12 things to buy for a truly beautiful nursery
Make the little one’s room a haven of calm, says Hetty Lintell.

My favourite nursery ideas are murals, as I love to think of a little one having something magical to stare at as they fall asleep,’ reveals Lucinda Croft, creative director of Dragons of Walton Street. How you decorate your child’s room can stay with them for life and many remember their first curtain fabric or wallpaper. ‘Finding vintage pictures is a fun way to add a unique quality,’ she continues.
The key is to create a calm and soothing space, as much for the parents as the baby. There should be no wifi, phones or other distractions and it is essential to choose a good cot mattress: ‘Geovital make incredible 100% non-toxic examples.’
Blue bunny quilt by Sarah K
This incredibly soft reversible quilt will make an adorable addition to your child's room.
£42 from www.sarahk.co.uk
Nappy stacker by Nursery Window
A handy and attractive way to store nappies. Hang it near a changing table and make changing your baby that little bit easier.
£48.95 from www.nurserywindow.co.uk
Baby’s first brush from Blue Almonds
This sweet brush uses a natural goat hair for the ultimate softness. Each one is unique due to the nature of the painting.
Sign up for the Country Life Newsletter
Exquisite houses, the beauty of Nature, and how to get the most from your life, straight to your inbox.
£35 from Blue Almond
Amadeus Teddy bear by Steiff
Made from the finest blond mohair, this charming bear is an essential nursery guest. He has five joints, allowing him to be placed in various positions.
£159 from www.steiff.com
Bonny bunny rattle by The White Company
This lovely toy is easy for little one to grasp as she wraps around a responsibly sourced wooden rattle, making a great companion to help soothe while travelling and at home.
£14 from www.thewhitecompany.com
Hanger by Love from Lupin
Show off your baby's beautiful clothes from this sweet safari-themed hanger, complete with pretty blue bow.
£8.50 from www.lovefromlupin.co.uk
Hand-woven moses basket from Blue Almonds
Made by hand using the crocheting method of cotton cords, this stunning moses basket comes complete with decorative tassels.
£275, with wicker rocking stand, £125, from www.bluealmonds.co.uk
Babar fabric by Flora Howard
Fabulous fabric inspired by the illustrations from Jean and Laurent de Brunhoff’s books about Babar The Elephant. Cushions are available on request.
£95 per metre from www.florahoward.co.uk
Musical box from Halcyon Days
This charming enamel music box captures images of a child's favourite toys and plays the tune from the lullaby 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star'.
£295 from www.halcyondays.co.uk
Chest of drawers and changer from Dragons of Walton Street
A roomy chest of drawers complete with classic Beatrix Potter designs and removable changer — an essential addition to every elegant nursery.
£2,585 from dragonsofwaltonstreet.com
Changing mat by Nursery Window
This roll up changing mat is perfect for use at home or when out and about. With its double towelling it provides comfort for your little one too.
£26.95 from www.nurserywindow.co.uk
Pooky x Maude Smith shade by Pooky
Characterful feathered friends feature on this cotton lamp shade with off-white cotton lining. A fine addition to a baby or toddler's space.
£40 from www.pooky.com
The Utterly Inessential Royal Baby Shopping List: A pram fit for Balmoral, marine-issue wellington boots and the phenomenon of the baby sleeping bag
Let's face it, when it comes to our little ones, we are all inclined to go a little bit overboard.
Credit: Alamy Stock Photo
Your child's first pony: A survival guide for parents
The request for a pony is dreaded by many parents, but, with the right help and the right animal, the
-
If the future of Ferrari is electric vehicles, then it is our future too
It's widely believed that Ferrari will unveil its first electric car this year. It's the signal that the internal combustion era is coming to an end.
By James Fisher Published
-
Gaze over Cap Ferrat in this four-bedroom French villa
Ignore the wind and the rain. Imagine yourself in this hillside home with some of the best views the Mediterranean can offer.
By James Fisher Published
-
Seven perfect Christmas gifts for people who just love beautiful, functional things
William Morris famously said to have nothing in your house that you don't know to be useful or believe to be beautiful. These things do their best to hit both targets.
By Toby Keel Published
-
Christmas gift ideas for men
From fathers to brothers to lovers, we run through some smart ideas for Christmas presents for the men in your life.
By Country Life Published
-
Perfect Father’s Day gifts for dads who deserve it
There are many ways to show your dad that you love and appreciate him. There's breakfast in bed, an offer to mow the lawn, a big hug and the offer of the last biscuit. Or you could just buy him something that he definitely doesn't need, but we're pretty sure he'll want.
By Amie-Elizabeth White Published
-
The Utterly Inessential Wimbledon Shopping List
We've rounded up all the utterly inessential products — posh tennis gear, in other words — that you absolutely do not need to enjoy Wimbledon, but would probably fancy having anyway.
By Country Life Published
-
The Utterly Inessential Mother's Day list: 16 gifts guaranteed to either surprise or delight
Is your mum the sort who's happiest with what she knows — or one who loves a surprise?
By Toby Keel Published
-
The Utterly Inessential Shopping List: Supercharged home Wi-Fi, smart headphones and a mobile phone literally anyone can use
Our Utterly Inessential Shopping List returns with some technology that is far cleverer than we are.
By Toby Keel Published
-
The best weekend bags and finest holdalls that (rather a lot of) money can buy
Going somewhere nice? You might be soon, so here's Hetty Lintell with her pick of the finest holdalls and best weekend bags you can buy.
By Hetty Lintell Published
-
Best smart speakers for non-techie people: What to expect, what you'll love and what doesn't work
Smart speakers are no longer the preserve of tech geeks and millennials — these handy speakers are, and (as we'll discover) particularly handy for those living in the countryside. We've looked at some of the main contenders to see which one comes out on top: Google Nest Audio, Amazon Echo Studio, the Apple HomePod Mini, and the Audio Pro G10.
By Toby Keel Published