Rosendahl and Lin Utzon have introduced a new range of vases, bowls and votive candle-holders in colours that are a salute to nature.
 
The gorgeous shapes and colours in the Confetti range have turned Lin Utzon’s hand-blown glass bowls, vases and votives into collector’s items.
 
In the new Confetti collection, the designer has toned down the bright colours and introduced some brand-new ones; including lime, white and transparent green in new combinations.
 
The saturation and clarity of these colours is tempered with a discreet, soft matt finish that doesn’t prevent the colours from working in their own right; they also put nature centre-stage when flowers and twigs are put in the vases.
 
Lin Utzon explains the working philosophy behind her new colours and colour blends “You have to co-operate with nature and not try to bring it to heel or dominate it. This is true even if you have to start with the mild form of violence that can be inherent in taking nature out of its genuine surroundings and bringing it indoors.”

Retail prices:
Confetti bowl 18 cm  £36.95
Confetti bowl 24 cm  £54.95
Vase 16 cm £36.95
Votive 8 cm £16.95

Web:  http://www.rosendahl.com
Tel:   (01252) 377 900

Kiss the frog and receive good luck – but no promise of a handsome prince!

Throughout history, the frog has been the bearer of good luck, joy, happiness and change. Now four new frogs from Royal Copenhagen will continue this fine tradition.
 
Sculptor Allan Therkelsen, designed the 10 cm tall jumping frog and has given each frog its own special personality and characteristics:

• The green frog is a symbol of true happiness; happiness for the frog’s chosen companion; a happy life, a happy love, a happy journey and not least a happy birthday.
•  The golden frog is a symbol of good fortune and dreams; dreams of the awaken kind; the dreams of that special person who deserves to have all of them come true.
•  The blue frog is a symbol of pure harmony; harmony in its purest form; harmony in love, at home, at work and in leisure time, or simply, in all of life’s melodies.
• The white frog is a symbol of the heart’s voice; everything it says is wrapped in love; it doesn’t have to say a lot, while, on the other hand, it can also get away with saying just a little too much.

The gold frog retails at £57.50 and the others are £46.00.

Good luck is on its way to you, you just need to kiss the frog…

Web: http://www.royalcopenhagen.com 

Tel: (0800) 963 763

Chesney’s has introduced a unique and striking new collection of Californian firedogs: Santa Cruz (featured), Eureka, Ventura, Carmel and Monterey.

The traditional role of a firedog is to support and lift the fire basket and though functional it is also ornamental, which helps make the fireplace a focal point in the room.

Made in cast iron and patinated bronze, the Californian firedogs are a bold departure from the style and material of most English firedogs, which are usually very traditional and fashioned in 16th and 17th century style.

Although Chesney’s is noted for its faithful and meticulous reproduction of traditional designs, it is also successful at leading the way in contemporary design; so this simple, architectural Californian collection adds to the contemporary firedog range, which includes the Spherical, Meridien and Totem firedogs.
 
The Californian firedogs are best placed with the Swansnest, Ducksnest and Universal fire baskets, all finished in black and complement any chimney-piece.

The Santa Cruz fire dog is priced at £646.
 
Web: http://www.chesneys.co.uk
Tel: (020) 7627 1410

Rosendahl is launching three new vases in their popular Filigran range designed by Lin Utzon, which are unlike anything she has ever created before.

Her hallmark has always been flowers and garlands intertwined in discreet or milky-white sand-blasted patterns.
 
However, these new hand-blown Filigran vases, have nothing “filigree” about them, as they have no pattern whatsoever and portray only simplicity itself, with elegant form and colour.

Lin Utzon’s latest artistry in glassware is in the darkest, deepest black, the most elegant imaginable ivory and the most exquisite shade of white; three classic illustrations of the assertion that “you’ll never believe how beautiful colours can be until you have seen them with your own eyes”.

The base of each vase is transparent glass and the effect is awe-inspiring; it’s as if Lin Utzon has given her creations the freedom to float in the air, despite their intrinsic weight.

The vases are 16 cm high and will be available from April 2007.
Retail price is £26.95 each.
 
Web:  http://www.rosendahl.com
Tel:    (01252) 377900

Everyone loves to receive a gift and Easter time is no exception.This year John Lewis has Easter gifts for every age and price point.

Bring the spirit of Easter right into the home with the brightly painted Easter egg garland (£15) and wreath (£20): or choose from two special Easter egg trees; one is an elegant stainless steel branched tree (£20), from which can be hung special porcelain Easter baubles (£8.50 for set of 2), the other is made from brightly coloured painted eggs (£20).

John Lewis has chocolate gifts for all, including a giant family egg (£70); a Banana and Raspberry White Chocolate Egg (£15); cute animal gifts including cuddly bunnies, chicks and sheep are also guaranteed to raise a smile (prices from £1.75).

The children will love the special Easter craft kit (£9.95), finger puppets (£2) and the Easter Egg Hunt gift set (£12), plus boys and girls buckets (£4) for collecting the Easter spoils.

The perfect finishing touch is the Easter Egg Hunt gift set. Priced at £12 it includes everything you need for the perfect Easter Day: Happy Easter garland, tablecloth, 6 napkins, 6 crackers, table confetti, 6 egg hunt signs and 6 bags.

Visit the web site to choose from this tempting collection of Easter decorative, amusing and gift ideas.

Web: http://www.johnlewis.com
Tel:  (08456) 049 049

Marks & Spencer have put together a great assortment of treats to help you make your Mum feel special this Mother’s Day, 18th March.

Why not start her day with the delightful Breakfast in Bed Gift Set featured, which includes:

• Cake Tea Pot £9.50
• Cake Tea Cup & Saucer £4.00
• Cakes Sugar Pot £5.00
• Pastel Andante China £2 each
• Jug £9.50
• Glass Cake Stand £9.50
• Cakes Party Plate £4.00.

For something different M&S offers a charming selection of vintage-style trinkets and mirrors, a range of stylish gold travel accessories and luxurious silk nightwear from the Autograph collection. Alternatively, a beautiful bouquet of fresh spring flowers (also available from M&S) never fails to make Mums feel special!

Web: http://www.marksandspencer.com
Tel:   (0845) 603 1603

The language of flowers is featured on Royal Copenhagen’s new collection of Easter eggs for 2007.

The beautiful small eggs are made of the brightest white porcelain and are decorated with white pansies, yellow crocus, blue anemones and pale mauve violets.

The colours have been carefully co-ordinated to complement each other and sit comfortably with last year’s collection.
 
The flower design on the ornaments is inspired by Royal Copenhagen’s first Flora Danica service from 1790, which was a generous gift from the Danish Royal Family to Catherine the Great of Russia.

The service was decorated using illustrations from the great botanical work Flora Danica, which catalogues the Danish kingdom’s flora in detail.
 
There is no doubt that these cheerful new flowers announce the arrival of spring.
 
The new Easter eggs make an ideal and beautiful gift, either in a box of one, or of two eggs.  Retail price £15.00 each.

Web: http://www.royalcopenhagen.com
Tel:  (0800) 963 763

Herend is keeping the grand tradition of Faberge alive with their exquisite hand painted Easter egg trinket boxes.
 
The beautiful eggs are available in a range of popular Herend patterns, all of which display the excellent craftsmanship we have come to expect!

Herend is the largest hand-made porcelain company in Europe, employing more than 600 talented painters who lovingly paint every last dot on each egg.

All products from Herend are hand painted as they have been since Herend first opened their factory just over 180 years ago.
 
Prices vary with design and the amount of painting on any particular egg and range from £73.50 to £523.60.

A small price to pay for an heirloom of the future!

Web: http://www.herend.com
Tel:   Tel. 020 7751 4199

If you’re still looking for that extra special gift for Valentines Day, what could be more romantic than an exquisite Lalique crystal offering from their Love Theme collection to show your affection; a Lalique gift will always be a timeless mark of esteem!

The collection includes:

• The Tendre Coeur Pendant - a charming heart in fuchsia crystal - £79.
• The featured gorgeous new Saint Valentine Heart Paperweight in fuchsia crystal, in which real gold is combined with the crystal to produce the glorious colour; size: 3.5″ wide by 1.75″ high by 2.75″ deep -  £128.
• A graceful Papillion butterfly pendant in fuchsia crystal - £99.

A selection of other colours is available.

Tailor made gift personalisation is also on offer to make your gift even more meaningful.

Web: http://www.lalique.com
Tel:   (020) 7245 9090

Carrol Boyes the South African artist and designer, has created a unique functional art form by combining her inspirational gifts with the beauty of pewter.

Carrol’s growing portfolio of metalwork sculptures consists of innovative and distinctive items, which fulfill a practical use as well as being eye-catching talking pieces and would fit comfortably into even the grandest of homes.

The Quattro Bowl set of four crafted in aluminium featured here, is a fine example of her creative skills. Priced at £205.

Carrol’s portfolio consists of cleverly handcrafted combinations of pewter, aluminium and stainless steel cutlery, stylish bowls, vases, leather ware, tableware and clocks, any of which would make ideal and unusual gifts.

Carrol explains the root of her passion: “Pewter is a forgotten, old-fashioned metal. It’s great fun to work with and when it’s polished looks like silver.”

Carrol has expanded her repertoire with the addition of items in aluminium and stainless steel, each bringing its own special qualities.
 
Stainless steel is used for pieces that require being hard-wearing and dishwasher-proof, while large bowls and vases are fashioned in aluminium for its qualities of lightness and strength.

Visit the website for more:

Web:  http://www.carrolboyes.com
Tel:   516-829-1629