Romantic outdoor dining

Thu, Jun 25, 2009

Summer is here and we need to think about our outdoor space and gardens. Outdoor rooms are an essential on today's real estate market, as well as an inexpensive way to expand your living space.

Great ideas for children of all ages in Family Time

Thu, Jun 25, 2009

Give your children an active and exciting summer around Galway with the help of the latest edition of Family Time, the local guide to families activities in Galway city and county.

Blooming ideas for little green fingers

Thu, Jun 25, 2009

With the arrival of school holidays and good weather, this is the perfect time to promote a passion for the outdoors in children. The cool wet month of May has resulted in a late growing season, which means there is still plenty of time to start growing flowers and vegetables.

As a result it is not too late to encourage younger members of the family to develop an interest in gardening. “The trick is to start small”, says Paddy Cunningham of Dangan House Nurseries. “The concept of tackling a whole garden can be very daunting to an adult, never mind to a child. Allocate a small piece of space, maybe around the size of the kitchen table, and get them planting a wide variety of vegetables and flowers.”

Brighten up, summer is here

Thu, Jun 18, 2009

Thinking about bringing that summer feel into your home? What better than picking bright natural colours outside and using them in your interiors. Look in the garden and select colours from your favourite blooms. Summer flowers offer a plethora of colour selections — fuchsia impatiens, purple pansies, pink hydrangeas, and lavender lilacs are just the beginning of the cool floral rainbow.

Good design makes the difference

Thu, Jun 18, 2009

Most people would agree that their home is more important to them than anywhere else in the world. After a long journey or a hard day at work, there is nowhere better than home. Increasingly, the garden or outdoor space is being considered for its potential as an extra room outside. Even a tiny back yard can be converted into a delightful oasis of calm, somewhere to enjoy a barbecue with friends, or for children to play.

Regardless of the size of the space, a good design is essential. In this way, the needs and desires of everyone in the household can be satisfied.

Feng shui in the kitchen

Thu, Jun 11, 2009

The kitchen is sometimes described as the soul of the house. It is where food that nourishes the residents get cleaned, prepared, cooked, and stored.

Summer time — perfect for shabby chic decorating

Thu, Jun 04, 2009

Pull out anything that looks old and careworn, do some quality shopping at your local thrift store, add a few fresh new accessories, paint it white or in a distressed style, and you have become a professional shabby chic'er!

Choosing the right

Thu, May 28, 2009

Granite, marble, tiles, and concrete are all countertop choices, and depending on your budget and usage they all have upsides and downsides. The first step in getting the right countertop for you is to make a detailed evaluation of the one you use now. The more you can articulate about what you like and hate about it, the more you will know what to choose next.

Developing communication skills in young children

Thu, May 28, 2009

Speech is just one facet of communication. Other equally important facets of communication are listening skills, comprehension, attention, gestures, and facial expression. Communication is quite a complex business and communication skills are being learnt from baby’s first moments of life.

Galway Hot Yoga Ltd — burning in Briarhill

Thu, May 28, 2009

With the recent rise in summer temperature in Galway you might think that it is getting warm, but if you want healing heat you should go to Briarhill. In the Briarhill shopping centre on the second floor, directly above the Ulster Bank, is the recently opened Galway Hot Yoga Ltd.

The colours of living — part two

Thu, Apr 23, 2009

Colours affect our minds, our physiologies, and our social interactions. The colours you choose when decorating a room can have an effect on any occasion that you hold there. The dining room is a place of delicate social situations. By considering the psychological effects of colours, you can make your dining room a more relaxing place to eat and gather.

The colours of living — part one

Thu, Apr 16, 2009

Blue Monday, green with envy, in the pink -— colours are often associated with moods and emotions. Colours affect us psychologically, a fact that should be considered when decorating.

How you respond to certain colours can be a good guide for deciding how to set a particular mood in your home. Whether you are choosing fabrics, paint, or wallpaper, with the help of the colour wheel and these basic colour tips your choice may be easier.

LolaRose helps the renewed interest in knitting

Thu, Apr 16, 2009

One Galway shop is benefiting from the renewed interest in creative past-times of yesteryear.

At home With La Maison Chic

Thu, Apr 09, 2009

Hardwood floors
Hardwood floors are a classic choice for many homes, and they work with most kinds of décor. However they are sensitive to climate changes and may expand and contract throughout the year. They are also susceptible to water damage and need constant maintenance, however if you opt for an oiled floor, especially oiled oak floors, they can be resistant to water for up to a week. Remember that oak floors have been used throughout Europe for the past 500 years in castles and period homes and are still in the same houses nowadays. Finally, like all in interior design, some very light or dark woods can be very fashionable for a few years but become suddenly old fashioned.

Stay safe with Armour Locksmiths

Thu, Apr 09, 2009

Family-run Armour Locksmiths has been in business for 18 years on the lower level of the Eyre Square Shopping Centre. As well as operating out of the shop the company provides the entire west of Ireland with a full locksmith service, travelling to homes and businesses and giving security and peace of mind to clients.

Grow your own greens

Thu, Apr 09, 2009

If you would love to grow your own vegetables but feel that keeping a vegetable patch would be too difficult, a Galway company has a range of ideas which allow people to grow their own fruit and veg with the minimum of fuss.

Invest in quality, experience, and security with Craughwell Furniture

Thu, Apr 09, 2009

Craughwell Furniture can offer you the experience and knowledge that comes with 35 years in business. During this time the Cummins family have owned, managed, and nourished the company from humble beginnings into Galway’s premier furniture retailer.

At home With La Maison Chic

Thu, Apr 02, 2009

Buying carpet for the first time can be an overwhelming experience. Negotiating the seemingly endless variety of colours, styles, and brands can a daunting task for the first time carpet buyer. Fortunately it's really not as difficult as it may first appear.

I recommend that you first choose a carpet style. Although some people select different styles for different rooms (formal plush in the bedrooms, textured cut pile throughout the rest of the house), most carpet buyers select one style and colour for the entire house. One benefit of sticking with the same colour and style of carpet is that the seams will be less visible.

Massive spring sale at Keenkost Kitchens and Bedrooms

Thu, Apr 02, 2009

Keenkost Kitchens Oranmore is hosting a once off massive spring sale with genuine discounts on selected ranges. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain access to some of the most beautifully crafted, custom designed, fitted kitchen and bedroom furniture. You can also visit www.keenkostkitchens.com for more information and to view the catalogue. The Galway showroom is in Unit 4, Oranmore Business Park, phone (091) 790507.

At home With La Maison Chic

Thu, Mar 26, 2009

Choosing the right floor for your home is a big decision. It will set the tone for the whole interior of your house and is the base for everything else you put in a room.

E-paper

Read this weeks E-paper. Past editions also available from within this weeks digital copy.