Design & Shopping: First Class Deliveries
The best of the mail-order catalogues for stress-free Christmas shopping. By Dominic Lutyens
Graham & Green
Notting Hill's cult shop teems with goods, but this succinct catalogue edits its rampant eclecticism into a few distinctive styles. "Cool Elegance", for example, is all Thirties colonial languor (neo-classical divans, cream linen chairs and zebra-print notebooks, below). "Kitchen Living" mixes industrial minimalism with Playschool-bright kitsch (plastic trolleys and beaded curtains).
Cool thing: Kids' Sky Bib, blue with fluffy clouds and aeroplane spoon (pounds 10.95).
Naff thing: Felt Angel Lights - with a light bulb for a halo.
Tel: 0171-727 4594. Or visit www. graham and green. co.uk (pounds 4.95 p&p)
The Pier
A hit-and-miss affair. Jam-packed with furniture (most of it foully faux- rustic), rugs and home accessories. Ceramics are strong: Deco-style Square Mugs in Thirties pastels (pounds 5.95) and lacquer-red or cream Indochina crockery. And there's a great selection of candles in pop-art primaries or metallics.
Cool thing: Utterly fab Sixties-inspired Santa Fe ceramics (from pounds 14.95).
Naff thing: Wine Table with wine rack.
Tel: 0171-814 5004. (pounds 3.50 p&p for non-furniture items; pounds 30 for furniture)
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