Whilst the Enzo Mari umbrella stand below is the epitome of understated style and function, the Trompe L’Oeil Umbrella Stands by Piero Fornasetti are an entirely different matter.

There is a range of interesting designs, which all have signs of Fornasetti’s trademark love of strong graphics and surrealism. His love of classical imagery is also apparent in the designs “Ancient Vases” (pictured here), “Ruins” and “Ancient Heads”. My favourite is the amusingly literal Umbrellas design. Other designs involve hats, cats and luggage.

Describing a quirky item as a “talking point” is probably an over-used expression, but in this case, it is true and frankly for the price of these, you would need it to be a real conversation piece. Prices start at $1244 (around £700) for classics designs up to $2,419 (over £1300) for Umbrellas. To view the whole collection, visit the Unica Home website.

Perfectionism was one trait of the designer Enzo Mari, but equally he was eclectic. We’ve previously featured books, waste bins, prints and calendars by the Italian and now the Eretteo Umbrella Stand can be added to that list.

Designed by Mari for the company Magis, it comprises of translucent PCC slats coming out off a coloured base and topped with a coloured ring. The base and ring come in a choice of red, blue, white and two shades of grey.

It costs £50 from Panik Design and is a stylish way to keep your hallway or office tidy in the inevitable rainy season ahead.

Designed by Komplot in 2003, the Gubi Chair is on one hand a very modern product. It was the first industrial product to be made using an innovative moulding technique with 3D veneer (not a process I claim to have any understanding of). But select the Gubi Chair in the Walnut veneer option, and suddenly it takes on a mid-century style.

The Gubi is a great multi-purpose chair and as illustrated here, it is stackable. It costs £398 in the Walnut finish, which is by far the best style.

It is available to buy from Nest.