Features: Dining

French Country Extending Dining Table from The Orchard

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French Country Extending Dining Table, £525, from The Orchard

Add some sophisticated country style to your home with this French Country Extending Dining Table from The Orchard, £525.

While I’m usually a strictly mid-century style kinda gal, every now and again I can’t resist a bit of modern country furniture.

As such, I love this French Country Extending Dining Table from The Orchard.

Just the right side of rustic, I adore the combination of the painted legs and wooden top, which work perfectly to create a sophisticated country look.

A versatile piece of furniture, it suits both contemporary and classic schemes, and works equally as well in the kitchen as it does in the dining room.

To give it a contemporary twist, try teaming it with colourful resin chairs.

White Ceramic Pitcher With Butterflies and Flowers from Graham & Green

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White Ceramic Pitcher With Butterflies and Flowers, £22, from Graham & Green

Add a pretty touch to your home with this White Ceramic Pitcher With Butterflies and Flowers from Graham & Green, £22.

Jugs are, without a doubt, one of my favourite things when it comes to buying interior accessories for the home.

Tall or short, thin or squat, small or large, I have, over the years, amassed a rather impressive collection.

I had made a promise that I would stop buying them as I’m fast running out of space to store them, but then I came across this beautiful White Ceramic Pitcher With Butterflies and Flowers from Graham & Green.

I love the delicate relief work, and the butterfly and flower design makes it the perfect choice for summer.

Far too pretty to be hidden away in a cupboard, I’ll be using mine either to display summer blooms or fill with lemonade for garden parties.

Guzzini Green Revolving Spice Rack from Gifts with Style

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Guzzini Green Revolving Spice Rack, £44.95, from Gifts with Style

Make sure your spices are always close at hand with this Guzzini Green Revolving Spice Rack from Gifts with Style, £44.95.

I’ve been looking for a stylish spice rack for our kitchen for a while now, but most are either too expensive or too traditional for me.

This Guzzini Green Revolving Spice Rack, however, is just what I need.

An ideal addition to any kitchen worktop, it is great for keen cooks, allowing them to keep their spices close at hand without taking up too much room.

Chirpy Espresso Set from Oliver Bonas

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Chirpy Espresso Set, £24, from Oliver Bonas

Get your morning coffee hit in style with this Chirpy Espresso Set from Oliver Bonas, £24.

I don’t know about you but, unless I have my morning cup of coffee almost as soon as I wake up, I just can’t function for the rest of the day. I’m not proud of it, and have tried over the years to wean myself off this caffeine addition, but it has proved fruitless.

So, if I’m going to keep on going with this vice, I might as well do it in style right?

Which is why I love this Chirpy Espresso Set from Oliver Bonas. Ideal for every occasion from lazy breakfasts to chic dinner parties, each one of these delightful little cups features an illustration of a little bird with a colourful, patterned background.

Quick Shop: Stylish plates

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Some of our favourite stylish plates

Ensure your meals look as good as they taste with our pick of stylish dinnerware.

Whether you’re enjoying a full meal at dinner time, or just sneaking a biscuit or two with your elevenses, food always seems to taste better when served on a gorgeous plate.

The Marimekko Kompotti Round Plate features funky fruit and veg in retro shades, while the Miss Blackbirdy – White Flower Plate (designed by Merel Boers) looks oh so dainty with its pretty floral design, yet is safe in both the dishwasher and microwave.

Clockwise from top left: Kartell Yellow Jelly Plate from Heal’s, £66; Pasha Plate from OKA, £14; Marimekko Kompotti Round Plate from Heal’s, £20; Avoca – Button Side Plate – 8" from Amara Living, £10; Iittala Sarjaton Flat Plate from John Lewis, £15; Miss Blackbirdy – White Flower Plate – 26.5cm from Amara Living, £9.95.

Pasha Bowl from OKA

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Pasha Bowl, £10, from OKA

Add some pattern to your dining table with this Pasha Bowl from OKA, £10.

As my heaving kitchen cupboards can testify, I’m a little bit obsessed with ceramic and stoneware bowls. They’re just so useful for everything from sauces and dips to crisps and nuts. I’ve even been known to store small change and hairclips in them.

I had promised myself that enough was enough but then I came across these gorgeous bowls from OKA. I particularly love the Pasha Bowl, while the Leyla and Bey bowls are equally striking, and are a sure fire way to add some colour to a boring kitchen or dining room.

Keith Brymer Jones What Came First Egg Cups from Amara Living

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Keith Brymer Jones What Came First Egg Cups, £15, from Amara Living

Get ready for Easter with these Keith Brymer Jones What Came First Set of Four Egg Cups from Amara Living, £15.

Easter is just around the corner and whether you prefer your eggs covered in chocolate or soft boiled, you’re going to need a decent egg cup to display it in.

There’s a plethora of egg cups out there from cute animals to stylish chrome numbers, but I love this Keith Brymer Jones What Came First Set of Four Egg Cups from Amara Living.

Posing the ultimate, unanswerable question, these eggs cups stylishly ask "what came" "first", "the chicken" "or the egg".

Great for adding some tongue-in-cheek charm to your breakfast table, these egg cups can be used long after Easter and, since you’re asking, definitely the choccie variety for me please!

Quick Shop: Egg cups

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Some of our favourite egg cups

These gorgeous egg cups are sure to be your cup of tea for the perfect Easter gift.

If you’re looking for Easter gifts, but would prefer not to give your loved ones many thousands of calories, then what about one of these gorgeous egg cups.

This Marmite Egg Cup Set from John Lewis contains four fantastic egg cups, all featuring the Marmite branding in wonderful bright colours. Meanwhile, this pretty Miss Blackbirdy – Egg Cup from Amara Living is just perfect for a stylish Easter breakfast.

Clockwise from top left: Miss Blackbirdy – Egg Cup from Amara Living, £3.95; Portmeirion Spring Days Rabbit Egg Cup from John Lewis, £6; Day Birger Et Mikkelsen – Silver Plated Egg Cup from Amara Living, £10; Marimekko Siirtolapuutarha Egg Cups Set of Two from Heal’s, £20; Rob Ryan – “Hello Egg” Egg Cup Set from Amara Living, £15; Marmite Egg Cup Set from John Lewis, £13.

Flower Lace Table Cloth from Design My World

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Flower Lace Table Cloth, £12.50, from Design My World

Create a pretty dining table with this Flower Lace Table Cloth from Design My World, £12.50.

Usually I find tablecloths a bit too fusty but, if you’re a bit precious about your dining table getting ruined, then they’re a must.

My search for a more contemporary design ended when I stumbled across this Flower Lace Table Cloth from Design My World.

Made from hard wearing rubber, the table cloth is made from tiny flowers which have been linked together, and will turn your dining table from mundane to marvellous.

There is also a smart table runner available, which is ideal if you don’t want to cover your table completely.

Baroque & Rock Cutlery Set from Red Candy

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Baroque & Rock Cutlery Set, £7.50, from Red Candy

Wow your party guests with this Baroque & Rock Cutlery Set from Red Candy, £7.50.

Despite having lived in my new house for nearly four months, the housewarming still hasn’t happened.

However, the bullet has finally been bitten and soon our nearest and dearest will be joining us in a glass (read several bottles) of champagne (read prosecco) to toast our new home.

If you’re planning a party too, chances are you won’t want to risk your best crockery, china and glass – well, if your friends are anything like mine you won’t.

But fear not, that doesn’t mean you have to resort to bog standard plastic cutlery because I’ve come across this fab Baroque & Rock Cutlery Set from Red Candy.

Made from a vibrant red acrylic, it has a funky Baroque-style design and won’t look out of place at even the chicest of soirees.

Seletti Palazzo Signoria Dinner Plates from Found Home Store

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Seletti Palazzo Signoria Dinner Plates, £150, from Found Home Store

Add a quirky touch to your dinner table with these Seletti Palazzo Signoria Dinner Plates from Found Home Store, £150.

I’ve long been an admirer of Seletti’s quirky homewares and its tongue-in-cheek porcelain Take-Away range, but have somehow only just stumbled across these Seletti Palazzo Signoria Dinner Plates.

Available from Found Home Store, at first glance you’d be forgiven for thinking this product is a stylish Italian-style porcelain villa. It is in fact a set of six dining plates and a serving bowl all of which stack together.

Perfect for giving your dining table a quirky touch, your guests are bound to be impressed when they witness you unstacking your clever dining set.

And, if like me, you’re rather taken with this design, you’ll be pleased to hear the range also includes a set of small serving bowls and dessert plates.

Walnut Cornell Dining Chairs from made.com

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Walnut Cornell Dining Chairs, £199 for the pair, from made.com

Update your dining room with this pair of Walnut Cornell Dining Chairs from made.com, £199.

Sometimes a room just needs a little refresh rather than a complete overhaul.

However, if you fancy something more substantial than a new cushion or curtains, adding new dining chairs is the perfect way to give your dining room a fresh look.

These elegant Cornell Dining Chairs from made.com are crafted from walnut, and will look fabulous teamed with either contemporary or retro dining tables.

Quick Shop: Stylish Trays

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Our pick of the best stylish trays

Serve your drinks and nibbles in style with a selection of our favourite trays.

If your trays are looking a little jaded, or you simply think your lap deserves a new and funky one, then take your pick from this fab selection of stylish trays.

I particularly love the cute toy cars on the Ella Doran – Gridlock Tray from Amara Living, while the Retro Wooden Tray Botanica from JasmineWay is a floral riot of colour.

Clockwise from top left: Retro Wooden Tray Botanica from JasmineWay, £35; Ella Doran – Gridlock Tray from Amara Living, £25.50; Marimekko Bambi Tray from Heal’s, £24; Ary Trays – Folk Stripe Red Tray from Amara Living, £25.50; Åry Trays Feathers Serving Tray from John Lewis, from £19.95; Alabasta Flower Tray from Design My World, £19.95.

Loveramics Flutter Teapot from Occa Home

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Loveramics Flutter Teapot, £26.99, from Occa Home

Host the prettiest of afternoon tea parties with this Loveramics Flutter Teapot from Occa Home, £26.99.

It seems that the trend of afternoon tea is just refusing to go away. From hen parties to Mother’s Day treats, it seems everyone is looking for an excuse to go to a swanky hotel for a decadent afternoon.

If you fancy creating an afternoon tea at home, you’ll need all the essential tools starting with the most important element, a gorgeous teapot.

This Loveramics Flutter Teapot from Occa Home, decorated with hummingbirds and delicate Japanese-inspired flowers, is just about as pretty as they come.

Whether you prefer a pot of traditional English Breakfast or a more exotic Lapsang Souchong, it’s guaranteed to wow your guests and complement your baked goodies beautifully.

Handmade Portuguese Diamond Wine Glasses from JasmineWay

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Set of 6 Handmade Portuguese Diamond Wine Glasses, currently reduced to £52.50, from JasmineWay

Add some colour to your dining room with these Handmade Portuguese Diamond Wine Glasses from JasmineWay, currently £52.50.

Things can seem a little dull after Christmas, especially once the tinsel and baubles have come down.

Combine this with the typical post-Christmas financial pinch, and there is a definite need for some colourful, yet inexpensive, accessories to pep up your home interior.

From cushions and throws to colourful clocks, there’s a huge choice of bright and beautiful accessories around, but my current faves are these Handmade Portuguese Diamond Wine Glasses from JasmineWay.

Available as a set of six, each one is a jewel-like colour from aquamarine to amethyst, and will instantly add a pop of colour to your dining table whatever the occasion.

Wildlife Dusk Plate Set from Design My World

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Wildlife Dusk Plate Set, £17.50, from Design My World

Add some animal charm to your walls with this Wildlife Dusk Plate Set from Design My World, £17.50.

Animal motifs look set to continue to be a big trend in 2013 – from owls and rabbits to foxes and birds – everything from cushions to tableware has been given a touch of animal chic.

I particularly love this set of Wildlife Dusk Plates from Design My World, which has each of the four plates featuring a different wildlife animal.

Personally, I think these plates are far too pretty to eat from, but they would look fantastic in a group on a shelf or displayed on a plain wall in a kitchen or dining room.

Pantone - Warm Gray 8 Tray from Amara Living

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Pantone - Warm Gray 8 Tray, currently £24, from Amara Living

Serve your drinks in style with the gorgeous Pantone - Warm Gray 8 Tray from Amara Living, currently reduced to £24.

Those who follow interiors closely will know that colour experts Pantone have chosen Emerald as the colour of 2013.

Not for everyone, and especially not for me as I usually favour more subdued shades, you can soon expect to see a myriad of products in this jewel shade.

This Pantone – Warm Gray 8 Tray is far more my style. In a subtle shade of grey, it is beautifully made from a single sheet of birch wood, and is perfect as a gift or to serve your food and drinks in style.

Emerald - Pantone Colour of the Year 2013

LSA Serve Punch Bowl and Ladle from Heal's

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LSA Serve Punch Bowl and Ladle, £65, from Heal's

Get creative this Christmas with this elegant LSA Serve Punch Bowl and Ladle from Heal’s, £65.

If you’re planning on throwing a lot of parties this festive period, you may want to think about concocting your own punch.

While they can be deadly, they’re also an ideal way to rid your drinks cabinet of all those obscure spirits brought back from holidays.

Of course, you’re going to need something stylish to serve it in, and we think this LSA Serve Punch Bowl and Ladle from Heal’s is the perfect choice.

Generous in size, it will be the perfect addition to any Christmas buffet table or New Year’s Eve party.

Alessi Cico Egg Cup from Amara Living

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Alessi Cico Egg Cup, £11, from Amara Living

Looking for the perfect stocking filler? This Alessi Cico Egg Cup is just the ticket, from Amara Living, £11.

Decent stocking filler gifts can often be hard to find, particularly if you want to give something stylish rather than silly.

So, if you’re stumped when it comes to choosing another gift, we may just have the answer.

These Alessi Egg Cups from Amara Living come in a choice of colours and will make the perfect kooky stocking filler without breaking the bank.

Anorak Kissing Robins Placemats from Rose & Grey

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Anorak Kissing Robins Placemats, £27.50, from Rose & Grey

Give your Christmas dining table some seasonal flavour with these Anorak Kissing Robins Placemats from Rose & Grey, £27.50.

For me, dressing the table for Christmas lunch is as important as the food. I think it’s something I’ve inherited from my Mum who always makes her dining table look amazing.

My scheme is usually very simple – think white linen napkins, lots and lots of tea lights and elegant cutlery.

One thing that’s on my shopping list is this set of four Kissing Robins Placemats from Rose & Grey. Simple yet extremely stylish, they feature the sweetest silhouettes of robins; you’ve guessed it, giving each other a peck.

They’re perfect for adding some understated festive charm and are sure to be a real talking point among your guests.