Fluffy bedding

We all agree that the feeling of slipping into a fresh set of bed sheets is amazing at any time of year, right? Well, as far as we’re concerned, you can multiply that sensation by a factor of “Jiminy Christmas, this feels incredible” when it comes to enjoying new and fluffy bedding on crisp winter evening.

A good fluffy duvet set just seems to radiate heat, like getting a hug from a bear – a cuddly and gentle one, mind. If that sounds like just the ticket, then we’ve got some fuzzy duvet covers and pillowcases that are going to make your bed snugglier than ever.

Cozee Home are our first port of call (you might not be surprised to hear that their name will be coming up quite a lot over the course of this post – they really do do what they say on the tin) and, honestly, when it comes to their three-piece fluffy duvet set we don’t know whether to curl up in it or stroke it. I mean come on now, look how fluffy!

Alternatively, this Popcorn Fleece duvet set, also from Cozee Home, offers a wonderful balance of aesthetics, texture and warmth with its popcorn face and its luxurious solid fluffy sherpa fabric reverse.

Cosy throws

What we really need to help us keep warm is to have a blanket close to hand in almost every room in the house, that way we can enjoy that bedtime cocoon feeling in the study, the conservatory and the lounge, as well as providing a little extra warmth in the bedroom.

Warmth, cosiness and a soft, decorative interior design touch all in one? You know, we might just be on to something here…

If you’re looking for a spot of tactile luxury from your handy throw then K by Kelly Hoppen and our old friend Cozee Home have you covered. This dashed faux fur throw from K by Kelly Hoppen combines hibernation-worthy levels of fluffiness with the intriguing sensory experience of its design of dashed divots throughout.

This teddy-fleece throw from Cozee Home, on the other hand, combines a simple, fluffy style with Cozee’s much-loved VelvetSoft fabric for a simple decorative touch that you won’t want to share.

Looking for a little more glamour from your throws? Well, for that we turn once again to our interior design queen, Kelly Hoppen, and the ever-fabulous Julien Macdonald. Kelly Hoppen’s Signature logo throw is a great way to finish your lounge or bedroom look, particularly if you’re an adherent of Kelly’s wonderfully elegant minimalist design principles.

Alternatively, you could go for all-out glamour with this animal foil print throw from the JM by Julien Macdonald range. Flashy without and cosy within, there’s both style and substance in abundance to cater to the frosty fashionistas among you!

Long hot water bottles

Yeah, you read that right. These aren’t your everyday hot water bottles – these are longer.

Much more than a fun novelty (though they’re also both fun and novel) these long hot water bottles are an absolute dream for draping around a sore neck or running all the way down your back or across your torso.

With their elongated, slim shape, they’ll help to deliver heat to a broader area for more relaxing and less repositioning, and they’ll also help to avoid the swelter scenario of having too much heat concentrated in just one place.

These Cozee Home long hot water bottles feature a cute plush cover with adorable pom pom decorations, while these YuYu body bottles are available with a breathable cotton waffle-textured cover or with a fuzzy polyester fleece cover.

For more ideas on how to keep cosy at home (and look good doing it!) make sure to check out our Home Comforts selection.

The post Live cosy this winter appeared first on Stories.

Cosy touches

Now, we don’t want to get too technical with this but suffice it to say that autumn and winter time can get a mite nippy, so it’s a great idea to have nice warm bedding and blankets around the house that you can cosy up in, should the need arise.

As far as no-nonsense winter bedding goes, you can’t go wrong with a good solid Velvetsoft duvet set from Cozee Home. It’s warm, it looks great and it feels luxurious to the touch as well: a triple-threat in terms of easing those winter blues.

Want to dress your bed in something a little jazzier? Julien Macdonald (who else?!) has you covered with this gorgeous JM by Julien Macdonald deco-style sequin bedding set. It’s a great way to add an extra flash of light and vitality to your bedroom through the dreary months.

Something doesn’t need to be actively warming you up to add to the cosy feel of your home, either. Point in case, we love these velvet-covered storage solutions from BundleBerry by Amanda Holden and Alison Cork.

BundleBerry’s velvet-touch trunks make a wonderful, strokable statement stacked together, and you can spread them throughout the house. And Alison Cork’s storage stool? Well, it’s got it all; great in front of your beauty table, a handy bit of storage and a cosy, fuzzy addition to any space just radiating snuggly vibes with a dash of glamour.

Get the party season started

A sure-fire way to banish the winter blues is to bask in the company of those you love. So whether you’re mandating a Christmas jumper dress code and looping your favourite festive playlist, or hosting a dinner party for your nearest and dearest, it’s important to set the right holiday party tone.

Fixing drinks? We’ve a couple of helpers to keep your guests well-hydrated, including a fabulous, crystal-studded bar-cart beauty from Julien Macdonald and a fun reversible, cocktail-themed bar-cart from BundleBerry, who have also produced an understated marble-topped bar stand that will look great in almost any living room.

Julien’s got the glasses and nibbles sorted too with his gorgeous range of crackle-patterned glassware, including this beautiful bowl, perfect for holding nibbles or pot pourri. These champagne flutes are sure to impress your guests and either the matching bon bon jar or vase would make an ideal present for your host if you’re heading round to a friend’s for the evening.

Light the flame

There are few things more visually soothing than the warm flicker of a good candle, and when you add a charming home fragrance into the mix, the effects can feel magical.

Because we know that many of you share our love of scented candles and soothing home fragrances, we’ve brought in a few festive surprises for you to discover this year like this multi-wick jar candle from Stoneglow Candles.

The candle connoisseurs among you will already be aware of this UK-based candle maker and their luxurious hand-poured pieces but did you know that they also offer reed diffusers, with the same iconic sense of style and gorgeous aromas?

If you’re looking for something a little more festive, fun and family friendly, we love this ceramic tree candle from Homeworx by Slatkin & Co. The fun lidded Christmas tree design means that you can continue using it as a much-loved part of your annual festive display long after the multi-wick candle has been enjoyed to its fullest.

Looking to get that candlelit ambience without the actual naked flame bit? We’ve got just the thing; these jewelled flameless candles will add a fantastic atmosphere to any room even before you turn them on!

Touches of style and whimsy

When it’s dark and cold outside, broadly speaking we tend to stay indoors, which is why a little decoration can go such a long way in the winter months, giving yourself something fun or stylish to enjoy and distract from those gloomy early evenings outside.

Firstly, bird and animal-lovers, brace yourselves: we’ve got a cracking selection of fauna-inspired decorative touches that you can add to your home. From Alison Cork alone we have a set of resin pheasants to pop on a mantelpiece or shelf for that country pile vibe, as well as a peacock-patterned photo frame, wall-mounted bird decorations and an animal-themed desk lamp to continue the theme. Why not throw in her gold-coloured peacock coasters for good measure?

Too ornithologically weighted for your tastes? Well, each to their own. If you prefer a more elegant, muted style, then Kelly Hoppen’s got the goods for you. This set of three tapered candlesticks add an elegant twist on the theme and will look great together as a set or displayed throughout the house. This ceramic table lamp is similarly stunning, in Kelly’s wonderfully understated way, and is sure to enhance any part of your home.

Whatever your aesthetic leanings, you’re sure to find decorative and functional touches at QVC that will help to cheer or warm your home through the gloomy, cold months of autumn and winter.

Make sure to check out our Home & Kitchen department to find plenty more inspiration to help beat those winter blues.

The post Make your home a winter haven appeared first on Stories.

The designs of the QVC-exclusive My Home Stories range of chic furnishings and stylish decor are aimed at helping you to write your own story throughout your home with simple and elegant pieces.

We spoke to Pipa Gordon and Alex Kramer about how the My Home Stories range has helped them to express themselves through their home, their own approaches to interior design, and the stories that live with them in their own homes.

Pipa’s Gordon’s My Home Stories coffee table

I changed my office around recently and really wanted somewhere I could put bits and pieces that were still easy to access but equally not in the way. I looked at various console-type tables but nothing fit the bill, until this coffee table from My Home Stories came along which is perfect!

All I had to do was put the legs on and the rest slotted into place. It matches my existing shelves so fits perfectly in the room, and it has wonderful storage which is easily accessible in the pull-out drawer below the glass.

There are six sections of different sizes and I’ve got them nicely organised for magazines, pens and pencils, extra cables and adapters for my laptop and camera, and a section for bits to remember. Even better, I can slide my Homedics heated yoga mat and Cozee Home foot warmer underneath.

The glass came beautifully packaged, so without a scratch, and it makes for the perfect table top… which of course houses more junk when needs be, but most of the time I try to keep it clean so I can enjoy my Bloom flowers and candle holders, I’ve even popped my Neom pod there.

It doesn’t have to be an office table, of course, it would also work brilliantly as a coffee table and the sections underneath are ideal for remotes, game controllers, magazines and papers, games etc.

Tidy house tidy mind, as they say! I wish it were always that easy in reality, but I am convinced we are affected by our surroundings and these little bits make a big difference.

Pipa’s home decorating philosophy

I moved a lot as a child. I’d lived in 13 different houses by the time I turned 18 and so I wasn’t anywhere long enough for a house to feel like a home.

Consequently, I became a dab hand at making a space feel like my own really quickly, but I yearned for somewhere I could live in for long enough that it felt like home, a place that had a fragrance which my heart recognised the moment I opened the door.

Once I settled into my adult life and started a family, this was a top priority. I think because of that, my home decorating philosophy has always been quite emotionally based. Our home is a reflection of who we are as a family, a safe space which is entirely our world.

We have painted most of the artwork on the walls, we designed the kitchen ourselves when we had it done a few years ago (kudos to the very patient kitchen supplier who was convinced it would look awful but then loved the finished article), and I drew up the plans when we first moved in to build shelves in the living room wall, just to ensure they were the right heights to fit our favourite books.

I like things nicely organised, everything has its home, especially in the fridge! Home to me is a sanctuary, a place where people can come to visit, and see us, not a catalogue or a department store, but a home that tells a story, our story.

I don’t redecorate regularly but I do change things around often; I’m not sure that habit will ever go away, change is so ingrained in me now and I do find it invigorating. Fragrance is also really important as it’s so evocative.

I suppose it’s fair to say our home is like an extension of who we are, it’s living and breathing; and most things tell a story, just like us.

Pipa’s fondest home story

It’s so hard to decide which is the best story but I think I’m most proud of the painting that’s in the living room. Trust me, I am no artist, but every now and then I play.

Splitting up with my first husband was a very long journey of uncertainty, sadness and pain. After we eventually got divorced and I got together with Brian, I painted this.

I had a giant canvas and some acrylic paints. I didn’t have any brushes, so instead painted with an old comb, a squeegee and some chopsticks. I just moved the paint around for a few hours and lo and behold, I saw a ship fighting its way out of a storm. I thought it was rather apt, for both of us.

I don’t feel that I painted it, I think it really painted itself, one of those gifts that you know has come from elsewhere. I think one day I might even get it framed.

Alex Kramer’s My Home Stories side table

I love this side table with magazine rack from My Home Stories! The different materials are exactly the type of way I like to style my home. The mango wooden top softens the style, making this a piece that could be a bedside table or a side table, and the size works really practically for the way we enjoy the space in our home.

For example, next to the sofa at our house, a side table needs to be able to accommodate a lamp, our speaker, my Neom and a cuppa or glass of wine! Anything too small just doesn’t work for our family needs.

The brass style finish to the body of the table is so pretty; brass is something that I like to accessorise with – maybe it’s because I like gold jewellery, but I find it a soft colour.

The magazine rack at the bottom is great. I love reading interiors magazines, so having them to hand when you can grab five minutes without the kids is great. It’s also lovely for guests to be able to reach easily for something to look at.

Alex’s decorating philosophy

I love interiors, I’m always reading magazines around the subject, following Insta accounts of homes that are being renovated, and obsessed with Pinterest for inspiration!

Lots of you may have followed my journey renovating my kitchen last year. I’ve now sold our house and we are moving to a house that needs everything doing; EVERYTHING! I’m excited but exhausted already!

My style is quite eclectic, but relaxed. I have two kids, a dog and a Scott! So, I can’t be as precious about everything being perfect as I was pre-kids. There are hand marks on the wall by the stairs and the dog never stops moulting. Scott also seems to think that his bike lives in the kitchen half the time, so I have to be more relaxed or I’d go mad!

I love colour, whether that’s deep dark tones on the wall with neon highlights, like the cushions in our snug, or more neutral tones with colour accents in prints – colour is always at play somewhere.

I also love adding different textures like wood to soften the room. We have wooden floorboards and original wooden doors in our Victorian terrace. I like to respect the original features: fire places, tiles – that’s my jam!

I’m also obsessed with cushions! I have them on every bed, sofa and chair. I find that they’re an easy way to change the look or colour scheme of a room without spending too much, and you’ve gotta have a bunch of blankets on the sofa for movie moments.

I loooove candles too! Probably because my dog can be smelly… and the kids… and Scott! But at night the light that a nice candle creates is so relaxing.

Another thing I love are mirrors and art. A mirror can make it feel like you’ve doubled the size of a space in an instant, and I just love art – there I go again with the colour! Plants are a must, too! Real, if possible, but faux is also good. The green of a good plant is so pretty and can help to soften a room.

A space has to work for you and your family and I want people to come to my home and feel like they can put a cup on the table without a coaster. In fact, our wooden coffee table even has tiny tooth marks in it from where my dog bit it when she was a puppy! I want it to feel like a space where you can dance on the tables and fall asleep on the sofa. I love that when the kids have their friends over to play, they’re comfortable.

I want my home to be pretty but it’s not for show, it’s for living.

The post Alex and Pipa’s My Home Stories appeared first on Stories.

As we transition from summer into autumn, there’s no time like the present to get your home ready for the months ahead. From breaking out the heavy duvet to stocking up on snacks and tableware for the upcoming party season, there’s plenty to think about.

So, how are you looking to shake up (or stock up) your home this autumn? Here are our top picks for a few very important aspects of your autumn home.

Sensory indulgence

A place can look as cosy as can be but there’s no fooling your nose: the fragrance of your home plays a huge part in the sense of wellbeing that you enjoy there. And, in terms of setting the tone for your home, there’s nothing quite like a scented candle.

Homeworx by Slatkin & Co have been creating wonderful scented candles for years now and, as these beautiful filled apple and pumpkin ceramic candles demonstrate, they understand that your scented candles are as much a decorative element in your home as they are a fragrant one.

As well as boosting the scent of your home, why not improve the smell of your laundry too? Having impressed with their sublime range of bath and body skincare, Beekman 1802 have brought the wonderful properties of goat’s milk to bear on your washing machine with this Happy Place Laundry Soap – a fragrance-layering must for fans of the range.

Party time

While the window for BBQs and garden parties is certainly closing (if it’s not already securely bolted with the curtain drawn against the draft) there’s no reason you can’t move the party indoors for autumn. If nothing else, it will serve as good practice for gatherings to come when the winter holiday season rolls around.

Amanda Holden’s got you covered for partyware with some gorgeous additions to her Bundleberry range. We are absolutely loving these fluted Champagne glasses and there’s plenty more party-ready pieces where that came from!

Not to be outdone, Culinary Concepts have produced a stunning piece in this octopus-design stand and glass bowl. It’s perfect for wowing your guests while serving up delicious finger-food nibbles.

And the dazzling tableware treats and delightful home decor doesn’t stop there – you’ll find a host of eye-catching designs from the likes of JM by Julien Macdonald and K by Kelly Hoppen on the QVC site for you and your guests to enjoy too.

Safe and secure

As the days get shorter and nightfall comes earlier, it’s easy to start fretting about your home and loved ones. That’s why we wanted to help you to feel safer in your home with a little help from the likes of TP-Link and the rest of our selection of security devices.

This Tapo C320WS outdoor security camera system is a great way to increase security around your home to help you feel more at ease. It works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for easy voice control, while it also gives you the power to keep a watch on your home wherever you are, with two-way audio allowing you to talk to any visitors.

We’re looking out for your gadgets too with these handy stands from Bell & Howell. No more sudden dips for your smartphone as it slips from its precarious perch behind the sink while you’re washing up (just us?) nor cracked screens as tablets topple from their impromptu viewing perches.

But ultimately, if you want to feel as snug as a firmly enrugged insect (as the saying goes), there’s nothing quite like hitting the couch and wrapping up in a cosy throw. This chic Signature number from K by Kelly Hoppen, for example, will add a stylish touch to s front room through the day and a comforting snuggle through the evening – perfect!

Speaking of snuggling…

Duvet days ahoy

If you’ve not shifted already, it will soon be time to switch from the light, breezy bedding of the summer months to the fluffy cocoon of the colder half of the year. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

Cozee Home is very much a “what it says on the tin” kind of collection. Their luxuriously soft duvet sets are an absolute joy to experience, and we’ve got a wide range for you to discover; from solid simple stripes to gorgeous floral prints you’ll find a style to suit all tastes and temperaments.

Looking for something a little more revolutionary, bed-wise? There’s no time like autumn to make that mattress upgrade that you’ve been dreaming of. This Emma Hybrid mattress was rated as a Which? Best Buy in August 2021 and comes with a 200-night no-quibble sleep trial, so why not give it a go?

However you choose to spruce up your nest for the coming months, QVC is here to offer inspiration, great deals and a helping hand. Make sure to check out our Home Department to find plenty more goodies to help make your house a home.

Happy autumn!

The post Transitioning into autumn appeared first on Stories.

So, what are you going to need? Well, that depends on where you’re heading…

Beach chic

Jetting off for some quality time on a sun-baked beach soaking up rays (and, perhaps, the occasional margarita)? Obviously we’re going to need to have a firm talk about sun protection later, but for the time being you’re going to want to focus on three main attributes in terms of your sartorial selection; you’re going to want ’em loose, bright and water-friendly.

Beach or resort holidays naturally revolve around water so a swimsuit (or several) is going to be a good starting point in terms of packing. We love this one-piece from Ruth Langsford’s Holiday shop collection and she’s even got a beautiful sarong to accompany it. Throw in some sandals like these Naturalizer Slides and you’ve got yourself an easy look you can wear to and from the water and beyond, should the fancy take you.

In the scorching heat of most beach holidays it’s good to give yourself a selection of loose and easy-breezy cover-ups that will help you to stay cool without necessarily leaving too much skin at the mercy of the sun’s rays. A beautiful midi skirt, such as this cheerful number from Dannii Minogue’s range or these bright and beautiful palazzo trousers from Ruth Langsford will provide breathable cover for your pins and can even be teamed with swimwear to ensure you’re dip-ready at a moment’s notice!

Staycay bae

There’s no need to jump on a southbound airplane to soak up the summer sun – there’s plenty to be had in good ol’ Blighty (fingers crossed) and some remarkable sights and landscapes to be enjoyed while you’re there. So, whether you’re likely to be renting a deckchair at Brighton Pier or roaming the Lake District, the main packing touchstones for your summer staycation are; cover-ups, comfort and layering.

Our earlier optimism aside, British weather is a changeable beast that can sometimes send all four seasons at you in the space of a few minutes. Multiple light layers are the easiest way to stay one step ahead and save you from goosebumps in an unseasonably chill breeze or surprise sunburn on a long walk (don’t make us tap the SPF sign again). This gorgeous linen mix blazer from Ruth Langsford will add summer style to any occasion and her lightweight slub cardi is another great way to add versatile layers to any outfit.

Dressing comfortably is an easy way to ensure that you enjoy your holiday and avoid feeling self-conscious in unfamiliar outfits. But you don’t have to sacrifice style in order to feel at ease as this elegant jersey dress from Dannii Minogue and these versatile cotton twill trousers demonstrate.

Pretty in the city

You’ve got to love a city break; no transfers, metropolitan atmosphere, a chance to drop into the middle of things and immerse yourself in a different culture, visiting historical sites and breath-taking architectural wonders.

We don’t know about you but when we imagine our city breaks we get very ‘Sex and the City’ about it: all elegance, empowerment and sharp dressing. That’s why our watchwords in terms of packing for these breaks are; neutral, sophisticated and low fuss.

Whatever silver-screen screwball comedies may have told us, you do not want a steamer trunk full of fly-away fashion fancies that need the travel-creases steaming out of them and will take to the sky at the slightest breeze. That’s where this wonderfully elegant jumpsuit from WynneLayers comes in. Team it with these gorgeous Vera block heel sandals from Naturalizer and you’ll be exuding natural urbanite charm in no time.

The key is having travel-resistant clothes that are smart enough to make your trip feel like an event for you but casual enough that they don’t mark you out as a tourist while you’re there. We love the idea of these crisply understated crop trousers from Ruth Langsford paired with this beautiful blouse from Du Jour and finished off with this cute satchel from Paul Costelloe.

Right, time to hit the hotel bar. Make ours a Manhattan!

Check out our full range of summer-ready fashion.

Ready to start packing? Might be worth looking at our luggage selection too in that case!

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