Wish List: Tasty throws, a fruity dish and a cat cosy for cuppas

Eight wondrous winter buys to warm to warm up our lives and our living spaces this December

Throw blankets

Textile designer William Morris championed traditional arts and handmade methods of production in Victorian times. His enduring legacy of exuberant colour and intricate repeating patterns is evident in this enchanting Merton throw blanket, into which eight miles of cotton and 4,600 threads are woven.

We like that the cotton is 70% recycled, sustainably sourced, colour-fast and pre-shrunk. We love that the reverse side is as elegant as the front. It’s €159 from Loominations Throw Blankets, Cork.

Dowry chest

Back in the day, a dowry came with a bride on the day of her wedding. In anticipation of a daughter’s marriage, families gathered all sorts of treasures, including blankets, linens, clothing and bolts of homespun cloth. They were stored in wooden trunks, known as dowry chests, hope chests, glory boxes and bride’s boxes. This piece, dating back to the 19th century, features the original colourful paintwork and could be perfect for storing blankets at home; €920 from Joy Thorpe Antiques.

Patio wall love

At this time of year, it’s great to brighten up the garden. Don’t forget stone or patio walls. Sometimes all it takes is a pretty pot to make a difference. We love the old-fashioned shape and style of this French, wall-mounted flower pot. Made from antique zinc, it can be filled with plants or flowers, whether fresh or dried. At dusk and later, it looks spectacular with flaming candles. It’s €52 from Cobblestone Alley.

Tea-cosy time

We Irish love our tea. We love it more than any other nation on earth. We drink more tea per capita than any other country in the world, with each of us drinking, on average, six or seven cups per day. When we sip, we like it hot. So, when falling temperatures threaten to chill the precious brew, we know it’s tea-cosy time. This cat-shaped one is from Ulster Weavers and sports a gladdening, leaf-print design. Its padding helps to insulate the brew and keep it warmer for longer. From Vibes and Scribes, its price has been reduced from €22.99 to €14.99.

Tray style

There are trays and there are trays. Some, such as those in the Galerie de Portraits collection by the French designers at ibride, are simply breathtaking, being edgy and fantastic in equal measures. These trays feature imagery of animals clad in stylish garments, posing in traditional portrait style. Made from high-pressure laminate, they are laser-cut to create a distinctively intricate decorative edge. Because they’re works of art, they have the necessary fixings to attach them to walls. Otherwise, they can be used as traditionally intended, for serving, albeit with spectacular style. This decorative tray is the Lazy Victoire. It costs €110 from Storeen.

Gingerbread bunting

We love to hang bunting. It’s a force of habit, a tradition that’s thought to date back to the 17th century. Back then, the British Naval Force raised flags aboard their ships to signal to the boats they encountered at sea. The person who hung the flags was said to be known as the ‘bunting tosser’. The custom spread in popularity and today bunting is made from all sorts of materials, in all sorts of shapes, for all sorts of occasions. For Christmas, this gingerbread man bunting is the perfect festive household accessory to decorate your space in style. It measures 5m in length and costs €6.95 from Gingerbread House, Midleton, Cork.

Lemon and lime

There’s something about freshly cut lemon and lime that sets the senses on fire. That fragrance. That flavour. That fresh, clean taste. Limes are more fragrant and acidic than lemons. But nutritionally, the fruits are almost identical in value. This little dish is the perfect size and shape for both. It’s available in both lemon and lime, so you’ll have the perfect vessel for whichever of these tart little fruits you happen to be using. Made in Italy, by Virginia Casa, it’s vibrant, pretty and eminently practical. It’s €28.90 from The Drapery Haus at Haus Living Cork.

Shaved cheese

‘Cheese, please,’ is a plaintive cry heard in many households. We do like cheese. Especially when it’s shaved into delicate rosettes and curls, of the sort that provide the perfect finishing touch to fresh salads and Italian pastas. With its stainless-steel knife, the Boska Amigo cheese curler is an awesome kitchen tool, of the sort that’s also known as a girolle. When paired with Tête de Moine, it delivers fine, rosette-shaped shavings of this semi-hard cheese, with the five short metal pins around the board guaranteeing the perfect grip. Of course, the girolle is not just for cheese. It also makes delicate shavings from chocolate. It’s €30, from Sheridans Cheesemongers.