Shannon Kettleman

Ideas On Best Exterior Lighting Schemes

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There are many more lighting schemes available these days than back in the pre LED days.  Now we can have a choice of all sorts of LED light bulbs which can be either fitted in indivudual spots or within a fixture of LED strip lights.    Solar powered lighting is the most convenient however for the very good reaso that you don’t need to wire them in.  Just put the baton shaped lighting unit anywhere you fancy, out in the garden and it will soak  up the daylight rays and as the light fades and turns to dusk, the bright solar bulb will come alive.  They require very little maintenance and the batteries are rehargeable and will last for ages before they need changing.  There is a minor downside.  They vary massively in quality so taking a peek at the specification of the bulbs.  If a property only offers only shady back garden with trees all around, then the solar idea may not help, so back to the drawring board.

There are some fantastic lighting schemes nowadays for the garden and outside areas of our property.  Most have the benefit of being solar powered and have a delayed action of storing the rays in the bright daylight but then as soon as it becomes twilight, the solasr lights shine forth and the magic begins.

Choice Of Wired In Or Solar Powered Lighting Offers Garden Flexibility

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Whether we need garden lighting or not depends entirely on the time of year in the UK.    Let’s face it, from May onwards into summer, the light in the gawrden is good until about 10pm, quite late enough to not need more than a little odd solar light in the pot nearest the seating area.   However, get towards the end of September and we are heading rapidly into autumnal hues and shadows.  The days shorten very rapidly from then onwards and any hope of entertaining without the necessary arc lights from the garage!

So what to choose.  Various out of town hypermarkets now offer a superb range of solar powered lanterns which can recharge with just about bright daylight – although full sun for a few hours  is far more successful.   In fact there are many solar powered systems on the market with some of our smarter  home outlets offering solar bollards for lining a pathway or globe shaped orbs for a really punchy effect after dark.   Some of these are the sort of futuristic themes that would have featured in the top flight homes and garden magazines a few years ago and we’d laugh and not think for one minute that we would have such gorgeous and useful lighting objects in our lifetime!  All free power too.

One of the best ideas these days is to have solar powered motion sensor lighting.  They only come on when any motion is detected, thus saving energy but enough to deter intruders.    So all sorts of ideas available these days.

The Easiest Way To Find Your New Housekeeper

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How to Find a Housekeeper: A Guide for UK Households Maintaining a tidy, organised home can be challenging, especially with the demands of work, family, and other responsibilities. Whether you’re a busy professional, a parent juggling multiple tasks, or someone who simply values a clean living space, hiring a housekeeper can greatly improve your quality of life. If you’re wondering how to find a housekeeper who suits your needs, this guide will walk you through the essential steps. Why Hire a Housekeeper? The decision to find a housekeeper is often born from the desire for more free time and a less stressful home environment. Housekeepers offer a variety of services that can include regular cleaning, laundry, ironing, organisation, and even cooking. Some are live-in, while others visit daily or weekly. Having someone take care of your household chores allows you to focus on what matters most—your family, career, or personal wellbeing. Determine Your Needs Before beginning your search, assess what kind of support you require. Do you need someone part-time or full-time? Are you looking for help with basic cleaning or a wider range of tasks? Do you require a live-in housekeeper or would occasional visits suffice? Make a list of the duties you want covered and the hours you need. This will help you narrow down your options and communicate clearly with potential candidates. Where to Look There are several effective ways to find a housekeeper in the UK: Agencies: Professional housekeeping agencies can match you with vetted, experienced candidates. They often handle background checks, references, and contracts. Online platforms: Websites like Care.com, Housekeep, and Gumtree offer listings of available housekeepers. Always vet individuals carefully when using these platforms. Word of mouth: Personal recommendations are one of the most trustworthy ways to find a housekeeper. Ask friends, neighbours, or colleagues if they know someone reliable. Local adverts: Community notice boards, shop windows, or local newspapers sometimes feature housekeeping services. Interviewing and Screening Once you’ve shortlisted a few candidates, it’s time to conduct interviews. Prepare a list of questions covering: Previous experience and specific duties performed Availability and working hours Salary expectations References from previous employers Any qualifications or training (e.g., COSHH awareness, health and safety) Be sure to also discuss practical matters such as insurance, holiday pay, and notice periods. Trust and compatibility are essential, so take the time to gauge whether the person is a good fit for your household. Trial Period Before making a long-term commitment, consider arranging a short trial period. This allows both you and the housekeeper to determine whether the arrangement works well. During this time, provide clear instructions and expectations, and keep communication open. Legal Considerations When you find a housekeeper to employ directly, you may have legal obligations as an employer. This includes: Registering with HMRC as an employer Providing a written contract Paying at least the National Minimum Wage Offering holiday entitlement and statutory sick pay Ensuring safe working conditions Alternatively, hiring through an agency can reduce your administrative burden, as the agency usually acts as the employer. Building a Positive Relationship A good housekeeper can become an invaluable part of your home life. To build a strong relationship: Treat your housekeeper with respect and kindness Be clear and consistent about your expectations Provide the necessary equipment and cleaning supplies Give constructive feedback when needed A happy, motivated housekeeper is far more likely to deliver excellent results. Conclusion Choosing to find a housekeeper is an investment in your home and peace of mind. With a bit of careful planning and research, you can find someone trustworthy, experienced, and capable of meeting your household’s unique needs. Whether through an agency or personal recommendation, the right housekeeper can make your life more manageable and your home a place of comfort and calm. Let me know if you’d like this expanded into a longer version or formatted for a website or brochure.

Those Extra Patio Sets Makes Seating Guests So Much Better

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There is something rather wonderful about visiting a neighbouring garden that has an abundance of seating and patio sets.  To have the choice of where to sit when you are asked round for the inevitable family barbeque makes it all so much more bearable.  There is nothing very funny about standing around making small talk with a glass of bubbly in one hand and a plate of ‘finger nibbles’ but then not be able to dip in; something has to go and the dilemma is bubbly or fodder?  Difficult.

However when  you offer plenty of the table and chair sets that are flooding the hardware stores these days, your guests will be most impressed and will play along with the theme of the party much more freely.  There are some really excellent and versatile sets to be had, from the robust square table surrounded by sumptuous sofas around 3 sides, to the simple but very manouverable little two person bistro set with everything inbetween.   The chance to sit out early on a spring or summer morning, taking breakfast or just favourite cuppa out to the garden and relax on a patio chair does take some beating!

Of course the plush teak deck loungers are still available for that touch of vintage elegance and class.  What can be better than lying back, pimms or gin & italian in hand?  The only thing about teak wood is the need to teak oil it every spring and to protect it from very wet rain or harsh weather – so in the garage for winter then.

A Few Ideas On Modern Outside Lighting

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There are many more lighting schemes available now than back in the pre LED days.  Now we can have a choice of all sorts of LED light bulbs which can be either fitted in individual spots or within a fixture of LED strip lights.  The LED is energy efficient and extremely bright which is great for outdoor settings.  Their durability lends them to being able to withstand weather conditions such as rain, snow and wind.  In most cases, an LED bulb can last for over two years, very often for as many as 50,000 hours.

Now, hare far apart to space them.  Good question indeed.     A general rule would suggest between 180 and 240 metres  to ensure safe constant and consistent lighting for paths.   For a porch it can be placed on the wall about a third the height of the door for a single lamp or one quarter if placing two, one either side of the door.

There are one or two pitfalls to avoid – for example too much light can cause glare and will reduce visibility at night.  It will also cause enormous light polution which is likely to annoy the neighbours.    Installing the light fixture too high or low is going to create very awkward shadows and uneven coverage.  The ideal colour LED for outside would be a warm white 2700K to 3000K.  This would be considered ideal for outdoor residential lighting schemes as it will feel inviting without being at all harsh.

Keeping Up Style With Need For Comfort In Latter Years

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As we start our journey into home ownership, it’s usually by way of  a very second hand flat that has been rented in the past and now needs that bit of love & attention.  You don’t have a lot of spare cash so often the furnishings will be a bizarre selection of mismatched armchairs and sofas together with a dining table and odd assortment of chairs.  Bedrooms need a brand new bed – non of this passing on the old and lumpy these days.  Hygiene demands a new matress at least.

The sitting room furniture can be very tricky, it is tempting for parents or grandparents to gallantly go out and order a brand new suite so they can pass on the ‘cherished’ old one.  The younger recipient may well wish to go and buy a brand new one for themselves.  The only sofas that stand the test of time really well are generally leather and this is only when they have been looked after properly and the leather cleaned and fed regularly, they can live on for decades but once the leather dries out, starts to crack and become unstable, then it’s not worth keeping – out with the old and in with the definitely new and modern, easy to keep and oh so comfy sofa!

Favourite Garden Funiture Needs Treating Regular

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Gosh it does seem a very long way off to when we might just be able to dig out those garden loungers!  In my mind it doesn’t seem hard to conjur up memories of hot smmer days, lazing out in the garden with eyes shaded and a little side table holding my drink of the moment.  But come October, as soon as the warmth disappears, to be replaced by all that rain and windy weather, everything gets taken down, loungers folded, table dismantled and into the shed they go.  Though last year I did have time to swab mine down again. . .  all those soft drinks that were spilt over the hot carefree and careless summer days!  I do like to give my teak deck loungers a really good hand wash down.  Once dried the teak  is then brushed down again and teak oil preservative is applied in nice even strokes.  I love doing that job, excepton the chairs with lots of spindles in the back straits.  The cushions have to be taken indoors for safe keeping.  Can’t put those in the shed in the winter time.  I am struggling to recall when we took pocession of this fantastic set of table and  chairs we also use in the garden if there is food to be had.  Same treatment though.  Brush down then apply teak wax.

Is Oak Furniture Expensive Or Actually A Bargain

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On the face of it, folk moan and say that oak furniture is very expensive and they can get cheaper in the scandinavian megastores.  It is true to say that these emporiums, so popular in the ’80s and early 2000s do still offer very good quality furniture at much lower prices, but it is just as true to say that the wood is not oak or other hardwood that we recognise as ‘furniture wood’.   In our forebears’ time it was all dark brown, almost without exception.  Huge great big wardrobes and chests of drawers for storing clothes and linens.  In fact, I well remember my own grandmothers having a combination of cabinets and mini wardrobes with carefully lined drawers and shelves within the cupboard section – moth balls and other irritant inhibitors employed all year round to stop the infestation of moths and fleas which were so prevalent in those days.   I too remember in one of the family houses, the big settle in the large hallway, up against the wall for people to sit whilst they sorted out their footwear and it had cushions along it’s back, held in place by straps, and a long plump one to sit on.  Ahh these flashbacks always incorporate wonderful memories of family furniture that seemed to have been built with the house and we could ncver imagine being there without it all.  But of course time moves on and the dark wood has been out of fashion for decades – for many years you couldn’t give it away, but now, when folk are re-evaluating their needs, the solid oak, walnut, mahogany and other wooden pieces are in greater demand.  And long may that continue.

How Best Quality Garden Loungers Fill Critical Furnishing Gap

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I have had the rather amusing but also slightly annoying scenario of having no proper seating downstairs in my family room.  I used to own a small two seater sofa which matched the large 3 seater in the sitting room.   However after many years of wear and tear the left hand seating got completely ruined when a pretty rotund visitor plonked herself down heavily, and went though it.    There was an unmistakeable sound of ripping from the underneath, as the webbing gave way.  I left things like that for a short while then when the another visit started to loom large, I decided it was time to do something about the tragic state of affairs.  I toured all the furniture showrooms in my area and tried out a variety of two seater arrangements.  Having plumped for a neat little two seater, leather, with power recliners, I then found out the delivery was some 16 weeks.

So, having paid for the council to come and remove my old sofa, I was left with a yawning gap which I filled for all of these weeks with two delightful garden loungers.  These were bought many years ago by my parents in law, to complete their rather stunning conservatory, added to their equally impressive bungalow.   They used these loungers with the attractive floral patterned and sumptuously plump cushions, every day as they enjoyed lookng out over their garden from the warm & sunny vantage point.  I inherited the loungers some 20 years ago and they have never been as appreciated or loved as when used as seating in my family room!

Safe Outdoor Lighting Cannot Be Considered Just On Price

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With our summers ending up being so variable, we can be enjoying lovely sunny evenings for a couple of days and then deep shade for another few.  This causes a rethink of sitting out in the garden in the evening.   The ideal solution to this dilemma is of course to use solar lights; the ones that sore up as little of those rays through the day and when it gets past tea time, they magically light up, gently and reliably.  However, they only work for so long into the evening and need rays to get them going in the first place.   A proper circuit of lights around the garden run off the electricity is of course the pinnacle of desired effect.  They can be programmed to come on gently in a subtle scheme that moves around the garden and lights diferent areas – low lighting and high lighting from above and below.  Its incredible how fantastic a tree can look when a gentle spot light is focused on it from over the side or from behind.  These schemes rely on a totally safe installation and it is critcal that a fully trained electrical engineer is involved in the wiring up and connections.  An expert may seem an wild expense at first but the safety angle cannot have a price put on it.