Welcome to your mini shopping guide, friends. I don’t know about you, but my primary reason for reading blogs these days is to get really good, interesting, what people actually buy product recommendations. (Yes, I’m looking at you, big bloggers who borrow clothes just for ‘a shoot.’). Whether that be clothing, homewares, beauty bits, gadgets — I just love a good product tip. My entire Google Chrome toolbar is just folders upon folders of indie brands, product saves, and my favorite finds. And today, we are focusing on my most all-encompassing folder to date: home goods.
As I get older, and as I delve more into slow, simpler living, I appreciate my interiors even more. Having a calm, cohesive, inspiring home is incredibly important to me. And — considering you’re reading this — I’m sure for you, too. My move to San Francisco (and having to buy an entire home’s worth of goods at once) really helped me hone my interior style. If you follow me on Pinterest, you’ll have seen the cohesion between all my home boards. Calm, neutral color palettes; modern, clean styles; and a bit of boho warmth.
Here, I’ve gathered up my favorite home goods from the brands I turn to time and time again. These are the things I use and recommend daily, and all fit together cohesively as a neutral home. If you have any brands you love that I missed, let me know in the comments! I’m always on the hunt for sustainable, small, or independent home good brands to shop from.
THE SMALL & INDEPENDENT SHOPPING GUIDE: HOME GOODS
COFFEE TABLE BOOKS: DO BOOK COMPANY
My Picks: Do Inhabit* (pictured) // Do Story* // Do Preserve*
You will have seen these books everywhere, across the UK and the US. The Do Book Company titles are concise, useful takes on a variety of subjects, from interior decorating to making sourdough bread. They make the perfect gifts, are just the right fits-anywhere size, and the minimal, beautiful design looks beautiful in any home.
And a little funny Erin-anecdote story: I actually worked alongside the lovely Do Book Company team when I was freelancing in London. Sharing a small desk space really helps you to get to know a team well — and let me just say, The Do Book Company team are bloody wonderful. If you wanted to support a hard-working, small but bustling business, you couldn’t do better than buying one of these books.
PLANTS: THE SILL*
My Picks: ZZ Plant* (pictured) // Marble Queen Pothos* // Snake Plant*
In the absence of my beloved Columbia Road Flower Market (oh, how I miss thee), I had yet to find a helpful, affordable place to buy plants from, That is, until I discovered that a beautiful little shop called The Sill opened up a scant 10 minute walk from my flat. Back in the days when we did “IRL shopping,” I would often peruse this shop and come home with many new green things. What’s most helpful is that they categorize your plants by how easy they are to kill (hello, beginner), whether they’re pet friendly, and by how much sunshine they require — perfect for apartment dwellers to be able to determine what will work best for your space. Plus, they deliver online across the US (sorry, British folk).
And though I may have thus far killed 4/5 plants I bought from The Sill, that’s on me — not them.
SOUTHWEST-INSPIRED HOME GOODS: LOCAL NOMAD
My Picks: Cactus Milagro (pictured) // Out West Print // Large Woven Basket
Does the fact that I live in California and am mildly obsessed with Southwest decor make me basic? But seriously, how can you not love Southwest decor? I discovered Local Nomad by accident, and have promptly placed about 3 orders in the past few months. Based in Arizona, have a great range of products (from art to nicknacks) at affordable prices, and everything feels like you could have discovered it at a local seller’s market. I also turn to them for sustainable clothing and baby gifts.
MUGS & POTTERY: HANSELMAN POTTERY*
My Picks: Coffee Mugs* (for tea & lattes — pictured) // Half-Pint* (for cappuccinos & smaller drinks)
I wish I could convey to you how much I love good mugs. Finding ‘The One’ takes time, and doesn’t always match what your partner looks for (sigh). I spent a long, long time researching mugs, until I finally bit the bullet and bought a set of coffee mugs, and I’ve yet to look back. For me, they tick all the boxes: tall enough for lattes & tea; have a good weight; and are so beautiful that the act of using them makes you feel calmer and at peace. (Honestly, a beautiful mug of tea can do that. It’s the little things). We also bought the half-pint size, because for the other half in my relationship, the Perfect Mug is small, sleek, and has no handles.
They say relationships are about compromise: thanks to Hanselmann Pottery for letting us both get our way this time.
AFFORDABLE HOME GOODS: JUNE HOME SUPPLY
My Picks: Brass Oval Tray (pictured) // Linen Tea Towel (pictured)// Quilted Throw
I’m actually reluctant to share this secret with you all, for fear their stock levels will plummet. But, whenever I am in need of anything new for the home, the first place I always check is June Home Supply. Their homewares are those beautiful, sturdy ‘goods’ that you can tell are so high quality and well made, that they will last you a lifetime. And yet, while most shops sell similar products at astronomical rates, theirs are absolutely reasonable. However, their stock levels are always low, meaning it can be hard to actually get what you’re looking for.
HOME SCENT: P.F. CANDLE CO
My Picks: Amber & Moss Diffuser (pictured)* // Amber & Moss Candle*
Like any good Millennial White Woman, I bloody love scented candles. And while I often switch out the brands and scents depending on the month, the brand (and scent) I turn to time and time again is by P.F. Candle Co’s “Amber Moss.” I love it so much, that I’ve branched out to have this scent in a diffuser for the hallway and as a room spray.
A local San Francisco company, P.F. Candle Co items have the perfect packaging — somewhere between modern, minimal, and boho. They also have the most beautiful scents, are made with soy wax and fine oils, and are at such a great price point ($20 for a standard-size candle). While I love Amber & Moss, you can’t go wrong with any of their scents — I recently went through about 12 of them in a shop, and loved nearly all.
Full blog post on my favorite candles to light all year long — coming soon!
LINEN SHEETS: BROOKLINEN* // LINEN CUSHIONS: BY MOLLE
My Picks: By Molle Linen Cushion in Hazel // By Molle Linen Throw in Hazel // Brooklinen Linen Core Sheet Set in Cream* (pictured) // Brooklinen Linen Duvet Cover*
The reason I am including two companies is because — much to this American/British couple’s dismay — bedding between the US and Europe does not mix. The sizing is completely different. So, for you Europeans (or Americans looking for linen decor), look no further than By Molle, whose aesthetic is dreamy, minimal, warm neutral perfection. Being in America, I purchased the linen cushion, and oh boy is it high quality linen (at a pretty affordable price). They also do decor, including the vase featured here (now sold out!) and this 100% wool blanket for $117.
While in America, Brooklinen has become my go-to for all things bed. Nick and I were a little unsure when we ordered our linen core sheet set — the cost! Will they be too hot? — but oh boy. We both agreed we will never go back to cotton sheets again. Within a few sleeps, we ordered a second set — they’re that good. We opted for the ‘cream’ colorway* instead of white, which looks so yellow in the pictures, but do not be fooled; it is actually the most beautiful shade of just off-white and not yellow at all.
TOWELS & ROBES: PARACHUTE*
My Picks: Waffle Robe in Tan* //Hand-Knit Bath Rug* // Fouta Stripe Hand Towels*
Parachute manages to balance that precarious line of “the most beautiful, modern designs” and “doesn’t cost the Earth.” While they clearly have much more than bathroom goods at Parachute, we’ve found their towels make any (small, rented) bathroom look instantly more luxe. Over the years, we’ve gradually replaced all of our towels with Parachute, and my favorites are definitely the Fouta and Waffle ranges, which are much more absorbent than other lines. I also recently upgraded my bathrobe to the Waffle Robe, and oh gosh, I don’t think I’ll be able to wear another robe again.
(Side note: Parachute have now branched out into decor, and we recently purchased the Desert Decorative Pillow*. The quality is phenomenal, so I can only imagine their whole decor range follows suit).
DISHES: YEAR & DAY
My Picks: Big Bowls in Moon (pictured) // Low Serving Bowl
This may sound dramatic, but I do not know how we lived before getting our Year & Day pasta bowls. Firstly, we can all agree that things just taste better out of a bowl. Secondly, they are just the perfect size bowl — the Goldilocks equivalent of sublime dishware. And finally, they are so well made. While all of our other dishes are chipped, cracked, and looked like they’ve been through war (cough cough West Elm), the Year & Day bowls have withstood all treatment and still look brand new.
*Links indicate affiliate links. This means, if you choose to purchase the product linked here, at no additional cost to you I will make a small commission. Considering this post took me close to 18 hours to put together, it is very, very appreciated. Thank you for supporting sustainable brands, and thank you for supporting this blog!
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