Moving house has got to be the best ever excuse to go shopping for homeware - as if I ever really needed one! The most fun part of our recent move has been all about making our new place look and feel like home. Naturally we brought everything we 'need' with us, but it's always lovely to add a few fresh items to personalise a new environment and celebrate new beginnings.
If you've been in the same home for years, the quickest and easiest way to inject life into your living environment is with new accessories, something I particularly love to do coming into Spring.
With the arrival of fabulous homeware stores on our doorstep in recent years - from Oliver Bonas to Anthropologie - plus an endless supply of online options, I thought I'd share a few of my top home accessory haunts.
OLIVER BONAS - from pink velvet love seats to chrome bar carts and the most fabulous collection of vases, Oliver Bonas is a treasure trove of pretty homeware. They also do awesome lighting, mirrors and coffee table books.
ANTHROPOLOGIE - bohemian luxe homeware that reflects its fashion line, with vintage style glassware, pretty crockery, dreamy light fittings and soft furnishings. Also offers a made to order service.
ORENDA LIVING - from stylish storage and wall art to luxury handcrafted furniture, Orenda Living (Belfast and Derry) are specialists in true craftsmanship.
SOSTRENE GRENE - authentic Scandi style from this Danish retailer specialising in clean lines and pretty decorative pieces, such as pretty side tables, stools and shelving as well as kitchenware.
HOMESENSE - homeware at discount prices from the sister brand to TK Maxx. The place to go for soft furnishings, scented candles and one off statement pieces. Based locally at TK Maxx in Newtownabbey, it also has outlets in Dublin, Derry and Cork.
IKEA - needs no introduction as a one stop shop for pretty much every decorative and functional item you might find inside a home... don't miss the lighting, rugs and planters.
ONLINE
While all of the above retailers have an online presence, we can often find completely unique pieces at those specialising in an online only service - and hopefully cut costs while we're at it. A few of those I like to shop from my sofa...
DARLINGS OF CHELSEA - multi award winning established British brand specialising in luxe furnishings, from gloriously oversized footstools to velvet sofas that will make you never want to leave the house again.
ETSY.COM - independent creators making things they love. A great place to work directly with designers on a bespoke piece, made to your own specifications.
NOTONTHEHIGHSTREET.COM - an edit of unusual pieces by independent makers and a great place to source personalised pieces.
MADE.COM - design led furniture at affordable prices. Think sumptuous velvet furniture, coloured glass lighting and chrome accents.
HM.COM - a brilliant resource for anyone building a home from scratch or wanting to add a few design accents. Homeware at High Street prices.
Zara Home is now online too – albeit slightly limited, but we LOVE what we’ve seen so far!
NEXT is a bit of a staple when it comes to home, and we’ve really fallen in love with lighting at NEXT of late. Plus mirrors. They always do a good statement mirror.