Get the Look: Botanical Musings

Make it a sofa day 

Winter calls for lazy days cosied up on a sofa filled with comfy cushions – like the velvet Janela and the floral Allamanda – with nothing but a good book and hot cup of tea for company. We say it’s even better when you’re surrounded by nature, so, why not update your sitting room with a few key pieces that bring the outside in? 

Reclaimed wood from old beams and doors has been given a new lease of life in Tempus, a new range of handmade furniture that includes a centrepiece coffee table. With plenty of aged character, it’s the jewel in the crown of any room, while providing a practical surface for resting a Winslow Cup and Saucer or two, along with any and nibbles, books or accessories.

Team the Tempus with our new Otto Side Table – named for its octagonal shape and eight cubbyholes – made from natural bayur wood and finished with wicker panels, and our just-in Elias Bookcase crafted from recycled elm and pine. Handmade and hand painted, it’s a charming piece that enables you to showcase your most treasured tomes and objets d’art. 

When the light wanes outside, make it even more cosy inside by using well-chosen ambient lighting. We’ve added to our collection of pretty pleated shades with the Amisha Lampshade showcasing a traditional ikat pattern in muted tones and the Hurley Lampshade that here sits atop our Minerva Table Lamp in a pleasing Cloud Wash finish that still allows the natural wooden grain to shine through. 

Time to put your feet up and relax.  

Create a reading nook 

For dedicated bibliophiles, a reading nook is just the thing for whiling away a rainy afternoon, and our recently launched Ellary Armchair topped with a linen cushion such as the Archibald is the perfect excuse for carving out your own corner.

Luxuriously upholstered in a Dijon-yellow linen that calls to mind sunnier days, Ellary features a square back and arms with a plump seat you can’t help but sink into. Brass castors on the front legs mean you can move the armchair around until you find just the right spot. We suggest by the window for plenty of natural reading light, but if this isn’t possible in your home, a dedicated table lamp will do the trick. Now you just need to find a real page-turner. 

Remember to enhance the ambience of your relaxation space with artwork; if you find this a particularly unnerving task, we can help you with that too: our recently released art collections, such as the Set of Eight Framed Zennor Gallery Wall Prints allow you to create a gallery-style wall without worrying about what goes together. 

Set the stage for Sunday lunch 

Does anything say ‘winter’ quite like hunkering down at home over a delicious Sunday lunch? We certainly don’t think so. Whether it’s just you two or the whole family, a comforting feast of roast chicken with all the trimmings washed down with plenty of red wine and accompanied by great conversation is an afternoon well spent. 

Our new Tempus Dining Table is a natural fit for such occasions: it’s made from reclaimed wood and features legs inspired by the shape of an hourglass with visible imperfections adding to its aged charm. Run your fingertip over its surface to appreciate its beauty. Top the table with your choice of crockery and cutlery, and why not bring a tropical touch with our Althea Parrot Candle Holder? 

Pair with the traditional Camaret Dining Chair – styled on antique French furniture – with a gently curved back that cradles your body in all the right ways to keep you sitting comfortably long after lunch is done. The padded seat is upholstered in a black-and-white Serigraph print finished with a block-printed leaf pattern trim in linen. Elsewhere, the recently-added Weston Dining Chair – in a hemp-coloured linen complemented by a red-and-white ikat-striped trim – is a more contemporary alternative. Why not mix and match for a look that’s gloriously eclectic? 

The crowning glory for any host with the most, though, is our must-have Herald Sideboard. It features mirror-panelled cabinet doors – opening to reveal a dark blue interior with plenty of storage for crockery, linen and cutlery – while the recycled pine surface, in distressed warm grey, is perfect for serving up nature’s bounty.  Who needs a restaurant reservation? 

Cosy up in bed 

Why not hit the ‘snooze’ button at the weekend and get another hour in bed? After a busy summer, winter is time to recharge and relax. Luckily, a smattering of new pieces is all it takes to completely update your bedroom. 

Our Candra Side Table is the perfect bedfellow comprising a toasty combination of espresso-coloured wood and green-hued raffia that nod to nature’s palette. Top with an oversized lamp, a stack of books and a strong coffee to help you start the day with a spring in your step. If you’re partial to a breakfast in bed our new-in Talasa Rectangular Rattan Basket could provide you with the perfect steady platform for a full English, its scalloped edge adding a pretty accompaniment. 

Elsewhere, the new Samena Ottoman, upholstered in our beloved Ocellus print finished with Dijon-yellow piping, is keeping a secret – simply lift the lid to reveal hidden storage. Perfect for keeping your space clutter free. 

To fully activate hibernation mode, layer your bed with new throws like the Sycamore and cushions, such as the Bonnie, Janela and Paleo, to instantly refresh the room. Deep sleep, guaranteed.