There is untold pleasure in putting an actual pen to an actual piece of paper and crafting a letter or writing down thoughts in a journal. Plus, increasing numbers of us are working from home and have desks that need cheering. Immaculate equipment makes even the worst tasks more enjoyable. So, here is our pick of the websites offering the most irresistible notebooks, desk accessories, pens and paper.

QUILL LONDON
www.quilllondon.com
Quill London

Luxurious, indulgent and thoroughly pleasing, this website is packed full of gems you didn’t know you needed. There is a gorgeous array of cards, diaries and notebooks, of course. But we also spotted irresistible Liberty-print gift tags, pom-pom paperclips and a particularly alluring brass ruler. What’s more, they offer modern calligraphy workshops in their chic East London studio.

PAPIER
www.papier.com
Papier Stationery

Founded in 2015, Papier’s aim is to get people to connect with each other more thoughtfully and more often. This carefully curated selection of notecards and invitations focuses on premium quality and elegant design. Browse the gorgeous site to choose the perfect card from hundreds of options by the industry’s leading artists, illustrators, designers and studios.

PRESENT AND CORRECT
www.presentandcorrect.com
Present and Correct

There is a clean, calm, Scandinavian vibe to this online stationery haven. Set up by a couple of graphic designers, Present and Correct’s constantly evolving offering is inspired by homework, the post office and school. Their classic photo albums, desk tidies and countless writing-paper options will positively leap into your online basket.

STUDIO SARAH
www.studiosarah.co.uk
Studio Sarah

This is an ultra-feminine, contemporary line-up of leather goods, notebooks and cards in colours as pretty as sugared almonds. You cannot fail to be inspired by the sheer class of each item. Think pale-pink journals with chic gold detailing, marbled A4 paper holders and sleek brass pens. Personalisation available.

CHOOSING KEEPING
www.choosingkeeping.com
Choosing Keeping

Spend just three minutes on this site and you will become a person who regularly writes letters in a fat tortoiseshell fountain pen on thick, crisp writing paper. The notebooks aren’t bad, either. And the wrapping paper will blow your mind – romantic, geometric, Liberty print, floral, marbled, you name it, Choosing Keeping has it.

LABOUR & WAIT
www.labourandwait.co.uk
Labour and Wait

This timeless, independent, general store, based in East London’s market district, concentrates less on the whimsical and more on the utilitarian. It is hard to ignore the clothbound notebooks with muted fabric covers, brightly coloured legal string, smart brass clipboard and to-die-for postcard collection.

JULIE BELL
www.juliebellstationery.co.uk
Julie Bell Stationery

Julie Bell is all about elegance. She offers gift tags, place cards, invitations, writing sets, notebooks and personalised stationery – all in the very best taste. You can’t go wrong with her vast range, pretty motifs, hand-engraving and lovely touches (like really, good thick cord on the gift tags). Plus, everything is designed and manufactured in her UK factory.

SLOANE STATIONERY
www.sloanestationery.com
Sloane Stationery

Sloane Stationery founder Nathalie Vaandrager is determined to get you excited about sitting down at your desk. To that end, she sells a stunning but sassy selection of diaries, cards and notebooks, many of which bear a witty little touch (her notebooks have emojis on the cover; her diaries bear mottos like “no guts, no glory”).

HAY
www.hay.dk
Hay

Hay’s mission is to create straightforward, functional and aesthetic design is writ large in their stationery range. Every pencil, every rubber, even a pair of scissors, is elegant, sophisticated and beautifully crafted. Feast your eyes on the chicest of notebooks, tablet covers and lengths of ribbon. If your home office really needs a boost, treat yourself to the exquisite “marble tray” – never will a pen be without a home again.

PEDLARS
www.pedlars.co.uk
Pedlars Stationery

At Pedlars, they are truly passionate about stationery. In fact, they go so far as to claim that “good stationery might well be one of the roots of happiness”. Head here for cool pencils in primary colours, chunky vintage rubbers that really work and lined notebooks that will force you down to business.

June 2017