High Street Heroes

A monthly perusal of High Street seasonal newness to find my Top 12 lustworthy items to add to your home or inspire you this March.

Mar 22, 2025

Bonjour, mes amis and what a wonderfully sunny week it has been. As I write this, York is reaching the heady heights of 16 degrees, almost unheard of for March (yes, thank you, global warming) and I am bathed in a warm glow at my desk. I would love to say that I am also bathed in a glow of glory after winning at the pub quiz last night, but no. We didn’t even come mid table this time. I contributed virtually nothing to the team effort, even failing to recognise the dulcet tones of James Blunt during the music round which is an outrage seeing as I even watched the documentary. Sigh. But we won’t give up. We will return and do better next time.

I’ve also been heavily forward planning for our next home, as yet unsecured, but hopefully in the pipeline. I have SO MANY ideas that my head feels like it may explode, a situation that is just too much for Joe, my husband. We went to view a house last week that demonstrated only too clearly the differences between the two of us when it comes to home style. I always knew it, really, but I didn’t quite appreciate how poles apart our idea of the ‘perfect home’ actually is. From the front, it was a beautiful Edwardian townhouse, with renovated sash windows and a pretty front garden that was right next to a bus stop, perfect for Leo’s trip to school.

But it was indeed a front. We entered the porch to find that the entire house had been renovated by a developer many years previously, with even the staircase fully replaced with a new model and every single door ripped out. It looked smart and indeed, for many people who are not house decor obsessive it could well be ‘the one’, but for me, it was lacking in the character that I need to make a house a home. For Joe, however, it was the dream. Grey carpets. Grey walls. Grey flooring. Gloss grey kitchen. Lots of stainless steel. Spotlights (many). He would have packed a bag and moved right in had I not explained the basics of my house hunting mission to him. Poor Joe. He already complains of back issues from the Togo and doesn’t understand why we can’t have carpet in downstairs rooms. One day, he’ll get it. I can hear the cries of ‘poor Joe’ echoing around the globe as I write. Ha.

But enough of poor Joe and back to the High Street and Spring has truly sprung on the shelves with an abundance of beauty to be perused for the home. Warm neutrals, particularly textured, are still super hot but there are earthy Spring tones coming into play now as we move towards April. There’s a lot of green about and a move towards simplicity - less frills and more clean lines. There is plenty to inspire so without further ado, here’s my monthly round up of the best of the best. And my fave find this month? Without doubt, the Mango Home tablecloth which feels super new and fresh.

1. Extra Large Glass Candle Lantern - H&M Home £19.99

The shops are still full of Spring greens as we finally start to get some vaguely warmer weather. It CANNOT come soon enough. Anyway, this large lantern (shown with the smaller version, also available) is perfect for a new season and would work well inside on the mantel or kitchen worktop (I’m a big fan of a worktop candle) but also outside as the nights heat up. Looks much pricier than it is as well which is always a bonus. H&M do this SO well.

2. Lacquered Bamboo Basket - Zara Home £23.99

Ah, red, the colour of the moment, how I love thee. Lacquered red is a joy indeed and this has gone straight in my basket to keep on the windowsill with the washing up liquid and kitchen spray in (oh, the glamour, although tbf I kept the Diptique bottles I bought years ago and just refill them so slightly more glamorous than the Fairy Liquid). In fact, Zara Home also have a refillable bottle that is similar to mine - I’ll link it. Okay, washing up chat now finished. As you were.

3. Marcy Sling Garden Chair - John Lewis £149

Orange is not generally my go to colour but this garden chair is ticking many boxes. Stripes, yes please. Tubular construction? I love the simplicity of the lines. Comfortable cushion? Even my husband wouldn’t complain about this one (the last outdoor dining chairs we had were vintage and were akin to wearing a back brace). And the orange is the perfect colour to provide contrast with the glorious green of your garden. A couple of these, a side table to hand with your tea and book and you’re winning.

4. Lana Marble Side Table - Dunelm £129

And talking of side tables, look at this beaut. First of all, it’s a great size to have next to the sofa for your essentials. I currently have a vintage milking stool that I’ve had for 20 years and painted twice and although it’s good at holding the remote, it looks terrible. This one would look MUCH better. But mostly, it’s marble! Real marble! For £129! I mean, seriously. It’s a classic style that won’t date and it’s solid stone. Unbeatable.

5. Wave Rattan Tray - Habitat £18

I posted this on my Instagram feed last week for a Habitat campaign and everyone LOVED it. It’s bigger than you’d think - 45cm diameter so an excellent size - and is totally inflexible so can hold pretty much anything. I use it as a fruit bowl but it would be equally good as a coffee table centrepiece or for any reason that requires a basket. There’s not much that doesn’t require a basket, in my book. A good investment that looks way more luxe than it’s petite price point.

6. Set of Two Outdoor Cushions - M&S £25

Very much liking this pair of outdoor cushions - yes, two! - from Marks & Spencer. A tactile fabric in a few different soft colours that would work perfectly in the garden this Summer. Would be perfect paired with the textured striped ones that they’ve also got onsite if you’re looking for a contrast. M&S have some really excellent pieces in this season with a strong lean towards some really cool outdoor tableware too. I failed to attend the Press Show today due to a previous engagement else would have reported back further, sorry.

7. Large Melamine Nathalie Lete Platter - Anthropologie £18

Nathalie Lete is a French artist whose work depicts themes of fantasy, humour and childhood memories (random fact: I used to have a shop on NOTHS selling her shopping bags) and she’s done a brilliant collection for Anthro this season with various homewares including a range of sea inspired melamine tableware at very reasonable prices. As a Pisces, I am always here for a anything ocean related so this is right up my street. This platter is 43cm diameter - a great size - and will be excellent for use in the garden with no fear of breakage if you’re prone to clumsiness.

8. Terracotta & Raffia Table Lamp - Oliver Bonas £98

Earthy terracotta base, tactile materials - big tick. But the biggest tick here goes to the rattan shade which is not just any old rattan shade, it’s woven into a crossed pattern. This gives it an edge and makes this little lamp stand out in a crowd. This is a nice addition for under £100 and in tones that are easy to add into any decor scheme. Yay to OB.

9. Lacquered Tray - Arket £48

Yes, yes lacquered trays have been around for a while but wait! This one isn’t scalloped. Don’t get me wrong, I do love a scalloped lacquered tray. But I liked them more when they weren’t in every shop I enter so this one is a glossy breath of fresh air. Great size, pleasingly straight edges and coffee table centre perfect. Plus, it’s green. A winner all round.

10. Tableware Print Tablecloth - Mango Home £89.99

I have a slight weakness for tablecloths and when I saw this one on Mango Home it took everything in my power not to add it to bag. Illustrated tablecloths are HOT and this one depicting tableware is a total winner. Plus it comes in two sizes and the second is 3.5m long, pretty much impossible to find in my experience. They also do one with illustrations of wine glasses which is equally excellent.

11. Satchi Mesh Lantern - La Redoute £179.99

Okay, so I KNOW that La Redoute are not officially High Street as they don’t have IRL shops BUT I really love their products and decided that I’d make an exception to my rule and bring them in. I’ve shopped at La Redoute for many, many years and their AM.PM range is always my first stop. This Satchi range of mesh lanterns reminds me very much of the Chinese lantern that I had in our old courtyard space but a fraction of the price and they come in several different sizes and shapes. Oh, and another reason why I am a regular shopper there is that LR are very good at promotional discount codes so worth a look. International subscribers - they ship pretty much everywhere, too.

12. TJARLEK Set Of Four Glasses - £18

Praise be for IKEA and their affordable homeware that is always on the ball yet can be relied upon to bear their signature value price. In my opinion, you can never own too many pretty wine glasses and this set of four have coloured stems in varying glorious colours. Perfect for your chilled Whispering Angel. Also very handy if you have a few people over for dinner and don’t want to pick up someone else’s drink. PLUS, I popped into IKEA yesterday and spotted them - be assured they are excellent quality with a good weight to them.

So there you have my favourite finds this month. Which do you like the best? Do tell me in the comments below!

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