Web Watch: Futuristic, quirky and chic design

1. Plus To Me: ‘Because good design counts’ is the ethos behind this website. And there is no doubt of the design credentials here.

As well as arts and crafts and homewares, there’s also jewellery (love the silver earrings with gold leaf), bags and prints and paper — things like gift tags and some really gorgeous birthday cards. Under homewares, there’s loads of lovely stuff, unusual and quirky.

* www.plustome.com

2. Yanko Design: This is a very slick, very futuristic feeling site, and in the top 100 most-read blogs. It covers stuff from industrial design, technology, interior design to architecture and fashion. Click on the random design tab and you’ll find everything from disposable toothbrushes to a design that makes you look fat to motivate you to take the stairs instead of the lift. The real question is, will it fit in my hallway?

* www.yankodesign.com

3. Etsy: There are so many ways to spend money on this site. Listen to this — Lakeside retreat, cottage chic, botanical garden... ah so many styles, so little euros. Do check out the handpicked items tab. There’s a trending now section where I found a Lego-inspired lamp for €34. This site is so well-organised, it immediately gave me options related to that damn lamp. So now it thinks I’m a 7-year-old boy.

* www.etsy.com