INSPIRATIONAL SMART GARDEN TECH

By Anita JonesIn Outdoor Living0 Comments

INSPIRATIONAL SMART GARDEN TECH

July 13, 2025

Technology for your garden is smarter than ever. Here we look at some of the best from labour saving irrigation systems and outdoor cinemas to cutting edge robotic lawn mowers and wireless CCTV.

FULLY AUTOMATIC AND CLEVER GARDEN IRRIGATION -GARDENA WATER CONTROLS

Water is a valuable resource that we all want to use intelligently and sustainably. GARDENA Water Controls makes saving water a simple task – using this resource efficiently whilst also providing optimal and reliable care for your plants. So the green fingered amongst us can dedicate their time to other more rewarding tasks in the garden.

ROBOMO – ROBOTIC LAWN MOWER Robomo represents that beautiful moment when tech meets gardening. It is the modern day replacement for the more traditional manual mower, ride-on mowers and tractors. This robotic lawn mower can operate, communicate and control your mow from your smartphone. Operating quietly and autonomously, auto mowers are designed to save you both time and money, leaving you free to enjoy other activities with family and friends in the safe knowledge that your lawn will be perfectly mown.

CREATE THE BIG SCREEN EXPERIENCE WITH THIS OUTDOOR CINEMA

Now you can enjoy blockbusters on the big screen at home or outside in your garden. With this versatile SVGA 3LCD technology are capable of delivering a bright and clear picture. And its’ incredibly long lamp life means it offers great
value for money.

“Robomo represents that beautiful moment when tech meets gardening. It is the modern day replacement for the more traditional manual mower, ride-on mowers and tractors.”

WIRELESS CCTV
Arlo Pro 2 is a powerful and easy to use wireless security camera. It makes it easy to keep an eye on your home, inside and out – putting you in control of your smart home security. Thanks to its 1080p video, wire-free simplicity and the option to plug it into a power outlet, it couldn’t be easier to install. And with its weather-resistant design you have peace of mind rain or shine.

By Anita JonesIn Dining Room, Lifestyle, Lounge0 Comments

Tips for Creating a Striking Gallery Wall and Console Display

June 18, 2025

A gallery wall and console display makes a stunning addition to any home.

Transforming the interior of your home with a well-styled console display or gallery wall can truly elevate the overall aesthetic of your home interior. Consider mixing and matching different decorative elements to achieve a captivating visual impact – striking the right balance between cohesion and diversity will result in an appealing and well-composed interior display. Also when coming up with your display concept it’s always a good idea to consider incorporating a harmonious colour climate and a unifying theme to tie all the elements together.

Capturing your style with a carefully chosen console display

For a striking console table display you can’t go wrong if you choose a combination of vases, sculptures, and candle holders alongside functional items like trays and boxes – resulting in the best of both worlds – a visually appealing yet practical display. Adding a striking piece of wall art or a mirror above the console can complete the look and ensure that your interior display truly reflects your personal style.

In the console display pictured above we have kept the display simple and uncluttered using a few carefully chosen artisan items – a contemporary table lamp, a stylish stack of nature books, eye catching ornaments and decorative leafy arrangements. Our nature-themed display incorporates earthy tones, botanical prints, and natural textures like wood, shell, stone and wicker that bring a sense of the outdoors into the space.

GALLERY WALLS

Gallery walls are a stylish way to introduce your personality into your home design and give you the chance to inject inspiration and colour into a room. The most interesting gallery walls feature a combination of art, photography and typography in various textures and types of framing. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different sized mounts and a mixture of slim-line delicate frames or chunky statement pieces.

Whether you choose a collection of family photographs, a quirky quote or even your favourite framed art pieces, arranging them thoughtfully to ensure they complement each other in terms of colour and style will enhance the overall appeal. And adding to your display with decorative elements like wall sconces, plants and greenery can bring extra flair and a finishing touch to your gallery wall display.

“Gallery walls are a stylish way to introduce your personality into a design and a chance to inject inspiration and colour into a room”

Consider a theme for your console display or gallery wall

To get started, try picking a theme or style for your content and run with it! For a boho-chic theme, consider mixing natural textures, intricate patterns, and eclectic decorative pieces to achieve a laid-back and free-spirited vibe. If you’re aiming for all-out glamour, make sure you incorporate luxurious materials like marble, metallic accents, and opulent art pieces that can create a sense of extravagance and sophistication. By integrating a consistent colour palette and a cohesive theme, you can ensure that your interior display creates a captivating and harmonious ambiance.

By Anita JonesIn Outdoor Living0 Comments

Impromptu Summer Garden Picnics

June 17, 2025

summer is the favourite time for making the most of our gardens, whether that’s a barbecue with friends, family fun time or an impromptu sunny afternoon picnic.

Whilst there is an array of fantastic garden furniture on sale from high street retailers, specialist independents and many online websites like ours, sometimes all you need is a few accessory items that don’t cost a lot but make all the difference. Scattered cushions, some casual throws and a little imagination can create a summer garden fantasy. Just add a few of your favourite tasty treats, fresh fruit and fizz to enjoy the perfect chilled-out lazy afternoon.

Shop our oversized cushions in pastel shades for a casually artisan and on-trend look.

Sit down, kick off your shoes and instantly relax.

Eshott cushion covers 45x45cm, in linen Shop Now

“Use rustic wooden crates, boxes or
pallets for instant shelving. They’ll be
perfect to house your candles and
plants for that boho-chic style”

Shop Table & Kitchenware

Shop Vases & Planters

Shop Vases

Imperfect platters

Serve food on simple wooden platters and trays or in china and rustic stoneware pots. Remember, you’re among friends and, in the world of the casually artisan picnic, not everything has to match.

Great crates

Use rustic wooden crates, boxes or pallets for instant shelving. They’ll be perfect to house your candles and plants, somewhere to rest your plates and glasses – and will add to the whole boho-chic style of your summer afternoon picnic. And, of course, you can use them later to store all your must-have items so they are readily at hand next time the sun shines.

Scene setters

Nothing says summer more than fresh, fragrant flowers. Colourful tulips are perfect for those
early summer warm spells we’ve been enjoying in recent years. At the height of summer it might be gorgeous yellow sunflowers or beautiful blue cornflowers that add a natural vibrancy to your outdoor setting.

Hand tie them or arrange them casually in a ceramic or glass vase. Add colourful plants in natural stone, polished or terracotta pots and introduce some scented candles for extra pizzazz. Soothing citrus scents of orange, lemon and lime, or energising bergamot and lemongrass are some of our favourites.

By Anita JonesIn Lifestyle, Outdoor Living0 Comments

The Great Outdoors – Anita’s Picks

June 16, 2025

PLACES TO EXPLORE TO GET CLOSER TO NATURE
AND HISTORY...

Now that the summer holidays are approaching we are all looking for things to do to get us out in the fresh air. Therefore we have put together some of my favourites in the area for days out with the family or a group of friends.

Lyme Park

Set in a 1,400 acres estate, Lyme Park offers glorious walks with stunning views. Wander through the romantic rose garden that played host to Mr Darcy and Miss Bennet’s first meeting in the popular BBC Production of Pride and Prejudice and see how the other half live with a tour of the heritage house and its lavish Regency interiors.

After this, sit back and relax with a coffee while the children run around the Crow Wood Playscape and enjoy the giant slide, rope walks and badger den.

DUNHAM MASSEY

A wander around Dunham Massey can transport visitors to the set of a period drama. The main house is bursting with heritage and guided tours reveal stories and secrets of the past, as well as antiques and artifacts from years gone by.
Perfect for wildlife lovers, the ancient deer park is also home to ducks, swans, owls, woodpeckers and butterflies. Dunham Massey also boasts the Winter Gardens and Rose Gardens – a treat for all the senses with sights and scents of the seasons throughout the year. Guided walks are available
or you are welcome to meander freely before treating yourselves to a bite to eat at the
Stables Restaurant.

QUARRY BANK MILL

A visit to Quarry Bank Mill is the ideal way to learn all about the roots of the industrial era and discover what it was like to live and work in a traditional mill. Learn about the legacy of mill founder, Samuel Greg, see the historic machinery in action and explore the different worlds of the owners and workers. There’s also play areas, shops and restaurants, so you can really make a day of
a trip here.

“For the perfect family day out explore stunning gardens and parks in Cheshire and embrace the natural beauty”

TATTON PARK

Tatton Park is a firm favourite in Cheshire and it’s easy to see why. The sprawling estate comprises 50 acres of landscaped gardens, 1,000 acres of deer park and a farm that specialises in rare breeds – and that’s just the outdoors. There’s a neo classical mansion, medieval Old Hall and variety of restaurants and cafes, too. Children can look forward to the adventure play area, woodland trail, traditional fairground rides and even a den building zone – where will they explore first?

Tatton Park also plays host to hundreds of events a year, so keep an eye on
their calendar.

By Anita JonesIn Flower Arranging, Lifestyle0 Comments

A faux floral arrangement for spring

April 2, 2025

Get into the spirit of Spring with this fresh floral arrangement that displays the power of contrasting soft pastel flowers with subtle green foliage.

Two of my favourite spring florals, the soft pink ranunculus with its full domed head and the fresh white anemone with its striking black stamen, make up the central focus of this hand tied arrangement. The foliage we have chosen adds texture, with the feathery leaves of the silver wattle adding softness at the base of the arrangement, beautifully overhanging the vase, and the structural eucalyptus adding height and contrast to the softer florals.

“Spring is the natural flowering season for the Ranunculus which comes in a plethora of colours and shades. We have chosen the pastel pink as the focal point of our fresh spring bouquet.”

5 x Pastel Pink Ranunculus
Shop Now

5 x Silver Wattle Leaf
Shop Now

2 x Silver Dollar Eucalyptus
Shop Now

4 x White Anemone
Shop Now

WHAT YOU NEED TO MAKE THIS BOUQUET AT HOME

• 5 x Pastel Pink Ranunculus
• 4 x White Anemone
• 2 x Silver Dollar Eucalyptus
• 5 x Silver Wattle Leaf
• 1 x Smoked Sage Large Vase

STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS FOR MAKING YOUR SPRING BOUQUET

To create the handtied look of this arrangement you need to alternate the two main florals, the Ranunculus and the Anemone, with the tall Eucalyptus stems and build the centre of the arrangement in this way. Follow this by then creating a ‘cradle’ using the silver wattle stems so that they form a base that completely surrounds the bouquet. For a more relaxed and natural look they can overhang the neck of the vase as shown in our photo. We have chosen the smoked sage glass vase for its elegant yet contemporary shape but also because the slim neck at the top gives extra support and perfectly suits the nature of a hand tied arrangement.

Click here to Shop Florals