How early in an interior design project do you consider the lighting? I suspect we’re all a little guilty of leaving this particular element of a room re-vamp until the later stages, concentrating instead on things like room layout, paint colours and furniture. But really, lighting should be one of the first things we consider when embarking on an interiors project, because it’s so integral to the finished ‘feel’ and functionality of a ...
Review: BenQ e-Reading LED Lamp
How much time do you spend working on screens each day? We all worry about the amount of screen time our kids are getting, but chances are as adults we spend much more time than them staring at computers, tablets and smartphones. I spend a lot of time working on screens, and by the end of the day I’m often feeling the strain in my eyes, especially when the natural light in my office is poor, or I’ve been working in artificial light. Over the ...
Using garden lighting to create safe and attractive outdoor spaces
The right lighting can make all the difference to your garden. If you're looking to add some garden lighting to your outdoor space, this collaborative post has lots of tips and ideas to help you get it right. For kids, gardens are wonderful spaces. They provide them with a safe place to play, enjoy nature, entertain their friends and be creative. In fact, for everyone in the family, they are a great space to let off steam and truly relax. If ...
What to consider when choosing garden fencing
As well as serving a practical purpose, garden fencing can really enhance the look of your outdoor space. Installing or replacing garden fencing can be a significant investment, so it's important to get it right first time. This guide from the experts at Jacksons Fencing covers the important aspects to consider when choosing fencing, read on for lots of great tips. What material? When it comes to fencing, materials matter, and considering ...
Review: Planters Online Visio fibreglass plant trough
Are you growing plants for winter colour and interest at the moment? The garden can feel rather bare and brown at this time of year, but if making the whole space look lively is too daunting, it's a great idea to focus your efforts on the bits you can see from your window. Containers are brilliant for this, as you can position them exactly where you can see them best, and make the most of their display even when you're indoors.Planters ...
Review & Giveaway: GardenSite LED Christmas Reindeer
When do the Christmas decorations go up in your home? You've probably got a few weeks to go yet, but this review and giveaway will certainly get you in the mood for decking the halls!We've been checking out the range of LED Christmas reindeer decorations from online gardening supplier GardenSite. They sent us a Twinkling Standing Reindeer to review, and I've also got a gorgeous Premier Crystal Reindeer worth £84.99 to give away to a lucky ...
How to increase your home’s kerb appeal
As the saying goes, you only get one chance to make a first impression - and that’s just as true of homes as it is of people! We form an opinion of a property within the first few seconds of seeing it, so the impression your home makes from the kerb plays a crucial role in that process for visitors and potential buyers. So how do we get that all-important first impression right? There are lots of things you can do to enhance your home’s kerb ...
The best flooring for a family home
When you decide to replace the flooring in your home, one of the biggest decisions is choosing the right option for the room in question. With so many flooring types available, getting it right first time can feel a little daunting. In this guest post the experts at Flooring Republic have done the hard work for us; read on to discover their recommendations for each room in a typical family home.Kitchen & Bathroom Possibly the most ...
My family kitchen wish list
Are you planning any big home projects at the moment? Autumn always inspires me to get cracking with the home improvement; I think the fact that there’s less to do outside in the garden frees me up to focus on indoors a bit more, plus the thought of Christmas looming on the horizon gives me a bit of a kick up the bum to get organised! Our next big house project is to replace our family kitchen; the current one is way past it’s best, and just ...
Home energy money saving hacks plus win a washing machine
We’d all like to save money on our energy bills, right? And aside from the cost benefits, there’s also the positive environmental impact that reducing our energy consumption delivers. You may not be aware that the UK has committed to achieving an 80 per cent reduction in carbon emissions by 2050, which means we all need to think about our home energy consumption, and aim for more sustainable and lower carbon lifestyles. The Energy Saving Trust ...