Homestyle Gossip

We have discount and voucher sites to save on our shopping, so what can we do to save a little on our skyrocketing energy bills? The Daily Telegraph have point out 8 things that can help us beat the crunch in the freezing winter days of 2009, and here are some of our favorites.

• Learn how to read the meters and bills
  Do you know there are mostly more than 2 energy providers in your region? Have you ever compared their prices? Do you know how much electricity and gas was consumed in your household every month? Do you remember how much was the last direct debit you paid to your energy provider?
  No, No, No, and No? Now, it’s time that you do! Choose the right energy provider for a household can save up to £100 ~ £200 per year. Since meters are no longer read on a regular basis, we’re paying for an estimate based on previous consumptions. So if you thought turning off the heater this month could help you save money, it won’t help if you don’t submit that meter reading yourself!

• Cut heat loss
  Draught-proof your windows and doors is the most effective way to make your home warmer. Daily Telegraph suggested that either apply self-adhesive foam rubber draught strip around the windows or install a sliding secondary glazing can effectively cut down on household energy bills.
• Loft and underfloor insulation
  These are much-neglected areas in most houses. Do you know that 25% of heat loss is through the roof, and 35% through the walls? It’s time to look in to properly insulating your home!

Other tips include clean your gutters, save water, and opt for cheaper fuel selection. It doesn’t have to cost an arm or leg to keep yourself warm this winter, as long as you do it right.

While sifting through photos online for decorating inspiration, I came across the user galleries on UKTV Homes. I for one love seeing what other people have used in their homes and especially appreciate when users share links with me – so I thought I’d return the favour to our esteemed Homestyle Gossip readers!

Amanda on UKTV shared the ‘Keep Calm Gallery’ – prints with cute quotes and images. They’re affordable, vibrant and meaningful – all the qualities I look for in my wallhangings!
Be sure to check out Amanda’s profile on the UKTV Homes site for more great decorating photos and tips. Thanks Amanda!

Like a lot of you, I am depressed. Depressed to have to be back to short days, the cold and the underground. Don’t get me wrong. I love London. But holidays are always too short to not miss them when they’re over.

It’s that time of year when purchasing a holiday home becomes a frequent thought around the nation – ‘do I really want to continue paying ridiculous hotel fees in the SAME location?’ – Especially now with the economic crisis, house prices are falling world-wide, so now is the time to invest in property.

But don’t rush into it. There’s a number of factors you need to keep in mind before you do so, as they could save you stress, money and regret. Bare in mind these 10 recommendations:

1. Location, Location, Location
Where you choose to buy is a vital element of your purchase. Will you be renting it out when you’re not using it? If so, what will your clientele be like? Is it convenient for entertainment and amenities? Is it safe for families?
Don’t just choose a destination because you’ve been there once and it was kicks. Visit frequently, know the area and be sure it is somewhere worth investing in.

2. All My Children
If you have kids, try and keep them active. Having a holiday home where you go to do the same things you do at home is unproductive and uninspiring. Think hiking, museums, beaches. What are the most enjoyable activities to you and does the area offer them?

3. After Dark
Not only emphasising my earlier point about entertainment, but safety. Make sure the area has low crime rates. A home that’s empty over half the year would be a prime target.

4. The Price is Right
Don’t fall victim to estate agent nonsense. Do your research on house prices first, and then see the agents – this way you know you won’t be taken advantage of.

5. Law & Order
Hire a lawyer. Rules and regulations of a foreign nation can be plentiful and hard to understand if you don’t speak the native tongue. With a lawyer, you’ll make sure you don’t cut corners on the legal process.

6. Fast Money
Make sure you can transfer money in large quantities and with good exchange rates – you wouldn’t want to lose money because of a lack of preparation.

7. Getting There
Make sure the transport links are affordable and frequent. The more airlines, ferry operators and train connections there are, the more convenient your trips will be. Obviously.

8. ER
Safety first – check out the healthcare in the area and make sure you take out travel insurance so you and your family are covered in case of any accidents abroad.

9. Neighbours
Knock on the doors of your potential neighbours! This is important for 2 reasons:
a) Location (again) – if you’re not similar types of people, the area may not be right for you.
b) Maintenance – a helping hand from a permanent resident to look after your property is always a bonus.

10. Saturday Kitchen
A vital ingredient to any good holiday – local food and drinks! Make sure the food in nearby restaurants is authentic and safely prepared and that the markets are nearby to try out your favourite recipes in your new home.

Also remember to check out this property checklist from building expert Luis Gonzalez so you know what faults to look for in the foundation.

The way we live and use our homes is constantly changing. We’re increasingly looking towards young, talented students of design and architecture to design concept houses of the future. Competitions such as-

Care Homes: The care home of the future competition was launched for students to design homes for the elderly. The theme of the competition is designing for older people in 60 to 70 years time. It’s an initiative by the Royal Institute of British Architecture; to encourage students to create sophisticated purpose built living for the elderly by producing ergonomic futuristic designs for care homes.

EcoHouse: Design and architecture students from across 28 different countries were invited to produce design concepts which showcased features which makes houses the most eco-friendly they can be. With tight and specific guidelines to create an eco house of 120m2 for up to six persons on a plot of 200m2.

With rewards of £3000+ for the winning design by students in both competitions, this is a sure fire way of engaging young and talented individuals to design, develop and build homes of the future.

Home and family come hand in hand, which is why we thought it’d be fun to get a little Christmas interview with Plum Baby for Homestyle Gossip.

We admire Plum’s ethics as sustainably sourced, organic baby food made with no preservatives. You can find their baby food online at the Plum Baby Online Shop, as well as in stores like Boots and Waitrose.

HSG: Since discovering Plum Baby, I’ve been curious – where did the name come from?
PB: Susie [Plum Baby's founder] has always liked the name Plum, and even wanted to call one of her children Plum, but instead used the name for her cookery school ‘Purple Plum’. The name ‘Plum’ also evokes healthy images of plump, happy babies.

HSG: We all want to go green and organic, but some of us have trouble taking that step. What do you feel is the most important thing about organic food for babies?  
PB: ‘Organic’ by it’s very nature means ‘no chemicals’, so this is surely a clear choice, in order to give your child the best possible start in life.

HSG: Which is your favourite Plum recipe and why?
PB: Red Cabbage with apple and chicken as it reminds me of Sunday roasts.  It is a Sunday roast in a pot!

HSG: There’s been a lot of news about ‘viewtrition’ lately on the news. With your newly launched  ‘Plum Vision’ - what are your thoughts on this?
PB: This is about developing babies’ senses beyond just taste, by introducing them to exciting new sights and sounds as well. 

HSG: Do you feel Plum Vision can develop a baby’s imagination?  
PB: It adds to their experiences during the day, and can give them some quiet/learning time with their parents or guardians. 

HSG: Do you ever get any funny stories from Plum mums about their weaning experiences? What was the best?
PB: All the time. One of the most memorable was when a small 7 month old baby started screaming when the mother started taking it in turns and eating his food, and he didn’t want to share it one bit!  [We were ] very relieved when said mother got the hint, and after his appetite was sated, she secretly ate the other pot!

HSG: Do you ever do holiday themed baby foods?
PB: No, but adventurous ingredients such as basil, pomegranates, and beetroot are used. Sadly, holiday themed foods are so short lived.

HSG: Has Plum Baby reached a global market yet? If not, do you plan on it in 2009?  
PB: Plum is mainly distributed in the UK, but also in Southern Ireland, and there are a chain of shops in Spain. At the moment Plum’s focus is still the UK. However, the online site for ordering Plum directly has been set up, and we hope for that to be outside the UK in the near future.

Thank you to Work Club and the Plum Baby representatives for helping us obtain these fab answers

A home as over the top as Gucci’s designs, Severin Wunderman’s 8 bedroom and 9 bathroom London flat has also been affected by the house price crash of 2008. Severin Wunderman was behind Gucci Timepieces and died in June at the age of 69.

The property went on the market at the start of the year for £15.5million. Now the asking price is £10.5million and estate agencies Hamptons and Knight Frank expect it to go below £10million.

The home boasts a unique style involving themes of death. More than a decade ago, Wunderman was diagnosed with cancer and told he had only 30 days to live. He had been quoted saying “I have this stuff because I am interested in death … I thought I’d better check where I’m going to.”

Check out the full article at the Evening Standard – This is London.