Tips On Renovating An Older Property

Right after I’d been to look at this property for the first time, an old friend stopped me in the street outside and asked, “You’re not really considering selling your gorgeous home for this house, are you? I could understand what she meant because the cottage was rather unappealing. Early on, I chose to


create two adjoining


houses, one for the bous and the other for me to live


in. We can spend time together when we want, but have our own separate


space too. I may sell their house when the boys have homes of their own


but for now it’s an arrangement that works well for us. I started to


redesign the floorplan of the existing layout and set about reshaping


it. I wanted to make it open-plan with an airy feel. Everything was


stripped out and the structure taken back to the timber frame. The


ceilings were removed and insulation added between the exposed beams


with plasterboard cut to fit between them. Every floor came up and


screeds were laid, wiring and plumbing were replaced, and all  the beams


were blasted clean before being finished with an oil-based varnish. And


the windows had to be remade, apart from the leaded ones. By August I’d


bought the property and we moved into the front of the house.

I started to redesign the floorplan of the existing layout and set about


reshaping it. I wanted to make it open-plan with an airy feel. Everything was


stripped out and the structure taken back to the timber frame. The ceilings


were removed and insulation added between the exposed beams with plasterboard


cut to fit between them. Every floor came up and screeds were laid, wiring and


plumbing were replaced, and all  the beams


were blasted clean before being finished with an oil-based varnish. And the


windows had to be remade, apart from the leaded ones. By August I’d bought the


property and we moved into the front of the house. We had a temporary kitchen


and living room and a makeshift bathroom. The plan was to work on the


unoccupied two-thirds of the building and then move into the renovated part


while the rest was completed. Last December we were still finishing the house,


so this will be our first proper Christmas since the work was completed. I’ve


used bright berries to decorate the shelves and sprigs of holly with clusters


of tiny red candles on the windowsills. I used the mantelpiece to display


decorations and candles in a creative way.,














I had a visión of how it could look, attractively embellished with scented candles by manufacturers such as yankee candles and true grace candles, as well as a plethora of other accessories. It had started off as six, one-up, one-down workers” cottages that had been transformed into a single property and general store. The plaster and render were hanging off the outside wall and only a little portion of the interior was in use. The rest of the place had been nearly unchanged for many years. I wanted to produce a contemporary look and felt positive I could handle it by myself since I’d decorated a number of flats and houses of my own, and I’d also done home design tasks for other people.










The author owns the Scented Candle Store specialising in scented candles by companies like true grace candles as well as other home fragrance items like the reed diffuser

Get Your House Ready For Christmas

Xmas is very much a household event for all of us and will begin on Xmas Eve as we all head over to midnight mass at a nearby chapel. Then it definitely gets going pretty early on Xmas Day as soon as the young children get up to discover a half-eaten carrot and reideer footprints on the ground by the open fireplace. All of us unwrap our large pesents, eat smoked salmon and sparkling wine, and have a old fashioned turkey meal with all the extras at 6pm, and then a delectable Christmas pudding that my mother produces using a family recipe - it’s fat-free but moistered with lots of booze. The dining room table is invariably stuffed with food but I also love to brighten it in order that it appears really luxurious and alluring. I take advantage of an modern combination of old and new pieces - everything from vintage candelabra to gold and silver bangle napkin rings, as well as plenty of vibrant baubles.

One area of the house that we like to really go to town on with decorating is in the hallway. We of course have a lovely wreath at the door ready to greet visitors. When they step indoors they are greeted with the smell from our scented candles - if they are lit - or of not, they can drink in the aroma from a number of reed diffusers which we dot around the hall. They are great for areas like this - which tend to be unoccupied or unattened for lengthy periods - because they do not rely on a flame for fragrance and can therfore safely be left to get on with doing their job of introducing delightful aromas to the hall way. The rest of the hall is festooned with glitter and tinsel. We hang it from dado rails and picture rails to really convey a Christmas image. Another unusual thing we do is take a branch from a tree and hang it in the hall way with ribbon. We decorate the  branches with baubles and tinsel and then hang our Christmas cards from the brances. It is an old Italian family tradition and makes the house fell really Christmassy.

The rest of the house gets the same jolly treatment with adornments draped over the mantelpieces and up the stairways to ensure that everywhere looks nice and jolly. Scented candles play a big part - we love the gorgeous ones produced by true grace candles and yankee candles. We’ve lived here for 11 years and have made it really homely. When the estate agent showed us around, the house was divided into four down-at-heel bedsits. It was also the scene of a notorious crime of passion in which someone was shot on the first-floor landing. With the help of  local builders we knocked down partition walls, removed kitchenettes and shower rooms and stripped away layer upon layer of paint. Incredibly we uncovered a host of original features, including Lincrusta wallcoverings in the hall and stairwell, a copper-panelled fireplace in the living room and a plaster frieze with cherubs in the conservatory. Although the house was built around 1835, we think a sea merchant bought it and spent a lot of money updating it in high Victorian style.




The author is owner of The Scented Candle Store which supplies a range of candles as well as other home fragrance products like the reed diffuser

Get That Country Chic Look

The newest take on


country mixes the


renowned styles we already


really like -


classic farmhouse,


sophisticated French and


antique - so follow your heart,


combining and matching


items to help make the


style your own. Mix the


main ingredients - rustic wood,


conventional prints and layers of texture -


then add trendy finds to


produce a space that’s


cozy, peaceful and packed with


character. Find the best place, laid


back bordering on slouchy, this can be a


ideal look for an inviting family kitchen-diner or


laid-back living-room-cum-den. Be


aware of signature pieces, get started with a squashy couch


with layers of soft cushions - choose from


washed out florals, French stripes or large knits.


Include an aged-wood occasional table or


sideboard plus a washed out


rattan basket for throws. Make sure you have plenty of throws blankets and pillows on hand too. Not only do they add a touch of colour and style, but they also help keep you warm and cosy when the weather turns tat bit colder. Pick the best designs,


modern country mixes up the


basic lines of Shaker style, the


classy details of French provincial


décor along with the


sturdy feel of English cottage


craftsmanship. This kind of look is all about you - it may be robust


and pared-back or gentle and detailed, dependant upon your style. Choose a


comforting colour scheme, use


neutrals as the foundation and offseet


them with pastels (hints of sunlit yellow are very effective) and zinc grey.


Increase texture, opt for wood


so long as it’s natural and used,


whitewashed, or painted and peeling. Furnish with


clean ceramics, rattan and wirework


for old-fashioned texture and layers of linen for


cosiness. Include extras and details - scented


candles by good quality


makes for


instance yankee candles and true grace candles are usually a success. If you are ot very keen on scented candles then there are other choices available. You could go for something simple like a basic electric plug-in air fresghener, but this is hardly the most sopjhisticated option. If you are lokiing for something a little more classy them maybe the ideal thing would be a reed diffuser or maybe even a room spray. All the main brands now make these products and they are becoming increasingly popular. Glass provides an exquisite touch,


so use beauteous chandeliers,


fine display bottles and cnadlesticks, boosted


by curvy Venetian and white or gold-framed rococo mirrors. Pick


French-style furniture, look out for scroll-topped details on mirrors or


console tables, plus curvy shapes and painted finishes in soft shades of white,


cream or blue. The shabby chic look is all the range so just let your


imagination run wild.













Experiment


with a tougher edge by working in industrial elements such as reclaimed wood


and metal accessories. Buy second-hand wooden frames or update your own by


painting them in chalky white or cream. Mix shabby-chic pieces with elegant


accessories, choose classic patterns, when it comes to wallpaper and fabrics,


choose soft painterly roses, pastel-coloured toiles and stripes or grand


damasks in muted metallics.Choose the right fireplace, add character and warmth


to your room with an original, reproduction or modern fireplace.


















The author is owner of The Scented Candle Store which supplies a wide range of candles as well as other home fragrance products like the reed diffuser

Decorating In The Period Style

Rich colours,


a riot of patterns and deluxe textures are the  essence of


neo-Victorian style . Unexpected   items


become   statement décor, so let


your imagination run wild !


Utilize New Victorian style


to create a remarkable


dining room , living room


or bedroom ,but be wary of applying a deeper colour


scheme in a small space- the result   might look 


cramped and oppressive. Know the key


pieces. A chesterfield or velvet sofa , or a


vintage-style armchair are the foundations ,


but the accessories pull this particular look together. Look for decorative book ends and animal


motifs. Choose the best shapes . From the swell of


a baloon-back easy chair to scrolled couch


arms or the arc of a bell jar, sweeping shapes are essential .


Use jewel


palettes. Ruby, amethyst and punchy peridot epitomise the modern Victorian look. Equally check out high-saturation plum, purple and mauve, balanced


out by burnished metallics. Add more different


textures. This look is high on feel-velvet, flocked wallpaper and worn


out leather all get together , accompanied


by darkish timber . Colour


your woodwork in a plendid wine red or plum colouring


to provide comfort and excitement


to the space . Merge revival products ,


distinctive antique finds plus your current décor to get


the contemporary feeling of this


look. Go with a vibrant


colour scheme like


ruby red and dark teal and make use of for carpets ,


seat covers and fabric as well as other extras such as scented


candles. There are tons to choose from however you cant go wrong with yankee candles or true grace candles. Try out dark polished


timber on the floor, and stunning


heritage tones on the walls.


In a smaller sized room , lighten


things up with paler greys and taupes on the walls .


Hang ~a more sophisticated wallpaper. Consider flock or damask showcasing complicated


floral designs or themes of nature either on


a full wall or, for a more traditional look, from the skirting board up to the


dado rail. The busy patterns can be toned down using designs in subtle shades,


while strong will make  a real impact in a larger room.|










The author is owner if the Scented Candle Store where you will find a range of yankee candles and other home fragrances like the reed diffuser

How To Pick The Right Oven For Chrismas Lunch

A range oven isn’t only for Christmas… however more than enough room and functions mean there’s no better method to prepare your turkey banquet. The christmas period has several issues - by way of example, where can you conceal the gifts from the youngsters and also the xeres from the kids and the sherry from Aunty Jean? By far the most cold-sweat causing, nevertheless, has to be organizing Xmas dinner - except if you posses a range stove with all the convenience to crack all the timings involved with military exactness. A lot of people will have space for a 90-120cm stove, or one can find 60cm-wide ¡mini! Ranges for people really low on spacce. Yet the primary query to ask yourself is, “What kind of cook am?” Is the crescendo of one's cooking week a Sunday roast with your loved ones? In this case, you can require a substantial range for joint, a smaller one for the spuds, as well as a few zones or burners for the carrots. So what is the best option on the subject of ranges?

Types of oven. Gas produces water vapour as it burns, which means you can get moist cakes or biscuits plus more juicy roasts because of this. It’s also inexpensive to cook with - data from Which? Demonstrate that by using an electrical range, grill and hob for An hour Twenty minutes regularly, it’ll cost around £53 yearly, as opposed to £16 for gas. Electrical ranges get warmer at the top and less hot at the base, but those that have a fan supply a more even temperature. Multifunctional electric powered ranges permit you to use a variety of mixtures of heat, for instance bottom only for crisping, top only for browning, and the fan for de-frosting.
Selection of hob. Opt for gas and you’ll find a burner for almost every event, from a gentle 1.5kW for simmering to strong wok burners at a minimum of 5kW. Electric induction hobs deliver the epitome of control, speed, security (the top only gets hot in the event the saucepan is in position) as well as simple maintanence. But, they only work with ferrous-based saucepans, plus they’re higher priced than gas or other sorts of electrical hob.

So, now that you've learned a tad about the types of range to choose from, chill out, plan carefully and maybe even light a few scented candles in the kitchen to put you at ease - we recommend the ones by True Grace candles as well as Yankee candles. Drink in their lovely fragrances and soon everything will go as you hoped. Everyone around you may be buzzing about full of the frenetic pace associated with Christmas day but you will be calmness personified. Your scented candles have helped you to relax and you are confident in your newly acquired knowledge that you have the correct equipment on hand to do the big festive meal justice!Take things slowly follow your carefully prepared schedule and a triumphant meal is sure. One word of caution, however, about scented candles - they smel great and the good quality ones can really help you unwind, but sometimes they don/t go quite that well with food. So if you are lighting candles at the dinner table we would recommend you use unscented ones so they don't interfere with anyones taste buds.



The author owns the Scented Candle Store, supplying a wide choice of scented candles as well as other home fragrances like the reed diffuser

Ring The Changes This Holiday Season With Red & White Decor

 Are you sick and tired of your old \ outdated Christmas


decorations ? Would you like to try out


something a little different this year ? If


that's the case most likely , the simplest way to begin


is with another colour scheme . Make use of red and white for a traditional Xmas display . As stated , this is a typical Christmas blend - reminiscent of Santa -  and it is perfect for getting stylish


Scandi-meets-folk look. It is ideal for decorations and baubles, but try to use it on not only decorations - add a gingham or


red-and-white striped runner on the table for Christmas lunch ,


and cosy up couches with tartan throws .


One thing which I always remember at Christmas was putting the tree up. On those days it was always a real tree - artificial trees just did not seem or look right. We would drag the tree indoors and my Dad would make sure it was firmly in place in a bucket surrounded by dirt and pebbles to hopefully keep it secure for the next few weeks. But what has that got to do with red and white decorations I hear you ask? Well, you had to decorate the bucket of course! And the only acceptable way of doing this was with bright crimson crepe paper which was ornately would round the bucket for a truly festive look, before it was topped off with a layer of cotton wool to resemble snow. Old fashioned maybe but it was a lobvely tradition and one that can still be done easliy and inexpensively these days.

Scented


candles are extremely popular


at this time of year and of course they also make a great and inexpensive Christmas present . The good thing


is that in addition to a plethora


of different scents it's easy


to purchase them in a staggering


range of tones also. When you have decided on a red and White decorating


design, then you wll have no hassle


in the least in finding both  red and White


scented candles to suit. Many of the


key makers for example True Grace candles and Yankee candles produce a special


collection of home fragrances designed


for Christmas and not surprisingly red and White feature noticeably.


Pick out both your home and tree ornaments


produced from


felt or wool with crocheted or padded aspects


for that really lush handmade


feel that is so very much modish.


Hand-painted real wood items and lace styles


have the crafted appearance, also. Be natural, deck the


halls using ivy, eucalyptus, berries and pine cones as opposed to the customary


tinsel. Co-ordinate the gifts, gift wrap them in brown paper,


or plain red or white, for a quick backdrop to attractive


ribbons - choose from red and white gingham,


stripes, white lace and ribbon stitched with Seasonal


messages. Put on tags with garden cord.










The author is owner of The Scented Candle Store supplying a range of scented candles as well as other home fragrances such as the reed diffuser

White Is The Stylish New Colour For Your Kitchen

Everyone have dreamed of a white Xmas, which means that make it fact in your kitchen-diner this holiday season. Think white and bright for that fresh, up to date look and give it that with it Scandinavian effect by adding designer-style fixtures with tidy lines in addition to natural colors and textures. Buying a kitchen is key, so begin with the basics. You will want glossy-white units aand clean surfaces to achieve the fashionable, pared-back finish that creates this look, while ice-blue wall surfaces that look like a frosty sky will give you an excellent backdrop.  Subsequently, add key accents to remodel it into a wonderful Seasonal setting. Go for flickering candlelight for luster, and exquisite metallic and glass details to mirror the light. Finish off the holiday setting through wintry motifs along with subtle silvery-blue decor. Scented candles are perfect at this time of the year. Try and get the finest you can afford - tey are so superior tan cheaper ítems. We esprcially enjoy those that are created by Yankee candles and True Grace candles.Establish a clean backdrop, to help make this look deliver the results, a vivid white kitchen is crucial. Follow a minimal design and style with plain-fronted doors in a handleless style. Make it eeven sleeker by matching the wortops to the doors, so that the kitchen looks like a single piece of contemporary furniture. For a sharp finish, choose a cool shade like ice-blue for the walls. It will appear clean in the summer months and wonderfully cool come winter time. Bring heat to the design using a basic pine table and coir carpet to introduce a bit of natural colours and materials. Stick to a mixture of white, silver and pale blue to get a trendy, contemporary Xmas table setting. For some thing a little unique, incorporate several table runners over the breadth of the table, instead of down the length, and top with uncomplicated white china. Metallic wine glasses and minuscule crackers convey a stylish finishing touch.

Just remember once you have the place looking the way you want it, a new kitchen can sometimes look a little bit cold and univiting. That is why it is important to accessorise a new kitchen as best you can to make it feel a little more homely and comfortable. You will be amazed at the transformation that can take place with a few candles, some artwork or even a nice wall clock.                        



The author owns The Scented Candle Store supplying a range of scented candles and also "the new kid on the block" when it comes to home fragrances, the reed diffuser

Give An Old Piece Of Furniture A New Look

Begin by


checking the table. Give it a good clean


up to get rid of any sort of debris


or grime. In the event the legs are


shaky and require fasteners securing


or any repairs using wood adhesive, carry out these


initially and permit any glue to


dry up completely. Flip the table the other way up on a bit of


newspaper or lining paper. Set the straight back


border of the particular table parallel to the side of the newspaper allowing 1.5cm


excess - this should fold down at the back to get a


clean finish. Hold the table


solidly and sketch about it using a pencil. Cut the newspaper


layout out and place it to 1 side. Give the table


a brief scrub down with the help of


fine sand paper to eradicate any bumps and lumps, and key the top, and


then rub the debris off using a rag. Utilize a brush to put


on a thin, even coating of leaf metal size on one of the


supports and then leave for Fifteen minutes till tacky.


With care set a


layer of leaf metal upon the size and


then delicately smooth into position


using your finger or a delicate brush. Go round the


leg, then you should set


a further sheet


of leaf butted up near the 1st and smooth that into position also - don't get worried if it overlaps slightly, but


steer clear of having breaks. Work your way over the full leg. Go


on to leaf each of the legs, together with


the leading side of the table. Use leaf


a little onto the top area also so


you don't see any breaks when the


wallpaper is stuck on. Leave for 2-3 hours to dry out


adequately. Once totally dry, paint several coatings


of transparent varnish on the leaf to protect it - without this, the silver could


mark quite easily. Roll the


wallpaper on ground level with the


imprinted section way up and position


the newspaper template in the best position to make the


most of the layout. Sketch round the


template and carefully cut the semi circle out. Apply a


layer of wallpaper paste to the back of the paper


shape. Lift the paper carefully so it doesn’t rip, and place it on top of the table. Use a soft dry cloth to  smooth over the paper to


stick it in place. Fold the straight back


edge over and glue that down, then allow to dry thoroughly.







Once that has been done you are just about finished. All you will probably want


to do is to find the ideal spot to sit your newly refurbished table - perhaps along side your favourite armchair or in a corner somewhere -  and also


get hold of one or two accessories to show it off in the best possible light.


There are lots of little trinkets available, such as photo frames or ornaments, or you could go for a nice table lamp in a sympathetic style,


but personally we love scented candles. We particularly enjoy the luxury ones


made by top brands like Yankee


candles and True Grace


candles, but there are plenty of other company's products to choose from.


Pick up one or two, sit them casually on your "new" table and you are


all set for a relaxing casual evening. Drink in the fragrance from the candles as they slowly fill your room and sit back and admire your handiwork.










  The author is owner of the Scented Candle Store supplying awide range of scented candles and otherhome fragrance products such as a reeddiffuser