Set in stone

Kirkstone, a family-owned stoneware manufacturer established in 1949, uses stone from its quarry in the Lake District to create luxurious bathroom pieces. For a seamless finish, try this ST:10 shower tray, in Moca Crème Limestone. Floor and wall tiles, as well as vanity units and basins, can be purchased in a matching colour and finish.

From £440, by Kirkstone; 01539 433296, www.kirkstone.com

Back to basics

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• Inner vision

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Collected works

In his Sardinian home, fashion designer Antonio Marras likes to surround himself with more than a few of his favourite things

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• Inner vision - out of the blue

• Inner vision - blow the budget

• Inner vision - cheap and chic

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If you need outdoor furniture for the summer months, take a look at the VegeTable. In solid ash, it has a galvanised trough running through the middle, which you could fill with potted herbs – or with ice for your drinks. It comes with a slat to cover the trough, to give you a continuous surface when needed.

VegeTable, £595 (or £995 in a set with two matching benches), from Plantstuff; 0870 774 3366, www.plantstuff.com

Amber glow

In a world dominated by homogenised chain stores, The General Trading Company continues to source eclectic items from across the globe. This glass lantern (15cm x 35cm) can be hung outdoors or set on the mantelpiece with a tea light inside.

£48, from The General Trading Company; 020 7730 0411 www.general-trading.co.uk

Cheap’n’chic

These sauce jugs are from the new Albion range, designed by Terence Conran for Royal Doulton. His inspiration was the solid and practical vessels required for traditional English cooking.

Large sauce jug, £20, and small sauce jug, £12, both by Royal Doulton; 01782 404041, www.royaldoulton.com

Show your metal

Cassandra and Anouchka Lefebvre De Lange are sisters who grew up in Spain and France, and together formed the design studio Le Tramac. Now based in London, they transform vintage and antique items, sourced throughout Europe, using bright colours and high-gloss effects to give a modern twist to classic furniture. This Star Flash mirror (150cm x 100cm) features the metallic finish of their silver and gold Bombon range.

Star Flash, £650, by Le Tramac; 0778 984 5056, www.letramac.com

Blow the budget

An addition to the Les Provinciales range of furniture from Roche Bobois, the Volutes collection is a glamorous update of classic French style. The black-lacquered cherrywood frame of this dining chair has been finished with contrasting silvery highlights; each piece is made to order using materials of the highest quality.

Volutes dining chair, from £637 (table from £3,275), by Roche Bobois; 020 8874 9818, www.roche-bobois.com

If you buy only one thing...

... make it this Alvar Aalto vase. The price of this 9.5cm-high version of the Finnish architect’s 1937 classic has been slashed during the V&A’s summer sale.

£28, from V&A Museum Shop; 020 7942 2696, www.vandashop.com

designcounsel@sunday-times.co.uk

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