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Madrid

Madrid has absorbed architectural styles throughout its history; one corner of the Spanish capital is filled with medieval towers while others are dotted with 10th-century Arab influences. The city's designers have been similarly welcoming of new ideas, splashing their work with colour and composing it out of unlikely materials.

Musgo's (61 Calle Serrano, tel: 3491 577 8862) trades in unusual combinations. Its multicoloured wicker baskets (Euro11.90/HK$145) will liven up laundry day while a version with a sliding lid (Euro21.90) can be used for storage in an office.

Another reasonably priced shop is La Distribuidora (21Jose Ortega y Gasset, tel: 3491 431 7175; www.ladistribuidora.com). Its director's chair (Euro18.95) in acid green will provide a splash of colour to a plain room.
At the other end of the price scale is Kartell (35 Calle Claudio Coello, tel: 3491 781 1152; www.kartell.it), whose classic designs are on permanent display at New York's Museum of Modern Art. Philippe Starck is one of the most famous designers whose wares it stocks; his polycarbonate chair (price on application) is eerily transparent and linear. If you're new to high design, the stacked bottle holder (price on application) is a good place to start.
The heritage building that houses stylish Vincon (18 Calle Castello, tel: 3491 578 0520; www.vincon.com) has been tastefully restored but inside everything is brand new. The caipirinha set (Euro64) would be invaluable for cocktail guzzlers.

For design that's more about being beautiful than useful pop into Isolee (19 Calle Infantas, tel: 3490 287 6136). The store's selection includes a shimmering orange and red vase (above; Euro140) and a decorative crystal bowl (Euro310) in bold swipes of black and red.

Antigua Casa Talavera (2 Isabel la Catolica, tel: 3491 547 3417) is a little more traditional. The ceramics shop has been stocking reproductions of pieces from the 10th to 19th centuries for 120 years. In this rustic haven you will find sangria jugs, vases, ceramic-tiled trays and antique murals.

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