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27 of the best high-street buys for a calm home
Browse our edit of beautiful basics that are big on timeless style without making a huge dent in your bank balance
Beautiful basics are the building blocks of any modern home. We’ve picked our favourite affordable essentials for every room, guaranteed to never go out of style. From lighting and rugs to furniture and accessories, these high street heroes will be loved for a lifetime thanks to their timeless style use of natural materials.
For more curated shopping edits, see our round-up of the best new season cushions, designer armchairs and modern art prints.
‘Tabitha’ media console, Urban Outfitters
Oversized round handles and chunky legs give this mid-century-inspired oak veneer media cabinet an up-to-date look and feel. Inside, shelves provide space to house those unsightly black boxes, wires and hubs. £449, urbanoutfitters.com
‘Hammered handle’ cutlery, Zara Home
Add a tactile quality to meal times with Zara’s subtly textured stainless steel cutlery. Its gently hammered surface, matt finish and elegant handle shape will ensure your table settings always look Instagram-ready. From £17.99 for a set of four dessert spoons, zarahome.com
‘Cochato’ embroidered cushion cover, The Conran Shop
Made by artisans in India using an intricate loop embroidery technique, the ‘Cochato’ linen and cotton cushion cover highlights the beauty of traditional craftsmanship and brings a layer of cosy texture to interiors. £95, conranshop.co.uk
‘Plisse’ kettle by Michele De Lucchi for Alessi
Lauded Italian architect and designer Michele De Lucchi was inspired by the pleated fabric of fifties and sixties fashion when creating his ‘Plissé’ kitchen range, and the effect feels almost architectural. We like the white, but it also comes in grey, black and a particularly punchy red. £85.10, finnishdesignshop.com
‘Ovo’ side chair by Foster + Partners, Benchmark
Deceptively simple at first glance, Foster + Partners’ new design for Benchmark is full of clever design details that make it a future classic. A beveled edge on the seat and back and an organic wool and leather cushion make it supremely comfortable to sit on, while its stackable design means it can be stored easily when not in use.
£995, benchmarkfurniture.com
Oak chopping board by Forge Creative, Toast
West Sussex crafters Forge Creative lend their fine furniture skills to a range of perfectly formed objects. Their characterful chopping boards are made from locally sourced oak, which is shaped into a loop at one end for hanging in the kitchen. £65, To.ast
‘Poise’ extending dining table and ‘Rattan’ folding chairs, John Lewis & Partners
A hard-working design, ‘Poise’ can accommodate up to eight people thanks to the extendable panel that’s stored within the table’s frame. Made from solid oak, its splayed legs and refined lines give a subtle nod to Scandi style and create a timeless silhouette. Dining table, £999; chairs, £99 each; ceiling light, £175, all johnlewis.com
‘Arcs’ candleholder and ‘Tann’ toothbrush, Hay
It’s the totally on-trend ‘Soft Mint’ colour of these two accessories by Muller Van Severen and Andreas Engesvik for Danish brand Hay that sets them apart – part 1950s ice cream parlour chic, part contemporary scandi charm. A subtle way to brighten up an all-white room. Toothbrush, £3.36; candleholder, £29.41, connox.co.uk
‘Astraeus’ table lamp, Habitat
A shapely ceramic base crafted with a reactive glazes give this design a serene and sculptural feel. Its linen-look shade creates a gentle glow that’s suitable for bedrooms, living areas and hallways alike. £60, habitat.co.uk
‘Anais’ carafe and ‘Manon’ wine glasses, Rowen & Wren
Whatever your tipple of choice, Rowen & Wren’s glassware is sure to elevate it to new highs. Handblown in Tunisia, gentle ripples render each piece unique. Carafe, £39; glasses, £11 each, rowenandwren.co.uk
Bath mat, H&M Home
Alluding to the style of Berber rugs, made for more than 1,000 years by the Beni Ourain tribes in Morocco, this practical take on the traditional offers a deep-pile for luxurious bathroom comfort and non-slip feet. £17.99, hm.com
‘Swell’ sofa, Normann Copenhagen
Normann Copenhagen’s ‘Swell’ collection softens minimalism’s precise angles and defined lines, opting for a softer, more squishy take on the aesthetic. Plump and playful, it’s a failsafe way to set a welcoming tone in your living space. £3,745, normann-copenhagen.com
‘Enzo’ round jute rug, Made
This circular design marries the practicality of hard-wearing jute with an artfully rustic aesthetic. The beauty of its natural look is that it suits any style of space, from sleek city pads to country cottages (and everything in-between). £79, made.com
‘Waffle’ towels, Dunelm
Made from 100% cotton, these towels come in a tasteful edit of soft, natural colours (‘Sage’, ‘Mushroom’ and ‘Graphite’ pictured) and offer a textural quality that belies their affordable price tag. From £6 each, dunelm.com
Toolbox by Arik Levy for Vitra
Portable and practical, this clever caddy speaks to our world of hot desking and flexible working. Though unmistakably utilitarian, its softened edges grant the design a subtle liveability. If orange doesn’t do it for you, the evocative colour range also includes ‘Mint Green’, ‘Moss Grey’ and ‘Sea Blue’. £65, vitra.com
‘Stone’ wall light, Tom Dixon
Inspired by another luxurious home essential, the ‘Stone’ spice grinder by Tom Dixon, this light carved from white Morwad marble has a natural beauty that transcends trends. Added bonus: it’s IP44-rated, so can even be used in bathrooms and kitchens. £270, tomdixon.net
‘Inlay’ cup and saucer by Ferm Living
Two clays are utilised for this handmade stoneware mug, which grant the design a distinctive swirling pattern. And with its spill-proof rimmed saucer – or handy croissant holder – it’s as sensible as it is stylish. £39, beut.co.uk
‘Elland’ cushion, Neptune
Made of a blend of linen and cotton with a touch of wool, this cushion is soft to the touch with a simple, country-style design that feels classic yet contemporary. For a coherent look there is a matching throw with the same graduated three stripe pattern. £86, neptune.com
‘Snooze’ bedlinen, Normann Copenhagen
What do you do in bed? Normann Copenhagen’s playful duvet sets feature embroidered details by Sofia Bordoni which are inspired by that very theme. There’s five sets in total, from ‘Lazy Morning’, featuring coffee cups and croissants, to ‘Happy Hangover’, adorned with a Chinese takeaway. From £80, normann-copenhagen.com
‘Block Stripe’ tumbler and soap dispenser, John Lewis & Partners
Nothing pulls together a bathroom scheme quite like matching accessories carefully displayed on a vanity or washbasin. These simple yet stylish essentials in ‘Teal’ from John Lewis & Partners make an effective and pocket-friendly set. Tumbler, £8; soap dispenser, £10, johnlewis.com
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