Lovely Things

Splashes of bright colour: Indian parasols for the garden

The colours of these beautiful 'Raj' jewel-toned parasols are so vibrant, they'd really make a splash in the garden this summer. Shown here are 'Haveil Blue' and 'Marigold' and there's also a 'Royal Purple' available too. Each parasol is 120cm in diameter and they have contrasting undersides and metal cutwork embellishments that would flutter and tinkle prettily in a breeze. They're handmade in India by the Indian Garden Company and are available from Gardeners-Word.net for £97.20 each including free UK mainland delivery.

Coveting a doormat: Orla Kiely at Heal's

I came across this doormat while writing the piece on the Heal's clearance sale last week and just have to share it. I'm a big fan of Orla Kiely's colourful leaves print and think it works really well with a coir doormat. It'll set you back £30, but just think how it'll cheer you up when you're coming in from the cold and rain next season.

Gorgeous blankets from Atlantic Blanket Company & a special Lovely Things discount code

When we live in a country with summers as unpredictable and un-sunny as England's it's criminal to write what I'm about to write: I can't wait til autumn! Okay, well maybe that's overdoing it a bit, but you see, I've been so inspired by the beautiful blankets and throws at the Atlantic Blanket Company's website, that the thought of snuggling up against the chill suddenly doesn't seem like such a bad idea.

As well as a lovely array of woolly cosiness, I'm impressed with the clean, simple look of the site, the beautiful photography and customer-friendly design. Read below for a very special discount code for Lovely Things readers.

Now comes the difficult part - trying to decide which products are my favourites that I just have to show you. Here goes...

Still bargains to be had: 50-70% off in Heal's clearance

Most of the sales are over and you'd be forgiven for thinking all that's left are a few dregs that nobody wants. Okay, well that is true on many counts, but if you have a little rummage, there are still some bargains to be nabbed as stores clear out the last of their old season's stock.

Here's a few picks from the Heal's clearance section at 50 to 70 percent off...

Summer garden candles from the Cotswold Company

The Cotswold Company is offering 15% off all full-priced items until 16th April, and what better purchase to make than these very sweet 'Summer garden spike candles'. They come as a set of four in blue or yellow and are 76cm high. I think I'd have to go for the yellow as they remind me of oversized buttercups and would look really cute peeping out from between bushes in the garden. They're usually £29.95, but with the discount they're yours for £25.46.

Christian Lacroix for La Redoute

Designer collaborations with High St brands are everywhere these days in fashion, so it's not surprising to see more crossover of this type in home furnishings as well. The Christian Lacroix pour La Redoute collection has just launched and includes a range of homeware items such as tables, bedding and rugs.

Most items are designed around a bright print theme, though, despite being a major print fan, I rather like this simple 'Gloriette' perspex and steel table in orange (£165). It reminds me of the lovely little Eames side table, with its wire frame base.

More unusual are items like the 'Noctopatte' table (below, £255) with its nine (count 'em!) mismatched legs.

Click through below to see more of the Lacroix collection...

Discounted solar power garden lights at Woolworths

Now that the evenings are starting to get a little darker, it's a good time to think about lighting in your garden. Woolworths has a range of garden products in their summer sale, and these attractive stainless steel solar-powered outdoor lights are a bargain at £19.99 for a set of ten, saving you a huge £60 on the original price of £79.99. Even better, Woollies is offering an extra 10% off Big Red Book sale purchases (including these lights), until 9th Sept so enter ISOAugust07 at the checkout to save.

Vitamin's funky urban gnomes at Onedeko

Looking for a garden ornament that's a bit outside the norm? How about a gnome? Yeah, yeah, I know what you're thinking. Forget your kitschy (and faintly creepy - you know they're watching you) jolly-red-hat brigade and check out these funky urban gnomes by Vitamin. The bone china gnomes stand at 21cm high and come with a variety of patterns from a cute-yet-menacing skull to something more gardeny like a pretty dandelion print or 'undergrowth' (pictured). Available from Onedeko for £48.50 each.

Hanging lanterns & tealight holders

When the sun starts to shine, our thoughts turn to outdoor entertaining (even if it is still rather chilly of an evening). Hanging candles and tealights twinkling away give a magical quality to any garden party or BBQ, so here's a few you can pick up in High St stores...

First up is this very pretty Moroccan style hanging lantern from Monsoon. It has crackle glass and hand made brass detailing. It's £15, available only in green and takes a standard tealight candle.

Heal's 'Louis' range of outdoor furniture

Great legs! No, not you (though that's not to say you haven't), I'm talking about this gorgeous 'Louis' range of outdoor furniture from Heal's. In glavanised steel with a sexy zinc finish, these curvy beauties will give an elegant style to your alfresco arrangements whether you're having friends round for a drink or reading the Sunday papers with a cup of tea in your bathrobe. The table's £395 and the stools are £100 each. Who says outdoor furniture has to be boring?