38 minute read
STRAND AND DELIVER
Conditioning your hair should start inside the body – after all, you are what you eat By the time we hit 25 we’ve lost over 50% of our original hair follicles, and stress has been identified as one of the major causes
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Hair condition is a barometer of general health, say Noel Halligan and Corey Taylor at NOCO Hair. Totally up on their trichology, here they kindly offer nutritional tips for any pandemic-induced hair havoc
Trichology and nutritional advice have become the norm in many hairdressing salons, where hair loss –both temporary and permanent –is no longer a taboo subject. Being up close and personal with a plethora of clients’ hair issues is all in a day’s work, and post-partum shedding, alopecia areata, scaly scalps, dandruff and thinning leave us completely unfazed but keen to help.
The pandemic has increased anxiety and stress levels –emotions that can cause hairstyling havoc. What’s more, hair loss is also now being flagged up as an unwelcome side effect for those recovering from the virus.
Hair condition is a barometer of general health. Just as the body needs to be well hydrated, healthy hair requires moisture. It also needs to be protected against harsh conditions and rough handling. Daily abuses such as blasting away with the blow-dryer, straightening and curling at scorching temperatures, brushing hair when it’s wet, and traction from ponytails too tightly secured all contribute to ongoing problems.
Thinning hair and hair loss used to be associated almost exclusively with men –with older women and new mums the exceptions. However, incredibly, by the time we humans hit 25 we’ve already lost over 50% of our original hair follicles. Stress has been identified as one of the major causes of hair loss, along with genetics, hormonal imbalance, poor diet, long-term illness and medication side effects.
It’s not crystal clear what causes alopecia areata, believed to affect one in 100 people in the UK, but extreme stress and trauma are thought to contribute to the over-stimulation of the auto-immune system which encourages the cells controlling hair growth in the follicles to shut down. Hair will usually grow back given time, but it’s not always so in extreme cases because of the complex emotional and physical nature of the problem.
Head start
A healthy body fuels healthy hair growth but hectic modern lifestyles often undermine healthy eating habits. This motivated Mark Blake, NOCO’s internationally recognised go-to trichologist, to create a nutraceutical tablet to support and maintain hair health. These contain key nutrients to condition your crowning glory from the inside out. Each packet of 60 chewable raspberry flavoured supplements combats hair issues such as thinning, restrictive growth, and poor condition; all of which can be traced to a lack of dietary protein and key nutrients.
“Conditioning your hair should start inside the body –after all, you are what you eat,” says Mark. “Changes in nutritional habits, such as cutting down on dairy and meat intake, juicing, yo-yo dieting and skipping meals can trigger numerous problems such as thinning, weakness and fragility, and a general decline in hair health. Taking two of my trichology tablets daily can condition your hair from inside the body, giving stressed strands the help they need, and giving you the hair you deserve.”
Mark, who has shared quality time with a quarter of a million heads of hair, has poured 40 years’ experience into every gluten-free tablet. The food supplements are also suitable for vegetarians, manufactured in the UK and not tested on animals.
We know Mark professionally, having referred several clients to him and they always return to our salon with great feedback. It’s special knowing the man behind the brand. He’s always there for us and our guests with expert advice and effective solutions to stubborn and persistent problems. We believe implicitly in his ability and inspirational approach –and the proven track record helps. The fact that Covid-19 and pandemic anxiety can have detrimental effects on hair health, in the form of reversible hair loss, makes them even more of a must-buy for us at the moment.
Seal of approval
Another professional NOCOturns to for nutritional tips is Rebecca Seal –author of eight cookbooks published worldwide, and self-help book Solo: How to Work Alone (And Not Lose Your Mind). She’s a regular guest expert on Channel 4’s Sunday Brunch, and she’s also Noel’s sister-in-law’s sister-in-law!
“Red meat from grass-fed good pastured cattle is a sustainable thing to eat,” advises Rebecca. “Red meat is demonised unnecessarily in my opinion –intensively reared, corn-fed red meat is a villain, but cutting red meat out completely isn’t helpful, especially if you’re missing vital nutrients in your diet already.”
Rebecca’s recipe for a scrumptious steak burrito, extracted below ➲
from her book LEON Happy Fast Food, is packed with protein to supercharge problem strands...
Steak burrito (NF SF, serves 2)
Many burritos are made with wonderfully tasty slow-cooked meats, which goes against this book’s speedy ethos. So we invented a reverseengineered way to max out flavour, by flash-cooking skirt steak – an especially tasty cut – until rare and tender, then dressing it with lime and garlic as it rests. (You could treat cooked chicken or fish the same way, or swap the steak for fried chorizo, or alternatively make this vegetarian by using black beans.)
40g uncooked rice Quarter tsp ground cumin Quarter tsp dried oregano 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper Half clove garlic, crushed Juice of half a lime Salt and freshly ground black pepper 200g skirt steak, fat trimmed away Oil for cooking
For the burritos:
2 large wraps/flatbreads (can be WF GF) 100g cooked black beans 30g feta cheese (ideally a mild one) 3 tbsp guacamole, or 1 avocado, mashed (optional) Half spring onion, sliced or 1 tbsp pink pickled onions (or both) Sliced or chopped pickled jalapeños 2 cherry tomatoes, finely chopped Handful of coriander leaves Hot sauce
–Measure the rice in a mug, then work out what twice its volume of water would be (that is, 1 mug of rice needs 2 mugs of water). Cook it for about 12 minutes, then set aside while you prepare the rest of the fillings. –Mix together the cumin, oregano, cayenne, garlic, lime juice and some salt and pepper. Set aside. –Season the steak all over. Pour a little oil into a frying pan set over a high heat. Once really hot, quickly cook the steak until deep brown on both sides, 2 or 3 minutes a side, but still fairly rare. Remove from the pan and place in a bowl to rest; pour over the lime juice mixture. –When ready to assemble, slice the steak into 1.5 thick strips. Warm the breads and place each on a plate. Arrange half the rice in a line on each one, leaving space at the bottom of the bread, to fold up and enclose the fillings later. Place half the beans and half the feta on top of the rice. Arrange half the steak in a line next to the rice. –Spread the guacamole or avocado, if using, in a line on the other side of the steak and then arrange all the remaining vegetables and herbs on top. Douse everything generously with hot sauce, then tightly wrap up the burrito, tucking in the spare bread at the bottom before rolling, so that everything doesn’t fall out, or drip. –Eat straightaway. If you have time, and your burrito is really tightly wrapped, pan-fry the whole thing until light gold all over, in a clean, hot, dry pan.
West African-style peanut curry (V Ve DF WF GF SoF, serves 4)
There are so many of our favourite LEON ingredients in this –kale, sweet potato, chickpeas, chillies and earthy, warming spices –that it makes us hum tunes from The Sound of Music.
1 tbsp neutral oil for cooking 2 onions, finely diced 2cm thumb ginger, peeled and finely grated 2 cloves garlic, crushed Half a red pepper, seeded and finely diced 2 tsp tomato puree Half tsp ground coriander Half tsp ground cumin Half tsp ground turmeric Between half and whole tsp ground cayenne pepper 400g tin of chopped tomatoes 400ml hot water 50g smooth peanut butter (unsweetened) 600g / 2 medium-sized sweet potatoes, peeled and diced 400g tin of cooked chickpeas, drained 150g kale, or any sweet, soft-leaved green cabbage, ribs removed, finely shredded 50g okra, trimmed and cut into 1cm rounds 1 red chilli, finely sliced, to serve (optional)
Roasty toasty nuts (VE V GF DF WF, serves 4 as a topping)
• These add flavour, texture and goodness to even the simplest soup. You can roast nuts in the oven or on the stovetop –
Rebecca prefers the stovetop as she can keep a close eye on whether they are burning or not. You’ll need 100g mixed unroasted, unsalted nuts, chopped into pieces if necessary. • If using the oven, preheat it to 180ºC and cook for 5-7 minutes, depending on the size of the nut, until golden. On the stovetop, set a dry pan over a low heat and, when hot, add the nuts, and cook, tossing frequently, for 2-4 minutes, until brown and toasted. • If you want to coat the nuts with spices you can use either water, water and beaten egg white, or water and melted butter – just mix a couple of tablespoons of each together with your spices (paprika, sugar, salt, cumin, za’atar, chilli etc) and then toss the nuts thoroughly before roasting in the oven.
–Set a large heavy-based pan over a medium heat. Add the oil and then the onion and saute gently until soft, about 8 minutes. Add the garlic, ginger and red pepper and cook for 3-4 minutes, until the ginger is no longer pungent. Add the tomato puree and all the ground spices (use only half teaspoon cayenne to start with) and cook for 2 minutes, stirring all the time, until the spices are fragrant and the tomato puree doesn’t smell raw. –Next add the tomatoes and their juice, the water (just fill the tomato tin), peanut butter and sweet potatoes. Stir well, then bring up to a simmer. Partly cover with a lid, turn down the heat and leave to bubble until the sweet potato is tender, about 20-25 minutes. –Add the drained chickpeas to the pan and simmer for another 5-10 minutes, then add the kale and okra, if using. Stir well, then simmer for 5 more minutes, just until the kale is done. Remove from the heat. Taste for salt and pepper, and add a pinch more cayenne, if you like. –Serve with the fresh red chilli slices and chopped peanuts, sprinkled on top. Tip: if you only have crunchy peanut butter, no worries, you will just end up with a nuttier texture.
Find your follicles
It’s not just quality meat that gives your hair vital nutritional support. Consuming adequate levels of protein, vitamins, fats, carbohydrates and zinc is essential so consider adding these to your shopping list…
Eggs: an excellent source of protein and biotin. Sweet potatoes: rich in iron, copper, potassium, magnesium and betacarotene. Spinach and other leafy greens: great sources of iron, and an iron deficiency can lead to hair loss. Oily fish or fish oil supplements: omega-3 provides essential proteins and nutrients. Berries: bursting with beneficial compounds and vitamins. Avocados: brimming with biotin, a B-complex vitamin. Figs: contain magnesium and Vitamins C and E. Walnuts and almonds: loaded with nutrients, particularly biotin, Bvitamins, omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, plus plenty of protein and magnesium. Sesame, sunflower, pumpkin and flax seeds: the most talked about seeds in terms of hair growth. They taste good too!
Hair loss control checklist
• Always have the confidence to talk through your hair concerns with us. At NOCO we know what we’re doing and we want to help. We can suggest the best sort of styles to disguise the problem using our bespoke ‘Beautiful You, consultation’ to find your perfect balance between style and tone. Once we know your concerns, we can monitor the rate and pattern of your hair growth.
Experts agree that a balanced scalp is a beautiful thing. It is, after all, the environment from which hair grows. Integrating scalp care into a daily routine will provide the best foundation for healthy growth. • Avoid traction hair loss through tight ponytails and plaits. Never go to bed with hair still tied back • Use only soft bristle hairbrushes that are gentle on the scalp and eradicate tugging. We stock a wonderful brush called Manta. The patented FLEXGUARD technology allows each bristle complete 360 º motion to gently free knots. This means hair never reaches the stress point where it breaks. • Avoid an over-dependence on heated hair appliances. If your heated styler has a variable temperature, stick to 185º or below or you’ll risk serious damage. We always use and recommend
GHD stylers, which are perfectly set at 185º for this very reason. • Avoid, or at least limit, trigger foods such as dairy, spicy foods, sugary snacks, and, wait for it, wine! NOCO co-founders Corey and Noel
Shout-out to all the new mums
Coping with hair loss is the last thing a new mum needs, with everything baby-orientated that’s going on, and yet it’s a common problem affecting up to 50% of them. Approximately three months after delivery, or after a cessation in breastfeeding, hair that wasn’t shed during pregnancy can begin to fall. This is because the levels of oestrogen, the hormone maintaining the growing phase, drops and returns to normal.
Although alarming, it’s a normal and natural process that should stop within 10-12 weeks. If hair loss persists, there may be an underlying cause, such as diet, stress or hormonal imbalances, and it may require the attention and expertise of a trichologist. It should also be noted that some new mums are so focused on shedding the pregnancy pounds that they’re not getting the nutrition they need and this will be reflected in their hair condition.
Having beautiful, thick hair can be a big part of feeling confident post-baby, but this can be the time that hair begins to thin and panic sets in. A way to hide thinning hair is with a side parting –wearing it on the opposite side every day. The change in direction helps make the root of the hair stand up taller, making it look fuller and have more bounce. It’s also a good to try a new hair care regime to boost scalp health.
Mature hair manifesto
We always emphasise at the consultation stage that our clients don’t have to a) be stuck in a rut, or b) have basic hairstyles. Bold choices are just as likely to appeal to this demographic as they are to our younger clients. The same principles apply; it’s all about the individual, their personal style and lifestyle. It’s not just strength and shine that are fundamental to a youthful ’do. Shape and shade are both of paramount importance. Getting either or both wrong can pile on the years.
Strong beginnings
Scalp hygiene and health are fundamental to happy hair. Cleaning the scalp properly to reduce itching, flaking and tightness is crucial and yet it’s something clients can be careless about unless they’re experiencing serious problems with hair loss. Respect rather than rush the shampooing process –your hair deserves delicate handling –and always rinse thoroughly. We’d recommend the appropriate prescriptive haircare range from Kérastase whether it’s scalp care, anti-dandruff or densifying, to cosset, correct and protect the scalp and hair fibre. ■ • nocohair.com; markblake.co.uk; rebeccaseal.co.uk; images taken with permission from LEON Happy Fast Food (by Rebecca Seal, Jack Burke and John Vincent), LEON Happy Curries and LEON Happy Soups (by Rebecca Seal and John Vincent), all published by Octopus
The New Me!
With high cholesterol and a risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, Mo decided it was time for a change.
There are many benefits I’ve felt on my WW journey so far. I was unaware of these benefits when I first embarked on this wonderful and transforming endeavour of self-discovery and fulfilment.
My WW journey started in September 2018. At the time, I had no idea of the profound impact it would have on me, particularly the mental and physical transformation I would go through. It’s definitely changed my life for the better.
Prior to joining the programme I thought life was great: I had the best family & friends, a supportive partner and a great job, so what was I missing?! I didn’t actually realise I was missing anything until joining the WW programme. Since losing weight and living a healthier lifestyle, I’ve experienced this overwhelmingly positive shift in both body and mind. My confidence has soared and I believe in myself much more than I did.
Before I found WW, I had high blood pressure, high cholesterol, an alarming BMI reading and was at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes due to my weight and lifestyle. These readings at a medical appointment shocked me. At the risk of sounding like a cliché, if I knew then what I know now, I would’ve been motivated to make changes sooner. I put myself at greater risk by overlooking so much when it came to my overall wellbeing.
I conformed to age-old cultural male attitudes and stereotypes. I grew up believing that men must not talk openly about deep-rooted issues such as weight and body image. Luckily, I’m part of a generation that is now challenging this archaic notion as we make conscious positive strides to improve ourselves both as individuals and in society. The health implications that arise from being overweight are equally harmful to men and women, but for some reason they have been treated or thought of differently in the past.
Men are not often associated with programmes such as WW, but there are lots of us who have found success on the programme. What I’ve found in the WW community is that we all go through things, and we can support each other through the good and the bad.
Find out if you're at risk for Type 2 diabetes here: http://www.ww.com/uk/diabetes-risk-assessment active person and felt there were no issues with my weight. I was happy in myself, confident, and pretty content with the way things were. However looking back now, I know deep down I struggled with my addiction to junk food and portion control. I also did not address the deep discomfort I had with my clothes size. I often avoided shopping for new things because the things I liked did not come in my size in some of my favourite shops.
“WW gives you the tools and knowledge to commit”
The WW programme offers you so much, and it's so flexible that it can be tailored to fit anyone's lifestyle. And I mean literally anyone! I've learnt a lot about myself along the way, and the priceless knowledge I have obtained about the effects food nutrition has on me both physically and mentally is powerful beyond measure. At the heart of any success is commitment, and you have to be committed to building the best version of yourself using the tools and knowledge that WW gives you.
Exercise and moving more is very much a part of the WW programme, in addition to the food and nutrition element. There’s so much knowledge and support on offer, it would be extremely hard not to find something that works for you. The programme is simple to follow and has an easy-to-use app, which is great, not to mention the amazing Coaches who make you feel special. You learn to do things your way and at your own pace whether it be yoga, running, walking or meditation for your mental wellbeing. You can absolutely find what you’re looking for on the WW app.
Follow Mo and his partner Andri's journey here! https://www.instagram.com/ww_losinglbs_together/
I’ve lost more than 5st since the start of my WW journey, have been maintaining now for the last six months, and have completely transformed my body and my mindset. I feel great! As well as significantly reducing my exposure to weight-related health risks, I’ve also learnt some lifelong lessons and have experienced an overwhelmingly positive health shift in my body, mind and soul. But my journey doesn’t end here. I will continue to strive for more than just weight loss.
Believe me when I say your journey starts here with WW. What are you waiting for?
KEEPING OUR HOSPITAL SAFE FOR YOU
At Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital, we undestand that in the current climate our patients may be worried about visiting us. Therefore, we want to reassure you that your safety is our number one priority, and we have safety measures in place to make our hospital COVID-19 secure. Here are some of the ways we are keeping our hospital safe for you.
We’re ready to support you
Since the first lockdown began in March last year, Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital has been supporting the NHS in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Although we began admitting patients in Autumn who are paying for themselves and those with private medical insurance, the agreement with Bristol’s NHS Trusts continues.
To make sure we keep everyone safe in our hospitals, we’ve made a few changes to how we do things, and we’re asking you to follow a few rules too. These changes were guided by the UK government, Public Health England (PHE), and Nuffield Health’s infection prevention team.
There’s no need to wait any longer – we’re here to help you whenever you’re ready.
How we’ve made our hospitals COVID-19 secure
So that we can continue to deliver exceptional care in the safest environment possible, we have put extra measures in place. Our housekeeping team are regularly cleaning and disinfecting, and sanitising high-touch surfaces such as door handles and light switches. We have also added extra hand sanitising stations and we’re asking everyone to follow our social distancing policy, standing or sitting a minimum of 2 metres from each other.
We’re staggering appointment times to avoid patients arriving at the reception desk at the same time. We’ve installed plastic shields at our receptions, and all staff will be wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) appropriate to their role and the situation, as per PHE guidance. If you’re attending as an in-patient, you will need to have a COVID-19 swab test, which we will carry out three days before your procedure. This must come back negative before you can be admitted to the hospital.
Protecting you and our staff. How you can keep yourself and others safe
While we’re doing everything we can to make our hospitals safe for you, to make this work we need to work together. We ask that you follow these simple rules when you visit the hospital.
Please read the information we send you before your appointment, so you know exactly what you need to do. Do ask us any questions you may have about your visit if you’re unsure, and let us know if you are shielding for any reason.
To reduce the risk of COVID-19, we’re only allowing you to bring visitors into the hospital in exceptional circumstances, for example if you need to be accompanied by a carer, so please discuss this with us when you book. We’re sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.
If you feel unwell or have COVID-19 symptoms on the day of your appointment, please don't attend. Instead, call the hospital and we will support you with rebooking when you’re feeling better.
If you drive to the hospital and arrive early, please wait in your car until your appointment time, and sanitise or wash your hands regularly. It’s much more effective to maintain your hand hygiene than to wear gloves that could have been contaminated outside of the hospital. Anybody entering the hospital must wear a face covering for the duration of their visit. If you don’t have your own we can provide you with a single-use mask, which you should discard on your way out.
Bristol Hospital Matron, Nora Clarke, says: “Our priority has always been the safety and wellbeing of our patients, and the COVID-19 pandemic has brought unprecedented new challenges we must all overcome to achieve this. I am immensely proud of our whole team in Bristol who are working harder than ever to ensure our patients’ safety, without compromising the standard of care they expect from Nuffield Health.”
For more information about the full range of treatments and services offered by Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital, visit our website: www.nuffieldhealth.com/hospitals/bristol. If you would like to book an appointment, call our Enquiries team on 0117 911 5339.
Annie Breen, CNM Nutritional Therapy Graduate
Iwanted to find more purpose in my life and embark on a career that got me excited! I was attracted to the depth and detail that the CNM course went into and the fact I could fit it around my full-time job.
For 10 years prior to embarking on my Nutritional Therapy journey, I worked as a Support Worker in many different remits, roles and locations throughout the UK including family support, domestic abuse, complex needs, substance misuse, mental health, homelessness and anti-social behaviour. Helping people in some incredibly challenging situations took me to a point where I wanted to know more. I’d played a role in and witnessed people change their external environment – housing, relationships and jobs, but this only got them so far. How could I help break the cycle of suffering and support them to take back agency of themselves, their health and their life? This is what led me towards Nutritional Therapy: I wanted to help people change from inside out so that they could feel empowered and thrive, not merely survive. I’m also someone who teaches what I most need to learn, so this was very much a personal adventure. I wanted to understand how I could improve my own health and that of my family.
I found the CNM course to be thorough, scientific and empowering. I loved the course content – how cutting edge it is in terms of research as well as being rooted in ancient wisdom; the lecturers; the group and my fellow classmates; the excitement of learning something that could not just change my life but that of others; embarking on a new career.
I don’t really describe what I do as a career, it is part of my identity. Our health is our wealth and having this invaluable insight has changed my life in every way. Nutritional therapy IS now my life, in so many ways. It has enabled me to get clear on my values and what’s important. It has allowed me to meet some truly awesome people in an everevolving network. It has equipped me with some of the most up-to-date, cutting-edge science and enabled me to not just help myself, but my loved ones. My daughter already has a pretty good understanding about the microbiome. And now and again I catch my husband parroting nutrition advice. I think the big one for me is how it’s played a huge role in me becoming the person and mum I am today. I feel happy, healthy and empowered and that’s a beautiful thing to be able to model to my daughter.
Since graduating I practise as a full-time Nutritional Therapist, I’m Edinburgh-based but work online. My direction became really clear after I had my little girl in 2016. Motherhood led me on a whole new personal and professional growth adventure. I now help exhausted, depleted mums reclaim their energy so they can feel healthy and whole and step into their power.
The combination of my coaching experience, my CNM Nutritional Therapy qualification and my motherhood journey to date has really enabled me to walk in the shoes of mothers and help them get to the root cause of their symptoms (exhaustion, anxiety, overwhelm, brain fog, digestive issues).
My ‘Healthy Tum, Happy Mum’ programme is focused on helping mums rebalance and transform from inside out.
I like to describe it as science v. magic. I’m a huge fan of functional testing which was something I had the privilege to learn under the experienced eye of the CNM lecturers.
What I love about practising is the connection with my clients, the excitement of sharing this life-changing information, being part of their journey, the coaching element and witnessing the lasting transformation.
CNM Online Open Events
Discover how natural therapies promote true health and vitality. Our events are packed with inspiring tips on how to nurture yourself in natural, sustainable ways.
And if you are thinking of turning your passion into a career, an Online Open Event will also cover what you need to know about studying at CNM.
Geoff Don
Visit cnmcourses.com
or call 01342777 747 to find out more
CNM has an exceptional 22-year track record training successful natural health practitioners online and in class. Over 80% of graduates are practising.
Embracing the season
Many of us have spent the last 12 months at home, dreaming up ways to add more colour, comfort or character to our interior. Our S/S 21 guide offers a great range of expert services to make all those home and garden ambitions become reality
MANDARIN STONE
15 Regent Street, Clifton, Bristol BS8 4HW 0117 9731552; mandarinstone.com
Renowned for its comprehensive natural stone collection, Mandarin Stone has gained quite a reputation for its on-trend and beautifully designed porcelain. Ranging from tiles that cleverly mimic materials such as wood, concrete and marble to striking glazed and patterned tiles, the collection has endless surface design possibilities. Established for over 25 years and with 10 inspirational UK showrooms, it offers dependable specialist knowledge as well as technical expertise. Almost the entire natural stone and porcelain collection is held in stock in the UK, so lead times are short.
BONITI
Dunsdon Barn, West Littleton, Wiltshire SN14 8JA; 01225 892200; boniti.com
Run by Giles and Simon Lunt, Boniti is a high-quality interiors (and exteriors) business, whose showroom is a destination for all types of natural stone, porcelain and timber flooring, as well as decorative tiles, stoneware, Kadai firebowls, garden furniture, homeware accessories and the very desirable Everhot range cookers. Boniti has an impressive client list of property developers and a specialist bespoke service that can supply and fit worldwide. When it comes to any project –both large and small –the Boniti team are masters of their profession and it shows in every detail. You can reach the showroom easily from Junction 18 of the M4.
URSELL POOLS & WELLNESS
476 Bath Road, Saltford BS31 3DJ 01225 874874; ursell.com
Originally founded in 1988, Ursell Pools & Wellness has established itself at the forefront of the UK pool and wellness industry. With over 30 years of experience delivering pool and wellness solutions, Ursell have the unique ability to manage your project in-house from design and planning right through to completion, ensuring unrivalled consistency and quality. The company works on a wide range of projects from domestic, DIY-style pool builds to delivering luxury high-end commercial facilities. If you’re looking to install a pool or spa in your garden, hotel, school or health club, the expert team has all the skills, tools and expertise you need.
BRACEY INTERIORS
15 Waterloo Street, Clifton, Bristol BS8 4BT; 0117 9734664; braceyinteriors.co.uk
With over 50 years’ experience, Bracey Interiors has earned an enviable reputation for its design services. Working throughout the UK and abroad, the team creates unique and bespoke interiors for clients. Within the showroom in the heart of Clifton Village, Bracey showcases fabrics and wallpapers from all the major suppliers as well as a unique and eclectic mix of home accessories. Paints by Little Greene and Paint & Paper Library are also mixed to order in a matter of minutes. No matter how big or small your requirements are, Bracey Interiors has friendly staff ready to help. With their own workrooms they ensure all soft furnishings are made to their exacting standards, and offer an installation service. 2017 saw their Silver House project win three awards in the RSAW Welsh Architecture Awards.
PAUL WHITTAKER
BATHROOMS AND WETROOMS
0117 2230086 / 07879 666221; paulwhittakerbathrooms.co.uk Showroom by appointment at Bathroom Solutions, 54 Redcliff Street, Bristol BS1 6LS
Paul Whittaker Bathrooms and Wetrooms is a design, supply and installation bathroom company with a huge reputation in the Bristol area. Working closely with his clients, Paul is able to deliver cleverly designed bathrooms and wetrooms, expertly installed by his experienced team of fitters. With 3D design layouts to help with decision-making and project management through the course of the works, Paul Whittaker makes bathroom renovations easy and stress-free.
WREN KITCHENS
Cribbs Causeway Retail Park, Lysander Road, Bristol BS34 5TX 0117 2443168; wrenkitchens.com
A visit to the Wren Kitchens website reveals an exceptional choice of over 60 kitchens in three ranges to suit all tastes and pockets. The Vogue, Infinity and Infinity Plus collections are further divided into modern, Shaker and traditional styles, allowing you to create your own perfect kitchen. Add to this your choice of handles and thousands of unit sizes and you’re well on your way to creating a truly unique room which will be the heart of your home for many years to come. Book a showroom appointment for a free consultation with one of Wren’s expert kitchen designers; chat about layout and design requirements; see a personalised 3D design and get a quick price estimate, with no obligation to buy. Whether you’re looking to follow the latest colour trends or choose something timeless and classic, Wren will have the kitchen for you.
THE FINE ARTIST SHOP
89 Old Park Road, Clevedon BS21 7HT 07446 919331; thefineartistshop.com
When you have spent time carefully choosing and creating an interior environment which you identify with, it is important that your artworks connect with it. This can be achieved through colour, texture, size or theme. Tracey Bowes from The Fine Artist Shop recognises how difficult it can be to find the perfect artwork to suit your chosen interior. So she is there to help. Tracey believes in using traditional and professional painting techniques to create contemporary paintings for your home. Her archival giclée prints can be adapted to colour match your current aesthetic or size requirements. Tracey also provides a commission service to help you decide upon a theme or a technique for your feature pieces. She will then create bespoke artwork that complements your style and communicates to your personal audience.
JOHN BOYCE PLASTERWORK
Unit 5, Channel View Farm, Clevedon, Bristol BS21 6US 07970 278028; john-boyce.co.uk
John Boyce Plasterwork Ltd is a locally based company with over 30 years’ experience in the plastering trade, tackling any size of job from a simple repair to a complete restoration project. The team has a large range of moulds built up over the last three decades and is capable of matching and reproducing any type of plasterwork. The company also has a large range of stock cornices and ceiling roses to pick from, with something to suit most tastes and budgets.
They carry out ceiling surveys and repairs, lime plastering and rendering and bespoke one-off pieces; offering free, no-obligation quotes and advice. Visit the website for a taste of what John Boyce Plasterwork can offer.
ARCHITECT YOUR HOME
0800 0515304; architect-yourhome.com
Architect Your Home’s service kicks off with an initial design consultation in your home – think of this as the real starting point of your project. It will provide you with sketch drawings of a properly considered and collaborative design proposal, help you develop a clear understanding of the practical implications of your design and equip you with the necessary tools so that you can move your project forward confidently to the next stage. During the consultation there will be an in-depth discussion to fully establish requirements and aspirations, a set of sketch design drawings showing the proposals, advice on planning permission/listed building consents/structure etc, an agreed proposal by the end of the session, and recommendations on the next steps and how to move the project forward.
GARDINER HASKINS
Brunel Rooms, 1 Straight Street, Bristol BS2 0FQ 0117 9292288; gardinerhaskins.co.uk
Gardiner Haskins Interiors has luxury interior showrooms that allow you to create your dream home. With help from a knowledgeable and skilled team of design experts, you can design your very own bespoke kitchen or bathroom. Create your own curtains and blinds in the made-to-measure department. Complete your home with finishing touches in our bed showrooms, with over 40 beds on display from brands such as Harrison, Sleepeeze, Millbrook and Dormeo and more. With an experienced bed team of over 40 years, you can guarantee exceptional customer service. Open six days a week with a free customer car park.
LOAF
Unit 1D, Centaurus Road, Cribbs Causeway, Bristol BS34 5TS 020 3141 8300; loaf.com
Brit-brand Loaf makes laid-back furniture for people to kick-off their shoes beside and lead happier, more relaxed lives among. Launched in 2008, the homeware brand has made it their mission to encourage people to enjoy their homes more. The comfy sofas and upholstered beds are hand-produced in Long Eaton, Derbyshire –the heart of British upholstery making –while the mattresses are handmade in Wiltshire. The brand opened its eighth Shack in Bristol in August 2019 in Cribbs Causeway, the West of England’s biggest shopping destination. The 5,000 sq ft Loaf Shack includes a mattress testing station, oodles of squidgy sofas and arcade games for little (and not-so-little) Loafers to enjoy, making it a haven for kicking back and relaxing. There’s even an old-school ice cream parlour where visitors can lap up their favourite scoop.
GARDEN AFFAIRS
Trowbridge Garden Centre, 288 Frome Road, Trowbridge BA14 ODT 01225 774566; gardenaffairs.co.uk
Garden Affairs specialises in made-to-measure, high-quality garden buildings. The extensive display of top-notch garden offices, posh sheds, summerhouses and gazebos can all be made to the size and style you require – flexibility is what they’re all about here. Take a look at the range of garden rooms –with contemporary concepts that solve the problem of space constraints, especially in city gardens. The Linea range of modern, Scandi-style cabins are perfect for all uses, comply with most planning guidelines and look great too. Garden Affairs offers a fixed-price installation service throughout the UK, or you can choose for a DIY kit to be delivered to your door.
THE KITCHEN PARTNERS
The Kitchen Partners Design Studio, 102 Whiteladies Road, Bristol BS8 2QY 0117 9466433; thekitchenpartners.co.uk
When you work with The Kitchen Partners on Whiteladies Road you work directly with Fiona and Clinton Patey, from the initial enquiry, throughout the design process, to the final completion. They will ensure the journey always begins with you.
It’s your kitchen and your home and you will be a fundamental part of the process, with access to all trades involved. The Kitchen Partners are design, planning and installation professionals dedicated to giving each client their dream kitchen. As a fully independent retailer they are able to offer clients not only a greater variety of choice, but the best quality prices and lead times when considering a kitchen restoration. They have a keen eye for up-to-the-minute kitchen design and extensive product knowledge, based on many years working in the kitchen and interior design sectors. With innovative spatial awareness and flair for interior design, they will make your visit to their kitchen design studio a worthwhile and rewarding experience.
HONEYCOMB INTERIORS
Unit B5, BV Studio’s, 37 Philip Street, Bristol BS3 4EA 07793452422; honeycombinteriors.co.uk
Honeycomb is Beth Chippindall, an accomplished interior designer with more than 10 years’ industry experience in a variety of environments, including multi-discipline architecture firms and top 100 interior design practices. She created Honeycomb to provide clients with a dedicated and personalised service, becoming a trusted creative partner to everyone she works with.
Our homes truly are our private havens, and the one space where we can let our own personal style run free. Artwork, wall colour, furniture, and those small finishing touches are what makes a house feel like a home. Honeycomb’s aim is to create beautiful spaces in which people love to spend time. Whatever the scale of your ambition, they work on projects of any size, from the overhaul of a family room through to a full house refurbishment.
KINDLE STOVES
Glenavon Farm, 331 Bath Road, Saltford BS31 3TJ 01179 243898; kindlestoves.co.uk
At the heart of your home should be the perfect stove. Kindle Stoves is a local specialist in clean-burning, eco-design ready stoves approved for burning wood in Bristol, with a wood-burner to suit every home and every style. The team stock the super-efficient Woodwarm, Contura and Rais models as well as many more, offering a full installation service –from fireplace alterations, to slate hearths and stone fireplaces. Their lovely showroom, situated just outside Keynsham, has one of the largest displays of wood-burners in the South West and is open seven days a week. Pop in for advice and brochures or to book a home survey. They also sell seasoned logs, gas fires, and the Big Green Egg outdoor cooker.
TABITHA TARLING GARDEN DESIGN
34 Fairfield Road, Bristol, BS6 5JP 07811 169636; tabithatarling.co.uk
Tabitha is a highly experienced landscape designer with 15 years of designing and installing projects of all sizes, both in the UK and abroad. She offers a full garden design service, including design concept, construction management, planting and styling. She can also provide consultations, garden coaching and advice.
Tabitha works collaboratively with clients, carefully listening to their needs, to ensure the end results are elegant as well as functional. She is keen to ensure her design solutions sit well within their surroundings, with beautiful, thoughtful planting schemes, and a sympathetic use of materials, whether it be it a tiny court-yard, a roof terrace or a large family garden.
She works with a select group of landscape contractors and specialists so that the design process, from concept to completion, is smooth and seamless.
JUST SHUTTERS
0117 3701594; justshutters.co.uk/bristol
Whatever your style –contemporary, modern, cosy or traditional –Just Shutters have the perfect fit for you. The shutters do not fade, warp or age and come with a lifetime guarantee. Rob and Linda Reeves are experts in the field, trained to the market-leading Just Shutters standard. They are passionate about shutters and transforming the homes of local people, with an understanding of outstanding quality, great value, and professional customer service. Work closely with Rob and Linda as they tailor Just Shutters to your tastes, giving you honest and impartial advice. The company has the largest range of material and finishes in the UK, granting you choice and options in terms of shutter style.
ORIENTAL RUGS OF BATH
Bookbarn International, Hallatrow Business Park, Bristol BS39 6EX 01761 451764; orientalrugsofbath.com
Oriental Rugs of Bath is home to an eclectic collection of authentically handcrafted rugs, kilims and furnishings from the Middle and Far East. Personalised on approval services are offered as standard and all stock is available to order easily online (with free nationwide delivery). Expert advice is readily available for all rugrelated enquiries and bespoke orders can be successfully organised. The specialist cleaning and repair service provided is renowned, restoring the most valuable of antique and modern oriental rugs.
CLOUD NINE CREATE
cloudninecreate.co.uk; 01985 844601; info@cloudninecreate.co.uk
One of the most rewarding activities we engage in is the creation of our space. The objects we choose reflect who we are. Creating our space can be a demanding process. It requires us to find our way to objects and interiors that can convey our identities. And the small things matter. The experience and imagination of the team at Cloud Nine Create can help bring your vision to life. The elements of interior design including decoration, furniture selection and placement, lighting, fabrics and textiles, artwork curation and accessories. Practical advice on bathroom and kitchen designs. They can also help with your outdoor space too. Even just a few hours can make a big difference to the direction your project takes, as well as the outcome.
