A Clean Slate Start afresh for 2009 Smooth as silk Luxurious fabrics Lighten up Brighten your home The Grove 21st Century country living Welsh•Design•Interiors•Lifestyle www.welshliving.com £1.95
Mar 19, 2016
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
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
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• 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
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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
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TextEditor: Ed Pereira
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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
Winter 08 Welsh Living 11
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
12 Welsh Living Winter 08
PB Welsh Living Winter 08
Storage
Inspired Storage designs
Winter 08 Welsh Living 13
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
14 Welsh Living Winter 08
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
Winter 08 Welsh Living 15
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
16 Welsh Living Winter 08
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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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
22 Welsh Living Spring 08
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.
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
Spring 08 Welsh Living 29
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
30 Welsh Living Spring 08
Lighting up your life
Spring 08 Welsh Living 31
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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36 Welsh Living Spring 08
A Clean Slate
A clean resolution
36 Welsh Living Spring 08
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
Spring 08 Welsh Living 37
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
Spring 08 Welsh Living 41
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
42 Welsh Living Winter 08
Kitchens
Winter 08 Welsh Living 43
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
50 Welsh Living Spring 08
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
Winter 08 Welsh Living 51
Thatch made in heaven
52 Welsh Living Winter 08
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
Winter 08 Welsh Living 53
Spring 08 Welsh Living 55
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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66 Welsh Living Spring 08
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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Dragons Of Walton Street. £381.88 www.dragonsofwaltonstreet.com John Lewis UFO Folding Sofa, Kiwi £75 www.johnlewis.com
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Spring 08 Welsh Living 67
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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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Spring 08 Welsh Living 71
TEL: 01291 672799
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WWW.QUAILSUSK.CO.UK TELL: (01633) 271946FOR APPOINTMENT
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72 Welsh Living Spring 08
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