Spring 2009
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Welsh•Design•Interiors•Lifestyle
The Kitchen Edition Tom Jones Interview Treetop Living Treehouses for Adults Grand Designers Top Architects for your grand design
Fi G nd eo u Fu rg s in rn e S si is tr de he ee rs t
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
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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
Text Editor: Ed Pereira Sub-Editor: Pia Tandon Staff Journalist: Catherine Graham Publishing 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.
1FBS .FEJB 6 Welsh Living Summer 09
WMA member
Neat tricks From storage tricks to sculptural shapes, here are some ingenious neat storage solutions. 2
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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
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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
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Classic Must Have Piece
Inspired Classic designs GRAND PRIX, DESIGN ARNE JACOBSEN 1957
The Grand Prix 3130 design was introduced in 1957 at the Designers’ Spring Exhibition (Kunsthaandværkernes Foraarsudstilling) at the Danish Museum of Art & Design in Copenhagen where Fritz Hansen introducedthe completely new Arne Jacobsen chair. Later that year, the chair was displayed at the Triennale in Milan where it received the ‘Grand Prix’ – the finest distinction of the exhibition. After this, the chair has always beencalled the ‘Grand Prix chair’. Originally, the Grand Prix chair was introduced with a wooden and steel base.
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Today, the chair is available with a steel base and is an ideal chair with a wide range of applications, such as dining, conference, office andthe private home. The slim shell is composed of 9 layers of veneer plus 2 layers of cotton textile and rests on a base made of mirror chromed or satin chromed steel in different heights. It is lightweight and stackable and is available in an extensive palette of colours, types of wood and with fabric or leather upholstery. www.fritzhansen.com
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Summer 09 Welsh Living 13 PB Welsh Living Winter 08
We love the...
Kitchens
Bulthaup b2 Kitchen & the Poggenpohl Dining Desk Bulthaup b2 Kitchen - See Left Starting from the philosophical origins of every living space - fire and water points, bulthaup has created b2, an open and mobile kitchen that can be added to and composed to suit each individual’s personal requirements. The new group of elements is the logical continuation of the kitchen workbench and defines the “kitchen workshop” in its original meaning - comprising a workbench, kitchen tool cabinet and appliance housing cabinet. The workbench is for the fire and water point; the kitchen tool cabinet for crockery, cooking utensils, as well as spices and food; and the appliance housing cabinet for the oven, dishwasher and refrigerator. Following the principles of “clearing away anything superfluous”, bulthaup b2 is a simple design of lasting value created by top quality materials assembled flawlessly.
Poggenpohl Dining Desk- See Below The large-size dining table (with integrated ice bucket and grill plate, symbolizes the contemporary understanding of open living spaces. As a dining desk, it becomes the centrepoint of the home and combines communicative and functional properties of the kitchen as a living area. It can be opened lengthwise either by hand or with the aid of a noiseless motor. Stainless steel trolleys can be pushed in at the ends, interconnecting all areas of the kitchen. www.poggenpohl.de
www.bulthaup.com
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Grand Designers>
Grand Designers By now most of you have no doubt seen the groundbreaking Grand Designs series on Channel 4, but how many people do you know have actually completed their own grand design? And it has to be grand - smaller projects don’t count! More to the point, if you did want to build a unique building that stands out amongst the architecture of mere mortals, exactly how would you go about it? Finding an architect is essentially the starting point for many, and as Kevin McCloud’s pioneering programme shows those who build from a plan normally come up with better finishes, while those without one usually end up with all sorts of peculiar - and often rather odd - quirks that let down the whole project to a great extent. Here at Welsh Living we understand that all our readers already have beautiful homes. But as and when you feel ready to lose a little sanity and undertake the building project of your life, we want to help take the headache out of your design by giving you the lowdown on some of the top architects in the UK that are ready and able to turn your dream vision into a solid black and white plan.
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2 1 David Reid Homes David Reid Homes provides a turnkey ‘design and build’ service to aspiring grand designers – from initial concepts through to completion of their distinctive dream home. Whether contemporary or traditional in style, brick and block or ICF in construction, David Reid Homes pride themselves on their build quality, consistently delivering exceptional customer service and creating individual energy efficient homes that match the lifestyle and aspirations of their owners, and importantly their budget! David Reid founded the company in New Zealand in 1993, based on the philosophy of giving the client what they want. Today David Reid Homes is the most awarded prestige home builder in New Zealand where it has become a household brand name, and has repeated the success story in Australia since launching there in 2004. The company’s unique service is now available in the UK where they are already working on some stunning designs. Two of the first three David Reid Homes houses to be built in the UK are in Green Belt, with one of them granted planning consent under the rarely used PPS7 clause, allowing for houses of exceptional architectural value to be built in the countryside 2 Amazonails Amazonails is a not-for-profit social enterprise, offering design, consultancy, training and support in strawbale building and other sustainable building techniques. Recently becoming part of the Royal Institute of British Architect’s (RIBA) continuous professional development provider’s network, they have been developing techniques and simplifying practice in strawbale building since 1994, and are acknowledged internationally for their breadth of experience. Amazonails is at the cutting edge of design, having pioneered several types of low-impact foundations through the building regulation system in the UK, specialising in designs that use no cement and are self-draining. Working in conjunction with North Kesteven District Council, Amazonails are working on the first affordable housing scheme in the UK to use strawbale building techniques, which will be going on site this year in Lincolnshire. Amazonails has also acted as consultants to clients such as the Ecology Building Society and the National Trust, and offer their own design & drawing service. 3 Davies Sutton Architects Davies Sutton Architects are chartered architects specialising in the conservation of historic buildings and new buildings in some of the country’s most sensitive environments. Advocating the SPAB philosophy of repair, the practice recognises that there are also demands that modern day living spaces place on historic buildings and the natural environment as a whole. Through a sound knowledge of the historical development of the built environment, coupled with well-founded principles of sustainability, Davies Sutton Architects have gained an enviable track record of breathing new life into these complex sites, ensuring that they are safeguarded for years to come. Davies Sutton Architects advocate that all new build projects and alterations to historic buildings should be clearly of their time. This approach often involves finding new expressions for traditional forms, materials and techniques that are relevant to 21st century building and it focuses on the pursuit of the company’s principles from initial ideas into the details of their buildings. The practice believes that the design of new buildings in such environments provides an exciting opportunity to shape the future and that, through their pursuit of high standards in design, construction and craftsmanship, their legacy will be the ‘historic environment of the future’.
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4 KBJ Architects After training in Newcastle and London and practising for many years in north London, Katherine Jones returned to her Welsh roots in the upper Towy valley with her family in 1995. Since then, her RIBA-chartered architectural practice KBJ Architects has had commissions all over Wales and England. They have been pioneering “Green Architecture” here in Wales since then and the practice has won awards for their sustainable buildings which use environmentally friendly materials in their construction. KBJ’s founding principle is that involving clients and the end user from inception, combined with good sustainable design, is the way to make successful living, breathing buildings for people to live, work and play in. From conception to completion, their holistic approach employs effective designs and renewable technologies with traditional materials such as lime, glass, clay, sheep’s wool, timber, stone sedum, and lime-crete instead of concrete slabs for floors. Their buildings match the conventional with the contemporary to make the most of the elements – air, earth, water, and light and heat from the sun – to create homes, workplaces, leisure, school and healthcare buildings which are technically innovative, clean, dry and warm. Whether in care homes or private homes, they promote ease of access and use without making an issue of disability. Their environmentally friendly buildings promote energy efficiency and lower maintenance at the same or lower cost.
5 Thomas de Cruz Architects and Designers Founded by Peter Thomas de Cruz in 1995, Thomas de Cruz Architects and Designers is a small, progressive practice with a multicultural outlook producing sensitive contemporary architecture with an emphasis on imaginative interiors and creative lighting. The practice focuses primarily on high quality private houses, both new build and alterations to existing houses, and defines all its work by the twin essentials of contemporary design - space and light. Thomas de Cruz also has a track record in other one-off projects including doctor’s surgeries, restaurants, sport’s clubhouses and museum/leisure projects, which they approach with the same passion for contemporary design and attention to detail as they do with private houses. Most of the practice’s work is in and around London and the south east but they will work anywhere in the UK for the right project. They also actively seek work abroad with experience of working in Spain, France, Romania, St Lucia, Malaysia, Sweden, Morocco, Jamaica, Australia, Bahrain and Antigua. If you want to find out more about architects in Wales then a good starting point is the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), the UK body for architecture and the architectural profession. You can find them online at: www.architecture.com.
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Sumptuous Elegance
Renaissance Design We showcase the new collection from Thibault Thibaut’s Residence collection is old world elegance with a sophisticated edge. Inspired by the flourishing artwork, paintings, and embellishments of the 14th–17th century European Renaissance, designs have been enriched with sensuous textures and a refined color palette. Wallpapers are accompanied by luxurious printed and woven fabrics imparting a magnificent style and grace.
www.thibautdesign.com
Frotolla, named after a Renaissance dance, is a modern scroll damask with a silk texture. Frotolla Silk, a 100% silk fabric, is printed with striped scrolling panels.
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Enter text here Baron Crewel, is a cotton and linen blend hand-stitched in India. The impressive multicolored Jacobean pattern is based on an antique document. Its combination of scale, style, color and texture create a splendid, distinguished look.
Sumptuous Elegance
Castello was inspired by a 17th century Italian appliquĂŠ fabric of the Renaissance period. Metallic overtones give the design depth and shimmer.
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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
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
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Home Feature
Don’t move... improve 1 Loft conversion A starting point for many, the loft conversion allows you to utilise the attic space that most people don’t really get the most out of. Often a conversion can be undertaken with surprising ease and low cost, and not only does it provide the additional space for what most people use as an extra bedroom but it can also create a light filled space with great views from the top of the property. If you have stunning views from your house which are a major selling point then this is a fantastic way of making the most of them in order to really market one of your property’s best features.
2 Basement builds A massive new trend in London, many home owners are now benefiting from this extra living space after the realisation that upwards is not the only way. Simply building down and renovating existing basement space has allowed many to make use of sometimes undesirable basements by turning them into extra living spaces such as dining rooms or games rooms, or even fitting in another bedroom when space is at a premium.
3 Freshen up the bathroom Storage is key for the bathroom, so think about balancing the need to place luxury items on display and personal bits and bobs discretely in storage. You can also add extra lighting such by placing small wall lights next to your mirror in order to avoid exclusively using the overhead light which can cast shadows. You can also use new accessories like a new blind, towels, mirror or artwork to add colour and change the mood for very little expense.
4 Re-evaluate the bedrooms Why not build overhead storage or you could even go for a walk-in wardrobe. Yes, they do take up space in themselves but they really help to divide the space in a bedroom into neat, tidy and livable sections. Re-decorating bedrooms is an obvious but effective way of improving, with the additions of laminate flooring, stylish wardrobes and a sink unit with a mirror also making bedrooms much more desirable to live and spend time in. Also 28 Welsh Living Summer 09
think about getting as much light through the rooms as possible with mirrors and even a sky light.
5 Build a garden studio If you have a lovely garden then why not spend more time in it? You can with a garden studio that creates flexible space which can be turned into an office, studio, playroom, home gym or even guest room. They can be individually designed and often don’t require planning permission and proud owners of a garden studio include one Delia Smith - apparently she writes some well known cookery books in hers!
6 Go green There are many options for applying environmentally friendly features into the inside and outside of your property. These include added loft insulation (there are government grants now available to help with the cost of this) and solar power water heating systems which are relatively cheap to install and start earning their cost back straight away by saving on your energy bills. A small herb and vegetable plot plus a small and easily manageable compost heap for the outside of the property are also quirky features which you could start developing now. Some of these are more aesthetic than functional although most should save you money in the long run. Also remember that information about a property’s energy efficiency is a mandatory part of the somewhat dreaded Home Information Packs each property must now have so you are scoring up in this area. Furthermore, green is chic and it will become ever more popular in the future.
7 Make a splash with a swimming pool It may sound a bit over the top at first but in recent years the price of building your own swimming pool in the back garden has dropped steadily and significantly. Just because you don’t live in Buckingham Palace doesn’t rule you out either - not everyone wants an Olympic sized pool. In fact smaller, well designed bespoke pools are now the order of the day. And just think about it; if you do live in a nice area a pool is definitely
something you can create which will set out the have’s from the have not’s in your street.
8 Add some technology When you do eventually move on and sell your house remember that selling a property is about selling a vision. With that in mind what about setting up some simple and effective technology to allow you to work from home? After all, it’s all about location, but if you can’t get close enough to the mountain, bring the mountain to you! Setting up a comfortable home office with a separate phone line and internet connection is a good starting point, which will allow you to communicate and conference call to your heart’s content. And that’s just the start - the multitude of modern high-tech gadgets available for the home can allow you to create a designer space any technophile would love to work in!
9 Add sky lights or a whole or part glass roof We’ve said it before, we’ll say it again: space and light are so important in any property. With that in mind more people are now installing sky lights and even going one further with whole or part glass roofs. Many of us work so hard on creating open and spacious living areas and these improvements can really bring them to life. Think modern open plan with beautiful interior design, then add a glorious shower of natural sun light illuminating the space with a warm and comforting glow. Do you see our point?
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Extend This does of course require planning permission but a good architect should be able to let you know in the conception stage how likely it is for permission to be granted. If you do get the go ahead, one of the most popular extensions to build at the moment is to create a single story extension, which annexes the gap at the back of semi-detached houses, onto the next property. The extra space is great for contemporary open plan living, paving the way for more spacious, light and airy living spaces which are now in vogue.
With two growing children, Melissa and Stephen Morgan were faced with a dilemma: should they move or improve? The couple’s semi-detached house in the affluent Allt-YrYn area of Newport, south Wales, consisted of two double rooms upstairs and one very small box room. It was proving too small to contain six-year-old Joel, eight-year-old Jasmine and their vast amount of toys. So the pair opted to convert their once barely-used attic into a third bedroom for themselves, leaving children Jasmine and Joel with the double bedrooms on the first floor. This allowed the box room to be transformed into a family study. After ten months of hard work, careful planning and organisation, the Morgan’s previously unused loft space was transformed into an idyllic en-suite haven by Sigma 3.
Building is an expensive business. During the recent property boom experienced in the prosperous years of a growing economy in this country, as we all know, house prices went through the roof. This meant that any type of building project was more expensive than it otherwise would have been during leaner periods, such as the recession which this country is currently in the grips of. House prices are falling at the moment and all predictions suggest that this trend will continue for some time, and no-one has any clear and conclusive insight into when they will start to rise again. Indeed figures recently released by Land Registry showed that monthly house prices in Wales fell by 3.6 per cent in February. It is the 18th month in a row where the annual rate of change has fallen, in contrast to 21 months of uninterrupted increases in the average annual rate of change between December, 2005 and August 2007. Coupled with the current difficulties in obtaining mortgages, this means many of you who might otherwise consider moving house are reluctant to move right now, particularly because of the risk of getting into negative equity on your property. With this in mind we’ve put together a feature on what the options are for those who have decided to not move and improve in stead. After all there are many varied ways in which you can add value, style and comfort to your property without breaking the bank. Here is out top 10 countdown to get you started.
Andrew & Sian Williams Better known as the proprietors of Quails of Usk incorparating Andrew Williams Cabinet Maker & Designer. This succesful couples portfolio lists a bevy of celebrities and blue chip clients. How did you get to where you are today? We’re very pleased to be where we are right now and it’s taken us about 30 years of hard work and perseverance to get here. The process was slow over the first 25 years but has sped up over the last five because it wasn’t until recently that we got everything in place to enable us to advertise and back that advertising up with a good service. The business has evolved naturally from the start. We now employ 20 people and we feel we’re strong across the board and can now push ourselves forward How have you developed your focus for the business? I was working with tools for the first 15 to 20 years, but I am no longer involved in that side of the business because we need someone to design and draw. I haven’t touched the making side of it since then but I do go into the workshop on a daily basis. The design aspect of the business has always been of maximum importance to us and being able to combine that with high-quality materials has made all the difference. The huge change came in 2001 when we opened the shop because we were able to showcase the work we were doing and get independent opinions from members of the public. 90% of the work we do– the designing, etc. – goes down on paper for the client to see before we start the process of making the product. A lot of people, however, are quite nervous to go ahead with their purchase without seeing the finished product, so we found that the shop gives us the opportunity to display our work and allow the people to see and feel the finished pieces. The shop is very personal and we like to showcase kitchens in order to inspire customers to adapt the styles shown and commission their own kitchen. Were there any businesses on which you modelled your own? From the day that I started doing less and less with the tools, it was design – our unusual pieces in particular - that took us forward and gave us our image. We appreciate other companies’ designs and take ideas from everywhere but interpret them to fit our image. What’s great about the times we live in is that kitchen appliances and fittings are design-led. People don’t just want a cooker on which they can cook, but they want it to look good too. What are the 4 key words of your business? Honest, quality, bespoke service. How do you run your company? For us, it’s a group thing. Everyone works in their own way but I oversee all of the tasks with a varying degree of supervision depending on how large the job. What’s your approach to business? I’m relaxed and a firm believer that if you stick with something, it’ll come right in the end. Giving someone a new kitchen is a surprisingly emotional process for some clients and they put a lot of trust and confidence in us, but we like to give them something to be proud of. The initial meeting with the client is just as crucial as the end result, as we have to determine what would be the best kitchen for them by the way they live and the type of people they are. What’s the toughest business challenge you have had to face? With this size of business, employment is both a strength and a troublesome aspect. It’s challenging because they is almost always someone on holiday or dealing with family commitments, but we have a great connection with our employees. Do you enjoy working with each other? Sian and I have been married for over 20 years now and luckily we work very well together! When business is tough and one of us has had a long day, however, it’s had to switch off as we both have the
same worries. We seek guidance from each other and when it’s going well, we really enjoy it together. The two of you work together but what do you think makes a good business partner in general? Someone you like and trust who, within the first couple of weeks, does what they say they’re going to do. What inspires you? The business getting better. I’m so excited about what the future holds for Quails. Is there an arena in which you would not like to see your business? I don’t worry about the business going anywhere strange because we run it so that it won’t. Who did you admire as a child? All my admiration was for sports people. I thought I was going to play sports for a living. I particularly admire Gareth Edwards and Barry John. Has your choice of career cost you anything? I’ve never worked for anyone else since I did worked at a local shop when I was 16. When you’re learning and making your own mistakes, it’s a costly, torturous process. In hindsight, I would my children’s training to be paid for. What has been your greatest achievement? We’re on a journey of achievement and still have so many aims to fulfil. We’ve come a long way from where were started and we have lot of optimism for the future. We’ve put several youngsters through apprenticeships and seen them achieve. It’s a great trade to be in. What are your top business tips? Don’t be afraid to ask for help. It’s a hard lesson to learn, but it’s important to get advice from experienced people. Making your own mistakes along the way is a given but you needn’t struggle by yourself. Get people who are the best in their fields to provide guidance for your business. What advice would you give to somebody who is looking to buy a new kitchen? There is such a wide range of kitchens on the market these days. Either you buy ready-made modular units or you get a kitchen made for you to exactly match your needs. For the latter option, design is key to make the kitchen suit you. Take advice from the designers rather than telling them what to do. The experience should be a pleasure no matter how much money you’re spending. Which of your projects are you particularly proud of? We’ve produced some fantastically quirky and unique pieces over the years. I had to do a breakfast bar for a room which had a pillar in the middle of it which turned out perfectly. Some of the pieces in the showroom right now are beautiful but we’re constantly working on new projects. Have you designed kitchens for any celebrities? Natasha Kaplinsky, Dermot Murnaghan and Matt Tebbut amongst others. How does it feel to own a successful Welsh business? Wales is very exciting and strong but often underestimated. We’re so proud to see how it’s developing and it’s a great place to be. Keep an eye out for us this year!
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 FOR APPOINTMENT
Bedroom Feature
Harveys Present Timeless Bedroom Pieces For A Classic And Fresh Summer A great bedroom can be a place to recharge; a sanctuary for rest and relaxation in our busy lives. Creating peace and tranquillity through furniture that will adapt to the latest trends has never been easier with Harveys new bedroom collections. Stockbridge This elegant range can be simply
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updated with a wide range of accessories from bright and light shabby chic to luxurious satin and sequin – a must have item for discerning styling. Carmen A contemporary and classic design, sliding wardrobe doors are a practical way to maximise space. The mix of light and dark allows total flexibility with
future colour schemes whilst remaining bright and airy. Toulouse Cosy and irresistible, this timeless bedroom collection is made from reclaimed solid wood. Natural characteristics are retained in the oak, which gives each piece individuality, longevity and style.
Conservatories
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Cool Summers, Warm Winters
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he addition of a conservatory to your home not only adds real value to your property but also creates a unique secondary living space. Introducing window blinds helps you create a room that is only limited by your imagination, whether as a safe and protected play area for the children, an extended lounge for entertaining friends or just somewhere to sit and watch the world go by, your conservatory can become an extension of your personality. Custom made window blinds are the ultimate fashion statement for conservatories that will provide pleasant shade to keep you cool in summer and also help protect your furniture all year round. With a combination of pleated, woven wood, vertical, roller, venetian and sheerlite blinds to choose from you’ll be spoilt for choice! * Window blinds control heat and glare to help keep you cool in summer. * High quality performance fabrics provide insulation to help keep you warmer in winter. * Stunning designs in a variety of fabrics and colours. * Advances fabric technology to filter light and reduce glare to help protect furniture and plants. * Easily adjustable systems that allow you to control the lighting levels and still enjoy your garden. * An effective way to increase privacy and security. Made-to measure to fit windows in all types of conservatories. * Window blinds are the easiest and most efficient way of controlling lighting levels in your conservatory. Whether it’s Sunday lunch with the family, an elegant dinner party or an impromptu barbecue with friends, your new blinds will provide shade and security with the minimum of effort for the maximum effect. Solar Sunshades Perfect Fit Window Blinds are an innovative revolutionary new blind fitting system with special features such as No Drilling or screwing into windows or walls and fantastic fit and integrated finish. The Perfect Fit is a unique fitting system which allows blinds to be installed perfectly in double glazed sealed unit applications. The brackets slide into place and the frame locks onto the brackets to add real style to your windows, roofs and doors. Safe and secure when fitted, Solar Sunshades Perfect Fit® quickly becomes an integrated part of your windows and doors, allowing total movement as required. Skylight windows will also reap the benefits from this flexible window blind system. Whatever the shape and size of the window, Solar Sunshades Perfect Fit® roof blinds can be fitted into conservatory roof systems to provide excellent solar control without the need to drill holes or fix screws into the frame-work.
Kitchen and Granite Worktops | Bathrooms and Tiles | Fireplaces and Stoves
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
A
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. The composition shown includes wall hung units in orange lacquer contrasting with the
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
Kitchens
Kitchens for men With the single male household on the rise, men are demanding state-of-the art gadgetry, sleek design and a wow factor from their kitchens according to a new survey from Sigma 3. Kitchens have traditionally been the sole preserve of the nation’s mums and wives but the kitchen of the future looks set to be a more egalitarian place for many reasons.
This is borne out by Sigma 3’s ‘Kitchen of the future’ survey which reveals that four in ten men want more gadgets in their kitchens than ever before.
A new Sigma 3 survey of 2,500 people across the UK reveals that four in ten men are spending at least an hour in the kitchen every day, and a quarter spend over two hours.
So what do men look for in their dream kitchen? State-of-the-art multimedia gadgetry is at the top of the wish list with kitchens not just the room where men knock up their favourite dishes, but integrated entertainment centres with drop down plasma screen TVs and integral audio systems.
Women may be mainly responsible for the cooking in over three quarters of kitchens but men are becoming more and more tempted to get their hands dirty. Market-research group Mintel suggests that British men have been inspired to put on their aprons by male celebrity chefs, such as Jamie Oliver and Gordon Ramsay. Then there is the rise of men living alone. With married couples a minority in the adult population for the first time according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics, and divorce rates still high, there are currently four million single male occupancy dwellings in the UK. By 2026, 38% of all households are set to be occupied by single men. So it’s easy to see why kitchen designers and manufacturers are clamouring to identify what men want from a kitchen and are responding with increasingly hi-tech and functional solutions to meet this growing market. According to Paula Morris, marketing manager of Sigma 3, a company which has been designing, manufacturing and selling kitchens since 1975, the single male market is increasingly lucrative: “Kitchens stuffed full of clever gadgets are now shown off proudly similar to the way cars always have been. Kitchens are increasingly becoming the hub of a home and men are prepared to invest significant amounts in a room that really makes a statement and will impress guests.”
Over one in ten lusts after a multimedia gadget such as a built-in television or MP3 player, while one in five are showing their green credentials and putting energy efficient appliances and recycling bins on their wish lists. Other popular items with men include icedispensing fridges (15%) and integrated water filters in taps (10%). Paula Morris predicts that smart technology will increasingly become a standard part of the typical male kitchen: “It’s definitely true that boys like their toys. A perfect example of a gadget designed to appeal to the busy man about town is a refrigerator with an internet screen built in above the fridge doors, complete with a barcode-detected food stockage and ordering system. “This means that running out of milk or sugar is a thing of the past as it detects when you are running low on a product and automatically adds it to an online shopping list. This is the ultimate labour saving device and we predict such hi-tech wizardry becoming increasingly commonplace. “Hot new appliances for this market include dish drawers - mini dishwashers ideal for the smaller loads generated by single households - super-fast halogen ovens, filtered and instant hot water, which provide a constant supply of boiling water making it possible to make tea
and coffee without having to boil a kettle.” The visual impact of the boys’ toys aside, design elements that appeal to male customers include clever use of space, easy maintenance and clean lines says Paula: “Visually, sleek modern finishes are popular with men - things that look clean and easy to maintain with minimum fuss. Our gloss finish Avant range in cappuccino and beige is hugely popular with men as it has a strong contemporary feel. Integrated handles, as seen in our Nio range, are also popular as they create a subtle but visually appealing finish. “Our customers are also conscious of longevity and ensuring that the kitchen will stand the test of time, so durability and substantial feeling cabinets, as well as materials such as strong granites and solid wood are also important.” Breakfast bars are popular for those who are often eating on the run, particularly as a formal dedicated dining area is unlikely to exist in the single male household. Smart internal storage solutions that help keep surfaces clutter free are also readily embraced by men. Paula concludes: “The perfect male kitchen has to make a statement, and men are increasingly looking for something a bit quirky that will impress their friends. However it must also be functional and practicality is paramount. Ultimately like so many other things in life, from cars to love interests, the kitchen has to do its job and look good.” For more inspiration log onto www.sigma3.co.uk
Kitchens
Winter 08 Welsh Living 41
by people... for people
spacefittingfurniture spacefittingfurniture, the design quarter, 145 colchester avenue, penlan, cardiff, cf23 9an
tel: 02920 455778 spacefittingfurniture.co.uk
Kitchen essentials
W
hen designing a kitchen the human factor plays a pivotal role, in terms of use and development. For each family the kitchen must simply meet numerous and entirely different wishes and requirements for many years to come, as it is a space for living, working and gaining new experiences. The kitchen is an unmistakable and identifiable character to a home, lifestyle and with a broad spectrum of accessories and appliances can complete and guarantee practical solutions.
Feature
Individual kitchen specialist showrooms have the product knowledge and training required for your perfect solution and should give honest, unprejudiced advice, along side professional and unique design ideas. The quality and ergonomics of a kitchen should be reflected in the build quality and versatility of the unit ranges. German kitchens have always had a remarkable reputation for this and the technology and innovations that are constantly being improved and advanced.
The trend has evolved into a contemporary, simple, open plan, interactive, social area, where family and friends can share the intimacy and warmth of your home. Book matched woods strongly feature in many high quality kitchen ranges, mixed subtly with white or cream lacquered gloss. Large drawers will optimise storage solutions and reduce the necessity for a large number of wall units and hence reduce the clutter that often accumulates in the kitchen.
Liebherr are the worlds largest privately owned refrigerator manufacturer with the biggest range of super A rated machines.Their technically advanced wine storage cabinets come in 20 different models with low vibration compressors, UV protected glass doors, charcoal air filtration and LED lighting, The perfect conditions for good wine, incorporating the latest climate technology to provide precisely the right conditions and optimum temperatures for all wines.
Multi-media systems for kitchens are often used, TVs soundsystems and computers, incorporate work, social and family life into one area of a home.
Don’t be afraid of a statement for your home, such as the beautiful Berbel Glasline headroom extractor, with unique sweeping Betec semi transparent safety glass, highlighted with the illumination of energy saving LED’s. A declaration, proving the concept, less is more. Log on to: spacefittingfurniture.co.uk for further information. Summer 09 Welsh Living 43
KITCHENS BEDROOMS BATHROOMS STUDIES FREESTANDING
Tel: 01656 841 942 Visit our website to see more:
www.jeremydavies.co.uk
Starter
Super Summer Recipes e all love to entertain in the comfort of our own home. To look the piece though not only do you need the right food but you also need the right setting. That’s why Welsh Living is now going to contain a regular section on kitchens and food packed full of useful bits like recipes and updates on what’s hot in the most vogue kitchen’s of the moment.
We’re starting this section with some super Summer recipes because even though fine dining in the luxury of your stylish home is the preserve of us all very few of us have the culinary skills and creativity of Gordon Ramsey to create the ecsquisite food we crave. But fear not, the delicious recipes below come curtiousy of Waitrose meaning the food is sorted! Beetroot and Feta Parcels
Method
These crisp, savoury parcels are easy to make and packed full of flavours. They make a great starter or midweek lunch, or try mini versions as a canapé. Preparation time: 10 minutes Cooking time: 10 minutes to 15 minutes Total time: 20 minutes to 25 minutes Makes: 4 parcels Ingredients
1. Preheat the oven to 200ºC, gas mark 6. Lay 2 of the Cypressa Fillo sheets out on a flat surface. Stir the spice mix into the melted butter. Brush a little of the flavoured butter sparingly over 1 sheet and place the other sheet on top. 2. Cut the beetroot into small chunks and place in a bowl. Add the couscous salad, feta and seasoning and mix to combine. Spoon a quarter of this mixture along 1 of the, short ends of the pastry. 3. Tuck the long edges of the pastry in to enclose the ends of the beetroot mixture, then start rolling from the short end of the pastry to make a rectangular parcel (like a plump spring roll). Brush the seam with butter to seal. Place onto a non-stick baking tray. Brush the top of the pastry with a little more butter and scatter some cumin seeds over the top. 4. Repeat with the remaining ingredients to make a further 3 parcels. Place in the oven and bake for 10-15 minutes or until golden brown and crisp. Serve with the dressed salad leaves.
8 sheets Cypressa filo pastry (chilled) ½ tsp Bart Baharat spice mix 40g butter, melted 180g Waitrose Organic Cooked Beetroot (in the fruit and veg section) 235g pack Waitrose Moroccan Couscous salad (chilled) 50g Kolios Organic Feta, cubed 1 tsp cumin seeds Waitrose Baby Leaf Salad, dressed to serve
Summer 09 Welsh Living 47
Main Course
Chicken with Coriander and Pineapple Rice The chicken in this recipe is coated in a fiesty Creole spice mix. If you prefer less bite you can reduce the amount, or serve with cooling low fat yogurt. Preparation time: 10 minutes Cooking time: 12 minutes Total time: 22 minutes Serves: 4 Ingredients 4 Waitrose Chicken Breast Fillets (about 500g) 1 tbsp Bart Creole spice mix 2 x 250g packs Tilda Steamed Pure Basmati Rice 250g pack freshly prepared pineapple (chilled), diced 20g pack fresh coriander, finely chopped
48 Welsh Living Summer 09
3 salad onions, trimmed and finely chopped 1 green chili, deseeded and finely chopped 170g tub Waitrose Supreme Salsa (chilled), to serve Method 1. Preheat the grill to its highest setting. Using a sharp knife, score each chicken breast 3 times. Place the chicken and spice mix in a freezer bag and seal the top. Toss the meat in the spices until evenly coated. 2. Place the chicken under the grill and cook for 6 minutes on each side until the juices run clear when pierced with a sharp knife, and the meat is cooked through. 3. Meanwhile, cook the rice according to pack instructions. Tip into a mixing bowl. Add the pineapple, coriander, salad onion and chilli to the rice, mix and season. 4. Serve the chicken sliced on a bed of the warm rice salad, with some salsa.
Dessert
Mango and Praline Sundae
Method
Preparation time: 15 minutes Cooking time: 5 minutes Total time: 20 minutes
1. Lightly grease a small non-stick baking tray with the oil. Peel the mango then, using a sharp knife, roughly cut the flesh away from the stone. 2. Place the mango in a food processor with the icing sugar. Blitz briefly to make a textured purĂŠe. Add the mascarpone and Total Yoghurt to the processor and blitz again to combine. 3. To make the praline, cook the sugar in a heavy-based non-stick frying pan on a medium heat for 2-3 minutes until melted and translucent, without stirring. Add the pistachios to the pan and coat in the melted sugar. Kepp on the heat for a further 1-2 minutes until the sugar is bubbling and has turned caramel brown. Pour onto a baking tray and set aside to cool. Once cooled, use a spatula to ease the caramel off the baking tray. Place in a freezer bag and break up with a rolling pin. 4. Starting with the mango sorbet, layer all the ingredients alternately into 4 sundae glasses to create several layers, ending with a praline layer, then serve.
Serves: 4 Ingredients Ÿ tsp vegetable oil 1 Waitrose Perfectly Ripe Mango 1 tbsp icing sugar, sifted ½ x 250g tub Galbani Mascarpone Light 150g Total 0% Fat Free Greek Strained Yoghurt 4 tbsp golden granulated sugar 25g Wholesome Pistachios, roughly chopped 500ml tub Waitrose Seriously Fruity Alphonso Mango Sorbet
Summer 09 Welsh Living 49
This month InteriorsEtc loves... How would you describe yourselves? Reassuring, professional, friendly and stylish.
What is InteriorsEtc… about? “Bringing style home”. Our aim is to make interior design accessible to all, regardless of budget, creating stylish and practical interiors for our clients. From just a few cushions to a whole house, we listen, create and deliver schemes which reflect our clients tastes not ours.
What inspires you? Bethan: I am inspired when travelling, particularly to India and South America; when visiting art galleries and through film. I enjoyed the recent series ‘Mad Men’ for its take on iconic 50s design. Simon: I take inspiration from architecture, especially classical Palladio style, and gardens with their constantly evolving structure and texture. For simple elegance from fashion to furniture, Armani never fails to impress.
Do you have one particular success of which you are most proud?
Welcome to this issue’s 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. We have also added a Q&A for you, the reader, to get a better idea of who we are. Simon Atkins & Bethan Perrin
We’re proud of all our work. Success comes from knowing we’ve met the needs of our clients, by providing a tailored approach to match their lifestyles.
What’s next for you? Working with St Peter’s Hospice to create a warm and welcoming family room for relatives of patients. Our ability to work within tight budgets where necessary was part of why this charity chose us.
Last item you bought? Bethan: Alessi Beba nite light, for my soon to arrive niece. Having provided a design solution for the nursery, I wanted to include this for her to grow up with a design classic. Simon: The most amazing silver napkin rings designed by award winning welsh silversmith and jeweller, Suzie Horan. They bring a contemporary wow effect to the dining room.
I couldn’t live without? Bethan: My ultra stylish Apple MacBook. I can download my music, catch up with emails to friends and shop. And my car of course! Simon: My Nespresso coffee machine – nothing comes close. I now find myself returning home for coffee after going out for dinner!
My perfect day? Bethan: A day at a luxurious and relaxing spa, followed by drinks and dinner with friends. Simon: Lunch with my partner in a European city followed by an evening at the Opera, preferably somewhere grand like La Scala in Milan. For more information log on to: www.interiors-etc.co.uk
50 Welsh Living Summer 09
1 The sophistication of Romo’s new Grandis wallcoverings. Grand scale classical damasks fuse with bold contemporary geometrics in this exciting new collection. Soft velvety flocks and shimmering metallics give sumptuous texture and a spectacular finish to these opulent designs. InteriorsEtc… particularly loves the Laurito Shadow pictured, perfect for creating a dark and daring feature in your home. Available at InteriorsEtc… at £48.75 per 10m roll.
2 Continue the dark and daring theme with Ikea’s Trollsta sideboard. With its cable management system it’s perfect for hiding away all those gadgets and DVD’s that clutter up your living room or adding a touch of glamour to the dining room where you can store all your dust free dinner plates. Also available in yellow, for those of you with a more adventurous side! At just £194.77 it’s a design statement which won’t break the bank.
3 For a fresh floral approach the new Pompadour collection from Osborne & Little captures all the romance and drama of one of King Louis XV’s most influential mistresses, the Marquise de Pompadour. The collection’s metallic overtones are bang on trend with a mixture of linens and silks which appear to have been magically gilded with precious metals. InteriorsEtc… loves the Soubise, a rose bouquet in the shape of a paisley teardrop, printed in relief in silver on pure linen with a fine metallic dusting. Available at InteriorsEtc… at £65 per metre.
In the next issue look forward to sumptuous silks, blissful bathrooms, the latest collections from the leading design houses and what we love on the High Street. Don’t miss it…
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Spring into fashion at Talbot Green Shopping Park
As spring approaches and we say goodbye to dreary greys and heavy layers, it’s time to look at the must-haves for spring and summer. The high street truly flourishes in the spring as it becomes packed with summer trends that have been showcased on the catwalk for a fraction of the price. But which ones should you follow? Take advice from Talbot Green Shopping Park’s fashionista and you’ll be skipping with confidence into spring and gliding smoothly into summer. Time to Clash
Denim is back
This spring, denim is back. Distressed, ripped, coloured; all types of denim have hijacked the catwalks – just team your favourite pair with a boyfriend blazer and some skyscraper heels for that effortlessly stylish look that will work for any occasion. The denim dress is firmly on the fashion radar; this crochet denim dress from Next is a must-have that plays it safe, but for those wanting to make the most of the 80s acid wash revival then this dress from River Island is essential for creating that on trend dishevelled chic look.
Step out of your comfort zone and brave spring’s newest love, clashing. Whether it’s kooky Aztec prints, liquorice-allsort stripes or budding florals, team them together to create wonderful, trendy chaos. Patterns and prints were fine for 2008, but for 2009 it has stepped up a notch. Designers such as Marni and Michael Kors teamed unexpected patterns together, creating a fresh, contemporary look. There’s no denying this can be quite tricky to pull off, but why not have a go? Try clashing patterns with similar hues to start and then just let go and clash, clash, clash. You’ll be spoilt for choice in Topshop for all the colour blocking you need, this vest is bang on trend, and will set you on your way to becoming wonderfully mismatched. Marks and Spencer has some fabulously bold pieces, match this fantastic fuchsia dress with this gloriously yellow clutch for a colour clash statement look.
Blossoming florals
Say goodbye to body-skimming, figure hugging skirts, as this season volume is key. The Lanvin and Louis Vuitton runways are blossoming with tulip skirts. Wear it with a slim or structured top and team with heeled boots to complete the look. This look suits every shape, whether you want to hide a multitude of sins or create an illusion of heavenly curves. Florals are vital to this look so embrace your inner-girl. Head to Miss Selfridge for a range of daring brights in floral prints like this gorgeously feminine dress, Dorothy Perkins also has a great floral range including this spring dress that would be perfect for weddings or summer parties.
Cowboys and Indians
If you’re looking for a more Wild, Wild West look, than preppy chic, then this season is for you. Cropped jackets, dresses, sandals and leather satchels have been smothered in fringes as designers take inspiration from the Rodeo. Whether it’s subtle, sophisticated strands, or floor-length works of art, fringing is here to stay. To bring out the cowgirl in you, try a checked dress from Next with feather-adorned hair and a fringed bag and sandals and you’ll be ready to saddle up.
The low down on Talbot Green Shopping Park: Talbot Green Shopping Park has everything you could need to spring clean your wardrobe, with high street fashion stores including River Island, Outfit, Marks and Spencer, Next and TK Maxx where you’ll find the essentials for any spring/summer wardrobe The Park offers the best of the high street, without the hassle, with easy and convenient parking and all the shops in one place, which means you can concentrate on the job in hand – finding that perfect outfit! With most stores open until at least 8pm during the week it’s a great place to head to after a hard day’s work for a spot of well-earned retail therapy. Whether it’s to grab a last minute outfit for a night out or a capsule wardrobe for a weekend away. Or alternatively make a day of it with friends to refresh your entire wardrobe! You can take a break in Starbucks, Marks and Spencer’s Café Revive or Pizza Hut to enjoy a pick me up before heading out for the second round of fashion fun. Talbot Green Shopping Park is just off junction 34 of the M4 at Llantrisant. For more fashion advice log onto www.talbotgreen.com
Face it
To finish off your new look, head to Boots to stock up on the new spring beauty palettes. There are two options for you this season – play it safe with pretty petals or go all out with electric 80s. For a natural, feminine look use sheer lip tints that give a dewy finish, rather than high gloss. The key product for this look is blusher to create a soft and pretty glow. This look will instantly transform dull winter skin into a vision of an English rose. But if you fancy standing out from the crowd then channel the 80s look with brave and bright colours. From fuchsia lips, electric blue eyes and Satsuma nails, the 80s are back with a bang. Ditch the black kohl and trade it in for some eye-popping colour. If the thought of electric blue makes your eyes water, go for a cool lilac, which is much more forgiving. Lips, like eyes, are all about being beautifully bold, orange, fuchsia and pink are adorning the lips of fashionistas – just make sure you opt for mascara and little else and let your lips do the talking. So remember ladies, it’s one or the other, the decision is yours!
Feature
Treetop living The word ‘treehouse’ automatically conjours up visions of a wooden pallet strapped and lodged to a tree trunk but Welsh Living has uncovered a luxurious world of tree top living. Over the following pages we showcase treehouses from around the world. With many thanks to “Blue Forest Exclusive Tree Houses & Eco-lodges” (www.blueforest.com) the people who designed and built these stunning treehouses.
Built on a beautiful private estate in Athens, Greece, this spectacular treehouse is the height of luxury and includes a host of fun, high-tech gadgetry. Design Brief: To create a ‘James Bond’ style treehouse hide away for the client’s children. The Treehouse: As every secret agent knows, security is essential! To make sure there will be no undesirable visitors, this treehouse features a state-of-theart biometric security system, including the latest fingerprint locks. In addition there is a bespoke CCTV system, which controls five ultra
54 Welsh Living Summer 09
sharp, colour night vision cameras. Each camera is positioned to cover an entrance or exit to the treehouse. The control centre allows the user to move and zoom the cameras and take still shots and video footage of any intruders! On the inside the treehouse features a kitchenette, toilet and large living area that is host to a wealth of cutting-edge, ‘James Bond’ style technology, including plasma plates, digital photo frames, and a flat screen TV and games consoles. Guide Price: £100k – £150k Completion Time: 10 weeks
Winter 08 Welsh Living 55
Treehouses
Cliffside Lodge (Above)
Living the Highlife - Hertforshire (Right)
The luxury treehouse & lodge are set in a truly magical private garden surrounding the clients’ charming thatched home dating back to 1886. The buildings have been designed to reflect the setting and character of this exquisite house and garden. Access to the tree house is via a dramatic rope bridge leading from the second floor veranda of the property to the main deck. Both structures incorporate a traditional thatched roof and handmade doors and windows. Internally, they are fully lined with western red cedar and feature low profile recessed halogen lighting.
This large project features two luxurious treehouses, a dramatic canopy walkway and a bespoke adventure play area and assault course
Guide Price: £50k – £100k (per unit) Completion Time: 9 weeks
56 Welsh Living Summer 09
Design Brief: To design and build an exclusive treehouse complex that will provide both a unique venue to entertain friends as well as an adventurous and exciting place for the children to play. The Adults’ Treehouse Lodge: The exterior finish of the adults’ treehouse lodge includes our signature style thatched roof. The walls are clad in hand-split oak shingles and cedar tongue and groove boards. On the inside the treehouse features a bespoke kitchenette, toilet and a large living area that provides plenty of space for garden & dinner parties.
The Children’s Fantasy Treehouse: To make sure the kids are occupied we have designed a spectacular fairytale treehouse featuring three separate medieval towers, connecting rope bridges and even a trap door which leads to a games room complete with a Plasma TV and games console. The treehouse is connected via a rope bridge to a 70 metre zip wire which lands at the start of an exciting assault course. Guide Price: £150K+ (project includes 2 tree house units) Completion Time: 16 weeks
Treehouses
Summer 09 Welsh Living 57
momentum in the business of great design
“The best supplier of contemporary furniture in Wales and the South West” Aper • B&B Italia • Flos Lighting • Foscarni • Flexform • Kartell • Knoll • mooi • Porro • vitra • Gallotti and Radice •
31 Charles Street, Cardiff, CF10 2GA t: 029 2023 6266 e: info@momentumcardiff.com w: www.momemtumcardiff.com
Amberley Castle Treehouse This treehouse was created on behalf of one of Britain’s most romantic hotels, Amberley Castle, nestled in the lee of the lovely South Downs. Hauntingly beautiful and hidden away for nearly 900 years, Elizabeth I and Charles II have slept within the mighty 60-foot walls of this, England’s only medieval castle hotel. The design Brief: To create a beautiful and luxurious treehouse that reflects the romance and architecture of Amberley Castle Country Hotel. The treehouse must be suitable for year round use, primarily as a hide away for the hotel’s guests but also as a multi-purpose venue; for corporate entertainment, meals, weddings and private functions. The Treehouse: The finished Blue Forest treehouse features solid oak gothic arched windows and doors, a traditional water-reed thatched roof and rustic hand-split oak shingle and cedar exterior. Internally, the treehouse is fully lined with western red cedar and features low profile recessed halogen lighting and a beautiful oak floor. Access is gained via an elegant spiral staircase leading to a second deck and feature rope bridge. The treehouse commands spectacular views over the nearby lake and wildlife haven and is an ideal place for guests to watch the wildlife, relax or enjoy a cup of afternoon tea. The venue can also be hired for private functions and dinners. Guide Price: £50k – £100k Completion Time: 9 weeks Summer 09 Welsh Living 59
SALES, RENTALS, REPAIRS & HIRE & SPARES
10 Top Garden Tips for Summer 2009 To help you make the most fashionable garden this summer with minimum effort. By Garden Designer Stella Caws. 1. Create a terrace space for sitting or dining out. Concerns about water runoff and flooding are making permeable surfaces more popular. Gravel and crazy paving with alpines in the gaps are the fashionable terraces of the moment. 2. Shade is important for when the sun gets too hot. An arbour, gazebo or summerhouse can create a beautiful focal point in the garden as well as providing a shady retreat. 3. Buy or refurbish garden furniture and put out of seats, tables, and BBQ to encourage people out into the garden. 4. For a fast floral makeover fill the garden with pots of summer flowers. Lilies are the most dramatic, with huge perfumed trumpets. ‘Stargazer’ is my favourite. 5. Prune spring and summer flowering shrubs as soon as their flowers finish. 6. Beat the credit crunch by growing your own crunchy salad crops. Radish, lettuce, carrots and spring onions can all be sown and harvested in succession through out the spring and summer. 7. Plant a tree to help to reduce your carbon footprint and encourage wildlife. Don’t forget to water if the weather gets hot and dry.
Seriouse cookers for seriouse cooks™
Lacanche range cookers are hugely impressive in the domestic environment, their sheer style and quality creating unrivalled presence and an outstanding focal point in the kitchen.
8. Artificial grass is now officially fashionable. Get rid of the mower and replace the lawn with this ‘almost no maintenance’, all weather surface. OR 9. Grow a meadow. Let an area of the grass grow long and introduce native wild flowers such as dog daisies and cornflowers to create a wildlife rich oasis. 10. Roses are the nation’s favourite flower - with good reason. Beautiful flowers all summer long and heady perfume. If you only have room for one try ‘The Pilgrim’. It has double flowers of the palest yellow with a delicious fragrance and can be grown as a shrub or climber.
Large kitchen and fireplace showrooms 70 - 72 Monnow Street, Monmouth NP25 3EN Tel:01600 712356 Fax: 01600 712300
www.washrite.co.uk
Stella Caws BSc MA MLI MSGD is a Royal Horticultural Society Gold Medal winner and garden designer based in Chepstow. Tel 01291 629325 www.stellacaws.com
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Portrait Competition: We have found our winner! ha
It’s been an exciting process over the last few months with our family portrait competition bringing entries by the sackful to Welsh Living HQ.
worth mounted desk-images.
However, we are now pleased to announce that a winner has been chosen at random from all the entries received.
Andrea will be enjoying their Hazel Hannant Photography experience within the next month, so watch this space to see the results of their fun and lively session in the next issue.
Congratulations to Andrea Cahill from Abergavenny who is the lucky winner of this fabulous family portrait session which also includes a dvd slideshow and proof book of the images, a personal post-session consultation and ÂŁ100
We would also like to thank all of you who took the time to enter this competition. Should you wish to find out more about Hazel Hannant Photography, check out their website: www.hazelhannant.co.uk.
The Narth, Monmouthshire Stone property with panoramic views Providing peace & tranquillity, this quirky, detached stone cottage with its own long private driveway, stands in a secluded plot. Requiring some updating, the versatile accommodation has much potential & offers three/four beds, three recs, large conservatory & granny annexe. With impressive gardens & extensive parking. £499,995 Approximately 2 acres
Llanrothal, Herefordshire
Argoed Farm Estate, Monmouthshire
Small country estate in Monnow Valley This 4 bed farmhouse has an adjacent single storey office building, a 3 bed barn conversion with attached barn as well as planning permission for a single storey building and an additional courtyard, designed as a stable block. The whole complex would be suitable for running a number of businesses from, including holiday lets.
Country cottage in historic setting This lovely three bed property is one of only three in this prestigious and private location. Nestling in its own secluded, walled gardens and accessed via a private, tree lined driveway, this immaculate, five reception home comes with right of access to the Estate’s extensive, sheltered grounds, which include an arboretum and a lake.
£680,000
£850,000 Approximately 6 acres
Whitebrook, Monmouthshire Delightful cottage in sought after area Nestled high in the popular village of Whitebrook, within easy reach of the major road networks, is this tastefully renovated and extended four bedroom cottage. Sunnybank has great charm and character, together with mature gardens and sun terraces, which take full advantage of its elevated aspect. £330,000
St Briavels, Gloucestershire Country estate in rural, private location Set on the edge of the popular village of St Briavels, with its excellent amenities and easy access to major road networks, this is the ideal opportunity to acquire a superb five bedroomed, four reception property with five self-contained holiday cottages, extensive ancillary buildings, beautiful grounds and parkland with two lakes. £995,000 Approximately 10 acres
Monkswood, Usk Beautifully presented converted barn Rurally located, with magnificent countryside views, yet within easy reach of the major road networks, this characterful conversion was carried out to the highest standard to provide a spacious four bedroomed family home with potential to create a further two bedrooms if required. With stable block, ménage & double garage. £945,000 Approximately 3 acres
ESTEPONA, SPAIN
DON’T MISS THIS AMAZING OPPORTUNITY! This lovely frontline golf property overlooking the 18th tee and 17th green on Estepona Golf Course has two/three bedrooms and a private pool. A particular feature of the property is a cane and felt roofed rustic chiringuito, situated next to the pool. It houses a granite bar, fridge freezer, oven, hob and cold water sink. The dining area is for 10 or more and is ideal for parties. The 7m x 4m pool is attractively designed with semi circular steps leading into it. It has two under water lights operated from the dining room. The patio extends onto a spacious lawned garden with mature plants either side, and palm trees fringing the fenced perimeter directly overlooking the golf course. The villa is one of the few to have rear-stepped access to a path leading directly to the Golf Club. The garden has a computerized sprinkler system for timed automatic watering.
The bank valuation of this property is €485,000 but it is being offered for a spectacularly low price due to bereavement.
€290,000
This property is on the market with Roscoe Rogers & Knight, 3 Agincourt Square, Monmouth, NP25 3BT www.roscoerogersandknight.co.uk Tel: 01600 772929 Fax: 01600 714418 Associated Park Lane Office: Tel 0207 318 7056
What is like to be a foster carer? Welsh Living caught up with foster carer Jane Ingrouille recently to ask her about her role. Along with her husband Rod, Jane has been caring for young children in their Chepstow home for four and a half years.
S
o Jane, tell us about exactly what you do. My husband and I work with the local authority to care for children. We care for children who are under the age of seven years old for anything from around two to three weeks to 16 months, that’s the longest period over which we’ve cared for a child.
else. Sometimes when we foster a child it’s just a case of taking them for a while to give the family a break and some time to straighten themselves out so that the child can go back to them. On the other hand sometimes it can be more complicated than that. It varies which means that it’s interesting and rewarding.
Is your role to parent the child, be a responsible adult or both? Yes, you are a replacement parent to a certain extent but having said that often the children we care for are still in touch with their birth family so there’s contact between them, sometimes that’s in our own home. We are also involved in things like the child’s care plan and reviews as part of a team which looks after the child. We work in partnership with Social Services, the child’s family and other professionals, depending on the child’s needs.
Why do you think other people should come forward and foster? I can only go on my experience but I’ve found it very rewarding. Obviously there is a need for foster careers and if you enjoy spending time with young children and you feel you have something to offer then that’s another reason why you should do it.
Is facilitating contact between the child and its family difficult? It all depends on the circumstances. With some children the contact is supervised, which can be done by a Social Worker at your home or out somewhere. Other contact doesn’t involve supervision so the child’s family can just come and pick them up, take them out and then bring them back later. Why do you foster? For me personally it’s very rewarding to help address a child’s needs and see them change and it’s of course very rewarding to see the outcome at the end whether that means them going back home or being placed somewhere
What advice would you give to anyone interested in becoming a foster carer? The first thing to do is to get in touch with the local council. You then go through a process of assessments which evaluate your suitability to find it whether it really is for you. What are the best bits and the worst bits? Sometimes it can be an invasion of your home, particularly if there’s contact between the child and it’s family in your home two or three times per week. You have to plan your week around the child and any contact that is arranged, you can’t just go out when you want to, so that can be difficult sometimes. In terms of the best bits I just love being with young children and seeing them grow and work through any problems they have, it’s just so rewarding.
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Tom Jones On... Quickfire Round What did you have for breakfast this morning? Poached eggs on toast. First thing you think of when you wake up? Thankful that I’m alive. Last thing you think of before you go to sleep? Thankful for everything I’ve got. First thing you do when you’ve got time off work? Relax by the pool at my house in LA. First great piece of advice that you were given? To always do what you love doing, when I was a boy working in a factory n Wales I remember an older guy telling me that and it made me think that I really need to use my God-given talent. Early influences? Big voiced singers like Frankie Vaughn and Mahalia Jackson, rock n roll pioneers like Jerry Lee Lewis, Bill Haley, Little Richard, Elvis, and American boogie and blues artists like Big Bill Broonzy and Big Joe Turner – there’s so many influences as it was a very rich time and the BBC played it all.
Having a major hand in songwriting... The songs that were being suggested to me just didn’t feel right. Someone had written a song with me in mind called ‘You Look Good in my T-shirt’ but I felt that’s not what I should be singing about, young listeners would be asking why I was singing about T-Shirts! The result... It’s been a very intimate album because I have been so much more involved in writing the songs and I am very honest about it. When I go on stage and perform one of the songs I have written from 24 Hours I tell the audience about it. His favourite track.... ‘Seasons’ is my favourite track on the album as it’s very stripped down and bare especially when you’re performing it live. It begins with just my voice and the piano-you could hear a pin drop! It’s very intimate, it’s like baring your soul on stage. His continued popularity... I’m very versatile so can adapt to many styles. I don’t think the structure of pop music has changed that dramatically over the years although sounds, ways and means of production have — the spectrum is very wide, producers pull from all sorts of sources now. Returning to Pontypridd... I have been back a couple of times but it’s hard to stay low-key. You really need to get a group of guys, one who doesn’t drink so they can drive, and do a pub crawl because once you go into one pub it’s not long before you have to move on! Going out to the pub with the younger generation... I was at the Q awards the other week and Alex from the Artic Monkeys had asked if I was going to the pub afterwards. I had said yes, he said if Î was going then he was too! He’d been talking to me about one of my old songs from the 70’s- ‘I’ll Never Fall in Love Again’- how he liked the vocals, which is very flattering and nice to hear. Tom Jones is appearing in the CIA 9th & 10th October 2009. The new album ‘24 Hours’ is out now.
74 Welsh Living Summer 09