As nights draw in many of us wanting to give our home a facelift to remedy the Autumnal gloom. Richard Bond advises how to get a perfect finish for a paint refresh.
If you are looking to brighten up your home this autumn without a major refurbishment budget, then a fresh coat of paint can be the perfect solution; provided you are prepared to do it properly.
It doesn’t have to be about a change of colour, as just giving your room a one coat refresh helps revive your original colour and eliminates any usage marks or blemishes. However, patching rarely works as paint shades alter over time, so embrace the change and paint the entire wall.
A one coat refresh of the existing colour can revive your original shade
Take time to prepare your surfaces well, a few extra hours spent initially give a better and longer lasting finish.
If you are going to reposition artwork remove all picture hooks and repair the holes with filler. Let the filler dry and sand to a smooth finish so that your repair will be invisible once painted.
Treat small crack with filler, but large cracks should generally be considered a job for a professional – it may seem an additional expense, but it is likely to reap rewards in the long run.
Prepare woodwork properly and use Oil Eggshell for a softer finish than gloss
Woodwork preparation is vital to avoid chipping that will make your renovation look old before its time. Well-worn surfaces should be stripped with a chemical paint remover (such as Nitromors) or a hot-air paint stripper to give you a clean base. Even surfaces in good condition should have existing top coats gently sanded to a matt finish as this allows new paint to bond properly.
Apply the first coat of emulsion to your walls and, once this has dried, undercoat any woodwork. Be patient!! After this has dried, apply a second coat of emulsion and then a topcoat of your chosen woodwork finish; this ensures better definition and finish between the paints.
Your choice of paint finish is vital – things have come a long way since simple gloss or emulsion. In areas like hallways, which are prone to hard wear, use washable emulsion such as Dulux Endurance+ Matt or Zoffany Elite Emulsion. These finishes are washable and generally stain resistant.
Little Greene new Pink Collection from £38 for 2.5 Ltd of Absolute Matt Emulsion
We use oil eggshell for woodwork. The finish is softer than gloss and seems easier to apply than acrylic eggshell, which can dry very quickly and be more prone to streaking.
As with many things, cheap paint may sound a bargain, but often contains less pigment so can require more coats and be more difficult to work with. Trade up to a good quality paint such as Paint & Paper Library (www.paintandpaperlibrary.com) and not only are the colours likely to be more intense, but it should to take less time to do the job.
The new range from Paint and Paper Library from £21 for 750ml
Richard Bond is MD of multi-award winning interior designers Jamie Hempsall Ltd. Read more at www.jamiehempsall.com or follow them on twitter @JamieHempsall.
Samantha Waterhouse, Richard Bond and Jamie Hempsall with their Best Commercial Interior Design Firm – UK 2016
article-as-it-appears-in-the-yorkshire-post-5th-oct-2016
Thrilled to be able to present our first editorial feature for Houzz!
Jamie Hempsall & Richard Bond popped into BBC Radio Sheffield’s Paulette Edwards’ show again on 26th Sept 2016 discussing how our how to make your home work for you, new season’s trends and …. Lorraine Kelly’s cleavage!
All is revealed if you want to follow the link.
Follow the link, the whole show is really good, but if you do want to just hear our bit we are 01:08:47 to 01:42:06.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0473h2p
Richard Bond & Jamie Hempsall
The Business – Sheffield Star – June/July 2016
Just as redesigning our home interiors energises homeowners, workplaces benefit from a strategic re-imagining too.
Any business which opens its doors to the public needs to ensure its premises never look tired and dated.
But offices hidden from public view should also invest in a regular makeover; research proves that revitalising the workplace reaps dividends for the employer.
“It has long been known that surroundings have an impact on human behaviour. And new reports show that a quality of workplace environment results in more engaged staff. It improves their performance and reduced staff turnover,” said multi-award-winning interior designer Jamie Hempsall.
“The Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment recently carried out a study of the impact of office design on business performance and discovered that companies who had improved their workplaces were reporting an increase in staff performance of up to five per cent.
In another report, a major UK call centre said staff turnover reduced by 11% and output more than doubled after a move to new premises,” explained Richard Bond managing director of Jamie Hempsall Ltd, a design consultancy launched in 1994 in East Drayton on the outskirts of Doncaster renowned for innovation, practicality and cost-effective design.
Bolsover Cruise Club, one of the largest independent cruise retail agents in the UK, called in the Jamie Hempsall team to restyle its ten-year-old HQ – and were delighted to find the result had a positive impact on its staff.
Launched back in the 1960s by current MD Michael Wilson’s grandfather, the company sells tens of thousands of cruises a year throughout the UK.
Its purpose-built premises at Barlborough Business Park operate as company HQ, a national call centre for 114 staff and the Cruise Reservation Bureau, where customers come to discuss their dream trips with expert agents.
The brief from Bolsover Cruise Club was to create a modern, more sophisticated style which flowed through the entire building.
Practicalities were paramount. Results had to be hard-wearing – and all work had to be carried out around Bolsover Cruise Club’s 9am to 8pm, seven days a week operation. There could be no down-time.
“There were many challenges with this project,” said Richard Bond. “But we understood totally the need to deliver with no impact at all on the business and relished the opportunity to launch Bolsover Cruise Club’s premises into the 21st century.
“Our biggest issue was the re-carpeting. The old carpet had been glued to the floor and had to be chipped away and the entire call centre floor had to be re-fitted overnight. To work within the time constraints and minimise disruption, we sourced a hydraulic system that raised every desk.”
Jamie Hempsall explains the design concept: “A nautical theme was the obvious choice, but we wanted to do it in a way which had subtlety and most importantly, reflected the luxurious ambience of a first-class cruise liner.
Bolsover Cruise Club managing director Michael Wilson said he was delighted.
“We didn’t lose a minute of business and the whole place looks superb. Our staff love their stylish and modern new surroundings. We have invested in their workspace and it’s clear they appreciate that.”
The custom designed Reception Desk
16/02/2016
Retford Times – 4th February 2016
Jamie Hempsall Ltd of East Drayton, near Retford has won “Best Of Design” for the second year running on Houzz®, the leading platform for home renovation and design.
The already multi-award winning interior design team was chosen by the more than 35 million monthly unique users that comprise the Houzz community, from among more than one million active home building, renovating and design industry professionals.
The Best Of Houzz is awarded annually in three categories: Design, Customer Service and Photography. The Hempsall’s “Best Of Houzz 2016” Design Award excellence badge helps homeowners identify the top-rated home professionals in their region.
Richard Bond, MD of Jamie Hempsall, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have been given this publicly-voted award for the second year running.
“We spend a great deal of time with each client, learning about their lives and loves, so we can design bespoke spaces that reflect them.
“It’s not just about decoration, but space planning and re-design – ensuring areas we create deliver the result that is most useful to our clients.
“As part of this process we aim to ensure that our rooms that have longevity – interior design is an investment and we like to ensure a good return. It is always a joy to receive positive feedback from our clients and their friends, but to win an award like this really is the icing on the design cake!”
Andrew Small, managing director of Houzz UK added: “Anyone building, renovating or decorating looks to Houzz for the most talented and service-oriented professionals.
“We’re so pleased to recognise Jamie Hempsall Ltd voted one of our “Best Of Houzz” professionals by our enormous community of homeowners and design enthusiasts actively renovating and decorating their homes.”
Follow Jamie Hempsall Ltd on Houzz at www.houzz.co.uk /pro/jamiehempsall
Read more: http://www.retfordtimes.co.uk/Design-team-scoops-award-second-year-running/story-28664114-detail/story.html#ixzz40Lhwu3sG
Follow us: @retfordtimes on Twitter | RetfordTimes on Facebook
Jamie Hempsall BIID, SBID is a multi-award winning interior designer.
@JamieHempsall
The Star – The Business Magazine – Feb/March 2016
Delighted to have participated in this piece in The Star Business Magazine. Here is our take on the situation. You can read the full interviews with all six couples in the attached PDF.
Your partner is the other half of you – but could you cope if they were also the other half of your business? We ask 6 couples for the low down on their 24/7 relationships….
“We always thought it would be a nightmare to work together…” Jamie Hempsall cheerily admits he had never planned to be in business with his life partner. Neither had he intended to become an interior designer.
The pair had met when Jamie was 21 and in a top London drama school, his sights set on a career on the stage. Richard Bond, two years younger, was at university in Manchester studying business management and on track for a financial career.
Both achieved their ambitions.
Richard became an accountant and business analyst, firstly with Tesco where he helped launch TescoDirect, then with Center Parcs as a main board director. Meanwhile Jamie worked successfully in London theatre for six years and dabbled in interior design between jobs.
They moved back to Jamie’s native Nottinghamshire following a family bereavement, which was when Jamie started his interior design business. As Jamie Hempsall Ltd grew, he realised that he needed some assistance with the non-design side of the business.
“Richard was just considering a career change and agreed to give me some help, but only on a temporary basis.We both thought we would end up killing each other if it was anything permanent because we thought so very differently,” says Jamie.
But being polar opposites made for the perfect formula. The company based in East Drayton near Retford is a multi-award winning practice. A member of the British Institute of Interior Design and the Society of British and International Design, it works with residential and commercial clients throughout the UK and parts of Europe.
Jamie, now 51, is the design director and Richard, 49, is the company MD. “It worked because we have blind faith in each other’s abilities, and realised we needed to leave each other to get on with what we do best,” says Jamie.
“Richard manages the contracts, the business planning, the finances, marketing and our media. I do the design. And 2016 is a special year for us. The company is 10 years old and we are celebrating our 30th anniversary together.”
Richard and Jamie entered into a civil partnership in 2006 and wed in 2014 immediately after the law changed to allow gay marriage.
“Since we met in 1986 we have seen massive changes in society’s attitude to homosexuality,” says Richard.
“It is only in retrospect that you realise quite how much society has moved forward. We never really experienced direct prejudice, but when you look back on it you understand there were a lot more everyday hurdles to overcome.
“We had to lie about our sexuality when we got a mortgage together to avoid premiums being inflated. Before civil partnerships we didn’t have the same rights regarding inheritance tax and pensions. If one of us had died the other would have had no pension rights and we would have had to pay inheritance tax just to stay in our own home – a very different state of affairs from a married couple.
“But we have always had the support of our families and friends and in business, being gay has not caused a single problem.When clients realise we are a couple they take us at face value.We now count many of them as close friends, which is wonderful.”
Relationship rule:
We work long hours together during the week so when we leave the office we made a pact not to talk about business, switch our mobile phones off and forget about emails. It was very difficult at first, but we’ve got pretty good at it. And we never take personal arguments into the office.
Who’s the boss?
We are each boss of our own specialities. Two halves make one whole.
Oct
23
Yorkshire Post Mid-Week Life & Style Section – 21st Oct 2015
Homes & Interiors
The cocktail cabinet and trolley are definitely once more “on the up”. Interior Designer, Jamie Hempsall, gives his advice.
The resurgence of the cocktail is manifesting itself in the appearance of drinks oriented furniture in the home. The impending launch of Spectre, the latest James Bond feature, on 26th October is also bound to heighten our fascination with all things “shaken, not stirred”.
Sprinkle in the introduction of the seasonal gift ranges available on the High Street and you have the ideal recipe for amateur mixologists to enjoy the perfect home cocktail environment.
Tom Dixon Cocktail Range from John Lewis
Sociability is one of the basic requirements of the perfect cocktail space. Half the fun of a cocktail is picking your tantalising tipple and watching a bartender mixing the magic. So, if you are creating a cocktail area within your home ensure your guests can experience the creations first hand.
At its most fundamental, a cocktail space can be created in the kitchen by dedicating a cupboard to the storing of glasses, measures, shakers and bottles. The addition of a countertop ice-maker helps with the all important ice crushing (reasonably priced options are widely available so there is no need for a special freezer).
This works best in a large kitchen where you are happy for people to gather to chat and you have the ability to lose an element of cupboard space and work surface.
Riley Drinks Trolley from Atkin & Thyme
However, the natural home of the cocktail is the Sitting Room, where you can welcome and entertain guests in a relaxed environment. A simple, but stylish trolley is the perfect solution for the home. They take up little space and can be moved around as desired – ideal for transferring your cocktail base from room to room. Atkin and Thyme offer the chic nickel plated Riley Drinks Trolley (£298, www.atkinandthyme.co.uk) or if antiqued gold is more your style then have a look at the Luxe Drinks Trolley from www.oliverbonas.com (£350).
Drinks cabinets largely went out of fashion in the last couple of decades, but with the resurgent interest in all things mid 20th Century (not to mention our unending love affair with Deco) this is once again an honoured part of your entertainment space furniture.
There are terrific period finds to be upcycled from the likes of Ebay, but if you want something more contemporary then the High Street has interesting options such as the Arielle Antiqued Mirror Drinks Cabinet from Laura Ashley (currently reduced from £725 to £456.75; mto.laurashley.com) or the Dwell Bibte Drinks Cabinet, which also includes a copious wine store (£549 – www.dwell.co.uk).
Pollock Drinks Cabinet from Julian Chichester
Classic cocktails shouts luxury and with that in mind, you might want to go the whole hog and splash out on a statement piece of furniture that creates theatre the moment you open it up. If that is the case, then the Pollock Drinks Cabinet from Julian Chichester is definitely the way to go (£6,394; www.julianchichester.com).
THE 007 MARTINI
The classic Bond Martini, the Vesper, was first introduced to the UK in Ian Fleming’s 1953 novel, Casino Royale.
Ingredients:
3 oz Gordon’s Gin (Bond’s preference)
1 oz Vodka
0.5 oz Kina Lillet Blanc
1 ) Add the ingredients into a shaker, such as the Bar Craft Boston Cocktail Shaker (£17.99; www.kitchencraft.co.uk), fill with ice and shake.
Bar Craft Boston Cocktail Shaker
2) Strain into a chilled cocktail glass; John Lewis offer the beautiful handmade Amber cocktail glass (£6; see below).
3) Twist a slice of lemon peel over the drink, rub along the rim of the glass and drop in.
Jamie Hempsall Ltd, BIID, is a multi award-winning interior designer
Jan
28
Yorkshire Post Life & Style Section – 28th Jan 2015
Flooring choices are fundamental and a considerable investment. Interior Designer Jamie Hempsall advises how to ensure you do not make an expensive mistake.
Jamie Hempsall, SBID, BIID
In the midst of the winter gloom, many of us want to get a hint of spring by freshening up our homes. Flooring often forms a part of that decision and is certainly critical in the success or failure of your look and feel.
It is important not to simply replace your flooring with something similar, but to take time to consider the use of the room and people who might therefore be enjoying the ambience.
Your key considerations should be:
- The volume of traffic that the room will be subject to and, therefore, how durable your product needs to be.
- Is there likely to be moisture regularly present (such as a bathroom or utility room)?
- How slip resistant does your floor need to be?
- Does the floor need to act as a sound barrier? A particularly important consideration in upstairs rooms and for those in apartments.
- Do you want a maintenance free finish?
- Do any of the occupants have asthma or allergies? Some carpets are more hypoallergenic than others and generally harder floors can be more easily cleaned and, therefore, less problematic.
- What sub-floor will your surface be laid upon? For example, if you have under-floor heating, then engineered floor boards can be a better choice than solid wood.
- Overall budget – including installation.
The flooring types have very differing properties, so here are my guidelines to help make an informed choice:
RESILIENT FLOORING
Items such as vinyl (e.g. Karndean or Amtico) and linoleum can bounce back to their original form after something is dropped on them; helping preserve both the floor and the object. These make a good alternative to hard surfaces such as tile.
They are often flexible to lay, hardwearing with minimal maintenance; good in areas with moisture and most finishes are bacteria resistant. Prices can suit most budgets.
Resilient flooring such as Amtico bounces back to its original form after something is dropped on them
PORCELAIN & CERAMIC TILES
These are relatively easy to maintain and perfect in areas with moisture or immediate access from the outside. Without under-floor heating they can feel cool and you need to consider slip-resistance. They require a level sub-floor. Fitting costs can be as much as the cost of the tiles, but properly laid tiling can last a lifetime, so is money well spent.
Tile is the ideal solution in wet areas
WOOD
Always gives a warm architectural finish and colour can be altered with staining. Wonderful for a more informal area, must be in good repair for visual interest. Will require regular maintenance depending upon finish, but if cared for can be a very long-term and richly rewarding companion.
Wood may stain if in regular contact with moisture so finish and careful cleaning is important. Can be temperamental if used in conjunction with under-floor heating where veneer engineered boards might be a better option. Needs professional fitting to ensure safety and longevity. One of the more expensive flooring options.
Engineered Wood Floors are specifically designed to work in conjunction with underfloor heating
LAMINATE
A firm favourite in the last decade as a cheap and easy to fit flooring solution. Unsuitable for damp areas and can sound hollow when walked upon, so not recommended in flats or upstairs bedrooms. Some systems are suitable for owner installation. Laminate is easy to maintain and available at a variety of price points.
CARPETS & RUGS
A particularly good solution in cooler areas as they add warmth and comfort; they also help reduce noise. Carpet may not be as durable as other surfaces, but stain resistant treatments definitely help prolong its life. Available in a variety of price points, but a good quality underlay and professional fitting are essential for carpets.
Rugs are ideal used in conjunction with other surfaces to provide warmth and design contrast.
Carpet adds warmth and helps reduce noise
STONE & MARBLE
A very permanent solution and ideal in wet areas. Cooler than most other finishes, but ideal with under-floor heating as it retains warmth. Expensive and must be laid perfectly. Ideal for bathrooms; hallways and garden rooms.
Marble is a beautiful, permanent solution
Opting for a flooring type does not complete the design decision. You can add more interest by combining items of a similar nature. For example, using different types of hard surface such as tile and steel or breaking up a block of colour with boarders in a contrasting colour or pattern.
Whatever your choice, good preparation and fitting are essential. Your subfloor needs to be as flat as possible (often over-boarding problem areas can be a simple and cost effective solution). This will help make for easier installation and ensure the longest life possible for the flooring you choose
Jamie Hempsall is a multi-award winning interior designer.
Article as it appears in the Yorkshire Post 28th Jan 2015
Aug
14
Yorkshire Post Mid-Week Life & Style Section 14th August 2014
Window treatments can make or break your interior scheme – no matter what room you are decorating. Interior Designer Jamie Hempsall guides you through making the right choices for design success.
No matter the month, how you dress your windows has not only visual, but also practical impact on your room. Each season offers its own challenges – from the fading properties of sunlight to bitter winter chills. So choosing the right solutions can be a minefield.
On the one hand you want something attractive, but on the other they must be practical. A single solution may not suit your needs, but a combination of curtain, blinds and voiles probably will.
Voiles add privacy without blocking light
No matter how tempting it is to rush in and make a sumptuous fabric choice, your first consideration must be what your window dressings need to do.
Start by thinking who will use them? Are we talking considerate adults or boisterous children? The former lends itself to richer fabrics and more elaborate designs. The latter means more hardwearing practicality with easy ways to close (blinds are ideal, but take into account new installation safety regulations).
A big consideration in summer is whether your window treatment needs to stop light. Some find summer light seepage leads to poor sleep! If this is the case, consider thicker fabrics or a blackout lining. Roman and roller blinds can suffer from light spill around the edges, so curtains are often the best option where space allows.
In winter considerations change to whether you need dressings to help keep warmth in. Up to 20% of home heat can be lost through windows and doors, but the inclusion of interlining can really help reduce this. Interlining has the added benefit of adding body to your drape – so you get fuel economy and fancier looks in one solution.
The other major consideration is the need for privacy. If this is not an issue, you could opt for dress curtains that frame the window without the ability to close (a great solution to reduce the amount of fabric, allowing you to opt for a more indulgent choice).
Eyelets stack back most effectively
If you need to keep things to yourself during the day you do not want to lose light, so voiles or strings are options you should review in conjunction with your main window covering.
These considerations will lead you to a natural route for dressing style.
Blinds present a practical and stylish solution; particularly useful where you are limited for space around the window (e.g. in a bathroom). Popular blind types are Roller, Roman and Venetian.
Roller blinds are the simplest construction and can be a solo window dressing or used in conjunction with dress curtains for a simple to use and cost effective solution.
Roman blinds are more akin to curtains, providing a similar effect to a roller blind when closed, but a softer look when drawn.
Roman Blinds have a softer look than Roller Blinds when drawn
Venetian blinds have had a renaissance in popularity, particularly when using tape rather than cord. Finishes range from metal and plain wood, to contemporary silvers and spray painted woods. They allow light & views to be directed into a room, but are less light fast than most options.
If you have the space for curtains always opt for full length if possible as these frame a window better and add height to a room. The style should be chosen carefully taking into account the look and size of your room.
Swags and tails add opulence to fabric, but can be over-powering in rooms with low ceilings. A shaped pelmet with pinch-pleat top curtains creates a more pleasing solution if ceiling height is a challenge.
Swags and tails can be overpowering in room with low ceilings
Exposed poles are a traditional way to hang curtains, but ensure your headings are rigid or curtains can look sloppy and unfinished. To add structure, consider stylish exposed tracks with draw strings that help ease opening.
Headings are a very personal choice, but always consider how much you want a curtain to draw back from the window and how much space it will need. Pencil pleat curtains are more voluminous, whilst eyelets stack back most effectively.
Only after these decisions should you be looking at pattern books, but you know your money will be spent wisely on the best solution.
MAKING BLINDS SAFE
In the last 3 years over 14 toddlers and children have died as a result of becoming entangled with blind cords or chains. New standards introduced earlier this year ensure all new blind installations have to be child safe by law (even where children are not present).
A new window blind with an operating cord/chain that could form a loop must be kept out of the reach of babies and young children. The standards introduced limitations on cord and chain lengths, cord/chain safety devices and specific legal installation requirements.
Visit www.makeitsafe.org.uk for full guideline requirements and further advice.
Jamie Hempsall Ltd is a multi-award winning interior designer.
Article as it appears in the Yorkshire Post 13th August 2014
Jamie Hempsall, SBID, BIID
Aug
01
As the British Summer does it’s best to confound the most optimistic of us, interior designer Jamie Hempsall looks at making the most of your outside room.
It appears we may have a few windows of opportunity to nip outside and enjoy some outdoor space – if we can tear ourselves away from the sporting events on the television. With this in mind, I have taken a look at some of the more unusual options that are available to ensure your garden is as individual as your interior.
It is always a difficult choice to spend money on exterior furniture and fittings, given how little time we may get to use them. However, you need to consider them a long-term investment. Well-designed and manufactured items may need you to indulge in a little care and maintenance, but are likely to pay dividends in the long run as you enjoy their stylish looks for years to come.
Lounging around is everyone’s first option when the good weather hits, but it would always be nice to indulge in this little passion whenever you fancy. We spotted the Cacoon at the Chelsea Flower Show and think it is a major find. It combines all the joys of a lounger, hammock, swing seat and tent. Being made from acrylic canvas it also does its best to cope with the British elements. They are incredibly comforting and definitely bring out the inner child when you get in them. Prices start at £225 for a single (www.hang-in-out.com – 020 8944 5141).
The Cacoon Lounger Hammock
Unpredictable weather conditions have to be a factor in all your decisions, so you may want to extend both sun and rain cover to less intimate spaces. An innovative and stylish solution is to opt for a Sail shade. The look is highly individual and they pack away to virtually nothing. If you opt for a woven, rather than knitted fabric they also offer the maximum possible UV protection from a fabric. The product pictured is the Kookaburra 3.6m Square Blue Sail Shade, which is independently tested to UPF50+, so should be perfect for those who have young or delicate skin: £59.95 (www.primrose.co.uk – 01189 035210).
Sail Shade
The range of outdoor furniture is endless and you should put as much consideration in as if you were choosing something for your interior. They may only be used for a few weeks of the year, but when you need them to leap into action you want to be able to sit & chat on them for every hour that is available to you. People seem to feel that they have to stick to the manufacturer supplied soft furnishings, but you can ensure that your furniture feels individual to you by re-covering cushions in a range of outdoor fabrics, such as Cabannes from Designers Guild or Zancudo by Osborne & Little. This is also a terrific way to give a cost-effective facelift to a beloved set of outdoor furniture.
It is not all about daytime though and with a little bit of planning you can extend the life of your garden well beyond sundown. Lighting is essential, but can easily be achieved with storm proof candles (which can be as simple as some tea-lights in jam jars to create a warm glow). If you are looking for a more permanent option, then we suggest you seriously consider floor lanterns, backed up by subtle higher-level lighting and uplighting or spot lighting to highlight key features without creating light pollution. Lanterns will give an effective, but kind light so you can still bath in the moon-light. The sophisticated Muse outdoor lamp pictured has a choice of frame colour and a waterproof plaited leather handle. The range features a fabulously practical battery powered version. From £680 (www.gomodern.co.uk – 0207 731 9540).
Muse Outdoor Lanterns
Team that lighting with an extra heat source to ensure that you maximise your outside time. There is nothing quite like gathering around an open fire and Kadai Fire Bowls are a wonderfully exotic option. They can be enhanced with a range of accessories including a cooking tripod, grills, skillets and a rain cover so that you can ward off the worst of the weather and still indulge in an outdoor adventurer fantasy. A recycled Kadai with stand, grills, tongs and wire brush is available from £164 (www.kadai.com – 01694 771800).
Kadai Fire Bowls
STORAGE IS KEY FOR GARDEN FURNITURE
It seems a shame to mention this when there is a hint of sun, but if you are purchasing garden furniture it is important to remember to consider how to store it over winter. Canvas items need to be properly dried and carefully folded before being packed away and stored in a dry place that does not attract rodents! Check if “all-weather” furniture really is so and give it a helping hand by purchasing water-proof covers. If there are any doubts, ensure you have the space to store items away from the elements to preserve your investment.
Jamie Hempsall, BIID, is a multi-award winning interior designer.
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