In the second of two posts, I have curated five more design inspired gifts from local shops in Bath. I love to give presents that nod to my love of interiors to my friends and family and we are spoiled for choice for great independent interiors shops in my home town of Bath.
Bread Board from Berdoulat
Berdoulat is a beautiful shop spread over three floors of an 18th century building in Margaret’s Buildings. The shop sells a wide variety of products, high end groceries, herbs and spices, dried and fresh flowers, wines, beers and ciders, through to dining and kitchenware, cookery books and furniture. The vast majority of what they sell is designed by Patrick and Neri, who own the shop, and made within an hour’s drive from Bath by small scale makers.
The shop dates from 1777 and looking round is a visual treat. In the basement, you can see old wine bins and stove, whilst at ground floor level, there are wonderful mahogany counters and cabinetry dating from the 1890s and a wine collection housed in an 1850 wine display unit.
My top pick are their chopping boards, which come in two sizes. Made from solid oak, they also work as great trays to serve food on as well as looking beautiful hung or propped against a wall.
Cushion from Katherine Fraser
Established in 2010, designer-weaver Katherine Fraser creates unique, handwoven textiles for the home, using only the best natural fibres and traditional weaving looms. All the yarns are sourced from the UK’s top mills and Katherine only uses the best natural fibres including fine silks, super soft cashmere and merino lambswool. All textiles are woven on her Dobby loom in Bath.
In the shop in Walcot Street, you will find ready-made pieces like beautifully soft lambswool cushions, featuring bold diamond patterns. Katherine also offers an in-house bespoke design service so you can have the perfect piece made especially to your specification.
Some napkins from The Loft
The Loft is a beautiful concept store, set in the heart of Bath, on Bartlett Street Quarter, a haven for independent shops. It was created a mini department store full of things of good quality and good design. Older Bathonians will remember shop was once Evans and Owen, which was a popular drapers and department store.
The Loft is great for presents – stylish Scandinavian homewares, velvet and linen cushions in muted hues, candles in a range of gorgeous colours, fabulous rugs and fun tableware. I’d be very happy to receive a set of linen napkins or fun tea cup from Kate Ceramics, who makes bright, bold ceramics in a variety of cheeky phrases.
www.theloftbath.com
Flowers from Pulteney Bridge Flowers
Every interior designer loves the power of plants to transform a space. A gorgeous bunch of flowers brings a room to life.
Pulteney Bridge Flowers is an incredibly pretty shop on world-famous Pulteney Bridge, close to my office. They are one of Bath’s most stylish and innovative florists, delivering daily in the city and within a 10-mile radius of Bath. The team use the most comprehensive selection of unusual and exotic flowers to create wonderful bouquets. A bouquet or weekly delivery would make the most beautiful present for a flower lower. They have a huge choice of bouquets in the shop for delivery or you can design your own. I would love to receive a bunch Simply White flowers, simply wrapped in brown paper, tied with raffia. The bouquets vary each week depending on availability of varieties.
www.pulteneybridgeflowers.co.uk
House of Hackney sugar pot from Anthropologie
Anthropologie are known for their innovative collaborations, and I love the latest with House of Hackney. Named after its founders’ beloved East London borough, the interiors brand House of Hackney is renowned for its opulent, moody and exquisitely detailed prints. With their idiosyncratic taste for maximalism, Frieda Gormley and Javvy M Royle’s artisan-crafted pieces are “future heirlooms” – to be cherished for generations to come.
There are lots of fun pieces in the collection, but a House of Hackney x Anthropologie Trematonia Sugar Pot would be a lovely gift. Bedecked in an ornamental print it will lend a dash of sophisticated drama to your teatime gatherings. Colourful, quirky and unique!
www.anthropologie.eu
I hope you enjoyed this gift guide. What do you give at Christmas?
