We’ve moved a lot of people into gorgeous homes, so I’ve spent some time thinking about the last minute things that make a new space feel absolutely perfect. The things that personalize your home and add comfort and style.
If you are 30 years old and getting these things as wedding presents, lucky you! You can use this as your wish list. They would also make great housewarming gifts.
Here are my top 5 finishing touches that every home should have.
1. Keyed In
I love a whimsical bowl or dish near the front door for your keys. Come home, toss the keys in the dish, and you know where they are for next time. This is a place to have a bit of fun or take a risk, so find a bowl that sets the stage for the rest of the house.
If it’s a beach house, it could be a hollowed out piece of driftwood. In a fancier setting, a beautiful footed marble dish would be perfect. My entry hall has a Louis Phillipe chest of drawers with a black marble top, so I want this Jonathan Adler tiger tray to sit on it. A touch of sophistication, and totally silly at the same time.
2. Beautiful Bedding
Could anything be more important? The bed shouldn’t just be comfortable, it has to be beautiful, too. After all, it takes up a lot of real estate in the home.
I only want to sleep on percale sheets – they are crisp and fresh and just right for living in Houston, Texas. Satin sheets are woven differently and have a softer, more luxurious feel to them.
Some of the very best brands include Sferra and Pratesi, but my next set of sheets will be from Tribute Goods. They make beautiful Italian linens and collaborate with artists on their designs. What a special way to spend the night.
3. Bath Stuff
I’ve never understood it, but most people don’t think about bathroom accessories until after they’ve moved into their new home. And yet this is such an important finishing touch!
Great looking soap dispensers, tissue holders, and waste baskets are the jewelry of a bathroom, and they come in so many fantastic options now. I love the hammered metal from Pigeon & Poodle – in brass or nickel they work in almost any space. But they also carry more informal woven rattan, lucite, and even semi-precious stone varieties.
Tina Frey Design is another favorite choice, making stunning sculptural pieces out of resin that have a modern flair.
4. The Perfect Bath Towel
Just like the right bedding, a perfect bath towel makes everything right with the world. Well…maybe not quite, but they should be really wonderful – absorbent but soft, luxurious and durable.
The Aman Bath Towels from Matouk are a favorite. They have a crisp border that will help them keep their shape, and the ribbed texture gives them a modern feel. Personally I like white or off white towels for my bathroom, but I might go a little crazy in the guest bath with a color like Pool or Anthracite.
5. Yes, I do need another candle
It used to be that a candle just had to smell good, but now so many manufacturers are making them gorgeous as well.
Everything from L’Objet is a delight, but I especially love their vetiver, citrus and moss scented candle. It has a fresh, herbaceous smell. But really, it is the packaging that makes it for me. Black and gold ceramic with a really stunning eye design, it makes a great addition to a coffee table, entry table, or powder room!
