These are the seven bathroom upgrades that will instantly add value to your home - and they're cheaper than you'd think: NICOLE GRAY
Your bathroom might be one of the smallest rooms in the house, but when it comes to boosting your home's value, it packs a serious punch. Whether you're prepping for a sale or just want to freshen things up, here's our list of clever upgrades (most of which are purse-friendly) to transform your space.
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Telegraph
30 minutes ago
- Telegraph
Giovanna Fletcher: ‘I used to get up early for my children; now I get up early for the garden'
Actress, author and podcaster Giovanna Fletcher launched her podcast Happy Mum Happy Baby eight years ago, and was crowned the winner of I'm a Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here! in 2020. She met her husband, the McFly singer Tom Fletcher, at drama school; they married in 2012 and have three children. Four years ago, they moved into a country house with what she describes as her dream garden. Where do you live? About four years ago, my husband Tom, our three boys and I moved to a little village in Hertfordshire. The house used to be the farmhouse of the 'great house' next door and was built in 1710, so straight away there was a sense that we were its new custodians, as well as its owners. Things like the electricity and plumbing were quite patchy, so we did have to pull that out and start again, but I couldn't wait to turn my attention to the garden. The house has an orangery at the back and came with five acres, including a woodland, a field and a very large south-facing garden divided into different sections. At a glance, we knew the previous owners must have loved it, because it had an immaculate lawn, a large weeping willow, flower beds, hanging wisteria and lavender around the patio. What's your main interest in the garden? I used to grow vegetables in our last garden, but by the time we moved here, that had turned into an obsession, and I couldn't wait to get my hands in the soil. Having said that, not long after we arrived, a huge storm blew all the glass out of a lovely old greenhouse at the bottom of the garden. I didn't want to get rid of it, so we swapped the glass for the polythene used in polytunnels and gave it a lick of paint. The next job was to build raised beds. I'd never done this before and, while I wouldn't call Tom a keen gardener, he did a brilliant job making them. They're 60cm high to avoid at least one pest – carrot fly. Potatoes went in, then all sorts of seeds which I buy from Real Seeds and Tomato Revolution – chilli, pepper, cucumber, carrot, cherry, courgette. The funny thing is, when the kids were babies and I was up at night, I'd be looking on my phone to buy things they needed. Now, if I can't sleep, I'm looking at seed varieties! Which veg is your favourite? At the very top of my list are tomatoes and it's probably because it connects me to the Italian side of the family, particularly my father's mother, Nonna. She lived to the age of 96 and left a huge impression on me; Dad idolised her. She was born and raised in a mountain village, just outside Naples, and when she married my grandfather, she went to live with him on his farm. Then in November 1980, there was a terrible earthquake, and their village was nearly wiped out. They had to live in tents and eventually got a prefab house but still had to go up the mountain for water. Most importantly, they got a garden where Nonna used to grow tomatoes. We'd go over there in the summer just as they were getting ripe, so there were always plenty of amazing salads, but Nonna would also begin the tradition of making pots of passata which would keep for months. In memory of her, I now make it too. Do your children help you in the garden? We have three boys – Buzz, 11, Buddy, 9, and Max, 6 – so the garden is their playground, but they'll often come and see what I'm doing or help me plant something. We have a bed full of strawberry plants which they love picking as soon as they're ripe, and last summer, Max and his friend had great fun helping me pull up the potatoes. He also brought home a broad-bean plant from school, and, like any parent, I refused to let this plant die! Happily, it lived and went on to produce lots of beans which we replanted this year, so Max now has loads of broad-bean babies which he's very pleased about. I just need to find some great recipes to use them up. Did you have a garden as a child? My family lived above a café in Canning Town in East London until I was three, when we moved to Essex. We then had a garden, which was used by my brother, sister and me for bikes and paddling pools, but I also remember parading around it in Mum's high heels and fake fur coats. Then when I turned 13, we were living in a village in Essex called Ingatestone and I applied for a Saturday job at the village's family-run florist. It was the week before Valentine's and they'd just lost their bucket girl. It was mayhem! A few weeks later, it was Mother's Day, and we were inundated. It was a real focal point for the community and life's big occasions – babies, birthdays, anniversaries, weddings and funerals. I loved it and stayed for four years. I only left because I got my driving licence and got a job at Debenhams in Chelmsford. Did your floristry experience give you a particular affinity for flowers? I absolutely love anything that blooms. And when we came here, we were lucky to inherit some wonderful flowers, including large peony bushes and hydrangeas which have the biggest flowerheads I've ever seen. They also turn from beautiful shades of lilac blue to powder pink. On one side, there's a small pond which looked like the perfect spot to create something new, so we got a company called Dig to help us build an herbaceous area to fill with flowering shrubs. It has a pink and peach theme and looks gorgeous. Sometimes, I wish we had a proper cutting garden. Problem is, I'd probably struggle to cut the flowers and bring them in. Is the garden home to much wildlife? In the field we have beside the house, there's a much larger pond. Next to it, the previous owners had made a sauna, and we fully intended to go in the sauna and jump in the pond every day. That didn't happen. Bit by bit, the pond was overtaken by wildlife which is wonderful. We also have ducks, as well as rescue chickens, and they love it. Next, we had newts, toads and frogs moving in, which the boys – who already have a bearded dragon lizard and a giant African land snail – go down to look for all the time. They did want us to add some big fish to the pond, and we nearly made the massive mistake of buying koi. Just before we did, Tom found out that they would have eaten everything else in the pond. Do you often find yourself 'disappearing' into the garden? I spent 11 years getting up ridiculously early to sort out the boys. Now I find myself getting up ridiculously early to water the plants. The greenhouse is slightly removed from the house, so I'll often go in there and listen to a podcast or some music; at the moment it's this lovely album by Michael Kiwanuka called Small Changes. The music and the garden just seem to transport me somewhere else. I've come to realise that gardening teaches you to stop… to calm down and switch off. As in life, the garden comes with failures as well as successes, and it's the failures that teach you resilience, perseverance and plenty of patience.
The Sun
31 minutes ago
- The Sun
I'm a gardening expert – here's the post-heatwave flowers you need to plant now to inject vibrant, seasonal colour
AFTER a scorching weekend, the recent cooler and wetter weather will come as a a welcome relief – especially for keen gardeners. The turn in conditions give us a perfect opportunity to revive outdoor spaces that have been left looking dull, brown and lifeless by the dry conditions. 2 2 And it's the perfect time for gardens to come alive with colour. The experts say with just a few standout plants, even the smallest yards can feel refreshed and full of life. Emma Fell, Head of Horticulture at Hillier Garden Centres, has shared her top picks for injecting vibrant, seasonal colour – from bold dahlias to cheerful rudbeckias. Whether you're working with a small patio or a full garden bed, these low-effort selections are ideal for bringing gardens back to life. Dahlia These pretty flowers are celebrated for their impressive, sculptural blooms that come in an extensive palette of colours and forms. Emma said: "From delicate pastels to fiery reds and oranges, their versatility makes them an excellent choice for creating impact. They thrive best in full sun with well-drained, fertile soil. "Regular watering and deadheading will encourage continuous flowering, often lasting from midsummer right through to the first frost. Their striking presence makes them ideal for borders or large containers.' Garvinea These blooms bring the same joyful daisy-like blooms and vivid colours as traditional gerbera, but with the added benefit of improved hardiness, the experts say. Wake up to a weed-free lawn for months thanks to Aldi's £10 gadget that pulls them out without bending or kneeling down Emma explains: "Unlike typical gerbera, which are often treated as tender bedding or indoor plants, Garvinea are bred to be more robust – able to withstand cooler UK temperatures and even light frosts. "Available in vibrant shades of pink, red, orange and yellow, they flower prolifically from spring through to autumn. "Ideal for borders, containers or cut flower displays, they thrive in full sun and well-drained soil, with regular feeding and watering to keep the blooms coming.' Impatiens Also known as Busy Lizzies, they are a top choice for shaded areas where many flowering plants struggle. The expert says: "Their abundant blooms in shades of pink, red, white and purple provide much-needed vibrancy to darker corners of your garden. "These plants prefer partial shade and moist, well-drained soil (in full shade they will be reduced in flowering). "Because of their shade tolerance and ease of care, they're perfect for brightening patios, balconies and shaded garden beds.' Geraniums Bedding geraniums are a staple for summer colour due to their robust nature and prolific blooming. Emma says: "Offering bright, cheerful flowers in reds, pinks, whites and purples, these plants are drought-tolerant once established and perform well in full sun to partial shade. "Their versatility makes them ideal for edging beds, containers or hanging baskets, providing reliable colour throughout the warmer months." Rudbeckia These flowers bring warm, golden yellow blooms with dark centres that add a striking contrast to any planting scheme. And they flower from midsummer into autumn. The garden guru added: "They are excellent for attracting pollinators such as bees and butterflies. "Rudbeckias prefer full sun and well-drained soil, making them low maintenance yet highly effective plants for summer colour."
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Every Middle of Lidl bargain landing this week – including anti-allergy bedding & long-blooming flowers for just £1.99
LIDL shoppers are in for a treat this week with a variety of bargains hitting the middle aisle. From plants and children's toys to bathroom buys and hardware, you can grab everything you need in one go. Lidl customers will be able to get their hands on savvy deals, with new buys launching every Thursday and Sunday. Green-fingered shopers can pick up a variety of indoor and outdoor plants this summer. Designed to be low maintenance, this decor item will "add serenity" to your home. Meanwhile, you can fill out your flower beds with bedding plants for just £1.99 or a dianthus for the same price. You can also attract bees and other pollinators to your garden with a £4.99 lavender. There are a variety of other items on offer, with all plant buys set to hit shelves on Thursday, July 17. Children's toys You can also grab deals on a variety of kid's toys, including a Portable Basketball Hoop for £39.99 and a Triple Swing Set for £54.99. And shoppers can choose from a football, basketball, or volleyball, all available for £5.99 each. For indoor days, there are a collection of puzzle, activity, and colouring books available, from £1.29. All these items hit the middle aisle on Thursday, July 17. Five Lidl rosés you need this summer, according to a wine expert - a £6.99 buy is as light & crispy as £22 Whispering Angel Home buys You can pick up a range of home gadgets, including a Singer Sewing Machine for just £99.99 and a Silvercrest Personal Care Hair Waver for £14.99. The sewing machine will be available from Thursday, July 17, while the bathroom buys won't hit shelves until Sunday, July 20. Other bathroom gadgets include a Silvercrest Personal Care Ionic Hair Dryer for just £9.99, Oral-B Electric Toothbrushes for £39.99, and Silvercrest Personal Care Facial Hair Remover for just £7.99. Car and hardware buys Lidl shoppers can also nab a Parkside Car Polisher Spot Repair for just £29.99 and an Ultimate Speed Mini-Compressor for £12.99, both available from Thursday, July 17. Meanwhile, a variety of Parkside gadgets are also hitting the middle aisle on Sunday, July 20. Why do Aldi and Lidl have such fast checkouts IF you've ever shopped in Aldi or Lidl then you'll probably have experienced its ultra-fast checkout staff. Aldi's speedy reputation is no mistake, in fact, the supermarket claims that its tills are 40 per cent quicker than rivals. It's all part of Aldi's plan to be as efficient as possible - and this, the budget shop claims, helps keep costs low for shoppers. Efficient barcodes on packaging means staff are able to scan items as quickly as possible, with the majority of products having multiple barcodes to speed up the process. It also uses 'shelf-ready' packaging which keeps costs low when it comes to replenishing stock. The Parkside Wet & Dry Vacuum Cleaner will be available for just £54.99, while a 46-piece Parkside Ratchet Set is listed for £9.99. Bedding And Lidl shoppers will also be able to pick up a variety of allergy-friendly bedding. This includes a two-pack of Slumberdown Anti-Allergy Pillow Protectors for just £4.99, a Single Slumberdown Anti-Allergy Mattress Protector, also available for £4.99. These bedding buys along with some others will land in the middle aisle on Sunday, July 20. More Lidl offers Plus, a viral tan from Lidl has proven to be a fan favourite this summer season.
