Objects of Desire: 24 Effortlessly Chic Hosting Pieces That Instantly Elevate Any Gathering

My tree is up, my mantel is decorated, and my diary is filled with delicious festive plans, many of which involve gatherings at my home. So for this month's Objects of Desire, I am all about those elevated accessories that add a touch of glamour.

I much prefer a standing affair in my apartment, with elegantly displayed nibbles on the kitchen counters, but not a formal sit-down dinner. I like having lots of pockets of places for my guests to (comfortably) perch and socialize. So when hosting, I love to create vignettes around my rooms: little moments for guests to linger. Lighting does a lot of the work to create these mini zones, and I move lamps around to create pools of light that invite people towards a cozy corner or a little bistro table.

The more spaces people have to put down a drink, the more opportunities I have to style up a tiny table, a console, or even just a tray. So here I have rounded up my favourite chic glassware and barware, cute napkins, and playful trinkets that give these spots something unexpected. And, yes, there is a lot of silver because if you want to instantly make a space chicer, chrome is the answer.

Objects of Desire: November

Nostalgia is the buzzword right now. But we all know nostalgia isn't something you buy, it's something you feel. Yes, it's something you create, but it's collected over time from pieces you love and that give you joy. Nostalgia is something that has to be earned.

That being said, there are ways I up the nostalgia in my home at this time of year. Little switches I make to bring that joyful, cozy, warm familiar feeling that's so hard to describe. Soft layered lighting; piles of blankets on every chair, sofa, and bed that become portable, moved from room to room; a mismatch of picture frames along the mantel; books stacked on every surface; and trinket dishes to be filled with collected curiosities (one of mine is currently a mix of keys, playing cards, matchboxes and a rogue shell I picked up in the summer – a weird little memory moment in my entryway).

So my Objects of Desire this month are all about creating that lovely cozy, characterful, layered home. New pieces that will work with old, Christmas decor that will spark joy, tableware that's as trendy as it is timeless, and touches that will make your home feel truly lived in.

Objects of Desire is Homes & Gardens’ monthly showcase of the most beautiful, design-forward pieces curated by Head of Interiors, Hebe Hatton. Each installment highlights the decor she’s loving right now – from timeless investment buys to trend-led accents – offering a stylish edit to inspire and elevate every corner of your home.