Round Acacia Tray

Cut from close-grained acacia and sanded to a smooth, warm finish, this 35cm round tray is built for carrying and for staying put. The 4.8cm rim is deep enough to hold mugs, bowls and glasses steady, and the two cut-out handles sit flush with the sides — nothing to catch on a doorframe, nothing to snap off. Lift with both hands and the weight stays balanced, whether that's a teapot and two cups, a plate of toast and a coffee taken back to bed, or a cheese board doing the rounds at a party.

Set it down and it keeps working. On an ottoman it corrals the remote, a candle and a stack of magazines; on a bathroom counter it gathers bottles and folded flannels; on a dressing table it keeps perfume, rings and a watch in one place. Acacia is a dense hardwood that stands up well to moisture and daily knocks, and because every tray is cut from a different part of the tree, the honey-gold and deep chocolate tones shift from piece to piece — yours won't look quite like anyone else's. Wipe clean with a damp cloth and dry straight away rather than soaking or machine washing; a thin coat of food-safe wood oil every few months will keep the grain rich.