Wish list: Yellow and mellow wooden tones

Everyone needs a little step up every now and then. I love this handy little Glotten stool from Ikea, €23.50.

Exciting news, interior lovers. French Connection Home has launched in Ireland at the Powerscourt Centre and South William St Dublin, as well as online. Shown here from the new range, a raw live edge chopping board, €38, a grey-stained mango wood pizza tray, €65.25, a marble and mango wood cheeseboard, €41.50, a mango pestle and mortar, dipped salad servers, €18.50, and small soapstone container €16. The mugs are €11.50 and the bowl, €13.80. www.frenchconnection.com

This is a cute way of using these colourful fruit baskets. They are handmade in Mexico, from wire which is traditionally used for making clotheslines. Available from Mira Mira, €30.

Good news for interiors fans in Co Kildare. The Orchard in Celbridge has a new 2,200 sq ft interiors store featuring the Belgian design house Flamant. Pictured here is Flamant’s Magna corner group leather sofa, €4,900, with oak-legged Ula coffee table, €895, Jarman side tables, €160 and Marec shelving unit. For more see www.theorchard.ie

Add a spot of sunshine to your sofa with this mellow yellow woolly geo cushion. €21 from Next www.next.ie/en/homeware

Nautical and nice, this handmade beachcomber rope doorstop features a traditional ‘Monkey’s Fist’ knot design. Wouldn’t it be lovely for the summer house in St Tropez, lads? I spotted in on Lily And Lime Home for €35 www.lilyandlime.co.uk

Avant-garde Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama has been bringing polka dots into the public consciousness recently with her Infinity Mirrors’ exhibit. You can have your very own dotty moment every time you have dinner with this At Home with Ashley Thomas spotty plate from Debenhams. €5.25

I love this Caulfield Country Boards’ cheese paddle, made from walnut. Crafted in Co. Meath, this is an Irish brand worth watching. Available in Arnott’s for €32.95 and www.caulfieldcountryboards.ie