The Nature of Wabi-Sabi

Every now and then, the interior world goes through phases of using traditional philosophies or ideas and relating them to an interior aesthetic and style. A few years ago Hygge, a Danish word for cosiness, became a huge lifestyle trend as well as a leading theme for interior design. This year, there seems to be a new philosophy style that’s surfacing as the latest interior trend; wabi-sabi. Wabi-Sabi is a traditional Japanese philosophy that draws upon the acceptance and admiration of imperfections, simplicity and aged beauty. In interior design terms this supports the notion of using natural materials, with natural flaws and imperfections such as aging or signs of distress, or man-made items that adopt organic forms. Here are a few ideas on how to introduce wabi-sabi into your home.

Natural materials, such as linen, are already a popular choice in homes at the moment, and wabi-sabi opts for this fabric as well. To complete the look, keep the theme running with natural colours, and if you’re taking the full embrace of wabi-sabi on, a little crumpling of the sheets never hurt anyone! These rusty orange linens are just beautiful, creating a simple, natural statement out of your bed. For a similar look, try the H&M Home look below, or take a peek at The Linen Works for a whole range of simple colours.

Image from SF Girl Bay via Pinterest

Washed Linen Duvet Cover Set in Rust from H&M Home

The nature of wabi-sabi relies on embracing natural occurrences, such as lumps, bumps, ridges and cracks. Finding a way to incorporate organic materials, that haven’t had their natural composition interfered with, is a lovely way to introduce bigger elements into your interiors. This coffee table below is a raw edged slice of an old tree, revealing that bark and age lines and allowing these to be the feature of the piece. If you’re interested in your own live edge piece, there are many to be found on Etsy for your choosing, like this design from Konk Furniture.

Image from Planet Mag via Pinterest

Waney Edge Oak Dining Table from Konk Furniture

Take the idea of wabi-sabi to your lighting as well, avoid constricted, symmetrical designs and instead go for loose, soft fittings that give off an inherently relaxed theme. These free-form linen shades are a great example of a wabi-sabi conscious interior style, and they prove that a feature lighting piece doesn’t have to be overly designed or eccentric, but that you can in fact create a statement using just natural elements. You can learn to make these linen lampshades here, or for another idea, this delicate lampshade from Not on the High Street, also has a great wabi-sabi style to it.

Rustic Linen Lampshades from Remodelista via Pinterest

Nina Wire Pendant by Horsfall & Wright from Not on the High Street

Imperfect ceramic tableware is a way to easily get a little dose of wabi-sabi into your home. There was something of a heyday for perfectly coordinated table settings with immaculate precision and order, but now rustic charm has found its way into the grand scheme of things, and while we still want beautifully laid out tables for ourselves and our guests, there’s a little wiggle room for imperfect, uneven miscellaneous style. These plates below are a beautiful display of how raw materials are being used in stunning ways (and the collection they’re from is actually called the Wabi-Sabi Collection!) There is a strong trend for this type of ceramic design, so finding a favourite shouldn’t be hard; these bowls from Rockett St George are a good way to get started.

Wabi-Sabi Dinnerware Range from Made of Australia

Set of Four Earthenware Bowls from Rockett St George

A final idea for the inclusion of wabi-sabi in your home, using wild nature. Think less organised arrangements of flowers, and instead a wispy array of wold flowers and branches. I love the idea of collecting old thistles of branches over time to create a beautiful display; however if you can’t collect them yourselves, or want something that’ll last, a good quality faux branch will do the trick; like this willow twig from Neptune.

Image from Bauwerk via Pinterest

Willow Twig from Neptune

The wabi-sabi philosophy is a beautiful way of enjoying material things without being materialistic. Learning to appreciate the beauty in nature and bringing nature into your home offers a relaxing and simple environment; a peaceful foundation in which to add your own take on the style and story of wabi-sabi.

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Easter Table Hunt

I always love an occasion to have a little hunt for some tableware goodies, and what better occasion than Easter. Creating a good collection of tableware is always an enjoyable activity; adding things here and there when you find the perfect item means that over time you’ll create a beautiful looking table.

Whether it’s for everyday dining with an added touch of glamour, or making sure that your table is ready to host a special occasion or dinner party, here are some ideas to give you table an extra helping of style, and some Easter themed treats to go along side.

Every perfect table starts with the perfect plate, and for dinner parties it can be a nice idea to which up your everyday plates for something a little more fancy. These Oka plates are reminiscent of Italian Majolica designs with their playful blue patterns and green leaves. These would make a great design to use for a side plate on your table.

Aragonez Side Plate from Oka

If you’re going to for a more exciting plate design, your place mats should be more of a muted neutral, or vice versa, these place mats from Rockett St George are simple but very stylish. They have almost a rippled effect and fade into different tones. They’re a great neutral design to use as a calming foundation to an elaborate plate, or to complete a more minimal look.

Round Grey and White Wicket Place Mat from Rockett St George

These khaki rectangular place mats from Holly’s House has lovely frayed edges, giving a warm and contemporary look, and would make a great everyday place mat for your table.

Pascale Place Mat in Green from Holly’s House

To accompany your table necessities, a few little extra items are what can really give your table some personality. Give your table some Easter charm with these little ceramic eggs from Oka; use them as name tags or spread around the table as a fun, relaxed display.

Ostara Ceramic Egg Decorations from Oka

These piglet salt and pepper shakers are another find from Oka. They avoid looking garish or gimmicky by sticking to the natural ceramic colour, which is a sweet off-white hue. Whether you’re actually using them as shakers, or just for decoration, they are sure to put a smile on your face.

Piglet Salt & Pepper Shaker Set from Oka

Sticking to the spring theme, these allotment napkins from Not on the High Street are a contemporary but elegant way to use a vegetable motif. There is a happy balance between contemporary and traditional in these designs, the vegetables are drawn in a classic illustration style, but the pop of colour makes them feel modern.

Allotment Vegetables Napkin Set from Not on the High Street

Add some more farmhouse style with these glass dishes from Oka the chicken shape tops are a super sweet detail, and could make a great juxtaposition in a contemporary apartment. The butter dish and honey pot could make a stylish breakfast even sweeter.

L’Oiseau Butter Dish and Honey Pot from Oka

I didn’t think a plate of cheese could get any better, but this rabbit shaped cheese board from Anthropologie is the perfect presentation. It would make a charming addition to an Easter table, but it’s also a great design for any occasion.

Lapin Cheese Board from Anthropologie

Of course a table wouldn’t be complete without some glassware, and there are hundreds of shapes, sizes, styles and colours of glassware available, and finding a set that suits your style and your table is all part of the fun. You may want to go for a matching tumbler, wine glass combo, or have a mix and match selection, either way there is always something for everyone. The pearl design at LSA International is the perfect collection for a special occasion; they have an iridescent finish, looking like little bubbles, a great way to decorate your table.

Pearl Glassware Collection from LSA International

If you like something a touch more bohemian with a laid-back style, these assorted tumblers from Rockett St George will make a colourful mark to your table, they are also the perfect way to serve a few cocktails before dinner as well.

Assorted Design & Jewel Coloured Tumblers from Rockett St George

Lastly, I had to show this beautiful jug from Anthropologie, from its gold bottom and handle, and the gorgeous glaze means this jug will be the centre of attention on any table; water never had it so lucky.

Karuma Pitcher from Anthropologie

Your Easter table never looked so good with all these gorgeous items to choose from, whether you’re finding last minute pieces to give some personality, or you’re slowly curating the entire table, getting the right items for you means your table will be the life and soul of the party.

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Festive Fancies

If you’re entertaining over the holidays, whether it’s a big party or an intimate dinner, hosting can be made a hundred times simpler with some wonderful tableware pieces that are ready to wow your guests. Whether you’re into the glitz and glam of Christmas or prefer a more low-key or humorous affair there’s always something for everyone. Here are just a few wonderful products that can help turn a party into an amazing evening.

‘Golden Hour Table Runner’ from Anthropologie

Working from the bottom up, an easy way to lay some foundations for a great looking table is with a runner. Gold for a special occasion, this runner from Anthropologie is a great way to give your table an extra little vamp to get into the holiday spirit.

Smoke glasses are all the rage right now, but equally have a classic, timeless look. This decanter from Holly’s House is rather elegant, its lovely shape will look just a pretty filled with water or red wine.

‘Smoke Glass Decanter’ from Holly’s House

If you want your glassware to look in sync with one another but not too matchy-matchy, using pieces that follow the same kind of style but with different characteristics will do the trick nicely. Pairing this decanter with these fabulous champagne flutes from Anthropologie will make the perfect match. You could stick to just one colour for the flutes or make your table a little more colourful by mixing it up.

‘Hearken Flutes’ from Anthropologie

Staying on the glamorous party theme, these metallic glassware serving dishes from Anthropologie are sure to be a crowd pleaser. The lace-like metallic effect goes hand-in-hand with the Christmas spirit but will also work exceptionally well on any other day of the year, they’ll give you table setting that extra added touch of magic.

‘Metallic Lace Dinnerware’ from Anthropologie

If you like to add a little humour to your table, but still want to maintain a wonderful style you can do so with a few little, fun pieces will work wonders with your guests. I love these flamingo salt and pepper shakers from Rockett St George, they are so charming and a great, playful addition to mix among your plates and glasses.

‘Flamingo Salt and Pepper Shaker’ from Rockett St George

Another equally sweet, and also animal themed, product for your table is this wonderful whale bottle opener from Graham & Green. He looks almost like an ornament, but with a secret hidden feature to help you out. Both of these little additions will looks brilliant on a table, but would also make lovely little gifts this Christmas!

‘Moby Dick Bottle Opener’ from Graham & Green

If you want to add little rustic charm to your table, these napkin holders from Neptune are a great idea. Made from rattan, they’re a great way to accessorize a table if you want keep things a little understated, and will look great paired with some linen napkins in a neutral colour.

‘Ashcroft Napkin Holders’ from Neptune

Presenting your food well is half the battle when it comes to pulling off a dinner party, therefore beautiful serving bowls and dishes are a must, and even if you’re not having a fancy dinner, they can really make something simple look like something from a photoshoot. I love this black and white dish from Rockett St George, the pattern is humble yet so effective and will give your dish an extra flair.

‘Dipped Black and White Oven Dish’ from Rockett St George

If you are having a larger amount of guests, you may need a stylish platter to serve your nibbles on, this charger from The White Company is sure to do the trick.

‘Rectangular Mirror Charger’ from The White Company

Even if you’re having more of a low-key style party, having a pretty serving dish can make all the difference. These indigo bowls from Holly’s House have a great, relaxed vibe about them, making them perfect for an informal gathering.

‘Indigo Rain Serving Set’ from Holly’s House

Finally, for a little ambience, a candle or two on the table will make the world of difference. You’re probably more than likely to already own a whole range of candle holders and have them dotted around your home, but for a dining room table you can’t go wrong with a lovely long stem holder. This King of Hearts candlestick holder from Jonathan Adler is fantastic, its reversible design shows off both a king and a queen and is both a stylish and fun piece to have at your table.

‘Utopia Reversible King of Heart Candle Holder’ from Jonathan Adler

A festive party is a great way to have some fun over the holidays, and with so many amazing ways to decorate your table, you’ll want to have a party everyday!

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Marvellous Marble

In recent years marble has become a leading theme in the world of interior design and home accessories. Before you may have thought about marble and imagined a large Bel-Air mansion covered head to toe in the stuff and maybe given a slightly involuntary grimace, with the word tacky scrolling across your mind. But marble has come back in style, taking an alternative pathway. It’s made its appearance in home accessories, from lighting to tableware to soft furnishings, a faux marble style or a print has become a playful way to take on the material and tone down the sense of grandeur, whilst still keeping a fresh and sophisticated look, turning something that was slightly old-fashioned and a little outdated into something current and contemporary. There are tons of ways to incorporate a little bit of marble into your home, and I’ve chosen just a few wonderful things on the market at the moment.

‘Marble and Wood Pizza Board’ from Rockett St George

This gorgeous board from Rockett St George is a fab accessory. The two tones of the different materials are complementary of one another, making a smart and contemporary look. Perfect to serve up your pizza, or prop up on the kitchen counter.

For a lovely addition that’ll spruce up your table or dresser, this marble effect jug from Trouva is spot on. The dabbled marble effect gives the whole look a little individuality and a subtle presence in the room.

‘Quails Egg Jug’ from Trouva

For an innovative way to add a pop of marble to your kitchen, one (or two) of these marble tea towels will be sure to do the trick. The look is completed with the vibrant neon pink stitching, making them ideal of anyone who likes a lively and playful interior scheme.

‘Marble Print Tea Towels’ from Rockett St George

Jazz up your dinner parties with these elegant but contemporary cheese knives. Their marble hands gives the knives a sophisticated feel, while to modern gold tone of the blade makes it a fun and cool way to incorporate marble into your tableware.

‘Marble and Gold Cheese Knives’ from Oliver Bonas

Your marble revitalisation needn’t just take place in the kitchen, there are so many beautiful ways to use marble in the rest of your home. Marble pots from Rose & Grey are a nice little touch to dress up a study or working area of your home. Choose a few of both the white and green to create a wonderful grouping, dotting them around the room.

‘Marble Pots’ from Rose & Grey

Move your marble madness up to the skies and start adorning that ceiling with all sorts of lovely marble touches. Whether you want to spend a little or a lot, a marble pendant light is a creative way to play around with the trend. These Lee Broom pendant lights available from Houseology are a beautiful and sophisticated way to incorporate marble into the home. They have a slight retro vibe to them which adds to their character.

‘Lee Broom Chamber Pendant Light’ from Houseology

Alternatively, if you want to go for a less permanent, less expensive route down the marble pendant path, these paper lampshades from Graham & Green are gorgeous! Perfect for a rented house, or if you’re testing out the marble look.

‘Marbled Paper Lampshades’ from Graham & Green

If you’re feeling bold, another marble treat from Houseology is this Timorous Beasties cushion. This vibrant blue marble effect pattern will give any room an electric look. For the ultimate impact buy several and use as scatter cushions, or play around with contrasting patterns to really make a splash.

‘Timorous Beasties Marbled Damask Cushion’ from Houseology

Add just a hint of marble to a room with this stunning table lamp from Oliver Bonas, its marble base paired with the pastel shade and bright cord creates a lovely overall look.

‘Lamp with Marble Base’ from Oliver Bonas

And finally a special mention to this gorgeous vase from Rockett St George, it’s a stunning piece of work that has all the attributes of a high-end sculptural piece without the scary price!

‘Marble Effect Serenity Vase’ from Rockett St George

From pizza boards to pendant lights, there are so many ways to integrate marble into your interiors these days, and with so many pieces out there ready to buy you can really let your imagination run wild.

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Breakfast at Catesbys

I attended a wonderful brunch event at Catesbys (Green Street, opposite Bills) this morning and the company, the breakfast but most importantly, their current stock, was all a delicious delight. I highly recommend a visit for a browse at their home furnishings and accessories followed up by a restorative visit to their first floor café. Thank you Neil and Jonathan, look forward to seeing you soon. X

We have a few of these bowls in the office – very handy for sweeties

I didn’t know before this morning how much I want a pair of sleeping lions

Stylish dishes

…and more stylish dishes

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Easter Table Treats

Easter Weekend is just a few weeks away, which means we have a fully-fledged excuse to update our dining room tableware in preparation for the occasion. Whether it’s a big affair or a quiet gathering, new glass and tableware helps create an exciting and sophisticated setting ready for however you choose to celebrate.

I’ve picked out some wonderfully charming items to fill your table with, that were made for spring in mind, each with its own lovely characteristics that will help to make your dining a thing of beauty this Easter!

‘Jackson Ceramic Collection’ from Graham and Green

This Jackson Ceramic collection from Graham and Green are full of light-hearted elegance, and the modern splattered design will add innovation and a contemporary sense of whimsy to your table. For a similar style, with a tad more dramatic feel to it, try these limited edition ink blot ceramics from Rockett St George, together the two designs will create a theatrical setting for your future dinner parties.

‘Ink Blot Bone China Side Plate’ from Rockett St George

There are some amazing ways to add a hint of nature to table, the perfect theme for spring. These garden party spoons from An Angel at my Table are utter perfection and will add so much charm to a table.

‘Garden Party Porcelain Spoons’ from An Angel At My Table

Another sweet, nature themed addition to a table are these beautiful hand embroidered napkins from Sibona. They really add a personal touch to a table for a light and delicate dining scheme. If you feel like something a little different than the olive design, Sibona, who are a fantastic company who have a complete range of wonderful hand embroidered napkins, from crabs to cupcakes!

‘Olive White Cotton Cocktail Napkins’ from Sibona

If you want to inject a little colour into your table design then some beautiful glasses is a great way to go. These glasses from Rose & Grey are full of character and will add a little amusement to any table, creating a delightfully relaxed and bright atmosphere.

‘Tiny Tall Glasses’ from Rose & Grey

For those who love a bit of the unconventional, why not wonder a little into the world of all things bohemian with these adorable cactus shaped salt and pepper shaker, ideal for not just special occasions but for adding flair and fun to the everyday!

‘Cactus Salt and Pepper Shaker’ from Graham and Green

To keep things simple yet stunning, opt for something that oozes laid-back sophistication, this elegant vase from Rocket St George will let the flowers do all the talking, making a wonderful centrepiece for a busy table.

‘Glass Jar Vase’ from Rockett St George

Or for something with more of a rustic, country style feel try these Potter jugs and bowls from An Angel at my Table. The slightly off-centre finish to the ceramics gives them a lovely homemade feel making them the perfect farmhouse chic style.

‘Potters Jug and Bowl’ from An Angel at my Table

Houseology is full of amazing products, especially if you’re into your contemporary style. So if you want to make your table shine with some modern accessories, take a look at their website for some great ideas. I particularly love this wood and slate serving board, it’s full of style and will look superb as a minimalistic centrepiece.

‘Just Slate Sheesham Wood Serving Platter with Slate Insert’ from Houseology

And lastly, for a subtle sense of cool, these black and white mugs with terracotta bottoms are perfect for the chilled out mornings when the hustle and bustle has been and gone and you can relax with a warm cup of coffee.

‘Moroccan Mugs’ from Rose & Grey

There you have it, a few treats for upcoming Easter that prove not all good things come in chocolate egg form!

For more information on these companies and many others don’t forget to check out Angel + Blume’s Address Book, http://www.angelandblume.com/addressbook.php

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An Evergreen Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day is fast approaching and it seems that there are red hearts and roses as far as the eye can see, and it’s got us thinking here at Angel + Blume about creating beautiful, romantic interiors, that aren’t just for the 14^th February but for all year round. So if you’re big on warm, romantic, inviting interiors but less so on all the lovey-dovey and a tad bit tacky Valentine’s Day paraphernalia then you’re in luck as we’ve picked out some of the sweetest home accessories to help make you feel like every day is Valentine’s Day.

I have rather fallen in love with this knitted chandelier from Anthropolgie, a somewhat unconventional material for a chandelier the hand-knitted aspect adds a little quirk and intrigue to the piece. The knitted chandelier creates a beautiful, hazy atmosphere and is a wonderfully original take on the traditional crystal chandelier.

‘Hand-Knitted Chandelier’ from Anthropologie

From ceiling to table, a quick and easy way to inject a little romantic mood lighting into a dining room is with a stunning tea light holder like this one from Graham and Green, its large enough to not need too many other sources of light, creating the perfect setting for an intimate evening, and its beautiful design means it can be used for all sorts of occasions as well.

‘Gold Multi Tea Light Holder’ from Graham and Green

Keep the romantic feeling alive even during afternoon tea, this cup and saucer combo from Rockett St George is absolutely adorable and lives just on the right side of twee and gushy. A few integrated into a set of plain teacups and saucers would look lovely and would avoid everything looking a little too matchy-matchy.

‘George Melody Rose Kissing Couple Teacup and Saucer’ from Rockett St George

Another romantic addition to tea are these rather sweetly design napkins from Thornback & Peel, teaming a traditional pink with an untraditional rabbit and cabbage design makes the napkins suitable for using all year round.

‘Pink Rabbit and Cabbage Napkin’ from Thornback & Peel

Romance and Swans are often been intertwined with one another and if you’re looking for a more permanent romantic touch to your home these Swan curtain tiebacks would make a really sweet addition to a home, perfect for a bedroom.

‘Swanned Tiebacks’ from Anthropologie

For an animal less typical affiliated with romance but equally as lovely, this monkey bottle holder from Graham and Green will really add something to your dining room table and is a wonderful way to show off your style, as well as your fun side.

‘Monkey Bottle Holder’ from Graham and Green

The beautiful lines and colour used to create this beautifully stylish vase makes it a rather dreamy design, in keeping with a romantic atmosphere, suitable for a small bouquet of flowers, or dare I say it a single rose.

‘Wave Vases’ from Not on the High Street

To fill your living area up with a warming and cosy atmosphere you can’t go wrong with this lovely dusty coloured cushion from Timorous Beasties. They make the most amazing designs and for something low-key a few of these cushions scattered across a sofa will do the job nicely.

‘White Moth Cushions’ from Timorous Beasties

‘Star Dish’ from Catesby’s

This star dish from Catesby’s is impossibly cute and will add some twinkly-eyed magic to any evening, they’re wonderfully contemporary as well as having a hint of rustic-ness about them.

And finally, I couldn’t help but gush at over how gorgeous this elegant candelabra is, it’s absolutely stunning and even if you didn’t have anything else on the table it would still wow your company and goes hand-in-hand with a romantic interior.

‘Arbour Perch Candelabra’ from Anthropologie

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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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Home Accessories to Mark the Arrival of Autumn

September has arrived and we’re now into the autumn season and whilst the weather in Cambridge has been less then desirable, at Angel + Blume we’re optimistic in the hope that we’ll be treated to a radiate Indian summer in the next few months (fingers crossed!) Following the Boy Scouts code to always ‘be prepared’ we’ve assembled a list of some beautiful accessories and furniture that are perfect for the changing seasons and the arrival of autumn.

As ever Graham and Green have some wonderful products in their collection at the moment and they’re just the thing we’re looking for.

These metallic tealight holders will reflect the flickering light from the candle flames and create a warm, cosy feeling. They’re perfect for using outside on the last few nights of summer and will be equally as good when brought inside.

Pay tribute to the summer with this striking Peacock chair from Graham and Green. It would work both indoors and outdoors and makes for a great statement piece wherever you decide to put it.

Or if you fancy something a little more retro in style try this vintage bamboo Rocker chair from Rockett St George. The addition of some Matthew Williamson fabric turns the chair from Granny chic to just plain chic!

If your focus is something on the ground level take a look at some of these rugs and floor cushions. This gold Chevron cowhide rug will bring a little bit of sparkle to your home when the clouds are grey. The sporadic splatters and stripes of gold gives the rug a glamorous touch without being tacky and will make the room look shiny and new without adding anything else.

These Moroccan tile mats from Graham and Green are the perfect combination of style and functionality. They’re ideal both indoors and outdoors and add a bit of style to an otherwise ordinary house product and will easily jazz up a neutral room.

Or something a little softer perhaps? Try these gorgeous floor cushions also from Graham and Green.

They’re perfect for taking outside and enjoying some sun and returning back inside and settling down in front of the fire for when the nights get a little cooler.

If you’re not ready to embrace the oncoming autumn months and want to celebrate the summer in your interior decoration then have a look at some of these home accessories. This sunflower style wall clock makes both a stylish addition to any home as well as creating a warm, nostalgic memory for the summer months.

Continue to feed your cravings of summer and make your house the home to something belonging in the scorching desert, this fantastically fun faux cactus. It’ll add intrigue to your home and be a fun, playful reminder of the sun and warm weather during the winter months, and it has the plus of having none of the prickly needles the real ones have!

Another accessory I love are these beautiful yet simple placemats.

They’re a simple added touch to a table that’ll brighten up your home as the autumn sets in, and are a contemporary take on the blue and white oriental style porcelain that was popular during the 17th century and onwards in Europe.

So however the weather decides to behave in the next coming weeks, you’ll be prepared to enjoy it no matter what with these wonderful home accessories.

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When baking goes bad

We’ve all experienced the odd culinary disaster, particularly in the baking department (me more than most I suspect) and whilst presentation will never make things taste better, a minor collapse (a de-thawing for example) could be brought back from the brink of the dustbin by a gorgeous platter or cake stand. Should such an event occur in your household, I have some presentation suggestions for you.

Pressed glass cake stand by Baileys Home £48

Bone China ‘Beautiful Alchemy’ Cake Plate by Rockett St George £20.50

Handcarved Acacia Cake Stand by Anthropologie £30.00 – £54.00

Pressed glass cake stand by Graham and Green £41

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Holly Frean Gallus Dessert Plate at Anthropologie £14 each

 

Stoneware Cake Stand from The White Company £35

 

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