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CONSERVATORIES . ORANGERIES . WINDOWS . DOORS Hadleigh, Ipswich & Woodbridge Districts
Your NEW LOCAL magazine for Smarthome living June 09 Artcoustic Picture Speakers
A pocket rocket info pack of home technology, gadgets, furniture, interior design and construction ideas.
Beautifully designed contemporary conservatories Adding a well designed conservatory to your home creates the most idyllic of rooms for reading, dining, playing or simply sitting back in your favourite chair enjoying a glass of wine. Sounds tempting? Why not give us a call to arrange a free design consultation at your home, or pop up to our showsite within Notcutts Garden Centre for a coffee and an informal chat. We’d love to see you.
Notcutts Garden Centre Ipswich Road Woodbridge T: 01394 386666
www.countrysidehi.co.uk
This months features
Docktastic: The best iPod docks & players Flat Screens: A great picture is only half the experience Furniture Designers: What makes them tick? Safe as houses: Home security in the modern world
Win Win Win! HiFi speakers competition on page 16
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Insert your headline here ( We thought we’d let our hand-made furniture speak for itself )
Download a Nick Bourne brochure at: www.nickbourne.com
t. 01473 322020 e. info@nickbourne.com
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Expert Panel The Smartliving Now panel comprises industry experts from every corner of lifestyle design and technology. These people know their beans so if you have any questions be sure to contact them direct.
Smartliving Now Magazine Publisher: Charles Woodthorpe tech@smartlivingnow.co.uk Editor: Janine Rea editor@smartlivingnow.co.uk
Consultant Journalist/PR: Neil Farrow sales@smartlivingnow.co.uk Smartliving Now Magazine P.O. Box 101, Ipswich IP7 9BE
Please recycle this publication when finished with.
Alastair Gardner from Signals in Ipswich has been designing and building hi-end hi-fi systems for more years than he cares to remember. A two channel (stereo) nut, it would take a lot to convince Alastair of any other medium available that would challenge his views on the purity of hi-end music reproduction. alastair@signals.uk.com
Graham Owens from Technovations in Gt Bentley, has designed lighting installations for theme parks and visitor centres worldwide. But, he also works in the residential sector, creating inspiring and relaxing environments and carrying out technical installations for homes all over the country. smartliving@technovations.co.uk
Ian Mackenzie from Iconic Home in Ipswich is an ex Army Air Corp Computer Technician who has had extensive training in Home Automation and Security. Since taking over at Iconic Home he has created award nominated home automation designs for private clients all over Southern England. ian@iconic-home.co.uk
John Kersley and business partner Julian Pawsey are working at the cutting edge of landscape design & construction. With 18 years of experience behind them they have also constructed gardens for various designers at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in London. info@nascentialandscapes.co.uk
The paper used for this publication is from sustainable managed sources in North America & Europe only.
Design, content and compilation of this publication are protected by copyright. 2009 Smartliving Now. All rights reserved. While all reasonable care is taken to ensure the accuracy of information included in this magazine, the publishers take no responsibility for statements made by contributors or advertisers or for loss arising from non- publication of any advertisement. Smartliving Now magazine is in no way responsible for the outcome or quality of any business transaction between the advertised supplier and our readers or customers.
Championing Sustainability
The second issue is in the bag and your new Smartliving Now magazine has caused quite a stir. With positive responses from all points of the Hadleigh, Ipswich, Woodbridge corridor and questioning emails from other publications, it’s great to have made such an impact! The transformation from Spring to Summer is happening with alacrity and it is simply amazing what a little sunshine can do for the spirit. Gone are the burning effergies of Darling and Brown and the shock of the insane BNP seats in Europe and in are the thoughts of a better, brighter future albeit a two year work in progress. To brighten your outlook further still, in this issue we consider the best of the iPod docks and players on the market, we talk to two top furniture designers, consider the matter of home security and take a look at some of the new offerings in the field of TV screen technology soon to be landing on our shores. We have also updated our regular ‘Ultimate Collection’ feature which includes a sleeping pod fresh from the Grand Design’s show and offer our first competition where you could win a pair of hi-fi speakers on page 16. All a prelude to our fantastic bumper summer edition for July/August to help you relax and enjoy your holidays Check out our new website www.smartlivingnow.co.uk and please feel free to contact our panel of experts if you have any questions about a particular element of design or technology. Know anyone who would like to receive the Smartliving Now magazine? Send us the details and we’ll send them a copy.
Steve Clark from Heatsave Systems has become one of only a handfull of technical engineers to be trained on the new Swedish NIBE geothermal climate systems, heat recovery systems and air & water heat pump installations. steve@heatsavesystems.com
Please mention Smartliving Now magazine when corresponding with our expert panel
Please mention Smartliving Now magazine when replying to any advertisements
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Quality lighting & electrical accessories
With every store and market selling iPod players and docks it makes sense to do a bit of homework and make sure you get the right product for the right application. If you just want a small system that won’t cost much to replace for the kids or in the garage then there is a plethora of cheaper but adequate brands such as Klipsch, Logitech, Sony, JBL and Intempo. In my experience you might want to avoid some of the really low end offerings as they simply chuck out such a thin and tinny sound that you’ll probably end up with tinitus and a head tick after a few hours of listening. (Some from the Logic3 stable for instance).
Marantz IS301
But, if you want some performance from your digital system and maybe some added technology to boost the ease of positioning and capacity then here are a few that are worth looking into and maybe even testing at a local hi-fi specialist. First off the block is the Marantz IS301. It brings all the sonic benefits of an audiophile dock and, for those who wish to, literally, stay in touch with Apple's wonderful and familiar interface, this ingenious bit of kit is the answer.
The Marantz IS301 package includes a compact, detachable Bluetooth-equipped module. Simply plug this adapter into your iPod and it sends audio information, via Bluetooth (A2DP), to the docking station. In turn, the docking station is connected to your hi-fi via a supplied receiver unit. This set-up lets you control the Apple device as usual, while enjoying hi-fi quality sound. If you prefer, the iPod can be docked in the conventional manner, in the Marantz cradle, where it will be charged and, via USB, can connect to iTunes. The cradled approach also means you can even deliver video from your iPod’s library when this is wired to the RX receiver unit. The cradle’s flexible design means it can be put on a table or wall mounted. Further neat touches are the source and volume controls, making operation a complete breeze. Oh, and to top-off this new unit’s list of ‘friendly’ features, no iPod connection adapters are required.
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Crockatt Road, Lady Lane Ind/Est, Hadleigh Suffolk IP7 6RN. tel. 01473 829222 sales@hadleighlighting.co.uk
trimming,trees,trellis,fences feeding,forking,mowing mulching,cutting,compost lopping,ladders,dibbing,decking dr iveways,planting,paths ponds,patios,posts,grass flowers, hedges, hoeing, edging weeding,watering & green waste removal. You get the picture!
Portrait & Commercial Photographic Studio Virtual Tour Photography Contemporary Family Portraits PR & Marketing Photography
95 Fore Street, Ipswich, IP4 1JZ Tel: 01473 230099 E-mail: info@lemontree-studio.co.uk www.lemontree-studio.co.uk
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Roth Audio ALFiE You name it, this sleek audio/video system plays it; young ALFiE’s not a fussy sort. The integrated iPod dock means the entertainment hub is ready and waiting for your Apple portable’s tunes, while the rear panel’s auxiliary-in socket means you can swiftly hook-up an MP3 player. CDs, of course, are catered for – including recordable discs – while movie fans can drop in a DVD, letting ALFiE provide vision as well as sound. Happy to lounge in any room in the house, the Roth Audio system’s radio alarm (AM/FM) and bundled remote control mean ALFiE is especially handy in the bedroom department.
Simply call us on 01473 823366 for friendly advice and quotations on any printed item You are welcome to call in at any time without appointment or, if it is more convenient, we will be pleased to visit you. Keith Avis Printers, 68 High Street, Hadleigh, Ipswich IP7 5EF kelvin@keithavis.co.uk
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Wherever you choose to lay down with ALFiE, however, you can rely on Roth Audio to supply high-quality sound and vision. The unit’s built-in audio engine is no slouch, powering out a total of 40 watts, and using a 2.1 amplifier and speaker combination to provide room-filling sound. Sneak a peek under its chassis, and you realise the use of an ever-so-clever downward-firing subwoofer helps beef-up the tracks, while allowing ALFiE to maintain a trim figure. At 64cm wide Zeppelin is a smooth looking dock from Bowers & Wilkins and is crammed full of quality. It doesn’t do anything fancy, like streaming music or link to the internet but what it does do is proper audio sound and scale.
B&W Zeppelin
From it’s heavy industrial but sleek design eminates an audio punch to the belly; solid, taut and integrated sound which will fill a reasonably sized bedroom or office. Aided by a downward-firing bass driver mounted in the centre, just behind your iPod, there is also a pair of reflex ports sculpted into the back of the machine which help air flow, and in turn, bass extension. At the front a sturdy metal arm houses the dock, and basic functions (stop, go, forward, backward, volume up and down) are handled by the remote control.
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Let us create the right environment for you...
Know your beans In the bumper summer edition of Smartliving Now we’ll be going through the complete history of coffee with Azzouz and our friends at Coffee Link in Ipswich’s Neptune Marina, but for now, here is a preview selection of our favourite coffee.
Kenya ‘AA’ Full bodied with an intense blackcurrant aroma, this coffee’s flavourful notes burst through its rich milk chocolate sweetness to deliver a zesty grapefruit crispness.
Espresso Blend Brazil/Colombia Roasted lighter than usual, the lower temperatures reached mean a more pronounced fruity tone is present, while hazelnut and vanilla notes are all notably present in the finish.
Rwanda Fully Washed Grade A
An extremely well-rounded coffee from southern Rwanda laced with tangerine and red cherry top notes. Enjoy its syrupy sweet character.
Nicaragua SHG
...technical solutions for your lifestyle
DESIGN LIGHT AUDIO CONTROL
A delightful coffee with almond nougat sweetness brightened by fruity notes and balanced with a hint of chocolate. A rich and satisfying coffee for drinking all day long. This coffee is Rainforest Alliance Certified Coffee.
Sumatra Mandelhing
A very smooth coffee with a rich, heavy body and an intense, earthy flavour spiced with a hint of licorice. Very similar to its more famous cousin Java with even more body.
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Please mention Smartliving Now magazine when enquiring about features
0845 1700017 www.technovations.co.uk smartliving@technovations.co.uk
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Do you find it slightly controversial that as car drivers we are forever beaten about the brow and charged through the nose for polluting this great planet of ours when other bigger things that do massively more harm slide under the radar virtually undetected? The Guardian has reported on new research showing that in one year, a single large container ship can emit cancer and asthma-causing pollutants equivalent to that of 50 million cars. The low grade bunker fuel used by the worlds 90,000 cargo ships contains up to 2,000 times the amount of sulphur compared to diesel fuel used in automobiles. The recent boom in the global trade of manufactured goods has also resulted in a new breed of super sized container ship which consume fuel not by the gallons, but by tons per hour, and shipping now accounts for 90% of global trade by volume. So we’re not just guilty of driving to and from our mega shopping spree’s and consuming everything we need (and a lot we don’t), we’re also guilty of getting it all shipped here too. Damn this conscience of mine!
It is rumoured that the new, yet to be released, iPhone (3) may have a plethera of improvements. New improved RAM, new 3.2 MP camera, Adobe Flash support, HD video recording and playback, TV downloads and a digital compass which could mean using Google maps and Street view with over-laid graphics and turn-by-turn navigation. All this AND you should be able to transfer data, music and media files mid-call.
Something for the weekend sir No, no, not that... food!
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Mark David www.cookingexperience.co.uk
Monsieur Mark David from the Cooking Experience helps us top up the carbs as we prepare: PECAN, PARMESAN & OREGANO FOCACCIA 1 kg Strong white flour 2 sachets Easy Bake Yeast 5 tablespoons approx Olive Oil 2 teaspoons Salt 2 teaspoons Sugar 22 floz Warm Water 2 tablespoons roughly chopped pecan nuts 2 tablespoons freshly grated parmesan cheese 1 tablespoon dried oregano, 6 cloves Garlic, finely chopped. SAUSAGES WITH A TWIST (serves 4 ) 8 decent English sausages. 1 tablespoon each of soy sauce and honey 1 teasp sesame seeds. Mix the marinade and cover each sausage. Barbecue the sausages fast for about 2 mins each side and move to a cooler section.
Combine flour, sugar, salt and yeast together. Stir well. Add the liquids, stir with a wooden spoon until dough ball is formed. Remove from bowl and scrape any debris out of the bowl, adding to dough. Work with hands until a clean ball is formed. Knead 8 minutes. Place in bowl again and prove in a warm place until double in size, about 1 hour. Knock back, add nuts, cheese and oregano and knead again until these ingredients are incorporated. Roll or stretch dough to fit a normal roasting tin. Line the tin with greased Bakewell parchment or Bacoglide. Place dough in tin making sure the dough reaches the sides. With your index finger poke holes about 2 inches apart all over the dough. Pour in some olive oil until the holes are full and sprinkle the garlic over, add also optional rock salt over the top. Prove again for about 1 hour or until doubled in size. Bake 200oC (top oven AGA in the middle) for about 20 minutes . Turn out onto a rack. Test by tapping the bread, if it sounds hollow its ready, if it gives and is still squashy, return to oven.
PORK RIB CHOPS WITH BLACK TREACLE MARINADE (serves 4) 4 1 1 1
large pork rib chops on the bone. tablespoon black treacle,1 tablespoon tomato ketchup tablespoon soy sauce. teasp dried mixed herbs Mix the marinade and spread each chop. Rest for 1 hour and barbecue as for the sausages.
If only getting a clear connection, when you need to speak to someone was given as much priority!
Simon Tweakerman He tweaks as he sleeps
Impress your friends by copying our all-knowing Apple officianado’s latest exploits as an iPod card playing magician on our website. www.smartlivingnow.co.uk
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The Italian theme for the first focaccia recipe together with the aromatic nature of the dish lends itself to a 2008 Fiano/Greco, A.Mano, Puglia, Italy £7.85 (left). This clean, dry and delicately scented (with Fiano's fresia character), oak free white is a beautifully fresh and mid-weight wine. The Pork Chop Ribs will need something with plenty of flavour, so try this 2006 Willunga 100 Grenache, McLaren Vale, South Australia £8.60 (above). Ripe and full with an irresistible loganberry nose. Though full, the palate is fresh and deliciously approachable. www.winesofinterest.co.uk. Please mention SmartLivingNow magazine when ordering.
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A Great Picture Is Only Half The Experience Neil Farrow reports
With the death of the big black or grey box TV’s in the corner of the room, most families seem to have a flat screen TV somewhere in the house these days, although some of these earlier models can hardly be deemed as size zero. Even with the most forgiving mentality it has to be admitted that a few of these beasts, once mounted on the wall, stand a clear eight inches into the room, so they hardly meld with the decor! Style has slowly been given a much larger voice in the buying process fuelled generally by the female of the house making more purchasing decisions on technology and the men watching more and more of Messrs Lawrence Llewellyn-Bowen, Kevin McCloud and Diarmuid Gavin. This has filtered through to the manufacturers and product designers and some of the new screen technology born from this ideal is quite refreshing.
Plasma, LCD and OLED Like choosing cars, it’s extremely difficult to decide what to buy these days. We like certain features in certain models but also other features in other models. It’s all a bit of a dilemma really. Well, with global behemoth Pioneer exiting the flat screen TV market by the end of this year it at least lets you focus on a slightly narrower field. Plasmas are the older siblings in the flat screen market and have suffered on the size front (depth) considerably in comparison to the other technologies. But the more recent Plasma screens are getting slimmer and have a fantastically clear picture which you can view from the most acute angles - a bonus in itself when it comes to placing the screen in a room for all to see. A new Samsung 50” model has just been reported to be a mere 29mm deep and that includes housing the tuner, although I doubt it will be ready for market until early next year. When you go for a demonstration (and you always should) make sure the blacks are really deep and sharp and you have as many input connection options as possible, including at least two HDMI (a modern day scart) slots so you can plug in other items such as DVD’s and music systems.
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renewables heat recovery systems air/water heat pumps geothermal systems underfloor heating solar thermal Call Steve Clark on 01473 657403 or 07850 326194 steve@heatsavesystems.com
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A lot of screen talk harps on about HD (hi-definition), and there is a difference in detail, but only if you’re viewing HD content from a specific HD channel or a Blu-ray DVD player. Otherwise it’s down to what detail you are happy with and what price you want to pay. Good starting points would be from Panasonic and LG. The Panasonic TX-P42X10B is a 42” HD ready screen with a plethora of inputs, great black tones, sharp neutral colour palette and great value for around the £700 mark. If you want a monster screen the 50” LG 50PG7000 will give you an abundance of connections including Bluetooth and USB and has vibrant colour tones. All for a cracking price of about £1100.
cutting edge design expert & friendly advice commercial residential healthcare education community public assembly
LCD (liquid crystal display) screens tend to be thinner than the Plasmas and therefore fit into a room setting more easily. The earlier designs had limitations on size (width) compared with plasma and also had problems following motion as they used to suffer with a sort of ‘ghosting’ effect, especially with sports. This has all but been eradicated now with recent technological advances and the bigger sizes are now competing with the Plasmas without the bulk behind. Amongst others, the ones to watch are from the likes of Toshiba and Samsung. The £800 Tosh 42RV555D (42 inch) puts in a solid performance with crisp and detailed images and for £500 the Samsung LE32A558 (32 inch) is a steal with full HD and great blacks, especially with DVD’s. Although still in its infancy the latest technology to hit the journals is the OLED (organic light-emitting diode) screen. Because there is no need for a backlight these almost frail looking wafer thin panels can be as little as 5mm thick! Mainly used in the mobile market, Samsung seem to have the monopoly on this new technology and revealed a full HD OLED screen of 40” late last year. The trouble is, because of the production costs and the suspect longevity of the technology at this stage, it will be a while before we see these interior design beauties in the stores.
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A sound investment – Food for thought All this talk of screens may have you salivating in your napkins but they are just the meat and potatoes. You need the juicy gravy to make the whole thing come together otherwise you’re left with a dry unpalatable and slightly bare plate.
When it comes to the cinema experience, you cannot get the full picture... without sound.
The sound is the gravy that binds it all together and since the demise of the big black box TV’s, which at least had some semblance of sound quality, generally the Plasmas and LCDs fall way short of the mark. As expected the speakers come in all shapes, sizes and qualities too. But if you’re looking at interior products for a well used room I would recommend steering clear of the huge box speakers (yes, the audio industry suffered from it in the past too), after all, we are talking about style here. The minimalist approach would be a single speaker bar which incorporates a left, centre and right speaker in one design, giving the effect of surround sound if not the actual full monty.
Definitive Technology SSA-50 sound bar
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These bar speakers are mainly finished in satin back, lacquered black or aluminium and are slung directly under the screen with a special bracket. No visual wires, no mess. But then again, not the ultimate option. Leaders in the sound bar arena are brands such as Yamaha, B&W, Marantz, Polk Audio and Definitive Technology. The traditional tried and tested route would be a surround sound package of three front speakers, two rear speakers and a subwoofer. The front or centre speaker deals with the bulk of the main dialogue fixing the characters to the screen while the left and right along with the rears deal with all the ambient peripheral sound effects. Then for the real hum dinger bangs and crashes of the action movies you need a sturdy deep, trouser shakin’ subwoofer. Monitor Audio GSW-12 subwoofer
Why have you chosen Corian/Wood as your preferred medium and do you work with other materials? MELROSE. I love Corian! It’s so flexible. I can work it like wood or thermoform it like plastic and it is so durable. The surface finish is tough and seems to get even more beautiful with age. I love the way it can be used inside or outside and if you did manage to damage it you can inconspicuously repair it. I love the way the pure colours look against natural materials such as stone or wooden floors and I think Corian gives a home a modern vibrancy you can not get from other materials. I am a bit of a material geek and have thousands of samples! I think I now have enough experience to take on jobs in pretty much any material. I studied fine carpentry, metal working, ceramics amongst other ways of making things at uni and I have never stopped learning. At the moment as well as Corian I am in love with glass. It is a lot more limited in how you can work with it and what you can do with it but its just so beautiful, especially recycled glass like eluna. I think my ideal house will have a balance of old and new materials. BOURNE. I like to try to incorporate materials other than wood into my work but this can sometimes be difficult due to the fact that most of my work is bespoke to my clients needs. My background means that I have knowledge and experience of perspex, acrylics, stainless steel, aluminium and laminates, the latter being my personal favorite and a material that I do use quite regularly now, for both its range of colours and surfaces. I am really trying Nick Bourne’s retro desk with laminate to encorporate colour into my work and top and hardwood mixes also like the gloss finishes which are available. An example of my stainless steel work is on show now at the Hayward Gallery on the south bank. Made for recent Turner prize winner Mark Wallinger, it is a tardis in mirror polished stainless steel which he commissioned in 2001 and represented Britain at the Venice biennale that same year.
What exciting new ideas can you tell us about? MELROSE. Blimey, where do I start! I am playing around with so many things at the moment. The main areas of focus at the moment are with my friends at Reading University robotics ‘Samurai Technologies’. I want to start using robotic mechanisms in furniture and I am also experimenting with colour changing surfaces using Corian and LEDs. Playing around with some new concept materials from Perspex and developing new ways to make sculptural shapes with Corian. BOURNE. My exciting project which is simmering at the moment involves the National Trust and an Italian laminate manufacturer. Not a big thing but hopefully innovative and successful, something that will only be determined once the piece is made. I can say no more about that at the moment, but watch this space!
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Furniture Furniture Charlie Woodthorpe investigates
I asked two young talented designers, Stuart Melrose and Nick Bourne, who work with Corian & wood respectively, a few questions to try and find out what makes them tick. What got you into design and who influenced you? MELROSE. It was a lecturer at Basingstoke College of technology that changed my direction into furniture design. He was a design lecturer that took us for one module on my engineering course. He liked what I had done and knew engineering wasn’t really flicking my switch. I preferred something more instant, theory didn’t turn me on and actually making things seemed the right direction to go. The Höhle table by Stuart Melrose uses black or white Corian
Many people have influenced me. Mostly good lecturers at college and uni. I think I was really lucky, I met some amazing teachers that all had completely different angles for approaching design. Some of them made beautiful items and I wanted to be creating things of as good a quality. Of the International Design Giants I guess Mark Newsom is my favourite he has experimented in so many materials and his product design is so fresh but has subtle undertones of a retro space age that I too adore. BOURNE. I always made things as a child, whether it was Lego, plasticine, model kits, origami or any other material I could lay my hands on, so I suppose I was always going to be a maker. I studied sculpture so came to woodwork via an unusual route and also had the addition of using an artists eye when working. My making career began in earnest when I took up the position of head woodworker at Mike Smith Studio in London, where we made many pieces of artwork for contemporary artists, most of whom had come out of the Goldsmith’s ‘Brit-Art’ movement. Whilst there I made anything from a faithful but slightly oversized copy of an electric chair to a copy of the witness box that was used in the Lockerbie trial in Holland. I can’t say if any one designer has influenced me but I do like twentieth century design and often find myself looking at the Deco period, for its simplicity and elegance.
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Please mention Smartliving Now magazine when replying to any advertisements or features
If you are willing to invest in quality you will be rewarded and some of these surround sound speakers come in beautifully designed slim cabinets of real wood, coloured lacquer or polished aluminium finishes. As eluded to in last months feature on framing, some even come disguised as framed wall artworks, pictures or graphics. Try Eclipse, Definitive Technology or Polk Audio for the polished aluminium, Dali or Monitor Audio for the luxury real wood and lacquer finishes and Kaurus or Artcoustic for the picture frame speakers. Most speaker companies now offer wall mounted speakers along with in-wall speakers and in-ceiling speakers. Granted, with in-wall/ceiling speakers it is a major upheaval if you have to chase wires over hill and dale, but the results are simply shear luxury. Some of the best in class here are B&W, Monitor Audio, Speaker Craft, Niles Audio and Sonance.
B&W XT Series 5.1 system
A final option could be wi-fi sound and/or vision. It may be occasionally intermittent but no wires mean no fuss and having the option of switching rooms without ripping up carpet has an endearing charm. There are a few decent options out there from brands such as Sonos, KEF and Philips but my guess is there will be a lot more options within the next eighteen months. With the rise of internet shopping it would be easy to slip into the false sense of security behind a computer screen and click away filling your basket with all sorts of cheap and cheerful audio and video equipment; and for a children’s room that may well suffice. But believe me, if you crave that cinema experience, want that wow factor, enjoy the media experience together as a family and value technology and craftsmanship, you need to get down to a local audio visual or hi-fi dealer with a demonstration room, sit down and breathe in the fantastic jaw-dropping excitement a good system can deliver. Please mention Smartliving Now magazine when replying to any advertisements or features
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We understand your vision
WWW.ICONIC-HOME.CO.UK
Award-winning landscape design and construction from a team of skilled professionals. To embrace a new way of living, on time and on budget, please call us on 01473 401279.
Please Call to arrange a demonstration at our showroom. Home Control and Automation. Security and Lighting. Multi-Room Audio. Music and DVD Servers. Home Cinema Installers. Unit F, Bristol Court, Betts Ave, Martlesham Heath, IP5 3RY Tel: 01473 611131
LANDSCAPE & GARDEN DESIGN HARD & SOFT LANDSCAPING BESPOKE PONDS & WATER FEATURES TIMBER BUILDINGS SEMI-MATURE TREE PLANTING LIGHTING IRRIGATION MAINTENANCE tel/fax: 01473 401279 www.nascentialandscapes.co.uk 2009 Award Winner
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SAFE AS... ERR... HOUSES Citroen is charged! The first all-electric family car went on sale in the United Kingdom last month. Electric Car Corporation Plc (ECC) has launched a lithium ion battery-powered, all-electric version of the Citroen C1, called the C1 Ev'ie. Unlike the previous largest selling electric vehicle in Britain – the Indian-built Reva G-Wiz, which was legally classed as a quadricycle – the C1 Ev’ie is a proper car, albeit a mini car. The Citroen C1 Ev'ie is assembled in the UK from donor cars supplied with Citroen's blessing. The standard 1.0 liter 60 hp (50 Kw) petrol engine is replaced by a 30kw electric motor, powered by 25 li-ion batteries mounted in place of the fuel tank. The total pack capacity is not specified but with a range of 60 to 70 miles (96–112 km), battery capacity is estimated to be about 16 kilowatt-hours (kWh). ECC believes one of the keys to building a successful electric car is the battery management system (BMS). The company has developed what it describes as a sophisticated BMS, which – when coupled with regenerative braking – provides much greater range and longer battery life. The C1 Ev’ie applies light regenerative braking, as soon as you take your foot off the throttle, to generate the most electricity possible from the regenerative energy system. The standard 5-speed gearbox is retained but is modified to stay permanently in third gear. Reverse is taken care of by reversing the electric motor, as is the case with most electric vehicles. A full charge takes six hours from a domestic 13 amp socket at a cost of about 90p, which results in a fuel cost of less than 2p per mile. London is one of the most pro-electrical vehicle (EV) cities in the world, with more than 300 dedicated EV charging points already installed and plans to introduce more than 25,000. Other EV incentives include no road tax, no London congestion charge and free parking on top of the already significant fuel savings from running an electric vehicle.
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The vehicle's top speed of 60 mph is just short of the speed limit on UK motorways, but it is more than enough for urban driving. The C1 Ev’ie, which is available in both 3 and 5-door versions, comes standard with the usual safety equipment, such as ABS, airbag, side impact door protection, crumple zones and mod cons like electric power steering and electric windows. If the price of £16,850 is too steep, ECC is also offering to rent or lease the vehicles. Given unleaded fuel prices in the UK are about £1.00 per litre – even with the petrol C1 getting 43 miles-per-gallon – it seems clear that the premium retail cost of the C1 Ev'ie over a standard £9495 petrol-powered C1 may still make financial sense.
Are Are you you up-to-date up-to-date with with your your home home security security
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Information supplied by Ian McKenzie Edited by Neil Farrow
Labour’s Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith, recently called a special crime prevention summit to discuss practical measures to help keep crime down and confidently made the following statement “Burglary has more than halved in the last ten years and I am determined to stay on the front foot. Previous downturns have seen increases in acquisitive crimes but I do not accept this is inevitable. There will be a small minority of criminals who think they can take advantage in tough times. Let me tell them now, they can’t and they won’t get away with it”. Tough words from a lady who has her security paid for by us, the taxpayer, but what about the man in the street? As usual with politics, Mrs Smith's opinion is slightly at odds with a recent independent survey by Abbey which suggested that
the number of domestic break-in’s may increase during the recession, as increasing numbers of impoverished people turn to crime.
Security technology has dramatically changed in the last ten years. Biometric entry systems are on the increase like this fore finger entry scan pad.
On one hand I don’t wish to scare-monger people into thinking they are all going to be burgled, because it just doesn’t happen like that. But, it may be a good time to at least look at a few options available and better still, know your legal rights when it comes to dealing with a break-in or security situation. Knowing your legal rights is, in some ways, as effective as installing the system itself. Apparently the first system started in America around the late 1850’s. A guy called Edwin Holmes invented and installed the world's first burglar alarm. The system was a very simple machine; a spring was released upon the opening of a window or door, which would then close an electrical circuit.
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In today’s climate more and more people are turning to security systems not only to protect their property but to protect themselves too. With over 4 million cameras in UK alone it is a big industry. Major technology changes have occurred in the last ten years and even the expert can find it difficult to decide on which system to install due to the overwhelming choice now available. The best suppliers get around this conundrum by truly listening to the customers needs, ticking all the right boxes and supply a system that is simple to use and on budget.
Which system is right for you?
Great Grooming Essentials
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Charlie Woodthorpe reports
Hey guys, lets face it, you can’t improve on perfection but if our other halves wants to splash out on some male pampering kit who are we to argue! The Friction Zone Advanced Skin Protectant was tested this month and the results speak for themselves. Apart from that, give some of these a go... there’s nothing wrong with embracing your feminine side. I know what you’re thinking, but I am in a heterosexual marriage with four kids... although that would be considered such a cliche smoke screen in the political world!
Closed Circuit Television may seem something right out of Big brother, but it is simple, effective and easy to install. As well as an excellent security device, it can also be used as a great way of simply vetting people who come to your door, keeping an eye on your children or watching your pets in the garden. Systems can start from under £50 for something you can plug into your TV and can go beyond many thousands of pounds for a day/night digital zoom, armoured state of the art internet Camera. Many cameras have a built in PIR (Passive Infra Red) movement detection facility. PIR (movement activated) cameras can be set to automatically change the channel on your TV to show the camera picture (or there is a facility to sound a buzzer instead if you do not want your TV viewing to be interrupted). The PIR movement sensor detects warm moving objects in its range just like an alarm sensor or automatic security light.
Multi-Camera Systems
As these systems contain 2 to 4 cameras, they are perfect for monitoring the front and back of your property, for larger properties or small commercial premises. All the cameras simply plug into a 4 way Switching Unit and this allows you to control which picture you see on your TV. For example, you can have the picture set to just one camera (say your front door) or you can set the switching unit to automatically “Cycle” through each camera in turn at selectable intervals. Either way, if one of the cameras’ PIRs detects movement, the picture will jump to the appropriate camera. The control unit supplied allows switching between the camera pictures at selectable intervals.
Video/DVR System
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This facility can be added as an option and, once programmed, can automatically start recording the camera picture on your VCR or DVR when movement is detected by the sensor on the camera. Other facilities are available, such as time & date stamp, which adds a digital display of the time and date activation took place. Off site recording is also an option, for a small fee any cameras on site can be monitored by a server which you can log into to view from any PC. These systems can send you a text message if anything is detected letting you know to log in and have a look at the cameras.
Friction Zone Our very own Iron Man and Triathlete John Chisnal gave it a thumbs up after completing three gruelling running, swimming and cycling sessions. John said it was a good anti-chafe product but was head and shoulders above the rest because it didn’t wash off with sweat or salt water. His only complaint was the price but conceded “you get what you pay for” £12.50 www.carterandbond.com For those of you with that highly over-rated wirey stuff on your heads (no, I’m not bitter) Fudge Membrane Gas is the perfect alternative to a styling paste. It is said to deliver flexability (bendable hold) without the stiffness - and can be used as styling or finishing gas to mould, texturise or hold. As it dries instantly, brushes out easily and is shampoo soluble I’m sure it will be a boon to gigolos everywhere. £11.65 www.mankind.co.uk
This ‘Moose-Turising Face Hydrator’ from Australian company Moosehead is loaded with vitamins for healthy skin and A.H.A’s to help with nasty fine lines and wrinkles. Apart from that, it passes the smell test with invigorating citrus aromas of full-on tangerines. Moosehead’s full range is now available in the UK through Sainsbury’s. £4.99 for 100ml
This vitamin enriched (A, C, E, & B5) body bar (soap to you and me!) from Zirh can accelerate the production of collagen and is full of anti-oxidents which have healing capabilities. Also contained within is oat straw which is beneficial for making the skin smooth. Apart from all that it smells fantastic so starts your day off on a positive note. £12 www.carterandbond.com
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A pair of Monitor Audio Radius speakers are up for grabs WPK Systems are offering a gorgeous pair of Monitor Audio Radius 90 lifestyle speakers in a luxury cherry wood finish. Interested? ...read on Apart from supplying all your computer and hi-fi needs, WPK Systems of Hadleigh also have their own in-house state of the art servers to provide you with safe and secure local hosting. Moreover, they have a fantastic opportunity to help you with all your email troubles by using Microsoft Exchange. Exchange is the system that allows people using mobiles such as the Blackberry (or iPhone or any other ‘smart phone’) to get and synchronise information on the move. If you travel with business, wherever you are, you have instant access to all your information.
How easy is it to install a CCTV system in the home? Installation of domestic cameras are normally quite simple, some of them being wireless (you still need power) it is just a case of routing the cable through to your TV. Plug into the Scart or video input and off you go. Black and White cameras usually work better at night than colour, so think about how much ambient light there is where the camera is covering. Some cameras switch from colour during the day to Black and White at night. If you want to be able to see further distances at night extra IR lighting may be required. If you need something a little more robust then my advice would be to get an expert in before you spend your money. www.iconic-home.co.uk, www.technovations.co.uk, www.interconnectionltd.co.uk
WPK Systems have invested heavily in creating a system that allows the provision of fullyfeatured Exchange services for all companies and individuals. You can leave the technical side to them, they’ll make sure all your email, contacts, calendar and tasks are all backed up and available from anywhere in the world. Don’t think that Exchange email is aimed at big businesses with huge budgets. It certainly used to be, but now with hosted services, it is possible for a single account for one company to co-exist with fifty accounts for another company. Whatever your business or size, they’re sure that Exchange can refresh the way you see email – and make your life easier. To host a single account (you@yourcompany.com) WPK are charging £80+VAT per year (with discounts on multiple accounts). Maybe that might sound a lot, but consider this: it’s 21p a day. They can help you get started by importing your current data and then setting up desk computers as well as laptops and mobile phones to use this impressive system. Help and support is their main priority. Question 1: What is the name of the email system WPK offer? Question 2: Through WPK Systems, how much does it cost a year to host a single account? Send answers, headed WPK Systems Competition to Smartliving Now Magazine P.O. Box 101, Ipswich. IP7 9BE or email to: sales@smartlivingnow.co.uk The editors decision is final. No replies will be sent. Winner will be contacted but will need to arrange for delivery of prize.
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WPK Systems Home, Business & School IT, Computer Services & Solutions Website & Email Hosting Microsoft Exchange Hosting Computer Sales, Support, Repairs & Upgrades Network Management WPK Systems 5 Lister Road, Hadleigh, Ipswich IP7 5JN
office. 01473 829902 mobile. 07917 804490 wayne@wpksystems.com www.wpksystems.com 13
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ULTIMATE COLLECTION The brand new Logitech H1100 is the new sleek brushed aluminium lifestyle remote that offers simple online programming and a 7.5cm touchscreen capable of controlling up to 15 separate components. With RF (radio frequency) wireless technology, the Harmony 1100 makes it easy to control the show – even when your devices are out of sight. www.iconic-home.co.uk www.signals.uk.com
They say it only takes 20 minutes of good sleep during the day to get you fully rejuvenated and refreshed. That means you can afford to have less sleep at night. The Napshell: The first of its kind, the napshell is one of the most revolutionary sleeping environments ever made. With a super soft mattress, ambient mood changing light and state of the art sound system you can power nap at your convenience. Prices start at around 11,900 Euro’s.
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For the man who has everything Philip Watts Design, tongue firmly in cheek, have answered a few questions with the Gloo. Having just celebrated its second birthday, Gloo is a wall mounted urinal made of moulded plastic and comes in a full spectrum of colours from blue to orange and white. At around £350, the neat thing with Gloo is that, in the white models, it has embedded fibre optic coloured lights and quite literally Gloo’s in the dark. No excuses for missing the target here then! www.technovations.co.uk
TD712xMK2 The latest & greatest top-of-the-range Eclipse Time Domain loudspeaker. The artistry of music, the thoughts and feelings of artists themselves, the distinctive sounds of each instrument, the exquisite harmonies woven from numerous musical notes - you can experience it all with the new TD712xMK2 like you’ve never experienced it before. £5000 a pair. www.signals.uk.com, www.iconic-home.co.uk, www.interconnectionltd.co.uk.
Please mention Smartliving Now magazine when replying to any advertisements
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CONSERVATORIES . ORANGERIES . WINDOWS . DOORS Hadleigh, Ipswich & Woodbridge Districts
Your NEW LOCAL magazine for Smarthome living June 09 Artcoustic Picture Speakers
A pocket rocket info pack of home technology, gadgets, furniture, interior design and construction ideas.
Beautifully designed contemporary conservatories Adding a well designed conservatory to your home creates the most idyllic of rooms for reading, dining, playing or simply sitting back in your favourite chair enjoying a glass of wine. Sounds tempting? Why not give us a call to arrange a free design consultation at your home, or pop up to our showsite within Notcutts Garden Centre for a coffee and an informal chat. We’d love to see you.
Notcutts Garden Centre Ipswich Road Woodbridge T: 01394 386666
www.countrysidehi.co.uk
This months features
Docktastic: The best iPod docks & players Flat Screens: A great picture is only half the experience Furniture Designers: What makes them tick? Safe as houses: Home security in the modern world
Win Win Win! HiFi speakers competition on page 16