WELCOME TO MINFORD

Given the sweltering temperatures in London of late I’ve been dragging everything out into the garden and making my home under the shade of our overgrown apple tree. “Children join me if you wish but I shalln’t be moving”.

Clearly I didn’t take out just any old thing. My current garden/ outdoor living/ summerhouse soft furnishing obsession is mixing pink with a bit of red in lots of clashing patterns. First up is this beauteous block printed quilt from Molly Mahon.  It’s in the softest cotton and makes for a seriously nice lounging companion.  I mixed it with a paler pink cushion in a contrasting print and chucked in my favourite vintage striped friend for good measure. A rather pleasing combo. As you can see I’m not the only fan.

I don’t know where you are reading this from today but it comes to you from central London that is in the midst of a heatwave. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining.

I’ve longed for the sun the entire winter! And yesterday it was sun we got. When the mercury hit 34 (so said my car thermometer) I had to hose myself and the children down in the garden. We all dried off under our apple tree and it got me to thinking about how the towels we were wrapped in are my favourite summer accessories.

They’re like saying to your body “hey there, it’s summer, season of holidays and rosé – rejoice”. They make me think of lying out on a Greek island and sleeping in a whitewashed stone house. They conjure all kinds of summertime feels. We use them on holiday, in the park, on sticky nights after a bath and they usher in summer for me.

These three towels are my picks: There’s my spendy buy above from the Conran Shop: Conran Hamman Towels  available in 10 different colours.

Then there’s the most subtle blush Numero 74 Set of 3 Honeycomb Towels that come in eight colours.

And lastly, the Designers Guild Orica Towels that also come in seven colours and four different sizes. You’ll spy the White Company’s Spa Restore hand and body wash that I’ve picked up recently and not stopped using. It’s the geranium and eucalyptus scents that have propably set me off on that whole Greek summer vibe again.

This post has sprung from a desperate plea from various friends about what in the world to buy for Father’s Day. I’m not about to start banging on about experience days and artisanal alcohol gifts but what I can share is what I have personally decided to purchase. I realised my husband was in dire need of a new backpack the other day when I spotted him jumping on his bike to work with a couple of safety pins holding the zip together. Matches sale started and it all fell happily into place.  I bought a Malle Backpack almost identical to the one below (sadly now sold out so hurry if you think it might work for you).

I don’t think you can go wrong with a bag purchase be it backpack, satchel, weekend or wash bag. Here’s my round up below hopefully with something for every budget.

Whistles Roll Top Backpack has 30% off . Mango Canvas Weekend Bag . Malle Edward Cotton-Canvas Backpack has 60% off . Sandqvist Messenger Bag . Malle William Backpack has 50% off . Cos Cotton Canvas Wash Bag

I bought these personalised book stickers for Benjamin and my godson recently and I’ve decided they need to be shared.

I love gifts for children with an oldie worldie charm (I am trying to resist the sparkled plastic stuff for as long as possible). These beautiful bookplates tick the box as something that parents and children will both like.

They do require a little forward planing if you’ve got a Christening deadline as shipping is from America but hi there thoughtful godparent.

Frankly I’m ordering them for myself and sticking them in all my books.

The above bookplate: Tiger Bookplate

Owl & Pussycat Bookplates . First Star Bookplates . Moon Garden Bookplates . Flower Crown Bookplates . Vintage Jaguar Bookplates

If you’ve been following the journal for some time this post won’t come as a surprise to you. It’s no secret that I am a huge fan of rattan furniture.

For me, rattan is really a chance to flex the more eccentric side of my decor style. Whilst my home is largely decorated in subtle, quiet tones and plenty of grey, I secretly harbour a desire to live in an old school, chintzy, country pile.

That’s exactly where rattan furniture belongs – in the grand conservatories of stately homes. I don’t quite have the stately home sorted, but with one rattan chair, I feel as though I’ve caught the vibe.

But rattan’s a versatile old thing. Styled minimally, it can also bring a ’50s LA mood or conjure the feeling of an American home in the Hamptons.

It’s having a bit of a moment right now which means there are some excellent pieces to be found. Below should get your imagination going.

1.Low Rattan Chair . 2. Bamboo Pendant Light Not strictly rattan but you get that basket, woven vibe . 3.  Natural Rattan Dining Chair . 4. Vintage Rattan Charger Plates 5. La Petite Brocante chair. The site, run by Anne Catherine, always has fabulous new stock and focuses a lot on rattan. Follow her on insta here for all her latest stock.