Creative Director of the Conran Shop, Polly Dickens inspires and surprises, with a Shop that is innovative and fresh, but always remains reassuringly familiar.
Jake Dyson - I love his motorised floor light; the beam changes direction and shape when it's on, it's like the room is breathing. And Indian fashion designer Manish Arora - I'll be encouraging him to design more homeware.
A Kobako dressing table, designed by Japanese architect Ashihara Hiroko. It was probably the most extravagant thing i've ever bought, but it's beautifully made - it folds out like a piece of origami - and I use it every day.
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Write a commentBlocks of saturated bright colour - there's little pattern, but colours will become moodier. Use a black and white backdrop to pull it all together.
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Write a commentMint is inspiring. It is a tiny shop with a constant turnover of interesting things, from furniture and lighting to accessories; things you do not find elsewhere. Owner Lina Kanafani is good at picking up on new trends and names. Mint, 70 Wigmore Street, W1 (020 7224 4406; www.mintshop.co.uk)
Manufactum is a German mail-order catalogue that has a very functional feel about utility in the nicest way. It does anything from balls of string to brooms, stationary to bathroom fittings. I tend to buy presents and stocking fillers from there. Examples of prices: a roll of sisal twine costs £12, a stainless steel medicine cabinet is £13 and a soap dish is £16. Manufactum (0800 096 0938; www.manufactum.co.uk)
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Write a commentSue Timney's showroom in West London is a magical place. She sells fabrics, objects, and furniture, too. She makes thick-striped curtains that I love, that you can have put together as a one-off. Sue Timney, 331 Portobello Road, W10 (020 8969 5000; www.suetimney.com)
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Write a commentThe antiques fair at Newark. It is huge, and there are hundreds of stands. You can go with an open mind or with a specific idea of what you want. You can get furniture, garden stuff, you name it, it will be there. I look for vintage pressed glass, which I collect. Newark International Antiques and Collectors Fair, Nottinghamshire. For info visit www.dmgantiquefairs.com
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Write a commentA good place is Aston Matthews in Islington. It has a huge range and the staff are very knowledgeable. We've just got everything for our boat from there. We tend to buy well-designed, inexpensive white ceramic fittings, and put them in to an interesting environment - the boat's bathroom is orange gloss. Aston Matthews, 141/147a Essex Road, N1 (020 7226 7220; www.astonmatthews.co.uk)
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Write a commentAlfies Antique Market is great. Last year, it opened a new 20th Century furniture area on the ground floor, with lots of interesting dealers. I recently bought a very nice black Anglepoise lamp on a base with castors, for £350, which probably came from a dentist's surgery. Alfies Antique Market, 13-25 Church Street, NW8 (020 7723 6066; www.alfiesantiques.com)
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