Latest news with #alfrescodining
Daily Mail
23-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Daily Mail
Worthy of the flower show! These top 10 must-try brands will have you tending your garden and home with panache
Summer is the perfect time to refresh your home and garden, turning everyday spaces into vibrant sanctuaries. Whether you're a seasoned green-thumber or just starting work on your interior oasis, the right brands can make all the difference in bringing your vision to life. From innovative gardening tools to chic home décor, Checklist 's top 10 garden and home brands featured here are all about elevating your space with ease and flair. These names combine quality, innovation, and style, making it simple and fun to transform your spaces. Ready to ignite your summer project? Enhance your home with a stylish glass veranda If you are considering home improvements and want something with real impact, a glass veranda could be the ideal way to extend your living space. A solid, open structure with a glass roof and powder-coated aluminium frame, a glass veranda is completely maintenance free. Designed for year-round use, it creates an elegant setting for alfresco dining and entertaining, making both home and garden more versatile in any weather. Designed and manufactured in the UK, Crocodile's verandas combine style with durability. Built at its manufacturing centre in the north of England, they are simple to install, fully enclosed and come with a ten-year warranty. A choice of custom designs and finishes allows customers to tailor their veranda, with optional awnings and blinds for added flexibility. With a reputation for bringing the outdoors in, Crocodile is commitment to both quality and customer satisfaction. The info: Click here to find out more and request a visit from a local Crocodile expert. Stylish convenience for every kitchen Offering instant boiling, chilled, filtered and sparkling water from one stylish, space-saving Boiling Water Tap, Aquataps is a British brand bringing modern convenience into everyday kitchens. Whether you're making tea, cooking dinner or filling a bottle with chilled or sparkling water, Aquataps delivers high performance without the four-figure price tag of rival brands. Designed with family-friendly features and a contemporary finish, Aquataps offers a range of options to suit any kitchen. The best-selling Aquatap Ultra 4-in-1 Tap delivers boiling, filtered cold, and standard hot and cold water, and also features a pull-out spray for added flexibility when cleaning. The Fizz Digital 5-in-1 adds sparkling water and a sleek digital display. With prices starting from under £450, Aquataps proves a high-quality Boiling Water Tap can be both stylish and affordable. You can also enjoy next-day UK delivery and support from the friendly UK-based customer service team. The info: Click here to claim £25 off when shopping your new boiling water tap with offer code 'DAILYMAIL25'*. *Terms and conditions apply. Looking to transform your outdoor space into something truly extraordinary? Boon is the bespoke build company doing just that—crafting luxury modular spaces that are as stylish as they are sustainable. Whether it's a dreamy garden office, a serene guest cabin, or a thriving rental retreat, Boon's handcrafted, foundation-free builds are designed to slip seamlessly into any landscape. Each structure is a one-of-a-kind blend of architectural elegance and reclaimed charm, featuring in-house restored timber cladding and repurposed fittings like vintage Crittall windows. Built in their Hampshire workshop and craned into place, Boon's units leave the land beneath untouched, helping support biodiversity while delivering serious design impact. With their bold industrial aesthetic and sustainable soul, Boon redefines what it means to build beautifully. It's not just modular—it's meaningful. The info: Click here to find out more. If your dream garden includes lush, perfectly manicured grass without lifting a finger, STIGA's Autonomous Robot Mower is your new best friend. Emission-free, whisper-quiet and GPS-guided, this sleek little marvel takes care of your lawn with precision and grace, giving you more time to relax and enjoy your outdoor space. Awarded the prestigious Quiet Mark by the Noise Abatement Society, STIGA's robot mower is officially recognised for its ultra-quiet operation — so you can enjoy a beautifully maintained garden without the usual noise pollution. Imagine stepping outside to a pristine lawn every single day, without the noise or hassle. Part of the trusted STIGA Group — a powerhouse of five premium European brands including STIGA, Alpina, Mountfield, Castelgarden and ATCO — this mower reflects over 100 years of combined innovation in garden tools and equipment. Each brand is rooted in simplicity, safety and smart design, making gardening feel less like a chore and more like a joy. This summer and beyond, STIGA invites you to upgrade your green space with cutting-edge care that does all the hard work for you. The info: Click here to shop now. Turning dream kitchens into a reality If your summer makeover plans include elevating the heart of your home, Sylvarna Kitchen Design is a name you'll want on your radar. This family-run business, nestled in West Sussex since 1983, brings over a century of combined design expertise to every bespoke kitchen they craft. Whether you're dreaming of a traditional handmade Shaker kitchen or leaning towards a sleek, modern minimalist style, Sylvarna turns vision into reality with style and precision. What sets Sylvarna apart is their truly hands-on, full-fit service — from plumbing and electrics to plastering and the final polish, they handle it all. Their friendly, expert designers are with you every step of the way, acting as your single point of contact to make the whole journey smooth, stress-free and, above all, exciting. Working across the South of England, Sylvarna creates kitchens designed not just to impress, but to last a lifetime. The info: Click here to find out more and book a design meeting. A touch of timeless elegance for your interiors Looking to give your home a fresh new look from the ground up? Skirting World is the go-to destination for premium skirting boards that add a stylish finishing touch to any space. Proudly manufactured in the UK, Skirting World is all about quality craftsmanship and unbeatable variety. With a huge range of profiles and finishes — plus custom and bespoke options — it's never been easier to find the perfect match for your décor. Whether you're a homeowner revamping a room, a builder on a deadline, or an interior designer chasing that flawless finish, Skirting World offers form, function and flexibility in spades. Add to that affordable pricing, fast and reliable delivery, and a glowing reputation, and it's easy to see why so many turn to Skirting World to elevate their interiors. Stylish, sturdy and stress-free — what more could you want from your skirting? The info: Click here to claim 10% off with discount code 'SW-CL-10'.* *Offer ends June 30th 2025, terms and conditions apply. Interiors that reflect your personality Looking to add instant wow-factor to your walls? Milton & King is the go-to brand turning heads in the world of wallcoverings. Renowned for their stunning, print-on-demand wallpapers, they've mastered the art of combining timeless design with modern convenience. With over 600 captivating designs in their collection, from bold botanicals to subtle textures, there's something to suit every style and space. Whether you're revamping a single room or an entire home, Milton & King wallpapers offer an effortless way to make a big impact. What really sets Milton & King apart is their commitment to quality and craftsmanship, all wrapped in a seamless, sustainable experience. They're trusted by design professionals across the globe, with operations in the UK, Australia, and the US—so no matter where you are, free shipping and top-tier service are guaranteed. The info: Click here to enjoy 50% off when you order four samples or more with offer code 'CHECKLIST50'*. *Terms and conditions apply. A fix for every job, big or small Celebrating 40 years of trading, Screwshop has become a trusted name for high-quality fasteners, screws, and more—all at incredibly competitive prices. Whether you're a weekend DIY-er or a seasoned professional, their own-brand Turboqwik and Rhino screws are known for reliability, strength, and performance. But it doesn't stop there: Screwshop offers an extensive range of tools, accessories, sealants, and decorating prep essentials to help bring any garden or home project to life. Backed by decades of product knowledge and a passion for helping customers get the job done right, they make it easy to find exactly what you need. Plus, with nationwide next-day delivery, you can keep your summer projects moving without a hitch. The info: Click here to shop now. Colour confidence with high quality paint Lick is redefining the way we decorate by turning a once-daunting task into a joyful, confidence-boosting journey. At the core of this modern decorating brand is colour – highly pigmented and bursting with personality. Their expertly created palette of 100 unique, pigment-rich shades is designed to help anyone find 'the one' for their walls (and ceilings). What sets Lick apart? Their genius Peel & Stick samples. Made with real paint, these clever swatches can be moved around your space to see how the colours transform in different lights – no mess, no wall damage, and made with 95 per cent less paint than a typical tester pot. Lick's water-based, trace VOC paint doesn't just look good – it performs brilliantly too. With low odour, easy clean-up, and impressive durability, it's built for busy homes. Even better? Their bestselling Matt paint is now just £39 (was £45). Stylish, sustainable, and smart – Lick has it all. The info: Click here to shop now. Elevating outdoor living with design-driven luxury Nth Degree is where cutting-edge design meets outdoor elegance. With a passion for transforming alfresco areas into luxurious extensions of the home, this premium retailer is redefining outdoor living. Their stunning showrooms—one newly opened in chic Hale, South Manchester, and another set to launch in Clerkenwell, London—are a testament to their design-first philosophy. Every piece in Nth Degree's wide-ranging collection is crafted with care, using the finest FSC-certified teak and precision-engineered aluminium, ensuring beauty, durability, and sustainability. Whether it's for lounging, dining, or entertaining, Nth Degree has something to elevate every corner of a designer's garden. Explore their full offering online or on Next, and discover how to blur the lines between indoors and out with furniture that's truly built to inspire. The info: Click here to shop luxury outdoor furniture today. If you've enjoyed reading this article and are interested in more inspiration on everything from education and culture to business and family life, why not follow Checklist on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, or sign up for the newsletter? Checklist is dedicated to providing the best free online competitions too - discover amazing new services and products when you visit the website today.
Free Malaysia Today
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Car culture is the problem, not roadside dining
From Boo Jia Cher It is a welcome sign that Kuala Lumpur's mayor, Maimunah Sharif, is taking the city's pedestrian experience seriously. Her latest move for a task force to regulate alfresco dining and reclaim pedestrian spaces marks a rare show of political will in a city that has long neglected pedestrians. But let us be clear: this must only be the beginning. Regulating hawkers and removing plastic chairs is a start, but it is a modest intervention when the larger crisis is one of systemic car dominance. What good are clear pavements if the rest of the city remains a hostile, fractured landscape for pedestrians? The car problem Jalan Tun Sambanthan in Brickfields is often celebrated as a high-footfall heritage corridor and a key artery adjacent to KL Sentral. Yet, despite its vibrant surroundings and walkable neighbourhood, the road itself feels more like a chaotic, multi-lane thoroughfare dominated by speeding vehicles that undermine the area's potential. If the Kuala Lumpur City Hall is serious about creating a walkable city, it must confront the real obstacle: the priority given to cars. The danger to pedestrians and the degradation of public space are primarily the result of excessive space allocated to private vehicles. Shrink traffic lanes Instead of cracking down on small vendors, why not redesign streets by expanding sidewalks and reducing traffic lanes? Wider walking areas benefit everyone, creating safe, comfortable, and dignified spaces. These changes would also give room for street food culture to thrive, without compromising accessibility. We shouldn't have to choose between walkability and vibrancy. Thoughtful design can accommodate both. What about illegal parking? A plastic chair and table can be moved easily, but a two-ton pickup truck parked on a pavement blocks pedestrians for hours. Illegal parking is rampant, from cars on zebra crossings to motorcycles clogging five-foot ways. The enforcement imbalance is glaring: why target street vendors but tolerate vehicles that render walkways unusable? DBKL should adopt technology-driven solutions, like the 'Report Illegal Parking' app in Seoul, South Korea, which lets citizens document violations with real-time alerts to enforcement. A Malaysian equivalent, an 'Aduan' app, could crowdsource reports, tagging licence plates and dispatching officers efficiently. Pedestrian crossings Walkability is about continuity. Across KL, pedestrians are routinely forced to dangerously cross extremely wide roads with no street-level crossings. The junction of Jalan Hang Tuah and Jalan Pudu, in front of Lalaport, is a glaring example of infrastructural insanity: a vast sea of asphalt, along with an underpass for cars, built for speed, not pedestrian safety and dignity. Tourists and locals alike are seen dashing across lanes of moving traffic, not for thrill, but because the nearest overhead bridges are a 10-minute detour. If jaywalking is endemic, perhaps the city has failed, not the pedestrian. Streets need life, not just order A walkable city must also feel safe, vibrant, and human, especially at night. A dim, empty pavement next to a busy road is reluctantly walkable, even if it's physically clear. Ironically, the very alfresco dining setups being targeted can enhance safety by putting more 'eyes on the street.' The problem thus isn't street activity, it's poor design that fails to balance vibrancy with accessibility. Good lighting helps, but people are what make streets feel alive. That means shops, vendors, families, street performers, diners. Safety comes from thoughtful design, not sterile uniformity. Cities like Tokyo and Copenhagen use traffic-calming features (narrower lanes, trees, reduced speed limits) to create streets where walking feels natural and pleasant. KL must learn from these examples. A radical mindset shift Mayor Maimunah's efforts are commendable, but KL needs a fundamental redesign. Cities like Amsterdam and Barcelona transformed by deprioritising cars: the former through cycling infrastructure, the latter via 'superblocks' that restrict through-traffic in neighbourhoods. What's delaying KL's car-free zone in Bukit Bintang or a congestion charge like that of London and Singapore? Why do we sneer at the poor migrant struggling to cross a road while wowing at Porsche drivers? Walking shouldn't be an act of defiance or helplessness; it should be a safe, dignified choice for everyone, rich or poor. The mayor herself should walk the talk—literally. She should join a walking audit team every month, traversing the city from one end to the other to personally inspect the state of our walkways. Feel every cracked curb, every missing crossing, and every stretch where a pedestrian risks their life. Boo Jia Cher is an FMT reader. The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.
