Latest news with #IdealHome
Wales Online
3 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Wales Online
Dunelm's ‘gorgeous, high quality' coastal design armchair made for snuggling now has 20% off
Dunelm's 'gorgeous, high quality' coastal design armchair made for snuggling now has 20% off Snuggle with a book or relax in front of a movie with this popular, exclusively designed chair for less money Popular Beatrice Folkstone Stripe Snuggle Chair now down in price if you love the coastal vibe of the blue stripe (Image: Dunelm ) When the weather is a bit chilly and you fancy snuggling with a blanket or you're looking for a place to relax in a cosy armchair in a peaceful reading nook, this timeless and tasteful chair from Dunelm is potentially your perfect partner. The Beatrice Folkstone Stripe Snuggle Chair is a hardworking yet super stylish addition to any home, offering a comfortable place for you, you and a pet, or you and a friend - it's versatile as well as good-looking - and now the coastal-inspired blue and cream stripe version has been reduced on Dunelm's website. Called Folkstone Stripe Blue, this choice of chair usually retails for £399 but currently this colourway is reduced by 20% to £319.20. The chair is also available in olive stripe and mulberry stripe, both of these options at this moment are still being sold at the original price of £399. For more home and property content sent to your inbox twice a week sign up to the property newsletter here READ MORE: 'Gorgeous' bamboo style garden furniture set that 'looks more expensive than it is' reduced by over £100 YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: 'Excellent value for money' patio heater less than £60 on Amazon Described as a 'cult' armchair after it sold out in summer 2024 (Image: Dunelm ) The Dunelm Beatrice chair has a history going back to summer, 2024, when, according to Ideal Home, it 'sold out in a matter of hours' and describes the item as Dunelm's 'cult snuggle chair'. The Beatrice range has also been extended to include a wider, more dominant stripe than the Folkstone version, see it here, that comes in stripes of coral, mushroom, black and olive. The Beatrice snuggle chair is a Dunelm exclusive, designed and developed by the company but there are alternatives out there, including the Hampshire Love Seat in green or natural from Dusk, currently dropped in price from £599 to £349 plus the Westley by Laura Ashley available from Next in a large choice of colours and a variety of patterns priced £1,000. Comes in three colourways but the blue stripe is currently reduced - the other options are olive or mulberry that are full priced (Image: Dunelm ) But many Dunelm customers are sticking with the Beatrice and the reviews reveal why, with one buyer saying, 'This chair is gorgeous. Really high-quality' and another adding, 'Beautiful chair, it is perfect for the space. It is very comfortable and can seat 1 or 2 people. It looks expensive; the material is very thick and good quality'. One buyer states the chair is easy to put together - screwing on the legs - and that they are impressed overall, saying, 'Looks amazing and very easy to put together. Comfy enough to curl up on with a good book'. However, one customer is unhappy that the company didn't offer a matching footstool and so gave the product a one star rating score. The fabric is 60% cotton and 40% polyester (Image: Dunelm ) For some customers the chair looked like an expensive alternative but at a more budget friendly level, with one unable to contain their joy, saying, 'I adore the chair. It's more like a small two seater couch and fits the space allotted like a glove. Can't believe the price. It looks like I spent several hundreds more than I did. I am soooooo, soooosooooo happy right now!!'. The Beatrice Folkstone Stripe Snuggle Chair measurements are 89cm high, 117cm wide and 90cm deep with an arm Height of 61cm. The item's frame is made from plywood, the legs are rubberwood, and the fabric is 60% cotton and 40% polyester, with 'foam and fibre filled cushions 'for a comfortable experience'. The legs, which you attached to the chair yourself, are made of rubberwood (Image: Dunelm ) Article continues below However, not every customer agrees with Dunelm's description on comfort, with one commenting, 'Not as comfortable as it looks - quite hard and material feel a bit on the tough side' but another expressing that, 'it is nice and comfy after a week or so. The only annoying thing is I find I have to plump the back cushion daily'. For more home content, including products, join our Amazing Welsh Homes Facebook group here.
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Climate
- Daily Mirror
Banish gravel weeds using household item that's 'better than vinegar'
Weeds can thrive in areas of the garden with high moisture levels and such little sunlight - but an expert has shared a 'better' alternative to vinegar and salt Weeds possess the pesky knack for flourishing in garden spots where moisture abounds and sunlight is scarce. Gravel areas can accumulate rain, dust, bird droppings, and other detritus, creating a fertile breeding ground for weeds. Windborne seeds, animal fur hitchhikers, or those unwittingly carried on footwear can all lead to weeds sprouting in gravel. Once these seeds find the right conditions moist, warm and humid - they begin to grow and extend their roots. Even with landscape fabric or weed membranes in place, some stubborn weeds manage to pierce through and emerge. Suzie Briggs - after coming across suggestions of using white vinegar and salt to tackle gravel weeds - sought guidance on the Gardening Hints and Tips Facebook group. She queried: "I've seen lots of posts lately about the use of white vinegar and salt for weed killing. I have a gravel covered drive and can't seem to keep the weeds in check, even using the recommended weed killer for paths. Would they work on the drive or is there something better?". "There are no other plants in the vicinity and it's not like I would be planting anything on the drive in future." Fellow group members responded in the comments, concurring that while these kitchen staples "work well" they suggested she opt for a "better" domestic solution - washing powder, reports the Express. Simone Mister commented: "I used to use salt on my alleyway and it works, but washing powder was better for me." Sarah McEvoy shared: "I had success with some cheap soap powder and boiling water." Vera Hill said: "Laundry powders are amazing on gravel weeds. You can see the results almost instantly." Chatting with Ideal Home, Gardenstone's gardening expert Tom Clifford concurred with these tactics, advising: "Strong chemical weed killers, although effective, can often be harmful to your patio surface, especially if it's made from delicate stone." He explained: "Washing powder offers a gentler option that shouldn't harm your patio surface but will effectively kill weeds." Further illuminating on its benefits, he added: "In addition, washing powder is a regular household object, making it much more accessible and affordable than chemical weed killers." When considering the science behind it, washing powder's inclusion of boron spells doom for garden invaders, as this element is toxic to plants, causing them to shrivel and perish upon contact. For those utilising washing powder against unwelcome greenery, simply douse the gravel or patio crevices in the powder, then drench it with boiling water. Once vegetation has turned a tell-tale brown and begins succumbing to defeat, a quick sweep should clear them out. For effective removal, a sturdy broom such as Wick's Deluxe Stiff Bassine Broom, priced at £9.50, or even Homebase's comparable Stiff Bassine Wooden Broom at £9 should do the trick.
The Sun
16-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Sun
B&M slashes price of ‘stylish' garden ornament to just £1.50 – and it'll turn your privacy fence into summer oasis
IF you've set up a privacy fence in your garden only to be left looking at ugly panelling, don't worry. You can add a "stylish" touch to your outdoor walls this summer with a budget buy from B&M. 2 Now is the time to be transforming your outdoor space into a relaxing summer oasis. And if you've already stocked up on string lights and hanging baskets, why not find a way to level up your walls or fences? Add a splash of life to your panelling with an affordable item, now 50% off. The Palm House Leaf Embossed Wall Plaque is available for just £1.50 from B&M. According to manufacturers, this decor buy helps to "bring style into your garden." The plaques have been described as "a stylish garden ornament that adds character to any outdoor space". They are available in three assorted designs and are suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. Decor experts at Ideal Home recommended adding wall plaques "for a super-easy way of brightening up a dreary outdoor space". "Metal plaques, oversized wall clocks, mirrors and outdoor signs make a lovely addition to an exterior wall or fence panel, either alone or in a group arrangement," they explained. When adding wall art to your outdoor space, make sure to look for items that are pre-coated with a weather-resistant finish. Lighter weight items can be fixed onto brick walls using brick clips, with no need for drilling. So you don't have to worry about consulting your landlord when adding this handy item. And one Home Bargains buy is said to add a touch of glamour to your garden. Another item from the bargain retailer is perfect for attracting birds to your space. You can also pick up a B&Q buy that creates a "tranquil atmosphere" in your garden. A £3 garden decoration from Aldi that turns your outdoor space into a "lush oasis". And the Aldi outdoor patio furniture, including a rattan effect corner sofa. Home Bargains also has a £5 decor buy that turns your patio into an "outdoor living room". Plus, a 79p Home Bargains item that will instantly level up your outdoor space. A £10 B&M product adds inches to your fence, elevating your garden's privacy. 2
Daily Record
16-05-2025
- General
- Daily Record
Robins will flock to garden if you use this food that gives them 'extra energy'
Robins are a welcome sight in gardens but how do you attract them and see them return? Feed them their favourite food of course They are the nations favourite bird and for some people they represent a connection with loved ones who are no longer here. The saying 'Robins appear when loved ones are near' is a comfort for many when they spot the pretty little red-breasted creatures in their gardens. Aside from the possible spiritual connection, robins are a welcome addition for gardeners as they will feast on insects, worms and spiders providing a natural pest control. But they are discerning birds and need the right conditions to come to your garden and to keep coming back too. As well as making sure they have bird box they will find enticing, what you feed them is important. Their favourite grub is mealworms. In fact, they are not keen on eating seeds so steer clear of that if you want them to set up home in your garden. Matthew Wilson, gardener and CEO of Handy Gardeners, told Ideal Home that if you take one extra step with the mealworms the feathered beauties will appreciate it. He said: 'Robins are not typical seed-eaters - as ground foragers, they feed on natural proteins that also contain softer fruits. "Beyond working directly with wildlife specialists and die-hard gardeners, one surprising tip was to provide dried or live mealworms soaked in water. "This offers more than just hydrating liquid; it also makes the mealworms easier to digest, an important consideration when robins are raising young and benefiting from extra energy." They are also partial to sunflower hearts and to chopped fruits like apples, raisins or overripe berries. Sue Morgan, CEO of SongBird Survival agrees. She said: "Mealworms are a key for robins, they absolutely love them. "But I think if you went with sunflower hearts, and mealworms, that'd be a top sort of two would be good, robins - they would really like those.' Matt said to avoid hanging feeders if you want to attract robins to your garden. He added: "Unlike some birds, robins like these fruits spread across the ground rather than hanging feeders. "This is somewhat similar to their natural feeding habit and enables them to feel more protected from predators." Simply scatter the mealworms across your garden but be sure to clean up old feed. And do not use bird tables as per guidance from the RSPB as there are fears that they can spread a deadly disease, Trichomonas. Bird boxes for robins should have the right shaped entrance. They won't nest in it otherwise. Experts recommend avoiding classic bird boxes with round holes. Instead they prefer a more open aspect with a wide view. That's because robins like to keep an eye on their surroundings.
Daily Mirror
16-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Gardeners urged to leave one weed alone this spring for crucial reason
Gardeners are being told not to mow their lawns so often during the month of May, but to leave this one nutritious plant to attract more wildlife into the outdoor spaces. The month of May is an important time for gardeners to start completing some tasks and ensure that their outdoor spaces are looking their best ahead of the summer. The fresh smell of the grass being cut, the flowers blooming with the birds chipping is the kind of environment everyone is aiming to achieve. However, experts are now warning gardeners to do something different. Instead of cutting the grass and mowing the lawn, following the 'No Mow May' movement, gardeners are told to leave their grass and allow plants such as dandelions to grow freely. By doing so, it will allow wild plants to grow and attract pollinators like bees, hoverflies and butterflies to rely on these for food. According to Gardeners World, they said: 'Leave a few weeds such as dandelions to provide food for wildlife. Some species lay eggs on leaves, while others feed on their nectar and pollen.' One of the many advantages of keeping the dandelion patches is that gardeners don't have to worry about having to mow every week. This will also improve the condition of the soil, and the overall health and fertility of the grass and plants. Samantha Richards from Gazaboshop told Ideal Home: "Dandelions are a valuable food source for pollinators and other insects, and their deep roots help aerate and loosen the soil, making it easier for other plants to grow." Interestingly, dandelions are also quite nutritious for humans, and can be included in teas, sandwiches and salads. They're packed with Vitamins A, C, and K, and other minerals including iron and calcium that help plants fully bloom and add that touch of colour that just brightens up the day. Therefore, it's the perfect chance for gardeners to make the most of it by taking care of their outdoor spaces and begin to plant some flowers, just for them to fully bloom before the hotter months. By leaving dandelions to grow freely, it will not only benefit plants and the overall look of the gardens, but also provide nutrients for wildlife. It will also give gardeners some extra time to focus on completing other tasks that require more attention and immediate care. The spring season is a pivotal time for gardening, as it's the time of the year when the temperatures get warmer and the sunshine is out for a longer time. With summer around the corner, it's best to complete these simple tasks ahead of time to avoid piling up.
