Some good things for your house

Today, just some very nice things that I've lusted after this week. 

I have some very nice charcoal, rib-knitted cushion covers by Nkuku, the Devon-made company that sells these lovely glass and iron picture frames. They come in three sizes, landscape or portrait, and the hanging fabric pieces are recycled sari ties. A sweet present with a special memento inside – and the best thing is that if it isn't exactly the right size for the frame, it will look even better. Nkuku's products are ethical as well as beautiful and reasonably priced. I really like their Fair Trade moss-stitch throws in sludgy earth tones too, £75 and mango wood salt and pepper bowls, £19.95.
Kiko glass frames, £10 from Not on the High Street.

Folklore is a stunning shop that sells online and also in Islington, London. It is not, on the whole, a cheap shop – the products are largely locally crafted and built for life. But these beautiful pressed, recycled paper lampshades, complete with fabric cord and ceramic lampholders, are one of their more affordable items (but not because they are flimsy – the material is entirely water resistant). I like that they are unusual enough to become a talking point. They also have an excellent name – a story in itself: the 'Columbus Egg' refers to an idea deemed excellent and simple, but only after the event. It comes from the Christopher of the same name who, so legend has it, was told that discovering the Americas was no big deal: so he threw down a challenge for someone to make an egg stand on its tip. No one could – only for Columbus to tap one end of an egg on a table and flatten its tip.
Egg of Columbus lampshades, Folklore, £26

The shape of this new mug from Habitat is most pleasing. And in the realm of Nice Mugs, this one is also very cheap.
Courbe mug, Habitat, £4.50

Cachette is  a beautiful online store run by Anglo-French couple, Steve Rogan and Delphine de Chabalier, who swapped London life for a slower pace in the south of France to start their business. Nothing the couple sell is produced on an industrial scale – generally coming from young designers, unknown artisans or old heritage manufacturers from Europe. I love the simplicity of this plain, wooden lampholder, which comes in six shapes, complete with charcoal grey flex. Just make sure you get nice bulbs for it – try Historic Lighting.
Beech Suspension Light, Cachette, around £43 (their prices are in Euros)