Let’s be honest: most of us live in homes that are a bit of a mix. A handmade vase here, a mass-produced throw from a supermarket range there. We will always advocate for supporting small/handmade businesses and goods, but that's just not realistic, especially when it comes to budget. And guess what? That’s okay.
There’s a certain charm in blending the high street with the handmade. It’s real. It’s accessible. And when done thoughtfully, it can result in a space that feels genuinely personal — not like a Pinterest board or a showroom.
At Benny and Mollie, we’re obviously huge fans of artisan-made pieces. But we’re also big believers in balance. You can absolutely love a handmade wax melt burner from a local ceramicist and still enjoy picking up the odd cushion from a department store. The key is in how you bring it all together.
Here’s how to mix handmade and high street pieces — and make it look effortlessly stylish.
Start with the Story, Not the Style
When you bring a handmade item into your home, you’re not just adding decoration — you’re inviting in a story.
That incense holder from a local maker? It was thrown, glazed and fired by hand. That hand-illustrated card on your shelf? It started as a sketch in someone’s notebook.
By contrast, high street pieces are often designed to fit trends, seasons or colour schemes. They’re easy and affordable — and when you treat them as the supporting act to your hero handmade pieces, they work brilliantly.
The secret? Start with the items that mean something to you, and build around them. Let your handmade pieces lead the way.
Use High Street Basics as a Foundation
Think of high street buys as your canvas — the simple layers that let your character-filled pieces shine.
That might mean:
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Plain linen curtains that let a colourful handmade vase pop
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A neutral rug that anchors a room filled with quirky artisan touches
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Affordable open shelving that displays your treasured handmade ceramics
It’s a bit like fashion — invest in the classics, then bring the outfit to life with accessories that say something about you.
Contrast Is Your Best Friend
One of the joys of mixing styles is the texture it brings to your space. Polished + rustic. Sleek + handmade. It’s all about contrast.
Pair a mass-produced mirror with a reclaimed wooden shelf. Style your supermarket sideboard with a hand-thrown bowl and a small stack of artisan-made incense sticks. Let the tension between the two elements create something more interesting.
It’s not about clashing — it’s about complementing.
Repetition Is Key
To keep your space from feeling random, repeat key elements throughout.
Let’s say you’ve got a handmade terracotta candle holder on your coffee table. Echo that warm tone with a cushion, a framed print, or even a high street lamp in a similar shade.
This repetition ties everything together and stops the handmade pieces from feeling like oddities — instead, they become anchors.
Let Handmade Be the Conversation Starter
Here’s a lovely styling tip: make your artisan pieces the ones people notice first. They’re the conversation starters, the objects with meaning, the ones you’ll want to talk about.
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Place your hand-glazed incense burner in a prominent spot — not tucked away
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Use a ceramic vase as your table centrepiece, not a generic bouquet
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Style your handmade bookmarks as shelf décor — yes, really!
When you treat handmade items like the treasures they are, they give your home instant warmth and personality.
Why It Works So Well
Mixing handmade and high street isn’t just about aesthetics — it’s also practical and sustainable. You support local artisans and make the most of what’s available. You invest in pieces that last and mix them with flexible, functional finds.
And honestly? The result is so much richer than sticking to one or the other. Your home starts to feel layered, lived-in, and — most importantly — you.
Looking to add more handmade warmth to your home?
Explore our curated collection of artisan décor — from ceramic vases to thoughtful touches that elevate any high street corner into something special.