Time difference: 10 unusual clocks

Clever clocks

Don\'t let the end of British summertime get you down - celebrate with a cool clock to give a room a real lift as the autumn days (and nights) draw in. Click through our gallery to discover ten gorgeous ones that chimed with us; here\'s the first...

Designed by Kouji Iwasaki, this wonderful contemporary clock is made from a veneer wooden block with a funky retro red LED time display. From www.mylivingspace.com, £80.

By Jo Carlowe

As time goes by....

This perky dual-purpose item is likely to become the central focus of any room. It provides a creative way to display 12 best-loved photographs contained within brightly coloured frames and laid out around a central clock. It can be used to liven up bedrooms or to bring gorgeous colour to your living area. It\'s also available in stylish black. From www.mylivingspace.co.uk at £24.50

A certain je ne sais quoi

If you love traditional French country style then check out the Café de la Tour pendulum clock at Lavender & Sage. This company scours France to find the very best artisan suppliers. The clock\'s surround is made from aged metal with an antique dial. The design is 100% vintage French and will add va-va-voom to any room. at a cost of £142. From www.lavenderandsage.co.uk, £142

Stick to what you love

Ever envied your children all those sticker books and shinies? Well now you can trump them with this incredible stick-on clock. The Newgate Marvel Architectural Wall Clock takes on whatever shape you want - round oval, square or crazy. You create the clock face with a fabulous set of stick-ons. The pack includes a clock movement with hands, the numbers one through to 12, sticky dots and full instructions. From www.johnlewis.com, £45

Keeping score

This is a cracking little stand-by - an authentic blackboard face, with contrasting white numerals. It comes complete with real chalk, so you can draw pictures or write yourself reminders such as: \'Don\'t forget to put the clocks back by one hour\'. From www.johnlewis.com, £24.75

Move over grandfather

Quirky and ultra-modern, the Pendel floor clock, designed by Carl Hagerling, is the ultimate modern-day grandfather clock. It\'s made from birch/poplar plywood, and has built in shelving for books or kitchenware. No surprise to learn that it\'s an IKEA original. From www.ikea.com, £129

Timelines

The National Maritime Museum (comprising the Maritime Galleries, the Royal Observatory and the Queen\'s House) illustrates the importance of the sea, ships, time and the stars and their relationship with people. The museum shop has some quirky clocks not least the \'DIY Cubic Rainbow clock\' which lets you design and redesign the clock face by arranging different coloured cubes. Depending on your design, this clock can stand as a mantel clock or be hung on a wall. From www.nmm.org.uk, £35

Colourful times

Chromatherapy (colour therapy) uses the colours of the spectrum to help you retain a balance of body and mind. The Aurora Mood Clock works like a cubic chameleon cycling between twelve different colours to suit your mood. From www.iwantoneofthose.com £9.99

Projecting the future

Quite possibly the nattiest projector clock on the market, the Microsweep Projector Clock combines black retro rocket casing with a classic Roman clock face. The projector is compact enough to sit on a shelf and can be swivelled to project the clock face onto the floor or ceiling. You also get some light gels to slip over the lens and give you multi-coloured time; or you can use the dimmer switch for some moody timekeeping. From www.iwantoneofthose.com £115

Face value

Their time has come and gone - Audrey Hepburn, James Dean and Marilyn Monroe but their iconic image remains and can become an aesthetically pleasing fixture for any room. This large Nextime wall clock, displays an attractive photograph of the actor/actress of your choice on a glass, numberless dial. From www.ticktockclocks.co.uk, £29.95