A Cosy Winter at Home with John Lewis

Doesn’t everyone dream of a trolley-dash through one of their favourite shops? So when John Lewis invited me to explore their home collections and create a look for the chilly festive season, I leapt at the chance.

These days, I don’t shop much for my own home - I already have most of what I need, and I’m a big believer in the stories gradually collected pieces tell. But as a designer, it’s vital to stay in tune with what’s new for my clients, especially when it’s beautiful, responsibly made, and built to last. Sustainable shopping, for me, means buying fewer, better things - choosing quality natural materials, and where possible, pieces made in the UK or Europe. A wool throw woven in Perthshire or a cotton cushion stitched in Ayrshire feels infinitely better than something mass-produced and fleeting.

When I arrived in store, I enlisted the help of the talented John Lewis Home Design Service team. Together we went on a hilarious treasure hunt - I’d call out “anything with red stripes?” and seconds later they’d appear with something perfect. Before long, we’d gathered an abundance of inspiration and were ready to play.

Design, at its best, is exactly that - play. I always begin with the big pieces, the ones that anchor a room. I was instantly drawn to a bold red-and-white striped armchair - gorgeously comfy and wonderfully cheerful. I paired it, rather unexpectedly, with a neatly tailored tweed sofa. The mix of crisp cotton and woolly texture had real personality - festive without being themed.

Next came cushions, and lots of them. I mixed geometric prints with painterly florals, wooden weaves with linens, adjusting until the balance felt just right. John Lewis has an enormous range, and their bespoke service means you can have covers made to order in any combination of the fabrics in their extensive library - even sized to fit the pads you already have, to save both money and waste.

Lighting sets the mood, and I couldn’t resist a bobbin floor lamp, beautifully turned and full of character. After some lively shade-swapping, we found the perfect pairing. For the floor, I layered a Persian-style rug over a flat-woven Kilim, creating texture and depth - I have a little motto that is that a Persian rug is like the denim of interiors , they go with everything whatever your interior style.

The addition of a beautiful wallpaper, a soft elegant painting, a deliberately mismatched Anglepoise style lamp and a butter-soft wool throw completed the look. The result felt inviting, lived-in and completely joyful - the kind of corner that calls for a good book and a cup of tea as the weather turns.

By the end of our session, we’d made quite the creative mess - but that’s what home design should be: fun, expressive, and rooted in seeking joy. 

photo by Laura A Tiliman