For all of you who want to know what's hot in furniture and products for the small people in our lives, then put February the 24th in your diary. Hot foot to Christison Hall at Dulwich College in London at 10am -4pm and bring your kids there for free. Those clever people from Showhome have amasssed the work of over 50 designers from the UK, Europe and Scandinavia to wow you with modern designs and creations for kids. Look out for Nine to Nine furniture from Spain and Bugge from Norway, 70s cut and sew brand Clothkits, mini eames chairs, Isokon penguin donkeys. Source top designers at Thorsten Van Elten, Little fashion Gallery and Places and Spaces downstairs. The only problem is I'm not sure I could justify our kids rooms being such a style emporium when the rest of the house is so shambolic.

Posted by Carole

I'm not that fond of a lot of Debenhams furniture range as it screams parents to me. But I do like this simple heart inspired childrens trunk. It costs 59.99 and you have the hassle/pleasure to assemble it yourself, but worth it I think.

Posted by Carole

Ilva is not an easy a store to get to, so no surprise that they've made their products available online. Having been there, I would definately recommend a look at their sofas and children's beds, they're well made and come in a good range of fabrics and styles. This Emil bed is a half height wooden one for £258.97, it's a shame I couldn't find their bunk beds which divide into singles, as I think they're even better. Should you need to head to Thurrock, then you can stop at Ikea and then Ilva, where your kids can also eat for free. My idea of hell, but sometimes it has to be done.

Posted by Carole

Now these 3 oak veneer storage shelves could either look sylish or the cheap £20 they cost from one of my favourite mooch stores - Woolworths. I'd put them in a childs room for cd's, trinkets or special books. Worth a look and while you're at it, you could always recycle your old mobile and pick up some Halloween goodies.

Posted by Carole

As we're in the process of moving house, I need to give some serious thought to Erin's bedroom and storage needs. This £14.95 cupcake toy storage cube would be fun if a little dangerous on the cake reminder side. The Little Present Company have some thoughtful gifts for kids and some inspired new born ideas.

Posted by Carole

Batteries take a back seat and the planet rejoices with this brilliant solar powered wooden carousel from ecocentric.. The kids will love (and be bemused by) the toy that spins in the sunshine and stops in the shade. Made from polish beechwood and measuring 20cm high, for £29.00 this will add ethical giult free charm to the playroom at little expense.Phew.

posted by Kieran

Now these fun-loving Bimbi placemats could seriously brighten up any childs dinner-time. Any enticement would currenly help with Erin, so spending £14.40 for 6 could be a great investment - and yes they're plastic too. I've never dropped into Formahouse before and was pretty wowed by their extensive list of kitchen utensils - made me wonder how I've got by on so few.

Posted by Carole

For a pleasurable romp through some great design with mixed affordability - then take yourself off to Purves . This cute Magis puppy may be familiar to you? It's been a playmate in the Big Brother house and is currently a ride able chair at The Museum of Childhood in Bethnal Green. This dog comes in 3 colours and four sizes, prices start from £28.00 - more if fully house trained.

Posted by Carole

This is a pretty wild set of spongy stools from the ever so creative people at Hidden Art . These simple cylindrical forms provide in or outdoor eye-catching impromptu seats. They comes in 3 sizes and start at £45 plus packaging, you'd need quite a few to make a strong visual impact. If it's all too daunting then take a peek at the new Hidden Art Cornwall section and just admire the work of some great designers.

Posted by Carole

I spend way too much time pondering on how to make the kids stuff more organised. So this £325 playroom unit from The White Company could be the answer. It comes in 3 widths, so has flexibility in the shelving arrangement. It also has an anti -tipping device and a metal bracket to help align it. If this takes your fancy then complete the look with their kids matching table and chairs. Now all you've got to do is check that paint/chalk/goo can be easily removed from it and make the kids swear that they'll spend time admiring and enjoying their top - notch shelving.

Posted by Carole

Ok it's gorgeous and stylish but I'm way too mean and practical to spend £299.99 on a
Mozzee Nest to feed my child in. But then I thought about our pine and checked effort in the kitchen and imagined looking at this beautiful piece of curved plastic.

It also converts from a highchair to a low chair, so could be with us for a whole 6 years. Well that means it would only cost us 7p a day to marvel at this extravagant but essential piece of child equipment. Log onto Urchin and see if you can justify buying a Mozzee.

Posted by Carole

For spring/summer Habitat are launching a VIP for Kids range, supposedly designed by famous people who have been asked to invent things they'd have loved to have in their bedrooms as kids. Star (actually mere planet) of the show is this Moonbuzz lamp (£49), complete with craters, by none-other-than Buzz Aldrin. Tom Dixon, whose hand is evident in the creation of these too-good-for-kids goodies, told me that the legendary astronaut Buzz would have been happier to have an appropriately distanced gigantic sun to complete the look.
For little divas there's the Hollywood mirror (£39) by Miss Piggy – a celeb with somewhat less design cred. Other celebrity designers include Sophie Dahl (50s-style dressing table) and Kate Winslet (secret box), not to mention some rather scary dolls by Christian Lacroix and Paco Rabanne.

Posted by Ros

Whilst checking out what Christmas decoration bargains Tesco had to offer, I stumbled across this in the kids section and was struck by an overwhelming compulsion to post it. The Fantasy Large Hamster Cage (because that is what it is called!) is £24.97, and could possibly be the most amazing pet cage I've ever seen.

The child/rodent relationship has always perturbed me, but a rodent in a pink and green plastic paradise, now that's a cool pet. I think this could be the answer to some christmas shopping nightmares for parents across the land.

Posted by Kerry

Is it wrong that I'm completely in love with these children's zoo lamps by Danish brand Royal Shopping? Probably. Nevertheless, I can't help but smile when I think of what great presents these funky table lamps would make for the little people in my life. You can choose from a range that includes a giraffe, cat or elephant (amongst others) and they really are, in their own simple way, the cutest things ever. (Approximately £70.)

Posted by Chanika

Isn't this beautiful? Ok a kids rocking chair that costs £195 is not exactly cheap, but think of it as an heirloom for them too. I picked up an original 1930's one in Greenwich for £10 and Erin loves it. But judging by it's buckling wood and rattling nuts, it'll be lucky to survive a year in our house. Thorsten van Elten has gathered a great pool of talented desingers who have created an incredibly inspiring and creative set of products. He has a great eye for original and well crafted pieces, thank goodness someone is harnessing all that talent.

Posted by Carole

What a very busy person Kathleen Hills is, log onto her site multidesign and prepare yourself to be spoilt by her witty and elegant lighting and ceramics.Not only has she appeared in lots of housey publications and been heavily promoted by the Crafts Council but even Cate Blanchett has got her designing a light for her house. I was going to show you her fun milkii bottle, but then was swayed by this beautiful childrens dining set
with vintage prints for those with retro babes. For £34 you get an 8 inch plate, a bowl and cup. Naturally only to be puchased when your child has got past the hurtling their plate at the nearest passing person.

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

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

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 find myself growing into John Lewis stores as I get older. I can spend ages in the basement (kids permitting) looking at all the wonderful kitchen gadgets I will never use. Now I will get on that escalator and finally make it to the other levels to see if this locker style bedside table is as good as it looks. Costs £80 and is part of a vibrant blue and red Akrobat range of 'young peoples' furniture - still feel that could be me!

Posted by Carole