HOME & GARDEN – Kingsey Furniture Hartwell Nurseries, Stratton Audley Barn and Ridgeway Interiors.

Doctored kitchen

A brand new kitchen for a former surgery in Princes Risborough. It was just what the Doctor ordered from

Kingsey Furniture & Interiors.

kay, it wasn’t actually the Doctor that contacted Kingsey (the original GP’s O family moved out some years ago). It was the current owners of this magnificent home that appointed Kingsey to revamp their

dated kitchen. Their home was purpose built in 1928 as Princes Risborough’s Doctor’s Surgery, and doubled up as a family home. Many original features survive including the original rooms intercom. A bell driven device that still works. The rooms throughout are a good size. This includes the kitchen, a particularly decent size, especially for a building that is nearly 100 years old. But the design and layout wasn’t really fit for purpose. Poor ergonomics and a lack of storage were the main problems to solve. The previous kitchen housed a central island that dominated the space.

The previous kitchen’s handle design

The ‘Bell’ Intercom

The original kitchen

Not ideal for a couple who both love to cook and spend a lot of time in the kitchen. This island was replaced by a peninsular style work surface. The area is now more spacious, even though the new island is larger than the original and contains more storage. Kingsey’s clients wanted a modern kitchen with all those neat storage solutions. But they also wanted a kitchen that suited the age and style of their lovely home. They loved the handles from the previous kitchen, so these were recycled. The new kitchen is a solid wood design with lovely Oak highlights. Painted in turquoise, bucking the current trend for neutral soft colours. This is a vibrant colour that really stands out. It works well. The new island is full of additional storage and features a solar white quartz work surface Bespoke storage is a speciality of Kingsey Furniture & Interiors and features throughout this kitchen. To maintain a clean line and tidy look to the kitchen, utilities that would normally be seen taking up space on the work surface (a toaster for example) are hidden away, out of sight. The mantle above the oven includes handy pull out storage for spices. Kingsey Furniture & Interiors pride themselves on providing high quality individual kitchens like the former Doctor’s Surgery - beautifully crafted

Storage solutions

bespoke kitchens that are unique to you, no matter what your budget. They project-manage the job from start to finish. They have a dedicated team of designers, craftsmen and fitters to create and deliver each kitchen project with the exceptionally high quality and standards Kingsey Furniture & Interiors have become renowned for. If you want to discuss your new kitchen, call 01844 299820 or email

Sues@kingseyfurniture.co.uk

Why not come and see the showroom and discuss with the team what Kingsey Furniture and Interiors can do for you. The showroom is open Monday to Friday 10.00 - 16.00.

Kingsey Furniture & Interiors Ltd

Unit 2, Manor Farm, Risborough Road, Kingsey, Bucks HP17 8LU www.kingseyfurniture.co.uk www.kingseykitchens.co.uk 01844 299820 – 01844 290 899 sues@kingseyfurniture.co.uk

SPACIOUS KITCHEN SHOWROOM OPEN Appointment only please

Garden spring clean

Top tips on getting your garden spring ready from

Hartwell Nurseries

ith spring just around the corner there is no better time W to get out in the garden and start sprucing up your green space, ready for it to burst into life with beautiful and bright spring colours.

The team at Hartwell Nurseries have put together a garden checklist and some top tips to help you give your garden the spring clean it deserves. The number of jobs ahead might seem a little daunting, but the team have broken them down into the top tasks that they would undertake in March and

April. Whether you have a garden, green house or window ledge, you can still tidy, plant and sow in spring. Here’s the Hartwell Nurseries spring checklist:

MARCH

k Tidy flower beds by removing weeds, leaves and debris k Cut back hedges and neaten up lawn edging k Prune fruit trees and shrubs ideally before they start budding. Many benefit from a light prune such as apple and pear trees, roses and hardy fuchsias. Be wary that not all plants like to be touched yet. k Divide perennials to keep them healthy and bulk out flower beds k Add mulch and feed beds to encourage growth and supress weeds

k Plant one of Hartwell’s beautiful rose bushes, fruit trees or shrubs k Plant vegetables outdoors such as potatoes, carrots, onions and radishes for a delicious summer crop. Either do this straight into the ground or in large pots or deep containers. k Sow more tender vegetables indoors, such as tomatoes and chillies k Carry out general maintenance e.g. power wash patios and paths and clean bird feeders

APRIL

k Sow hardy annuals and plant new perennials. How about putting violas, marigolds, pansies or sweet peas in a pretty planter, a window box or a colourful container by the front door? k Plant some summer bulbs such as Dahlias, Gladioli, Begonias and Lilies from Hartwell’s gorgeous range k Sow more vegetables and fruit outdoors, including lettuce, spinach and courgettes. How about planting strawberries in a hanging basket? k Talk to us about slug control k A job many of us have been waiting for - on a dry day, set your mower blades to high and cut the grass!

A great way to spend a spring morning is checking over your garden furniture and giving it a little clean up and some TLC. You might find it is time to do away with the old furniture and purchase a new set. Hartwell Nurseries have a whole range available in store. From quality dining sets and recliners to cocoon swings and built-in fire pit tables, they have the perfect item for you that will compliment your outdoor space. For all items needed to carry out your spring checklist, plus for help and advice on making your garden blooming beautiful, contact the team at Hartwell Nurseries today.

Hartwell Nurseries

Stone, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire HP17 8RZ info@hartwellnurseries.co.uk 01296 747961

Facebook @HartwellNurseriesAylesbury Instagram @hartwellnurseries

Economic uncertainty and rising prices means people have less to spend on furniture. Which is why more and more of us are turning to that ever popular, inventive and renewable way of decorating and filling our homes. Upcycling. Not only does it save money, it helps to release the creative designer in us. Jane Dale investigates.

Out with the new. In with the old.

Recycling? Please, that’s so

last year! Upcycling is the greenest decorating trend of the 21st century, with celebrities such as Kirstie Allsopp showing us how to make quirky décor out of unloved household items. Upcycling is the process of converting old or discarded materials into something useful and often beautiful, as opposed to recycling which breaks the base materials down and remakes them into a new consumer product. Recycling shows that used items can still be useful, upcycling produces something even more desirable than the original. Upcycling makes a positive impact on the environment and saves money but, more than that, it’s about re-imagining, re-decorating and re-inventing to give items of quality a new life. The increasing popularity of the movement is leading mainstream tastes away from the “Ikea” generation of massproduced, flat-pack disposability and into something that asks us to harness a little of our grandmothers’ austerity and a lot of creativity. Unless you spend a lot of money these days you don’t get British-made furniture. But if it’s been around for 20 or 30 years already, with a bit of TLC, there’s no reason why it won’t last another 20 or 30 years. In this way, upcycling is quite often a testament to the British craftsmanship of the past. Some of the best things get better with age – wine, classic cars, style and quality furniture. Whether you keep second-hand pieces the way they were crafted or upcycle them into something new, finding or rescuing something with timeless appeal always feels unspeakably satisfying. The potential for upcycling

Some of the best things get better with age

is enormous: from damaged furniture, to quarter-full tins of paint; from the buttons on an old dress to leftover ribbons and beads.

Thame Out has put together a list of top tips to help you unleash your ‘make do and mend’ mentality:

Seek and ye shall find!

You can source furniture from charity shops, flea markets, car boot sales and auction houses. Always open drawers and check the quality of the wood and build before buying – a great-looking item may have interior damage that could make a thrifty project a pricey one.

What can I upcycle?

Just about anything, with the right imagination and tools! Suitcases can be made into drawers, wardrobes into bookcases and candlesticks into lampstands. If you no longer have a use for it, upcycle it!

Say yes to hand-me-downs

Most of us have been offered family heirlooms and turned them down because they don’t quite fit in with the rest of our home. The happy solution is to give it a lick of paint and turn it into a treasure that you adore. Many places offer evening classes or courses on upcycling, and there is a wealth of information and inspiration online.

Re-purpose it

Just because it was a door in its previous life, doesn’t mean it won’t make a great kitchen table in its second. Items like old doors hold so much character and charm and, with a good coat of wax and varnish, lend themselves perfectly to being upcycled into rustic table tops.

A fresh coat of paint

A transforming paint job is a simple way to update wooden furniture. You can also use paint as a wash by diluting it with water, or create a crackle-glazed finish by using a hairdryer. Candlesticks look wonderful painted, as do mirrors, picture frames and outside furniture.

Invest in your tools and it will save you money in the long run.

Some initial expenditure may be required to assemble your upcycling tool kit. Investing in a good paint brush, that doesn’t shed its hair, is key. The right colour and texture of paint can also completely transform an item and, depending on what effect you want to achieve, may require two or three coats. There is a huge range of planet-friendly paints available, chalk paint being one of the best as it can be applied without sanding or priming. A clear topcoat should always be used to make the item durable.

Damsels who distress

A popular trend amongst experts is vintage or shabby chic, which can be achieved by choosing a neutral pale top coat with an undercoat of your ‘accent’ colour to match the room. The colour goes on first as a primer, then the topcoat after. Sand the most worn areas to create a convincing but subtle aged effect.

Paper over the cracks

Wallpaper is enjoying a revival – and not just on walls. A panel of vintage paper in drawers or wardrobes is an easy and inexpensive look. Samples, unused half rolls and scraps from second-hand shops will create a mix-and-match effect. Old maps and newspapers look equally effective, especially on furniture with a natural wood finish.

DON’T cut from the same cloth

Save old material even if you don’t have an immediate idea of what to use it for because different things usually combine to create a theme. To make your own cushion cover use the old one as a guide before adding embellishment or anything else you fancy. Taking the old cover apart and using the pieces as a guide will usually give the best result.

Au naturel

Sometimes less is more so keep good quality wood as natural as possible and just use a plain French polish. If you do decide to change the wood colour, use a stain before polishing as this yields the most natural result.

SHUTTER SPEC SECURITY

Domestic, Commercial and Industrial Security Solutions

AWNINGS

GARAGE DOORS

Retractable awnings add extra living space to your home, offer outside shade in the summer and add curb appeal to your home.

ShutterSpec Security has recently partnered with Erhardt Markisen, a market leading German manufacturer of solar shading, and glass terrace roof products. This partnership allows us to deliver beautiful awnings to our customers just in time for summer, meaning you can make the most of the longer evenings outside in the garden with your loved ones and friends.

Whether it’s a space saving Roller Garage Door, a Sectional Garage Door for extra insulation or an Up and Over Garage Door, we offer you products from the highest quality manufacturers with a wide range of colours to suit your choice.

01844 212152

We supply, install and service a range of high quality garage doors, awnings, security grilles/shutters and entrance gates. Please visit our showroom.

6 Swan Walk, Thame, Oxfordshire OX9 3HN Tel: 01844 212152 www.shutterspecsecurity.co.uk

How to make your business more profitable. Sell it.

To advertise in Thame Out Call: 01844 216847 or Email: julian@red-l.co.uk

Promote your business or service through Thame Out magazine. Delivered direct to homes and available at a number of selected pick-up points in Thame and the surrounding area. Places such as Waitrose, Thame & Haddenham and Princes Risborough railway stations, pubs, restaurants, leisure c entres, shops and so on.

The best time to design your dream kitchen from Ridgeway Interiors is at the planning stage.

Forward planning

Individual customers, builders and developers all have one thing in common. They all want fine quality kitchens at affordable prices. For this reason, they turn to Ridgeway Interiors.

The sooner Ridgeway get involved with a project, the better the outcome. The planning stage is the place to start. Ridgeway have recently teamed up with a developer that has designed an environment friendly award winning site. Working with developers, architects and home buyers is a great example of how Ridgeway work as a team. Appointing Ridgeway early and working from CAD drawings (Computer Aided Design) means you get exactly what you are looking for from your dream kitchen. All electrics, plumbing, lighting, etc can be sorted before the tiling is completed and the flooring laid. Imagine the cost of removing tiles and floor coverings because it hasn’t been planned properly. As for the kitchens themselves, examples provided by Ridgeway can be found on display in their spacious showroom. Timeless, classic English styles and Shaker kitchens are designed with the very latest in appliance technology. You will also discover beautifully engineered German designs. These contemporary kitchens embody clean and sophisticated styling. Again with state of the art appliances and accessories. If you are a developer or a single customer, you can take a seat in the showrooms presentation area and discuss your dream kitchen with an experienced Ridgeway designer. You have the flexibility to choose from 17 different carcass colours, as well as door

designs that can be painted any colour you want. Ridgeway boast more veneers and glass finishes than ever before. Quality design, fitting, service and appliances underpin every kitchen designed by Ridgeway Interiors. This applies to any size and budget. Building a development of 30 units or a single, luxury home, Ridgeway design, project manage, and install the right kitchen to suit each project. In sync with a contractors needs in terms of style, quality and budget. The wide range of kitchen furniture and appliances are suitable for most developers’ requirements, and Ridgeway’s dedicated contracts team draw on extensive local knowledge and knowledge of the industry. Call in and discover what Ridgeway Interiors can do for you.

Ridgeway Interiors

Unit 8, Rycote Lane Farm, Rycote Lane, Thame, Oxfordshire OX9 2NZ Phone: 01844 279900 www.ridgewayinteriors.co.uk

We take care of everything so you don’t have to.

Growing season

Stratton Audley Barn is expanding its Spring Summer range for 2022, with new stock arriving every week, the shop is filling up with a gorgeous range of furnishing accessories and gifts for both you and your home.

he moment you enter Stratton Audley Barn this spring you will T notice something a little different.

The layout of the shop is designed to feel even more spacious than ever. It is also home to some splendid new items of furniture that have been sourced and specifically selected by owner Sara. You will find new range of authentic and unique hand painted restored pieces of furniture, from consoles to tables and chests of drawers, arriving soon these are pieces of quality and character. Stratton Audley Barn is really gearing up for spring. Seasonal Tulips sales are blooming. Shelves are adorned with gifts for you, your friends and family and for the home. Stratton Audley Barn is a popular destination for all. As well as the shop, it attracts visitors for the delicious

homemade food. Here you can indulge in some warming soups and paninis, or tuck into a hearty doorstep sandwich! Tea, Coffee, soft drinks, cakes and cream teas are always on the menu too. A new Chef is joining the team in March offering a range of new dishes to the popular lunch menu. From the 1st March, the Barns famous ice cream is back on sale. Set amongst beautiful countryside, there is some lovely spacious areas to eat and drink al fresco. Until temperatures warm up, there is of course the inside eating areas as well as a cosy extension that brings the outside, inside! Offering additional seating and tables with heaters and cosy blankets, bring your friends and family, grab a cosy blanket and enjoy all the barn has on offer. This area is particularly popular with dog owners. With Easter displays arriving soon, why not take a trip to Stratton Audley Barn. Take advantage of the ample free parking, sample some delicious food. After all, spring is in the air.

Stratton Audley Barn

West Farm Barn, Launton Rd, Stratton Audley, Bicester OX27 9AS 01869 278184 www.strattonaudleybarn.co.uk info@strattonaudleybarn.co.uk Open: Tuesday to Sunday10am - 4pm Food served from 10.00am – 2.30pm Afternoon teas available, please call to book in advance.