the autumn home

If I’ve said it before, I’ve said it a thousand times; I’m a spring and summer girl, through and through. I’m way happier when the sun is shining, and the garden is full of sweetpeas and delphiniums than when it’s grey, raining and cold. That said, there is something nice about making the house cosy for the colder months; pulling blankets out of storage, finding the perfect pair of slippers and lighting a dozen tiny candles every evening. Today, I’ve got my top picks for warming up your home this autumn, from the comfiest chair to the best candles around.

1. Obligatory tea and a nice chunky mug
One of the best things about autumn and winter is searching out new tea; Ali and I discovered Bluebird Tea in Brighton when we went a few weeks ago, and we’re hooked. Warming spicy blends are perfect for cold weather, an even more so if they’re served in a beautiful handmade mug.

Spiced Pumpkin Pie Tea, Bluebird Tea Company: £ 5.70
Mali Dipped White Mug, Quince Living: £12.95


2. Piles of blankets
We always have loads of blankets in the house (because, dens, right?!) but they’re usually stored in market bags and baskets from IKEA; I love getting them out and stacking them on the end of the sofa and draping them over the backs of the chairs, ready to be pulled over laps and round shoulders.

British Made Recycled Eco 100% Wool Throw, The Future Kept: £16


3. Dozens of cushions
I love piling the cushions up and making little nests on the sofa in the evenings, and a good woollen one is ideal for autumn.

Moss Knit Cushion Cover, H&M: £14.99


4. A good wicker basket
We aways have loads of baskets around the house; I’ve got a bit of an addiction, and they’re great for storing everything from toys to magazines and the ever-expanding lego collection. Autumn is the perfect time to invest in a wicker basket for storing logs, if you have a wood burner or open fire, or blankets if you don’t.

Wicker Valley Dulwich Log Basket, Tesco: £18.99


5. Plenty of candles
I do use candles in the summer, but definitely not as much as during autumn and the festive season. I always think a room isn’t quite ready for the colder months until you have a good selection of candles dotted around; choose from warming spicy scents, the smell of an open fire, tiny tealights and pure beeswax tapered candles.

Beeswax Stubby Candles, Workshop Living: £4
Woodlot Heat Candle, Workshop Living: £25
Hand Poured Botanical Candle – Hibernate, The Future Kept: £12


6. A good, solid chair
In our lounge we’ve got a big leather armchair, which I don’t very often sit in, but when it gets colder it’s the perfect size to curl up in. It sort of hugs you in, especially if you’ve got cushions and blankets around you as well – I never sit in it if we’re watching anything on Netflix though, because I’m usually asleep before the titles roll!

Halo Gable Chair, Oldrids: £915


7. The perfect slippers
Last year, I had these great big, fairisle patterned, knitted slippers – they were great, but the soft sole wore through really quickly, especially as I kept nipping out into the garden in them. I love these ones from Toast; they’re a bit more than I’d usually pay, but they’re handmade from wool felt, and have a thick, solid sole.

Damson Wool Monika Slipper, Toast: £59


8. A cosy lantern
If you’re all candle-d out, lanterns can give them same effect but with less mess; I love the vintage style ones – but do put them somewhere safe as they run on oil!

White Storm Lantern, Workshop Living: £25

This is a collaborative post.