THE HAPPY EDIT - ANTHROPOLOGIE

Published on 29 March 2023 at 18:08

 

Years ago, the first time I visited LA, my to-do list consisted of – see Hollywood Boulevard (it had the best Gap ever and my server was from Reading, bizarrely), go on the Celeb Sightseeing Tour (LOVED it – cannot recommend enough), visit the Viper Room (all my schoolbooks were covered in River Phoenix posters in the late eighties), buy some Uggs (this was before they was mass produced and when the dollar was much weaker) and, the one I was most excited about, go to Anthropologie.  

 

 

Back in the day Anthropologie was some kind of American mythical shopping Shangri-la to us Brits until they opened their first UK store in 2009. That first trip to their LA store did not diappoint. Inside was an Aladin’s cave of eclectic homewares and vibrant tapestries. I fell in love with everything – it was all so seductive and tactile. However, given I was going on to Sydney and then Thailand after LA, and mindful of extortionate excess luggage costs (I had already bought and filled an extra suitcase and it was only day two), I was limited to what I could actually take back to the UK with me. I did pick up a stunning hand painted toothbrush holder and matching soap dish which I based my whole bathroom aesthetic around once I got home. When anybody asked where I got them from, which they often did, I took immense pride in saying Anthropologie (until a stupid boy moved in and smashed the soap dish). Fortunately, these days I can jump on the Elizabeth line and be in the Regent Street store in no time, or even better, order online, and never have to worry about how much I can buy or how I'll get it home ever again!

 

 

For me, price wise, Anthropologie is my go-to for statement table pieces. In fact, I could have dedicated this whole blog just to their current selection of platters, instead I managed to narrow it down to just two. This whimsical stoneware Lilypad Platter is EVERYTHING and at 50cm long it fits ALL the cheese and meats. This one has been added to our cart – expect to see it on a Happy Platter tablescape shortly. Another one that has also been added is this absolutely stunning, shell-shaped hand painted platter by Cape Town artist Lucie de Moyencourt. From the design to the shape, size and colour – there is NOTHING we do not love about it. We’ll be saving this for a sophisticated seaside inspired summer table setting and be filling this with our favourite antipasti – feta stuffed red peppers, cocktail size pickles, baby silverskin pickled onions, and vibrant sea-green olives. 

 

 

It is not just the gorgeous array of serve ware we are lusting over either. Their current selection of dinner and dessert plates are equally desirable. There’s a gorgeous matching Lilypad plate to match the aforementioned platter, and we also love this set of four Havana Dinner Plates in either colour too. However, these on-sale Orchid Dessert plates are a steal. The mixed flora and fauna decoration is so pretty. We would pair them with these Francesca Kaye decorative candlestick holders and these sexy twist stem coupes for a playful touch.  

With Easter not far off, but the weather not playing ball, it’s more important than ever to bring the spring vibe inside. This cotton tablecloth design by London based designer and printmaker Ellen Merchant adds some much-needed seasonal cheer. There are so many vibrant hues to work your tablescape around here, but we are going for an all-out colour clash and using this Agata large pitcher as a vase to house some popping yellow spring flowers. Alternatively, if pollen isn’t your friend, this (also on sale) turquoise Gisela juicer is the perfect accessory to use it to make a pitcher of pink lemonade cocktails instead (see Chef Kurt’s recipe here). 

 

 

I’m fast becoming obsessed with blue tableware. It’s not a colour we work with too often, but I’ve been drawn to a few various blue-hued items off late. Growing up my Nan had a full blue and white chinoiserie style dinner set – popular in the eighties - and I loved it. Whenever I see similar items in charity shops, I am filled with happy nostalgic thoughts of roast chicken and gravy. The Abi collection fills me with the same sentimentally. I love this soup bowl & dinner plate setting – it's vintage but fresh and never really dates. Against a crisp white tablecloth, you’ve got a smart, Cotswold countryside vibe, or pair with stripes and lemons for an Amalfi coastal mood. 

 

 

Finally, these affordable table staples are a must–have. These art deco geometric Salt & Pepper Shakers are so perfect, whilst this scalloped edged floral butterdish hits so many of the right notes. And finally, what kind of catering company would we be if we didn’t champion the humble cheese knife? If you don’t have a good one in your cutlery drawer get one immediately. Not only do they make cutting your cheese so much easier, they also look SO much nicer on your table. You can’t go wrong with this Set of 3 Lucinda brass blade mother of pearl handled set – pretty and practical – and the perfect excuse to try them out on one of our cheese & charcuterie graze boards! 

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