Wishlist: Fancy furniture

From cribs to coffee, arty greeting cards to classic fabrics — it’s all here this week in Esther N McCarthy’s shopping basket.

* Set the scene for a great night’s sleep for you and your little prince or princess by kitting out the nursery in a fancy furniture suite, the Mamas and Papas Vico three-piece set comes with a cot bed, dressing and changing unit and a wardrobe. I like that the cot grows with the baby — the little darlings stretch before your eyes. The Vico Set is available for just €424.99, offering a saving of €325.00 www.mamasandpapas.com

* In this electronic age, communication can lose its personality, and handwritten missives are so very lovely, certainly for special occasions like a wedding or a new birth. Add a little extra to your best wishes with these beautiful art cards from Cork artist, Karin Smyth. Based in Bishopstown, Karin’s collection celebrates all of life’s special occasions, the cards are blank on the inside to add your own greetings. Support local enterprise and make someone’s day at the same time. Long live snail mail! Cards cost €2.50 each, 5 for €10. Facebook — Babycraftbykarin, www.babycraftbykarin.com

* Woodworking for the Weekend is the basic woodworking book with a difference – all the projects are good-looking, well-designed pieces for your home or garden and they can all be made with just the most basic of tool kits and bits and pieces of salvaged wood. When I say ‘can be made’ I don’t mean by me, obviously. Don’t be ridiculous. But I got this book for a friend and circled the projects I liked, I’m hoping she’ll take the hint. She’s a dab hand with a hacksaw. There are 20 original projects, including seats, tables and chairs made using repurposed materials, a dog house (cunningly built to look like a classic Shaker barn), shelves made using old ladders and even a beehive built of wine boxes. I may be able to provide certain materials... Written by Mark Griffiths, €24.99. Available in shops and online now.

* Designed by architect Lucca Trazzi, the exquisite Francis Francis X1 coffee machine brings an element of effortless retro glamour to any home. Not mine, because I can’t afford it, but still, it’s good to aspire to a state of caffeinated bliss. The definitive machine for coffee ritualists, the X1 combines ground coffee with state-of-the-art electronics to deliver a well-balanced and aromatic espresso, latte or cappuccino. Just hook it to my veins. €460, from www.espressocrazy.com.

* Designed by Desinature, the Lily lampshade will instantly bring a lovely touch of colour to your interiors. This reversible design is formed of six identical petals that clip together for easy assembly. Delivered in neat gift worthy recycled folder that slips through your letterbox. Designed for use with an energy saving bulb (15w max). €32 from www.designist.ie

* These cute melamine jugs with hen print, come in an assortment of colours. Designed by Rice, these are super-glossy and durable. Fabulous long-lasting Danish dishware, this jug will become a garden party stalwart. It is dishwasher and food safe, just don’t put it into the microwave. €26.95 from The Pavilion Garden Centre in Ballygarvan. www.thepavilion.ie.

* Legend has it Jenny Kelly was introduced to the potter’s wheel when she was but a wee child. She served her time as an apprenticeship with potter Brian Keogh and honed her craft working at Badger Hill Pottery in Enniscorthy, Co Wexford. She now has her own studio and says she loves colour, evoking her native Wicklow landscape in much of her tableware and giftware collections. Jenny’s pottery is practical and for everyday use yet feels special and affordable. This jug is €38, stockists include Presents of Mind, Kanturk, Co Cork, Bricin, Killarney, Co. Kerry www.bricin.ie and Artist Gift Gallery, Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin, www.artistgiftgallery.ie. Check www.giveirishcraft.com for more.

* Some things never go out of fashion — or they were never in, I can never be sure. But a simple, classic fabric pattern and overall design will always add character to any space. Case in point — this in your face, love-me-or-leave-me Houndstooth chair, €159 from Harvey Normans nationwide.