Random mirror

I can't resist a bit of contemporary mixed with period detailing, so have a look at this wonderful mirror from Julian Chichester. Called the Random Mirror it mixes square and rectangular antique effect panels with eglomise for some period drama.  It comes in two sizes 700x1000cm or 800x1600cm.  Starting at £1,397 it's not on the cheap side though...

The great outdoors

There's another post I liked from madaboutthehouse.com - all about outdoor rugs.  I love the idea of creating your own sitting room outside.  Take a look at cuckooland.com for see some of their really reasonable range which are all £49.95.  But while I was there, I was also taken by their hammock and hanging chair range - always quite difficult to find I think, but there are some surprisingly great options here. Below are my favourites...

Bali Outdoor rug - £49.95

Salsa marine hammock - £36.95

Double hanging Cacoon - £325

Globo hanging chair & stand - £665

Picture frame desk

I liked these space saving ideas on www.apartmenttherapy.com particularly this picture frame desk below. How ingenious is that?! Will put you back a bit price-wise though...

$2199 at Ivy Design

Tribal outdoors

With my thoughts turning to outdoors and long lazy summer entertaining these chair and table sets from made.com have caught my eye.  They're the new Mali collection - with tribal inspired pattern and vivid colours they will bring a pop of colour and design to your garden. Although truth be told I quite fancy the monochrome.  At £149 for 2 chairs and a table they're a bargain too - and they even stack easily for autumn/winter storage. I like a bit of practicality with my design.

Sealed with a kiss

I first saw this Bocca sofa back in my advertising days in the reception of a well known media owner. I loved it then and love it now, so when I came across it on www.gufram.it I was delighted. And not only that I also fell in love with some of their other pieces.  Now just need the opportunity, the guts and budget to get it out there.  

Bocca Sofa by Studio 65 - £5,366

Summertime Sofa by Valerio Berruti

Bellaforza Table by Denis Santachiara

Stylish workstations for kids

Some great and affordable ideas here from www.remodelista.com for kids work stations. As a space saving and tidiness freak, these appeal on many levels...  Check out the link for more ideas, but these ones are my favourites.

The plywood wall-mounted Workstation from Finnish architect Takkunen's collection, Luona In

Wall-mounted desk spotted on House to Home

Plywood wall-mounted desk by Dutch architects Atelier van Wengerden

Upcycling's the word

If you love this current trend then take a look at some of these sites.  Upcycling takes jaded, unwanted furniture and breathes a fresh lease of life into it - often creating unique talking points in the process.  I particularly love the Sundae chairs on Humblesticks.  You've got to be quick though - since most of the items are one offs, it can be a case of right place right time.

www.humblesticks.co.uk

www.lovesalvage.com

www.zoemurphy.com

www.littletreefurniture.co.uk

Cult furniture outlet online

Have just come across another great site for classic design furniture - cultfurniture.com - certainly does what it says on the tin.  With a strapline of 'the home of affordable modern design furniture' you can certainly get your hands on some top design items at great prices. I'd be careful not to over-do design cliches though - a few of these pieces go a long way!

Barcelona chair - £289

Verner Panton chair - £49

Mad about the blog

I know there are hundreds of interiors blogs out there, but this one is my absolute fave - it's Mad about the house and is written by Kate Watson-Smyth a journalist specialising in interiors and design.  There are daily finds ranging to the latest fab interiors shops to gorgeous lighting ideas to unusual floor tiling - oh and shades of grey paint - but above all loads of practical advice and input into styling your home.  I drop in each week to take a look.

As well as the '365 Objects of design' feature you'll also find a weekly delve into hot properties on the market (who doesn't like nosey-ing around beautiful homes)

... and there's also a 'Your home' section where you can ask your burning interiors questions and she will gallantly try and point you in the right direction.  So if your new year's resolutions include keeping up to date on current interiors trends, this is one to bookmark.

Heals' timeless, classic bedroom furniture

Founded in 2010, Another Country is a British based company that makes contemporary craft furniture and accessories.  Sold exclusively at Heals as their 'Craft Series' this classic bedroom furniture combines simplicity with serenity - providing a modern take on the functional forms, clean lines and enduring craftmanship of Shaker furniture.  Beautiful.

You can see the whole collection at Heals.

Storage, the Danish way

This article on Remodelista caught my eye ... Beautiful, minimalist storage furniture from Danish company Skagerak.  These stylish teak hangers in particular would be a beautiful addition to any hallway.

Another great Scandi site

Another find to add to the list of great sites for modern Scandinavian furniture, lighting and design www.muuto.com.  A couple of my favourites...

Dot coat hooks

Mini stacked shelf system

Scandi Living

If you love the skandi style but are looking for something a little more exclusive than Ikea, then why not try one of these three sites...

Nordic Elements - 'The home of contemporary Scandinavian designed and inspired products for the design conscious family'.

Rasmus Design - 'Welcome to our world of contemporary Scandinavian-inspired design.  Balancing form and function, everything you see will bring a combination of practicality and aesthetic beauty to your life'.

Or Scandi Living - 'an online boutique that gives customers the opportunity to purchase high quality, stylish but at the same time homely, Scandinavian design'.  

I particularly love their Borastapeter wallpaper range.  See some top picks below.

Scandinavian design - Ypsilon 2735

Scandinavian design - Tallyho 2753

For kids you can never go wrong with spots - Lilleby 2660

I just love this baby website

Called Nubie - the Modern kids' boutique it is a fantastic site full of great ideas for decorating your little one's nursery or bedroom.  I'm in the middle of doing a toddler nursery at the moment, and these bits are definitely going in!

Kangaroo toy storage box

White dandelions and cowparsley wall sticker

P'Kolino Little Reader Chair

Removable wallpaper - it's DIY-tastic

Chasing Paper offers a range of 'stylish removable wallpaper for the urban home'. Genius. So you want a feature wall? Done. Or to update a tired looking piece of furniture? Easy. Best still, you're renting and can't stand the decor but can't paint the walls. Hey presto. These ingenious covering solutions are peel and stick so you can change them whenever it takes your fancy. Have a look at some of these for inspiration.