With the glimmers of spring approaching we can start to look forward to lighter evenings and new life and energy developing around us all. It may also bring awareness to what we were able to keep to in terms of health and wellbeing through the winter. Have the good intentions that were set in January disappeared already? Don’t beat yourself up if this is true. Time may have passed now but there’s still opportunity to make a difference. As talked about last time, we often make our goals too big a goals, our ideas of change too radical and fall off the wagon all too quickly. Changing your mindset and making your goals smaller, more bite size, and ultimately more achievable is key. Success brings positivism and motivation so take the time to think about how you can enhance these aspects within your goals. A very easy example would be someone who decides they are going to do 20 press ups every morning or night. By day 4/5 I suspect even trying to do 5 press ups feels impossible. So why not change that goal to trying to do 1 everyday? The likely hood of being able to do not just what was set but possibly more than your target will make you feel you are both achieving and over succeeding which is always the best place for your mind to be.
So, look at what you had set out to achieve at the beginning of this year, whether it be for work, home or health. Think about the process needed to reach that success. Make it more of a step by step guide so along the way you are able to ‘tick off’ milestones. The plan might come up against roadblocks such as injuries, delays, family issues and the path might have to take a detour, but by having a process to your goal will allow you to overcome setbacks and keep you focused.
This mindset is used regularly when working with clients in the health and fitness world, training plans are brilliant but something can always throw them out and so by not giving up but just adapting through it is essential for success.
Life is a journey, not a destination – positive mindset can make that journey more rewarding, fulfilling and enjoyable. Try it and see what can happen for you!
This is perhaps the time when the seasons and the wheeling of the year feels strongest because, despite the gloom and cold, plants just can’t help themselves. They know the earth is turning, that their moment is coming, and so up they come.
Gardeners see spring coming first. In terms of gardening tasks, we are still in the winter lull, so now is the time to tinker, prune, clean and stack pots and improve soil.
As we have been besieged by storms and heavy rain many gardens are waterlogged. Storms Ciara and Dennis have made their mark! Yet despite this, gardens are springing back to life and there are jobs to be done outside.
Damage caused by the recent storms –Shrubs loosened by the wind need cutting back or firming in. Cut back shrub, hybrid T and floribunda Roses if not tackled already by 50 %. Stake and tie trees and shrubs loosened or fallen, cut back damaged branches, torn branches need cutting back below the break to help them back into health. Climbers pulled away from trellis, walls and fences tie back in or cut back if badly damaged. Check all tree ties and wires holding up plants to structures that they are not too tight.
Try to keep off the lawned areas of the garden as much as possible, although this is difficult with fences down and repair work to do, it will benefit long-term.
Gardening Jobs
Machinery – perfect time to book in your mower, strimmer, hedge cutter, blower for servicing. You could get a winter discount for most machinery servicing; maybe worth haggling!
Tools in the Shed – Rub down spades, forks, hoes etc with a wire brush, remove all the caked-on soil/rust off the metal. Oil them, even using old engine oil on a rag and wipe over the metal. Also, check the tool handles for wood-worm, small pin like holes and treat with wood preservative/wood-worm killer.
Other indoor jobs – Re-use plant labels by cleaning them, a scouring pad seems to work well, cleaning fluid, a rubber erasure for pencils. Wash old seed trays and pots with hot soapy water or a pressure washer. Check any indoor plants for bugs and beasties lurking and treat. Check stored vegetables, fruit, bulbs and tubers.
Shopping – Most seed catalogues are available on-line or by phone request now, so check out the latest stock for the coming season. Now is the time to shop at Garden Centres and Nurseries; seed potatoes, shallots, onions, garlic are also arriving in stock now, and many of them will have sales on. If you do buy any plants in pots, don’t plant now, leave them outside in a sheltered corner all together and plant out in March/April time. Summer bulbs, corms and tubers will also be arriving like Dahlias and Gladiolis.
Outdoors – Clear gutters and drains of leaves, and also check sheds, greenhouses and garages for any leaks.
Planning for the season to come – You may want to create some raised beds for vegetables and flowers, work out which vegetables did well last year, consider trying something new.
Nest boxes – Wearing gloves empty out the old nests from last year. Birds are actively looking for a nesting site now, when putting up a nest box put it where cats can’t reach, and not facing south as it cooks in the sun, not too close to a feeding station and out of the prevailing winds.
Bird Feeders and Bird Baths – Most at this time of year are pretty foul after all this rain, clean out and throw away all wet food.
The new year brings in a mood of reassessment and renewal – and, when it comes to our homes, perhaps a desire to refresh a room that isn’t working.
As we move into a new decade, there are certain looks that are starting to feel a little passé, and others that might come to define home style in the first few years of the 2020s. So, if you’re planning on redecorating a room or just replacing a piece of furniture, here’s what’s likely to be consigned to the 2010s in style terms, and what’s on the radar for the decade ahead.
Forget: grey walls, Get: green walls
Grey has been the standout paint colour that has defined the past decade, it’s incredibly versatile and works with most other colours. For that reason, it’s too soon to say that it’s over. But as with anything that saturates the market so completely, it’s being phased out in favour of other colours that offer a new look.
Warmer shades such as pink, peach and oatmeal have been gradually replacing grey as the choice for a more neutral palette, but trend forecasters are predicting a move towards pale green. It ties in with the current preoccupation with nature and plants, and offers a calm counterpoint to a turbulent outside world.
Forget: all-white bathroom suites, Get: a statement bathroom
Ten years ago, the all-white, marble-tiled, spa-like bathroom was all the rage; but both bright colour and edgy darker tones are gradually making their way in. It started with the taps, which went from chrome to brass to black over the past decade, and now there are taps, tiles, baths and basins in all sorts of shades. Coloured bathroom suites can look spectacular, but they tend to be on the expensive side.
A more affordable way to get the look is with a colourful vinyl wallpaper, or tiles. Alternatively, stick with the white theme, but add edge with black accents in brassware and shower screens.
Forget: safe kitchens, Get: bold units and two-tone schemes
As with bathrooms, kitchens have gone through a decidedly neutral phase and, in many homes, they still are, with white remaining the most popular choice. The kitchen is usually the most expensive room in the house, and the one where we’re more likely to want to play it safe to ensure longevity – which makes it even more revealing that kitchen suppliers are reporting a definite increase in demand for punchier styles.
The home-interest website Houzz (houzz.co.uk) has seen an uplift in its users posting pictures of kitchen cabinets in blues and greens, and one of the rising search terms used on the site last year was, somewhat surprisingly, “yellow kitchens”. Similarly, kitchen companies Plain English (plainenglishdesign.co.uk) and Kitchen Makers (burbidgekitchenmakers.co.uk) are both championing a two-tone (or even three-tone) look, with different colours used on eye-level units, base?level units and free-standing kitchen islands.
Biophilia – surrounding oneself with nature and natural materials in order to feel a connection with the outside world – has come to the fore in interiors this year, and it’s a trend that is set to continue into the next decade as we increasingly ditch the plastic in favour of more sustainable materials. The rattan trend has been one example of this – rattan offering an inexpensive and lightweight alternative to synthetic furniture.
Raw wooden surfaces, whether on tables, chairs or kitchen cabinets, are also taking over from their high-gloss counterparts that were previously so popular. Antique and vintage furniture, particularly in darker-toned woods, is a trend that looks set to grow as we increasingly reject the cheap, disposable pieces that were popular 10 years ago and seek to reuse and repurpose what already exists – a movement that can only be a good thing both for the planet and for our homes.
Madeleines Kitchen in Petersfield hosted such a successful Valentines Dinner on last week that they are putting on another special event. This time they are celebrating 5 years of business by hosting 2 special suppers on March 15th and March 16th at Madeleine’s Deli, 18a Lavant Street, Petersfield
Details of Menu @ £40.00 per head to follow but will involve Italian Food, Wine, Cheese & Chocolate.
All recipes used by Madeleines kitchen are secret to them but at the mention of chocolate we thought we would share this chocolate pudding recipe from BBC GoodFood. It is the perfect balance of richness and textures. It’s easy, yet impressive and you can even make it ahead.
For the puddings
60g butter, plus extra for the ramekins
2 tbsp cocoa powder
100g 70% dark chocolate
2 eggs
100g caster sugar
½ tsp malt powder (we used Ovaltine)
For the cream
100ml double cream
2 tbsp muscovado sugar
1 tbsp malt powder
To serve
9 Maltesers, crushed into large chunks
3 glacé cherries, cut in half
1 tbsp chopped salted pistachios
Butter three ramekins, dust with cocoa and set aside. Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Melt the butter and chocolate in a bowl over a pan of simmering water. In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs and sugar until light and fluffy, then whisk in the chocolate mixture with the malt powder and a pinch of salt. Divide the mixture between the ramekins and bake for 14 mins until they are just cooked with a slight wobble in the middle to make a fondant, or 18 mins for a pudding. Remove from the oven, turn out and serve warm now, or leave to cool in their ramekins.
Whisk the cream, sugar and malt powder together to soft peaks. Carefully turn the puddings out onto plates, then pile on the Maltesers, cherries and pistachios, and serve with the malted cream.
This is a question I am often asked and the straightforward answer is, the right time to sell is when it’s the right time for you.
Within the property market, there is much written about when is the best time to buy and sell. Just like trading other investments you can try to play the market to your advantage, and this certainly applies with investment buyers, but when it comes to selling a home, it is often more about the right time for you rather than trying to judge the seasonal and economic market.
There are inevitably peaks and troughs during every year but this doesn’t take into account your own reasons for wanting to sell.
So, be clear as to what you want to achieve and then plan accordingly. Generally, if you are selling you are likely to be buying at the same time, so any fluctuations in the market can be offset. Once you have made the decision to sell then timings around what you are trying to achieve are important.
Plan ahead and allow plenty of time to speak to the experts. Mortgage Brokers, Accountants, Solicitors and, of course, Property Agents all have an important part to play in the process. They will be able to provide clarity where needed and not just in relation to values, taxes or lenders but processes, timings and legislation.
Having worked in the industry in the South of England for almost 20 years, one thing I am confident of is that buyers choose locations for schooling, work, retirement, access and natural beauty and fortunately our region offers the very best.
If now is the right time for you, then now is the time to get the ball rolling and contact a property expert you can trust.
Kate Porter, Head of Sales, The Country House Company
02392 632275, katep@countryhousecompany.co.uk www.countryhousecompany.co.uk
For sale through The Country House Company is this delightful 2 bedroom cottage, with approximately 3 acres of gardens and grounds in the rural village of Froxfield, Hampshire.
The cottage offers stylish, well planned accommodation and has lots of features throughout. The ground floor accommodation includes a welcoming entrance hall which leads to a dual aspect sitting room with beams and large open fireplace. The bespoke kitchen has fitted units and a large range cooker. There is also a utility/boot room.
An attractive conservatory with unique water feature and space to use as a dining room, a study and a bathroom complete the ground floor accommodation. On the first floor is a double bedroom and dressing area.
The gardens are a particular feature of the cottage and include formal areas with mature planting, sweeping lawn, large ornamental pond and vegetable plot and lovely, private, ancient bluebell woodland. The cottage has private parking and some substantial outbuildings including a detached garage with workshop, studio and cloakroom.
Froxfield, is positioned on the edge of Petersfield and whilst benefiting from all the pleasures of its rural environment, also offers excellent access to the A3/A272 and main line train services to London from Petersfield.
The village itself has a shop, post office and a local church with a much sought after village school and preschool. Bedales School, Churchers College, Highfield School, Ditcham Park School and all the Winchester private schools are close at hand. The surrounding countryside is designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty being in the South Downs National Park and is crisscrossed by footpaths and bridleways, including the South Downs Way.
Guide price £775,000.
For full details or to arrange a viewing please contact Kate Porter on 02392 632275 or see www.countryhousecompany.co.uk
The Leaders Council of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is currently in the process of talking to leadership figures from across the nation in an attempt to understand this universal trait and what it means in Britain and Northern Ireland today.
Marishelle Butler from The Country House Company, an independent property agency based in Hambledon, was invited onto an episode of the podcast, which also included an interview with Geoff Hurst. Host Matthew O’Neill asked both guests a series of questions about leadership and the role it has played in their careers to date.
Matthew O’Neill commented, ‘Hosting a show like this, where you speak to genuine leaders who have been there and done it, either on a national stage or within a crucial industry sector, is an absolute honour.’
Marishelle was delighted to have the opportunity to take part in the project commenting that ‘it is vital that we adapt to the changing needs and expectations of the work force. The generation that is coming into the workplace now is full of inspiring ideas, understanding of advances in technology and is very aware of environmental issues. To have the opportunity to discuss differing ideas on leadership and getting the very best out of the workforce, for the individual team members, companies and British industry as a whole, is very inspiring as we enter this next exciting decade.’
Lord Blunkett, chairman of The Leaders Council of Great Britain and Northern Ireland said, ‘I think the most informative element of each episode is the first part, where Matthew O’Neill is able to sit down with someone who really gets how their industry works and knows how to make their organisation tick. Someone who’s there day in day out working hard and inspiring others. That’s what leadership is all about.’
You can listen to the podcast in full here: https://youtu.be/l_ZFIVzZL3k
You can also discover more about both Marishelle Butler and Geoff Hurst here:
http://www.leaderscouncil.co.uk/members/marishelle-butler
Ends
For full details on The Country House Company see www.countryhousecompany.co.uk
For full details on The Leaders Council see https://www.leaderscouncil.co.uk/
Set at the edge of Petersfield, the property is one of three individual properties, which originally formed a grand Victorian country house that was built in 1890 and converted in 1988.
This superb home offers a wealth of period features throughout with high ceilings, stone mullioned windows and period fireplaces.
The accommodation is elegant and beautifully presented and includes, on the ground floor, a magnificent drawing room, a spacious open-plan kitchen/breakfast room with Aga, a study, cloakroom and a conservatory with doors to a private courtyard.
On the first floor there is the master bedroom with en suite shower room, a guest bedroom also with en suite facilities, a further double bedroom and the family bathroom. The fourth bedroom is set on the second (top) floor.
To the side of the property is a detached double garage with office/storage space overhead and benefits from its own external access. The garden is to the front of the property with ornamental hedges and large area of lawn, and adjacent to the side of the house is a private courtyard and area for seating.
The house is approached via a sweeping shared driveway and is attractively elevated with panoramic views across the South Downs National Park. Perfectly placed with easy access to Petersfield it is the ideal location for London commuters looking for a rural retreat or for second home owners, downsizers or families with an appetite for country living who prefer the comfort of full amenities and road/rail links nearby.
Offered for sale through The Country House Company, Guide price £985,000. For further details please contact Kate Porter on 02392 632275
This attractive home presents all the character expected of a property of its period with high ceilings, handsome fireplaces and exposed timbers. The accommodation, whilst in need of some refurbishment, is spacious and opens to a courtyard giving access to the large store with separate entrance from the high street.
On the ground floor is a welcoming entrance hall, comfortable sitting room with large bay window, dining room with fireplace and elegant drawing room again with fireplace. In addition, on the ground floor is the spacious kitchen/breakfast room with door to the garden and a separate shower room accessed from the hallway. There is also a useful cellar below stairs.
On the first floor a spacious, open landing leads to the three double bedrooms and a family bathroom with two further substantial attic rooms located on the second floor.
Accessed externally is the substantial store which could be utilised as such or, subject to the necessary planning, be converted to garage space or integrated into the main house.
To the rear of the property is a pretty paved courtyard area with external cloakroom, wood store and utility. Steps lead to a good-sized area of private walled garden which is mainly laid to lawn bordered by mature planting.
Hambledon is a thriving village situated within the South Downs National Park. There are excellent amenities which include a village store, public house, school, church, active village hall and cricket club. Historically the birth place of Cricket, Hambledon is surround by glorious countryside yet within easy access of the A3/A32 and A272 to Winchester and Petersfield where there are extensive facilities and train services to London.
Offered for sale through The Country House Company Guide price £700,000. Please contact Kate Porter on 02392 632275 for further details.