Orla Kiely - I want all of these...

I went to my favourite garden centre this weekend and found that replacing the Christmas decorations was a whole room of one of my favourite print designers Orla Kiely. Her designs are instantly recognisable and completely dateless. Colours go with everything and they are always a great shape and size - so not all style over substance. Here is what I found...

I have some of the wonderful tins bought for me by a friend and they are filled with pasta and rice. It's affordable designer style for your home that I believe can't help to put a smile on your face. I am now tempted by her prints when used on fashion too - there are even sunglasses that I have an eye on should I ever need a pair again!

The Bug Pouffe

At first I thought these were huge balls of knitting yarn but they are, in fact, pouffes made from hand-knitted rope. Available in Raspberry, Rhino and Ash Grey, they are not on the Loaf site until April - they are that new! Made by the artisans of Varnasi, India, they are hand-dyed and handmade into this gorgeous cable knit effect. Perfect for all around the house and even the conservatory. Bug pouffe, £85 each, Loaf.

All I want... A Rangemaster Cooker

Rangemaster contemporary cooker

I am thinking, very much in the early stages mind, of redoing my kitchen. It is around 15 years old and cost a small fortune when we did it but it is now too small and cramped and although I know this is the price you pay for living in an Edwardian terraced house, there is never enough space.

So we are looking at extending out into the back sitting room and opening out the whole thing and along with longed-for work surfaces I am going to get myself a range cooker. While browsing I came across Rangemaster who I always thought just did very traditional looking ranges but was surprised by the breadth of designs and specs on offer. 

They are number one in the UK and all cookers are made in the UK too - since 1830 in fact.  They come out top in the Which? report on ranges - so you can't go far wrong. I love the simplicity and it will give me extra oven space and hob space too. The Rangemaster ranges are also approved by the Energy Saving Trust which is a big plus for me - what has put me off in the past has been the idea of using too much energy with my cooker.

I wish I could have this in time for Christmas, but I would love to have it all in place for the following one if I'm being realistic. Just imagine turkey cooked to perfection at the same time as crisping up canapes - that'll be a first!

Definitely going on my wish-list for my new kitchen. Check out the wide range of designs at Rangemaster.

Scent Diffusers to lift the spirits

Don't know how you are finding the weather is affecting everything you do, but one of the more unpleasant side effects of a wet summer is the fact that we don't get a chance to air our homes. My windows haven't been opened and usually I have the back door open all evening - no chance at the moment. Which means that everything is musty and fuggy in the manor....

I am lucky that for my birthday I was bought a couple of gorgeous air freshener reed kits and they have made a big difference - and added a bit of style too. The one above is a beautiful decoration in it's own right from Ashleigh & Burwood and has a wonderful moroccan spiced fragrance.

The one below is equally as good from The White Company and is a driftwood fragrance, perfect for the bedroom, to really lift the spirits...

Brilliantly British Blankets

After being inspired by Mary Portas last series where she looked at the woeful state of British textile manufacturing, I am more aware than I have ever been of the importance of not just Buying British in terms of my fruit and veg but also in other parts of my life too.

I am of the generation that grew up with blankets and sheets. I can remember getting my first duvet - a forgein import if ever there was one, but my parents never got on with them and stuck to blankets for years after the rest of us had converted.

I still have a blanket which my parents had on their bed when I was a child which must make it at least 40 years old. It's a bit the worse for wear and we do keep it in the car for picnics but I must admit this pure wool blanket has lasted far longer than any of the duvets we have bought and which regularly need replacing.

It's no wonder they are not cheap things to buy as they may well outlive you (this one did my parents let's face it!). So I am very tempted indeed to invest in a beautiful blanket by this new British lifestyle brand Scarlet & Argent who are launchingt in John Lewis's Oxford Street store this Saturday (April 7th). They are also available now from John Lewis online.


Scarlet & Argent are known for superb quality. Created in Yorkshire-based Hainsworth which is one of Britain's most prestigious textile mills and luxury fabric supplier to the Queen, its iconic scarlet cloth is worn exclusively by the Queen's Guards and Prince William even wore it on his wedding day.

Each Scarlet & Argent piece is created from only the finest natural materials and every piece is impeccably finished.

Dale & Moor Throws are made to a traditional wool drying process where the cloth is stretched over wooden tenter frames and pinned in place with hooks. Colours include Ocean, Copper and Lime and are priced at £75, again made from Pure New Lambswool.

Chamber Blankets are gorgeously fluffy lambswool blankets and come in natural or grey - they are priced at £255, £325 and £395 - a real investment piece but one you will love for years.

Dwell Flamingo Bedlinen

I love this bedlinen. Flamingos are a really cool motif whatever your age and will fit into a wide variety of bedroom styles. This would make me smile every time I slipped under the covers.

The pillowcases and duvet cover are highly embroidered and have a contrasting piping finish. It is poly/cotton which means it will be easier to iron than 100 per cent cotton and also comes in a Kingsize.
Flamingo Duvet Cover Set from Dwell, £79.

Black and Blum - slick and simple home design

I've been searching the internet for Xmas pressie ideas and have come across a nifty little design company who are now being found in everywhere from John Lewis to small and independent home shops across the country. Black and Blum are based in London but are an Anglo-Swiss partnership who believe that design should be functional but also have a soul. I think they've succeeded and it's nice to see others apart from the ubiquitous Alessi making a mark....

Here is their take on what makes a Black and Blum product...

And here is their fab dishrack

Sainsbury's Home Spring/Summer preview - Diamond Jubilee

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Sainsbury's Spring/Summer Coastal collection

It was a bright and sunny day so it didn't really feel too incongruous walking up to the ICA for a preview of the Sainsbury's Spring/Summer home collections. Even though the streets were decorated for Christmas it just felt like a slight step-change as it rapidly became apparent that we are going to have to get used to a lot more decoration in the year ahead. In case you have forgotten 2012 is the year the Olympics comes to the UK - and it's the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. I must confess that in our street preparations for a street party are well under way and you simply can't have enough bunting. I expect there to be a complete run on bunting, long tables for hire and Union Jack flags - so if you're thinking of partying next summer you might be wise to book your tables and chairs now...

So back to Sainsbury's and their decidedly vintage take on home-ware for next year. Here are some of my favourites...

Sainsbury's Spring/Summer ice-cream bowls

Sainsbury's Spring/Summer Easter ceramics

Sainsbury's Spring/Summer bamboo bowl (large)

Sainsbury's Spring/Summer Jubilee Collection

J Sainsbury Welcomes In Winter

Christmas in July also heralds Autumn/Winter collections and one of the hot tickets this week was the A/W and Christmas collections from J Sainsbury.

Beautifully styled by Sally Cullen the range is, frankly, incredible and even if you don't have a large Sainsbury near you with their online store you can order online and pick up locally.

Here are a few of my favourites from the night which had been reserved for Handpicked Media bloggers and websites - once again it was lovely to see everyone!

The first room full of simply beautiful things - loving this bed-linen.

Bathroom accessories are bright and bold and the ceramic dispensers had useful rubber grips - a unique design for J Sainsbury.

A beautiful Christmas table - almost can't wait for Christmas now...

How lovely is this Shaker inspired dresser with classic red and white accessories...

We never knew we could get so excited about knives but after a demonstration I am going out later today to buy one - at around £12 they are a bargain and professionally sharp.

Wish I had the cupboard space for all of these gorgeous bright casseroles and pots...

Boring household chores will be much nicer with these storage ideas...

All these goodies will join the 15,000 online from September - happy home shopping!

All photographs copyright of J Sainsbury.