High Street Heroes

A monthly perusal of High Street seasonal newness to find my Top 12 lustworthy items to add to your home/inspire you this January. With a slight veer towards drinkware that was wholly unintentional.

Jan 11, 2025

I started this post intending it to be a Sale special but, readers, it was not to be. Homeware Sales never seem to hit the mark quite as well as the fashion Sales. Or, perhaps - and I think this is true - I am more considered about what I add to bag when I’m interiors shopping than when I’m throwing in five jumpers, two pairs of jeans and a pair of socks to my Zara basket, safe in the knowledge that I can flatten them down, stick them back in the bag and send them straight back hassle free. Anyway, I started but couldn’t find enough to inspire either you or me so quickly changed tack to New In. And OH. This was SO much better. In fact, despite the snow and frost, it made me feel really quite Spring like.

It does feel quite Spring like in York today, admittedly. The sun is out although it’s utterly and completely freezing cold, meaning that there is more chance of Buddy answering to ‘sit’ (he doesn’t, ever) than there is of me leaving the house. To ensure that I stay cosy, I’m wearing a very old Zara set that I found when we moved comprising of a massive jumper, matching wide legged woolly trousers and finally, a coordinating ankle length cardigan, all in a speckled shade of dark brown. This looks as good as it sounds (aka, shocking and only suitable for indoor use) and I bear more than a passing resemblance to a tree trunk, a very good reason NOT to take Buddy for a walk for fear of him thinking that I am one too. Anyway, it’s very warm and has an elasticated waist so I’m totally winning at life.

But unflattering yet cosy outfits aside, let’s head to the High Street to see what’s going down. After the startling failure of my Sales trawl, I wasn’t holding out much hope that there was much coming in on the sidelines but thankfully, I couldn’t have been more wrong. Curvy shapes, mixed metals, warm tones - there is plenty to inspire and to refresh if you’re looking for a quick update to lift the spirits. Here’s my monthly round up of the best of the best.

1. Floral Duvet Set, H&M Home £39.99

Starting as always with H&M Home who are really looking good at the moment. This cold and dark weather is making me yearn for Spring and this is the perfect bedroom pick you up, with tie pillow covers and a complementary stripe on the other side for a nice turn back. My only issue is that they don’t do Super King, otherwise I would have added this immediately to basket, pronto.

2. Nest Of Two Tables, Zara Home £299.99

Zara Home always makes me want to move to Spain and live in a white washed finca - their products are chic, timeless and more often than not, well priced. This set of two mango wood tables is a good buy, a simple design with arched corners - plus, if you work by my multi tasking room ethos, you could easily split these and use in different areas of your house.

3. Cocobella Sofa, John Lewis x Sophie Conran £3,499

Sophie Conran is fabulous (I’m on my second copy of her book, Soups & Stews, as I used my first so often that I ruined it with food carnage) and her sofa collaboration with John Lewis is a dream. This sofa is an investment, but it’s a classic style that won’t date and after sitting on it at the Press Show some time ago, I can confirm it is like sitting on a cloud. Plus, the covers are removable and washable which is huge bonus.

4. Ceramic Pebble Vase, Dunelm £25

There’s some good vase action going on at Dunelm this season. This ceramic pebble vase is a good size, with ALL the curves going on making this is a well priced addition to your shelves. Excellent with some Spring branches to create a feature (yes, basically going to keep waffling on about ‘Spring is on the way!’ from this point forward).

5. 60 Gold Edit Wine Rack, Habitat £30

Metallics are back, baby, and this excellent wine rack - part of the Habitat Gold Edit to celebrate 60 Years of British design - is designed by Will Hudson and is made of brushed metal, which is both taçtile and very aesthetically pleasing (boxes ticked). A great example of how a utilitarian item doesn’t need to be boring, at a great price too.

6. Elio Black & Wood Table Lamp, Freemans £60

You might recall that I worked with Freemans last year and now I find myself regularly checking out their new additions, so I thought worth adding to the list. This black and wood effect lamp is all about the mixed textures which is right up my street and the colours are tonal so easy to add into your rooms, whatever your style. You can read how I transformed our guest space using key products here, if you’re interested.

7. Everyday Smoked Wine Glasses, M&S £12

These beauties are excellent. I love smoked glass and these are a fabulous price but have a really cool 70’s feel to them. Also, they’re stackable - yes, stackable - plus they have a short stem that won’t break in the dishwasher. Oh, and they call them Everyday wine glasses which basically means it’s OKAY to drink wine every day. Perfect all round.

8. Piper Icon Cocktail Tray, Anthropologie £78

It would have been remiss of me not to include this gem of a find. A cocktail tray! With olive edging! There’s also a cherry one that isn’t in stock yet but these are perfect for your super chic cocktail parties or dinners. PS: yes, the irony that most of my Heroes appear to be drinks related during Dry January has not escaped me. PPS: Obviously I am not doing Dry January.

9. Ceramic Fish Book Ends, Oliver Bonas £45

If it has a fish on it, I’m here for it, a proven fact over the years as I have amassed a fish collection that is worthy of note. Every time I go on holiday, I pick up a fish (not an actual one, obvs) to add and they bring me much joy. Anyway, these bookends which are new in at Oliver Bonas are fabulous and in a joyous green, too.

10. Woolly Cushion Cover, Arket £57

Arket always makes me feel as if I’m not minimalist cool enough (okay, I’m not) but I still am a little bit obsessed with their sleek collection of homeware. This cosy cushion is a good size (50cm) and would combine well with any decor to give it a lift, not just Scandiesque settings, with that all important textural contrast to add the layers. Warm spring vibes.

11. Borosilicate Cava Glass, Mango Home £12.99

Yes, yes, more drink inspired homewares but this one really is too good not to include. Dishwasher solid stem wineglasses; move aside now for this virtually-non-breakable-unless-you-drop-it-on-the-floor cava glass. With a clear coupe and a green ‘stem’, this is a super practical way to drink cava (or any sort of sparkling bottle, alcoholic or otherwise) safely and without fear of the dishwasher killing it.

12. ULLSYREN Plant Pot, IKEA £9

Looks like a tumbler, is actually a plant pot but I think there are probably a multitude of uses for this little multicoloured beauty. Will be dropping this into my massive IKEA trolley the next time I visit Leeds, along with the FOSSTA Lunar Year lights which are currently out of stock but which I’ll be checking up on daily. Kung hei fat choi.

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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