Wishlist: Ottomans

This week Esther N McCarthy scrabbles for bright ideas, including a clever home-grown gift, a striking pouffe and some very NYNY wallpaper — plus some practical stuff too.

* Triple points go to Aisling Scally and her super website. A stay at home mum, she came up with some innovative designs that turned into a successful business. There’s an array of delights on here, from personalised wooden handpainted stars to papercutting art. My favourite is the idea of getting your child’s name in vintage cream scrabble tiles on a scrabble rack, all presented beautifully in a 25x25cm deep box frame. €25, and any inscription can be put along the bottom. They can be ordered online at www.loveletterarts.com.

* They named it twice so it must be one helluva town. Muriva’s Big Apple wallpaper is a photographic collage of iconic images from New York, slightly textured, very bold, very striking. It comes in 10m rolls for €17.25 per/roll, available from B&Q nationwide or online at www.diy.com/ie.

* I love ottomans. I love saying the word. Try it: Ottoman. It’s like saying Hi to a hip German. This colour is very cool too, the Fado Oval Ottoman in plain orange velvet, available for around €190 from www.thevelvetlab.com.

* Penneys have some very pretty prints in store at the moment. I really like these nautical inspired designs, a four pack of teatowels are €5.

* We’re suckers for outdoor eating, in spite of — or maybe because of — our unpredictable weather. Have a posh picnic with this willow cutlery caddy, €7.95 from Meadows & Byrne.

* If you’re thinking of grabbing a bargain this weekend, you could do worse than heading down to the sale at Roche Bobois in Dublin. Starting today, there will be up to 50% off ex-display and clearance items on the floor and exceptional discounts on all new orders. Key items include a set of 6 black leather Akiille chairs, was €4,200, now €1,700, and this Prague Floor Lamp — was €1,400, now €500. www.roche-bobois.com.