Latest news with #Blinds2go
Metro
13 hours ago
- Business
- Metro
We live off-grid at 25 and 26 with no WiFi or TV — and spend just £269 a month
A young couple have quit their day jobs to live in a caravan, and now spend just £8.87 a day. Libby Ramsden, 25, and Ollie Blackwell, 26, made the switch to live off-grid back in September 2023. They have no TV or WiFi, collect rain water, and power their home with a tractor-driven generator. In total, the pair, who lives in Silsden, Yorskhire, say they spend just £269 a month on running their home. Libby says: 'The best part is not relying on anybody at all. 'Nobody dictates to us what our electric bills are, we are not tied to any contracts in any way. 'We rely on ourselves. We have the freedom to live how we want to live.' Before moving into their caravan, Libby and Ollie each lived in their parents' homes, where they paid rent. They also had nine to five jobs: Libby worked as a laboratory assistant earning £24k, while Ollie was a farmer and tractor mechanic, making £20k a year. But the pair were also running a side-hustle, Herd and Hive, selling goat milk soap and honey. With their products beginning to sell out, they wanted to work on the business full time, but were unable to afford to do so. That is, until Ollie's farmer dad, Terry, 60, offered to rent them a piece of land where they could set up a static caravan, and live frugaly off-grid. They forked out £11,000 to buy their new home-on-wheels, and haven't looked back since. Libby says: 'It was a no brainer if we wanted to quit our jobs. 'Before we moved, we looked at renting, or getting a mortgage, and you're looking at spending around £1,000 a month.' Metro has teamed up with and Blinds 2go – proud sponsor of the Best Bedroom category in the Home Awards – to give one lucky winner the chance to win £1,000 to spend on Blinds 2go's stunning collection of made-to-measure blinds and curtains and give your windows the ultimate glow up. Enter your details below and turn your windows into the best-dressed feature in your home. You have until midnight on 19 August to enter. Good luck! Form not loading? Enter here. * Open to GB residents (excluding Northern Ireland) aged 18+. Entrants must be 18 years or over at the time of entry. Promotion opens at 17:01 on 29/7/25 and closes at 23:59 on 19/8/25. Entrant must submit their first and last name, email address, telephone number, date of birth and postcode when prompted via the entry form available on (available here). 1 prize available of £1,000 to spend on Blinds 2go's or Curtains 2go's collection of made-to-measure blinds and/or curtains. The Prize is subject to the Promoter's standard terms and conditions available here. Maximum 1 entry per person. Full T&Cs apply, see here. Libby and Ollie's monthly outgoings off-grid: Total: £269 Average costs for 'regular' living in the area: Total: £1,083 Despite life being a little more rustic than in a standard house, the pair say they're not roughing it. They collect rainwater from a barn roof, filter it for the caravan and their animals, and run a tractor-powered generator for an hour each night to cook, shower and charge phones. Heating and cooking is done on a log burner. The couple are soon hoping to install solar panels, to reduce costs further. As they pay council tax, they get regular bin collections – and Ollie dug a septic tank so the couple have a flushing toilet. In total, the running costs of their home are just £8.87 a day, working out at £270 a month. Libby said: 'People think that because we live off-grid we are not connected to the world in any way or we live uncomfortably. 'People think that we go to the toilet in a bucket and carry it out.' Their day starts at 5.30am milking goats, feeding sheep, and caring for five rehomed donkeys before heading to their unit to make soap, jar honey and tend to bees. In the evening, they return to feed the animals again, light the fire, and run the generator for an hour before switching it off for the night. And, the pair say their new way of life has made their relationship stronger. Libby said: 'Most people in the evening will sit down and watch TV, we're not in that routine, so we feel a little bit more connected to each other. 'We don't have a TV so we generally read or keep each other company talking. 'We have a better relationship because we actually sit and talk in the evening. 'It's definitely improved our relationship, we feel more connected to each other than if we had a lot more distractions in our life.' But sometimes the couple do miss the ease of modern life. Libby said: 'Sometimes I miss the ease of being able to flip a light switch on or plug your phone into charge, that type of thing. Just the ease of things. More Trending Winter is the toughest time – the caravan is on top of a windy hill and keeping warm is a challenge – but the couple want to stay off-grid for good, eventually upgrading to a wooden chalet. 'We do see ourselves living off grid forever,' Libby said. 'We don't want to go back to living in a house and having bills to pay.' View More » You can follow their off-grid journey on TikTok @herdandhive . Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ MORE: The untold stories of the UK's corner shops and why we should celebrate them MORE: Body found in search for 12-year-old boy last seen going into river in Richmond MORE: Girl, 4, who died after being found 'unresponsive' at water park is named
Daily Record
2 days ago
- Climate
- Daily Record
'I'm a window expert and these heatwave hacks may actually be making your home hotter'
There's a lot of advice floating around that might be doing Scots more harm than good in the hot weather Scotland has enjoyed a glorious week of sun and heat - much-deserved after what has been a rather inconsistent summer. Although we may have had less heatwaves than down south, order has been restored this week. The majority of the country has toasted in temperatures in the mid 20s, while Charterhall in the Scottish Borders recorded 13.6 hours of sunshine in a day on Sunday, August 17, according to the Met Office. Fort William has the best chance of bagging a heatwave this week. The Highlands town is set to meet the three-day criteria with highs of 25C between Sunday and Tuesday, August 19. And while we all enjoy a bit of summer sunshine, we want to be able to ensure our home stays cool so we're not uncomfortable in our space. There are many different ways to do this, but one expert has revealed that several heatwave ' hacks ' may actually be making your home hotter Well, we've all heard the classic summer advice - open your windows, crank up the fan, and shut the blinds only when it's dark. However, Blinds 2go, the UK's leading made-to-measure blinds retailer, is setting the record straight. Chloe Dacosta, window expert and Design Manager at Blinds 2go, explained that one of the most common mistakes people make in hot weather is opening all the windows and hoping for a breeze. But if the outside air is warmer than inside, you're actually heating up your home. "When you open your windows, you let in the warm air into our homes that are naturally built to keep heat in," Chloe said. "Once it's inside, it's harder to get out again. Meaning your home ends up a lot warmer than it is outside." So, what's the solution? Chloe said: "To keep things cool, your best bet is to close your windows, blinds and/or curtains during the hottest part of the day, typically between 11am and 3pm – especially if your room is south or west-facing. "Thermal Blinds are especially designed to combat temperature extremes. While it might feel counterintuitive to close blinds during sunny weather, these blinds form a thermal barrier at the window – helping keep homes cooler in summer and warmer in winter." Funnily enough, the colour of your blinds also plays a role, according to the woman in the know. Chloe also debunked myths around using fans in your home, and how they may be heating up your space. "Lighter shades reflect more sunlight, while darker tones tend to absorb it," Chloe continued. "Choosing pale-coloured blinds with blackout lining can help enhance cooling performance. "Similarly, while fans may feel cooling, they don't actually lower the temperature – unless paired with something like a bowl of ice in front of the blades to mimic an air-conditioning effect. "You may be circulating hot air around your room, and keeping it trapped inside." Your windows can come in handy here, too. Chloe said: "You can point your fan outside of the window to help alleviate some of the warm air inside. "Or, when it's cooler outside than it is inside, place the fan facing inwards on the windowsill to help bring in some of that cooler air. Then, trap that cooler, more pleasant air inside by closing your windows and drawing the blinds." Some additional tips to relax, and sleep, during a heatwave Opt for thermal interlining on your roman blinds or curtains to help insulate your home Place a frozen hot water bottle in bed to cool off at night Avoid using ovens or stovetops during the day – they generate more heat than you think Turn off lights when not needed – many bulbs emit heat Sleep downstairs if possible – heat rises
The Independent
28-01-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Independent
How to work lime cream into your scheme
It's the time of year when we love to spin the colour wheel and rethink our interiors – with a refresh and remodel on the cards. Naturally, we look to trending colours and Etsy's 2025 colour of the year, Lime Cream, couldn't be more inviting, with thoughts turning to the first signs of spring. Described by the online marketplace as a 'dreamy, delicate shade that's equal parts calming and uplifting,' interior enthusiasts will appreciate it's a style choice that sits beautifully in any space. 'With its soft, mellow depth, it adds a fresh and airy feel, making it the perfect choice to capture the rejuvenating energy of the year,' says Dayna Isom Johnson, Etsy's trends expert. 'As people move away from minimalist 'sad beige' interiors, there's a growing preference for cosy, inviting interiors,' highlights Isom Johnson. Natural themes, such as the ever-popular cottage-core aesthetic, remain a strong influence, notes the tastemaker. 'And while this cosy style rooted in charm and simplicity celebrates earth tones, especially greens, as a way to connect with nature, she says Lime Cream offers the versatility of a neutral base. 'Allowing it to be layered with other shades to create depth and personality… it also pairs beautifully with natural woods, adding a rustic, organic touch to any room.' She continues: 'Lime Cream is as versatile a shade as it is subtle, making it ideal for living rooms. One simple way to bring it into your living room without breaking the bank is through small pops of colour.' Think small touches such as cushions or candles that can be dotted around, suggests Isom Johnson. 'You can add as many or as few as you want for a spring refresh. For a bolder approach, consider using Lime Cream for an accent wall. 'Paired with natural wood or other earthy tones, it creates a calming, nature-inspired space that feels fresh and inviting.' Perfectly placed to capture the vibe, a wall painted in this refreshing citrus hue can be paired with classic white paint on woodwork, recommends Helen Shaw, director of marketing (International) for Benjamin Moore & Co. 'And white or pastel furniture for a crisp and easy-to-live-with look. 'For a more vibrant statement, add a pop of a red that's lightly dusted with hints of pink and orange, to evoke a playful springtime feeling,' says Shaw. Another seamless transition is to try adding botanical-inspired wallpaper for a fresh, nature-infused feel; or with fun patterned tiles for a quirky statement, notes Isom Johnson… and don't limit yourself. 'One of the easiest ways to experiment with Lime Cream is through your window dressings,' says Leah Aspinall, head of design at Blinds 2go. 'Curtains in this shade are a subtle yet impactful addition to any room, allowing the natural light to filter through beautifully.' She says grassy or olive hues are obvious choices for adding a fresh, calming feel to your space. Otherwise we're thinking a bright botanical print with lush leaves and swaying grasses to pimp up your palette. 'For those who prefer a sleeker look, consider roller blinds,' suggests Aspinall. 'Their clean lines let Lime Cream's character shine without overwhelming the space – and pairing the colour with neutral tones like soft whites and taupes emphasises its quiet beauty.' Indeed, with so much versatility, it couldn't be simpler to incorporate this year's 'it girl' colour into your home, gushes Isom Johnson. For that perfect spring green, she says to go as big or as small as you want, from botanical wallpaper to accessories. Isom Johnson continues: 'Whether used as a subtle accent or as the base colour for larger pieces, Lime Cream pairs perfectly with other shades of green, creating depth and warmth.'
