STYLISTA
HOMES
Published by Haywood Media
OCTOBER 2012
Autumn throws
Get
KEVIN’S
Baking
WIN
GREEN HEROS
Lots of prizes page 32
informative
l
HALLOWEEN
inspiring
Inspiration
l
enlightening
Welcome to
STYLISTA HOMES
This magazine is dedicated to all those home and aspiring home owners who love creating their own individual space. This magazine is for you. What do you like, what do you want to read about, what can we find for you? 2012 promises to be an exciting year and with so many interior and furniture trade shows at the start of the year we want you to set us a challenge... Tell us what you are looking for, is it an amazing purple corner sofa, perhaps you want that clever bed that comes out of the wall... whatever your desire please share it with us at editorial@stylistahomes.co.uk
blissful autumn...
Rachel Branson PUBLISHER / EDITOR love this time of year, although the nights are drawing in and the weather turns wet and windy, it’s the perfect excuse to snuggle up on the sofa, under a warm, cosy throw. I hope you enjoy our Autumn throws on page , they also make the perfect gift if you have started to think about Christmas already! With Halloween creeping up on us, I thought you might enjoy a few little Halloween inspired pieces to dress those dramatic dark rooms this winter. Enjoy & be inspired.
Victoria Branson FEATURES EDITOR October already! Where does the time go? During the month of October, we’ve got National Baking week coming up, why not try the delicious recipes we have in this issue. Or how about tending to your garden and getting it ready for the winter months, we’ve got some great advice and gorgeous products. Read my article with Julie Bliss, interior designer/architect and take a peek inside her delightful cottage.
Zoe Branson-Chant YOUNG STYLISTA FEATURES
DULUX The main room - Dusted Fondant, Matt Emulsion, 2.5 litres, £18.99RRP Chic Shadow , Matt Emulsion, 2.5 litres, £18.99RRP. Dulux, stockist details dulux.co.uk
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CONTENTS www.stylistahomes.co.uk
4 BLISSFUL CHANGE
12 HALLOWEEN
20 GREEN HEROS
28 AUTUMN THROWS 30 PLAYHOUSES
32 COMPETITIONS
36 BAKING
40 GARDEN PREP
HEAD OFFICE
Haywood Media 2 The Hall, Turners Green Road Wadhurst, East Sussex TN5 6TR
Tel: 0800 881 5375
www.haywoodmedia.co.uk
editorial@stylistahomes.co.uk Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that the data in this publication is accurate, neither the publisher nor its editorial contributors can accept liability to any party loss or damage caused by errors or omissions resulting from negligence, accident or any other cause. We are unable to check claims made by advertisers are legal and truthful and that all products and services are safe, Stylista Homes does not accept any liability in relation to advertisements placed.
Š Stylista Homes 2012
Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is strictly prohibited.
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Blissful Change
Words Victoria Branson
F
ull of charisma and stylish from head to toe Julie Bliss has a very clear yet adaptable vision of a variety of ways in which to create the perfect home. She is the type of person whom you would be glad to have found if you were undertaking a major project in the home that you love. Julie is the woman behind Bliss Interiors and I met with Julie at her beautiful house which itself is a stunning example of her talent. I hoped to find out more about her and the successful architectural and interior design business which she has created.
Richard Daniels, at some point or other she designed the bedrooms in every Forte hotel in the country. She worked alongside Olga Polizzi, whose daughter, Alex Polizzi, presents the TV show “The Hotel Inspector”. A lot of her influence and inspiration is derived from her experience designing 5-star hotels and she thus has a good eye for the chic and sophistication of the 5-star lifestyle.
Julie lives with her three daughters in Oxted, Surrey. In her early years at school when she had the all-important chat with the Careers Advisor, Julie knew then that all she wanted was to visit homes and help people decorate and design them. Somewhat surprisingly, her Careers Advisor told Julie that there wasn’t such a job, and pointed her in the direction of architectural courses. When it was time to leave school and move on to University, Julie tells me “With very few interior design courses on offer, I found it extremely hard to find the right one. I think there were only 3 in London and just 2 around the rest of the country”. She goes on to say “I was determined to do a design course that did architecture as well so that I could do the structure. This was important to me as I didn’t just want to do the frou frou”. After an enriching early start to her career, Julie went on to work for Richard Daniels, the design company behind the Forte Hotels brand. During her time at
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Julie’s house, which she purchased 10 years ago, was originally built for the mill workers who worked at Coltsford Mill which is situated on the upper reaches of the River Eden. The site on which the watermill sits is featured in the Domesday Book. It still has its original cast iron machinery and is the only turning watermill in Surrey. Coltsford Mill is a glamorous setting and is mainly used for weddings and corporate events. Julie’s house is one of two cottages that lie adjacent to the Mill and was previously owned by a DIY enthusiast. This meant she had to strip the house back to the core and start with the very basics of plumbing and electrics before the aesthetics could begin. This was a massive project for Julie to take on. She tells me “When we’d stripped it back this place was simply unrecognisable”. I asked Julie the reason behind the project and what inspired her to create the layout. “I wanted to open up the house to create a larger living space and primarily to draw the outside in. I love the view and the abundance of natural light and really wanted to make it a part of the house”. Julie has achieved this by adding a single story extension to the rear of the property. The large kitchen now opens into an airy living area with the original doorway being replaced by glass allowing additional light in. Julie has cleverly added a mirror on the opposing wall in the extension which bounces the light back through into the kitchen. Floor to ceiling folding glass doors have been installed, which look out over the fields towards the Mill house. “Once opened they combine the outside with the inside” Julie tells me, as with ease she slides the doors back to demonstrate. Outside is a gravelled courtyard and Julie has erected wooden poles on which, she explains, she drapes large strips of vibrant material to create ambience with a canopy. With an open fire pit in the centre, you can just picture warm summer evenings with friends, some sitting inside and some out, yet all being in one space together. Beyond the living area is a further bedroom, very light and airy and benefitting from a door and large window, again allowing you to absorb the beautiful view outside. An office with a utility room next to it have also been added, clearly defining specific areas for a multifunctional house.
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property, both with large windows and far-reaching views over the countryside. The staircases are not dark and dingy for Julie has kept the original wood floorboards but painted them white. The white walls here make a perfect backdrop for some of the gorgeous artwork that is displayed here. Julie has acquired an interesting art collection. She explains “The artwork is all produced by close friends and I recently opened my home when we created a viewing gallery and literally filled the walls with artwork. It was very successful and I think we had in the region of 100 visitors during the Friday night and Saturday”. I asked Julie whether from a personal level she had any tips for people thinking about taking on a project like this. “Don’t take on a project of this size with a babe in arms and two youngsters” Julie chuckles, and “Question and query builders - don’t just presume what they have said they have done, they’ve actually done”. This was a lesson Julie discovered shortly after the builders had failed to put insulation into the roof as they said they had - the result being that the work had to be done again.
Bliss Interiors the business
Julie’s PR Manager, Claire Sykes, explains the four facets of Bliss Interiors. The first is the architectural drawings; this includes everything from renovations to conversions for both small and large scale projects. Julie’s client base is purely domestic, involving many unusual countryside properties. Being based in Oxted, she is centrally located for the South East.
(above) Top floor bedroom number 1 with storage in the eaves (right) Top floor bedroom number 2 with l2 arge windows
Over the years, the whole house has been updated. Julie takes me on a tour and on the first floor is a bedroom to the front and a bathroom with twin basins and vanity area; also a stylish roll top bath under the large window where you can look out at the view. Up another flight of stairs we find two more bedrooms in the roof of the
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“Before the planning apps are submitted, I will always plan the internal layout of the house to ensure the space is going to work for my client” Julie explains. This differs from traditional architects, who may design an extension based on the client’s requirements without perhaps checking the finer details as to planned usage. If the client doesn’t fully consider the finer details and discuss their requirements then disasters can happen. Julie tells me about one particular build where she received a desperate phone call from her client who had instructed an architect and builder to go up into the roof and create a floor space of a certain area. What was overlooked, however, was what the room was intended to be used for. As a result the actual standing floor space was only a very small portion of the room but the client had wanted to use this as a bedroom and study area. Julie sorted out the problem by designing bespoke units which fitted into the eaves. Julie explains “The desk went into the slope and I designed integral cupboards and storage shelves to make the most of the awkward space”. The client was so pleased with her work that Julie was called back time and time again to do more work on other areas of the house. The second facet of Bliss Interiors is the planning side. Julie’s extensive knowledge of planning and building regulations enables her to ensure her clients’ paperwork is in order and with only one “appeal pending” can boast an almost 100% success rate in ensuring her clients get approval for the work they wish to have done. I ask Julie whether she’s seen any changes over the years, whether planning regulations have become more lenient or tighter.
In her friendly manner she explains “Planners are not monsters, but it’s their job to help you improve your home. They’re employed to keep the area they’re responsible for in accordance with a certain level. They don’t want carbuncles but they do want to accommodate a better standard of living.” She goes on to tell me “There are some things that the planners are very rigid on, which is when you have to go to appeal. They have certain rules which they have to
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follow and no, I haven’t seen a relaxation of these rules, but I’ve just found new ways around them”. “Forget thinking about adding a second story to a bungalow in a street of bungalows. But you can start to base what you may be allowed to do on the surrounding properties” Julie says. With Julie’s extensive knowledge she would advise you straight away if what you wanted to do was likely to be rejected by the planners. If that were the case, all is not lost for with her creative mind she can easily advise you about the alterations you could make to gain extra space or improve the living accommodation.
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Bliss Interiors’ third facet comes into play once the plans have been approved and work can begin on the project. With her experience in overseeing so many builds, Julie’s Project Management skills are a valuable part of the package, providing on-site liaison with the builders throughout every stage of the work. Although Julie has a long-standing builder whom she often uses, sometimes the request for her assistance requires a different type of expertise. Fortunately Julie has excellent contacts in every field. Last but not least, the fourth facet: her undoubted interior design
skills. By providing a “by the hour” consultancy service you can have as much or as little of Julie’s help as you wish. Julie tells me how some clients simply call upon her to help hang a picture or in some cases it’s simply a case of rearranging the furniture and perhaps hanging a mirror to give the room a completely different look. She sees this as a kind of therapy for her clients, apparent in the satisfaction and joy they gain. It is important for Julie to get on with her clients and she has a longstanding relationship with many of them - some going back 15 years.
you like” says Julie. “Next think about budget. It is hard to know where to start with this, but at least have some idea of what you want to spend”. Whilst Julie will do her best to keep an eye on the costs, she has found that budgets tend to be underestimated. She goes on to explain “As projects unfold, there’s sometimes a change of heart. For example, finding a spiral staircase which is favoured over the original option but at twice the price, these sorts of things can push a budget over the edge”. As the interview draws to a close I feel very inspired by Julie’s confidence in what she does. The home in which she lives with her family is testament to her ability and creativity. With her excellent use of light, colour and textures I can see why many of her clients repeatedly call her back. After a guided tour of the property Julie passes on one very valuable tip, “If
you have a large set of books which you don’t wish to throw anyway, to de-clutter the bookshelf just bring all the bindings level with the front of the bookshelf, and align them all. It doesn’t matter what colour or height they are - by doing this it makes the eye rest”. Curious, I tried this when I got home and was surprised to find that it did indeed work. Thank you Julie Bliss - a perfect tip! For more information on Bliss Interiors contact: Julie@blissinteriors.me.uk www.blissinteriors.me.uk T: 01883 712389
Julie is very aware that it’s not her house but the client’s home and, whatever they want , she will find a way to make it work - even if she doesn’t like it personally. She explains “I try to get into the psyche of my clients; it helps me to create the home of their dreams and as long as I’ve made it work for them then I’m happy I’ve done my job”. I ask Julie “If someone is thinking about alterations, where do they start?” “First gather the ideas for what you want. Look at magazines, tear out the page and keep it, even if it’s just one element of the picture that
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halloween
IMMORTAL Eaton Nott Shop offers their customers a very special all inclusive discreet service, respectfully immortalising their beloved animals and pets on passing, either as a mounted skeleton or carved skull. eatonnott.co.uk
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MOULIN NOIR MIRRORED ARMOIRE Handmade Chateau designs following the classic Louis Philippe, theme create a fashionable European look that was so prominent in the roaring 1920’s, especially within the glamorous world of the Hollywood Stars of stage and screen £1499 darlingsofchelsea.co.uk
HOT KROON CHANDELIER The Hot Kroon chandelier is contemporary decadence at its best! Designed by internationally acclaimed architect and interior designer, Piet Boon, whose ‘no nonsense Dutch style’ has made him world renowned. The Hot Kroon chandelier is covered with a high grade polyurethane plastic, which, when semimelted, forms drips and icicles. What results is stunningly creative and original - each piece having a totally unique shape £2200 frenchbedroomcompany.co.uk
VERSAILLES NOIR Versailles bed is intricately and extravagantly carved. This exceptional range from Newtons emanates grandeur with its sensational and dramatic lines. The Versailles Noir is finished in Boudoir Black and creates an ambience of seductive majesty. Prices from £799 newtonsfurniture.co.uk
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GOTHIC BLACK FIG MIRROR This is a beautiful mirror with ornate detail, silver and black £233 sweetpeaandwillow.com
MARIAH LARGE 14 ARM BLACK GLASS CHANDELIER An exquisite large 2 tier 14 arm classic Rococo style black glass chandelier. Mariah is adorned with hundreds of black glass beads and droplets that cascade from the top, arms and the acrylic plates, Also available are the matching floor, wall and table chandelier lights. Dimensions: H: 100 W: 80cm (excluding chain) £695 alexanderandpearl.co.uk
SKULL DECANTER AND GLASSES (left) Glass Decanter and glasses with skull motif ellajamesliving.co.uk
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ASTORIA (right) Bedding from Kylie Single Quilt Cover £45.83, Double £62.50, King £75 bettaliving.co.uk
BLACK VELVET GRANDWING ARMCHAIR (below) pholstered in beautifully soft Designers Guild Black Velvet Silver stud detail Mahogany feet W92 x H82 x D107cm Sofa Design is an exclusive luxury sofa £1400 sofadesign.co.uk
SELETTI GIANT BURLESQUE BLACK SKULL (right) Candle holder with 5 arms, 9 flames places Eternal questions about life 60 cm (H) Polyresin Ł429 touchesofclass.co.uk
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BOUDOIR
TRILLIANE CHANDELIER A Schonbek signature chandelier, Trilliane features inverted crystal pendeloques. This innovative design suggests the natural growth of mineral crystal. Trillian works especially well in eclectic and contemporary settings. Available with Spectra Crystal and Swarovski Elements Crystal ÂŁ9342.00 keslighting.co.uk
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VELVET WING CHAIR Stunning wing chair with a velvet cushioning and beautifully carved frame. Would look fabulous in any French or period style home! W:690mm H:1070mm D:700mm £670.00 lorafurniture.co.uk
FEATHER BLACK LAMP
NOIR DRESSING TABLE AND MIRROR Noir Dressing Table and Mirror H160cm, W88cm, D40cm £230.00 florafurniture.co.uk
An eye catching large black feather trimmed lamp which is perfect for any boudoir. It has an ornately designed stem wih chandelier syle droplets and a pewter coloured base with detailing. The rich black shade is trimmed with exotic black maribou. This elegant, tall slim lamp stands 79cm high whils the shade measures 26cms high x 33cm in diameter £69.95 melodymaison.co.uk
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HALLOWEEN PUMPKIN LANTERN These lovely Halloween lanterns are made of metal and have a holder inside for a tealight candle (accessed by a door at the back). Use on a flat surface or hanging from the metal loop. H21cm x W24cm xD20cm. £10.99 each. tch.net
RED SKULLS AND ROSES CUSHION Cotton cushion with fibre cushion pad and black backing. Celebrating biker culture with bony white skulls garlanded in red roses. Feather filler also available. Price of cover on its own: Ł14.50 alhambrahome.co.uk
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Haunted House Bird Box handmade haunted house bird box won’t spook your birds! It makes a super gift for birthdays, Halloween and many other special occasions. This wooden bird box is carefully handmade from high-grade sustainable European redwood pine then handpainted with Cuprinol water-based exterior wood paints that are non-toxic to plants and wildlife, and is suitable for birds like sparrows and blue tits. It comes with full mounting instructions. All items are individually handmade £52 Company: Gift Wrapped & giftwrappedandgorgeous.com
STAUB PUMPKIN COCOTTE This Pumpkin casserole from Staub is finished in bright and durable stove enamel finish and has a brass handle. Elegant enough for any dish. It comes into its own at Halloween, of course, This casserole has the hallmark spikes on the underside of the lid which assist the cooking juices to remain in the dish itself, and so aids succulent cooking £145 touchesofclass.co.uk
CRYSTAL SKULL A vodka skull is turning Halloween heads at Gretna Green’s world-famous Blacksmiths Shop visitor attraction. Beautifully crafted in Milan from Bruni glass, the skull bottle contains a rare vodka which is equally dramatic! Produced using deep glacial aquifer water in Newfoundland, Canada, the vodka is distilled and filtered over 500 million year-old crystals known as Herkimer Diamonds. It is absolutely pure with no additives of any kind. Sold in the Blacksmiths Shop Food Hall for £75, it is produced by Crystal Head, founded by actor Dan Aykroyd of ‘Blues Brothers’ and ‘Ghostbusters’ fame gretnagreen.com
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Kevin’s
green heroes KEVIN MCCLOUD UNVEILS NEW GREEN HEROES AT GRAND DESIGNS LIVE BIRMINGHAM 2012 Kevin McCloud will be returning to the Birmingham NEC with his contemporary home show Grand Designs Live (12th – 14th October 2012), and will be bringing with him this year’s ‘Kevin’s Green Heroes’. Now in its third year, ‘Kevin’s Green Heroes’ is a selection of ten products, materials or innovations personally selected by Kevin himself, that he feels deserve wider recognition in the construction market. Based on Kevin’s broad experience from documenting hundreds of building projects, ‘Kevin’s Green Heroes’ provides a fantastic opportunity for a host of products and new eco-technologies that aim to improve sustainable building and our way of living, to been seen by the world. Kevin McCloud commented: “This will be the third year we’ve done the Green Heroes and from the start I wanted a mix of ideas: radical, environmentally-friendly products from large manufacturers that we should be using more; clever, recycled materials; stuff from small makers and craftspeople; low-energy technologies and brilliant cross-fertilized, creative ideas. It’s fantastic to be able to showcase these products to visitors at the show” Here’s a rundown of Kevin’s Green Heroes:
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Hendzel + Hunt Hendzel + Hunt is a vibrant, young design studio based in South London, specialising in the manufacture and design of bespoke cabinets and furniture using reclaimed materials. The Kirkwood Chair is made using reclaimed hardwood and Victorian floorboards. There are no metal fixings as the chair is joined using traditional jointing techniques. The Kirkwood chair forms part of Hendzel + Hunt’s MADE IN PECKHAM range. Hendzel + Hunt have an ethos to create beautiful objects whilst keeping sustainability in mind and therefore the MADE IN PECKHAM range is designed and built using reused, reclaimed materials all from the local area of Peckham, south east London. www.hendzelandhunt.com.
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Desinature - Bud Lamp Desinature is a new British design label dedicated to the manufacture of stylish and contemporary eco-conscious lighting and home accessories. Exclusively produced in the UK, their collection reflects respect for the natural world, as well as the desire to bring people closer to it. ‘Bud’ is an elegant new pendant light shade made from 6 identical elements of natural birch plywood that clip together for easy assembly. Each panel is laser-cut using wood from responsibly sourced forest (pefc certification), before being sanded by hand in Desinature’s Southampton workshop. The flat packed concept allows a volume reduction of more than 95% of the assembled version, dramatically minimising the environmental impact of transportation. Made in the UK. A portion of the proceeds goes to Tree-Nation planting scheme in the Niger desert. www.desinature.com based in Southampton.
Tree Trunk Stool Tree Trunk Stool is an online retailer selling inspiring sustainable products for the home and garden. The select only products which they believe are great designs, but which also help the environment and the people who make them. This tree trunk stool arrives in an attractive carrying case, takes 3 minutes to assemble and even though it is made from cardboard it can withstand a weight of 200kg (which is 2.5 times the weight of an average man!). It is a brilliant piece of sustainable Dutch design. The very high quality printing gives the stool a stunning photo finish. If you count the rings they estimate the tree is over 100 years old! Intended to be used as a stool or side table, but you may well think of other uses. www. henandhammock.co.uk
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Up - Netched Slates London based design studio Up specialises in Upcycling, using their special technique known as Netching, a unique form of etching that can be used on a variety of different surfaces. Having been a print designer for the fashion industry, Jo Gibbs from Up became concerned about the damage the industry causes to the environment and wanted more control over what happened to her designs and how they were produced. She has always made use of discarded materials and objects and ‘Upcycled’ them by producing new items of the same or greater value. At the centre of her work is an interest in lace; taken out of context it can be transformed into delicate and refined surface-designs. This process is the culmination of her fascination with etching and masking through use of alternative media. At Kevin’s Green Heroes, reclaimed roofing slates that have been Netched will be on display. This process can be used on a number of different surfaces including leather, wood, and many types of metal and stone etc. www. upcycledbyjogibbs.com
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Up-cycled Banbury Rugs Upcycling is the practice of taking something that is disposable and transforming it into something of greater use and value. Textile designers, Roger & Fay Oates have used their discerning eye for colour and design mixed with practicality and their own standards of excellence to create a collection of natural, textured, monochrome rugs from the mill’s unwanted spools of wool that would otherwise have been discarded.www.rogeroates.com (London & The Long Barn, Eastnor Herefordshire HR8 1EL)
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MissPrint Eco Wallpaper MissPrint wallpapers all originate from their original handdrawn illustration. They believe ecological issues are important therefore; all their products are produced in the most environmentally friendly way. Their entire wallpaper range is PEFC certified which means that the paper products used promote the sustainable management of forests. The wallpapers are also printed with organic pigment inks, which are non-toxic, free of heavy metals and classed as non-carcinogenic. All MissPrint products are made in UK and they try their utmost to support their local community and strongly believe in supporting the British manufacturing industry. www.missprint.co.uk (Essex)
Raindrop Studio Bas van der Veer is passionate about designing clever consumer products. Combining fun & functionality is a key value while creating smart products that are enjoyable to use, have an aesthetic quality and bring a smile to people’s faces. The Raindrop is a rain barrel that makes saving water really easy by providing a watering can that fills up automatically when it rains. This way, the user doesn´t have to fill the can with our precious tap water, but uses ´free´ rainwater instead. With the small tap at the bottom of the barrel, the watering can can be refilled after using it. The Raindrop is the production version of ‘A Drop of Water’, one of Bas van der Veer’s graduation works. The design is currently produced by Dutch pottery firm Elho and available for sale in garden centres across Europe. www.basvanderveer.nl
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Ecofans Ecofans® generate their own electricity from the surface of a wood stove and circulate warm air throughout the room, increasing comfort and providing savings of up to 14% on fuel costs. Researchers from the faculty of Engineering at the University of Waterloo and Caframo collaborated on a scientific study to measure the reduction in firewood needed to maintain comfort with the use of an Ecofan®. The team developed protocol and procedures to measure, evaluate and verify the effectiveness of Ecofans® in reducing the quantity of fuel used. Conducted under controlled conditions, tests were designed to maintain a human comfort level of 22.5°C (72.5°F). The test facility was constructed as a room within a room. The inner room was set up similar to a living room with a wood stove, a couch, finished floors, ceilings and walls; and the outer room was set up to control the outside temperature, accurately modelling the heat loss from a typical house. Conducted during the winter of 2010, tests were completed in pairs with comparable conditions and burn rates between wood stove operation with and without an Ecofan®. The representatives from the University of Waterloo have verified the data as being accurate.www.ecofan.co.uk (WREXHAM LL14 5DG).
Kevin’s Green Heroes will be on display at this year’s Grand Designs Live Birmingham, which runs from the 12th – 14th October 2012 at Birmingham’s NEC. To book tickets log on at www. granddesignslive.com, or call the 24 hour box office on 0844 854 1348 + kids 15 and under go free.
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autumn THROWS
MERINO WOOL THROWS Merino wool throws for cosy TV suppers in front of all those Christmas specials ÂŁ66.40 livinginstore.com
BLACK & CARAMEL HERRINGBONE THROW (left) Beautiful classic herringbone pure n ew wool throw in elegant black and caramel . New for this Autumn. £51 velvetbrown.co.uk
MELIN TREGWYNT (below) Red Stack Blankets From Home Department Store Leekes £49 leekes.co.uk
CASHMERE CHOCOLATE THROW (above) Made from Mongolian cashmere, these generously sized blankets are woven in Britain from 100 per cent pure cashmere, each throw features an elegant but subtle herringbone weave and fringed edge and comes in midnight blue, chocolate brown or rich russet. An absolutely fabulous gift or affordable indulgence. Measure 150 x 180cms. £245 alisonathome.com
PLUMAGE THROW (right) With speckled feather-effect fur and a soft faux suede reverse to prevent slipping, this stunning throw will dress up a drab sofa or add a textural and warm layer to plain white bed linen. Its strokability factor is guaranteed, as is its snugability! £120 frenchbedroomcompany.co.uk
LAMBSWOOL AUBERGINE MAGENTA SPOT THROW (left) Made by one of the last working woollen mills in Ireland, founded in 1892, these supremely soft pure new lambswool throws are the ultimate autumn comfort. Choose from a windowpane check or spot pattern in classic white and grey or sumptuous aubergine and magenta. Versatile and good looking, these throws will serve you for years. Measure 147 x 190cms. £85 alisonathome.com
Young
Stylista My little sister loves to make herself a little hideaway using anything she can find, whether that’s upturning the sofa cushions or borrowing mum’s clothes airer, carefully draping bed sheets over said items and using laundry pegs to hold everything in place. If this sounds familiar in your house, how about one of these charming wendy houses not only are they easy to put up and take down, but they are light weight and when the summer arrives next year, just move the house out into the garden, along with the resident.
Wigwam Play Tent If you have children, then the Wigwam Play Tent is the perfect addition to your garden. The tent consists of 6 wooden poles with a diameter of 1.4m and standing 1.9m tall, so it’s not going to take up the whole garden either! What’s more, at 1.9m its perfect for children of practically any age! Size: H1.9m x Dia1.4m £49.95 prezzybox.com
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Sky Blue/Cherry Red Hanging Tent The Hanging Tent offers the perfect hideaway. Its practical hanging design means it’s quick and easy to ‘pitch’ the tent…and just as simple to pack away when they move onto the next game! Size: H224 x W84 cm £149 littlelucywillow.co.uk
Willow Green Pavilion (above) The stylish new Pavilion takes play houses to a luxurious level! It features a multi-stripe fabric roof with decorative tassels and fabric covered poles. For private teddy bear tea parties, they can draw the embroidered Pavilion curtains. Little Lucy Willow’s deluxe Pavilion includes a padded floor quilt to create a place to relax as well as play (also available in Rose Pink) Size: H160xW160xD160 cm £295 littlelucywillow.co.uk
Teddy Bears picnic This top quality wigwam is made from 100% canvas material and comes complete with metal poles and a matching groundsheet. It has one opening at the front and a window at the back with cover and is easy to assemble and store. Size: H137cm x W183cm x D183cm £84.99 homehomehome.co.uk
Man Shed Tent LIMITED EDITION FieldCandy’s Men Only tent is the ultimate campsite bachelor pad. Cotton constructed to prevent condensation, it features a spacious sleeping area & separate lobby/ porch for storage or wet items. Designer flysheet with matching bag, A-frame poles, pegs, a hammer and peg puller, a spares kit, combination padlocks, full instructions, an owner’s manual and a carry bag. Size: L 355cm x W 170cmx H 140cm(sleeps two people comfortably) £495 theletteroom.com
Alphabet Wendy House This alphabet canvas Wendy house with pink trims and curtains inside is perfect for your little angel to hide away. Size: H160 W110 D130 cm £130 littlelucywillow.co.uk
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Competitions
S
tylista Homes has some fantastic competitions this month! If you are a DIY enthusiast (or the partner of one) then perhaps the Hitachi DS10DFL 10.8v Cordless Drill Driver will entice you. Do you love listening to radio? The stylish R1 Radio from Ruark would be perfect for you to while away the days listening to your favourite sounds. We all love our beds and our friends at Dreams, Britain’s leading Bed specialist are offering one lucky winner the chance to bed down with their new “Loves to be Washed” pillow which is designed to fit perfectly into your washing machine, saving you time and money visiting the laundrette. And last but by no means least the ultra trendy Wine cooler from Husky Retail, with a digitally controlled touch screen this is a perfect accompaniment for any wine lover.
With Christmas just around the corner, winning any one of these prizes would save £’s on your pocket and are bound to make an ideal gift for a loved one, that’s if you weren’t going to keep it for yourself! The Stylista Homes team wishes you all the best of luck
WIN
Britain’s leading bed specialist, www.dreams.co.uk, has launched the NEW ‘Loves To Be Washed’ collection. Super soft and extremely light-weight, the range has been designed using a highly compressible filling that enables each item to fit easily into a domestic washing machine. No more tedious trips to the laundrette as this range of practical, family friendly products can be washed as often as you like in the convenience of your own home. Drying isn’t a problem either as each product is ultra-quick dry, springing back into shape in the tumble drier. ‘Loves To Be Washed’ is also great for those who suffer from allergies such as hayfever as the bedding removes pollen so you can snuggle down under a lightweight duvet without having to worry about itchy eyes and sneezing fits.
The ‘Loves To Be Washed’ range includes a 10.5 tog and a 13.5 tog duvet as well as a superbly supportive pillow and mattress protector. The range starts from only £24.99 and will suit even the most sensitive of sleepers.
To enter log onto www.stylistahomes.co.uk/competitions
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Hitachi Power Tools (www.hitachi-powertools.co.uk) have teamed up with Stylista Homes to give away one of their high performance cordless drills – the Hitachi DS10DFL 10.8volt cordless drill driver. A reliable drill is essential for anyone who likes a bit of DIY and Hitachi are well known for their extensive range of high quality indoor and outdoor power tools. Robust, light weight, compact and easy to use, the Hitachi DS10DFL is perfect for those hard to reach places and quick or lengthy jobs. This high spec drill comes complete with two of their new 1.5Ah Lithium-Ion batteries, a 40-minute charge time and a 3 year warranty if you register it online at www.hitachi-powertools.co.uk within 4 weeks of purchase. The drill also comes with; a variable two-speed motor, a compact and light weight body of only 1kg, a standard battery fitting that is compatible with existing Hitachi 10.8 Volt cordless tools, a maximum torque of 22Nm and 21 stage adjustable torque settings amoungst other great features. Hitachi are leaders in power tool technology and this is just one of the many high quality power tools that are taking the DIY market by storm.
WIN
To enter log onto www.stylistahomes.co.uk/competitions
Husky Retail Ltd is giving Stylista Homes’ readers the chance to win one of its HN6 Reflections Slimline Wine Coolers worth around £150, just in time for you to entertain your family and friends with a refreshing glass of wine during the Christmas holiday. Digitally controlled by a touch screen, the wine cooler holds up to 12 bottles of wine. Being thermo-electrically powered, you can set the temperature between 8-18ºC, making it the optimum condition for storing red, white or rose wines. Its quiet operation, slimline cabinet and chromeplated wine shelving makes it ideal for use in any entertainment area, whilst the subtle interior lighting and blue lit digital display adds ambience to any occasion.
To enter log onto www.stylistahomes.co.uk/competitions
WIN
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WIN
Ruark Audio is giving one lucky winner the chance to win a gorgeous R1 MkII DAB/FM radio. The world’s most beautiful radio performs and looks better than ever and is fully portable. Despite only having launched in 2006, the original R1 is already recognised as a design classic. The Sunday Telegraph called it: “The Aston Martin of DAB radios”. The R1 MkII has the option to be made completely portable thanks to an optional hand-stitched leather carry case and battery pack. The luxurious ‘CarryPack’, available in tan or black full-grain leather, offers protection and oozes style; while the stylish ‘BackPack’ NiMH battery system gives users the freedom to carry the new R1 around, indoors and out without compromising sound quality. Perfect for 21st century country living, the elegant Ruark Audio R1 MkII in its carry-case will
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complement any occasion, from Glyndbourne to Henley to languorous summer picnics. Carefully crafted inside as well as out, the R1 MkII uses Ruark Audio’s hi-fi pedigree to produce stunning room-filling sound from a surprisingly small box. Along with the benefits of crystal clear DAB digital radio, the Ruark Audio R1 gives greater control of its exceptional sound, with adjustable bass and treble controls. It also features an input to play audio from an iPod, or other audio device, plus a line-out socket to connect to an existing hi-fi. Available in Rich Walnut, Midnight Black or Dream White the Ruark R1 is this year’s must-have item.
To enter log onto www.stylistahomes. co.uk/competitions
WIN Win Tickets to Grand Designs Live Birmingham 2012 Grand Designs Live, returns to Birmingham for the 7th year running! The UK’s most popular contemporary home show; Grand Designs Live, will be making a welcomed return to the NEC for the 7th year running from the 12th – 14th October 2012, showcasing a range of innovative and inspirational ideas for visitors and aspiring self-builders. To celebrate the show’s return to the NEC, Stylista Homes is offering readers the chance to win one of 5 PAIRS of tickets to the event. Visitors will be able to come and explore over six different sections which include: Grand Build sponsored by VELUX, Grand Interiors sponsored by Dulux, Grand Kitchens sponsored by Miele, Grand Bathrooms, Grand Technology and Grand Gardens, with over 500 exhibiting companies and 100’s of products that you simply won’t find on the high street.
To enter log onto www.stylistahomes.co.uk/competitions - CLOSES 5TH October 2012
Subscribe Don’t forget to sign up to Stylista Homes and make sure you’re the first to receive notification of new editions of the digital magazine, competitions, promotions and reader offers and more!
www.stylistahomes.co.uk
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Bakerlicious
national baking week 15-21ST October 2012
Week presents an exciting opportunity for shoppers and retailers at Westfield Stratford City. Baking has become a national past time and we are delighted to host this bastion of Britishness at the centre. There is no better location to host the Nations’ Cake than at Stratford, hosting the ‘greatest show on earth’, the Olympic and Paralympic Games.” In a year when we know what it is to be ‘truly British’, National Baking Week 2012 is taking over October (15th-21st) with a celebration of what makes our nation great. To mark the event, a map of the UK made entirely of cake will be created and housed at prestigious shopping and leisure destination Westfield Stratford City. Alex Blyth, Marketing Manager at NBW campaign partner and kitchen favourite Pyrex, said: “We want to make this year’s event bigger than ever and what better way to grab the attention of the shopping public than with an oversized cake featuring recognisable UK monuments and landmarks (also made of cake)? In the run up to the week we’ll be encouraging our facebook visitors to suggest their favourite UK landmarks and then vote for their favourites to be featured on the cake.” Baker extraordinaire Ruth Clemens will be back to front the campaign, creating a variety of hints and tips and new recipes, some of which will be available as videos. Ruth will be holding a live Tweet cast with fans and followers from the cake at Westfield Stratford City in October. It’s the perfect opportunity for visitors to ask their baking questions. Myf Ryan, General Marketing Manager, Westfield UK said: “This partnership with National Baking
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This year the campaign will be supporting Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity by encouraging people to raise money for the charity through a range of activities. “We’re delighted to have teamed up with National Baking Week,” said Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity Senior Fundraising Executive Hayley Richardson. “Great Ormond Street Hospital provides inspirational and world-class care to hundreds of children every day. But we need to raise over £50 million every year to help keep the magic alive. We rely heavily on fundraising to carry out our vital work and NBW has lots going on to get people involved and fundraising. There will be a charity baking experience auction, special Baking Kits for sale, a downloadable Bake Sale pack for people to hold their own bake sale, not to mention appearances from Great Ormond Street Hospital’s supporter TV star Lisa Faulkner.” Joining Pyrex, Kenwood, Silver Spoon Create, JUST MILK, Allinson Flour, Billington’s and, new addition for 2012, Stork Butter will support the week, getting involved with plenty of competitions, giveaways and baking hints and tips.
You can share your baking stories now at www. facebook.com/BakingWeek and www.twitter.com/ bakingweek
dunelm mill Rochelle Collection Round Cake Box £12.99 Afternoon Tea Collection Set of 4 Pots £2.99 Afternoon Tea Serving Plate £2.49 Rochelle Collection Large Cake Stand £14.99 Hanson 5KG Traditional Kitchen Scales £12.99, Dotty Collection Taupe PVC Fabric £9.99 per metre (reverse side photographed), Tala Pack of 100 Small Muffin Cases £5.99 Pack of 3 Cottage Floral Tea Towels £4.99 All from dunelm-mill.com
Malou White Sugar Shaker 1950’s Frilly Pinny Pink And Blue Rose This is a gorgeous handmade 1950’s inspired frilly pinny. The central part of the apron and lining is made with Tilda fabric, the frill and waistband is a complimenting pale pink cotton. It has a 3” frill edging, the apron is knee length and has long apron ties to allow for a pretty bow at the back. This would be a fabulous gift for any keen cook! Dimensions 21” wide 22” long, waist band 80” long. Hand made in the UK by Sew make Me £35.50 wowthankyou.co.uk
Ceramic Sugar Shaker in Malou White print. Measures 9.5cm(h). Rubber bung to refill the shaker. Dishwasher proof, high grade stoneware £12.50 berryred.co.uk
Mason Cash God Save The Cream Bowl A traditional creaming bowl perfect for mixing up your favourite ingredients. £14.99 dunelm-mill.com
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Billington’s – Tuxedo Cheesecake
Ingredients Base 300g digestive biscuits, crushed 100g Stork tub, melted Cheesecake 500g cream cheese 200ml soured cream 3 eggs, large 175g Billington’s Golden Caster Sugar 1 tsp vanilla extract Topping 75g Stork packet 150g Silver Spoon Create Dark Chocolate 2 tbsps golden syrup Oven Temp: 140c (fan)/160c/Gas Mark 3.
Method Crush the digestive biscuits to crumbs and add the melted butter stirring well to combine thoroughly. Tip the mixture into the base of an 8” springform deep tin and press down evenly using the back of spoon. In the bowl of a food processor place the cream cheese, soured cream, eggs and golden caster sugar.
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Blitz until the mixture is evenly combined. Pour carefully into the tin over the prepared base and bake in the oven for 1 hour until the cheesecake has just a slight wobble to the centre. Remove from the oven. Allow to cool for a minimum of 4 hours, ideally overnight in the fridge. Prepare the topping. Melt the butter, chocolate and golden syrup in a pan over a gentle heat stirring until fully combined. Set to one side and allow to cool for 30 minutes. Carefully remove the cheesecake from the tin and set onto a serving plate. Pour the cooled chocolate mixture over the top and spread carefully using a knife. Serve. Preparation Time: 30 minutes Bake Time: 1 hour plus minimum 4 hours chilling Equipment: Scales, Oven thermometer, 8” deep springform tin, rolling pin, large plastic sandwich bags, spoon, pan, food processor, tin foil, palette knife Makes: 1 x 8” Cheescake
Pumpkin and Orange Spider Muffins Liquorice sweets and laces to decorate
Servings: makes 12 Preparation time: 10-15 minutes Cooking time: 20-25 minutes 175g (6 oz) Stork Baking Liquid 175g (6 oz) Billington’s Golden Caster Sugar 300g (11 oz) Allinson Nature Friendly White Self-raising Flour, sieved 3 medium eggs 5 tablespoons JUST MILK ½ teaspoon baking powder 100g cooked pumpkin or butternut squash, mashed 50g chocolate and hazelnut spread Zest of 1 orange Topping 115g Billington’s Golden Icing Sugar A little orange juice 55g (2 oz) plain chocolate, melted or use chocolate and hazelnut spread
1. Place 12 muffin cases into a muffin tray. 2. Place the first six ingredients into a bowl, and beat with a wooden spoon until the mixture is smooth. 3. Stir in pumpkin mash and orange zest and divide half the mixture evenly between the paper cases, add a half teaspoon chocolate spread and then top with remaining mix. 5. Bake in a pre-heated oven for 20-25 minutes oven 200°C, 180°C (fan assisted), Gas mark 6 for 20-25 minutes. 6. Add a little orange juice to the icing sugar until thick and spread over the muffins. Pipe the melted chocolate in 4 circles over the top and then drag a skewer through to give the cobweb effect. Place the sweets and laces on top to look like a spider.
Recipes & images courtesy of nationalbakingweek.co.uk
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Garden
Preparations I think we can safely say that Autumn is here, dark evenings, wet weather and leaves just beginning to turn brown. It’s time to tidy up the garden, make room in the sheds to store anything precious like the new BBQ (which you probably didn’t get a great deal of use out of this summer!) and cover up beloved garden furniture. Once you’ve had a tidy up, here’s what you need to be doing in October to keep your garden looking good ...
• • • • • • • •
Plant Autumn colour Create a bird feeding area Move tender plants inside or into a greenhouse to protect against frost, or fleece Harvest autumn vegetables Collect falling leaves Plant spring flowering bulbs Prune tall growing roses Dead head all faded flower heads and remove any parts of plants that have died back
Aged Watering Can Hooks A Set of five hooks with an aged rust look mounted onto natural green slate. Perfect for a house lobby or in a shed / greenhouse. Size: L50cm H10cm D7cm £28 bubbledrum.co.uk
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Wicker Storage/Planter Basket With this very large wicker basket, perfect for storing anything from toys to logs. This basket is not just for indoors it can also be used outdoors as well, making it a stunning container for some gorgeous plants. Natural wicker in colour and made from thick woven strands with no sharp edges, a great quality that has to be seen. Certainly a basket that’s made to last and definitely worth it. Size: Diam 80cm x H60cm £134.95 desresdesign.co.uk
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Living Larder Cloche Protect your plants, veg and herbs over the colder months with the new Living Larder Cloche. Based on a Victorian design, this Cloche will fit neatly over your plants on the ground or directly onto a Sparrow & Finch raised Living Larder planter. The compact design means that it doesn’t take up much space in the garden, and the hinged top allows you to decide how wide you would like it to open. It even folds flat for storage. The glazing consists of two 4mm polycarbonate. This gives a heat retention “R” value of 1.42, which is more efficient than greenhouse glass. It diffuses the light better than glass too, and it is also stronger. £75.00 .sparrowandfinch.co.uk
Grown in the UK bucket One of these fabulous buckets is just pefect to collect your home grown vegetables in. £18 gardentrading.co.uk
Took And Tuck Box The Tool and Tuck Box is a perfect gift for any allotment or vegetable patch owner. The maroon coloured powder coated steel box has plenty of room for hand tools, seeds and last but not least your sandwiches! A generous internal space accommodates all your veg patch essentials such as a trowel, secateurs, twine, labels, etc - while the sliding compartment in the lid holds vital gardener sustenance. The Tool and Tuck Box is part of Burgon and Ball’s Grow Your Own range of storage. £24 alltidiedandlitup.co.uk
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Tools of
the trade Willow Planter
Salad & Veg Planter Burgon & Ball’s Willow planter set comes in two colours (natural and white colours) and supplied with a greenhouse cover, a pest control cover and a set of cane and cover supports for best results. Grow your own fresh vegetables all year round with this handy planter set. QVC Price £49.00 Item Number 565221
Burgon & Ball Potato Growing Set. Features a willow planter designed for successful potato growing, a unique potato harvesting scoop and a pair of natural jute ‘Spuds’ storage sacks. Get delicious, home grown new or maincrop potatoes year after year with this durable planter set. QVC Price £37.00 Item Number 565223
Cold Frame There is plenty of space in this Cold Frame for young plants. Only the finest materials are used to create the frame – solid brass hinges and handles, and two ply 4mm polycarbonate for the glazing (as on the Living Larder Cloche). Holes are added on the side for ventilation and the windows open fully too. Available from Sparrow & Finch £450 sparrowandfinch.co.uk
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Lawn love
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Top tips on how to take care of your lawn over the Autumn period Research commissioned by the HTA has shown that 80% of people with a garden have a lawn. Autumn is considered the key time in the lawn care calendar. It is the ideal time for a garden pick-me-up following the summer months and to prepare the lawn for winter. Here are a few jobs to do over the Autumn period to keep your lawn in great condition: Keep your lawn clear It is important that you keep the surface of your lawn clear during the Autumn months. With leaves starting to fall, it is important to regularly rake the lawn and keep it clear, as a thick layer of leaves will smother a lawn and weaken the grass, and provide winter shelter for unwelcome garden pests. Lawn Feeding After the constant mowing over the spring and summer months, it is important to feed your lawn before the colder winter temperatures set in. Treat your lawn with an Autumn fertiliser that will both feed your lawn and kill moss at the same time. If you start treating your lawn from September, you will be rewarded with a greener lawn this autumn and in spring with a lawn which is refreshed and ready for another summer. Mowing As the weather turns colder, the rate at which your lawn grows will slow down. Make sure you adjust the cutting height on your lawnmower so that it cuts the grass higher. Mow about once a fortnight until about mid October, depending on the weather conditions.
Images courtesy of Q Lawns
Aeration Improve drainage in your lawn by aerating in the Autumn months. By using a fork or spiked instrument, this will allow rain and air to penetrate the lawn more deeply and at the same time relieve any compaction. Seeding Autumn is the prime time to seed your lawn as the ground is still warm and ideal for germination. This is also the ideal time for lawn repairs and the re-seeding of bare patches to ensure your lawn is lush and green come spring.
Leaves Bin (above) How about this funky bin to keep the autumn leaves at bay. Size: H45 x W58cm ÂŁ14.95 theholdingcompany.co.uk
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Grow your own Christmas dinner this Autumn
W
hat a wonderful idea! Imagine serving up your own deliciously grown vegetables this Christmas, our friends at the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) are running a “Plan it, Plant it this Autumn” campagin. A new initiative that aims to tap into the nation’s growing interest in gardening and encourages consumers to engage in a wide range of autumn gardening activities including lawn care, autumn planting, planting trees, fruit and berries, grow your own, wild bird care and planning ahead for spring. They are brimming with advice and ideas, here’s some great pointers on what to plant now from the experts at the HTA.
Fresh new vegetables with your Christmas dinner from your own garden and harvested the same day can still be achieved if you plant this autumn. Under the Plan, it Plant it this Autumn campaign, the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) is advising consumers there is still time to plant vegetables and salad crops in time to accompany the turkey on the big day. The ideal time for planting is early September to get the Christmas crop. At this time, the temperature is
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still relatively warm and the soil is full of moisture making ideal conditions for growing. Many retailers and mail order companies are still selling vegetables seeds that if sown now, can be harvested during the festive period.
Potatoes
Seed potatoes are also readily available for autumn planting and can be planted straight away into soil without chitting. First and second early varieties potatoes such as Maris Peer and Charlotte take approximately 12 weeks from planting to cropping so planting in September is ideal.
Carrots
Home grown carrots have delicious sweet taste and no Christmas dinner would be complete without them. Like potatoes, seed to harvest is approximately 12 weeks. Varieties such as Chantenay Red Cored or Autumn King is quick and easy to grow in both beds and containers. If a hard frost threatens, protect your carrot crop with heavy mulch.
Other root vegetables such as turnips thrive in the autumn months. Varieties such as ‘Purple Top Milan’ can be planted approximately 4-6 weeks before the first frost. It is very quick maturing and can be harvested just 8 weeks from sowing.
‘Chesnok Red’, “Elephant Garlic” and “Carcassonne Wight” and soft neck varieties like ‘Avignon Wight’, ‘Albigensian Wight’ and ‘Wight Christo’ Bulbs are readily available from garden centres and mail order companies from September onwards.
Kale
SALAD
If you’re looking to some grow meaty leaves to accompany your Christmas dinner, you have to include kale in your vegetable patch. Varieties such as ‘Nero Do Toscana’ stand well in winter and take approximately 12 weeks to grow. Ensure that you pick the young Kale leaves for a tender, richlyflavoured addition to your Christmas cooking.
Beetroot
Beetroot is also a quick growing vegetable and can be sown from seed in the autumn. They are suitable to grow in cooler climes and require very little maintenance once in the ground. Once planted in autumn, they can be harvested in approximately 8 weeks.
Garlic
Garlic can also be grown in the autumn, planting now increases the chance of developing decent bulbs before Christmas. There are a wide selection to choose from including hard neck varieties such as
Not only can you grow vegetables during the autumn months, salads can be grown for a late Indian summer and leaves can be harvested in October/November. ‘Winter Salad Cut & Come Again Mix’, made up of chard, lettuce and wild rocket, can be picked continuously throughout winter and is Ideal for salads or stir-fries. The plants will continue to grow and produce leaves even after several cuttings, thus assuring a constant supply over the autumn and winter months. David Arnold, Sales and Marketing Director of Suttons Seeds said: “A lot of people don’t realise that vegetable seeds can still be sown in autumn. Suttons Seeds aim to bring as many varieties to our customers as possible which can be sown and grown throughout the year so that their gardens and kitchens are always bountiful. A lot of people do not realise that some types of kale, carrots, potatoes, turnip and chard can be sown in early to mid September and be ready in time for Christmas Dinner.”
PETRA’S EASY GRIP ADD ON HANDLE Peta’s wide range of ergonomic gardening tools enables everyone to continue enjoying their gardens without the pain and discomfort experienced when using conventional tools. From the Easi-Grip Trowel and Easi-Grip Fork to Peta’s Add-On Handle, which can be fitted to regular garden tools to convert them to ergonomic grip, there is something to help everyone continue gardening with ease. All Peta gardening tools
have been designed in response to feedback from occupational therapists and have a specially angled handle making them supremely comfortable to use. By keeping your hand and wrist in a natural position they eliminate the strains and blisters that can be caused by conventional style garden tools and the
“soft-feel” grip has a non-slip, waterproof finish, making the tools easy to grip even with wet hands.
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stylistaboutique.co.uk
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