Friday Finds: Indie anthems, tabletop treasures, floral how-tos, Nigella's favourite Sydney dessert + India Knight's house
From Pulp to petals via a dreamy English farmhouse.
Books and flowers
If there’s one thing I’m obsessed with – and let’s be honest, there are many – it’s books and flowers. Not just any books and flowers, mind you, but jugs, vases, and vessels of blooms precariously perched atop stacks of books, preferably in that expertly ramshackle style of Sean A. Pritchard’s home. If you’re not already following him on Instagram, head over there now for instant cheer and endless country home inspiration.
Sean A. Pritchard is the award-winning British garden designer who makes “cottagecore” look like a high art form. His book Outside In: A Year of Growing & Displaying is a masterclass in bringing the garden indoors, with riotous blooms filling every corner, every jug, and every stack of books in his 17th-century cottage in Somerset. On Instagram, you’ll find him arranging flowers in vases and jugs, but he also loves to use a florist’s Ikebana frog and an antique bowl for extra special displays of tulips and daffodils.
I recently stumbled onto a brilliant video tutorial by florist Freddie Garland on how to arrange flowers using a florist’s frog (you can buy one here), and now I’m convinced every home needs one. It’s the perfect excuse to buy more vintage bowls, more flowers, and – inevitably – more books.
Pulp merch perfection
If you’ve been anywhere near the internet this past weekend, you’ve experienced serious FOMO watching Pulp’s surprise-not-surprise appearance at Glastonbury. It was a glorious, glittery, middle-aged dance party that had everyone from Gen Xers to their kids’ babysitters losing their minds. I’ve only seen “Common People” but I grinned madly all the way through.
Beyond the stage, Pulp have been busy with some delightfully unexpected merch collabs for their latest album. There’s an old-fashioned notebook from London’s beloved stationery store Choosing Keeping (apparently Jarvis is a customer) – perfect for scribbling down your own Britpop-inspired musings. Plus, a box of tea with Dragonfly, because nothing says “sophisticated indie rocker” like sipping Earl Grey. And, because no comeback is complete without a bit of bling, Pulp have teamed up with the queens of perspex jewellery, Tatty Devine, for a limited edition necklace and brooch. Love them.
New tableware collab at HAY
I caught an early glimpse on Instagram of HAY’s upcoming dinnerware collaboration, previewed during Copenhagen’s recent 3 Days of Design. La Pittura is a bold new tableware collection, created by artist Emma Kohlmann in partnership with HAY co-founder Mette Hay.
Each of the 19 ceramic pieces is hand-painted, showcasing Kohlmann’s expressive, playful style and the seamless blend of art and function. The collection bursts with vibrant colour, featuring bold brushstrokes and abstract patterns across plates, bowls, cups and serving dishes. La Pittura will officially launch in August. Keep an eye on HAY’s socials.
India Knight’s home is up for sale
If you’re not already subscribing to India Knight’s glorious Substack, you may not know that she’s selling her beyond-dreamy farmhouse in Suffolk. It’s the stuff of my childhood English picture books: pale pink plaster exterior, a wildflower meadow just beyond the front door, rambling roses and William Morris wallpaper paired with the most perfect celery green walls. Think Brambly Hedge but for grown-ups.
And the light-filled rustic barn with exposed beams! The bookshelves lining the walls! Dramatic floor-to-ceiling windows on both sides! It’s wildly romantic and of course beautifully decorated. It’s enough to make me turn my back on modernism forever. Shhh. Check out the real estate listing here.
Nigella’s favourite Sydney restaurants - and her go-to dishes
If you’ve been tracking Nigella Lawson’s latest Sydney sojourn, you’ll know she’s been eating her way through the city with infectious delight, documenting every favourite dish and restaurant for her millions of followers. Her glowing review of Ragazzi’s Jerusalem artichoke ravioli had me instantly plotting my own visit: described as a nutty, mysteriously earthy filling, exquisitely paired with burnt honey and pecorino, and crowned with gloriously bitter “pencil sharpener shavings” of deep-fried Jerusalem artichoke. Nigella calls it “the sound of a cello in food form”. Who could resist such poetry on a chilly Sydney evening?
But it’s not just pasta that’s got me inspired. On Nigella’s advice, I’ll be making a beeline for the “beauteous Bombalaska” at Fratelli Paradiso, her self-declared “happy place” and “home [away] from home” in Potts Point.
This $21 dessert is a cult classic for a reason: a base of hazelnut praline, a mound of pistachio semifreddo and lemon curd, all hidden beneath a flame-bronzed Italian meringue. Nigella “swooned” over every spoonful, declaring, “I don’t expect to eat a better pudding while I’m here, and I don’t need to: I’ll just keep on coming back for this!”
Let me know if you’d like me to compile a list of Nigella’s favourite Sydney restaurants and her go-to dishes. Let’s call it “Nigella’s not-so-secret Sydney”.
Joanna’s banners
Instagram can be a bit of a lucky dip when it serves up suggestions you may like, so I was happy to discover Joanna Thompson’s delightful handcrafted fabric banners. Each one is individually made and they’re perfect as vibrant wall hangings for the home or at events.
Her shop features an array of designs to choose from, but if you’re seeking something truly special, you can also request a custom design tailored to your style or space.
I especially love this idea of using the banners as canopies over children’s beds. Such a cosy and creative touch!
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I’d love a compilation of Sydney favourites…. It’s where I am from originally but haven’t lived for decades.
I've got heaps of vintage flower frogs- I usually bung in one flower (leaf, branch etc) and call it a day. Freddie's arrangement using RHUBARB leaves(!) was inspirational!
I really like Sean's floral extravaganzas too, but they don't suit our house (too cottagey)
p.s. flower frogs make fabulous incense holders, on their own or in pretty dish