welsh living magazine

A Clean SlateStart afresh for 2009Smooth as silkLuxurious fabrics

Lighten upBrighten your home

The Grove21st Century country living

Welsh•Design•Interiors•Lifestyle

www.welshliving.com £1.95

tel: 01452 831 538fax: 01452 831 048

email: [email protected]: www.taylormadebystanton.co.uk

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Visit our extensive showroom with a vast array of Bathrooms, Tiles & Accessories

With over 45 years combined experience in bathroom design & fi tting, you can be assured of our technical expertise

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

Service, Value & Quality Assured

Visit Our Showrooms at:

George Street Furnishers19-24 George Street, Newport, NP20 1ENTel: 01633 262629

George Street Furnishers374 Newport Road, Cardiff, CF23 9AE(Next to Megabowl)Tel: 02920 021800

Open 7 days a week!Web: www.aquabathroomcentre.co.uk

• Laufen• Matki• Heritage• Clearwater• Roca• Mira• Grohe

Appointed dealers:

• Daryl• Airbath• Kohler• Bisque• Acova• Cifi el• UtopiaAnd many more..

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s ins

ide

Georg

e Stre

et

Furn

isher

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UUtopiaAppointed

dealer

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dealer

G E O R G E S T R E E T F U R N I S H E R S� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �

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

NEWPORT 0 1 6 3 3 2 1 4 2 4 119-24 George Street, Newport, NP20 1EN (Just off George St Bridge on A48)

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TextEditor: Ed Pereira

Sub-Editor: Pia TandonStaff Journalist: Catherine Graham

Staff Journalist: Gavin Harris

[email protected]

Advertising & PartnershipPublication Manager: Debbie Jones

[email protected]

The LookCreative Director: Ed Pereira

Brand Consultants: Autografik

[email protected]

LogisticsMagazine Distribution: Pear Distribution, Wales’ only

specialist magazine distributor

www.peardistribution.co.uk

Distribution Director: Fed PereiraDistribution Manager: Eduardo Stevens

Distributors: Lawrence Burns & Steven Roberts

Contactwww.welshliving.com

www.pearpublishing.comEmail: [email protected]

Address: Unit 3, Penllyne Way, Vale Business Park, Llandow, CF71 7PETelephone: 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 neces-sarily those of the editor or the publishing company. The publishing company does not hold any

responsibility for any of the information or contents within the adverts.

Welsh Living is a title within the Pear Publishing stable of magazines. For more information log onto www.pearpublishing.com

Pear Publishing is a division of Pear Media Ltd.

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

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1 Café melamime dinner plates, set of 4 £25 www.heals.co.uk Satellite Ball Clip This fabulous photo clip holds up to 32 photos or

postcards and is easy to assemble. Designed by Kikkerland, a New-York based company that intertwines the concept of practicality with the

genius of innovation, the Satellite photo holder includes 16 stainless steel rods with alligator clips held together with a hanging rubber ball.

£10 www.WhereDidYouBuyThat.com Cotton Twill Beanbag £30 www.next.co.uk Snow letters £9.50 www.marksandspencer.com Buy

them in the sale ready for next year Wire Tailors Dummy £40 www.next.co.uk

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Mr Gold gnome £22 www.heals.co.uk Reindeer Egg Cup £5 www.marksandspencer.com Pick it up in the sale Roadside signs

melamime dinner plates, set of 4 £25 www.heals.co.uk Strawberry & Apple Cushions Pure felted wool cushions with hand embroidered

strawberry and apple designs, along with a lavender heart with ‘Love’ motif. £45 www.janconstantine.com

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Winter 08 Welsh Living 9

New Year treats

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

Occa, Functional coffee table with storage. £649 www.boncept.co.uk Tree Mario Mazzer, Clothes hanger. Frame in batch-dyed

polyethylene. Available in various colours. www.bonaldo.it Cubic Orbit Fun, Gino Carollo Fix or swivel bookcase with square base. Frame:

matt painted wood. www.bonaldo.it 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. £179 www.franceshunt.co.uk

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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

4 stools and will add a wonderful touch to any living or dining area. £229.99 www.drinkstuff.com Segment tables with rotating storage drawers,

Brit designers Wayne Pottinger and Natalie Cole £480 www.pottingerandcole.co.uk Wooden Tribu £459.50 www.ligne-roset.co.uk

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Storage


Inspired Storage designsOverloaded with unnecessary trinkets

Even the most committed minimalist

can appreciate the sentimental value

of beautiful accessories, but it can be

tricky to know where they belong. Rather

than your house being overloaded with

unnecessary trinkets, these fragments of

personality could be hidden away for the

right season in a gorgeous storage unit.

With storage units, think laterally - is it purely

aesthetic or do you need to use it for endless

amounts of junk that litters your home? A

strong proportioned sideboard unit can be

extremely grown-up and add sophistication

to any room, as well as being a haven for

those extra pieces that need not be on show.

Storage can also be very elegant, be it a

contemporary magazine rack or CD holder.

Why not fuse salvaged pieces with show-

stopping modern units for that juxtaposition?

Storage can give your home a new lease of

life. Incorporate strong lighting around your

storage piece as it can help cast shadows and

can cast new light on a traditional storage

heirloom.

If you live in an apartment or studio room then

storage is essential, especially if you have

lots of friends that constantly descend on

you. It’s important to keep things organised

so that you feel your home and your life is

in order.

Storage


PB Welsh Living Winter 08

Storage

Inspired Storage designs


Trend alert

Ferm Living Love Birds Wall Sticker

Wall Stickers from Ferm Living are a different

kind of wall decoration.

They create a unique look and change the

style and atmosphere in a room. The stickers

can be used on all flat surfaces: walls,

ceilings, furniture, windows, mirrors, etc. -

the possibilities are endless and the only limit

is your imagination.

The Ferm Living wall stickers collection holds

a string of various designs in different sizes

and colours in order for you to pick the one

that suits you best.

When you want to change the style of

your home, the wall stickers can be easily

removed.

The stickers come in a triangular shaped

cardboard tube containing everything you

need for mounting.

£40, mode21.co.uk


Trend alert

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

Love Too by Paul Smith for The Rug Company

Paul Smith’s original Love Too silk and wool wall-hanging produced

exclusively by the Rug company strengthens his graphic and mod,

real statements. His needle point wall-hanging was featured in Carrie’s

apartment in the “Sex and the City” movie, making it a cult piece.

Hand woven wool aubusson

£1,550, www.paulsmith.co.uk, www.therugcompany.info

Love Birds Mug

We know this was only sup-

posed to be three ways with

love in the home, but we

could not resist showing you

this cute love bird mug!

Dishwasher-friendly, ceramic

mug made in the UK

£9

www.petraboaseshop.com

Fab Love Cushion

An extension to the fabulously funky Pop Art collection.

Still stitched in the traditional style using applique, cross stitch and

blanket stitch, the Pop Art Collection is very striking, very decorative

and very now.

It manages to evoke memories of the swinging sixties in a fun,

updated way.

£80

www.janconstantine.com


Adoring you

We love...A few things we love to love right now

Cesendello Lamps on a Rod

An elegant spiral shaped structure, the profile

recalls the twist of the Muslim turban. The silk

is decorated with hand painted patterns, the

rod is covered with beautiful fabric.

www.venetiastudium.com

Rolling Stones in Wales

In an exclusive UK publishing deal, the

Castle Galleries retail art group is proud

to be collaborating with the world-class

photographer Philip Townsend who captured

the Rolling Stones in a unique light in 1963,

just before the band found fame and fortune.

A chance meeting on the waterfront in Monte

Carlo between the young photographer

Philip Townsend and the Rolling Stones

first manager, Andrew Loog Oldham, gave

Townsend the opportunity to photograph the

then unknown group, which in turn helped

build their image and turn them into stars.

“My brief was to make them look ‘cruel tough

and streetwise’,” Townsend explains.

Philip Townsend prowess as a top

photographer was undisputed during the

Sixties and he became synonymous with the

decade, clicking his way through ten years and

the famous faces of The Beatles, Gene Pitney,

Johnny Ray, the Searchers, Jimmy Page of

Led Zeppelin and Peter and Gordon (whom he

briefly managed). Other Sixties icons to come

under the gaze of his lens included Twiggy,

Charlotte Rampling and Princess Alexandra

dancing with Marlon Brando.

The limited edition giclées of 495 are each

hand signed by Philip Townsend and feature

‘Mick’, ‘The Rolling Stones, March 1963’,

‘Studio 1, 1963’, ‘Mick & Keith’, ‘ATV Studios,

1963’ and ‘Keith’. And for ardent fans and

collectors, who want to own a little piece of

rock and roll history this Christmas, there is

a beautiful boxed set featuring six limited

editions.

www.castlegalleries.com

Natuzzi Sound Chair

Natuzzi, Italy’s largest furniture manufacturer

and the world leader in leather upholstery

is thrilled to announce the launch of its new

SOUND armchair, this new and contemporary

design unites style with audio for the ultimate

in hi-fi luxury.

Sit down, plug-in your MP3 player and

relax to the sound of your favourite tunes

in the comfort of the new SOUND armchair

equipped with its own internal audio system.

Crafted by the designers and technicians of

the Natuzzi Research & Development Centre,

Natuzzi has elevated the concept of hi-fi into

a new listening dimension. Built-in loud

speakers can be connected to an MP3 player

(or to any other device equipped with a mini-

jack plug), making SOUND Natuzzi’s first

foray into comfortable, stylish listening.

With SOUND’s iconic egg-shaped design

and complementary pouf, Natuzzi has

created a stylish, relaxing experience

without compromising on the quality and

attention to detail that the brand has become

globally renowned for. As with all of Natuzzi’s

armchairs and sofas, SOUND is available in a

vast range of colours and leathers to ensure

absolute personalisation and customer

satisfaction.

www.natuzzi.co.uk


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

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Ace of Clubs Gorgeous cushion by the New York designer Jonathan Adler, handmade needle point image with black velvet on reverse and

a full feather core. £88 www.rume.co.uk Black & White Brocade Pendant Lampshade Stunning handmade drum lampshade for pendant

ceiling fixtures - a great lighting statement for the centre of the room. £40 www.hunkydoryhome.co.uk Skull & Crossbones Pop Up Storage

Box Folding card box with skulls design £4.95 www.dotcomgiftshop.com Natural Skin Contemporary Rug Natural Skin Contemporary Rug.

Prices from £100.31 to £312.57 - Custom size rugs also available. www.arteespinarugs.co.uk Mannequin Monochrome Place Mats and

Coasters £24.95 www.judyholme.com

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Monochrome Mannequin Lampshade Vintage style, yet very contemporary monochrome mannequin lampshade. £75 www.judyholme.com

Menu Porcelain Bowl Designed by: Pernille Vea £29.95 www.wineware.co.uk Bottna Ottoman Footstool Deep padded lid for extra seating,

detailed with piping and wooden legs. Generous storage and ideal for bedrooms or the lounge. £219.99 www.sheerhome.co.uk Floral Dining

Set Floral dining set dinner plate £2 side £2 www.matalan.co.uk Zita Striped Mugs Zita black striped mugs are sold as a set of six and cost

£29.00 from Wood Empire £29 www.woodempire.co.uk

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Monochrome

Spring 08 Welsh Living 19

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Sumptuous silksAnjolie Silk embroidery weaves

Zoffany’s collections recall a time

when exploration and trade between

Europe and the Middle East was at

its most fruitful. From the mid-18th to late

19th century, progress in travel to far flung

countries brought about a vibrant fusion of

Oriental and Venetian influences. As artists

were naturally drawn to these foreign and

mysterious lands, reactions to these striking,

dramatic landscapes and cultures became

ever more apparent in their work.

The Silk Road, an interconnected series of

ancient trade routes, stretched from Asia

through the middle and Near East into

Europe and linked all manner of traders,

merchants and travellers from China to the

Mediterranean Sea. An essential catalyst

to cultural interaction, it brought with it

new influences in design, helping to lay

the foundation for the modern world. This

mixing of different cultures resulted in a rich

and colourful era in textiles and decor. Lavish

and eclectic interiors were in abundances

as travellers bought back mementos such

as colourful suzanis, embroideries, rugs

and Persian silk damasks from their exotic

destinations.

With a nod to this age-old lure of the east,

the Zoffany collections combine oriental and

classic European design; sumptuous silks and

tribal embroiders are mixed with small scale

linen weaves and textural plains. A fabulous

range of trimmings in over twenty jewel-like

colour sets are the perfect complement to the

fabric collections.

Orissan chairs with plates

A stunning combination of print and embroidery, Orissan is a bold panel design inspired by

the hand-crafted textiles of Central Asia. it is embroidered in three colourways on a cotton

ground.

Oriental fusion

Enter text here

Bohemia Stripe curtain

Bohemia Stripe chairs

At once classic and contemporary, Bohemia is a versatile wide stripe with a ‘pinked’ edge

woven in a fi ne cotton satin quality. It is available in eight colourways and can be used for

both curtains and upholstery.

Venice WeavesPersian Tulip Emerald(Above)

Persian Tulip Emerald

A collection of four luxurious designs

comprising damasks, silk chenilles and satin

stripes. Influenced by the sophistication of

European destinations that formed the route

of the Grand Tour, they provide a dramatic

backdrop to the 21st century interiors.

Persian Tulip is a stunning, modern

interpretation of a traditional Persian motif

from the 17th century. An interpretation

of this design was used by Fortuny at the

beginning of the 19th century for a silk velvet.

it is woven on a silk warp with chenille motif

in four jewel-like colours.

Enter text here


Anjolie Aubergine

A decorative and richly coloured design with

exotic flowers in a trailing pattern, Anjolie is

reminiscent of Indian palampore prints. It

is embroidered on a pure linen ground and

available in four colourways.

www.zoffany.com

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.

Collecting the Photographic Arts

Oneofeditions.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 up-

and-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.

[email protected]

Andrew Moxon, from the series Tales of Gloucester

Claire Richardson, untitled

Aled Hughes, The Blue Lagoon - Abereiddy

Introducing The Contemporary Collection From Multiyork

Head to Multiyork’s Cardiff store to view

its new range of sofas, dining furniture

and accessories for the home. The

store has recently been refurbished with a

new, contemporary look on the first floor,

showcasing Multiyork’s modern collections

such as Nevada and Casual Living, and the

more classic lines now on the ground floor.

The Nevada Corner Collection is a stylish,

elegant and stunning addition to any living

room – it simply exudes class. With living

space at a premium, this modular corner

collection – with left and right corner options

- is not only innovative, but also extremely

versatile, allowing you to arrange it in different

ways to complement your living space and

your lifestyle.

Casual Living is an award-winning* range

of easy, unfussy pieces that can be mixed

and matched to create the impression of

effortless style in your home. The collection

encapsulates easy living for today’s busy

lifestyles by bringing together individual

pieces to create a simple, yet modern

statement.

Perfect for relaxing or entertaining, the

collection includes the Colorado and Denver

sofas and Aspen - a range of matching

occasional furniture with solid mindi frames.

The distinctive looks of the Denver and

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

Colorado complement one another perfectly,

as well as the co-ordinating Aspen chairs,

and offer inviting and comfortable seating

options.

Also on the new-look first floor, you will

find the Metro Collection - the epitome of

New York chic - bringing together style and

supreme comfort to create a unique retro

vibe. With its bold design, Multiyork’s Large

Long Island sofa in Oleana Aubergine will

make a statement in any living space.

Together with Alpine chairs in a rich jewel

colour like Giorgette Aubergine, you can create

a living space that is both contemporary and

versatile enough for today’s busy lifestyles.

Store Manager, Luke Holloway, said: “We’re

delighted with the store’s new layout - it’s

much easier to show customers how they can

mix and match the more contemporary and

classic pieces and we’re proud to be the first

Multiyork store in Wales.”

Unique among furniture stores, all Multiyork

fabric made to order sofas are fitted with

tailored removable covers, so it’s never been

quicker or easier to change the look of your

room or sofa. Multiyork’s unique tailored

removable covers can transform a classic

look to a more contemporary one and with

over 10,000 fabrics to choose from including

Andrew Martin, Sanderson, Monkwell and

GP&J Baker, the choice is endless.

Every single upholstery template is archived

indefinitely so you can rest assured that

Multiyork can provide new sofa covers as and

when you need them – even if the sofa has been

discontinued.

You’ll find Multiyork at Culverhouse Cross,

Cardiff. Visit www.multiyork.co.uk or call 0800

040 7171 for more information.

* Silver Award Winner for Best Furniture Range

at the 2008 House Beautiful Awards

Sofa do good


PetalCurvaceous 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 FloBy Jet BakerThe 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

Kennedy Fabric SofabedDarlings of ChelseaGuest coming for the New Year, nowhere for them to stay? this gor-

geous 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

La LuneFully 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

Let there be lightThe right lighting can turn a cold room into a cosy haven. With this ten point guide to lighting up your home, you’ll be able to shine light on the matter and add warmth without touching the thermostat.

Solar lighting

Use solar energy to capture the sunlight which

in turn lights your home. The use of the sun as

a source of energy has evolved considerably.

Solar lighting is not just the lighting of the

future: it is the right kind of lighting for right

now. Today, solar technology is improving

constantly and catching the imagination of

users with the result that solar lighting is

becoming more widely available today thanks

to low costs as well as greater awareness.

It is never to soon to start saving yourself

some money (in terms of energy costs) and

you will also be saving the environment too.

Solar lighting can help you reap the benefits

of lower utility costs (which is also a worthy

reason). The first place to start is to replace

all of your incandescent light bulbs with

compact fluorescent ones.

Collection

Increase the number of lights in your space

and decrease the wattage in each one. The

idea is to create several warm pools of light

rather than uniformly light the room.

3 Dimmer switch

Fit a dimmer switch. You really can create a

romantic atmosphere with subtle lighting.

Candlelight

You can create a beautiful atmosphere with

creative use of decorative lighting including

candlelight. Candle light immediately

transpires a bare room into a romantic

environment. By adding scented candles this

appeals to all the senses. Pinspot lighting is

an effective way of illuminating areas around

the room, including table centres and mantle

pieces resulting in an ambient warm light.

Chandeliers

Magnificent chandeliers usually require

more than one bulb so this immediately adds

decadence to your room and warmth.

Crystals

Cut glass and crystals help shine the light

and cast prisms of light that dance across the

room.

Sustainable material

Some lampshades incorporate or us

sustainable products, this is a great way of

recycling and creating a natural lighting.

Floor Lamps and uplighters

Floor lamps are ideal to create the illusion of

higher ceilings as the light shines up. Having

lights at different levels in the room also adds

new dimensions. A simple yet sophisticated

effect, uplighters can be used to line the

walls of your home, accentuating the size

of the room. You can accentuate beautiful

architecture or spice up bland walls and

drapes with a splash of colour and vibrancy.

Home made

With the idea of recycling in mind, you can

create your own lamp by using unusual

materials including driftwood or other natural

fibres. Not only will this be a bespoke design,

but will add authenticity to your room, and a

one of a kind design.

Colour

Incorporate colour into your lighting, this

adds an unusual mood and welcoming

setting. Colour plays such a vital importance

in our world. Colour can decipher our moods,

change our thinking and cause reactions.

Blue represents peace, tranquility, calm,

harmony, unity, trust, truth, confidence,

security, loyalty, sky, water, cold, and

depression.

Black represents power, sophistication,

formality, elegance, mystery, fear, evil,

anonymity, unhappiness, depth, evil, sadness,

remorse, anger, mourning and death.

Green represents nature, environment,

health, good luck, renewal, youth, vigor,

spring, generosity, fertility, envy.

We associate red with love, valentines,

danger, desire, speed, strength, violence,

anger, emergency exit signs, stop signs and

blood.

White is what we see when all colors come

together in perfect balance. It represents

reverence, purity, simplicity, cleanliness,

peace, humility, precision, innocence, youth,

birth, winter, snow, good, sterility, and

marriage.

Yellow represents joy, happiness, optimism,

idealism, imagination, hope, sunshine,

summer, cowardice, deceit, spirituality and

inspiration.

Colour can have a huge effect on our emotions,

but used in the right ways, it can also save

on energy consumption. Light colors and

reflective coatings cut cooling costs.

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Lighting up your life


Lighting up your life


Fire Delights

The Plaza Wood can be placed anywhere

in the house - freestanding or wall

mounted. Designed by Michael Sieger

for Conmoto, it works with fluid burning

gel that gently crackles when lit. With the

optional regulator mechanism, the height of

the flame can be simply and safely adjusted.

The facia can be changed according to its’

surroundings, and is available in a variety of

different colours. It is also available in it’s most

simple form, without faceplate. The clear

glass door provides effective air circulation,

resulting in minimum ash residue, further

due to inbuilt tertiary air supply.

Dots is the first time that a fireplace and

seating have been brought together to

create a portable product family. The

cylindrical elements can be assembled on a

balcony, on the terrace or in the garden, and

together they generate a backdrop which

lends itself to communication – a modern

interpretation of sitting around a campfire.

The minimalist design makes experiencing

the fire the genuine focus and creates hours

of atmospheric moments both inside or out.

The textile cushions are completely weather

resistant and can easily be removed and

washed. The seating elements are available

in two sizes.

BALANCE - It’s more than just a fire place;

it is an interior design concept. The wood

burning stove can be chosen along with

the side elements in a variety of materials,

functions and widths, and can be joined in a

horizontal line along the wall. The stove and

other elements are also available as a free

standing opton on stainless steel feet. All of

the modules are compatible and allow for any

number of design possibilities.

Balance NATURE 7kw log burning stove

£4214 inc. VAT.

Log storage units from £1703 inc. VAT.

Designed by Germany’s famous Peter Maly,

the clean, architectural detail make Balance

the minimilist log burning stove. Producing a

massive 7kw of heat output the Balance can

be used as a primary heat source.

The modular wall mounted or floor standing

units are available in wallnut, oak, powder

coated black steel or silver steel, and comprise

of seating, mutlimedia, log storage or drawer

elements.

www.encompassco.com

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

Warm delights

Aestus Elements Plato Towel Prop Plato is manufactured from Silestone, a unique stone manufactured using 94% Quartz which is one of

the best compounds nature has to offer. With its sophisticated appearance, Silestone has the feel and weight of natural stone but with superior

quality. Vertically hung and with two cut out slots integral to its design, Plato is ideal for use in the kitchen or bathroom providing useful

towel storage and coordinating with worksurfaces in the same popular material. £3,109 www.aestus-radiators.com Cast Iron Radiators

www.21stcenturyradiators.com Aestus Papillon Bronze Its elegant beauty resembles, as its name suggests, the wings of a butterfly, with

a soft curved design perfect for today’s trend for organic interiors influenced by elements of nature. This styling is further enhanced by the new

Antique Bronze finish providing an alternative to the polished and brushed stainless steel versions, which some find too stark to live with.

£4,298 www.aestus-radiators.com The Radiator Company CO Moon Moon electric only steel radiator. From £975.19 http://www.

theradiatorcompany.co.uk

Hot DesignsRadiators can now be stylish design statements that can not only warm a room but be

incorporated as beautiful sculptural pieces.

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Living area


A Clean Slate

A clean resolution


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

There’s nothing better than walking

into your home when it is clean and

tidy. Many of us find it difficult to truly

relax when our homes are subject to the

playground of our children. With a plethora

of cleaning products and equipment on the

market, it can be difficult to choose. Keen to

do the market research for you, we at Welsh

Living have found some of the best products

on the market so there are no excuses for you

not to keep your New Year’s resolution.

38% of the UK have laminate on their floor,

92% have carpet or rugs, 35% have wooden

floorboards and 46% have tiles – whilst this

variation of floors looks good in the home it


A clean resolutionrequires a raft of different appliances, which

is both bulky to store and inconvenient - who

wants to change appliances halfway through

cleaning the floors? Morphy Richards has

come to the rescue with the launch of

PerformAir, a new range of all-terrain vacuum

cleaners which have been specially designed

to cope with the multitude of surfaces in

today’s home. The first products in the

PerformAir range are the Performair Cyclonic

Upright Cleaner and the PerformAir Cyclonic

Cylinder Cleaner. Both come in an attractive

metallic lilac, are suitable for all types of floor

surfaces and feature an extra long stair hose

for safer stair cleaning.

£129.99

www.morphyrichards.com

Brand ‘Swan’ dirtmaster bagless upright £60,

Petmaster bagless upright £70, Allergy master

upright £80 all available in purple, red,blue

www.littlewoodsdirect.com

JML Fresh Air Globe

H20, water, aqua libre is at the heart of it you

see. Allergens and smelly odours are taken

from the air and pumped into the vent of the

Fresh Air Globe, then a powerful fan forces

these towards the water and the air cleaning

process begins. Result: cleaner, fresher and

purer air!

Its mood light, which comes in a wide range

of colours, makes a stunning addition to

any home or office. It has a wonderful and

calming feeling. It also makes a great night

light for children, while helping protect them

from harmful pollutants.

The JML Fresh Air Globe is also energy

efficient – using only 10 Watts of electricity!

This means it can be run 24 hours a day, 365

days a year without the guilt of high energy

consumption.

So if you are peeved by pet odours, ticked off

by tobacco smoke or allergic to anything, get

yourself a JML Fresh Air Globe.

£39.99

www.jmldirect.com

Washing-up bowl and Brush - Pink

Flexible and durable in shape and material,

this award-winning rubber washing-up bowl

adds a poetic element to a tiresome task.

The brush is made of Chinese pig bristles

bent and glued to the wood and by the time it

is finished, it has received the attention of no

less than sixteen female hands!

£36.50

www.bodieandfou.com

Wine Away 240ml

This safe water-based, biodegradable red wine

stain remover made from natural ingredients

really does work. If you drink red wine, stains

are almost inevitable, whether a spillage, drip

or circle from the base of the glass. And with

the merriment of Christmas just around the

corner, we should all have a bottle of Wine

Away to hand. At last, we can get rid of red

wine stains without resorting to chemicals.

Wine Away makes red wine, cranberry

juice and other red stains disappear from

carpet and fabrics. It is derived from fruit

and vegetable extracts making it safe to use

around children and pets, contains no bleach

or phosphates and utilises an eco-friendly

pump action spray.

£9.99

www.love-eco.co.uk

Luxury Scented Jasmine Candle

This luxurious fragrant candle is made

from the purest soy and palm oil based

ingredients, which offer not just the benefit

of Eco-Friendliness, but also have a burn time

around 20% longer than inferior petroleum or

paraffin based wax candles- around 50 hours

burn time and burns cleanly - no smoke- no

blackening of the glass. In addition the wicks

are lead free so you can just sit back, relax

and be swept away by the exotic aroma of

Wild Jasmine.

£45

www.nickandmilly.co.uk

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

Pay Homage to a Bygone Era

Chandeliers create a focal point in

almost any room of the house but in

the bathroom they add a touch of glamour

and opulence. Paint frames around your

bathroom furniture and add touches of

solid wood - like an Eternity bath panel

and matching toilet seat - for a look that

is resplendently evocative of enchanting

bygone times.

Belgravia combines elegance with exceptional

versatility. The fluted column has always

been one of the essential defining features of

period styling. The look is full of character and

wonderfully evocative, used to subtle effect

on Belgravia’s pedestal, closet and bidet.

The cistern’s breakfront shape is another

charming traditional detail allowing you to

indulge your period bathroom styling ideas

as far as you like.

Bathe by Candlelight

Strike a match and light a candle to create a

calm, intimate and romantic mood. Couple

with the inviting and shapely Mark Anthony

bath, your desired aroma and favourite

soundtrack for the perfect glowing retreat.

For sheer presence, the iconic cast iron

double-ended bath can make a dramatic

focal point for your bathroom. It’s impressive

enough even when not in use, but add some

atmosphere, pour yourself a glass of your

favourite wine and really soak away the

evening in pure indulgence. The interior of the

bath is finished in heavy white enamel, while

the exterior surface is supplied unfinished

ready for priming and painting to match your

chosen scheme

Create a Masterpiece

Just add sheer curtains, standalone and wall

mirrors as features and sumptuous towels for

the perfect spa-like retreat. Consider warm

neutral tones to make your bathroom more

inviting and twin with stately pieces like the

Highgrove bath for a classic creation.

A showstopper in every sense, the Highgrove

is guaranteed to get your bathroom noticed.

The deep freestanding double-ended acrylic

bath is designed specifically for use with

the Highgrove suite, but the style is neutral

enough for you to consider teaming with

your suite.

BC Sanitan is famous for its classic designs

with pure distinction. Beautiful at home not

only in traditional surroundings but also with

the cool finishes and fresh colours of more

modern day settings, the collection includes

baths, bathroom suites, brassware, furniture

and accessories and is sold exclusively

through specialist bathroom retailers

throughout the UK.

www.bcsanitan.co.uk

Take sanctuary

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

www.welshliving.com

Bridge Works, Pentre Road, St Clears, Carmarthenshire

E. [email protected] W. www.gwwales.co.uk T. 01994 230384

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

Proud sponsors of Casa Dudley

Bathroom


The bathroom that works around youCreating 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

Bridge Works, Pentre Road, St Clears, Carmarthenshire

E. [email protected] W. www.gwwales.co.uk T. 01994 230384

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

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

The white kitchen has been a design

staple for decades. At this year’s

Eurocucina, Miele die Küche presented

a new interpretation of this classic kitchen. Its

new pure white lacquer is uniquely distinctive

when combined with the luxurious high gloss

Sweet Gum Tree veneer. The result is an

attractive and original mix of kitchen tradition

and modern lifestyle trends.

The comfortable feel of this kitchen stems

from the variable design options offered by

the Kitchen Living System; wall mounted

lowboards used in place of traditional base

units, and Sweet Gum Tree panels combined

with the elegant Midway light panel create

an unusually sophisticated yet thoroughly

functional preparation area, that is flanked by

appliance units mounted flush into the wall.

Free-hanging lowboards provide a visual link

to the living space.

This design provides the perfect setting for the

striking grain of the Sweet Gum Tree. There

are no handles to spoil this understated look;

this is made possible by Miele die Küche’s

new electro-mechanical pull-out activation

system.

Another creative highlight of this kitchen is

the pull out coffee bar, which Miele die Küche

offers as its latest development in appliance

integration. Here, an automatic coffee maker

has been integrated into the pantry unit, which

also contains a pull out tray, light console

shelf and two concealed drawers.

Picture one - a new pure white smooth

lacquer is combined with a striking, high gloss

sweet gum tree veneer, whilst wall-mounted

lowboards replace base units to make this

kitchen both a work area and living space.

Picture two - The coffee machine is a must in a

modern kitchen, but must it interrupt the flow

of the units? Not when it is integrated in a

pantry unit so that it disappears after use.

www.miele-kitchens.co.uk

Kitchens


Kitchens


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

tel: 02920 455778 www.spacefittingfurniture.co.uk

by people... for people

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

Don’t worry if your home doesn’t

resemble the penthouse or gilt suite at

the Savoy. An embellished mirror can

create a juxtaposition fusing contemporary

and antique furnishings. You can pick up

a variety of delicately etched, highlighted,

beveled and edged mirrors from antique fairs

or alternatively, buy a reproduction that will

cost a fraction of the price and has the same

charm as an antique mirror.

Mirrors heighten the feeling of light and

space and creates a design philosophy to

incorporate depth and amplify the apparent

size of a room.

Mirrors do not have to be hung and can

be used as a floor mirror in the corner of a

room where there isn’t enough light. This

will brighten the area and add to the decor

and it also can then be used as a full-length

dressing mirror.

The reflection from a lit candle in a mirror

is extremely enchanting and tranquil and

can provide the right ambiance for modern

romanticism.

Whether you choose a traditional or

contemporary mirror, it will definitely

enhance the decor and add new dimensions

to your room.

Alexandria Cheval Mirror £399 www.frankhudson.com Sassy Boo Console Mirror & Chair £240 www.frenchbedroomcompany.co.uk

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

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Main feature

spacefittingfurniture

by people... for people

JEREMY DAVIES

DESIGNER & MAKER

OF

BESPOKE FINE FURNITURE

KITCHENS

BEDROOMS

BATHROOMS

STUDIES

FREESTANDING

www.jeremYDAVIES.CO.UK

TEL: 01656 841 942

Flooring trendsA sign of the times?

Bernard Evans, 64, is one of Westco’s

longest serving employees. He

started his career as a chef and

then spent 15 years at a coach-

building and engineering company, and

joined Western Cork Ltd, now known as

Westco, based on Penarth Road in Cardiff.

After nearly 24 years at Westco, where he set

up the customer services division, Bernard

now welcomes his retirement and takes a

look back at flooring trends and the changing

face of DIY. He said:

“Back in the 80s, a lot of people will remember

that the main styles of flooring out there were

cork and parquet that came in squares and

with paper backing. Not only were they all

economical, but easy-to-lay and most homes

had them.

“As we moved into the mid to late 1980s,

laminate flooring was introduced – a type

of flooring designed to replicate the look of

real wood, requiring little maintenance and

at a snip of the price of the real thing. And

for those us who care to remember, laminate

flooring of that era was not as advanced as

the wood-coloured and textured laminate

strips that cover many of our kitchens and

living areas today.

“In fact, a lot of laminates were manufactured

in pastel colours, predominantly in yellows,

greens and blues. These were very common

in children’s nurseries and you’d be pushed

to find a wood effect floor anywhere else in

the home.

“A year or two later, the wood grain look

came back into fashion. Laminates became

more wood-like and the critical laminate

boom came in the mid-80s. Paradoxically

carpet sales had fallen significantly during

this time as more people moved towards the

clean, minimalist look.

“Once the boom kicked in, many carpet

outlets were forced to diversify to stay afloat

and so started stocking wood and laminates

in order to meet this demand. During this

time, Westco experienced a boost in demand

and increased its range of laminate floor

wood strips.

“As demand for wood continued to soar,

manufacturers of laminate flooring were

forced to compete, and subsequently became

higher in quality.

“There have always been peaks and troughs

in the popularity of all these floor coverings

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

48 Welsh Living

Flooring

Welsh Living 49

and it’s interesting to see how the trends come

full circle. While laminates still dominate new

build homes, we’re definitely seeing a boom

again in real wood flooring.

“As more pressure hits the housing market

and fewer people are looking to move, many

are opting to add value to their existing

homes and one of the ways they are doing

this is by laying down a solid or veneered real

wood floor in the kitchen or living areas. The

beauty of real wood is its unique look and

feel, as no two floors look the same!

“As well as seeing a boom in real wood

flooring, I’ve also witnessed a change in the

number of people embracing DIY and laying

their own floors. In earlier days, contractors

would have carried out much of the home

improvements work, but today, laying a floor

can be simple.

“Laminates have come a long way from their

inception, and now most have an in-built self

locking system which means that laying a

floor is now easier than ever. With this design,

the strips fit together with ease and there’s no

need for messy glue to hold them in place.

Also, the floor can be easily pulled up and

refitted without damaging the base.

“As well as technology playing a vital part in

encouraging home owners to carry out DIY,

the media has also had an effect. The surge

in popularity of TV programmes such as

‘Changing Rooms’ and ‘DIY SOS’ has inspired

many to do-it-themselves and lay their own

floors at home. These programmes have taken

the scary side out of DIY and have presented

home improvements as cost-effective and a

great way to add more value to a home.

“Although in general, most people are

more DIY savvy, I would say that these TV

programmes can often make DIY look easier

than it really is, so my best advice would be

– read the instructions! Most of the problems

we encounter at Westco are due to customers

not reading instructions properly!

Having worked through the ranks from sales

administration manager, Bernard now has

a customer services sales team made up of

three full-time members of staff. Between

them the combined team has served Westco

for nearly 50 years.

For a free flooring guide, visit the website:

www.westcofloors.co.uk

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

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

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

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

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

5.Lay the first three rows;Start on the longest wall or towards the main source of light and lay your first three rows carefully to make sure they are straight. This will make the rest of the job much easier.

If the wall isn’t straight, use a compass and pencil to draw the shape of the room onto the laminate so they can be cut to fit.

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

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

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

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

10. Job done;Prepare the flooring for furniture by making sure the surface is clean.

Flooring Tips

Thatch made in heavenA forgotten trade


It seems to be the fashion to have a

contemporary home based around the

minimalist white collection which adorns

the pages of highly acclaimed magazines

such as Elle Decoration. However, now

that vintage chic has become a fashion

movement straight from the pages of Vogue,

this resurgence is taking place in our homes.

Why settle for the modern home in a cul-

de-sac where all the houses look the same

and lack character and lustre? Think back to

country cottages with rickety old doors, old

English roses and beautiful thatched roofs.

Thatching is an old-aged craft that is slowly

dying out, thanks to modernisation and the

production of other cheaper materials. Slate

and roof tiles have taken over from this

raw material, as it is considered to be more

economical. Thatching materials consist of

dry vegetation including straw, water reed,

rushes, heather or sedge and is regarded

as the oldest roofing material, used in both

tropical and temperate climates.

More and more people are moving away

from the lemming approach of contemporary

chic and want a more individual and personal

look. This has led to the investigation of

other raw materials including traditional

trades including thatching for a more rustic

look. Thatching immediately conjures images

from Return of the Native and other Thomas

Hardy novels with traditional farm houses

with well used fire places that over stand

majestically over looking acres of land. That

is something that the modern family lack,

an affinity with nature and natural products.

By incorporating thatching into your home,

you are an integral part of maintaining this

ancient tradition that is passed down from

generation to generation.

Records of European thatch have been

sourced and dated back to the Middle Ages

when small settlements and villages were

established. When these small villages

were created they required readily available,

inexpensive and durable building material

which led them to use thatch. These thatched

houses were built in close proximity and

due to disastrous fires that swept through

these ancient medieval cities, the authorities

demanded new regulations and more durable

and efficient materials were used. This led

to thatched roofs being whitewashed with

plaster daub.

Thatching was used in the New World and

dated back to the earliest records in 1565,

Forgotten trade

with Native Americans using it as well as

Powhatan Indians. Unfortunately thanks to

Wales’ success in the commercial production

of Welsh Slate in 1820, this had a drastic effect

on other materials being readily available.

This was reinforced with the canals and

railways being built, providing exportation

of cheaper, mass goods. Another effect in

the diminishing thatching was due to the

Napoleonic Wars, as this raised the price of

wheat and straw resulting in many thatchers

out of business. As the number of thatchers

declined, this tradition became sadly regarded

as unfashionable.

The advancement of technology in the

farming industry also had a negative impact

on thatching, as the combine harvester

produced a shorter stemmed variety of wheat,

instead of the long straw once produced for

thatching. However thanks to the revival of

historic architecture and the trend towards

using sustainable materials, thatching is once

again in the ascendancy.

It is apparent that there are more thatched roofs

in the UK than in any other European country.

As a nation we are more environmentally

aware and looking for alternative living

arrangements, to refrain from contributing

to global warming. Thatching is a great

alternative as good quality thatching straw

can last for more than 45-50 years, when

it is installed by a skilled thatcher. When

needed, traditionally a new layer of straw

was applied over the weathered surface. In

ancient buildings the thatching is over 2.0

metres thick and the preserved lower layers

of medieval thatch can be calculated to over

600 years old.

Depending on your geographic location, also

depends on which material was used. Water

reed is used in the majority of Eastern England,

and thatchers used the one coat material

method which is when the thatch is stripped

then replaced by a new layer when needed.

It is estimated that half of England’s thatched

roofs consist of water reed, with 90% being

imported from Turkey and Eastern Europe.

Although thatching appears to be dying out,

this resurgence of a master craft still uses

ancient methods. Thatch is fastened together

in bundles with a diameter of about two feet.

These bundles are then laid onto the roof

with the butt facing out, and is then secured

to the roof beams with wooden rods. The

thatcher continues this process layering the

bundles on top of each other and secures the

ridgelines of the roof with a final layer. By

using this method the thatch roofs are easy to

repair and will endure heavy winds and rain,

something the UK is acclimated to.

Thatching evokes many feelings and

Merthyr Mawr village is the perfect thatching

community. This beautiful village is situated

about 2 miles from the centre of Bridgend

in the country borough of Bridgend. It’s like

stepping back in time with eloquent thatched

cottages in the most idyllic settlement. This

picturesque community is inspirational and is

a little piece of history captured in the Welsh

countryside that keeps this thatching trade

alive

Forgotten trade


Thatch made in heaven


Garden

Atmospheric Lighting

Just because the weather is cooler doesn’t

mean we can’t enjoy our gardens. By

incorporating some garden lighting, you

can create a dramatic focal point that adds a

magical atmospheric environment.

Gas garden light

£29.99

www.drinkstuff.com

Teardrop Garden hanging tea lights

£14.50

www.stylishlife.co.uk

www.modular-lighting.co.uk

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

Gardens



For dinner parties with a difference, create

some WOW factor with the latest in stylish

lighting. For a modern twist on a classic

look, Habitat’s latest collection includes the

modern Linear Crystal Chandelier. For a more

contemporary feel with all the appeal of a

modern art installation try the Verona 12 drop

pendant light , also from Habitat.

3.Linear Crystal Chandelier £399 and Verona

£649. www.habitat.co.uk

This month, Interiors Etc loves...

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

A walk in the park with a loved one. Capture

this with Osborne & Little’s latest wallpaper

“Best in Show” from their walk in the park

collection. For a witty take on man’s best

friend, we love this striking wallpaper to

create something different and unique in

your home. If you don’t feel darling enough

to put it on the wall, snuggle up with a lovely

throw in the same eye- catching design.

1. Walk in the park collection Autumn 2- Best

in show wallpaper (W5872) £89 per 10m roll.

www.osborneandlittle.com

What better to snuggle up on than a sofa or

favorite armchair covered in Lomond Check

from Osborne & Little’s latest collection.

Bang on trend, this brings tartan into the 21st

century, bringing a touch of the catwalk into

your living room.

2. Roomsets and inspiration O&L Sept 08 3 2.

£79 per metre.

www.osborneandlittle.com

For the most stylish flames in town, Interiors

Etc... loves the clean contemporary lines of

the Peter Maly’s wood burning stove for

Conmoto. Perfect for the smaller living space

and remarkably easy to clean, eco living gets

stylish. With it’s clever log storage and simple

symmetry, make it the feature in your home.

5. Conmoto balance compact stove £5444.

www.conmoto.com

Hot off the press is Anna French’s latest

wallpaper collection Wild Flora, which takes

vintage to a new glamorous level. Bang up

to date, wallpaper designs dance on foils,

flowers bloom into a reflective element,

whites coordinate on white, and black with

glitter transforms wallpaper into a tarnished

mirror effect. This is definitely the look for

2009. Interiors Etc... loves the bouquet pattern

in turquoise, try it for a vintage glam look in

your bedroom.

4. Anna French Wild Floro collection- Bouquet

pattern turquoise colourway £59 approx.

www.annafrench.co.uk

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Columnists

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

It’s not surprising that being part of the rat race would push any city dweller to opt for a better life in the country. But Neil Kedward and his partner, Zoe Agar, have taken the fashion for relocation to another level. Not only did they leave behind a beautiful four-storey house and well-paid jobs in southwest London, but they decided on a whim to buy and convert an

18th Century house near Narberth into a top-class country hotel. “My family thought we were crazy,” says Neil, “but we just felt it was time for a change.”

The couple stumbled upon their passion for restoring old properties during their time in London, but wanted to move away from the capital to be nearer their families in West Wales. Their aim was to find a period property and convert it into a fabulous place for people to stay. It was by sheer chance that they happened upon The Grove.

“We found the particulars for The Grove on a family trip to Tenby and decided to take a look that very afternoon,” Neil recalls. “The place was full of huge challenges but we were daft enough not to be intimidated. I made the owner an offer on the spot.”

Neil and Zoe embarked on the mammoth task of transforming this hidden gem into a quality country retreat. “I think it must have been madness at first sight!” jokes Neil. “This project was much more complex and expensive than anything we’d dealt with in London. It was very hard to see the property’s potential externally because everything was so overgrown and neglected. But it had a real warmth that we both felt the moment we walked through its front door to be welcomed by magnificent period features throughout the house.”

Having restored the entire mansion house, four cottages and landscaped the grounds, The Grove was opened just eight months after it was purchased. “We were up against it to get ready for opening. On the day our first guests arrived, we were putting gravel down on the driveway and painting the porch and front door!” The end result is a triumph: a luxurious hideaway brimming with charm, elegance and superb taste.

Walking into The Grove is like entering a London-style retreat in the heart of the Pembrokeshire countryside. Every room reflects a modern take on a classic country hotel theme and Neil and Zoe’s meticulous attention to detail has added more than a hint of luxury to this magnificent 18th Century mansion.

“Both of us have travelled a lot on business and seen so many examples of how not to do it,” says Zoe. “So many of the hotels we’ve stayed in have no personality or charm; you could be in any room, in any hotel, in any town.” Whilst restoring The Grove, therefore, the couple made it their mission to create a unique ambience and design that would fit in with the building and its spectacular surroundings.

“We didn’t want an over-contemporised, fancy boutique style,” says Neil. “We wanted something unpretentious, simple and real. In the bedrooms, we have carefully chosen fabrics and wallpapers, retained the delicate original ceramic fireplaces and sprinkled with an eclectic array of local and international art to create a restful,

idyllic and stylish place to enjoy Pembrokeshire.”

What is perhaps the most impressive feature of The Grove is the effortless combination of 21st Century living with an individual style that remains respectful to the original architecture and layout of the house. “Staying true to the integrity of the house’s original design and architectural features was paramount,” remarks Neil, “but we have ensured that The Grove includes some of the modern comforts that it deserves and that our guests expect.”

Neil and Zoe’s passion for art is also reflected throughout the hotel. The Grove has given them both the perfect opportunity to display some of their own pieces, collected on various trips to countries such as Vietnam and Brazil, as well as those of talented local artists, including Gillian Macdonald and John Knapp Fisher. The hotel is also set to host a series of themed art events this year. “This home really lends itself to displaying artwork in all its forms and we are looking to embrace that by including art in some themed exhibitions, music and food evenings in 2009.”

The hotel’s wood-panelled dining room provides a sumptuous, candlelit environment in which to sample immaculately prepared dishes made with locally sourced ingredients. As with the rest of

The Grove, the menu tempts the palate with refreshing simplicity and shows the hotel off as a first-class establishment. “As with other businesses like ours,” says Neil, “it’s all about personalised customer service and outstanding food. Nothing more than warm Welsh hospitality!”

Neil and Zoe admit that they would not have been able to create such a successful business without their determination, energy and enthusiasm for the project. “We have stumbled into this passion which is The Grove,” he explains. “The restoration of this special place into something for everyone to enjoy makes perfect sense to us. The reward is the wonderful feedback we get from our guests. That makes it all worthwhile.”

Tel: +44 (0)1834 860 915 Tel: +44 (0)788 1673592Email: [email protected]

The GroveMollestonNarberthPembrokeshireWales, SA67 8BX

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

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Enter text hereChildrens rooms

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

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Habitat Fashion Monsters designed by Christian Lacroix £20, £25, £30 www.habitat.net Habitat Kids Hanging Chair £45

www.habitat.net Sports Chest Any budding sportsman won’t be able to live without this fabulous hand-painted sports chest from

Dragons Of Walton Street. £381.88 www.dragonsofwaltonstreet.com John Lewis UFO Folding Sofa, Kiwi £75 www.johnlewis.com

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Childrens rooms

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

Gardening can benefi t the environment

by creating vital habitat for wildlife,

producing food which hasn’t had to

travel and helping us to recycle garden and

kitchen waste through composting. However,

some things we do in the garden are not so

good for the environment according to Helen

Nelson of Cynnal Cymru’s “http://www.

sustainwales.com” www.sustainwales.com,

a new website designed to help you live in a

more planet-friendly way:

“Some gardening practices, such as the

excessive use of chemicals to control pests

and watering using mains water supplies, can

have a negative impact on the environment.

Fortunately, there are a number of simple

steps you can take to make your garden even

greener, making it a vital asset to the planet

and your home.”

Here are top tips from the team behind “www.

sustainwales.com” www.sustainwales.com

on what you can do in the garden to reduce

your ecological footprint and encourage

natural, green outcomes:

Natural Beauty

Chemicals and harsh pesticides can be

extremely damaging to wildlife and can even

have a detrimental effect further up the food

chain. Almost all chemicals will kill plants

and animals beyond those targeted. Look

after your garden with natural products and

harmless household items and you’ll soon

see the rewards.

Grow Your Own

Growing fruit and vegetables in your own

garden is a great way to make sure you’re

eating chemical free, seasonal produce that

doesn’t break the bank. You don’t need much

space and, if you don’t have your own garden,

an allotment is a cheap alternative.

Get on your soap box

A little washing-up liquid mixed with water

makes a great way to keep those pests that

prey on your plants away. Simply spray it on

or pour dishwater over the garden.

Liquid refreshment

Stop those horrible slugs from eating your

plants and vegetables by using ordinary

household goods. Putting beer in shallow

containers or scattering used fi lter coffee

around the garden acts as a great deterrent

that will help you say ‘goodbye’ to unwanted

guests.

Welcome wildlife

Encourage animals and insects by creating

Are you truly green-fi ngered?

Garden tips

Are you truly green-fi ngered?

a variety of places for them to live and

providing sources of food. For example,

fl owering plants that offer nectar and pollen

will attract bees, butterfl ies and other insects,

and trees and shrubs that produce berries

will help feed birds.

Make your own mud

Get a bin for your garden and create your own

nutrient-rich garden compost. It’s much better

for the environment than the peat-based

composts you can buy in the garden centre

and reduces the production of methane (a

potent greenhouse gas) which is caused

when matter like grass clippings and kitchen

waste are sent to landfi ll sites. Ask your local

council or DIY store for details.

Raindrops keep falling on your head

With increasing demand for water it is

important to fi nd ways of conserving this

valuable resource. Saving water in the garden

can help lessen the risk of drought orders and

water restrictions, help protect wildlife and

reduce climate change impacts. Collecting

the rainwater that falls from your roof in a

water butt is a great way to save money as it

saves using treated water from your taps to

water your garden. Your plants prefer it and if

you have a water meter you’ll soon be able to

see the difference on those water bills.

Sun Light

Garden lights and security lights that use solar

power are a great way to make your garden

look pretty and illuminate your outdoor living

space. You can fi t them anywhere easily, with

no need for cabling, and as they don’t need

electricity, once you’ve bought them, they’re

free to run!

What to do this week...

Log onto “http://www.sustainwales.com”

www.sustainwales.com for top tips on how

to make your garden as green as possible.

Empty your cupboards of any chemicals

and harsh pesticides – but remember to

take chemical based products to your local

municipal site for safe disposal.

Invest in a water butt – local councils or

water suppliers often sell these at subsidised

prices.

Use a watering can instead of a hose to water

your garden and if you do use a hose, use a

trigger to control the fl ow. The hose can also

be fi tted to the water butt.

Think about wildlife when buying your plants,

or deciding what you will let grow in your

garden – choose ones that attract and sustain

a variety of insects and animals.

Put on an extra layer when it gets cold outside

rather than using an outdoor heater. Heaters

are very energy-hungry, producing high

levels of carbon emissions, which contribute

to climate change.

Look for labels on wood products like

sheds and garden furniture that show they

have been produced sustainably. Common

labeling schemes include the Forest

Stewardship Council (FSC) or Programme

for the Endorsement of Forest Certifi cation

Schemes (PEFC).

Use your imagination and turn old containers

of all kinds into unusual plant pots.

Drill holes in pruned branches and logs to

provide benefi cial insects with shelter and

nesting space.

Attract birds to your garden by offering them

food using feeders and tables – make sure

you keep these away from places that cats

can get to, or put them near prickly bushes to

deter furry predators.

Garden tips

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

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