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From a luxe espresso machine to a spa-like showerhead, these R&R essentials spark joy.
Shop & Tell features thoughtfully curated home finds from House Beautiful editors. Every week we'll take you inside our carts and dish on what we're buying—and why you should be reaching for your wallet too.
Whenever the temperatures rise just a bit—enough for you to swap your jeans for a printed dress or billowy skirt—our minds inevitably drift to summer getaways. But before we hit Memorial Day, the official start of vacation season, there are work deadlines to meet and perhaps even spring cleaning left to complete. How do we survive those weeks between being in the office and being on a remote island somewhere? One way to keep our spirits up is by surrounding ourselves with the vacay vibes daily.
Whether we're making espresso from our De'Longhi, so that we're mentally transported to Italy, or decorating our home with pieces that remind us of a lazy weekend in Maine, House Beautiful's editors have found small ways to bring in those relaxation reminders. "This slim design takes up minimal space and makes me feel molto Italiano as I whip up cappuccinos," Olivia Hosken, deputy managing editor, says about her De'Longhi. While we're still counting down the days until we can set our emails to OOO, you can see, and shop, the pieces below that are bringing us the most joy right now. These are the items we turn to, time and time again, to make being at home (sort of) feel like a vacation.
"I love the beach so much. From the sounds of the waves crashing to the salty magic that makes my hair look decent sans products, the beach is my happy place. I bought this striped beach towel (monogrammed, of course) when I bought my Weezie bathrobe a few years ago, and it comes with me on any trip I can drive to. This towel is the best because it has the wide stripes that feel preppy in all the right ways, the subtle piping along the edges, and the impossible-to-miss rounded corners. Every time I grab it off the shelf in my closet, I know I'm in for a pleasant getaway."
—Jessica Cherner, Associate Shopping Editor
"I love when a hotel lobby or luxury goods store smells nice. And the reason they usually do is because a super luxurious candle is burning, or someone sprayed the place with a scent. When I want my apartment to feel rich, like a five-star hotel, I simply spritz this Diptyque room spray into the air (a little goes a long way). It's especially handy when I'm hosting people and everyone uses my single bathroom—it keeps the air in there fresh."
—Marina Liao, Senior Commerce Editor
"Admittedly, I only bust this out when I have guests, but is there anything more luxurious than drinking a fancy foamy espresso in your pajamas? As someone who hates countertop clutter, this slim design takes up minimal space and makes me feel molto Italiano as I whip up cappuccinos."
—Olivia Hosken, Deputy Managing Editor
"Despite owning an espresso machine, sipping the delicate cups of coffee seems to be reserved solely for vacation in my brain. To try and keep that vacation vibe all year round, I've been having more fun with my coffee vessel, and these ones by fashion designer Ann Demeulemeester are my favorite. They're delicate and lightweight, holding a double shot with ease. If I'm feeling extra luxurious, I'll place the cup on the matching saucer for my morning cup."
—Kate McGregor, SEO Editor
"Anything that reminds me of the sun, salty air, and crumbly sand evokes summer for me. I've been seeing, and hearing, a lot about seashell decor—typical for this time of the year—but I have my eyes on this oyster trinket dish from Cailini Coastal. It would look great in any beach house, but even having a few of these in my NYC apartment would instantly transport me to a coastal July day in Maine."
—Marina Liao, Senior Commerce Editor
"Every so often, when these sheets go on sale, my family group chat crackles and we all stock up. The extra-deep pocket on the fitted sheet has ensured a snug fit across multiple mattresses, which makes a stock-up feel safe even if you might change your mattress down the line, and I swear makes the herculean task of re-securing a top sheet is easier."
–Claire Brito, Senior Social Media Editor
"My husband's family is super Irish, and we've visited a few times in the past couple of years, including for our honeymoon and my sister-in-law's wedding in Dublin. Every time, I've bought way more Avoca wool blankets and scarves than any one person actually needs. I can't resist a soft blanket, and they're the softest, plus they come in the most beautiful bright colors. You see them everywhere, from high street shops to museum gift shops to duty-free at the airport, so you really can't help yourself. Wrapping up in one of them at night to watch TV is almost like a vacation."
—Elyse Moody, Contributing Senior Editor
"After going back and forth on whether to buy this or not, I decided to treat myself to this fancy showerhead. It contains a filter with KDF-55 and calcium sulfate that removes chlorine and heavy metals, which can have negative effects on your skin and hair over time. Though I can't attest to if it completely removes all that it says it will, I do love the gentle but firm water pressure from the Jolie and I noticed my hair doesn't get oily as fast! Every time I use it, I feel like I'm in the shower of a nice spa resort."
—Marina Liao, Senior Commerce Editor
"Do you remember that scene in Baz Luhrmann's The Great Gatsby when Daisy Buchanan is first introduced, and the numerous sheer, white curtains are dreamily streaming in the room? Well, when I want to escape reality for a bit, that's where I would mentally love to be transported to. Since I don't live in a mansion on the bay though, and instead have four roommates, my personal way of creating this vision for myself was by hanging up sheer, lightweight curtains in my bedroom. Gauzy curtains like these allow in the perfect amount of diffused natural light, and when I open up my windows, the gentlest of breezes blow them into my room. Though it doesn't look like Daisy's enviable sitting area, the sight always makes me feel lighter."
—Meghan Shouse, Assistant Editor
"I love a giant candle and this one from Voluspa is easily my favorite. It smells like winter—snow falling, fire crackling, and wine opening—which is one of the best times of the year, in my opinion. I would take a snow-drenched ski chalet over a beach house any day, so this candle really gives me those cozy, snowy cabin vibes—even in the dead of summer."
—Jessica Cherner, Associate Shopping Editor
"My velvet Chesterfield sofa makes me feel like I’m living in a royal residence befitting Bridgerton. The red upholstery, silver accents, and black legs give it an edgier, moodier look. It's certainly the showpiece of my apartment. I love lying on it and simply admiring the views beyond my window."
—Kelly Allen, Associate Editor
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