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 April.

This week, I posted my Mums set of bamboo style bedroom furniture from The Pier on to my Instagram Stories to see if anyone wanted to buy it and was overwhelmed by an outpouring of love for the sadly no longer with us furniture store. In fact, so many messages of memories that I couldn’t keep up with them. People LOVED The Pier. For those who don’t recall, it was a bazaar style store which specialised in hardwood and bamboo furniture that went into administration in 2008, a casualty of the recession but which holds a place dear in the hearts of the hundreds of hundreds of people who messaged me. There are few of us who left the nineties without at least two embroidered cushion covers and a directors chair to show for it. Or a hammock. A sad loss, indeed.

My main memories of The Pier revolve around the bags of glass balls that were used for everything, from surrounding candles in hurricane lamps through to coffee table decor. EVERYONE had these. I had a huge wooden bowl (bought from The Pier, of course) that was a centrepiece, filled with handfuls of slippery blue glass of every tone. The downside of these were that they clung to dust like a limpet and you had to wash them in a sink at least once a week, else you looked like you never cleaned your house (very likely, in my case). When our kids arrived, these were promptly rebranded as a life threatening accessory due to the fact they looked like Skittles and the likely possibility of chokage and were despatched to the charity shop in order to pass on the risk to other prospective parents.

I loved going into The Pier for a browse. We were very much lacking in High Street homeware options then - we used to drive to Oxford on a Saturday so that I could visit the massive Habitat which was one of the few dedicated non department store interior shops around at the time. I loved The Pier, but I loved Habitat even more. I lusted for YEARS after the large flip clock which I finally invested in about ten years ago (they stopped producing it shortly after, I think) and my sister Annabel has the Robin Day sofa which is an absolute design classic (albeit possibly not the most comfortable) of which I am eternally jealous. Always super happy that it’s stood the test of time and remains with us via the joy of Sainsburys.

There was also, of course, IKEA, which had been open in the UK since 1987. A visit to Brent Park from Reading was also classed as a full day event, so popular that we’d have to leave at 7am in order to get in the car park queue to ensure access. There was nowhere like IKEA, it was a whole new interior world. If you didn’t have that massive 5ft paper floor lamp that looked like a cocoon then you weren’t down with the cool kids. One of my outstanding memories of visiting IKEA in the late nineties was coming off the A40 on to the North Circular and seeing an unfeasibly tall, fully naked man walking along the carriageway singing with no clothes on whatsoever bar a pair of trainers, penis swinging like a weapon of mass destruction. We were in a convertible and Joe couldn’t put the roof up fast enough. It all happens in Wembley.

I don’t know how I got from bedroom furniture to waving penises, but let’s get back on track and return to the High Street of 2025, which is far more prolific in product than thirty years ago, that’s for sure. A quick peruse this April shows that we’re starting to see Summer coming through, with lots of outdoor loveliness to be seen in all sorts of nature inspired colour tones for lazing in the garden. Natural textures abound, too, with organic shapes and pops of colour to brighten up even the most dismal of days and there are plenty of metallics to contrast which add that touch of glam. So without further ado, here’s my monthly round up of the best of the best. And my fave find this month? The Dunelm gold champagne bowl that is giving ALL the Summer party feels.

1. Marble Wine Cooler - H&M Home, £39.99

Marble is hot on the High Street this season (remember the cool side table I featured last month from Dunelm?) and this wine cooler ticks all the boxes. Marble is, of course, the ideal material for such a purpose as it’s a natural cooler so will keep your Whispering Angel colder for longer. Looks chic, there’s lots of texture and pattern, nice and tactile and it looks much more expensive than the price tag. Perfect for Summer.

2. USB Rechargeable Spotlight - Zara Home, £49.99

There’s a lot to love about this little red spotlight, not least it’s versatility. It’s rechargeable so doesn’t need a socket which makes it ideal for adding to a bookshelf or table to target favourite items or spaces. It’s got a classic retro look and shape which will add an edge and a contrast to more traditional lighting and most of all, it’s red. No room, as we all know, is complete without a little bit of red. Job done.

3. Coloured Stem Wine Glass - John Lewis, £8

I openly admit to being a bit of a hoarder when it comes to wine glasses - I can never resist when I see a beautiful one and my cabinet is testament to this fact, unfortunately. HOWEVER, this one is a goodie. I actually already have this exact shape from John Lewis that I’ve had for a few years and they are my standard go to glasses, mostly because they’re a great shape and you can chuck them in the dishwasher with no worries. This new version with a red stem has my name written all over it.

4. Gold Champagne Bowl - Dunelm, £22

Yes, two wine coolers and we’re only at number 4 but SUMMER IS ON THE WAY, people. I spotted this and immediately wanted to add it to bag, before I reminded myself that not only am I not supposed to be buying anything before we move home but also, I already have a silver one. Metallics are BIG this season - plenty to be seen at the Design Fairs - and I love a flash of gold. Chuck in a bag of ice and this will fit a few bottles. Ideal for the Summer months when you are ensconced at the garden table and don’t want to have to move to open the fridge.

5. Outdoor Stripe Pouffe - Habitat £40

I struggle greatly with outdoor seating and never have enough, even though I always think I will do and have to go and bring out indoor chairs which pains me. This seat pouffe is ideal - I love the thick stripe and the green and cream contrast and it would work brilliantly for Summer garden socialising (yes, as you can tell I am here for the Summer feels this week). There’s a matching rug too if you like a bit of coordination.

6. Michigan Rim Dinner Set - Marks & Spencer, £50

This Michigan Rim set is new in and I am VERY much liking. In fact, I like pretty much EVERYTHING M&S are doing at the moment, particularly on the fashion front where they are basically nailing it (

Polly Vernon

did a round up of her favourites this week and

Anna Eleri Hart

went full on with her food edit). This twelve piece set is lightly speckled in the perfect neutral with a brown rim and is great for combining with what you’ve already got if you’re looking for an update.

7. Maegen Plates - Anthropologie, £16

Anthro is always top of the class when it comes to plates that look pretty enough for the wall but are also table perfect and this set is excellent. Nice and simple, great colours, good font, matching border (I refuse to say rim again) and an organic shape. These would look amazing as a set on a kitchen wall but also layered up with your daily dinnerware to add interest to the table.

8. Green Muslin Striped Duvet - Oliver Bonas, £85

Stripes are nothing new when it comes to bedding but I absolutely love this set from OB. It’s muslin which means it’s super soft, breathable and cosy making it perfect for a good nights sleep. And this shade of green is the perfect brightness to make it look cool and contemporary instead of traditional. Also. the reverse is the same pale cream as the stripe so it’s a great contrast when folded - it comes in Double and King and you need to buy the pillowcases separately but I’m a BIG fan.

9. Fish Lemon Squeezer - Arket £12

It’s no secret that, as a Piscean, I am always immediately attracted to anything which is even vaguely fish like so there’s no surprise here that this stood out to me. Again, metallics - silver tones are hot hot hot and in this case, up the luxe level of a utilitarian item into something special. This little fishy is practical yet pretty and would be excellent presented as part of drinks tray situ for the essential squeeze of lemon in your G&T.

10. Striped Waterproof Cushion - Mango Home £12.99

Back outdoors - did I mention Summer was on the way? - and the colours here are EVERYTHING. This striped cushion cover comes in a number of colour ways but these earthy blues and greens are ticking all the boxes for me. Great colours for outdoor furnishings, they combine perfectly with natural tones of your garden and come in two sizes (the biggest is 50 x 50 and there’s also a pillow size 30 x 50). On my list.

11. Lyla Chair - La Redoute, £311.99

So this chair is an investment but WOAH, it’s a good one. Made from solid oak with a woven straw seat and back, this is a lovely piece of furniture that will last the course. It’s from the AM.PM range which is design led; this is a timeless, classic style with the perfect mix of textures and it would combine well into any colour scheme or decor. I wish it came in red, too. It’s currently in the Sale at LR but keep watching as they have regular discount codes (as I type, they are offering an additional 14% off the price above) so you might even pick it up for less.

12. STOCKHOLM 2025 Side Table, IKEA £129

The STOCKHOLM collection was first launched in 1985 and is billed as the very best of IKEA design, with pieces that will last the course of time. They’ve just released a new collection and I love this side table which is on castors, making it super practical but also means it has a multitude of uses. I’d use it as a drinks trolley I think, but would be great with a small lamp on it too. Great work from IKEA as always.

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

Quick Note: This is a free post for subscribers but you can also become a PAID SUBSCRIBER to receive four free posts a month but also eight EXTRA posts a month (including a weekly Design Dilemmas) plus Chat threads so you can join our blossoming community. I would thoroughly recommend it.

As always, HUGELY appreciative that you are here and reading - if you have enjoyed, then please do HEART like, comment and most of all, SHARE by using the little recycle button - it really does help with visibility on this excellent platform. Thank you!

PS: This newsletter contains affiliate links.