Freebie of the week

 Better known for its retro take on kitchen appliances, Smeg has now branched out with the launch of three equally trendy ranges of flueless gas fires. Incorporating the latest gas fire technology, these do not require a chimney or flue to operate. Instead, the combustion gases pass through a catalytic converter system, converting 100 per cent of the gas to heat. This is so effective that the air is cleaner going out than coming in, making these as eco-friendly as they are cost-effective. And Smeg is giving away one L30FAB fire worth £950 (as pictured) in a choice of red, cream or black to a lucky reader. To enter the draw, just send you contact details and colour choice to Melissa@publicityengineers.com before 31 October 07. The winner will be notified by letter then contacted by phone to arrange delivery. 0870 990 9907

Visit http://www.smeguk.com/ for more.

 If you are working up to a self-build or renovation project for the New Year, get along to the National Self Build & Renovation Show (18-21 October 07). There is a packed programme lined up with seminars, product demonstrations, presentations and practical skills workshops from some of the industry's leading experts and professionals - a wealth of hints and advice to ensure your home improvements go without hitch. Tickets to the event are £8 per adult, and under 16's go free. And there is a two for one offer for readers.

Book via the website at www.mykindofhome.co.uk/show by quoting ESSBR241 or present a copy of this page at the door. National Self Build & Renovation Centre, off Junction 16 of the M4.

 Dread the annual Christmas shopping scrum on the High Street? A more pleasant way to tick the nieces, nephews and various family members off the list is at The Country Living Magazine Christmas Fair (14-18 November, Business Design Centre, N1). Helping you avoid the last minute crisis buy of novelty Christmas socks (or some other such disappointing gift), the Fair offers local and national crafts, home accessories, ceramics and more - along with delicious homemade food and drink unavailable on the high street. Tickets purchased in advance cost £11 and £14.50 on the door. And there is a pair of free adult tickets for each of ten lucky readers. Just send your contact details to kmorrison@trickerpr.com before 20 October 07. The winners will be contacted by email by 27 October 07.

To book tickets, call 08701 261 800 or visit http://www.countrylivingfair.com/

 Planning some DIY? Then you will want the best tool for the job, and preferably at the best price too. Ticking the box on both these counts is the aptly named Bargaintools.co.uk. Providing a massive variety of low price, high quality power tools and DIY accessories from brands including Silverline, Panasonic, LockJaw and Duracell, it can supply everything from woodworking tools and batteries to safety footwear and lighting. And there is free shipping for all orders over £50. Call 01772 334 071 or visit:

http://www.bargaintools.co.uk/

 Next time a light bulb blows, stop by a Ryness store. In a bid to encourage green thinking, it is offering free light bulb recycling to all of its customers. And when you consider that the mercury from a single fluorescent tube or light bulb (eg. an energy saving light bulb) is enough to pollute 30,000 litres of drinking water, it does not seem worth risking sending these to landfill. Simply go into one of its stores with your broken light bulbs, Ryness will then ensure that they are correctly disposed of.  

Log onto http://www.ryness.co.uk/

This week: getting prepared for winter

• If you can't afford new curtains this winter, add a look of luxury to tired fabrics with tasseled, chord, beaded or rope tiebacks - www.collybrook.co.uk/ has an excellent selection.
• Arrange to have the chimney or flu cleaned. Blocked residue or birds' nests can disrupt ventilation and endanger your health.
• Keep your energy bills in check by plugging draughty gaps in floorboards and skirting boards with newspaper, beading or sealant. See www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/ for more.
• Don't leave clay pots sitting outside - freezing temperatures can cause them to chip and crack. Instead, clean them with a stiff brush to get rid of dirt and store them in the garage, shed or some other indoor spot.

  Quality designs, affordable prices - a tag all too often overused. But Cadira really does fulfil its promises. Offering attractive, contemporary furniture at reasonable prices, it can cater to the needs of most modern homes with everything from sideboards to coffee tables and more. Those feeling really strapped for cash should also check out its clearance section, where this Draco chair is reduced from £875 to £787.50. Visit 233 - 235 Sandycombe Road, Kew, Richmond, TW9 (020 8334 1086)   

http://www.cadira.co.uk/

 Following in her uncle's footsteps, Carina Haslam (niece of interior designer Nicky Haslam) sells paintings by artists such as Louisa Burnett-Hall and Fiona Macrae for up to £2,500. But if that strikes you as a bit steep, it is well worth looking up the less publicised Limited Edition page on Carina's website. This offers the chance to buy limited edition reproductions of the original oils by these artists at a fraction of the original prices (as little as £90). A personal favourite, this Washing Cow giclée print by Fiona Macrae is priced at just £150. 

http://www.carinahaslamart.com/

 Interior solutions at unbeatable prices is the tag line at The Furniture Market, where you will find a vast range of furniture styles: Brooklyn Oak, Harvard Oak, Giavellie Glass, Chateau French and much, much more. The prices live up to the promise, and with its ongoing sale you can benefit from added savings with pieces such as this Brooklyn Oak 5ft Panel Bed down from £500 to an unrivalled £259. 

http://www.thefurnituremarket.co.uk/

  No time to trawl antique markets? Wish you could avoid the tat? One of the best kept secrets of the antiques trade, Tomlinsons can offer an excellent selection of antique and traditional furnishings to traders and the public via its website http://www.antique-furniture.co.uk/. More than 2000 items are brought to its Yorkshire based warehouse each month, and it carries 5000 items in stock. This enormous buying power allows it to offer very sensible prices with pieces such as this Decorative French Commode priced at £395.

Call 01423 358 833 or visit http://www.antique-furniture.co.uk/

Dining room deals

 Every so often I chance upon something to set even the most seasoned of bargain hunter's pulse racing, and this dining set from Fantastic Furniture certainly quickened my heartrate.

Reassuringly sturdy, this solid ash table comes in two sizes (152cm x 90cm and 183cm x 90cm), is stained to a dark Wenge finish, features a striking concave shape, and has detachable legs to provide easy access and stability. You won't be pushed to find comfortable seating either, with these soft, semi-aniline, dark brown, Italian leather chairs a popular choice for the lengthier Christmas dinner.

Nestling comfortably amongst a wider selection of furniture and home accessories, Fantastic Furniture's range of dining room furniture sticks firmly to the overall company ethos: to provide quality, modern products at refreshingly affordable prices.

The usual price for this table is £625 and the chairs are £195 each, but for one month only, or while stocks last, there's a 50 percent discount for readers ordering the table and six chairs as a set. This brings the price down to just £895 (plus £70 delivery in UK mainland). Available for immediate dispatch so hurry now while stocks last. 0870 0671 970. 

http://www.fantasticfurniture.co.uk/

Floors galore

 Whether you are flicking though the pages of a glossy magazine, or scanning an estate agents' window, your eye is inevitably drawn to the properties with wooden floors. In short, wooden floors are always going to be a good investment, not to mention a great way to give new life to your interior, and this is why The Ultimate Flooring is such a good find.

Taking all the hassle out of choosing your wood floor, The Ultimate Flooring can offer a comprehensive range: hardwoods, veneers and laminate flooring from leading manufacturers are available in a wide choice of designs and finishes, and are competitively priced. The Ultimate Flooring also offers monthly special offers with flooring such as the French Oak 150 mm wide currently reduced from £29.99.to £24.99. And you can count on some top quality service too: with over 15 years experience in the wooden flooring trade, The Ultimate Flooring can offer an excellent installation, after-sales and renovation service.

And, as a special offer to readers, it is offering a 10 per cent discount across its range of flooring. Just mention this offer when calling 020 8948 5611 or emailing sales@theultimateflooring.com before 29th November 2007

http://www.theultimateflooring.com/