INTERIORS: DF Home is a new shop in St Stephen's Green Shopping Centre, specialising in high quality designer home comforts such as cushions and throws, all made in Austria.
The current collection is cosy and eye-catching, with bright colours and bold patterns to cheer up dreary interiors. There is enough lovely stuff in this small store to make it a worthwhile stop on your shopping schedule - DF Home's red and white polka dot blankets are especially festive.
• DF Home, St Stephen's Green Centre, Dublin 2, tel: 01-4760130
Get some Kidston
For seasonal accessories with some kitsch retro charm, look no farther than the new Cath Kidston shop in Dundrum Town Centre. with its girly, vintage-inspired tree decorations, tablecloths, napkins and candles.
• Cath Kidston, Level 1, Dundrum Town Centre, Dublin 16, tel: 01-2991700.
Funky fires
Modern technology meets classic style in the form of Smeg's new L30FAB gas fires. The funky fires are designed to hang on any wall (no recess, chimney or flue required) and convert 100 per cent of gas to heat, reducing fuel costs. Available in red, cream, black, silver, blue and pink, prices start from €1,050.
• Smeg products are available from NAA Ltd, Crosslands Industrial Park, Ballymount Road, Dublin 12, tel: 01-4600064 or see www.naa.ie.
Vouch for it
Launched just in time for Christmas, Giftsandvouchers.ie is a new website from which you can buy vouchers or individual products from more than 30 Irish businesses. Furniture and homeware partners include the Design Gallery, Riverside Home and Gift Shop, Louth Craftmark, Contemporary Living Furniture, Kevin McAllister Electrical and Garrendenny Lane Interiors.
Vouchers start at €30.
Create a grey cell
The popularity of the colour grey in contemporary interiors continues to endure - it is timelessly chic and creates an understatedly elegant backdrop when used on walls. To truly make a statement with grey, consider using it underfoot. The natural, warm grey shades of Quick-Step's almost-white "grey brushed teak" (above) and darker "grey teak" floors are the perfect complement to a modern interior, and the timeless appeal of grey means these floors are equally suited to a traditional home. Quick-Step's "Grey Teak Shipdeck" even makes it possible to extend harmonious grey shades to the bathroom floor. If the timeless appeal of affordability is a concern, these floors start at just €42 per sq m. For a brochure or a dealer, see www.quick-step.com