Wish List: Robots

Each week, Esther N McCarthy scouts around for interesting bits for your home.

This week she discovers robotic seasonings for the festive season and gets bowled over by bowls.

* A map of Ireland as you've never seen it before. A wonderful abstract print showing Ireland in multi-coloured paint splashes. Size: 12 x 16 inches (to fit a standard frame), it's called Splash of Ireland, €22.99 from The Design Basket.

* A very interesting clock design that will bring out your home's quirky side. The lovely brown colour makes a great contrast to the yellow, moving woodpecker. The branch and leaf detailing rounds off this piece nicely. Available from www. beautifulmodernthing.com for €118.

* This Orla Kiely Abacus flower blanket really grows on you. Soft and luxurious, in Kiely's instantly recognisable style, it's perfect for keeping warm during these cold snaps. Grand and big too as it measures in at 240 x 260cm, €185 from interior design shops nationwide.

* Get a robot vibe going on at the dinner table with these unusual salt and pepper bots, €15 from www.designist.ie

* If you're overwhelmed by gold and red motifs this Christmas, break the rules with this electric blue Rocket Vase, €24 from M&S.

* Etain Hickey showcases a wealth of talent in her gallery at Clonakilty and it provides a venue for emerging artists in ceramics, glass, jewellery, textiles, metalwork, basketry and more. This bowl is one of Etain’s own designs and is available for €68 from her shop, Etain Hickey Collections in Clonakilty. T: 023-8821479

* The up side of winter is all that snuggling-in, so get cosy with this cute knit cushion, €6, and these pretty plum and patchwork microcosy throws, €6 each from Penneys nationwide.

* Colleen Bowler makes utilitarian stoneware with surface decoration that’s unique to each pot. Her work can be bought directly from the studio: [e-mail], and from The Beach Box, Castlegregory; Draiocht, Adare; Bellevue, Newcastle West and the Blue Pool, Killarney. Prices range from €18 up to €180.