Wish List: Eight ideas to add zest to your living space
Cubic comfort: If you can binge-watch an entire true crime docuseries without putting your feet up, I salute you. For those of us who aren’t robots, we prefer to elevate and unwind. Pouffes, ottomans, footstools, whatever you call it, something so small and innocuous can change your life - a lesson I learned after a recent injury. It’s the pièce de résistance in any living room and Studio Ashby's cube stool in cerulean is the cake, the icing, and the cherry on top. A real home design hero, this stool doesn't take up much space and doubles up as extra seating for entertaining guests. Approximately €903.90 at Studioashby.com.Twas far from plinths I was reared but if you can’t lean into your best bougie life in middle age, when can you? While your coffee table can combine form and function, a plinth can solely showcase your most beautiful objets d’art whether it’s a flea market find or a gift that sparks good memories. Hardback coffee table books are a fitting starting point: add plants, vases, and sculptures thinking about height, symmetry, and texture. This marble Audo Copenhagen low plinth, €2385.95 from Maven is giving contemporary art gallery vibes. Available in-store or online at Wearemaven.ie.While most movies allow me to switch off from my eat-sleep-repeat routine, the oeuvre of Wes Anderson just hits differently. My mind turned to mush when I locked eyes with the writers' room in The French Dispatch, the director’s homage to journalism. One standout detail is the proliferation of twisted barley accents — on lamps, tables, stools, and desks. Stumbling upon Helen Turkington’s Lucille table lamp, €150, I was instantly transported to the charm and conviviality of that fictional publishing house. If whimsy is what you’re after, the scalloped shade, €150 is just the thing. Shop at Helenturkington.com.Feel-good bed linen: It's been almost 10 years since I sublet a room with a milk crate for a bed, and unsurprisingly, I committed to my sleep hygiene from that summer forward. Having just spent the equivalent of two weeks' wage on an ergonomic mattress, the next natural step on my adulting journey is sourcing beautiful sheets. Enter Irish brand Conscious Convert, ethically made bed linen made in Portugal. The seersucker ripple organic cotton set, €195, is undyed and toxin-free, meaning it’s suitable for sensitive skin. These are available directly on the brand’s website at Consciousconvert.com.Instead of criticising our own bodies, what if we celebrated them? The flexibility, power and radiant glow that comes with pregnancy can't be replicated. Or can it? Not to say the pressures from the outside world dissipate but isn’t the pregnant form a marvel? Irish brand Velvet + the Fox creates sculptures to immortalise a moment in time, whether it's pregnancy, breastfeeding or the joyful demeanour of a beloved pet. As a result of 360-degree scanning and 3D printing technology, each sculpture is fully customised. Expect a bespoke piece based on the contours of your own body. It's a kind of magic. Visit Velvetandthefox.com to book a consultation. Prices range from €275.Mirror, mirror: From ‘fit checks to creating the illusion of more space, the right mirror can tie together a room and pack a stylish punch. Soho Home adopts a pared-back approach with the floor-length Emilia mirror, approximately €2400, which would complement almost any design scheme or palette. The solid dark ask and bobble detail cut a sleek figure. Rid the background of any clutter and you're selfie-ready. Outfit of the day, any day. Available at Sohohome.com.Tray chic: One of my New Year’s resolutions was to eat healthier foods more mindfully. Although I often feel like swapping out all my china for paper plates, the presentation is an integral part of the process. Bury me with a Bento box; sushi is one of my favourite foods and it feels wrong to smack it down on the same plate I put my spuds on. Without spending big bucks, you can elevate your dinner to a work of art with the right vessels. The sushi serving set for two people, €59.99 at Zara comprises an acacia wood tray with handles, a hidden drawer, chopsticks, mini wooden bowls and chopstick holders. You can find this online at Zara.com. Looking for a special gift this Mother’s Day? Resin artist Fiona Scott has created a collection of ocean-inspired, sustainable gifts — including jewellery, home accessories, and handcrafted cheese boards. Drawing inspiration from the wild Atlantic coastline of West Cork, Fiona’s creations seamlessly blend natural wood with her signature resin art, capturing the movement and beauty of the sea. We love this heart-shaped trinket dish made from aqua cast, an eco-resin that is an environmentally friendly water-activated casting compound. The dish is ideal for keeping jewels in one place and adds a gorgeous pop of colour to any table; €39 see Fsdesign-resinartist.com.
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