While we’re on the subject of what’s trending, here’s another infographic – this time from Lovethegarden.com – about one of our favourite topics: growing your own. Anyone who has read the blog or seen our magazine articles locally will know we’re fully signed up to producing our own fruit, veg and eggs. The infographic goes to prove that we’re not alone. Click the graphic for the full picture. Grow your own...

As I wrote in our article Why Fixed Price Plans?, the trend for the last couple of years has been for homeowners to make the best of what they’ve got. The good people at Bridgman have produced this infographic which illustrates some statistics to back this up, so I thought I’d share: Source:...

Excuse me while I hijack the blog (this is Keith writing). I just wanted to announce that, from tomorrow, I’ll be participating in the fund-raising event that is Movember. For those who don’t know, “During November each year, Movember is responsible for the sprouting of moustaches on thousands of men’s faces in the UK and around the world. The aim of which is to raise vital funds and awareness for men’s health,...

Please note this post refers to an offer which has now expired. The eagle-eyed among you will have noticed a new item in the menu bar – Fixed-Price Plans. But what are they, and why are we offering them now? The idea came about after reflecting on two seemingly unrelated issues. The first issue, which is affecting practically everyone, is the current state of the economy. Budgets for luxuries like garden design are being squeezed, and...

The brief for this irregularly-shaped, three-level town garden in Ashby de la Zouch was to bring it up-to-date and open up the space. Not only was the existing layout old-fashioned but the journey through the garden was badly laid out, and felt dark and claustrophobic. A set of overpowering concrete steps led up to an area which was difficult to get past, and there was far too much paving. We decided on a contemporary design with warm-coloured...