The talented independent designers who make living in London such a vibrant and creative experience need our support now more than ever.
Here’s our edit of the most fabulous London-based homeware collections, emerging designers and creators you need to know about in 2021.
Feel-good design
Abalon (@abalonuk)
Natural candles hand-poured into porcelain vases created by artist Ana Bridgewater in her studio in west London, some finished with gold detailing. Once burned, the candle is easily replaced with a soya wax refill or washed and used as a delicate cup.
Where to buy: candle in porcelain vase plus refill, £50, from abalonuk.com
Aerende (@aerendeshop)
Homewares crafted in the UK by people facing barriers to employment. Gently fragranced candles, with blends to calm or aid sleep, look beautiful and come in sustainable packing; while each batch creates hours of training for people struggling with mental health illnesses. “People want pieces that will stand the test of time and that are meaningful,” says founder Emily Mathieson. We love the understated brass hanging hoop, £27.
Where to buy: head to aerende.co.uk
Kati Kaia (@katikaia)
The ideal buy for yogis, and one that looks good in homes too. Eco-friendly, natural rubber mats designed by artist Kati A Treble, with a vegan suede top and printed with water-based inks. From £80.
Where to buy: katikaia.com
Matilda Goad (@matildagoad)
Decorative one-off homewares – think quirky tartan ceramics and scallop-edged napkins – by designer and creative consultant Matilda Goad.
Where to buy: matildagoad.com
Curated homewares
Someday designs (@somedaydesigns.co.uk)
New and established brands sit alongside the in-house collection at Someday Designs. Monochrome rabbit prints by Joanna Ham, £40, are a quirky gifting favourite that will suit most interiors schemes.
Where to buy: somedaydesigns.co.uk
Pelican Story (@pelicanstory)
For contemporary homeware “sourced globally, sold locally”. Check out the hand-poured, decorative bowls in four colours by Danish designer Troels Flensted, £65, or a statement spiky porcelain jug by Seoul artist Sena Gu, £59.50.
Where to buy: online at pelicanstory.com. Free bike delivery is on offer to 11 east and north London postcodes for orders over £25.
Labour and Wait (@labourandwaitlondon)
A Shoreditch classic, this is east London’s first port of call for well-designed, functional gifts. “At the end of the last lockdown we had a queue down the road and around the corner in anticipation of our reopening,” say owners Rachel Wythe-Moran and Simon Watkins.
Latest additions include an earthenware salt pig, £18, and a bright red Japanese coffee pot, £55 – stylish additions to any kitchen.
Where to buy: labourandwait.co.uk
London makers
Bell Hutley (@bellhutley)
Darkly romantic illustrations inspired by nature, children’s literature and folklore on tumblers, place mats and coasters will add some much-needed whimsy to tables this year.
Where to buy: coasters,£12; moon place mat, £25 from bellhutley.com
Evka Home (@evka.home)
Hand-cast and sanded in Ewa Lefman’s London studio, colourful jesmonite incense burners, trinket trays and soap dishes, £18 to £25.
Where to buy: check out the FAQs section for free delivery codes at evkahome.co.uk
Ruut Home (@ruuthome)
Homewares handcrafted in Hackney by founder Jamie, who launched his line of candlesticks, plant pots and coasters last summer. Plant pots with matching saucers cost £22, candle holders cost £14 for two.
Where to buy: free UK delivery for orders over £49 at ruuthome.com
Richard Brendon (@richardbrendonstudio)
From stemless wine glasses to weighty cut-crystal tumblers, Richard Brendon has wow-factor, mouth-blown glassware covered.
Where to buy: richardbrendon.com
Big on nature
Sage Flowers (@sage.flowers)
A game-changing contemporary florist in Peckham, with vibrant seasonal bouquets from £30.
Where to buy: head to sageflowers.co.uk, free delivery for up to 4km from the Rye Lane store.
JamJar Edit (@jamjar_edit)
Pressed, framed flower art looks fabulous on a gallery wall, from big green ferns to a dainty chocolate cosmos.
Where to buy: from £90 for unframed pressing at jamjaredit.co.uk
Prick (@prickldn)
London’s first boutique dedicated solely to cacti and other succulents is a smart choice when buying a housewarming gift for this year’s stamp duty holiday beneficiaries.
Where to buy: order online at prickldn.com
Kitten Grayson Flowers (@kittengraysonflowers)
This modish west London florist’s sustainable arrangements have been ordered by Soho House and Mulberry.
Where to buy: visit kittengrayson.com
Wall art
DorcasCreates (@Dorcascreates)
The prints, cards and jewellery sold in Dorcas Magbadelo’s Etsy shop toast “the vibrancy of black womanhood”.
Where to buy: from £25 at dorcascreates.com/shop or dorcascreates.etsy.com
Fount art (@fountart)
An online collective for emerging, primarily female visual artists and textile designers selling original works and textile homewares.
Where to buy: painting by Raphaële Anfré, from £60 at fountart.com
Hand + Palm (@hand_and_palm)
Luci’s ‘Who Bloody Knows’ and ‘F++k Sake’ prints have been a popular, relatable choice in recent months.
Where to buy: wall art from £25 at handandpalm.co.uk