Here at Cosy Home, we love honey bees – they’re useful, industrious, pretty to look at, help look after your garden and, last but not least, make honey. It’s the end of the summer, and it looks like we’ll have a bumper harvest of fruit and flowers this year, so we feel it’s the perfect time to celebrate all things ‘bee’ with our pick of the top ten bee-inspired accessories.
1. Jane Hogben: Ladybird and Bee Mug
This simple, classic white mug is perfect for that morning cup of tea to go with your toast and honey. Each handmade mug features a hand painted bee, and a tiny surprise ladybird on the handle. Available from The Lifestyle Boutique, £18.95.
2. The Mosaic Garden: Bee Coaster
Bee happy with this cute ceramic coaster, featuring a cheerful smiling bee. Cork backed and wipe clean, it’s a practical yet quirky choice and could also be used as a spoon rest, pot stand or even for keeping that sticky honey pot off the table. Priced at £4, available from The Mosaic Garden.
3. Make the Most of: Bee Jug
Whether it’s milk for your tea or a vase for wild flowers, this pretty jug couldn’t bee (sorry, we will stop with the bee puns soon) any more suitable. Hand painted and dishwasher safe, the jug features several bees in full flight. Available from Make the Most of, prices start at £16.
4. Karenza and Co: Embroidered Bee Cushion
Bee more comfortable (we couldn’t resist that one) with this gorgeous linen cushion, complete with embroidered bee. Perfect for conservatories or sunny sitting rooms, this unusual design will have you thinking of summer all year round. £25, from Karenza and Co.
5. Whisk Hampers: Bee Toast Rack
The ultimate in apis chic, this stylish silver-plated toast rack holds four pieces of toast, keeping them safe while you try and get the lid off the honey jar. Topped with a tiny, charming silver bee, it’s available from Whisk Hampers priced at £42.50.
6. Jorja Wilkinson: Bee Lampshade
This could be our favourite bee-inspired accessory of all time. This fabulous lampshade is inspired by 1960s wallpaper, and will cause a buzz in any room. Available from Iapetus, priced at £59.95.
7. Skeem: Bee Grapefruit Candle
This beautiful top quality candle is almost too nice to light, but once you’ve brought yourself to do it then the three wicks mean it will burn evenly for up to 80 hours, filling your home with citrusy aromas. £36.95 from Annabel James.
8. Laura Lee Designs: Bee Cake Stand
The ultimate tribute to the honey bee, this handpainted cake stand features bee hives, flying bees and joyful orange polka dots. Fill it with honey buns for an afternoon tea centrepiece. Available from Laura Lee Designs, £65.
9. Ginger and Mora: Bee Plate
This white china plate features a three dimensional bee, moulded onto the plate and then hand painted. Different, quirky and great fun – who knows, it might even keep wasps away. Available from Ginger and Mora, priced £14.
10. Sophie Allport: Busy Bee Honey Jar
Last but most definitely not least, how could we forget a special jar for all that honey? This charming bone china jar features a bee on each side and a pattern of blue dots around the lid, and is part of the Busy Bee range which also includes jugs, bowls, egg cups, tea pots, linen and cups. From Sophie Allport, £12.
By Sara Walker