‘It’s like a miniature Downton’: a cosily grand country seat in Suffolk

Ambrice Miller has remodelled a 17th-century former malt house into a comfy family home

Ambrice Miller is sitting in her dining room on a bobbin chair that she designed. On the wall behind her is a hyper-realistic drawing by Ramadhan Hamis, an artist she represents. An equine bust and two Persian rugs also fill the space beneath an antique crystal chandelier from Provence, which hangs from one of the ceiling beams.

This space is actually one of the more understated rooms in her home. “Apparently a collector is just a hoarder, but I’ve also been told it’s not hoarding if what you’re holding on to is beautiful,” says the art dealer and asset manager. The malt house she’s standing in has aged rather gracefully. It has the character you’d expect from a 17th-century property and, while there have been a few nips and tucks here and there, thanks to its good bones, Ambrice and her husband, Ben, who undertook most of the renovation works themselves, didn’t need to do any structural work.

Continue reading...

* This article was originally published here

RHS criticised over products that kill bugs and wildflowers

Garden charity no longer categorises slugs and snails as pests but sells items that harm them, say critics

The Royal Horticultural Society has been criticised for continuing to sell products that kill wildflowers and insects, despite public messaging about protecting biodiversity.

Last year, the RHS said slugs and snails would no longer be classed as pests. The leading garden charity said they were an important part of the garden ecosystem and “play an important role in planet-friendly gardening”.

Continue reading...

* This article was originally published here

What is the best front door color? Your curb appeal questions, answered.

Landscape architect Janice Parker joins Jura Koncius to take reader questions about curb appeal and more.

* This article was originally published here

DIY Plunge Pools For Your Backyard

Get ready to cool off in your very own plunge pool with these DIY tutorials!

Building your own plunge pool is a great option for those who want to save money and space while still being able to relax on a hot summer day.  Big pools are over-rated and in summer you just want to cool off, not swim 10 miles back and forth or dump dive over and over again.  Our dog uses our pool more than our children, so for the next house, we will be 100% downsizing to a smaller plunge pool concept. We just need a pool to sit and drink mojitos in. 

Here are some tips and ideas to help you get started

What Is a Plunge Pool? Plunge pools are smaller pools designed for soaking, wading, or cooling off, and are typically 10×20 feet around and 6 feet deep. They are low maintenance and have risen in popularity in recent years due to their ease of use and low cost.

How Much Does a Plunge Pool Cost? On average, installing a plunge pool costs $20,000. However, DIY plunge pools can be built for much less, and above-ground plunge pools typically do not require permits.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Building a DIY Plunge Pool Some benefits of building a DIY plunge pool include its low cost, little space required, and ability to be modified to fit your budget and needs. However, there are some downsides to consider, such as not being big enough to swim laps and needing to invest in a submersible pump if drainage is an issue.

The Location of Your Plunge Pool Is Key When planning your DIY plunge pool, it’s important to choose the right location. This will impact filling and draining your pool, as well as any additional permits or liability steps you may need to take.

Different Types of Plunge Pools There are several types of plunge pools to choose from, including in-ground, above-ground, concrete, and fiberglass plunge pools. You can also opt for a plunge pool/hot tub combo or cold plunge pool, depending on your preferences.

Some of the most popular DIY plunge pools at the moment are Stock tank pools.  So I am going to focus on those, mostly because they are far more affordable for the average DIYer to make. 

Stock Tank Pool  A great guide from Maker Gray.  

Want to share in the process? Check out this “in progress stock tank installation ready for summer.  Okat this tutorial is actually for a stock tank storage box, but I love the idea of the smaller tank for a bath like plunge pool, this is much better for singles or couples as its faster to heat with an electric immersion heater or add ice to for an ice bath. 

I love the style of this one, the black really gives it a cool chic vibe, I am also going to assume the black would make it warmer too as black absorbs the heat from the sun. 

If you’re looking for some more inspiration, here are four DIY plunge pool ideas to get you started:

• Above-ground plunge pool using a stock tank
• Natural-looking plunge pool using an upcycled wood pallet
• Plunge pool from a stock tank Video  -The cost of making a plunge pool from a stock tank can vary depending on several factors, including the size of the tank, the materials you use to build the pool surround, and any additional features you may want to add, such as a heater or filtration system.On average, you can expect to spend between $1,500 to $3,500 for a DIY plunge pool made from a stock tank. This estimate includes the cost of the stock tank, any necessary equipment, and the materials needed to build the pool surround. However, keep in mind that these costs can vary depending on your location and the availability of materials.
• Home Depots version with video tutorial

With these tips and ideas, you’ll be well on your way to creating your own DIY plunge pool and enjoying a refreshing dip whenever you need it. Happy building!

FAQs for making your own DIY Plunge pool

Q: What is a DIY plunge pool?
A: A DIY plunge pool is a smaller-sized pool designed for soaking, wading, cooling off, or even sometimes for water aerobics or muscle rehabilitation that you can build yourself at home.

Q: How much does it cost to build a DIY plunge pool?
A: The cost to build a DIY plunge pool varies depending on the type of pool you choose to build, but on average, it can cost around $20,000 if creating a concrete one or less for a stock tank.

Q: What are the benefits of building a DIY plunge pool?
A: There are several benefits to building a DIY plunge pool, including requiring little space, being built to fit in most types of yards, saving money on installation costs, having fewer ongoing maintenance costs, and being a great way to exercise.

Q: What are the drawbacks of building a DIY plunge pool?
A: The main drawback of building a DIY plunge pool is that it may not be big enough to swim laps, and installing concrete may be difficult for some homeowners. Elegant or combo designs may also be hard to build yourself.

Q: What are the different types of plunge pools?
A: There are several types of plunge pools, including in-ground plunge pools, above-ground plunge pools, concrete plunge pools, fiberglass plunge pools, plunge pool/hot tub combos, and cold plunge pools.

Q: Do you need a permit to build a DIY plunge pool?
A: It depends on the type of pool you choose to build. Above-ground plunge pools usually don’t require a permit, but in-ground plunge pools do.

Q: How often should you drain a plunge pool?
A: It is recommended to drain your plunge pool every five years to prevent dirt and debris build-up and reduce Total Dissolved Solids. In a plunge pool, draining and refilling your pool once every year or two is more reasonable from a cost perspective.

Q: What is the most cost-conscious type of dipping pool you can build yourself?
A: The most cost-conscious type of dipping pool you can build yourself is an above-ground plunge pool, which usually doesn’t require a permit and can save you $400 to $1,800 alone.

How to heat a plunge pool? 

If you are like me then you like your showers hot and your pools warm…

There are several ways to heat a stock tank pool, including:

Solar stock tank pool covers: These are designed to capture the sun’s heat and transfer it to the water in your pool.

Electric heaters: These are typically installed on the outside of the stock tank and use electricity to heat the water.

Propane heaters: These are also installed on the outside of the stock tank and use propane gas to heat the water.

Heat pumps: These are a more energy-efficient option that use electricity to transfer heat from the air or ground to the water in the pool.

DIY solutions: Some people use black tubing or a DIY solar heater made from a garden hose coiled in the sun to heat their stock tank pool.

It’s important to note that the effectiveness of these methods will depend on the size of your stock tank pool, the ambient temperature, and the level of insulation or covering you have on the pool. It’s always a good idea to consult a professional if you’re not sure which option is best for you.

* This article was originally published here

Design news: the father of video art, London Craft Week and Frank Lloyd Wright trainers

Read a tome on time, watch a documentary about artist Nam June Paik and marvel at the work of graphic designer Neville Brody

“Skin has become inadequate at interfacing with reality,” wrote artist Nam June Paik in one of his many essays. “Technology has become the body’s new membrane of existence.” If you like the sound of Paik’s world view, you can learn more about him in design news this month. We also have a “tattooed, gobby” horologist and the world’s bestselling graphic designer. Come on in.

Continue reading...

* This article was originally published here

Holy guacamole: are you ready for the return of the avocado bathroom suite?

Pink, blue, yellow… Coloured bathroom suites are pushing the all-white sets out of fashion

To walk into the Brokenbog warehouse is to walk into a flushable rainbow. Grand porcelain towers of 50,000 toilets, basins and bathtubs are stacked in a Pantone-esque pattern of pinks, greens and blues. To be specific: Flamingo, Melba, Romany, Heather, Pampas, Silver Fox, Sorrento Blue and more, a hundred more, each shade insistently nostalgic in its own specific way.

“When my parents bought a former Corporation house in Stevenage New Town in the 1970s,” says Deborah Sugg Ryan, professor of design history at the University of Portsmouth, “the first thing they did was to rip out the white bathroom and replace it with an aspirational avocado green suite with matching rippled tiles.” A decade later, across Britain the opposite was happening. Ccolour was bleached from bathrooms again, avocado suites making way for minimal white sanctuaries. The popularity ofminimalism in of the 1990s led to spa-like bathrooms, their function as much a place of “wellness” as cleanliness. White metro tiles suggested an industrial space, hygienic and pure, and pleasingly modern. Sugg Ryan charts the rise and fall of the coloured bathroom from 1932, when “speculatively built houses became more affordable and the coloured bathroom suite was a mark of individuality and modernity”. Art Deco geometric styles with black borders led to pastels, “like mint and pink, which were popular into the 1950s when vanity basins became fashionable. Pastels gave way to more muted tones, like beige and the notorious avocado green in the 1970s. The coloured bathroom suite fell out of favour in the 1980s when there was a fad for Victoriana and the return of the freestanding roll-top bath. Until recently, white reigned supreme, combined with built-in storage and beige or grey tiles.” Recently, Sugg Ryan bought a pink sink on impulse, and is very pleased with it.

Continue reading...

* This article was originally published here

* This article was originally published here

Holy guacamole: are you ready for the return of the avocado bathroom suite?

Pink, blue, yellow… Coloured bathroom suites are pushing the all-white sets out of fashion

To walk into the Brokenbog warehouse is to walk into a flushable rainbow. Grand porcelain towers of 50,000 toilets, basins and bathtubs are stacked in a Pantone-esque pattern of pinks, greens and blues. To be specific: Flamingo, Melba, Romany, Heather, Pampas, Silver Fox, Sorrento Blue and more, a hundred more, each shade insistently nostalgic in its own specific way.

“When my parents bought a former Corporation house in Stevenage New Town in the 1970s,” says Deborah Sugg Ryan, professor of design history at the University of Portsmouth, “the first thing they did was to rip out the white bathroom and replace it with an aspirational avocado green suite with matching rippled tiles.” A decade later, across Britain the opposite was happening. Ccolour was bleached from bathrooms again, avocado suites making way for minimal white sanctuaries. The popularity ofminimalism in of the 1990s led to spa-like bathrooms, their function as much a place of “wellness” as cleanliness. White metro tiles suggested an industrial space, hygienic and pure, and pleasingly modern. Sugg Ryan charts the rise and fall of the coloured bathroom from 1932, when “speculatively built houses became more affordable and the coloured bathroom suite was a mark of individuality and modernity”. Art Deco geometric styles with black borders led to pastels, “like mint and pink, which were popular into the 1950s when vanity basins became fashionable. Pastels gave way to more muted tones, like beige and the notorious avocado green in the 1970s. The coloured bathroom suite fell out of favour in the 1980s when there was a fad for Victoriana and the return of the freestanding roll-top bath. Until recently, white reigned supreme, combined with built-in storage and beige or grey tiles.” Recently, Sugg Ryan bought a pink sink on impulse, and is very pleased with it.

Continue reading...

* This article was originally published here

Lichens, slime moulds and wasps: RHS lists top beneficial wildlife for garden

Biodiversity crisis leads horticulturalists to highlight gardeners’ role in conserving wild flora and fauna

In not so distant times, a list of garden wildlife for many horticulturalists could have been a list of deadly enemies, containing aphids, slugs, snails and other creatures previously thought of as irritants.

But as awareness of the biodiversity crisis grows, horticulturalists have become more aware of the importance of wild flora and fauna, and the important role gardeners can play in conserving it.

Lichens

Native ladybirds

Pollinators

Solitary bees (Aculeate hymenoptera)

Sulphur tuft fungi (Hypholoma fasciculare)

Slime moulds

Rose chafer beetle (Cetonia aurata)

Ink cap mushrooms

Hoverflies

Social wasps

Continue reading...

* This article was originally published here

Crape myrtle trees are under attack by a tiny pest. A cure is elusive.

Many crape myrtle trees across the D.C. region are infested by a bug called bark scale, which leaves behind a black fungal infection. A cure is elusive.

* This article was originally published here

The home garden is going bigger, wilder and more dramatic

Consumers are gravitating toward a beefier look, and a more informal, natural ambiance in their gardens.

* This article was originally published here

Rethinking single-family living: Roommates pay bills, create community

Yes, it requires some navigating with space and schedules, but families who take in renters say it's worth the effort.

* This article was originally published here

Memphis by the sea: reinventing a Hastings home

Behind the traditional Georgian facade of a house on the south coast is a home dedicated to postmodern design

If there is one theme that will come to define early 21st-century interiors it’s nostalgia. Modernism, minimalism, maximalism – all these 20th-century “isms” have shaped the way we do up our homes in recent decades. Now, says Vicky Wetherill, a vintage dealer who likes to anticipate trends, it is time to embrace postmodernism: the experimental, exuberant design movement which had its heyday in the 1980s.

Wetherill’s own home in Hastings, East Sussex, where she lives with her husband and business partner, Jason Skriniar, pays homage to that era. Oversized furniture and objects, and woodwork picked out in a confection of ice-cream pastels and lacquered surfaces invoke the spirit of the age, without feeling retro. “It was a period of optimistic hedonism that produced some fantastic, playful pieces,” says Wetherill, whose clients include Chanel and Paloma Faith. “Postmodernism changed the boundaries of what was acceptable – but not in a vulgar way.”

Continue reading...

* This article was originally published here

* This article was originally published here

Memphis by the sea: reinventing a Hastings home

Behind the traditional Georgian facade of a house on the south coast is a home dedicated to postmodern design

If there is one theme that will come to define early 21st-century interiors it’s nostalgia. Modernism, minimalism, maximalism – all these 20th-century “isms” have shaped the way we do up our homes in recent decades. Now, says Vicky Wetherill, a vintage dealer who likes to anticipate trends, it is time to embrace postmodernism: the experimental, exuberant design movement which had its heyday in the 1980s.

Wetherill’s own home in Hastings, East Sussex, where she lives with her husband and business partner, Jason Skriniar, pays homage to that era. Oversized furniture and objects, and woodwork picked out in a confection of ice-cream pastels and lacquered surfaces invoke the spirit of the age, without feeling retro. “It was a period of optimistic hedonism that produced some fantastic, playful pieces,” says Wetherill, whose clients include Chanel and Paloma Faith. “Postmodernism changed the boundaries of what was acceptable – but not in a vulgar way.”

Continue reading...

* This article was originally published here

‘I feel privileged to have them’: why you should befriend a resident possum

While some consider them pests, Bronwen Scott has an affinity with the coppery brushtail that’s taken up lodgings in her roof – and she’s not alone

At last light, a silhouette detaches itself from the shadows on the roof. It is round and fuzzy, with a tail curled into a comma at the tip. It clambers on to the power line and trundles along until it reaches the trees. Parking its fluffy backside on a branch, it starts on the ripening fruit that will never make it to my kitchen.

My guest is a coppery brushtail possum, the blinged-up tropical cousin of the common brushtail possum so familiar in cities. Although I rarely see it, the possum makes itself known. The heavy footfall shifting between march and gallop. The scrabbling as it squeezes into impossibly small spaces. And the staccato hisses and growls when it runs into a rival. Brushies might tolerate humans in their territories, but they draw the line at other possums.

Continue reading...

* This article was originally published here

‘He’s much more cheery than that’: a son’s self-portrait, painted in secret

In our series on artworks in Australian homes, Kylie Needham shows us the surprisingly restrained self-portrait her son painted at age 12

• Read more Wall Stories here
• Get our weekend culture and lifestyle email

Five years ago, author Kylie Needham was given a surprise birthday present by her then 12-year-old son Joe. The oil on canvas self-portrait had been created in secret in her husband’s studio.

“I was so proud of it, but I could see he was really proud of himself too,” says Needham.

Continue reading...

* This article was originally published here

Got mold in your shower and crud in the microwave? A cleaning expert took your questions.

Good Housekeeping's Carolyn Forte joins Jura Koncius to take reader questions about spring cleaning.

* This article was originally published here

DIY Nautical Buoy Hamptons Beach House Decor

If you’re a fan of coastal decor and looking for a unique and budget-friendly way to add some beachy charm to your home, then this tutorial is perfect for you. This tutorial can be found on our website craftbits.com and it will show you how to take a simple wreath form and some nautical rope and turn it into a beautiful and eye-catching decoration that will remind you of the ocean every time you see it.

Coastal decor is a popular trend and it’s easy to see why. The beach and ocean have a calming and soothing effect on us and bringing some of that into our homes can help create a relaxing and inviting atmosphere. However, buying coastal decor can be expensive and not everyone has the budget to buy expensive home decor. That’s why this tutorial is perfect for those who want to add coastal charm to their home decor on a budget.

This tutorial is easy to follow and requires minimal supplies. You will need a wreath form, which can be found at any craft store, and some nautical rope. We recommend using a polypropylene rope as it is strong, durable, and resistant to water, making it perfect for a beach-inspired decoration. You will also need a hot glue gun and scissors.

The process of creating this DIY Nautical Buoy Hamptons Beach House Decor is simple, you will be using a wreath form and wrapping the nautical rope around it creating the buoy shape and adding personal touch with other beach-inspired decorations. The end result is a beautiful and unique decoration that will add coastal charm to your home.

So head over to our website craftbits.com and check out this tutorial. Gather your supplies, and get ready to create your own beautiful and unique DIY Nautical Buoy Hamptons Beach House Decor.

* This article was originally published here

Rain gardens make the most of runoff water. Here’s how to create one.

These small depressions are designed to capture and hold rainwater runoff, conserving water and filtering pollutants in the process.

* This article was originally published here

Easter weekend in full bloom

As we get into the swing of spring, potted flowers are the first to show themselves

Easter Sunday! Garden shopping’s big weekend. Nurseries and garden centres at their busiest. Endless trays of seedlings carried to cars. There will be bootfuls of new tools and plants and potting compost. (Though peat-free only please.)

Gardens are waking, trees are budding, weeds stirring. It’s getting time to get to work. At our house it’s all about the flower pots at the moment. Our roof terrace has come alive. There’ll soon be summer work to do.

Continue reading...

* This article was originally published here

‘It’s not all palm trees’: what life on a private island is really like

Whether a ‘stunning’ tropical getaway or a humble ‘off-grid shed with an awning’, it’s buyer beware when it comes to acquiring your own isle

• Get our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcast

“It’s not all palm trees and white sand,” Craig Beckey says, shortly after arriving at his own private island.

As the pandemic hit, the 56-year-old photographer heard about Worthington Island, a 30-minute boat ride from Gladstone in Queensland, through a morning television program. He made an appointment for a tour and in 2021 Beckey bought the island for $385,000.

Continue reading...

* This article was originally published here

Sunshine Yellow

Hello everyone, I hope you are all doing well and enjoying some beautiful sunny days. This time of year I am longing for color so this sunshine yellow tea in our little sun room makes me happy. Some bunnies have joined us for tea. Love these daffodils and I am happy to seeing our daffodils in the garden are poking up a few inches. Rose Cameo Peach teacup by Royal Albert. Our

* This article was originally published here

The case for keeping a messier home

Therapist and author KC Davis says a little — or a lot — of clutter is nothing to stress about. Here’s how she recommends scaling back your list of chores.

* This article was originally published here

‘Hens have always been a sanctuary for me’: ‘henfluencer’ Arthur Parkinson

The gardener and writer describes his love of chickens, a passion he has shared with two devoted grandmothers – and the Duchess of Devonshire

I’m having a cup of tea in Arthur Parkinson’s grandma Sheila’s bungalow in suburban Hucknall, Nottinghamshire, and there’s a hen in here. She’s terribly chic: a lovely cream and grey girl with a feather crest and a floppy comb like an avant-garde fascinator Isabella Blow might have worn. This is Linda the legbar (named for Kate Moss’s mum; Moss is a neighbour of Parkinson’s in the Cotswolds). We watch her potter around, occasionally pecking at some crumbs on a plate by the fire. “She’s had a Hobnob,” says Arthur. “She’s beautiful,” says Sheila, entirely unfazed. She’s used to Arthur bringing hens round – he’s been doing it since he was tiny. Linda wanders over, appraises the arm of the sofa, then jumps up on to it and lies down next to me, clucking gently.

Parkinson, 30, is best known as a gardener and writer; he’s the author of two books, The Pottery Garden and The Flower Yard, and his hugely popular Instagram (@arthurparkinson, 108,000 followers) is crammed with exquisite, pollinator-friendly blooms. But Linda represents his first love – hens – and that’s what we’re here to talk about. His new book, Chicken Boy, is part memoir (henoir?), part how-to guide to chicken-keeping, but above all, a love letter to these misunderstood creatures – not “disgusting and pecky” or just “Sunday dinner”, but charming, worthy of respect and above all, beautiful.

Continue reading...

* This article was originally published here

* This article was originally published here