Home magazine autumn 15

home

Autumn 2015

ENERGY MATTERS Simple ways to save

money on your heating

AUTUMN INTERIORS

Seasonal furniture & accessories

FABULOUS FLOORS Carpet styles to take your home into autumn

Sofia Wilton Pattern Carpet in Red Floral (£32.99 m”)www.carpetright.co.uk

www.homemag.co.uk

Home Magazine Autumn 2015

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Home Magazine Autumn 2015

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Editor’s Note Welcome to the autumn issue of Home Magazine! As we all start to think about battening down the hatches and settling in for the autumn, a renewed interest in home improvement is often inevitable. Whether this means moving home (page 18), or simply making some changes or upgrades to your existing one, we’ve got some ideas and inspiration to help you on your way. Comfort is everything when it comes to autumn, so why not invest in a new sofa or relaxing chair before the cold evenings really set in (page 4). We’ve also got some furnishing and accesory ideas to help set the seasonal tone (page 13) and equip your kitchen for the months of home cooking and baking ahead (page 15). Or, if you’re feeling creative, why not try your hand at upcycling (page 11)? With entertaining at home likely to be a mainstay of our social calenders over the coming months, why not get your dining room ready for the occasion (page 12) with some design ideas for what research has shown to be the most valued room in our modern day homes.

Take a seat-

16 page 4

Marvellous metallics - page 10

Autumn interiors -

Enjoy the issue!

Caroline Seekings

Baked to perfection -

page 13

page 14

Editor

Contents 4 Take a seat

5 Fabulous floors

This season’s most comfortable seating

6 Soak in style

Give your carpets a seasonal make-over

7 The sensory home Turn bath time into a treat

8 Energy matters

Transform the atmosphere of your home

13 Autumn interiors

10 Marvellous metallics

14 Baked to perfection

Furniture and accessories for the season

Add some metallic elegance to your home

11 Self style your home

Everything you need to get your baking plans started

12 Fine dining

Three of the best independent home furnishing providers

17 Independent living

How to create beautiful furniture & accessories

18

Make the most of your dining room

home

Autumn 2015

ENERGY MATTERS Simple ways to save

money on your heating

AUTUMN INTERIORS

Seasonal furniture & accessories

FABULOUS FLOORS Carpet styles to take your home into autumn

Sofia Wilton Pattern Carpet in Red Floral (£32.99 m”)www.carpetright.co.uk

www.homemag.co.uk

www.homemag.co.uk

Home Magazine Autumn 2015

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homemag1 @homemagazine1 @home_mag

www.homemag.co.uk

Chain reactions

Smooth the process of moving home

Save money this autumn

Information in Home Magazine is not intended as a substitute for advice and/or guidance by professionals in the property field.

Opinions expressed in Home Magazine are not necessarily Uri GELLER those of the publisher, and the magazine is in no way liable for any such opinions.

Whilst every effort is made to ensure that the content of this publication is accurate, we cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies.

No advertisement, article, or image may be reproduced

without the written permission of the publishers.

Kim IT support

Produced by:

LIFESTYLE

MAGAZINES

Lifestyle Magazines Limited www.lifestyle-magazines.co.uk

Caroline Editor

Chrissy Features Editor

Amy Column ist

Richard her Photograp

Editor Caroline Seekings Tel: 07834 233346 Email: caroline@lifestylemagazines.co.uk Cover image Sofia Wilton Pattern Carpet in Red Floral (£32.99 m”) www.carpetright.co.uk

Meet the team Home Magazine Autumn 2015

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Take a seat

Autumn is the time to put your feet up, and what better way to do so than with this season’s most comfortable (and colourful) seating

The Sixty Three armchair, £830 http://www.gplanvintage.co.uk

Parlane Squirrel Stool £49 from http://www.tuttidecor.co.uk

This Emilio Bench Stool in apple Height: 40 x width: 150 x depth: 45cm Priced at £299 www.sabichi.co.uk Large stag cushion £30 from http://www.tuttidecor.co.uk 4

Home Magazine Autumn 2015

Magis Proust Orange £696.00 www.design55online.co.uk

Sofa from http://dosouthshop.com www.homemag.co.uk

The top 3 Seasonal rugs

Fabulous floors Give your floors a seasonal make-over

Keep your floors in tip top condition

New Wave collection rug www.kelaty.com

Floorwhash is ideal for regular/daily cleaning of the floors in your home, including ceramic and natural stone tiles, wooden floors or carpets & rugs. It is also ideal for cleaning textured floors and grouting where dirt normally traps to during regular mopping. Floorwash is new to the UK and available only through Britannia Floor Care & Restoration. www.brittaniafloorcare.co.uk

Micro-tufted, pure wool Camden Rug www.kelaty.com

e l a S n Autum Up to 40% Off

Luxury Brazilian Cowhide Rugs & Soft Deep Pile Sheepskins

Extra 5% Off for Home Readers

Enter home5 at checkout valid until 25th December Patchwork cowhide rug ÂŁ168 www.hiderugs.co.uk www.homemag.co.uk

w w w. hi deru gs . co . uk Home Magazine Autumn 2015

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Soak style in

Three simple steps to help turn bath time into a treat

1. Music The Waterproof Floating Bluetooth Speaker is great for relaxing with tunes in the tub. With a floating feature and Bluetooth technology embedded you can keep your music device away from water damage and keep your waterproof speaker close.

Includes a built in rechargeable battery (simply hook it up with a USB charger) and 4 hours of playback time. The white and blue designed device will float and is compatible with all smartphones, tablets and iPods.

Available at www.prezzybox.com for only £24.95

2. Set the tone

Candles are an effective way of creating a relaxing ambience in a bathroom, as the combination of a soothing scents and a subtle glow work to transform an ordinary bathroom into a spalike sancturary in which to relax away the stresses of the day.

www.yankeecandle.co.uk

Above: Olive & Fig Candle in a Glass £24 www.heylandandwhittle.co.uk Left: Roses tealight set £15 http://www.tuttidecor.co.uk

editorial

3. Upgrade your tub If you’re thinking of upgrading your bathroom, then European Bathrooms have the knowledge and experience to work with and guide you to deliver the perfect solution that suits your style and budget, whether it’s for a large luxury family bathroom or simply getting the most from a small simple en-suite. They can either supply all or a selection of the parts you require or fully project manage your installation from start to finish. They only use quality craftsmen who will carry out the work with the greatest of professionalism and attention to detail.

‘Candles are an effective way of creating a relaxing ambience in a bathroom’

www.europeanbathrooms.com 6

Home Magazine Autumn 2015

www.homemag.co.uk

Mardi Gras Sagre 599 (£12.99m”) www.carpetright.co.uk

Embrace a floral theme in your home this summer

‘Sound Shui’ Advocates of Feng Shui believe it is possible to achieve greater harmony at home through the judicious use of sound. ‘Sound Shui’ takes Feng Shui, the Chinese art of ‘placement’, one step further - offering insight into the interplay of sound and music and how these can affect harmony in the home, our moods and performance. Something as simple as having the right sound system, such as Sony’s Multi-Room audio and positioning it in the right place can truly influence harmonious living. ‘Sound Shui’ expert Jan Cisek explains, “Sound is vibration. Sound is energy (chi). And in the home, it is important to keep the energy flowing to give you more magic moments in every aspect of your life: your family, your love life, your career and your happiness.Think for a moment about your own home.

I’m sure you can identify areas which do not feel harmonious and which feel stagnant, and apply Sound Shui thinking to these areas. Music is an individual choice and it affects different people differently, so you are completely free to choose the music which makes you feel good, active, energised, relaxed, creative and romantic – however you want to feel. Place the speakers in the corner of your living room and this will result in the room being filled with your inspiring music, creating a softer, surround sound which will open up your senses, expand your consciousness and imprint a deep sense of calm throughout. www.sony.net http://www.fengshuilondon.net

Smells like home Smell is a particularly evocative sense, with many people taking advantage of this power as we head into winter, and towards the festive period. For example, almost half of Brits cite the aroma of mulled wine as their favourite festive fragrance, closely followed by firewood (46%) and orange and cinnamon (45%).To tie in with the holiday season Interiors expert Amanda Lamb has joined forces with Air Wick Life Scents to launch a Christmas-themed “Mulled Wine by the Fire”, fragrance, a warm, festive scent of Firewood, Orange and Warm Cinnamon. Amanda comments: “When thinking about decorating your home over Christmas, remember to fill your space with scent to enhance that festive, feel-good atmosphere within it. I like to fill my home with zesty orange and festive spiced cinnamon using Air Wick Life Scents Mulled Wine by the Fire to create a truly nostalgic, winterwarming and joyful spirit.”

The

sensory home

How sound, sight and smelll can transform the atmosphere of your home

Plant power Feng shui experts recommend always being aware of the quality of your indoor air and taking steps to improve it with indoor plants! There are many air-purifying plants, including the bamboo palm, the rubber plant and the Boston Fern.

The placement of plants will balance energy (or ‘Chi’), and create a sense of harmony in every room in the home.

The next best thing...

If real plants are too much upkeep, Air Wick fragrances are available from Asda, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, there is an alternative! While you Morrisons and Wilko from £4 (RRP). might not get the air-purifying benefits, Abigail Ahern’s collection of life-like faux desert stems and cacti are sure to brighten up any room! www.abigailahern.com

www.homemag.co.uk

Home Magazine Autumn 2015

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Watch your water THE AVERAGE UK household with a water meter is at risk of pouring money down the drain, according to research carried out by e-tailer AppliancesDirect (http:// www.appliancesdirect.co.uk) Almost half of UK households now have water meters, which means every drop of water counts as it’s added to the bill. A recent survey has revealed the majority of households are underestimating their water usage and are not making a conscious effort to be more water efficient.

66% say the main appliances in their home are more than five years old – indicating the out of date, inefficient household appliances could be grounds for wasted water and in turn, wasted money.

The research also shows how adapting the way families use water in the home can lead to savings.

To save water, follow the following simple tips: 1.When brushing your teeth, remember to turn off the tap in between using it. It’s very easy to leave the tap running, but a running tap wastes 6 litres of water every minute.

Cut down the time spent in the shower by 1 minute every day. This could save a family of four up to 180,000 litres per year.

2. Catch rain water in a vat in the garden to use for watering plants, rinsing the patio or washing down muddy wellies.

3. Ensure your dishwasher is fully loaded before turning it on. When buying a dishwasher, ensure that it’s a suitable size for your household; this will help when it comes to filling it. For example, a young professional couple don’t require a family sized dishwasher that uses more water.

4. When washing up, use a washing up bowl in the sink rather than leave the tap pouring. This can reduce water waste by 50%.

5. Read the manual that came with your washing machine.

There will be settings on your machine that are specifically for energy efficient, everyday cycles.

6. Steam your veggies rather than boil them. Not only will this help save on water bills, but it’s healthy too.

Cast iron savings Cast iron was the material of choice for radiators when they were first introduced. Today, these radiators bring authenticity to period properties and inject a timeless quality to contemporary interiors. The Radiator Centre’s range of cast iron radiators are designed with today’s high standards in mind, with no compromise in quality and efficiency. This is all achieved whilst still retaining the original beauty of these timeless pieces. From cast iron column radiators to traditional floor standing bench radiators, there is something to fit any space. www.theradiatorcentre.com

ENERGY MATTERS Simple ways to save money this autumn

Upgrade your old conservatory Many homeowners with an older conservatory find themselves unable to make best use of the space due to poor insulation, which can lead to extremes in temperature – freezing cold in winter and unbearably hot in summer.

Synseal’s contemporary Celsius Solid Roof insulation offers high levels of thermal insulation, making a conservatory usable 365 days of the year. The product can also help save money on heating bills, www.synseal-homeowner.co.uk

‘Adding warm

Installing a water colours to meter walls might seem like the most effective way for families will helpwater to conscious in to become more alleviate a frostybills (2 in 3 order reduce household claim feeling to have in installed the meter for a room’ this very reason) but 1 in 3 say they are yet to feel the financial benefits of the installation 8

Home Magazine Autumn 2015

www.homemag.co.uk

NHBC’s top tips to keep heating costs down With the cost of energy bills a big concern for UK households, there are lots of simple things you can do to reduce your gas and electric usage. NHBC, the leading standard-setting body and warranty provider for new homes, offers the following advice:

If a radiator is warm at the bottom but cool at the top, this could mean there is air in the system, which may require bleeding to ensure maximum efficiency

· Service your heating system – all central heating boilers should be serviced and safety checked at least once a year by a Gas Safe Registered engineer. If your boiler is old, then consider an upgrade – according to the Energy Saving Trust, a new A-rated condensing boiler can save up to £305 a year on heating bills, which is great news if you’re in a new-build home. · Room temperature controls – your thermostat should typically be set between 18°C and 21°C, but by installing thermostatic radiator valves you can set different temperatures in different rooms, according to individual preference. These will be standard in new homes, but are easily fitted to existing radiators. · Check your radiators – if a radiator is warm at the bottom but cool at the top, this could mean there is air in the system, which may require bleeding to ensure maximum efficiency of the heating system. · Loft insulation - insulating your loft is a simple, inexpensive and effective way to reduce energy waste and lower your heating bills. All new homes are fitted with loft insulation that meets the latest building regulations of 270mm (11”), but if you are in an older property you may want to think about a top-up. · Floorboards and skirting boards – an important job as winter approaches is to make sure that your house is free of draughts.

Floorboards and skirtings usually go ignored but cold air can easily filter through, so check for gaps and fill them in. · Letterboxes – check to see if your letterbox is draughty, which can lead to cold hallways and a potential increase in fuel bills. Installing a letter box draught excluder that fits onto the inside of your front door is an inexpensive easy DIY job. · Windows – energy-efficient glazing keeps your home warmer, allowing less heat to be lost.

Double glazing is fitted as standard to a newbuild home, but if your house is older replacing windows could be a good investment as they help to keep warmth in, and reduce external noise. · Use curtains to retain heat – it’s important to try to get as much sunlight into your home during the day as possible. But as soon as dusk falls, remember to close curtains to retain heat within your home and reduce the need for additional heating.

For more information and to download a handy checklist, please visit www.nhbc.co.uk/ homeowners/guidanceandadvice www.homemag.co.uk

ousing and h o t g in d r o the Acc ity Shelter, r a h c s s e n le homeless n from peop e k ta lls a c number of he ir homes t r fo y a p o struggling t soared by s a h t s a E in the South e last two years. in th over 69% shelter.org.uk

Insulating your loft is a simple, inexpensive and effective way to reduce energy waste and lower your heating bills ARE YOU IN CREDIT? The UK’s major energy suppliers recently launched a nationwide campaign to help reunite customers with cash owed to them by their former energy supplier. 'My Energy Credit' enables energy consumers to claim credit repayments through a new 'My Energy Credit' helpline 0370 737 7770 (www.myenergycredit.com.) The credit has typically been left behind by customers who have moved address, switched supplier, or left unclaimed credit when closing the estate of a relative who has passed away.

ENERGY EFFICIENT HOME IMPROVEMENTS; DO YOU QUALIFY? According to research, few people take advantage of government subsidies for energy efficiency home improvements. Pay4Later believes that the low take-up of these government subsidies is down to a lack of awareness, the application process sometimes being too complicated and taking too long, and that many don’t want to pay for a survey to see if they qualify (the cost of this can be over £100). It also says that people are increasingly waking up to the fact that they may find a more competitive financial deal elsewhere. In terms of the energy efficiency home improvements most people plan to make, 35% intend to improve their property’s draft proofing, and 31% are looking to enhance insulation levels in their homes, while some 30% are looking to replace windows and doors. www.pay4later.com Home Magazine Autumn 2015

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COOPER Pendant Lamp, £115 www.cuckooland.com

Merle Copper Ceiling Pendants – Medium £115 http://www.unitedfurnishings.co.uk

Marvellous metallics Bring a touch of metallic elegance to your home

Retro 746 Telephones in Copper, Silver and Brass.

Retro 746 Telephones, £49.95 www.cuckooland.com

Mirrors by

OOilie Clarissa Mirror £240 www.mirrorsbyottilie.com

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Home Magazine Autumn 2015

www.mirrorsbyottilie.com www.homemag.co.uk

Self-style your

home

Forget up cycling, for house-proud Brits it’s all about ‘up and up cycling’, as its revealed 2 in 5 British adults have bought furniture brand new and renovated it to a high standard with a unique look or to add value.

A study of 1,000 households by Furniture123.co.uk, exposed an interiors trend taking the UK by storm, as people look to make the most of the bargain furniture available and refurbish it creating unique, statement pieces for the home.

The trend is most popular with women, aged 25-30, with 4 in 5 admitting to either having up and up cycled once in their life or planning to do so with a piece of furniture they have recently bought.

The up cycling trend, where by people restore old discarded furniture that have been bought from charity shops or have salvaged is now a thing of the past, as keen interior novices lean towards brand new budget items that they are able to add value to by painting or adding detail.

As more and more of us take control of our purse strings by getting creative, a thriving community of upcyclers has emerged to create beautiful products on a budget

Getting started...

Make your home uniquely yours with this comprehensive one-stop guide to creating your own bespoke soft furnishings.

Handmade Interiors guides you through projects ranging from cushion covers, curtains and blinds to bedding, lampshades and furniture slipcovers.

The most common pieces of furniture that people choose to up and up cycle include bed frames, as 68% of people admit to revitalising the focal point of the bedroom.This is followed closely by wardrobes (51%) and storage boxes (48%) as people opt to add value to larger items in the home.

Every aspect of making your own soft furnishings is covered in detail, from planning and measuring to making up and installing. Advice on fabrics and suggested variations are provided to help you tailor each project to your own space, while expert tips and clever trade secrets ensure your projects have a professional finish.

Second hand style

A section on ‘Putting it all Together’ gives advice on how to use soft furnishings in your home to maximum effect and includes advice for small spaces, for growing families and for renters.

In keeping with the modern trend for upcycling, Gumtree recently challenged a group of leading bloggers and hobbyists to upcycle any item of their choice sourced from their website.

Their unique creations were showcased at the Gumtree Blogger Upcycle Challenge at White Space, London in June and Upcycling expert and designer Max McMurdo was on hand to share his thoughts on the state of upcycling in Britain today as well as pick a winning item from the showcase. www.gumtree.co.uk

Did you know?

2 in 5 adults have ‘up and up cycled’ furniture 1 in 3 up and up cyclers sells on the finished articles for a profit www.homemag.co.uk

Handmade Interiors £20 / www.amazon.co.uk

Don’t miss...

Upstyle Your Furniture by Stephanie Jones is full of top tips to help you transform old furniture into unique and personal statement pieces for your home. £14.99 www.amazon.co.uk

Home Magazine Autumn 2015

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It’s no longer the room people only venture in to on special occasions; the dining room is now the most valuable room in the house.

A study of 1,000 households by Furniture123. co.uk has uncovered 89% of people believe they have spent the most on their dining room furniture over any other room in the house, not including electronics.

Before now families have chosen to gather in the living room, perch in front of the box and eat meals. However, more recently the dining room has become the family hub, as 2 in 3 households say they now actively encourage sitting down at the table and enjoying meals together as a family, and 69% say the dining room is their favourite room in their home.

76% of households claim to spend over 15 hours a week in the dining room, and with the average dining room now costing between £2,500 and £3,000 (including dining table and chairs, side consoles, side dressers, wine racks, mirrors and accessories) - it’s no wonder it’s become the most popular room in the home.

Over half (51%) of adults say that their dining table was the biggest investment they have made in their home, followed by the sofa (32%), and bed (17%).

Dining room style

Country Cottage Oak Extending Dining Table (150 - 195 cm) £559 from www.hampshirefurniture.co.uk

Dining room essentials

If you are to make regular use of your dining room, the table must be large enough to seat all family members comfortably. If the table is too small, meal times are more likely to gravitate away from the dining room into the lounge. Equally if the chairs aren’t comfortable, family members may begin to favour a sofa dinner over sitting at the table. These factors are all things to consider when looking for a new dining room table and chairs. Just as important as the furniture itself is the atmosphere of the room. Stark walls and cold lighting can make the room unwelcoming, so it pays to spend time choosing some appropriate photographs and artwork to personalise your room, and perhaps invest in a floor lamp and a stereo to make the space inviting and relaxing to spend time in.

WE LOVE These practical and colourful knives are designed with a curved tip, hence the name ‘pointless’. They come as a pack of six and each one is emblazoned with the word ‘steak’.

Pointless Steak Knives, £39 Clippings.com

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Home Magazine Autumn 2015

Fine dining

The dining room has been voted the most valuable room in a home, so why not make the most of yours this autumn?

www.homemag.co.uk

Blanket 100% wool 170cm x 130cm £79 http://www.thelittlelondonhome.com/

Cream & Gray floral print cushions. 45cm x45 cm £45 (including cushion pad) http://www.thelittlelondonhome.com/

Lavender Hearts - Hand made with English lavender, tweed & dog print £13 each http://www.thelittlelondonhome.com/ Retro Industrial Tall Storage Cabinet £582 from www.hampshirefurniture.co.uk

autumn interiors

Taupe applique cushion £45 http://www.unitedfurnishings.co.uk

Bleached wooden wall clock £99.99 http://www.unitedfurnishings.co.uk

www.homemag.co.uk

Home Magazine Autumn 2015

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Baked to perfection

Baking has never been more popular, and the darker nights will certainly be seeing even more of us reaching for our wooden spoons. If you’re keen to get started, here’s a quick round up of baker’s must-haves...

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Home Magazine Autumn 2015

www.homemag.co.uk

Sabichi’s compact and stylish Stand Mixer is a must-have for any baker! The mixer has a 3.2 litre stainless steel bowl and comes equipped with baking essentials; hooks, whisk, die cast beaters and 5 speed options. What’s more, its excellent value means you’ll soon be able to give Mary Berry a run for her money!

Priced at £90 www.sabichi.co.uk

Stocked up!

When it comes to storing all your ingredients, a larder is the perfect solution for keeping everything clearly displayed and within easy reach. Many of Rencraft’s larders feature the traditional marble cold shelf, ideal for storing cheese, eggs, fruit and vegetables.

baker’s essentials

In the mix

Kiss The Cook Apron £21.99 from http://www.tuttidecor.co.uk

www.rencraft.co.uk

Shabby Chic Metal Brown ‘Love To Bake’ Biscuit Tin £12.95 from http://www.tuttidecor.co.uk

Blackberry and Apple Crumble Tea Towel £12.95 from http://www.tuttidecor.co.uk www.homemag.co.uk

Home Magazine Autumn 2015

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Chic and affordable solid wood furniture for every home. Our secure online store is a convenient way to shop the latest looks and must-have items.

Free delivery to most mainland UK addresses.

www.hampshirefurniture.co.uk hello@hampshirefurniture.co.uk

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Home Magazine Autumn 2015

www.unitedfurnishings.co.uk in collaboration with Andrea Beckett

www.homemag.co.uk

Independent living

“

Discover three of the leading independent furniture companies taking the online market by storm with their personal and quality approach to home accessories and decor

United Furnishings

New England Ivory Chest of Drawers £264 www.hampshirefurniture.co.uk

At the end of this year, United Furnishings & Home Accessories will proudly be celebrating their 5th year in business! Established in 2010, we pride ourselves on offering customers exceptional customer care, understanding their need to achieve quality, luxury and decorative lifestyle home accessories and décor.

United Furnishings are proud to be working in conjunction with Interior Designer Andrea Beckett whose business was established 9 Years ago. She has outstanding ideas and project managing skills, and anything can be achieved to suit a client’s budget and requirements.

“

Hampshire Furniture

Based in the beautiful countryside of Southern England, Hampshire Furniture is an online retailer of handcrafted, solid wood furniture.

The small and friendly Hampshire Furniture team are passionate about interior design (we handpick our collections to ensure quality and style) and devoted to exceptional customer service. It’s the attention to detail that sets Hampshire Furniture apart from other major furniture retailers.

Every piece in our range is constructed using traditional joinery techniques so you’ll only find solid wood frames, dovetail joints on drawers and tongue and groove panels.

Our ethos is simple: we don’t sell anything that won’t look absolutely fabulous in your home. No fake wood veneers or inauthentic wood effect finishes, just solid wood that looks immeasurably better than cheaper alternatives and will last a lifetime if cared for properly.

With competitive prices, generous cash-back offers on purchases over £1,000 and free delivery to most mainland UK addresses, why choose anyone else?

See the full selection and shop online at www. hampshirefurniture.co.uk. For more information call our friendly team on: 01420 550 525 or email: hello@ hampshirefurniture.co.uk

www.homemag.co.uk

Our new website is now up and running, and we hope you find your browsing and shopping experience more enjoyable and user friendly. Visit www.unitedfurnishings.co.uk to see the exciting new ranges of stylish home accessories. Plus, to celebrate the launch of our new website, we are offering a 20% discount* to customers with this advert. Just enter LMD20 at checkout.

We hope you love what you see.

Contact 01904 691426 or email info@unitedfurnishings.co.uk for further information.

“

*Offer does not include fabrics, wallpapers & interior design services. Offer valid until November 22nd 2015.

The Little London Home

The Little London Home has been set up out of my love and passion for interiors and homes. I think having a beautiful home that is welcoming to friends and family, and more importantly cosy and inviting to you, is the cornerstone of a happy existence.

Home should be a safe, comforting and relaxing place; a place to thrive for both children and adults. And most of all it should reflect you. Your family, friends, likes, passions, hobbies and indulgences. There is nothing I like more than seeing how people decorate and use their homes and setting up this company is an extension of that. No home is perfect, there is no such thing, but every home can have beautiful things in it; furniture, lamps, accessories, pictures, mirrors and personal items that mean so much.

So this is what the LLH is all about. It’s not about need or function (although beautiful things can be both), it’s about making your home your own and reflecting yourself and your family through key pieces that will be around for generations to come. Unless of course you get bored and want to start all over again which is more likely and what home décor is all about!

So happy shopping and I hope you find something that will fit perfectly into your perfect home! Do let us know if there is something particular you are looking for or would like us to source and we will do our best to help. www.thelittlelondonhome.com Home Magazine Autumn 2015

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Timing is everything

Prepare your home to sell

No matter what age you are, whether you are buying or renting, relocating can be an incredibly stressful experience. So if circumstances didn’t dictate, is there a certain time of year that we would choose to move house?

According to David Grundy, CEO of My Online Estate Agent, “first impressions are absolutely key to securing a buyer and simple things like not tidying up or cluttered rooms can instantly turn people off. It’s not always the obvious problems that can lose you a buyer. Simple things like unpleasant smells, dirty dishes or making buyers feel uncomfortable can stop you from securing a sale. Prospective buyers want to see a property that they can imagine themselves living in, a blank canvas to they can make their own. When selling a property it is crucial to put your own preferences and style to one side, and let viewers see what the house can be for them, not what it is for you.

Moving house is often a game of luck; if you fall in love with a property you sometimes have to strike while the iron is hot. You might expect that most people wouldn’t have a preferred time of year to move, but research conducted by Boxes2Move has actually found that out of the 1,000 UK residents they surveyed, 51% would choose to move between April and June.

With more flexibility than long-term home owners, it is not surprising that the 18-24 age group were the most open minded regarding moving dates.

While over 40% of them still stated they would prefer to move in the second quarter of the year, the results were spread quite evenly across the rest of the year. At the other end of the age spectrum however, the over 65’s were very clear when they would like to move house, as over 70% opted to move in between April and June, and less than 2% chose to move in the last quarter of the year.

Both genders are in agreement that the second quarter of the year was the perfect time to move, although men were twice as likely to choose a moving day in the final quarter of the year. Boxes2Move’s research highlighted the differences between regions, as Londoners are 3 times more likely to choose to move house during January to March compared to those living in the North.

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A survey of 2000 home buyers carried out by My Online Estate Agent revealed a number of rare sights and unusual behaviour among sellers, including a coffin in the cupboard, live chickens in the kitchen, carpeted walls and a tree growing through the living room. Strange collectables of dolls and teddies, naked pictures of the property owners and real-life stuffed animals were also credited with putting many people off.

It wasn’t just the surprising findings which seemed to be cause for concern, as 14 per cent of people surveyed said they encountered bizarre behaviour from the seller.

Messy homes were the biggest faux par committed by home owners, identified by 1 in 3 of those who encountered peculiar behaviour, confirming this was due to the owners not making any effort to tidy the property.

Chain reactions

Simple ways to smooth the process of moving home

Store or sell?

Moving house or downsizing can be a very emotional and difficult process. Our personal items contain memories, treasures and connections to the past. When moving house we are often too busy to sell our unwanted items and it might seem easier to use self storage.

Out of sight out of mind, but the storage bill may hurt. Self storage fees are high and you may also need to accept the fact that if stuff has been is storage for more than a year, you don’t need it.

RIGHT TIME TO SELL can help you by taking all the hard work out of selling your unwanted items and converting it into cash. It’s also easier to get rid of things if you know that they will be appreciated again, so why not to sell rather than store it? www.righttimetosellc.o.uk

RIGHT TIME TO SELL

WE SELL YOUR UNWANTED ITEMS ON YOUR BEHALF

ARE YOU MOVING HOUSE, DOWNSIZING, RENOVATING, PAYING TOO HIGH STORAGE FEES? We can sell all your unwanted quality items on your behalf without any hassle!

info@righttimetosell.co.uk / 07857 499 874 www.righttimetosell.co.uk

Home-owners moaning about their current relationship breakdown or divorce was also a common concern, with nearly a quarter of unusual behaviour (21 per cent) from people keen to unburden to potential buyers about their recent break-up.

For helpful hints and tips on how to prepare your property for viewers, visit www.myonlineestateagentc.o.uk

Home Magazine Autumn 2015

www.homemag.co.uk

www.homemag.co.uk

Home Magazine Autumn 2015

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OUR DESIGNERS ARE THE DIFFERENCE

PERFECTION THROUGH DESIGN 01753 865050

europeanbathrooms.com 31 King Edward Court, Windsor, SL4 1TG www.homemag.co.uk

Home Magazine Autumn 2015

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