Magic lantern
Isn't it ironic how often the word irony is misused? Maybe not, but in the case of Kartell's Bourgie lamp ($373, Living Space [188 Kingsway]) the sly joke and, yes, playful use of irony in its design are manifestly clear. Having mined the baroque style to inspire the modernist polycarbonate creation, the Bourgie sits squarely between the two schools. The classical curves of the base and the transparent hard plastic of its construction are perfectly at odds. The lamp is available in clear and black with a dimmer and adjustable lampshade heights. For modern purists, the design show in Milan this past spring had Kartell showing a suspended version of the pleated shade only.

Vessels of nostalgia
Maggi Kneer grew up in Britain surrounded by starched tablecloths, afternoon teas, and crustless cucumber sandwiches, and that upbringing is evident in every piece of her finely detailed ceramics. The North Vancouver artist uses both traditional and digitally generated transfers to evoke Victorian-china floral patterns on her whimsically shaped teapots, mugs, pitchers, platters, and other pieces. Many of the images are taken from her grandmother's Mrs. Beeton's Book of Household Management, which dates back to the turn of the last century. But in Kneer's hands, everything old looks new again: using shapes gleaned from sources such as English Baluster jugs, Sung Dynasty bowls, and art-nouveau vases, her pottery becomes a playful, postmodern pastiche. Her work is on sale for the first time at the Circle Craft Christmas Market (November 9 to 13 at the Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre, www.circlecraft.net/ / ); the rest of the year, you can find it at the Gallery of B.C. Ceramics (1359 Cartwright Street) and Presents of Mind (3135 Granville Street).

Spelling bee
It's too contrived to say the Regional Assembly of Text is a font of fresh design ideas, but when the whole boutique is devoted to the alphabet, a little wordplay is in order. In fact, the tiny shop (3934 Main Street), started by Emily Carr Institute grads Brandy Fedoruk and Rebecca Dolen, is a font of fonts. Magnet letters, in florals, '50s-style fabric patterns, and even woodpanelling, look smart attached to fridges, tea tins, or filing cabinets. (They range from $1 to $5 each for different sizes, or $20 for the entire alphabet.) Or you can spell out kids' names in hand-sewn quilted letters; they come in flower prints, ginghams, or polka dots, all with denim backing. Grommets allow them to hang easily from a rope or ribbons strung across a wall or bookcase ($9 each or eight bucks apiece for four or more). Or customize a throw pillow with a screen print from the store's fascinating collection of letter-themed artworks and appliqués. The square cushions come in cool hues of turquoise blue, dark brown, and sage green, and range from about $20 to $30.

Warm…leatherette
Between the ubiquity of vinyl in the '70s and Ricardo Montalban's adulation for the Corinthian persuasion, top-grain leather furniture has had some mighty stigmas to distance itself from. Canadian-made Ferretti sofas (www.ferrettiinteriors.com/) are a good place to begin. Sit on one for a bit to see that leather is in fact warm. Unlike vinyl, it doesn't stick to the skin. Leather will last four times longer than fabric and is very difficult to puncture. K Interiors (formerly J Interiors at 2213 Granville Street and now under the ownership of Kathy and Ron Love) offers a showroom full of sofas, chaises, sectionals, settees, and chairs that can be custom-fitted with a variety of fabrics. Styles range from contemporary to Old World Tuscan, with prices starting at $2,495.

Sounder sleeping
From baby food to sleepers, it's becoming easier to raise an infant in a less toxic environment. For further proof, turn to Dream Designs, which is expanding its line of organic Dream Baby Bedding. The collection now encompasses everything from bumper pads and duvets to towels and receiving blankets; organic fabrics are sateen (which starts at $36.99 for a crib sheet) or flannel ($34.99 and up). Most pieces come in unbleached, natural white, but Dream has also branched into a dual-purpose receiving blanket/crib duvet whose backing is organic flannel with a top layer of bright printed cotton ($71.99). The company is also receiving praise for its herbal-dyed, organic-cotton sleepwear: the Diva Irma collection, created in memory of late former owner Irma McKinnis, just scored the best-product award in the home-apparel category at the New York Home Textiles Show. One percent of sales from the line-old-fashioned pyjamas, nightshirts, and nighties in sateen, flannel, or gingham-goes to environmental organizations worldwide.

Bite-size remote
It was only a matter of time until the Apple remote would become a reality. With all the home-entertainment features available on each computer and the potential for the iPod to become the centre of your home-stereo system (along with your universe), a remote control was a natural next step. The new Apple remote ships with the latest release of iMac G5s and is compatible with the iPod universal dock and dock connector along with 2005 or later products that have a built-in infrared receiver. Movies, music, and photos can all be controlled through a remote the size of an index finger. For a list of retailers, visit www.apple.ca/buy/.