So practical

Did you know the Spanish invented the mop?

A humble masterpiece now spruced up with colour and little add-ons of handles and pans that make it fun and easy on the eye, if a little over designed.

But even this everyday item is an indication of how discerning we’ve become when purchasing for purely practical reasons. This has been helped by exposure to more choice, having more income — at least in the recent past and eyes trained by home decorating programmes, design publications and educated by travel.