That's Technology: NETGEAR Powerline products scoop HardwareHeaven ‘r...

That's Technology: NETGEAR Powerline products scoop HardwareHeaven ‘r...: Company’s Powerline technology praised for flawless performance. Global networking company NETGEAR has received HardwareHeaven’s ‘recomme...

That's Green: Government announcement on solar subsidy means fut...

That's Green: Government announcement on solar subsidy means fut...: Many homeowners may be aware of all the commotion that has surrounded the government funded feed-in-tariffs (FITs) since they launched in ...

Confused.com reveals homeowners' most expensive possessions are not the most valuable to them

Confused.com has revealed homeowners' most financially valuable possessions are not the ones which are the most precious to them. Computers and jewellery top the list of the most expensive items owned, but 74% of homeowners tell us that sentimental items such as photos, letters and drawings their child has done are more precious than their most costly items.

In a survey of 2,000 homeowners, Confused.com discovered that nearly three quarters said that the most financially valuable item they own is not the most precious item they possess, with photos being considered the most precious or sentimental items owned by UK homeowners.

Men differ from women with more men (29%) than women (23%) saying that the most financially valuable items they own are also the most precious to them, while women (47% compared to 34% of men) feel that photos are the most precious/sentimental items they own. The second most popular sentimental item for women is jewellery while the second most popular items for men are letters.

Older people (over 55s) are more likely to say that items inherited from a relative are among their most precious items but photos and letters are consistently precious across all age groups.

When it comes to insuring possessions, Londoners are most likely to take the gamble and fail to take out a home contents insurance policy: only 64% of Londoners who own their home tell us they actually have home insurance, compared to a national average of 80%. When it comes to 18-24 year-old homeowners, 16% of these do not even know if they have home contents insurance or not. 30% of 18-24 year-old homeowners say they don’t have a policy.

Despite such a large proportion of homeowners telling us that they do not bother with home insurance, 20% admit that they have been burgled in the past. Jewellery is the top item stolen by burglars, followed by items of sentimental value.

Gareth Kloet, Head of Car Insurance at Confused.com said: "Home insurance and a good awareness of home security can help to keep property safe. Sadly burglary is a fact of life that one in five of homeowners who we surveyed had already experienced. While insurance cannot replace items such as photos, it is possible to name precious items (that have a value of more than £1,000) on your home insurance policy. This helps ensure that possessions such as jewellery or antiques or expensive technology can be replaced or compensated for in the event of a burglary."

For more possessions research, Confused.com's unique infographic can be found here: www.confused.com/news-views/infographics/what-items-people-v....

Best of British Union Jack Home Accessories Make a Patriotic Style Statement

Proud to be British? That's very true of the iconic outfit Rustic Angels, the shabby chic, retro and vintage home décor specialists, whose alternative take on Union Jack home accessories and gifts make a vivid style statement perfect for this exciting year.

With all things British currently on trend, add some Union Jack style to your home with the shabby chic twist RusticAngels are famous for:-

Vintage-inspired Union Jack Paper Chains (£3.50 for 3m) and cardboard Bunting (£12.95 for 3m) in faded print with fluted edging, evoke a memory of a bygone era and give an instantly festive feel to your room, garden or table.

The monochrome Union Jack Doggy Doorstop is a new twist on the traditional flag, and makes an impossibly cute (and useful) addition to the family!

Your quintessentially English morning cuppa tastes even better when drunk from a gorgeous bone china Love Britannia Mug (£8.50) featuring the stylish artwork of British designer Jan Constantine.

Whether you’re organising a Jubilee Street Party, hosting your own event or cheering our Olympics team in front of the TV, {{Rustic Angels Best of British home accessories will make sure you’re flying the flag with shabby chic vintage style!}}

To see the range visit: http://www.rusticangels.co.uk/acatalog/rule-britannia.html

You could be crowned the Most Houseproud Householder!

From the dining room to the bathroom, everyone has a favourite room and BISSELL®, Experts in Home Cleaning™, want you to share yours with the world and be in with a chance of becoming Britain’s Most House Proud Home Owner!

If you have a room you are proud of then share it on the BISSELL Facebook page and you could win a luxury spa break for two and a BISSELL CleanView® Lift-Off® Carpet Cleaner worth £399.99.

All you need to do is upload an image of the room you are most proud of by 31st May to www.facebook.com/UK.BISSELL and the cleaning experts at BISSELL will decide on a worthy winner.

Gingerlily introduce the Louise Cushion

Gingerlily, designers of the finest silk bed linen and accessories, has captured this season’s must-have trend for lace perfectly with its new Louise cushion. Each cushion is made using contemporary, cool grey silk and embroidered with delicate black lace.

Perfect for adding a touch of glamour to your bedroom, accessorise the Louise lace cushion with Gingerlily’s striking black silk boudoir pillow case for a stand-out look.

Gingerlily is available throughout the UK, including Harrods and Selfridges. Full stockist details can be found online at www.gingerlily.co.uk or by calling 0843 216 9902.

Gingerlily, designers of exquisite silk filled duvets, bedding and accessories for the ultimate night’s sleep. Made from only the finest ‘A’ grade mulberry silk and designed in-house, Gingerlily products can help you to create the ultimate glamorous bedroom – a haven in which to retreat and be cocooned from the outside world.

Silk has many other health and beauty benefits. It is a naturally hypoallergenic fibre. The main cause of allergies is dust mites. Silk, however, is resistant to dust mites making it ideal for allergy sufferers.

As well as helping relieve allergy sufferers, silk has been recognised for its soothing properties and its ability to help prevent and aid the recovery of skin irritations, poor circulation, arthritis, asthma and night sweats.

Gingerlily’s stunning range includes bed linen, bedding, cushions and nightwear as well as a range of bedding and accessories for children. These beautiful designs will not only transform your bedroom into a luxurious sanctuary but gives you the ultimate night’s health and beauty sleep every night.

UK Flooring Direct Announces its Price Promise Guarantee

UK Flooring Direct prides itself on its premium flooring products and unbeatable prices. In the current economic climate, homeowners across the country are looking to transform their homes for less and at UKFD, the Price Promise Guarantee gives customers the peace of mind that the price they pay will be the lowest prices in the UK.

When spring sprung, homeowners across the country looked to refresh their homes with a new look. Pastel colours made an appearance and new flooring was the perfect way to instantly inject style into the home.

UKFD has become a one stop shop for all flooring products and installation accessories. The team offers expert advice on all things flooring, from choosing the right flooring product to installation and maintenance. As well as providing homeowners with the knowledge they need to purchase and install new flooring, UK Flooring Direct promises unbeatable prices and backs it up with its Price Promise Guarantee.

The team at UK Flooring Direct are confident that their prices are the lowest on the internet and thus have put the guarantee in place. Any customer that finds the same product elsewhere should send proof of where and UKFD will refund the difference in price.

UK Flooring Direct can browse the full range of products available safe in the knowledge that they are getting the best possible price. Visit UKFlooringDirect.co.uk to view the eclectic range of products. Alternatively, Click here to navigate straight to the site and find the best prices on solid wood flooring products, amongst many others.

'from you to me’ launch new Journals of a Lifetime designs for Father’s Day

‘from you to me’ launch new Journals of a Lifetime designs for Father's Day

Multi award-winning gift journal publisher ‘from you to me’ have launched new designs for their best-selling gift for Father’s Day, ‘Dear Dad’.

‘Dear Dad’ contains around 60 fun and inspiring questions carefully designed to inspire every father to enjoy telling his story – a chance to discover amazing things about him. There’s space to record personal stories, attach photographs and include mementos of his lifetime. Once completed, the journal may be shared and treasured for generations to come.

With many people looking for ways to tell their life story and pass on personal experiences to their loved ones, from you to me Journals of a Lifetime can provide the inspiration.

• What do you remember about your holidays as a child?

• What piece/s of music would you choose in your own favourite ‘top 10’ from when you were young?

• What was the first car you owned?

• How did you meet my mother?

• What are the happiest or greatest memories of your life?

• Describe something you still want to achieve in your life…

The perfect unique gift for Father’s Day.

Product Information:
• Designed & published in the UK • First published 1 March 2012 • RRP £12.25
• Interior 120gsm sustainably sourced uncoated paper
• 207mm x 143mm • 128 pages • Cover: Case-bound hard back
• Features: Colour coordinated head and tail band with ribbon bookmark
• Foreign language rights available
• ISBN Dear Mum 978-1-907048-44-9; Dear Dad 978-1-907048-45-6; Dear Grandma 978-1-907048-46-3; Dear Grandad 978-1-907048-47-0
• Available at gift and book shops and at www.fromyoutome.com

Fiskars 'Goes for Gold' With Their Olympic Bunting

August will see the country turn red, white and blue as we support our athletes in their bid for Olymic gold. Armed with a pair of Fiskars Pinking Shears, a handful of fabric and a simple sewing kit you can have your house and garden kitted out in no time to support our team GB.

Pinking shears give a zig-zag edge to fabric which not only looks great but means it won't fray and doesn't need to be hemmed or stitched. By using pinking shears you can create bunting, table mats, napkins, table runners, flags without a sewing machine in sight.

Making decorations doesn't need to be difficult. Whilst it's easy to find Union Jack fabric on line this is a great opportunity to 'upcycle' and use what you have at home. An old white shirt, cast off jeans and unwanted curtains make a great base for bunting.

  

Beautiful Bunting in 2 simple steps 

From a template (lots available online) cut your bunting shape using Fiskars Pinking Shears.

Pin the bunting shapes to ribbon or tape and sew by hand or machine if you have one.

Fiskars Pinking Shears are £35.99 and a great investment for any home. For anyone sewing they are essential but if not they can be used to make quick costumes for school, Christmas decorations, lids for home made preserves, birthday cards, invitations - the list goes on!

Fiskars Scissors are available from stores nationwide or visit www.fiskars.com for details.

Stationery Hits The Headlines

Stationery took centre stage and was the main subject of conversation with consumers across the country on Tuesday, 24 April on the UK’s first National Stationery Day which was organised by the Stationery Show and sponsored by Faber-Castell, Sheaffer and uni-ball.

 

It was mentioned on the Ken Bruce, Steve Wright and Simon Mayo programmes on BBC Radio 2, and was the topic of the day on Twitter and Facebook, and with bloggers around the world.

“Twitter seems to be filled with stationery chatter. Well done!” commented @RymanStationery.

Hundreds of consumers went on Twitter and Facebook and visited www.nationalstationeryday.com  to say why they like stationery and to talk about its importance to them.

And one delighted consumer, Clare Finney from Newcastle, won a stationery hamper worth over £250 in a special National Stationery Day prize draw on Twitter and Facebook.

Stationery retailers and suppliers got in on the act too with many running special promotions in-store and online. They included The Pen Shop, Colemans, Ryman, Osbornes Stationers, Websters Pen Shops, Cult Pens, Bureau Direct and The Journal Shop, to name just a few.

“The response to National Stationery Day far exceeded anything we could have hoped for and confirms stationery’s popularity with consumers” says organiser Chris Leonard-Morgan. “It really captured people’s imagination. It was great that schools also got involved.”

“One of the main aims of National Stationery Day was to get stationery talked about by consumers and the consumer press. It achieved this and more with mentions not just on radio but in the Guardian, Red, GQ and Stylist magazines, Mail Online, Mirror and on Mumsnet and Netmums. And that’s just the ones we know about. The Google references go on and on.”

National Stationery Day will be back in 2013, but bigger and better – watch this space!

That's Green: Painting, but do it with a Conscience!

That's Green: Painting, but do it with a Conscience!: eicó has launched a brand new paint range, eicó Zero VOC, that not only offers superior quality to interior walls, but reassuringly co...

How To Store And Fix Mosaics

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.

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.

New Virgin Media deals could save householders hundreds of pounds

A new deal from Virgin Media offers new customers up to £60 off across its range of broadband, TV and phone packages and bundles until 24/05/2012.

New customers signing up for a Virgin Media Collection of TV, broadband and home phone will get a £60 discount, while customers signing up for a selected bundles of two services will get a £40 discount, and those taking just one service will save £20.

These discounts are running in parallel with Virgin Media’s current six months half price deal for new customers ordering two or more services, and free installation worth £49.95 with bundles that include broadband and phone with or without TV.

Under the deal new customers signing up for the Virgin Media Premiere Collection of multi-room cable TV, up to 60Mbps broadband and unlimited weekend landline calls will save a total of £244.95 thanks to six months half price, free installation and the newly announced £60 discount on all triple bundles.

Paul France from Cable.co.uk, said “The maximum savings on these deals are when customers bundle their broadband, TV and phone services together with six months half price, free installation and a £60 credit to their bill.”

“Competition in the broadband, TV and phone market is hotter than ever, which is good news for consumers but it's important to remember that the headline offers don't necessarily represent the best value for money.

"Our advice to consumers is to always shop around and compare the latest deals from Virgin Media, Sky and BT on an Ofcom approved price comparison site like Cable.co.uk and use the average monthly cost, lifetime cost or first year costs for comparison.”

Example triple bundles:

All packages require a Virgin phone line at £13.90 a month.
Free installation worth £49.95.
£60 credit is applied to the first bill.

Virgin Media Essential Collection
Offer price of £12.50 a month for six months then £25 a month thereafter
6 months half price saving £75, free installation and £60 credit.
Total saving = £184.95

Virgin Media Premier Collection
Offer price of £22.50 a month for six months then £45 a month thereafter.
6 months half price saving £135, free installation and £60 credit.
Total saving = £244.95.

Virgin Media VIP Collection
Offer price of £45 a month for six months then £90 a month thereafter.
6 months half price saving £270, free installation and £60 credit.
Total saving = £379.95

Get the Feather & Black look for your home

 This spring, leading luxury bedroom furniture retailer Feather & Black, features a collection of on-trend accessories in pretty pastels and sorbet shades. The affordable, but luxurious interiors edit gives lovers of indulgent textures and fabulous fabrics an easy and instant way of giving interiors a fresh pop of spring colour and brings the Spring/Summer colour palette trend first seen on the catwalk last Autumn, into the home.

The edited accessories collection features a delicate candy palette of blush pinks, baby blues, lemonade yellows, fresh minty greens and dreamy lilacs together with textures of velvety cashmere, sensual silks, soft waffle and crisp cotton.

Gabriella Douglas, Feather & Black buyers assistant, says: “We took inspiration from scoops of ice cream, sugary seaside rock and beautiful spring time blooms”. After refreshing your boudoir with the palette cleansing sorbet inspired minty hues of the Mai Pistachio bed linen (from £19), Mischa Mint cushion (£25) and candy striped bed linen (from £18), snuggle up and enjoy those lighter spring evenings in our softest cashmere and merino with a Marina Throw (£125).

The fresh florals of the Florence bed linen collection (from £15) and sea-side inspired stripes of the Shelby (from £40) and Candy Stripe (from £18) bed linen collections will also bring a breath of fresh air into the gloomiest of winter bedrooms.

Feather & Black is a leading bedroom furniture retailer with 36 showrooms nationwide, offering a wide selection of exclusively designed products including coordinating bedroom ranges, metal and wooden beds and mattresses, as well as children’s beds and bed linens and accessories for both adults and children.

The pastel trends accessories are available to buy online now.

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