Wish List: Affordable character and colour on the home front

Celebrating 2015, The Year of Design, Refract presents the astonishing work of 20 glass designers from Britain, Czech Republic, Costa Rica, Finland, France, Germany, Netherlands, and the USA.

In an adjoining gallery enjoy the Masters of Glass exhibit, including rare pieces on loan from private collections and Waterford Crystal.

Un-missable. Pictured is curator Róisín de Buitléar with John Kiely’s ‘Violet Halo’ (USA). Medieval Museum of Treasures, Waterford until Sept 19.

Time to make plans to visit the London Design Festival, where our Design & Crafts Council proudly present ‘Ó’, an exhibition of new work from Ireland’s designers and makers.

‘Ó’, meaning ‘from’ in gaelic, illustrates how Ireland’s craft heritage subtly informs today’s contemporary design. The exhibition offers the latest imaginings of Snug, Ceadogán, Aodh Furniture, Donna Bates and Hennessy & Byrne.

There are thousands of international participants, and three Irish ateliers, including Mourne Textiles, will not only show their work but set up as micro-production spaces. 19th-27th September, www.londondesignfestival.com  and twitter.com/L_D_F

These small bowls are taken out of the kiln when hot. Hair from the mane of a horse is then placed on the surface where it sears into the body leaving behind a fascinating black tracery of lines. €7 each, www.clairemolloyceramics.com . Photo: Brian Culligan

Think versatile whenever you buy on a budget. A metal side table can do duty on the patio with a couple of kitchen chairs while the sun shines and will hit an industrial note as a polite end table as autumn draws in. This Harvey table in a powder finish offers a flash of red at just €24.95 from Meadows & Byrne.

The first term of college is on the way. Perfect for a football fan’s first student dig, this armchair converts in a flick to an overnight bed for guests. Available in a range of designs, we love this grassy slouch spot, from €329 www.KSL-Living.fr

Bohemian colour written up in Ikat print is everywhere this coming winter, and these wool embroidered and hand blocked cushions hit a relaxed, ethnic note. Priced from €48, you can find them at Ginger Brown, Clarendon Street, Dublin, a new homeware store with a vibrant, shifting collection.

A somewhat clingy but devoted addition to the kitchen Douglas will stop your spoon being contaminated by the counter and save it a dunk in the soup. Silicone, he’s a tough little fellow and just €11.50, new to Designist ( www.designist.ie )

Use your favourite loose leaf tea in this gorgeous resin Audrey flower in Murano-inspired colours. Gently lift the bloom by its petals and set on the table on its leafy rosette as a decorative windfall. €17.95, www.kozoil-shop.co.uk