Creating the ideal study area for a Teenager

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Creating the ideal study area for a Teenager 

There remains a growing desire to reform Secondary education in the UK, after the chairman of the Education Select Committee Robert Halfon suggested that both GCSEs and A-Levels should be scrapped in the near-future.

Creating the ideal study area for your Teenager

For now, GCSEs remain a key staple of Secondary education in the UK, with hundreds and thousands of students nationwide preparing for their exams. It was only 12 months ago that my own teenager was in the midst of revision for his GCSEs, and preparing to sit 24 exams during May and June.

Given the importance of a … Continue reading

First-time buyers guide to no deposit mortgages

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First-time buyers guide to no deposit mortgages

Getting on the property ladder can be difficult, especially for young buyers attempting to buy their own home. Many people can’t afford to pay a large sum of money for a deposit, leaving them renting when they’d much rather own their own home. Don’t panic if you’re unable to buy with a regular mortgage, there are options for you, including the deposit-less type known as a 100 per cent mortgage. Not sure where to get started? Follow this quick guide to no deposit mortgages.

First-time buyers guide to no deposit mortgages

Is it possible ?

It is possible to get … Continue reading

3 Stylish Ways to Create More Space in Your Home

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3 Stylish Ways to Create More Space in Your Home

Every home can benefit from extra storage. Whether you need to store clothing, bedding, toys or sports equipment, chances are you will struggle to find space for it all. The other problem is that many storage solutions can look ugly and unattractive.

ways to create more space in your home

Here we offer 3 ideas to incorporate both style and storage into your home.

Beautiful Bookshelves

When we are looking for extra storage space, the first thing we should do is look up. Using height and wall space could offer us just the extra storage we need. Built-in … Continue reading

Finding the best home for you and your family

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Nowadays, increasing numbers of people are opting to rent for longer periods of time. This makes sense in many ways, as people don’t want to be tied down until they have a reason to create stability and consistency in their lives. Something that does this? Having children.

Finding the best home for you and your family

Once you have little ones, chances are that you will want to invest in a more permanent home if you can. Not only will this ensure that they can grow up in the same space, rather than moving around regularly, but it also ensures that you have something to leave to them in … Continue reading

Make a statement this Autumn with these cosy design tips

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Farewell, Summer! We’ve had an amazing Summer and the weather has been very kind to us. But with the seasons seemingly changing overnight, I am ready to dig out my tights and boots, long coats and umbrellas, and bracing ourselves for whatever Autumn has to throw at us. We can get our wardrobes ready, but what about our homes?

Make a statement this Autumn

Getting the house ready for the colder months of the year might seem like a mammoth task, but did you know that you can have fun with it to? Below are some ideas to get your house ready for the next … Continue reading

My Dream Garden – 5 things on my wish list

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Having just finished redecorating our bedroom, I know that pretty soon my thoughts will be turning to our garden. Our poor garden has been unloved all over the winter, and it needs some serious spring maintenance. The decking needs repainting, a few of the fence panels need fixing, hanging baskets need replanting, and the leaves and rubbish that have gathered over the winter months need clearing away.

My Dream Garden

I know that once the garden is looking its best, I will look forward to picnic lunches outside with the kids, and enjoying a glass of wine with the husband on a balmy … Continue reading

Increasing the value of your home – Tips and Ideas

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With little glimpses of spring on the horizon it can only mean one thing…. DIY jobs around the home and garden. We have been in our house for 18 years this year, and each spring we make a list of the jobs that need doing. I have my eye on decorating our bedroom, though the husband doesn’t know this yet.

With many people choosing to stay in their homes for longer with the increasing cost of moving and mortgages predicted to rise again, it’s always worthwhile adding value to your home. Balustrade Components have compiled a great infographic on how … Continue reading

My love of Cath Kidston

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I think I can pinpoint the exact moment I fell in love with Cath Kidston. My friend and I were in a local coffee shop about 2 years ago, doing what we do best, drinking coffee and eating cake.  That day our cakes were served on pretty flowery plates, and our coffee came in a Cath Kidston mug. Right then I wanted my home to be full of Cath Kidston crockery, tea towels, mugs, and of course bags (LOTS of bags). Basically anything I could sneak into my home without the husband noticing too much.

Cath Kidston Mugs

Before long I had … Continue reading

Dreaming of a bigger and lighter kitchen

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There is no mistaking that our kitchen is probably the darkest room in our house, and I often dream of a lighter and bigger space. But this would obviously mean moving house, a bigger mortgage, and no doubt a whole heap of stress. We have been in our home for nearly 17 years and have no plans to move, so what can we do to achieve a bigger and lighter kitchen.

Paint the units

I was seriously looking into this a few months ago. Whilst our kitchen is a decent quality, I am bored of the beech units and black … Continue reading

Dreaming of a Loft Conversion

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Life can be so busy can’t it. What with working, organising a home, and being a constant taxi service to a teen and tween, I am often counting the minutes until I can relax in bed. And with the kids getting older and going to bed later, I often find myself in bed before the teen. Thankfully our bedroom is my place to relax. Just give me a book, a cup of tea and a scented candle and I am happy.

Primark cushion

But one thing is missing from my tranquil haven…. an ensuite.  An ensuite where I could indulge in a … Continue reading