Style
Issue Two
A/W 2017
Your perfect gift list T R E N D S & I N S P I R AT I O N • D I N N E R PA R T Y I D E A S • G I F T L I S T E T I Q U E T T E REAL LIFE STORIES • CHOOSING YOUR KNIVES • SOPHIE CONRAN G R A H A M & G R E E N • T H E B E S T W H I T E D I N N E R WA R E • A L F R E S C O D I N I N G
TR EN DING R IGH T NOW
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Nirvana, Nevermind MusicStore £25.00
Attaché Case, Apple Green GPO Retro £89.99
BOLD BR IGHTS Add a pop of colour to your home with these gorgeous, bright gifts. Reflect your personality in the home and make it a welcoming space for guests.
R ETRO VIN YL
David Bowie, HunkyDory MusicStore £25.00
Go retro and unwind by listening to vinyl in your newlywed home. Available in a rainbow of colours, there’s a vinyl player and record case for everyone from GPO Retro, accompanied by a vast selection of vinyl records from the Prezola MusicStore.
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1 KitchenAid Artisan Toaster £209.00 and Kettle £159.00 2 Bombay Duck Embroidered Cushion £39.50 3 Umbra Casa Tissue Box Cover £30.00 4 Block Design Love Coat Rack £38.00 5 Bombay Duck Mixed Coasters £19.50
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Adele, 25 MusicStore £25.00
NAT U R A L BE AU T Y
12” Vinyl Case, GPO Retro £44.99
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Go for a modern rustic look in the home with these gorgeous picks. Natural wood works well as a base or statement piece - mix with white and grey neutrals for a laidback feel or with brights for a fun vibe.
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N EON GLOW
4 1 ‘Something Cool’ LED Neon Light £499.00 2 Heart LED Neon Light £195.00 3 ‘Good
Times’ LED Neon Light £299.00 - Love Inc.
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1 Ali&Co Wood & Marble Coasters £28.00 2 Jamie Oliver Acacia Wood Chopping Board £17.99 3 ZaZa Homes Rustic Wood Kitchen Stool £85.00 4 Umbra Shift Crux Morter and Pestle £75.00
www.prezola.com | email hello@prezola.com | call 0800 488 0082
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T O TA L LY T R O P I C A L 7
Feel the heat with these quirky gifts in your home. Who can say no to a pineapple? 6
WELCOME At Prezola, we love bringing you the best products from the most stylish brands for you to create your ultimate wedding gift list. In this magazine, we’ve compiled all our favourite picks to inspire you - with over 30,000 items to choose from, it can be tough to know where to begin!
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1 Rosa & Clara Flamingo Lamp Shade £40.00 2 BY ON Tropical Napkin Ring £4.50 3 Graham & Green Yellow Frame £25.00 4 BY ON Cactus Ornament
£51.00 5 Graham & Green Monkey Light £200.30 6 Sara Miller for Portmeirion Flamboyant Flamingo Mug £12.50 7 Jan Constantine Tropical Cushion £108.00
WA L L A R T
You’ll find items for each room in the home (and meal time!), plus we have real life stories and interviews from designers Sophie Conran and Graham & Green. Don’t forget to also check out tips for the perfect wedding gift list etiquette according to Debrett’s on page 16, plus we ask the experts at Robert Welch how to choose the perfect knives to last a lifetime on page 32. Check out your My Prezola page every time you visit your account for gift list inspiration, new brands and products on site, top trends and lots of hints and tips. We hope you have as much fun choosing gifts for your life together as we’ve had sourcing them for you!
Ali Beaven, Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer of Prezola
Also Home Words of Truth Printed Quote £8.00 | Bold & Noble Type Map Screen Print £45.00 | Latte Design Geometric Print £18.00
www.prezola.com | email hello@prezola.com | call 0800 488 0082
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Retro Waffle Maker Smart Electricals £29.99
Orla Kiely 70s Oval Enamel Teapot Wild & Wolf £55.00 Chambord Coffee Maker 3 Cup Bodum Prezola £35.00
Revival Mini Radio Roberts £150.00
I NSPI R AT ION L IST
Rise and shine
‘Are We Having Pancakes’ Side Plate JimbobArt £25.00
H OW D O YO U L I K E YO U R EGGS IN THE MORNING? From toasters, kettles, waffle makers and crêpe pans, we have everything you could possibly want to make the perfect breakfast. With top brands like KitchenAid, Dualit, Le Creuset and Jamie Oliver, your kitchen will be the envy of Jamie himself!
The Cookhouse Wall Clock Newgate Clocks £70.00
Pride of Place Egg Cup T&G £5.00 Pride of Place Butter Dish T&G £30.00
The Oracle Coffee Machine Sage by Heston £1599.99
Honey Pot DRH Collection £18.00
Classic Toaster Dualit £195.00
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Caramel Wafer Repeat Apron Gillian Kyle £18.00
www.prezola.com | email hello@prezola.com | call 0800 488 0082
“Kitchen accessories make amazing gifts. Have some fun in the kitchen creating food for your loved ones. Did someone say waffles?”
Liam Baxter
Prezola Product Team
Breakfast Collection Cornishware from £15.00
www.prezola.com | email hello@prezola.com | call 0800 488 0082
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“Wedding guests love to see their gifts put to use, so invite them over for a barbecue in the garden - it’s a great way to say thank you in person!”
Sam Roach
Prezola Product Team
Gin Grand Serving Set LSA £295.00
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www.prezola.com | email hello@prezola.com | call 0800 488 0082
W E LOVE
Folklore Season Bowls Wild & Wolf £34.99 Boat Hamper Willow Direct £115.00
Melbourne Cushion Bronté by Moon £49.95 Ombre Rebu Salad Servers Navigate £9.00
Clip Top Drink Dispenser Kilner £23.00
I NSPI R AT ION L IST
Al Fresco Dining Kissing Hedgehogs Beaker Anorak £4.50
WINE AND DINE IN THE G R E AT O U T D O O R S Turn your garden into the place to be and make sure your newlywed home has everything you need to ‘do lunch’ outside. These essentials will bring everyone together for a picnic, barbecue or simple sarnie outside. It’s always a good idea to add items to your list for every season!
Ridley’s Hoopla Game Wild & Wolf £15.95
3 Piece BBQ Set Churrasco £52.99
Sophie Conran Enamel Tray Burgon & Ball £14.95
Jasmine Garden Lanterns Nkuku £24.95
Waterproof Polo Picnic Rug Tweedmill £71.00
Kettle Premium BBQ Weber £229.99
Roma Garden Oil Lamp ZaZa Homes £52.00
www.prezola.com | email hello@prezola.com | call 0800 488 0082
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WE LOVE Marseilles Porcelain Coasters, Jonathan Adler £68.00 PLAY:1 Wireless Speaker Sonos £199.99
Trivial Pursuit Master Edition Gamestore £44.99
Cheese Knife Set Culinary Concepts £19.95
I NSPI R AT ION L IST
Party people H O S T A D I N N E R PA R T Y EVERYONE WILL BE TA L K I N G A B O U T Absolut Elyx Vodka £35.00 Hattingley Valley Classic Reserve Brut NV £29.50 Sipsmith London Dry Gin £32.00 Great Western Wine
Pointilliste 4 Piece Dinnerware Wedgwood Vera Wang £75.00
A newlywed home means hosting grownup dinner parties, but we won’t tell if they’re filled with shots and playing Twister! Metallic accents of copper, gold and silver will make any occasion feel special and filling your home with comfy pouffes and top music tech will create a relaxed vibe that oozes cool.
Vintage Lights Arrow Urban Industrialists £299.00
Wine Rack Black + Blum £25.00
Boston Cocktail Shaker Bar Craft £19.99 Artesà Fondue Set MasterClass £56.99
Prosecco Doormat Artsy £24.99 Salut Shot Set DRH Collection £26.00
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www.prezola.com | email hello@prezola.com | call 0800 488 0082
Himalayan Salt Shots, Pack of 4 Root7 £25.00
“No party at mine is complete without a cheeky fondue. Flashing your new dinnerware set is sure to make friends jealous!”
Hannah Pook
Prezola Product Team
Six Piece Cocktail 6 Piece Set Bar Craft £29.99
www.prezola.com | email hello@prezola.com | call 0800 488 0082
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Modern Rustic TURN YOUR HOME INTO A C H I C I N D U S T R I A L S PA C E WITH ALI&CO Aluminium Candlestick Ali&Co £10.00
Red Wine Glass, Smoke Grey Ali&Co £8.00
Bed Springs Memo Board Ali&Co £150.00
‘Get Naked’ Rustic Sign Ali&Co £35.00
Coat Rack Ali&Co £48.00
Marble Dinnerware Ali&Co from £15.00
Modern Rustic Clock Ali&Co £190.00
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Various Cushions Ali&Co from £48.00
www.prezola.com | email hello@prezola.com | call 0800 488 0082
Angled Lamp Ali&Co £80.00
Metal Candlestick, Black Ali&Co £15.00
Coffee Table, Nest of 2 Ali&Co £350.00
Ali Beaven
Creator of Ali&Co
LIST THE LOOK
“These pieces all work together perfectly to make your house a home. Great to mix and match with other Prezola brands, we hope you love the range as much as we have putting the look together”
Mohair Melange Throw Ali&Co £70.00
Stoneware Dinnerware Ali&Co from £12.00
Wood & Marble Coasters Ali&Co £28.00
Slate & Acacia Wood Board with Knife Ali&Co £48.00
Artwork Mugs Ali&Co £23.00
THE ALI&CO COLLECTION was created and curated by our very own Ali Beaven, co-founder and chief creative officer of Prezola. As a trained interior designer, Ali has an eye for gorgeous homeware. The collection features natural elements such as wood, linen and slate mixed with wire, glass and marble. Perfect for couples looking to turn their home into a grown-up space while keeping it reflective of your style, the colours are a cool mix of greys, blues and blacks, and easy to use together or mix with other styles and trends. Iconic lamp shapes, the HUGE clock and practical furniture items are great wow pieces whilst simple glass jugs, candle holders and enamelware are ideal accessories for adding the ‘garnish’ to your gift list.
www.prezola.com | email hello@prezola.com | call 0800 488 0082
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Stylish Essentials
Great Gatsby 4 Piece Mug Set Essential Collection £20.00
S E T T I N G U P Y O U R N E W LY W E D HOME HAS NEVER BEEN EASIER (O R MO R E A F FO R DA B L E ! )
Great Gatsby 12 Piece Dinner Set Essential Collection £70.00
Lamp with Cream Shade Essential Collection £45.00
Set of 4 Napkin Rings Essential Collection £23.00
12 Piece Dinner Set, Duck Egg Essential Collection @ Prezola £70.00
Silver and Glass Frame Essential Collection £15.00
Glass Trinket Box Essential Collection £17.00
Zig Zag 4 Piece Mug Set Essential Collection £16.00
Bathroom Scales, Ice White Essential Collection £26.00
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www.prezola.com | email hello@prezola.com | call 0800 488 0082
LIST THE LOOK
Starry Set of 2 Oversized Mugs Essential Collection £12.00
Bobbles Bath Towel Essential Collection from £8.00
Gold Rimmed Glass Lantern Essential Collection £24.00
“A chic home needn’t be expensive for your guests. Cover the basics without compromising on style.” White Lines Accessory Set Essential Collection £24.00
THE ESSENTIAL COLLECTION was created for newlyweds who are setting up their home for the very first time. It may be that you’ve just moved in together or perhaps you’re looking to give your current home a complete makeover (without making your guests spend too much). Filled with the essential items you need such as laundry baskets, bathroom scales, dinnerware sets along with gorgeous home decor items, this collection is perfect as the basis of your home. Grey Willow Basket Essential Collection £11.00
www.prezola.com | email hello@prezola.com | call 0800 488 0082
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Colour my world I F YO U N E E D A P O P O F CO LO U R I N T H E H O M E , B L U E B E L L G R AY K N O W J U S T H O W T O B R I G H T E N U P Y O U R D AY
Miriam Harebelle Double Duvet & Pillowcase Set Bluebellgray £85.00
Tetbury Superking Size Duvet Cover Bluebellgray £115.00
Monachyle Double Duvet Cover Bluebellgray £90.00
Rothesay King Size Duvet Cover Bluebellgray £100.00
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www.prezola.com | email hello@prezola.com | call 0800 488 0082
Wisteria Lampshade Bluebellgray £85.00
LIST THE LOOK
Lola Pillowcase Bluebellgray £18.00
“Each design is painted by hand in their Glasgow studio before being printed onto natural cottons and linens” Florrie Dinnerware Bluebellgray from £25.00
Sanday Cerise Throw Bluebellgray £225.00
ESTABLISHED IN 2009, Bluebellgray has quickly grown into one of Scotland’s most exciting textile exports, leading the floral trend and being stocked worldwide in the best design boutiques and stores. Founded by Fi Douglas, Bluebellgray always had a clear vision and style in mind - bright and colourful florals that became unique pieces. Vibrant, enticing and eclectic, these watercolour blooms have become a brand signature and come from Fi’s natural painting process. The state of the art printing methods used enable every brushstroke and colour to be captured, enhancing the feel of the hand-painted design.
www.prezola.com | email hello@prezola.com | call 0800 488 0082
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Eight Rules of Gift List Etiquette AFTER WORKING WITH DEBRETT’S (THE AU T H O R I TY O N B R I T I S H ET I Q U ET T E ) F O R M O R E T H A N T E N Y E A R S , J O B R YA N T SHARES HER TOP GIFT LIST TIPS CHOOSING YOUR WEDDING presents is an exciting, indulgent and fun part of wedding planning. Whether you’re picking home essentials, indulging in gadgets or funding the honeymoon, there are a few key factors to consider. Follow these essential etiquette rules to make sure you and your guests get the most from your gift list. Getting started Before you start choosing your gifts, sit down together and discuss what you both really want. Unlike couples in days gone by, many of us have already set up home before we get married, so modern needs and wants are usually very different to our parents’ generation. Think about whether you want gifts, money, or a combination of both.
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Sharing your list You need to have compiled your gift list before you send out the invitations, and many couples find the fun of choosing presents light relief after the planning-politics of setting a date, finalising the guest list and booking a venue. Many choose to enclose gift list cards with their invitations or, if you are going paperless, have details on your wedding website.
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Widen the budget Most guests will visit your list with a rough spend in mind, and scan your selection to see what falls in their price bracket. It’s important to choose a range of gifts at different price levels to give guests plenty of options. A wedding present is an important and enduring gift, so make sure guests don’t feel forced into choosing something because they are limited by price.
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Practicality vs heirlooms Some guests will love the chance to help you upgrade your home with a practical present such as towels, linen, crockery or garden equipment. Others, however, will want to give you some thing with a sense of longevity – for example wall art, a clock, special china – viewing their gift as an heirloom for the future. Be sure to include different types of items, and don’t forget to add something fun and whimsical for the lighter-hearted guest.
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It’s okay to ask for money Fancy asking your guests to help you start saving for something big? Be clear about where the money is going, and you’ll be surprised how willing modern wedding guests are to make financial donations. It’s fine to ask
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for contributions towards a house deposit, new car, sofa upgrade, kitchen refit or garden redesign, as long as you specify what you are saving towards. Want a bit of everything? You don’t have to decide between either presents or money, and many couples like the flexibility of asking for both. This often suits your guests well too, as some will prefer the tradition of buying a gift from a list. Ask for travel books, luggage or even experiences for your honeymoon. You can also ask for vouchers to help you finish your list after guests have bought your gifts, for example to complete a set of china.
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www.prezola.com | email hello@prezola.com | call 0800 488 0082
When you really don’t want presents Some couples are adamant that they really don’t want any presents, but in practice guests usually like to give something. Charity donations are a great way of giving guests the option of buying a gift, yet respecting your wishes.
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Remember to say thank you Thank you letters should be written as soon as possible after the wedding or when you get back from honeymoon. Make sure you personalise them, for example ‘Thank you for our fabulous tagine, we’ve had so much fun cooking with it’, rather than a bland and impersonal ‘thank you for our wedding present’. Remember, someone has taken the time to buy you a present, so take the time to send a properly personalised thank you letter.
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ETIQUETTE AND WEDDING consultant Jo Bryant offers ‘Aisle Style’ - personalised bridal image, confidence and deportment sessions. Her flexible, pay-as-you-go planning support and advisory service is great for hen parties or as a ‘Wedding Companion’. Described by the Telegraph as an ‘empress of etiquette’, Jo regularly provides expert comment for national newspapers, magazines, television and radio. She was also a live commentator on the BBC for the royal wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
www.prezola.com | email hello@prezola.com | call 0800 488 0082
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CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT 1 Jungle Cocoon Chair - £355.00 2 Bird Cage Lamp - £395.00 3 Palma Cushions - from £39.00 4 Leather Pouffe - £130.00 5 Moroccan Tyre Floor Lamp - £160.00 6 Hanging Monkey Light - £230.00 7 Golden Palm Lamp - £450.00 8 Frida Cushions - £39.00 each 9 Aurora Feather Lightshade - from £69.00 each
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www.prezola.com | email hello@prezola.com | call 0800 488 0082
DESIGNER FOCUS GR AHAM & GREEN
Graham & Green was founded by Antonia Graham in the early 1970’s and is now managed by her son and his wife, Jamie and Lou Graham. New to Prezola, their products have already been added to hundreds of lists. We chat to the founders about their eclectic brand, how they got started and the process behind sourcing all of their products. Tell us a bit about your brand. We opened our first store in vibrant Notting Hill in 1974 and our style has evolved with the area ever since. The eclectic selection of homewares and gifts are all inspired by our love of travel, our stores are filled with finds from Europe, India and beyond. We have developed great relationships around the globe and still work with many of the same artisan suppliers. How would you describe the brand? We pride ourselves on being a family run business, passing our experience and trade down from one generation to the next. We create an eclectic look which combines quirky accessories with vintage accents and mid-century inspired furniture; a unique curated selection of interiors and gifts that exudes style. Where do you get inspiration for your products? We are inspired by places we travel all around the world and at home. Whether on buying trips or enjoying a family holiday, we are constantly being inspired by our surroundings and the amazing things we see along the way. Which pieces should we keep an eye out for? We’re a big fan of anything animal related, so our all round favourites are probably our Monkey and Mouse Lamps we think they perfectly sum up our quirky style. Our gold Octopus Candlestick is also a popular choice.
“Some of our favourite spaces mix different styles and layer up different textures to create a truly unique and eye-catching space.” What do you think are some of the main interior trends of 2017 that couples should look out for? Without a doubt botanicals are as popular as ever, and they work perfectly with the Bohemian and Tropicana trends we’re seeing this year. If you’re a fan of laid-back Scandi styling, try adding textured fabrics and macramé finishes to your space for a boho update, or introduce pops of colour and vibrant prints for a more tropical touch.
What’s your best tip for styling the home? So often we see homes play it safe and end up lacking character - don’t be afraid of colour and quirky accents. Mix different styles and layer up different textures to create a truly unique and eye-catching space. What are your favourite products in the collection? They are usually very similar to our own favourites! Animals are always the most popular, followed by pineapples and cactuses. Our opulent feather lightshades are always a popular choice too, people love the timeless style and quality of these pieces. What would be your top picks for a wedding gift list? We’d probably end up filling our list with endless amounts of cushions! We do such a wide selection of simple and patterned cushions, they are the perfect way to update a space. Apart from that, our Palm Tree Table Lamp is a great idea for something with a bit of personality.
“Botanicals are as popular as ever, and they work perfectly with the Bohemian and Tropicana trends we’re seeing.” You like to source your products from exotic countries, tell us about how you search for these products and where you visit. We’ve got very strong relationships with India, having worked with many of the same businesses for over 30 years now. They help us to develop new and exciting products that helps to keep Graham & Green unique. Aside from that, we’re always travelling to meet new suppliers throughout the UK and Europe, as well as maintaining our long standing relationships around the globe. How do you know what to look for when you’re sourcing products? Quality is always key. Our style can vary massively to appeal to all sorts of personality, but it’s important to maintain a good quality of product that will last a lifetime. We always look for products that are slightly more uniquewhether it’s a twist on a popular style or something completely quirky. What are your tips for incorporating quirky products into a traditional home? Don’t be afraid to try different things. Adding something a little quirky can be daunting at first, but it’s a great way to introduce more personality to your space and can be an easy, cost effective way to update any room.
www.prezola.com | email hello@prezola.com | call 0800 488 0082
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Urban Cool F O U N D E R A N D C R E AT O R O F J E W I S H W E D D I N G B LO G SMAS H I N G T H E G L AS S, KAREN CINNAMON GIVES US A TOUR OF HER CITY ABODE
PRETTY MUCH EVERYONE will agree that living in an industrial-style apartment in London is instantly enviable. The exposed brick walls and large glass doors leading out to a terrace ooze cool and that’s without even mentioning the home decor. This is the home of Karen Cinnamon, who spends her time here writing for her blog, Smashing The Glass. “You’ll often find me sitting at my large dining table with my laptop; With this view of London, it’s really inspiring and always gets me
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motivated to write. I love listening to music on my Sonos and having a drink with friends - the open space in my apartment is very inviting and great for parties! My blog features Jewish (and Jew-ish!) weddings from around the world and it’s been great working with Prezola to bring traditional Hebrew gifts to wedding registries. From Kiddush Cups and Menorahs to Home Blessings and Seder Plates, there’s plenty of modern designs for the home, along with all their other gorgeous products.”
www.prezola.com | email hello@prezola.com | call 0800 488 0082
LIST THE LOOK STY L E YO U R H OM E W I T H K A R E N ’ S FAV O U R I T E P I C K S
Yotam Ottolenghi & Sami Tamimi, Jerusalem Bookstore £27.00 Boston Cocktail Shaker Bar Craft £19.99
PLAY: 5 Wireless Speaker Sonos £499.00
Ripple Seder Plate Absolutely Matanot £365.00
Love Cushion Jan Constantine £58.00
Rainbow Menorah Absolutely Matanot £150.00
Futura Seder Plate Jonathan Adler £150.00
Check out Karen’s blog for more inspiration at www.smashingtheglass.com
www.prezola.com | email hello@prezola.com | call 0800 488 0082
Red Wine Glass, Set of 4 LSA £50.00
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Minimalist Chic L I F E S T Y L E B L O G G E R B Y N I G H T, I N T E R I O R M A R K E T E E R / S T Y L I S T B Y D AY. C L A I R E G I V E S US A SNEAK PEEK OF HER HOME
WE USED PREZOLA for our wedding list and had so much fun compiling the list - delivery day was like the best Christmas ever. Whilst we already had everything we needed for the house, many of our everyday items were years old, dating back to our uni days. We took the opportunity to upgrade and chose beautiful things like Robert Welch cutlery, Riedl wine glasses and The White Company bedding and towels. Our Magimix food blender is my favourite and most used wedding gift - I create everything from homemade pesto to cakes in it.
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We moved into our Edwardian home over four years ago and have been renovating it pretty much from day one. One of the first things we tackled was the kitchen - the existing kitchen was dark and dreary with a suspended ceiling, office lighting a brick pillar and wooden arch! We had to knock down an existing extension that was badly built and rebuild it. The result is a gorgeous bright, white kitchen, dining and living space that we spend all our time in. We designed it to be a sociable space and it has certainly lived up to that!
www.prezola.com | email hello@prezola.com | call 0800 488 0082
LIST THE LOOK
STYLE YOUR HOME WITH C L A I R E ’ S FAV O U R I T E ESSENTIALS
Soho House Eat Drink Nap BookStore £30.00 8 Cup Coffee Maker Bodum £49.00
Sheepskin Rug, Ivory Baa Stool £95.00
Finex Side Table ByOn £135.00
Acacia Wood Chopping Board Jamie Oliver £31.99
New York Map Print ROAM By 42 £50.00
Task Ceramic Floor Lamp Orginal BTC £469.00 Tribal Print Cushion Raine & Humble £32.00
www.prezola.com | email hello@prezola.com | call 0800 488 0082
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CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT 1 Scalloped Edge Pillow Case – £18.00 2 Luxury Grey Towel Bale – £70.00 3 Lingonberry Cotton Napkins – £300 4 Cotton Stripe Pouf – £225.00 5 White Set of 4 Teacup & Saucer – £80.00 6 Mosaic King Size Duvet Cover – £95.00 7 Tapered Candles in Grey – £25.00
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8 Rose Mirror Candle – £40.00
www.prezola.com | email hello@prezola.com | call 0800 488 0082
DESIGNER FOCUS SOPHIE CONR AN
“My father always had amazing designers in the house and seeing the design movement happening around me was really inspiring.” Sophie Conran
Sophie Conran is a designer, author and cook brought up in a fantastically creative house. Her father, Sir Terence Conran is a designer and entrepreneur and her mother is a cookery writer, gardener and artist. She has just celebrated a decade of collaborating with ceramics company Portmeirion. Why did you want to be a designer? I didn’t really set out to be a designer; I was a buyer for The Conran Shop and had my own shop in my early twenties. Then I began product development, so I have really come into design through product development and I love it. I grew up surrounded by design and there were always conversations over the dinner table with the family. I have a really big family and they are all involved in design in one way or another so it really got into my blood. Who were your inspirations when you were starting out? Both my parents are big inspirations. My parents were heavily involved in the arts scene in the 60s and 70s and there would always be artists around like David Hockney, Patrick Caulfield and Howard Hodgkin, who were pretty influential. Plus my father (Terence Conran, who founded Habitat in the 1960s) always had amazing designers in the house having dinner and this design movement happening around me was really inspiring. What is your signature look? My signature look is making the best of the space available, filling it with light, making it comfortable and I love accents of colour. My aesthetic is about wanting to create a haven in my own home, full of life, creativity, calm, good food and laughter. How do you start designing a new range? I start by looking at the brief and what we are setting out to do. I also think about the type of medium that we are using, if we are doing wallpaper for instance that will have a completely different starting point than say ceramics. I also always think about the end user, how it is touched and how it makes you feel. It is very much an emotional response.
Tell us a bit about your 2017 range and your top gift list picks. The 2017 range is full of life and it is for celebrating the everyday. I am really proud of our Scallop bedlinen. It is clean and beautiful and so luxurious to sleep in. It washes fantastically well and looks incredibly stylish - everything you want for your newly-wed bed! Our beautiful fine china tea-sets are perfect for entertaining - they add a fabulous splash of colour and a touch of class and style to tea time. We also have a brilliant selection of elegant embroidered napkins that are durable enough to use everyday and can add a real sense of occasion to any table. Tableware is very popular for wedding gift lists. How do you like to set your table for a dinner party? With joy. Lots of candles and lots of flowers at low level so that you can speak to your guests. I like to set the table quite formally and then for the dinner party to be quite relaxed. It’s like putting a garden together, you need to have the structure and then you can be free within that. Couples creating a wedding list should look out for timeless, beautiful pieces that they will live with for the rest of their lives. It is also nice to pick pieces that will remind you of the people that have gifted it. Where do you think people most commonly go wrong when designing their homes? One of the common problems is not thinking about the function. If you focus too much on the aesthetic you can go wrong, but also if you focus too much on the practicality it could feel cold or slightly alien. I think, again, it is the blending of the two, so you think about the movement around the room, the light throughout the day, the people in the space and you think about the different uses of the room – take your time and don’t rush into anything. What is your interior design style like at home? Joyful and full of celebrations. I love to mix modern and antiques, I love colour and an uncluttered space. I still have a lot of things I have had forever, and I guess that is because I really loved the pieces when I bought them. Things get changed slowly and I add things I love as I go.
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Which white is right? H OW TO C H O OS E T H E R I G H T D I N N E R WA R E S E T T O S U I T Y O U
Artisan Range The White Company from £10.00
LET’S FACE IT, you can never go wrong with white plates. They’re beautiful, classic and versatile. They make a great base set and you can always accent with colourful bowls or mugs. Whether you’re entertaining friends or sitting down for a family meal, having an attractive dinnerware set adds a little something extra to the kitchen and dining room table, plus it’s one of the more traditional wedding gifts that guests love to give.
everyday use. The high quality makes it a popular heirloom, often passed down through the generations. Ornate and carefully crafted, fine china that is well looked after retains its value over time. Dishwasher safe
Microwave safe
TYPES OF DINNERWARE MATERIAL Stoneware Made from clay, it’s less permeable than other materials, as it is heated at a high temperature, which makes it more refined. It’s also non-porous so doesn’t need to be glazed. Chip-resistant
Dishwasher safe
Microwave safe
Fine Bone China Fine china is beautiful and refined, perfect for special family gatherings and tea parties, but it’s also a great purchase for
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Serendipity Range Royal Worcester from £28.00
GIFT LIST A DV ICE DI N N E RWA R E Porcelain Porcelain is baked at a high temperature to make a strong surface that is quite similar to glass. A very durable substance, porcelain crockery is non-porous and easy to maintain making it one of the most popular materials for dinnerware all over the world. Dishwasher safe
Microwave safe
MAKING YOUR DINNERWARE LAST If your dinnerware is well cared for, it could last until your children (or grandchildren!) cook for you! Many manufacturers use particular terminology to describe the strength and durability of dinnerware such as, break, chip and scratch-resistant - but just like water-resistant is different to waterproof, don’t assume that your plates are invincible. Many dinnerware sets have a special coating and go through rigorous processes to keep them as chipproof as possible but if you’re handling clay - or glass-based dinnerware, it’s important to avoid sudden temperature changes to avoid breakage. CARING FOR YOUR DINNERWARE Though stoneware and porcelain can be washed in the dishwasher, fine bone china will need some extra TLC. After polishing off your favourite homemade meal, try to rinse the dishes off as soon as possible so food doesn’t have time to stick, especially with acidic foods such as curry dishes. If possible, use a rubber spatula to scrape food off as metal can leave unsightly grey marks. For stubborn foods that stick to stoneware, gently soak dishes in warm soapy water before stacking in the dishwasher. This will keep your plates in top condition and ensure you never find a smidgen of something from yesterday’s dinner.
A GUIDE TO PLATE TYPES Serving Plates Normally sized around 11 to 14 inches, these are best placed in the centre of the table for serving hot or cold foods on a larger scale. Charger Plates Also sized 11 to 14 inches, these plates are usually quite decorative around the edges and sit underneath your dinner plates for the meal. Mainly used for decoration and to protect the table and tablecloth from heat. Dinner Plates Perfect for serving your main courses, these are 10 to 11 inches and are used in both formal and casual dining. Luncheon Plates These are used for smaller portions around lunchtime for more classic lunch foods. Commonly 10 to 11 inches in diameter. Salad Plates A must-have if you always like combining your meals with a fresh salad, they are slightly smaller than luncheon plates, around 7 to 9 inches. Dessert/ Cheese/ Tea Plates For serving up your favourite treats after the main meal, these plates are around 7 to 9 inches to help control portion sizes. Bread & Butter Plates For serving up accompanying breads with your main meals, they are 6 to 7 inches.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT QUANTITY Four, six, eight? How many plates do you really need on your dining table? It’s worth considering how many people are in your family/how many people you are likely to dine with. If you have a family on the smaller-side opt for a 12-piece set, this will cover all bases for yourselves with extras if the family pops round. On the other hand, if your family could have its own football team it’s worth leaning towards a 24-piece set. You should have a dinnerware set for everyday, and one for more formal occasions. Maybe you’ll invite the in-laws over for dinner, or you’re excited to have a proper grownup dinner party. Having two sets for different occasions will allow you to be more creative with your dinnerware accessory choices and it will feel extra special when you set the table for a more formal dining experience.
White Collection Sophie Conran for Portmeirion from £13.00
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Steal the Soho style E XC LU S I V E TO P R E Z O L A , S O H O H O U S E H AS L AU N C H E D T H E I R I N T E R I O R S R A N G E S O H O H OM E FO R YO U R G I FT L I ST
Hempton Range Soho Home from ÂŁ8.00
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NEW TO PREZOLA SOHO HOME
Istanbul Pool Towel Soho Home £55.00
Barwell Cut Collection Soho Home from £28.00
“Every one of our Houses is different, so over the years our products were made to bring the comfort you feel in our Houses to your own home. From crystal glasses to velvet sofas, and even more to come, we’ve got what you need to create a relaxed place. Choosing is never easy, so here are a few of my favourite pieces to get you started.” Nick Jones, Founder, Soho Home
Cowshed Range Soho Home from £30.00
ABOUT SOHO HOME Soho House is world-renowned for their high standard hotels, where a membership is more sought after than a glimpse of the celebrities lounging by the pool. The first Soho House was founded in 1995, as a home from home for people in creative industries. They have since opened 17 more clubs across Europe and North America, as well as restaurants, cinemas, spas and bedrooms.
Whichford Range Soho Home from £10.00
Building on a reputation for design and quality, Soho Home sells a selection of tabletop, textiles and accessories inspired by, or used in, the Soho Houses. Exclusive to Prezola, their collection evokes a feeling of laidback luxe with a touches of vintage glamour. Browse their vast range of dinnerware, soft furnishings and colourful House Pool Towels, which also decorate the pool loungers at each of their respective Houses.
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Real Life Weddings
JAMES FEAR PHOTOGRAPHY
HANNAH JOHNSON AND HER HUSBAND TOM SHARE THEIR WEDDING EXPERIENCE
WITHOUT DOUBT, my favourite thing about the wedding was the atmosphere! There was such a happy buzz and energy radiating from all of our family and friends and that is something that you can’t necessarily plan for or guarantee. We may have had the wettest wedding imaginable, but we had one hell of a party! In our opinion the three most important things to get right are a plentiful supply of drinks, fabulous food and MUSIC! Choosing the right wedding band really is key as they create the party. As we got married on 10th December, we made the decision to go on honeymoon in January so that we could enjoy Christmas with our families, but we had a mini moon in beautiful Narberth, Wales and stayed at The Grove for a couple of nights which was so relaxing. We had the best of both worlds really, a cosy mini moon after the wedding and then two weeks in Sri Lanka after Christmas, which helped to ease the January Blues! It’s a breathtakingly beautiful country, full of wildlife, lovely people and fabulous food, we would highly recommend it as a honeymoon destination!
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Revival Mini Radio Roberts £150.00
Champagne Flutes, Set of 2 Kelly Hoppen £14.00
Acacia Knife Block Jamie Oliver £169.99
Bake Set Falcon Enamelware £64.00
Zen Serving Bowls, Set of 5 Kelly Hoppen £20.00
The Large Gallery Wall Clock Newgate Clocks £150.00
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“We have done many wonderful things together over the last 7 years, amazing holidays, the excitement of buying our first home… but as corny as it sounds, getting our cat Otto is definitely up there – he brings us so much joy and we are both obsessed with him!”
Using Prezola for our wedding gift list was an easy decision for Tom and I. The founders, Ali and Dom are lovely, they’ve chosen the best selection of brands and the customer service that their team offer is first class. Wedding planning is notoriously stressful, so to feel that you have Prezola on hand to help and keep you updated is so reassuring. Aside from receiving the wedding invitation, potentially choosing a gift for the couple is often the first thing that a guest will do before attending the wedding, so having the lovely team from Prezola at the end of the phone or email ready to help your guests is a wonderful first impression! We were excited to receive so many things on our list, it’s hard to choose one stand out piece. We chose a Sonos Play:3 which has been revolutionary, also some lovely big rugs which really do transform a room and we do love the friendly face of our Newgate Clock that now lives in the kitchen! It’s been such fun finding homes for all of our lovely new things and thinking of friends and family each time we use our gifts. We’re currently in the midst of DIY and renovations, so we can’t wait for the day
when we can enjoy our lovely home and host our friends in a dust-free zone! We also love the brands on Prezola. After Kelly Hoppen London, of course, (I work there as Marketing Manager) I could happily have pretty much all of Nkuku’s products at home, the same goes for The White Company who can do no wrong in my eyes! For more decorative pieces I chose Culinary Concepts who have some beautiful statement tabletop pieces and of course Soho Home are definitely up there as I love their whole aesthetic. Tom’s mum was staying with us when our Prezola delivery day came around, so we thought it would be fun for all of us to unwrap the presents together… little did we know that 18 huge boxes full of beautifully wrapped gifts were going to arrive! There’s nothing quite like unwrapping your wedding presents, each one full of love and best wishes from your friends and family, it feels terribly indulgent but such a lovely start to married life.
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Cat Bed Sophie Allport £36.00
PLAY:3 Speaker Sonos £299.00
Stoneware Dish Le Creuset £49.00
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Sharpen up your knife set R O B E RT W E LC H G I V ES T I P S O N CHOOSING THE RIGHT KNIVES FO R T H E K I TC H E N
WHEN IT COMES to a solid set of knives, you want them to last and to do the job right. Using your gift list to upgrade your blades is pretty common but where do you start? Do you know the difference between honing and sharpening? Or which knife should be used when slicing vegetables? Rupert Welch, Managing Director at Robert Welch gives us answers we’ve always wanted to know when it comes to kitchen knives. How can I tell the quality of a knife? Look out for knives that are fully forged, which means it’s made out of a single piece of steel, with no welds or joins. This is a good indicator of top quality and provides overall strength, rigidity and balance in use. A long guarantee is also a good indicator of the quality of a knife as it shows confidence against manufacturing defects. How do you know when to care for your knives? A well maintained knife will last a lifetime. Knowing when your knife is dull and needs maintenance is important so you can chop safely and with confidence. When a knife gets
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dull, the sharp edge has been lost or the blade edge is no longer aligned due to use. Even if the blade is still sharp, losing that alignment means that it won’t cut through food properly. How often should you sharpen a kitchen knife? Little and often is the key, before blades become blunt and in need of professional re-sharpening. Honing your knives will ensure years of happy usage, but it often gets confused for sharpening. Sharpening is taking away material, whilst honing is straightening out of an already-sharp blade. How should you clean and store your knives? Some knives may be dishwasher safe but for the best condition, we recommend hand washing and drying immediately afterwards using a soft cloth. Rough contact with other items may damage the cutting edge; synthetic or wooden chopping boards are the ideal cutting surface while using acrylic, glass, marble or granite boards can damage blades over time. As well as being safe and hygienic, correct knife storage helps maintain your knives for longer. Storage solutions such as knife blocks, in-drawer units and magnetic knife racks are a better choice.
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ASK THE EXPERTS ROBERT WELCH
K N OW YO U R K N I V ES 1
Honing & sharpening The hand-held sharpener can easily hone any kitchen knife back to a razor sharpness while the sharpening steel is the choice for professional chefs around the world.
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Cutting and chopping Ideal for meat and hard vegetables as well as herbs, nuts and salads, the curved blades allow for a two-step chop and rock action.
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Carving & slicing Designed to effortlessly carve and slice meat, poultry and fish, the longer blades cut fine slices in a single stroke. The serrated blade of the Signature bread knife effortlessly slices bread and cakes.
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Filleting and boning Available with a rigid or flexible blade, the Signature utility and boning knives have flexible blades for ultimate control with precise and clean filleting.
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Slicing, dicing and chopping fruit and vegetables Santoku knives have a wide blade for slicing, dicing and chopping delicate foods. The scalloped indentations create air pockets, pushing food from the blade and reducing friction when slicing.
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Peeling and slicing A smaller blade length is ideal for peeling fruit and vegetables while the serrated utility knives are ideal for cutting tomatoes, fruit and food with tough skin.
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Robert Welch Signature Knives • Fully-forged from German stainless steel • Rated in top 1% of knives in the world • Dishwasher safe • 25 year guarantee
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ICONIC BR AND LE CREUSET
Le Creuset Cast Iron Casserole Dish The essential kitchen classic. From Sunday roasts to a freshly baked pie and classics like coq au vin and chilli con carne, the Round Cast Iron Casserole Dish is ideal for a wide array of one-pot recipes. Individually cast in sand moulds and hand crafted at the original French foundry since 1925, Le Creuset casserole dishes are protected by a lifetime guarantee for total peace of mind. With an easy-grip; an easy clean, toughened enamel interior; a heat resistant stainless steel knob; and a tight-fitting lid - this iconic wedding gift is built to last, and makes a statement in any home. Marseille Blue Cast Iron Shallow Casserole Dish Le Creuset ÂŁ179.99
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