In the Holidays

martini sandtimer cocktail glasses from hammacher And a Happy New Year to you all! Aren't these glasses great? They have a sandtimer in the base which lasts for about ten minutes. When the sand runs out, drain the glass and turn it over for the sand to run back, before tipping it back over and

mañana floorlamp from husandhem This lamp is called Mañana and we all know that, in much the same way that the children are excited for tomorrow on Christmas Eve, many of you will be excited for parties tomorrow night and so, for that reason, this light seemed appropriate. just lean it against the wall Now

concrete stool with fly motif from hollys house Regular readers will know that I do love a stool. And I do love an object for the house with a bit of wit. Life's too short to take the decor too seriously and things that raise a smile or a laugh are always welcome in my

concrete salt pot with wooden spoon rest from kreteware I was going to say that today I would be sticking with ceramics (following on from yesterday's mugs) but these are, in fact, made from concrete. salt pot with wooden spoon rest from kreteware via etsy It's made by Domenic Chambers in Florida, but don't worry

melinki fox mugs from scion I've been a fan of textile and wallpaper designers Scion since I discovered their distinctive range last year in the shape of the Fantastic Mr Fox rug. So I was thrilled when browsing round the shops last week to find they have expanded the range to include these rather gorgeous

build your own light from dyke and dean Isn't this a great idea? Build your own light. Dyke and Dean, my latest discovery, sell all sorts of wonderful things (we'll have a little browse in a minute) but among all the treasures, they also sell the wherewithall to build your own lamps. Choose from a

christmas bauble cushion by designer j at not on the high street. Wishing you all a very Happy Christmas and thanking you all for your support over the last year. Enjoy your Christmas Dinner I hope you find plenty of these under your tree. I hope you find lots of these under the tree

what are these? Twas the night before Christmas ... So I'm giving you a little quiz. Aside from being very beautiful objects, can you guess what these are? Leave your answers below and have a very Happy Christmas. I'll send the winner a mad about the house bag ... You've got till New Year's Eve.

clockwise: monogram mugsparkle trimmed glassarctic measuring cupsrabbit cookie jar Well it's nearly upon us. I have been for a virtual stroll around Anthropologie in search of last minute inspiration. Now, I do know that most of you won't actually be able to get to the shop today, but if you're at work and nipping out

ferm living rack with adjustable leather handles from skandivis As I prepare the spare room for this week's influx of guests, I realise that, once again, there's no hanging space. And parents do tend to arrive with things that need hanging don't they? Anyway, then I found this. A simple iron pole powder coated in

flip around chair by norm architects costs £200 from madeinedesign.co.uk  Suddenly everywhere I look, I'm finding great tray tables. This is the last of the three and, at £200, is the most affordable and, possibly, the cleverest. It is, as you can see, very different in style from the other two. flip around chair by

moroccan-style tray table by mineheart at rockett st george Following on from yesterday's antique butler's tray table, here is another version. Yes, I love a tray as much as I love a trolley. These are made by the lovely people at Mineheart, creators of so much gorgeous wallpaper. the tray tables some in two sizes

ditsy floral plate from designbyseed Now I don't know about you disciplined lot out there, but at this time of year I'm eating cake. And mince pies. And there needs to be a good plate to put them on. Regular readers will know that florals isn't usually the Mad style, but this is black so

microdot bedlinen from toast It's coming closer ... if you're about to have a houseful of guests then better make sure the bedding is in order. As you might expect that emporium of cosiness, Toast, has some great designs to offer. the 100 per cent cotton bedding comes in either pebble or chestnut (above) Prices

gold lined personalised mug from unite and type Tis the season to buy mugs. Apparently. Suddenly I'm finding crockery I must have at every turn. Recently I showed you the wonderful black and white designs from H A M and now I'm thinking that these would look fantastic on the shelves next to those. square

pear linen cushion from thornback and peel Given that it's that time of year when thoughts turn to presents I might as well come right out and say that you could give me pretty much anything from Thornback and Peel and I would love it. rabbit coasters: £18 for a set of four As I

industrial leather dining chair from rockett st george for £120 I love this chair! Given that I shall never be able to afford, or probably even find, a set of Charlotte Perriand Les Arcs dining chairs, this is the next best thing. vintage charlotte perriand les arcs chair come up at auction for around $1000

milk stools series 2 by Ellen Thomas Milk Stools 2 is a collection of three stools inspired by the humble milking stool and embellished in a beautiful way. I particularly like the addition of one brass leg. one leg is coated in brass detail But, in addition to that, underneath each seat, Thomas has inlaid

salt and pepper straw from lifestylebazaar.com £24 It is just possible that this falls into the category of what to get the person who has everything but, on the other hand, I don't (have everything) and I do rather want it. the salt and pepper straw was inspired by a traditional drinking straw I know