One of the most interesting trends this year is the global traveller. A blend of cultures, themes and materials, it’s about collecting and bringing beautiful pieces together from all over the world.

Search the Souk

Ideally we would all be able to pair the stunning silk hand-embroidered rug we sourced in Malaysia with the clay pot picked up at a fabulous little market in South Africa, but in today’s economy, expensive travel is just not an option for the majority of us.

Eastern promise

Take these Starbay Malindi baskets from Barker and Stonehouse for instance. Beautifully rendered in rattan with leather trim handles, a cloth inner lining and brass hardware, they are sturdy and practical but have a gorgeous eastern look about them.

Put them on the floor next to your contemporary sofa to keep your magazines and books in. Or fill with elegant silk orchids or vibrant flowers and place either side of chest of drawers in a bedroom for instant glamour.

Layering and mixing cultures

Remember, the traveller trend is all about mixing cultures and influences, so don’t be afraid to experiment.

Layering decorative patterns and rich colours will give you an eastern feel so go for plenty of silks in hot colours such as fucshia and gold in between delicate prints and bolder designs. Bright colours look particularly striking against minimalist pieces so experiment with rich silks on your contemporary sofa, or runners on your dining table.

Magic carpet

To give your traveller’s paradise a touch of tribal style, try a rug with a Navajo or Ikat pattern. The Royal Kashqai rugs are a special order item from Barker and Stonehouse and come in a range of traditional and tribal designs. The Kash-06, with its earthy tones and eye catching Navajo-esque pattern is a beautiful piece and will look stunning against a background of colour and cultural influences.


Decorative items or souvenir pieces are key to this look so use lots of pots and ceramics in your displays.

The jagged edge and gradual colouration of Barker and Stonehouse’s Rough cast bowls lend them a rustic feel, perfect for a centre piece on your dining table, or fill with tea lights and place on a chest of drawers.

World traveller

Finally, displaying world maps on your walls, or even better, showcasing a decorative globe will boost your traveller credentials.

So, whether you long for the open seas and distant shores or are more of a homebody at heart, this season, give your home that well-travelled look.

But, to make sure your towels remain wonderfully soft, you need to buy the right ones. Which are the right ones? So glad you asked. Look for combed cotton on the labels of the towels you are considering purchasing. When they take the extra time to comb the cotton, they are eliminating the pieces that do not make the cut. Also, check to see that they are 100 percent cotton too, anything synthetic thrown in there will not lead to softness.

Next do a visual test by pulling apart the fibers to see how tightly compacted the loops are on the perspective towel. The closer they are the greater absorbency power they hold. And while you are carrying out this inspection, look at the edges of the towels, a double stitched seam will last longer than a single one. Bottom line, you want a strong towel with a softness that comes from good quality material and attention to detail.

To do things right, you need more than to just keep it impeccably clean. Though that is imperative too. Nice touches like decorative soaps, beautiful handtowels, and scented candles will enhance the space. But you need to ensure that the handtowels are hung from a nice holder or bar, that the soaps lie in a lovely dish, and that the candle sit upon a matching container.

But even all of that will not work if you do not complete any projects in progress, or insert bathroom furniture to make things look finished. All too many households leave bathrooms as the last rooms to make perfect. And you know what, that is fine while it is only your immediate family using the facilities. But, during the holidays crunch time is in full swing. Make it a priority, and you and your guests will be happy that you did.

Here is a list of the one’s we have used in the not so distant past.

1.    Wishing you joy.

2.    Warmest wishes for the happiest of holiday seasons.

3.    May the bells ring in the happiest of New Years.

4.    May Joy be with you all year long.

5.    Tis the season to rejoice

This year we are considering a quote, but from whom is a real topic of anxiety right now. Votes for Mother Teresa, Buddy the Elf and Charles Dickens are on the top of the list, but there is still time for a last minute entry. Well, happy holidays from our family to yours.

I personally have relied upon this one quite a few times, as it is not only delicious, but looks great as well. Let me share with you the stuffed mushroom recipe that has made my world of entertaining more of a joy than a journey. As for the ingredients get a load of how many of them you will undoubtedly have on hand.

Just gather:

• Olive oil
• 3 slices whole wheat bread
• 1 large clove of garlic
• 5 ounces soft goat cheese,
• 1/2 cup parsley leaves
• 1/4 teaspoon chili flakes
• Salt
• 20 ounces button mushrooms

To Make:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Coat baking sheet with oil.
3. In a blender mix the bread and garlic until small crumbs are made
4. Then add the parsley, and chili flakes, cheese and salt to taste and blend well. Fill each mushroom with the filling.
5. Put mushrooms on the baking sheet and cook for fifteen minutes.

Take out a pound of uncooked, peeled prawns, skewers, a large onion, and a red bell pepper. Chop the onion in to chunks, and do the same with the pepper large enough to slot in between the prawns on the skewers, and then stack these on the skewer with the prawns. Next, combined two tablespoons of dark Malibu rum, 1½  teaspoons of Madras powder, ¼ teaspoon ground allspice, ¼ teaspoon piri piri pepper, ½ teaspoons coarse salt, and 1 tablespoon extra virigin olive oil.  Coat the skewers with the marinade and let soak in for five minutes. Finally, cook on grill for approximately 3 minutes on each side. Serve a touch more of the Rum in a mixed drink style to compliment this treat.

Of course the responses have varied a great deal, and there have been some stories that were either surprising, or less than inspiring. But, overall, the one common thread was not that each of those women had a life long ambition since childhood to become a stellar hostess, but that their was a moment in time when they could not just wing it, the outcome was all too important.

So, the fact that they faced a point where all had to go smoothly, they rose to the occasion, extended their proverbial wings and took flight. Now, needless to say not all of those important events went perfectly, and some of the ladies tales are even a bit harrowing to listen to. However, the point is they took the steps in the right direction and now years later have a track record that would put the average event planner to shame. Therefore, if you are just starting to host parties, meals, or any other type of gathering remember that you have to do learn from the first attempts and then, you will blossom from your own efforts.

One of the things that makes monogramming so special is that you can select from so many different fonts. Thus, you can infuse the table with a dramatic, frivolous, funky, or modern appeal. Thought many people think of monogramming as a thing of the past, or a process that only applies to certain specific styles, it is not so. What style you promote is entirely up to the font you select, and there really is something for everyone’s taste.

To make this extra cute, use cellophane bags with holiday print, a personalized nametag made with a stamp and cardstock. Hold it all together with a hand painted clothes pin that has a magnet glued to the back of it. Then your guests can add the magnet to their fridge to attach your holiday family greeting card to, or even their own.

It is super thoughtful, and a cinch to make. Plus, who can resist the tantalising scent of hot cookies straight from the oven, nobody. We’ll be surprised if they are not scarfed down in the car on the journey home.

Mix the butter and sugar together in a bowl, and then beat in the vanilla and flour. In another bowl, combined the flour, baking powder, nutmeg and salt and mix together. Slowly stir in the dry mixture into the wet and chill for four hours. Then, roll out the dough and cut out the cookies. Finally bake at three hundred and fifty degrees Fahrenheit for ten minutes. The outside should be crispy, but the inside soft.