Ok so these cushions are not Clarissa Hulse, but then they do currently only cost £10.39 each. So your dog, cat, kids or partner can happily sit, puke or squash it with no screaming from you. You can pull out some well designed pieces from the Cargo Home Shop which look a lot more expensive than they are. When it comes to cushions I will not pay over £20 on one, that is until the kids have left home.

Postred by Carole

Make an impact with these stainless steel
numbers for your house. Big, bold and affordable at around £16.65 per number from the family run Mit Hus website.

While you're at it, buy this elegant Dutch beaded coat hanger for £3.50. Perfect to display that special dress - if I had one.

Posted by Carole

These paper maiche bowls are visual and practical, they'd be fantastic for your fruit or stationary bits and bobs. They're hand-made in South Africa as part of a HIV relief project and can be purchased at Re- Found Objects , a gorgeous site dedicated to finding everything that is stylish, unusual, occassionally fair traded and regularly affordable. More please.

Posted by Carole

It's hard to get stylish sofa beds so I just had to show you this Libra one from Ocean Furniture . It costs £395, has a futon-stlye mattress and covers which can be dry cleaned. There are some great pieces to be purchased at Ocean and it's well worth checking out when their next sale is on. I do love a bargain.

Posted by Carole

Are you looking for something different for your teenagers wall, then why not buy this Future Map . It utilises an equal area projection, which is effectively a different vision of our planet, which represents countries in their correct proportional sizes. The map is printed on to a quality silk finish paper with metallic silver seas and a gloss varnish finish to the land mass. It measures 90 cm by 45.6 and costs £32.95 by those creative people at Hidden Art . So while your teenager sulks, is wired to their ipod or daydreaming in their room, they can also gaze and learn a little about the world around them.

Posted by Carole

Those Dutch people must have good design built into their genetic make-up. If you haven't stumbled across it yet, then just take a look at Dutch By Design and see what I mean. This fiery Lotus Red epoxy/nylon lamp is the creation of Janne Kyttanen & Jiri Evenhuis and is part of their Freedom of Creation collection. It costs £295 and comes with a dimmer switch. This lamp would set any room on fire.

Posted by Carole

It's sometimes the smaller details in my home that give me great pleasure. Take this magnetic, aluminium bottle opener cum keyring holder for £8 from the hidden art shop. It's simple, stylish and in our house a definate necessity.

Posted by Carole

If you hanker after owning a classic piece of furniture, but feel you could never afford it, then log onto egamma , which despite it's odd name, sells modern contemporary furniture. This Charles and Ray Eames chair and ottoman costs £699, plus delivery of £105 in the uk. This would buy you a slice of work from two of the most influential American designers, plus it's practical and stlyish. Treat yourself and park your butt on a design classic.

Posted by Carole

This wonderfully textured pestle and mortar is a fantastic buy from muji . It costs £14.95 and is made from Tunisian trees who are too old to produce olives. I wish I could be turned into something as useful as this when I get too seasoned.

Posted by Carole

It's a while since a piece of design made me smile and this Self Shelf does it for me. The shelf is designed as a book, so when you place more on it, they give the appearance of being suspended in mid -air. It costs £19.95, can take up to 4kg and is available from twentytwentyone .You will also find heaps of gorgeous sofas, lights, office stuff... well their site just oozes style -but this made me giggle.

Posted by Carole

When I lived in Nottingham, Atomic was one of my favourite destinations for pure indulgence in stlyish furniture and fittings. This Oxo sofa, designed by Nigel Coates is typical of their well chosen designer products - if a little at the wacky end. It costs £726 and is based on two interlocking shapes, which can be sperated or joined and upholstered in contrasting or matching fabrics. Looking at their site makes me want to hop on a train and get back to their showroom -enjoy.

Posted by Carole

I just had to show you these towels because they're made from 70% bamboo and 30% unbleached cotton. Purchase these and you really are showing your (dark) green credentials. Ecocentric has been created by Oliver Heath, TV designer personality and author of various books. He's put his green beliefs into practise with this site, which is well worth a mooch around.

I just had to finish this entry with Little Errol who has been lovingly hand made by Lucy Jane Batchelor. He costs £39 and is made from recycled blankets and finished with vintage button detailing. A gift which will have to wait a long, long time to be recycled.

Posted by Carole

Throw out your net curtains (or make them into a picnic rug) and buy this gorgeous lacy film adhesive for your windows. It's available in blue or pink and and allows you to combine natural light with a decorative window display. It's available from Gollygosh in sheets measuring 100cm by 120 and was £47 but is now £28.20. Lots of privacy and bags of style.

Posted by Carole

At last a place where you can find a decent shower head at a reasonable price. This 5" Apron Fixed shower head by Hudson Reed will give you a great spray for £48.70. In fact Click Bathrooms have a one -stop -shop for all your toiletry needs. Just wish I'd found this site earlier - would have meant that Saturdays did not become the holy bathroom grail.

Posted by Carole

This beautiful 60's Danish style Rosewood Sideboard is available for £850 from the vintage section at Wallace Sacks . It's big and original and has detailed chequerboard marquetry on the panels. It measures in H81cm, D42cm and L213cm, has 2 cupboards and 3 drawers. This is a statement piece for your room.

Posted by Carole

Can you believe that these weighing scales are made from plastic hemp! No wonder Natural Collection.com are scooping eco awards left right and centre, because who else would source such a fantastic item, which is not only practical but also costs a healthy £19.95. I feel virtuous if I cook anything from scratch, throw in these scales and I'd feel very smug.

Posted by Carole

Now you have to admit this Sofa feels a little different? For a start it's made out of woven water hyacinth (anyone got any idea what this material is?) and comes with natural cotton cushions. It's costs £595 from Heals and would look great in a lounge or conservatory.

I just had to include this great girly mirror . It may cost £125 and be currently out of stock, but I think it's worth the wait.

Posted by Carole

If you're after something really special, then log on or head for Two Columbia Road in Shoreditch. I often pop in to drool over the twentieth century contemporary art works, modern design, retrospective furniture and just great objects. This 1950's glass cabinet was designed by Gibbs and sits beside a whole host of pieces by designers such as Charles Eames, Arne Jacobsen, Hans Wegner, Finn Juhl, Verner Panton.... you get the picture. Unlike many of the pieces the Gibbs price is only available on application. Don't let this put you off as there are lots of delicious and affordable pieces to bring home with you.

Posted by Carole

These eight nesting bowls are a treat to the eye and a joy for a keen cook. Ok they cost £55 from the Conran shop, but just think how useful they'll be, how long they'll last and how much fun you and kids will get from stacking them.

Posted by Carole

I recently went into Laura Ashely's and was pleasantly surprised at how very rustic and flouncy they'd become. Once you've got past the twee clothes, you'll love this classic bed with a beautiful fleur de lis design, hand cast in metal and complete with a hand tufted mattress. It costs £412.50 and takes approx. 7 weeks to deliver.

While you're feeling all floaty and whimsical, order this simple, yet elegant enamel cake stand for £15 and then get ready for tea, buns and bed. Sounds good to me.

Posted by Carole

I know these ducks don't go with your minimalist bathroom, but you have to admit it , they are very cute. For £5.50 (per duck) you could be the proud owner of (Clockwise from top) Darling, After Dark (which glows in the dark), Pop, Gelati, Spring or Triple Choc (middle). Your bath or bedroom mates are available from pedlers who have put together a great range of products. Question is which duck will I have?

Posted by Carole

I love it when you come across little shops specialising in 20th century design, expert upholstery and restoration too. Solomon's have a great little shop in Crouch End, London and an online service too. A bit disappointing that a lot of the unique pieces on the site are sold. However, give them a call if you can't find what you're after, as pieces like this Arne Jacobsen chair are representative of the high quality pieces they sell. They've been around since 1982 so there's not much these guys don't know about classic and affordable pieces.

Posted by Carole

Zeev Aram opened his first store on the Kings Road in 1964, that's the same year in which the Algol television was designed. Fear not, it has 21st Century properties such as digital tuning, auto programming, scart etc but also heaps of classic design from Zanuso & Sapper. It's available in black, white or orange from the Aram stores , the largest one being in Covent Garden, London. I couldn't find a price for it - so hope that doesn't mean this little orange box is out of our affordable reach.

Posted by Carole

This table or study or wherever you fancy light is simple and striking. It's designed by Antonio Citterio and costs £105 from the Conran shop . Known to his friends as the Kelvin T-Lamp it has a fixed arm and adjustable head. I quite like it's no nonsense appearance and functionality - then again there are lots of lovely things to look at at Conran online.

Posted by Carole

In 1953 a young German man called Horst Muller started creating great designs in an old wooden shack. Today we can thank his company Koinor for giving us this beautiful sofa. It's quite unlike anything I have seen before in the way it moves. The arms extend out to accommodate those extra two guests, whilst the back slides up or down to provide a welcome headrest after they've gone. It costs £2,500 and can be purchased by contacting them via the website and finding the nearest stockist to you. A great example of thoughtful and elegant German design.

Posted by Carole

Admit it, occasionly you have been known to wild scrabbling under the bed, in the drawers or on the bathroom cabinet shelf - to find that random condom. Well for £14.95 this teat topped prophotot will banish those days forever. Not sure why it's called this, but then expect the unusual at Scabetti Designs.

Posted by Carole

Those Finnish people must have design as part of their genetic make up - lets hope some of it mutates this way. Meanwhile enjoy Anne Kyyro quinn's work in the UK. Her signature style is raised relief detailing, like the wall panel section shown here. This not only gives a sculptural three-dimensional effect to her work, but also gives it a tactile quality. Her range includes bags cushions, throws etc, you can only find out their price by emailing her directly. One thing you can be certain of - her work is definately not flat.

Posted by Carole

This flower light is far more beautiful than this picture would lead you to believe. Imagine a descending spiral of glass flowers, glowing softly in your hallway. This one costs £799 from Azad electricals whereas the version I saw at London Interiors had the lights arranged in a circular spiral. Either way this would definately become the light of your life.

Posted by Carole