Shack up: a new spin on an old beach bungalow

A holiday home on the Norfolk coast combines superb modern energy efficiency and a traditional, local look and feel

Building a home in a beautiful rural setting carries with it a special sense of responsibility. This was Simon Fenn and his partner Mitra Cvijanovic’s view from the moment they decided to create a new family home on the Norfolk coast, in the hamlet of Waxham. They were determined to make as light an impact on the surroundings as possible, designing a modern eco-friendly home that would be modest in scale and with the smallest possible carbon footprint. Their super-insulated “beach shack” is now heated by just two tiny electric radiators and even these are seldom used.

We love how calm the house feels. It’s a complete retreat out of season, where we can get away from it all

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Shack up: a new spin on an old beach bungalow

A holiday home on the Norfolk coast combines superb modern energy efficiency and a traditional, local look and feel

Building a home in a beautiful rural setting carries with it a special sense of responsibility. This was Simon Fenn and his partner Mitra Cvijanovic’s view from the moment they decided to create a new family home on the Norfolk coast, in the hamlet of Waxham. They were determined to make as light an impact on the surroundings as possible, designing a modern eco-friendly home that would be modest in scale and with the smallest possible carbon footprint. Their super-insulated “beach shack” is now heated by just two tiny electric radiators and even these are seldom used.

We love how calm the house feels. It’s a complete retreat out of season, where we can get away from it all

Continue reading...

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How to grow dahlias | Alys Fowler

Kept frost-free over winter, plant out early and the tubers will reward with colour all summer long

Last spring, I did something I consider utterly indulgent – I ordered rooted dahlia cuttings. On the whole, I am a seed person, but I deviated for these dahlias. ‘Honka’ is a star dahlia, each petal a slim, slightly incurved ray of palest lemon yellow around a darker butter-yellow centre. It looks like a child’s drawing of a flower, charming in its simplicity.

I had a vision that they would sit so prettily next to ‘Golden’ chard (from realseeds.co.uk), which has amber midribs and glossy green leaf tops. So I ordered seven robust, healthy dahlia cuttings from Halls of Heddon (hallsofheddon.com), one of the most reputable dahlia growers, sowed my chard and waited for complementary perfection. And, you know, it worked. The whole thing looks resplendent backlit by the late autumn light and, on duller days, resembles a pool of sunshine on the ground.

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Guardening tips: plant Japanese anemones

Then listen to a podcast that is a treat for the ears and sprinkle coriander for a fast-growing bumper crop

Plant this Japanese anemones are indispensable for the early autumn garden, upping their game as everything else fades. The colour range is limited from dark pink (‘Pretty Lady Susan’) to pure white (‘Honorine Jobert’;). They will grow in sun but prefer a bit of shade. Taller cultivars reach 1m.

Hear this The podcast Trees A Crowd first attracted me with a great title: this show is more than a pun, though – it is a treat for your ears. Each week, actor David Oakes chats to a fascinating person – scientists, artists, horticulturists etc – about an aspect of the natural world, from bees to badgers.

Continue reading...

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How to grow dahlias | Alys Fowler

Kept frost-free over winter, plant out early and the tubers will reward with colour all summer long

Last spring, I did something I consider utterly indulgent – I ordered rooted dahlia cuttings. On the whole, I am a seed person, but I deviated for these dahlias. ‘Honka’ is a star dahlia, each petal a slim, slightly incurved ray of palest lemon yellow around a darker butter-yellow centre. It looks like a child’s drawing of a flower, charming in its simplicity.

I had a vision that they would sit so prettily next to ‘Golden’ chard (from realseeds.co.uk), which has amber midribs and glossy green leaf tops. So I ordered seven robust, healthy dahlia cuttings from Halls of Heddon (hallsofheddon.com), one of the most reputable dahlia growers, sowed my chard and waited for complementary perfection. And, you know, it worked. The whole thing looks resplendent backlit by the late autumn light and, on duller days, resembles a pool of sunshine on the ground.

Continue reading...

from Property | The Guardian https://ift.tt/2AKIo4c
via IFTTT

Guardening tips: plant Japanese anemones

Then listen to a podcast that is a treat for the ears and sprinkle coriander for a fast-growing bumper crop

Plant this Japanese anemones are indispensable for the early autumn garden, upping their game as everything else fades. The colour range is limited from dark pink (‘Pretty Lady Susan’) to pure white (‘Honorine Jobert’;). They will grow in sun but prefer a bit of shade. Taller cultivars reach 1m.

Hear this The podcast Trees A Crowd first attracted me with a great title: this show is more than a pun, though – it is a treat for your ears. Each week, actor David Oakes chats to a fascinating person – scientists, artists, horticulturists etc – about an aspect of the natural world, from bees to badgers.

Continue reading...

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Five top tips for taking the best photographs to sell or let a home Nottingham Estate Agents

Hennings Moir Estate Agents reveal how best to prepare a property to guarantee the all-important photographs Whether you are taking photographs of your home for a property website or a property brochure, it’s important to remember that these images could mean the difference between a potential buyer or tenant booking a viewing, or deciding against […]

The post Five top tips for taking the best photographs to sell or let a home appeared first on OnTheMarket.com blog.

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