DESIGN & INTERIORS: The way we live now

AS IF it isn't bad enough that I don't have space at home for even a pokey little utility room, I now discover that my bourgeois aspirations are not nearly high enough. These days, according to the fitted furniture company Clive Christian, what I really, really ought to want is a laundry room. With acres of Edwardian-style limed-oak wall cupboards, top-loader machine, copious ceramic sink with double-drainer and overhead pulley-operated drying contraption, you can almost smell the souvenir-edition fabric conditioner.

Of course, it's unlikely that anyone who could afford a bespoke laundry room (prices start at around pounds 10,000 not including appliances - call 01204 702200 for details) performs such a menial task. Which does make you wonder why they'd care what the inside of the staff quarters look like. But then I guess you never know when the people from Through the Keyhole might pop round.

For your information, a laundry room looks not the slightest bit like a utility room (there's no mouldy vegetable rack, no tangled bicycles and no empties for a start) but if even the latter, lesser variety is out of your league, you might want to think about upgrading your laundry basket.

This one looks suitably classy. Called Easy, it was designed by Arek Levy for Ligne Roset (www.ligne-roset.co.uk). The snazzy bag part is made from two-tone taffeta. Unless you shop at Agent Provocateur, you may think pounds 158 is a bit steep for somewhere to throw your dirty undies but I say aim high. And just think of the money you'll save by not turning the spare room into a laundry.