Welsh Living Magazine by Gillan Williams

www.welshliving.com £1.95

Welsh•Design•Interiors•Lifestyle

A Clean Slate Start afresh for 2009 Smooth as silk Luxurious fabrics Lighten up Brighten your home The Grove 21st Century country living

tel: 01452 831 538 fax: 01452 831 048 email: info@taylormadebystanton.co.uk web: www.taylormadebystanton.co.uk

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Bathroom Centre Visit our extensive showroom with a vast array of Bathrooms, Tiles & Accessories With over 45 years combined experience in bathroom design & ﬁtting, you can be assured of our technical expertise

• Bathroom design service (Computer aided) • Bathroom accessories & lighting • Bathroom furniture • Underﬂoor heating • Wet room ﬂoor specialist • Now with larger showroom • Professional installation service available

Bathroom Centre

Appointed dealers: • Laufen • Daryl • Matki • Airbath • Heritage • Kohler • Clearwater • Bisque • Roca • Acova • Mira • Ciﬁel • Grohe • Utopia And many more..

Service, Value & Quality Assured Visit Our Showrooms at:

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George Street Furnishers 19-24 George Street, Newport, NP20 1EN Tel: 01633 262629 George Street Furnishers 374 Newport Road, Cardiff, CF23 9AE (Next to Megabowl) Tel: 02920 021800 Open 7 days a week! Web: www.aquabathroomcentre.co.uk

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NEWPORT 01633 214241

CARDIFF 02920 49 27 27

Mon, Thurs & Fri: 9.00am - 8.00pm • Tues, Wed & Sat: 9.00am - 5.30pm • Sun: 11.00am - 5.00pm

Mon & Wed 9.30am - 8.00pm • Tues, Thurs, Fri & Sat 9.30am - 6.00pm • Sun 10.30am - 4.30pm

19-24 George Street, Newport, NP20 1EN (Just off George St Bridge on A48)

374 Newport Road, Cardiff, CF23 9AE (Next to Megabowl )

*Selected lines only, ** Restrictions apply, Subject to status, details in store. Photographs for illustration purposes only

Text Editor: Ed Pereira Sub-Editor: Pia Tandon Staff Journalist: Catherine Graham Staff Journalist: Gavin Harris newsdesk@welshliving.com Advertising & Partnership Publication Manager: Debbie Jones sales@welshliving.com The Look Creative Director: Ed Pereira Brand Consultants: Autograﬁk production@welshliving.com Logistics Magazine Distribution: Pear Distribution, Wales’ only specialist magazine distributor www.peardistribution.co.uk Distribution Director: Fed Pereira Distribution Manager: Eduardo Stevens Distributors: Lawrence Burns & Steven Roberts Contact www.welshliving.com www.pearpublishing.com Email: newsdesk@pearpublishing.com Address: Unit 3, Penllyne Way, Vale Business Park, Llandow, CF71 7PE Telephone: 01446 776950 Fax: 01446 775570 All materials copyright 2006 Pear Media Welsh Living Magazine is a trademark of Pear Media 2003. Reproduction in print or full is strictly prohibited.

Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the contents, the publisher cannot accept any responsibility for errors or omissions, or for any matter in any way arising from the publication of this material. The views expressed by the contributors and writers are not necessarily those of the editor or the publishing company. The publishing company does not hold any responsibility for any of the information or contents within the adverts. Welsh Living is a title within the Pear Publishing stable of magazines. For more information log onto www.pearpublishing.com Pear Publishing is a division of Pear Media Ltd.

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Top 9 gifts Here are some uniquely gorgeous gifts from £30 - £50

1 Café melamime dinner plates, set of 4 £25 www.heals.co.uk 2 Satellite Ball Clip This fabulous photo clip holds up to 32 photos or postcards and is easy to assemble. Designed by Kikkerland, a New-York based company that intertwines the concept of practicality with the genius of innovation, the Satellite photo holder includes 16 stainless steel rods with alligator clips held together with a hanging rubber ball. £10 www.WhereDidYouBuyThat.com 3 Cotton Twill Beanbag £30 www.next.co.uk 4 Snow letters £9.50 www.marksandspencer.com Buy them in the sale ready for next year 5 Wire Tailors Dummy £40 www.next.co.uk

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New Year treats

7 Reindeer Egg Cup £5 www.marksandspencer.com Pick it up in the sale 8 Roadside signs Mr Gold gnome £22 www.heals.co.uk melamime dinner plates, set of 4 £25 www.heals.co.uk 9 Strawberry & Apple Cushions Pure felted wool cushions with hand embroidered strawberry and apple designs, along with a lavender heart with ‘Love’ motif. £45 www.janconstantine.com

Winter 08 Welsh Living 9

Neat tricks From storage tricks to sculptural shapes, here are some ingenious neat storage solutions. 2

1 Occa, Functional coffee table with storage. ÂŁ649 www.boncept.co.uk 2 Tree Mario Mazzer, Clothes hanger. Frame in batch-dyed polyethylene. Available in various colours. www.bonaldo.it 3 Cubic Orbit Fun, Gino Carollo Fix or swivel bookcase with square base. Frame: matt painted wood. www.bonaldo.it 4 Mimosa Coffee Table Mimosa contemporary coffee table created from solid acacia wood - a really contemporary piece of furniture with a chunky modern look with built-in storage. 56 x 91 x 38cm. ÂŁ179 www.franceshunt.co.uk

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Storage

The Magtable, Magtable coffee table made from solid wood with slotted top for magazines - available in black or natural £155 www.franceshunt. co.uk Duplex Coffee Table Set A wonderful glass topped coffee table with a stylish, top quality wooden structure. The table comes complete with 5 6 Segment tables with rotating storage drawers, 4 stools and will add a wonderful touch to any living or dining area. £229.99 www.drinkstuff.com Brit designers Wayne Pottinger and Natalie Cole £480 www.pottingerandcole.co.uk 7 Wooden Tribu £459.50 www.ligne-roset.co.uk

Winter 08 Welsh Living 11

Storage

Inspired Storage designs Overloaded with unnecessary trinkets

ven the most committed minimalist can appreciate the sentimental value of beautiful accessories, but it can be tricky to know where they belong. Rather than your house being overloaded with unnecessary trinkets, these fragments of personality could be hidden away for the right season in a gorgeous storage unit. With storage units, think laterally - is it purely aesthetic or do you need to use it for endless amounts of junk that litters your home? A strong proportioned sideboard unit can be extremely grown-up and add sophistication to any room, as well as being a haven for those extra pieces that need not be on show. Storage can also be very elegant, be it a contemporary magazine rack or CD holder. Why not fuse salvaged pieces with showstopping modern units for that juxtaposition? Storage can give your home a new lease of

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life. Incorporate strong lighting around your storage piece as it can help cast shadows and can cast new light on a traditional storage heirloom. If you live in an apartment or studio room then storage is essential, especially if you have lots of friends that constantly descend on you. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important to keep things organised so that you feel your home and your life is in order.

Storage

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Trend alert

Ferm Living Love Birds Wall Sticker Wall Stickers from Ferm Living are a different kind of wall decoration. They create a unique look and change the style and atmosphere in a room. The stickers can be used on all ďŹ&#x201A;at surfaces: walls, ceilings, furniture, windows, mirrors, etc. the possibilities are endless and the only limit is your imagination. The Ferm Living wall stickers collection holds a string of various designs in different sizes and colours in order for you to pick the one that suits you best. When you want to change the style of your home, the wall stickers can be easily removed. The stickers come in a triangular shaped cardboard tube containing everything you need for mounting. ÂŁ40, mode21.co.uk

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Trend alert

3 ways ... ...Love is in the air

Love Too by Paul Smith for The Rug Company Paul Smith’s original Love Too silk and wool wall-hanging produced exclusively by the Rug company strengthens his graphic and mod, real statements. His needle point wall-hanging was featured in Carrie’s apartment in the “Sex and the City” movie, making it a cult piece. Hand woven wool aubusson £1,550, www.paulsmith.co.uk, www.therugcompany.info

Fab Love Cushion An extension to the fabulously funky Pop Art collection. Still stitched in the traditional style using applique, cross stitch and blanket stitch, the Pop Art Collection is very striking, very decorative and very now. It manages to evoke memories of the swinging sixties in a fun, updated way. £80 www.janconstantine.com

Love Birds Mug We know this was only supposed to be three ways with love in the home, but we could not resist showing you this cute love bird mug! Dishwasher-friendly, ceramic mug made in the UK £9 www.petraboaseshop.com

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Adoring you

We love... A few things we love to love right now Rolling Stones in Wales In an exclusive UK publishing deal, the Castle Galleries retail art group is proud to be collaborating with the world-class photographer Philip Townsend who captured the Rolling Stones in a unique light in 1963, just before the band found fame and fortune. A chance meeting on the waterfront in Monte Carlo between the young photographer Philip Townsend and the Rolling Stones ﬁrst manager, Andrew Loog Oldham, gave Townsend the opportunity to photograph the then unknown group, which in turn helped

build their image and turn them into stars. “My brief was to make them look ‘cruel tough and streetwise’,” Townsend explains. Philip

Townsend prowess as a top photographer was undisputed during the Sixties and he became synonymous with the decade, clicking his way through ten years and the famous faces of The Beatles, Gene Pitney, Johnny Ray, the Searchers, Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin and Peter and Gordon (whom he brieﬂy managed). Other Sixties icons to come under the gaze of his lens included Twiggy, Charlotte Rampling and Princess Alexandra dancing with Marlon Brando. The limited edition giclées of 495 are each hand signed by Philip Townsend and feature ‘Mick’, ‘The Rolling Stones, March 1963’, ‘Studio 1, 1963’, ‘Mick & Keith’, ‘ATV Studios, 1963’ and ‘Keith’. And for ardent fans and collectors, who want to own a little piece of rock and roll history this Christmas, there is a beautiful boxed set featuring six limited editions.

Cesendello Lamps on a Rod An elegant spiral shaped structure, the proﬁle recalls the twist of the Muslim turban. The silk is decorated with hand painted patterns, the rod is covered with beautiful fabric.

www.castlegalleries.com

www.venetiastudium.com

Natuzzi Sound Chair Natuzzi, Italy’s largest furniture manufacturer and the world leader in leather upholstery is thrilled to announce the launch of its new SOUND armchair, this new and contemporary design unites style with audio for the ultimate in hi-ﬁ luxury. Sit down, plug-in your MP3 player and relax to the sound of your favourite tunes in the comfort of the new SOUND armchair equipped with its own internal audio system. Crafted by the designers and technicians of the Natuzzi Research & Development Centre, Natuzzi has elevated the concept of hi-ﬁ into a new listening dimension. Built-in loud

16 Welsh Living Winter 08

speakers can be connected to an MP3 player (or to any other device equipped with a minijack plug), making SOUND Natuzzi’s ﬁrst foray into comfortable, stylish listening. With SOUND’s iconic egg-shaped design and complementary pouf, Natuzzi has created a stylish, relaxing experience without compromising on the quality and attention to detail that the brand has become globally renowned for. As with all of Natuzzi’s armchairs and sofas, SOUND is available in a vast range of colours and leathers to ensure absolute personalisation and customer satisfaction. www.natuzzi.co.uk

10 of the best... Monochrome - Introduce a little monochrome magic into your home

1 Ace of Clubs Gorgeous cushion by the New York designer Jonathan Adler, handmade needle point image with black velvet on reverse and a full feather core. £88 www.rume.co.uk 2 Black & White Brocade Pendant Lampshade Stunning handmade drum lampshade for pendant ceiling ﬁxtures - a great lighting statement for the centre of the room. £40 www.hunkydoryhome.co.uk 3 Skull & Crossbones Pop Up Storage Box Folding card box with skulls design £4.95 www.dotcomgiftshop.com 4 Natural Skin Contemporary Rug Natural Skin Contemporary Rug. Prices from £100.31 to £312.57 - Custom size rugs also available. www.arteespinarugs.co.uk 5 Mannequin Monochrome Place Mats and Coasters £24.95 www.judyholme.com

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Monochrome

6 Monochrome Mannequin Lampshade Vintage style, yet very contemporary monochrome mannequin lampshade. £75 www.judyholme.com Menu 7 Porcelain Bowl Designed by: Pernille Vea £29.95 www.wineware.co.uk 8 Bottna Ottoman Footstool Deep padded lid for extra seating, detailed with piping and wooden legs. Generous storage and ideal for bedrooms or the lounge. £219.99 www.sheerhome.co.uk 9 Floral Dining Set Floral dining set dinner plate £2 side £2 www.matalan.co.uk 10 Zita Striped Mugs Zita black striped mugs are sold as a set of six and cost £29.00 from Wood Empire £29 www.woodempire.co.uk

Spring 08 Welsh Living 19

Oriental fusion

Sumptuous silks Anjolie Silk embroidery weaves

offany’s collections recall a time when exploration and trade between Europe and the Middle East was at its most fruitful. From the mid-18th to late 19th century, progress in travel to far flung countries brought about a vibrant fusion of Oriental and Venetian influences. As artists were naturally drawn to these foreign and mysterious lands, reactions to these striking, dramatic landscapes and cultures became ever more apparent in their work. The Silk Road, an interconnected series of ancient trade routes, stretched from Asia through the middle and Near East into Europe and linked all manner of traders, merchants and travellers from China to the Mediterranean Sea. An essential catalyst to cultural interaction, it brought with it new influences in design, helping to lay the foundation for the modern world. This mixing of different cultures resulted in a rich and colourful era in textiles and decor. Lavish and eclectic interiors were in abundances as travellers bought back mementos such as colourful suzanis, embroideries, rugs and Persian silk damasks from their exotic destinations. With a nod to this age-old lure of the east, the Zoffany collections combine oriental and classic European design; sumptuous silks and tribal embroiders are mixed with small scale linen weaves and textural plains. A fabulous range of trimmings in over twenty jewel-like colour sets are the perfect complement to the fabric collections.

Orissan chairs with plates A stunning combination of print and embroidery, Orissan is a bold panel design inspired by the hand-crafted textiles of Central Asia. it is embroidered in three colourways on a cotton ground.

Enter text here Bohemia Stripe curtain Bohemia Stripe chairs At once classic and contemporary, Bohemia is a versatile wide stripe with a ‘pinked’ edge woven in a ﬁne cotton satin quality. It is available in eight colourways and can be used for both curtains and upholstery.

Enter text here

Venice Weaves Persian Tulip Emerald (Above) Persian Tulip Emerald A collection of four luxurious designs comprising damasks, silk chenilles and satin stripes. InďŹ&#x201A;uenced by the sophistication of European destinations that formed the route of the Grand Tour, they provide a dramatic backdrop to the 21st century interiors. Persian Tulip is a stunning, modern interpretation of a traditional Persian motif from the 17th century. An interpretation of this design was used by Fortuny at the beginning of the 19th century for a silk velvet. it is woven on a silk warp with chenille motif in four jewel-like colours.

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Anjolie Aubergine A decorative and richly coloured design with exotic ďŹ&#x201A;owers in a trailing pattern, Anjolie is reminiscent of Indian palampore prints. It is embroidered on a pure linen ground and available in four colourways. www.zoffany.com

neofeditions.com has a mission: helping people make the walls of their homes beautiful. Have you ever wanted to have original art in your home, but you weren’t sure about approaching a gallery? We want people to feel connected to every piece art of on their walls, to feel that they have invested in an artist’s career. At oneofeditions, we have a growing stable of both internationally recognised and upand-coming artists. Our photographers’ work is held in many public collections in the U.K and internationally, including the V&A, museums and galleries of Wales, as well as many corporate and private collections. Oneofeditions.com makes collecting photographic art accessible by combining the curatorial function of the gallery and the internet. Our objective is to offer a comfortable place to enter, view and purchase art whenever the mood takes you. We have two clear goals, to support both emerging and established artists while helping their work become more appreciated, and to encourage society as a whole to feel comfortable buying photographic art. If you would like to be added to our mailing list, please e-mail us at the address below. info@oneofeditions.com

Andrew Moxon, from the series Tales of Gloucester

Collecting the Photographic Arts With the advent of the Tate Modern and Tate Britain now showing pure photographic exhibitions, in the last decade, photography has come of age in the art world. In this feature, Welsh Living brings you three of the world’s most exciting photographic artists.

Aled Hughes, The Blue Lagoon - Abereiddy

Claire Richardson, untitled

Introducing The Contemporary Collection From Multiyork Head to Multiyork’s Cardiff store to view its new range of sofas, dining furniture and accessories for the home.

ead to Multiyork’s Cardiff store to view its new range of sofas, dining furniture and accessories for the home. The store has recently been refurbished with a new, contemporary look on the first floor, showcasing Multiyork’s modern collections such as Nevada and Casual Living, and the more classic lines now on the ground floor. The Nevada Corner Collection is a stylish, elegant and stunning addition to any living

room – it simply exudes class. With living space at a premium, this modular corner collection – with left and right corner options - is not only innovative, but also extremely versatile, allowing you to arrange it in different ways to complement your living space and your lifestyle. Casual Living is an award-winning* range of easy, unfussy pieces that can be mixed and matched to create the impression of

effortless style in your home. The collection encapsulates easy living for today’s busy lifestyles by bringing together individual pieces to create a simple, yet modern statement. Perfect for relaxing or entertaining, the collection includes the Colorado and Denver sofas and Aspen - a range of matching occasional furniture with solid mindi frames. The distinctive looks of the Denver and

Colorado complement one another perfectly, as well as the co-ordinating Aspen chairs, and offer inviting and comfortable seating options. Also on the new-look first floor, you will find the Metro Collection - the epitome of New York chic - bringing together style and supreme comfort to create a unique retro vibe. With its bold design, Multiyork’s Large Long Island sofa in Oleana Aubergine will make a statement in any living space.

Together with Alpine chairs in a rich jewel colour like Giorgette Aubergine, you can create a living space that is both contemporary and versatile enough for today’s busy lifestyles.

Store Manager, Luke Holloway, said: “We’re delighted with the store’s new layout - it’s much easier to show customers how they can mix and match the more contemporary and classic pieces and we’re proud to be the ﬁrst Multiyork store in Wales.” Unique among furniture stores, all Multiyork fabric made to order sofas are ﬁtted with tailored removable covers, so it’s never been quicker or easier to change the look of your room or sofa. Multiyork’s unique tailored removable covers can transform a classic look to a more contemporary one and with over 10,000 fabrics to choose from including Andrew Martin, Sanderson, Monkwell and GP&J Baker, the choice is endless. Every single upholstery template is archived

indeﬁnitely so you can rest assured that Multiyork can provide new sofa covers as and when you need them – even if the sofa has been discontinued. You’ll ﬁnd Multiyork at Culverhouse Cross, Cardiff. Visit www.multiyork.co.uk or call 0800 040 7171 for more information. * Silver Award Winner for Best Furniture Range at the 2008 House Beautiful Awards

Sofa do good

Petal Curvaceous sofa A beautiful curvaceous sofa by Jet Baker with an outside arc that goes all the way around. Contemporary yet timeless. Purple is this season’s must-have colour. Be stylish and comfortable with this luxury sofa. £2100 www.rume.co.uk

Lo Flo

By Jet Baker The luxury sofa has a solid kiln-dried beech and plywood frame. Quality foam cushions as standard over webbed platform. Shallow button detail on back cushions. Your choice of fabric or leather. 84cm high x 205cm wide x 86cm deep. £1500 www.rume.co.uk

La Lune

Fully Curvaceous This uber-striking sofa will add a splash of colour and will be the talking point of any house. A beautiful curvaceous fully upholstered couch. Deep in the seat and high in the back. £1800 www.rume.co.uk

Kennedy Fabric Sofabed Darlings of Chelsea Guest coming for the New Year, nowhere for them to stay? this gorgeous sofabed will be the perfect ideal. With removable arms and removable back, you do not even need screws to assemble this uniquely designed sofabed. The sofabed mechanism can be opened without removing the back and the seat cushions. £1115.00 www.darlingsofchelsea.co.uk

Spring 08 Welsh Living 29

Lighting up your life

Let there be light The right lighting can turn a cold room into a cosy haven. With this ten point guide to lighting up your home, you’ll be able to shine light on the matter and add warmth without touching the thermostat. 1 Solar lighting Use solar energy to capture the sunlight which in turn lights your home. The use of the sun as a source of energy has evolved considerably. Solar lighting is not just the lighting of the future: it is the right kind of lighting for right now. Today, solar technology is improving constantly and catching the imagination of users with the result that solar lighting is becoming more widely available today thanks to low costs as well as greater awareness. It is never to soon to start saving yourself some money (in terms of energy costs) and you will also be saving the environment too. Solar lighting can help you reap the benefits of lower utility costs (which is also a worthy reason). The first place to start is to replace all of your incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent ones.

2 Collection Increase the number of lights in your space and decrease the wattage in each one. The idea is to create several warm pools of light rather than uniformly light the room. 3 Dimmer switch Fit a dimmer switch. You really can create a romantic atmosphere with subtle lighting.

3 Candlelight You can create a beautiful atmosphere with creative use of decorative lighting including candlelight. Candle light immediately transpires a bare room into a romantic environment. By adding scented candles this appeals to all the senses. Pinspot lighting is an effective way of illuminating areas around the room, including table centres and mantle pieces resulting in an ambient warm light.

4 Chandeliers Magniﬁcent

chandeliers

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usually

require

more than one bulb so this immediately adds decadence to your room and warmth.

5 Crystals Cut glass and crystals help shine the light and cast prisms of light that dance across the room.

6 Sustainable material Some lampshades incorporate or us sustainable products, this is a great way of recycling and creating a natural lighting.

7 Floor Lamps and uplighters Floor lamps are ideal to create the illusion of higher ceilings as the light shines up. Having lights at different levels in the room also adds new dimensions. A simple yet sophisticated effect, uplighters can be used to line the walls of your home, accentuating the size of the room. You can accentuate beautiful architecture or spice up bland walls and drapes with a splash of colour and vibrancy.

8 Home made With the idea of recycling in mind, you can create your own lamp by using unusual materials including driftwood or other natural ﬁbres. Not only will this be a bespoke design, but will add authenticity to your room, and a one of a kind design.

9 Colour Incorporate colour into your lighting, this adds an unusual mood and welcoming setting. Colour plays such a vital importance in our world. Colour can decipher our moods, change our thinking and cause reactions. Blue represents peace, tranquility, calm, harmony, unity, trust, truth, conﬁdence, security, loyalty, sky, water, cold, and depression.

Black represents power, sophistication, formality, elegance, mystery, fear, evil, anonymity, unhappiness, depth, evil, sadness, remorse, anger, mourning and death. Green represents nature, environment, health, good luck, renewal, youth, vigor, spring, generosity, fertility, envy. We associate red with love, valentines, danger, desire, speed, strength, violence, anger, emergency exit signs, stop signs and blood. White is what we see when all colors come together in perfect balance. It represents reverence, purity, simplicity, cleanliness, peace, humility, precision, innocence, youth, birth, winter, snow, good, sterility, and marriage. Yellow represents joy, happiness, optimism, idealism, imagination, hope, sunshine, summer, cowardice, deceit, spirituality and inspiration. Colour can have a huge effect on our emotions, but used in the right ways, it can also save on energy consumption. Light colors and reﬂective coatings cut cooling costs.

Lighting up your life

Spring 08 Welsh Living 31

Warm delights

Fire Delights A Plaza gel burning ﬁreplace can be used as a static or mobile ﬁreplace and does not require a chimney.

he Plaza Wood can be placed anywhere in the house - freestanding or wall mounted. Designed by Michael Sieger for Conmoto, it works with fluid burning gel that gently crackles when lit. With the optional regulator mechanism, the height of the flame can be simply and safely adjusted. The facia can be changed according to its’ surroundings, and is available in a variety of different colours. It is also available in it’s most simple form, without faceplate. The clear glass door provides effective air circulation, resulting in minimum ash residue, further due to inbuilt tertiary air supply. Dots is the first time that a fireplace and seating have been brought together to create a portable product family. The cylindrical elements can be assembled on a balcony, on the terrace or in the garden, and together they generate a backdrop which lends itself to communication – a modern

interpretation of sitting around a campfire. The minimalist design makes experiencing the fire the genuine focus and creates hours of atmospheric moments both inside or out. The textile cushions are completely weather resistant and can easily be removed and washed. The seating elements are available in two sizes. BALANCE - It’s more than just a fire place; it is an interior design concept. The wood burning stove can be chosen along with the side elements in a variety of materials, functions and widths, and can be joined in a horizontal line along the wall. The stove and other elements are also available as a free standing opton on stainless steel feet. All of the modules are compatible and allow for any number of design possibilities. Balance NATURE 7kw log burning stove £4214 inc. VAT.

Log storage units from £1703 inc. VAT. Designed by Germany’s famous Peter Maly, the clean, architectural detail make Balance the minimilist log burning stove. Producing a massive 7kw of heat output the Balance can be used as a primary heat source. The modular wall mounted or ﬂoor standing units are available in wallnut, oak, powder coated black steel or silver steel, and comprise of seating, mutlimedia, log storage or drawer elements. www.encompassco.com

Living area

Hot Designs

Radiators can now be stylish design statements that can not only warm a room but be incorporated as beautiful sculptural pieces. 2 1

1 Aestus Elements Plato Towel Prop Plato is manufactured from Silestone, a unique stone manufactured using 94% Quartz which is one of the best compounds nature has to offer. With its sophisticated appearance, Silestone has the feel and weight of natural stone but with superior quality. Vertically hung and with two cut out slots integral to its design, Plato is ideal for use in the kitchen or bathroom providing useful towel storage and coordinating with worksurfaces in the same popular material. £3,109 www.aestus-radiators.com 2 Cast Iron Radiators www.21stcenturyradiators.com 3 Aestus Papillon Bronze Its elegant beauty resembles, as its name suggests, the wings of a butterfly, with a soft curved design perfect for today’s trend for organic interiors influenced by elements of nature. This styling is further enhanced by the new Antique Bronze finish providing an alternative to the polished and brushed stainless steel versions, which some find too stark to live with. £4,298 www.aestus-radiators.com 4 The Radiator Company CO Moon Moon electric only steel radiator. From £975.19 http://www. theradiatorcompany.co.uk

A clean resolution

A Clean Slate With the New Year setting in, it’s time to think of your New Year’s resolutions. With a plethora to choose from, why not choose one that you can keep and that your home will beneﬁt from?

here’s nothing better than walking into your home when it is clean and tidy. Many of us find it difficult to truly relax when our homes are subject to the playground of our children. With a plethora of cleaning products and equipment on the market, it can be difficult to choose. Keen to do the market research for you, we at Welsh Living have found some of the best products on the market so there are no excuses for you not to keep your New Year’s resolution. 38% of the UK have laminate on their floor, 92% have carpet or rugs, 35% have wooden floorboards and 46% have tiles – whilst this variation of floors looks good in the home it 36 Welsh Living Spring 08

requires a raft of different appliances, which is both bulky to store and inconvenient - who wants to change appliances halfway through cleaning the floors? Morphy Richards has come to the rescue with the launch of PerformAir, a new range of all-terrain vacuum cleaners which have been specially designed to cope with the multitude of surfaces in today’s home. The first products in the PerformAir range are the Performair Cyclonic Upright Cleaner and the PerformAir Cyclonic Cylinder Cleaner. Both come in an attractive metallic lilac, are suitable for all types of floor surfaces and feature an extra long stair hose for safer stair cleaning. £129.99 www.morphyrichards.com Brand ‘Swan’ dirtmaster bagless upright £60, Petmaster bagless upright £70, Allergy master upright £80 all available in purple, red,blue www.littlewoodsdirect.com JML Fresh Air Globe H20, water, aqua libre is at the heart of it you see. Allergens and smelly odours are taken from the air and pumped into the vent of the Fresh Air Globe, then a powerful fan forces these towards the water and the air cleaning process begins. Result: cleaner, fresher and purer air! Its mood light, which comes in a wide range of colours, makes a stunning addition to any home or office. It has a wonderful and calming feeling. It also makes a great night light for children, while helping protect them from harmful pollutants.

less than sixteen female hands! £36.50 www.bodieandfou.com

A clean resolution

Wine Away 240ml This safe water-based, biodegradable red wine stain remover made from natural ingredients really does work. If you drink red wine, stains are almost inevitable, whether a spillage, drip or circle from the base of the glass. And with the merriment of Christmas just around the corner, we should all have a bottle of Wine Away to hand. At last, we can get rid of red wine stains without resorting to chemicals. Wine Away makes red wine, cranberry juice and other red stains disappear from carpet and fabrics. It is derived from fruit and vegetable extracts making it safe to use around children and pets, contains no bleach or phosphates and utilises an eco-friendly pump action spray. £9.99 www.love-eco.co.uk Luxury Scented Jasmine Candle This luxurious fragrant candle is made from the purest soy and palm oil based ingredients, which offer not just the beneﬁt of Eco-Friendliness, but also have a burn time around 20% longer than inferior petroleum or parafﬁn based wax candles- around 50 hours burn time and burns cleanly - no smoke- no blackening of the glass. In addition the wicks are lead free so you can just sit back, relax and be swept away by the exotic aroma of Wild Jasmine. £45 www.nickandmilly.co.uk

The JML Fresh Air Globe is also energy efﬁcient – using only 10 Watts of electricity! This means it can be run 24 hours a day, 365 days a year without the guilt of high energy consumption. So if you are peeved by pet odours, ticked off by tobacco smoke or allergic to anything, get yourself a JML Fresh Air Globe. £39.99 www.jmldirect.com

Washing-up bowl and Brush - Pink Flexible and durable in shape and material, this award-winning rubber washing-up bowl adds a poetic element to a tiresome task. The brush is made of Chinese pig bristles bent and glued to the wood and by the time it is ﬁnished, it has received the attention of no Spring 08 Welsh Living 37

Take sanctuary

Create a Luxury Bathing Sanctuary With house sales at an all-time low and the economic forecast gloomy, turn your house into a luxury home by creating a bathing sanctuary with simple ideas and choice pieces from the BC Sanitan collection that won’t break the bank.

ay Homage to a Bygone Era Chandeliers create a focal point in almost any room of the house but in the bathroom they add a touch of glamour and opulence. Paint frames around your bathroom furniture and add touches of solid wood - like an Eternity bath panel and matching toilet seat - for a look that is resplendently evocative of enchanting bygone times.

Belgravia combines elegance with exceptional versatility. The ﬂuted column has always been one of the essential deﬁning features of period styling. The look is full of character and wonderfully evocative, used to subtle effect on Belgravia’s pedestal, closet and bidet. The cistern’s breakfront shape is another charming traditional detail allowing you to indulge your period bathroom styling ideas as far as you like. Bathe by Candlelight Strike a match and light a candle to create a

calm, intimate and romantic mood. Couple with the inviting and shapely Mark Anthony bath, your desired aroma and favourite soundtrack for the perfect glowing retreat. For sheer presence, the iconic cast iron double-ended bath can make a dramatic focal point for your bathroom. It’s impressive enough even when not in use, but add some atmosphere, pour yourself a glass of your favourite wine and really soak away the evening in pure indulgence. The interior of the bath is ﬁnished in heavy white enamel, while the exterior surface is supplied unﬁnished ready for priming and painting to match your chosen scheme Create a Masterpiece Just add sheer curtains, standalone and wall mirrors as features and sumptuous towels for the perfect spa-like retreat. Consider warm neutral tones to make your bathroom more inviting and twin with stately pieces like the Highgrove bath for a classic creation.

A showstopper in every sense, the Highgrove is guaranteed to get your bathroom noticed. The deep freestanding double-ended acrylic bath is designed speciﬁcally for use with the Highgrove suite, but the style is neutral enough for you to consider teaming with your suite. BC Sanitan is famous for its classic designs with pure distinction. Beautiful at home not only in traditional surroundings but also with the cool ﬁnishes and fresh colours of more modern day settings, the collection includes baths, bathroom suites, brassware, furniture and accessories and is sold exclusively through specialist bathroom retailers throughout the UK.

www.bcsanitan.co.uk

We have launched the New Welsh Living Website, featuring the best in kitchen design.

www.welshliving.com

Bathroom & Tiles | Fireplaces & Stoves | Kitchens & Granite Worktops | Conservatories

Bridge Works, Pentre Road, St Clears, Carmarthenshire E. sales@gwwales.co.uk W. www.gwwales.co.uk T. 01994 230384

Proud sponsors of Casa Dudley

Bathroom

The bathroom that works around you Creating a feeling of space

new bathroom solution has been launched from the Royal range available from Splash Distribution. The Royal 13 composition combines freestanding and wall hung furniture to create a feeling of space while offering the opportunity to move parts of the bathroom around to ﬁt everyone’s needs. Finished in both subtle and vibrant hues, the Royal furniture is an elegant, sophisticated range for the bathroom that can be given an infusion of colour with the brighter options. Colours include Light Oak, Cappuccino, Gloss Lacquered White and Grey. Units can also be contrasted with striking worktops in ﬁnishes including Silver Crystal, Black Marble and Light Grey Marble. Alternatively, as shown, worktops can be toned in with the furniture to create a softer effect.

freestanding units in light oak giving a retro feel to the bathroom design. The brighter cabinets create a focal point and break up the design, especially when installing in a larger bathroom. Freestanding storage is becoming increasingly popular throughout the home as it can be moved around to suit the needs of the user. Moveable furniture also makes cleaning easier and means that when moving house, much of the furniture can easily be taken and the layout adjusted to suit the new space. The Royal 13 composition retails at around £3381 inc. VAT. For further information on this, or any other compositions from the Royal range, contact Splash Distribution on: 01444 473355. £3,381

The composition shown includes wall hung units in orange lacquer contrasting with the Spring 08 Welsh Living 41

Kitchens

A new interpretation of a classic The classic white kitchen’s distinctive transformation

he white kitchen has been a design staple for decades. At this year’s Eurocucina, Miele die Küche presented a new interpretation of this classic kitchen. Its new pure white lacquer is uniquely distinctive when combined with the luxurious high gloss Sweet Gum Tree veneer. The result is an attractive and original mix of kitchen tradition and modern lifestyle trends. The comfortable feel of this kitchen stems from the variable design options offered by the Kitchen Living System; wall mounted lowboards used in place of traditional base units, and Sweet Gum Tree panels combined with the elegant Midway light panel create an unusually sophisticated yet thoroughly functional preparation area, that is flanked by appliance units mounted flush into the wall. Free-hanging lowboards provide a visual link to the living space. This design provides the perfect setting for the striking grain of the Sweet Gum Tree. There are no handles to spoil this understated look; this is made possible by Miele die Küche’s new electro-mechanical pull-out activation system. Another creative highlight of this kitchen is the pull out coffee bar, which Miele die Küche offers as its latest development in appliance integration. Here, an automatic coffee maker has been integrated into the pantry unit, which also contains a pull out tray, light console shelf and two concealed drawers. Picture one - a new pure white smooth lacquer is combined with a striking, high gloss sweet gum tree veneer, whilst wall-mounted lowboards replace base units to make this kitchen both a work area and living space. Picture two - The coffee machine is a must in a modern kitchen, but must it interrupt the flow of the units? Not when it is integrated in a pantry unit so that it disappears after use. www.miele-kitchens.co.uk 42 Welsh Living Winter 08

Kitchens

Winter 08 Welsh Living 43

by people... for people

spaceﬁttingfurniture spaceﬁttingfurniture, the design quarter, 145 colchester avenue, penlan, cardiff, cf23 9an

tel: 02920 455778 www.spaceﬁttingfurniture.co.uk

Main feature

Mirror Mirror

Ornate, illustrious mirrors are paramount when creating a dramatic and decorative statement with a contemporary ornamental twist.

on’t worry if your home doesn’t resemble the penthouse or gilt suite at the Savoy. An embellished mirror can create a juxtaposition fusing contemporary and antique furnishings. You can pick up a variety of delicately etched, highlighted, beveled and edged mirrors from antique fairs or alternatively, buy a reproduction that will cost a fraction of the price and has the same charm as an antique mirror. Mirrors heighten the feeling of light and space and creates a design philosophy to incorporate depth and amplify the apparent size of a room. Mirrors do not have to be hung and can be used as a ﬂoor mirror in the corner of a room where there isn’t enough light. This will brighten the area and add to the decor and it also can then be used as a full-length dressing mirror.

The reﬂection from a lit candle in a mirror is extremely enchanting and tranquil and can provide the right ambiance for modern romanticism. Whether

you choose a traditional or contemporary mirror, it will deﬁnitely enhance the decor and add new dimensions to your room.

Alexandria Cheval Mirror £399 www.frankhudson.com

Venetian Orchid Mirror £395 www.frenchbedroomcompany.co.uk

Sassy Boo Console Mirror & Chair £240 www.frenchbedroomcompany.co.uk

JEREMY DAVIES DESIGNER & MAKER OF BESPOKE FINE FURNITURE

KITCHENS BEDROOMS BATHROOMS STUDIES FREESTANDING

TEL: 01656 841 942 www.jeremYDAVIES.CO.UK

Flooring

Flooring trends A sign of the times? Five years ago, laminate flooring became the norm for a contemporary chic home. But with spiralling living costs and rising pressures on the housing market, many of us are looking for ways to add value to our assets. Real wood flooring is back in demand as it’s a cost effective and easy way to add instant elegance and timeless appeal to any living space. Bernard Evans from Cardiff-based flooring company, Westco, takes a look back at the flooring industry to show how the choices people make with their home decor are a sign of the times.

ernard Evans, 64, is one of Westco’s longest serving employees. He started his career as a chef and then spent 15 years at a coachbuilding and engineering company, and joined Western Cork Ltd, now known as Westco, based on Penarth Road in Cardiff. After nearly 24 years at Westco, where he set up the customer services division, Bernard now welcomes his retirement and takes a look back at ﬂooring trends and the changing face of DIY. He said: “Back in the 80s, a lot of people will remember that the main styles of ﬂooring out there were cork and parquet that came in squares and with paper backing. Not only were they all economical, but easy-to-lay and most homes had them.

48 Welsh Living

“As we moved into the mid to late 1980s, laminate flooring was introduced – a type of flooring designed to replicate the look of real wood, requiring little maintenance and at a snip of the price of the real thing. And for those us who care to remember, laminate flooring of that era was not as advanced as the wood-coloured and textured laminate strips that cover many of our kitchens and living areas today. “In fact, a lot of laminates were manufactured in pastel colours, predominantly in yellows, greens and blues. These were very common in children’s nurseries and you’d be pushed to find a wood effect floor anywhere else in the home. “A year or two later, the wood grain look came back into fashion. Laminates became

more wood-like and the critical laminate boom came in the mid-80s. Paradoxically carpet sales had fallen significantly during this time as more people moved towards the clean, minimalist look. “Once the boom kicked in, many carpet outlets were forced to diversify to stay afloat and so started stocking wood and laminates in order to meet this demand. During this time, Westco experienced a boost in demand and increased its range of laminate floor wood strips. “As demand for wood continued to soar, manufacturers of laminate flooring were forced to compete, and subsequently became higher in quality. “There have always been peaks and troughs in the popularity of all these floor coverings

Flooring Tips Westco’s 10 easy steps to laying the perfect ﬂoating laminate ﬂoor

1. Prepare the planks;

Leave the laminate packs in the room where they will be laid 72 hours before you open them so they can acclimatise.

2. Prepare the ﬂoor underneath;

Make sure the ﬂoor is dry, ﬂat and clean before covering to ensure the best surface to work on.

3.Put down the underlay;

Choose underlay made out of foam, fibreboard or high performance for best results. On ground floors, lay down a high quality vapour barrier first. High performance underlay has a vapour barrier included to save time.

4.Make sure you have an expansion gap;

It is essential with wood based ﬂooring to have an expansion gap of around 12.5mm running around the outside skirting. Place spacers between the gaps to ensure the best size.

5.Lay the first three rows; and it’s interesting to see how the trends come full circle. While laminates still dominate new build homes, we’re definitely seeing a boom again in real wood flooring. “As more pressure hits the housing market and fewer people are looking to move, many are opting to add value to their existing homes and one of the ways they are doing this is by laying down a solid or veneered real wood floor in the kitchen or living areas. The beauty of real wood is its unique look and feel, as no two floors look the same! “As well as seeing a boom in real wood flooring, I’ve also witnessed a change in the number of people embracing DIY and laying their own floors. In earlier days, contractors would have carried out much of the home improvements work, but today, laying a floor can be simple. “Laminates have come a long way from their inception, and now most have an in-built self locking system which means that laying a floor is now easier than ever. With this design, the strips fit together with ease and there’s no need for messy glue to hold them in place. Also, the floor can be easily pulled up and refitted without damaging the base.

“As well as technology playing a vital part in encouraging home owners to carry out DIY, the media has also had an effect. The surge in popularity of TV programmes such as ‘Changing Rooms’ and ‘DIY SOS’ has inspired many to do-it-themselves and lay their own floors at home.These programmes have taken the scary side out of DIY and have presented home improvements as cost-effective and a great way to add more value to a home. “Although in general, most people are more DIY savvy, I would say that these TV programmes can often make DIY look easier than it really is, so my best advice would be – read the instructions! Most of the problems we encounter at Westco are due to customers not reading instructions properly! Having worked through the ranks from sales administration manager, Bernard now has a customer services sales team made up of three full-time members of staff. Between them the combined team has served Westco for nearly 50 years. For a free flooring guide, visit the website: www.westcofloors.co.uk

Start on the longest wall or towards the main source of light and lay your ﬁrst three rows carefully to make sure they are straight. This will make the rest of the job much easier. If the wall isn’t straight, use a compass and pencil to draw the shape of the room onto the laminate so they can be cut to ﬁt.

6. Protect the ﬂoor from being marked

whilst hammering; Use a protective block or surface to shield the boards from the hammer when knocking them into place.

7. Cut bigger holes for the pipes;

Holes for pipes (e.g. radiator pipes) should be cut 10mm larger than the pipes making it easier to slot into place.

8. Put down cork expansion strips;

Remove the spacers and replace with cork expansion strips to wedge in the gap to ensure the ﬂoor remains tight during its lifetime.

9. Covering the gap; Cover the gap with skirting or Scotia so it’s not visible. Be careful to make sure the skirting doesn’t trap the ﬂooring underneath by leaving a small gap in between. 10. Job done;

Prepare the ﬂooring for furniture by making sure the surface is clean.

Welsh Living 49

Forgotten trade

Thatch made in heaven A forgotten trade I

t seems to be the fashion to have a contemporary home based around the minimalist white collection which adorns the pages of highly acclaimed magazines such as Elle Decoration. However, now that vintage chic has become a fashion movement straight from the pages of Vogue, this resurgence is taking place in our homes. Why settle for the modern home in a culde-sac where all the houses look the same and lack character and lustre? Think back to country cottages with rickety old doors, old English roses and beautiful thatched roofs. Thatching is an old-aged craft that is slowly dying out, thanks to modernisation and the production of other cheaper materials. Slate and roof tiles have taken over from this raw material, as it is considered to be more economical. Thatching materials consist of

50 Welsh Living Spring 08

dry vegetation including straw, water reed, rushes, heather or sedge and is regarded as the oldest roofing material, used in both tropical and temperate climates. More and more people are moving away from the lemming approach of contemporary chic and want a more individual and personal look. This has led to the investigation of other raw materials including traditional trades including thatching for a more rustic look. Thatching immediately conjures images from Return of the Native and other Thomas Hardy novels with traditional farm houses with well used fire places that over stand majestically over looking acres of land. That is something that the modern family lack, an affinity with nature and natural products. By incorporating thatching into your home, you are an integral part of maintaining this

ancient tradition that is passed down from generation to generation. Records of European thatch have been sourced and dated back to the Middle Ages when small settlements and villages were established. When these small villages were created they required readily available, inexpensive and durable building material which led them to use thatch. These thatched houses were built in close proximity and due to disastrous ﬁres that swept through these ancient medieval cities, the authorities demanded new regulations and more durable and efﬁcient materials were used. This led to thatched roofs being whitewashed with plaster daub. Thatching was used in the New World and dated back to the earliest records in 1565,

Forgotten trade

with Native Americans using it as well as Powhatan Indians. Unfortunately thanks to Wales’ success in the commercial production of Welsh Slate in 1820, this had a drastic effect on other materials being readily available. This was reinforced with the canals and railways being built, providing exportation of cheaper, mass goods. Another effect in the diminishing thatching was due to the Napoleonic Wars, as this raised the price of wheat and straw resulting in many thatchers out of business. As the number of thatchers declined, this tradition became sadly regarded as unfashionable. The advancement of technology in the farming industry also had a negative impact on thatching, as the combine harvester produced a shorter stemmed variety of wheat, instead of the long straw once produced for thatching. However thanks to the revival of historic architecture and the trend towards using sustainable materials, thatching is once again in the ascendancy.

It is apparent that there are more thatched roofs in the UK than in any other European country. As a nation we are more environmentally aware and looking for alternative living arrangements, to refrain from contributing to global warming. Thatching is a great alternative as good quality thatching straw can last for more than 45-50 years, when it is installed by a skilled thatcher. When needed, traditionally a new layer of straw was applied over the weathered surface. In ancient buildings the thatching is over 2.0 metres thick and the preserved lower layers of medieval thatch can be calculated to over 600 years old. Depending on your geographic location, also depends on which material was used. Water reed is used in the majority of Eastern England, and thatchers used the one coat material method which is when the thatch is stripped then replaced by a new layer when needed. It is estimated that half of England’s thatched roofs consist of water reed, with 90% being imported from Turkey and Eastern Europe.

Although thatching appears to be dying out, this resurgence of a master craft still uses ancient methods. Thatch is fastened together in bundles with a diameter of about two feet. These bundles are then laid onto the roof with the butt facing out, and is then secured to the roof beams with wooden rods. The thatcher continues this process layering the bundles on top of each other and secures the ridgelines of the roof with a ﬁnal layer. By using this method the thatch roofs are easy to repair and will endure heavy winds and rain, something the UK is acclimated to. Thatching evokes many feelings and Merthyr Mawr village is the perfect thatching community. This beautiful village is situated about 2 miles from the centre of Bridgend in the country borough of Bridgend. It’s like stepping back in time with eloquent thatched cottages in the most idyllic settlement. This picturesque community is inspirational and is a little piece of history captured in the Welsh countryside that keeps this thatching trade alive

Winter 08 Welsh Living 51

Garden

Atmospheric Lighting The garden doesn’t need to be lit up just at Christmas time

Just because the weather is cooler doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy our gardens. By incorporating some garden lighting, you can create a dramatic focal point that adds a magical atmospheric environment. Gas garden light £29.99 www.drinkstuff.com

Teardrop Garden hanging tea lights £14.50 www.stylishlife.co.uk www.modular-lighting.co.uk

52 Welsh Living Winter 08

Gardens

Winter 08 Welsh Living 53

Columnists

This month, Interiors Etc loves... Welcome to our new column where we will bring you the latest trends and offerings available for your home. We will capture the best products on the market today which we love and will hopefully inspire you to bring style into your home. Simon Atkins & Bethan Perrin 3

For dinner parties with a difference, create some WOW factor with the latest in stylish lighting. For a modern twist on a classic look, Habitat’s latest collection includes the modern Linear Crystal Chandelier. For a more contemporary feel with all the appeal of a modern art installation try the Verona 12 drop pendant light , also from Habitat. 3.Linear Crystal Chandelier £399 and Verona £649. www.habitat.co.uk

1 A walk in the park with a loved one. Capture this with Osborne & Little’s latest wallpaper “Best in Show” from their walk in the park collection. For a witty take on man’s best friend, we love this striking wallpaper to create something different and unique in your home. If you don’t feel darling enough to put it on the wall, snuggle up with a lovely throw in the same eye- catching design. 1. Walk in the park collection Autumn 2- Best in show wallpaper (W5872) £89 per 10m roll. www.osborneandlittle.com

What better to snuggle up on than a sofa or favorite armchair covered in Lomond Check from Osborne & Little’s latest collection. Bang on trend, this brings tartan into the 21st century, bringing a touch of the catwalk into your living room. 2. Roomsets and inspiration O&L Sept 08 3 2. 4 £79 per metre. Hot off the press is Anna French’s latest www.osborneandlittle.com wallpaper collection Wild Flora, which takes vintage to a new glamorous level. Bang up to date, wallpaper designs dance on foils, flowers bloom into a reflective element, whites coordinate on white, and black with glitter transforms wallpaper into a tarnished 5 mirror effect. This is definitely the look for 2009. Interiors Etc... loves the bouquet pattern in turquoise, try it for a vintage glam look in your bedroom. 4. Anna French Wild Floro collection- Bouquet pattern turquoise colourway £59 approx. www.annafrench.co.uk

For the most stylish ﬂames in town, Interiors Etc... loves the clean contemporary lines of the Peter Maly’s wood burning stove for Conmoto. Perfect for the smaller living space and remarkably easy to clean, eco living gets stylish. With it’s clever log storage and simple symmetry, make it the feature in your home. 5. Conmoto balance compact stove £5444. www.conmoto.com Spring 08 Welsh Living 55

The Grove, Narberth In this edition of Welsh Living, we draw our attention to a hidden gem nestling in the West Wales countryside. With amazing views and sumptuous styling, The Grove, a countryhouse hotel near Narberth, is a country house that can entice even the sharpest of design critics. Welsh Living takes a tour with welcoming hosts, Neil and Zoe.

t’s not surprising that being part of the rat race would push any city dweller to opt for a better life in the country. But Neil Kedward and his partner, Zoe Agar, have taken the fashion for relocation to another level. Not only did they leave behind a beautiful four-storey house and well-paid jobs in southwest London, but they decided on a whim to buy and convert an 18th Century house near Narberth into a top-class country hotel. “My family thought we were crazy,” says Neil, “but we just felt it was time for a change.” The couple stumbled upon their passion for restoring old properties during their time in London, but wanted to move away from the capital to be nearer their families in West Wales. Their aim was to find a period property and convert it into a fabulous place for people to stay. It was by sheer chance that they happened upon The Grove. “We found the particulars for The Grove on a family trip to Tenby and decided to take a look that very afternoon,” Neil recalls. “The place was full of huge challenges but we were daft enough not to be intimidated. I made the owner an offer on the spot.” Neil and Zoe embarked on the mammoth task of transforming this hidden gem into a quality country retreat. “I think it must have been madness at first sight!” jokes Neil. “This project was much more complex and expensive than anything we’d dealt with in London. It was very hard to see the property’s potential externally because everything was so overgrown and neglected. But it had a real warmth that we both felt the moment we walked through its front door to be welcomed by magnificent period features throughout the house.” Having restored the entire mansion house, four cottages and landscaped the grounds, The Grove was opened just eight months after it was purchased. “We were up against it to get ready for opening. On the day our first guests arrived, we were putting gravel down on the driveway and painting the porch and front door!” The end result is a triumph: a luxurious hideaway brimming with charm, elegance and superb taste.

Walking into The Grove is like entering a London-style retreat in the heart of the Pembrokeshire countryside. Every room reflects a modern take on a classic country hotel theme and Neil and Zoe’s meticulous attention to detail has added more than a hint of luxury to this magnificent 18th Century mansion. “Both of us have travelled a lot on business and seen so many examples of how not to do it,” says Zoe. “So many of the hotels we’ve stayed in have no personality or charm; you could be in any room, in any hotel, in any town.” Whilst restoring The Grove, therefore, the couple made it their mission to create a unique ambience and design that would fit in with the building and its spectacular surroundings. “We didn’t want an over-contemporised, fancy boutique style,” says Neil. “We wanted something unpretentious, simple and real. In the bedrooms, we have carefully chosen fabrics and wallpapers, retained the delicate original ceramic fireplaces and sprinkled with an eclectic array of local and international art to create a restful,

idyllic and stylish place to enjoy Pembrokeshire.” What is perhaps the most impressive feature of The Grove is the effortless combination of 21st Century living with an individual style that remains respectful to the original architecture and layout of the house. “Staying true to the integrity of the house’s original design and architectural features was paramount,” remarks Neil, “but we have ensured that The Grove includes some of the modern comforts that it deserves and that our guests expect.” Neil and Zoe’s passion for art is also reﬂected throughout the hotel. The Grove has given them both the perfect opportunity to display some of their own pieces, collected on various trips to countries such as Vietnam and Brazil, as well as those of talented local artists, including Gillian Macdonald and John Knapp Fisher. The hotel is also set to host a series of themed art events this year. “This home really lends itself to displaying artwork in all its forms and we are looking to embrace that by including art in some themed exhibitions, music and food evenings in 2009.” The hotel’s wood-panelled dining room provides a sumptuous, candlelit environment in which to sample immaculately prepared dishes made with locally sourced ingredients. As with the rest of

The Grove, the menu tempts the palate with refreshing simplicity and shows the hotel off as a ﬁrst-class establishment. “As with other businesses like ours,” says Neil, “it’s all about personalised customer service and outstanding food. Nothing more than warm Welsh hospitality!” Neil and Zoe admit that they would not have been able to create such a successful business without their determination, energy and enthusiasm for the project. “We have stumbled into this passion which is The Grove,” he explains. “The restoration of this special place into something for everyone to enjoy makes perfect sense to us. The reward is the wonderful feedback we get from our guests. That makes it all worthwhile.” Tel: +44 (0)1834 860 915 Tel: +44 (0)788 1673592 Email: info@thegrove-narberth.co.uk The Grove Molleston Narberth Pembrokeshire Wales, SA67 8BX

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Continuing the sumptuous, clean and elegant styling from the main house, the cottages, (shown here) are a perfect example of local materials used to clearly reﬂect the amazing surrounding scenary and countryside living. The Grove epitomises country living for the 21st Century.

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Enter text here Childrens rooms

Playtime Colour, pattern and fun are all important elements that should be infused into your children’s bedroom or playroom. Here are a few ideas that might capture your children’s imaginations for them to journey to Never Never Land. 2

1 Habitat Fashion Monsters designed by Christian Lacroix £20, £25, £30 www.habitat.net 2 Habitat Kids Hanging Chair £45 www.habitat.net 3 Sports Chest Any budding sportsman won’t be able to live without this fabulous hand-painted sports chest from Dragons Of Walton Street. £381.88 www.dragonsofwaltonstreet.com 4 John Lewis UFO Folding Sofa, Kiwi £75 www.johnlewis.com

66 Welsh Living Spring 08

Childrens Enter textrooms here

Spring 08 Welsh Living 67

Garden tips

Are you truly green-ﬁngered? You might be a dab hand at tending plants and cultivating fruit and vegetables, but have you ever stopped and wondered just how ‘green’ ﬁngered you really are?

ardening can beneﬁt the environment by creating vital habitat for wildlife, producing food which hasn’t had to travel and helping us to recycle garden and kitchen waste through composting. However, some things we do in the garden are not so good for the environment according to Helen Nelson of Cynnal Cymru’s “http://www. sustainwales.com” www.sustainwales.com, a new website designed to help you live in a more planet-friendly way: “Some gardening practices, such as the excessive use of chemicals to control pests and watering using mains water supplies, can have a negative impact on the environment. Fortunately, there are a number of simple steps you can take to make your garden even greener, making it a vital asset to the planet and your home.” Here are top tips from the team behind “www. sustainwales.com” www.sustainwales.com on what you can do in the garden to reduce your ecological footprint and encourage natural, green outcomes: Natural Beauty Chemicals and harsh pesticides can be extremely damaging to wildlife and can even have a detrimental effect further up the food

chain. Almost all chemicals will kill plants and animals beyond those targeted. Look after your garden with natural products and harmless household items and you’ll soon see the rewards. Grow Your Own Growing fruit and vegetables in your own garden is a great way to make sure you’re eating chemical free, seasonal produce that doesn’t break the bank. You don’t need much space and, if you don’t have your own garden, an allotment is a cheap alternative. Get on your soap box A little washing-up liquid mixed with water makes a great way to keep those pests that prey on your plants away. Simply spray it on or pour dishwater over the garden. Liquid refreshment Stop those horrible slugs from eating your plants and vegetables by using ordinary household goods. Putting beer in shallow containers or scattering used ﬁlter coffee around the garden acts as a great deterrent that will help you say ‘goodbye’ to unwanted guests. Welcome wildlife Encourage animals and insects by creating

a variety of places for them to live and providing sources of food. For example, flowering plants that offer nectar and pollen will attract bees, butterflies and other insects, and trees and shrubs that produce berries will help feed birds. Make your own mud Get a bin for your garden and create your own nutrient-rich garden compost. It’s much better for the environment than the peat-based composts you can buy in the garden centre and reduces the production of methane (a potent greenhouse gas) which is caused when matter like grass clippings and kitchen waste are sent to landfill sites. Ask your local council or DIY store for details. Raindrops keep falling on your head With increasing demand for water it is important to find ways of conserving this valuable resource. Saving water in the garden can help lessen the risk of drought orders and water restrictions, help protect wildlife and reduce climate change impacts. Collecting the rainwater that falls from your roof in a water butt is a great way to save money as it saves using treated water from your taps to water your garden. Your plants prefer it and if you have a water meter you’ll soon be able to see the difference on those water bills. Sun Light Garden lights and security lights that use solar power are a great way to make your garden look pretty and illuminate your outdoor living space. You can fit them anywhere easily, with no need for cabling, and as they don’t need electricity, once you’ve bought them, they’re free to run! What to do this week... Log onto “http://www.sustainwales.com” www.sustainwales.com for top tips on how to make your garden as green as possible. Empty your cupboards of any chemicals and harsh pesticides – but remember to take chemical based products to your local municipal site for safe disposal. Invest in a water butt – local councils or water suppliers often sell these at subsidised prices. Use a watering can instead of a hose to water your garden and if you do use a hose, use a trigger to control the flow. The hose can also be fitted to the water butt. Think about wildlife when buying your plants, or deciding what you will let grow in your

garden – choose ones that attract and sustain a variety of insects and animals.

Garden tips

Put on an extra layer when it gets cold outside rather than using an outdoor heater. Heaters are very energy-hungry, producing high levels of carbon emissions, which contribute to climate change. Look for labels on wood products like sheds and garden furniture that show they have been produced sustainably. Common labeling schemes include the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) or Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certiﬁcation Schemes (PEFC). Use your imagination and turn old containers of all kinds into unusual plant pots. Drill holes in pruned branches and logs to provide beneﬁcial insects with shelter and nesting space. Attract birds to your garden by offering them food using feeders and tables – make sure you keep these away from places that cats can get to, or put them near prickly bushes to deter furry predators.

Encourage animals and insects by creating a variety of places for them to live

2 CASTLE PARADE, USK, MONMOUTHSHIRE. NP15 1AA

SUB ZERO WOLF MIELE WILLIAM YEOWARD CRYSTAL ITALIAN PEWTER, FINE ART FRENCH FURNITURE

BESPOKE KITCHENS BEDROOMS STUDIOS FREE STANDING FURNITURE

TEL: 01291 672799

WWW.QUAILSUSK.CO.UK

TELL: (01633) 271946 Welsh Living FOR APPOINTMENT Spring 08

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72 Welsh Living Spring 08

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R AT H K E Y â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S LIMITED CABINET MAKERS OF DISTINCTION New skills, old fashioned values, bespoke cabinet making.

29 The Woodlands, Llandow, Vale of Glamorgan CF71 7PF Tel: 01446 772931 Fax: 01446 772943 Email: admin@rathkeys.co.uk Web:www.rathkeys.co.uk

CHAMBERS

Garage Door Specialists

Repairs & Sales, 24 hour call out. Garage and Shutter Specialists. Private or Business. Skilled tradesmen Free surveys & Quotes

S T E L L A C AW S A S S O C I AT E S Award Winning

Creative designs built by craftsmen

GARDEN DESIGNS And construction Royal Horticultural Society Gold Medal Winners Garden Festival Golden Medal Member of the Society of Garden Designers and Landscape Institute

Over 20 years experience