Design news

Retro looks: Bring the Seventies denim revival into your bedroom with Vantona's new Bootleg design, a chambray/denim-look stripe that is available as a quilt cover (double, £35), pillowcase (£8), fitted sheet (double, £25), valence (double, £30), 6in cube lampshade (£15) and curtains (66in x 54in, £45; 66in x 72in, £55). If you prefer spots to stripes, take a look at the funky new polka-dot design in the Horrockses range. Quilt-cover sets are available in pink or blue spots (double, £26.99) with matching curtains from £26.99. Call 0161 251 1500.

Flower power: London florist Jane Packer launches her first bed linen collection this spring. In 100 per cent cotton, it is designed in collaboration with leading bed-linen brand Bedeck and, not surprisingly, reflects her passion for flowers. Double duvet prices: Sweet Fennel, £45; Persian Rose, £55; Moroccan Leaf, £65 (0845 6030861; www.bedeckhome.com ).

Initial idea: Linen specialist Jane Saachi's Modern Monogram collection of single or double monograms can be personalised and hand-stitched to sheets, duvet covers and pillowcases. The designs include original Art Deco styles and traditional 19th century monograms. Prices start at £5.50 for a single monogram. Saachi's antique and modern bed linen is available by appointment, (020 7838 1001) www.jane-saachi.com

Men only: Yves Delorme's 2001 collection includes some boldly masculine designs that would look perfect in a bachelor-pad bedroom: Victor is a satin cotton in a subtle grey stripe with cream borders (double duvet cover, £175), Paille is a super-cotton in a reversible beige check/brown pinstripe (double duvet cover, £79) and Kenzo's Izu is a linen/cotton mix in burgundy/white (double duvet cover, £245). For stockists, call 01296 610212.

Trend-setter: Guinevere, the antiques emporium, is always quick to spot new trends, such as the use of French 19th century vegetable-dyed peasant sheets in subtle colours, to create smart upholstery and wall coverings. The shop seems to have an inexhaustible supply of these covetable fabrics along with stacks of attractive indigo-dyed linens. Double-size vegetable-dyed sheets from £300, indigo sheets from £260 for 2m x 2.5m. Guinevere Antiques, 574-580 King's Road, SW6 (020 7736 2917; or visit www.guinevere.co.uk ).

Contemporary classics: Damask's spring Home Collection includes five new hand-stitched bed covers (from £249) and matching cushions (from £30). Another new design is Flora, a reversible 100 per cent cotton fabric printed with roses on one side and a subtle stripe on the other. Double duvet cover, £65, double sheet, £39, Oxford pillow-case, £19. Damask, Broxholme House, New King's Road (020 7731 3553). A new shop opened last month at West India Quay (020 7538 3400; www.damask.co.uk ).

Tactile treats: Velvet and silk bedspreads, hand-embroidered with sequin butterflies, kingfishers and dragonflies, are among the luxurious offerings in Birdy-num-num's new collection. Expect to pay between £180 and £300 for these bedspreads and from £30 for sequin, velvet and silk cushions or bolsters. Colours include cream, lilac, powder blue, red, orange and mint. Call 020 8483 0114.

Top tableware

Shining examples: If you're looking for stylish yet reasonably priced wedding gifts, check out Silver Editions' 2001 collection. The sterling-silver or silver-plated designs include unusual servers shaped like gardening tools (fork and trowel silver-plate salad servers with beechwood handles cost £24.95) and silver-plated/ebonised hardwood chopsticks with rests (two pairs, £19.95). Silver-plated drinks accessories include a three-piece bottle-stopper set, £24.95 (reduced to £16.95 until 31 May) and a three-in-one corkscrew, £9.95. Silver Editions (01753 888810; www.silvereditions.co.uk ).

Tasteful art: Silversmith David Bromilow specialises in sculptural tableware. Some of his more affordable pieces, such as sterling silver/wood chopsticks, £100, resting on sterling-silver pillows, sterling-silver coasters, £169, and trays, £249, are available at The Room, which also stocks Bromilow's sculptural Nub cutlery in sterling silver or a sterling-silver/stainless-steel combination. Both the Nub butter knife, £99, and cheese knife, £139, would make perfect wedding pressies. The Room, 158 Walton Street, (020 7225 3225; or visit www.the-room.com ).

Kitchen news

Precious metal: Woodstock's new Swiss Mark kitchen is one of the coolest designs we've seen recently. The cabinets are made from powder-coated galvanised steel, which is impervious to heat so it won't warp. Yet they're anything but industrial-looking: choose bright modern colours or natural materials such as stone, wood and granite. Clever features include an eco-waste recycling container and a bin that neatly tips forward when the cupboard is opened. Priced from about £15,000. Woodstock, 4 William Street (020 7245 9989)

City style: Urban Artisan, an attractive new kitchen from John Lewis of Hungerford, launches this month at the new instore showroom at Jerry's Home Store, 163-167 Fulham Road (020 7590 9887). The look blends Shaker-style cabinetry with Fired Earth paint colours, new work surfaces and an extractor canopy. A 60cm base unit costs £242.