Seeking some inspiration? Then take yourself off to 100 per cent design and be inspired and outraged at the great and the good in the world of design. This potato masher is a great example of an essential item being updated to something functional and funky. It's on from the 18th - 21st September at Earls Court in London, step in and forget we're in a recession for the next few hours.

Posted by Carole

Ross (my hubby) has just received one of these Normann Copenhagen collapsible green funnels. In fact his was black and they come in red too. Anyhow, I can now reliably inform you that it works and feels like a very clever bit of design in your hands. For £13.50 from Beth Stevens you get a great piece of functional engineeering, not sure when I'd use it but it's a good talking point.

Posted by Carole

This peely bin is flying off Lakleands shelves for £13.99. Undoubtedly this is helped by Warwickshire Council rolling out a new residential recycling shceme, but being unable to provide the desk top caddies to store your food waste in. Or could it be that it's a rather attractive cream enamel alternative to my big heap of peelings staring at me from the sideboard?

Posted by Carole

If you want a quick kitchen makeover then donate your old mugs to charity or make them into planters. Then feast your eyes upon these delicious Pantone mugs from heals for £8 each. The whole range is based upon the world renowned colour authority, so this orange 021C is just one of very hueful palette - tea will never taste as good.

Posted by Carole

In case you are the sea loving type or know somene who is, then how about purchasing this boat plate from the talented Charlotte Angye. Inspired by her window view of boats on the river in Cornwall , she has popped them on a £7.95 mug, a £19.95 dinner plate, a £10.95 side plate and even a £44.95 drum lamp shade. If like me the nearest you get to water is the puddles outside the front door, then I'd recommend her witty shoe rack or elegant lighting.

Posted by Carole

If you're having one of those declutter moments then head to Muji for some simple and well thought out storage solutions. I like this simple 28 litre bin because it takes up less space than it's circular neighbours and for £29.95 is no-nonsense and functional. They have some great storage solutions and contemporary beds, but it's the accessories which always catch my eye.

Posted by Carole

Emma Bridgewater can provide you with some terribly English polka dot cups and saucers for tea and scones in the garden. Her hand painted earthenware is priced at £6.95 -to 39.95 and can be sourced from good old John Lewis, a shop which is growing on me as I get older.

Posted by Carole

This £14.50 recycled can crusher is a vast improvement on the heavy metal one I once owned and lost en route from Brixton to Hackney. The Guardian raved about this Home Recycling site for it's vast selection of recycle bins and indeed they are a joy to behold. First I need to mount one of these balck or blue beauities on my wall and get squeezing.

Posted by Carole

If you're stuck for a gift idea then log onto Dotcom Giftshop and have a very affordable mooch. This elegant white antique cake stand or food tray is 43 cm high and costs £14.95. Lots of great and inspired ideas for the kitchen, bedroom, him or her or anyone who fancies something a little bit special.

Posted by Carole

For all you Scandinavian lovers, log onto Our show home and salivate at the beautifully crafted mid-century furniture and pieces. These Danish salt and pepper shakers hail from the 60’s and are made from wood with a green lacquer finish. The tallest is 10cm, the smallest 7.5cm, price - £64.00. You can make an appointment to visit their home and gawp or buy all their lovely wares. Or take yourself off to the Mid Century Modern show at De La Warr Pavilion at Bexhill on sea this Sunday from 11am -4pm. Ross is on a stag night on Saturday, I wonder what my chances will be of making it there!

Posted and Disappointed, Carole

I get a real kick out of bargain hunting, so wouldn't miss this phenomenal sale at Villeroy & Boch. Until July 28th you can get 80% off selected tableware, 50% off boxed cutlery and up to 60% off selected ranges of stemware. This vibrant Beach Party tableware is reduced by 50%, if this is a tad too wild then they have some elegant white classic lines too. The factory shop is at 267 Merton Road, so you could always see your wares before you part with your money.

Posted by Carole
Posted by Carole

Watts Contemporaries have 130 years of design and architectural experience dating back to 1874. Better known for their churches and cathedrals, they also have some striking glassware and ceramics. These distinctive Florentine glasses are inspired by secular drinking vessels of the 15th Century and would certainly get your guests drinking and talking. This range starts from £13 and can be seen for real at this years Summer Fair from 17th -20th June at Excel in London.

Posted by Carole

The stiletto and the tart have joined forces to create this stainless steel stiletto tart server from Graham and Green complete with a magnetic removable heel for easy serving. Not exactly a die hard purchase, but is a brilliant piece of humorous design, and for just £15.75 is a lovely accessory to the modern women’s kitchen. Who knows? It might even encourage you to bake.

posted by Kieran

Bored of eating your bran flakes out of the same circular bowl very morning? Then recycle them and get these Andante square cereal bowls for £3 from Marks & Spencers. They're also available in a wierd mocha colour, so stick to the simple white.

Posted by Carole

Cocoa Bean has a great selection of well priced purchases for in and outdoors. This pretty ceramic tea set costs £9.95 and has lots of products to add to the pale pastel/floral look. If you're in Windsor you can pop into their shop, get some chocolate and see how they arrived at this name.

Posted by Carole

Well Joules really is a site for all you horse-loving folk out there - just look at the range of polo shirts. In the midst of this they have some great outdoor chairs, picnic ware and these 3 powder blue cake tins for £19. Or check out their clearance section and get a pinker version of these 3 for £10, a bargain.

Posted by Carole

I keep on meaning to buy one of these nifty acrylic spice mills for chopping, grinding and blending small quantities. Pefect for herbs, baby food and coffee and supplied with 3 glass jars to store your ground food. Costs £21.95 from John Lewis who currently have an offer of free delivery to your home. You may wish to throw in a sofa or fridge to make their trip worthwhile.

Posted by Carole

I've seen a fair few kettles in my time, but this one really is something else. This Red loop kettle has a rounded bottom for rapid boiling and a Hohner 2-note harmonica whistle to ensure you never boil dry. As our kettle is on it's last legs I might buy this £45 one from Debenhams or maybe I'll buy their green one with a concealed cord or maybe the blue one - never have kettles looked so good.

Posted by Carole

Fabulous French style 3 -tiered storage unit from the lovely Graham & Green . It costs £57 and can be used in the bathroom or kitchen, adding instant style and glamour.

Posted by Carole

Spring is in the air and I wish I could justify buying these vibrant Prestige green saucepans. Reduced from £100 to £50 for 5 pans - a 14cm milkman, 16cm, 18cm & 20cm covered saucepans and a 24cm open french skillet, all finished off with a DuPont non stick interior. Makes my black ones look very dull and boring, so off to Debenhams for me.

Posted by Carole

You're guaranteed a quirky shopping experience when you enter the world of Corolla Cream. Heaps of fabulous vintage finds like this 1960's coffee pot designed by Jessie Tait for £40. Apart from the unusual site layout, which resembles a car boot table top ensemble, they also hold an online market every Wednesday and Sunday. Join their mailing list and you get a £5 gift voucher, this site is a must for people like me who love a good weekend rummage.

Posted by Carole

This recycled Cambodian Rice Shopping Bag would happily sit indoors storing things or outside shopping. It's a practical ,eye catching product and the work of an organisation which helps provide shelter, education and housing to vulnerable women.

Rather bizarrely it can be found on the Firebox site. If you're new to this, then click on to find hundreds of gadgets and gizmos, most of which defy a definition or use. Not sure how this product ended up here -but I like it.

Posted by Carole

You have until February 3rd to log onto Nest and bag yourself a stlyish bargain. These Magis Butterfly Chairs are reduced from £126 to £107.10 ( a true 15% reduction) . I've chosen these expensive chairs because they have an added twist in that the front & reverse of the seat are available in a mix and match palette of colours which includes orange, lime green and pink! More subtle options from Magis are the Fully White & Fully Anthracite Grey versions. If I'm in Sheffield I'll definately head to their warehouse, if only to get a contemporary furniture fix.

Posted by Carole

I'm a firm believer that just because something is practical does not mean it has to be boring; the range at Yoyo is testament to this - take this butter dish, which might look like its made-from-plastic tupperware counterpart but is in fact 100% ceramic and available in a range of pretty pastel colours. Perfect if you're looking for something a little bit quirky to brighten up your kitchen. (£26)

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 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

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

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

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 spend a lot of time scraping up peas and sweetcorn that Erin has joyously hurled onto the floor. So I need this pea plate as it has lots of clever little numbered pea holes, which you can flick your peas into and score. Erin gets a game and I get less crap on the floor - a winner all-round. It's annoying that I can't find a price on the Soop Group website, but they do have a list of stockists and will be at 100% Design.

Posted by Carole

In the UK even people with dishwashers still insist on putting the kitchen sink in front of the window. This is probably why it's all but impossible to find those continental cupboards that contain a draining rack to position over the sink. If anyone knows where to get them please let me know. This Poli metal drainage unit (£110) from the French fashion catalogue La Redoute's AM.PM interiors range comes close although it doesn't hold much crockery. It comes in a version with plain shelving too.

Posted by Ros

The humble bread bin has been coloured and flattened to my delight. I am determined to de-stainless steel my kitchen, so this is a good place to start. The baby blue Brabantia bread bin costs £19.25 and surprisingly comes with a 10 year guarantee. You can find it at the Homewares stores along with some slick bodum coffee/tea generators and a very unusal set of saucepans designed by Garty Rhodes. The kitchen is finally getting some more colour to it's surfaces.

Posted by Carole

Posted by Carole