The Rewards of Awards

As a company we have always been somewhat media shy, we always seemed to be far too busy to be entering awards, filling out application forms or being interviewed by all and sundry about how well we may have done in the past. I like to think we are a very forward thinking company and as for me, patting myself on the back has never been my style. All that being said, I am starting to change my mind.

Our first external recognition as a company was last year in The Sunday Times Fast track awards and although the thought of hanging out with Richard Branson and the other 99 fastest growing businesses in the country brought me out in a cold sweat (I don't know much about golf or the property market), everyone in the office seemed to be really excited. The uplift in morale in the company from being featured was surprising, there was a genuine excitement among everyone here.

Last week I was very pleased to pick up the company's second award, the Barclays Commercial & EDP Business of the year award for 2009. This award, which was kept under very close wraps until the end of the business awards dinner, was a great surprise and a huge boost to the company. Spaces were limited but I was shocked to receive celebratory texts from lots of the team well into the early hours of Saturday morning who had heard through the grapevine that we had won.

It was great for everyone here to get the recognition they deserve for their hard work, in what has been a very difficult year, and it is also brilliant to see the enthusiasm for the success of the business is so engrained in the whole team.

So back to the original question - does it pay to enter awards? Well I think it pays in bounds. The team are walking with their heads a little higher and everyone seems to be more focused and determined than ever. We are getting some positive press in the media, which can only ever be good. And finally I hope that the recognition helps you, as our customer, realise that we genuinely do want to be the best online furniture retailer and we aim to leave you delighted with your experience of dealing with us.

Will we be entering anymore? Well, in all honesty I am leaving that up to the team. There has been some talk from different departments about going for individual awards/recognition and I will be sure to keep you posted as to their progress.

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Seasonal Kitchen Style Tips

As winter approaches, bringing with it the festive season, it’s time to start thinking about a few great seasonal ways to bring a new atmosphere to your kitchen. Try using some innovative ideas to bring a little warmth to the coldest season, and take inspiration from the natural world.

A great way to bring a touch of festive cheer to your kitchen without any of the potentially gaudy effects that can come from putting Christmas decorations up too early is to look to the outside. Some winter twigs or small branches will bring great shapes and shadows to any room, and look great when sprayed white or silver and placed in vases. You could also invest in a new dresser or sideboard for some handy storage if you want to de-clutter.

Another great tip is to use some white fairy lights to create a border between the walls and ceiling. These lights have a festive appeal, but can also be used all year round to provide light and charm to any kitchen space. If you want a warmer look, you could even go all out and get some fairy lights that are shaped like red chillis.

So pay attention to your kitchen, and let the wintertime inspire you to create a truly inviting room.

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Great Ideas To Keep Your Home Extra Cosy This Winter

Now that the evenings are drawing in, and the air is getting chilly, it’s more important than ever to make sure that your home is as warm, inviting and cosy as it can be, so take advantage of these simple ideas and make your home into a haven from the cold outdoors.

One of the best ways to make your house that little bit more winter-ready is by investing in some thick long-piled rugs to make sure that your family’s feet are kept toasty warm. Look for natural fibres for a great organic texture, and your room will immediately feel warmer.

You could also go for some extra scatter cushions, or even a delightful chenille throw for each sofa, so that your family always have somewhere comfy to snuggle up for the evening. To really encourage a warm and cosy environment, why not get a linen box in which to keep your family’s slippers.

So think about your family’s comfort, and you’re bound to discover some great ways to bring a little extra cosiness to your home.

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Great Colour Schemes To Suit Wooden Furniture

If you’re planning on kitting out your home with some new wooden furniture, then why not also consider introducing a new colour palette to your room that will really bring out the inherent natural characteristics of the wood?

A dark wooden piece, such as stained oak sideboard, can fade into the background, so place it against a light coloured wall to maximise the contrast. Either paint the whole room in a brilliant white or a lemon yellow or just select a feature wall for your dark wooden furniture, and it will look great.

Paler wood benefits from a minimalist approach to decoration, with single coloured walls that are either a bold, rich colour such as slate blue, or a plain ivory, and white soft furnishings. Any yellow in the walls will make the wood appear too bleached, and will swamp the room with a light that will drown out the subtle characteristics of the wood’s grain.

So pay attention to the colours in your wood, and to the best way to present your new furniture, and you’re sure to be able to make your wooden furniture look even better than it already does.

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Top Winter Conservatory Tips

The conservatory can be overlooked during the autumn and winter, with the summer furniture, though perfect for hot days, not providing the warmth needed for a winter getaway.

There are many things you can do to make the conservatory a more inviting place, from putting in thick curtains all round for extra comfort and warmth to introducing a coffee table or sideboard, or even adding a central fireplace for a toasty-warm heart to this sometimes neglected part of the home.

If you want your conservatory to feel warm and inviting, you could go for the option of curtains and drapes to seal in the heat and mask the dark windows. For a decadent atmosphere, rich in drama, you could go for burgundy or even crimson curtains, with low Moroccan-style couches which will be just as relaxing in summer as in winter. Bring in a warming rug to keep coldness from the floor, and the effect is complete.

However you decide to treat your conservatory in winter, remember that you could be getting more use out of it if you furnish it with all seasons in mind, and gain an extra room for relaxation and family fun.

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Novel Ideas For Your Utility Room

The utility room is an oft neglected space in most homes, a grey, dull space for the freezer, washing machine and extra fridge to sit, with a few cupboards for household essentials. But with a little extra thought, the utility room can be a fresh, breezy place to get things done, a haven of organisation that will help you to keep your house running smoothly and with style.

For a truly invigorating look, try a bright, fresh colour like lemon yellow, or if you are feeling especially bold, lime green, combined with white painted wooden furniture for an airy and spacious feel. Pick furniture with deep cupboards and drawers to make sure that you have space for all those vital household supplies, and don't have to resort to stacking piles of cleaning products and laundry on top of the surfaces.

The most important thing to remember when furnishing a utility room is that it deserves just as much attention as the rest of the house – approach its decoration in the same way as you'd approach any other room, and you'll achieve something truly unique and inspiring.

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Turn Your Wasted Garden Space Into Outdoor Rooms

All too often, large areas of your garden can go unused and unloved, so why not get creative and find a solution that turns these neglected areas into places where you and your family will really want to spend your time.

One great idea is to bring the outdoors indoors by creating a space that blends the cool, fresh outside world with the warmth and inviting relaxation of the inside of your home. Try putting up a shelter or roof, with sliding doors for rainy and windy days, and put some 'indoor' furniture in - a sofa and a wooden coffee table, for example. You'll instantly create a memorable and quirky new feature for your home, perfect for autumn coffee mornings, and a relaxed and meditative place for reading or rest.

So think about bringing the outdoors in, and you're sure to come up with a novel idea - maybe you'd love a garden sitting room with a tiered roof over it, hanging low so that you always have fresh air, even when it's raining. Just make sure that you take care to use an all-weather flooring material to ensure that your outside living room maintains its exceptional style.

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