The Home Improvement Centre

What Cost? launches to provide accurate consumer pricing data

admin — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 13:07:49 +0000

The Home Improvement Centre can reveal a new website to provide homeowners with accurate consumer pricing for all manner of home improvement projects.

What Cost? has been launched to provide pricing data for home improvement projects ranging from replacement boilers and central heating to more modern green and renewable technologies including solar, heat pumps and wind turbines.

David Holmes founder of What Cost? commented “Demand for accurate pricing data is becomingly increasingly important especially in times of austerity. Homeowners are being urged to obtain several competitive quotations which is entirely correct but initially it’s important to establish whether it’s worth obtaining quotes in the first place, and are increasingly turning to the internet to establish a benchmark price in which to work from, which is where we can help.

What Cost? collects pricing data from a range of sources that have been verified to ascertain the accuracy of information and ensure published pricing information is unbiased and relatively accurate, providing consumers with a ball-park figure from which to work from.”

The website which is free from advertising will grow as more data becomes available and entirely free to use. For more information visit www.whatcost.co.uk.

Presenting the Next summer

Laura Elahi — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 12:58:59 +0000

Fashion and homeware retailer Next has unveiled a new range of outdoor goods in anticipation of summer.

To help you make the most of summer 2011 Next is selling an exciting range of garden products. From bright cutlery and sparkling soda glasses, to birdcage lanterns and brand new barbecues Next has it all.

Enjoy summer outdoors

From left to right – Nautical Stripe Deck Chair £25, Lanterns (set of two) £10 and Monaco Storaway Set £699 by Next.

All summer products are currently available to buy in store and online at www.next.co.uk.

Create the ultimate laundry room with John Lewis

Laura Elahi — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 11:14:52 +0000

The latest laundry and ironing products from John Lewis are designed to help take the grind out of your daily chores.

From washing machines that offer much more than the standard wash cycle to tumble dryers that use steam to dry your clothes and ironing boards that will change the way you iron forever, the new utility room range by John Lewis is sure to save you time and effort.

Bosch Exxcel WTS84500GB Steam Sensor Condenser Tumble Dryer, White – £508

This dryer has ActiveSteam technology to dry your clothes without creasing, saving the average household an incredible 10 days per year of ironing. It also enables you to quickly refresh dry clean only items, saving both time and money. It is fully automatic and has a large 8kg capacity, which benefits from a sensor drying option that automatically detects how damp your clothes are and adjusts the amount of steam generated for perfect results every time. Intelligent sensors continually monitor its progress, adjusting where necessary.

LG F1480FD Direct Drive Washing Machine, White – £599

This A++ rated washing machine has a clever Bio Cycle programme for the toughest stains and a unique Medic Cycle that removes all traces of detergent, which is ideal for people with sensitive skin. It washes a large 9kg load, which is great for families. The Direct Drive system means all the parts in the motor are integrated within the drum providing quieter, more energy efficient results with less vibration.

Other benefits include nine wash programmes including handwash and handwash wool, and five wash options featuring extra rinse and crease care.

Laurastar Magic S4 Evolution Steam Generator Ironing Board – £795

This high-quality ironing system is designed to deliver professional results, making quick work of your laundry while still caring for your clothes. The iron heats up in just three minutes and has a powerful constant steam pressure of 3.5 bars, producing 200 litres of extra fine steam a minute, leaving no damp traces on your clothes.

The foldable ironing board has a choice of six heights and plays an active role in your ironing, incorporating a two-speed silent blower/vacuum system to dry your clothes immediately, to prevent creases and mark seams easily.

Siemens WM14S890GB iDos Washing Machine, White – £999

This A++ rated machine ensures that you will use the correct amount of detergent, thanks to its integrated measuring system – i-Dos, which measures and dispenses exactly the right amount of detergent to wash your clothes more thoroughly. The machine automatically works out the laundry amount, degree of soiling and textile type, then adjusts the wash program and detergent amount for the best results.

It is particularly good for washing woollens, with a gentle drum cradle action and a special ‘ultimate woolcare’ system.

For more information on these products visit www.johnlewis.com

Back to Basics

Laura Elahi — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 09:56:12 +0000

Late last year experts at IMM Cologne, an exhibition and event business, revealed that minimalist interior design would be hot in 2011. And now we have proof!

According to findings compiled in the book ‘Interior Trends 2011′, ‘Emotional Austerity’ is to be a big trend this year.

As a result of the credit crunch, IMM Cologne believes that people are questioning what it is they need to live well. This is leading to a greater desire for simplistic, formal or severe designs that combine the basic and old with the modern and the high-tech.

John Lewis

Homebase

The Home Improvement Centre has indeed noticed a growing number of simple yet stylish room designs and accessories cropping up in the interiors world.

Kate Jacobs, home interior stylist for the Guardian, for example, recently created a variety of looks for the kitchen, bedroom and lounge, all devoted to caramel and nude hues. By blending a host of natural colours together, Kate says homes can avoid looking dull but instead be subtle and lavish.

She said: “I love white, but too much of it can be boring, so I like to use it with other neutrals.”

The Daily Mail’s Design File also tipped chic white accessorise as a celebration of the minimalist trend.

Their reporter, Emma Love, said: “Could there be anything more clean and crisp than pure white? It’s fresh, spring-like and a big trend for interiors this season.”

So to get you back to basics, here are some of our favourite items for 2011 inspired by Emotional Austerity.

New look Neutrals

Top to bottom:

Megan left hand corner unit by Homebase.

Washed Linen Bedlinen, Natural, (£25 standard pillowcase and £220 super kingsize duvet cover) by John Lewis.

Ombra Chair (£125 set of two) by Next.

Homebase sale happening this week!

Laura Elahi — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 09:50:50 +0000

Great home discounts are currently happening at Homebase.

Until March 24, shoppers will be able to receive 15 per cent off all armchairs and sofas at Homebase. As the UK’s second largest home improvement retailer, Homebase if also offering 15 per cent off the purchase price of all kitchens, bathrooms and Schreiber fitted bedrooms when you spend £300 or more.

Homebase has around 350 large out-of-town stores, which sell over 35,000 products across a broad range of home enhancement products, services and traditional DIY items, as well as a growing internet service.

It targets a wide range of customers with an inspirational selection of home merchandise and offers the convenience of home delivery for bulky, high-value items.

The retailer serves around 60 million customers per year through its stores.

Visit www.homebase.co.uk for all the latest deals.

Make Wallpaper a thing of the Past

Laura Elahi — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 09:44:23 +0000

Wall stickers are the latest eye catching way to brighten up your home.

Create an interesting feature on any wall in any room with wall stickers. The style, shapes and sizes of these adhesive art works are endless. Some are fun, romantic, subtle and dramatic, while others create optical illusions. A great way to enhance the theme or mood of a home’s interior.

All you need to do is peel off the backing attached to the sticker and apply it on a clean surface.

To remove simply heat and peel off. Genius!

Wall Stickers

From top to bottom:

Dandelion Blowing Wall Sticker by The Binary Box £24.99.

Keep Calm and Carry On Wall Sticker Quote by Spin Collective £20.

Sakura Blossom Wall Sticker by Spin Collective £22.

For purchases and ideas, visit www.notonthehighstreet.com

Wallpaper is the New Paint

Ideal Home Show now on

Laura Elahi — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 09:36:55 +0000

The Ideal Home Show is currently underway at Earls Court in London.

The multi-award winning show has brought together more than 600 quality exhibitors from all over the UK to offer a unique shopping experience for all areas of the home.

The show is being divided into categories including ideal Interiors sponsored by Dulux, ideal Home Improvements, ideal Gardens sponsored by Hydropool Hot Tubs, ideal Gadgets and ideal Food & Housewares.

The exhibition will be running until March 27. During its time it will see presentations and appearances from celebrity guests, features including the latest home gadgets, demonstration theatres, a live kitchen theatre, a beauty bar and catwalk, and the iconic show homes.

The Ideal Interiors area of the show is being overseen by Linda Barker and it will provide the very latest trends in interior design.

Stay on time this spring

Laura Elahi — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 10:18:41 +0000

The time of year is fast approaching for the clocks to move forward.

On March 27 the clocks will move one hour and officially herald in the spring season. Thanks to the extended evenings, the spring/summer season is the perfect time to work on any home improvement projects or spruce up interiors of bedrooms, living rooms, bathrooms and kitchens.

To help you remember the turning of the clocks, the department store John Lewis, is currently promoting a new variety of clocks. Just remember to adjust the time!

John Lewis Clocks

From left to right: Around Clock £26, Rio Wall Clock £45, Wall Clock Sticker £25

Quick! Select items half price at Habitat

Laura Elahi — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 10:17:32 +0000

Habitat is hosting a Spring Spectacular with thousands of items on sale up to half price.

Items include all kinds of homeware products from furniture to accessories, including lamps, cushions, sofas and kitchen utensils.

Discounts are being offered at 20 per cent, 30 per cent and 50 per cent off.

Stand out items include the Emlyn three seat sofa (Was £1,300.00 Now £1,040.00), the Trude medium wall box mirror (Was £110.00 Now £55.00) and the Mews large wardrobe (Was £1,600.00 Now £1,120.00).

The Habitat Spring Spectacular is taking place online now. To visit the website click here.

Britain’s worst bathroom offered free makeover

Laura Elahi — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 09:49:55 +0000

A competition to find and renovate Britain’s ugliest bathroom is nearly complete.

The contest is being run by Grohe, a bathroom fittings firm, to find the nation’s most unsightly bathroom. The competition’s judges are currently deciding who will win the title and have whittled the shortlist down to five of the best atrocities. The owner of the bathroom deemed to be the worst will be offered a £10,000 first prize to be spent on renovation.

Potential winners include the owner of a brown and beige suite which is over 25-years-old, and a shocking pink design.

Grohe’s official website states: “The bathroom should be an oasis of calm and luxury, where we can escape from the stresses of everyday life. Therefore design and performance of the taps, showers and thermostats are crucial to your showering or bathing experience.”

It’s clear something went very wrong with these five finalists!

Voting closes on Monday, February 28 (today). To view the finalists, visit mydeco.com.