner will want to make that call on their own, so when giving homeware as a gift it’s all about the small, but special touches. This sweet blackbird tea towel from Angel & Boho is an ideal gift; the adorable print takes away the functionality aspect of the gift, making it a great addition to a kitchen, to be displayed as a bohemian design feature.

‘Blackbird Tea Towel’ from Angel & Boho

Sticking to the bird theme, a simple way to add some life to a garden is with a bird feeder. This rustic piece from Catesby’s is the perfect way to decorate a garden and entice from real birds as well. The piece is great for adding a little charm to an individual tree or a small garden or balcony area.

‘Hanging Bird Feeder’ from Catesby’s

The great thing about giving or receiving homeware as presents is that it’s an opportunity to get an item that you might not be able to justify getting for yourself. Buying something fun, with perhaps just a hint of kitsch that makes a fabulous finishing touch to a home. I love these pin-up candlestick holders from Ark, ideal for putting a smile on someone’s face and lighting up an area of the home, perhaps a table or dresser, giving the space a bit of humour and life.

‘Show Girl Candlesticks’ from Ark

As with many people my age, I’m just being to start a collection of homeware pieces that I’ll (hopefully) treasure forever, so receiving items that I can add to this assembly of ornaments is a great way to give the collection some diversity and give myself new ideas about what I like. Pieces like these multi-coloured candle holders from Habitat are quite a particular style, but if you have someone you know will love them, or someone you think can take on the challenge then they’re a great, creative gift that goes a step further than the typical candle themed gift.

‘Odela Multi-Coloured Ceramic Candleholder’ from Habitat

My mother has always had a love for flowers and nature, whether it’s in the garden or in the home, so giving her pots and vases has always been a sure-fire way of getting her something she likes (and will use), whilst still being able to get her something with an unexpected design or style. This speckled jug from Catesby’s is a versatile piece that can be used as its primary function, or as a vase. It would make a great accompaniment for some fresh spring Daffodils, with the electric blue and yellow contrasting perfectly.

‘Speckle Ware Jug’ from Catesby’s

For more of a rustic feel, these antique French pots from Baileys would make amazing gifts, for vases, planters or just ornaments. The individual nature of them means that you can give a few in an array of shapes, styles and colours.

‘Old French Poitiers Pottery’ from Baileys

If you have a friend, or maybe a son or daughter who has recently bought their first home, or renting their first grown up flat, they may need a few things to help get them started. Whilst a lot of necessities can be bought from places like Ikea, buying some pieces that can give the home a few special touches can make great presents, especially if it’s for someone who can’t justify getting it for themselves. A simple bowl like this one from French Connection is a great starter piece for those finding their style footing. It’ll look great against some simple chinaware sets and begin to add some character to a home.

‘Green Stone Bowl’ from French Connection

On the contrary, if you know this person has quite an experimental kind of style, and is always keen to try new things and be surprised, an item like this flamboyant tray from Porcupine Rocks is not only a fantastic gift, but also full of flair, making it a real statement piece.

‘Shine Shine Tiger Tray’ from Porcupine Rocks

Finally, if you’re searching for a gift for someone that already has it all, then something frivolous and fun may be just the ticket. This lollipop holder from Jonathan Adler ticks all the boxes if you’re looking for a present with a sense of humour, individuality and a hint of madness. It makes the perfect addition to an already fruitful collection of eclectic ornaments.

‘Mohawk Lollipop Holder’ from Jonathan Adler

Buying gifts for loved ones is a great way to express your appreciation from them, and give them something they’ll love. Deciding to give them homeware means choosing something that they can treasure forever, giving sentiment to their home and help add to the collection of wonderful items. Whether it’s an antique item, something a little outside of their comfort zone, something sweet or an item that encourages them to walk on the wild side of interior design, there is so much fun to be had with picking out gifts, you’ll just have to refrain from keeping them all yourself!

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How Does Your Garden Grow?

Last month I wrote a blog on the best of garden furniture around at the moment, but sometimes we’re not ready to make a big change just yet. Instead adding a few garden accessories is a wonderful way to introduce a bit of character and individuality to your shrubbery, after all the devil is in the detail.

Overtime, adding small and interesting details to your garden will gradually build up layers of design in the same way you would add ornaments and accessories to a home. The gradual process allows the garden to grow around each added ornament to create an organic, natural looking but well garnished garden. There are all sorts of ways to adorn your garden, and here I offer a look at some of my favourite outdoor accessories.

‘Vintage caddy lanterns’ from Hen & Hammock

Follow an industrial theme with these sweet vintage lanterns, if your patio is in need of a little sprucing up quickly something like these are perfect. They have more character than your average set found in Homebase and over the course of the summer you’re sure to get heaps of use of them, and can always be brought inside during the winter months.

If you’d like to add a little contemporary edge to your garden, these suave and sophisticated plant potters from Graham & Green are an interesting find. The weathered metal look takes away that awkward new and shiny phase that doesn’t always suit garden furniture and accessories, and instead will make the pots seem settled into their new home.

‘Weathered metal planters’ from Graham & Green

For an even sleeker and chic look Rowen & Wren have some ultra-contemporary, stylish outdoor pieces in their collection ready to fix up your outside areas. These wall planters for example are the perfect modern containers for herbs or small flowers, it’s the ideal purchase for the novice gardener who’s looking to slowly grow their garden in style.

‘Sola brass wall planter’ from Rowen & Wren

Another brilliant piece from Rowen & Wren is this hanging lantern, its swish design makes it ideal for those late night summer parties or dinners. Try buying a few and hanging them in a cluster at different height levels for a wonderful, bold effect.

‘Hanging brass sky lantern’ from Rowen & Wren

For a magical, mystical theme Cox & Cox have you covered, if you’re brave enough and really want to make a statement or just a modern fairyland, a few of these lampshade dotted around your garden will do just the trick.

‘Battery powered lacy lampshade’ from Cox & Cox

While we’re on the subject of fairy-tales and mystery, add a hint of Alice in Wonderland to your outdoor area with these tea cup bird feeders. In the distance they’ll appear as if they’re floating and hopefully will attract some lovely birds to your garden.

‘Tea cup and saucer bird feeder’ from Not on the High Street

If you enjoy something with a little more of a traditional aesthetic, but aren’t into the ordinary, check out these rather adorable rusty chickens from Cox & Cox, they’ll add a little quirk and country chic to your home, plus they’re a lot less hassle then the real ones!

‘Rusty red hens’ from Cox & Cox

A sure crowd pleaser at a garden party are these magnificent torches from Rockett St George, with four variations available mix and match and illuminate your garden or highlight a pathway.

‘Garden torches’ from Rockett St George

Create a zen-like atmosphere, and bring out your inner bohemian with this dainty but daring wind chime from Anthropologie. It’s perfect from making a bland area a little more personal and is something that can be enjoyed all year round, though perhaps in winter maybe just by looking out of a window!

‘Cortazira chime’ from Anthropologie

And last but definitely not least, give you garden a little exotic feel with these glorious lanterns from Rockett St George, they’re just the thing to give your area a zing of intrigue and a relaxing ambience.

‘Rhiad blue lanterns’ from Rockett St George

There are all sorts of garden goodies to decorate your outdoor areas with, and a chance to really get creative in small and delicate ways.

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