ADD JOY TO YOUR HOME

Beautiful Albie Bowl, £84 at Abigail Ahern, the queen of noir interior styling

Now that we’ve all been staring at these same four walls for just a little too often, time to consider a few new ornaments that simply bring you JOY.

Now I don’t mean ‘Spark Joy’ like Marie Kondo - personally the minimal super tidy approach to life, with a full house, working from home and a humungous dog, feels a bit dreary. Order is one thing - ‘control’, that’s just not homely. It’s not relaxing … I like to feel free and ad-hoc and spontaneous. Style-wise I like haphazard, asymmetrical, mismatched … MK & I would never get along.

Go Ornamental with Your Heart

Here is a little inspiration for console tables and coffee tables in the living areas of your home from some of my favourite stores.

THE DESK SCULPTURE

I cannot begin to describe how much I adore these little clay people. Created in stoneware clay and terracotta by Aman Khanna exclusively for The Conran Shop, Clayman Sculptures are tiny 6.8cm characters that are perfect for your desk or hallway, to greet you with a smile. Inspired by human expressions, ranging from happy to shocked, sad or confused, each piece is handcrafted and unique in expression. The perfect artisan gift, from £60.

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THE STATUE

I love an abstract figurine and this Mae Sculpture by Abigail Ahern is so stylishly simple but striking: a perfect celebration of the female form. “Nothing elevates a surface like a sculpture,” says Abigail, “use objects of varying heights on a console table or coffee table to break up the eyeline.” Made in a polyresin, it’s 56cm high x 46cm wide x 36cm deep, and costs £255

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THE JUG

From my all-time favourite ceramics brand, this Astier de Villatte Hercule Pitcher, £100, is destined to always be on show in the home. Always a style statement, AdV is an artisan French design company that creates luxury handmade clay objects from ornately chic cups and plates to candlesticks and jugs. Made in Paris from Parisian Black Clay and White Enamel, measuring 10.5 x 9.5 cm. I know they’re expensive as a brand, but I have bought so many pieces for my home, from mugs to tiny nut bowls to larger ornate serving bowls, and they truly make me feel happy when I look at them and use them.

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THE VASE

This tall Zara Home Blue Ceramic Vase, 21 x 44 x 12.5 cm, is a beautiful piece for a console table, mantelpiece, dining table or hallway table, and at £39.99, adds style with value. Surround it with green trailing ivy and delicate ferns.

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THE BOWL

Probably best left elegantly empty, this divine Albie Bowl at Abigail Ahern (main image) looks sensational on a tidy dining table or coffee table, or to display fresh fruit. I sadly have this innate ability to pop all sorts of things in a handy bowl - keys, coins, Oyster card, loose trinkets… so I can’t deny that this bowl I keep for special dinner occasions for cheese & biscuits, cake or savoury treats. If, however, you’re neater than me - it’s a beauty to keep on show.

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