Struck by Lighting!

Guy Fawkes Night in Cambridge is an absolutely beautiful affair, and is an event that is at the forefront of my childhood and adult memories. The fireworks display on Midsummer’s Common is a real feast for the eyes, and reminiscing about previous years has inspired us here at Angel + Blume, so I’ve set about finding some beautiful lighting features and topical wallpaper that hold all the beauty and magic of a fireworks display for your home; making sure that there will be a lot of ooh’s and ahh’s, not just on the 5^th November but all year round.

 

Ochre has some of the most outstanding lighting pieces in their collections. Their products are more in line with works of art then a practical, necessary part of the home, and if you’re in search for something truly eye-catching then Ochre should be your first port of call.

The Seed Cloud collection from Ochre is one of my favourite designs from the company, and is rather alike to falling stars or luminous raindrops; a real masterpiece of style. The contemporary take on a classic chandelier would look stunning over a dining room table, perfect for a luxurious, modern home, but could also make a subtle yet distinctive contrast mixed into a traditional, classically designed interior. For an alternative take try the table lamp version, quite an extraordinary piece to have at eye-level.

 

If you’re interior style is all about theatrics and you want to dive into the world of fantasy and fairytales, this Porta Romana chandelier was made just for you.

The Ivy Shadow chandelier is the definition of a show-stopper, just think of the beautiful shadow imagery the design would make on the walls and ceiling of a room. The theatrical nature of this piece means it isn’t for the faint-hearted, but if you’re looking for something special and breathtaking then look no further.

 

Staying on the fabulous and theatrical track, no where does it better then Timorous Beasties. With their designs being so innovative and creative, they are perfect for embellishing your home in originality and flair.

These Golden Oriole wall panels are intended to make your home stand out from the crowd. The richness and romance of the design is something dreams are made of and the mystical elements will make your home shine. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but this wall panelling tells a whole story and if you’re intent of showcasing your style and making a statement this is the perfect way to do so.

 

However, if this is all getting a little too much and something more low-key sounds appealing, you can never go wrong with a much beloved favourite of ours, the Mosaic Dapple by Zoffany.

This is a real crowd pleaser, and is a really fun but subtle way to include a little bit of shine and shimmer.

The same can be said for this beautiful design by Harlequin, and with multiple colours you’ll be spoilt for choice.

 

When going for a contemporary look, it’s easy to be drawn to a minimalist and understated design, but if you want to make a statement, you needn’t compromise on the contemporary aspect.

These fan effect lights from Collingwood are a fun and modern way to create a well-lit space and would look great on a feature wall or lighting up a long corridor.

For some excitement and a bit of colour, Artemide have some outstanding designs, including this Tian Xia Metamorfosi design, which is perfect for creating a cool, vibrant atmosphere for a dinner party.

So remember, remember that the 5^th November is not the only time to create a few sparks and explosions when it comes to your interiors.

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Come Dine With Me

With so many special occasions getting closer and closer in our calendars, Thanksgiving, Halloween, Fireworks Nights, and dare I say it, Christmas, it’s more than likely that we’ll be booking in family visits, dinner parties with friends, and beginning to plan the holidays.

The next few months are really a time for bringing people together and spending time with loved ones you don’t often get to see. So in preparation for these upcoming soirées, we’ve assembled our absolute favourite pieces of tableware and accessories from the best collections to shower you with ideas for transforming your everyday table into a thing a beauty. Even if you’re not having guests over, indulge yourself and marvel over these items. You’ll be drooling over your table setting, not just at the food!

Firstly I’m paying homage to Thanksgiving with this American classic style plate set from Ralph Lauren.

The elegant feather trim makes me nostalgic for winter walks with the family and spotting a flustered pheasant shooting up from the nearby ditches. The pattern is lively enough to catch your eye without being so overwhelming that it distracts from the beautiful food about to be served onto it.

Sticking to the feather motif but taking a little more of a flashy turn, these feather napkin rings, from Not On The High Street are a real show-stopper. They take elements of traditional English heritage with a splash of fun quirkiness, to make a playful addition to a formal table.

For a table with a touch more allure and mystery, here are some elegant accessories to spice up a table and create the perfect ambience for an evening of glamour.

Set the mood with these beautiful neo-gothic style candlestick holders from The French House.

A few dotted on the dining table or the surrounding areas will help to transform your home, and once a few beads of candle wax work their way onto the holder the vintage style will really come alive.

Mixing both vintage and more contemporary accessories together on the dinner table will create a really beautiful effect. I love this water glass set from Rockett St George, they’ll work for both everyday use and for when you’re planning something more special. The beautiful smokey finish on the glasses creates an old Hollywood style allure.

An elegant table needs an elegant centrepiece, and this stained gold glass bottle, from An Angel At My Table, is an ideal candidate; just right for adding a few English roses, or flowers of your choice.

All these events may mean digging out some recipes for some delicious meaty dishes, therefore what better time to invest in a beautiful carving set. This charming 1950’s style carving set from Baileys Home are a perfect addition to any table regardless of style as they’ll work in perfectly with whatever cutlery you already own.

If you’re feeling a little more mischievous and playful and want your table to reflect this, there are hundreds of quirky, fun tableware items to choose from. Rockett St George is an excellent choice if you’re looking for something with an original flair. This whale tray set by Thomas Paul is a wonderful contemporary piece for a modern home and table. Handy for carrying drinks or condiments but also great as an innovative statement piece when left bare.

Another little gem from Rockett St George is this cactus margarita glass.

If you’re not one for wine and are planning on serving up some cocktails these are absolutely adorable, plus they’ll look just as good on display as well as in your hand!

If playing host becomes a little too stressful then sit back and relax with a cup of tea poured from this outrageously cute little elephant teapot from Anthropologie.

It’s so sweet you can’t help but smile, and even if it’s not your usual style it’ll be great as a little one-off piece amongst your other tableware items.

Last but not least are these festive harvest-style napkins from Anthropologie, they’ll refresh any table in an instant and are the perfect extra touch it make a Sunday lunch with the family just a little bit more special.

The next couple of months are full of happy events, and with your cupboards and tables stocked full of glorious new things there will be even more cause for celebration.

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