Wish list: Slate Plate place mats

Bright, optimistic colours signal spring and this week, Esther N McCarthy’s list is all about the new season’s offering of pretty things for around the house.

Start out with a clean slate for spring by giving your table a contemporary edge with Slate Plate place mats. Chalk them up with your guests’ names, then erase and repeat for your next dinner party — or involve the kids in setting the table by letting them get creative with the chalk. And for the fancy pants out there, they can be used as plates as they are food safe. All hand cut and supplied in sets of two by slated.ie, a 100% Irish family owned and run business, €28.

Create a retro mood in your relaxation zone with the wonderfully colourful Boqa canapé 3 seat rouge Bordeaux, €841. Handcrafted and braided in a dizzing palette of colours, see more at www.boqa.fr/en/

This Orla Kiely print works just about anywhere, observe the wonderful yellow kitchen chair, part of the Ms Kiely’s homeware range at the Kilkenny Shop, €190. www.kilkennyshop.com.

Loving these Jules Tables, a range of timber side tables with the tops painted in a high gloss finish in a wide range of colours, from €1,026, www.roche-bobois.com.

This aluminium glass top table set would be great in a small space — but it does come in six different sizes so you can play around with the combinations. Link by Sancal Link is lacquered in two colours, black and white and the glass top can be transparent, black or white.€528 from www.minima.ie.

Heaton’s home range is sporting bright and cheerful items from the ‘spring fling’ collection, with nature-inspired prints like the bird embroidered cushion (€8) for a cheerful springtime look, while the knitted spring throw (€20) ties the whole look together by incorporating all of these colours into one soft blanket perfect for mid-day naps. Mmmmm, naps.

As a master craftsman, Paul Maloney brings earth, hand and fire together in a range of contemporary giftware and tableware. “I like to make things,” explains Paul who studied art and design education before qualifying as an art teacher. But the lure of clay proved irresistible. “As a potter I’m only happy when handling clay.” This terrific teapot is €63, For a full list of stockists visit www.giveirishcraft.com.

Now is the time to start thinking about the garden. But if you’re not quite ready to get the shovel out, start small with a hanging basket. This fabulous twin hanging basket is made from robust steel and comes complete with replaceable liners, €12.99 from Atkins Gardening World, Carrigrohane Road, Cork. While you’re there, take a break in the café, the brownies are highly recommended. 021 4933433, www.atkins.ie.

DFS DIARY DATE CHANGE

Due to unforeseen circumstances, DFS and the Design Doctors have had to change the date of their interiors event in the Mahon Point Store from Wednesday March12 to Tuesday March 11, 7pm-9pm. If you would like to reserve a place for you and your friend for March 11, please email [e-mail]