10 things every gentleman should have in his home
A man’s home is said to be a reflection of himself. Ensure yours is the echo of a gentleman. It’s time to ditch all the juvenile mementos that hark back to university days and start to add a touch of refinement to your abode; you can start with these 10 essential items…
1. STRIKING ART
It’s well noted that bare walls simply aren’t becoming. Whether it’s a contemporary print or one of these incredible old-school images from Sonic Editions, your home should be decorated with a little class – that means no grey-scale cityscapes.
Framed Paul Newman Giclée Print 20″ X 24″, £300 from Mr Porter
2. A COLLECTION OF BOOKS
Because the admission ‘I don’t read’ stopped being cool the moment you were old enough to work.
Ai Weiwei – Evidence Hardcover Book, £32 from Mr Porter
3. CLEAN, MATCHING SHEETS
Try bringing a girl home to a dirty, unkept bed and see if she still wants to spend the night with you. Also, so much of your time is spent asleep, why would you settle for cheap sheets?
Mabelle Seersucker Double Bed Set, £60 from Made.com
4. SHOE SHINING KIT
It’s said someone judges you first by your shoes and then your watch, so make the best possible first impression with a pristine pair of footwear. A full stocked shoe shining kit should be on hand for a thorough buffer the night before a big meeting.
Wooden Valet Shoe Care Box, £150 from Joseph Cheaney & Sons
5. TOOL KIT
You’re a grown man and you should have a basic tool kit handy should the need arise. We don’t expect you to be a fully-fledged DIY virtuoso, but the occasional bit of maintenance should be well within your skillset.
Draper 105-Piece Home Tool Kit, £28.76 from Amazon
6. PLANTS
You may not want the commitment of a pet or child, but show some responsibility for a living thing by keeping a few real (not fake) plants around the place. They’ll brighten the place up and make the air a little cleaner for you.
7. A FRIDGE FULL OF GOOD FOOD
A good diet is paramount to an even better lifestyle. If one glance inside your fridge reveals a trove of treats, soft drinks and unhealthy snacks, it’s time to make a change and start stocking up on fresh fruit and vegetables.
8. TOP SHELF BOOZE
When it comes to offering a guest a tipple or nightcap, a shot of off-brand booze, cheap whisky or, god forbid, an alcopop, just isn’t going to cut it. You should be able to call upon a carefully curated selection of the best quality poison when entertaining or for simply winding down come the evening.
Chivas Regal 25 Year Old, £180 from The Whisky Exchange
9. LUXURY TOWELS
The emphasis is on the plural here, you should be washing your towels regularly and rotating to keep them as fresh as possible. Give you and the woman in your life the best possible start to the morning with some spa-grade cloth-to-skin softness.
Mercer Egyptian Cotton Bath Towels, £28 from Made
10. A SUITABLY-SIZED TELEVISION
Nothing screams teenage digs or over-compensating bachelor pad like a comically oversized TV. Balance your entertainment with the size of the room and absolutely never leave video game paraphernalia strewn all over the place.
Bang & Olufsen BeoVision Avant, £POA from Bang & Olufson
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