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New Online Designer Furniture Store Offer Members Club

Store Offers 20% Discount on Premium Furniture Brands to Members!

Following the recent launch of the online designer furniture retailer, Kontenta, the stores proprietors have announced the introduction of their members club – available to all customers.

The store, which officially launched in March 2012, offers a wide range of premium brands alongside bespoke items, fulfilling what the owners have termed “designer furniture for everyone”. Proprietor, Georgina Ward say: “We want to reach people from 18-80 years of age. Our products are built for people who want to invest in their home. We sell products that are built to last”.

With this in mind, the company have recently introduced their members club to encourage furniture buyers to join their mailing list and keep up-to-date with special offers, competitions, discounts and latest news. All new members receive a 20% discount off their first purchase online. “We understand that an investment in furniture is a big decision for most people, so we want to build relationships with those customers who may not be ready to make a purchase” says Georgina. “Our members club will facilitate our ability to do that”.

The online retailer hopes to make designer furniture more accessible to everyone and their new website enables shoppers to browse and buy high quality brands at great prices and with ease. As the store is online only, they are able to keep their overheads lower and offer further discounts.

For further information, visit https://www.facebook.com/Kontenta, or view the company’s official Facebook and Twitter pages.

Prudential reveals saving money is top priority for thrifty retirees

Prudential has revealed the results of new research which shows the top priority for people intending to retire this year is saving money to ensure they have enough to live on in retirement. Nearly 6 out of 10 people (57 per cent) said saving will be a top priority.

The insurer's Class of 2012 study, which looks at the finances and expectations of those planning to retire this year, also found that women are more likely than men to prioritise saving during retirement. 62 per cent of women will make this a priority compared with 52 per cent of men.

Although saving money is a key focus, those intending to retire this year are still determined to have a fun-filled retirement. More than a third (36 per cent) say that spending money on travelling the world will be a priority for them, while 43 per cent will make spending money on enjoying themselves a priority.

Giving to charity and spending money on fighting the ageing process are low priorities for this year's retirees. Fewer than 1 in 20 (4 per cent) image-conscious pensioners say that spending money on anti-ageing treatments will be a priority in retirement, while only slightly more will prioritise giving money to charity (5 per cent).

Vince Smith-Hughes, retirement income expert at Prudential, said: "Today's retirees are likely to spend longer in retirement than previous generations so it is encouraging to see that they understand the importance of saving money to ensure they can live comfortably. Saving shouldn’t be regarded as something that suddenly stops once you retire, and the current generation of retirees seems to be more aware of this than ever before.

"Saving as much money as possible, from as early an age as possible, is the best way to ensure you can afford a comfortable lifestyle in retirement. Consulting a financial adviser can also be an important step in helping retirees to make the most of their pension pots.

"It's not only about saving though; many retirees in the Class of 2012 are determined to spend money on enjoying themselves and travelling the world, which seems a fair reward for all their hard work during their working lives."

www.pru.co.uk

Beko launches new range of premium appliances exclusive to John Lewis

Beko has teamed up with John Lewis, ‘Britain’s favourite retailer 2010, to launch a brand new collection of premium home appliances.

This brand new suite of products, exclusive to John Lewis, includes two washing machines, two tumble dryers, a dishwasher and five cooling products – all designed to look great in your kitchen and make life easier. Feature highlights include easy-to-clean stainless steel effect finish, large capacity appliances and Beko’s unique full-load ‘Quick Wash’ faster washing and drying cycles - all to save you time, money and energy.

If you realise that your favourite frock is at the bottom of the pile just hours before you want to wear it, the 7kg WM7043CW includes a nifty half load cycle wash programme which can complete 2kg of lightly soiled laundry – that’s 10 men's shirts in just 14 minutes.

You can, of course, put your trust in the WM8063CW washing machine. With its huge 8kg load capacity that can tackle masses of washing in one go and extra-large chrome porthole door making it easier to load and unload, the overflowing laundry basket will seem less daunting as it easily fits the equivalent of four entire linen sets (four double duvet covers, four double fitted sheets and 16 pillow cases). Even more impressive is that this 8kg full load can be washed within 39 minutes thanks to Beko’s unique full-load ‘Quick Wash’ function.

When April showers(!) prevent you from hanging your wet washing on the line, get your outfit dry and ready to wear in time, with the new Beko DC7041W condenser dryer which has an ‘Xpress cycle’ that dries 10 men’s shirts in only 35 minutes.

The rising cost of energy bills is a concern for many people. The clever A-30% energy rated DP8045CW heat pump condenser tumble dryer intuitively senses how much energy is required for each load and automatically stops when complete. This new technology uses half the energy of a standard C rated model and will help to keep energy costs down too.

Cooking ahead and storing food in the freezer is a great way to cut down on food waste. The TZ6051W 60cm tall freezer is perfect as it has an impressive six separate food storage compartments, perfect for housing those supermarket multi-buy deals. It also has Beko’s unique ‘Freezer Guard’ which means it is ideal for colder places or outbuildings if space in the kitchen is limited. To partner the freezer is the TL6051W 60cm tall fridge, a large capacity interior with four adjustable glass shelves and a full width salad crisper helping fresh fruit and vegetables to stay firmer for longer.

Buying in bulk is a great way to save money on your family’s food bill but you’ll need a large fridge-freezer to accommodate all the extra grocery shopping. The Beko premium collection of large combi fridge-freezers will fit the bill. In addition, the 55cm wide FFD5582W has a stored water dispenser for chilled water on tap and Beko’s ‘Freezer Guard’ protection for cold which means the freezer continues to work even in temperatures down to -15⁰C.

The FS5552W is A+ energy rated and includes a stylish chrome wine and bottle rack, great for chilling your Chardonnay or just storing those bottles of pop conveniently out of the way. The taller (191cm) FF6091X comes in easy-to-clean stainless steel effect finish to keep it looking great, despite the best efforts of sticky little hands.

Everybody loves a home cooked meal, except for the washing up. Why not let the Beko DW80323W dishwasher take care of it for you? This spacious model is ideal for those who entertain at home - the additional third drawer makes it easier to load and provides better drying. The height adjustable upper basket and sliding cutlery basket allow for an impressive 13 place setting capacity, accommodating all your crockery, pots and pans in one go. 20% more energy efficient than A rated dishwasher, it has an extremely low 10 litre water consumption, so the impact on your energy bills and the environment will be the impressive talking point at all your dinner parties and not the washing up.

This range of 10 premium products has been designed by Beko exclusively for John Lewis. The five cooling appliances, two washing machines, two tumble dryers and one dishwasher will be available in John Lewis department stores nationwide from April and online too at www.johnlewis.com. Prices start from only £289.99.

Look out for the popular ‘Baby Billy’ Beko family size washing machine TV ad, which is back on screens now to coincide with the launch of the new range at John Lewis.

Available exclusively from John Lewis. Prices for these models start from (£ - GBP)*:
Cooling
• Beko TL6051W 60cm fridge – £349
• Beko TZ6051W 60cm freezer – £399
• Beko FS5552W 55cm frost free fridge-freezer – £299
• Beko FFD5582W 55cm frost free fridge-freezer – £349
• Beko FF6091X tall combi fridge-freezer – £449

Washing
• Beko WM7043CW extra large chrome porthole door – £329.99
• Beko WM8063CW extra large chrome porthole door – £399.99

Tumble Drying
• Beko DC7041W condenser dryer – £289.99
• Beko DP8045CW heat pump condenser dryer – £479.99

Dishwashing
• Beko DW80323W dishwasher – £339.99

*Prices correct at time of issue, but please see www.johnlewis.com for latest prices

With an interest free loan from artrepublic.com, you can own art in an instant

artrepublic has launched a ground-breaking new way to own art; with the new Own Art online facility you can apply for an interest free loan directly at the artrepublic.com checkout.

Borrow between £100 and £2,000 interest free and spread the payments over 10 months through Arts Council England’s Own Art scheme. No need to supply your personal details by phone, you can apply and buy safely and securely online at artrepublic.com and your purchase will even be delivered for free.

With signed, limited edition prints from internationally acclaimed artists such as Damien Hirst, Sir Peter Blake and Mark Quinn as well as new works from street art talents such as Speedy Graphito, Static and Pure Evil, you can own art in an instant and spread the cost at artrepublic.com

• artrepublic.com is one of the first UK websites to offer Own Art online
• Apply for a 0% APR art loan directly at artrepublic’s online checkout
• The Own Art scheme has issued over £20 million in loans since it was launched in 2004, with 4400 artworks purchased in 2011
• Choose from hundreds of limited edition prints from both iconic artists and emerging new talents
• With the launch of Own Art online, it's now even easier to spread the cost of your art purchases

Confused.com reveals an extra £4bn is being spent on life insurance by UK men

Confused.com has revealed men in the UK are paying far more for their life insurance than women. Currently, men are paying an average of 26% more per policy, per year than women. The average British male will incur additional life insurance costs of £1,366 over their lifetime which equates to a shocking national figure of £4bn being paid. To make matters worse, Confused.com revealed that 1 in 4 men admit they never shop around for anything better.

The research also revealed that many people spend longer considering the purchase of a holiday or a car than choosing life insurance, with 54% of men saying a new car is a more important. The top reason for not having life insurance is because people don't feel they need it (28%), and more than 1 in 4 of the UK are put off by the cost. Over 1 in 5 of people haven't purchased life insurance because they don't understand what it’s for.

Despite recent research showing that the majority of people (55%) feel worse off than in 2007 it appears that they're not taking adequate measures to cut their costs. Over 1 in 4 policy holders confess to buying the first policy they come across, with men more likely to buy the first policy than women. It appears that people are reluctant to help themselves, as 40% of people don’t take advantage of price comparison websites when looking for life insurance quotes.

With the March 2011 European Court of Justice ruling taking effect from 21 December 2012, insurers will no longer be able to charge different prices for men and women when it comes to insurance. It is unlikely that men who already have a fixed policy will see any reduction in price.

So, making the effort to find a new or better value policy will become more important than ever as these changes begin to take place, but the research reveals that this might not come naturally to men, 65% of whom have never changed their life insurance provider.

Across all aspects of their lifestyle men generally don't like shopping around, with an overwhelming 78% of those surveyed admitting to buying clothes without trying them on first, compared to only 25% of women. At Christmas men constantly fail to get the best bargain, with 39% of women shopping for presents from January onwards, compared to nearly 1 in 5 (19%) of men who leave it until the week before, resulting in inevitable overspending.

Matthew Lloyd, head of Life Insurance at Confused.com said: "Life insurance doesn't seem worth the effort to many men, however they could be saving money by shopping around. Life insurance is about allowing your family to maintain their lifestyle if you were no longer around, and shopping with a price comparison site means you can compare prices from major providers in one place allowing you to find a good deal. The difference between men and women’s premiums means it’s even more important for men to make sure they’re getting the best deal possible."

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LeatherBedFrame.org.uk Adds New Ottoman Beds to their Collection

One of the UK's top rated bed stores has announced today fresh additions to their modern range of ottoman beds. LeatherBedFrame.org.uk specialises in leather beds, currently their collection covers more than two hundred styles with assorted colours, sizes and models from which to choose.

Demonstrating that they're still leading the pact LeatherBedFrame.org.uk has added five new styles of ottoman bed to their website, they include the Harmony Milan and the Derwent white ottoman bed.

On the matter of ottoman beds owner Lee said “Ottoman beds are a popular and viable option for people who require all the storage space they are able to get, with these innovative ottoman beds you end up with four times more storage space than a bed with drawers.”

Leather beds have gradually become more popular. Modern day design and contemporary living has enormously influenced the popularity of the leather bed, this coupled with their longevity, comfort and unmatched style has seen leather bed sales increase annually for the past decade.

He also had this to say of their new additions “The Derwent and Harmony Milan are exclusive to us so you will find it difficult to find these particular models elsewhere online. We source our beds from all over the globe so we can offer a far larger selection than most conventional stores”

Founded in 2010, LeatherBedFrame.org.uk has expert employees which keep track of the hottest trends in bedding to make certain shoppers get the styles they want at the most competitive prices in the market. State-of-the-art technologies ensure every customer receives the individual customer care they deserve.

For more information please visit http://leatherbedframe.org.uk

Luxury bedmaker wins top award

Saturday, 21 April 2012 Luxury British bed maker, Vi-Spring, has been awarded the prestigious Queen’s Award for Excellence. The Devon based company has been recognised for producing bespoke beds of the highest quality, resulting in significant growth in overseas sales during the last six years. Her Majesty The Queen, marked Vi-Spring’s success in her birthday honours on 21 April 2012.

Vi-Spring’s Managing Director, Mike Meehan, says: “We are extremely honoured to receive this coveted award. Our experience in designing and making luxury beds spans more than 100 years, having been the first to create the pocket sprung mattress, and we continue to set the standard to this day. We believe that key to our success is our commitment to using expert craftsmanship, combined with our determination to using only the very best materials, to create an unparalleled product that is loved throughout the world.”

With a turnover of £35 million, Vi-Spring sells in the UK, through exclusive retailers such as Harrods and Selfridges, as well as specialists including And So To Bed, Furniture Village and independent stores across the country. It also sells widely across Europe and North America, and has recently started exporting to Asia.

Proud to be a British brand that contributes to the global interior design industry, Vi-Spring’s skilled craftsmen hand-make every bed in its Devon factory, using traditional methods. The firm sources the finest natural materials to fill and cover each bed, from Austrian Moosburger horsehair, to cashmere and luxurious Real Shetland wool. The company uses more pure British fleece wool than any other bed maker in the UK, and through its exclusive use of Real Shetland Wool is helping to revive the wool industry of the Shetland Isles.

Meehan concludes: “We are very proud of our product and truly delighted to be recognised by HM The Queen for our work and will continue to employ the care, attention and skills into our bed-making that have helped us to win this award.”

FAVTFILE:
A key ingredient in Vi-Spring beds is pure British fleece wool; in fact Vi-Spring uses more British wool than any other bed maker. Ideal for use in bed-making, wool naturally provides softness, warmth and bounce. The company is particularly proud to have exclusive use of Real Shetland wool. Through its commitment to using British wool, Vi-Spring supports the campaign for Wool and local crofters in the Shetland Isles, helping to rejuvenate Shetland’s precious wool industry.

About Vi-Spring:
Vi-Spring believes that sleeping on the right bed can be a truly life-changing experience. All Vi-Spring mattresses are handmade to order in Devon. It’s an uncompromising approach, but because sleep is such a deeply personal part of life, it’s really the only way to ensure that every bed is not only supremely comfortable, but also fits its owner like a glove.

Founded in 1901, Vi-Spring was the first bed maker to produce an interior sprung mattress using a system of individually pocketed springs that changed the way beds were made.

Vi-Spring has never wavered from its original philosophy of using the best craftsmanship and quality materials to produce the finest beds in the world, and this is why Vi-Spring beds have been the only choice for anyone who demands the best for over one hundred years.

Confused.com launches Facebook app that 'burgles' houses

Confused.com has launched a Facebook video app called 'House of Horrors' in order to raise awareness of the importance of home insurance, coinciding with the launch of Confused.com's Nectar campaign, where customers can collect 1,000 Nectar points with every home, pet, van, bike and car insurance policy bought through Confused.com. Customers who buy life insurance will receive 3,000 Nectar points.

The app clearly shows why people need home insurance and customers can collect 1,000 Nectar points by simply buying this product through Confused.com.

The app, which was created by A Social Media Agency, forms part of the on-going digital content marketing strategy of Confused.com and reinforces the importance of having a home insurance policy in place to make sure your possessions are covered against theft.

Once plugged into the video app, Facebook users are presented with a video of a burglar breaking into a home which they quickly realise is in fact their house shown through a Google Maps image of their street that is displayed in the clip. This is made possible as users are required to enter their postcode at the beginning.

The video app takes information from users' profiles, such as photos, and places this around the house in which the burglar appears to be, to make them feel as though it is their own.

In order to demonstrate the need for home insurance, the app includes eerie music and a threatening 'burglar' character that is seen to be handling photos of the app user around the house. A shot of the thief stealing a laptop that displays the users' Facebook profile and one last shot of the character holding a photo frame containing an image of the user completes the video, with the message ‘cover your possessions at Confused.com’.

Speaking about the video app, Mike Hoban, Marketing Director at Confused.com, said: "We're looking to spark conversation with this video app and make people understand the importance of having home insurance. With the current challenging financial times, people may stop insuring their possessions just to save a few pounds, but this is false economy."

Sharon Flaherty, Head of Content at Confused.com continued: "The integration of information from users’ profiles, especially their photos, is bound to make people feel uneasy as though their home really has been broken into. However, this is a situation which is very much a reality given that the British Crime Survey reported a 5% rise in burglary in the 12 months to September 2011."

Laura Edwards, Account Manager at A Social Media Agency, added: "We wanted to make the experience of users having their home broken into as real as possible. Building Google Maps into the start to show their street was a big part of this, immediately putting you on edge."

Known for their success at combining PR, social media and digital marketing, Confused.com continue to launch original ideas, such as their first video-only newsletter sent earlier this month and the recent Happy Birthday Video App. Social media has become a focus for the company in 2012, with exciting plans to focus on growing their audience in coming months.

The 'House of Horrors' app can be found at https://www.facebook.com/confused

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First Time Buyers Home Show Unravels The Mystery Of Homeownership

On Saturday 28th April the Grand Connaught Rooms in London's stylish Covent Garden will once again open its doors to the First Time Buyers Home Show, the one stop shop for anyone thinking about buying their own home.

First Time Buyer magazine, which has been running since 2008 and is the brains behind the show, has helped hundreds of people by giving them advice on home ownership, breaking down the mysteries of shared ownership, mortgages and how best to make the transition from renting to holding the keys to your very own home for the first time.

The Home Show is free to attend and is open from 10am to 5pm with seminars running throughout the day. Seminars are also free and will cover all aspects of buying your own home. Registration is open now via the website. Sign up for all the latest news on exhibitors and seminars and to register your interest in attending.

Exhibitors at the Home Show include the main sponsor, Barratt Homes who has developments across the south east and around the UK. Also showing how easy it can be to get on the housing ladder are housing associations and housing charities such as Origin Housing, Affinity Sutton, Newlon Housing Trust, Circle and Southern Housing Group. For those in need of financial and legal advice the Law Society, Hodders Law and Nationwide Building Society will be on hand to answer any questions. The list of exhibitors is growing day by day, so keep checking the website for all the latest information.

The calibre of the exhibitors at the show is highlighted by how many have been nominated in the First Time Buyers Readers' Awards which will take place in London on Friday 20th April. The awards highlight achievement in areas such as private development, affordable housing and architectural design. The shortlist has been drawn up by industry experts Lynda Clark, Roger Southam, Kate Faulkner, Sylvia Marshall and Marcus Wilshire.

Lynda Clark, editor of First Time Buyer Magazine said "It's going to be a fantastic event where first time buyers can find out as much as they like about buying their first property. They will be able to find out the difference between the various purchasing options including shared-ownership and shared equity"

She adds "Homeownership is clearly still an aspiration for the majority of young people, even if the reality of doing so may seem like a long way off. Those who come along to the show will be able to discover different ways to a buy a home sooner rather than later and often with a much lower deposit than perhaps they may have realized."

Home Show www.ftbhomeshow.com
FTB Readers Awards www.ftbawards.com
FTB Magazine www.firsttimebuyeronline.co.uk
Grand Connought Rooms www.grandconnaughtrooms.com

UK Flooring Direct Offers Customers Flooring Products with up to 50% Off Showroom Prices

With over a quarter century of experience in the industry, UK Flooring Direct has built a reputation for itself on the basis that it offers an eclectic range of flooring products at competitive prices. Right now, any customers visiting the site will be met with fantastic money saving opportunities in the form of up to 50% off showroom prices.

UK Flooring Direct prides itself on its unrivalled customer service. Homeowners looking to install new flooring products in their home will be faced with plenty of choice. For those that become overwhelmed with the sheer amount of choice onsite, the team are always happy to help.

The Advice Centre is full of up-to-date news and helpful advice on the benefits of certain flooring products. Those who wish to find out more about installation and maintenance of products can get all the help they need from the team of experts who are available via email, telephone or online chat.

Free samples are available on a wide range of flooring products available at UK Flooring Direct. This has proven highly lucrative to homeowners who wish to try before they buy. Once a flooring product has been chosen, customers will find a range of products available for purchase at dramatically reduced rates.

The Sale page onsite offers customers a range of flooring products, whether it be laminate or engineered wood flooring for competitive prices. Those on a budget are able to decorate their rooms in style. Currently, the series 6mm French oak laminate flooring is available at £5.22 per square metre and is available as a free sample before purchase.

To browse the full range of products available and to take advantage of up to 50% off showroom prices, simply visit UKFlooringDirect.co.uk.

Art Deco America meets British Heritage as Chisel & Mouse release phase two of their iconic building collection

Chisel & Mouse, British based architectural model-makers, have launched phase two of their collection of hand crafted plaster models of iconic buildings. They are available to purchase at www.chiselandmouse.com. The models are approximately 25cm high and cost between £89 and £139. They are made of fine plaster and many are finished with etched brass detailing.

Building on their initial release, Chisel & Mouse have expanded their collection with a new range of models from Art Deco America, Scotland, Rennie Mackintosh, Art Deco Britain and heritage Britain.

In the words of the brothers, Gavin and Robert Paisley, who founded the business: "Each model is individually hand crafted in our studio in Sussex, England. They are made of strong plaster that has a reassuring weight and smooth, cool feel. The models are perfect for displaying on mantelpieces, bookshelves, window sills and tables. They capture the beauty of the buildings and really are statement pieces of art."

Their iconic building collection now includes:

- Abbey House
- Arsenal Stadium
- Bankside Power Station
- Battersea Power Station
- Broadcasting House
- Bodiam Castle
- Buckingham Palace
- Charlotte Square
- Cincinnati Union Terminal
- Columbia Height
- Craven Cottage
- Empire State Building
- Freemasons' Hall
- Glasgow School of Art
- Greyhound Terminal
- Guggenheim Museum
- Hoover Building
- Ibrox Stadium
- News Building
- Regency Town House
- Whitechapel Gallery
- Willow Tearooms

For more details why not visit these links?
store@chiselandmouse.com
www.chiselandmouse.com
www.facebook.com/chiselandmouse

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Top Tile Tips - How to store and fix mosaic tiles

Tips on how to store and fix mosaic tiles

Mosaic tiles offer an incredibly flexible and stylish way to add interest to a room. They can be used in many different ways such as creating feature walls or as a way of defining an area such as a shower enclosure. Fixing or laying mosaic tiles can be a daunting task but with the latest tips on ‘how to store and fix mosaic tiles’ from ceramiktiles.com an excellent result can be achieved.

Storage
• To protect your mosaic tiles, always store them in a covered place away from dampness. If the sheets become damp, mosaics can become detached from the paper or net they are attached to.
Preparation
• Firstly ensure the surface the mosaics are going to be fixed to is flat, firm, dry and clean from any loose particles.
• Before starting to fix the tiles with adhesive you are advised to do a dry run and position the sheets over the surface to be covered.
• To help you fix the sheets in straight vertical & horizontal line, use a ruler and spirit level to draw guidelines over the surface.
• Remember when you transfer the sheet measurements to the surface being tiled, allow for grout joints between each sheet. These should be the same as the spacing between the individual pieces.
• If you want to be particularly creative and plan to create a picture using mosaics it is really important to mark on the surface the right position of the picture and organise the rest of tiles around this central image.
Fixing the mosaic tiles
• Start by preparing the adhesive by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Your tile supplier will be able to advise you on the best adhesives to use.
• Then check that the consistency of the mixture is strong enough so the mosaic sheets remain in position and do not slide after being fixed. Apply sufficient adhesive to the wall in a shape of a column for about six sheets at a time, suggested depth of adhesive is 3mm.
• Start fixing the tiles from top to bottom.
• If the mosaics are on paper, the paper must face you when attaching the tiles to the adhesive.
• If the mosaics are on net, the net side needs to be attached to the adhesive.
• Take the first sheet by the upper end and carefully move it into position and then softly attach it to the surface. Make sure you are happy with the position before pressing it more firmly into place. You can use a rubber trowel to help you press the sheet against the surface. Do not press too hard as you do not want the adhesive to squeeze out.
• Do the same for the next sheet but be careful to leave the same distance between the sheets as there is between the individual pieces. Make sure you position the sheets in order to get all the grout lines aligned. Repeat this process for the next four sheets.
• Once the first six sheets are laid and you are happy that they are aligned and are straight both vertically & horizontally, remove any excess adhesive from the grout lines.
• Continue the same process with the next column of six and remember to always tile from top to bottom.
When using mosaics on paper only
• Once the adhesive is dry, which is normally after 24 hours, remove the paper using a damp sponge. It is really important to take care and remove all the paper. Wash the tiles with clean water in order to remove any possible remains from the paper adhesive.
Completing the grout lines
• The grout line colour plays an important role in the finished appearance of the wall. There are many colours available and you should choose a grout colour which combines well with the mosaic.
• Once the adhesive is set, normally after 24 hours, you can start the grouting. This is an important stage where care needs to be taken.
• Grout lines (i.e. where you are going to grout) have to be dry, clean and free of dust.
• Prepare the grout mixture following the manufacturer’s instructions and make sure that it is smooth, consistent and easily spread. Place some of the grout on a rubber trowel and fill all the grout lines, leveling them at the same time.
• Make sure you do not leave any excess grout in joints or on the mosaic surface; you can always refill the grout lines.
• When the mixture is starting to dry and before it has hardened wipe the mosaics with a dry cloth, to clean of any excess grout before it sets. As soon as the mixture starts to harden, you will need to wash the tiles with a damp sponge. Correct grout lines are normally clean and slightly sunken from the tile surface.
Maintenance
• For daily cleaning use a neutral cleaner designed for everyday use. If you’re unsure as to which product to use, your tile supplier will be able to recommend a product. Do not use polish, oils or acid products.
• For occasional cleaning you may be able to use slightly acidic products but always follow the instructions from the manufacturer. As soon as you have finished, wash the tiles several times with water. Please be very careful as some mosaics can be damaged by acidic products.

About Ceramiks Ltd
Ceramiks Ltd is a leading importer and retailer of wall and floor tiles with over 30 years’ experience providing retail customers and the trade with an excellent choice of tiles and accessories at highly competitive prices. Retail customers can view over 450 tiles at www.ceramiktiles.com.

Bedroom World Offers Up to 60% Off Diverse Range of Premium Beds

Bedroom World is known in the home improvements world for its commitment to supplying an eclectic range of beds at competitive prices. This month, the beds specialists are offering customers up to 60% off their already low prices at a time when people across the nation continue to feel the squeeze.

Bedroom World is a one stop shop for homeowners looking for new beds, bed frames and accessories. Customers are offered a diverse range of beds in all shapes and sizes, from single beds to king size beds for both children and adults.

Homeowners looking for the ultimate in comfort may find the Dorset Deluxe Luxury Bedstead to meet their requirements. Boasting luxury elegance, the Dorset bed oozes a contemporary style which is sure to inject personality into the home. Currently with 44% off its original price, the bed can be bought for just £99.99.

For those looking for a bed like no other, the Stanton Bonded Leather TV Bed incorporates style, comfort and practicality. Homeowners are invited to relax and entertain the Stanton TV Bed from Bedroom World. Right now, customers can save £2020 and pay just £1199.99 for this leather TV bed complete with 32” HD 3D television.

Bedroom World continues to offer customers money saving promotions with its current mattress sale. Homeowners purchasing a bed from Bedroom World can save an additional 15% off selected mattresses.

Browse the full range of beds and accessories at Bedroom World by visiting BedroomWorld.co.uk.

SANIPACK – the obvious solution

The Sanipack from Saniflo is designed to take waste and water from a complete shower room almost anywhere!

Installing a Sanipack is the stylish way to add a washroom, shower unit or even a complete en suite shower room or bathroom in a basement or loft extension - or in any home improvement where conventional large bore pipework is impractical.

Saniflo Sanipack small bore macerator pump for is ideal for use with back-to-wall and wall hung sanitary ware.

This extra slim unit from Saniflo will take waste and water from wall hung WC pans, shower cubicles, bidets and washbasins. Built with a 400watt motor which runs at 2800 RPM using 22mm pipework it is capable of pumping waste water 4m vertically and 40m horizontally or a lesser combination of both. Its compact design allows it to be neatly concealed behind a wall panel and can be fitted with a sanialarm.

Don't move, improve with Saniflo!

For more information contact:  Email: sales@saniflo.co.uk

Wall mounted floating wooden cabinet

Step by Step

How to make and install a floating wall-mounted Shaker-style wooden box for your DVD player and set top box for your wall-mounted flat screen TV…

Bought a flat screen TV and proudly wall mounted it only to have to deal with trailing wires to your DVD player and set top box? Make yourself a small floating wall mounted Shaker style wooden cabinet to take your DVD player and set top box and hide the wires behind a white board centered below your flat screen TV. Sounds complicated? Not a bit of it! Simply follow our step-by-step guide below!

Tools :

Dremel DSM20 Compact Saw with the DSM Edge Guide, Dremel DSM840 Cutting Guide and the Dremel DSM500 Multipurpose Wheel

Dremel 3000 with the Dremel Plunge Router Attachment 335 plus router bits 615, 640 and 654 and the Dremel EZ SpeedClic sanding discs SC411
Dremel Glue Gun and 7mm Wood Glue Sticks GG03

Other materials :

2350 x 500 x 18 mm premium timber board for wooden cabinet and internal shelf
Glass round handles for cabinet
3 metres of planed 36 x 4mm pine strip wood
Suitable screws/fixings to affix floating cabinet to wall
Batons to affix floating cabinet to wall
Primer and white satinwood paint
Panel pins
Tape measure

Cutting list

244 x 400 x 18mm premium timberboard for two sides of the cabinet
243 x 396 x 18mm premium timberboard for two doors
509 x 277 x 18mm premium timberboard for top
509 x 277 x 18mm premium timberboard for base
453 x 400 x 18mm premium timberboard for back
453 x 224 x 18mm premium timberboard for shelf
Four 396mm lengths of 36 x 4mm pine strip wood for upright door details
Four 171mm lengths of 36 x 4mm pine strip wood for horizontal door details
Two 224mm lengths of 36 x 4mm pine strip wood for shelf supports
White board/cable hide: 140mm w x 100mm h x 70mm d

Difficulty rating : three/four stars – intermediate

Step 1

Measure your DVD player and set top box to decide on the dimensions for the cabinet. Mark where it will go on the wall – centered, for example, allowing for a gap to get to any controls on the underside of the flat TV screen and for the wires. Measure the gap at the bottom of the TV screen where the wires need to be hidden by your white board, above the wooden cabinet.

Step 2

Mark up and cut all of the lengths of wood using the Dremel DSM20 compact saw, the DSM500 Multi-Purpose Cut-Off Wheel and the DSM Edge Guide as per our cutting guide above.

Step 3

Then rout the front and side edge details onto the top of the cabinet using your Dremel 3000 multi-tool, Plunge Router Attachment 335 and the router bit 615.

Step 4

Using your Dremel Glue Gun and Dremel 7mm Wood Glue Sticks GG03, glue and pin the back of the cabinet to the two sides, and then glue and pin the top and base to the back and sides. Leave to dry.

Step 5

Cut the ten lengths of 36 x 4mm pine strip wood for horizontal and vertical door details using your Dremel DSM20, with Multi-Purpose Cut-Off Wheel with the DSM840 Cutting Guide. Glue and pin the strips of wood using the Glue Gun and 7mm Wood Glue Sticks GG03 as before, onto the fronts of each door to create the Shaker effect.

Step 6

Choose where you want the hinges and rebate the cupboard and doors for each of them using your 3000 multi-tool with Plunge Router Attachment and router bits 654 and 650. Fit the doors to the cabinet with the hinges, and the screws that came with the hinges, using a manual screwdriver or powered driver and a suitable bit.

Step 7
Cut the shelf using your Dremel DSM20 and Multi-Purpose Cut-Off Wheel to the size in our cutting list. Then, fit the shelf inside the cabinet. Make two wooden shelf brackets from the strips of wood you cut earlier. Cut the shelf supports from the 36 x 4mm pine strip wood, as per our cutting list. To fit the shelf supports inside the cabinet, glue and pin at a height of 19.1cm from the base. Leave to dry before inserting the shelf. Then, fit the shelf inside the cabinet.

Step 8
Fill all end grains with wood filler and sand off any excess using the multi-tool and EZ SpeedClic sanding discs SC411.

Step 9
Prime and paint to accessorise with wallpaper. Fit the door handles and mount the cabinet onto the wall at the desired height.

TIP: if you don’t need a wooden cabinet for this purpose, you could still use this project step-by-step guide if you wanted to make any small cabinet e.g. for the bathroom or kitchen.

For more information visit: www.dremel.co.uk

For more great projects, visit:

http://www.dremeleurope.com/specials/book-of-inspiration/gb/en/index.html

That's Parenting: Create The Perfect Nursery For Your Little One

That's Parenting: Create The Perfect Nursery For Your Little One: When you're expecting a baby - or more than one! - there are lots of things to think about. One of the items at the top of the agenda is th...

Turn Your Bedroom Into A Boudoir With the new Hepburn bedstead from Dreams

Spring time calls for new projects - so what better way to start, than transforming your bedroom into a sumptuous boudoir with the Hepburn bedstead?

The Hepburn bedstead is incredibly chic in design, richly upholstered in beautiful amethyst velvet with a deeply set buttoned headboard and rolling scroll ends.

To ensure you enjoy a great night's sleep as well as making a stylish statement in your home, Dreams offers the Hepburn bedstead with a choice of solid slats, which provide a firm base to your mattress, or sprung slats for a softer feel.

To complete the transformation of normal bedroom into luxurious boudoir, just add beautiful bed linen and cushions!

The Hepburn bedstead is available in king and super king sizes from £599.

FACTFILE:
Dreams is the UK's biggest bed specialist, with over 275 Bed superstores nationwide
Over 25 years experience offering everything for a great night's sleep
Dreams extensive ranges combine the very latest in sleep technology with exclusive styles and designs to offer Britain's largest choice of beds
Dreams has its own bed factory right here in the UK and is now one of the country's largest manufacturers of beds and mattresses.