The best of the highstreet Autumn Winter trends: Beautility

As much as an attitude as a decorating trend, it’s about creating a simple style with well-made everyday basics

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Modern Living Simple wooden furniture, copper cookware and natural accessories create a timeless and unfussy look

kitchen room with white tiled walls and white wooden flooring

(Image credit: TBC)

Dining table, £1,599; bench,
£499; cushion, £35; Elska monochrome dinnerware, from £6 for a mug; Pebble mug,
£6; napkins, £16 for four; acacia cooking utensils (in jar on worktop), £12 each;
all Gray & Willow range, House of Fraser

LOVE IT If your life and your home seem relentlessly busy and chaotic, then this is the trend for you.
Strip your style back to the bare essentials and rejoice in the simple joy of well-designed things that play an active part

in the way you live. Nothing's for ‘best'; everything's to be used and enjoyed now

The white stuff Simple white tableware is a timeless classic

room having white wooden wall wooden table and white bowls and plates

(Image credit: TBC)

dipping bowl; Elgin glassware, from £5 for a wine glass; all The White Company

USE IT The look is absolutely perfect for a kitchen, but the beautility aesthetic can be carried through to living and dining rooms (and beyond). Look at chalky paint or peeling plank-effect wallpaper, pile up soft knits and add nature-inspired pattern for interest.

Utility chic Keep your cleaning cupboard or shelves in order with smart yet understated storage

room with white wall having kitchen shelves with glass botles and jars

(Image credit: TBC)

Shoe shine box, £28; washing tablets box, £17.50; classic jug, £15; mini jug, £9; utility bucket, £22; all in Chalk; ceramic-lidded glass jars, from £1.50 each; ceramic-lidded glass bottles, from £3 each; all Garden Trading

Sitting pretty Simple stripes are ideal for upholstery

room having white walls white wooden flooring and white and blue armchairs

(Image credit: TBC)

Charlotte armchairs, from £520 each, Sofa.com

DO IT YOUR WAY Beautility can be worked into lots of other looks, if you'd rather dip a toe in than adopt the style wholesale. It fits in beautifully with industrial schemes, classic country looks, mid-century and Scandi-inspired rooms, as well as pretty, chintzy, vintage schemes with cottage florals and pastel hues.

Key elements

Timeless design
Key pieces, such as furniture and lighting, are so simple they're effectively time- and trend-neutral.

Natural materials Avoid anything glossy, synthetic or silky, and stick to wood, metal, glass, cotton, linen and wool.

Nostalgia This look harks back to a simpler time and a less-complicated life, so use Kilner jars, enamelware and wooden brushes to accessorise.

Subtle colour and pattern There's a lot of crossover with classic Scandi style here - whites, greys, pale blues and greens. Beware of pattern, as it dates a scheme - look for simple, nature-inspired designs.

GET THE LOOK

Work bench Get more preparation space, plus storage, with this free standing unit

wooden workbench with legstand in brown colour

(Image credit: TBC)

Norraker clear laquered side board, (H85 x W120 x D50cm), £150, Ikea

Pour more Make breakfast time special with this vitrified stoneware milk jug

stoneware milk jug in aqua blue colour

(Image credit: TBC)

Amberley 2ltr jug, £18, Croft Collection range, John Lewis

Perfectly poised This retro anglepoise lamp is beautiful, simple, functional and will never date

white retro anglepoise table lamp in white colour

(Image credit: TBC)

Metal angle lamp, £65, J by Jasper Conran range, Debenhams

Time for tea Choose neutral crockery with subtle detailing and a quiet, considered design

coffee mug in cream colour

(Image credit: TBC)

Nordic mug in cream, £5, Marks & Spencer

Well preserved Group several of these together and use them to store nuts, seeds or pulses

glass jar with silver lid

(Image credit: TBC)

Glass jar with silver lid (H23cm), £4.99, HomeSense

Michela Colling
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