Years ago when I was doing lots of dogsitting, the first thing I did while finding my way around a new kitchen was pick out a favourite new coffee mug for the rest of my stay.
Big enough for long cups of tea, watching Joanna Lumley in Greece or The Durrells in Corfu with a snoozing hound and stacks of comfy cushions. Something with a handpainted local beach scene on it, a wild rose or bees, or a swirling sweet pea botanical design.
Because we’ve been spending an extraordinary number of hours inside our homes in the last couple of months, bringing nature inside (whether it be leaf patterned cushions or a juice glass the colour of the Med) seems to feel more comforting than ever.
Now that we can spend much more time outside, it’s still lovely to add a few nature-inspired touches to a home office, kitchen or garden.
Here are a some online finds to bring a little sunshine inside…
GLASSES TOP LEFT & RIGHT
Six x 300ml glasses in calming blue or cooling green (dishwater safe, BPA-free glass) by Danish design house Bloomingville
BEE & INSECT HOUSE
Make your VIP bee friends feel at home
RHS BUTTERFLIES DRINKING BOTTLE
500ml. Keeps liquids cold for 24 hrs, or hot for 12.
SEA LIFE 100% COTTON TEA TOWEL
CHARLIE SOLAR-POWERED HANGING LIGHT
Place in a sunny spot and it’ll light up at dusk and switch off at dawn
CUSHIONS
Moroccan print inspired print and palm tree camel print cushions both at Wayfair.co.uk
BRAMBLY COTTAGE WHITWORTH BONE CHINA TEACUPS
SET OF TWO CUPS £8.91
(currently on sale , 19% off, £4.46 each)