Lovely Things

Magazines: Ideal Home Preview

Ideal Home magazine now offers a free online preview of its latest issue. You can currently view the January 2007 edition which, oddly, features some lovely decorating ideas for Christmas and New Year's Eve. Don't tell me that magazines are now realising that, as they bring each issue out before the start of the month (eg: January's issue is available in December), they're now including features appropriate to when it's actually being read? Wouldn't it just make more sense to bring the magazine out on the first day of the month and have month-appropriate articles? Either way, it's great to have a little look at what's inside before buying.

Moderno Glassware from the Pier

How wonderfully gothic these 'Moderno' glasses look, very sleek and simple, but incredibly opulent at the same time. You could go all out baroque style with decadent tableware and flowers, or quite minimalist with plain edgy white china and stark cutlery and this glassware would complement either look. The glasses are mouth-blown, so you'll probably need to wash them by hand, but being from the Pier, they're still keenly priced at £4 each. 

Related: Kate Spade Gwinnett Lane Tableware | Gift Ideas: Laura Ashley Tableware | Lovely Things: Tableware

Retro Coasters from Truly Ace

It's great being able to buy from small, independent designer-manufacturers. Through little online shops, you'll often discover new things that aren't available anywhere else, like these retro coasters from Truly Ace by designer Amanda Vlahakis. They come as a boxed set of four for £8 and are available in a striped design or the fabulous rounded design shown which makes me think of watermelons. They're cork-backed and suitable for hot or cold drinks.

Related: Fabulous chairs by Aiveen Daly | Pink kitchen appliances | Store Discovery: Retro Decades

Wall Hangings from Salvor Fauna

These balsa wall hangings from Salvor Fauna are so unusual and really beautiful. All the art is printed by hand and most feature animals. My favourites are the 'Cloudscape' and 'Camel' pictures shown. Both pieces are quite large at 24 x 48 inches, cost $288 and are available from Design Public.

Minimalist Black Vase from Tesco

We've been featuring a lot of retro and cute stuff lately, so I wanted to break from that with something sleek and minimalist. Enter this square ceramic floor vase from Tesco Direct. At just a shade under £13 it's great value for a vase of 45 cms tall and is available in black only.

Store Discovery: Retro Decades

Into all things retro? Check out vintage-loving store Retro Decades. They stock a range of items from furniture and lighting, to clocks and art, and have a section labelled 'everything else' containing anything from a fabulously-shaped 'toot-a-loop' radio, to seriously vintage hand-held video games. Some of my favourite picks include the Arco style floor lamp (£175) which would look gorgeous on my landing, and the fab polished aluminium 1950s Launderette sign (£1745), which I think I'd struggle to get into my flat at all, given its seven-and-a-half foot length. 

Related: Fabulous chairs by Aiveen Daly | Pink kitchen appliances | Ceramic hanging tealight holder

Retro Toaster - I Love Toast

When I first saw this fabulously retro toaster, all I noticed was the great colours and styling. It wasn't until I had a proper look at all the details that I realised it also toasts 'I love you' on all your slices. Very kitsch! While I'm not too sure how I feel about sentimental breakfast foods, I do love the toaster itself. It would go very nicely with your vintage style colander and 50s-inspired appliances. It's available in turquoise as shown and is £20.

Related: Fabulous chairs by Aiveen Daly | Pink kitchen appliances | Ceramic hanging tealight holder

Roco Verre Leather Coasters

These substantial leather coasters from Roco Verre come in four colours: tan, chocolate brown, cherry red and black, so you can complement your decor or tableware. I really like the simple plain silver-coloured band and quality leather in a chunky but elegant design. They have a non-slip rubber base and they're ordered singly, so you can mix and match rather than having to go for a matched-colour set. They're £4.50 each from Contemporary Heaven.

Gift Guide: £10 and under

Still Christmas shopping and need a few ideas for inexpensive gifts? Here's our gift guide to presents £10 and under...

Who can resist snuggling up with a hot water bottle on a chilly night? Especially when your bottle has its own woolly jumper! This rainbow-coloured, roll-neck hot water bottle cover comes with a standard size 750ml hot water bottle inside and costs just £9.

Gift Guide: £20 and under

Ah Christmas shopping. It can be tricky finding an interesting gift without having to spend a lot of money, or a lot of time trawling websites and shops. And if you have a lot of people to buy for, the whole thing can really take it out of you. To give you a hand is our gift guide to lovely things for home and living, for £20 or less...