Come With Me to the Dunelm Press Day

A little video of the autumn/winter home collection at Somerset House, my top design picks, a cheeky look at what’s coming up for Christmas and my thoughts on press days in general.

This post has lots of photos so may be too long for your email. Click on view all, or read in the Substack app, or in your browser.

One of the wonderful things about writing this newsletter on Substack is that it gives me the opportunity to showcase so much more than I ever could on Instagram. I usually upload a few brief glimpses of a press day on my stories, along with a couple of shots of some of the products. Here though, it’s much more intimate, so I can share with you everything I saw and also a little about how I feel about press days in general.

Here in jolly old England we’re experiencing a full-on hot, sizzling summer, so it seems rather bizarre going to an event that is celebrating everything autumnal and wintry, especially seeing Christmas trees and a multitude of shiny baubles. It does, however, get me very excited for all the good times ahead, and then I get to be even more grateful for the glorious July sunshine on leaving.

The event was held at the very beautiful Somerset House on The Strand in London. I can’t believe I lived in the city for all those years and never visited. It’s a neoclassical riverside palace, which hosts courtyard events, the Courtauld Gallery and even an ice rink at Christmas. The East wing is the perfect setting for a homeware brand press event because of all the borrowed views and ornate architecture. It felt very grand.

I do have to build myself up for things like this though. I may come across as a confident person, but in reality I’m really rather shy and prefer the comfort and safety of home. If I’m completely honest, I usually dread going right up until the moment I walk in, just like I do for most parties. I’m inventing excuses, even on the train. It’s a very necessary part of my job though, both the promotion of a brand and the necessary networking involved to hopefully secure another contract. It’s also rather a privilege to even be invited and I never forget that. I always end up having a wonderful time too, as is the way.

So, I put on my big boy pants, take a deep breath and become my outgoing and vibrant alter ego for the day. Believe me, there are big egos aplenty once you cross the threshold, it’s very much like stepping back in time to my former life as a singer/actor, so it’s important to stand tall and own the space you take up.

I always do a quick ring around to see if any of my content creator friends are due to attend before I accept an invitation. Luckily for me, a couple of my besties were going, and that always makes for a good time. We met just before 11am outside, so that we could all go in together. A talk and ‘tablescaping’ demonstration by the fabulously colourful designer Sophie Robinson had just started.

Sophie Robinson X Dunelm

Sophie’s talk was great and her collection for Dunelm will not disappoint full on colour and pattern lovers. Here’s a few of my top picks from her collection:

Sophie Robinson Bountiful Bloom Duvet Set - £65-95.

Sophie Robinson Joylene Two-Drawer Bedside Table - £169.

Sophie Robinson Rock Candy Stripe Jute Stair Runner - £149-£199.

Sophie Robinson Ceramic Table Lamp - £75.

Into the wild

The whole autumn/winter collection from Dunelm really embraces the excitement of autumn with warm earthy tones that mirror the shift in the seasons. I’m extremely pleased to see much darker wood tones being introduced, as I’ve always been a big fan, finally an end to the insipid patina of Scandi pine!

The Tatum Single Vanity is a beauty with its dark reeded drawer and Marble top - £399 (sink not included). It’s out of stock right now, but will be back in soon.

This Nature’s Exhibitionists table lamp is a collaboration with The Natural History Museum. Love the pull cord and tarnished brass base - £50

The Turned Dark Mango Wood Mirror is right up my street - £135.

Quiet Luxury

At some point soon I need to get on and sort out my study/prop room and I think some of the pieces from the Into The Wild range and this gorgeous Quiet Luxury range, could be just the ticket.

Designed to create the relaxed, elevated feel of a luxury boutique hotel stay at home. A palette of neutrals are combined with warm mocha and chestnut with hints of navy and pistachio. It exudes quality, but at an affordable price.

The Ludo Kidney-Shaped Console Table is darker than this photo shows. I think it would be great as a desk, or dressing table - £199.

The Oversized Ottoman Hotel Bedframe is super luxurious with built-in lights, USB-A ports and bedside tables - £799-£899.

Mid-stained Oak Reeva Sideboard - £599.

Dorma Cotton Sateen 800 Thread Count Duvet Cover - £90-£120. The pillowcases are £20.

Harvest Hues

Silky-soft chenilles and chunky, woven wools, the palette here ranges from burnt orange, mossy greens to deep, rich burgundy.

The Luca Tonal Boucle Four-Seater Sofa was so incredibly comfortable - £1,149.

Most of this range isn’t available yet, but keep a look out. I particularly loved the cast aluminium casserole dishes, which aren’t at all heavy and will be priced at £35 for the 20cm and £42 for the 28cm shallow dish. The fig napkins will be available soon at 4 for £10.

Christmas

I know, I know, it’s only July! But, you know I love it, so humour me. Sophie Robinson has collaborated with Dunelm again for a whole festive extravaganza bursting with joyful decorations, so keep your eyes peeled for those in the coming months. My personal favourite collection though is the Heritage Range. “Vintage-inspired motifs and a classic colour palette evoke the comfort and traditions of Christmases past” - all very Dickensian, love it! I don’t have a release date for all this Yuletide joy yet, but I’m sure it won’t be too long.

It was an extremely successful press day, organised by the team at Dunelm and their new PR firm Tin Man. A shout out has to go to Réli and Laurie of The Style Makers for their stunning displays. The new collection really wowed me, particularly the attention to detail in so many of the new lines, the commitment to sustainability and being more eco-friendly, and the superb quality and price point. I’m so glad I went and it was wonderful to meet up with my buddies Joanne Hardcastle and Jack Kinsey of Interior Design Masters fame, bless ‘em both.

Hope you enjoyed this little insight and found a few gorgeous things you like. I’ll be back on Sunday with my usual column. Bye for now.

Thank you all so much for all your support. Home & Hort has become such a lovely community. Please do leave a heart 🩷, a restack 🔄 and a comment 💬 if you have a moment.