The manufacturer says it has taken stylistic influences from the fetish and bondage industries, to create a light fitting adorned with six hand-sculpted phalluses cast in translucent resin.

The phalluses allow the chandelier, which has been handmade in Cornwall, to “radiate an atmospheric light”.

The 68kg fixture, which is nearly six feet tall and 59 inches wide, is lit by 48 individual LEDs.

Each LED has a projected lifespan of 50,000 hours, which should reduce maintenance.

The manufacturer, Steve Jarvis, and his daughter are touring with the Priapus chandelier in Amsterdam and the UK following its nomination for a 2011 Erotica Award.

In December it will appear at the Sexy Art Gallery in Amsterdam.

A limited edition run of 25 chandeliers will be produced, priced at £15,000 each.

While you might have no desire to recreate the tension, back-biting and fights that take place in the house every year, you might be more inclined to recreate some of Big Brother’soutlandish interior style.

Understandably, you probably won’t want your entire home to resemble the Big Brother house, but stealing a few of its choice designs, furniture and colour schemes could be the perfect antidote to a drab interior.

If you would like to recreate the bling bathroom or cutting-edge kitchen but aren’t sure where to start, help is at hand. Furniture retailer MFI has a selection of kitchens, bathrooms and dining rooms that wouldn’t look amiss in the Big Brother house.

To help you recreate that infamous look, check out these three ideas for your kitchen, dining room and bathroom.

Cutting-edge kitchen
This year the Big Brother kitchen has already seen a lot of drama. Tension over self-appointed house chef Rex’s behaviour in the kitchen has rattled many of the housemates and who can forget the infamous chip incident? Poor Rebecca didn’t know what a storm she would whip up when she innocently decided to help Rex in the kitchen.

You might not be a fan of the fights, but if you’re a fan of the high-gloss design why not recreate the look at home with MFI’s Phoenix fitted kitchen range? Creating a bold statement with contemporary looks and a host of space-saving features, the style is completed with a dark ebony laminate worktop. Prices start from £2,928. Kitchen prices quoted are based on a seven-cabinet kitchen installation, which includes a 3,000x600mm worktop.

Distinctive dining room
The place of numerous group meetings, Big Brother’sultra modern dining room has a futuristic feel to it and is offset by the shattered eye logo on the wall behind.
Bring Big Brother’sluxury looks to your dining room with a distinctive Sonoma oak dining table and chairs. The table seats six people comfortably, making it perfect for large groups. Prices start from £1,269 for the table and from £319 per chair.

Bling bathroom
Get ready for people sharing baths and washing in their underwear. This year’s Big Brother bathroom features an over-the-top bling look, with marble tiles and gilded features. If the Footballers Wives look is a bit OTT for your taste, check out MFI’s Victoria bathroom suite, it’s got the glamour without the tacky feel and includes a classic basin and pedestal and an indulgent freestanding roll-top bath.
Prices start from £275 for the basin and pedestal and from £400 for the bath.

Click here to visit the MFI website

There is a large selection of herbs that can be planted in your garden. You simply need to decide on the herbs that are right for your culinary needs.

Popular culinary herbs include basil, chives, parsley, sage, bay trees, thyme and dill. All of these herbs offer great flavour to summer dishes and salads.

Another aromatic summer favourite is mint. There is nothing quite like the smell of fresh mint leaves, which can be crushed in a delicious summer mojito cocktail or a refreshing iced-tea. Fresh mint leaves also make a delicious mint pesto when whizzed up in a food processor with olive oil, pine nuts and walnuts.

Experiment with your herb garden and don’t limit yourself to a few well-known favourites. Most herbs grow best in well-drained, fertile soil. Typically, insects don’t bother herbs and disease shouldn’t be a concern either.

Seeds can be sown indoors or out or you can buy young plants from a nursery to speed things along. If you are growing from seed, don’t plant seeds too deeply and make sure you barely cover the seeds. Keep the top of the soil moist.

Designing your herb garden near your kitchen door is an excellent way to encourage using the herbs for cooking. If you are planting in a flowerbed, choose a location that receives sun and protection from the wind. Make sure that you use the correct soil preparation, preferably organic.

If you are tight for planting space in a small garden, it is possible to plant some types of herbs in between other plantings in sunny flowerbeds. Rosemary makes for an attractive shrub with blue flowers in the spring, while chives and parsley can be planted very successfully between flowers to add attractive foliage. Low growing coloured sages and spreading thymes also make good edging plants. Avoid planting mint in flowerbeds, though, as it can spread wildly.

Most herbs can be grown successfully in containers, provided they have adequate drainage. Because they are portable, herbs in containers can be nurtured in an ideal spot and moved into a convenient position outside the kitchen door when they are ready to use. Exceptions are fennel, which needs deep soil, and bay trees, which grow big when mature. These herbs are best in large containers and look very attractive too.

Wait until the plant has enough foliage before you start harvesting the leaves. It’s tempting to start enjoying your produce but waiting will ensure that your plant continues to grow after you pick it. The best time to pick your herbs is in the morning before the sun is shining too brightly.

Most herbs need to be protected in the winter and some can be used in the winter too, such as rosemary and bay leaves. For maximum success, buy or loan a book on herb gardening so you can get the best out of your herb garden.

Demand for outdoor space has never been greater and, with a little maintenance, your garden could even be the determining factor in a sale. Giving your house “kerb appeal” by making it look as attractive as possible to potential buyers when they approach is vital.
Whatever the time of year, your garden or patio area should be kept tidy. Sweeping up leaves and debris on a regular basis and keeping flower beds weeded, lawns mown and hedges clipped could really make a difference.

By following these few simple tips your garden could soon become the crowning glory of your property.

1.Keep it tidy
Whether you’ve got 10 square feet or half an acre, nothing screams “dump” like an untidy garden. Don’t be fooled into thinking you will be able to impress prospective buyers with your “nature reserve” when things have grown wild. Keep on top of the mowing and trimming and this will also make your garden look bigger.

2. Revamp
Garden gnomes and other ornamental garden figures are a big no-no. What may look whimsical and cute to you will definitely look outdated and rather strange to others. Above all, apply the minimalist rule to your garden revamp and you won’t go far wrong. Ask for advice on the latest plants and flowers at your local garden centre to drag your garden into the 21st century.

3. Garden furniture
If you have a reasonable sized garden, a few carefully chosen items of garden furniture would not go amiss and might help buyers to imagine how they would enjoy the place. A strategically placed sun lounger or garden table can add a lived-in feel that will appeal to potential buyers.

4. Avoid fussy features
Ponds, statues and elaborate water features might sound nice but are generally hard work to maintain and can look tacky. Abide by the rule, “if in doubt, don’t” and avoid any embarrassing green-fingered faux pas.

5. Practically perfect
Think practically. Try to tailor your garden to suit the type of people it’s aimed at. For family appeal create a garden with plenty of lawn space for children to play on. If your property is aimed at single people living on their own, try to create a low-maintenance garden.

6. De-clutter
No one likes seeing a load of kids’ or pets’ toys spread all over the lawn. Build a shed or find somewhere to hide clutter. If you don’t have a lot of space, then you can buy cheap garden storage units from DIY stores.

7. Eco-friendly
With such a huge focus on green living at the moment, your garden is the first place you can do this. You can recycle virtually everything in your garden. Set up a compost heap and impress potential buyers with how clued up you are on green issues.

8. Make it low maintenance
Unless you are a very keen gardener, you won’t want to spend hours on your garden every day. When planning and building your garden, deliberately make it low maintenance. Choose plants that only need attention now and again, and features that only need annual servicing.

9. Pretty borders
One of the fastest ways to tidy up a border is with some colourful plants and shrubs, but don’t be fooled into buying lots of different varieties as this will only make your garden look disorderly and chaotic. Pansies, hydrangeas, peonies and chrysanthemums all make great border plants.

10. Go professional
If gardening isn’t your thing then just hire a professional. There are many garden mowing firms that will visit your home regularly, or local gardeners who will be happy to do the work for you. Think of it as an investment in the future value of your home.

If the weather does heat up many gardeners will be tempted leave the garden to fend for itself. Unfortunately, this won’t help the autumn harvest.

Although your planting may be done, to ensure good yields you need to spend time in the garden to water, weed and check for pests. Some crops will benefit from a modest application of nitrogen fertiliser as they begin to set fruit or start to grow rapidly.

Piling on a thick layer of straw mulch will help reduce the amount of weeding needed and will help keep the soil moist during dry spells.

If using pesticides to control pests, always follow label directions. Use only as much as you need and avoid applying in midday heat, on windy days, or when plants are in flower and bees are present.

If you want to enjoy fresh vegetables throughout the autumn, July is the time to plant crops including root crops (beets, turnips), leafy greens (spinach, lettuce), and cole crops (Brussels sprouts, broccoli). Just because these plants like cool weather, that doesn’t mean they can’t get going and flourish in the heat of July and August, if they are given consistent moisture.

When watering plants, be sure to water well. Actively growing vegetable plants need at least a one-inch deep application of water per week, either from natural rainfall or watering. To prevent foliar diseases, apply water directly to the soil and avoid wetting the leaves of plants if possible.

If you start your own transplants, harden them off before transplanting. The tender plants need time to adjust to the bright light and wind conditions of summer. Exposing them to hot weather too soon may result in leaf burn and wilt. Water well after transplanting and mulch with straw or leaves to retain moisture and keep the soil cooler.

Water Gardens
Clear pond water can be achieved with proper plant balance. If the pond is situated in full sun, 50-70 per cent of its surface must be covered with foliage such as floating heart, water hyacinth or water lily.

Underwater grasses are essential to maintaining water clarity as they utilise the oxygen in the water, which helps prevent algae from accumulating in the pond.
Switch from spring fish food to summer fish food as water temperatures have risen above 70°F. At higher temperatures, fish metabolise at a faster rate, thus creating a need for a diet higher in protein, which the summer food contains.

Lawns
Apply a fungicide to the lawn to control turf diseases. If needed, apply a weed control to the lawn to kill actively growing weeds.

Tips on applying weed killer:-
Do not apply on newly seeded areas.
Do not apply on windy days.
Do not apply near or on the edge of waterways.
Do not allow children or pets to play on lawns freshly applied with weed killer. It is best to wait one week.
Do not apply weed controls when temperatures are above 85°F.
Always follow the label directions.

Other activities for July: prune spring bulb foliage as it dies back, deadhead annuals, renovate strawberry beds after harvest and turn over the compost pile.

Custom-built barbecues were made popular back in the 50s, before mass produced gas and charcoal grills took over the market. But lately people have become increasingly interested in building a barbecue of their own.

But before you race down to the DIY store, you need to work out what you want from your barbecue. You can build a simple grill or something more complex. Decide if you want something that’s little more then a fire pit or more of a fully functional gas grill. Part of this decision should be based on cost. For a very small price you can construct an attractive fire pit with a few metal poles to support a cooking grate.

The reality is that a simple charcoal or wood fired barbecue isn’t that complex. You need a place for the fire that is well ventilated and a cooking grate to put the food on. This kind of grill can be constructed from bricks with a little know how and some pre-made metal parts. The main safety factors to remember are the dangers of using sand cement as this contains lime and causes burns or irritation to the skin and eyes.

If you want to go with a gas grill set up, it is a good idea to buy a gas grill insert built for outdoor use. You can find these or order them from most DIY shops or a local stove shop. They will probably also come with some plans to help you put it all together. This requires a pretty simple structure to hold the grill in place.

Here are a couple of good rules to follow in planning your home-made barbecue:
Placement: Put your barbecue where it won’t put other structures in danger from fire, and where it can stay for many years to come.

Appearance: Follow the design of house and yard so that your barbecue won’t seem out of place and will fit into its surroundings.

Utility: You can make your barbecue more than a barbecue. A well-designed barbecue will do more than cook food. Plan on using your outdoor kitchen’s storage and table space all year round.

Weather: Build your barbecue to withstand the elements particular to your part of the world. You want your barbecue to last so a good enclosure is a must.

Maintenance: Design your barbecue to make it easy to clean and repair. You don’t want to find out that you need to cut through stone or bricks to replace a part.

People don’t think of 50s, 60s or 70s houses as period properties, but one day they will be. For this reason, property experts recommend that any architectural or interior fixtures you add stay true to the original design of your home, even if it was built in the 70s. Anything less is like a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

It might be tempting to knock all the walls through on a Victorian property to get rid of the pokey rooms, but you will be completely changing your home’s character and historical significance. It might be even more tempting to get rid of any architectural features from the 60s or 70s.

Staying true to a home’s original architecture isn’t about waiting for features to come back in fashion, but rather to give some continuity and gravity to your home. Experts firmly believe that doing so can positively affect your resale value. Likewise, they believe that installing a contemporary kitchen in a period home or a Victorian-style bathroom in a 70s home will negatively affects its resale value.

Already, homes from the 50s and even 60s are appreciated for their architectural detail, seen in both demand and value. What was once ripped out for scrap is now valued: that ought to be a lesson for any new occupants of a 60s or 70s house in need of total renovation.

If you are embarking on an interior or exterior renovation project in your home, architects would urge you to view your home as a product of its time. You should sensitively treat any distinctive stylistic features or examples of skilled craftwork, even if they aren’t your particular cup of tea.

When it comes to renovating any property, repair is always better than replacement of architectural features such as original plaster coving or original interior doors. When replacement is necessary, try to match features with reclaimed alternatives or at very least match the design and period with any new fixtures.

If a previous homeowner has already done the damage, you can try to introduce elements of the original design by doing some research on how your home might have looked when it was built. This proves vital in situations where your need to buy new, such as kitchens and bathroom. Understanding your home’s original design will help you add to its aesthetic appeal without removing its original personality.

More than just the decor on the walls, thinking about the furniture can help you update and personalise your dining space with a brand new look. Furniture Village has recently unveiled a selection of four very different dining styles, one of which could be just what you are looking for, whether that be sleek and contemporary, traditional or rustic. All dining sets are perfect for entertaining at home whatever the occasion.

The New York range is all about inject style and vibrancy into your dining experience. With contemporary light reflective chrome and a choice of lively colours, you can effortlessly recreate that seventies retro look. Its use of smooth sleek lines and high gloss finish will instantly help define your dining area into a stylish contemporary space – perfect for socialising. The New York set is also ideal for stylish kitchens or compact apartments.

A more traditional feel can be had with the Hawthorn theme. Handcrafted from solid oak and oak veneers and luxuriously upholstered in stylish brown leather, Hawthorn will bring contemporary elegance to any dining space.

This suite offers the perfect blend of modern design, combining stunning craftsmanship with practicality and comfort. Perfect for a large family gathering, the table can extend to seat 10 and forms the centrepiece to modern family living. The look can be completed with a matching three-door sideboard featuring soft close drawers.

The Rossini set, by contrast, is all about transporting designer glamour straight to your dining room. This collection from Italy was designed by Giorgio Soressi. A sleek cosmopolitan range of furniture, it is characterised by a glossy dark walnut veneer to give an elegant and high glamour finish.

The table is extendable with additional leaves and features a unique solid centre wood block with inlaid grooves. Chair seats are beautifully upholstered in luxurious soft cream, offering a wonderful contrast to the high gloss deep walnut. Furnish your room with the rest of the range to create a seductively enticing dining experience.

But if you feel that rustic charm is the feel you want to create in your dining room, the Avignon range may be just what you need. Handcrafted from solid Acacia hardwood, it will bring an immediate impression of smart country living.

The quality crafted country style dining table is available in two sizes and comes with four chairs, all hand waxed to a beautiful finish. Elegant and yet beautifully practical and solid, the Avignon set will withstand the toughest rigours of family life.
Avignon is truly a triumph of design that’s perfectly formed to create a warm and inviting dining space. The range of matching pieces can be used to complete the look in more than one room.

All these ranges can be seen at any of Furniture Village’s 35 stores around the country or you can go online and order from www.furniturevillage.co.uk. Furniture Village can also professionally install your purchase into your home, remove all packaging and even old furniture if required. All items come with a five-year guarantee with up to three years’ interest free credit.

If a chef and an interior designer were to create their ideal kitchens, they would probably have little in common. A designer will be focused on style, whereas a chef will be concerned solely with function. The average homeowner will want and need a kitchen that satisfies both, which is not always an easy task.

Sticking with the tried and tested triangle workspace, with your sink, cooker and fridge freezer at each point, is a must if you want to create a functional kitchen. Good lighting and the best quality fittings you can afford are also a priority to satisfy both design and function.

One of the biggest challenges is choosing the right appliances. The choice is endless and it is easy to get carried away with gimmicky features or fork out for expensive appliances that you just won’t use to their full potential.

Contemporary kitchen designs often feature stainless steel appliances and counter tops, but the reality is that they are hard to clean and need a lot of maintenance. If you have children, you’ll see every fingerprint. Likewise, black granite worktops look stunning, but only when they are constantly polished and buffed. For the average busy family kitchen, black granite shows up every little crumb and grubby mark accumulated during the day.

Professional range cookers and modern Agas are another big draw for the style-conscious, but the cost and space needed to accommodate them cannot be justified if you won’t use them to their full potential. Ask yourself whether you really need a cooker hob with six burners or whether you really have the time to keep the fire of a traditional Aga stoked? If you are most likely to use your oven to heat food rather than create dishes from scratch, you would be wise to put a range on the back burner.

When you are choosing the style of your cabinets, keep in mind that contemporary colours and finishes are likely to date fast. Shiny red colours might be a statement piece now, but what about 10 years down the line? Playing it safe with cabinet colours and styles pays off in the long term, especially when you come to selling your property.

A chef would say that a kitchen is a place to prepare food, but to a homeowner it is much more than that. The kitchen is the traditional heart of a family home, so the overall design is important if your family is to enjoy spending time there. If you have the room, making space for a table or a breakfast bar for family to congregate at is far more important than adding gimmicky features such as chilled wine cabinets.

While choice is always good, too much choice can make it difficult to get things right first time. Coordinating interiors doesn’t necessarily mean matching everything, but there does need to be a sense of unity within every aspect of a room. Interior designers make this look easy, but most people find out the hard way that it can be anything but easy to get it right.

Whether you want to create a romantic master bedroom, welcoming guest room, cosy lounge or a functional family room, redesigning an interior space requires thought and attention to detail.

You, like any interior designer, should have the aim of making the room both functional and stylish. While working around your family’s needs and interests may be difficult, it is essential if you want to have a room that is usable and can take what your family has to throw at it.

Take a good look at the space you have available: if the room is small, don’t try to cram too much into it. Less is usually more when it comes to the amount of furniture in a room. Using the right amount of furniture and furniture in the correct proportions for the room will use the space available more efficiently and make the room feel more spacious. If the room is large, don’t necessarily line-up all the furniture along the walls, which can lead to a boring layout and a waste of space. Consider dividing up a large room into smaller functional spaces using room dividers like screens and open bookcases.

Before you start, think about budget. This is always an interior designer’s first consideration and will help them decide all aspects of the project. It’s no good splashing out on designer wallpaper costing £45 a roll if you’re going to have to skimp and scrape for everything else in the room. However, it will pay off to have one splurge item to set everything off, if you can afford to spent a decent amount on the basics.

Once you figure out how the room will be used, what space is available and how much money you have for the transformation, it’s time to take inspiration from the experts. Create a file of magazine clippings of the styles, colours and accessories you would like to use in your home. When you have a good collection of clippings, you will have a clearer mind of what you want to create and what does and doesn’t work together.

When it comes to actually decorating, if you can’t do the job properly yourself, ask someone nicely to help or pay a professional if you have to. Nothing is worse than a job half done badly, especially if you’ve paid £45 for a roll of wallpaper.

Consumption: reducing, reusing and recycling, by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), says the benefits of recycling risk being undermined by the sheer quantity of waste being generated. The stark warning is that if household waste output continues to rise by three per cent a year, the cost to the economy will be £3.2 billion and harmful methane emissions will double by 2020.

Experts have come up with many ideas to encourage consumer recycling over the past few years, but all agree that more needs to be done to reduce the amount of waste produced. While the onus is on manufacturers and supermarkets to reduce the amount of packaging on consumer products, experts still maintain that consumer attitude towards waste needs further change.

Professor Ken Peattie, director of the ESRC Centre for Business Relationships, Accountability, Sustainability and Society (Brass) at Cardiff University, says, “Guilt messages are ineffective. A focus on the benefits of a greener lifestyle has been shown to be a better way to encourage people to reduce their consumption.”

Ben Shaw of the Environment Group, Policy Studies Institute takes a harder line. He says that the UK is still a long way behind the best resource-efficient countries and regions where taxation and household waste charges have been used to reduce landfill. 

There seems to be no easy solution to reduce the amount of waste produced. Shaw admits that even the toughest penalties have not been enough to prevent a significant accumulation of waste. Like many environmental experts, he believes that waste reduction must be tackled higher up the chain of production and consumption.

There is a suggestion that the UK use elements of ‘zero waste’ schemes practiced overseas, such as those in operation in San Francisco and the Philippines. Some recommended initiatives are:-
Setting a per capita residual waste target to drive both recycling and prevention, backed up by variable charging of householders;
Taking steps towards tackling consumption by drawing up producer responsibility agreements to reduce waste at production level;
Setting more ambitious targets for recycling targets;
Developing recycling systems for organic wastes, such as returning composted food waste to the land as fertiliser rather than losing this valuable resource.   

Perhaps it is time to do a bit of DIY doctoring and cure your home of its ills. Homes are viewed at face value, even if they are beautiful inside. Weedy, shabby front gardens, cracks in plasterwork, dirty, paint-peeling windows, dead pot plants, dreaded pebble dashing and a clapped-out old banger on bricks are guaranteed ways to take thousands of pounds off the asking price. A home should feel welcoming to viewers, not like a visit to Norman Bates’ creepy house on the hill.

Not all homeowners see the value of keeping on top of odd jobs such as dripping taps, cracks in the walls, peeling 70s wallpaper, mould-dotted ceilings in the bathroom or worse. Inside and out, a home cannot look beautiful without a little slap on. Stripping down and mending all signs of disrepair and premature ageing could add tens of thousands to your property.

Home improvement stores make it all too easy for people to give it a go themselves. While you might be impressed with your first attempt at tiling, viewers may not be quite as eager to hand out a gold star for your effort. Anything you do badly yourself, whether it’s plastering or plumbing, will add to a potential buyer’s expensive list of corrections, and you will be paying for it when you are forced to reduce your price.
Even sillier people who build extensions, loft conversions, conservatories or homemade lead-tos without planning permission might have got away with putting them up, but the result could see the property value falling down, if not the improvements themselves if the council demand so.

“That will have to go…” This is what any viewer will think if they walk in to find an antique or poorly designed excuse for the heart of a home – the kitchen. Installing a modern, tasteful kitchen brings life and a centre to your home. But installing a modern kitchen with limited appeal will be just as bad as an antique disaster.
Always opt for styles with a wide appeal and longevity in design. If you have wild, bold tastes, you can always accessorise and decorate to make more of a personal mark while you are living there and then remove all traces when you come to sell it.

Bathrooms come second in the value stakes and again, you should install a funky, offbeat bathroom at your peril. Not only will you not recoup the money you spent on it, you will also lose money off the sale to pay for a new one. The last few decades have wiped out most of the pink, blue, brown, beige, burgundy and avocado suites, and good riddance. White ones are sweetest by far.

Most buyers can live with a bit of subtle artexing above their heads, but seeing it on the walls will tot up a hefty plastering bill in your buyers mind. Estate agents generally agree that smooth ceilings and walls are the least likely to cause offence to potential buyers.

You might have grown accustomed to pet odours, but this will really turn off your home’s appeal to buyers. Worse still, it could spark a serious allergy to you home if their fur gets up the wrong nose. Apologise to Oscar the cat and Sassy the dog and put them out in the garden, along with their chewed up toys and hair.

They might be great fun, but they can also become potentially dangerous when mixed with carelessness. Every year, the fire service warns that the combination of a party atmosphere, drink flowing freely, children dashing around and an open fire can quickly lead to tragic accidents.

It urges everyone to follow some simple precautions to reduce the risks of barbecue mishaps.

Pre-planning and care, especially when young children are in attendance, are paramount.
Some essential safety points are:-

1)Always site a barbecue on a firm, level base sheltered from gusts of wind and well away from anything flammable, such as garden sheds, garages, fences and shrubs.
2)Do not hold makeshift barbecues in woods or fields.
3)Have at least one bucket of water handy at all times, just in case.
4)Never use any flammable liquid, such as petrol, to start a barbecue. Only use recommended firelighters or fluids, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
5)Do not allow barbecues to burst into flames or burn fiercely.
6)Never wear loose, flowing clothes when tending a barbecue and tie long hair back.
7)Ensure that children are kept well away from barbecues – their fascination and curiosity can easily lead to a dreadful accident.
8)Consuming alcohol and cooking with a barbecue don’t mix. If you are the chef, take responsibility and avoid indulging in drinks until your cooking duties are completed.
9)After cooking, allow embers to cool completely before disposing of them. Pour water over them to be absolutely sure.
10)Liquid petroleum (LP) gas or propane, used in gas grills, is highly flammable and each year about 30 people are injured as a result of gas-grill fires and explosions. Many of these fires and explosions occur when people first use a grill that has been left idle for a period of time or just after refilling and reattaching the grill’s gas container. To reduce the risk of fire or explosion, you should routinely perform the following safety checks:
11)Check the tubes that lead into the burner for any blockage from insects, spiders or food grease. Use a pipe cleaner or wire to clear the blockage and push it through to the main part of the burner.
12)Check grill hoses for cracking, brittleness, holes and leaks. Make sure there are no sharp bends in the hose or tubing.
13)Move gas hoses as far away as possible from hot surfaces and dripping hot grease.
14)If you can’t move the hoses, install a heat shield to protect them.
15)Replace scratched or nicked connectors, which can eventually leak gas.
16)Check for gas leaks, following the manufacturer’s instructions, if you smell gas or when you reconnect the grill to the LP gas container. If you detect a leak, immediately turn off the gas and don’t attempt to light the grill until the leak is fixed.
17)Keep lit cigarettes, matches or open flames away from a leaking grill.
18)Never use a grill indoors. Use the grill at least 10 feet away from your house or any building.
19)Do not use the grill in a garage, breezeway, carport, porch or under a surface that can catch fire.
20)Do not attempt to repair the tank valve or the appliance yourself. See an LP gas dealer or a qualified appliance repairer.
21)Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions that accompany the grill.

Even if you’re behind schedule with your gardening plans, there’s still time to do what you need to do before the dog days of summer arrive, so take the time to relax in your garden and revel in its beauty.

General gardening tips
June is a great time to plant. Plants and trees that provide colour in the month of June include azaleas, hydrangeas, rhododendrons, spireas and butterfly bush.

It’s a great time to plant annuals, perennials and all trees and shrubs. Nurseries have many beautiful annuals to choose from, including Geraniums, Impatiens, Marigolds, Petunias, Vinca, Salvia and many other plants. Perennials that provide interest in the month of June include daylilies, astilbe, rudbeckia, yarrow, foxgolve and much more.
Fertilise annuals, perennials and flowering shrubs and trees with a slow-release plant food that contains nitrogen, sulfate of potash, iron and other micro-nutrients for overall plant growth and development.

Check all plants, especially newly planted ones, for water on a regular basis. Water deeply and thoroughly as needed.

Now is a great time to install a water garden. Water features will allow you to enjoy the soothing sights and sounds of water.

Fruit and vegetable gardens
It’s a great time to plant apple, pear, peach and all other fruit trees. Fruit trees require two different varieties to pollinate properly. Be aware of this and ask nursery professionals to guide you in selecting varieties.

You can also plant vegetables in containers and grow them on decks, patios or other small spaces. Use potting mix when planting.

Fruit trees need to be sprayed on a regular schedule, although you do not spray your fruit trees when the blossoms are wide open.

It’s a great time to plant strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and blackberries.
Fertilise fruits and vegetables with a good quality, slow-release vegetable food.
Time to stake tomatoes and spray them if necessary to prevent disease problems.

Lawns
June is the time to apply a fungicide to the lawn to control turf diseases such as a brown patch and others
.
Tips on applying weed killer:
Do not apply weed controls on newly seeded areas, windy days or near waterways.
Do not allow children or pets to play on lawns freshly applied with weed controls. It is best to wait one week.
Do not apply weed controls when temperatures are above 29°C (85°F).
Always follow the label directions.

House plants
You can move houseplants outside to the deck or patio and enjoy them outdoors for the summer. It is best to gradually introduce them to more direct sunlight to prevent the leaves from being burned.

If needed, re-pot root bound houseplants to a larger pot. Use potting mix when repotting houseplants.

Hibiscus and jasmine are just some of the flowering tropical plants you can add to your deck, patio or balcony.

Flower beds, shrubs, trees and vegetable gardens should also be getting at least one inch of water a week. Water in the morning to avoid disease problems.

Your plants in pots and hanging baskets need more frequent watering. Check soil daily. Frequent watering tends to wash nutrients out of the soil quickly, so fertilise regularly.
It’s still a good time to plant container grown trees, shrubs, groundcovers, perennials and annuals. Remember that newly planted plants need more regular watering than established plants.

Attract beneficial insects to your garden by planting a variety of flowering annuals and perennials to bloom over the entire growing season.

Prune and shape spring-flowering trees and shrubs now. Do not prune summer-blooming shrubs, or you’ll prune off flower buds. Wait until after they bloom.

Deadhead to tidy up your flowering plants and encourage them to bloom more. Many annuals – such as petunias, cosmos, dianthus, dahlias, zinnias and geraniums – will stop blooming if allowed to go to seed. Others, such as impatiens and flowering vinca, clean themselves and do not need to be deadheaded.

What function will your gazebo serve? Gazebos can be used as a quiet place to read or relax. They can also be used as a place for your children to play, or for large, relaxed outdoor gatherings. An idea that is becoming increasingly popular is to build a gazebo over a hot tub for shade and privacy. The way you will use your gazebo may help determine other factors, such as size and style. Visit spasandthings.co.uk for a full range of portable wooden and metal garden gazebo enclosures and surrounds for UK hot tubs.

What type of material would you like for your gazebo? Today’s gazebos can be made from a large variety of building materials. Most of these fall into three categories: wood, metal or vinyl. Historically, gazebos have been made from wood, so if you’re a traditionalist, this may be the way to go. Wood requires a bit more maintenance than metal or fibreglass; it needs to be stained or painted regularly to prevent weather damage.

There are many types of wood that are appropriate for building a gazebo. Teak is a very hard, very durable wood that weathers to a beautiful silvery-grey colour over time. It is the most expensive of the woods that are commonly used for outdoor furniture, but also the most resistant to warping and rotting. Cedar is also very long-lasting. If you want to maintain the unique red-brown colour for which cedar is known, you’ll need to apply a clear sealant every two or three years, otherwise it too will become light grey. If you want to paint your gazebo, the best wood to use is pressure-treated pine, as it will absorb paint much more easily than either teak or cedar.

Metal gazebos are usually made of wrought iron, although steel and aluminium can also be used. Wrought iron gazebos usually have a powder-coated aluminium finish. These finishes come in a variety of colours, so you can have a wrought iron gazebo in almost any shade imaginable. Most steel and aluminium gazebos have a metal frame, but the roof and possibly the sides are made of a weather-resistant fabric.

Vinyl gazebos are usually the least expensive and also have the advantage of being nearly maintenance-free. They weigh much less, so many vinyl gazebos are even portable. The major disadvantages are that you may not like the artificial look of vinyl, and it won’t last as long as wood or metal.

How big will your gazebo be? The way that you plan to use your gazebo will be a major determining factor here. If you simply want a quiet place to relax, a gazebo that’s about six or eight feet in diameter may be big enough. If you want to host outdoor parties in your gazebo, you will want one that is at least 16 feet across. Remember, if you are going to build the gazebo for a hot tub, make sure that you get one that will enclose the tub and leave enough room to walk all the way around.

Will you build the gazebo yourself, order a kit, or have it custom-made? Unless you are a carpenter, you should stick with a simple plan if you’re building the gazebo yourself. However, there are lots of kits out there that can make even a self-built gazebo look as if it was custom-made. In addition, you can add nearly any option imaginable to a kit, such as electricity or benches.

Would you like your gazebo to be open or screened? There are gazebos with permanent screens, windows and doors that can be used year-round. If you’ll only use your gazebo during the warmer months, you can also leave it open. If you just can’t decide, you can even get a gazebo with removable screens.

Remember, it may be necessary to get a building permit to install a gazebo, especially if it is a permanent structure or includes electricity and/or plumbing.
Gazebosgalore.co.uk sell Easi-Fold gazebos and ajmshopping.co.uk have an extensive range of elegant gazebo, marquee and garden pavilions, including wooden, wrought iron, metal, canvas, pop up and folding gazebos.

Don’t force too much furniture into a small room or space: Do be realistic about the room size and furniture needed. Consider moving some of the furniture off the walls and into the room space. This will create interesting seating arrangements and maximise the available space in many rooms.

Don’t ignore the special architectural features in your home: Do enhance your home decor by emphasising the character and special features of your home. These may be an angled wall, skylights, bay windows, beautiful fireplaces, gorgeous floors or sumptuous wall textures. Place your furniture in arrangements that will complement the room’s space.

Don’t place artwork above eye level for the average person: Do place the centre of artwork approximately 60 inches from the floor, regardless of your ceiling height. This will prevent you from placing pieces too high. If you are creating a grouping, use this rule for the largest key piece and then spread out from there.

Don’t scale down artwork for a large space: It will detract from the artwork and leave your wall looking sparse and undervalued. Do cover two-thirds of the width of the wall to be decorated with art or decorative objects. This applies to wall space over furniture and blank walls. If you do not have a single piece of art that is large enough, then try grouping several items and pictures together to fill the appropriate space. Grouped frames look best in threes.

Don’t line up accessories of equal size and proportion: Lining up matching items neatly like toy soldiers is visually boring. This applies to shelves, tables and window sills. Do mix sizes, scale and textures: this is the key to good accessorising. Vary the heights of objects to be used together to create a staggered horizon. Odd items work much better than even, expect for side tables. Add interesting plants – greenery helps to break up heights and vary texture.

Don’t use a table lamp that is too small for its stand: This includes bedside tables, side tables and dresser tops. Do use lamps that are approximately 28 to 32 inches tall for side tables and bedside tables. A dresser top lamp in an adult room will require a height of 20 to 24 inches. Smaller lamps can be used on children’s dresser tops and bedside tables, but do try to keep them in scale with the furniture.

Don’t be afraid to decorate your home: Leaving it undecorated because of a lack of confidence in your interior design abilities will not make you feel at home. Do tap into the vast amount of free or inexpensive information and help available today. Search the web, watch home decorating shows like those on UKTV Style, or buy inspirational magazines that suit your tastes.

Over the last decade a lot of research has shown that indoor plants not only beautify interior spaces, but they also make them a healthier and more productive place to live in.

Research sponsored by NASA has shown that plants such as the bamboo palm and Madonna lilies can reduce the levels of harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as benzene, formaldehyde and trichloroethylene. Other chemical absorbing varieties include ivy, spider plants, palms, dracaena, peace lilies and dieffenbachia. They can also improve the humidity inside buildings by up to 20 per cent and help remove pollutants such as cigarette smoke.

A lot of work has also been done by researchers to show that people feel better about an indoor space with greenery than they do about one without. People were shown to be more relaxed, which can reduce stress and blood pressure. They have many psychological benefits.

Health benefits aside, it is the effect of living plants on interior design that is equally impressive. Lush, healthy houseplants add natural colour, texture and life to any interior setting. A sterile-looking or dull room can instantly be brought to life with the addition of a well-placed potted plant.

Plants can be used in every room of your home, but make sure you check their lighting and watering needs, as well as their temperament, before placing them.
In the kitchen: place an herb garden on the sunny sill over your sink. Plant a small peace lily in a contemporary pot and arrange in threes along the counter top. Small pots always look better placed in threes.

In the bathroom: place an African violet on top of the toilet cistern. Orchids love the humidity your shower creates and they add beauty and sophistication to your bathroom. Try hanging a spider plant in front of the window or in the corner of the room.

In the bedroom: placing a potted peace lily on either side of your bed is one of the best ways to bring in oxygen and remove the carbon monoxide you generate by breathing.

In the living or dining room: put a pair of trailing ivy in sculptural or contemporary pots and place either side of your mantel piece. If you have a real fire, these will help to absorb any gas residue or carbon monoxide. The end of a table and coffee tables are ideal locations for displaying plants in unusual containers. There’s always an
empty corner that can be softened by a tall palm or fig tree.

Placing healthy, living plants around your home is also good feng shui. Practitioners recommend that only healthy, living plants and flowers should be brought into the home. Any dried or artificial flowers or plants are considered to be bad feng shui.

Because terrace areas are a merger of garden and interiors, you should apply the same interior design principles for your garden room. A well-decorated terrace can have relaxed seating areas, dining areas, design pieces and clever lighting. Barring a roof, you have all the necessary features of a room to play with including entrances, flooring, walls and furniture pieces.

Walls or fences can be treated in the same way as your interior wall: you can paint them or even add texture by covering them with bamboo screens. Floors obviously can’t feature carpets but they can incorporate brickwork, stone slabs, tiles and wood.
The garden decor you select will give your outdoor room style and character. This should be a continuation of your interior style to create a real sense of fluidity. If your home is modern and contemporary, think about using edgy materials such as metal and concrete as a canvas for some sculptural planting. If your interiors favour natural materials, go with materials like hardwood and bamboo.

When choosing garden furniture, wrought iron, cedar or teak garden furniture are all excellent choices for patio and garden furnishings. Though style is crucial, durability and functionality should also drive your choices. Unlike your indoor furniture, it will have to brave bleaching from the sun, drenching from the rain and hefty gusts of wind. Remember that although many patio sets claim to be durable hardwood, some of the cheap hardwoods are pretty low-grade and won’t last as long as you would hope.

Once you have chosen your furniture, floor and wall/fence coverings, spend some time focusing on outdoor lighting. Lighting can change the entire feel of your outdoor room with a view of your garden. You can go for subdued, ornamental, warm or bright. Outdoor lights are made to endure all the elements and feature insulated and weather-resistant components. There are quite a few styles you can choose from including freestanding lamps, table lamps, globe lamps, lanterns, umbrella lights, string lights and ground lights. Shop around for what appeals to you, as well as what’s practical.

To create focal points in your outdoor room and adjoining garden, set out a range of planters filled with beautiful seasonal flowers or more design-led sculptural trees. These are the ideal decorative items which bring the garden into your outdoor room and soften the look. It is all about blending the seams of your interior and exterior. Think of your garden room as a place where your home and garden come and mingle together.

You can also think a little more creatively about how you use your outdoor room. The obvious choices are dining areas and barbeques but you can think about adding play areas for children and even a work station for your laptop if you work from home.

With irreplaceable forests being depleted at an alarming rate, it seems much real wood flooring is now a luxury most of us would struggle to justify ecologically speaking.

But now there is a way to enjoy beautiful wood floors without the guilty conscience.

Laminate flooring that combines various wood fibres from sustainable forests enables you to have the floor you’ve always dreamed of while maintaining a green conscience. Flooring manufacturer QuickStep produces laminate flooring made from high density fibre (HDF), which is made from various wood fibres. The firm only uses wood that carries a Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification Schemes (PEFC) label. This certifies that the wood comes from sustainable forests that are managed in an environment-friendly manner.

Through sensible maintenance and development of the forest, PEFC makes sure its future is guaranteed. Recognised and independent institutions verify when, how many and which trees can be used in order to guarantee the life of the forest.

QuickStep offers a range of different styles and colours to suit every home, large or small. From white brushed pine to natural varnished maple, there is a texture and style to enhance even the smallest and darkest of rooms. The company’s laminate stone range brings you the look of natural stone but is easier to maintain than the real thing. Choose from a black marble-like Trento stone tile for a deeper feel or a creamy-coloured Palermo tile to open up a room.

When choosing the colour of the floor, you should take into account the desired end result and the influence of the other existing or planned colour elements on the interior. The result of this combination can really make or break a room, as the whole space is given a new identity. Don’t be tempted to opt for the same theme throughout your home, as every room is different and requires a specific approach, depending on the desired end result.

As well as being eco-friendly, laminate flooring is much easier to maintain than real wood and has a more durable quality. If you are worried it will look tacky or cheap, you will be pleasantly surprised to see that laminate has come on leaps and bounds and now has a very natural look and feel to it. Surface structures referred to as “natural authentic” and the hand-scraped effect of the “country surface” are at the foundation of a new generation of laminate floors that can barely be distinguished from solid wood.

So now there is no excuse for compromising on looks or ecology, as you can buy environment-friendly and natural looking floors without sacrificing valuable and scarce trees.

This is something that fabric wholesaler Globaltex has taken into careful consideration with its latest collections. It is conscious that discerning customers may want to follow the latest trends, but in a way that enables them to enjoy their furnishings for longer than one season.

As a result, all the new collections feature the current on-trend colours of soft duck egg, mimosa, rich berry, fuchsia and aqua but they are also mixed with taupe, charcoal, mocha and chocolate to make them more
approachable to the consumer who is looking to embrace the current fashions without being too bold.

For example, the Arcadia collection is an eclectic mix of products taking inspiration from the current fashion trends of textures and layering, but in a subtle way. To create a tactile look to the range, Jayne Wilson, Globaltex’s in-house designer, used an assortment of qualities, including Dupion silk.

For a more luxurious feel, the company’s new collection also includes Mirabel, a simple large-scale trailing floral design, which incorporates highlights of metallic gold and contrasting matt with white blossom flowers to achieve an elegant, opulent feel.

If you are looking for a more subtle approach to furnishings, Tranquility could create the desired effect. This fabric is translucent sheer, which incorporates a vertical colour gradation, giving a soft rainbow effect. It is an elegant sheer that is particularly suitable for drapes.

Incorporating the season’s vibrant colours is Globaltex’s Tropicana collection. As the name suggests, it is inspired from fresh, vibrant, tropical and natural forms with a contemporary feel. It features a great mix of textiles, including velvets, flocks and printed cotton, continuing the trend of texture and layering. The collection is a highly tactile and varied offer of loosely co-coordinating designs held together by the colours rather than designs. It has a large-scale contemporary wave stripe, which has a vibrant colour gradation running through it and dramatic contrasting rich dark grounds.

All the printed designs are printed on to a cotton fabric, which creates its own texture throughout the designs.
The Lancashire-based company’s new collections feature designs include Hibiscus and the Tamarilo Hibiscus, which is a truly tropical design, as the original artwork was painted with a broken textured effect, complementing the texture in the fabric. It features open flowers, broad leaves and fern-inspired designs. Tamarilo is a large-scale transitional Jacobean trail – simple and flowing but very dramatic. The use of on-trend colours gives it a modern yet elegant feel. The Tropicana collection is perfect to create a light and airy room with a contemporary twist.

If you like bold patterns and colours then third collection Extravagance, could be suitable. It offers a more traditional feel, keeping the designs on the same quality of fabric, but giving it a really sumptuous and extravagant look by using bold designs and colour. The collection also includes a mix of tactile soft chenilles, which are woven into an opulent, crinkle effect grounds.

For more information go to www.globaltex.co.uk