Hot homewares: the tropical trend for your house

I've just about reconciled myself to the fact that it's not quite warm enough yet to wear one of Siany's pretty tropical dresses. But, darn it, how my life is craving some flamingos, palm trees and sunshine! Though it's not sunny enough outside, the tropical trend is shining brightly on interiors too. I intend to stock up on some of these items to cheer me up until it's (finally) time to pack away those jumpers.

Think a tropical kitsch and it's unlike that M&S will be the first store that springs to mind. But they're all over the trend with their Palm Springs range which is definitely more glamorous Americana than Great British high street. With items like this flamingo tumbler for only £2.50, I can see absolutely nothing wrong with that.

More palms, thanks to Laura Ashley, another quintessentially British retailer who seem to be heading west for inspiration. I love the decadence of this palm tree lamp base, available for £60. Now to find a shade that can live up to it...

You can't do tropical without mentioning at least one pineapple. Graham and Green are selling a rather fabulous pineapple lamp but if you don't have £125 to spare (and who has?), pick up the barginous pineapple tea light holder pictured for only £3.50 from Habitat.

And finally, back to the birds. Create your own stand of flamingos, with these door hooks. In a topically tropical range of colours, they will cost you £17.50 each from Modern baby. They're made by Danish firm Rice who also produce some lovely flamingo patterned children's dinnerware for all your exotic bird needs.

Now I simply need to find myself a hammock and snooze until summer.