Book by its cover: My favourite ingredients by Skye Gyngell

The cover of this book My Favourite Ingredients is even more vibrant in real life. I love the simplicity of the idea - an apple in front of that beautiful blue-green background. Skye Gyngell is the head chef at Petersham Nurseries, a much-lauded restaurant (and nursery) near Richmond, South West London.

It sells a varied selection of plants, French antiques and elegant gifts - oh, and lemon polenta cake. I went there on Sunday, just before the cafe closed, but I have made a mental note to return when it is a little warmer, more fragrant and the dusty mud floor is less at risk from the damp and welly-clad masses.

Five minutes before closing, and it might have been too late for tea, but I still managed to quickly scurry round the shop. I quickly surmised that their goods could be classified into two categories.

1. Items I can afford:

Clockwise from top left: White roses in terracotta pot, string, gilt-edged notebooks, linen ribbons.

2. Then, items I definitely can't afford:

Again, clockwise from top left: Green patine cabinet, Tolix chairs, cast iron mirrors (actually, I do think these are especially fabulous and worth considering - old mirrors are rarely inexpensive - but they are sold already), French cabinet.

I love old, chipped chairs, and the Tolix chair is one of my favourite designs - but I'm not about to pay £250 for a beaten-up chair. Who would? Well, Petersham Nurseries definitely attracts a posh set; faded but wealthy rock stars and the like - I saw two people driving convertibles with the top down even though it is still mid-winter. On Sunday I saw an English actress there who has a role in an American TV show - if anyone guesses correctly who it was, I will send you a prize...