Britannia, The Great British Sofa designed in support of Team GB

**This is a paid for advertorial by DFS**

DFS Britannia sofa designed for & inspired by Team GB at the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics
With less than 100 days to go, we’re really looking forward to watching the Rio Olympics this summer. We won’t be there in person unfortunately, but we’re sure the TV coverage will be fabulous.

DFS is the official Team GB Olympic homeware partner, and to celebrate the event they’ve designed the hand-crafted BritanniaThe Great British sofa‘, inspired by Team GB. When it comes to sofas, you don’t get much more British than the Chesterfield!

DFS' Design Director, Philip Watkin, sketching DFS Britannia sofa designs

The limited-edition Britannia range consists of a four, three and two seater sofa, an armchair, an accent chair and a large footstool. The Britannia will be journeying to Rio to take its place in the GB lounge in the Olympic Village. The athletes will have a comfy place to relax and put their feet up at the end of an exciting and tiring day of sport!

Machinist threading her machine in the DFS factory

The various pieces in the range are finished with golden studs to represent Olympic gold medals – one of the undoubted peaks of sporting achievement. In fact, the accent chair has 233 golden studs – the exact number of gold medals Team GB has won so far at Summer Olympic Games.

Hammering in golden studs by hand into the Britannia at DFS sofa factory

The range comes with an assortment of plain & patterned scatter cushions (in patriotic red white & blue of the Union Jack) designed in collaboration with British textile designer, Susan Munns, from Art of the Loom.

DFS armchair and accent chair from the Britannia range

Have a look at the short film below, all about the design and making of the Britannia.

It’s a lovely range of furniture. We’d very happily give them house room – a dog’s big muddy paws might be an issue for us, but I’m sure we could work round it! The sofa and chairs have a very elegant and timeless shape. Quality woven fabric upholstery, generous layers of soft padding beneath, gentle curves for your back and neck, scatter cushions for extra support – they look so comfortable! The sofa and chairs are available in four different colours with further choices for the castor feet and stud or piping detail. They’re the perfect place to relax – whether you’re having a quiet read, enjoying a pre-dinner drink or watching the Olympics of course!

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Jubilee Gems!

"Jubilee Gems" blog post banner

Union Jack flag in the H is for Home colours | H is for Home

For the past month or so everywhere you look there’s been bucket-loads of special commemorative things being produced for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. There’s a lot of tat out there, but there are some future classics too!

Here’s a run-down of our top ten…

Alison Gardiner Golden Jubilee commemorative china tableware available at John LewisEmma Bridgewater Union Jack pottery comport
Alison Gardiner tableware: £12.95-£69.95 | Emma Bridgewater comport: £75

Think jubilee… think garden and street parties – this fabulous crockery will do any gingham cloth-covered trestle table proud!

Red Jubilee English Breakfast tea tin from Liberty of LondonPrestat Jubilee box of truffles
Liberty of London English breakfast tea tin: £7.50 | Prestat truffles: £29.99

If you’re going to be watching the festivities on television from the comfort of your sofa, the combination of this English breakfast tea & truffle chocs will help keep your energy levels up!

FieldCandy Rule Britannia tentFulton Union Jack Funbrella unbrella
FieldCandy tent: £395 | Fulton funbrella umbrella: £12

You may be planning on spending the Diamond Jubilee weekend in the great outdoors. How better to nail your colours to the mast than with this fabulous two-person tent? Just don’t forget your brolly – you can never rely on the Great British weather!

Barbour Beacon backpackRadley Large Tote Bag
Barbour Beacon backpack: £205 | Radley tote bag: £99

And to carry your stuff on your travels during this extended bank holiday, a couple of patriotic bags – for him & her.

Tala Union Jack cook's dry measureGreat British Street Party Cook Book by Nancy Lambert available from Amazon
Tala cook’s measure £8 | Great British Street Party Cookbook: from £3.62

And if you’ll be having a Great British Bake Off of your own this cook’s measure will make calculating your ingredients that more enjoyable! And how about impressing the neighbours with your culinary prowess with the help of this cookbook?