House & Home

Why not save a little bit of money this month and celebrate Valentine’s Day at home? If it’s your first or your fifty-first Valentine’s Day with your beau, February 14th is the perfect occasion to crack out that cocktail shaker hidden at the back of your cupboard. Whether it’s an intimate 3-course dinner or more of a casual occasion, swap out your usual Mojito or Passionfruit Martini for something a little bit more special this year. Local cocktail designer and enthusiast Sunday Cocktail Club has created 3 bespoke recipes for you to try out and enjoy this year. Despite looking particularly eye-catching, these three cocktails are pretty low-maintenance. They only take a few minutes to shake up and require just a handful of ingredients. However you choose to celebrate V Day, Pulse Magazine has got you! Grab your ‘on the rocks’ glassware and then let Cupid take care of the..

The current cost of living crisis is resulting in people giving up their pets. In turn, rescue centres are struggling to cope - and yet some of the heartache could be avoided. Animals in Need's Nicole Webb told Pulse's Sammy Jones about the ‘problem’ with guinea pigs... The biggest frustration when writing about Animals in Need, the Northamptonshire-set rescue centre, is that so many of the problems faced by the dedicated staff and volunteers there could be avoided if people would only take responsibility. There is a reason why you are asked to neuter your pets; it prevents rising populations in unwanted animals and can protect against some serious health complications. But still, so many people choose not to do so, and that simply compounds the issue. If you've not got your animal neutered? Then frankly, you are part of the problem. “One of the main problems with guinea pigs..

This year, warm colours are making quite a comeback. Though browns, beiges and greys are still providing the neutral earthy undertone, there’s a shift towards a brighter and braver accent palette and we’re introducing it with ever greater confidence.  Using colour in your home evokes emotions, not only for the people living in the house but also for those visiting. Reds and oranges are warm, welcoming and happy colours, so they’re just what we need for 2021. Tangerine was the Pantone Colour of The Year back in 2012. At the time it was revered for being both dramatic and attention grabbing; whole rooms were painted in orange to make strong statements. This time around, tangerine is being lauded for the positive energy it can bring to a room even in the smallest of accents. It’s sunny nature and ability to add interest even when used..

Let’s take a detailed look at ColourFence, being hailed as the best garden fencing product on the market today. ColourFence aims to provide metal garden fencing, railings and gates that look great, last for years and do not require costly and time-consuming annual treatments. In fact, when you opt for ColourFence products, you are investing in your garden for the long term… because ColourFence products come with a 25-year guarantee. “We firmly believe that ColourFence is the best garden fencing product on the market today,” says David Faulkner, of ColourFence Northampton. “Not only is our product great but our service is too.” The company produces and fits stylish and secure garden fencing and gates for your driveway and to your garden. And you can guarantee that the job will be done to the highest standard - ColourFence uses only its fully trained staff..

On the face of it, Japan and Scandinavia may not seem to have a lot in common but in terms of design there’s a lovely crossover which when combined together, creates ‘Japandi’. Each one's design aesthetics are based on simple, unfussy, natural elements and comfort. The modern but rustic characteristics of Scandinavian design pair beautifully with the traditional elegance of Japanese interiors. The resulting style creates zen-like, serene spaces in which to retreat from life’s stresses. The fusion of these two styles brings out the best of them both. Where Japanese styling might be considered too sleek and uniform, the textures added by the Scandinavian influence offer variance. In Scandinavian interiors, the neutral colour palette can be offset by the darker, richer colours of Japanese design, giving Japandi-styled rooms depth and character. Hygge elements of Scandinavian style combine a warm, comforting atmosphere with the Japanese..

Whilst there are always lots of trends on our radar, the fashion world is certain that this year’s summer wardrobe will focus primarily on fresh, glorious and joyful colours. This represents a complete departure from the comfortable basics and neutral loungewear that many of us have relied upon for the previous 15 months of lockdown. The fashion houses have gone particularly crazy for hot bubblegum pink and are delivering anything and everything in the colour, with bright pink velour jackets by Mui Mui and similarly striking trousers by Chanel.  Ever since the renaissance of pink as Pantone’s Colour of the Year back in 2017, pink has featured as an accent colour in our interiors. Paired with greys, greens and navy blue, it has provided a perfect pale contrast to the muted tones we’ve favoured over the last few years, so much so that pink has..

Gingham has suddenly got stylish! For years this pretty miniature check pattern has been associated with picnic napkins, tablecloths and girls’ school uniforms, but recently designers have started incorporating gingham checks into contemporary schemes to dramatic effect. In strong vibrant colours, gingham is being used to add impact and playfulness to interiors.  Popular as a clothing fabric in post-war Britain, possibly as a result of Judy Garland’s dress in the Wizard of Oz1, it was the affordability of the fabric that caused it to make the leap into interiors, facilitating the decoration of homes in a fresh and interesting way but without the high spend. Pale, pastel, gingham fabrics have always been popular in period cottages and classically styled homes. This is because the tiny check is easy to use in small cosy spaces as the delicate nature of the pattern doesn’t dominate. It’s perfect..

An estate agent with branches in Corby and Kettering has launched an in-house mortgage advice service to help customers looking to purchase a property. Belvoir, which is based on George Street in Corby and Newland Street in Kettering, is working in partnership with Narcisz Sweeney, an independent advisor with Mortgage Advice Bureau (MAB), to deliver the new service which will offer practical advice on the mortgages currently available on the market to prospective homeowners. As well as advice on mortgages, remortgages, Right to Buy and shared ownership, the service will also help homeowners access later life lending like equity release, second charge mortgages and commercial mortgages. Narcisz - who speaks English, Hungarian, Slovak and Czech - will also be on hand to help customers understand the different types of mortgages available, from repayment and interest-only, to shared equity and buy-to-let and give advice on the right solutions for them based..

Fireplaces are adored by many of us, mainly for the relaxing ambiance they create, the physical warmth they bring to a room and the mesmerising beauty of dancing flames. Historically they were used for heating water for laundry and bathing, and for cooking; how lucky we are then that the passing of time enables us to admire their beauty without the need to be pressing clothes through a mangle or drying off a shivering child, fresh out of a metal tub. The period and style of your house should heavily influence your chosen design. An original fireplace is something to be treasured and you should think very carefully before deciding to remove it as it could negatively affect the value of your house. If the original fireplace has already been removed then research styles sympathetic to the period and investigate the costs..

After months of staying at home priorities have changed and people are placing more importance on their living space and how to improve it. Lighting is one of the most important aspects of your home and is an essential decorating element. It can set the right ambience and give your rooms a unique look. But have you given thought to the shades on your lamps? They can make just as much of a difference in the appearance in a room. The choice offered by many high street retailers is limited, they cannot take a chance on fashion colours and patterns or extra-large shades so they tend to offer plain neutral-coloured lampshades in standard shapes and sizes.  This is no longer a problem thanks to Dannells “Professional Lampshade Making Kits”. Dannells are experts in the lampshade making industry with over 40 years’ experience of supplying materials and components to manufacturers around..

A Wellingborough-based home improvement company is set to celebrate its 42nd anniversary this year – with its customer-focussed ethos the secret behind its four decades of success. T&K Home Improvements has installed to more than 60,000 homes in Northamptonshire and the surrounding counties – a huge achievement considering the business started from humble beginnings. Started in a garage in 1979 by Wellingborough resident Kevin Johnson and his then business associate, Tony Foster, the company began making double glazed units to go into aluminium frames that they then sold and installed. Deciding to then manufacture their own windows, the pair moved out of the garage and into a small industrial unit. And after expanding, moving, and then building factories for T&K, the growing team noticed a real demand for their products which meant that in 1985 window and door manufacturer Emplas..

Adrian Timbers, Sales & Marketing Manager at award-winning T&K Home Improvements in Wellingborough, answers your home improvement questions. Is your conservatory roof performing as it should?  Q Is it time to replace my conservatory roof? A  A conservatory is one of the most desired home improvements and it’s a shame when it can’t be used all year round – particularly as our homes have become even more important due to the challenges faced during lockdown. The problem with ageing conservatories is that they don’t hold heat in, making them extremely cold in the winter, and the main culprit for this is polycarbonate or old glass roofs. These also do not keep the sun out, making a conservatory unbearably hot in the summer, they provide poor sound insulation and are prone to leaking as they get to the end of their natural life. If you are experiencing any of the above then..

With the challenges faced last year, our homes have never been more important. And the great news is, you don’t have to move to improve your home. Here, Steve Rawding, Sales and Marketing Director at leading South East home improvement company SEH BAC, discusses why updating your windows can improve your homes look – and lower your energy bills. Many people will think of windows as ‘just windows’ but that is really not the case. Every part of your home makes a statement and windows are no different. Making up substantial amounts of your home’s exterior, your windows are important to your home’s aesthetics and play a big part in keeping you warm during the winter months. Updating your windows is the perfect way to give your home that bit of TLC it needs but it’s important to get the perfect style that suits your home and area. When it..

Though the idea of open plan living may have temporarily fallen out of favour due to lockdown and the requirement for many to share the same house and potentially, for most of the time, the same room, the concept of a living kitchen is still one that homeowners increasingly aspire to.  Whether your kitchen is large or small, having an ergonomic layout that maximises space, combined with hi tech appliances and beautiful cabinetry and not least, a comfy place to sit, will ensure your kitchen can be a multi-functional space in which to welcome everyone as soon as we’re allowed.  The benefits of extending your house are many and a living kitchen is the ideal choice to fill your new area. An open plan, living kitchen facilitates combining cooking with eating, socialising, helping older children with homework and overseeing younger children’s..

  Lucky shoppers have been spending their winning vouchers this week – shopping local in the leadup to Christmas. Northampton Business Improvement District (BID) launched its new £2,000 Festive Prize Draw in November – announcing that a total of 20 shoppers would win £100 each to spend in Northampton town centre. The first two draws took place this month, with more than 900 people entering to date and the first 10 winners choosing to spend their vouchers in a mixture of independent and big brand stores. There will be two more draws in January, with 10 more winners set to be randomly selected next month. Mark Mullen, Operations Manager of Northampton town centre BID, said: “This festive draw has been..