Back to basics

Ditton Hill has gone for a fresh look with its new Milly Sage linen collection. This light-hearted design features thousands of tiny polka dots on cotton sateen with lace detail – definitely one for the girls.

From £11 for a standard pillowcase to £55 for a double duvet, from Ditton Hill; 0870 240 6238, www.dittonhill.co.uk

Cheap’n’chic

Bring a piece of art into the kitchen with this blackboard in a rococo frame, a replica of an original from the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. The frame is made of vinyl, so it’s superlight, and is self-adhesive, so you can stick it onto any flat surface. Time to get artistic with the shopping list.

£35, from the V&A Shop; www.vandashop.com

The green room

These colourful hanging lanterns are funky and environmentally right-on. Recycled from waste material left over from the production of aerosol and soda cans in India, Reclectic lanterns can be hung inside or outdoors. And, because they’re made of remnants, each is unique. So, you can have unusual lighting while feeling good about doing your bit. They hold a standard votive or tea light.

From £16.95 (5.5in x 4.8in x 8in), from Ecoutlet; 020 7272 7233, www.ecoutlet.co.uk

Wunderkit

The ultimate in kitchen design just got (a bit) more affordable with the introduction by Bulthaup of a “starter system”, the b1. Built to the high standards you’d expect from the prestigious German name, but with fewer options, the b1 comes in white (pictured), sand-grey or graphite.

From £15,000, from Bulthaup; 0870 351 2012, www.bulthaup.com

Blow the budget

The smooth, flowing lines of a yacht inspired the three-drawer Marina low chest, designed by Sacha Lakic for Roche Bobois. Part of a bedroom collection, it’s made of beech, with walnut veneer, and the top is upholstered in leather in one of five colours, including white (pictured). Lie back and dream of far horizons.

From £2,535, by Roche Bobois, from Harrods; 020 7730 1234, www.harrods.com

Trolley dolly

There’s definite kitsch appeal to this Tribeca newspaper table on wheels, designed by Tereza Prego. During the day, the polished-steel bucket on the side can house your papers; in the evening, it will keep your bubbly chilled. How versatile is that?

£1,488, from Red Lacquer; 020 7352 6226, www.redlacquer.co.uk

If you buy only one thing...

The new cushion collection by Thomas Paul is easy on the eye, with prints such as Coral (pictured) and Kabuki, based on a Japanese fan. They come in a range of soft colours and even softer fabrics – linen, silk or cotton.

Linen cushion in scarlet (including feather inner), £70, by Thomas Paul, from Supernice; www.supernice.co.uk

designcounsel@sunday-times.co.uk

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