On Tuesday, I shared my picks for all things joyfully bright this Christmas. Today I’m bringing a feeling of sophisticated calm with my favourite monochrome gifts from unique and inspiring companies who not only bring their vision and passion to their work, but also give a little bit back. Enjoy these gifts which give so much more!
Flying Rabbit Screen Print by Joanna Ham (£35.00 unframed)
Happy & Co Happy Rabbit (£25.00) & Mixed Double Bay 6 Pack Napkins (£25.00)
I first saw Joanna Ham’s HAM silhouette prints (top left) at Designjunction in 2014 and have been taken with them ever since. HAM prints, ceramics, wall stickers and cards show the designer’s star, Rabbit, going about his daily life– from working on his carrot computer to snowboarding, DJing like a dude, wallpapering, or relaxing with some yoga. The prints are so simple but full of humour and always make me smile. I don’t believe you can ever be too old to enjoy one of these prints and it has been delightful to see this company grow since the moment I first saw Rabbit and chuckled.
Flying Rabbit Screen Print come unframed in two sizes: 30m x 40xm for £35.00 and 50cm x 70cm for £45.00. The 30cm x 40cm frame is £26.00.
From cushions to bedding and upholstered furniture, Happy & Co has you covered (literally) and I was ecstatic to stumble upon their bold textiles. I love these fabulous napkins as well as their wooden rabbits, which come in two sizes. But it wasn’t just the designs that I fell in love with! Their founder, Penny, makes sure every product ethically sourced and the welfare of each product’s maker is put at the heart of Penny’s sourcing decisions. Plus 10% of all Happy & Co’s profits are invested in the Happy & Co farm in Cambodia, which produces fruit and vegetables in very barren land and has brought skills and economic opportunity to a community that was struggling.
I love the very bold print on these napkins that come in a mismatched set of six (above right) and think they’ll be a striking addition to any dining table. I also couldn’t resist the wooden bunny (above right) which has a whimsical look with rustic sculptural qualities that I absolutely love. If looks and a great cause weren’t already enough to make you want to purchase, every product arrives in its own Happy & Co linen sack. Everything about this company is really special.
Happy & Co’s Happy Bunny comes in two sizes: Large Happy Bunny is £25.00 and the small is £15.00.
and Native Union NIGHT Cable (£34.99) and KEY Cable (£24.99)
I was first introduced to the lovely family-run company Mia Fleur when we accidentally emailed each other over 500 times when we ended up in a seemingly endless auto-reply loop. When I picked up the phone to sort out our technical issue, I found one of the most charming people I’ve ever spoken to on the other end of the line. Since that first conversation with Hollie, I’ve learned a great deal about this business, which Hollie and her sister Amelia started with their mum, Jacqui. Mia Fleur is a gorgeous online store selling homewares and gifts but they also run an award-winning blog. These ladies are delightful to buy from and their products are amazing. I’ve selected these fab monogrammed makeup bags (above left) which are perfect for stylishly carrying everything you need for in-the-moment beautification. I’m particularly taken with the little tassel on the zip!
It may seem a little strange to include a power cable in a Christmas gift guide– after all, what’s sexy about a charger lead? Well, Native Union have turned this everyday eyesore into a thing of beauty. Igor Duc and John Brunner saw a hole in the mobile accessories market and filled it with good looking and well-made products that certainly won’t look like a tangled mess on the countertop!
I first saw one of their stylish charging cables (above right) at a client’s house and immediately became obsessed with hunting them down. The Night Cable is 3 metres long and is as stylish as it is functional with a weighted knot that will ensure it won’t slither off your table when not connected to your phone. Charging your phone on-the-go has never been easier thanks to the genius Key Cable which stylishly hides the USB and charging ports in one sleek little design that will delightfully dangle from your key ring. Both cables come in either Apple Lightning or Micro USB charging ends so you’re ready for a bit of cool charging no matter what phone you have.
Hidden Animal Cups by PomPom & Twiddle (£20.00 each)
I first came across PomPom & Twiddle on Instagram and immediately loved their products. When I found out that the pair behind the brand, Bryony and Dominic, were a married couple and had set up their quirky homewares company in Hastings, East Sussex, I was ecstatic. So cool and basically right on my doorstep– what’s not to love?!
I am potty about these cups (above). Each of them has a cute little animal (either a fox, bear or owl, as seen below left) in the centre that hides under your drink and is charmingly revealed as you sip. When I was a child, I had a hidden animal cup that had a frog at the bottom so these cups fill me with happy childhood memories and are sure to create similar memories for your own children. They’re also the perfect size (large!) and when you love tea as much as I do, size really does matter.
and KOI Pot (£15.00)
The difficult thing about being a red-headed interior designer is that everyone compares me to Kelly Hoppen. Though it’s flattering, there is no way I compare to The Queen of Interiors and Dragons’ Den. However, I do love her range of fantastic and affordable homewares, which is currently packed full of irresistible Christmas gifts including throws, scented candles, and this chic pair or KOI Vases (above right) which I immediately knew I had to include in this Christmas gift round-up. With the textured effect in the smoky glass, they’re a very sophisticated way to display your Christmas blooms and will look amazing for every season after.
Special Thanks Goes To….
This post came together thanks to a number of people so I’d like extend some extra-special thanks. First, I’d like to give a big thank you to Rebecca Johnson, Alex Jones, and Ross Johnson at The Bull in Tunbridge Wells for inviting us to use their amazing pub for this photoshoot and for taking such amazing care of us while there. If you’re looking for a warm and friendly place to go in Tunbridge Wells, I highly recommend you pay them a visit! I’d also like to give a shout-out to every single one of these companies who has so kindly loaned us their beautiful products to show off in the Christmas gift round-up– it’s really is a privilege to be able to shout about these brands! And finally to the lovely Kate Sims who photographed everything so beautifully!
