All Things Considered: February edit

21 things I've got my eye on, plus a trip to Cornwall and some other thoughts

Image: Nordic Knots

Hi hello!

I’m writing to you from the coast in Cornwall, where we’ve been for two weeks. When we get back to London, I’ll write a big post with all the details of where we stayed, where else I’d love to stay, where we ate (like most trips, this has revolved around where we’re having lunch) and where we didn’t have chance to eat.

We’re currently in our fourth holiday home and I’m in no rush to leave this detached house with its views for miles. We wake up and from the bedroom window, we can see whether it’s high or low tide. At night, we can see stars. Our view at home is of another, much taller block of flats and gargantuan offices that block the sunlight and most of the sky.

Our fourth and final home in Cornwall – details to come in a couple of weeks

This all started because I was invited to stay in a new cottage for a couple of nights and we thought, why not? February in a small flat in London is dire when the weather is bad, so we might as well spend a few wintery days by the sea. The vision was bundling up in many layers for long walks on coastal paths, with a log burner to light when we got in. A couple of nights didn’t seem long enough to justify hiring a car and driving for six hours, so I booked an affordable Airbnb that I’ve always liked the look of. A week sounded about right.

Shortly after, I had the brainwave to try a ‘workation’ and book a house with an office so we could stay longer. My boyfriend brought his desktop computer in a huge suitcase and for the first five nights, we rattled around the very lovely Fentafriddle Farmhouse, booked via Boutique Retreats. Full disclosure: we were kindly hosted by the owner, which is an extremely lucky perk of my job – we could never ordinarily afford anything so spacious for just the two of us.

A few days into our trip, someone sent me a message with an opportunity to stay at their holiday home and coincidentally, my boyfriend’s next project at work was pushed back by a few days, so he had more flexibility than we expected. All that to say, that’s why we’re still here!

This was the setting for our lunchbreak – a short drive from Fentafriddle Farm

It’s funny how you think a change of scenery and a circuit break will be the thing that magically transforms you and your habits. I can’t be the only one who falls for this every time I go anywhere? I genuinely believed that I would be up early to do stretches or possibly even go for a jog before I started my working day. I brought a diary too so I could journal. Obviously, my leggings haven’t left the case and I’ve still never journalled in my life. Also, I hate jogging!

I expected to read book after book, so I brought a shelf full of them. I would sit in the office during the day, power through my work, and then have hours of free time in the evenings to sit in quiet contemplation and read.

Breaking news: it transpires that being in a house with a dedicated office doesn’t make ADHD go away. My boyfriend worked as normal while I pottered from room to room with my laptop. I was distracted by everything from the view of the sea to the urge to eat the scones in the kitchen. When I sat in the office without a view of the sea, I was distracted by that too. I also convinced myself there must be a ghost (based on nothing but my imagination and the house having lots of rooms), so I was too scared to stay downstairs on my own and work late into the night, as I usually would at home.

It has been just as painfully difficult to focus and get my shit done here as it is anywhere else.

Reader, I have not read a book. I also haven’t started the complex skincare regime or the mindfulness practice I thought I might get super into. Annoyingly, it turns out that Cornwall me is still me.

Photographer: Kensington Leverne - this is a crop of an original wider image

I was browsing House & Garden’s website the other day and it was a nice surprise to come across this image of my lampshade looking *great* in this project by Golden Design! I think I’ve only mentioned them on Substack once before, but back in 2020, I launched a sell-out wavy lampshade collaboration with Munro and Kerr, aka my friend Alex who is a bespoke lampshade maker. We still sell them and Alex still makes each one by hand. Last year, they were placed in every bedroom at Le Grand Hotel Cayre in Paris. It’s fun to see where they end up.

Gable four poster bed, £POA from Berdoulat

I don’t know how much this bed is – the website doesn’t say – but I know the Berdoulat founders and how much they value craftsmanship, so I expect it to be accessible only to a fortunate few. Still, what an heirloom for the right space!

Silk scarf, £39.95 from Massimo Dutti

Sometimes when I’m wearing a plain wool jumper (or sweater, if you’re across the pond), it feels a bit lacklustre without a little peek of a tee underneath or perhaps a neck scarf. I’ve always felt self-conscious in scarves, like my neck isn’t long enough for them, or maybe my hair is too long? But perhaps I’ll dip my toe in this year. This simple silk number doesn’t seem like a terrifying place to start.

Bibi shower curtain, €153.95 from Autumn Sonata

When Autumn Sonata first came along, I thought they were doing something really special with their tasteful patterned towels. Since then, they’ve also expanded to table linens, wash bags and a couple of stylish shower curtains that will liven up a bathroom no end. Always use a plastic liner to extend its lifespan.

Novesta Marathon Trail trainers, £130 from TOAST

I have these Novesta trainers already in the natural colourway and they’re so comfortable and plain – I rarely see other people wearing them. We know I am no stranger to loving brown, so it won’t be surprising that I quite fancy these guys.

Warren loose cover armchair, £1798 from Rowen & Wren

I was on Rowen & Wren’s website the other day looking for kitchen drawer handles (for someone else) and within five minutes, I’d migrated from brass hardware to upholstery. Most of their chair shapes are traditional with a rolled arm or a turned leg on a castor – which isn’t right for me – but this simple armchair with a loose linen cover (there are a few colours) was an immediate yes.

Terracotta tea mug, £32 by Benjamin Hall for Rowen & Wren

I drink mint tea and filter coffee alllll day long and I can’t fully enjoy the experience unless it’s from a really nice handmade mug. The tactile finish and imperfections that come with hand-thrown pottery can’t compare to something uniform and mass-produced. This is also from Rowen & Wren but it’s by a small maker based in the north of England.

Large brown suede bucket bag, €625.00 from Liffner

I’m still here banging the Liffner drum (they’ve rebranded from Little Liffner) and despite featuring them on here probably three or four times, I’ve still never bought one as I’d have to pay import tax to the UK. If you’re based in Europe or the US, the tax is included. Anyway, this is yet another slouchy style that I love.

Federico wool suede boat shoes with fleece lining, £229 from Penelope Chilvers

I tried these on in Penelope Chilvers with wide, ankle-length trousers and a tonal purple sock and they looked so good! People loved them when I shared them in my IG stories. I feel bad saying this but the website styling is odd and it’s doing them a disservice. Ignore the skinny jeans and novelty socks they put them with – I promise they look very cool with the right trouser shape and socks.

Wool and cotton cushion cover, £49.99 from Zara Home

Put this in a collector’s house with lots of interesting vintage textiles and antique wooden furniture and I would struggle to believe that it’s from Zara Home. It’s not double-sided, which is a shame, but we can’t have everything we want in life.

Louison belt, £260 from Dehanche

It annoys the hell out of me how expensive Dehanche belts are, so I usually contemplate buying one and then reverse-search the image instead until I find something vintage and similar for much less money. Having said that, their belts are perfect and this is a timeless way to make jeans and a t-shirt look expensive.

Hercules basil and neroli soap, £18.50 from Pentreath & Hall

If there’s one reason to visit Pentreath & Hall, it’s to buy unusual gifts for people with good taste. Would I actually use this bar of soap? No, I prefer liquid soap. Would I like to look at one of these soaps in a bathroom? Yes I definitely would.

Suede jacket, £349 from Massimo Dutti

I love brown suede (despite its annoying popularity) and I like a bit of fringing but I cannot bear fringing on sleeves – it veers too far into Western and you’ll never catch me in a cowboy boot. Luckily, these sleeves are fringe-free.

Horseman wall light, £395 from Jess Alavi-Ellis

These hefty, limited edition ceramic wall sconces are handpainted and they serve as a functional light and also a bold piece of sculptural art. Diminutive and discreet they are not, but then they’re not meant to be.

Knitted cardigan, £345 from Rixo

I generally loathe clothes that aren’t made from natural fibres. I think they look cheap, they’re sweaty to wear and they make my already static-prone hair even more likely to stand on end. Despite all that, I love this retro ankle-length cardigan. An outfit with a ‘70s flavour is where I always feel most like myself. It’s over-accessorised on their website and the bow on the blouse is distracting, I’d love to see it over simple ankle-length trousers with a slim roll neck or plain tee.

Flatweave rug, 170x240cm, £595 from Nordic Knots

I don’t know why Nordic Knots seem to be keeping their new Forever Flatweaves collection on the down-low (at least compared to some of their other ranges) because I think it’s the best in a while. I found these new designs by chance while browsing their website but I haven’t yet seen them promoted. They’re contemporary takes on Swedish flatweaves, with beautiful tonal wool that adds depth and interest by blending various colours. I hope they’ll launch new colourways in the future.

Cashmere and merino scarf, £95 from Rise & Fall

It’s a scarf but also a shawl and it’s a great colour. What could be better and more comforting in these miserable grey months?

High Tech chair by Nisse Strinning | Grythyttan Stålmöbler, £205 from SCP

I love the Hay Palisade furniture that everyone has – I genuinely do – but I also need to see alternatives sometimes. I got a press release about these steel chairs and I’d like to see them juxtaposed against some lush planting on a small terrace or patio.

Canvas shopping bag, €130 from Merci

I already have two useful canvas tote bags and honestly, there’s room in my life for a third. I particularly like the colour of Merci’s take on a classic.

Nickel plated oval knob, £22 from Matilda Goad

Very nice handles to smarten up a drawer or a cupboard door, nothing more to say except I quite like the blackened bronze too.

Aubane low babies, £150 from Sezane

I hate my feet but if you have lovely delicate feet worthy of Scholl footcream packaging, I think these mesh flats are a perfect shape for you. I prefer the slightly squared toe and mini heel to most of the round-toe mesh flats around.

Welsh blanket, £210 from TOAST

My boyfriend is from North Wales and Welsh is his first language, so if ever there was an appropriate piece for us to have in the house, it’s a Welsh blanket. TOAST’s three colourways are the best (vintage ones can often be a bit too Crayola-bright for me), though I wish this were bigger as it’s cosy as a living room throw or for a small double, but too small for a king-sized bed.

I’ve been forcing myself to share photos on Instagram again after ignoring it for much of 2024 because I felt too low and uninspired to engage with it. Unsurprisingly, stopping [almost] all creative endeavours wasn’t helpful at all, and as the months passed, I felt further than ever from my ‘normal’ self. I’m trying to get back in the game, and making myself pick up a camera and share a few images feels better than going down with the ship.

I love Burberry’s charming ad campaign about London in the rain and this one featuring my fellow northerner Aimee Lou Wood is no exception. Also, no man can boost my mood like Richard E. Grant with his infallible zest for life. Do you follow him on Instagram? If you don’t, you must.

My boyfriend and I have been threatening to leave our tiny rented flat for years. We’ve been dragging our feet as we’re really struggling to find anything that we like and can afford, plus my obsession with noise makes flat-hunting especially difficult. We might have to make a snap decision though as our landlords just significantly increased our rent for the second time in 15 months, meaning we’re now stretched to our limit. A surprise rent hike was the cherry on the cake of a January that was already off to a tough start for other reasons!

Our living room at home

Because I’m the clumsiest woman alive, I smashed the camera on my iPhone last year and I finally upgraded to the 16 Pro a couple of weeks ago. Guys, I can’t believe the improvement in video quality! It took me a while to buy the replacement as I also accidentally smashed my laptop by walking into a door with it just before Christmas. The downside of a new phone is when I transferred my stuff across, I was logged out of every app including Substack, and for whatever reason, it’s the only one I *still* cannot get back into. I mostly read other writers via the app, so I feel like I’ve missed a lot!

We had an excellent lunch at Osip (below) in Somerset in the middle of our drive down to Cornwall and both the food and the design of the restaurant (a former country pub) were so special. It has a Michelin Star but it’s not remotely uptight or formal. We loved it and I can highly recommend booking a table if you’re passing through Bruton and in the market for a real treat. In the coming months, they’re also due to open four bedrooms and I have extremely high hopes for the interiors, based on the thoughtful details in the restaurant.

Life as a born technophobe is testing, and I recently realised – after always manually transcribing my recorded interviews – that the Voice Memos function on my phone has been automatically transcribing them for me since last summer. I’ve just been sitting here rewinding and replaying while I type with my index fingers, while everything I need is already there on my phone. Why am I trapped inside the brain of a very, very old person?

Severance day is the best day of the week, although, I don’t have any burning theories about what Mark might be about to complete, or whether Helena is as cruel as she seems. I’m fascinated by Milchick atm and I loved our brief glimpse of him seeming more like a human being. Last month, we were also gripped by Say Nothing, a series about The Troubles in Belfast. It’s based on a true story but just how true would depend on who you ask... I also watched the new Bridget Jones movie after seeing rave reviews from friends and I’m sorry to say, it didn’t move me at all. I actually found it too schmaltzy.

This outfit is still living in my mind rent-free

I don’t usually share my editorial work here, but I wrote a piece on designing for neurodivergence for House & Garden last month and the feedback really meant a lot. So many people wrote to say they’re also neurodivergent, or they live with someone who is, and they can’t believe how infrequently the topic is considered or written about. I was commissioned to write 800 words and I ended up with 1600, but it could easily have been three times that length. There’s still so much to say about creating a comforting home that works for non-typical needs. 

Aside from upgrading to a paid subscription (which I always love and adore), the second best way to help me tangibly is to like this post with the heart icon, restack it, or add me to your recommended publications. Every interaction gives me a better chance of reaching a wider audience, and for writers outside of the US, Substack is still a tough nut to crack!

Back soon – thanks for reading,
E xx