Tea: The New Coffee

It


seems that tea is quickly replacing coffee as the nation’s number one


refreshing drink . Just a quick look at


the growing number ofstylish "tea


bars" (that's teashops to the uninitiated) to appreciate that caffè lattes and quadruple espressos are becoming a thing of the past , and oolong and green tea mint chai are what is trendy now . But to


enjoy your daily cup of tea at its best, you will need the correct equipment. Different types of tea react differently to the temperature of the water used. What this means is that boiling water should be used for black


tea or breakfast tea, 60-80ºC is best for


green teas, 75-85ºC for white teas and 90ºC for herbal teas or infusions.


Fortunately, variable-temperature kettles permit you heat the


water to your desired temperature. If you are watching your funds and/or you only drink black teas, you can still get a better cuppa by purchasing a kettle that


filters out limescale, chlorine, lead, copper and other impurities. An alternative piece of


equipment is a tea press which essentially


is a teapot with an infuser in it, which separates the tea leaves


from the water thereby avoiding the dreaded stewed tea flavour. This is essential if you


like loose-leaf teas - and you should, because the oils that give teas their flavour are prone to evaporation when the leaves are processed to be made into tea bags. And after you


have decided on the best equipment for brewing your tea, you need to decide on


the best type of cup or mug to drink it from.


There are people who insist that the flavour of tea is best


drunk from a large mug, while many more prefer to drink their daily


cup from a bone china cup in the the style of the traditional afternoon tea favoured by


country style hotels over Britain and now very much in demand. And once that is


decided, there is still more to consider, not least whether you should take


your tea with milk, with lemon or even just on its own as nature intended. If you like tea with milk do you add the milk


before or after you pour your tea ? Whatever


your individual preferences – and there are many – we all seem to agree that tea is refreshing and


delicious. So the next time you are stressed and in need of a pick me up, light


some scented candles– maybe


some by market leaders Yankee candles,


brew up your favourite tea and relax.










The author is owner of the Scented Candle Store which supplies a range of luxury scented candles including brands like Yankee candles

Now Is The Time To Prepare Your Home For Winter

As the colder winter months approach, there are there are plenty of small about the house that that need to be dealt with to keep things looking spick and span and, of course,


nice and cosy. First things first – keep dirt away. According


to cleaning specialists Proclean  a large amount of dust and dirt which finds its way


into our houses is walked in through the front door, so be certain all the family clean


wipe or remove their dirty shoes before walking on the


carpet with a durable door mat. In


areas like the hall, which tend to have a large amount of foot traffic, a decent doormat is an absolute must. If you can, it is worth placing a more robust, abrasive


mat outside the front door to get rid of any grit or soil while a


softer mat is better suited for use indoors. Now that summer holidays are fast becoming a distant memory, it is


the perfect time for an autumn “deep clean” to get


your carpets and sot furnishings


looking great in time for winter. Dealing


with spots and stains can be problematic, so if you are in any doubt at all it makes sense to consult


specialists cleaners like Proclean carpet cleaning Glasgow to


take care of things for you. Professional


cleaners have access to state of the art carpet cleaning equipment, as well as


a range of specialists cleaning agents – not something you hire from the


supermarket - that once applied and used properly by skilled cleaning specialist will prepare and protect your


carpets, providing  soil and stain


resistance. And


do not forget about the garden furniture when you are contemplating your deep


clean? With the recent


very severe winters we have experienced it has never been more important to


keep your furniture protected to be certain it remains


in good condition ready


to be brought out again next spring or summer. If there is no room in your


garage or shed for the furniture, invest in some all-weather covers which are


suitable for patio sets, barbecues, hammocks, parasols, cushions and tables.


Made from lightweight polyester they offer protection from UV damage, frost,


rain, falling tree sap and birds fouling. So there you have it - some simple tips to get your home clean, tidy and ready for winter's icy blast, courtesy of Proclean Carpet Cleaners Glasgow 









The author is owner of Proclean which provides a range of specialist cleaning services including, carpet cleaning in Glasgow and domestic cleaning Glasgow

Get Your Home Ready For Winter

As we are beginning to prepare for the


winter months , there are certain


little around


the house that must be done in order


to have our house looking spick and span and, of course,


nice and cosy. Keep the dirt out . According


to cleaning specialists Proclean  around seventy-five


per cent of dust and dirt in homes is walked in through the doorways , so make


sure all the family clean


wipe or remove their muddy shoes before walking on the


carpet with a durable door mat. In high traffic areas, such as a hallway , a mat


is a great investment . Use a harsher


mat on the outside to remove any grit or soil and


choose a softer mat for the inside to absorb any extra moisture . As the summer holidays have come


to an end , it is


the ideal time for an autumn “spring clean” to get


your upholstery and carpet looking its best . Tackling spillages and stains can be tricky , so for the best results


call in experts like Proclean carpet cleaning Glasgow to do the job for you. They will use bespoke cleaning products,


together with the correct kind of commercial cleaning equipment – not something you hire from the


supermarket - that once applied and worked in properly by trained


technicians will prepare and protect your


carpets, providing  soil and stain


resistance. And then there is always the garden furniture to take care of ? With British winters getting colder you will need to


keep your furniture protected to ensure it remains


in good condition for use next   summer. If there is no room in your


garage or shed for the furniture, invest in some all-weather covers which are


suitable for patio sets, barbecues, hammocks, parasols, cushions and tables.


Made from lightweight polyester they offer protection from UV damage, frost,


rain, falling tree sap and birds fouling. So there you have it - some simple tips to get your home clean, tidy and ready for winter's icy blast, courtesy of Proclean Carpet Cleaners Glasgow 









The author is owner of Proclean which provides a range of specialist cleaning services including, carpet cleaning in Glasgow and domestic cleaning Glasgow

The Rustic Look Is Always In Fvour For Kitchens

Although kitchen trends change with the


times , there


is one that remains an ever


popular choice to create a cosy, timeless look in your home.


A rustic look is one that, if done properly, will last for


years and give the heart of your home a warm, welcoming feel . If you do not want to change your


existing units , just give them an update with a coat of paint in


cream or white , then get the look with the addition


of chic accessories, like beautiful scented candles such as the ones manufactured by Yankee candles. You could even splash our on a range-style cooker


for a stunning focal point . What other things can


be done to create the right atmosphere? 1.


Freshen up wooden chairs with


attractive seat cushions, which have removable, washable covers . 2. Splash


out on stone or terracotta floor


tiles for a timeless look that will not date. 3.


A filter tap with a traditional design combines the latest technology with


classic appeal. 4. Choose a large ceramic


sink which is the ultimate in country chic. 5. A few carefully


picked accessories, like a few beautiful scented candles in rich shades


, will provide the perfect finishing touch to your scheme , particularly something made by True Grace candles or Yankee candles. 6. Why not pick up a dresser or cupboard at a second-hand shop or furniture auction and update it to suit your new scheme? 7. A retro clock would add a stylish touch


on a shelf or a window sill .  8. Choose real oak for a hardwearing surface


that will last for years to come.  9. A


wooden floor will provide the perfect base for your new look. 10. Serve up a


cuppa on this pretty tray with wooden handles. 11. Acacia wood is ideal for a


rustic scheme. Each one varies in colour and appearance, making it unique and


individual. 12. Use natural materials wherever possible - wood, slate, granite


and stone may be more expensive than their lookalike counterparts, but will


last for years longer and give a really authentic look.










The author is owner of The Scented Candle Store which supplies a wide range of scented candles including True Grace candles

Make A Statement With Blue This Autumn

  If you are thinking of redecorating your home – either doing things


yourself or hiring a designer remember that one


of the most in vogue


tones for autumn and winter is blue in in every conceivable guise, from navy to indigo. One simple but eye catching idea is to liven up an indigo armchair or sofa


with comfortable cushions in  neutral tones to to


brighten things up, or select opulent plum


to create a mystical, imperial mood? If you


are a fan ofindigo but are a little


reluctant to use it in block colour, go for fabrics


or materials where it is used together with brighter, more lively shades to


give a more contemporary, modern look. Whether you go for the darker shade or use something a little more light and vibrant to


provide contrast, these colours will ring the changes during


autumn and winter. Marble accessories and attractive vases help give any


room that little extra touch of style. Aromatic candles


remain an enduring favourite and are are to


be found from high end manufacturers


like yankee candles and true grace candles in a wide variety of colours in addition to aromas . These are products that can be


filled with a aromatic candles , or simply


put on show on your shelf. Its distinctive texture will reflect both the


natural and synthetic light at different times of the


day. Blues, indigos and violets are work well


blended with chocolate, browns and honey. Use


these shades for any furniture, side tables, photo frames or


accessories you purchase for the house. And also remember this rich, opulent colour


looks great on walls. Dark blues in particular are  especially good choices for small dark


rooms. Using a warm, strong blue colour means you should take special care when selecting the lighting you


want to help turn your room into something


especially dramatic and impressive. In older


properties, warm strong blues are often used to give some


contrast to highly ornate furniture and gilt


frames. For


some reason, blue tones have the ability to make antique pieces appear somewhat


less formal or imposing to help a warm living area in which to enjoy


them. When you are talking about


a more up to date look, try using dark blue as the


backdrop to a plush cream sofa or a focus piece of artwork; again


dramatically lit for maximum impact.










The author os owner of The Scented Candle Store which supplies a wide range of candles including those made by Yankee candles

How To Get Started Out On The Property Ladder

Getting a foot on the property ladder  can seem like a dream for many young people .  Yes, the recession has halted the sky-high property price hikes we got used to , but the banking crisis has meant that first time buyers tend to be far down the queue when it comes to handing out mortgages . Once you are finally in your new home , there is nothing better than to relieve the stress , enjoy your new pad , put your feet up and light some beautiful scented candles, made by companies like True Grace candles or Yankee candles, around your new home.




But before you get the candles out there is a lot of work to be done before you can get to that stage .




The number of mortgages for the average first-time buyer has shrunk in recent years .  One of the reasons is that high loan-to-value mortgages (ones for buyers with a small deposit or no deposit  ) are partly what got us into this mess.  And it’s not just the lack of mortgages available .  Lenders   are more fussy who they give money to .  They check applications more carefully and have tightened up their lending criteria  .  It’s also harder to get (more affordable) interest-only deals, apart from buy-to-let ones.




That said  it’s certainly not impossible to buy your first home, especially if you pay a visit to  the bank of mum and dad (assuming they are open for business).  If your parents are willing to help  you become a homeowner or you’re a parent  keen to get the kids out of rented accommodation , or from under your feet, and into their own home then there is lots of advice from banks, your local solicitor or financial advisor   With the average first-time buyer needing a deposit of £30,000 parent s are coming to the rescue more and more.  A massive 84% of first time buyers under 30 got financial help from their family last year, more than twice as many as in 2006.
























The author is the owner of The Scented Candle Store which has a vast range of luxury scented candles including the world renowned Voluspa candles

How To Get Started Out On The Property Ladder

If you are a first time buyer, actually making the step to purchase a home of your own  can appear like a dream for most young men and women.  Yes, the credit crunch and everything that followed it has put a hold on the ridiculously inflated property price hikes we we had simply expected to continue unabated forever, but the the lack of availability of credit has had the effect that first time buyers are probably the last in the queue when banks and other finance houses are considering mortgage applications. When you finally manage to get a home of your own, there are few things more pleasant than to relax, enjoy your new place, put your feet up and light some attractive aromatic candles, created by manufacturers like True Grace candles or Yankee candles, around your new home.




But before you get the candles out just getting to that point in the first place is not at all easy.




The availability of mortgages for the typical first-time buyer has been drastically reduced in the last few years.  One explanation for this is that high loan-to-value mortgages ( those products that are designed for buyers who do not have much capital of their own to put towards the purchase price) are to a certain extent what got us into this mess.  And the number of mortgages out there is just a small part of the problem.  Banks and building societies are more fussy who they are willing to lend to.  They check applications more carefully and have tightened up their lending criteria  .  It’s also harder to get (more affordable) interest-only deals, apart from buy-to-let ones.




That said  it’s certainly not impossible to buy your first home, especially if you pay a visit to  the bank of mum and dad (assuming they are open for business).  If your parents are willing to help  you become a homeowner or you’re a parent  keen to get the kids out of rented accommodation , or from under your feet, and into their own home then there is lots of advice from banks, your local solicitor or financial advisor   With the average first-time buyer needing a deposit of £30,000 parent s are coming to the rescue more and more.  A massive 84% of first time buyers under 30 got financial help from their family last year, more than twice as many as in 2006.
























The author is the owner of The Scented Candle Store which has a vast range of luxury scented candles including the world renowned Voluspa candles

Create A Bold New Look With Purple

Would you be interested in creating a dramatically different look for your home without breaking the bank?  This could be easier than you think with new touches of colour to your decor – why not try a decadent purple tone around your home for an inviting modern look?  It can make an immediate difference and adds warmth to any space.









These warm purple shades will transform any scheme into an elegant, adult space and it’s such an rich colour, that only the smallest touches will be sufficient to create a classic look.









So if you’re after a quick lift or a complete revamp for dramatic effect, then use purple as your inspiration and create something dramatically different. Here are just a few ways to use this rich, opulent colour to great effect in your home:









Fragrant candles are always a fantastic way to introduce a little colour as well as perfume to your living space and there are lots of choices available in rich plum or purple shades, like beautiful jar candles from manufacturers like Yankee candles and True Grace candles. You can even choose a scented candle with the perfume of Japanese Plum!




Sit a few  cushions of plum and gold tones on a purple chair or sofa.  Add soft materials like a purple diamante velvet cushion.  Purple looks great as a base, livened up with a more vibrant colour such as gold or lime.  Also, geometric patterned scatter cushions or throws works well for addedinterest.  Boudoir-style cushions also help create that rich opulent effect so associated with purple.   If you prefer to choose curtains or other soft furnishings with a pattern of some sort then it is a good idea to decorate your walls in a plain unfussy way, opt for a pale sofa and Perspex table to keep your living space bright and airy.    Go for littleaccessories in plum to match the background colour.  Some other fantastic  purple accessories to add to the room you can buy now include a heavy stoneware casserole dish ,  a purple leafed jewel clock – jewel colours adds glamour - and some floral dishes with a dash of the colour purple.




Wouldn’t think of adding purple to a kitchen ?  Then think again .  Even in the kitchen, for a quick update you can paint the base of an island unit in plum .  Then mix with a splash of coloured accessories like a purple kettle and purple utensil holder  to create a striking impact .














The author is owner of The Scented Candle Store which supplies a wide range of scented candles including Yankee candles

Can Scented Candles Be Environmentally Friendly?

 People sometimes worry about using scented candles at home because they  are often  manufactured from paraffin wax, a by- product of oil refining,  meaning they  unfortunately are not the most environmentally friendly item you can come across. So,  what is the solution if you  would like to have  fragrant candles at home but you would prefer not to use paraffin wax candles?  The good news is  this is no longer a major problem. There are  plenty of new - and improved - waxes which manufacturers of scented candles can use and which  have sound eco friendly credentials. The  most commonly used of these waxes are probably soy wax and beeswax.  A large number of  luxury candle  manufacturers such as true grace candles,  and yankee candles actually make their own custom made wax blends. These waxes are  made  from recurring, renewable resources  which means that they satisfy the modern consumer’s preference for  wholesome eco friendly products. However, on closer inspection, without being consciously aware of it, we have been making use of   eco friendly wax for candle making for many years - long, long before  concerns about the effects of various substances on the environment. We are talking, of course, about beeswax. Beeswax candles are  created from wax collected by honey bees which is probably the purest and most refined of all waxes. Unlike paraffin wax, beeswax burns very cleanly and - far from creating dirt and soot in the air - it actually has certain naturally occurring properties which help ionise and cleanse  the air as the candle burns . So if beeswax has so much going for it  why do luxury candle makers not just use it for their candles ? Unfortunately, it is expensive ~ and so {it's use in modern candle making tends to be restricted to being part of a blend of other waxes, rather than pure beeswax | when it is used by candle makers these days it is usually mixed with other waxes to create a blend of waxes, rather than being used on its own. For example , luxury brand Joya Studio has a proprietory blend of wax for  some of its scented candles which includes a percentage of beeswax. If you are really lucky  you may come across some candles which are made  entirely out of beeswax. One such range of candles is the "Journey of the Bee" collection made by the environmentally aware company Paddywax candles in the USA. Apart from beeswax there are other vegetable based waxes out there which are used by scented candle manufacturers. The best known of these is probably soy wax which is created by hydrogenating soya bean oil to create  a solid mass, in the same way other oils are hydrogenated to create butter-type spreads. Soy wax is relatively inexpensive and creates great scented candles which is why it is so popular as an eco friendly choice. The other matter  to think about  when it comes to choosing a environmentally friendly candle  is the means by which each candle gets its aroma. Good quality  brands will create scented  candles using essential extracts from plants and flowers. These are to be commended from an environmental standpoint. Cheaper factory produced candles use synthetic fragrancing agents and are thus are best avoided






The author is owner of The Scented Candle Store which supplies a range of scented candles  including True Grace candles

How To Choose Environmentally Friendly Scented Candles

 People sometimes worry about using scented candles at home because they  are often  manufactured from paraffin wax, a by- product of oil refining,  meaning they  unfortunately are not the most environmentally friendly item you can come across. So,  what is the solution if you  would like to have  fragrant candles at home but you would prefer not to use paraffin wax candles?  The good news is  this is no longer a major problem. There are  plenty of new - and improved - waxes which manufacturers of scented candles can use and which  have sound eco friendly credentials. The  most commonly used of these waxes are probably soy wax and beeswax.  A large number of  luxury candle  manufacturers such as true grace candles,  and yankee candles actually make their own custom made wax blends. These waxes are  made  from recurring, renewable resources  which means that they satisfy the modern consumer’s preference for  pure eco friendly products. However, on closer inspection, without being consciously aware of it, we have been  employing  environmentally sound wax for candle making for many years - long, long before  concerns about the effects of various substances on the environment. We are talking, of course, about beeswax. Beeswax candles are fashioned from wax collected by honey bees which is  generally accepted as the purest and most refined of all waxes.  It differs from paraffin wax in that it burns very cleanly and - far from  emitting dirt and soot in the air - it actually  contains a number of natural attributes which help ionise and  clean the air when the candle is alight. So if we all know that beeswax is the best wax you can use for candle making why do de luxecandle  brands not  not make more use of it when creating their scented candles? Well, the simple answer is that beeswax is more expensive than most other types of wax and so {it's use in modern candle making tends to be restricted to being part of a blend of other waxes, rather than pure beeswax | when it is used by candle makers these days it is usually mixed with other waxes to create a blend of waxes, rather than being used on its own.  By way of example, luxury brand Joya Studio has  its own unique blend of wax that is used to make some of its scented candles which includes a  quantity of beeswax. If you are really in luck you may discover some candles which are manufactured  completely  from beeswax. One such range of candles is the "Journey of the Bee"  range  manufactured by the environmentally conscious company Paddywax candles in the USA. In addition to beeswax  you can find other vegetable based waxes out there which are used by scented candle manufacturers. The best known of these is  certainly soy wax which is  manufactured by hydrogenating soya bean oil  resulting in a solid mass, in the same way other oils are hydrogenated to create butter-type spreads. Soy wax is relatively inexpensive and creates great scented candles which is why it is so popular as an eco friendly choice.  One further point to bear in mind when when you are trying to choose your scented candles on environmental grounds is the way in which each candle gets its perfume. Premium brands will create aromatic candles using essential extracts from plants and flowers. These are to be commended from an environmental standpoint. Cheaper factory produced candles use synthetic fragrancing agents and are thus are best avoided






The author is owner of The Scented Candle Store which supplies a range of candles including True Grace candles

Tips On Decorating With A Romantic Flourish

If you want to create a romantic style in home decoration , colours like white, pink, lavender and lilac are a must . There is no need to spend a fortune to get the right look but you do have to be careful when picking the colour scheme. Romantic decor, as we mentioned at the beginning, is based on colours such as white, pink, lavender and lilac but we can also incorporate light blue and cream. Mix these shades on walls, curtains, furniture and bed linen to create a harmonious ambiance but without it looking too fussy. When it comes to accessories another must-have item is scented candles. Happily there is a huge range to pick from in a bewildering array of aromas as well as colours, so even if you are just using the candle as a sort of ornament, it will be easy to get hold of a candle in the colour you want. If the aroma is also important you simply cannot go wrong with luxury brands like yankee candles or Voluspa candles. They are slightly more expensive than the items you will find in the supermarket but they are most definitely worth the extra expense . These are brands who devote almost as much time to the way their candles look as to the way they smell . In terms of freshening up your decor, they really have the "wow" factor, that will leave visitors to your home suitably impressed . Another way to produce a romantic style is to paint your furniture a light colour , for example white or pink, and add a personal touch to the room placing a vase of freshly cut flowers or some beautiful fragrant candles, as before. There should be dim lighting in this area and be careful when choosing fabrics. Bear in mind that romantic style fabrics should have some kind of pattern but nothing to blaze . A discreet flower pattern or thin stripe in the colours already mentioned is the ideal choice for curtains cushions and upholstery . A romantic style can also be fashioned by simple details including fancy, little, flowery boxes for keeping bits and pieces, scented candles,  attractive glass plates,  elegant mirrors and lots of different sized and shaped cushions on the bed, old-fashioned photo frames and picture frames will also help to create a romantic style. They can be silver or gold-plated and the best shape for them would be either oval or circular. In the bathroom, the romantic atmosphere can be created easily by adding pretty towels with lace trimmings. What about some aromatic oils to give off a beautiful fragrance or place a long slim vase with a single pink rose on the window sill? Don't go overboard as a fussy bathroom will look smaller than it actually is.









The author is owner of The Scented Candle Store which supplies a range of candles including Yankee candles

Giving Your Home a Makeover on a Tight Budget

The choice of colours you decide to use to decorate your home can make a huge difference. Just recently we decided it was time to give some of the areas in our home a bit of a makeover. We had to do things on a budget but the results were terrific nonetheless. We decided to start with a new look for our bedroom. The room was not the brightest and in fact could reasonably be described as a little on the dull side. It had a dark, wooden headboard with complimentary bedside units. the walls and the duvet and bedclothes were all various shades of white or cream, with little or no vibrant colours featured. The absence of any injection of colour gave the room a dull, cold look. So what did we do? We gave the room a much needed injection of colour by making one wall – behind the bed – a feature wall which we then papered with an attractive and eye catching wallpaper. We also decided to remove the old headboard which we replaced with a lovely modern fabric headboard and we added a sense of homeliness to this area with a burgundy plaid, a number of pretty cushions and some stunning aromatic candles.. The most dramatic changes we saved for our living room. Again, this room was largely decorated in cream, magnolia and white, including the furniture, the blinds, cushions and lamps. As it is a part of the house where we spend a lot of time, we thought it needed to look cheerier and more homely. To our amazement – and delight , we managed to come up with an entirely new mood for this room easily and inexpensively because all we really needed to do to make a dramatic difference was to change the fabrics. Essentially, we bought a new pair of subtly patterned curtains and then followed this colour scheme throughout the rest of the room by choosing some cushions in a similar shade, as well as matching lampshades for our table and wall lamps. Straightforwards tips, like adding a vase of fresh flowers or some striking scented candles in matching colours created the warm, homely atmosphere that had once been lacking We picked rather more scented candles – like the ones made by manufacturers like true grace candles and yankee candles - because we were aware that not only did they smell terrific but that in addition to this, they also burned for a longer time than some of the less expensive alternatives out there, and thus actually offered better value for money in the long run. This was one small indulgence. When you start to give some thought to accessories, though, scented candles are but one of many choices available. You are only really limited by your imagination, and of course, by your budget. Some of the simple accessories we mentioned earlier like lampshades and cushions you could actually make yourself from scratch if you were really intent on watching the pennies.




The next room for the makeover treatment was our child’s room. Again it was painted more or less uniformly in boring white. It featured a small desk and chairs for studying and playing on the computer. Again, the main task was to try and imbue the room with some sense of warmth and comfort. We started with the laminate flooring and decided to buy an attractive rug to brighten this up. We hung some bright wallpaper on the walls to add to the personal feeling and gave the woodwork a fresh coat of paintThen, we developed the study space by sitting two bookcases alongside one another and the final decorative flourish was a large, stylish light fitting which bathed the whole room in light




The author is the owner of The Scented Candle Store which supplies a range of candles including Yankee candles

How To Use The Latest Environmentally Friendly Items In Your Bathroom

 


There are several ways you can transform your bathroom, with the use of


natural products and cleaning solutions , plus the latest water and money saving gadgets , into a greener bathroom . For instance , get a new shower head. Most of us use around eighty litres of water in


the bath , while a shower can use as little as


a third of that amount , especially


if you switch to a new showerhead .







When it comes to cleaning the bathroom a simple natural cleaner can be made by mixing together one


part vinegar or lemon juice to one part bicarbonate of soda . Apply


this to discoloured grouting or mildew spots


. Leave for a couple of


hours and then rinse off. Did you know that toilets use about thirty per cent of the total water at home , and an old cistern can use thirteen litres at a


time? Isn´t it about time you invested in a new dual flush toilet, not just


to enhance your bathroom ,


but to save a large amount of water?







When it comes to accessories for your bathroom, you can also go


down the natural route as well . Look for


storage boxes in beautiful rattan or bamboo. Similarly , you can now find bath mats in beautiful natural


products, including bamboo - again! – as well as  grasses likesisal and seagrass.


These products look terrific in a light


bathroom, maybe one with a New England style, so lots of white,


blue and aquamarine will look good. Scented candles also make a very good bathroom accessory. When it comes to natural products you would be best to


choose candles made by de luxe


manufacturers like true grace candles or yankee candles. They make a choice of candles in


natural eco friendly soy wax rather than paraffin wax. Or you might want to try beeswax


candles, for the ultimate natural home fragrance product?







These days you can also find lots of items like bathroom tiles which are created out of


recycled materials. This has, happily, stopped vast deposits of material from


being discarded in land fill sites. What about using bamboo? It really is a bit of a phenomenon in the natural world, growing at a prodigious rate without needing too much if anything by way of growth promoters as well as


just a little water. It can be blended with


other materials such as cotton and flax to create wonderfully


fluffy towels and bathmats. We should all be conscious these days about the growing need to conserve


our water supplies. Simple steps can make a huge difference, like turning off the


tap when brushing your teeth or shaving in the morning or just getting that


leaking tap fixed. If you need a new bath, go for a smaller model which will


not use up so much water and then water your garden with the bathwater!


















The author is owner of the Scente Candle Store which supplies a range of luxury candles including yankee candles

Yankee Candles Make Decorating Your Bathroom Easy

Given the current difficult economic conditions there has been a recent trend for less folk to move home, deciding instead to stay in the same place and redecorate their own homes. Even then, however, people are not keen to spend too much on home decor. We may want to give our home an attractive new look but no body wants to be spending fortunes doing so. If you are giving some thought to giving your bathroom a makeover but don't want to blow your budget, here are a few simple tips. You do not need to implement them all – it can be surprising how much of a difference just one small touch can make.

Fragrant candles can make a fantastic difference to the appearance and fragrance of your bathroom. Select good quality candles such as those made by manufacturers like Yankee candles or True Grace candles. They are modestly priced, although they do cost a little more than the ones you will see at the supermarket or local store, but they have the added attribute that they stay alight longer than cheaper alternatives. When it comes to ringing the changes with your furniture, you may want to try Ebay for new bathroom furniture or else take yourself off to the antique markets in your local town. There is plenty of choice and if you are patientyou should be able to find reasonably priced, yet good quality items which will give your room a whole new look. An attractive old fashioned chair or mirror help can give your bathroom an elegant style. When it comes to soft furnishings for your bathroom, curtains are also a simple way of adding a touch of colour. Or, instead of curtains – which can be costly - you could always choose some decorative window blinds which will look good in most bedroom settings.

Also remember how attractive vibrantly coloured towels and bath mats can be. Don’t hide them away in a dark airing cupboard. If you have an attractive bath mat ensure it is on display. Similarly, we all have a load of towels at home. Look out your brightest, most attractive ones. Display a few decoratively. If you have shelves in your bathroom, roll them up and sit them one on top of the other on your shelves. You could also put up a few towel rails at different heights - either on the walls or the back of your bathroom door - and hang a selection of brightly coloured towels from these. You can even transform something mundane and boring into a feature by storing wrapped toilet rolls in a glass jar or hurricane lamp jar to give an everyday item a truly decorative touch.

So there you are - a handful of  straightforward  ideas to transform your bathroom into a fresher, brighter more attractive place. And bear in mind, although these tips are aimed towards the bathroom you could just as easily adapt them for use in just about any other room in your property.








The author is owner of The Scented Candle Store which supplies a wide range of candles, including True Grace candles