Beanbags

Still consider beanbags as overblown floor cushions that are manufactured from cheap material and difficult to get out of? Obviously you have not been introduced to the Fatboy range.

Beanbags aren’t just additional seating options for the living room, they can be used as a sofa replacement in student digs, a chill-out chair for a teenager’s bedroom or even a spare bed if you want to put up your mate overnight. Have one or two of these cool seating options convenient for impromptu events or any time you’ve got more visitors than your permanent seating can cope with.

Hammocks

The simple mention of the word conjures up images of hazy summer days, swinging between two trees beneath the shade of branches while enjoying a long, cool drink. Yet isn’t a hammock just for the warmer months? In fact, it’s not. And before you ask, no you won’t need two trees to tie it to either – at least not with modern hammock technology because a steel-frame manages things.

A hammock can easily be placed in the house as out and should you be short of furniture in your conservatory it’s ideal. When you do need to take it easy in the great outdoors, or when you need something a bit more comfortable than the standard bistro chair and table set in your garden, then a hammock is a good substitute.

Gaming seat

Okay, this one may appear like it’s simply for the gamers and geeks but as a substitute seating choice it’s as adaptable as they come. Should you be of the Playstation or Xbox generation then you may be all too familiar with sitting forward on the sofa, straining to get nearer to the action. Instead of attempting to drag your sofa a couple of inches closer to the box, pull up a gaming seat.

Not only will a gaming chair take care of your comfort while challenging the latest level of Halo, it’s versatile enough to turn into a footstool or an occasional seat for social events if you require further places for friends to park their bums.

Potential Aga owners will have any number of questions they want answered before splashing out on one of these iconic range cookers and the best way to get those answers is to visit an Aga showroom where you’ll find experts on-hand to give you all the details. In the meantime, here are just some of the most common questions and answers to help you decide.

Is it true that Aga cookers are always on?

The simple answer to that is ‘yes’ but before you think that will cost you a fortune in fuel let’s just consider how an Aga works. Agas are essentially heat storage devices due to their high levels of insulation within the cast-iron outer casing and hotplates. An Aga maintains a consistent temperature through its thermostat so it uses fuel economically. In fact, the latest environmental research is looking into ways of providing heat storage for homes so the Aga is already ahead of the game.

It used to be the case that an Aga would take hours to reach peak cooking temperature when turned off but the latest technology fitted into these range cookers means they can sit in ’slumber’ mode when not required and then come up to the correct temperature for times when you need to cook. Also remember that some models provide heat and hot water to your home so that removes the need for a separate boiler.

Is an Aga easy to clean?

In some respects an Aga will clean itself, particularly the oven and hot plates. This is due to the Aga being constantly on which means anything spilt on the plates or oven surfaces will carbonise and then you can simply brush it away (wait until your cooker is off and being serviced to do the inside of the oven and be careful when brushing the hotplates). You may want to employ a professional cleaning company to give your Aga a thorough deep clean.

The other surface of your Aga that will need occasional cleaning is the enamel surface on the front. A damp cloth will remove the worst of any spillages but if left to harden then a proper cleaning solution should be used. Ask your local Aga supplier for a suitable product.

What cookware can I use on an Aga?

An Aga is a long-term investment that should last you a lifetime if cared for properly so apply the same outlook to the cookware you’re going to use on it, and in it. To begin with you’ll probably find your existing pans and dishes are okay but the plates on an Aga can get extremely hot so you should consider buying cookware that has a thick base.

The base of any pan you buy should also be flat so the maximum amount of contact is made with the hotplate to improve heat transfer. Also remember that any pans you buy should be suitable to go into the oven so avoid wooden or plastic handles.

There is specifically designed and manufactured Aga cookware so consider factoring this into your budget when purchasing a range cooker.

Which Aga model should I buy?

This is one of the most common questions and the dilemma is a good one because there are now so many options you’ll be spoilt for choice. Given the right advice from a trained expert, you’ll come away with right range cooker for your home. Get in touch with an Aga specialist such as Edwards and Godding to get the full details and specifications about the Aga range of products.

There are many people that knit to make money and then there are those that knit for their family members and to give as gifts to either family or friends. The most wonderful kind of knitting comes from the heart, and each year, thousands of enthusiasts knit babies booties, shawls and gorgeous cardigans that they then donate to raffles, maternity wards in hospitals and for local charities.

If knitting has been your hobby for a long time, chances are you are familiar and confident with all types of knitting patterns, knitting accessories, knitting kits, and have worked with various types of wool knitting yarn.

Over the years you will have developed your own personal taste when it comes to choosing the type of wool knitting yarn that you find the most enjoyable to work with. This could also be true in regards to the knitting patterns that you use, as once you are really happy with one particular brand of pattern, chances are you will look for future patterns by shopping with this brand in mind.

For beginners that can’t wait to get their hands on a pair of needles to enjoy this wonderful hobby and start creating, you might find it worthwhile to start searching for your knitting patterns, wools and accessories online. A lot of information is currently available on the web, so you will not only be able to gather your supplies for the best price, you will also have access to tips and tricks as well.

These suggestions can often be invaluable to a beginner, as they are the result of many years of trial and error. Instead of making those mistakes as you go, you will have been pre-warned! You will of course still make mistakes, such as dropping a stitch or misreading the pattern, but hopefully this will only be occasionally and dwindle to rarely, as you become more experienced.

When selecting your wool knitting yarn, it is important to have a look around at some of the latest trends in knitting, even though you may already have a favourite. Choosing something different such as alpaca wool yarn, could really add a whole other dimension to your future projects. The possibilities of Alpaca knitwear is really only limited to your own creativity! Beginners could start with an alpaca scarf, or a pair of alpaca socks. For the more advanced knitters, there are some really new and fresh patterns around, and very soon you could be looking extremely snug and cosy in your hand knitted alpaca coat!

Searching online will provide you with the greatest range of top quality alpaca wool yarn, or any yarn for that matter, and it will also ensure you see the widest range of colours and ply’s available. The worlds oldest hobby just keeps on getting better and better as the years go by.

How to become more ethical in the home

If you watch television programmes about green living you may feel exasperated by the amount of money spent by some people to make their homes eco-friendly. If you can afford it, and if you live in a part of the country with plenty of land around you, then this type of lifestyle is achievable, however for the majority of us it’s a case of making the best out of what we already have. But don’t think for one moment that living in a house or flat in a city means that you can’t do your bit for the environment.

Five simple steps to being eco-friendly at home

1). Energy is the one of the biggest factors in becoming more ethical in the home. Reducing your energy bill is a major step toward being green (and having more money in your pocket). Simple things such as not leaving appliances on standby and turning the light off when you leave the room can cut your usage dramatically.

Switching to energy-saving light bulbs and buying appliances with a high energy-efficiency rating can also make a huge difference to your bills. You can also buy your energy from companies who offer electricity from renewable sources (such as wind power). Although the main providers such as British Gas and E-On have green tariffs, a dedicated green energy company is committed to generating energy from a purely environmental point of view.

2). An ethical lifestyle can also be a natural one too. Being more environmentally friendly is better for your health so look for eco-friendly cleaning products that aren’t produced using chemicals. Ethical hygiene and beauty products produced using natural ingredients will help reduce your body’s exposure to harmful chemicals.

3). When carrying out improvements to your house or flat, buy eco paints and products made from sustainable materials. Reducing exposure to toxic chemicals found in traditional paint products is better for your health and sustainable materials reduce the devastation on natural resources.

4). Recycling is easily carried out these days. All councils provide a recycling collection service or facilities so ensure any waste in the home that can be recycled is put out for collection or taken to the appropriate place. Also try to buy products that have been made using recycled materials to continue the cycle and buy products that have the minimum amount of packaging to encourage manufacturers to produce less waste.

5). When it comes to food, look for products that are organic and fairtrade (make sure to look for a certified logo). Reducing food miles or buying products that help impoverished communities is a great way to do your bit for the environment and society as a whole. You can also try growing your own herbs, vegetables and fruit.

Green gifts for friends and family

Some of these recommendations will be down to you to implement in your own home but you can encourage others to do the same by explaining the benefits to them. If they’re not doing so already, they’ll learn something new and hopefully save themselves some money.

You can also steer them in the right direction by giving a green gift. Sustainable gifts for the home and garden are readily available online and when you give the present, you can explain the benefits of the gift so they’ll know what to look for in future when buying for themselves.

Whether it’s to theme a nursery, update a child’s room or enhance a living space, you can have any style or design, tailored to suit your specific taste and budget.

The Design

As an experienced muralist, all of my murals are drawn free hand with no stencilling or projections involved. This allows me to transfer your ideas directly onto the wall with no scale or design restriction. I can work to all scales and budgets, producing either simple colourful wall murals to enhance a style of room – or completely theme a room in intricate detail. No project is too large or too small, and every project is treated with the same personal care and attention. When producing an interior scheme I can either translate your specific ideas directly or if you would prefer I can produce imaginative design creations for you. You may already have a room decorated and decide you want to take details from a border, curtains or duvet cover and create a mural to finish the room off.

The Price

There are a number of factors to consider that will determine the price of any given mural. The size of the mural, the detail, the wall texture and whether or not there is a ceiling involved – all have an impact on the costs. Prices start from as little as £65.00, so please use my contact page or phone me directly to arrange for a free consultation or guide price over the phone.

I am a fully qualified designer specialising in hand painted murals for interiors. I have always been creative and started painting murals when I was 14 in my own bedroom and then I found all of my friends wanted one. I went on to University and qualified with a Ba Hons in Design – Surface Pattern.

I worked as a designer for commercial companies but when I had my first child I decided that the nursery just had to have a Winnie The Pooh themed mural. As friends started to see my son’s room – my mural business began and it is the most rewarding and satisfying of jobs I have ever done.

As well as painting murals in people homes I have also been commissioned to produce murals for the National Health Service and other commercial properties, which have been featured in the local press.

Following our initial contact by phone, I would arrange to come and meet with you to view the room you intend to have the mural painted in. We would talk through your ideas, and at this stage if you needed inspiration I would also bring along ideas, pictures, and books to look at. For children’s rooms, every child has a favourite cartoon character, theme, TV character or book so this would be our starting point. If your child is old enough I always like to ask what they would like to see in their room so we make sure the mural makes everyone happy.

Once you have decided on the size and design of the mural that’s when I can provide you with an exact cost. My price is always inclusive of all materials and time – so no matter how long it takes me to complete the mural – the price will remain exactly as quoted (prices start from as little as £65).

When I come to paint the mural – the whole design is sketched out on the wall, ceiling or cupboard etc. in pencil first, and it is at this stage that I always make sure the client is completely happy with how the design looks before any painting begins – as once the design is painted changes are hard to make!

Your custom hand painted mural can usually be finished within a few days depending on size and detail level. The paints I use are waterproof and non-toxic and are therefore ideal to be used around children and babies.

Geopathic stress is natural radiation from the Earth that comes to the surface, but is altered along the way by electromagnetic fields caused by underground water, collections of certain minerals or fault lines. This radiation can be responsible for conditions ranging from infertility, cancer, migraines, joint pain, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and insomnia. The World Health Organisation also recognises Sick Building Syndrome is a result of geopathic stress.

Practitioners are available that can rid buildings of this radiation, or alter the building or its contents in such a way that the radiation is longer an issue. One such method is ‘dowsing’. In dowsing, a dowser uses tools and intuition to seek something (for example a water source, in ‘water dowsing’) – in this instance, the unconscious mind seeks the radiation that is infiltrating a building or room. Once the streams of radiation are found, methods are used to rid the radiation or move it, or alter the room or building so that the geopathic stress is no longer an issue. For example, if someone is suffering from insomnia, a dowser locates any geopathic stress and may find that the bed is lying on a geopathic stress line. By simply moving the bed, the sufferer will find they not only sleep better, but they have increased energy levels and become headache free. Another method that can be used in healing sick buildings utilises channelled energy to eliminate the negative energy (this can also be used on a person). This is known as ‘vortex healing’.

Another healing method is the ‘Alexander Technique‘. This is used to treat people, usually suffering from physical pain and/or stress caused by poor posture. By gaining awareness of how we stand, walk, sit and move in general, we can prevent issues that may arise as a result of poor habits, such as slouching. With this technique, the patient is taught to ‘treat themselves’ by monitoring their posture with a view to curing and preventing problems caused by it. It has been said that after learning how to use this method, patients not only find their pains have decreased (or disappeared), their overall posture is improved and they find more energy and suppleness. This then extrapolates to all areas of their lives.

These healing properties – the Alexander Technique, dowsing and vortex healing – can all work together to help heal sick minds, bodies and buildings. In the fast-paced world we live in today, we need all the help we can get!

The need to care for such leather finishes has lead to the creation of specialist leather care products such as Liquid Leather which clean, soften, protect and restore all leather articles from jackets, handbags and saddles to car and domestic seating. The Liquid Leather products are available with Scotchguard ™ for water and dirt repellence and the latest formulation even adds the traditional "smell" to new and old leather products. A full spectrum of leather colours can be treated with Liquid Leather and the range also includes specialist leather furniture care products such as Scuff Master leather dyes which are able to cover unsightly "scuffing" or rubbing that can often result in areas of heavy or continual usage.

Soap and water MUST NOT be used to clean leather as it will shrink and harden it. Greasy, waxy oils, pastes and balsams will attract dust and dirt which adheres to the finish. Liquid Leather is recognised as the best way to care for and preserve your cherished leather products, a fact that is borne out by the impressive list of those who use it.

The Liquid Leather products are manufactured by Gliptone Leathercare UK and are used or sold around the world by: Rolls-Royce, Jaguar, Ferrari (Maranello Concessionaires), Aston Martin, TVR, Bristol Cars, Saab GB, the largest leather furniture manufacturers and retailers including DFS, Furniture Village, hundreds of furniture repair technicians plus most of the "CE" accredited made to measure motorcycle leather clothing manufacturers. Liquid Leather is the only product recommended by the Rolls Royce Enthusiasts Club Interior Care and Renovation Seminars.

Nowadays, it is simpler. You can put the glue on the wall first and hang the paper that way – and the paper can be moved around while it is still wet. No more agonising over how to correct crooked paper or the bubbles underneath it. But one thing for me stays the same – the glorious selection of patterns, colours and textures of the available papers takes me straight back to my childhood. Even though the choices of papers have changed (never again will we see the green fern paper we had in the kitchen of my youth) the ability of a well-picked wallpaper to alter a room completely remains.

One of my favourite collections of wallpaper is definitely Marcel Wanders. The best thing is that there are designs that compliment each other. You can have a gorgeous floral paper teamed with a plaid paper in the same colours. But you don’t have to paper another whole wall – you can ‘frame’ a square of the complimentary paper in an ornate frame and place it on a wall painted in a plain colour. Why not decoupage an item in matching (or complimentary) paper for a fresh look? Turn it into hobby to make extra money, or stick with furnishing your own home. Wallpaper can serve many functions. But for a relaxing trip back in time, my recommendation would be to head to your local wallpaper store.