The Insider: what you'll be seeing in Habitat this autumn

First up, let's just talk about these rugs, shall we?

I was transfixed by them on my whizz around the Habitat Autumn/Winter 2014 collection preview last week, which took place in a big old warehouse on the Southbank, in London.

I'm eyeing that two greens and white one, the Cortez, £95, to brighten up my kitchen floor (though I know opinions run high on rugs in kitchens... not least amongst myself). Then again, the yellow one, the Orell, £40, would look good. The red, white and blue, the Clifford runner, £65, is also enticing, but wouldn't go at all... unless I redecorate. It's an option. Here it is in context.

The textiles room at the event was my favourite. Couldn't you could just live in there with no other furniture quite happily?

Pattern and texture were big looks and, pictured above, these cushions with raised surfaces and layers are a good example. On the left is the Zelma, £30 and on the right, the Sancho, £15.

Even the ceramics aren't smooth, as seen in the Dunas range above and starting at £8.

The Pixela range, pictured above left and from £8, continues the trend (it is so named because it looks pixellated), while the Sintra – serving bowl, £20 and plate, £28, pictured – mixes and matches.

There's also no escaping the copper trend, which – like me – you may have thought had shone hard and bright and burned out last year. Not in the least, and there's a lot of it coming from other retailers too. LED is also big, after Ikea started the trend and went for it big time a couple of years ago; the lean lamp above, the Poise, £120, is a good example of both trends combined.

Nice to see bronze getting a look-in too, though. I was very drawn to the striking lamp at the far end, the Marlowe at £120.

Above and from £10, the candlesticks and vases mixing copper with flashes of bright, block colour, work well don't you think?

And how about metallic clocks? I love the gold Karlsson one, far right (all prices TBC).

There was also some copper in an interesting set of collaborations Habitat has up its sleeve, but it's all hush hush until next month so you'll have to wait on that one.

So aside from the kitchen rug, and the brassy lamp, this sofa was a favourite. With those fat, squidgy cushions it looks insanely comfortable, and an arm-rest so flat it doubles as a table... Yes. A good sofa.

If only they did one in yellow. Oh, wait – hello...

Meet the Sedgwick sofa – something sunny to look forward to when the days are darker.

All these goodies will be available later this year as part of Habitat's Autumn range.

Post by Kate

Some good things for your house

Today, just some very nice things that I've lusted after this week. 

I have some very nice charcoal, rib-knitted cushion covers by Nkuku, the Devon-made company that sells these lovely glass and iron picture frames. They come in three sizes, landscape or portrait, and the hanging fabric pieces are recycled sari ties. A sweet present with a special memento inside – and the best thing is that if it isn't exactly the right size for the frame, it will look even better. Nkuku's products are ethical as well as beautiful and reasonably priced. I really like their Fair Trade moss-stitch throws in sludgy earth tones too, £75 and mango wood salt and pepper bowls, £19.95.
Kiko glass frames, £10 from Not on the High Street.

Folklore is a stunning shop that sells online and also in Islington, London. It is not, on the whole, a cheap shop – the products are largely locally crafted and built for life. But these beautiful pressed, recycled paper lampshades, complete with fabric cord and ceramic lampholders, are one of their more affordable items (but not because they are flimsy – the material is entirely water resistant). I like that they are unusual enough to become a talking point. They also have an excellent name – a story in itself: the 'Columbus Egg' refers to an idea deemed excellent and simple, but only after the event. It comes from the Christopher of the same name who, so legend has it, was told that discovering the Americas was no big deal: so he threw down a challenge for someone to make an egg stand on its tip. No one could – only for Columbus to tap one end of an egg on a table and flatten its tip.
Egg of Columbus lampshades, Folklore, £26

The shape of this new mug from Habitat is most pleasing. And in the realm of Nice Mugs, this one is also very cheap.
Courbe mug, Habitat, £4.50

Cachette is  a beautiful online store run by Anglo-French couple, Steve Rogan and Delphine de Chabalier, who swapped London life for a slower pace in the south of France to start their business. Nothing the couple sell is produced on an industrial scale – generally coming from young designers, unknown artisans or old heritage manufacturers from Europe. I love the simplicity of this plain, wooden lampholder, which comes in six shapes, complete with charcoal grey flex. Just make sure you get nice bulbs for it – try Historic Lighting.
Beech Suspension Light, Cachette, around £43 (their prices are in Euros)

'New Designers' new designer alert: introducing... Rachel Powell

New Designers, the graduate show which kicked off yesterday in London, is probably the year's hottest hotbed for fresh creative talent. 

Habitat furniture designing stalwart, Bethan Gray made her mark in 1998 there, and Margate's most famous upcycler, Zoe Murphy, who recently launched a range for Liberty, are just two of many big success stories... But more to come on that, meanwhile – by way of more illustration – here is one star from 2011's show, Rachel Powell, who launches her online shop (today!) and first wallpaper range at the the One Year On section of this year's event...

Above, this design is called Woodstock (scroll down for the close-up and see why) and, like the other designs, costs £68 per 55cm x 10 m roll. This collection of colours is one of my favourite palettes: powder blue, grey, mustard and a nice bit of wood for softness, and black to anchor it all – very 2012 1950s.

Rachel's wallpapers come in three standard colours, 'Cloud' (grey), 'Mustard' (yes, yellow) and 'Pepper' (a nice nearly-black), but you can also get a bespoke roll(s) colour-matched to suit your own home if none of of the standard shades quite fit.

This design is called Prudence. The geometry and retro graphics – inspired, says Rachel, by "midcentury design and the great British countryside" are a little bit Orla Kiely, aren't they? Only without the ubiquity.

Rachel also sells tea-towels, £10, adorned with sections of her geometric prints, too, as well as unusual etched veneer lampshades, starting at £100, with a heavy 70s style (see one of them in the top image, above the table; and for more designs click here).

Habitat's Spring/Summer highlights

Looking at Habitat's bright and cheerful new Spring/Summer range has perked me up no end. 

I don't know why I love this Marnie ceramic house, £15,  so much. It is entirely useless, but very pretty. The shade of blue ("airforce blue", Habitat have called it), is particularly pleasing.

Clockwise from left: Dephina outdoor rug, £15 (120cm x 180cm); Couleur mug £2.50 (also comes in blue); Fruiti jug, £30; Evelyn cushion, £12

How to... live with kids in style

Ferm Living's Aristo Cats cushion at Skandivis

Kids: can’t live with them – well, not in a stylish home. Or can you? I once interviewed a couple with a – chic, all-white – house full of sticky littl'uns. Their secret? Brilliant white walls – all the cheaper for touching up handprints, and a wipe-clean eggshell finish (bounced heaps of light around, too). What do other stylish parents suggest?

Toy Store-y "There will be mess," says Poppy Norton, of swish kiddie stuff shopping guide and discount hub Babystylefile, "so make it pretty by choosing nicely designed toys. And low-level storage means kids can help themselves." She favours the felt tub from Nubie (above, top left). Cheap, no (at £73). Chic, yes. Or tuck toys into a trio of Habitat's hot pink or beige laundry bags, £10, in bathrooms (or on any tiled surfaces as they come with wall suckers) or hang their recycled rice bag versions on hooks (both above, bottom right and left respectively) or try Ikea's Nasum baskets (£15.31).


Love the one you're with “Use what's there: an old dresser or a Victorian cold cupboard make good toy storage,” suggests Lucy Inskip of Housedoctor.co.uk, a national network of designers. "Anything that's beautiful on the outside. One client had built in storage made in the dining room, an otherwise under-used area (with a view to reclaiming it for her dinner service eventually)."

Mini moderns The modernist look of Bloom Baby products (above, top and bottom left: the Alma Mini Crib, £300; and the Coco Plexistyle , £195, bottom right) is good enough for adults and I love the Hippie Tipis at Scandavis £140.

Everything in its place "Make tidy-up time part of the children’s routine," Inskip continues. "Involve them by having storage boxes which they can throw everything in and do it to music to make it fun. But don’t keep all playthings in one space: it can be overwhelming for you and them.Books and soft toys can live in bedrooms, play-dough and paints in the utility or under-sink, outside toys in a playhouse or garden store and only a selection of toys at one time in your main day to day play area.”

A vintage year "Don't rule out mixing in vintage pieces," says Poppy Norton. "I think people rush out to get everything new for their bundle of new, but a well-loved piece of furniture can soften a room.

People in glass houses "If you are desperate for more space consider a conservatory," adds Lucy Inskip. "A lovely light daytime play area – and by night a candle-lit retreat... if you can stay awake that long. A conservatory doesn't usually need planning permission and is much cheaper than an extension or moving."

Grow up “Providing the children a table area doesn’t have to mean coloured plastic and Ikea chairs.  A large coffee table with an old school bench alongside provides a perfect perch for little bottoms. Having a vintage look for furniture in those pre-school years means any imperfections blend in. Antique trunks also make great toy storage”. As per images above, The Peanut Vendor has a gorgeous trunk  and this old factory trolley base, £185, which could work as a kid-proof coffee table.

The clean-up woman“Banishing valuable or potentially dangerous ornaments can lead to a dull looking room," adds Lucy Inskip. "Instead, add interest with child-friendly touches such as throws, cushions, rugs, wall art and beautifully accessorised shelving that little hands can’t reach.”

Colour me bad “Don't fear going ‘too dark’,” says Poppy Norton. “My son’s room is Farrow and Ball Charleston Gray – a great backdrop for bright artwork and a bold, feature wallpaper.”

Doodle do Murals can be cool (just don’t invest too much – they’ll hate it next year). One artistic friend painted her son a Super Mario; you could go ready-made at Funkylittledarlings.co.uk, as seen above: right 'Birdies' £60 per 100cm square; Lost Garden Wallscene ™, £165 for 2.44m x 2.75m; World Champions bespoke mural (price according to size/design).

Without walls “Open plan is great for families,” says architect Krystyna Brooks of Designyourhouse.co.uk. “Add an island unit to cook while watching the children play.” She also suggests underfloor heating and hiding homework in a fold-away computer corner. See her site for details of suppliers.

Ditch the deep pile At least downstairs. Mop-able vinyl now comes in fashionable brights. Try Colour Flooring (seen above) which comes in 18 gorgeous colours and costs just £19 per square metre.

Hipsters’ delight Nippaz With Attitude’s A-Z print , £34.99, includes Stevie Wonder and Malcolm X. Love their personalised 'Monster' posters, too, £49.99 (above)  They also do Ibiza and hip hop lullaby CDs. Who said having kids meant growing up?


* A longer version of these tips was first printed in the Independent on Sunday