R L Sumner

The last decade or so has seen a fantastic surge in house improvements.  Not everyone can afford to move up to the next sized house – the most economical option for them has been to extend up, out, round . . . .   The results have often been startling brightRead More →

At this time of early spring, still bitterly cold and rather damp overnight, our thoughts head towards what we hope will be another hot, dry and glorious summer.  Just thinking about being able to sit in the sun room makes you feel warm and satisfied.  But for those of usRead More →

It can be quite difficult to imagine a nice warm spring or summer day when we’re just backing out of one of the worst two months of winter weather for a generation  We actually had so much snow and ice that the rivers and waterways froze solid .  Pictures ofRead More →

Ahh the joys of spring are about the make themselves felt soon.  Very soon hopefully .   We’ve had the oddest of weather this last year or so and for many folk, this directly affects their thinking when it comes to all things connected with decorating and refurnishing.  It’s quite trueRead More →

I have never been one for constantly going round titivating where I’ve lived.  In general I keep the place habitable, by fixing anything that breaks or wears to the point it could make something else dangerous.  I keep my suyrroundings clean and tidy, but I’m not always changing to theRead More →

One of the positives of having to self isolate and spend more time at home was that no one expected us to do anything in particular.   Because we were not supposed to have been going out for anything but essential groceries and pharmaceuticals, a languid torpor settled over manyRead More →

We are having the most peculiar year so far.   The global pandemic has of couse caused monumental change for every single family.  We cannot just go out and shop for whateve, whenever or wherever we choose.  In fact many of us are feelig a little apprehensive about going shopping atRead More →

We can learn such a lot from tv lifestyle programmes.    There are many now on constant loop discharging pockets of advice from how to buy a property at auction – for absolutely rock bottom prices and how to refurbish them to such a degree that we could make a fortuneRead More →

Styling a home is such a personal thing.  I know couples who are constantly at war over the things in their house.  One pair, down the road are always bickering – he likes it very minimalist, no fussy ornaments, plain curtains, in fact, he’d just have blinds or shutters ifRead More →

I was looking for decorating ideas to liven up two spare bedrooms.  They have a rather bland ivory silk on the walls, which in itself is not bad, it does reflect the sunlight well, as my decorator said it would; the toning curtains and honey coloured carpet just make eachRead More →