40 minute read
HOMES INSIDE OUT
Proud to be a family business...
manufacturing locally & employing local people
All our beautiful bespoke furniture is designed and created in our 19th century Lancashire mill.
As a family owned company with over 40 years experience, we are proud to produce exquisite kitchens, bedrooms, bathrooms, studies and AV rooms. Family values are at the very heart of the company and we are proud to be a British manufacturer employing local people.
Our extensive showroom houses over 17 full sized room sets.
Whether it is a bespoke piece of furniture, a room you require or a whole house project, we offer the complete package.
Visit us at our mill, we’d love to show you our stunning showroom.
HOURGLASS STORM LIGHT £425
besselink.com
ANTIQUE FLOOR MIRROR £299
Loom Loft Barrow Brook Business Village Holly Road, Barrow Clitheroe BB7 9WF 01200 404404 loomloft.co.uk
LOCALLY CRAFTED BESPOKE BEDROOM FURNITURE £POA
hartleysbedrooms.co.uk
SLEEP SOUNDLY
Whether you’re looking for romance or practical, roomy storage solutions, these lovely accessories will create a quiet, comfortable space in your bedroom
STATEMENT GREY CHAISE £1150
loomloft.co.uk
CASHMERE HOT WATER BOTTLE £50
initiallylondon.com
LAKE BLUE BED LINEN SET £212.40
pigletinbed.com
PROVENCAL WHITE WIRE FRENCH ARMOIRE £1495
frenchbedroomcompany.co.uk While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, all prices and stockists are subject to change.
GREY THROW £29.99
loomloft.co.uk
JOSEPHINE AND NAPOLEON UPCYCLED CABINETS £775
webbandgray.com
LA CHAPELLE FRENCH STYLE MIRROR £445
frenchbedroomcompany.co.uk
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE
Fire specialists Burning Desire are leading the way when it comes to the latest technology, great craftsmanship and unrivalled customer service. Photography: Kirsten Platt
Afamily business renowned throughout the region for its unrivalled product knowledge and customer service, Burning Desire are specialists in the world of beautiful fires featuring the latest technology.
Run by the Armstrong family for the past 25 years, the team behind Burning Desire focus on traditional values backed up by technical expertise.
Looking after their customers is paramount – so if you long for a woodburner to warm your home, you’re looking for a fire surround to seamlessly blend in with your décor or you may have a modern property that doesn’t have a chimney, the team will visit your home to conduct a survey and they will explain how you can achieve your dream fire!
With innovative technology moving on apace, Burning Desire is aligned with timeless brands which exude traditional craftmanship – they are of the best quality and great value for money.
Driven by a commitment to delivering the highest levels of service, Burning Desire has built a reputation for taking a family-orientated, friendly approach to looking after their customers.
With more than 85 working fires on display, Burning Desire has one of the largest collections in the North West. • Gas fires include DRU – a brand that has its own dedicated showroom –
Paragon and Gazco. • Real woodburning stoves from prestigious names such as Dik Guerts, Clearview,
Stovax, Purevision, Charnwood and
Chesneys, which also has a dedicated showroom. • Fire surrounds in steel, wood, marble, stone, concrete, brick or tile. • Everhot electric range ovens and stoves, handcrafted in the Cotswolds and available in 18 colours.
• Outdoor fire pits, BBQs and garden heaters along with outdoor stoves. • Bioethanol burners. • Kiln dried wood. • Media walls – Burning Desire has seen this trend take-off over the past year.
MEDIA WALLS:
Media Walls are the latest in interior design functionality bringing together a modern electric fireplace, TV, home cinema, music system and shelving.
The centrepiece of your living room, office, dining room or hideaway, the media wall adds value anywhere that will benefit from this space-saving, aesthetically pleasing interior accessory.
Burning Desire are making these happen in households across the region by not only being approved stockists of the most advanced and leading electric fires in Europe, but also by working with other industry experts and craftsmen to create bespoke finishes such as Venetian plastering and Microcement in a range of colours, textures and finishes to suit your home.
Electric fire brands include Polaris, Infinity, Solution Fires, Gazco, Dru and the brand-new Onyx Avanti range – the way they are designed and the technology involved means the heat these fires produce will not adversely affect a TV or any other electronic devices.
The advanced technology offers so much choice in terms of thermostatic remote control, stunning LED lighting effects and flame patterns as well as ultra-realistic log fuel beds.
In addition, one of Burning Desire’s biggest strengths is their ability to design and create bespoke media walls that contain high-efficiency, top spec, ultra-warm gas fires using expert fitters and specialist high-grade heatboard.
At the large industrial unit studio, which is open seven days a week, there is free parking for customers who will be offered a free survey with Burning Desire, which is also a HETAS approved retailer. n
Open seven days a week Free parking outside 85 plus fires available for live demonstration Free survey HETAS approved
WHAT CUSTOMERS SAY…
Burning Desire recently completed the installation of a media wall for a delighted couple from Rossendale. The media wall includes an Infinity i1250 three-sided electric fire, that sits upon a bespoke base with staggered slate tiled walls. The fire boasts a new front log glowing feature, custom built light strip with 13 interchanging colours and three options on flame setting. “We chose Burning Desire because they are local to us – and when we visited their showroom we had no hassle or pressure from them. Craig was very informative and provided great advice and ideas throughout. The fire, tiled wall and TV combination really gives us the wow factor and we absolutely love our front room – everyone that visits say that they want one too!” Mr and Mrs Taylor, Rossendale
SALE STARTS FIRST WEEK IN JANUARY! Monday 3rd January 2022: genuine reductions on most items! Mark downs on 90% of display stock
Burning Desire Unit 9, Cuba Industrial Estate Bolton Road North, Ramsbottom, Bury BL0 0NE 01706 281700 burningdesireuk.com
WHAT GOES AROUND
COMES AROUND
This collection has been inspired by the immense amount of plastic in our oceans
Designer and circular economy advocate Ella Doran has collaborated with communications designer and environmental campaigner Sophie Thomas on a new range of cushions featuring the duo’s bespoke Clean Up Camo textile design, which not only draws attention to the huge quantities of discarded plastic in our oceans, but uses it as inspiration for a series of beautiful products.
The collection has also been chosen to accompany the Design Museum’s current Waste Age: What can design do? exhibition, which tells the story of the environmental crisis. The London exhibition, which runs until 20th February 2022, explores how trash can be transformed into new resources and how design can help usher in a new age, where there is no such thing as waste.
The new collection from Ella and Sophie features photographic designs printed onto recycled fabric, made from post-consumer plastic – as are the range’s zips and cushion fillings – and re-spun into polyester, with the textile design featuring artful arrangements of ocean plastic collected by Sophie and photographed by Ella, who explains: “From a distance, the design is reminiscent of a colourful Italian mosaic tile, with the true nature of the objects only visible under close inspection.”
Sophie has been beach-cleaning and collecting waste plastic for several years. The pieces that kick-started the project were washed up by the tide on a favourite beach in Northern Spain. Whilst helping to keep
the beach clean as an immediate priority, the waste plastics Sophie collected also evoked something more: “The particular rock formation of the area helped make the waste plastic pieces particularly smooth, almost like flat pebbles, whilst maintaining their original colour.”
Ella’s image-based products use colour and shape for her own-brand homewares and for products created for institutions such as Tate and YSP and brands including Waterford, Absolut and Habitat. She is the perfect partner for a collaboration to make creative use of the waste pieces. Together, they hope the new products will help tell the negative back-story of plastic pollution with a message of hope at the end: “Whilst the end-product is beautiful and has turned non-biodegradable pollutant waste into something positive, the message is still very much that it shouldn’t be there to start with! We hope that the life cycle of the new textile will carry that message forward into the future.” n
This spring inject some spa style into your bathroom with luxury bath linens and robes
From contemporary waffle bath robes in on-point olive green to plush towels in lovely latte, these accessories will ensure you have all you need for a new season bathroom makeover. And as suppliers to many of the UK’s leading boutique hotels and spas, you can now recreate that same indulgent self-care feeling at home with the Fine Cotton Company’s spa collection of bathlinens – all designed and made with quality cotton SPA STYLE to be long lasting and luxurious. Known for their impeccable approach to sourcing and creating sustainable linens for the hospitality industry, the company offers this same quality for customers to create a boutique hotel feeling at home. Whether that’s waking up rested from sleeping in super smooth cotton sheets, wrapping up in cosy bath robes to dining with elegant table linens that make even the simplest meal feel special, these collections are designed to make your everyday moments better. Choosing natural and sustainable materials, the bed and bath linens are woven exclusively for them in Portugal from the finest cotton to ensure long-lasting quality and wool throws come from the Scottish Highlands for a finer finish. n
Bathrooms to inspire...Bathrooms to inspire... Bathrooms to inspire... Bathrooms to inspire... Bathrooms to inspire... Bathrooms to inspire...
...for over 16 years we have been creating everything you need for a luxurious & practical bathroom or kitchen....for over 16 years we have been creating everything you need for a luxurious & practical bathroom or kitchen. Be inspired in our 3000 sq ft showroom Our showroom is open Monday to Saturday 9am to 5pm by appointment only. Please call or email showroom@originalbathroomcompany.co.uk Evening appointments are also available upon request SHOWROOM OPEN FOR APPOINTMENTS ONLY, PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL TO ARRANGE. We are adhering to social distancing guidelines. SHOWROOM OPEN FOR APPOINTMENTS ONLY, PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL TO ARRANGE. We are adhering to social distancing guidelines.
...for over 16 years we have been creating everything you need for a luxurious & practical bathroom or kitchen.
The Original Bathroom CompanyThe Original Bathroom CompanyThe Original Bathroom CompanyThe Original Bathroom CompanyThe Original Bathroom CompanyThe Original Bathroom Company
DESIGN • SUPPLY • INSTALL DESIGN • SUPPLY • INSTALLDESIGN • SUPPLY • INSTALLDESIGN • SUPPLY • INSTALLDESIGN • SUPPLY • INSTALLDESIGN • SUPPLY • INSTALL tel: 01772 611622 www.theoriginalbathroomcompany.co.uk 84 Liverpool Road, Longton, Preston PR4 5NB • Next to Booths Supermarkettel: 01772 611622 www.theoriginalbathroomcompany.co.uktel: 01772 611622 www.theoriginalbathroomcompany.co.uktel: 01772 611622 www.theoriginalbathroomcompany.co.uktel: 01772 611622 www.theoriginalbathroomcompany.co.uktel: 01772 611622 www.theoriginalbathroomcompany.co.uk
EVENING AND WEEKEND APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE84 Liverpool Road, Longton, Preston PR4 5NB • Next to Booths Supermarket84 Liverpool Road, Longton, Preston PR4 5NB • Next to Booths Supermarket84 Liverpool Road, Longton, Preston PR4 5NB • Next to Booths Supermarket84 Liverpool Road, Longton, Preston PR4 5NB • Next to Booths Supermarket84 Liverpool Road, Longton, Preston PR4 5NB • Next to Booths Supermarket EVENING AND WEEKEND APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLEEVENING AND WEEKEND APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLEEVENING AND WEEKEND APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLEEVENING AND WEEKEND APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLEEVENING AND WEEKEND APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE
“Gracjana loves the idea of open spaces and has a vision for maximising them. While I have a good working knowledge of lighting, I don’t have the skill to pull all the visuals together.
“Many people are unable to visualise how things will look – and that’s where Gracjana comes in. She can present the client with the full package with mood boards and images so they can see exactly what the space will look like when it is completed,” says James, who has recently supplied all the lighting for a prestigious new restaurant in Ormskirk.
“The restaurant has a nature-based theme and features mostly earthy tones so we made this a consideration when putting forward the lighting proposal. Ceiling heights were a consideration so we chose lighting that was flush for the ceiling and wall lights to create ambience. Gracjana sourced antique style wall lighting in brass and walnut to go with the natural autumnal gold and browns of the colour palette.”
MEET THE DESIGNER
James Kok and Gracjana Sujdak explain how they are able to create visuals for some of the most prestigious interior design projects in the North West, so clients can see how a space can be totally transformed by specialist lighting
Lighting is a crucial aspect of interior design. You could say it’s one of the most important elements, and no-one knows this more than expert James Kok – a descendant of the Kok lighting dynasty.
“Lighting is often the most important part of a room but unfortunately it is often the last consideration. If you think about lighting from the start, it enables you to incorporate different design elements,” explains James, who has just brought interior designer Gracjana Sujdak on board to enhance what the business can offer in terms of presenting mood boards and images so clients can visualise how certain lighting can be incorporated into a room or on the exterior of a property.
Graduating from UCLan, Gracjana has already made an impact working on a number of high-profile projects alongside James.
Favouring large open spaces and commercial buildings, she has recently produced feature walls for an Indian restaurant and worked with James on an outdoor lighting scheme in the south Lakes.
Also working on large private properties as well as commercial buildings, Gracjana and James were recently approached by a client who had been looking for suitable lighting for her home for more than four years.
“She had a limited colour palette throughout her home, which was very minimalist in shades of black, white and cream. The client was very particular in what she wanted to achieve.
“Gracjana helped source lighting for the lounge and the bedroom – in the lounge she chose a light that was in a neutral shade but stunning in design. For the bedroom she helped source a chandelier that has become the focal point of the room. It is timeless and totally elegant – sometime less is more,” adds James, who works with the best lighting manufacturers and brands in the world.
From specialist UK lighting designers to global lighting powerhouses, he is able to access the best lighting solutions from multiple manufacturers.
Working throughout the North West, James recently asked Gracjana to create visuals for a client who wanted lighting for a hot tub area outside their prestigious property: “We were able to produce a total lighting layout and visuals, which included a feature wall, low level lighting for ambience and uplighting on some of the stone walls, which was really effective. It allowed the client to visualise how the area could be transformed with welldesigned lighting.”
Closer to home James likes to work collaboratively with other businesses – he works closely with local architects and the likes of smart home solutions specialist Bernard Dickinson: “There is a synergy for us in terms of lighting control systems. Working together, we find the right solutions for clients,” adds James, whose business also supplied lighting for the Northcote Park luxury housing development off Longsight Road.
Despite fewer international trade shows, James continues to focus on upcoming trends in order to give clients the very latest in lighting design and technology: “LED lighting continues to be a trend as they are so flexible. We have recently been working with architects on a circular glass ceiling cut-out, which you can walk over on the floor above. It is surrounded by LED lights – it’s totally bespoke – a really special feature.” n
This glorious new collection, in collaboration with the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, highlights the incredible role bugs play in the natural world
Expertly designed in Britain, each piece in the Living Jewels Collection celebrates the complexities of a range of species documented by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and gives them the same precious value you would a jewel. Launched by Pure Table Top, these kitchen and dining accessories are perfect for spring and summer 2022. The collection aims to highlight the incredible and crucial role bugs play in ensuring a sustainable future for our planet. The colours across the collection offer a pallet of indulgent tones of greens and blues against a backdrop of black, allowing a beautifully understated ‘tablescaping’ opportunity, where beautiful ceramics are styled effortlessly with washed linen table textiles and 100 per cent recycled glass. ‘TABLESCAPE’ Sourced from Portugal, and decorated with an innovative reactive glaze inspired by historical illustrations, each unique piece YOUR KITCHEN… of beautiful stoneware is durable and long- lasting. Meanwhile, the midnight and white Living Jewels mugs have been designed using hand thrown techniques from clay, creating a perfectly formed, timeless product. The kitchen linens in the collection are made with BCI cotton – the largest sustainable cotton programme globally – and decorated with intricate drawings from the natural world. The placemats and coasters have a matt lacquer finish meaning they are not only beautiful additions to any table, but highly functional too. A key trend for the coming season is ‘neo-luxe’, which embraces sophistication and rich luxurious colours – a trend perfectly delivered through the new Living Jewels Collection, which brings the Royal Botanic Gardens’ much-loved beauty of nature into the kitchen and dining areas of the home. n
TEAMWORK TRIUMPHS!
As one of the Ribble Valley’s prominent success stories, Whalley Home Improvements is going from strength to strength. Photography: Andy Tighe
With their team of around 20 skilled craftsmen, Whalley Home Improvement founders Emma Hodgkinson and Graham Fielden have completed many prestigious projects throughout the region since they began almost two years ago. Working alongside leading manufacturers, including Ultraframe’s globally renowned roof system, as well as being a trusted installer for Rockdoor, Whalley Home Improvements offers the best in window and door fitting as well as building construction, with a full project management service. Being fully CORGI Fenestration registered also means that Whalley Home Improvements has a yearly inspection giving them a higher-level of accreditation.
Going into 2022 sees the business celebrate its second year, so it’s time to meet some key members of the team and see exactly what they do:
EMMA HODGKINSON: Joint founder Emma has many years’ experience in the industry, having worked for worldleading manufacturer Ultraframe in Clitheroe: “We have been hugely successful since we launched so it’s nice to celebrate and put names to faces. These guys always go above and beyond for our clients. “Everyone who works at Whalley Home Improvements has been in the industry a long time and each and every one of them brings something special to the business – their experience is invaluable.” Since founding Whalley Home Improvements Emma has learned every aspect of the business and gets involved in each project. All customer data and requirements is captured on the company’s new CRM system, which means that all the information is in one place. Once a survey has been done, it is established what is required in terms of product. The order is then placed with one of Whalley Home Improvement leading suppliers. From initial consultations to delivering a warranty pack and a ‘thank-you’ to customers once the project is complete, Emma is at the forefront and happily pitches in with the rest of the team when lorries need to be unloaded and building rubble needs to be disposed of: “We all pull together. Working as a team positively impacts on the success of the business. Much of our work comes from recommendations – we talk to our customers and everyone says they would recommend us, which is great!” MARTIN BENTLEY: Working alongside Emma in sales, Martin deals predominantly with website and phone enquiries, processing them as leads and going to discuss requirements with the customer: “We have a lot of freedom and flexibility with our products as we are not tied to any one manufacturer, so we can procure the very best quality. We are not restricted so this ensures every customer gets exactly what they want at the best possible price.”
BEV LEA: Installation manager Bev started working with Whalley Home Improvements just a few months after the company launched in June 2020. It is her job to co-ordinate each project – from commissioning surveys to keeping clients constantly informed and up to date. If there are any unexpected problems on a project, Bev works alongside the rest of the team to resolve any issues: “We all have to be very agile and there is always a solution to a problem.” Bev explains: “On any given project we may need electricians, joiners, plasterers, scaffolders, builders and fitters. It is essential that all these are co-ordinated from start to finish to ensure the project operates smoothly and the client is 100 per cent happy. “It’s all about good customer service and keeping everyone informed. My job is to talk to people and liaise with all the craftsmen making sure everything is going to plan – our goal is to get a perfect end result.”
JULIAN EDMUNDSON: Having been with Whalley Home Improvements since its inception, fitter Julian is a skilled carpenter with 40 years’ experience: “There’s no typical day at Whalley Home Improvements as the work is so varied and each project is different. I may be fitting bi-fold doors one day and installing steel lintels the next. We work as one big team.” ANDY MITCHELL: Andy is a builder by trade. Like Emma, Andy previously worked for Ultraframe. A major part of his work for Whalley Home Improvements involves building and plastering: “We may be bricking windows up or doing ‘knockouts’ to make way for bi-fold doors so we have to be adaptable – at the end of the day we are doing home improvements and every property is different.”
MICHAEL COLLINS: Experience fitter Mike, who works alongside fitter Tom Dempsey, installs windows, doors and conservatories: “When Emma asked me to come and work for Whalley Home Improvements, I didn’t take much persuading! I love this area and really enjoy working in the Ribble Valley. It’s good to be part of the team – it’s a really nice environment.”
CATHERINE MASSEY: Working mainly in the office, Catherine is Emma’s mum: “I started my career 50 years ago as a ‘Girl Friday’ in an office doing just about everything – and here I am doing the same!” Cathy manages the accounts and wages but is not averse to unloading wagons, doing the school run or walking the dog! “No two days are the same,” she enthuses. n
Whalley
HOME IMPROVEMENTS LTD
Whalley Home Improvements Ltd Unit 22, Mitton Road Business Park Mitton Road, Whalley BB7 9YE 01254 824179 / 07809 711662 emma@whalleyhomeimprovements.co.uk www.whalleyhomeimprovements.co.uk
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A TIMELESS CLASSIC…
When Toni Pringle decided to replace her basic, oak effect kitchen, she chose Katie Green at Heart of your Home Kitchens to design a beautiful open living space that is perfect for cooking and entertaining. Photography: Vanessa Fry
Timeless, classic and elegant, Toni Pringle’s dream kitchen has it all! Toni has lived in her large, stone-built detached home in Barnoldswick for more than two decades. Her old kitchen consisted of standard oak effect cabinets that she considered outdated so, last year, she decided to replace a conservatory that led off the kitchen with an extension creating a spacious U-shaped footprint: “The original kitchen was beginning to look outdated. The extension was something I had wanted to do for a long time, so we started building in January to create a lovely open plan space.”
For the actual working kitchen Toni had a good idea of what she wanted and Katie Green at Heart of your Home Kitchens was the designer who had been recommended to Toni: “I know Mick, one of Katie’s fitters, who has done work for me before and I trust him implicitly.
“I was so glad he recommended Katie as the layout and suggestions she came up with were amazing! I am very particular – I wanted to go slightly contemporary but not too much. I certainly didn’t want handleless cabinets, that would have been too modern. I wanted to achieve a classic elegance and that’s exactly what Katie designed.”
Toni was unable to visit Katie’s beautiful showroom at Backridge in Waddington due to lockdown, so much of the initial stages of the planning was done via email: “It wasn’t ideal but Katie sent me samples and we discussed lots of space saving solutions.
“The old kitchen featured standard units so any awkward spaces couldn’t really
be utilised but Katie came up with some fantastic solutions.”
Among Katie’s suggestions were a number of pull-out shelves enabling Toni to access the back of each cupboard: “These were cleverly sized according to the space available,” adds Toni, who worked as a PA and is now retired.
When she and Katie were allowed to meet in the showroom Toni opted for Shaker-style half pencil and scalloped cabinets from Heart of your Home Kitchens’ prestigious 1909 collection: “I had blue at the forefront of my mind but I was completely blown away by the Charcoal shade which, in a certain light, looks slightly blue. I also opted for Chalk wall units which isn’t normally what I would choose but it’s a lovely soft off white.”
Experienced designer Katie drew up the plans, as Toni recalls: “It was a really smooth process. We ordered the kitchen in May and Katie took control of everything and kept in touch constantly.”
Featuring a range cooker and an integrated larder fridge, Toni’s new kitchen also has a large living area and breakfast bar: “Mick knew exactly what I wanted when we discussed the breakfast bar. The attention to detail was second to none and everything really came together beautifully.
“The result is a kitchen that we really love,” adds Toni, whose partner Richard is a keen cook.
“The space has been utilised really well. It’s exactly what I wanted and it’s now a great place for cooking and entertaining. Katie was so patient and always quick to respond. She made lots of recommendations, which I really appreciated,” adds Toni, who opted for classic herringbone style Amtico flooring and beautiful pendant lighting above the breakfast bar.
A dresser, designed by Katie, also has feature lighting and an integrated wine fridge, as Toni explains: “The fridge lights up at night – it’s a real show stopper! I think my sparkling new kitchen is fabulous!”
Designer Katie at Heart of your Home Kitchens, adds: “I really enjoyed working alongside Toni and Richard and I am so pleased that they love their new dream 1909 Kitchen.” n
Heart of your Home Kitchens
FINAL ARTWORK
Heart of your Home Kitchens Backridge Farm Business Centre Twitter Lane Waddington BB7 3LQ 01200 444540HEART OF YOUR HOME - ARTWORK 28/03/2016 heartofyourhomekitchens.co.uk
ENTER THE NEW YEAR WITH A WALK-IN WARDROBE
Clever storage is often the solution to streamlining your home – particularly that of a built-in nature. Bespoke storage will automatically ensure that all available living space is maximised and that it exactly suits requirements. Wall to wall, floor to ceiling fitted wardrobes are ideal for bedrooms, whether you’re looking for a sleek and seamless appeal to the master bedroom, or a savvy spacesaving design for your guest bedroom. Take it a step further and why not create your very own walk-in wardrobe. Often viewed as a lavish and space-guzzling TM
luxury, a dressing room is easier to achieve than you may think, adding both functionality and value to your home. A dressing room allows a more organised approach to getting ready and avoids disturbing anyone else whilst you’re rummaging around in your sock drawer! Your clothes will be appropriately stored away to avoid creasing, and at a glance you can see exactly
what your wardrobe has to offer. If your guest room is smaller than you’d like, it could be transformed to house your clothes, shoes, bags and accessories. Multi-purpose furniture might be useful if you want to make the space work harder as a dual-purpose room – such as a dressing table with drawers, which could double as a desk. Not got a spare room? Get creative with your bedroom itself. Maybe the room has alcoves, which until now have remained redundant. They could, however, offer the ideal space for fixing clothes rails and shelving. If your bedroom is big enough, why not divide the space with an expertly designed run of wardrobes to achieve a sleek, contemporary bedroom which is practical too. As well as somewhere to hang your clothes, you’ll need a place to sit, put on shoes and simply relax. An ottoman can double up as a seat and storage. Mirrored furniture is functional and can also be used to make the room look bigger. Sliding wardrobes are a stylish and practical space-saver. Before making any design decisions, consider what type and how much storage you’ll need. Many a homeowner will be Assess your belongings carefully. Do you want to hang your clothes or fold them? How setting their sights on a New much rail space will you require? Do you Year’s resolution to de-clutter need extra space for shoes and accessories? and streamline their home Transforming your space can be a big task, for a more organised, and so if you’re looking to enlist the help of less stressful, 2022 fitted furniture specialists, Hartleys would love to hear from you. With a free design visit and 3D visualisation, we can bring your dreams to reality. n Contact us on 01756 700471, pop into our Skipton factory / showroom or visit our website at: hartleysbedrooms.co.uk Hartleys Snaygill Industrial Estate Keighley Road, Skipton BD23 2QR 01756 700471 hartleysbedrooms.co.uk You can also keep up to date with all our news via: Facebook, Instagram and Twitter
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Wall murals are the predicted trend for 2022 in beautiful tones of sage, blue and orange. From soft and gentle hues to pops of bright, vibrant colour, your walls will be transformed into a piece of statement art
THINK SAGE, BLUE & ORANGE…
Not only is wallpaper your reborn decor style, but now wallpaper murals are leading the way! Do not think pattern repeat – for 2022, think statement art particularly in the much-anticipated tones of blue, sage and orange. Market-leading wallpaper mural company, Wallsauce.com has carefully curated a collection of what it thinks will adorn your walls in 2022.
SAGE GREENS
This year green will be the colour to crave. In particular, sage green. Not only does this earthy tone mirror our natural environment, but it’s easy to decorate with. By simply choosing natural wooden furniture, you can complement green tones with sustainable, plant-based items – a 2021 trend that won’t be disappearing anytime soon! From vintage jungle designs to beautiful botanicals, the chosen designs not only showcase the much-desired sage tones, but also reflect nature too.
BLUE HUES
After the popularity of navy, blue is predicted to flourish, with more tones set to dress our decor. From notes of cornflower blue, a royal blue and gold combo to duck egg blue, you can expect to see a demand for a rainbow of blue wallpaper murals.
ORANGE WARMTH
For the home lacking energy, orange wallpaper is a great option! No longer is this shade just for autumn – it’s going to be a whole-year-round kind of tone. Burnt orange, in particular, is predicted to be a must-have colour! Toning in with sage green and blues, this strong colour is sure to give you a happy and warming home. n
FLAWLESS SERVICE
A proud homeowner was so impressed with the carpets fitted to her stairs and landing, she commissioned new flooring in several more rooms, writes Meena McDonald. Photography: Jack Pomfret
Initially contacting Gainsborough Flooring to discuss fitting a new carpet to her stairs and landing, following a recommendation by a friend based in Fulwood, Tracy Harrison has been thoroughly impressed with the flawless service she has received from the Gainsborough team. Tracy from Lytham selected Cormar Bouclé Neutrals Sloane Steel for her stairs with antique brass stair rods. This range is perfect for matching with neutral interiors and has a wool rich loop pile made from 50 per cent pure new wool and 50 per cent polyester, making it ideal for heavy domestic use. The carpets are manufactured at Cormar’s sites in Lancashire so fantastic for reducing the carbon footprint. Tracy was so impressed with the flooring she had purchased along with the service she had received that she contacted the Gainsborough team again when she wanted to install new flooring in her kitchen/dining room, utility area, hallway, lounge, bedrooms and en-suite.
After a comprehensive consultation with the expert team on what would be most suitable for each area of her home, Tracy opted for Amtico for her kitchen, utility, dining room, hallway and toilet/ensuite and Cormar for her lounge and bedrooms. Amtico Spacia Eden Oak, which was fitted by the Gainsborough team throughout large areas of the house, is a beautiful wood-effect luxury vinyl tile, which creates a truly authentic look and adds warmth to both contemporary and traditional interiors.
This flooring offers endless design possibilities to explore and luxury vinyl floor tiles offer something truly unique. The realistic look of wood, stone and ceramic in a hard-wearing and easy-to-care-for floor is perfect for bustling households. It also provides natural warmth under foot and is extremely tolerant of moisture and challenging environments such as kitchens and bathrooms. Tracy commented: “What appealed to us the most about the Amtico range was the exceptional choice of colours, styles, textures and laying patterns. We were keen to invest in flooring that was durable and hard wearing but also looked spectacular. We were truly spoilt for choice!” For busy areas such as the kitchen, which is often the hub of many homes, Amtico flooring is ideal as it is scratch resistant, waterproof and highly robust. Additionally,
the crowning feature of Amtico’s Multiple Performance System is their Quantum Guard urethane layer, which is the most durable urethane on the market. The low-gloss finish also enhances the realism of natural looking products whilst making them easier to clean and eliminating the need for polish.
Tracy continued: “We recently hosted my daughter’s 18th birthday party at home and the Amtico flooring was absolutely perfect. It was so robust and very easy to clean after a houseful of young people.” Other areas of the house such as the lounge and the bedrooms were fitted out with award winning Cormar carpets. For the lounge and the main bedroom, Tracy selected the Cormar Gemini range. Gemini is a collection of 100 per cent dura-polyester carpets with a deep ultra-soft pile which is suitable for heavy domestic use. With a choice of 13 modern neutral colours to match any décor, Tracy had a superb selection from which to choose. For the top bedroom Tracy opted for Cormar Sensations Heathers Feather, which is a soft, deep pile heavyweight carpet made from 100 per cent Luxelle two-fold polypropylene yarn. It is dirt and stain resistant and bleach cleanable, plus includes a 10-year stain and wear warranty. Gainsborough Flooring utilised the skills of their expert fitters for each area of the home and Tracy was genuinely delighted with the care and attention to detail from each fitter as well as how completely brilliant the finished product looked. Vicky Brown, Managing Director of Gainsborough Flooring, commented: “Our ethos is to work closely with all of our customers to help them transform their homes by installing flooring that is not just fit for purpose, but also looks tremendous and complements the style of the house, making each customer feel content and proud of their home.” So, if like Tracy, you have a busy household with pets and children, talk to the team at Gainsborough Flooring about how you can best create a wonderful and comfortable space and transform your home into something you truly love. n
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Gainsborough Flooring 26 Heatley Street, Preston PR1 2XB 01772 250682 vicky@gainsboroughflooring.co.uk gainsboroughflooring.co.uk
01772 250 682 gainsboroughflooring.co.uk
Gainsborough Flooring 26 Heatley Street Preston PR1 2XB Opening times: Mon - Fri 8.00am - 5.00pm Sat 9.00am - 4.00pm
A NEW YEAR FOR THE GARDEN
It’s the start of a new year and the start of the gardening season
It’s time to plan your planting and how you want your garden to look over the coming months, stock up on seeds and service any essential equipment such as lawn mowers and tools. It’s also a time for New Year’s resolutions and here are 12 – one a month – that will make your garden super diverse and environmentally friendly: • Use less plastic • Plant a tree • Start sowing seeds • Plant something for fun • Grow more veg • Go green and have a go at organic growing • Learn to relax and enjoy your garden • Be more water aware • Compost more of your garden waste • Welcome wildlife • Bring the outside in with houseplants • Look after your tools First on the list is using less plastic, something we are all trying to do so it makes sense that we try to make our gardens as plastic free as possible. The biggest ‘bad boy’ in any gardener’s life is the plastic pot. But there are non-plastic alternatives such as biodegradable pots made using materials like coir, wood chips, bamboo and rice husks. You can also make your own pots using newspaper or toilet roll tubes. And now is a good time to make your own supplies of biodegradable pots so you have stock for the planting season. Taking good care of existing plastic is a good way to ensure you don’t have to keep buying it – so reuse any plant pots you have. The added bonus of recycling or reusing items in the garden is that it also reduces cost – as does growing from seed. Even in winter you can grow something from seed, you just need a seed tray and a window ledge, or small cold frame or greenhouse – whatever space and budgets allow.
For anyone growing their own veg, this month is great for sowing onions. If you sow onions now it saves the expense of buying onion sets (small bulbs) later and you can have a much larger crop of onions in the summer. Onions seeds do not have a long shelf life, so it’s best to buy new seeds each year. Seeds will germinate between 16-21˚C one or two weeks after sowing. When large enough to handle, transplant to individual small pots and keep in a bright, frost-free place until April when they can be planted out. Often the coldest month in the garden, there are still some things you can be doing to keep busy. As the RHS says, January might be the middle of winter but as the days lengthen the garden starts to grow. Now is a great time to plan for the coming gardening year and to order seeds and plants. Enjoy the fresh air on dry sunny days and check your winter protection, stakes, ties and supports are still working after any severe weather. Also put out food for birds and leave some garden areas uncut, a little longer, to provide shelter for wildlife in your garden. Top three jobs this month – clean pots and greenhouses ready for spring, dig over empty or unused plots and prune apple and pear trees. n
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