Posts

But if you have a household with young and curious members or plant-chomping pets, it’s definitely worth knowing more about these beauties before deciding whether to cultivate them or not amongst your garden ideas. We’ve put a list together of some of the most potent – but often less obvious – toxic plants so you can decide whether they’re the right ones to include in beds and borders. Poisonous plants: what to avoid Plants have long been used and valued for their medicinal and culinary qualities....

Next up, Sebastian discusses how to make compost, food waste and everything you need to know about home composting. It may not sound like the most glamorous topic but it’s certainly one that will make a difference. How we treat our soil ultimately determines the quality of food we consume, so compost – and soil in general – is an important consideration for our future health. ‘May and June is such an exciting time of year, with the veg patch and garden accelerating in growth....

With hectic modern lives, homeowners and renters alike are constantly aiming to find a balance between elegant minimalism and cozy luxury for their living room ideas. But what is simple living room design, you ask? A pared-back scheme is rooted in the principle of ridding your home of clutter. It is about harnessing the power of a ‘clean’ space that is not only easy-on-the-eye, but one that is restful, contemporary and budget-friendly....

Though small living rooms can present challenges, there are several benefits to compact living. A well-designed scheme can feel just as comfortable as a larger space, with all the coziness and comfort associated with family living. One of the main advantages is the convenient accessibility of everything that’s needed. Easy maintenance is another bonus. In a small living space, zoning is key. So here are our favorite living room ideas for smaller sitting rooms and how to design and decorate a compact space with our best small living room ideas....

Last year, after a particularly ‘clutter-heavy’ Christmas, I decided action was needed, and in my hunt for effective decluttering tips and home organization ideas, I came across the ‘one bag a day’ declutter method. Simple, effective and with little to no prep or effort required, it sounded right up my street. I decided to give it a go. A full year on from trying – and keeping up with – the ‘one bag a day’ declutter method, and I’m in a much happier place, figuratively and literally!...

From Sophia Bush to John Legend and Katy Perry, the British-born, Los Angeles-located designer is admired for his unmistakable flair – combining a quintessential London aesthetic with a more relaxed Californian style. Though, his ventures expand beyond his eponymously-named studio. Jake Arnold’s (opens in new tab) latest venture comes in collaboration with home decor powerhouse Lulu & Georgia (opens in new tab), and to celebrate, the designer shared his aptly-timed tips with H&G....

Despite its assets, however, there are some common kitchen island mistakes that can hinder the look and effectiveness of the busiest room of your home. And while all these mistakes may have a negative influence – there is one error that experts warn against in particular. The most common kitchen island mistake – according to experts When designing a kitchen island, you will likely begin by considering the perfect size for your space....

‘When we purchased the house, it was 90 per cent complete,’ says Tracy. ‘To allow for my employees to have their own access, I worked with Stephen Yeonas, one of the partners at Artisan Builders, to come up with a unique solution. He suggested that we take out one of the windows in the basement and make it a door. The team excavated the space and created a new staircase and door for the design team....

With our Black Friday Home Deals Live blog being updated constantly, we’ve had eyes on all the best buys, the lowest prices and the most astounding of deals. And we’re sharing our top picks with you. From items on our own wish lists to tried and true, this is what the team is shopping for themselves, family members, and friends this holiday season. Black Friday H&G Editors’ Picks This Black Friday Day I’m going to buy not one but two KitchenAid digital countertop ovens with AirFry – one for home and one for my daughter, who is a student at university....

Of course, when it comes to kitchen ideas of any kind, there are plenty of things to consider, from cabinetry and storage, flooring and countertops right through to window dressings and soft furnishings. All of these vintage kitchen elements offer the opportunity to add a vintage flair to your kitchen. Vintage kitchen ideas Vintage kitchen ideas combine the beauty of the past with the practicality of the present day. There are several ways to achieve this look, from introducing reclaimed freestanding furniture alongside your built-in cabinetry, through to accessorizing your traditional kitchen ideas with open-shelving displaying fleamarket finds....

Raised garden bed ideas offer a great planting opportunity in backyards that may have poor soil or ground to work with. Once you have gotten over how to build a raised garden bed, it is important to prepare your bed properly to avoid making raised bed gardening mistakes that could cost you your plants in the long run. Here, we ask experts what the best materials are to put on the bottom of a raised garden bed so that you can lay the best foundations for your plants....

While thoughts often turn immediately to the all-important dining table, there are lots of other dining room ideas that should be considered when it comes to the perfect dining space, from seating and dining room storage ideas to dining room lighting. To help you answer the question ‘what to put in a dining room besides a table’ we asked interior designers for their advice on the key elements to creating the perfect space....

From getting ready in the morning to preparing for bed with a good book, bedroom lighting works hard to keep our rooms functional at any time of the day. Using bulbs that are too harsh, or not having enough lamps could all make our bedrooms less zen. Here, experts explain what type of lighting is essential for a bedroom – from the type of bulb to lighting layouts. What type of lighting is best for bedrooms?...

So, we asked landscape experts which they recommend, and which features to look out for, both good and bad. We’ve already established whether rain chains are better than downspouts (answer: you can’t do without downspouts entirely, but rain chains are a great addition), but which type of chain is strongest again harsh weather conditions? ‘Your standard chain link rain chains are best. We’re not saying you should avoid the more ornate options, but they’re definitely not as effective, and if anything, they could actually be damaging the drains and areas around the base of the chain,’ says Des Brosnan, a garden maintenance expert at Brosnan Property Solutions (opens in new tab)....

Like everybody, my small laundry room ideas are centered around ensuring that my white clothes look and smell their best – and the process starts with how they’re cleaned. This is where this powerful juice comes into play. I admit that my detergent does a good job of washing my clothes – and there are many other tricks to promote brightness and freshness (such as using white vinegar in laundry) without great expense....

With many of us spending more time in our backyards, it only adds to the enjoyment when we can observe bees, butterflies, birds and other creatures enjoying our outdoor spaces, too. All gardeners have an important part to play in providing valuable shelter, habitats, food and water for wildlife, no matter how small or large your plot. There are endless easy ways you can do this, so add some of the ideas below to your garden ideas and welcome creatures great and small into your backyard....

From yesterday 4th October, to this Sunday, 10th, 200 locations around the capital will celebrate the best in British and international creativity – and set interior design trends for the season ahead. As a melting pot of upcoming interior designers, textiles, and furniture brands, there is no doubt that our homes will feel the repercussions of London Craft Week (opens in new tab). But who do you need to remember?...

We investigate decorating with white with Genna Margolis of SHAPESIDE (opens in new tab) – an award-winning interior design firm. ‘The goal of this project was to modernize a classic Spanish bungalow in Santa Monica while maintaining the integrity of the home,’ she explains. Once you’ve finished, you can see more of the world’s best homes on our dedicated page. 1. Put a palette inspired by nature at the heart of your design Decorating schemes will never tire of white but an all-white scheme can make a real statement....

Looking down over the stone terraces frothing softly with ebullient summer planting, and out across the far-reaching views of the surrounding, it’s a little pocket of paradise. It’s also the perfect example of how to get country garden style. This listed Arts and Crafts house and garden, and its exceptional panorama over the vale to the Brecon Beacons, instantly captivated Helena Gerrish and her husband Hilary when they came to view the property in 2001....

Morton Hall (opens in new tab) – especially visited in spring – is a spring garden that wows with color. The early bulbs and synchronised tulip display is exceptional with a brilliance of thousands of blooms. It’s all down to the months of meticulous planning and planting by owner Anne Olivieri. Ever since the heady days of tulip mania in 17th-century Holland, tulips have maintained an allure. ‘They have not lost their power over people,’ explains Anne, whose vibrant and intricate 6,000-strong display draws visitors to the annual Tulip Festival held in the gardens of her Worcestershire home....