Homes & Gardens
9 Of The Prettiest Basics For Your Larder
Feeding your family is nothing but a pleasure when even a can of fish looks divine.
We believe that William Morris’s advice to ‘have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be beautiful or believe to be useful’ should extend to the very depths of the larder cupboard.
Prettifying your basic provisions is excellent for the soul, which is surely why the search term ‘pantry goals’ throws up such a deep rabbit hole on Instagram.
It is easier – and cheaper – than you think to take a magic wand to your larder. Here are nine clever ways to achieve pantry perfection.
Famous for their freshness and consistency, these creamy free-range eggs from the Cacklebean Farm in the Cotswolds come in a pleasingly utilitarian, brown box. Buy them.
Sardines on toast is never a bad idea. Stock your larder with a few of these pretty boxes from Mounts Bay in Cornwall and you will never go without. Buy them.
You will positively relish making your millionth Bolognese if it involves tomatoes from tins as gorgeous as these ones. (Take time to browse the website for masses more pantry inspo.) Buy them.
The recipe for Mustard LB’s OG Dijon from Hlthpunk is based on the very one beloved of Louis XI who, we’re told, kept a pot on his person at all times. Just look at how natty this little tube is. Endlessly chic and great for picnics, too. Buy it.
Can you imagine anything more likely to increase your lentil and chickpea intake – excellent sources of fibre and protein, both – than a row of pulses that looks this good? Iconic Spanish brand Perello had us at Hello. Buy it.
Vintage vibes abound from Heinz Tomato Ketchup when it is in a smart glass bottle. NB: You will find it difficult to return to the giant plastic family pack once you’ve brought the nostalgic bottle into your life. Buy it.
We defy you to come up with butter that is more prettily packaged than the one from the Fine Cheese Co. What is more, it is traditionally churned in the West Country and, as such, utterly delicious. Buy it.
At risk of sounding grave, order and joy can only reign in the larder if your spice rack is uniform. Give yourself the gift of a great big spice cull and then replace your favourites with these zesty yellow tins from The Spice Shop. Explore the range.
If you are careful always to buy Bonne Maman jam, you can house your store-cupboard staples in their charming jars ever after. (With thanks to the uber-stylist and creative Matilda Goad who first taught us this fabulous trick.) Buy it.
By Becky Ladenburg
June 2023
Prettifying your basic provisions is excellent for the soul, which is surely why the search term ‘pantry goals’ throws up such a deep rabbit hole on Instagram.
It is easier – and cheaper – than you think to take a magic wand to your larder. Here are nine clever ways to achieve pantry perfection.
Cacklebean Eggs, £3.75
Famous for their freshness and consistency, these creamy free-range eggs from the Cacklebean Farm in the Cotswolds come in a pleasingly utilitarian, brown box. Buy them.
Mounts Bay Sardines, £5.99
Sardines on toast is never a bad idea. Stock your larder with a few of these pretty boxes from Mounts Bay in Cornwall and you will never go without. Buy them.
Tinned Tomatoes From Lina Stores, £3.95
You will positively relish making your millionth Bolognese if it involves tomatoes from tins as gorgeous as these ones. (Take time to browse the website for masses more pantry inspo.) Buy them.
Mustard In A Tube, £4
The recipe for Mustard LB’s OG Dijon from Hlthpunk is based on the very one beloved of Louis XI who, we’re told, kept a pot on his person at all times. Just look at how natty this little tube is. Endlessly chic and great for picnics, too. Buy it.
Pretty Pulses, £14.20
Can you imagine anything more likely to increase your lentil and chickpea intake – excellent sources of fibre and protein, both – than a row of pulses that looks this good? Iconic Spanish brand Perello had us at Hello. Buy it.
Ketchup In A Glass Bottle, £2.50
Vintage vibes abound from Heinz Tomato Ketchup when it is in a smart glass bottle. NB: You will find it difficult to return to the giant plastic family pack once you’ve brought the nostalgic bottle into your life. Buy it.
Butter From The Fine Cheese Co, £2.50
We defy you to come up with butter that is more prettily packaged than the one from the Fine Cheese Co. What is more, it is traditionally churned in the West Country and, as such, utterly delicious. Buy it.
Spices From The Spice Shop, from £2.75
At risk of sounding grave, order and joy can only reign in the larder if your spice rack is uniform. Give yourself the gift of a great big spice cull and then replace your favourites with these zesty yellow tins from The Spice Shop. Explore the range.
Bonne Maman Jam, from £3.30
If you are careful always to buy Bonne Maman jam, you can house your store-cupboard staples in their charming jars ever after. (With thanks to the uber-stylist and creative Matilda Goad who first taught us this fabulous trick.) Buy it.
By Becky Ladenburg
June 2023
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Becky Ladenburg
Features Editor
As The Guide's features editor, Becky has her discerning finger on the cultural pulse. She's also our go-to expert on the property market.
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