The really useful column

Furniture bargains
Watch out for the annual sale at thisisfurniture.com, where you will find substantial quantities of stock available for immediate delivery at up to 60 per cent off regular retail prices.

The flagship store, at 23-31 Hampstead Road (0845 644 6675), has been expanded to more than 4,572sq m of showroom space and is now one of London's biggest independent furniture stores.

At your service
Repair and maintenance of domestic appliances is never the most glamorous of household activities but is necessary nonetheless.

Which is why it is good to know someone who can handle the job quickly and without fuss.

Enter PAS, which can repair and provide spares for almost any model of white goods (with the exception of gas hobs), normally within a day or so; and should your washing machine or dishwasher bite the dust, the company will provide independent advice as to which is the best-performing and most cost-effective model to replace it with.

An efficient and knowledgeable service. Call 020 8330 1777 or see www.thecompleteservice.com.

Fabric Heaven
Ever in pursuit of a bargain, I have recently discovered The Curtain Factory Outlet in North Finchley.

What you won't find is carpeted reception areas or a fancy showroom. What you will find is a warehouse with more than 500,000m of top designer fabrics, at a maximum of £6.99 a metre, regardless of what their original retail prices were.

There are workrooms on the premises where curtains are made to measure, and an interior-design service is available by appointment.

Open seven days a week; call 020 8492 0093.

Economic design
If you are looking for top-brand contemporary furniture at affordable prices, take a look at www.intirium.com, where you will find B&B Italia, Flexform, Alivar, Zanotta, Molteni and Minotti all at up to 35 per cent below UK retail prices.

Hot spot
Over recent years there has been a bit of a revolution in radiators, with some stunning new designs now available, but the market has traditionally been dominated by a few major players.

So I was interested to find a relatively small outfit that produces beautifully designed and unusual radiators at manageable prices.

Accuro-Korle radiators come in a range of contemporary and fairly traditional designs, are made from the highest-quality brushed stainless steel, resistant to rust both internally and externally, and start from about £200 plus VAT. Call 020 7730 9962 or see www.accuro-korle.com.

Angels of mercy
Now, how about an estate agent that can save you time, money and trouble.

Estateangels is an online service that enables homebuyers to register with every agent in the area that they want to live in.

So, forget trudging the winter streets repeating your requirements endlessly.

Just fill out one form and your details get sent to all relevant parties. More than 15,000 agents are listed and the service is free to homebuyers.

Check out www.estateangels.co.uk.

Man with a van
Thinking about a spring move? If you are trying to do it on a budget, did you know that you can hire and drive lorries of up to 7.5 tons on a normal driving licence?

Practical Car & Van Rental has a range of vans up to this size and about 40 outlets in and around London.

For insurance reasons Practical imposes an age limit of 25 years - with at least five years' driving experience - and a damage excess of £750.

But if you can fulfil these criteria, check out www.practical.co.uk or call 0121 772 8599 for more information.