I'm an Interior Expert, and These Affordable Pieces Make My House More Joyful

I'm Erica Davies, and for all of my professional life, I have worked in fashion. I love clothes, putting outfits together, accessorising, the high street, vintage pieces, working out how else to style existing favourites—all of it. I have spent the past 20 years putting together outfits for editorials and photo shoots and know instinctively how to put print and colour combinations together. 

However, interior design is, without a doubt, my passion. And I think there is a very fine thread linking the worlds of fashion and furniture together. If you can put together an outfit, I reckon you can put together a room. Mix all of that with the fact that I’ve lived in and decorated five homes of my own (not including all the student flats and temporary stop-gaps!). I've gained practical experience in creating different schemes, made mistakes along the way but also become confident in my décor style choices and—much like with an outfit—can tell when a room feels "right."

interiors shopping picks summer 2021: erica davies

Photo:

@erica_davies
interiors shopping picks summer 2021: erica davies

Photo:

@erica_davies

Erica Davies's home

Sharing my home on Instagram has given me lots of opportunities, not least finding a like-minded community of maximalists and colour lovers and also the chance to create my own homewear collection for QVC. I am just as likely to find something I love for my home in Sainsbury's as I am in an antique shop. So many amazing home discoveries can be made in supermarkets as well as on the high street. 

Most recently, Mango became the latest high-street brand to launch its own interiors collection, and with so many of us still spending so much time at home, I thought I would share favourite summer shopping buys right now. Garden party for six, coming right up. 

Bringing a little touch of Provence to your sofa.

Crisp white bedding is always a winner. This comes with fashionable broderie detail.

A stunning marbled mug for drinks… or peonies.

A minimal print to add to a gallery wall or alone in a neutral space.

A stylish faux plant that requires absolutely no maintenance at all!

Add a touch of kitsch to a picnic spread with this lemon platter.

When life gives you lemons, lay down a picnic on them.

Throw this blanket over a sofa to add some sunshine to your space.

Stripy towel: the ultimate holiday vibe, even in your garden!

The perfect addition to the perfect outdoor reading spot.

Garden chairs that can’t fail to bring cheer. Even in a minimal garden, the yellow will pop.

Stay outside with friends for longer on cool evenings with this very chic fire pit.

If the real McCoy is a bit too much to handle, try the ceramic version.

Have fun with your tablescape details by adding holiday-style crockery.

The perfect outdoor mirror for all those garden selfies.

This cheeky vase is definitely no bum purchase! Add dried flowers for an Instagram-worthy moment.

Practical and stylish for all those rule-of-six garden parties!

Whatever your space, festoon lighting will always give off those holiday vibes.

Deckchairs simply don’t get any chicer than this one.

Whether you’re socialising in a garden or a park, a little bit of mood music will always go down well.

A practical floor solution as well as helping create a zoned seating or eating area in your garden.

Beautiful, vintage-style crockery that will mix and match with other pieces.

Instagram’s coolest candle shape in a whole host of colours. 

The ultimate in gin o’clock accoutrements. Apart from the gin, obviously.

Next up, see all of Mango's new interior collection.