Thursday 26 January 2012

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'Don’t move, improve, add an en suite shower room with Saniflo small-bore pumping systems.'

So if there is sufficient space to turn a room, storage area or a garage into living space it’s simple using Saniflo units to install ensuite bath/shower, WC facilities and kitchen facilities even where the soil pipe or drain is remote and gravity drainage is a problem.

Using Saniflo products means that home improvements can be achieved without breaking the bank or digging up the floor.

Saniflo make a wide range of products each designed for adding different facilities:

Saniflo: The original macerator pump for an extra WC almost anywhere
Sanitop: A macerator that enables you to install a WC and wash basin – ideal for cloakrooms
Sanislim: A macerator pump specifically designed for use with slimline sanitaryware
Sanipro: A macerator that enables you to install a WC and shower
Sanicompact: A unique cisternless space-saving ceramic WC with a built-in macerator pump
Sanipack: A macerator pump specifically designed for use with built-in bathroom units
Sanishower: A pump for shower and washbasin
Saniplus: Largest of the Saniflo domestic range, a macerator pump that enables you to install a bathroom or en-suite with ease
Sanivite: A domestic pump for discharge of waste water from kitchen and utility rooms

Saniflo…helping you add value to your property, yet which does not cost the Earth!

Tuesday 24 January 2012

That's Green: A consumer guide to what The Green Deal is and how...

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Sunday 22 January 2012

New "How It Works" Wallpaper Design From PaperBoy Interiors

Ever wondered about the magical inner workings of a boxing kangaroo or slender necked giraffe? Ever wanted to see just how a chicken makes its eggs?

Now you can find out in the beautiful ‘How it Works’ wallpaper from PaperBoy Interiors. Hand drawn by mother of two young boys, Victoria Cramsie, the wallpaper is not only perfect for animal fanatic toddlers and teens, but adults too and comes in four timeless colours in off-white, stone, purple and green. You may even be slightly surprised to discover how an elephant makes its noise and how a swan swims so gracefully.

‘How it Works’ wallpaper is made in the UK, printed on FSC sustainable paper and is soon to be joined by a matching fabric. A 10m roll costs £60 from www.paperboywallpaper.co.uk. The design is just one of several now available from Victoria.

For further information contact Paperboy Interiors on 0207 1939135 or visit www.paperboywallpaper.co.uk

Spring Clean With Confidence

When it comes to Spring there is one thing never far from our minds – cleaning! With a winter’s worth of dust, soil and dirt the good old spring clean is one of those inevitable chores that help to clear your mind for the summer ahead.

No area is more susceptible to mud and dirt than carpets and as with any substantial investment, a good clean once a year will help to ensure years of good looks and service – alongside regular spot cleaning and vacuuming of course.

The bold may well attempt this themselves, or for the less adventurous there are always professional carpet cleaners on-hand, but one thing is definite you should be 100% confident that you use the right product or select a reputable company for the task to protect your investment

When it comes to wool and wool-rich carpets, there is one source that you can be sure will provide you first classe advice. The WoolSafe Organisation was founded to offer peace-of-mind when cleaning and maintaining your carpet.

If you are going to attempt any cleaning yourself, make sure that you use only WoolSafe approved products. These have been independently and scientifically tested and are safe and effective for cleaning and maintaining wool and wool-rich carpets and rugs.

Professional,s too, should be accredited by the WoolSafe Organisation, making sure that you receive a top quality service that will leave your carpet in great condition.

To guide you through the maze of carpet cleaning, The WoolSafe Organisation has produced a helpful consumer leaflet packed with maintenance tips for carpets and rugs rules for spot removal and valuable advice on how to deal with those dreaded everyday spills from red wine and food, to ink and shoe polish.

For further information or to obtain the free WoolSafe “The safe way to care for your wool carpets” leaflet, telephone 01943 850817, fax 01943 462127 or e-mail info@woolsafe.org.

Property Hunting Goes Social With Launch of First Facebook Property App

No one ‘likes’ Estate Agents!

Property Hunting Goes Social With Launch of First Facebook Property App

• Launch of world’s first ever Facebook app for selling / buying / renting property
• Sell your property with Property Place via Facebook for one off cost of £75 and save over £4000 in agent fees*
• Find and chat to potential roommates on Facebook – for just £35

This week sees the launch of Property Place, the world’s first ever property app on Facebook. Previously in beta, the full version of Property Place officially launched on Friday, complete with over 400,000 properties.

Property Place lets you sell or rent out your property, or find someone to fill your spare room, using the social networking power of Facebook. Cutting out expensive estate and letting agents, Property Place is the cost-effective way to take control of what can be one of the most stressful events in your life.

With almost half the population of the UK now on Facebook (29.9 million), you can reach a huge audience, in minutes. And best of all, it will only cost you £75 to sell, and £35 to let, your home with the added benefit of being able to share the listing with your social network and beyond.

Being on Facebook, the app allows you to arrange viewings through Facebook’s private messaging or check out profiles of potential roommates. You can also create property wish lists to share with friends.

If arranging viewings yourself sounds like too much work, Property Place has partnered with Emoov, the online estate agency, who can handle the logistics and ongoing management for a fee of £295. At a fraction of the cost of an agent, you still save thousands of pounds.

Landlord Jack Eddowes, 25 from Leeds, uses Property Place to let out his Sheffield student properties via Facebook, saving himself the cost of a letting agent. He says, “Typically students spend more time on Facebook than any other website so it makes sense to market my properties with Property Place on Facebook. It’s far more convenient for me and prospective tenants to communicate.”

Chrissie Lightfoot, from Leeds, cashed in on her two bedroom flat in Leeds city centre a few months ago when her job took her further afield. She turned to Property Place, making the ideal flexible arrangement on Facebook to make some extra money by renting out her flat whilst she was away on business.

Sohail Rashid, founder of Property Place, says: “We’re all feeling the pinch and looking at ways to save money – Property Place is the perfect tool for people looking to sell or rent their property without the hefty estate agent fees, saving the average user £4,150.

“You can upload details of your property in minutes and manage the whole process in one place. With nearly 30 million of us using Facebook in the UK it’s the future of buying and renting property!”

To try Property Place for yourself, go to http://apps.facebook.com/propertyplace/. Property Place is also available to non-users of Facebook at www.property-place.net.

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Thursday 19 January 2012

New Chinese lanterns developed to extinguish fire safety fears


In response to safety fears over the fire risks posed by Chinese lanterns, Sky Orbs the firm behind the first wire-free, 100% biodegradable sky lanterns, has developed eco-friendly sky lanterns with a patented in-built fireguard.

Available from February, the innovative design is protected by global patent and also features a non-drip fuel cell and fireproof string and paper, making Sky Orbs Safety Sky Lanterns (from £2.99) the safest on the market.

The fireproof silica blanket sits underneath the fuel cell, creating a protective barrier to minimise fire risks in the event of the lantern returning to the earth whilst ignited. Completely non-combustible, the mechanism envelops and raises the fuel cell above the ground allowing the non-drip fuel cell to harmlessly burn out.

Wire free and constructed from flameproof, eco-friendly materials, Sky Orbs’ new generation of lanterns are wildlife friendly and feature an innovative non-drip fuel cell which has a controlled burn time to create a beautiful spectacle before burning out and floating gently back to the ground.

Says Sky Orbs’ founder, Chris Burton: “We wanted to enable the public to enjoy Chinese lanterns without any nagging safety fears. There has been a lot of negative publicity recently, and low quality, budget Chinese lanterns just don’t have the safety features that offer peace of mind. Although the risks of an ignited lantern returning to earth are small – for example in the event of windy conditions causing the balloon to collapse, our new Chinese lanterns address these issues, which combined with sensible deployment mean that Sky Orbs’ lanterns can be enjoyed safely."

Sky Orbs safety lanterns cost £2.99 each for plain white and coloured designs. Personalised, printed and novelty designs cost from £3.29. To buy online visit www.skyorbs.co.uk

Tuesday 17 January 2012

Wood is good, inside! The return of Timber in interiors


id modern stairparts
The demand for the use of wood in interiors has seen a massive revival in recent years as home buyers’ preferences have moved away from metal and glass in the home.

Nowhere is this trend more evident than in the stairparts market where metal and glass balustrading is no longer the ideal choice for customers demanding a more homely touch to their staircase.

There are many well known reasons for the popularity of wood in interiors. It has various unique qualities and benefits over other materials commonly used in the home. The first and most obvious of these is its green credentials, which have become an increasingly important factor for developers in recent years. Wood is sustainable, renewable and in some cases, actually a carbon positive resource.

Often the most important factor for potential homebuyers to consider is what it will be like to live with. Wood is a comfortable and tactile material which is particularly important in choosing stairparts such as handrails. Combine this with its natural beauty, durability and environmental appeal, and it is easy to understand why it has been the favoured material in the home for centuries.

Despite this, the perception of many developers in recent years has been that a modern and stylish interior means metal or glass finishes. When, in fact many homeowners find these materials too cold, clinical and commercial in appearance.

However, a historical lack of innovation in the stairparts industry has limited the choice of modern Timber designs available. The options have been either outdated, traditional turned spindles or plain stop chamfered designs which many developers specify despite their unimaginative style.

The solution therefore is for wooden stairparts manufacturers to innovate and create something in timber with greater design appeal than the metal or glass offerings, plus all of the added benefits of wood as a material.

The most prominent example of this has to be id modern stairparts which were designed by Clive Durose specifically to fill this gap in the market. The new id modern stairparts range, which is unlike any other wooden stairparts currently available in the stairparts market, is driving the timber stairparts revival amongst homebuyers.

Now, developers can cater for the needs of customers both in terms of design and choice of material. id modern stairparts feature three cutting edge spindle designs:- ez, flo and vu, which create stunning visual effects thanks to their interesting modern shapes, combined with clever features like the innovative safe-grip handrail and multi newel system.

Visit www.idstairparts.com to view the range, for more information or to find a local stockist. To speak to a member of the id modern stairparts team, call 0800 978 8143 or email hello@idstairparts.com

Monday 16 January 2012

British Gas Cuts Prices

British Gas is cutting its prices by 5% or £26 for electricity with immediate effect. Which will benefit 5.3 million customers.

The average household bill for a dual fuel British Gas customer will now drop from £1,286 to £1,260 - £230 or 22% higher than its average bill of £1,030 in October 2010.

British Gas increased prices by £160 or 15% in 2011.
 
Overall, suppliers put prices up last year by 21% or £224, adding £2.24 billion onto household energy bills.

The waiting game is over for consumers as Britain's biggest energy supplier, British Gas, has announced that it is cutting its prices. The reductions - 5% or £26 for electricity - come into effect recently. It means that the average British Gas dual fuel bill will drop from £1,286 to £1,260.

It is the second big six supplier to cut prices for customers following EDF Energy's move yesterday. Now that EDF Energy and British Gas have acted, the other big six suppliers will be under pressure to bring their prices down again too, although reductions look unlikely to wipe out the £224 or 21% increase seen by households in the last 18 months[3], especially as neither supplier has cut both their gas and electricity prices.

British Gas increased its prices by 15% or £160 last year. Its average household energy bill in October 2010 was £1,030. After today's cuts it will be £1,260 - £230 or 22% higher than just over a year ago.

Ann Robinson, Director of Consumer Policy at uSwitch.com, says: "Now that two of Britain's biggest energy suppliers have moved to cut their prices, the rest of the big six will be feeling the pressure to follow suit. Although British Gas customers will feel the benefit immediately, many will feel disappointed that they won't see their gas bills decrease - especially with temperatures expected to drop. We hope that this will be just the first cut, and that further reductions will follow.

"However, this cut will go nowhere near cancelling out the £224 or 21% hike in prices in the last 18 months. But households can help to mitigate the impact of higher bills by shopping around for a cheaper deal and cutting back on the amount of energy they use by being more energy efficient. Moving to dual fuel, paying by direct debit and signing up to a competitively priced deal will save you up to £420, far more than price cuts will give you based on today's evidence."

Worth looking at switching provider? To find out, visit www.uSwitch.com or call 0800 093 06 07

Sunday 15 January 2012

Findmypast.co.uk reveals remaining 1911 census records

Findmypast.co.uk has announced that the final, missing column of data from the 1911 census, which details individuals' infirmities has been released for the very first time at www.1911census.co.uk and www.findmypast.co.uk, the family history websites, which first launched the 1911 census three years ago in 2009 in association with The National Archives.

The infirmity column details wide-ranging descriptions of peoples' health conditions as perceived and hand-written by the head of the household on the night of Sunday 2nd April 1911. Under data protection regulations, this sensitive information has remained closed until now.

'Lunatic', 'imbecile' and 'feeble-minded' are some of the most commonly used entries reflecting an era before such terminology was deemed unacceptable. The census in fact prompts the respondent to record if a person is 'totally deaf', 'deaf and dumb', 'totally blind', 'lunatic', 'imbecile' or 'feeble-minded'.

However, not all the entries are negative or insensitive. The 1911 census records also reflect the humour and curious family dynamics from a century ago - not too dissimilar to what we know now in 2012. One extraordinary record details a Mr. John Underwood from Hastings recording his children as 'quarrelsome', 'stubborn', 'greedy', 'vain' and 'noisy'. He even records himself as 'bad-tempered' and his wife as suffering from a 'long tongue'.

Some chose to make a note of their good health instead of the health problems the form enquired about, such as 'well', 'healthy', 'sane', 'alright' and even 'perfect'. Evelyn Baker and her family from Leeds were recorded in the census by their father Addiman Parkin Barker as simply being 'alive'. Seventy-two entries simply say 'none thank God'.

A correlation between infirmity and occupation can also be identified in some cases*. The biggest source of employment for blind men and women was basket-weaving. Other trades for blind men were musicians or musical instrument makers. Women who were 'deaf and dumb' were often employed within the textile or garment trades, or in domestic service, while men were most likely to be labourers.

Debra Chatfield, family historian at findmypast.co.uk, said: "The infirmities column is the last piece of the jigsaw completing the 1911 census. This column alone provides a fascinating insight into life a hundred years ago. It not only reflects health conditions, but also a time before society became aware of political-correctness and certain terminology was deemed acceptable. In the more unusual entries we also get a wonderful sense of post-Edwardian humour, society and family dynamics at this time.

"Researching your family history is a fascinating way to learn about your ancestors. The 1911 census records include detail about occupations, housing arrangements and social status and you are also able to see a copy of the handwritten record itself."

* The Registrar General's Report on the 1911 census can be found at: www.histpop.org/ohpr/servlet/TOC?path=Browse/Census%20%28by%...

FACTFILE:
Leading UK family history website findmypast.co.uk (formerly 1837online.com) was the first company to make the complete birth, marriage and death indexes for England & Wales available online in April 2003.

Following the transcription, scanning and indexing of over two million images, the company launched the first website to allow the public easy and fast access to the complete indexes, which until then had only been available on microfiche film in specialist archives and libraries. The launch was instrumental in creating the widespread and growing interest in genealogy seen in the UK today.

Findmypast.co.uk has subsequently digitised many more family history records and now offers access to over 750 million records dating as far back as 1200. This allows family historians and novice genealogists to search for their ancestors among comprehensive collections of military records, census, migration, occupation directories, and current electoral roll data, as well as the original comprehensive BMD records.

www.findmypast.co.uk

Wednesday 11 January 2012

TAG Introduces New Range Of Induction Hobs With Super Flexible Bridge Zone

ATAG, the Dutch company famous for its technologically advanced built-in kitchen appliances for those who are passionate about cooking, has introduced three new induction hobs to its 2012 range, all offering enhanced flexibility.

The three new additions to the ATAG induction hob range all feature bridge zones; two rectangular cooking zones which can be connected together at the touch of a button, creating a single extended zone. This gives the consumer a bigger area for more flexible cooking, and is ideal for larger pans such as a fish kettle. It can also be used with a teppan yaki pan, allowing the consumer to quickly and easily create delicious, healthy dishes.

ATAG has chosen to introduce three induction hobs with bridge zones to its 2012 product portfolio, each of which are of a different size or configuration to enable the consumer to choose the style which best suits their requirements. The range includes the three zone HI6271SV, four zone HI6271MV and five zone HI9271SV.

Alongside the increased flexibility offered by the bridge zones, these hobs feature a stylish black glass design and pre-set programmes for stir-frying, roasting and grilling.

Bill Miller, ATAG's Sales and Marketing Director, says: "Induction hobs are really growing in popularity as people become ever more aware of the huge benefits they offer in terms of speed, efficiency and safety, and as a result of this it is a market that is constantly developing.

"ATAG's new induction hobs with bridge zone capability are a clear example of the advanced functionality available in modern hobs, providing the consumer with real flexibility alongside other practical features such as useful, time-saving pre-set programmes and a wide power range for different cooking styles. They are ideal for those who love to entertain, and want superior appliances to create meals that will impress their guests!"

Key features and benefits of the ATAG HI9271SV induction hob

Stylish black glass, five zone induction hob with stainless steel decorative trims
Part of the MAGNA design line, the HI9271SV looks very attractive when installed in combination with other hobs in ATAG's Puzzle Line series
Features bridge induction for connecting two cooking zones to create one large cooking zone of 200 x 400 mm
Five cooking zones with wide power range for maximum flexibility: middle zone offers 40-3000W, left and right bridge induction (four separate cooking zones that can be combined to form two large zones) 40-3700 W per zone
Temperature controlled programmes for real simmering and keeping warm
Menu for pre-set programmes for stir-frying, roasting and grilling
Automatic cooking function offers increased functionality
Iris Slide Control® for real ease of use and simple operation
Digital timer per zone for setting cooking duration, reading the elapsed cooking time or using as a standalone kitchen timer
Very short cooking time thanks to boost mode and a unique 110 per cent permanent power setting
Striking two-colour zone markings to show minimum and maximum recommended pan diameter
On/off key per zone and pause key for increased functionality
Extra safe thanks to child lock, cooking time restriction, residual heat indication and cooking plate which automatically shuts off if overheating
Very low stand-by capacity of just 0.3 W
Complementary set of induction pans included for added value
Dimensions: H x W x D: 43 x 904 x 522mm
The HI9271SV retails for approximately £2219

For further information about ATAG's new induction hobs with bridge zone capability please call ATAG on 0208 247 3993 or visit the website at www.atag.co.uk

Tuesday 10 January 2012

15 year guarantee for Ronacrete resin paving system

Ronacrete are pleased to announce that RonaDeck Resin Bound Surfacing is guaranteed for 15 years from the date it is installed by a Ronacrete Approved Contractor.

RonaDeck Resin Bound Surfacing is a blend of aggregates and resin which creates an attractive, porous (SUDs compliant) alternative to conventional paving or loose gravel paths.

RonaDeck Resin Bound Surfacing has been used on footpaths at Westfield Shopping City, Twickenham Stadium and Jodrell Bank as well as providing driveways, paths and swimming pool surrounds at private residences all over the country.

The 15 year guarantee covers general loss of stone, cracking, damage as a result of oil spillage or contamination, UV degradation, colour change and frost damage.

Get more information about the RonaDeck Resin Bound Surfacing 15 year guarantee.

If you would like Ronacrete to recommend one of their Approved Contractors or if you are interested in becoming an Approved Contractor contact Sales on 01279 638700,

tech@ronacrete.co.uk
01279 638700.

Sunday 8 January 2012

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Terrys Fabrics Offers 85% Off Range of Curtains and Fabrics This January

TerryHome improvements are always popular at this time of year with homeowners looking to make changes in their life, starting with their home. Simple additions such as buying new bedding, new curtains or new lights or even completely decorating the home have made a big impact on homeowners in the past and Terry's Fabrics expects another busy year for 2012.

January is a time for scrimping and saving after a busy festive period, this is why Terrys Fabrics has announced its January Big Sale. Running in conjunction with their usual Price Match Guarantee, the sale gives customers the chance to purchase high quality products such as curtains and bedding with as much as 85% off the original price.

Curtains are often the perfect way of completely changing the look in a room. Big, bold and bright curtains add a twist of style whilst adding colour and there is plenty of choice in the Terrys Fabrics sale.

Customers are offered an eclectic range of coloured and patterned curtains for as little as £5.70 and each is of the highest quality to ensure customers get the most out of their money and their home. Rio Ready Made Sheer Curtains Hot Pink and Orbit Ready Made Curtain Chocolate have proven particularly popular since the sale began due to their bold colours and intriguing design.

Customers wishing to browse the full range of products available at Terrys Fabrics including curtains and fabrics,  visit the site.

Saturday 7 January 2012

Bubblegum and Liquorice floors from Avenue

Bringing pop pinks and cool chromatics, Bubblegum and Liquorice is the latest collection from Avenue. Defining urban living and a bold new generation, the collection is geared towards a young and vibrant audience.

Featuring decors that will spark the imagination and will get consumers to think of floors in a fresh way, Bubblegum and Liquorice includes stripes, abstract designs and realistic wood and stone decors that appeal with fizz and energy, setting a new agenda for cushion flooring.

Low maintenance and with great underfoot comfort, Bubblegum and Liquorice styles are backed with Easy Clean technology that will endure everything life has to throw at it. Available in two, three and four-metre widths and with a seven-year guarantee, the collection also hits a price point that will suit a young audience.

Not only offering a striking, colourful option for kids' bedrooms, Bubblegum and Liquorice is also great for use in areas prone to spills and standing water, such as kitchens, while the Thermoback provides a level of underfoot comfort to satisfy the most comfortable of living spaces. The perfect all-round floor for anywhere in the home, Bubblegum and Liquorice is sure to become a favourite among consumers looking for something fun and funky.

Bubblegum and Liquorice is available from all good flooring retailers priced around £17 per square metre.

For further information contact Avenue on 0845 226 8273 or visit www.avenuefloors.co.uk

Little Greene 'Retrospective Papers' - Evocative Wallpaper Designs From The Not-Too-Distant Past

In September 2011, Little Greene launched ‘Retrospectives’, a collection of authentic and iconic paint shades from the 1960s and 1970s, which was received with much critical acclaim. Building on the success of this paint range, and further embracing the 20th Century design revival, Little Greene is delighted to introduce ‘Retrospective Papers’: an enigmatic and highly evocative collection of authentic wallpaper designs, again first produced in the 1960s and 1970s.

Derived from a number of validated historical sources, including the extensive archive at Manchester’s Whitworth Art Gallery, the ‘Retrospective Papers’ are bold and brave, strong and statemental, yet nonetheless remarkably adaptable for use in the 21st Century interior!

The collection will be unveiled at Maison et Objet in Paris at the end of January 2012.

‘Retrospective Papers’ comprises eight designs in a total of 37 colourways: the papers vary in style, finish, print technique and impact according to the scale and colourway – from the Warhol-inspired screen print ‘Fern’ in eye-popping psychedelic shades to the exotic ‘Reverie’, whimsical ‘Hepworth’ and ‘Starflower’, a piece of pure retro from 1967.

Whilst some are faithful reproductions, others have been adapted to suit contemporary usage, but each design nonetheless retains the integrity of the original motif. In so doing, Little Greene has cleverly succeeded in breathing fresh life into patterns that had otherwise lain forgotten and neglected for a generation.

The ‘Retrospective Papers’ colours are individually distinctive, but also blend harmoniously with the Retrospectives paint palette. Encompassing zingy limes, zesty yellows, vibrant oranges, sultry browns, moody charcoals, vivacious blues and hot reds, the colours encapsulate the essence of an era, and reflect the many influences at work in a rapidly changing Britain in the late 20th Century, when the country and its inhabitants were exposed to more external influences than at any time in the past. Increasing affluence, immigration, particularly from the Indian subcontinent and the West Indies, expansion of air travel and the consequent accessibility of holidays to foreign climes all had an impact on the culture and style of these two significant decades.

The papers can be dated as follows: Fern 1960; Bark 1961; Box1962; Starflower 1967; Poppy Flower 1968; Reverie 1971; Hepworth 1973; Lavaliers 1975.

Little Greene wallpapers are available nationally and internationally, through a network of distributors. They can also be bought via mail & phone order and online at www.thelittlegreene.com

Bed Linen By Janet Reger - Spring 2012 Collection

The Janet Reger Spring 2012 Collection combines beautiful modern designs with an eclectic decorative style. This bed linen range creates a stylish contemporary look for your bedroom and retains all the magic that can only be Janet Reger. Available as single, double and king size quilt cover sets, including housewife pillowcases, the bed linen is 100% cotton.

ALCINA: Elegant camellias in a stunning scarlet strand this vibrant design, bringing a fresh and feminine look to your bedroom. The host of flowers on the reverse is reiterated on the pillowcases, all in the softest of greens, creating a dramatic yet peaceful look to your bedroom. Coordinating cushions in scarlet and apple green add the finish touches to your “indoor” garden!

ELLIE: This dramatically large linear floral has a stylish botanical feel. The strong black lines are softened with a pale apple silhouette, all set on a crisp white background. Embroidered square cushions embellished with delicate beading and boudoir cushions complete this fresh and vibrant look.

ZEBINA: This delightfully pretty bed linen reflects the true femininity of the Janet Reger Collection. Illustrative flowers on a tumbling panel contrasts with the stripe reverse, enhancing its fresh modern feel. Embroidered cushions embellished with glass beads, together with the quilted throw add a further touch of style and delicacy to the design. ZEBINA is also available in teal with accents of pale green.

Gorenje Launches Revolutionary HomeCHEF Oven With Colour Photo Realistic Touch Control

Gorenje, the Slovenian appliance manufacturer famed for its creative and innovative products, is proud to present the HomeCHEF, a revolutionary new built-in oven with full-colour touchscreen operation and patented multi-step baking system.

The Gorenje HomeCHEF sees highly user-friendly technology from other market sectors, such as home entertainment and mobile technology, being integrated into kitchen appliances to achieve a new, inspiring cooking experience alongside incredibly easy operation. It features an integrated glass, full-colour touchscreen with photo realistic and vibrant images, which is controlled by simply using the touch of a finger to scroll through the interactive display.

Alongside a large 65 litre capacity and very efficient ‘A-20%’ energy rating, a true highlight of the Gorenje HomeCHEF is its patented, unique, electronic touch control panel with its large colour display that allows selection of the required function by simply sliding a figure across the screen. The HomeCHEF oven has a vast selection of pre-loaded menus and cooking functions perfect for use by both cooking novices and experts alike.

Accessed via the main menu screen (with a choice of 30 different language settings) the SIMPLEbake option offers nine food images representing the most common categories of dish the consumer wishes to prepare. Simply choose the dish required, and the technology does the rest, automatically selecting the cooking programme, temperature and the duration for the consumer, although if required any of these can be changed by the touch of a finger.

The AUTObake option boasts up to 65 pre-programmed dishes classified into logical categories; the consumer simply selects the dish required and touches Start. PRObake is perfectly suited to the developed chef as it allows total freedom to control all aspects of the cooking process, including the elements used, the temperature and the duration.

As a useful extension to the PRObake option, STEPbake allows the consumer to create their own combination of up to three separate cooking programmes. For example, the consumer can start cooking with a low temperature and then step up to high and then finish with medium, or may want all the heating elements to work at the beginning, but only the upper one at the end; they can control the element, the temperature and the duration.

Finally, the MYbake option allows the consumer to store their own commonly used cooking programmes; these could be the favourite dishes from AUTObake menu or of their own creation in the PRObake or STEPbake programme. These are stored in an easy to access personalised cooking library of up to 150 dishes.

In addition, there are also a number of other useful innovative features pre-programmed onto the HomeCHEF oven, such as rapid pre-heat, plate warming, defrost and a cleaning programme. The HomeCHEF ably demonstrates the ability of Gorenje to effortlessly combine highly advanced cooking technology with radical design to ensure a thoroughly modern, simple user experience that yields excellent results.

Bill Miller, Gorenje’s Sales and Marketing Director, says: “The Gorenje HomeCHEF truly heralds the next generation of cooking appliances. The demands placed on ovens are greater than ever before due to the rise in home entertaining and the increased popularity of baking, and it is vital for the consumer to have a highly functional product to meet these needs, making an outstanding model like the HomeCHEF a must-have. It is the categorical choice for consistently delicious culinary experiences, and is designed to impress and inspire both beginners and seasoned chefs alike.”

Key features and benefits of the new Gorenje BO9950AX HomeCHEF built-in oven
• ‘A-20%’ energy rating for true efficiency
• Built-in single oven with innovative colour touchscreen operation
• Stylish black and stainless steel design, complementing other products in the Gorenje Pure built-in range
• Large full-colour TFT display offering unique and simple operation
• Patented cooking menu system offers a selection of precisely engineered cooking modes; SIMPLEbake, AUTObake, PRObake, STEPbake and MYbake
• Spacious 65 litre oven capacity with super-size baking area for cooking bigger items
• Multi-function oven including conventional, fan heating, grill, grill and fan, defrost, bottom heat and fan, twin adjustable grill, plate warming and stay warm setting
• Fast preheat function, reaching 200° in just six minutes
• Unique HomeMade® technology modelled on traditional wood-fired bread oven; ensures more efficient circulation and even distribution of hot air inside the oven
• DC+ for safe use - a highly efficient cooling system designed to keep the external temperature of the oven safe during the cooking process
• UltraCool oven door with three layers of glass to improve oven performance and efficiency, while ensuring safe handling
• EcoClean enamel coated oven interior gives even distribution of heat, while preventing grease from sticking to oven, making maintenance incredibly easy
• AquaClean function for hassle-free cleaning
• Glass control panel with ergonomic handle
• Easily removable door for cleaning and maintenance
• Meat probe for perfect roasting results every time
• Free five-year parts and labour guarantee for peace of mind
• Dimensions: H x W x D: 595 x 597 x 565 mm
• The BO9950AX HomeCHEF retails for approximately £719

For further information about the Gorenje HomeCHEF, please call Gorenje on 0208 247 3980 or visit the website at www.gorenje.co.uk

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