Interior designers: they’re just like us! They, too, purchase from the high street. Yet unlike most of us mere mortals, they have a keen eye for excellent pieces that can elevate any space and a nose for really great deals. As such, we asked three interior designers to share their last high street purchase. From Soho Home lamps to Toast mugs, this is what the experts are buying now.
‘The scale of this Soho House lamp is really great. I love how much impact it can make in a space whilst keeping a fresh but totally neutral colour palette. It’s a really useful tool to inject into a space, adding atmosphere and drama in a subtle, understated way. For the most recent project it went on a sideboard in a large dining room where we wallpapered the walls, so the strong silhouette really stands out and grounds the space.’
‘The last high street purchase I made was a pair of John Lewis cushions for my daughter’s bedroom. I’m a big fan of John Lewis for cushions (amongst other things) and these instantly caught my eye. The colours work perfectly with the rest of the room and they really help bring the whole scheme together. I also love their unusual shape which make quite a statement and look far more expensive than they actually are! I’ve just spotted they have a square friend available too which has been added straight to my ‘future use’ list!’
‘I’ve made a few high street purchases recently. These deep brown plant pots from H&M Home are well-priced; the colour is a nice, earthy brown and they look great grouped on a windowsill with herbs. Simple and useful.’
Small Herb Pot and Saucer
‘Toast is a good place to find artisan ceramics. For a recent Cornish kitchen project I sourced stoneware by Gilliflower Pottery through Toast. The products are all hand-thrown in Cornwall by Jana Gilfillian, and the greens, blues and greys reflect the Cornish landscape. I’m a big tea drinker, so a beautiful handmade piece with a bit of character never goes to waste.’
Gilliflower Pottery Zig Zag Mug
Rattan Large Round Wall Mirror
‘I made two high street purchases for clients this month and I love them both! The first is a mirror from M&S home – which isn’t somewhere I would normally look for homewares – but this mirror definitely caught my eye. I adore rattan in small doses to add warmth and character, and the proportions of this mirror are brilliant; the frame is really chunky and curved, like a doughnut. We bought this for our clients’ living space, and it sits above a statement blue stained sideboard with a glossy lamp from Folie Chambre next to it.’
‘The second is this lamp from Domestic Science. We bought this lovely piece for a quirky entrance space in a stunning period property we are currently renovating for a client in Caversham. If I saw this lamp and didn’t know where it was from, I would definitely assume the price tag was a lot higher! It’s quite a structured form with a modern glossy finish but then has the soft curved line of the shade to soften it. I also love the colour, which is really versatile as a pop against different backdrop tones.’
Alessi ‘Anna G’ Corkscrew
‘Being truthful, I’ve been a terrible shopper over the last few weeks, but I did buy my friend an Alessi ‘Anna G’ corkscrew. I chose it because it’s silly, classic in design and makes a very good housewarming gift–far better than a boring waiter’s friend. I love so many things Alessi makes, especially this and their rowing boat butter dish. I purchased it from John Lewis–you can’t go wrong!’