Design news

NEW FOR SPRING

Spring stripes: Tablecloths and matching napkins in pure white heavy herringbone linen with either lilac, blue or red stripes will give your table a fresh spring look. Tablecloths measure 250cm x 180cm and cost £84; a set of four napkins are £31.99. Oka Direct: 0870 160 6002; okadirect.com.

Heaven scent: Louis XV-style wooden beds, decorative furniture and Byron folding writing tables are some of the items to look out for in Damask's swankily refurbished flagship shop in Fulham. If you like scented sprays, try out something from the Home Fragrance range, with classic scents of lavender, rose and neroli. Damask, New Kings Road, SW6 (020 7731 3553; www.damask.co.uk).

High glass: This weekend, fans of blown glass can visit the London Glassblowing Open Weekend and Sale for lots of glassy bargains as well as fruit punch and nibbles. From 5 to 7 April at 7 The Leather Market, Weston Street, SE1 (020 7403 2800). Admission is free.

Paint splash: Colours Everywhere is a clever paint idea from B&Q that allows you to paint literally everywhere - radiators, railings, wood and walls - from the same tin. It contains what they call "SmartPaint technology", meaning slap it on. New to the range are 10 colours with names such as Neat Pink, Frost Green and Red Raspberry. Don't worry when you get to the skirting board, just keep on painting. For your nearest store, call 0845 222 1000 or visit www.diy.com.

A new bunch: The forecourt of the Michelin Building has always had spectacular displays of flowers on one side and shellfish on the other. Now it's Paula Pryke's turn to run the flower show, so look out for her distinctively minimal arrangements when you next visit the Conran Shop.

Chelsea fair: Seventy exhibitors will be selling all manner of things for the house and garden, including antique Japanese furniture, candles decorated with gold leaf, silk throws, Italian linens, glass oil lamps and handembroidered clothes. Chelsea Spring Fair, Chelsea Town Hall, King's Road, SW3; 14 April, 10am-6pm. Admission £4. For more information, call 020 7794 1859.

Showroom sale: FK&F, the firm that has transformed itself from kitchen company into smart purveyor of Italian designer furniture, is holding an impressive sale of exdisplay furniture. Bargains include a 50 per cent saving on this Velasca chaise, down from £1,437 to £748, a TM20 cabinet reduced from £1,160 to £580 and a Teddy bed and mattress down from £2,718 to £1,359. While stocks last. FK&F, 19 Carnwath Road, SW6 (020 7736 6458).

BOOK OF THE WEEK

High society: Paris by Alexandra d'Arnoux and Bruno de Laubadère, photographs by Deidi von Schaewen (Flammarion, £25). The roofline of any great city is memorable, exciting and unique. Paris, with its mishmash of galvanised roofs punctuated by skylights and spindly balconies, the occasional flash of copper and the distant view of Montmartre or the Eiffel Tower, is a case in point. Nestled way up among the chimney pots, a host of magical gardens add even more to this alchemy.