I must admit that I’m a little out of practice when it comes to shopping for myself, particularly with two children to look after and a home needing some decorative attention, I always come last! So, when Annabel asked if I’d write this little feature and up a wish list of my most covetable items I was completely stumped. Then I started to turn my thoughts towards autumn which I’ve been doing a lot of lately, it’s my favourite season – I can’t wait to see the burnished bronze of the trees, smell the wood smoke in the air and whip up a cozy casserole or two. Let’s not be forgetting the beginning of Season 5 of Downton Abbey either! And quite suddenly, a warm, snuggly and tactile wish list was written. Hope you enjoy my selection and find a gem or two for yourself!
1. I’ve just painted my workspace a glorious, crisp white from rather boring magnolia and whilst I’ve still got the shelves to install and my desk to complete (I gave it a make-over) I’ve been turning my thoughts to soft furnishings to keep it cosy in the colder months. Loaf are producing some gorgeously stylish homewares at the moment and I particularly love their embroidered ‘Hiccup’ cushion from their Rhubarb & Custard collection. Soft, muted colours (I love the addition of the dusky pink) and intricate stitches. Mine.
2. Working as a stylist, I’m very lucky to be able to meet some incredible designer-makers and Mourne Textiles are close to my heart as they’re a traditional, family run workshop. Based at the foot of the Mourne mountains in Northern Ireland they hand weave these incredible textiles from local yarns and turn them into the most beautiful throws and cushions I’ve ever seen. As I’m an autumn/winter girl who loves to hibernate, a mound of their soft cushions and snuggly throws to bury myself under for the afternoon with a hot chocolate would be heavenly.
3. A colourful addition to my brand spanking new workspace is this deliciously floral print by Becky Lord Design. I found her on Twitter a few months ago and knew I had to stock her prints in my little boutique at Great.ly. It arrived beautifully packaged with a packet of Birdhouse Tea from Sheffield, where she’s also based. These days I’m a no-fuss kind of girl when it comes to decor and what I wear, but for some reason Becky’s prints bring out the “girly” in me. Can’t wait to put this one up!
4. Earlier this year I decided to bite the bullet, grow up and move away from using my iPhone for all my photos. I can’t stand reading boring manuals, but, when I finally treated myself to my Nikon DSLR I made myself sit down and learn manual mode, the works. Now I can and my photos are so much better for it. As a treat to myself (it’s my birthday next month) I think a chic little camera bag from ideer is in order, don’t you? Burgundy canvas and black leather, I can see this working so well with a tailored military trench coat. What could be better in a bag?
5. I first discovered Liz Earle six years ago a few months before I was due to get married and had a face like a pizza. Stress spots. Someone on the Y&YW forum mentioned that I try Liz Earle’s Cleanse and Polish hot cloth cleanser and I’ve never looked anywhere else since. They’re made from completely natural, botanical ingredients, work on all skin types and last for ages.
6. Lately I’ve been looking at a lot of oil portraits styled in paired back, modern interiors. Perhaps it’s the rich and moody colour palettes, the texture of the oil paint and how it plays with the light or the subjects themselves but I love the sense of luxury they create. It’s not a look that will work in every home in such a grand way but I love this particular shot grouped together as a gallery against that grey wall, some in ornamental gold frames, others in black. Oh and that sleek black dining table and chairs. Found via Primitive Modernism – original source unknown.
7. For at least 6 months of the year my go-to accessory is the scarf. I have a slightly scary growing obsession with them and, as I feel the cold most of the time (I blame the Caribbean genes) this Arrow Circle Scarf by Hilary Grant for SMUG is bang on. And it’s Picalilli yellow! Wouldn’t it look great paired with my burgundy camera bag? And did I mention it’s my birthday soon?
8. Although I’d quite happily wear designer Emma Cassi’s hand-embroidered jewellery and nothing else (sorry if I put you off your lunch) I’m really taken by her decorative weavings. A departure from the on-trend ethnic look we’re seeing a lot of this year, Emma’s designs are really delicate and feminine using soft yarns, tulles, lace and ribbons. These would look perfect up on our bedroom wall, perhaps to compliment an oil portrait in a gold frame?
Tiffany
Tiffany Grant-Riley is a Stylist & Creative Director and blogs over at Curate & Display – she is also one of our resident DIY Tutorial experts. You can read more about Tiffany on our ‘About Page‘.
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