Latest news with #Osborne&Little
The Irish Sun
16 hours ago
- Lifestyle
- The Irish Sun
I gave my house a designer makeover using Shein for just £270 – but there's a catch they don't tell you about
GIVING your home a designer makeover – but with a bargain price tag – sounds like an impossible task. But while Janine Santos was browsing the Chinese retail website, Shein – known for selling clothes super cheaply – she suddenly spotted a 'Home & Kitchen' category. 8 Janine Santos transformed her Cardiff home for just £269 using Shein's homeware Credit: Huw Evans 8 She bought these two single curtains for just £21.75 each Credit: Huw Evans 8 She ordered these £3 and £7 prints to decorate the walls as well as dried pampas grass for £4.19 Credit: Huw Evans There, on her screen, appeared to be the solution to her problem. Attractive-looking curtains, cushions, tapestries, bedding, storage baskets and much more were being offered at rock bottom prices. It seemed too good to be true. One thing led to another and soon Janine had bought around 50 items to give her Cardiff home a stylish new 'boho' look that has transformed it from top to bottom. The bill for her haul came in at just £269. 'I wasn't sure about it, as it was so cheap,' says Janine, a 47-year-old cruise fleet manager. 'But the quality looked good. 'Even if I'd gone somewhere else which is considered good value, like Ikea, I would have spent over £1000, easy.' Before she discovered Shein homeware, Janine had a weakness for splurging on high end, expensive items. 'I used to use brands like Andrew Martin, Osborne & Little and Farrow & Ball,' says Janine, who is mum to Keanau, 26, and married to Damon, 53, a tiler. 'I also used to love Flamant, a high-end Belgian brand. They were my go-to for timeless pieces.' But when she decided to give her three-bedroom semi a refresh last December, Janine was looking to economise. 'I spend six months away at sea each year with work and when I come home, all I want is a space to relax,' she says. You'd never know I live in a council house thanks to how good it looks - I shopped in IKEA & an Amazon tip saved me cash 'I'd been meaning to do this for a while and make it feel more homely. But I wanted to tighten my belt. I prefer to spend my money on experiences these days, like holidays, and thought: 'How can I do this affordably?'' Janine was shopping for clothing on Shein last December when she noticed they also sell homeware. The China-based retailer's popularity is currently soaring in the UK, with sales jumping by nearly 40 per cent to £1.5bn last year. It is expected to become Britain's sixth largest clothing retailer by 2027. For Janine, the prices seemed too good to ignore, so she ordered two photographic prints and some pampas grass to test the waters. 'I used to buy my prints from King & McGaw, which specialises in fine art prints,' says Janine. 'I paid £300 each for two prints years ago. 'But these 50cm x 70cm Shein prints were £3 and £7. I didn't know what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised. They were delivered eight days later, in a cardboard box, and were printed on high quality cardboard. They also came rolled up, so there were no creases. 'They didn't come with frames, so I got some from Amazon, at £50 for three.' A couple of weeks later, Janine placed a second, bigger order, then a third. She bought, among other items, a rug to go in front of the fire (£5.24), a king size duvet cover set with pillows (£26.48), two single curtains (£21.75 each), a beige woven wall tapestry (£2.29), dried pampas grass (£4.19), two artificial ivy plants (£1.85 each), three white woven storage baskets (£6.12 each), a wall sticker (£1.30) and a cute ornament of someone reading (£1.10). 8 Janine's house looks very boho chic thanks to this beige woven wall tapestry, £2.29, from Shein Credit: Jam Press 8 She also paid £25 for a king size polycotton white duvet cover and two matching pillowcases Credit: Jam Press 'Cushion crazy' 'When I told my husband how much everything cost, he said: 'There's no way, you're lying to me.' 'And one friend who came round couldn't believe it when I told her so much of my stuff was from Shein – she literally screamed. I think she was expecting me to say some fancy, overpriced designer brand. 'She went straight to the website and started filling her basket. People have this idea that Shein is only for clothes – but the home stuff is genuinely stylish and surprisingly good quality. Nothing I ordered felt below par.' When I told my husband how much everything cost, he said: 'There's no way, you're lying to me' Janine's star buy was a pair of cream curtains for the bedroom. Curtains are sold individually on Shein and Janine bought two for £21.75 each. 'In the past I've paid over a thousand pounds for a pair of curtains,' she says. 'They were handmade, very thick, like quilts. I don't feel I need that sort of thing any more.'They're my favourite - they're lined and they've got this lace overlay – they're really drapey and beautiful. I bought the pole off Shein as well for £11.44.' Janine is also impressed with the bedding she bought from the retailer. She paid £25 for a king size polycotton white duvet cover and two matching pillowcases. And the cushions were so cheap – just £3 each – that Janine went 'cushion crazy'. 'I've got them all over the house,' she says. 'One is a tan leather look, the others are like the tapestry on the wall, with tassels on them. Damon loves the new look . The only thing he has said is: 'Please, no more cushions'.' 'Boho with a designer twist' Another big hit was the pampas grass. 'I ordered the large size,' says Janine. I thought: 'It's going to be limp, but I can try it.' Luckily, it's really full.' Janine's method is to spend more money on big-ticket items – she recently bought a bed and chest of drawers from Freemans for about £1000 and a sofa from DFS for around £2,000 – and save on the accessories that finish off a room. She describes her style as 'boho with a designer twist', mixing budget buys with statement pieces. 'Spending so little is great, because if I want to do a different theme, I can buy a load more stuff from Shein,' she says. 'I will give these to charity, then I can buy new things. I'm just layering on to make a new theme. The foundations stay, they are good quality.' Shipping is free, too, if you spend more than £35. And there are other incentives, says Janine. 'They give you vouchers. They say: add another item to your basket to receive a bigger discount. 'Then when I look at it, it's as if I've got those curtains free.' But Shein is not popular with everyone. The brand has been criticised for its sustainability practices, with concerns raised about textile waste and excessive carbon emissions. I'm not here trying to impress anyone, I'm creating a space that feels like me Last August, Janine says: 'I know there are conversations around sustainability with brands like Shein and it's something I do think about. 'When I was decorating, I made sure to choose pieces I actually love and knew I'd keep – not something trendy for a quick fix. I've never been sent the wrong product, or had to return anything, either. 'I think sustainability is also about how you use things and how long you keep them, not just where they come from.' 'I've mixed and matched, like I would with clothes. I might buy a designer outfit, but wear a T-shirt from Primark. 'I'll change a few things in winter, like adding a fluffy rug and throws. I like that I can switch things up without spending a fortune.' Janine has converted the garage in her house, adding an upstairs level and separate entrance to create an Airbnb. She also has an Airbnb property in Egypt. Both are decorated with Shein homeware. 'I love my 'Shein house',' she says. 'It feels warm, modern and personal – and that's what matters, not that I've had any negative comments – quite the reverse. 'I'm not here trying to impress anyone, I'm creating a space that feels like me. It's like I've curated a little Pinterest board in real life .' 8 She choses to spend more money on big-ticket item such as this sofa from DFS for £2,000, and instead save on the accessories that finish off a room Credit: Huw Evans 8 I love my 'Shein house', says Janine Credit: Huw Evans 8 Janine's husband couldn't believe she had only spent £269 on their house transformation Credit: Huw Evans
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Yahoo
An ELLE Decor Editor's Guide to New York's Flower District
Pictured above, Cynara by Osborne & Little, shot at Dutch Flower Line. There's something ineffably romantic about an early morning sprint through New York City's Flower District. Tucked along West 28th Street, this energetic and fragrant corridor has long been a mecca for interior designers, stylists, and creatives. Buckets overflow with ruffled ranunculus, chartreuse parrot tulips, and branches of cherry blossoms stretching skyward—each one an ephemeral muse. For me, it's not just about blooms, it's about fabric. This season a wave of new floral textiles has burst forth (April showers… as it goes). From delicately block-printed and hand-embroidered linens to screen-printed silks and bold cotton chintzes, textile houses are turning to flowers not merely as motif but as mood. As florals reassert themselves this season, there's no better place to begin than the Flower Market, where scent, texture, and color convene like a mood board in bloom. Supporting this local institution not only sustains a vital creative ecosystem, it keeps the soul of the city's design scene alive and rooted in community. In this garden of inspiration, flowers are forever. New York Flower Group (Dutch Flower Line)150 W. 28th StreetThis team has some of the best service and freshest blooms in every color. If you need something specific, call ahead to place an order. 28th Street Wholesale150 W. 28th StreetAlthough it has the same address, this shop is next door to the New York Flower Group. They carry interesting seasonal branches and offerings, such as, in season, uncut tulips growing from the bulb. Caribbean Cuts120 W. 28th StreetWith some of the most unique and exotic tropical plants and flowers, this is the place to go for the most interesting foliage and fruit. US Evergreen805 Sixth AvenueRight around the corner, this institution takes over the street and is bursting with the best local branches. It also specializes in custom wreaths and garlands during the holidays, so place your orders early for next season. Tropical Plants and Orchids106 W. 28th StreetChicly located behind the McDonald's, I always check Tropical Plant for myrtle topiaries and indoor plants, like maiden's hair ferns or potted orchids—they tend to have the best prices on the block. Plus, they'll pot anything beautifully with moss. Jamali Floral and Garden149 W. 28th StreetThe go-to source for floral supplies, basic decorative containers, and shears. Head to Jamali to grab some simple taper candles or a julep cup. Go early: I recommend arriving between 5:30 and 6 a.m. for the freshest finds and best variety. You'd be surprised how crowded it is with floral designers and stylists, even at this hour. Dress warmly: Since the temperatures inside are often quite low (for the flowers), I recommend bringing an extra layer and dressing for utilitarian purposes—Mother Nature isn't always the cleanest. Park on 27th Street: Street parking is free on 27th Street but only until 8 a.m. Avoid 28th Street for parking and Uber pickup, as it is always extremely crowded. Use the shelves: The open shelves in the rear of each shop are for customers. It's really helpful to arrange everything you're considering buying facing outward so you can see what you have and what you're missing. Walk the street: I recommend starting on one side of the market and walking across 28th Street between Sixth and Seventh avenues to see who has the best of whatever is in season at the moment. Make a mental list and then go back when ready to purchase. Bring a wagon: I am now the proud owner of a collapsible wagon. While not the most attractive item I own, it's helpful if you're working on a big project and don't have an extra pair of hands. Be respectful: Everyone working at the market is super-knowledgeable, kind, and hardworking. I've sadly seen some horrifying customer behavior. In a place chock-full of beauty, no one needs to make enemies. Style assistant: Julia Stevens You Might Also Like From the Archive: Tour Sarah Jessica Parker's Relaxed Hamptons Retreat 75 Small (But Mighty) Kitchens to Steal Inspiration from Right This Instant
