ALSO HOME

What’s the story? Formed in 2008 by Anna Schmidt (right), who had previously been designing products for various high street retailers, Also Home started life online, stocking pieces made by the global artisans that Schmidt discovered on her travels. 2015 saw the creation of the brand’s own range, and last year it opened a bricks-and-mortar shop in West Sussex. What’s its style? Simple, refined and timeless. ‘ We have a palette of naturals and neutrals, and add colour only when we feel it’s necessary, not as trends breeze in,’ explains Schmidt. ‘ We’re influenced by Scandinavian and Japanese design, as well as other cultures.’ Why do we like it? Each of its everyday basics has a special design slant, from the artisanal tableware to the calmly patterned cushions. ‘Everything we sell has been designed in-house or been created exclusively for us – we don’t buy products off the shelf, and we actively move away from pieces we see other retailers carrying,’ says Schmidt. ‘ We’re socially conscious and work hard to keep traditional techniques and crafts alive.’ Our top picks? The ‘Kibo’ collection of wooden benches ( bottom, £265) and stools (£135) topped with traditionally woven rope seats – part of the brand’s first venture into furniture – and the cream-coloured ‘Krem’ ceramic tableware ( below, from £10 for a bowl), which contrasts its wonderfully modern shapes with a delicate, handmade finish (alsohome.com).