PROPERTY 5
Saturday, July 16, 2011
★★★★
of floral fantasy The days of naff artificial flowers are long gone - now they look so real even florists can be fooled, especially if blooms displayed are in tune with the season. "Summer is all about colour. Capture a traditional feel with pink, cream or white roses which have a 'fresh from the garden' look," suggests Tiffany Davies, creative director at Bloom, specialists in silk flowers and artificial arrangements. "They can instantly transform a country kitchen table or window sill. Or turn up the heat and conjure a more Mediterranean theme with vibrant colours such as purples, reds, yellows and oranges in exotic blooms." Pick of the bunch: Bloom's classic arrangement of White Moonlight roses in a glass bowl, £99. Alternatively, choose a seasonal bloom from its Flower Of The Month collection, presented in leaf-lined vases, £9 each. The company are currently offering a 'buy two get one free' deal.
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FAKING IT
INDOOR GARDEN: ceramic sandcastleshaped bowl, £22.70, Shop On Your Doorstep
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HAPPY ENDINGS: Canter Lever bookend incorporating a delicate glass bud vase, £25, Bouf.
PRETTY PLANTS
DISPLAY: Bouquet from The Real Flower Company gives great value for money, since you don't need as many flowers." Pick of the bunch: A rich-red LSA Odile Cased Vase with dimpled exterior, £41, from Red Candy, would make a statement. But for sheer elegance it's hard to beat The White Company's Trio Of Porcelain Bud Vases, £35, it's perfect for those solo blooms!
BLOOM ON
In order to prolong the life of a flower arrangement, Jane suggests making sure all the flowers have their stems in water when you're buying them. "Avoid those with soft, floppy heads or petals that are starting to brown at the edges," she says. "Look for flowers with pert heads and some stems that are still in bud.
VERTICAL
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Leaves should be firm and a fresh green colour - not yellowing." As soon as you get them home, remove any foliage from the lower part of the stem and re-cut the stems at an angle to improve their ability to take in water. Then plunge them into a deep container. If they come with a sachet of flower food, use it, as it provides the nutrients that encourage buds to open and helps keep the vase bacteria-free, which will also help them last longer. Pick of the bunch: Prolong the life of a vase by choosing an unbreakable one, ideal if you have children and pets. Bodie & Fou has a black Rubber Vase, £22, which is flexible enough to change shape according to the type of flower.
ROLLER
Manhattan Blinds Family Run Business All Styles manufactured & fitted
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VENETIAN
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Plants can be just as appealing as cut flowers and are an ideal way to keep 'living colour' in rooms, especially if regularly buying bouquets is beyond the budget. "Decorative succulents only need a little water every now and then to keep them going," says Jane, who's planted an array of them to great effect in antique silver sports trophy cups displayed on a mantel. Bathrooms, she points out, are a particularly ideal environment for plants and suggests crassula, sempervivium, or echeveria. Alternatively, she advises opting for orchids or gardenias, the latter of which has a lingering scent. Pick of the bunch: Conjure a holiday feel by displaying a plant or some herbs in a delightful ceramic Sandcastle Bowl, £22.70, from Shop On Your Doorstep. Alternatively, an over-sized Tea Cup Planter, £169, from Bouf (reminiscent of the surreal world of Alice In Wonderland) could turn a plant into a star feature, indoors or out. If you're not green-fingered, fake it with Marks & Spencer's artificial White Orchid in a pot, £55; Dunelm Mill's Hydrangea, £54.99; or Bloom's bright blue giant potted Agapanthus, £159.20.
ROMAN
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VELUX
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R I G I D
PVC
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B ES P O K E
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AW NINGS
• Awnings surveyed and fitted from £275 • Enjoy the patio • Extend your living space • Provides shade or shelter • Manual or Electric • Large selection to suit all budgets 121 Brookfield Drive, Aintree Liverpool L9 7AJ Or CALL: 0151 525 1166 (Day) 0151 548 5052 (Eve) Or visit us online: www.manhattanblindsltd.co.uk