What to buy for the homebody in your life
An indispensable gift guide to natty homewares for this season and beyond
Words: Josh Lee
They say an Englishman’s home is his castle. But, while your common-or-garden fortress can be easily jollied up with a shiny new portcullis, a little spruce of the battlements, or, let’s face it, a better class of jester, the average abode, these days, requires a more nuanced approach to its fittings and fixtures.
Fortunately, Gentleman’s Journal has taken some time out from producing the Must-Have Halberds for the Modern Crenellation Owner to put together an indispensable guide to natty homewares for this season and beyond. You may decide to give these things to other people. You may decide to put them on a list of your own. You may decide to put them on a list of your own and then give them to other people, too. They’re simply that compelling. See you in the Great Hall.
For the living room
Is a living room even a living room these days without a decent poker set? It doesn’t feel like it. Forever the suavest past-time (or sport, depending on your enthusiasm and bank balance), it does its very best work at Christmas and in the winter months beyond. Alexandra Llewellyn has long been the gold standard here, and her handsome centrepiece takes its design cues from the majolica tiles designed by revered Italian architect Gio Ponti. To go all Casino Royale, plump for Assouline’s hefty tome that chronicles the iconic style of 007. And with the visuals sorted, turn your attention to the sonics: the Era 300, courtesy of Sonos, has a sculptural quality about it, allowing it to blend seamlessly into any stylish fit-out, and its six optimally positioned drivers allow most domestic spaces to be completely blanketed in good audio.
For the bedroom
Waking up is mostly horrendous these days – but, it’s slightly less horrendous knowing all your kit for the day ahead is nicely arranged on the Giorno Valet Stand, a beautiful beechwood piece that can be found at London menswear atelier Arterton. We understand, however, if one were to remain fully rooted to the bed, especially with Asprey’s Backgammon Pattern Cashmere Blanket spread everywhere; the silky-smooth touch is, after all, incredibly cosseting. Finally, take a look at Kef’s Mu7 Wireless Headphones, made with a lovely sort of futuro-minimalist appeal. Buttery-soft on the padding and utterly intuitive to control, they have mind-blowingly pristine sonics (Spotify Wrapped season has never sounded so good).
For the kitchen
Home, chefs say, is where the hearth is – and Hestan’s ten-piece copper set, overflowing with an assortment of skillets, saucepans and more, will certainly get the fire roaring. To waken the senses early in the morning, the Illy X1 Anniversary pairs old-school, industrial-style looks with the convenience of making coffee with just the flick of some switches. In the evenings, let your favourite malbec breathe by placing it in this shapely Riedel decanter.
For the bathroom
When the pains of the day are over, there are some essentials we like to unwind with (and suggest you gift to someone who’s in dire need of R and R). A GJ Grooming Awards 2024 winner, Kent has produced an electric toothbrush that performs with 36,000 sonic pulses per minute, allowing for a deeper clean and a brighter smile – no bad thing, we say, especially as we’ll be putting on a brave face during next month’s blues. Then, once the bathroom routine is complete, few things are as pleasant as throwing on this Waffle Robe – a collaboration between Hackett and David Gandy Wellwear – and lighting up Jo Malone’s Myrrh & Tonka Scented Candle. January can wait just a touch longer.
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