At some point we'll need a bench for our yet to be made kitchen and this is the sort of shape I like. It' s well worth having a mooch around Nigel's Eco Store as he has a friendly and very practical range of products. This is one of the more expensive goodies as the sofa is made in Sweden from cardboard, of which 40% is recycled. So shelling out your £549.99 for a piece of board which might not withstand the onslaught of my two, could feel a bit painful.

Posted by Carole

I like the idea of giving a dedicated cushion like this retro Dolly one by Deberah Sparks. It measures 16cm by 16cm and costs £29.95 from that virtual shopping vortex called Not On the High Street . If you're in need of some online retail therapy then this is the place to be. I have to warn you though that means you won't get that long list of bank holiday diy jobs done.

Posted by Carole
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Pulfrost have a great range of window film starting from £17. They stock period and contemporary designs which can be cut to your specific size for decorative or privacy reasons. I think the house number or name done this way is a great finish to a house, as well as being a little bit different.

Posted by Carole

I had to show you this Erin fabric from Laura Ashley because it's the same name as my daughter and is reduced from £20 to £10 (a metre I presume?) It's a repeated mimosa print and is just one of their elegant and fairly floral household items on sale. This shop has had a big surge in profits, looking at their stock it's not hard to see why.

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

I'm a big fan of the rubber flooring company because they have the same range as Dalsoupple but are less expensive. Saying that I can't tell you the exact price because that information comes via a store near you or by phoning their freephone number. We've had rubber flooring in our bathroom, so I can say their PR is true which is' it provides an unequalled level of softness and impact absorbency ..It is resistant to fading, cigarette burns and damage'. How about throwing an Easter party to christen your new floor and test it's reputation.

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

Yes - this is a Metz £350 chair from the love it or loath it Next Directory. I've just been browsing through their new catalogue and it really is worth perusing their wallpapers, chairs and lighting. If you choose carefully, you can easily throw in the odd purchase as part of an overall look with ease and a lighter wallet than if you headed to Heals or Habitat. Saying that, do check they haven't tattooed their Next logo on the piece. For that they need to pay you and me for purchasing and advertising the item in question.

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

If you can't find a window blind to suit your taste at Web-Blinds then get creative and design your own, like this childrens one. I'm really taken with this site. It has a great range of styles and fabrics, an idiot -proof guide to measuring your windows and a large bargain section, with upto 40% off. Blinding.

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

I've just spent 4 days in deep sofa talk with my sister. We mused on when would her boys learn that it is a seat and not a trampoline? When could they opt for fabric or should they stick with wipe-clean leather - the cost, the style... it went on and on. So for all of you out there with young children or a refined budget then head to Nabru Furniture.

This Orb 2 Seater Sofa was £399 and is now £299, plus you have heaps of choice in terms of fabrics, leg and back design. Even better, they will assemble a selection of the sofas and offer a non-quibble 14 day return policy on some too. Now that's what I call happy sofa shopping.

Posted by Carole

If you're interested in unusual materials and artefacts then you need to head to this years Salvo Fair at Knebworth House in Hertfordshire on Saturday 30 June - Sunday 1 July. It's packed with archetectural antiques, reclaimed materials, antique garden ornaments, craftspeople, green and fair trade. For £7 you'll have a great day out and could find yourself taking home a great piece of history to live with.

Posted by Carole

It’s not uncommon for high street clothing stores to branch out and experiment with selling products for the home, but I’d yet to be impressed until I saw the range at Zara. Aptly named 'Zara Home' the collection includes everything from bedding to trinkets and ceramics in the most sumptuous, luxurious fabrics and finishes. I’m particularly impressed by the gorgeous throws and rugs on offer. Although you can’t order online yet, it’s worth checking out the website to get a feel for this stylish Spanish based brand’s home wares.

Posted by Chanika

...so curl up indoors with a throw from the selection at The Natural Store. What could be better than cosying up on a cold night (because yes, the British winter doesn't get any kinder) to a super soft mohair wool throw? They come in a range of colours that include Bordeaux and Chocolate Brown. With something this luxurious doesn't staying in and seeing the cold winter nights out seem appealing now?
(£128)

Posted by Chanika

If you're thinking fabrics then your first stop has to be the Designers Guild . They're not afraid of colour, contrast or in-your-face bold designs. This Sarafan Peony throw costs £100, so not one for lovers of neutral colours or cheap bedding.

Posted by Carole Sleight

What a bargain. £28 for 20 of these lovely hand-decorated Mexican tiles from the Mexican Hammock Company. The tiles measure 10x10cm and will make the cicadas sing in any gringo bathroom or kitchen.

Posted by Ros

Kelly Atkins's eureka moment came while foolishly ironing on the synthetic carpet in her student accommodation, turning a patch of carpet hard and flat. Now her company Carpet-Burns produces HTC (heat-treated carpet) panels out of faulty and end-of-line stocks of naff carpeting. The stuff would take 250,000 years to bio degrade if sent to landfill. The result is a smooth material with where-have-I-seen-that-before smudged patterns. It can be used in much the same way as MDF for things like flooring and wall-paneling. It can also be moulded. More happy accidents please.

Posted by Ros