A new season calls for an adult attitude to lunch.

We’re kicking off the ‘school’ year with a natty lunch kit ($32) from UK designers black+blum. Made from BPA-free plastic, the lime-trimmed bag comes with a watertight container that divides into two bowls (for hot and cold), utensils, a sauce-dipping pot and healthy recipe book. Even better, the waterproof tote opens up to create a placemat or mini blanket that’s perfect for long lunches in the park.

Sure beats the Scooby Doo number we had in grade school.

www.iddko.com

When it comes to décor, we hate being hemmed in.

Home accessories boutique Buk & Nola seamlessly blends bohemian-Brit and Cali-cozy with scandesign and shabby-chic. We spotted nature-inspired Danish wallpapers (from $135/roll) and fern-print linen napkins ($42) beside a high-gloss Queen clock ($55) and Dachshund napkin holders (6/$30). We adored the in-house line of floral hanging lamps (from $40) and earthy pepper mills ($68) made from fallen Ontario tree branches.

Like what you see? Sign up for the personalized budget-conscious décor service that includes an inspiration board of swatches or full makeover of your space.

Buk & Nola, 1593 Laurier Street E., Montreal, 514-357-2680, www.buknola.com

Before summer slips away, make a picnic in the park and do it en style.

Outremont boutique 1101 Laurier carries a massive selection of chic European brands. We made a rainbow connection with Guzzini’s two-toned '50s style Vintage collection of serving bowls ($29), glasses ($5), pitchers ($27) and ice keepers ($39) in radiant pinks, yellows, blues and oranges.  We also loved the lime green Bodum Fyrkat Picnic Charcoal Grill ($59.95, pictured) and rolls of detachable cotton napkins in purple and lipstick red from My Drap (from $29).

At this rate no one will notice the ants.

1101 Laurier Avenue W., Outremont, 514-276-0473, www.1101laurier.com

We love French cookware company Le Creuset because its cast iron wares are indestructible and oh-so-pretty.

It boasts over 70 cool colours like Elysee yellow, Cherry red and its just-launched Cassis, a regal shade of purple that’s right on point with fall fashion. Collect the entire enameled set including the Round French Oven (from $255) and Iron Handle Skillet ($175), or mix and match with classic hues like Kiwi or Dijon.

Now our kitchen will be aflame with colour (as opposed to actual flames, we hope).

At Arthur Quentin, 3960 St-Denis St., Montreal, 514-843-7513, www.arthurquentin.com

Dining al fresco doesn’t mean losing all décor(um).

La Plates’ melamine dishware has the glamour of fine china without the threat of destruction.  Each plate ($22) can be monogrammed with your initials in classic colors like navy and kelly green, set against preppy prints like houndstooth, clovers or gingham. For a more subtle approach, go for tempered glass cutting boards (from $40), stripy place mats (from $18) or a personalized acrylic tray (from $32). Not sure which initials to use? Consult the site’s Monogram Etiquette guide.

Now that’s getting the dish.

www.laplates.com

With weddings every weekend, summer has become the unofficial season of gift giving.

We’re going rogue from traditional registries with retro-mod prints by Toronto-based designer Miss Crowland. Email her high-res photos of Mr. and Mrs. and she’ll create timeless digital silhouettes (from $35 each) that can be framed or printed onto a pair of mugs ($65). Go with traditional black and white or choose something to match the duo’s wedding colors.

We’ll say I do to that.

At www.etsy.com/shop/MissCrowland

We’ve never been keen on matchy matchy, but it’s hard to be down when the match is this divine.

British perfumer Jo Malone has teamed with luxury wallpaper brand Farrow & Ball to create a line of limited edition candles ($75). Each of the five scents pairs with a pretty paint colour to create visual and aromatic moods: Lime Basil Mandarin with Breakfast Room Green stirs up cool Caribbean breezes, while Pomegranate Noir and Eating Room Red evokes intrigue and mystery.

It might just be the greatest pairing of Britons since William and Kate.

At Celadon, 186 Peel St., Montreal, 514-789-1542, www.celadoncollection.com

Montreal’s reputation as a design capital is now set in stone with the opening of Canada’s first Alessi boutique.

The ubiquitous Italian design lab adds touches of whimsy to everyday objects. Here you’ll find black nesting dishes from edgy architect Zaha Hadid ($237) and Matali Crasset and Pierre Hermé’s Essential de patisserie tools (pictured) with dual-purpose whisk ($76), stainless steel bowl ($201) and orange cake plates ($161). Big spending gourmets will covet the copper fish poacher ($1601), but we fell for Ron Arad’s bright blue Chiringuito wine cooler ($78) that hangs off the edge of a table.

Toss the tchochkes, dig the design.

Alessi, 2085 Crescent St., Montreal, 514-316-4560, www.alessi.com

We adore the crisp cool sheets of a five-star hotel, but there’s nothing quite like our own bed to bring on the zzz’s.

For a blissful journey to REM, we’re tucking ourselves into a handcrafted duvet by Silk Concept (from $299).  Made in Vancouver, each one is filled with raw Chinese Mulberry silk so it’s non-allergenic and cozy all-year round. We also love how it doesn’t trap odours and the box-stitching means no middle of the night bunches. Sharing your bed with a cover hog?  Go with the 112 x 100 inch super king size.

Dreamland, here we come.

At Toile Sur Rendez-Vous, 326 Victoria Ave., suite 212, Westmount, 514-486-2424, www.linensbyappointment.com

Tyra tells her girls to "Find your light!"  We found ours by the sink.

Designed in Montreal, Aurora Illuminates are touch and sound activated soap dispensers ($19.99) that light up with every pump. Choose embossed crocodile skin glass or coloured frosted hues like sky blue and apple green. They don’t clean the toilet, cure colds or make us prettier, but they sure do brighten our abode.

At Déco Découverte, Marché Central, 1001 rue du Marché Central, Unit A-11, 514-383-8939, www.homeoutfitters.com