If you’ve been craving some greenery, here are some basic steps to take to make sure the plant life in your home thrives.

Evaluate your space and time

You might have grand plans for your spaces, you might even have specific plants already picked out, but it will be all for naught unless you can fit it all in your space and make it look aesthetically pleasing in the end.

Therefore, the first thing you should do is evaluate the spaces you intend to incorporate plants into. Perhaps the most important factor to pay attention to is natural lighting. Plants need water and sunlight to thrive. If there isn’t enough sunlight, your plants will have trouble surviving.

Check which direction your windows face. If you have south-facing windows (and live in the northern hemisphere), you’re in luck! West-facing and east-facing windows are also good for many plants. North-facing windows don’t cut it for most greenery, so if you have only north-facing windows, you might have to resort to getting a grow light.

It’s not enough to just have south-facing windows. It’s also important to have an idea of the space you have near windows and how much time you have to tend to your little green friends. These factors should influence which plants you decide to purchase, as many plants require different things, and should be combined with others in ways that please the eye.

Maximise your space

Most people have limited space for plants. You simply can’t just buy every plant you see and hope to fit them all in your home while still leaving space to breathe. However, if you have evaluated your space effectively, you should be able to maximise it to create a lovely smorgasbord of greenery.

The first thing you should consider is what your goal is for each space. This encompasses colour, sizing, grouping, depth, and height, as well as considering your lighting limitations.

Then, consider whether you want plants to sit on the floor, on a bench or table, or perhaps even hang from the ceiling. Once you have an idea what you want to do with each space, consider grouping plants together that enjoy the same kinds of conditions. Also, figure out which kinds of plants will complement each other, and how you can set them up to accentuate their features and the dynamics of the room.

Choose the right plants

While you can find plants in a wide range of stores, there are certainly places to buy from that are better than others. The most important thing to look for when buying a plant is health, because your goal should always be to help it grow. In general, saturated and deep colour is a indicator of good health, as well as evidence of new growth, such as shoots or buds.

This is why ‘Mom and Pop’ nurseries are the best place to buy from. In general, they take amazing care of their plants and are knowledgeable about post-purchase care. They can also help you with advice on your general plan and help you tweak it to suit your needs.

There are also garden centres in most large hardware shops, however, the plants at these shops might not be as healthy, and you might have trouble finding advice about your purchases.

Lately, there has been a trend towards purchasing plants or seeds online. But with a certified minefield of online plant retailers cropping up over the last decade, it’s best to play it safe and choose to get your plants from reputable companies that grow their own. The benefit of ordering online is that you have a wider variety of options and can find some real rare stunners, which helps if you already know exactly what you’re looking for. But keep in mind that, in general, the plants you buy online will be smaller and could take a while to be delivered.

Think outside the pot

Who says you have to pot plants in plain ceramic or terracotta? There are so many fun and unique ways to display your little green friends these days, so let your imagination run wild!

If you need some inspiration, there are many tried and true options that you can bring home. Something as simple as a ceramic pot with a unique design can really make a display pop. Terrariums can also bring a nice focal point to an otherwise dull room. Hanging pots are certainly trendy lately, and they can help maximise your space if you’re limited. Bird cages fit this mould effectively as well. The options at your disposal are virtually endless; if it can hold soil, it can probably host a little greenery. Don’t forget air plants as well.

One of the more interesting trends gaining popularity lately are living walls. Living walls can be a bit tricky to get going, but once they are thriving, they’re some of the boldest and most immersive ways to display plants in your home. There are a number of ways to take them a step further, for example, you could surround yours with a picture frame.

Monitor progress and be flexible

It’s almost guaranteed that you will encounter some issues with certain plants in your collection, if not most. Whether bugs have started attacking the leaves, diseases are latching on, or the leaves are simply starting to brown, there are usually simple solutions to common problems – if you act quickly.

Even better than swift action is thinking proactively about plant health. There are many ways to prevent these issues from arising in the first place. Insecticides are regularly recommended as a preventative measure to reduce the incidence of unwanted pests. Wiping dust off of leaves regularly can help prevent mould from growing. Keeping plants at optimal moisture levels according to their needs can help keep them green and happy.

But if issues occur, and they will, do your best to be flexible with your goals. You cannot force growth or health, so be patient with your green buddies and try them in different spots or different pots if they seem unhappy – as well as different watering techniques and fertilisers.

Not everyone can have the greenest of thumbs, but there are many easy steps to follow to do your best to create thriving plant life. Enjoy building your own little indoor sanctuary!

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In fact, Save The Student’s National Student Accommodation Survey for 2022 found that students are looking earlier and earlier at houses and flats for the next academic year. Up to 24% of the respondents said they began looking for places before and during November, with the number of people looking getting lower the closer it gets to spring/summer. This will be to save themselves the stress of looking during exam season and to make the transition between accommodations easier.

It doesn’t have to be an anxiety-inducing experience though. There are plenty of things you can do to make the move a relatively stress-free experience. This article will look at some of the best things you can do.

Before moving out

When leaving your current property, it’s important to make sure you’re doing all you can to get your deposit back. One of the best ways to make sure of this is by cleaning the property. It doesn’t have to be a fresh coat of paint – just leaving it tidy for the landlord and the next tenants can be enough.

This might feel daunting but splitting the responsibilities between you and your housemates means you can tackle sections of the property individually and clean with more efficiency. The places that tend to need the most TLC are the bathroom and kitchen as they’re the most communally used.

Your landlord is more likely to charge you for cleaning of these which would come straight out of your deposit. A quick sweep for litter around the outside of the property could also be the difference maker.

Once you’ve secured your new location, your utilities and delivery addresses will need to change as well. Depending on if your old or new place has bills included in the price of your rent, you’ll need to either schedule for your utilities to shift to the new address or cancel them. You don’t want to be moving into new digs without hot water or electricity. Or worse, no internet!

Moving day

It’s moving day. Your stuff is in boxes and bags of varying sizes, and it’s time to shift it all to the new place. There are plenty of ways to get there, and some of you may be lucky enough to own a car. If not, and you have a licence, hourly car rental is an option too. Plus, there are always buses, taxis, and whatever other public transport is available in your city.

Another great option is the classic ‘man with a van’. Across the UK there are tonnes of freelance men with vans that act as ad-hoc removal services. When you arrive, be extra careful when moving your things in. Leaving any bags or boxes
unattended could inspire opportunistic individuals in the area to take anything that isn’t glued down.

Once you’re settled in

After you’ve chosen your rooms and put everything where it needs to be, now is the time to give the
property a quick glance over. Making sure you have a checklist of everything in the property you
may not have spotted when you first looked around is important, as you don’t want the estate
agents or landlord to think you caused them.

If you move into a property and it’s unclean or there are a lot of damages that need repairs, take pictures on your phone to send to the landlord or your estate agents. Having the photographic proof that those issues were there on moving day they can get sorted as quickly as possible.

A lot of properties will also have an inventory of what comes with it. Once you’ve run through that list and made a note of anything you can’t find or isn’t there, you can inform the owner and they can replace it if needs be. In this time, making a note of the fire escapes would also be useful, and you could introduce yourself and your housemates to the neighbours if you aren’t too tired.

When it comes to moving to a new house or flat, preparation is the key to a less stressful process. Moving while at university gives you the opportunity to experience what it’s like and feel that independence for yourself. There’s plenty to do, but breaking it down into steps will help the process. Once you’ve got yourself settled, do a thorough check of the property and make a note of any damages or anything missing from the inventory. Letting the owner know as soon as possible can prevent any confusion and get a replacement to you quickly.

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A wet weather plan

The British summer can be notoriously wet, and so you might be planning to keep your celebrations indoors. To turn your home into a party palace, spray the ready-to-use Zoflora Disinfectant Mist in your living room to eliminate odours on sofas and cushions to leave a beautifully fragrant space. Don’t forget, the mist can also be used on hard surfaces, leaving them touch-dry and disinfected in as little as 45 seconds and soft furnishings disinfected within a two-minute contact time.

In the kitchen, once you’ve finished finalising party-food preparation, use a disinfectant cleaner over your worktops. Simply spray and effortlessly wipe over with a clean cloth or sponge. 

To ensure your bathroom and downstairs toilet is ready for your guests, beautifully fragrance the room using Zoflora’s Concentrated Multipurpose Disinfectant. Great for freshening up, simply pour two neat capfuls of your favourite fragrance down the sink drain, into the toilet basin as well as the toilet brush holder to kill 99.9% of viruses and bacteria and leave your bathroom beautifully fragrant all day long. 

And don’t forget about high contact areas such as light switches and door handles which would benefit from a pre-party clean.

Braving the British weather

If your street is feeling brave and holding out hope for the sun to shine, here are some ways to make sure your street is sparkling, too: 

Wheelie bin barriers

Mark off any proposed street celebration area using neighbourhood wheelie bins. This will help define your designated party space for decorations, furniture, and food and drink as well as an area for guests to relax and socialise. The wheelie bins also serve to quickly dispose of any litter. 

But don’t let your bins overpower your party, refresh them by spritzing the insides with Zoflora’s Disinfectant Mist or Multipurpose Disinfectant Cleaner and give them a quick wipe down. 

You can also use Zoflora’s Biodegradable* Antibacterial Cleaning Wipes on the bin lid handles and around the outside for a quick surface spruce up. The new product format kills 99.9% of enveloped viruses and bacteria and leaves a beautiful, fragrance. We recommend a zesty fragrance, such as Lemon Zing, to fill the air with an invigorating scent.

Disinfect the drains

Whilst you are tucking into your Victoria sponge and scones, the last thing you need is the street drains ruining your celebratory feast. Ahead of the party, pour a cap or two of Zoflora’s Concentrated Multipurpose Disinfectant in drains close by to eliminate odours from the drains, and kill 99.9% of bacteria and viruses at the same time. 

We recommend a crisp fragrance, such as Cypress & Sea Sage, to fill your street with a fresh and energising feel. 

Tables and chairs 

Make it comfortable! The celebrations could last all day so make it a party space you and your neighbours can gather, sit, relax and enjoy.

Outdoor furniture often goes unloved. To give seats and tables a royally good clean up, use Zoflora Multipurpose Disinfectant Cleaner to give them a hygienic refresh. The convenient, ready to use disinfectant spray makes it quick and easy to wipe over. 

Freshening up cushions and soft furnishings for your street party couldn’t be any easier, either. Simply spray Zoflora’s Disinfectant Mist to create beautiful fragrance for 24 hours whilst killing 99.9% of bacteria and viruses, including the COVID-19 virus (SARS-CoV-2). 

If you have the space, we’d suggest placing long trestle tables down the middle of the street and asking everyone to bring a brightly coloured tablecloth for a patchwork quilt effect alongside the amazing spread of party foods. Zoflora’s convenient Biodegradable* Antibacterial Cleaning Wipes were created with quick clean ups in mind, so bring a pack to the table for any spillages.

To see your company in any upcoming features we are arranging please email editorial@hurstmediacompany.co.uk

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This Morning’s gardening presenter Daisy Payne is on hand to offer some simple tips on what we can do day-to-day to help protect biodiversity in our own outdoor spaces.

What do you think is the best way to get kids involved in gardening?

Allowing children to get involved in smaller gardening activities such as planting and sowing seeds is a great way to inspire our future generations to love and respect wildlife. Brands like Birds Eye are leading the charge on this by giving families an opportunity to protect and support biodiversity in their own outdoor spaces.

Birds Eye Peas, for example, are giving shoppers the opportunity to win 1 of 20,000 wildflower seedboxes which helps kids get involved in gardening for free. It’s also a great way for parents or guardians to start the conversation with kids about biodiversity and educate them on the best way to protect nature in the long-term, teaching them to do their bit and help wildlife thrive.

Do you have any tips on maintaining a garden with a dog running around?

Having a dog and keeping your garden tidy are two things that don’t sound like they quite fit together, but there are a few things you can do to help. With my dog Ernie, I make sure that he has toys around the garden to help keep him entertained so his attention isn’t on digging up my nice flower beds. You can also look to put fences around your plant beds or I’d suggest raised flower beds to make it harder for them to get their paws on them.

How do you know for sure that the foods you’re buying are really doing their bit for the planet?

It can be hard to know which brands to trust when it comes to sustainability, a general rule is to take a look at what the manufacturers are doing to support sustainability. You can do this by looking at their website or on the pack. Birds Eye, for example, work with nature through sustainable farming techniques which actually, help boost biodiversity.

They’ve even become the first farm group in the UK – and the first frozen food brand in the world – to be awarded the gold standard in its Farm Sustainability Assessment from the Sustainable Agriculture Initiative (SAI) which is the world’s leading platform on promoting Sustainable Agriculture practices.

What if you don’t have much outdoor space, is there a way to grow your own with a window sill or balcony space?

Anyone can try their hand at gardening, window boxes are perfect for those that have a window sill or balcony space – as well as the new trend of vertical gardens. Or if it’s becoming a real hobby, get yourself an allotment plot like me! It’s a great way to feel more part of your community too. The wildflower seedboxes giveaway from Birds Eye Peas might be a great place to start.

Anything anyone can do to help do their bit in reversing biodiversity loss is better than not doing anything at all.

When it comes to growing your own veggies at home, where would you recommend starting?

Are there any that are easier to maintain than others? Or is there one foolproof way to grow the perfect tomatoes for example?

To get started with growing your own veg, I’d start with those that need less maintenance – so I’d try courgettes or potatoes for example. In terms of a fool-proof way of growing, I think it comes down to the individual – obviously like anything that you plant it needs love, water and the right amount of sun – but that’s the fun of gardening, the more you do, the more you’ll learn.

What’s the best way to keep weeds under control without using products that may be harmful to the planet?

If you want to get rid of weeds – one of my preferred options is a really organic way, which is the no-dig method you get yourself some layers of cardboard, place it down over the weedy area, make sure it’s firm down, plenty of layers. It works so well because the cardboard stops light and vital nutrients reaching the weeds, meaning they can’t thrive!

What about inside the house? Do you have any advice for growing indoor plants?

Yes, I love when people bring the outside in. I’d say my favourite tip for indoor plants is to remember to rotate them so they can grow evenly.

We know quite a bit about your gardening style, but what about inside, do you have a specific style when it comes to decorating the interior of your home?

My garden is always going to be my favourite place to ‘decorate’, but when it comes to inside my home, I love a fresh, country feel – especially as I live in the Cotswolds. I guess you could say my house feels rather coastal with blue and white tones too!

What about in the kitchen? Do you have any favourite recipes to make with homegrown herbs and vegetables?

To be honest, I’m not sure I do – I just love making anything with vegetables I have grown myself. Although, I must confess when I’m busy you can’t beat the convenience of Birds Eye’s Garden Peas and knowing they are grown sustainably makes them taste even sweeter! The pea recipe finder on their website is great for when you need some dinner inspiration.

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Investing in a property abroad is one of the biggest life steps you can make. So what should British expats think about when it comes to securing their dream home?

Checklist spoke to Nikki Taylor, CEO of Italy Property Consulting, the world’s leading bilingual specialist for Italian property purchases for foreigners. She specialises in helping foreigners purchase new homes in Italy, either for personal use or to utilise as a successful holiday rental.

The property professional is also running an incredible competition to win a fully renovated home in Ostuni, Italy to immediately move into or rent out.

Nikki says: “The giveaway property competition I am running is an example of the work that I do. This property has gone up over 30% in value since I bought it. Plus, it is located in a strategic position and it is already an existing holiday rental.”

Located in the heart of Ostuni’s white-washed, picturesque old town overlooking the Adriatic Coast; learn more about this turnkey property here.

Questions to ask before moving abroad

If you’ve been thinking about relocating, whether that’s to Italy or anywhere overseas, having a clear plan before you move will help prepare you for the future and set realistic expectations for arrival.

Where is the ideal place to relocate?

Have you already nailed down the place you wish to relocate to, or are you weighing up a few different options? If you’re considering moving abroad it’s time to do some serious research on the whereabouts. Be honest with yourself about whether, for example, you really intend to put in the hours to learn a foreign language. Consider factors like visas, how to stay in touch with loved ones, language and work opportunities. Narrow down your options to the top two or three choices and consider booking an initial scouting trip. If you have only ever visited this place in high summer, maybe book an off-season trip.

Is this a short, medium or long-term plan?

To help plan for your relocation it’s important to have an idea whether this move will be a short, medium or long-term change. This will help you plan for living, job-related expenses and what your immigration path will be. It will also determine how you sort your affairs back home before you leave. For example, why worry too much about healthcare if you’re only living there for the short-term?

Can you afford to move?

You are going to face an onslaught of costs when moving abroad. First off, there will be financial matters to settle at home. Are there ongoing payments you will need to budget for? Will you sell your property or rent it out and risk voids if a tenant leaves? You will need to factor in the cost of moving yourself and your belongings abroad. After you arrive you will need to work out accommodation, food and other immediate expenses you will encounter during the first few weeks. As early as possible, you need to start gathering a “dream life abroad fund”.

What will I live on in my new place?

Unless you are living off savings you will need to consider how you will derive an income once in your new location. Will you need to find a job, and if so, is there plenty of work in your field? Will you be able to maintain your UK income while living abroad? If you’re retired how will you access your pension and will you be eligible for annual increases? For those continuing to derive an income or pension in the UK, using a payment specialist like Smart Currency Exchange can be a great way to transfer money to your new location.

Is it best to keep a home in the UK?

For some people who moved abroad in the boom years of the mid-2000s, the global financial crisis came as a shock. Suddenly they realised that their property had not kept pace with UK property values and they could not return as home owners. Since the Brexit vote and the fall in the value of the pound, the same people are quids in! It is an important consideration, however. The good news is that there is a wide range of investment properties that should keep a portion of your wealth keeping pace with UK property values while you’re living it up abroad.

To rent or buy?

What will you do for accommodation after you arrive? If you plan to buy have you researched laws and regulations affecting non-resident buyers in your new country? What are the costs of buying and what is the local real estate market doing, is it a buyer’s or a seller’s market? If you plan to rent have you researched rental availability in your new location? What are the normal customs with renting, are short-term rentals common or do most landlords require longer-term leases?

Find out more about the competition to win a fully renovated home in Ostuni, Italy here.

To see your company in any upcoming features we are arranging please email editorial@hurstmediacompany.co.uk

The post Expert advice to land your dream Italian home – and the chance to win one appeared first on Checklists.

Whether we like it or not, technology is, little by little, taking over the smooth-running of our homes. Our devices can switch our lights on and off, give us the news headlines over our morning coffee, answer probing questions from the internet, sing us songs, or bark like dogs should we so ask them to. Alexa’s dulcet tones chime from smart speakers in around 78% of UK homes, while 36% of Brits prefer Google Assistant, and sales of smart speakers tend to spike around Black Friday, when retail giants slash their prices and the home assistant technology becomes immediately more attractive.

Home assistant technology is only going to become more intelligent and more omnipresent in 2022, and it may not only improve your household organisation but save you money on your energy bills. Apps such as Nest and Hive thermostats study your household energy usage and adapt it to suit your needs, allowing you to save energy and lower costs. You can configure heat and light settings from these apps, controlling your energy usage far more accurately than turning a dial or flicking a switch on a boiler. It also helps on cold nights when heading back from work, or if you are caught unexpectedly in the rain – you can have your house toasty and warm for your return by remotely adjusting your heating from your phone. Also, if you are prone to accidentally leaving the heating on when you leave the house, smart thermostats allow you to correct the error of your forgetfulness when you’re on the go.

Ai is also making strides in home security, and sales of networked cameras, video doorbells, and smart speakers are expected to boom in 2022. Apps such as Ringo and Eufy allow you to answer your doorbell remotely when it rings, meaning that no matter where you are in the world you can see who’s standing on your front doorstep and speak to them directly. This should bypass any ‘sorry we missed you’ Royal Mail or delivery cards, but also fend off any unwanted guests you’d rather not answer the door.

Linking smart devices will be huge in 2022, thanks in small part to the arrival of Matter. The big AI home assistant players such as Amazon, Google and Apple have agreed that Matter will be a connectivity standard that allows all smart home devices to communicate with each other. In layman’s terms, that means your Siri and Alexa can be friends, and your TV remote can talk to your thermostat. This groundbreaking development is a huge move towards the technological utopia of ‘The Internet of Things’ which will see homes have an interrelated system of objects – from the app that tracks the location of your cat to your bedside lamp – which share data and learn from your surroundings without the need for human intervention. And if that sounds like the robots are planning to overthrow us in 2022, it’s probably because they are.

To see your company in any upcoming features we are arranging please email laura@hurstmediacompany.co.uk or editorial@hurstmediacompany.co.uk

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We all want to clean safely and sustainably around the home, in ways that are not only effective but that will also have minimal impact on the environment. Whether it’s by buying the most eco-friendly cleaning products, or using clever, homespun eco-friendly cleaning techniques. If you have children, health conditions or even sensitive pets in the house, then this can also be a strong driver to make your home cleaner and greener.

Here we spoke to three experts in the field of greener cleaning, for their top tips.

Helen Bee, founder of the multi-award-winning, planet friendly and refillable cleaning brand, Clean Living, says: “Skip chemical scents. Air fresheners might smell pleasant, but they’re incredibly harmful to both the environment and to us. Particularly if you suffer from asthma! There are lots of alternative ways to freshen up the air in your home; add some air purifying plants, dot scented pouches of lavender around, or diffuse essential oils instead.”

Von Sy, founder of plant-based cleaning brand Nimble, agrees: “One thing to be wary of is fragrances. Although they make the cleaning up chore more pleasant with the smell of flowers, citrus, and lavender, fragrances are made with a complex range of chemicals. And don’t be deceived by clever branding – just because a bottle has an ‘eco’ look and feel, make sure you read the label for the detailed ingredients.”

And it’s these ingredients, from the chemicals in the products to the plastic packaging containing them, that cause even greater harm to the environment.

Managing director of Ecovibe, a dedicated eco-friendly products retailer, Stacey Skidmore, says: “Minimise plastic where you can, this can be through using refillable glass spray bottles in place of the traditional single-use plastic bottles, or even using soluble cleaning sachets, which dissolve in water. Also, avoid toxic chemicals where you can. A common myth is the stronger the chemical, the more effective the product will be. However, natural ingredients, such as essential oils and plant extracts work just as well alongside certain antibacterial agents.”

Von Sy adds: “Most of the mainstream cleaning products are over-formulated which means they contain unnecessary levels of chemicals that can be harmful to a young child and the environment. Manufacturers do this so they can make bold marketing claims like they are ‘10 times more powerful’, so with this in mind one thing you can do is dilute the regular cleaning products you use – they are just as effective but reduce the amount of chemicals you are using.”

So, whatever practical steps you take to cleaning greener, there’s one that will make a huge difference overall, and that lies in your consumer purchasing power – all of us should take the time to purchase more thoughtfully.
Helen Bee says: “A more sustainable lifestyle starts by making considered purchases. Before you purchase any product, ask yourself if you really need it. Or whether you can buy a more planet-friendly alternative. There are incredible brands out there offering eco-friendly alternatives. Just read labels carefully to ensure products really are as good as they claim to be.”

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The pair were fan favourites on Interior Design Masters for their ingenuity and dash of levity they brought to the show.

How will you be spending Christmas?

Siobhan: Christmas Eve will be spent with my mum as it’s her birthday, so we always make a fuss of her – we go out for a fancy lunch and plenty of cocktails. Christmas Day is spent with Nick’s family. We have the traditional turkey with all the trimmings and we sing festive songs around the piano. I’m in charge of the entertainment so there’s usually a Christmas quiz and some fun games until the wee hours.

Paul: I will be spending Christmas with family and enjoying some well-earned downtime. And as most of our work is done in November and early December as interiors people, we do tend to get some free time for nights out with friends as Christmas week approaches. Although I say that now and I may end up on a last-minute design project.

If you had one tip for everyone for 2022 what would it be?

Siobhan: Enjoy it! Don’t sweat the small stuff …spending time together is what counts and after the last year I think that’s the most important thing.

Paul: Take every opportunity that comes your way – and say yes a lot more.

How has your life changed since Interior Design Masters?

Siobhan: My life has changed in so many ways, the show gave me the confidence and the push I needed to finally quit my NHS job and pursue a creative path! Since the show it’s been a non-stop rollercoaster ride and I’m enjoying every minute. I sometimes have to pinch myself when I think about the things I’m doing, writing a book, designing my own ranges and working with amazing brands like Amazon Handmade…it really is a dream come true.

Paul: In some ways it’s completely unrecognisable – with events, daily social media content creation and reaping the amazing rewards of having my own collections. But in other ways, I’m still me, working at the wallpaper business where I have always worked and enjoying helping people to turn their houses into homes.

Did either of you think you would be designing your own range when you entered the show?

Siobhan: It has always been a dream of mine to design my own products, when I was a child I wanted to be a fashion designer and spent every spare minute designing ball gowns and cocktail dresses. Now to see my soft furnishing ranges in people’s homes makes me so happy!

Paul: Absolutely not. It’s been on my mental vision board for a while, but even when we were still filming the show I never thought we would get this far this quickly.

What is Gemma Collins like as a work colleague?

Siobhan: Gemma was brilliant, we had such a giggle working together and she is really passionate about supporting small businesses so it was really nice to work on the Amazon handmade curation with her and Paul.

Paul: Gemma was funny and welcoming and very hardworking. I totally admire and respect her work ethic – she gets the job done and keeps a smile on her face throughout.

How were you introduced to Gemma Collins?

Siobhan: I’ve loved Gemma for years especially when I watched the Diva in Lockdown series, she likes to have fun and doesn’t take herself too seriously which are qualities I really like.

Paul: The Amazon Handmade team brought us together – it was lovely to feel the GC warmth!

What inspired you when designing this range?

Siobhan: When curating this range for Amazon handmade I chose things that I knew my friends and family would love and things that had meaning and thought behind them. I think because they are handmade and, in some cases, personalised, it shows that you have really thought about the person you are buying for which makes the gift of giving really special.

Paul: We really loved the handmade aspect to so many items in this range – each gift just seemed so very personal, and being able to customise gifts with names and messages made it that little bit more special.

What’s your favourite product from the collection?

Siobhan: My favourite product from our collection is the wooden LED star, it’s great for styling and looks fabulous wherever you put it. I’ve had it on the mantelpiece at home but I’m going to move it onto the table for Christmas Day and build my centrepiece around it with lots of foliage and candles.

Paul: My favourite is all of the pieces for the home. I do love a cushion so the personalised velvet and metallic cushion from Sunday’s Daughter is top of my list.

Do you have specific areas of expertise where you bow to one another’s opinion? Or is everything collaborative?

Siobhan: I’m always happy to listen to other designers’ opinions and come up with a collaborative design, that was also the case when I worked on the show, BBC Interior Design Masters. No designer ever wants to compromise their ideas, but I find in most cases two heads are better than one and as a team you can create some amazing things.

Paul: We’re both maximalists, so we both tend to agree that ‘more is more’, but Siobhan definitely adds a feminine edge to certain things, and she always defers to me on wallpaper!

How do you decorate your home leading up to Christmas?

Siobhan: I like to go over the top, lots of trees that are jam packed with delicious decorations, every mantle, table and surface us covered in candles, foliage, baubles in bowls and fairy lights! I have bowls of sweets, mince pies and sweet treats dotted around for guests and me. This year I’ve even gone extra on the outside of the house with a huge floral installation, when it comes to Christmas more is definitely more.

Paul: It’s pretty full-on. Last year I had 12 trees, but this year I am scaling back a little and have gone for a colourful theme.

What will you be working on next?

Siobhan: I’m currently writing an interiors book which will be out next October called “More is More Decor” I’m also mid-way through a couple of commercial interior design projects and looking forward to more TV work next year.

Paul: We have some exciting projects up our sleeves and I’m really excited for the year ahead. But first, Christmas dinner!

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“Fragrance has the innate ability to enhance our mood as it travels to the limbic system, aka the emotional brain, where feelings, emotions and memory are processed,” explains Jo Kellett essential oils expert at Tisserand Aromatherapy.

When used within your home, scent can help separate work from play, day from night and ultimately boost your overall wellbeing.

Scent-scape for the new season

As we enter the new season and prepare to hunker down at home, it’s time to inject your space with a new mood in fragrance form.

Think calming woods to de-stress, peppermint to uplift, and lavender to help you drift off into a deep slumber. To tap into the trend, follow our expert guide below on how to use different aromas to support the needs and events of your day…

Try it out yourself by adding a couple of drops of each oil to a spa diffuser and let the fresh scent lightly layer your room while you go about your morning routine.

Fresh start

Morning calls for a hot cuppa and an uplifting scent that will invigorate the senses. Our recommendation? Peppermint, lemon and cardamom essential oil, combined together can refresh and energise a sleepy state of mind.

Spritz the citrusy scent around your workstation whenever you need a little pick-me-up. Top tip? Fabrics hold on to fragrance well so mist onto clothes and cushions for extra staying power.

Transition into evening

Whether you’re settling in for a night on the settee or are getting ready to host guests, set the mood with a soothing scent. Try a candle mixed with balancing geranium, uplifting orange and warming nutmeg – this new flame is a definite crowd-pleaser that’s guaranteed to turn your home into a cosy sanctuary.

Light your candle for 20-minutes prior to guests arriving so your living room or chosen space is full of fragrance. For an even burn, keep it lit for a minimum of two hours. 

Scent to sleep

If a busy mind keeps you up at night, try the Sleep Better range from Tisserand Aromatherapy. Checklist’s top picks? Try Sleep Better Diffuser Oil, and Sleep Better Massage & Body Oil, both of which are packed with soothing lavender, calming jasmine and creamy sandalwood.

Use after a shower or bath, massage the oil onto damp skin to lock in moisture and calm the mind.

To see your company in any upcoming features we are arranging please email laura@hurstmediacompany.co.uk or editorial@hurstmediacompany.co.uk

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With over 750K followers at @thebowenhome, it’s clear we’re not the only ones keen to take a peek at their ongoing house renovations.

Make better use of your outside space

How incredible does Alex and Olivia’s back garden look? Sure, not all of us can afford to install a large bar and hot tub in the mist of our humungous outside space, but that doesn’t mean we can’t jazz things up with the right furniture.

We’re loving their choice of dining table and chairs for entertaining guests and the good news is you can snap it up, too. SUNS Ovada Dining Table is the exact same model the couple chose, complete with matching benches and innovative Vieste seats.

The seats themselves can easily be placed on the bench, without the need for attachments, providing comfort and convenience for long lazy lunches in the sunshine.

Refresh your bedroom in an instant

When it’s time to hit the hay or have a cheeky afternoon nap, then you’ll want to snooze in bedding that’s both comfortable and stylish.

Alex and Olivia certainly got it right when it came to refreshing their own guest room. This Cosmopolitan Dakota Print Duvet Set helps to bring vintage glam to any bed in the house. Sumptuously soft to the touch, the duvet set features a bold Art Deco-inspired palm print with a fun smudge, as well as having a reversible print to boot.

Working from home? Work out there, too!

If you have the space and are as into your fitness regime as the Bowens clearly are, then why not install your very own home gym? With the right equipment and advice on how to work out from a trained professional, you can tone up any areas that need extra attention, getting fit and healthy in the process! This Decathlon Reinforced Flat/Inclined Weight Bench is just the ticket, as it’s perfect for sculpting your body and developing muscle volume and power. Now, it’s time to invest in equipment that’ll see us fit for summer ’22, and by that we mean healthy, not conforming to what society deems “beach body ready”.

Update your kitchen with the right appliance

Just imagine what your ancestors would think if they walked into your kitchen right now. Washing machines, microwaves, dishwashers; it really would be an incredible sight.

Even now we marvel at the latest innovative appliances that make our lives easier, and Alex and Olivia have invested in just that. It’s time to wave goodbye to waiting for your kettle to boil for that early morning cuppa with Quooker’s Nordic taps you get boiling water in an instant.

Available either as a set of Twintaps comprising of a standard hot and cold mixer and a matching Quooker model or as a Singletap to accompany the original kitchen mixer, they dispense water in various temperatures, including boiling, sparkling, chilled, hot and cold.

Because the right lighting is everything

It’s no use decorating your home without showing it off in all its glory, meaning the right amount of light.

Both natural and artificial lighting can transform your room in an instant, with Alex and Olivia choosing to add the perfect finishing touch in their hallway with this floor lamp from Iconic Lights.

We’re loving all of the available accessories from the Bowens’ choice of company, but this Camden Grey Tripod Floor Lamp stands out as both stylish and effective. Made from solid metal, it’s ideal for brightening up any dark spaces that natural light just can’t reach – plus it’s perfect for evenings when you just want to snuggle up and chill.

To see your company in any upcoming features we are arranging please email editorial@hurstmediacompany.co.uk

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