The best interiors buys to brighten your home
I'm resurfacing this one because it’s a goodie...think joyful tablecloths, vibrant cushions and hand-blown glass vases
Spring is finally here so I’ve rounded-up my favourite interiors buys — with a Turkish twist — that will brighten your mood and fill your home with joy. All are currently available online and can be shipped to the UK and beyond. Happy scrolling. L Xx
Palm Tree Tablecloth by Les-Ottomans
Founded by Italian designer Bertrando Di Renzo, Les-Ottomans offers a delightful collection of homeware pieces, from cushions to candlesticks, that draw on Turkey’s ancient history and rich visual culture.
Bring the spirit of spring to your dining table with this eye-catching palm tree tablecloth, this pair of quirky pink candlesticks and this set of plates with hand-painted palm tree motif.
Red Envelope Backgammon Set by Madame Malachite
Since moving to Istanbul my husband and I have played a lot of backgammon. We whip out our mini travel set on holiday, when out and about in Istanbul and at home. So I’m sure you can see why I’m rather taken by this bright red set in a handcrafted leather envelope with malachite clasp from Istanbul-based Madame Malachite.
It comes in black and grey too, but the red will add a welcome dose of vibrancy to any gloomy bookshelf or paper-strewn desk.
Ikat cushions from Yastik by Rifat Ozbek
Few Turkish designers are as internationally celebrated as Rifat Ozbek. In 2005, after 30 years in fashion, he launched a homeware collection featuring his signature blend of colour, textile and pattern. Not surprisingly, it was an instant hit. The brand now counts Liz Hurley, Monica Bellucci and Daniel Craig among its famous fans and is stocked by upmarket retailers including Net-a-Porter and Le Bon Marché in Paris.
Yastik by Rifat Ozbek is perhaps best known for its jazzy cushions, which are produced in limited editions using hand woven Ikats and Suzeni embroideries sourced in remote areas of Central Asia and Uzbekistan. I’ll be sprucing up my sofa with this chevron-patterned red and white Ikat cushion with beautiful decorative trim. You?
Confetti Large Sky Blue and Olive Glass by Fy-shan Glass Studio
Founded by Istanbul-based glass artist Felekşan Onar, Fy-shan Glass Studio produces limited-edition glass art, objects and lighting for the home. All the pieces are hand made in Istanbul and their designs draw on everything from Islamic motifs to Ottoman architecture.
I’m particularly taken by this blue and olive glass which also makes for a wonderful small vase for nascent spring blooms.
Nackiyé Legend Collection by Nackiyé
I’ve recently discovered the Turkish fashion brand Nackiyé and I am now nothing short of obsessed with it. I love their dresses but I’m particularly taken by their collection of ceramic plates made in Turkey.
Each plate is hand-made and hand-painted with traditional techniques and finished with a 24K gold rim. The motifs are inspired by the folk tales that the founders (who are sisters) imagine their great-grandmother Nackiyé grew up with.
Whether you’re lunching alfresco for the first time or hosting an intimate dinner for two, this set of leaping hare side plates will add a playful touch to your spring tablescape. The 1001 Nights collection with munching camel is equally joyous.
Join the conversation…I’m always on the lookout for new artists, brands & creatives, so I’d love to know the Turkish homeware brands you love and why
Bosphorus Private by Nevbahar Koç for Assouline
£85
I love nothing more than leafing through a glossy tome, filled with drawings, photographs, sketches and personal mementoes. And this one about Istanbul is no exception. Published by Assouline in 2018, Bosphorus Private delves into the storied past and vibrant culture of the Bosphorus strait through fresh and luminous photographs of 20 of the area’s most beautiful homes.
You’ll encounter some of the famous creatives inspired by Istanbul, from Cher and Tommy Hilfiger to Christian Louboutin and Nicky Haslam, as well as a handful of its glamorous waterside residents who have mastered the art of blending old and new.
There’s something immensely pleasing about Esma Dereboy’s ceramic collections, her plates in particular. I think it‘s their silky smoothy surfaces, undulating lines and contrasting shiny and matt finishes as seen in her Touch design (pictured above). Pair with blush-coloured water glasses and a vase filled with blooms for the ultimate spring tablescape.
Autoban is one of Turkey’s most famous design exports — and for good reason. Their multi-layered design approach grounded in storytelling brings a welcome softness and serenity to both residential and commercial interiors around the world. If you need convincing, take a quick peek inside the recently revamped Joali Being wellness resort in the Maldives.
Brighten up gloomy corners with this industrial-baroque style floor lamp from 2009 or this geometric floor lamp (2007) inspired by traditional Japanese origami.
Good to meet you here Lucy. Gorgeous finds ✨