The Furniture Barn Presents Two New Collections At Grand Designs Live.

Thursday, May 3rd, 2012

The Country Kitchen Range

Visitors of Grand Designs Live at Excel London from 5th – 13th May 2012, will be able to view two marvelous collections presented by The Furniture Barn, including the newly launched Vintage Range and the Country Kitchen.

The Vintage Range is an ideal size for the larger house; the hand finish and light oiling, really brings out the beautiful natural colour of the oak whilst also protecting the pieces.

This is very robust furniture that is perfectly suited for a traditional or contemporary home and is further improved by gently rounded corners and light distressing, adding warmth to its strong construction.

The fine-looking Country Kitchen range, pictured here, offers a country look in the home; it’s crafted using 100% solid oak throughout every single kitchen unit, including ithe carcass, doors and even the backs.

This collection also boasts traditional jointing, adjustable shelving and dovetailed joints. The cabinets, starting at £249, are built in such a way that they can be added to or removed to suit a customer’s need.

About Furniture Barn
This family run business has over 47 years of experience and extends over 110,000 sq ft of showrooms and warehouses.

Still run by the founder, The Furniture Barn stocks products ranging from individual chairs and tables, to full dining sets and kitchens, all at outstanding prices.

The Furniture Barn are specialists in sourcing high quality wooden, handmade furniture.

Tickets for Grand designs Live are now on sale online.

 

Read more about : Fitted Kitchens, Kitchen Furniture

Decorating Ideas For A Diamond Jubilee Themed Party

Wednesday, May 2nd, 2012

Diamond Jubilee Decorations

Hazel Ball, owner of Velvet Brown the home accessories website, has been working with Command products from 3M, to fashion some crafting and decorating ideas for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

Hazel’s top tips are offered below:

Make some colourful pompoms

  • 1. A really fun and simple way to decorate a site with a Jubilee red white and blue colour scheme, is to make some pretty ribbon pompoms.
  • 2. Each pompom is made up of four large bows tied together.
  • 3.To create the bows, hold the ribbon between your finger and thumb – a few inches from the end and make your first loop. Carry on creating opposite loops, like a figure of eight, pinching the middle between your finger and thumb, until you have 16 loops.
  • 4.To finish your bow off, take another piece of ribbon and tie tightly around the middle of the loops (or figures of eight) where you have been pinching together.
  • 5.When you have made your four bows, attach them together to make your pompom, by taking another piece of ribbon and tying them together around their middles.
  • 6.If you don’t want to make your pompoms, you can by some “pull bows” from your local florist. By pulling the ribbon, you can make the bows ruche up and then tie four together to create your pompom.
  • 7.You can even make multi-coloured pompoms by mixing up the colours of the individual bows for each pompom.
  • 8.For a clever effect use invisible thread to hang your pompoms, so that they look as though they are suspended in mid-air. Invisible thread is available from good craft shops.
  • 9.To hang your pompoms from the ceiling try using the small wire hooks from the Command range from 3M – these are perfect for damage-free hanging.

Jubilee bunting and wreaths.

Why not use Union Jack bunting to create a real party atmosphere? This looks great if punctuated with larger decorations, such as a colourful wreath, to emphasise the swagged effect of the bunting. Try using a Command Large Designer Hook for these larger items.

If you are planning a Jubilee garden party, you could use some of the above decorations outdoors; the bunting would look lovely around your windows.
If you are worried about damaging the paintwork, then use Command Decorating Clips with All Season Strips as they are water resistant.
The beauty of using Command products is that you can remove them afterwards without damaging paintwork, which is ideal if you are holding your party in a venue such as a village hall.

Hazel has also filmed a video showing how to create the look; also available on YouTube http://youtu.be/mu6AbUtVxCw

For more information about Command Products, please visit the website.

 

Read more about : DIY Advice, Home Interiors, Ornaments

The First Annual Scottish Birdfair

Tuesday, May 1st, 2012

The First Scottish Annual Birdfair

The first annual Scottish Birdfair, will take place at Hopetoun House, Edinburgh on 19th-20th May 2012.

The Scottish Birdfair has something for everyone – from the most dedicated birders, to garden birdwatchers and those with a more general interest in wildlife.

There’s going to be plenty to keep you and your family entertained for the whole weekend at the Scottish Birdfair, whether you want to gain knowledge of Scotland’s birds and wildlife, or just soak up the environment, while taking a leisurely walk around the beautiful grounds of Hopetoun House.

The Scottish Birdfair is an RSPB charity fundraising event supporting Scottish Birds.

Special events
Watch out for the special events at the Birdfair, from seabird cruises (£18/£13) in the Firth of Forth, to dawn chorus walks (£5/£3) ; why not register your interest to avoid disappointment?

Who is coming
An exciting range of exhibitors will be there, to offer you an exclusive opportunity to shop for all things nature, from optics to art, as well as celebrity talks, special events, and workshops.

Hopetoun House is one of the finest stately homes in the UK and presents a spectacular venue for the Scottish Birdfair, with abundance of wildlife and history, and within easy reach of the central belt, visitors can enjoy the woodland walks and magnificent views along and over the Firth of Forth. Or why not take a tour of the house?

Kid’s Corner (under-16’s go free!) – Crafts, games, face painting and pony rides, solve a wildlife crime, try your first bird survey, plus children’s wildlife photography classes.

Opening times
Saturday 9am-5.30pm (food, bar and entertainment until 10pm).
Sunday 9am-5.30pm.

Tickets
Adult £12 (concessions £10)
2-day ticket £20 (concessions £18)
Parking is FREE and there’s an hourly shuttle bus from Linlithgow and Dalmeny train stations.

For tickets and more information about the First Annual Scottish Birdfair, please visit the website.

Read more about : Leisure, Shows and Events

The Jubilee Collection & Celebrations At Aston Pottery

Sunday, April 29th, 2012
Aston Pottery's Giant Teapot

The Diamond Jubilee Giant Teapot

A stunning Jubilee pottery collection, designed by Stephen Bughan and hand painted by Jane Baughan and the team, has been launched by Aston Pottery.

The collection includes an 11” plate, a mug and a giant ‘gallon’ teapot (actual capacity almost 14 pints – or 40 cups of tea).

  • Aston Pottery presents the coat-of-arms, (originally designed in 1837), in a modern-day style, full of colour and movement.
  • Featuring a stylised version of the lion, unicorn and crown, in soft whites, reds and blues with the addition of cheerful yellows, the lettering has been influenced by the arts and crafts movement of the early 1900s, to emphasise the handmade aspect of this exciting collection of pottery.
  • Prices Mug £12.99 ; Plate £24.99 ; Giant Teapot £149.99

Queen’s Jubilee At Aston Pottery

A special Diamond Jubilee Breakfast will be served in Aston Pottery’s Country Café on Tuesday 5th June, from 9.30-11.30.
Locally sourced produce will include the famous Bampton Royal sausage from Oxfordshire’s Patrick Strainge.

In the afternoon, Aston Pottery will hold a special themed Jubilee afternoon tea party with cupcakes, and sandwiches.

To celebrate both the Jubilee and Aston Pottery’s own 21st anniversary celebrations over the weekend of 22nd-24th June, Aston Pottery is also introducing specially designed new cake stands to show the cupcakes, including a giant 5-tier cake stand, 2’ 6” wide and 3 feet tall.

Booking is essential for Jubilee breakfast and afternoon tea. Please call (01993) 852 896

Aston Pottery is based at The Stable, Kingsway Farm Aston, Oxfordshire.

For further information and to view Aston Pottery’s complete Jubilee Pottery Collection, please visit the website.

Tel:  (01993) 852 031

Read more about : Ornaments, Shows and Events, Tableware

Picasso – G Plan’s New French-Style Bedroom Collection

Saturday, April 28th, 2012
G Plan's Elegant Picasso Bed

G Plan's Elegant Picasso Bed

G Plan Cabinets has launched its antique painted, French-style bedroom collection Picasso, which is the only painted range within their Classic Collections portfolio.

Traditionally styled and combined with fashionable pastel colours, the soft graceful finish provides an ideal sanctuary for relaxing:

  • The 14-piece range has many solid wood features, with the focus on a delightfully carved sleigh bed with detailing down the sides.
  • It is available in three sizes – 4’6”, 5’ and 6’ – and is complemented by a bedside table with elegant turned legs.
  • Picasso also includes: two and three door wardrobes; tall narrow, tall wide and wide drawer chests; a mirror, large dresser, dressing table and stool. Prices start at around £149 for a stool.

George Mcgraw of G Plan Cabinets, commented: “The clean fresh look of the French inspired Picasso collection, combined with its soft curves adds style and sophistication to any bedroom.”

The G Plan brand is renowned for design and affordable quality, as seen across all of their seven Classic Collections:

  • Matisse, Gainsborough, Heritage, Rembrandt and Davenport for living and dining.
  • Plus the Heritage and Monet bedroom ranges.

Each collection is made from solid wood and real wood veneers with different finishes, to suit all tastes and lifestyle needs.
G Plan Cabinets come with a 10year guarantee.

For more information on G Plan Cabinets and to view the ranges, please visit the website.

Read more about : Bedroom Furniture, Beds, Sleigh Beds

Tact Enviro’s Innovative Outdoor Flooring Solutions

Friday, April 27th, 2012
Piazza Interlocking Floor Tiles From Tact Enviro

Piazza Interlocking Floor Tiles From Tact Enviro

Finding an appropriate ground covering for an outdoor location, for either domestic or commercial settings can be difficult.
However, Tact Enviro Ltd who specialise in innovative retro-fit flooring offer an attractive range of solutions.

The company’s TactTile interlocking floor tiles offer a perfect surface for many outdoor flooring applications, such as garages, patios, balconies, swimming pool surrounds as well as play areas and sports courts, such as tennis and multi-use games areas.

Featured here are the versatile Piazza Interlocking Floor Tiles, which are popular for balconies and ideal for felt flat roofs and roofing membranes:

  • They are very robust free draining, anti-slip and easy to fit. Priced from £4.86 each (7 tiles per sq metre ).
  • Ceramic tiles are aesthetically pleasing at first, but after a few years of use, you will experience mould growth in the grouting and they are particularly susceptible to frost damage.
  • Polypropylene TactTile floor systems offer a durable cost effective safe surface, which simply locks together, without any need for adhesives; you can just lay, click and walk!
  • Not only are they slip resistant, they are also UV stable, ensuring the floor looks as new, after many years of use and can be recycled at the end of their lifetime.
  • Each tile measures 378mm x 378mm; interlocking lugs on two sides connect the tiles together using a mallet; they can also be taken apart without difficulty, using an individual tile lifter, or a multi zip tool to undo larger areas.

All of the TactTiles can be cut to fit, using a Jigsaw or handsaw and fitted flush, or finished with a bevelled edge and corner tiles for increased tread safety.

Many TactTiles feature an exclusive free draining perforated top, to allow air to circulate through the surface to prevent puddles forming, thus minimising any danger of slipping.

Maintenance is negligible; TactTiles can easily be swept, washed and scrubbed using normal floor cleaners and rinsed with clean water; for any stubborn marking, simply apply household bleach (following the manufacturers’ instructions) and leave for a few minutes, then rinse well.

TactTiles come in a variety of styles and colours, to allow for consumers bespoke designs. Popular ranges include Piazza, Metro and Briq, which are available in a number of natural complimentary colours.

To view the extensive ranges of Tact Enviro’s TactTile flooring products, please visit the website.
Tel: (01458) 253395

Read more about : Building Services, DIY Advice, Floor Tiles

Videospa TV Technology For The Bathroom Now At Bathstore.

Thursday, April 26th, 2012

Videospa TV technology from Bathstore.

The latest cutting edge technology can help your bathroom become an even more relaxing retreat, with the latest Videospa TV technology developed for the bathroom, now available at Bathstore, the leading UK bathroom retailer.

The new Bathstore catalogue presents a variety of opportunities, to create that desirable sanctuary with cutting edge technology.

Anyone interested in having the most recent must-have gadgets can relax, unwind and be entertained with a TV screen in any bathroom:

  • Speakers built into the bathroom ceiling, ensure an impressive sound experience, enabling bathers to surround themselves with entertainment while they soak.
  • A TV in the bathroom goes beyond relaxation; busy city workers can even catch up on the news while cleaning their teeth.
  • Offering the attraction of cartoons to help get the kids clean will make bath time more enjoyable for everyone.
  • It is completely safe with fully waterproof casing, an LED, high definition touch screen, waterproof handset and includes a frameless screen in three different finishes.
  • Priced at £999 in a choice of white or black.

Why not show off your wall hung bathroom TV to its full potential, by uniting it with sleek, minimalist, Euro wall hung sanitary-ware?

Bath time is your time. It’s not just about washing – your bathroom is a key living space, and time spent there should be enjoyed to the full.

For more information about Bathstore‘s new Videospa TV technology, product details and services please visit the website.

Read more about : Bathroom Accessories, Bathroom Suites, Home Entertainment

John Cullen’s New LED Range Of Garden Lighting

Wednesday, April 25th, 2012
LED Garden Flood-Lights By John Cullen.

John Cullen's LED Garden Flood-Lights.

John Cullen, the leading UK lighting experts, have introduced a new range of LED products that make the most of the latest energy-saving technology, taking garden lighting to a new level.

The new LED lights – the Torino, the Richmond, and the Kensington – are a larger size of the popular Lucca, Hampton and Kew, producing up to eight times the amount of light – making them ideal for bigger, more established gardens.

They add a magical element to any garden, by recreating the warm white light of traditional halogen bulbs – turning it into a dramatic and beautiful feature:

The Richmond
The 8w LED Richmond in our picture is a directional spiked floodlight, that produces the equivalent of 50w. It produces a wider bathe of light particularly suitable for large scale planting features and its olive green finish makes it merge well with its surroundings.
The light can be easily moved to suit the changing seasons and plant growth, ensuring that your garden lighting remains perfect all year. Priced at: £221.

The Kensington
The 8w LED Kensington, also pictured, is a spiked spotlight, just right for highlighting focal points in a garden, such as a statue or feature tree. It has a flexible spiked fitting, making it easy to move around the garden. Priced at: £223.
The Kensington and Richmond are designed to supply an ideal combination of equipment to deal with all your garden lighting needs.

The Torino
The LED Torino comes with a choice of three beam widths (10°, 26° and 36°), allowing this recessed light to multi-task, sending a wash of light across steps, skimming up a wall, or alternatively uplighting an entire tree.
At 8w to 12w depending on the beam width, the Torino comes in marine grade stainless steel and produces the same amount of light as a traditional 50w bulb. Priced at: £182.

For further information and to view John Cullen’s new range of LED garden lighting products, please visit the website.

Stockist Enquiries Tel: (020) 7371 9000.

Read more about : Other

The Growhouse – A Mini Greenhouse Range From Access.

Tuesday, April 24th, 2012
Raised Base With Half Growhouse.

The Half Growhouse On Raised Base.

The Growhouse a mini greenhouse from Access, will provide you with most of the benefits of a full size greenhouse in your garden, in a smaller space and at a reasonable price…

The Growhouse full and half size Growhouses, designed to stand on a patio, gravel or soil, are perfect for use all year round; they can even be used in conjunction with a grow bag.

Bring on plants and seedlings in spring, grow healthy tomatoes and peppers during summer, or even develop salads and new potatoes.

Growhouses offer a secure atmosphere for your young plants:

  • The integrated sliding doors and top glass supply particularly adaptable ventilation options and because they are built from architectural aluminium and toughened safety glass (five times stronger than horticultural glass), the panes will endure even the roughest weather.
  • The Growhouse can be moved around the garden without difficulty; used with the new aluminium table to minimise bending, or with the sustainably sourced new wooden raised bed, for your crops grown in soil.
  • The standard Growhouse includes, two wide shelves and two narrow shelves for pots and seed trays, which can also be easily removed or folded flat, to accommodate taller plants like tomatoes.
  • Featured here is the half Growhouse with raised bed base. This smaller, half-height version is comprised of one wide and one narrow seed tray shelf.

Prices and measurements:

Standard Growhouse – £279. Length: 3’11” (1.21m) Height: 4′ 11″ (1.49m) Depth: 2′ 2″ (0.65m).
Half Growhouse – £189. Length: 3’11” (1.21m) Height: 2′ 8″ (0.82m) Depth: 2′ 2″ (0.65m).
Half Growhouse Table – £114. Length: 3’11” (1.21m) Height: 2′ 6″ (0.76m) Depth: 2′ 2″ (0.65m).
Raised Base £99. Base Length: 1.27m Base Height: 0.36m Base Depth: 0.71m.

The Growhouse aluminium framework comes with a 25year guarantee.

For more information, or to browse the wide Access range of outdoor- growing products, please visit the website.

Tel: (01788) 822301

Read more about : Gardening Services, Planters

TurniTable, A Splendid Solution From The Secret Play Company.

Monday, April 23rd, 2012
Secret Play Company's TurniTable

The TurniTable From The Secret Play Company

Space in the home is at a premium these days and we’ve become accustomed to picking our way through toys covering the entire floor surface, in any given room in our houses – that is until the launch of 

The TurniTable, a splendid solution from The Secret Play Company!

  • Not only is this a solid wooden robust play table, it also changes in seconds to half the size, for use as a child’s table for snacks etc. or as an attractive and handy coffee table.
  • Now add to that a magnetic play top, bench seating for 4 children, and castors so that you can move it around easily; a table that little childred can call their own, which will allow them to play freely and creatively to their hearts content.
  •  It comes fully assembled with an option to purchase some wonderfully designed magnet sets to play with too. It also has really practical storage compartments.
  • The Bench backs are available in orange, blue or white, or the very special Limited Edition ‘Jubilee Inspired’ version.
  • Dimensions: Width 80 cm.; Height 42 cm.; Weight 17.2 kg.
  • Table top (55 cm. closed and 110 cm. open).

Priced at £325, including FREE delivery (fully assembled) from The Secret Play Company online – Currently available with 15% discount!

For more information or to view The Secret Play Company’s novel TurniTable play table, please visit the website.

Tel:  (01825) 891338

Read more about : Childs Furniture, Web Sites