Up until a couple of weeks before lock-down, we’d been making regular trips between Mid-Wales and Northern England. We were taking stock to our antique centre space in Hebden Bridge and returning a couple of days later with a carload of household items from storage. Moving house has been taking us quite a while!
We tend to stop for a break half-way, which often includes coffee and a pastry. If we’re supplying our own coffee, then we’ve taken to making it there on the spot – using a flask of boiling water and one of those instant cappuccino or flat white sachets. We much prefer it to coffee that was made a few hours in advance and kept warm in a flask. It doesn’t have that distinctive ‘plastic-y’ taste…. and those tiny flask cups aren’t great either. We brew ours in decent sized travel mugs. There’s none of that unpleasant after-taste – they’re more robust and the coffee stays warmer for longer.
They come in a variety of sizes and materials to suit your requirements. Here are three examples that caught our eye.
Pecans are one of our favourite nuts; they’re a very versatile ingredient and suit lots of flavour combinations. Coffee, chocolate, maple syrup and coconut are some of the pairings that work really well with pecans.
As a quick and healthy snack, I lightly toast some pecan halves then combine them in with some mixed dried fruit such as raisins, sultanas, dried cranberries and chopped dried apricots. The mixture can also be scattered over cereal or breakfast porridge.
If you fancy including them in cake or cookie dough, These are 6 of our top pecan recipes.
As well as on Pinterest, we come across many brilliant products while scrolling through Instagram.That’s where we spotted these beautiful seed germination vases. They’re very much like traditional hyacinth vases but designed to accommodate an acorn or avocado stone.
You can buy the vases either with or without the already sprouting seed. As the vases are made of clear glass, you can watch the roots & shoots develop and grow into little saplings. Subsequently, they can be planted out into a garden or greenhouse and you can begin the process over again!
Click on the buttons below to purchase the Acorn Vase and Avocado Vase
It’s been a record-breaking hot, dry summer for the most part this year. Instagram is full of gorgeous images of outdoor spaces – and this decked clapboard patio is one of them.
It just shows that you don’t need a whole lot of room to create an outdoor space that is attractive and usable. The weathered wooden planks used on the ground, walls and overhead bring the whole area together. The matte metal accessories such as the storm lamp, hanging planter and bird cage give a utilitarian feel. The yellow painted rattan table & chairs are weather-resistant so can stay outdoors all year. It’s much easier just having to bring in the cushions and throw; even the reversible rug can stand up to the doubtless rainy days to come.
Marcel Gromaire (1892-1971) was a French fine artist and painter of buildings landscapes, portraits and nudes.
When dentist and art collector, Dr Maurice Girardin discovered Gromaire, he purchased his entire back catalogue. Unsurprisingly, Dr Girardin was also a supporter and patron of another of our favourite artists, Bernard Buffet. On his death, Girardin had 110 Gromaires in his collection.
In 2011, Gromaire’s L’après-midi d’été (1930), sold at Sotheby’s in Paris for $295,477 USD.
If you can’t afford one of his originals, there are prints available on Etsy and eBay. In addition, there is a brilliant looking book – Marcel Gromaire: L’élégance de la force – available on Amazon.
As we may have mentioned in the past, we have no stairs leading to the upper level of our cottage. The original ladders to the crog loft bedrooms are still intact and we’re loathe to replace them with new stairs. Hauling our Harry vacuum cleaner up and down the ladders is awkward, if not slightly unsafe. A cordless hand-held vacuum cleaner is the obvious solution.
When it comes to choosing hand-held vacuum cleaners there are a few points that you need to take into consideration; how much dust/fur/crumbs etc that it can hold, How much the tool weighs, how long it takes to charge and how long it can run on a single charge before it runs out of juice.
Each of the following models has elements that make them better than the next. The cheapest has the largest bin capacity, but it takes 4 hours to charge and be ready to use. The most expensive has a run time that’s three times longer than its nearest rival – but it’s also twice the price of the next cheapest. The mid-range example is the most lightweight, however it only holds a quarter of a litre of dust. Decisions, decisions… which would you choose? Or do you own one of them? Let us know!
Whether your bathroom is still rocking a 1970’s avocado bathroom suite or you just want to give it a bit of an overhaul, there are many things you can do to turn it into a stylish and welcoming space.
It’s not always necessary to spend thousands or rip it all out and start again. Sometimes a lick of paint and some complementary accessories is all it takes. Here are 4 ways to give your bathroom a stylish redesign.
Flooring choices
Bathroom flooring can take a bit of a beating at times, so it’s a good idea to replace it when it gets overly worn or so ingrained with dirt that it just won’t shift.
Unlike other flooring options such as laminate, vinyl is completely waterproof, making it an extremely popular choice for bathrooms. It’s hard-wearing, great value for money and comes in a variety of different textures and colours.
If you prefer something that looks a bit more expensive, ceramic tiles are another great option. They can be slightly cold underfoot, so be mindful of that before making your decision. New flooring and some minor decoration might be all your bathroom needs, so consider that before shelling out thousands on a full makeover.
Ditch your old suite
If your existing bathroom suite has seen better days or is extremely dated, you might want to take it all out and start again. Suites come in a variety of different styles to suit every taste. From modern walk-in shower cubicles to roll-top baths, the options are extensive.
If space isn’t an issue, considering having a separate shower cubicle instead of a shower over your bath. It will provide a perception that no expense has been spared and also looks far nicer. Extras such as a hand held bidet, power shower, or luxury taps are another great way to add stylish yet functional design elements to the room.
Colour
The colour of your bathroom can make a big difference to the mood it produces. Navy walls coupled with gold accessories, will create a feeling of warmth and elegance. Grey tiled walls and floors with white accessories may create a modern yet more masculine feel. Think carefully about the mood you want in your bathroom before deciding on a colour scheme.
If you aren’t sure what to go for, there are websites and apps available that can help. Upload a picture of your room, and you can play around with wall colours to give you a better idea of what the finished result might look like.
Lighting
Lighting has to be carefully considered when redesigning your bathroom. Spotlights come in an array of sizes and styles and look amazing in a bathroom, particularly when dimmable. Warm white bulbs produce a warmer, more appealing feel, whereas standard white can make a room feel cold and clinical.
Another must in any stylish bathroom is candles. They bring a feeling of peace and relaxation and, along with bubbles, are a perfect addition for a long hot soak in your new tub.
