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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
5 family-friendly home improvements to consider this year
Looking for home inspiration? Today's guest post has lots of ideas for family-friendly home improvements that will make life easier - what's not to love?! The hectic pace of life with kids can make it hard to keep your home functioning really well for the whole family. And when moving to a bigger or more family-friendly property isn't an option, you need some clever tricks to make your existing space work harder. Here are some ideas for home ...
How to get your garden ready for summer
Summer is on the way, and with it the chance to spend more time enjoying our outdoor space. Is your garden ready? During the colder months we naturally spend less time taking care of our gardens, but when the weather warms up again in summer we immediately want to get out there and enjoy them. The trouble is, there’s often work required to get things looking good before we can sit back and enjoy the view! If your garden is looking a bit ...
Tips for maximising natural light in your home
No matter what type of home you have, I bet you’d like to make the most of the natural light. I know a light, airy room always lifts my mood; I guess it’s a similar effect to being outside in a bright, open space. Think about how you feel waking up in the morning in the depths of winter versus midsummer; light definitely helps us to feel awake, energised and positive. Having said that, the amount of natural light each room in a home benefits ...
Product Showcase: Sogni Di Cristallo handcrafted venetian lighting
If you read the blog regularly, you’ll know that as well as all things gardening, my other big passion is interiors. I’m forever planning our next home project, and I spend a lot of time browsing online for inspiration. I love the fact that the internet gives you access to so many businesses and their unique products; there’s no way you’d be able to find such a wide range on a real-life shopping trip, and it’s a great way to create a really ...
Modern Scandinavian living: my top Wayfair picks
Welcome to the second post in my collaboration with Wayfair. I’m thrilled to be working with them this year as part of their Home Experts programme, and will be sharing lots of interiors inspiration over the next 12 months. I’ve already had lots of fun with my first challenge, looking at how to revamp your space with the pantone colour of the year, ‘Greenery’. It’s such a vibrant, energising colour, and given my love affair with plants and all ...