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What's hot this spring: from hampers to handbags
Our roundup of what's new this spring, from Apple's new gold MacBook to monogrammed baskets
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Your support makes all the difference.We take a look at what’s trending this season, what’s new in the world of interiors, the latest gadgets, and what to wear for those chilly evenings.
Must-have hampers
Fortnum & Mason has curated everything needed for a delicious spread in the Easter Feast Hamper, including half a leg of lamb, fresh rosemary, a jar of Mint Savour, a bottle of Fortnum’s fine Rioja and an array of chocolate eggs (£90, fortnumandmason.com). Alternatively, the £70 Easter Hunt Hamper includes an assortment of treats to keep children entertained including two bunnies and milk chocolate eggs that are exclusive to this hamper as well as a Peter Rabbit biscuit.
Shop it
For more suggestions visit standard.co.uk/besthampers. From luxury assortments for grown-ups to mini baskets for the little ones, browse spring-themed hampers that ought to impress even the pickiest guest.
Tropical trends
House of Hackney’s new Pampas collection takes inspiration from equatorial oases and merges the silhouettes and shadow formations of banana leaves, ferns and grasses. Bursts of cerulean blue, tangerine, azalea and viridis green bring the tropical trend to life. The ‘Chatsworth’, a grand garden room style sofa featuring a polished wooden frame, feather wrap seat, feather back, rattan side panels and fibre arm cushions in the Pampas print would require a generous budget of £4,495. However, the style can be introduced into a space using a lamp shade or cushion from the range for £75 (houseofhackney.com).
Designer destination
Tara Bernerd is the go-to designer for urban chic so it is little wonder the SIXTY SoHo in New York enlisted her help for the hotel’s new look. She has revamped the lobbies, bar and 96 bedrooms of the iconic destination (previously called 60 Thompson), giving it a European townhouse vibe. Doubles start at around £238. (sixtyhotels.com/soho)
Gold star
For the first time, the Apple MacBook is available in gold, silver and space grey aluminium finishes. Weighing just two pounds, the 12-inch Retina display is the thinnest ever on a Mac. A new battery design maximises every millimetre of space to deliver all-day battery life. Prices start from £1,049 via apple.com from 10 April.
On your bike
Gear up for Spring with Brompton’s latest folding bicycle. The sleek and smart Black Edition bikes have been designed with the urban cyclist in mind. They retain all of the original features. However, a number of key components are in black rather than the usual silver. “City life at night was the inspiration behind the Black Edition. We were keen to try a sleek black Brompton mixed with pops of bright colour, as well as the full black effect,” says the brand’s Will Butler-Adams. Available in Berry Crush, Lime Green or Lagoon Blue. This is a great space saver (from £945; brompton.com).
Bag it
As holidays beckon, it is a good time to invest in an outdoor accessory. British brand Rae Feather launched in 2013 with a collection of cashmeres and cotton shirts. Branching into bags, there are now monogrammed baskets available in different colours and styles. Clutches start at £120 and bags are £150 from raefeather.com. For a matching scarf, the Sanbourn featherlight cashmere selection in shambray, ivory or lemon zest (£185) would make a nice purchase for transitioning between seasons.
Flat-pack power
Ikea is producing 10,000 flat-pack shelters for refugees made homeless by conflict and natural disasters. The Ikea Foundation has teamed up with the United Nations High Commissioner to distribute Better Shelter units to thousands of families later this year. “Putting refugee families and their needs at the heart of this project is a great example of how democratic design can be used for humanitarian value,” says Ikea Foundation’s Jonathan Spampinato.
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