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

Radiators have come a long way in the last few years, now there is so much scope and choice that it's another research area. So first stop has to be The Old Radiator Compnay where you can get beautiful old cast iron radiators or get your own restored in a variety of colours and finishes. The prices vary according to size, type and look, for some of us these remind us too much of our school days.

Posted by Carole

This Type 75 anglepoise lamp is a subtle redesign by Kenneth Grange of the 1970's Anglepoise Lamp originally invented by George Carwardine. It's available in black, silver or cream for £59.95 from the Bloomsbury store which prides itself on selecting a mix of the 'classic and the contemporary, cherishable and beautiful things with a sprinkle of imagination and humour'. Now that's an enticing mission statement, log on to see if you agree with it.

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

I was going to buy my sister a rug for her birthday, but realised that it's way too personal an object to buy. Plus l like this vibrant Monti rug for £169 from Ilva and you will either like or loathe it. I'm not sure how Ilva is doing, given it's store fairly remote localities. But they do have 20% off over the Bank Holiday weekend and £50 back if you spend over £250. Will that be enough incentive to get you there?

Posted by Carole

Unto this Last is named after a book written in 1860 by John Ruskin who advocated a return to the local crafts people. So this group of contemporary designers have set up shop in Brick Lane, where you can see your piece of furniture designed and created. This £95 round coffee table also comes in white ( £105) or Oak Veneer (£125) on birch ply. This product comes guaranteed with design and integrity.

Posted by Carole

With Spring in the air, it's time to give the house a good old clean and buy that sofa you've been discussing for years. First stop should be Sofa Sofa for a quick glance at what's new and on special offer. One of firm favourites is still the sofa workshop, where you'll find this Browning vintage garden collection. Yes it's very floral and whimsical and a big deviation from my usual one block of colours look. The footstool starts at £275, with the 3-seater at £1319 - it 's a big investment but then you are going to be sitting on it for years to come.

Posted by Carole

I could do with this Eat message for my daughter Erin who thinks eating is pointless unless it's cake. If you're a fan of letters, then Morello Living is the site for you, as they have aluminium, distressed, wooden and contemporary letters. They start at £6.50 and then increase as your message gets longer and larger, so keep it small and brief.

Posted by Carole

Buy the sea is an annoying flash website, but once you're in quite a delightful experience. Well it would be if I had a place by the sea to furnish. This simple nickel light pull may be as close as I get to my coastal dream. But for £5.95 and free delivery, a great bit of sustainable fishing.

Posted by Carole

My new idect phones are useless because the mouthpiece is so critical, that people often can not hear me - which really defeats the phones objective. This 1960's Scandiphone from Plumo would be an ideal replacement. It's a distinctive white or orange, has the dial hidden in it's base and costs £49. It's the 10th anniversary of this eclectic company, who specialise in lots of girly clothing and accessories with random lovely house fiddly bits thrown in. There's lots of inspirational and indulgent stuff for Mothers Day too.

Posted by Carole

Re-found objects is definately high on my list of ten great home sites. These simple £8 paper lanters are typical examples of their well chosen, often recycled and unusual products. The site is joy to navigate, it's quirky yet elegant - log on if you don't believe me.

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

I can't resist twinkly lights, they can cheer up a dull room and mask the cracks in the wall. These colourful and vibrant Chinese paper lanterns from Kitsch cost £19.95 for 20 paper lanterns on a 6m cord, complete with approx 6 bulb spares (indoor use only). As it's Chinese New Year soon and they can deliver in a day, you could still have your chinese take away, in shall we say a more atmospheric setting. If not, then you could opt for the chilli, bunny, duck or pink fluffy heart lights.

Posted by Carole

This burnished bronze effect sunburst mirror would add drama to any room . Ok so at £200 it's not cheap, but think of how long you'll live with it and how much pleasure you'll get gazing at it. Lots of new and lovely stuff at Laura Ashley, don't let all the lace and girly tendancies make you overlook some great fabrics, lights and of course mirrors too.

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

Ok so the image isn't great, but all the more reason to log onto Frank Works and buy into a bit of one-off creativity. I'm slightly biased because I got a 'You Light up the World' tile for £23.50 for Christmas. This is a great online showcase for British designers and craft makers as well as an inviting shop in Whitstable. With Valentines day as the next big event, check out their perspex heart keys, or even better book a trip to Kent where you can guzzle some fresh oysters and then feast your eyes on some inspiring works of art.

Posted by Carole

The French House offer a fantastic range of authentic French lights like this solid brass school lamp. They come in an inspiring range of finishes and colours, from a classic black or green steel model to the more unusual brass or burnished copper finishes. They all measure 40cm in diameter, the steel ones are £59, the burnished copper £169 and the solid brass £189. This is a rare treat of a site as it reeks of well selected products and good quality. Now all I need to do is buy my little French chateau to house all these goodies.

Posted by Carole

If you are not one of life's shoppers and have yet to venture out to the High St, then log onto John Lewis right now. If you order by 3pm tomorrow, then your goods will be delivered free of charge with the speed of an online reindeer. This Naomi lamp costs £25 and would make someone out there very happy.

Posted by Carole

I pass Woven Ground (rug heaven) every day on my way to school. Should we ever get to the stage of needing rugs rather than a new rear end to our house, then this 90cm by 160cm acrylic butterfly beauty will be on my shopping list for Erin. This shop has got every conceivable design, style and colour combination you could ever desire. If you still can't find what you like, then simply design your own. Meanwhile I shall just dream about them.

Posted by Carole

Dunelm might not be an obvious destinaton point for you unless you live close to one or if you're my sister. But if you've got a keen eye and want to do a cheap and quick make-over then log on and pick up an assortment of cushion covers from £1.99 or an eye-catching 91cm Rialto roller blind starting from 21.99. Then finish off with a cherry Spriza wall clock for £4.99 and a lima rug for £29.99. Then lie about where you bought them.

Posted by Carole

I've got a soft spot for the Oliver Bonas shops, as they always seem in the throes of an identity crisis. In one swift shop you could be the owner of this vintage ceramic knob in a luscious cream or vibrant green, for a very respectable £4.50. Or pick up some great children's wooden toys; a resplendent chandelier and a massively reduced nolita party dress for £29 - forget Asda this is everything in one log on.

If you've enjoyed this entry, then please vote for Housebible in the 'Homes' section of the Bt Online Awards. by this Sunday. Make us bloggers happy this Christmas.

Posted by Carole

Within4walls has got some seriously stylish, designer led products, such as this Series x. Graeme Masse Architects have designed this unique multifunctional furniture comprising seat, table and footstool. Each product has a continuous loop which enables it to be rotated into different positions - upright, recliner and perching stool, coffee table, side table and foot stool, all matching each other's heights and uses. It costs £399 and when waxed can also happily sit outdoors, not sure I could let it out of my sight for that long.

Posted by Carole

Not on the High Street is a shoppers delight, with well chosen products from over 600 small craft outfits. Holly Tucker and Sophie Cornish have taken their business from their kitchen table to an office with 11 staff. This vibrant verneer inspired ball chair is a Bodie & Fou selection, 2 more web savvy women, more on them later. The chair had been designed by sculptor Finn Stone, costs £155, is made from recycled polyethyene and comes in black, white, red, green, brown and fuschia. It also can be used in or outdoors..what can this chair not do I wonder?

Posted by Carole

I do like these dramatic and witty Belgium stag heads. They have a real presence as they measure nearly a metre in size and come in a triplex plywood which is beech or black. They start at £165 and can be found at the lovely York based Snow Home website, who have a good eye for spotting unusual home products.

Posted by Carole

This Sun jar is a worthy winner of the eco-friendly 2007 award. When the traditional Mason jar is placed on a sunny windowsill, the solar cell creates an electrical current that charges the battery over a few hours. This energy is then used at night to power the three LED lamps inside the jar. For £19.95 you've got a geat children's night light or a garden/camping one. The Ethical Superstore is a great place to get most of your Christmas goodies purchased - with a clear conscience.

Posted by Carole

Posted by Carole

For all you organised people out there (of which I am very envious) here is an attractive £15 advent calendar with a difference. Twenty-four little drawers to put a treasure in each day, forget thoughts of acorns or seeds only chocolate will do. It's currently not available until November 11th from Jo Jo Maman Bebe who yes are the baby and maternity people. But they also stock some well crafted and unusual gifts, I wouldn't mind finding some cup cake candle holders in my stocking.

Posted by Carole

Well there can't be many people who haven't got a bit of Ikea in their home. Even if it's a duvet cover or that classic striped children's rug - yes you know the one. Anyhow they also have some great fabrics like Patricia who costs a very reasonable £4.49 per square metre. Looks fresh and quite retro to me and just screams buy me when I look at the hideous yoghurt encrusted covers on our chairs.

Posted by Carole

Well toast have finally got both sides of their business buttered with their expansion into houses and homeware. They've kept to their style of simplicity and luxury, not cheap tat, these products will last and last. This cotton terry Anatolian towel measures 172 by 90 cm and costs £39. It's soft, yet heavy and will add a touch of glamour to your bathroom.

Posted by Carole

I've always been a fan of Habitat but loathed their overcomplicated and indulgent website. So hoorrahh for their new simplified and easily navigated online presence. It's now a pleasure to seek out the likes of this bathroom sinc for £215, In fact they could do with more details about each product. As there is no Habitat in Leamington Spa, this lifeline to good and affordable design is an essential.

Posted by Carole

For romantic and very feminine bed linen head to Monsoon for this Kimono duvet cover. This cotton sateen creation has a detailed oriental embroidered design of duck egg and taupe and costs a reasonable £65 for the double cover. To finish off your bedroom take a look at their inspired lighting section and purple accessories.

Posted by Carole

Ok so having just moved to Leamington Spa, we can't actually afford this beautiful Florence Knoll 3 seater sofa. But I thought this would have lots of zeros attached to the price, but it costs £849 and comes in a range of sumptuous leather colours. Go Modern was set up by partners Tina Mahony & Simon Ingham to provide excellent quality designer furniture and accessories via the internet. It's a fantastic and refreshing site which is quite inspirational in it's choice of outstanding classic contemporary and new designers.

Posted by Carole

I know I should have told you ages ago about 100% design but this year I can't get there, so why should you go to this fantastic and exhilirating event? If you do have to go, take a peek at this delicious green sofa at Thorsten Van Eltens shop/online adventure. Made by Alexandor Taylor and available in heaps of colour from £1,180 - a fantastic website and a must visit show.

Posted by Carole

These large aluminium house numbers will spruce up your front door or perform as an ornament. Personally I can never understand why people don't spend a few bob on their house number, given it's something they have to look at every day. So hop along to the Conran shop, whizz past all the large digit and beautiful furniture pieces and head to the bargain section. You'll find these numbers are reduced from £9.95 to £7.46, plus you get to parade a Conran shopping bag.

Posted by Carole

This magnetic memo board admittedly isn't exactly a die hard purchase, but is a lot of fun to put up in the kitchen and wistfully gaze at the places you'd rather be while cooking the dinner...It also has the names of all the countries, so may even double up as a bit of geographical education for the kids. If not, you should still get on to the utilitydesign website, as it's definitely original, and quirky, and besides, whats £30.00 for some harmless escapism?

posted by Kieran

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

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

This chrome Wisdom Tooth Stool from grahamandgreen radiates pure modernist chic and is enough to relieve anyone of their fear of the dentist. The smooth ergonomic design provides far more comfortable seating than you would expect from what is essentially, a metal stool. It costs £62.50 and with something this smooth, sleek and quirky, its novelty is sure to be long lived.

posted by Kieran

This chrome Wisdom Tooth Stool from grahamandgreen radiates pure modernist chic and is enough to relieve anyone of their fear of the dentist. The smooth ergonomic design provides far more comfortable seating than you would expect from what is essentially, a metal stool. It costs £62.50 and with something this smooth, sleek and quirky, its novelty is sure to be long lived.

posted by Kieran

Gardens rejoice as Bambi gets a seating makeover in the form of these garden benches.Foster one now for £195 from Heals. They're cute, practical, and a low maintenence way to introduce wildlife to your outside, without the mess. Perfect.

posted by Kieran

I presume you already knew that the Pier store was online? I have to confess that I'm not a big fan of the Indonesian/Mexican look, but they do have lots of little surprises. This Hessian embroidered circles cushion is not only eye-catching but also reduced from 15 to £12. Now I don't have to rummage through the store, I might be be purchasing more there.

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

Lots of loveliness to be had at Laua Ashley right now. In 10-14 days times you could be the owner of this Marissa etched mirror for £60. It measures 46cm by D1.5cm and would look great in quite frankly any room. Have a mooch around the site and pick yourself some 2 for 3 champagne flutes or save up to 25% off their furniture. They've extended their Bank Holiday offer until June 4th, handy for those of us who take a long time to make up our mind.

Posted by Carole

If I could buy the whole Cath Kidston homeware range I would, but for now I'll settle for this nifty Red First Aid Tin. Equal parts cuteness and practicality, this kit comes complete with bandages, plasters and everything else you'd need in case of an emergency. (First Aid Tin £15)

Posted by Chanika

Perfect for a lazy Saturday mooch or a cure to a rough night is a browse through Dutch by Design. Lots of gorgeous stuff like this half simple vase by Dutch designer P Design for £29.50. Lots of inspirational furniture, mirrors and lights....perfect.

Posted by Carole