10% OFF FIRST ORDER | FREE shipping on orders above £100 | HASSLE FREE RETURNS | WE NOW SHIP TO THE USA AND MOST OF THE EU - Click for our shipping policy
0

Crafting Meaningful Moments: Inside the Product Development at What a Host Home

The What a Host Home Story. Meet our Founder Melanie Kalfaian

My journey into the world of design began long before What a Host Home ever existed. Back in my country, family meant gathering. I remember the smell of fresh, homemade food filling the air, so rich and warm it made you feel like you could bite the air itself. There was laughter, chaos, stories, and love, all anchored around that table. My granny always made sure it was beautiful: linen napkins, polished cutlery, candles flickering softly, little decor accents that made even a regular Sunday lunch feel like a celebration. Those memories planted the seed.

Years later, after more than a decade working in business strategy, marketing, and product development with major global brands like Givenchy, Warner Bros, and Marriott, I found myself at a turning point. In 2020, during a life-changing move to the UK, I finally found the space and clarity to reconnect with that early inspiration and create something of my own.

The What a Host Home Story. Meet our Founder Melanie Kalfaian

That’s how What a Host Home was born: a brand that brings together my corporate background and my lifelong passion for handcrafted home décor, rooted in family, beauty, and meaningful connection.

From day one, I’ve been deeply involved in the product development process at What a Host Home. I work directly with artisans from around the world to design and manufacture home accessories that feel both timeless and fresh. We’ve focused especially on metal pieces: using iron, stainless steel, brass, and aluminium to create products that are elegant, durable, and also highly functional.

Each collection begins with a simple question: How can we create something that adds meaning to everyday moments? Whether it’s a hand-forged iron candle holder, a stainless steel cutlery set, a polished brass napkin ring or coaster, or a sleek aluminium serving tray, every piece is thoughtfully designed to be used, loved, and lived with. Our metal accessories are perfect for modern interiors, rustic spaces, and stylish entertaining.

Today, What a Host Home offers over 200 homeware and kitchenware products, with around 20 new designs launched every year. Our range is carefully curated to support effortless hosting.

As our collections have grown, so has our material exploration. Today, I’m proud to say we also design home accessories made from marble and eco-friendly wood. These materials have allowed us to expand our offering with pieces like marble napkin rings, stone coasters, and sustainably crafted serving boards. Always developed with the same commitment to quality, detail, and intentional design.

Sustainability is also at the core of what we do. We partner with workshops that align with our values, focus on responsible sourcing, and support environmental initiatives that remove plastic from our oceans. Read more about our sustainability efforts.

Every item is also handcrafted, not mass-produced. Each one carries the mark of the artisan who made it, and that’s something I’ll never compromise on. Learn more about our handcrafted collections.

From concept to final product, my goal has always been the same: to offer high-quality, affordable, and design-forward home accessories that help people create spaces they love. Because I believe home is where stories begin; and design is how we tell them.