0 of 8Snap up this 1950s style Volani customisable highboard by Bo Concept (boconcept.com/en-ie/) at the Arnotts (01-8045881 arnotts.ie) Home Value Event in their Henry Street store, Dublin 1. The storage unit doubles as a desk. What looks like the middle drawer to the right pulls down to reveal a neat desktop. Normally €1,995 it is reduced 25 per cent to €1,495 until Monday, May 5th. TRENDING . . . RULERS One of the nicest things in any family home is the wall where markings track each growth spurt preserved forever – or at least until you want to refresh the paintscape or, if renting, have to move. London-based Lovestruck Interiors (0044-7976 707465 lovestruckinteriors.com) has a snazzy solution, a personalised giant ruler that can be fixed to any wall and taken with you when you move house. They come in either Imperial or metric measurements and can be personalised with a family name or message that is special to your family. Prices start from about €163.50 (£135), ex delivery, and come in aged oak, mid oak, and washed colour options. TV Concepts Ireland (0872036257 tvconceptsireland.ie), based at Malahide Road Industrial Estate, Dublin 17, is a new company selling an expanding hose with an eight-spray nozzle that is lightweight and extends to three times its size, making watering the garden feel a far less cumbersome task. The device comes in three sizes; the smallest is reduced from €49.99 to €27.99; the 12.2 m (50ft) long hose is reduced from €59.99 to €39.99 and the 30.5m (100ft) hose is reduced from €89.99 to €61.99. This price includes a free tap connector and free delivery anywhere in Ireland. Whatever the weather Somerset-based Myweeteepee’s (0044- 7717 661110 myweeteepee.co.uk) Four Season’s tepee is a design that can be be enjoyed both indoors and outside. The 100 per cent cotton canvas creation costs about €182 (£150). THREE OF THE BEST ... TENTS The Tentstile Stingray tree tent takes camping off the soggy ground and up into the canopy. Available in 10 colours the design offers occupants a very spacious hammock floor, accessed via a hatch below. It can be suspended at any height and can also be pitched on the ground. The Stingray can accommodate three adults or a family of two adults and two children with a maximum load of 400 kg. It costs about €576 (£475), ex delivery, from UK-based Big Fire (0044-1395 275300 bigfire.co.uk) THREE OF THE BEST ... TENTS This elegant Sandstone 4 bell tent began its design life as a military tent in the 19th Century. Natural cotton canvas drapes down from a central pole, and is held tight by guy ropes to create a distinctive old-fashioned shape outside and a soft ambience within. They cost about €520 (£429), ex delivery, from UK-based Boutique Camping (0044 203 394 2986 boutiquecamping.com). Bushell Interiors, Parkwest, Dublin 12 (01671 0044 bushellinteriors.com) is offering Irish Times readers who present today’s column 20 per cent off all home furniture orders made during April. Their multi-tasking hammered drums, a set of two, normally €285, can be used as planters or if used upside down, make cute outdoor stools, and can be purchased for €228 before April 30th. A light frame console table with a clear glass top and a stainless steel frame, normally €1,365 can be yours for €1,092. This design also comes in a desk size. Born Interiors (045-898161), Monread Shopping Centre, Naas, Co Kildare has 20 per cent off its Charlotte French style dining collection. This solid oak table has distressed cream legs and comes in three sizes with reduced prices starting at €440. This can be teamed with a matching chair, either solid wood or with a rattan back and fabric-seat,which is reduced from €225 to €180. Irish Times readers who present today’s column can get a further 10 per cent off these discounts. Offers end May 12th.
Like many two-year-olds, my nephew hates socks and loves blueberries. He’s also unlike other little boys