The 50 Best Homeware

2. Child’s rocking chair
Rocking chairs aren’t just for grannies tucked up in thick blankets, knitting needles clicking. These funky rockers are made from wood and painted in green, blue, pink or white and ideal for little ones. They are a good price too – £35 – and at 56cm high and 36cm wide, they will last well into your child’s teens.
Where - Dutch by Design (0844 884 2340; www.dutchbydesign.com)
How much - £35

3. 1960s coffee set
Alfie’s Antiques Market in Marylebone, north-west London, is an Aladdin’s cave of antiques, especially ceramics. The dealer Kenneth Norton Grant has this striking Aztec-inspired black and gold coffee set is a 1960s design from Portmeirion.
Where - Alfie’s Antiques (020-7723 6066; www.alfiesantiques.com)
How much - £100

4. Milkii milk jug
There is a long overdue move, in certain quarters, towards selling milk in thin plastic sacks, instead of the usual wasteful plastic and cardboard cartons. This stylish milk jug makes a great alternative to serve your milk from. It is made of bone china and holds one pint of milk. The range was originally crafted in white, but Pedlars is currently selling a limited edition of glossy black jugs.
Where - Pedlars (01330 850400; www.pedlars.co.uk)
How much - £28.50, black £34.50

5. Noodle tree print cushion
Bring the great outdoors into your living room with this vivid cushion. Noodle digitally prints botanical images on to silk twill cushions – great accent pieces in otherwise monochrome rooms. They also do lampshades and canvases.
Where - Noodle (01273 410900; www.noodleonline.com)
How much - 16” £70, 20” £99

6. Recycled bath rack
Bailey’s makes simple, useful and high-quality homewares and have a number of items made entirely from recycled materials. If you go to their website, you’ll be greeted by a picture of Colin, who has been part of Mark and Sally Bailey’s supply chain for 20 years. He puts lots of interesting pieces of wood their way, such as the floorboards this practical bath rack was fashioned from. Far easier on the eye than the chrome or plastic equivalent.
Where - Bailey’s Home and Garden (www.baileyshomeandgarden.com; 01989 561931)
How much - £36

7. Naomi table lamp
A slim, round table lamp which won’t steal centre stage in a small room. Nor does it shine too brightly on tired eyes in the early hours. None of which stands in the way of good design and value for money.
Where - John Lewis (www.johnlewis.com)
How much - £25

8. Malpaso Plum Pitcher
Malpaso is a hand-blown range of glassware made in Mexico. The rich-plum colour of this large jug will make drinking water or lemonade at the dinner table more of an event. There are a range of wine glasses to match so you could decant a red wine into the jug before dinner.
Where - Kanzi Home (0845 055 7710; www.kanzihome.co.uk)
How much - £25

9. King and Queen Chin Grinders
This very sweet “Family of Mr Chin” range is the result of a design collaboration between Alessi and the National Palace Museum of Taiwan. They can be used to grind salt, pepper or spices and are the perfect treat for any cook with an eye for contemporary design and a sense of humour. You can treat the kids to the pink and blue eggcups, also in the range, at £12.95.
Where - The Conran Shop (020-7589 7401; www.conranshop.co.uk)
How much - £29.50 each

10. Blik wall decals
If you like bold, patterned wallpaper but aren’t sure you want to paper a whole room just yet, test the water with these intricate wall stickers. Once you have (carefully) applied the sticker, technically known as a “decal”, it will look as if you have commissioned an artist to hand paint the design onto your walls. Use this chandelier in a living or dining room. Available in black, white and burgundy. Blik is an American company but you can also source these at Supernice in the UK.
Where - Blik (www.whatisblik.com)
How much - from £20

11. Slate toilet brush
The toilet brush – not the most exciting item to shop for but pretty handy in a bathroom. The great thing about this solid slate holder is that it will easily blend into your behind-loo area, and the weight of the stone means it will stay put wherever you want it and not go rolling around the bathroom. Dwell sells a wide range of carefully chosen and well priced modern furniture and accessories in their shops in London, Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow and Cheltenham.
Where - Dwell (0845 675 9090; www.dwell.co.uk)
How much - £27.95

12. Habitat Swash bedlinen
Making your bed up with clean, pretty bedlinen is a good start to getting a proper night’s sleep. This Habitat design was created with a mixture of painting and graphic techniques and looks hand-painted. You can theme the room around this print with a few of the co-ordinating accessories: lampshades, vases and cushions are also in the “Swash” range.
Where - Habitat (08444 99 1111; www.habitat.net)
How much - duvet cover (double) £59, pillow case £12, cushion £35

13. V&A napkins
Smart cotton napkins printed with a William Morris design, these were developed as part of Debenhams’s exclusive range with the Victoria & Albert Museum.
Where - Debenhams (www.debenhams.com)
How much - £30 for four

14. Milk clock
A simple, eye-catching clock with two crucial functions: it will help you get out the door on time in the morning and remind you not to miss out on milk and cookies at tea-time. Can’t argue with the bargain price, either.
Where - Matalan (www.matalan.co.uk)
How much - £6

15. Fiori wallpaper
A black background sharpens up the pretty, acid-bright flowers in this paper from Cole and Son’s Fornasetti range. Like most designer wallpapers, this is far less economical than a lick of paint, but one wall covered in this bold design should get the point across.
Where - (020 7376 4628; www.cole-and-son.com)
How much - £65 per roll

16. Mr & Mrs Hangup Hooks
Sweet and rather stylish at the same time, these wall hooks can be screwed or sticky pad-mounted with a minimum of fuss onto your bathroom door or wall to hold towels or dressing gowns. Each one is made of stainless steel and measures 13cm high x 11cm wide x 4cm deep.
Where - Bodie and Fou (0870 609 2648; www.bodieandfou.com)
How much - £13.50 for a pair

17. Jo Malone candle
Jo Malone’s scented candles have been much copied but if you splash out on the real thing you won’t be disappointed. It’s hard to pick a favourite – wild fig and cassis or amber and sweet orange are quite strong; spring jasmine, lime blossom and grapefruit are much fresher. You can combine the candles as you can the scents and body products with the new fragrance combining tray containing three candles chosen to complement each other.
Where - Jo Malone (020-7720 0202; www.jomalone.co.uk)
How much - £38 for a single candle, £125 for the combining tray

18. Clarendon wallpaper
I love the faux grandeur of this Osborne & Little wallpaper, new for spring 2008, and the acid-lime colour of the 18th-century flock cameos. The design is named after the forest and ruined palace in Wiltshire and seven different colourways are available in the same design.
Where - Osborne & Little (020-7352 1456; www.osborneandlittle.com)
How much - £89 per roll (10x52cm)

19. Rex dinner service
This two-tone stoneware is a shoo-in for spring kitchens. Choose from acid-bright yellow, satsuma or a more muted fennel green. The underside of each piece is a dark, unglazed stone, making these pretty sturdy plates and bowls.
Where - Habitat (08444 99 1111; www.habitat.net)
How much - dinner plate £5, side plate £3.50, bowl £3.50

20. Thomas Paul cushion
Choosing just one design to take home from hip New York textile designer Thomas Paul’s exhaustive selection is no easy task. His designs are whimsical yet grown up, featuring birds, animals and quaint Russian dolls while retaining a crisp, metropolitan feel. Available in the UK through Supernice, a new-ish interiors company set up by former Selfridges’ buyer Louise Sandor.
Where - Supernice (020-7613 3890; www.supernice.co.uk)
How much - from £32.50

21. Missoni towels
Fluffy, 100 per cent cotton Missoni towels work as well in the bathroom as on the beach. There are five in this set – one bath sheet, two bath towels and two hand towels. They are woven in Missoni’s signature bright stripes, with a Native American feel to the design.
Where - Amara (0800 587 7645; www.amara.co.uk)
How much - £128

22. Angel Wings mirrors
Perhaps not the best mirror for careful make up application, but certainly suitable for any princess’s boudoir. You could use them to draw attention to a dark corner. Graham and Green sells bone inlay mirrors in flower and bird designs that are also very pretty.
Where - Graham and Green (0845 130 6622; www.grahamandgreen.co.uk)
How much - £169

23. Lume tumblers
I haven’t found any scientific evidence to support this theory, but I’m sure all drinks – water, whisky or gin and tonic – taste better drunk from these chunky crystal tumblers than a lesser glass. The “Lume” range is designed by John Rocha exclusively for Debenhams.
Where - Debenhams (www.debenhams.co.uk)
How much - £65 for two

24. The Exciting Lighting Company
Inspired lighting panels that will save you the trouble of burrowing into your ceiling to fit spotlights. The panels come in a range of shapes, including circles, curves, waves, squares and ovals. They are suitable for any room and a bespoke service is available, as well as children’s designs. Despite being fitted with a mixture of halogen and LED lights, the panels are surprisingly energy efficient.
Where - The Exciting Lighting Company (0845 868 3652; www.theexcitinglightingcompany.com)
How much - from £295

25. Nanimarquina Little Field of Flowers rug
Minimalists beware – this textured flower rug designed by Tord Boontje is not for anyone who likes interiors full of clean lines and simple shapes. Made from hand-knotted felt in red (pictured here), green or grey.
Where - Metre Square (0113 269 8888; www.metresquare.co.uk)
How much - from £930 (80cm x 140cm) to £4982 (200cm x 300cm)

26. Atlantic halogen wall light
Poky bathrooms with little natural light are the scourge of modern city living. If you’re suffering from the “tiny, dark shower room” affliction, invest in a pair of these halogen wall lamps and place them either side of the mirror. There are plenty of similar lights in small boutiques and design shops at 10 times this price.
Where - Lighting-Direct (01923 333000; www.lighting-direct.co.uk)
How much - £23 each

27. Thistle rug
If you have a wooden floor in your bedroom, up the comfort stakes with a luxury rug. The Glasgow design duo Timorous Beasties’ unique toiles and wallpapers won them the accolade “William Morris on acid”. This thistle print rug (pictured here in stone) is a little more sedate and made from 100% New Zealand wool.
Where - Timorous Beasties (www.timorousbeasties.com)
How much - £2,305

28. Ceramic Rise and Fall lantern
Low-slung lights and lanterns can add a lot to an intimate dinner atmosphere, but getting the height right can be tricky. This rise and fall lantern skirts this problem as you can easily adjust it. The bright ceramic lights – choose from pillar-box red, duck-egg blue or olive – are finished with bronze fittings.
Where - Marston & Langinger (020 7881 5777; www.marston-and-langinger.com)
How much - £175

29. Mixing bowls
Now and again M&S come up with a product that reminds you why they’re still a formidable presence on the high street. This set of three stainless steel bowls are big enough to mix in and smart enough to serve salads and veg from and store on your work surface (inside one another if you’re stuck for space). If there are any leftovers just snap the lid on and save for the following day.
Where - Marks and Spencer (0845 609 0200; www.marksandspencer.com)
How much - £19.50 for three

30. Wooden photo frames
Well-presented family snapshots add warmth and a lived-in feel to interiors. Two or three of Zara Home’s Eastern-inspired dark wood frames should do the trick.
Where - Zara Home (www.zarahome.com)
Howmuch - £9

31. Maier Aichen Stool
SCP manufactures sharp, interesting furniture by some of Britain’s leading design lights, such as Terence Woodgate. Its flagship east London store is worth a visit for any contemporary design fans, whether you want to make a purchase or not. This durable stool is actually a multi-functional container perfect for family bathrooms. It has a lid, so can be used as a laundry container or for toy or general storage, and is great for sitting on when you’re making sure little ones are bathing safely.
Where - SCP (020 7739 1869; www.scp.co.uk)
How much - £37

32. Trinket Boxes
Keep your bedroom clutter-free by stashing any stray make-up, cosmetics, keys and coins in these 1920s pink glass trinket boxes. The Greenhaus is a one-stop shop for all sorts of sustainable household goodies; each product is rated on the website according to its ecocredentials. This pair are vintage, recyclable and made from a sustainable material.
Where - The Greenhaus (01279 658400; www.thegreenhaus.co.uk)
How much - £20

33. Haikus plates
Guests will be racing to clear their plates if you serve dinner on these, regardless of the quality of your cuisine, just to drool over the designs hand-painted onto each one. They are the work of Marcel Wanders, the long-time cult-furniture designer for brands including Cappellini and his own line, Moooi, who has recently turned his hand to home accessories and appliances.
Where - B&B Italia (020 7591 8111; www.bebitalia.it)
How much - from £212 for 50cm plate, £416 for 75cm plate

34. Miniature Flower Field Vase
This silicone rubber vase holds up to 30 individual blooms. Just two or three, though, would appear artfully presented. If you can’t get to their store in central London, Mint’s engaging website gives a strong sense of their impeccable design taste. The company also offers an interior design and wedding list service.
Where - Mint (020 7224 4406; www.mintshop.co.uk)
How much - £50

35. Silk Road lamp
Chinese-style decor, provided you pick the right pieces, never really goes out of fashion, and chunky lamps add character to a room. This stand comes without the shade, a shantung silk emerald green or bright blue one would really turn heads.
Where - Christopher Wray (020 7751 8701; www.christopher-wray.com)
How much - £345

36. Hutton cotton rug
Swap your fluffy bath mats for this simple cotton rug. Laura Ashley is registered with Rugmark, an organisation that campaigns against illegal child labour in the Indian rug industry. Its Hutton design is 120cm x 180cm and is also made in blue.
Where - Laura Ashley (www.lauraashley.com)
How much - £60

37. Eco-Age Coat hanger
It looks wonderfully decadent but this coat hanger is actually fashioned from an old chair. You’ll find it among piles of other right-on home goodies at Colin and Mrs Firth’s new eco home emporium in west London. The shop itself is an homage to sustainable living and you can check out the viability of solar panels and wind turbines on its roof.
Where - Eco-Age (020 899 57611; www.eco-age.com)
How much - £37.50

38. 1950s placemats
Smart dinners needn’t be stuffy. Add a little humour with these trompe-l’oeil vintage placemats. One picks up the 1950s flying ducks motif; all four have a non-stick cork base and are wipe clean.
Where - Lisa Stickley (0800 876 6339;www.lisastickley.com)
How much - £26 for four

39. Jelly Lights
These innovative lights are a little bit kitsch, but not too much, and will add character to the blandest of kitchens. Each is made from a vintage metal jelly mould, and even the light fittings are fashioned from jelly moulds in miniature. They take 40W bulbs and designs and sizes vary according to stock. Re-found Objects is a treasure trove of unusual homewares; visit its warehouse in Northumberland.
Where - Re-found Objects (01434 634567; www.re-foundobjects.com)
How much - £45

40. Kartell Francois Ghost mirror
Devotees of the best-selling Philippe Starck Louis Ghost chairs will love these slick perspex “Francois Ghost” mirrors, available in red, yellow, crystal, purple and green. If you are growing tired of the current art deco mirror styling fad, the crystal one is the perfect contemporary antidote, but the purple is my favourite.
Where - Nest (01142 666900; www.nest.co.uk)
How much - small £179, large £294

41. Brighton triple towel rail
A freestanding towel rail in white with plenty of hanging space and a rack to keep your slippers safe. The White Company remains a sure bet for quality home accessories in pleasing natural tones and this rack is light enough to move from bathroom to guestroom.
Where - The White Company (0870 900 9555; www.thewhitecompany.com)
How much - £55

42. Provence bed linen
Just the right side of rustic France to suit an airy home in the UK, the soft blues and greys in this bedding can be mixed and matched to create the desired look. The pieces are made from a combination of linens and embroidered cottons and there are throws and cushions in the range. The light grey “Mother of Pearl” cushion, £18, is particularly pretty.
Where - Virgin Vie (www.virginvieathome.com)
How much - double duvet cover £63, double sheet £20, pillowcase £10

43. Ash serving trays
Indulge in a selection of these ash trays and stack on your sideboard or dining table, before using them to serve cheese, fruit or cakes. The ash comes from France.
Where - Daylesford (01608 731700; www.daylesfordorganic.com)
How much - from £10 for 27cm to £16 for 35cm

44. Le Creuset cookware
Le Creuset’s cast iron and enamel casseroles will last you a lifetime, and this new teal colour, exclusively for John Lewis, has brought them back into the spotlight. Use the tiny 9.5cm design to serve individual gratins or oeufs en cocotte. There are six large casseroles for cooking for families or parties.
Where - John Lewis (www.johnlewis.com)
How much - from £78 for 20cm casserole (pictured here)

45. Ceramic vases
Squat ceramic vases that resemble shiny gourds. If you’re decorating on a budget you won’t be disappointed by Next’s very affordable homewares section.
Where - Next (0844 844 8949; www.next.co.uk)
How much - £7 for three

46. Coloured glass bottles
Decant your soap and other smellies into these pharmacystyle glass bottles. Each is 15cm high and comes with a handy dispensing nozzle as well as a screw cap. Buy a selection in greens, blues and clear glass.
Where - Ikea (www.ikea.com)
How much - £5.99 for three

47. Welsh tapestry bedcover
Indulge any cold tootsies with this heavyweight woollen throw. The traditional woven design is made on an old loom in a Welsh mill and the wool is undyed. The rug is reversible and measures 260cm x 255cm.
Where - Toast (www.toast.co.uk)
How much - £195

48. PicassoMio artwork
Don’t turn your nose up at buying art online. It is a hassle free way to browse and many art galleries have already wised up to the fact that buyers want to see works from all over the world before committing to a major purchase. PicassoMio operates out of Madrid, Florida and London and has over 5,000 works of art on its site.
Where - Picasso Mio (www.picassomio.com)
How much - Marc Chagall “Creation” lithograph $9,500 (£4,750)

49. Pantone mugs
Buy all one colour of these pleasing mugs inspired by Pantone colour charts or, if you can’t make your mind up, splash out on the whole collection. Let’s face it, paint charts are notoriously tricky to choose from anyway.
Where - Aram Store (www.aram.co.uk)
How much - £9.50 each

50. Copper pendant shade by Tom Dixon
Not a bad price for a Tom Dixon design and already a modern classic. The copper mirror finish brings just enough Seventies disco into the look without falling into the absurd.
Where - Heal’s (www.heals.co.uk)
How much - £165