Did you know that 66% of all candle sales happen in the 2nd half of the year?

This is because the autumn is naturally when we want to make our homes cosy and warm after a summer of outdoor activities and entertaining.

This is best achieved by lighting a Yankee Candle®, famous for their long lasting and true to life fragrances.

The NEW autumn fragrance collection contains natural extracts and delivers the sweet richness and spicy warmth of the season and will make any home feel comfortable and inviting:

• Creamy Caramels aroma of melt-in-your-mouth, sugar and gooey lusciousness will instantly appeal to those with penchant for buttery rich vanilla caramel!
• For those looking to escape reality will adore the fantasy fragrance of Mountain Lodge™. A luxurious retreat in front of a cosy hearth, with the warm aroma of cedarwood and sage will instantly lift spirits dampened by dark evenings.
• A classic autumnal treat comes in the form of Apple Cider. The welcoming hot-cider scent spiced with cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg is perfect for fragrancing homes this autumn.
• Sandalwood Vanilla offers pure indulgence and will elevate any bad mood bought on by summertime blues. Luxurious warmth of fine aromatic sandalwood and rich comforting vanilla will fill homes with a lasting fragrance that can only come from Yankee Candle®.
• To add a touch of colour to any room this autumn, look no further than Spiced Orange. This bright and cheery blend of sunny citrus and snappy ginger is the perfect winter warmer.

For further information on the Yankee Candle® collections visit their website shop.

Tick, tock, tick, tock; it gets a bit repetitive after a a while. Hold up - it’s not all ‘tick, tock’ with the Birdsong Clock!

If you’re a nature lover who believes that variety is the spice of life, then you’ll love the Singing Birdsong Clock from The Present Finder.

This novel clock is the perfect present for a bird watcher, nature enthusiast or simply anyone with a spot to spare on their country kitchen wall.

For children it would make a great introduction into the natural world.

Adults need never lose track of time, as each hour is announced with the bird song of twelve British birds, a different bird every hour.

Featuring the Tawny Owl, Chaffinch, Cuckoo, Great Tit, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Song Thrush, Barn Owl, Wren, Blackbird, Blue Tit, Nightingale and Robin; light sleepers needn’t worry however, this is a smart clock and during the hours of darkness a light sensor stops the birds singing.

Whether it is barn owl o’clock or 10 minutes past the nightingale, this clock is a unique gift for young and old alike.

Singing Birdsong Clock comes in a matt green frame and is 20cm (8”) in diameter. Takes 3 AA batteries. Priced at £24.95.

The Present Finder is a family firm started in 2000, from a shop in Sherborne, Dorset.

They stock over 1,700 unusual and upmarket gifts for occasions, people, personalised gifts, wacky presents and brilliant gadgets.

The owners take great pride in the quality of the products they sell and their customer service.

To view the huge selection and find that special gift, visit The Present Finder website.

Tel: (0844) 557 0280

Herend’s exclusive hand-painted Rothschild Oiseaux motif with the songbirds, is now 150 years old and is currently celebrating its birthday.

Characteristically elegant and romantic, the gilt-edged Rothschild porcelain depicts twelve different kinds of vibrant birds or bird couples, sitting on tree branches surrounded by delicate pastel-coloured butterflies, bugs and flowers.

The patterns are named after the influential Rothschild family, whose history has been intertwined with much of Europe’s since the 19th Century.

The first creator of this masterpiece dreamt up the birds surrounded by a fine, glittering golden chain winding around the tree branches…

Legend has it that one day Baroness Rothschild lost her valuable necklace and charged her maid with the theft. As she was walking in the garden one day, she saw songbirds on a tree and near them the lost necklace.

Mór Fischer, owner of the Herend Manufactory, also heard this story and, as rumour has it, designed this celebrated pattern in its memory.

Each pattern has its own unique songbirds perching in their dream gardens, surrounded by fluttering butterflies and bugs, and while some patterns have been around for 150 years, others have been reinterpreted throughout the years.

The new version of the pattern combines a traditional, refined style and modern expressionism.

To view this beautiful collection please visit the Herend website.

Herend has launched a new service, Pivoine, which features the flower of spring - the Peony, so popular in Chinese decorations.

Traditional Chinese thought considers the Chinese Peony the symbol of prosperity, plenty, respect and dignity. It is the un-official botanical symbol of China, a symbol of spring worldwide.
The Peony motif has been used before by Herend to great acclaim.

On this new service the Peony has the company of a playful butterfly, and both the peony and the butterfly are mostly placed at an angle rather than centrally, giving it a light and playful air.

The colours are light and pastel and the shading in the painting illustrates the craftsmanship mastered by the Herend painters. All Herend porcelain is hand painted.

Pivoine includes pieces for dinner, tea and coffee services.
Price example: £154.40 for a side plate.

Visit the Herend website to view the beautiful collections.

Tel: (020) 7384 9722

Spring into action with John Lewis’s delightful ideas for Easter. Have fun decorating your home with charming decorations and be tempted with delicious chocolate gifts.

For example:

Portmeirion - Portmeirion has created the colourful Secret Garden range of porcelain tableware exclusively for John Lewis.
Secret Garden Cake Stand, Dia.21cm. Beautifully decorated with birds, plants and flowers. A choice of 11 useful pieces. £29.50.

Rabbit Easter Basket Decoration with Foiled Chocolate Eggs - This charming Easter hanging basket contains yummy milk chocolate foiled egg treats. £6.

Booja-Booja Kashmir Luxury Champagne Truffle Egg - A truly luxurious Easter present; each stunning, velvet-lined egg contains 12 Champagne truffles, all completely organic, dairy-free, gluten free and utterly delicious.

Each Booja-Booja egg is handmade and hand-painted by artists in Kashmir, using traditional methods and local materials. Designs may vary. The organic chocolate truffles are handmade in Norfolk, England. £20.

The Easter Basket - A fantastic Easter selection of mouth-watering treats, presented in style with a bunny keep sake.
Contents:
· Jellycat Slackajack Bunny.
· Bunny Face Cookie.
· Sweet Boutique Clotted Cream Fudge, 150g.
· Net of Easter Coins 50g.
· Shortbread House Stem Ginger Mini Biscuits, 200g.
· Foiled Easter Egg, 120g.
· Foiled Easter Egg, 100g. £60.

Egg Cup Milk Chocolate Set, 207g. - This sweet China egg-cup with chicks feet, is filled with foiled milk chocolate eggs and comes complete with a spoon. Egg-cellent! £8.

And many more Easter goodies!

Visit the John Lewis website to view the whole colourful collection.

Tucking into edible delights at Easter is not the only treat children can enjoy this spring, with mouth watering new accessories from ASPACE.

The leading children’s furniture and accessory company presents its spectacular new 96page spring catalogue, including fun and vibrant furnishings and introducing brand new, innovative, exclusive and avant-garde furniture designs.

The Easter bunny has nothing on the White Rabbit Night Ligh from ASPACE. At the end of a hard days Easter hunt its’ gentle glow keeps children feeling secure as they drift gently to sleep and the cheery Toadstool Night Light in our picture, creates a warm cosy feel to bedtime.

Never mind Easter egg painting - the vibrant and colourful handles from ASPACE are the most decorative item around. These gorgeous handles for chests of drawers and wardrobes bring character and fun into a room. The Opaque Glass Handles are available in a variety of cool colours, from clear glass to quirky spots and spirals.

As spring approaches, children will love to play in the garden with the brand new range of outdoor accessories. The Wheelbarrow, handy sized Watering Can and a junior Gardening Kit are all sure to turn muddy hands into green fingers!

Keeping with the outdoor theme, ASPACE has also launched a range of over-sized traditional games, making even adults feel a little on the small side! The collection of classic family games for the garden comprises Giant Noughts & Crosses, Giant Tumble Tower, Giant Royal Guard Skittles and Giant Dominoes to name but a few.

As well as these exciting new additions, ASPACE now offers their most comprehensive range of bunks and storage beds yet, with ranges to meet all tastes and budgets. Gorgeous new bedding sets plus new accessories and gifts, all full of colour and fun, add the finishing touches.

The new 96 page ASPACE Spring brochure is available by post, in store, or at the Aspace website.

Tel: (0845) 872 2400

Stuck for inspiration for that perfect present? The White Lounge has some lovely art gift ideas.

Giving art as a present is perfect as it lasts forever, it’s really personal, and it’s more thoughtful than another bottle of perfume or more clothes.

It doesn’t have to be expensive… The White Lounge art gift ideas start from just £15.

Zoe Reece, founder of The White Lounge.com, has sourced some unusual and beautifully designed home accessories, which will make lovely gifts for the modern mum!

For example Glass scent bottles and bowls from Teign Valley Glass:

• Erin - The delicate glass scent bottle in our picture, is both pretty and functional. Each bottle is freeblown and has an individual stopper made to fit. Available in 4 colours (shown left to right): red, yellow, green and blue. Size: 14cm high.

• Swerve - Another unique glass scent bottle is decorative and useful. Each bottle is freeblown and has an individual stopper made to fit. Available in 5 colours : turquoise, orange, blue, pink and green. Size: 26cm high.

• Saturn Bowl - Colourful and curvy, these glass bowls would look lovely as a table centrepiece or on a windowsill. Available in 4 colourways: blue, green, blue and green, red and yellow. Size: 30cm long.

All are priced from £65.

Visit The White Lounge website for more Mother’s Day gift ideas.

Customers and dealers can now buy online from the Gloucester Antiques Centre and purchases will be shipped to customers directly.

The launch is a significant step forward for the company, the dealers and the customers.

The ability to transact online is something now taken for granted in many areas of business. The new website brings the Gloucester Antiques Centre bang up to date and enables customers from all over the UK and worldwide to purchase directly.

The detailed photographs and descriptions of antiques on the website deliver an experience, which is similar to shopping at the centre in person.

The quality of stock available on the website is assured by their clear dateline policy.

Since Gloucester Antiques Centre’s change of ownership in 2006, they have invested heavily in modernising the way they operate in order to improve the service and value delivered to customers and dealers.

In July 2009 the Antiques Centre moved from its previous building, which was in a very poor state of repair, to a beautiful refurbished warehouse in Gloucester Quays.

The new website is the next important step towards providing the service every customer and dealer now expects.

Fresh stock at the centre is uploaded onto the website daily and the range of items currently on show on-line provides a real taste of what is available at the Antique Centre itself.

Visit the Gloucester Antiques Centre website to view the exciting collections.

Spoil your mum silly this Mothering Sunday with Dunelm Mill’s great range of charming gifts.

Let her know just how special she is, by treating her to some little luxuries that she will treasure forever.

And at Dunelm Mill it needn’t cost you a fortune, to make the best mum in the world feel like a million dollars!

Featured in our picture are: Teapot £5.49, Mug £1.59, Tray £8.99, Creamer £2.99, Quilted Throw £39.99 and Boudoir Cushion £5.99.

Or consider: A Beatrice Floral Cushion: A wonderful decorative way to enhance the sheer beauty of the home. This cushion mimics a flower in swirl ruffle detailing, giving it a modern stylish look that will work well with most home decors. Available in black and midnight blue. £11.99.

Key Lime Collection Marrakesh Lantern: Brings the wonderful and exotic warmth of Marrakesh right into the home. The Lantern features a hinged door for easy access, creating a peaceful and soft surrounding with its intricate cut-out design. Only when lit in a darkened room can its beauty be truly appreciated. £4.99.

The Dainty Collection Rose Jug: Is a charming ornament, decorated with sprays of pink and red roses. It makes a great talking point and is ideal for use as a vase, or on its own as an ornament. This jug has a lovely traditional feel to it and would enhance any home or make a lovely gift.

And much more available in stores and online ………….

About Dunelm: A refreshingly different approach to homewares and soft furnishings; that’s what makes Dunelm one of the UK’s favourite shops. They are passionate about a couple of things you’re probably keen on too – value for money and customer service.

Whatever you want for your home, from bedding to bath mats, fabric to furniture, including many famous name brands, can be found at Dunelm.

Visit the Dunelm website to locate your nearest store, or view the homeware ranges online.

Tel (0845) 1 656565

Geoff Collier has developed a selection of striking brass pieces, ideal for either traditional or contemporary interiors.

The new brass collections website showcases their ‘Period lighting’ and ‘Shell’ Collections, which offer the consumer a selection of specialist items to suit a variety of interior looks and tastes.

The Exclusive Lighting Collection is a varied range of products including table lamps, Floor lamps, Ceiling lights and Wall lights, all produced from in-house designs and original patterns, dating from the early 19th century onwards.

The products, from grand art deco wall lights to contemporary bedside lamps are handcrafted by skilled artisans, featuring intricate detail, such as traditional fine chiselling and punch-work.

The Shell Collection is a contemporary interpretation of organic sea-life forms, transformed into highly original door furniture, window accessories and lighting.
From sea urchin door-knobs in nickel, to Cone shell curtain pole finials; this range would be ideal for a sea-side residence, yacht or modern home.

The Neo-Palladio Collection is also due to be launched within the next few months.

Geoff Collier is proud to produce the very highest standards of craftsmanship for their clients, including many leading Interior Designers, Architects and Antique Dealers who commission them with bespoke pieces as well as large scale manufacturing contracts.

Visit the Geoff Collier Collections website to be inspired.

Tel: 020 7373 8888