DANIEL HOPWOOD
Interior designer, former president of the British Institute of Interior Design and judge on the BBC’s The Great Interior Design Challenge.
1950s Italian chair I could walk with confidence into the Charles Burnand showroom and buy a classic 1950s Italian chair. I believe that having a vintage or antique piece in a scheme adds real personality to a living space. I think I’d have the chair upholstered in two fabrics – a strong pattern from Dedar to draw attention, and a Gastón y Daniela velvet for a little luxury.
This pair of Giulia Veronesi ‘Perla’ armchairs costs £5,735 from Charles Burnand via 1st Dibs
Succulent and earthenware pot If you gave me £30, I would slip over to Clifton Nurseries and blow it on a succulent. The plant wouldn’t cost that much money, but I would splash the rest on a rough earthenware pot for it to sit in.
This potted aloe capitata plant is available for £28 from Abigail Ahern via Amara
Egyptian satin cotton bed linen Good bed linen – changed at least twice a week and sent to the launderette – is my idea of luxury. I’m particularly fond of the Egyptian satin cotton linen from Josephine Home, which is delicious to slide into. My favourites have a smart navy-blue piping.
Prices start at £220 for a ‘Classic’ soft and silky duvet cover from Josephine Home – josephinehome.co.uk
SOPHIE CONRAN
Cook and homeware designer for Portmeirion.
Six-arm ‘Oak Branch’ chandelier This classic, antique-style chandelier would work amazingly in my country home. The house was once owned by the Duke of Wellington, whose oak-leaf symbol features heavily in the cornicing around the building. I also love the idea of mighty oaks springing from tiny acorns – magical.
This six-arm ‘Oak Branch’ chandelier costs £2,520 from Richard Taylor Designs, richardtaylordesigns.co.uk
19th-century swing mirror I find that sellingantiques.co.uk is such an amazing resource for stylish pieces. I am currently working on a men’s dressing-room project and I think this charmingly simple design will work really well in the Edwardian room, which has dark-brown marble and wood finishes.
This 19th-century swing mirror costs £285 from McBains Antiques Center via sellingantiques.co.uk
‘Reeded’ ball knob I adore the classic simplicity of these elegant knobs, and though they are normally used for cabinets, I will be using them on the window shutters of a Regency house, to match the door knobs that are already there.
Crafted from polished nickel, this reeded ball knob costs £24 from SDS London, sdslondon.co.uk
TIM GOSLING
Interior and furniture designer.
Miniature easel With a £30 budget, I would plump for one of these cute miniature easels, in either oak or mahogany, from Green & Stone on the King’s Road. They’re a neat little way to display vintage postcards or family photographs.
Prices start at £24.75 for a tripod easel from Green & Stone, greenandstone.com
Framed butterflies This framed set of butterflies is absolutely stunning. The colours are magnificent, and it would make a great starting point for a collection – you could buy two sets for £300.
From Insect Frame UK, this trio of butterflies costs £129.95, insectframe.co.uk
1940s coffee table I would choose this delightful 1940s coffee table – the lines are spectacular and it’s almost impossible to find tables that look exciting and not just like blocks in the middle of the room! This certainly has magic at £2,200.
This mirrored coffee table with cheval legs costs £2,200 from Kulik Selzer, kulikselzer.com
SARA MILLER
Stationery and homeware designer for Portmeirion.
‘Duck Feet’ table mirror This is an instant mood-changer for my quirky side! I often enjoy illustrating geese and ducks in my design work, and this piece transports me to an imaginary world full of charming characters.
This ‘Duck Feet’ table mirror costs £29.95 from Graham & Green, grahamandgreen.co.uk
Green velvet footstool I can never say no to velvet furniture. I love the richness of texture on this footstool, especially in this deep colour. I have a slight obsession with green things at the moment, and I love the contrast with the metal studs, which emphasises the crossover of the legs.
Also from Graham & Green, this striking green velvet footstool costs £215
‘Charade’ capsule daybed Oh my! Talk about bringing a ‘wow’ factor to your living space. The clean lines and simplicity of this piece are effortlessly elegant. I also love the combination of colour and texture, which is understated yet totally beautiful.
Sculptural ‘Charade’ capsule daybed, £2,750 from Jonathan Adler, uk.jonathanadler.com
MATTHEW WILLIAMSON
Fashion and interior designer.
Anna Hayman art print Anna Hayman creates the chicest wallpaper and lampshades, and I absolutely love her sense of colour and pattern. Her charming fashion prints are just the perfect present, and at that price, you could buy one for yourself too!
Anna Hayman with Beth Fraser ‘Patsy’ art print, £35 – rockettstgeorge.co.uk
A totem sculpture from Ashley Hicks I’ve long admired these curious, colourful and whimsical sculptures from Ashley Hicks. I think they would bring a touch of magic to any room and, if anyone is interested, they are at the top of my Christmas list!
‘Emilia’ sculpture, £2,200, Ashley Hicks – ashleyhicks.com
A lamp or shade from Irving and Morrison Irving and Morrison are masters of woodblock-printed fabrics for lampshades, and they also stock the most unique selection of handmade ceramic lamp bases. I’ve had my eye on this beauty for some time, and the only decision now is which gorgeous shade to pick for it.
This striking ‘Miguel’ lampshade costs £342 from Irving & Morrison, irvingandmorrison.com
ABIGIAL AHERN
Author, blogger and owner of design boutique, Abigail Ahern.
Linen bedding I’m obsessed with linen bedding – it is such a breathable fabric that keeps you warm in winter and cool in the summer, plus it becomes softer after each wash. Linen from specialist Merci comes in the most wonderful hues – every time I’m in Paris I add another to my collection! Abigail loves to buy her linen from Merci in Paris (merci-merci.com), but Loaf’s ‘Lazy Linen’ is available in the UK and prices start at £40 for a pair of pillowcases.
Available from loaf.com
Anemone Pool by Morris Shulman I am in the midst of building up my art collection, and although I have a lovely selection of works in all of the key rooms, I don’t have enough in transitional spaces like hallways and landings. I like abstract and expressionist paintings, so I was immediately drawn to Morris Shulman’s Anemone Pool. I’m obsessed with intriguing the eye in my interiors, and this painting does exactly that.
Anemone Pool by Morris Shulman, £2,789, Lawrence Fine Art
Santa Maria Novella pot pourri I know pot pourri has a bad reputation, but this is another level. It’s a magical scent made by hand using ancient methods. It’s a full-bodied blend of herbs and flowers, grown without pesticides in the Florentine Hills. It’s aged for months and lasts forever. I decant it into tea-light holders and pop it all over my pad.
‘Sacchetto’ in ‘Seta Bordeaux’ pot pourri bag, $52, Santa Maria Novella – buy.smnovella.com
Are you on the hunt for luxurious bedding, decorative accessories or beautiful furniture? We've asked five of the most influential interiors experts and designers what they would buy if we gave them £30, £300 and £3000 to spend. Let their choices inspire your next shopping trip...
The feature first appeared in the November 2017 issue of Homes & Antiques.