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Archive for the ‘Garden’ Category

Wooden Rowlinson Tenbury Arbour garden seat

Thursday, July 8th, 2010

Create a special seat in your garden

Create a special seat in your garden

Wouldn’t this be the perfect seat for your garden?

Made from natural timber, the arbour features an ample sized seat, with a nicely shaped wooden roof and trellis at the sides. The enclosed sides would provide some excellent shelter from the hot sun or gentle wind and it could be your special spot in the garden to retreat to for a spot of quiet reading or relaxation.

During the summer, you could grow sweat peas, clematis or honeysuckle up the sides of the trellis, so you’d be surrounded be pretty flowers and delicate scent.

The Rowlinson Tenbury arbour is sold by Garden Chic and needs a bit of self-assembly to get it ready for your garden. It’s currently priced at £229.95 and delivery to mainland UK is free.

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Crane large cream garden summerhouse

Friday, June 25th, 2010

Gorgeous garden summerhouse

Gorgeous garden summerhouse

If my garden was big enough, I’d love this summerhouse at the bottom of it. I’d fill it with comfy chairs, cushions and a small table and retreat to the bottom of the garden to read, write and relax. On sunny days like today, I’d sit inside to avoid the strong heat of the sun, with the doors and windows propped wide open to allow an occasional breeze to blow through.

Made by Crane, the summerhouse is made from high grade FSC cerfied Scandinavian redwood, which is finished with cream paint (a sage version is available too) and cedar shingle tiles on the roof. Inside, the summerhouse is spacious, with wooden floors, double doors, windows that open and solid brass fittings.

Exclusive to John Lewis, the cream summerhouse is made to order and is delivered and assembled by Crane specialists. Perhaps it’s the ideal addition for your garden?

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Outdoor eating gear deal from Camel and Yak

Wednesday, June 16th, 2010

Get equipped for camping

Get equipped for camping

If you’re planning on going camping, or simply have a lot of picnics planned for the summer, then take advantage of this great offer from Camel and Yak.

They’ve put together a number of useful, hard-wearing melamine items produced by Rice to form an essential camping kit.

For £20, you get six stylish plastic plates, with a flower design in the middle of them, 12 mini food keepers, which are great for keeping all sorts of nibbles in, plus a set of two food containers, each of which has three levels of storage in it and useful handles that allow them to be carried (a bit like tiffin carriers, but made from melamine). These two are a great size, making them ideal for sandwiches, cakes, fruit or even for taking your cutlery in.

Even if you’re not a fan of the great outdoors, all the items would be useful for your home too – the plates are ideal for eating outside in the garden and the storage containers will get used time and time again.

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Banish bugs with Citronella candles

Monday, June 7th, 2010

Garden candles

Garden candles

There’s nothing worse than sitting outside on warm summer days and being pestered by bugs and insects.

One of the best ways of warding them off is to burn citronella candles - the fragrance is pleasant for humans, but not for bugs – and the candles make the perfect accompaniment on a balmy summer evening, as the light fades away.

This set of three mini citronella candles will ensure you’re well stocked for a while. They’re available from Patchwork Harmony for £8.25.

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Pale green Moroccan style lantern

Monday, May 17th, 2010

Summer lantern

Summer lantern

Lanterns are a lovely form of home accessory that have so many uses all year round. I love having lanterns lit by the fireside on a cold, winter night and enjoy watching the glow of the candle flicker inside. During the summer lanterns are perfect for taking outside in the garden, to provide much needed light as dusk falls. They’re the ideal accompaniment to evening barbecues or drinks in the garden.

This Moroccan-style lantern is in an appropriate summer colour – leaf, or pale green – and would make an ideal summer lantern. It’s got room inside for a tealight and has a useful loop on the top of it, so it can be hung. If you’re going to be using it outside, then it’s worth investing in an inexpensive lantern crook to use with it. You stick it in the ground, then hang the lantern from the hook at the top. It provides light at a good height and avoids it accidentally been knocked over.

The Moroccan lantern is reasonably priced, at only £7.95, and is firmly on my summer essentials list.

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Union stripe hammock

Monday, May 10th, 2010

Summer hammock

Summer hammock

It’s sadly not quite the weather for it just yet, but one can but dream.

Why not get prepared for sunnier days, by stocking up on a hammock, so you can sit or lie out in the sun when it finally arrives.

This red, white and blue striped hammock, in the colours of the Union Jack, measures 260cm by 80cm and is finished off with a white fringe around the outside. You’ll find the Union stripe hammock available to buy from Dotcomgiftshop.

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14 Types of Wall Décor To Use in Your Home

Saturday, January 23rd, 2010

octaganol-wall-mirror  

Walls are not just for painting or wallpapering – they can be decorated and enhanced in numerous ways. If you’d like to become more creative with what you put on your walls, then here are 14 different types of wall décor that you can use to pep up your home, add individuality and make it a cosy, welcoming space.

1. Wall Art

 blue-mist-triptych

 

Is your home space lacking something?  Why not try and pull your room together with finesse by using wall art. 

Home decor has gone beyond just having a few pictures hung on the wall.  Savvy decorators are now using interesting sculpture type art, wall art with moving parts and pieces that match other components in the room. In fact, wall art can be like another piece of furniture. 

Ideally, wall art should be interesting, colourful and well made and something that you’ll enjoy. A good piece of art will keep you happy for years to come.

Product idea: Blue mist triptych from John Lewis.

2. Metal Wall Decor

daisy-bunch-bronzed-wall-art

Metal wall decor is not just for neutral coloured rooms.  Newer metal wall decor features bright splashes of colour and makes a statement.

Other types of metal wall decor are made into interesting shapes or panels.  Hammering the surface of the metal or treating the metal with different chemicals gives it texture. 

When used appropriately, metal can make a room look warm and inviting.  Rectangular and square metal wall pieces can be mixed and matched throughout your living space to create a uniform look. Circular shapes grouped together bring a feeling of peace to any room.

Product idea: Daisy bunch bronze wall art from Artisanti.

3. Wall Sconces

candle-wall-sconce

A well placed wall sconce can lighten the layout of your living space.  Federal style and Asian influenced wall sconces will make your home sizzle with style.  You can have your wall sconce wired for electricity or use pillared candles to brighten any wall with warm light.

Product idea: Pair of candle wall sconces from Cox and Cox.

4. Wall Mirrors

octaganol-wall-mirror

Mirror tricks are important to know!  Wall mirrors can brighten dark corners, make a room seem bigger or a hallway seem longer.  Add a wall mirror next to a piece of art or let it hang by itself. 

Wall mirrors can come in a variety of frames.  Beautiful wood grains or even painted wood makes a lovely finish to a mirror.  Mirrors can be framed with ornate metal workings.  Pairing mirrors together, even small wall mirrors creates a reflective mood throughout your room.

Product idea: Octaganol wall mirror from Graham and Green.

5. Wall Clocks

black-gallery-clock

No matter what style your home is, a wall clock will fit in to your decor.  Traditional train station clocks, whimsical noise making clocks or odd shaped wall clocks are a beautiful necessity. 

Most wall clocks run on batteries and will last you forever.  Metal wall clocks are beautiful when they feature unique cut-outs along the frame. 

Product idea: Black gallery wall clock fromDebenhams

6. Wall Fireplaces

Mercury-fireplace 

A wall fireplace is perfect for creating drama in a room.  These fireplaces reflect the flames off the metal and bounce light and warm feelings throughout the room. 

Varying in size but equal in the ‘wow’ factor, wall fireplaces are a great choice for any decorator.

Product idea: Mercury wall fireplace from West Country Fires.

7. Architectural Elements

oak-waxed-floral-panels 

Looking to spark some interest in a drab room?  Add architectural elements to your decor. 

Antique pieces or faux antique pieces are a fabulous choice. Whether you choose medallions, wood panelling or crown molding, they can work together to bring a traditional feel into a room.  Just add one or two of these touches for instant home transformation.

Product idea: Oak waxed floral panels from Antiques, Furniture, Collectables and Interiors.

8. Bookcases

shabby-chic-white-bookcase

Big or small, wall mounted or free-standing, a bookcase is something you just can’t live without.  Bookcases with glass doors or even open faced bookcases are a smart, thoughtful touch to a room.

Wood finishes in a variety of stains bring richness and depth.  Go shabby chic with painted wood bookcases.  Keep your books and knick knacks safe in your bookcase.

Product idea: Shabby chic white painted bookcase with drawers, from Dooleys Furniture.

9. Wall Cabinets

display-cabinet

Tuck your goodies into your cabinets.  A cabinet hanging on a wall or standing alone could be just the space solution you are looking for.

This dual purpose home furnishing can be used as a table as well as storage.  Hanging cabinets give a room a feeling of cosiness.

Product idea: Monterey display cabinet from John Lewis.

10. Tapestries and Cross Stitch Samplers

 keep-calm-carry-on-sampler

Tapestries and cross stitch samplers have made a comeback!  Tapestries from around the globe vary from ornate pieces with hundreds of different coloured threads to simple two toned pieces and memorable statements. 

Tapestries and cross stitch samplers come in a variety of sizes and are a great alternative to a plain hanging picture. If you feel creative, you could even make your own!

Product idea: Keep Calm and Carry On cross stitch sampler from Miso Funky.

11. Picture Vignettes

antiqued-photo-frames

Personalize your home with a grouping of picture vignettes.  Portraits of your family placed in matching or similar frames will make your wall interesting. 

Mix different frame shapes, like round, oval, square and rectangular ones.  Also add a collage of frames that allow you to pull several pictures into one large frame.  Picture vignettes make a room personal and bring your loved ones to a place of honour on your walls.

Product idea: Set of three antiqued photo frames from Cox and Cox.

12. Wall Stickers

lush-swirl-wall-sticker

Wall stickers are a fantastic invention that allows you to put intricate or funky designs on your wall, with minimum effort.

A wide variety of design ideas are available, suitable for all styles and rooms. Be creative and choose a stunning bold design, or add subtle touches here and there.

Best of all, if you change your mind, colour scheme or style of decor, the sticker can be easily removed and you can start again.

Product idea: Lush swirl wall sticker from Aijographics on Not On The High Street.

13. Wall Fountains

flower-wall-fountain

Nothing says tranquillity quite like the sound of tinkling water.  A wall fountain could quickly become your favourite piece of luxury.  Some wall fountains also come with their own light. On an interior wall or an exterior one, it doesn’t matter.  Either way it’s a soothing addition. 

Product idea: Bronze effect flower wall fountain from Crocus.

14. Wreaths, Swags and Garlands

rose-flower-garland 

Bring the feeling of elegance to your home with a wreath, swag or garland.  Bay leaf swags or garlands, magnolia swags and even roses make a lovely way to accent the corner of a picture.  Or simply lay a swag on a shelf or double it up and hang it on your wall. 

Wreaths are the perfect way to greet guests.  Hang one in your entryway or on a front door.  Stay seasonal and use a wreath that celebrates whatever time of year it may be! 

Product idea: Rose flower garland from Anusha on Not On The High Street.

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Pale & Interesting’s wire glass basket

Friday, January 15th, 2010

Wire glass basket

Wire glass basket

If you’ve ever had that moment where you see a glass tumbler slipping from a tray but just can’t catch it, you’ll understand why this basket is a great find.

Up to six glasses can be nestled safely in the wire frame ready to tote around the house or garden.

Now all you need is a cheeky summer tipple (talk about thinking ahead!).

Find the wire basket for £13.50 at Pale & Interesting.

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Biome eco camping kit

Thursday, December 10th, 2009

Glamping, a better class of camping

Glamping, a better class of camping

Obviously this isn’t one for the current weather, but, thinking ahead, wouldn’t this camping kit be marvellous for a summer of festivals and frolicks?

Just pack it up in your camper (what else?) and go whereever the wind (or your debit card at the petrol station) takes you.

You can buy the cotton roll-up bed by itself for £75 or you can go for the £115 package which includes solar shower, water powered alarm clock and LED lantern.

Never has eco made one feel so smug, or should that be, snug?

Find it all at Biome Lifestyle.

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Capture the Castle home and garden products

Tuesday, September 1st, 2009

Floral heart hooks

Floral heart hooks

 One of the latest lovely shops we’ve discovered is Capture the Castle, based in Rochester, Kent (their name can’t help but remind me of the book I Capture the Castle, by Dodie Smith).

 
As well as being a bricks and mortar shop, they also sell many of their ‘inspirational products for your home and garden’, which are sourced from all over the world, online.
 
Here’s a taster of the delights on offer.
 
The floral red and white heart hooks (pictured above) are made of wood and metal. They measure 10.5cm by 18cm and offer a nice way of hanging up your keys, coats or even tea towels in your home.
 
The heart hooks are £5.90 each.
 
Vintage geranium seed tin

Vintage geranium seed tin

 This vintage galvanised seed tin is decorated with a geranium design and is useful for storing seeds in. The box measures 8cm by 10cm (would this fit a standard sized packet of seeds, we wonder?) and is £3.50.

Black metal wall tree Black metal wall tree

This lovely tree is made out of black metal and is designed to be hung from your wall. It looks great as it is, but its branches can hold pictures or postcards.

We think it would provide a great way of creating a visual family tree on your wall, linking pictures of your relatives together.

The black metal tree decoration is 22″ by 26″ and costs £39.99.

There’s of course lots more lovely products for sale on the Capture the Castle website, so go take a look!

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