Latest news with #outdoorspace
The Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Asda slashes prices on huge range of hanging chairs and furniture sets to give your garden a refresh for just £50
ASDA has slashed prices on a huge range of hanging chairs and furniture sets with prices starting from £50. George at Asda is offering deals on dozens of items perfect for giving your outdoor space a glow up. 2 2 Shoppers can search the offers on the Asda website, with some shoppers reporting discounted prices in stores as well. Online, we spotted a Rattan hanging egg chair selling for £148 down from £249 and a canvas hanging chair for £88 down from £149. One savvy saver recently saw a four-piece graphite garden sofa set scanning for £150 down from £259 and another hanging chair selling for £50 instead of £118. It is not clear if multiple Asda branches are offering discounts on outdoor and gardening products. However, it is common practice for retailers to slash prices towards the end of the season to clear remaining stock. If you are heading online to pick up some outdoor bargains, make sure you factor in any added costs like delivery fees. The click and collect option is available on some of the sale products while you can order via home delivery on most as well. Standard delivery will set you back around £6.75, next day delivery £8.50 and named day delivery £8.50 as well. Most Asda products can be returned to your nearest store for free if you're unhappy with them. Some may need to be collected from you. You can read more about the supermarket's returns policy via Four simple ways to save money at Asda In any case, always shop around when you're buying a product to make sure you're getting the best price. You can use comparison websites like Trolley, Price Spy or Price Runner and filter results to find the cheapest retailer selling a particular item. You can also search Google using the Product/Shopping tab to scour the internet for wanted items. It's not the first time in recent weeks Asda shoppers have clocked an item that's piqued their interest. Chocolate eaters recently spotted 334g pouches of Quality Street for £3.50 and went into meltdown. One person took to Facebook to share the news and said: 'Things are getting festive at Asda.' A second person commented and said: 'I love christmas so it's perfect, just waiting for the Christmas decorations in The Range.' While a third added: 'Might try and get some of these for our pick n mix table xx.' OTHER ASDA NEWS Asda was recently slapped with a £640,000 fine for selling out-of-date food at two stores in the UK. Up to 115 expired food items were found at branches in Leckwith and Pentwyn as the retailer faced four charges of selling out-of-date food. The grocer also sparked controversy earlier this year after rolling out facial recognition technology. How to bag a bargain SUN Savers Editor Lana Clements explains how to find a cut-price item and bag a bargain… Sign up to loyalty schemes of the brands that you regularly shop with. Big names regularly offer discounts or special lower prices for members, among other perks. Sales are when you can pick up a real steal. Retailers usually have periodic promotions that tie into payday at the end of the month or Bank Holiday weekends, so keep a lookout and shop when these deals are on. Sign up to mailing lists and you'll also be first to know of special offers. It can be worth following retailers on social media too. When buying online, always do a search for money off codes or vouchers that you can use and are just two sites that round up promotions by retailer. Scanner apps are useful to have on your phone. app has a scanner that you can use to compare prices on branded items when out shopping. Bargain hunters can also use B&M's scanner in the app to find discounts in-store before staff have marked them out. And always check if you can get cashback before paying which in effect means you'll get some of your money back or a discount on the item.
The Sun
4 days ago
- Lifestyle
- The Sun
B&M is selling out of £3 ‘stylish' ornament that adds splash of colour to eyesore walls & makes your garden look bigger
IF your garden wall is bringing down the tone of your outdoor space, don't worry. A simple addition can instantly elevate your wall, and you can pick it up for cheaper than ever from B&M. Tall garden walls can make your space feel claustrophobic and cramped. To brighten them up and make your garden feel better, all you need is this affordable ornament. Adding a wall planter to your outdoor space can help create a vertical garden. According to the experts at Atlas Sheds, this step can introduce colour and levels to your garden. "Maximise vertical space with raised beds, wall planters, or tiered garden shelves," they recommended. The pros explained that this will "add levels to your garden, making it appear more spacious and creating more opportunities for plant growth". "Structures like pergolas and trellises can draw the eyes upward, adding height to the space," they added. And opting for vibrant flowers in your fun planter can add even more "character and depth to small gardens". For an "open and airy" feel, they suggested incorporating light blue and soft green flowers into your wall planters. And thanks to B&M, you can add even more personality with a Watering Can Wall Planter. 'I was quoted £10,000 for a garden renovation but did it MYSELF for £1,000 using ChatGPT to show my kids what single mums can do' The bargain retailer has recently slashed the price of this decor item by 50%. B&M shoppers can now pick the wall planter up for just £3 instead of £6. According to its manufacturers, this planter "makes a stylish addition to your garden". They described it as "perfect for adding character to your garden walls". However, shoppers will want to hurry as the retailer warned that stock is low. More garden buys You can also turn up a stunning boho escape with Aldi's £25 middle aisle bargain. And you can add a fun summer touch to your garden. The retailer also has a £10 garden essential that's perfect for lazing in the sun. And the Sun has tried and tested a variety of camping gear so you don't have to. Plus, a breakdown of the best deals for festival gear this summer. 2
Bloomberg
22-07-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Home on the 18th Hole at Wentworth Golf Club Lists for £13 Million
When Neil Thomas was looking for a house in 1997, the investment banker had very specific requirements. 'I told my wife to buy something within 15 minutes of Heathrow because I was traveling a lot for work, and make sure it has at least five 40-foot trees in the garden,' says Thomas. Coming from South Africa, he says, he was especially keen on ample outdoor space. They found a property that ticked all the family's boxes. Called Home Farm, it's located in the Wentworth Estate in the affluent suburb of Virginia Water, some 12 miles from Heathrow and 24 miles from central London. 'It just had the most wonderful feeling of both being in the country and being so close to London,' he says.
The Sun
22-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Sun
Turn garden into a holiday, our Sun Gardening editor explains how to create zones
NOWADAYS it's perfectly normal to consider your outside space as an extra room of your house. Not only does a fabulous garden add value to your property, it can improve your mental health and help you keep fit. 6 6 It is a place where you can relax, play, work out and party — all without leaving the boundaries of your property. And with a few clever additions — along with a bit of elbow grease and bargain buys — you can transform your outside space in time for summer, with minimum spend. We've got enough tips and tricks to make sure that every moment outside will feel like a little holiday . . . One way of making the most of your garden is by creating various zones, each bringing a different vibe. Something as simple as a line of large pots brimming with tall, structured flowers can partition an area off with minimal effort. And one of the best things about late May is that for the vast majority of the country the chance of any frost has generally passed. So you can go full steam ahead with planting. An easy and cheap way of filling your outside space with colourful blooms is by using summer bulbs. Zoe Claymore, who has designed a garden at this year's RHS Chelsea Flower Show, told me: 'You can plant bulbs now to fill gaps in your borders. "You don't need a large garden to plant them. "If you rent or garden on a balcony you can simply pop them into a pot, and within a few months you will have gorgeous blooms. They are also a win for the sustainable gardener. "By buying bulbs you are saving money compared with potted perennials but also they have a comparatively low footprint on the planet — lower transport haulage because their weight and size is less, and there is no worry about what type of compost they are planted in or the plastic pot.' She added: 'My top three bulbs include dahlias — technically it's a tuber but still a summer classic; crocosmia — I've planted them in drifts in my own garden; and gladioli — fabulous cut flowers, and my allotment neighbour steals the show with them.' To keep costs down, go for a big bag of mixed summer bulbs as opposed to buying lots of different packets. You can usually find big bags of them in the entrance to most Lidl supermarkets. And it's easy to grab a bargain online. B&Q is currently offering a YouGarden bag of three hundred bulbs of seven mixed varieties for £14.99. When it comes to making a planting plan, it's important to remember that summer bulbs like lots and lots of sunshine. But if you're limited on space, they look great in containers, which you can move around the garden as and when you fancy. Use in a cluster to bring light and colour to a corner. Or try lines to zone off an area of your garden. You can repurpose all sorts of old items to create planters — think old buckets, saucepans, watering cans, even wellies and old tins with the labels off. All can be filled with soil and flowers. Just make sure they have drainage holes at the bottom. But if you don't have time to get creative, Home Bargains is selling 30cm Venetian square planters for £1.99. Fill a few of those with colourful blooms, put them in a line and you've got the perfect privacy fence. You can also zone off areas with Poundland's £2.50 metal flower climbing aids. Put one in a pot and grow sweet peas up it for a metre-high, fragrant barrier. So all it takes is a few choice items and a bit of imagination — and there's no limits to where your garden can take you. 8 TIPS FOR FAB DAYS OUT AT BARGAIN PRICES ENTERTAINING the kids over the May holiday costs parents £323 on average, according to credit reporting agency Equifax. But few of us have that kind of cash to spare. So here are eight easy ways to keep your costs down this half-term . . . HALF-PRICE AND CHEAP DEALS 1. ON Universal Credit? You're entitled to tickets to top attractions such as the Eden Project and the Tower of London from just £1. Search for a full list. 2. ENJOY a very mini mini-break with a Butlin's Day Pass. Valid at Skegness, Minehead and Bognor Regis, prices start at £19 for kids and £27 for adults, with under-twos free. See 3. EAT out for less. Farmhouse Inns is offering a half-term deal where up to two kids get a free small main plus a scoop of ice cream when you buy an adult main. See 4. TAKE advantage of National Rail's Days Out two for one deal with up to half-price entry at top attractions, hotels and theatres around the UK. See FREE ACTIVITIES 5. ORGANISE a clear-out for cash. Spend the first weekend of the holiday decluttering. Get the kids to sort out old toys, books, games and clothes. Sell what you can in a yard sale then list the rest on Vinted or Facebook. Use the cash you make for a day out at the end of the holiday. 6. CHECK out your local council's clubs and activities. Most councils put on free or low-cost activities, from sports clubs to arts and crafts or theatre workshops. Visit your council website for up-to-date information. 7. SET up a toy swap shop. Invite friends round for a big playdate. Everyone should bring at least one item they'd like to swap, so each child gets a 'new' toy for half-term. Set rules on whether you keep the new toy or return it once the holiday is over. 8. GET into more than 200 leading attractions for free with a Blue Peter badge. Find out how to earn one at All ready for your day out? Find the full list at GROW ZONE 6 YOU can dedicate an area solely for growing fruit and veg, which will also save you money on your supermarket spend. And because your soil will now be nice and warm, you can plant seeds straight into it instead of faffing around with transplanting seedlings. Vegetables including sweetcorn, carrots, courgettes, runner beans and beetroot are all good to get in the ground now. When you're digging out an area for growing, it's worth adding some compost to improve your soil quality. Most Lidl stores will have packets of seeds on a stand, at a very reasonable £1.49 per pack. Just make sure you read the instructions. And their compost is really reliable, too. It's always worth checking local social media sites for seed-swapping events as well. And you never know what you'll find on Facebook Marketplace, shop noticeboards or car boot sales. There's often people giving away plug plants after they've grown so many seedlings in their greenhouses that they've got nowhere to put them. Plug plants are established plants that are ready to transplant into larger pots or directly into your garden. Growers often have too many tomatoes and courgettes and are willing to part with them for practically pennies. Facebook and car boot sales are also great places to pick up second-hand garden equipment super cheap. Fruit trees are another perfect addition to any garden. Not only will they save you money on supermarket offerings, but once established you can use them to help with zoning. Dwarf varieties of apples, pears, cherries, plums and peaches are particularly well-suited to pots, as are fig trees and blueberries. And never underestimate how tall a banana tree can grow in your garden. It's highly unlikely you'll get any fruit, but they're the perfect way of bringing a touch of the tropical to your outside space. Online plant outlet Dobies is selling Musa Basjoo banana plants for £12.99. HOLIDAY ZONE 6 IF you fancy splashing about like you're on holiday, why not grab a paddling pool for your outside space? Place it on top of an outdoor rug if your area is paved to prevent any chance of punctures. Argos is selling a 7ft long Bestway rectangular pool for £20. The British weather isn't always the most reliable, so a great way of creating a sheltered corner is with a canopy, overhead awning or parasol. To keep costs down try a shade sail. These three-cornered covers can be tied to existing structures in your garden or on to bamboo or sticks in the ground. B&Q has a 3m grey shade sail from GoodHome for £15. Another way of zoning your garden while also creating some serious holiday vibes is by stringing up solar lights. Use them to brighten up a shadowy area of the garden, to highlight a particular corner or simply to surround an eating area. Not only are they free to power, they really can whisk you away from the day to day. Lidl's Livarno range is great, but you can also get bargains from B&M, Poundland, B&Q and Homebase. I bought B&M's £12 solar-powered curtain lights three years ago – and they're still going strong. To create a French feel, plant vines to grow up a pergola or poles stuck in the ground. You can use wire strung between and on top of them to create a frame for the vines to grow up. Try Himrod grape plants for £5.99 from Wilko. Chuck in a cheap bistro set and before you know it you've created a chic Provencal corner to escape to. The Range is selling a black Pisa Bistro set for £49.99. If you want a truly relaxing oasis, think about a garden fountain. The sound of running water can aid rest and relaxation and definitely brings some island vibes to your outside space. Hydria has a really classy chargeable fountain set that can be put in any pot, which means you can move it around the garden as you see fit. You get months of tinkling water, with no solar panels, cords or plumbing required. The Hydria Leaf Cascade is currently on sale for £132, which is 26 per cent off, with free delivery. CHILLOUT ZONE 6 IF you are creating a chillout area in your garden, consider an outdoor rug. They've gone up in quality and down in price – and are the perfect way to bring an attractive soft texture to your outside space. Temu's extra-large reversible outdoor mat in black and white is a great buy at £12.63. Then chuck a few brightly coloured outdoor cushions on any garden furniture and it will brighten up that spot no end. Dunelm has got some swanky, silky-looking numbers for £3. FITNESS ZONE CREATING a simple workout space – with a yoga mat surrounded by pots of flowers to provide a relaxing corner to do your exercises in. When you're stretching on the floor and the flowers are at nose height, it's easy to imagine you are elsewhere. Decathlon is selling a Comfort Fitness mat for £3.99 Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@
New York Times
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Murals Have Moved In
When Megan Debin purchased her Long Beach, Calif., house in 2020, she found her backyard dreary with its cinder-block walls. Dr. Debin, an art history professor and content creator, was smitten with a light blue crab motif she had come across on Instagram. She asked its artist, Tracy Allen, a muralist in Long Beach, to paint the crab on one of her yard's walls. One mural turned into five — all different designs, predominantly blue — and now Dr. Debin, 45, sees her yard differently. 'It's so bright and playful, and it lifts your mood,' she said, adding that the murals inspired her to create an outdoor space where she could entertain among the yard's orange trees. Home murals were once relegated to children's bedrooms, where they often tied into a theme. Today, they've grown up and taken over walls, indoors and out. Technically speaking, a mural is a large work of art executed right on a wall. And while modern murals are typically associated with streetscapes and Insta-worthy backdrops, they're one of the most primitive forms of artistic storytelling. In Dordogne, France, for example, the Lascaux cave paintings of about 15,000 to 17,000 years ago depicted horses, bison and other animals. And in Patagonia, Argentina, the 'Cueva de las Manos' ('Cave of Hands') is a composite of stenciled human hands that dates back at least 9,000 years. 'I think as humans we have this built-in tendency to share things with other people and do that in a visual way,' said Hailey Widrig, an art historian and founder of Art Partners Advisory in Paris, which advises collectors and appraises art works. 'Murals really evolved out of that.' The sprawling wall paintings have ebbed and flowed out of popularity through the centuries, from religious works in the Renaissance (like the 'Last Supper') to political statements by Diego Rivera in the 1930s and Banksy's start in the 1990s. In the 2010s, destinations like Richmond, Va., which has hosted the RVA Street Art Festival since 2012, and Wynwood Walls in Miami began welcoming murals to add vibrancy and become attractions. The rise of murals on social media has inspired homeowners to bring them indoors. 'Platforms like Instagram have reframed murals as contemporary visual statements by transforming them from niche to aspirational through sheer exposure,' said Elena DeStefano, an interior designer in Philadelphia. 'In response, designers began integrating them as immersive, site-specific works that introduce a unique narrative and spatial complexity into the home.' That individualized touch is what makes Ms. DeStefano so inclined to incorporate murals in homes. 'I think they work in literally any room with walls,' she said. 'They are a true representation of the person that lives in that home because there's no mural that is ever going to be the same.' Ms. DeStefano is also a proponent of digital mural wall coverings by companies like Phillip Jeffries. She recently worked with a couple who wanted birds in their mural, and the company blended their designs and tweaked the scale of the birds to make a customized mural. There are considerations to take into account before painting a mural. Diana Hathaway, an interior designer in the San Francisco Bay Area, suggested pulling in colors from the surrounding design to make the space cohesive. 'It doesn't have to be too literal, but it should echo something you already have going on,' Ms. Hathaway said. Many see hand-painted murals as an alternative to wallpaper, which can be fussy to install — and not as unique. Some muralists paint designs reminiscent of wallpaper, like Kate White who lives in Garrison, N.Y. She specializes in retro hues and geometric patterns, such as a terrazzo-inspired bathroom mural or pink and yellow blocks in an entry hallway. Even an often-overlooked area, like a stairwell, is not immune to a muralist's palette. Kreh Mellick, an artist in Asheville, N.C., recently painted one in a family member's home in Virginia. Ms. Mellick took the stairwell from plain to whimsical, adorned with stars and a dress-clad sun ascending over flowers and a blueberry patch. In some cases, homeowners empower muralists to think beyond just painting the walls. Christina Kwan, a muralist in Atlanta, installed an oceanic mural-painting hybrid in a client's dining room. 'When I work on canvases, they're so contained,' she said. 'Then when I work on murals, they're so expansive, but I want them to have the intimacy that a canvas does.' Additionally, if the homeowners ever move, they can bring the canvas with them, too. Even in the modern era, murals tell stories. Rachel Kerns, a muralist in Sacramento with a flair for boho-chic florals, painted a dining room ceiling in Pasadena, Calif., last year. Among leaves and golden flowers set against a red backdrop, Ms. Kerns painted silhouettes of the homeowner's children on the edge of the mural. 'We incorporated the silhouettes in a way that was kind of abstract and not too on the nose or cheesy,' Ms. Kerns said. 'I just thought it was so special that it was above the table that they're going to dine at for years.'
