Beautiful & Useful
New plants, books, tools and creative designs, plus shopping inspiration
Here Comes the Sun
An English summer doesn’t guarantee sunshine, so when it does make an appearance it’s best to jump to it. A traditional cloth parasol goes a long way towards creating a jolly mood while offering practical shade. The 2024 collection of the East London Parasol Company includes both circular bamboo parasols handmade in Bali and octagonal frames built and assembled in the UK, along with a wide range of hand-blocked striped and floral canopies in a water-resistant canvas. Heavy stone bases hand-carved in India are sold separately – they look decorative and will help stabilise the parasol. Edmund Green 3m octagonal parasol, £785, eastlondonparasols.com
Tote the Line
Inspired by Japanese tool bags, The Land Gardeners, fronted by Henrietta Courtauld and Bridget Elworthy, have collaborated with fashion label BEEN London to develop a garden tool bag. Made in Somerset from recycled organic cotton and deadstock vegetable-tanned leather trims, it is smart enough to double as a work or overnight bag. Six exterior pockets make tools accessible as you carry the bag around the garden. The internal compartment will fit a flask, jumper or even a 13” laptop. BEEN London x The Land Gardeners gardening bag, £240, thelandgardeners.com
A Year Full of Pots by Sarah Raven
Bloomsbury, £27
Sarah performs a hat-trick with the third title in her excellent series – the previous two releases look at vegetables and flowers respectively. Although she sets a high bar by drawi
