Latest news with #Decor
Hindustan Times
23-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Hindustan Times
This summer beat the heat and elevate your interior with khus curtains
As temperatures soar, turning your home into a cool sanctuary becomes a necessity. While air conditioners and coolers offer relief, more and more people are turning towards eco-friendly, stylish ways to keep their spaces cool. One such traditional yet trendy solution is khus (vetiver grass) curtains — an age-old Indian summer staple currently making rounds on social media with almost 11 million views on posts and videos, being labelled as 'natural AC'. Khus curtains, crafted from dried vetiver grass, harness their aromatic and cooling properties to filter air and regulate temperature when moistened naturally. Traditionally used in coolers in Indian households, they're now innovatively designed as eco-friendly 'natural AC' curtains for homes. 'When moistened, they facilitate evaporative cooling, reducing indoor temperature while adding a subtle, earthy fragrance. Perfect for verandas, balconies, or semi-open spaces, they can be integrated into tropical or rustic schemes, offering a tactile element that enhances the sensory and thermal comfort of summer interiors. Choose frames or hooks that let you easily remove and soak them in water during peak heat hours,' says interior architect Ritu Gupta, founder of Nadora. While these curtains offer a cooling sensation, there is no harm in styling and pairing them with different elements to make them look visually appealing and enhance the look of your space. 'To style khus curtains aesthetically, layer them with sheer linen drapes or soft cotton panels for contrast and dimension. Add warm fairy lights to create a soft, ambient glow during evenings, or frame them with wooden rods for a polished look. Incorporating faux vines, dried foliage, or macramé hangings elevates their visual appeal while maintaining a natural theme,' suggests Ritu. Other textures and materials that pair well with khus curtains are cotton sheers, rattan shades, or jute textures. 'These materials merge function and beauty, improving airflow while preserving a natural, grounded appearance perfect for hot, tropical seasons,' says Rohit Khemka, founder of RR Decor. Besides khus curtains, there are other stylish add-ons to make your home a summer haven, including clay water pots, indoor water fountains, bamboo blinds, chik mats, and indoor plants. Scent is also an essential but often overlooked element in summer styling. 'Using natural fragrances like vetiver, lemongrass, or sandalwood brings a fresh, grounding energy into the home. Opt for ceramic oil diffusers, incense trays, or hand-poured candles in simple, earthy holders to align with a minimal aesthetic. Slip a few drops of essential oils into fabric drawers, linen closets, or even on napkin edges to allow the scent to unfold gradually,' adds Shuchita.
The Sun
29-04-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Sun
Aldi launches new collection of £3 buys that turn your garden into a lush oasis & there's 3 cute designs to choose from
Abigail Wilson, Senior Digital Writer Published: Invalid Date, WITH spring in full swing and summer right around the corner, if you're on a mission to give your garden a glow up, we've got just the thing for you. Aldi has launched a brand new collection of affordable buys that are sure to turn your garden into a lush oasis. 6 So if your garden is looking a bit dull, but your purse is feeling tighter than ever before and you haven't got loads of cash to splash on posh decorations, then fear not, you've come to the right place. Luckily for shoppers looking for style on a budget, Aldi has released three new garden buys that are only £2.99 each - and they're super cute. You'll now be able to find the Belavi Metal Wall Decor buys in middle aisles in Aldi stores nationwide. Thanks to the much-loved German retailer, shoppers can now bring wildlife to their outside spaces with these colourful designs. There's a butterfly, bee and ladybird, so you're sure to find one that suits you and your space. Kids are bound to love them and these bargain buys will add a stylish look to your garden in an instant, without any effort involved. The nature-inspired shapes are perfect for embellishing your space and are intended for outdoor use. They can be placed on a wall or fence and are sure to leave your guests (and eagle-eyed neighbours) very impressed. Despite this, they can also be placed indoors too, so if you want to brighten up your pad, you'll want to get your shopping basket at the ready. But you'll need to move fast if you're keen to get your hands on these gorgeous middle aisle finds, as like all Specialbuys, they are sure to sell out fast. Aldi Specialbuys Thursday 22 August Aldi's epic reduction And while you're in your local Aldi, you'll need to keep your eyes peeled for the three-tier airer that's recently been reduced. Thanks to an epic discount, you'll be able to get your hands on the Addis 3 Tier Concertina Airer for less than £2. 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 Specialbuy is normally £14.99, but is now scanning at the till for less than £2, saving shoppers £13. It allows you to dry your laundry indoors and has easy glide feet for quick manoeuvring. And it's clear that many shoppers have been left impressed by the homeware product, which has racked up several five-star reviews online, with shoppers praising it as "strong" and "sturdy". 8 must-have plants to brighten up your garden Nick Hamilton owner of Barnsdale Gardens has shared his favourite plants and flowers you should consider adding to your garden, borders and pots. Tricyrtis A spectacular plant that gives a real exotic feel to any garden with its orchid-like, spotted flowers giving the impression that this plant should be tender but it is 'as tough as old boots!'. Penstemon I love this plants genus of because most will flower all summer and autumn. They'll grow in sun or semi-shade in a well drained soil and produce a non-stop display of tubular flowers in an array of colours and colour combination to suit all tastes. Luzula sylvatica 'Marginata' With the evergreen leaves edged with yellow it's great asset is that it will grow in sun or shade in any type of soil and is great as groundcover in the hardest spot to fill - dry shade. Eryngium x zabelii 'Big Blue' A stunning, nectar-rich plant that will feed the beneficial insects in your garden. Leave the flowerheads once they have turned brown because they look stunning with winter frost and snow, extending the plant's interest period. Sarcococca hookeriana 'Winter Gem' If you need winter scent then look no further than this compact, evergreen shrub. The scent is stunning and the evergreen leaves create an excellent backdrop for the summer flowers. Cornus sanguinea 'Anny's Winter Orange' A dwarf version of 'Midwinter Fire' the very colourful stems create a stunning winter display, particularly on sunny days. Rosa 'Noisette Carnee' A very well-behaved climbing rose that is perfect for training over an arch, pergola or gazebo. The small, 'noisette' flowers are blush-pink and produce the most amazing clove scent constantly from June to November. Sanguisorba hakusanensis 'Lilac Squirrel' I've never seen a squirrel with a drooping, shaggy lilac tail, but this variety will give your garden an unusual and different look throughout summer. It does need a moisture retentive soil but will grow in sun or semi-shade. According to Aldi bosses: "This Addis 3 Tier Concertina Airer is great for those rainy days when the washing line is out of action. 'The multiple tiers provide plenty of room for you to place your recently washed clothes.' Thanks to this bargain buy, that's been described as 'useful and efficient', you'll 'upgrade your laundry routine ' in no time. And luckily for you, this airer is sure to fit the contents of your washing basket, as it boasts a drying space of approximately 16m and has a weight capacity of around 15kg. Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme - Sun Club 6 6
CBC
20-03-2025
- Business
- CBC
Employers in Morden-Winkler manufacturing hub planning to pivot, prioritize workers amid tariffs
Social Sharing From cabinet making to tractor cab manufacturing, the Morden-Winkler area in southern Manitoba is a manufacturing hub known for its innovation and resourcefulness. Now, the twin cities and their industries employing thousands of workers about 80 km southwest of Winnipeg face a common problem: American levies on Canadian goods and this country's retaliatory tariffs. U.S. President Donald Trump said last month he was pausing his 25 per cent levy on some Canadian goods until April 2. Canada is applying its own tariffs to about $60 billion worth of American goods as payback for Trump's border- and metals-related levies, with another roughly $100 billion worth to follow if Trump goes ahead with a third round of what he's calling "reciprocal" tariffs on goods from around the world in early April. In the Morden-Winkler area, the on-again, off-again dates have added to the concerns and frustrations felt at Decor Cabinets, but Morden's largest employer says it's committed to prioritizing its workers despite the ups and downs of business and the recent news cycle. "It's really stressful, not only just impact would be huge, right, but just the stress of wondering, is it going to be or isn't it going to be?" CEO and president Stan Pauls said. He recently gave CBC News a tour of his facility, where alder, maple and walnut wood gets crafted into custom bath and kitchen cabinets. Pauls glides from station to station, greeting employees by name and recalling stories from his 36 years with Decor. The company, founded in 1977, now employs about 540 people, who make and ship about 100,000 cabinets each year, Pauls says. That comes out to approximately 20 kitchens a day. He says half their customers are in the United States. "If they had to pay 25 per cent more for our product, it would virtually stop us from selling into [the] U.S." And so, Decor has arranged to equally share the cost of the 25 per cent levy with its American dealers if the tariff goes ahead April 2, Pauls said — a plan that would be temporary. He says the price tag per cabinet on both sides of the border will likely increase. Tariffs, counter-tariffs top of mind for manufacturing hub in southern Manitoba 3 minutes ago Duration 3:43 Winkler's Tektite Manufacturing Inc. — another of the approximately 80 manufacturers in the area, according to Statistics Canada — is dealing with uncertainty, too. American customers account for about 30 per cent of their tractor cab sales, and competition in the U.S. is stiff, general manager and president Ted Mahood said Tuesday. In the last month, they've expedited orders to clients, but Mahood fears those requests could dry up quickly in the face of American tariffs, he said. "Were that to happen, you know, then you've got the consequential results of likely a very hard recession in Canada, and of course, then that's going to affect our domestic sales as well, so it's troubling," he said. From cutting to welding, his crews assemble as many as 850 cabs for compact and smaller tractors each year, selling to clients, including John Deere, mostly in eastern Canada and the U.S., Mahood said. Tektite gets most of its parts from Canada, except for glass, which they source south of the border, he said. Mahood worries Canada's retaliatory tariffs could eventually hurt them, too. "We're always looking at alternative sources. I mean, COVID taught us that. You know that you can't rely on one source," he said. Layoffs last resort: Decor The Winkler Chamber of Commerce says Winkler alone has at least 4,500 people working in the sector. President Doug Eidse says the last couple of months have demanded a lot of preparation, with calls frequently going out to border brokers and experts to grasp the impact and scope of the tariffs. Some local companies are already dealing with a 25 per cent American levy on aluminum and steel, which came into effect March 12, Eidse said Tuesday. Although he believes they may still be able to compete given the increased steel prices in the U.S., Eidse said he's concerned even more sweeping tariffs could lead to companies downsizing and customers opting for products elsewhere. "Another 25 per cent across-the-board tariff would definitely cause layoffs," Eidse said. "That would affect everybody importing or exporting." As a small specialized business with 25 employees, Mahood says he wants to avoid that — as does the larger but close-knit Decor team. Pauls says they have about 50 couples on staff, along with many newcomers. "We're supporting the whole family, the whole household. I feel a weight, right? We have to make sure that these people, we're doing all we can to give them, continue to give them jobs, right?" Pauls said. "We take that one very personal." For now, he says sales are strong, but they're exploring all options, such as cutting costs and delaying a large expansion project, along with looking for other markets and taking advantage of a federal work-share program for affected businesses announced earlier this month.
