wedding gift list ideas: bath time!

17 November 2011 | Comments Off

Your Wedding Gift List creates the perfect opportunity to make your newlywed house feel like home. From the bedroom to the kitchen, the living room to the garden and even to the bathroom, the pieces you add will be the start of a happily married life together.

One of my favourite pass times is to run a soapy hot bath filled with bubbles and scented lotions. I could literally spend hours relaxing in the tub immersed in a good book! This has inspired this bathroom collection of goodies which I hope will get you in the mood to sit back and relax, maybe even treat yourself to a long soak later this evening.

The bathroom basics are a great place to start when adding things to your Gift List. But rather than keep it simple, why not opt for luxurious towels like these Personalised Cotton Towels by Monogrammed Linen Shop. There are three sizes to choose from and you can choose the embroidered message – anything from a name to a quote. Or the Personalised Mr & Mrs Wedding Gift Towels by Deborah Sparks are a romantic option that will remind you of your special day each and every time you use them. And as you’ll have a gorgeous set of towels, you’ll want a gorgeous place to display them. Orchid have a stylish Chinese Ladder, ideal for draping towels, or there’s the Vintage Pine Towel Rail by My Little Vintage Attic: hand-painted with a distressed finish making a gorgeous vintage find. But if your bathroom is a little short for space, then these Mr and Mrs Hangup Hooks by BODIE and FOU are a quirky and modern alternative.

Another necessity is a toilet roll holder like this Aged Cream Metal Toilet Roll Holder by Country Cream. It’s dainty design and aged look would complement any bathroom surround. An amusing alternative is the Cricket Loo Roll Holder by The Oak & Rope Company, perfect for any sport enthusiasts. It can be engraved with anything of your choice, or a few they recommend like, ‘Another Great Innings, Better Out Than In or Mark – 50 not out’.

Storing your bathroom essentials, like shampoos and soaps, is a great way to know what belongs to whom. I adore this Personalised Crate – Bathroom Box by Plantabox with so many colours to choose from and even the option to add wheels, it’s ideal. Or you could opt to place all your goodies on a Bathhouse Shelf like this one from The Painted Broom Company in a cream shaker style.

Once all the basics have been covered you can choose some lovely, fun pieces to make your bathroom all your own. From decorating your walls with this ‘Soap and Laughter’ Wall Lettering Quote by Aijographics to jazzing up your shower with this Heart-Shaped Shower Head by The Heart Store, the possibilities are endless. Here are a few things I wouldn’t be able to resist:

Bamboo Brick Bathmat by Hug Rug

Driftwood Heart Wreath by Ella James

Personalised Letter Soaps by Jonny’s Sister

Les Bains Toothbrush Holder by La Vie en Rose

Bamboo Fair trade Bath Reading Tray by Biome Lifestyle

Shabby Chic Wooden Bathroom Hearts by Deborah Sparks

Bathroom Shelf Blocks by Hush Baby Sleeping

Set Of Ten ‘Say It With Soap’ Handmade Bars by Sedbergh Soap Company

 

wedding gift list ideas: Plate up!

04 November 2011 | Comments Off

It’s time to plate up and have fun while choosing a dinner set to add to your Wedding Gift List. Dinner sets are one of the basics that every household needs in order to function. From eating tasty home cooked meals to hosting scrummy tea parties, make what you eat off a stylish accessory you and your friends will want to lick clean! And don’t think you are limited to your basic white chinaware as there are so many designs to choose from. You’ll be able to find one that fits right in with your home.

traditional with a twist

If you’re hunting for a set that’s quite basic but with a pinch of flair, opting for a white or cream collection could be best. The Orchard’s Crown Embossed Ceramic Dinner Set has an aged effect finish and subtle ornate detailing to create a royal dinner service while the French White Heart Set by Out of Love has gorgeous heart detailing; ideal for any newlyweds’ humble abode, plus its dishwasher safe! For a slight hint of colour the Wonki Ware Cabbage Rose Side & Dinner Plates by The Rose Shack are glazed in a subtle pink hue for that extra charm and come in two hand drawn patterns. But if you want something more classic, Pimlico Dinner Set by Sorbet Living is perfect with its simple, decorative dotty edge.

fun and quirky

For a dinner set that makes a statement all on its own, you’d be spoilt for choice with Lou Rota’s stunning range. My favourites are the Jewel Beetle And Forget-Me-Not Side Plate, the Assorted Flamingo Side Plates and the Hummingbird And Lily-Of-The-Valley Plate. Each is gorgeously hand-decorated and a sure talking point at any dinner party. Don’t think you have to keep to the normal round shape for your dinner service. These Hanging People Side Plates Set of Four by alice mara ceramics are a contemporary square design, decorated with hanging people around the edge for a touch of amusement. If bright colours are more to your taste, then these Thomas Paul Sea Life Dinner Plates by Supernice will freshen up any meal time whether you’re by the seaside or not.

vintage teatime

In the past tea parties and stylish dinners were all the range, so why not channel that past etiquette by opting for a set that reflects that era? Once Upon A Tea Cup’s Royal Albert Bone China Vintage Tea Plates are beautifully designed or the Upcycled Butterflies And Hat Vintage Plates by Melody Rose, with gold trim and surreal style, would definitely make the cut. For a one-off collection, the Four Mismatched Vintage Plates by The Vintage Tea Cup are 1930s originals, each delicately hand painted with its own design. If you want to widen your ceramics to a tea set too (after all we are channelling all things vintage), then The Orchard’s Vintage Tea Party Set of Side Plates, Tea Pots, Milk Jugs & Sugar Bowls and Tea Cups is so stylishly, shabby chic that you’ll love hosting tea parties.

wedding styling too

Don’t think you have to keep your dinner set to the kitchen as your wedding day is also a perfect place to show off your gorgeous chinaware. Use plates as table names/numbers for a quirky take on wedding styling. Snowden Flood has an iconic selection of London River Plates that are printed with historical, landmark buildings, making them a great addition to any London wedding. They can be bought individually or in a set, so you can decide what location each table represents. Another option is the fun Alphabet Plates by JustNoey. Opt for table initials, rather than numbers, for your table plan so each setting can represent a special word to you both. Whether it be your initials, the first letter of the place met or your honeymoon destination, the possibilities are endless. You could even have the plates spell out a romantic word and ask your guests to work out what it is. For a bit of fun there could even be a prize for whoever gets it right first.

 

luxe love

21 October 2011 | Comments Off

Ahead of our appearance at the The Luxury Wedding Show at the Saatchi Gallery this weekend, we’ve put together two luxury collections full of gift list and wedding styling inspiration. As we’ve discovered, creating a luxury look for your home or wedding day doesn’t necessarily have to come with a ‘luxury price tag’. The first offering of luxe love to indulge your eyes and creative juices this lunchtime, focuses on luxury Wedding Gift List items; inspiring you to add a touch of luxury to your home.

Luxury Gift List

Candlesticks and candelabra are the perfect way to add a touch of luxury to your home decor and to bring that something special to your dining table when entertaining guests. These Short Silver Candlesticks are a great choice, as are these Vintage Candlesticks in a crystal style. The Vintage Style Metal Candelabra has a rustic charm but is no less luxurious than a shiny metal version. Other table accessories such as the Duck Egg Linen Collection, Linen Postcard Placemats, Lace and Linen Table Runner, Hand Embroidered Napkins and The Pewter Oak Leaf Napkin Rings will help to add some luxe chic to your table.

Egyptian cotton bed sheets are the ultimate luxury bedroom accessory. Hollywood celebrities swear by them and why shouldn’t you too? The Chateau Company have a fabulous, high-end and high-quality selection that will have you not only sleeping sound but in the lap of luxury too. And no self-respecting bed, dripping in fine Egyptian cotton, would be complete without a luxury throw and an abundance of beautiful cushions. Some gorgeous examples start with the Cashmere King Size Blanket; it’s finished with a fine silk trim and comes in a range of colours, the Monogrammed Woven Silk Blanket – perfect for a newly married couple and we love the Santeen Floral Print Chintz Quilt. Mixing fabrics and layering quilts and throws can help create a luxurious bedroom look and make for an extremely inviting bed! The Luxurious Velvet Bedspread, The Contemporary Faux Fur Bedspread Throw and Milano Bedspread in Percale all invite you to add a heap of mismatched cushions for a quirky yet decadent look or of course to scatter on your sofa too.

Our pick of ultra luxe cushions include; the Silk Cushion, the Decorative Crewel Stitched Cushion, the Cushion Kashan, the Velvet Union Jack Cushion and the Fleur De Lotus Printed Cushion. Other soft furnishings such as rugs are a great Wedding Gift List item and a great way to sprinkle a bit of luxury into your home. A cool and quirky option is the Stella Felt Rug and we love the Chains Rug too.

A fabulous way to indulge and be indulged, is to add larger luxury items and enable the Gift List Contributions on your Wedding Gift List. The Gatsby Art Deco Mirror, The Fish Eye Mirror and the, Vintage Embellished Mirror will reflect luxury across home. Other larger items such as The Bijou Buttoned Chair, the Vintage Restored Salon Chair, the Bakula Chaise Longe, the Oriental Ball Leg Coffee Table, the Painted Corner Glass Cupboard and the Victorian Drop End Chesterfield sofa, ooze luxury. Some of the pieces are actually one offs and some aren’t, but they all have that one of a kind, exclusive and unique appeal.

So, indulge and be inspired to dash some decadence and sprinkle some luxury into your home styling, by creating a Wedding Gift List that’s brimming with gifts that your guests will love to give.

We’ll be at The Luxury Wedding Show this weekend and hope to see you there! If you can’t make it to the Saachi Gallery this weekend, we will be giving a full report next week and the second part of luxe love, focusing on luxury wedding styling, will be available for your viewing pleasure too.

 

pop art

29 September 2011 | Comments Off

We love a bit of fizz at notonthehighstreet.com. Luckily there is usually lots to celebrate! And there is certainly cause for celebration when a wedding is on the cards, which is why we are so into these champagne-inspired home accessories. Even if you’ve got to sit down and do the most boring of chores, sit on an champagne cork stool, and it’s bound to be more fun. So what if you only had time to make beans on toast for you and hubby – you can sprinkle on some magic with a champagne cork cruet set. OK, so we are exaggerating a little… but any coolly-designed gifts with a sense of fun would be sure to make it onto our wedding gift list, and we know our guests would be overjoyed to buy them. The champagne bottle stopper is a perfect little extra wedding gift, and the beautiful heart champagne cork art work is a gift to be treasured forever. The ‘Save water, drink champagne’ sentiment isn’t just restricted to a tea towel, you can find it on an apron and in a print too.

Original ideas to make your wedding list sparkle.

Find out more about our unique gift list service and get tempted here.

 

make your day a masterpiece

06 September 2011 | Comments Off

An increasing number of engaged couples are looking to push the creative boundaries and make their wedding day stand out from the crowd. The hunt for a quirky and creative photographer is becoming such an important planning factor, as is coming up with original keepsake ideas and ways to remember your day for years to come.

A new trend is for couples to commission an artist who creates a special ‘masterpiece’ to commemorate your wedding day. Your first thought is probably the cost, but it really isn’t as expensive as you would think. And if you’re thinking the kind of art I’m referring to is along the lines of an eighteenth century style oil painting – think again! The personalised prints available can be an artistic version of your favourite wedding photograph together or of your wedding venue. There are a number of artists and creative companies out there that, together, offer a diverse range of contemporary, chic and quirky design ideas and styles, to make your piece of personalised wedding artwork the piece de resistance.

Cat’s Print Shop, create custom designed digital silhouette prints of wedding couples from photographs. They are designed using a palette of contemporary and vintage inspired colours that you can choose from and you are also given the option to have a personal message on your print. The silhouettes are stunning and are great for depicting the more intimate moments of your day. Hickory Pig, give you the option to have a unique print made of your wedding venue or to capture a special moment from the day. Their illustrations are hand drawn using a mouse pen. They are drawn from scratch, to create a very special, personalised illustration capturing all of the detail and atmosphere.

Letterfest, provide a bespoke sketch of your wedding venue and personalise their prints further to include names, wedding date and venue printed in script. Their Illustration is also done by hand in a cool contemporary style. They also offer gift vouchers (as do a number of sellers) for people to buy as gifts before your wedding day and offer you the option to order a number of additional prints at great value prices, which would make perfect post-wedding gifts for new in-laws.

Rebekah Daley, creates bespoke, hand drawn and hand painted sketches of wedding couples from photographs provided. The elegant and chic, black and white sketch style makes each one a small work of art. Lucy, at Gift’s by Lucy, creates chic black and white personalised venue prints. The cool monochrome prints are detailed replicas of the original photo she is provided with. Both of these artistic wedding keepsakes are classic and timeless.

Finally, for a splash of colour and fun The Poetry Studio create a bright ‘Warhol-inspired’ canvas from a wedding photo, for those who want something a bit different to remember their big day by. Vibrant colours and the repetitive pattern make this personal piece of art bold and fun.

Will you be making a masterpiece of your day? Which artistic style would you choose?

 

wedding gift list contributions have arrived!

25 July 2011 | Comments Off

Wedding gift list contributions are here at last and we are very excited indeed! The introduction of this great new feature allows your guests to contribute money to your gift list, allowing you to spend the total amount on lovely gifts of your choice.

The feature is easy to use for both you and your guest and is another way of us giving you choice in how you want your gift list to work for you. The feature means you can opt to put the money towards higher-priced gifts items, such as furniture, instead of or as well as lots of smaller items, should you wish.

When setting up your wedding gift list, you have the choice to activate gift list contributions. If you change your mind nearer the wedding that is no problem, you can allow or disable the feature with one click at any time.

Here’s how it works…

You’ve got your eye on this gorgeous Reclaimed Wood Table and Bench and would love your guests to contribute funds to enable you buy it.

  • You enable contributions when setting up your list, so when your friends and families search for your list they can clearly see the wedding gift list contributions icon.
  • Your guests can click on the icon and simply choose the amount they which to give. This can be any amount up to £500.
  • Each contribution is added to your wedding gift list account. You also have the option to view details of each contribution, including gift messages that your friends and family can choose to leave when making their contribution.
  • When making their contribution your guests will be shown six of the highest priced items on your list, so they have an idea of what lovely items their generosity may have gone towards.
  • You can spend the contributions on whatever you want and simply need to ‘close your list’ after your wedding to do so.
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    wedding whirlwind

    28 April 2010 | 1 comment

    Are you caught up in a wedding whirlwind like we are? We just counted up that we have over 35 weddings to go to this year in our office. But it’s all good! Weddings are always brilliant occasions, and because we have a wealth of wedding-related ideas on our site, we wanted to share our finds with you.

    If you’re not confined to a wedding gift list, the personalised wedding plantabox is a great idea and very affordable. You can add the name of the bride and groom and the date of their wedding. Or, if the newlyweds aren’t the gardening types, a personalised piece of art is a wonderful idea. You can create a vintage letter press montage or a bespoke map heart – choose the place where the couple met, or their honeymoon destination. Make your wedding card stand out with a bit of personalisation too (for only £1.95!).

    If you’re getting married yourself, you’re probably looking for unique ideas everywhere at the moment. Our favourite ideas that are a bit different include these freeze dried rose wedding favours, just beautiful, and the wedding cake picture above – it certainly makes a statement! And for decorating the big day itself, your place name cards can be created to suit your theme, and make it easy for your guests to navigate the wedding venue with vintage signs. Keep the children amused with giant noughts and crosses. And for a wedding gift list service that you, and your guests, will love, try notonthehighstreet.com’s. Click here to see the product range.

    If you are looking for something in particular concerning weddings, please get in touch. We love to hear from you!