Although Piglet in Bed founder, Jessica Hanley, designed her rustic linen tablecloths and napkins from a garden shed in rural Britain, there is a certain Italian quality to her love of high-quality basics and low-maintenance living, a philosophy which evokes the kind of Italian recipes we crave most at this time of year: cucina rustica, or farmhouse cooking.
To toast the launch of our 'Luxury Night In competition' with Piglet in Bed (scroll to the bottom for your chance to win!), we get Jessica’s take on tablescaping, cottage-core and staying indoors.
Q: What are some of your earliest memories of ‘home’?
A: On Saturday nights we were allowed to have our dinner sitting on the floor in the sitting room, in our PJs, watching British TV’s greatest ever programming line-up of Baywatch, Gladiator and Blind Date. Remembering that feeling of being together as a family, warm, cosy and well fed makes me very happy. My idea of a good night hasn’t changed all that much since then!
Q: What do you lean on to create a feeling of comfort?
A: For me, ultimate comfort is the feeling of being 100% myself in my home. I am not a very tidy person so I like to surround myself with soft and natural materials that are effortlessly beautiful (even if I haven’t gotten around to making the bed). Lighting a scented candle at the end of the day or having a bath with a few drops of one of my favourite oils can help me to transition from a work mindset to a more relaxing pace.
Q: What do you love about the ‘cottage-core’ aesthetic and how can city dwellers create it?
A: With everything we have all faced in the last couple of years, I think it is no big surprise to see that we are gravitating towards an aesthetic that feels familiar, nostalgic and safe. It is when life feels overwhelming that I most want to live inside of a Beatrix Potter story. Soft and natural materials like linen and wool are great for creating this look in any space. I also love a little gingham, the perfect nod to simpler times.
Q: What are your tablescaping tips for a date night at home?
A: love having a few candle sticks on the table, ideally at different heights for a more eclectic look. We don’t have a tablecloth on the table most nights so when we get out our nice linen tablecloth and napkins that makes dinner feel like a lot more of a special occasion.
Q: What is your go-to comfort food and why?
A: I spend most of my time in the US these days and my American husband Patrick has a wonderful habit of surprising me with deliveries of British foods we can’t easily find here. Marmite on toast tastes even better when you are feeling a bit homesick! On a chilly evening, a delicious carbonara also brings me a lot of joy.
Q:What is your post-dinner wind down routine?
A: We like taking our dog Henry on a walk around our neighbourhood in the evenings after dinner. We live in Illinois and love to look out for local wildlife. Highlights so far have been a great horned owl and a coyote!
Q: Can you describe your perfect night in?
A: Changing into my pyjamas helps me to set the tone for a cosy night in and to switch off from work. After that there are few things I love more than to be curled up on the sofa under a warm blanket with a book or latest Netflix binge!
Win a "LUXURY NIGHT IN" bundle worth over £1,000
Starring linen bedding from Piglet in Bed, as well as fresh bottled cocktails from Kocktail, locally sourced artisan candles from Iggy Box and our seasonal fresh pasta picks. Enter the competition here!
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