Small Tips For Big Results

Multipurpose furniture

One problem that many people find themselves facing in their home is often an issue with space. This is particularly true if you live in a newer house or apartment where the rooms so tend to be on the smaller side. This is where using furniture that is multipurpose can really come into its own. Shelving with a fold out table can be a particularly practical way of creating a work space for those days when you need to work from home. It also gives you the flexibility pack your “office” away at the end of the day. 

Sort out the cables

With so much technology in the home there is a good chance that you have wires trailing all over the place. Whilst these are necessary, they can be rather unsightly. Using a cable organising strip and making sure they are out of the way may seem like an incredibly simple idea. Still, it can have a huge impact on the look of a room. 

Declutter

If you are tired of looking at your house and think that it looks shabby and in need of some updating, it may not be nearly as bad as you think. Clutter can make a room not only feel smaller but also darker and scruffy. Start by having a good sort out. Get rid of anything that is broken or that you no longer want, and don’t keep things for the sake of it. Tidy up your remaining belongings and you can guarantee that this will make a huge difference. 

Add some plants

Adding plants to your home will not only make a huge difference to the look of a room but also has some benefits for your health as well. Studies have shown that indoor plants can help to lower blood pressure and also reduce stress. If you are not “green fingered” then opt for plants that are low maintenance. Those with striking foliage are a good option. Also, consider a couple of different sizes of plant to add variety, remembering to use the rule of three.

Change your colour scheme

Changing the colour of your walls can have a huge impact on the look of your room. Not only will it freshen up the room, but the right shade can make your room seem lighter and more open. For a smaller room, opt for lighter shades and for a room seems cold, look at warmer tones. 

Add a mirror

Finally, consider a staple in the interior design trick book; adding a mirror to any room. This can help to open it out and make it seem brighter and bigger. 

Hopefully, these small tips have inspired you to make the most out of your home, without giving you a huge project to tackle.

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Once you realise there’s not enough room in your home for the family, pets, and home business to fit comfortably without everyone and everything being on top of one another. Homeowners have two options: to sell up and move to a bigger home. Or to stay and make use of the house and land they have. This post covers the latter.

But, before diving in and knocking through walls, two questions need answering.

First, Do You Have the Means to Upsize?

Home renovations and extensions can cost a lot of money. Thus making sure you have enough funds, be it savings, or a loan, to cover expenses and potential setbacks is essential to ensure your plan to upsize can be seen through to completion.

Secondly, What’s The Purpose of Upsizing Your Home?

Think about the reasons why you would need to, for example, more storage space, an office, or an additional bathroom. From here, you can gauge what upsizing options are best from the selection below.

Options For Upsizing Your Home

Install a Shed or Garage

Suppose you have room on your plot of land to add a garage/shed, in that case, this could be a great cost-effective solution to store gardening equipment, garden toys, cars, tools, holiday decorations etc.

In turn, you can compartmentalise and organise a lot of stuff from inside the house into your new shed or garage space. Thus, creating more living and storage room indoors and less clutter in the garden.

Convert Loft Space

The loft is often a forgotten section of the home that could, with the right vision, design plans, and contractors, become another valuable area in the house. Such as a bedroom or a multi-functional room containing storage, office space, and a guest bed. As such, consider whether the loft area could have the untapped potential in your home, to add space.

Refurbish The Basement

If the loft is inaccessible, but there’s room in the cellar, here is where you might want to divert your sights.

Cellars are often viewed as dreary and sometimes damp spaces, with little to no natural light.

But if you look at basement renovations online, it’s easy to see the possibilities of using the room underground. For instance, you could create a home gym or a cinema room!

Upgrading the basement could be what your home setup needs to provide more useful room for living at home.

Add A Conservatory

Conservatories are much more budget-friendly than single story extensions. Plus, they allow nature lovers to be immersed in the beauty of the outdoors without stepping foot in the garden.

Conservatories were often used as an additional seating area. But they’re increasingly becoming popular to use for so much more, such as dining areas and home offices. Not to mention adding another room onto the home adds value to the property too.

The garden is usually used most during the summer months. But throughout the winter, homeowners are likely to stay indoors. However, by making some alterations to the garden, an outdoor living space can easily be created.

For instance, homeowners could add a patio or decking, an outdoor heater, comfy chairs, and throws for when the outdoors gets chilly. Plus, by planting an array of evergreen plants and shrubs, the garden shall be pleasant to sit in all year round.

You can see, there’s plenty of cost-effective options you can use to upsize your home without moving. Plus, any of the above additions made will only increase the value of your home too.

As an additional tip, for helping you create the feeling of more space at home, strategically placing large mirrors around the house to reflect light. Moreover, using light paint colours, intelligent storage solutions and decluttering will also assist in your bid for more room. You may also want to consider an off-site self-storage unit if you are really struggling – they are generally quite cheap and you can compare storage prices here.

The post Looking To Upsize Your Home? Here’s How to Do It appeared first on Twits Guides.

Renovating your home or parts of your home is a big undertaking. There’s no guarantee that it’ll pan out the way you plan or desire.

However, there are steps you can take to help ensure a smooth home renovation project without so many setbacks and glitches. The better you plan ahead and get organised right from the start the more likely it is that your home renovations will turn out beautiful and you’ll be happy with the end result.

1. Decide What to Renovate & Gather Ideas

One tip for a smooth home renovation project is to decide what to renovate and which will be the best use of your time, money, and resources. Take a look around your property and research what’s going to add the most value to your home in the long run. You want to make sure you’ll get a return on your investment when you go to sell one day in the future. Now is the time to do your homework and gather ideas for what’s out there and trending and what styles and elements you like best. Create a vision and lay out the details so you can act on it and make it come to life.

2. Have A Budget

It’s also important that you follow a budget if you want to have a smooth home renovation project. You should have a good idea of how much you want to spend and also how much certain upgrades and updates will cost you. Create a realistic budget that will help ensure your renovation project is affordable and won’t set you back too much financially. Your budget can guide you in making decisions about what materials or enhancements you do or don’t want to make as the project plays out.

3. Assemble the Right Team

Find the right contractors and assign a good team if you want your home renovation project to go smoothly. Avoid hiring the first person you hear about or meet and make sure you get quotes from at least three contractors. Meet with them individually and see if your visions and personalities align and mesh well. You need to work with experts and professionals who you can trust and who will stay within budget and within your timeline. It may be helpful to read reviews online or get recommendations from friends or family.

4. Declutter & Consider Living Elsewhere Temporarily

Declutter your home and spaces for a smooth renovation project. Get rid of items you no longer need and that are in the way. For the larger items or anything you want out of the way and to not get ruined you should consider using container storage  (compare storage prices here). This way you’ll know your belongings will be safe, secure, and out of harm’s way while the renovations are being completed. Also, consider living elsewhere temporarily and for the time being, so you’re out of the way. It’ll be a lot less stressful when you can go about your life as the renovations are being worked on.

5. Establish Contracts & Deadlines

You must establish contracts and deadlines if you want to have a smooth home renovation project. The last situation you want is to think you’re getting one design or outcome and that it turns out differently than what you expected. Get all you talk about and want to be done in writing and ensure you and the contractor and crew are on the same page. You want to make certain that they stay within your budget and the initial scope and aren’t doing work that you haven’t approved or don’t want to pay for. Have the details outlined in writing including projected deadlines and important information that will help ensure the project is completed the way you prefer.

6. Consider Hiring A Designer

It may also be helpful to hire and work with an interior designer. Your home renovation project will go a lot smoother and be less stressful when you don’t have to make all the important decisions on your own. Instead, consult with a designer and go over your ideas and what’s popular and will look the best so that your home turns out modern and beautiful. They see a lot of homes and are the experts in this area so can help you choose elements that will be timeless and elegant. You’ll find there are a lot of choices you have to make and that having someone by your side to assist you can take a lot of pressure off your shoulders.

7. Communicate & Check-in Often

It’s wise that you not completely dissociate or remove yourself from the situation during the renovations. Instead, you should stay involved and communicate and check in with your team or workers often. While you don’t want to get in the way or be a distraction, you also deserve to know and will want to know the status of how it’s going and coming along. Make sure that you’re notified of any delays or mistakes right away so that they can be addressed and rectified before it’s too late. Visit the job site frequently and take a look at the work being done and make sure it’s turning out the way you want. It’ll help to minimise any surprises and you’ll feel more comfortable knowing that it’s getting done the right way.

8. Stay Calm

Another tip for a smooth home renovation project is to make sure you stay calm throughout the process. Remain calm and in control of your emotions so that you’re responding to any issues that arise in a professional manner. When there are hiccups or setbacks, remember to problem-solve and get to the bottom of what’s going on before you react emotionally. The calmer you are, the more likely it is that the project will go smoothly and that you’ll get what you want at the end of the day. Do your part and you’ll likely find that the people you hire and trust will also do theirs and will want to ensure you’re satisfied in the end.

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All families need space to grow, that is a fact. When it comes to our homes, converting unused loft space is one of the most popular ways to add much-needed living space. In terms of investment, a loft conversion is one of the most profitable home improvements you can make, with the potential to increase the value of your property by up to 20%.

While many parents might hesitate to put small children in an attic bedroom, preferring to keep the little darlings nearby for a closer eye, a bedroom in the loft is surely every teenager’s dream. Adolescents crave privacy and space away from nosy parents and noisy siblings. As their need for independence grows, teenage kids love to have somewhere they can retreat to when life gets stressful, somewhere peaceful for exam revision (you hope!) and somewhere they can hang out with friends

A teenage bedroom at the top of the house ticks all the boxes. Work with the quirky architecture and sloping ceilings and create a sophisticated scheme that makes your teen feel grown up and valued while turning the attic bedroom into a cool place to live. 

Image credit

Broadly speaking, there are 4 types of loft conversion: Velux loft conversions, dormer extensions, mansard loft extensions and hip-to-gable conversion. The build and size of your roof and loft space will determine the style of conversion that is most suitable for your home. A simple dormer extension is a good option for most property types, as it creates a box shape out of the rear roof slope, maximising headroom and usable floor space.

Velux-only loft conversions require surprisingly little construction work and can be completed in as little as 4 weeks, with planning permission usually not required. You should budget in the region of £20-£30K, depending on the specifics. For more complicated loft conversion projects, allow up to 4 months until completion and expect to pay up to £60K for large roof conversions.

Image courtesy of My Fitted Bedroom

Space is the main factor in the design of your teen’s bedroom in the loft. With awkward angles and sloping roofs to contend with, cleverly designed storage and built-in furniture, bespoke shelving and eaves storage is definitely the way to go. Having a teenager means a messy bedroom – there’s no getting around that. Make sure the room has ample concealed storage, so that clutter can be kept at bay.

What’s more, piles of clothes carelessly strewn across the floor are a constant bugbear for mums up and down the country. Providing plenty of wardrobe space is key for budding adults who are discovering fashion for the very first time and love to experiment with expressing their own sense of style. Here’s a handy guide to fitted wardrobes for lofts.

It is often surprising to discover how much natural light floods into an attic bedroom, particularly through skylight windows. This makes the space airy and inviting, and can provide a welcome boost against any morning grumpiness that might stop your teen from getting up and on with their day. Just make sure you add blinds to any Velux windows (ideally blackout blinds) to allow for comfortable weekend lie-ins that teenagers are so prone to.

Artificial lighting should start with ceiling light fittings, and here we would recommend recessed spotlights as the most practical solution where headroom is at a premium. Layer your lighting design with plenty of additional fixtures – from targeted desk lighting to fairy lights wrapped around exposed beams and quirky table or floor lamps to bring out your teen’s personality.

And while we’re talking electrics, don’t forget to plan for enough plug sockets (ideally with USB ports) to accommodate all those gadgets, devices and screens!

If your growing son or daughter wants a room that’s cool and edgy, so be it. Now is the time to indulge them with a bold interiors scheme of their choice. Black coloured walls? Tropical wallpaper? Houseplants and botanicals everywhere? No problem.

Key furniture pieces include the bed, a study desk and chair, some storage pieces and, if the space allows, casual seating. Bean bags or floor cushions will do if there’s no space for a sofa. Add interest with a feature wall to display photos, posters or a picture gallery.

Play with different textures and patterns to create some warmth and a sense of homeliness in the room (but without losing the cool teenage vibe!). Experiment with sheer curtains, shaggy rugs, fluffy throws and cushions to cosify the room. Create distinct zones for sleeping, dressing, studying and socialising.

Whether your adolescent is into mid-century retro, industrial chic or a boho vibe, even a mishmash of all (or none) of the above, let them experiment with their own choice of colour and décor in their own space. Chances are, there will be many changes in taste and style over the next months and years as they evolve and grow into themselves. Just go with it.

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Unusually, two Canadians owned and ran the gites complex I was staying at, and on one occasion we were discussing the wonderful furniture in my apartment. The pieces were all huge, solid oak and ornately carved. They told me they had purchased them all in Normandy at various “trocantes”. The concept of a trocante is that sellers can display their furniture, or other household goods, for sale in a huge warehouse and the trocante owner takes a cut of the profit when it is sold. The advantage to the seller is that they know large numbers of buyers are attracted to these warehouses by the range of goods for sale in one place.

Since then I have visited various trocantes on my travels through France. Many times I have been disappointed when I saw a perfect piece of French oak furniture but had no cost-effective means of getting it back to the UK. So now I organise my trips better and make sure I have contact details to hand for cheap shippers who do regular runs to France or cheap van hire for items I can manage to get back to the UK myself. Although trocantes will ship items for you it is almost always prohibitively expensive. Whereas the cost of hiring a van for a long week-end more than makes up for the savings on whatever you buy in France.

And, remember, if you don’t like all that dark wood there are amazing paints around now so it’s not difficult to transform an old piece. I have a beautiful carved wooden double wardrobe in one bedroom – now painted white – that is unique, provides loads of storage and, better yet, it was a bargain.

Here are my 5 favourite trocantes in Northern France where I have always managed to pick up a wonderful gem at a bargain price:

• AMIENS (Rue St Fuscien)
• ROUEN (Le Grand Quevilly)
• LISIEUX (Boulevard Sainte Anne)
• ALENCON  (Rue Bretagne)
• SAINT LÔ (Rue Jules Vallés)

You can find more details of all trocantes in France on these 2 websites:

www.troc.com/en/

www.trocante.fr

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1. Revamping the bathroom

Updating the whole bathroom can be an expensive job which when you are on a budget is not ideal, however, most of the time there is no problem with the suite meaning that the bathroom can easily be revamped. What you could do is have large porcelain wall tiles put in (not even in the whole bathroom just near the sink and shower and then paint the rest of the room) and then change the flooring using either cheap ceramic floor tiles or even vinyl flooring. The large porcelain tiles will instantly make the room feel more contemporary and up-to-date.

2. Update your home with new flooring

By Wonderlane (Contactct)

Changing your carpet can make a large difference, especially if it is a vibrant colour such as blue. You could opt for a nice neutral colour like cream or even put in wooden floor. Now if you are very lucky your floor boards may be in perfect condition so all they would need is to be sanded and then you could just simply varnish them or go for a shabby chic look and paint them a white/cream colour.

3. A lick of paint

By Megan Allen (Contact)

A new coat of paint can do wonders to a room, making it look nice and fresh. Once again you could go for a nice neutral colour making the room look bigger. Also if you have a small and dark room there is specific paint available with a light-reflecting sheen, which gives the impression that the room is light and spacious.

4. Quick Fixes for the Kitchen

The kitchen normally will all need to be updated which can be a large expense. If your budget does not reach, you can tile the splash back with ceramic tiles which are cheap and the space is small so this will also keep the cost down. As well as this once again just painting can help the appearance of the kitchen.

5. The easiest solution for the bedroom

The simplest way you can transform your bedroom is by changing the bed linen. There is a whole range out there so you are bound to find one that complements your room as well as fits in with your budget.

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All styles and trends are cyclical. Things that were current in the 1980s suddenly became very popular in the previous decade. Music fans hunted down vinyl records again and neon patterns were considered a relevant choice of decoration.

Now it seems that fashion is leaning more toward 90s and early 00s. As such, let’s look at the new interior design styles that are likely to come back in 2022.

Wood Panelled Kitchens

Oh yes. Wooden kitchen cabinets were once the height of interior fashion, and it looks as if they are set to make a comeback.

The light colour pallet from wooden worktops was all the rage in the early 1960s. Lighter colours were chosen back then to create the impression of light in a room. Lightbulbs weren’t as powerful as now, so the wood panelled surfaces were necessary.

It seems that someone has kept this style deep in their heart for a long time, as panelled cupboards and kitchen surfaces are becoming the norm. Expect to see a lot of new kitchens decorated this way in 2022, even though our lightbulbs work perfectly well.

Sofa Covers

Sofa covers were initially invented to be used out of necessity instead of a fashion choice. These extra sofa sheets were often seen in 70s homes and were extremely practical pieces of kit. If someone made a mess on the sofa, you could just strip and wash the cover without any fuss. If the cover became stained, it was far cheaper to purchase a new cover than saving up to buy a new sofa.

This handy cover disappeared from favour around the early 80s and wasn’t seen again in modern homes. It’s a shame really, given how practical they were.

However, the sofa cover is slowly creeping back into public consciousness. The going trend seems to be purchasing multiple colours to swap the style around when it suits you, but they still remain as useful as ever.

Brass

Moving on to the bathroom next and you may be feeling a little confused. Surely there is no replacement for the easy-to-clean stainless steel taps and pipes?

Unfortunately, it seems as if there is going to be a huge upheaval in what is considered stylish for a home bathroom. Stainless steel is reliable, but it does leave a room feeling cold. That is why brass is making its comeback in 2022.

Brass is a darker substance, which means that it can have a warming effect. This warmer glow is exactly what you want to experience as you step out of the shower into the cold air. Also, brass doesn’t show dirt as clearly as steel, which means you can get away with not cleaning the stuff for longer.

Wicker

A lot of people consider wicker to be the boomerang of home furniture. It was originally used as a cheap method of crafting furniture in the 30s, and then it made a comeback in the 70s and again in the late 80s. You can still see wicker used for garden furniture, but it seemed that wicker had fully left the home for good once the 1990s hit.

Now it is time to dust off those old seats in your grandma’s attic as wicker is making the rounds again as the new go to seating option. This style seems to fit with the current minimalist approach to decorating, so it is no surprise to see it on this list. However, you would have thought that someone would have come up with an equally minimalist alternative by now.

Arcade Machines

Vinyl made a triumphant return to our shelves last decade. Thanks to the updated players, the passion for this lost relic from the late 70s and early 80s was reinvigorated.

Now our obsession with technology is jumping forward in time, as people are now looking to the late 80s for their entertainment fix. This period saw the rise of the arcade, a place where the avid videogame player could be called king.

These machines aren’t as complicated to replicate as they once were, and people are finding it easy to slot these cabinets into their own home. Take a look at a business such as Arcade Depot, available at thedepot.uk and find some of the classic cabinets such as Pacman with modern evolutions. This means you could have an arcade machine act as a table, all in working condition. Video game technology has come along leaps and bounds in the last forty years.

House Plants

The world is moving in a more eco-friendly direction. Therefore, it makes sense that everyone is trying to do their bit by including more house plants into their living space.

Houseplants were all the rage in the 1970s, mainly used to draw attention to a specific section of a room. Now, this splash of greenery is both helpful for the environment, and fits nicely with the wicker furniture.

Conclusion

You don’t have to instantly follow every trend that comes along. These are just a few ideas you could use to spruce up your home for the coming year, while also staying in fashion.

The post Interior Designs That Are Coming Back In 2022 appeared first on Twits Guides.

If you love gardening, then you’re probably following a number of gardening blogs to keep up with the latest news, learn new tricks and tips and, of course, find inspiration for your own gardening projects.

The internet isn’t short of gardening blogs, and there are plenty to choose from. In this post, we’ve listed our top 10 favourite gardening blogs to follow and why we love them. From vegetable gardening to blogs that cover the latest trends in gardening, you won’t be short of content to read on those days you can’t get in the garden.

1. The Wiliam James & Co Gardeners Blog

William James & Co is a UK garden supply company that regularly posts new updates to their blog covering everything to do with growing fruit and vegetables. One of the latest posts looks at the perfect gifts for allotment owners, while another covers what to grow in a polytunnel.

The company was founded in 1954 and are the leading fruit cage supplier in the UK! They certainly have some great content on their website and have a lot of knowledge about how to grow the best vegetables with the space you have. Don’t forget to sign up for their newsletter while you’re checking out their posts.

2. The Middle-Sized Garden

If your garden is bigger than a courtyard but smaller than an acre, this gardening blog is for you! This Middle-Sized Garden blog has carved a great niche posting articles about how gardeners with smaller gardens can make the most of their space and still enjoy the benefits that come with having a larger garden.

Usefully they break down their content into categories, including ‘container gardening’ and ‘grow your own’. It makes finding the content you want to read really easy, and the posts are short and manageable while being packed with helpful tips.

3. Vertical Veg

The Vertical Veg gardening blog is all about growing food in small spaces and containers. There’s a great mix of posts suitable for gardeners of all abilities, from beginners to experts. One of the latest additions to their blog explores how Mark, the blog owner, grew £900 worth of vegetables on his balcony garden!

Mark’s blog has posts about vegetable gardening as well as growing flowers so it’s a great all-rounder if you’re looking to grow your gardening knowledge.

4. Gardener’s World

The Gardener’s World brand is well known by many gardeners in the UK and across the world. As well as publishing a magazine the Gardener’s World website is full of excellent articles with tips, advice and interviews with a range of experts and professionals.

Their list of gardening jobs are organised by month and is a very popular series of posts that is well worth bookmarking if you’re ever stuck for ideas in the slow-growing months. As well as talking about plants, they also cover important news and tips for helping garden wildlife like bugs and birds.

5. Grow Veg

Continuing with our multi-media theme, Grow Veg is taking a high tech approach to gardening and blogging with their Garden Planner app. The app allows you to plan your whole garden by adding in beds, planters and equipment like fruit cages, so you have a plan to work with before you start digging. It’s also really useful for keeping a note of your crop rotation plans.

Moving onto their gardening blog, the content spans everything from short and simple posts to complete gardening guides and videos. It’s a great place to explore and uncover new gardening tips from writers around the world. We highly recommend checking it out.

6. The Blooming Garden

The next gardening blog on our list is called The Blooming Garden, which has a vast archive of gardening blog posts dating back to November 2013. We love this blog because we’re transported into the gardening journey of Chloris as she gives us her musings and ideas from her garden in Suffolk.

One of our favourite posts talks about some of the best gardening books to borrow or buy. From Peter Beales‘s ‘ Visions of Roses’ to ‘Adventures of a Gardener’ by Peter Smithers, you’ll almost certainly find a new book to read as well as plenty of top-notch gardening blog posts!

7. Off The Edge Gardening

Off The Edge Gardening is run by Gill Heavens and is a great lifestyle and gardening blog in the UK. Started in 2014, the blog was originally called ‘On The Edge Gardening’ before being renamed to Off The Edge Gardening, which gave the blog a new direction and focus.

Gill shares plenty of amazing photos of her garden that will act as inspiration for your own gardening ideas. It’s not your traditional ‘how to’ gardening blog and is a good choice for those that want a bit of personality with their gardening content.

8. The Frustrated Gardener

Dan is The Frustrated Gardener. Frustrated because there aren’t enough hours in the day to prune, trim and perfect the garden! His blog is a great resource of gardening insights, fantastic imagery and updates from his trips to gardens across the country.

He has been featured on Gardener’s World and recently started a new initiative based on gardening projects. The first few posts cover container gardening and how to use pumpkins for your planting. We can’t wait to see what Dan comes up with next!

9. Garden Tapestry

The Garden Tapestry is one of the longest-running gardening blogs on this list, with a whole host of insightful and informative posts dating back to 2005! We’ve recently been loving their week of flowers posts which has been filling our feeds with colour and beauty.

Anna, the blog owner, also gives you insights into her own garden and garden process, which is excellent for uncovering new ways to do things and other little tips and tricks. Her blog is updated regularly, and it’s definitely one to watch for next year.

10. Jane Perrone

The final gardening blog on our list is by Jane Perrone. Jane has filled her website with a complete mix of content, from blog posts to videos and podcasts. There’s a lot of content to keep you busy which is why Jane’s blog has made our top 10 list.

Jane’s also releasing a book called ‘Legends of the Leaf’. It’s a homage to 25 of her favourite houseplants and looks at their history through to how you can look after them to get the best results. Her book is currently available for pre-order.

Summary

Hopefully, our top 10 gardening blogs will give you enough content to keep you inspired this season and will help you discover some new and exciting ways to write about your own garden journey!

As always, do let us know what you think in the comments below. And if you enjoyed this article, give it a share on social media.

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Buying someone a ‘little something’ can be harder sometimes than buying a substantial present. If you’re on the hunt for the quirky, the personalised or the unusual this Christmas, then look no further. To make it even harder, we’ve set ourselves a £10 limit to see what we can find.

Homemade soap, Calthorpe Community Garden

A green oasis in King’s Cross, Calthorpe Community Garden provides a green space for London residents. Set up as a charity in 1984, it helps to raise funds and awareness in a number of different ways including this homemade soap. Available in five different scents, it costs £5/bar so it’s two bars for our £10! Available from Calthorpe Community Garden.

The mini bird pizza kit, The Den Kit Company

This kit comprises two wooden disc pizza bases, a mini hessian bag full of mixed bird seed and one beautifully illustrated British garden bird identification card with instructions on the reverse- all in a jute sack. Perfect for children or anyone who’d like to attract more wildlife to their garden. £7.50, available from The Den Kit Company.

Green botanical style plant mister, Sass & Belle

This pretty plant mister jazzes up any desk or shelf and would make a great alternative to plastic plant spray bottles. It is made from glass with a rustic grey spout mechanism. Finished with a green glaze, the imperfect edges and bubbles in the glass add character and texture. £9, available from The Kind Store.

Scents of Christmas wax melts gift box, The Olfactiv

This pretty gift box contains a collection of three Christmas themed wax melts and three tealight candles, ready to create that Christmas atmosphere! Each wax melt pot has six snap-off segments and gives a total of approx. 24 hours of fragrance. £8.99, available from The Olfactiv. 

Calm escape bath bomb, Fersk Self Care

A wonderful hand-packed bath bomb, infused with organic eucalyptus and cypress essential oils. Made from Himalayan pink salt, eucalyptus  and cypress, the bombs come wrapped in a cheesecloth and labels are made from 100% recyclable cardstock. They are handmade in small batches in Canada and cost £8 from the Self Care Survival Kit Shop.

Green scented candle in a mug, Rex London

A lime and bayleaf scented candle, presented in a mint green ceramic mug. This stylish candle will fit right in to your kitchen or living room – plus it smells great too! £9.95, available from Rex London.

Greens & Greetings, Shroot

Available in different designs, this Greens & Greetings gift set (pictured above and main image) contains everything you need to grow delicious and nutritious microgreen sunflower shoots, right inside the ‘card’. It’s a sustainable gift suitable for both children and adults, and is perfect for posting as it’s designed to fit through the letterbox. £6.99, available from Shroot.

Delft cross stitch pin cushion kit, Museum Selection

A counted cross-stitch kit that makes a pretty, embroidered pin cushion with decorative cord edging. The dainty motif of tulips and fleur de lys echoes the decoration of traditional ceramics.  You can follow the pattern exactly or add your own final flourish to the design. £9.99, available from Museum Selection.

Hedgehog notebook, Creature Candy

This A5 spiral bound notebook ideal for keeping on your desk or in your bag. Featuring a beautiful hand drawn image of a hedgehog Erinaceus europaeus, this notebook is perfect for to-do-lists and journal notes. Designed and made in England, 10% of the purchase price will be donated to the People’s Trust for Endangered Species.  £6.95, available from Creature Candy.

Seed bombs, Black Bee Honey

These hand made seed bombs contain 21 different varieties of native wildflowers and grasses. The pack contains approx 20 bombs which is sufficient for one square metre of wildflower meadow which can help support a wide range of wildlife including butterflies and bees. £8.50 each, available from Black Bee Honey.

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If you’re thinking of renovating or furnishing your home, then you may want to look to Germany for inspiration. This ambitious country is one of the world’s biggest furniture nations and has given birth to strong household names such as “Wiemann” and “Rauch”, to name but a few.

Germany has proven time and time again that they deliver high-quality furniture that features intriguing materials and attractive modern designs. In many cases, its reliability and competence can be viewed as a cut above the rest.

In this post, we highlight the current top 10 German furniture brands.

1. Wiemann

Wiemann dedicates itself to designing and manufacturing luxury wardrobes and bedroom furniture, ensuring that you get a good night’s rest in a comforting and lush setting. Established way back in the early 1900s, this German furniture brand prides itself in delivering modern designs that hold more than a century of mastery. Wiemann currently makes over 200 ranges of bedroom furniture for markets across Europe. You can buy them online here.

2. Rauch

Rauch is another German furniture manufacturer that has mastered the art of creating elegant wardrobes that are perfect for contemporary homes and apartments. Merging functional storage solutions with attractive designs since 1897, this high-end furniture brand has found the recipe for delivering quality furniture at affordable prices. We recommend purchasing Rauch wardrobes at Instrument furniture cause they are also offering assembly service.

3. Dedon

For exquisite outdoor furniture, head on over to Dedon. Founded in 1990, this leading German manufacturer has excelled at creating high-end garden furniture. From tables and chairs to interesting outdoor sofas; every piece expresses a unique experience. The modularity of the compositions is also outstanding, and you’ll discover endless possibilities to make room for your own imagination.

4. SieMatic

SieMatic brings the concept “the kitchen is the heart of the home” to life. The brand has been creating beautiful kitchen furniture since 1929 and has evolved to become leading manufacture that caters to homes across the globe. Combining attractive modern designs with intelligent functionality, this German company has set the trend for designing elegant living spaces that reflect the homeowner’s lifestyle and personality.

5. Nolte

Another German manufacturer that’s heading the furniture industry is Nolte. Nolte embodies diversity and impeccable design. It’s also a reliable brand that delivers exceptional customer service. Using innovative machinery and skilled employees to create their wares, you’re guaranteed to receive high-end furniture pieces that combine to create the home you’ve always dreamed of. Founded in 1958, this is a furniture brand that’s passed the test of time to prove its value.

6. Walter Knoll

Founded way back in 1865, Walter Knoll is an authoritative furniture company that covers all areas of the house, with particular emphasis on upholstered items. From luxury leather sofas to majestic dining tables fit for royalty, this brand delivers prestigious furniture designs coupled with a high-end service that caters to the buyer’s needs every step of the way.

7. Balthaup

Balthaup is another luxury kitchen brand from Germany. With its roots in 1949, the company has flourished to become a leading kitchen manufacturer in many countries, including the UK. The brand is characterised by precision, innovation, and the highest levels of craftsmanship. The kitchen designs are nothing less than elegant – they are also highly functional (for comfortable and convenient living).

8. Rolf Benz

Rolf Benz is a pioneer in German furniture design. The company was first established in 1964 and quickly developed to become an experimental manufacturer of unique sofas, chairs, and tables that harmonise perfectly with contemporary homes. They also offer a broad range of occasional furniture – with enough variety to cater to all tastes.

9. Zeitraum

If you enjoy following a sustainable lifestyle, then Zeitraum may be a furniture manufacturer that will appeal to you. The brand has been following the principle of combining ideas, design, and ecology since 1990. Now, their creations cater to the entire home, and they offer a broad selection of high-end beds, chairs, tables, and novelties – all built using sustainable wood.

10. Thonet

This historic German furniture brand was established in 1819 and has since stood for high-quality, innovative, and elegant furniture. The manufacturer caters to both homes and offices and offers an innovative selection of luxury furniture suited to contemporary lifestyles. Thonet is all about creating invigorating environments with comfort at its core.

In Conclusion

Undoubtedly, Germany continues to be counted as one of the most popular furniture nations, and the above is just a short list of the very best brands born in this country. Online stores have made it possible for people across the world to access these luxury ranges, increasing the demand and expanding design options as a result. As we said, you’re bound to find furniture from our top 10 German furniture brands that appeal to you!

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