Home & Garden | Autumn | 2022

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Welcome to the autumn/winter 2022 edition of Home & Garden!

After another wonderful summer, it’s that time now when the temperature begins to drop, the leaves are falling and the days are getting shorter.

Unlike some of our animal friends however, it’s no time for hibernation as there is so much that can still be done in the garden and around the house!

Whether it’s tackling some smaller DIY jobs or maybe you’re looking to get a bigger project underway, we have lots of ideas and information on the following pages to help you out.

On the gardening front, find out how to get a head start on weeds before spring and avoiding harmful chemicals in the process, learn how to prepare your lawn for 2023 and there are lots of tips on getting the most from your greenhouse or polytunnel during the winter months. We also have a great piece on how to use up excess fruit and veg after a bumper summer.

Read the latest trends for interiors, find advice on making your property more secure and bring calmness and peace to your home with Feng Shui.

Whether you’re availing of our DIY tips and buying some materials yourself or getting some of West Cork’s fine tradespeople in to do a job, we ask that you support our advertisers in any way that you can – thank you.

– The Southern Star team

Go for green in the spring

AS we go through the autumn months and winter approaches, it is time to start thinking about how to best look after your lawn so that it is in tip-top condition for spring and summer of next year, writes Joyce Russell

Cutting

No two grass cutting seasons are the same, so while some years growth may continue right into autumn, other years it will largely slow down. So rather than packing away the lawnmower completely over the autumn and winter months, stay on top of growth so that come the springtime, your lawn isn’t out of control.

Set the cutting height to higher than you would use in the summer and only cut it when the ground is dry. If the ground is wet or frosty or if you cut it too low, you will likely do damage.

Sweep up debris

Fallen leaves, twigs and debris will block out light, preventing it from getting to the lawn, and may trap in moisture, encouraging disease. Lightly rake your lawn every so often to stay on top of it, or use your lawnmower to pick up the leaves, as long as there are no twigs, sticks or other debris included.

Moss and weeds

Moss can creep in during the winter months, so the autumn is a good time to get it under control. Scarifying the lawn helps to reduce the competition between the grass and moss and gives the grass more room to grow. This will help minimise moss growth over the winter, making it less of an issue in the spring.

First, use a moss killing treatment on your lawn. The moss will turn black and then brown when the treatment kicks in. At this point, use a scarifying rake to remove the moss and any dead grass cuttings.

This is also a good time to dig out any large weeds and treat others with a weed killer.

You may be left with bare patches on your lawn from the moss and weed removal, but these can easily be filled in by re-seeding.

Re-seeding

Re-seeding your lawn will freshen it up and bring it back to life. Do it during the autumn or early winter before any frost comes in, as frost will prevent the

Above: It’s ok to feed your lawn at the end of autumn/start of winter as it will strengthen the roots and aid nitrogen storage. Right: Sweep up debris to allow light through and prevent disease.

seed from growing. There are many different types of seeds, some with clover, ryegrass, and some without.

For re-seeding patches, go for what type of grass is already on the rest of the lawn.

Feed your lawn

It’s ok to feed your lawn at the end of autumn/start of winter as it will strengthen the roots and aid nitrogen storage. However, there is no need to feed it during the winter months as this could encourage premature growth which won’t survive the cold.

A three-in-one fertiliser is good to use as it includes a booster to promote growth, a weed killer, and a moss remover.

Improve drainage

Use a fork to relieve compaction by putting the fork into the ground and

moving it back and forth. This will allow more air into the root system and improve drainage in your lawn.

Plan a new lawn

Early autumn can be a good time to set a new lawn as the soil is moist and still somewhat warm so there’s still growth there, but weeds won’t grow too much as it’s not too hot. Start by planning out your lawn, taking note of any areas that might be subjected to heavy wear and tear or that will be in deep shade, which can be prone to moss. Consider options such as stones or chipped bark for these areas, rather than lawn. Then decide on lawn seed or turf. Lawn seed can be sown in early autumn, but it does take time to establish. Turf can be laid at any time of year, as long as it’s watered, and you are left with an instant lawn. Artificial grass is also an option.

Soil preparation

For a new lawn, clear away all stones and debris. Use a weed killer to treat any stubborn weeds. Dig over the soil with a fork or rotavator, mixing in topsoil if needed and breaking down any hard lumps. Add some fertiliser and rake over to produce an even surface, before compacting down the soil. Choose a nonwindy day to sow the seeds, following the instructions on the packet.

If you plan to sow a new lawn in the spring, you can still prepare your garden over the winter by digging up the area and leaving the soil in clumps on the surface for the frost to break up, but you will likely have weeds in the area come springtime if you cultivate and rotavate it now, so these will have to be treated before the new lawn is sown.

Maintain your tools

As you won’t be using your mower and gardening tools as much, winter is a great time to get everything serviced. Give all your tools and equipment a thorough clean and make sure they’re dry before they’re put away, to avoid rust.

Avoid walking on your lawn too much in winter as this can damage it, especially if there has been a frost, and always follow the instructions on any products being used on your lawn, to ensure it is kept in tip-top condition.

Avoid walking on your lawn during the winter, especially during frosty weather.

Is your home secure?

Home security remains highly important, especially as the days get shorter and potential burglars have longer to move under the cover of darkness. So what do you need to know?

1. REINFORCE THE FRONT DOOR

With 74% of burglars breaking in through the front door, this should be your first port of call for home security improvements. Fitting a spy hole to your front door deters potential intruders and fixing a latch chain will add an extra layer of security if someone tries to force their way in. Both of these are simple to fit with a drill. For added peace of mind, consider fitting a ‘London’ bar to your door. The steel bar fits onto your door frame and around the rim lock, providing a sturdier resistance if someone tries to kick in your door. As there are so many brands and sizes of rim locks available, London bars aren’t customised to your door – so you just need to measure the size of your rim lock to make sure the model you buy will fit over it. They can then be secured to your door frame using a drill and screws.’

2. SAFEGUARD WINDOWS

Windows are another common entry point for intruders. So make sure to keep all windows locked when you’re not in the room to keep watch. For added protection, installing window bars or restrictors can stop burglars gaining access. While it’s possible to install window bars yourself, cable window restrictors are a more subtle alternative for the home. They can be drilled into the window frame, letting you get some fresh air without leaving you open to intruders. Lining vulnerable windows with a shatter-proof film adds an extra protective layer. They fit effortlessly on glass panels with an adhesive layer and hold the glass in place if it smashes, keeping burglars out.

3. INVEST IN A HOME SECURITY SYSTEM

If you don’t already have a home security system, consider installing one. Even the sight of one alone can prevent a burglar from chancing their luck. If you’re opting for a CCTV system, consider which area it should cover. It’s recommended to position your cameras towards valuables like cars, or to capture weak spots around the home. A larger lens has a longer zoom but is not as wide, so consider the shape of your garden or driveway. And these days there are plenty of economical alternatives to traditional home security systems, like smart doorbells, which record footage of your driveway. These are easier to install, with most models simply connecting to your existing doorbell system.

The fact that we are spending much less time at home this year than in the past two Covid-19 influenced years means that it’s important to make sure our homes are well-secured

4. KEEP EXISTING SECURITY SYSTEMS CLEAN

According to ex-offenders, burglars are more likely to attempt a break-in if they believe a system looks old and battered. Give your smart doorbell a dusting down and wipe down your alarm box and CCTV systems with a damp cloth to leave them looking new – and show potential intruders you’re hot on home security.

5. GARDEN WATCH

Burglars aim to get in and out of each home as quickly as possible, without getting caught. They’ll often scout out homes for a few days to find the easiest entry points and track the behaviour patterns of homeowners – so an overgrown garden gives them the perfect place to hide out undetected while they watch your property. Cut down overgrown trees and trim back bushes, removing any shaded or covered areas that aren’t visible from your windows, where criminals can move around your property unseen. Many of us leave valuable items lying around the garden, which can also be a target for thieves – garden furniture, decorations and gardening equipment for example, meaning there’s plenty of value to be found in unguarded gardens.

6. KEEP IT LOCKED UP

Make sure all valuables, like bicycles and garden tools are stored away each night in a locked shed or garage. While a standard bolt and hardened steel padlock are difficult to break into, if you’re storing higher-value items, getting a deadlock or smart lock – which requires a corresponding fob or a code to open – fitted to your garden gate or shed will offer greater peace of mind. However, it may require you to replace your garden gate or shed door to make sure it’s compatible. It’s also recommended to add motion-sensor lighting in the garden to scare off burglars who act under the cover of darkness. Installing a motion sensor light requires some wiring but it’s a simple job if

you have existing floodlights. Then, choose the distance you want the sensor to cover depending on the size of the blind spots around your home. Plus, adding gravel or small stone features around your property may also deter intruders, with the sound of crunching stones underfoot giving them away.

7. THE FIRST LINE OF DEFENCE

Wooden garden fences and sheds are prone to rotting if the wood isn’t treated regularly, and this can make it easier for potential intruders to access your property. Treat any wooden panels or fences to prevent rotting. Coating fences and sheds in weatherproof stain or paint should do the trick, protecting the wood from the elements and preventing them from cracking or breaking. It’s then recommended to top up wood panels every two years to keep them looking and feeling new. However, those with south-facing gardens should consider treating panels more often, as sunlight is also known to damage wood.

Dealing with weeds

If you put in the work now, you can get ahead for next year and tackle weed problems without any need for harmful chemicals, writes Joyce Russell

SOME people love weeding and find it a relaxing occupation. Others look for the quickest way to get the job done and behind them. There are many ways of tackling weeds and whatever works and suits the gardener is probably the best solution.

Anyone’s patience can wear thin if weeds appear again within a day or two of removing them. Weeds do keep growing in any garden and they will suppress growth of the plants that you want, if you leave them to grow on unchallenged. Weeds compete for light, water and nutrients. The aim is to reduce numbers to a small enough level that you can remove any intruders in minutes and get on with other garden tasks.

Plant growth slows down as the autumn progresses and it won’t pick up again until soil warms above 5C next year. It may seem like weeds can be forgotten about in the meantime, but if you draw up a plan and start to act now then you can tackle weed problems without any need to use harmful chemicals.

ORGANIC OPTIONS

If you have a weedy plot at this time of year, then you need to get it under control before the winter. Try to work on a warm dry day before a cold wet soil makes the task more difficult.

DIG OUT THE WORST ONES

Use a long weeding tool or something that will dig deep enough to remove all the roots of weeds like thistle, dandelion and dock. You need to get all the deep roots out or any leftover bits will pop up new shoots again.

The same applies to plants with widespread root systems like nettles. Follow each root through the soil and remove as much as is possible. Dig out left over roots if any of these weeds reappear.

REMOVE SEEDING TOPS

It’s better not to let weeds ripen seed in the first place, but if they have already done so then you can either go around nipping off tops and bagging them up, or you can chop the whole lot and rake the tops up. The latter risks seeds spilling onto the ground, but with a very weedy plot it at least gets the job done quickly.

USE A HOE

This is a good way to reduce annual surface weeds. A hoe cuts through stems and may chop a few roots in the process. If done in dry weather, any cut weeds will die and dry and are easy to rake off.

TURN THE SOIL OVER

This tucks the remains of hoed-off annual weeds under the surface and will slow the rate of reappearance.

USE MULCH

There’s a lot to be said for covering a turned over bed with manure or compost at this time of year.

Put a layer of water repelling material like recycled plastic sheet, cardboard or a thick layer of leaves, over the top to block out light and prevent nutrients being washed away by rain. Remove any non-biodegradable covering in the spring and keep topping up with mulch materials like lawn clippings. The more you use mulch, the fewer weeds will germinate and the task of weeding will get less every year.

KEEP ON TOP OF THINGS

Keep using a hoe on small weeds and hand weed when weeds poke through mulch. If you do this from planting time through to harvest then you will dramatically reduce the number of weeds in the following year.

Tip: In late spring and summer, when weeds grow fastest, set yourself a goal of removing a bucketful, or a tubful, per day, depending on the size of your garden. Fixed goals like this aren’t too demanding and weeds are soon controlled in the process.

WHAT TO AVOID

If you use a chemical weed killer on a garden bed then the chemical can also act against the plants that you want to grow there. Some weed-killers persist in the soil with longlasting effects and some move into watercourses with dangerous consequences.

8 SIMPLE STEPS TO PUTTING UP A SHELF

It is easy to assume that DIY shouldn’t be too hard. From property shows to instructional YouTube videos, it looks doable almost by definition, and putting up a shelf is at the more elementary end. But DIY disasters are common for a reason, and that reason is overconfidence.

A shelf is no flatpack wardrobe (not that they are always easy either), and even simple tasks can quickly devolve into damaged walls and sore thumbs. Here’s how to put up a shelf while ensuring your house, and your person, remain intact …

YOU WILL NEED…

• 1 x tape measure

1 x spirit level

1 x cable and pipe detector

1 x electric drill with wood and masonry bits

• Plastic wall plugs

1 x hammer

Screws

1 x saw

1 x screwdriver

1 x pencil

BE PREPARED …

First of all, you will need to choose the material for your shelf. Softwoods like pine are easy to work with, attractive and not too expensive, but with a few adjustments you can also use plywood or chipboard.

Second, choose your spot on the wall. Barging into the brickwork without checking what’s behind it can lead to cut cables and spurting pipework, so always carefully scan your surface with a cable and pipe detector.

To ensure your shelf will not tumble at the first touch of a paperback, you need it to be securely fixed, and for that it’s important to know what kind of wall you are dealing with and choose the correct drill bits.

If it is a masonry wall (brick or concrete) it will be strong, but harder to drill into. If it is a stud wall (plaster board nailed onto a timber frame) then it will take less weight and you need to attach your shelf to the timber studs (not to the hollow areas between the timbers) unless both the shelf and its load are very light indeed.

HOW TO PUT UP YOUR SHELF…

1. Hold your shelf against the wall and – using a spiritlevel to ensure it is flat – mark its position.

2. Hold up your brackets and mark with a pencil the topof the brackets (on which the shelf will sit) and thescrew holes in the brackets.

3. Drill the holes in the wall for the first bracket. If you areputting your shelf up on a masonry wall, these holeswill take wall plugs to hold the screws in place. If youare screwing into timber studs, you should not needwall plugs if you drill only thin pilot holes and use longenough screws to firmly grip the timber. Take careto choose the right size drill bit for your wall plug (orscrew). To know how far to drill into the wall, mark yourdrill bit with a piece of tape to show the length of yourwall plug (or screw).

4. If using them, tap the wall plugs into the holes gentlywith a hammer so they sit flush with the wall.

5. Screw the first bracket loosely to the wall. Check theposition of the second bracket by holding up the shelfand the spirit level, before drilling those holes andtapping in the plugs.

6. Screw both brackets securely to the wall.

7. Drill pilot holes in your shelf ensuring you do not go allthe way through it (you can use a tape marker for thisas well), then screw the shelf to the brackets.

8. Fill your shelf!

Traditional meets modern

Getting the mix of old and new just right is the key to success this season, writes interiors expert Lauraine Farley

MIXING trends is nothing new, and the best designers have been doing it for years. This is largely where the concept of ‘transitional’ design gets its name – it’s traditional in transition. However, instead of furniture pieces that are designed to look both a little bit modern and a little traditional, we’re starting to see the emergence of staunchly traditional features juxtaposed with strikingly modern or contemporary pieces. It’s refreshing, and somehow feels incredibly timeless.

HIGHLIGHTS

Chandeliers are popular this season and the options are endless, especially since the advent of LED lighting. Whether it’s black, brass or gold, crystal, large or small there is a dream modern chandelier to suit any home and it’s a real addition to your interior. long gone are the days when ceil ing lights simply took the form of a bulb and a fabric shade.

Find your perfect shade within the new collection from Irish paint company Colourtrend – whether it be Chestnut Pink, inspired by the deep hues inside the prickly shell of the horse chestnut or a historic classic Pink Chocolate. The latter is a warm pink brown, dark but with a soft tone, it can be used beautifully with soft, light neutrals. Pink works especially well with bronze and brass, which can add warmth to a space without it feeling overwhelm ing. If you are going for rose or dark pink cabinets in your kitchen for exam ple, opt for gold or brass accents and handles that will complement the tones with a sophisticated and contemporary touch.

WARM FURNISHINGS

Getting ready for the cooler days, the idea of warm upholstery really refers to the use of faux wool fabrics for sofas and armchairs etc, but velvets are also remaining very much on trend this autumn, ideal for furniture covers and furnishings, it is also a great material for cushions and curtains. Velvet is an evergreen crowd pleaser because of its durability, softness and great drape. When it comes to furniture coverings, throws etc, wool is, naturally, one of the most popular winter-friendly fabrics because of its warmth and breathability. Not to mention that it feels great, coming in a variety of textures – chenille, cashmere and mohair all being popular.

CANDLES

Nothing creates a relaxing ethos in a home like candlelight. I think candles are highly underrated when it comes to home decor. When the lights go out and the evenings draw in, they create the most ambient lighting in a home and if you get the right scented ones they can also smell heavenly too. For maximum glow, place candles next to mirrors, be it above a fireplace or in a container next to a mirror resting against a wall. Windows work well too. A candle in a glass holder will also be brighter as the light inside will be refracted. Similarly, candles will offer more light against a white wall. Always take care with naked flames however and keep away from children, pets and flammable materials.

Sustainable kitchens

IF you are designing a new kitchen, renovating the one you have or just want to give it a freshen up, there are many ways that you can make it more sustainable. As it is one of the most frequently used rooms in your house, with a few simple tweaks, you can really do your bit to help the environment.

KITCHEN DESIGN

If you are designing or remodelling your kitchen, using recycled, reclaimed, repurposed and salvaged materials and furniture prevents items going to waste. Kitchen companies, salvage yards and specialist dealers might have reclaimed materials such as kitchen fittings, flooring, panelling, and cabinets which are of high-quality.

Companies with showrooms may also have kitchens that were on display and now available at discounted prices. Look around in second-hand stores, and antique and charity shops for pre-loved furniture and fittings. Opting for reclaimed or recycled goods means you might be able to get your hands on unique designs that have stood the test of time.

SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS

If you’d prefer a new kitchen, there are plenty of sustainable materials and products to choose from. Responsibly sourced timber for flooring or cabinetry, such as FSC-certified wood or plywood, fast-growing bamboo and cork are all sustainable choices.

Many stainless-steel sinks are made from recycled materials, while bronze and copper designs are very durable. Glass, stone, and mineral-based quartz make for eco-friendly worksurfaces and splashbacks.

ENERGY-EFFICIENT COOKERS

Choosing a cooker will greatly depend on the price and your cooking needs but choose one that you will live with for at least a decade. With gas stoves, it’s easier to control

temperatures, it offers instant-on heat and doesn’t waste too much heat when cooking is done. However, gas stoves are generally less energy-efficient than electric cookers.

Induction and ceramic-glass cookers are the most efficient electric cookers. Induction cookers use induction elements which transfer electromagnetic energy directly to the pan. They require the use of metal cookware. Ceramic-glass cookers use halogen elements as the heat source. They deliver heat instantly and respond to changes in temperature settings quickly. If going for an electric cooker, opt for the most energy-efficient model possible and see if you can use electricity from renewable sources.

APPLIANCES

If you are buying new appliances or updating your old ones, aim to choose energy-efficient ones as these will save you money on your energy bills and reduce your greenhouse gas emissions in the long run. Ovens, hoods, dishwashers and refrigerators are required to have new labels showing the energy efficiency of the appliance. If you are getting rid of old appliances, check to see if the supplier of your new one will take the old off your hands or bring them to a recycling centre.

GREEN GADGET

A boiling water tap provides hot water on demand and reduces the number of times you boil your kettle, reducing the amount of electricity used by the household.

LONG-LASTING COOKWARE AND ACCESSORIES

Investing in cookware and utensils that will stand the heat and test of time will help to make your kitchen more sustainable.

Choose stainless steel or cast-iron pots and pans, and sturdy utensils rather than cheap wooden spoons or plastic utensils that could melt over time. High quality knives that you can sharpen by hand will last much longer,

We try to think about the environment when sourcing ingredients, but what about sustainability when it comes to the actual kitchen itself? Brian Moore has some food for thought

LIGHTING

If you are designing the layout of your kitchen, aim to ensure that key areas receive the most natural light. Glass doors and glass rooflights can provide lots of daylight. When choosing artificial lights, using LED lights is a simple way to be more energy efficient. LED lighting has a long lifespan and uses less energy for the same level of brightness. You can choose cool or warm tones to create the atmosphere you desire. Adding dimmer switches to your existing lights is also a way to make your kitchen more sustainable as you can easily adjust the wattage.

SHOP LOCAL

When you are buying new or used kitchen items, do try and shop local. This will reduce the travel miles and in turn, reduce your carbon footprint. If you can’t get the desired product locally, make sure the company you buy from has good environmental practices in place.

DON’T BIN IT

If your kitchen works perfectly well for you and you don’t have any major updates to make, choosing to keep your kitchen is itself a sustainable practice. Rather than going out to buy all the latest gadgets and products, hanging on to what you already have and continuing to use them until they no longer work or are required, will save you money and cut down on the number of products being bought. If you do want to make some small changes, a fresh lick of paint or replacement doors or handles on drawers or cabinets can give your kitchen a completely new look.

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Make life easier with motorised blinds

Our Window Furnishing Department offers a full Bespoke Curtains & Blinds service

Our Window Furnishing Department offers a full Bespoke Curtains & Blinds service

BOOK YOUR FREE NO OBLIGATION CONSULTATION with our window furnishings expert Jessie: in person at home, or virtual through smartphone, tablet or computer.

During the consultation, Jessie will ask about your goals for each window/room. Once we understand your needs and goals, we can then share photos, information, make recommendations and help you to select the best options to meet your requirements.

Visit our Luxaflex Blind Display Room

Visit our Luxaflex Blind Display Room

Burkes of Bantry are the market leaders in supplying and fitting motorised blinds

• Upgrade your current blinds or fit new blinds

• Motorised blinds are safer for children, longer lasting, & easier to use

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Onsite visits to motorise your current blinds

Financially

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We can assist you to gather the window measurements and send you fabric samples, or we can come to your home to measure and show samples whilst following Covid-19 safety protocols.

Burke’s of Bantry are specialists in the sale and fitting of Luxaflex motorised blinds.

We can then present you with a quotation and make arrangements for installation.

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Making the most of your harvest

BY BRIAN MOORE

IT’S that time of the year again when, if you’re lucky, you are left with an abundance of delicious fruits and vegetables ready for harvesting.

Now is the time to work out just how you are going to save and enjoy the bounty from your garden when the grey cold days of winter set in.

Here are just some of the best ways to continue to enjoy your fruit and veggies for months to come.

FREEZING

Almost anything can be frozen, with the exception of salads and vegetables like cucumbers which contain lots of water. Only ever freeze produce that’s in good condition and that you wouldn’t mind eating fresh.

Freeze as close to harvesting the produce as you can to lock in freshness at its peak. Process picked fruits and vegetables in batches, so you can get it into the freezer as fast as possible.

Prepared vegetables must be blanched before freezing to stop the enzymes within them from changing the colour, taste or nutrient content of your produce. Bring a large pan of lightly salted water to a rolling boil then plunge small batches of your vegetables into the water so it quickly returns to a boil. Once it has, the blanching begins. Blanch small vegetables like peas for just one minute, beans for around two, and sliced whole vegetables like carrots for three to four minutes. Remove the blanched vegetables to a waiting bowl of ice-cold water to stop the cooking process. Pat your blanched vegetables dry, ready to pack and freeze.

Of course, you can always prepare meals such as fruit pies and savoury quiches with your garden bounty and then freeze these ready for the oven at a later date.

Remember, freeze in meal-sized portions so you only ever defrost exactly what you need. Pack into freezer bags labelled with the contents and date so you’ll be able to see what you’ve got at a glance.

PICKLING

Two main things are required for pickling vegetables: salt and acid. Pickling kills harmful bacteria and may even encourage the growth of helpful probiotics. Long-term pickling requires fermentation and a host of other steps, but you can also make so-called ‘quick pickles’ that you store in the fridge.

Quick-pickling fresh vegetables starts with a basic brine of equal parts vinegar and water that you bring to a boil. For each cup of the brine you are making, add a half tablespoon of salt.

While that’s heating, slice your fresh veggies and divide them among your jars. You can also assemble a unique mix of spices, herbs, garlic, and other flavorings that can then be added to each jar. For example, dill, rosemary, and thyme are popular pickling additives. Mix your personal blend and then put a little bit in each jar along with your veggies. You can add a couple teaspoons of your spice mixture per jar.

Next, fill the jars with the brine leaving at least a half inch open at the top of the jar. Cover and refrigerate your treats for a minimum of 48 hours before you start to enjoy them, so they’ll absorb all those delicious flavors. Quickpickled vegetables can generally be stored in your fridge for two months. Once you’ve found a recipe you really love, though, you might consider the additional step of canning your pickled veggies so you can store them for longer periods and at room temperature.

CANNING

Canning fruits and vegetables can be and is a little daunting, but this method is especially good for jams and tomatoes. When you can something, foods are placed in jars or cans and heated to a temperature that kills microorganisms and breaks down enzymes. The heating and cooling process also forms a vacuum seal.

To can your fruits and vegetables, sterilise the equipment in simmering water for a few minutes before filling them with things like jams, fruits, and sauces. After filling, place the lid on and lower the jars into a pot full of water. Cover the pot and bring it to a boil for at least 10 minutes. When time is up, carefully remove the jars to cool. Once the jars cool, the lids should seal and become concave. You’ll start hearing the lids pop as they hit just the right temperature and seal. Canned foods should be eaten within about a year of canning.

DRYING OR DEHYDRATING

This is a method that has become very popular and produces fruits and vegetables with a deliciously concentrated flavour.

Drying fruits and vegetables means removing the water and as bacteria needs water to survive, the drying process helps prevent the food from going bad. When the water is removed, the food will become smaller and lighter in weight. You can eat dried foods directly, or you can add water and watch the food return to its original shape.

The drying process can be done most efficiently in two ways — with a dehydrator or with an oven. A dehydrator is your most dependable option because all you need to do is load the machine with your food, select the appropriate setting, and wait for your finished product. You can even get solar dehydrators if you want to add an even greener touch to the drying process.

An oven can also serve as a dehydrator when used right, but it takes about twice as long as a dedicated dehydrator. Simply preheat your oven to 140 degrees, slice your fruit or vegetables thinly, and soak them in a solution of equal parts lemon juice and water. After 10 minutes, line a baking tray with parchment paper and place the slices onto it. Place the pan in the oven for between six and ten hours — you’ll know it’s done when the slices are pliable and have a leathery texture.

Tomato and Courgette soup

Perfect for freezing into individual portions.

• 1 tbsp butter

2 onions, chopped

1kg courgette, sliced

1kg tomato, chopped

• 2 tbsp plain flour

½ tsp turmeric

2ltrs chicken or vegetable stock from cubes

Melt the butter in a large pan, add the onions and courgettes, and cook for 5 mins on a medium heat, stirring occasionally.

Add the tomatoes and flour. Cook for a couple of mins, stirring around to stop the flour from becoming lumpy. Add the turmeric and stock, cover and simmer for 30 mins.

Purée with a stick blender, then sieve if you want a really smooth texture. Serve hot with crusty bread, if you like, or chill, then freeze for up to two months.

Everything Vegetables Pie

You can use any veg you like in this pie. I’m using broccoli, peas, potatoes, and cauliflower. It freezes extremely well.

50g butter

• 2 tsp mustard powder

600ml milk

200g mature cheddar, grated

2 large potatoes, sliced into rounds

1 head of broccoli, cut into little florets

200g peas

small bunch of chives, snipped

50g flour

1 head of cauliflower, cut into little florets.

METHOD

Melt the butter in a saucepan, then stir in the flour and mustard powder and cook for 1 min. Gradually stir in the milk until smooth with no lumps, then keep stirring until the mixture begins to bubble and thickens to a creamy sauce. Remove from the heat, then stir in all but a handful of the grated cheese.

Heat the oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7 and bring a large pan of water to the boil. Cook the potato slices for 5 mins, tip in the broccoli and cauliflower for another 3 mins, then finally add the peas for 1 more min. Drain all the veg and pat dry. Reserve enough potato slices to cover the top of the finished dish, then gently stir the rest of the vegetables into the sauce with the chives.

Tip into a deep ovenproof dish, arrange over the reserved potato slices, then sprinkle with remaining cheddar. Bake for 20-25 mins until the topping is golden and crisp, then serve straight from the dish.

Apple and Blackberry pie

Apples and blackberries are a perfect match and with this recipe you can use your apple harvest and forage for the blackberries.

FOR THE PASTRY

175g plain flour

pinch salt

100g butter

25g caster sugar

1 tsp grated lemon zest

• 1 egg yolk

milk, to moisten and glaze

FOR THE FILLING

300g cooking apple, peeled, cored, and sliced

225g freshly picked blackberries

caster sugar, to taste.

Heat oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4. Sift the flour and salt into a bowl. Cut the butter into small pieces and rub in until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Mix in the sugar, lemon zest, egg yolk and a splash of milk to form a dough. Knead the dough lightly.

Spoon the apples and blackberries into a shallow 1.2ltr/900ml dish, then sprinkle over sugar to taste. Roll out the pastry on a lightly floured surface, large enough to cover the pie. Place the pastry over the filled pie dish, then seal and flute the edges. Glaze the top of the pie with a little milk, then bake for 40-45 mins until golden.

Six great gardening tools & gadgets

BY JOYCE RUSSELL

It’s hard to come up with a list of my six favourite tools and gadgets in the garden. Some tools are so essential and yet you may not think much about them until you contemplate trying to garden without them. We all reach for a spade and know what we need it for, regardless of whether it’s an heirloom inherited from Grandad or a new one just bought at the garden centre. But there are many other unusual tools out there. Some, like grabbers for picking up piles of autumn leaves, perform perfectly for one particular job and may sit in the shed for the rest of the year. And yet, at the moment they are needed it would be hard to manage without them.

So here are six options. Ask me again in a few weeks, when I’m trying to reach fruit from high branches or dealing with a mountain of autumn leaves, then the choice might be different. But these ones have a place in my heart and will always be needed.

SECATEURS

You can get narrow blade snips, ratchet types, and ones that grip hold of a briar once you have cut it. There are small handles and large ones, large blades and smaller ones too. Be sure to think through what you want and get a tool that fits your hand and is easy to grip and squeeze without tiring. You might want more than one type if you do a lot of snipping and pruning and can’t find one

suits all needs.

SPADE AND FORK

OK, that’s two things, but they do go together! Every gardener needs good tools that are the right size, grip and weight for their body. There’s a lot to choose from so don’t buy something too long or heavy if you are a small person, or vice versa. Choose a wellmade tool that has more than one rivet holding the head onto the handle. I like a long, slim, handle and a small head so the tool is light and easy to use in small spaces. A tread support (a strip of metal across the top of the spade head) is essential if you do a lot of digging.

CHILLINGTON FORK (CANTERBURY FORK)

This simple tool has a three prong fork head that sits at right angles to the handle. It is a very robust digging tool and is brilliant for digging out individual weeds. It is great for tackling overgrown plots and bramble patches. Different tool heads are available and each one slips over the same handle. Available from quickcrop.ie and similar tools are available from other sources.

OSCILLATING HOE

This really effective hoe works when pushed forward and also when pulled back. It has a sharp blade that cuts weeds off just under the soil’s surface. A brilliant tool for coping with weeds in the garden. Available from fruithillfarm.com

HEAT MAT PROPAGATOR

This is a super useful gadget for anyone with a greenhouse or polytunnel. A large heated mat with a thermostat will maintain a steady temperature for your small plants and seedlings. Make your own large cloche cover to go over the top and you will have a brilliant structure to raise all your own plants for the garden.

Available locally from fruithillfarm.com

GARDEN CART

Ben and I made this lovely little cart (pictured right) for the garden and I couldn’t bear to be without it. It is more stable than a wheelbarrow and is so easy to tow around to where I need it. There are lots of carts available to buy, so you don’t have to make one, but there is a lot of joy in creating something so useful.

Working undercover during the winter

BY JOYCE RUSSELL

WHETHER you garden under polythene or under glass, you can aim to keep lots of plants growing and cropping in their protected environment. It gives great satisfaction to grow food through the winter and it isn’t too late to get all in order to make this possible.

CARE FOR WHAT’S GROWING

Some tender plants will fail as temperatures start to drop. It’s worth keeping a pile of covering material in the greenhouse so you can cover plants for a short spell if a hard frost is forecast. Tomatoes, peppers and courgettes should continue to crop for a while yet in an average autumn. Remove any diseased leaves and remove whole plants if they are too badly affected to keep growing. Don’t overwater plants as you head towards winter. Soil needs to be damp enough to sustain growth, but most greenhouse plants prefer not to sit in cold, waterlogged conditions.

CLEAR AND REPLANT

Remove any plants that have finished cropping. It’s important to get new things into the space that’s cleared so young plants can get a good spell of growth in. Spring cabbage, spinach, chard, kale, and winter lettuce varieties all do well in a winter greenhouse. Buy small plants if you haven’t raised your own. You can still sow spinach, mustard greens, cress, rocket and mizuna directly in rows in the soil. Germination and growth can be slow as things cool down so you may not get many pickings until next year. These are all good gap fillers for late winter and early spring.

Plant a few onion sets and garlic cloves if you have plenty of space. You will get earlier bulbs than outdoors. Buy broad bean and mangetout pea seeds so you are

ready to plant these in October. And bring a few pots of herbs under cover so you can grow protected plants through the winter.

WATCH OUT FOR PESTS AND DISEASES

Keep doors and windows open as much as possible. Moulds and mildews can be a big problem in a closed autumn and winter greenhouse. I much prefer plants to be well ventilated, even if that means that they grow in a cooler environment. Keep foliage dry when watering. Thin plants out if they are crowded and aim for fewer, but larger, specimens.

Keep checking brassicas and remove caterpillars. These can be a problem in a mild autumn. Slugs can be active under cover right through a mild winter. Go out when it’s

dark and you might catch the culprit that’s eating your seedlings. It really can be that simple!

KEEP THE SOIL HEALTHY

Pick up any plant litter from the soil’s surface. Disease can be carried from one year to another on a fallen leaf or tomato. Spread manure on empty areas if you have a well-rotted heap to use. Better still, seaweed can work wonders at ‘cleaning’ soil.

Leave soil to dry out where not in use. Some spores won’t survive prolonged drying. Worms will migrate to nearby areas and you can thoroughly water when you want to plant the dry patch again. Remember to check under boards and in piles of pots. Use traps if there are any signs of rodents doing damage in the greenhouse.

Spring cabbage, spinach, chard, kale, and winter lettuce varieties all do well in a winter greenhouse.

Tomatoes can keep cropping for weeks into a good autumn.

LOOK AFTER THE STRUCTURE

Make sure all catches are sound and make new ones if needed. A simple turn button can be a strong and reliable closure. Check glass and polythene too. Repair any damage and give all covering a wash if dirty. Light levels are low in the winter and lower still if the greenhouse cover is filthy.

Trim any hedge that overshadows the structure and cut any overhanging branches. Look at what loose objects are lying around your garden.

Tidy away anything that might fly and break panes or rip polythene if it blows around in a strong wind.

Try to anticipate and sort problems before there’s any damage.

Check that taps, hoses and connectors are in good order.

MAINTAIN A WATER SUPPLY

Check that taps and connectors are in good order. Water pipes won’t freeze in an average winter if they are buried, but hosepipes can burst if water freezes inside a closed system. Be prepared and get everything protected in good time. You don’t want to be wrapping pipes on a cold winter evening.

ENJOY!

Most important of all, you should feel very proud of what you are growing. No matter how much or how little, there’s a great sense of achievement to having some lovely fresh garden vegetables to enjoy through the winter.

Take a chance ... do it yourself!

PAINTING

If you need a lot of paint for your DIY job, mix the tins of paint in a large bucket. Colour can vary slightly from tin to tin so mixing them all together before starting the job will ensure the colour stays consistent. Getting rid of excess paint off the brush often means rubbing it off the side of the paint tin, leaving you with paint drippings everywhere. For a cleaner job, pop a rubber band around the top and bottom of the open tin and use this instead. The excess paint will fall back into the tin rather than down the sides.

FROSTED WINDOWS

For an added element of privacy and security, frosted window film is a great choice, while still allowing natural light in. It’s great for bathroom windows or for any windows that are close to streets where passers-by can see in. You can even be bold and use coloured film to create an effect like the evening sun shining into the room.

HANGING FRAMES

When hanging frames, to determine proper distance between two nails, marking masking tape is one of the easiest methods. Tear some tape that is long enough to span past the hooks/brackets on the back of the frame. Place the tape across the back and mark two dots where each of the hooks/brackets are. Remove the tape from the frame and place it on the wall, making sure it is level and straight. Use an actual level or even a level app on your phone for this. Insert your nails on the spots where the dots are and tear away the tape when done, before hanging your picture.

Another easy way of doing this is to dab a small bit of white toothpaste on the hanging hooks of the frame, press the frame onto the wall where you want it placed, pull the frame back gently and you will be left with two marks where the nails should go. If you want to create a picture wall with numerous frames, make templates of the frames first by cutting out paper in each size and place them on the wall using blue tac. Move them around until you are happy with the design before putting nails in the wall and hanging the actual frames.

SIMPLE SHELVING IDEAS

Shelving doesn’t have to be boring. In fact, it can be a big feature of a room, as well as being practical. Reclaimed wood floating shelves will add a rustic feel to any space. Look for unused wooden planks, cut them to size, put a bracket for floating shelves on the wall and pop up the planks.

Create box-style shelves by using wooden wine boxes, old crates or old drawers and stack the boxes in a variety of ways to create a decorative and practical feature.

A peg board makes for a really cool shelving and storage unit. You can place wooden planks across the pegs to create shelves or you can also just use the pegs to hang coats, bags, jewellery, and keys.

UPDATE FURNITURE

If you have an old piece of furniture that needs updating, simply sanding and repainting it will give it a new feel. Adding new knobs or handles will also enhance it. Think upcycling before binning!

FAKE IT TIL YOU MAKE IT

If you’re looking at tiles for your kitchen or bathroom, save yourself the hassle and get stick on ones. These are so easy to use and can be used for flooring or on walls. They come in a huge variety of designs and colours, with wood, brick, and marble effects to name but a few.

MAKE YOUR KITCHEN BIGGER

If you are stuck for space in your kitchen, make or buy a chopping board that fits across your sink, so you have extra preparation space. You could also get a set of drawers and paint them the same colour as your kitchen. Put some wheels on them and you’ll have a moveable kitchen island and extra storage space.

your life easier and give your home a refreshing upgrade with these simple DIY tips and hacks, writes Niamh Hayes

STICKER WALL

Rather than painting a mural in a bedroom that might go out of fashion pretty quickly, add a feature sticker wall. These are especially fun for kids’ bedrooms and playrooms and can be updated as often as you like.

REMOVE SCRATCHES

If you find yourself with small scratches on your furniture, try using toothpaste to get the marks out. All you need is a pea-sized amount of non-gel paste, rub the scratch in a circular motion until it buffs out and then clean the remainder with a damp towel.

LIGHT UP

Use stick-on LED lights to illuminate dark spaces like cabinets and countertops. Pop them on the underside of cabinets to light up your worktop, or inside your cabinets.

PROTECT YOUR WALLS

Before putting a nail in a plaster wall, put a small piece of masking tape over the area where the nail will go. That way when you nail into the plaster, it’ll help to stop it flaking.

Keeping up appearances

DECORATING projects are usually something many of us put off, or happily call in the professionals for.

But with the rising cost of living and pressure to save money on all fronts over the winter months, some of us will become part of a determined army of DIY enthusiasts ready to tackle a plethora of decorative finishes, get a handle on cabinetry and transform tiles by grouting with gorgeous colours.

While it can seem daunting, there are lots of relatively quick and simple home-improvement projects that can instantly breathe new life into a space.

Here are six ways to put the creative process into practice …

the wall, so you have impact without being spendy. And depending on the shape and size of the tiles, you only need to build them two or three rows up to get the look.

Try tiling the splashback with ‘subway’ tiles, adding a strong red grout colour and framing them with a thick black outline to add graphic detailing.

Tempting as it is, don’t tile over existing tiles. It’s better to hack off any existing ones to ensure you get a level finish and that your adhesive is fully bonded, etc. If you want to go one step further, add shelving above to tie in finishes and display decorative items.

2. COLOUR CO-ORDINATE CEILINGS AND CORRIDORS

It may sound a bit matchy-matchy but co-ordinating a section of your ceiling with a piece of furniture, especially in a long, dark corridor, is a great option to create a boutique hotel-style vibe.

Using a strong colour on the ceiling (matt emulsion finish recommended) teamed with cabinetry in the same

colour (a satin finish works well for woodwork, offering a mild sheen) can make a narrow space look utterly revitalised.

3. UPDATE HANDLES AND KNOBS

Depending on your taste, handles are to a chest of drawers what the standing area is to your shower – both need to be functional and stylish – and as they say, it’s all in the detail.

An easy update, industrial-style knobs, statement or

1. TRANSFORM WITH TILING

Sprucing up the kitchen with tiling takes skill but with a little bit of practice, there’s a look for everyone. Tiling just the splashback means you don’t have to go all the way up

drop handles will instantly increase the pulling power of furniture throughout the home and kitchen units, without having to splash out on replacing whole items. And the good news is, many are simple screw and bolt types, so no drilling required.

4. GET THE WOW FACTOR WITH WALLPAPER

Budget allowing, think about making the switch from paint to paper – zooming in on a section of the space, rather than the whole room, makes much lighter work of the task and means you don’t have to worry about clearing everything out of the way.

As with painting, adding wallpaper to one wall rather than the whole room is a great first-time project. If this is your first attempt, choose a ditsy or abstract design that’s easier to pattern match, being more forgiving along the joins than a bold geometric design, while a paste-the-wall design is quicker and less messy than traditional pastethe-wallpapers, and you’ll need less in your tool kit.

5. CHANGE YOUR OUTLOOK

When it comes to window dressing, we all need a creative outlook – but we don’t necessarily want the world looking in on us – and there’s more to net curtains than meets the eye. Whether you choose lace or voile, they can easily be draped over an existing curtain pole or laced with ribbon and hung on hooks.

For an easy update, try layering ready-made curtains over lightweight sheers. The voiles give a softer light and privacy for those at-home yoga sessions and moments of calm. Hang from net curtain wire or swap your pole for a tension wire.

6. CUSTOMISE WITH CHALK PAINT

If you want to paint the town – sorry, home – red (or any other shade for that matter), chalk-based paint offers a flat, matt finish and brilliant coverage with one or two coats.

Ideal for painting walls, furniture, indoors and outdoors, it’s especially suited to vintage pieces (think shabby-chic finish) or flea market finds that just need a bit of love and attention.

Think in terms of durable, weatherproof chalk paint that’s suitable for wood, laminate, metal and plastic. A topcoat will seal, protect and keep the colour long-lasting, so this is especially good for garden furniture. If you’re thinking about freshening up some old wooden children’s toys – think an old train set that just needs a lick of paint to bring it back into service – chalk paint is a great option, but make sure you get one that’s certified safe and nontoxic.

13

It’s

FOR many of us, house space is a fiercely contested commodity, and you need to squeeze the most out of every square inch.

But luckily there are plenty of clever tricks you can use to make this happen. Mirrors, multifunctional furniture and a recurring colour or pattern are all your friends.

Here’s how to make even the smallest bedroom feel larger – without having to sleep on the sofa…

1. LET THERE BE LIGHT

It’s the oldest rule in the book: Bright, breezy spaces feel looser, larger and lighter, so put your bed on the opposite wall from your windows and keep them clear of clutter. Thick, heavy curtains will help you keep warm in winter, but they will also protrude physically and visually into your room, so dress your windows with unobtrusive blinds or rollers instead.

2. UNDER-BED STORAGE

Every square inch counts when you’re space saving, and there should be no room for monsters beneath the bed once you’ve finished economising. Bags and boxes are good for long-term storage, but slide-out clothes drawers are especially expedient, as they lessen the need for that other great spacesnatcher, a large wardrobe.

3. MIRROR, MIRROR

Bedroom, entrance hall or downstairs loo – mirrors have long been number one on the list of domestic design tricks. They don’t add any physical space, of course, but they send light bouncing round the walls and can trick the eye into doubling a room’s depth.

For the best brightening effects, place your mirror opposite a window and for the greatest sense of

ways to make the most of a small bedroom!

space

could be a colour or pattern – recurring on cushions, bed covers and wallpaper –or a simple motif.

11. DECLUTTER

Minimalism is as fashionable as it is functional, and most bedrooms bear at least a few bulky burdens that would be better off down the charity shop. Do you really need that brick-sized Nokia with the first ever version of Snake, the box of expired medicines, or the tabletop popcorn maker you used once in 2015?

12. YOUR CORNERS

Corners are notoriously difficult to bring to heel, but unless you live in a lighthouse every room has at least three of them, and they can easily turn into dead space. Consider anything with a right angle – tables, light fixtures, or wraparound, triangular shelving.

13. A FEATURE WALL

space, consider the wall opposite the door.

4. MAKE IT A VIRTUE

One person’s cramped is another person’s cosy, and a few soft furnishings can turn a poky shoe-box into a snug den or bolthole. Think fuzzy blankets, chocolate box ornaments, warming lamps and lighting – anything you might associate with a comfy Scandinavian cabin on a cold winter’s day.

5. BED SIZE MATTERS

We know, it’s so tempting to snap up an XXL king size and spend every night splayed out like a starfish, but if floor space is precious, your bed is the obvious place to seek savings. If you’re 6’4” and married, fair play; if you’re 5’3” and single, perhaps consider downsizing.

6. USE YOUR HEADBOARD

Select the right design and your headboard can double as shelves for storage; a tabletop for ornaments; a rail for hanging clothes – anything really besides a useless wooden plank.

7. THINK VERTICALLY

Just as city centres maximise space by building upwards, so too can your bedroom.

Think of a room in terms of volume, rather than surface area, and prioritise floor-to-ceiling units that can squeeze the most from every inch of your room. Add shelves atop wardrobes and cupboards, or just use them as storage space anyway.

If you are investing in mirrors, make them full-length, and design your room to draw the

eye upwards. Consider vertically-striped wallpaper, a differentcoloured ceiling, and highhung pictures and decor.

8. STRATEGIC FURNITURE

Pick pieces that can serve multiple purposes, or at least do the job as efficiently as possible. Double up your desk and bedside table; pick a compact cabinet over an elaborate chest of drawers; investigate foldaway futons.

9. YOUR COLOUR SCHEME

Lighter colours feel airier and more open, and there’s a reason that whites, greys and varying shades of cream crop up again and again in the centrefolds of interior design magazines. From your paint job to flooring and furnishings, avoid darker colours that

might lend a claustrophobic feel.

10. ESTABLISH A THEME

It doesn’t take much for small spaces to feel disorganised, and giving your room a designed, curated feel brings a muchneeded sense of order. It

Every room benefits from a statement centrepiece, and in a shoe-box bedroom it can hardly be the fourposter bed. Physical focal points may struggle to squeeze in, so instead opt for a visual one – a well decorated wall with an artwork, a photo collage, or simply a bold pattern.

Think of a room in terms of volume, rather than surface area, and prioritise floor-to-ceiling units that can squeeze the most from every inch of your room.

Line up your home using Feng Shui

THE ancient Chinese practice of Feng Shui is all about creating harmony in a space – but goes far beyond using colour and light to create the right ambience, for instance. Strategically placing furniture to promote wellness, using artwork and living plants to get the right vibes and keeping rooms clear of clutter all factor.

Based on the belief there’s a continuous flow of 'chi' – or energy – between an individual and their surroundings, thinking about how to arrange our objects to promote good work-life balance has additional appeal, with so many more of us now working from home at least part of the time. There’s plenty of scope for Feng Shui to feature in gardens and patios too, for an extra boost when you throw open the doors or look out the window.

BAGUA

The practice of Feng Shui aims to strike a balance between the self and the natural world. It can be applied to any room of the home, particularly outdoor spaces, where there’s already a connection with nature. Adding plants and greenery is an easy place to start, and depending on the 'bagua' (centre of energy), the colours you choose can increase the energy in certain areas. Calculating your bagua map (right) is simple but needs approaching differently depending on your home. If you live in an apartment, align the bottom of the bagua map with the front entrance wall. If you live in a house, use a compass and place the ‘career area’ (bottom middle on the bagua map) where your compass indicates the north.

IN THE GARDEN

So, when planning your garden, think about planting blue and purple flowers in your 'wealth corner' (south east), and pink, white and red flowers in the 'relationship corner' (south west) to increase the energy around love and partnerships.

Furthermore, outdoor mirrors can be used to attract abundance. With its curved shape and smooth flowing lines, an oval mirror can be used to reflect the light from the sun, making the space feel bigger and brighter. For smaller spaces, place two mirrors to face each other so the light bounces off, creating beautiful brightness.

COLOURS

Using muted colours mixed with natural materials and soft furnishing accessories immediately creates a calming

effect. Try a natural wooden armchair, with muted colours on the walls and textured vases and ornaments with a soft rug or carpet underfoot.

Of course, colour is subjective, and what’s positive and calming to one person may be undesirable to another. Try

brighten a room and tie the look together in one fell swoop.

SEPARATION

Another key Feng Shui tip is to keep your work space separate from your relaxation area, to help balance your work and home life and enable you to properly 'switch off' while working from home. Out of sight, out of mind can only be a positive move on many levels - signalling when it's time to end those video conferencing calls, light a candle and chill out. And just in case you're wondering, candles should be placed in the bagua of your home - as well as releasing daily stress, their glow brings fiery energy and will keep the 'chi' harmonious and happy. But back to the business of a work station: slim, movable tables, deep enough for a laptop and bits and bobs will maximise your desk area, while taking up less room - and they can be rolled away when it's time to log off.

CLUTTER

The starting point for any positive environment is to keep kitchen work surfaces and table tops as clear as possible. This might mean having a good sort-out, and investing in some suitable storage solutions. Old magazines, dusty ornaments and general bric-a-brac once placed in haste and never removed will not contribute to a positive energy environment.

If you find it hard to part with sentimental clutter, find a box to neatly pack it away. Do be cautious though – simply moving clutter from one spot to another won’t do much to aide your energy flow. Donate to charity shops or find a way to bid farewell to items in order to clear your space, and ultimately, your mind.

BRING THE OUTSIDE IN

using colours that reflect your personal happiness – but try to avoid darker colours or too much black, as these can sap positive energy flows throughout the home.

Brighter colours will have an immediately uplifting effect, so this may be the perfect opportunity to create a feature wall. You might even want to go so far as using your ‘commanding position’ (the spot furthest from the door and not in direct line with it) wall as the accent – and earn yourself double Feng-Shui points while you’re at it.

In Feng Shui, green is the colour of renewal, fresh energy and new beginnings and is believed to help relieve stress. But if going full-on green with walls – whether that’s paint or wallpaper – isn't possible, then look for accessories to enhance good energy. Living plants, brightly coloured cushions or a wall decoration will

If you're short on outdoor space, stress not. Think about bringing the outside in with some greenery. Plants are a brilliant way to bring energy into the room, add colour and cleanse the air. They look great in natural baskets or ceramic vases and succulents are easy to care for.

SOFT EDGES

Last but not least, another important Feng Shui tool to build a soothing environment is to consider carved furniture with smooth edges, over angular and sharp designs. Sharp edges and corners, otherwise known as bad energy 'sha', could have a negative effect when you're unwinding - and it's all about maximising the feel-good factor where we can and letting positive vibes flow!