Entertainment Ideas, Tips & Guides

Any home garden should be able to provide a respite from the outside world. From enjoying a sunny day with the family to entertaining a group of friends after a long week at work, these environments can transform any house into a home. However, what about functionality? Why not also equip your garden with a handful of practical accessories that can make life even easier? If you are hoping to think outside of the proverbial box, the suggestions outlined below should provide a much-needed sense of inspiration.

During May, the charity Plantlife encourages people not to mow their lawns. As well as attracting and helping wildlife, it's an opportunity to enjoy the sight of flowers blooming in long grass. Observing what appears – from interesting wildflowers (orchids, perhaps) to wildlife (such as grasshoppers) – is fun and, obviously, No Mow saves a lot of time. However, going the whole hog isn't for everyone. Those with children who enjoy careering around the lawn and people who entertain in their gardens won't want to let all their grass grow long. Therefore, a smaller No Mow area is more appealing and something that can be kept up throughout the summer.

There are a tonnes of trees in the nature with some having really interesting names, while some have funny ones. We have 15 of the latter examples!

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As warmer weather approaches, many are eager to find new ways to refresh their outdoor spaces, including yards, balconies, porches, patios, and verandas. Outdoor furniture provides more than a place to sit, relax, or entertain. It also offers an opportunity to extend interior design showcasing to spaces you might not have used in months.

If you're looking to design an outdoor kitchen that's both functional and stylish, we've got you covered with expert advice. From what kind of materials are worth the investment to what layout factors to consider, we asked designers to share their best tips.

Plastic bottles are often, but not always, great candidates for the recycling bin. However, there are other ways to give this item a second life before tossing it. It's good to get in the habit of looking for ways to make ordinary items multipurpose.

I Have always thought that the best gardens are those that make people happy and comfortable. Sure, great gardens look good, but they have to feel good too. The gardens that I admire most are relaxing, easy to move through, and not too hard to maintain. Paths and structures must be simple to navigate, while the plants selected must provide interest and serve a function without being bullies or prima donnas. As a landscape architect, I tackle these issues of comfort and utility every day. Here are seven practical tips that have helped me create enjoyable, livable gardens for myself and my clients.

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Join us on Tuesday 9th July 2024for an exclusive tour of Highgrove Gardens, the private home of TRH King Charles III and The Queen Consort, followed by a Prosecco and canapés reception, a seasonal three-course lunch and a talk by BBC Gardeners’ World host, Alan Titchmarsh.

Join David Hurrion on a 12-night cruise from Portugal to France, discovering enchanting gardens along the way, like the forest garden of Fonte Baxa and the gardens of Pays d’Auge.

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When major sales roll around, designers know what kinds of items are worth scooping up and always make it a priority to invest in certain essentials for the bedroom, kitchen, bathroom, and more.

We aren’t all blessed with magazine-worthy kitchen layouts. Maybe your kitchen is cluttered with appliances because you lack counter space, or maybe a closed-off footprint makes entertaining tricky. Unless you’ve renovated your kitchen exactly to your liking, kitchen layouts can be luck of the draw, and some are better than others.

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Heluva Good!

Ever wonder what an interior designer may be thinking when they set foot into someone's living room?

These days, home renovation projects are often discussed in terms of your return on investment or how quickly a project can speed up the selling process. It’s widely agreed upon that renovating a kitchen or bathroom is typically a financially responsible choice if you plan to sell because these projects typically see a great return in the form of a higher sale price—or a quicker sale.

Whether you have a busy calendar full of parties to attend or plan to host a gathering of your own sometime soon, it's never a bad idea to refresh your entertaining knowledge.

Jay Wilde

Not everyone’s house is suitable for large gatherings. Although it may have felt big when you bought it, even a relatively large house can start looking smaller the moment you add three, two, or even one extra person into the mix.

Most ornamental grasses will stay intact through the latter part of the year, providing useful colour and structure in the autumn, when herbaceous plants are dying back. Some are particularly vibrant, picking up on the colours of the trees to echo their shades of russet and yellow, but with lower, softer silhouettes and lots of movement. Using them is easy. Weave them into a herbaceous border, or create more impact in larger gardens by repeat planting, as Piet Oudolf did at Scampston Hall in North Yorkshire, with his sinuous banks of Molinia caerulea subsp. caerulea 'Poul Petersen'. Some grasses are deciduous while others are evergreen. It is the deciduous grasses that can dramatically change colour during the autumn.

Get your home looking nice and festive this season with stylish and affordable finds from IKEA. Whether it's brightening your home using sweet tealight holders or adding cheer to any tabletop with some dried florals.

Nature often presents us with some unexpected surprises, and Trees that Look Like Penises are one of them! So, buckle up! This list will make you laugh for sure!

For anyone looking to tackle big home renovation projects in 2024, now is the perfect time to pin down the details. Start by making your own list and checking it twice—noting which rooms or areas need a refresh, what your budget entails, and what style options toe the line between on-trend and timeless.

Many people set the intention of using the start of a new year to get more organized—once the holidays are over and decorations are put away, it's nice to create a blank slate for yourself at home. That said, there are some organizing techniques that professionals would rather that you skip over entirely.

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While accidentally breaking—or having a guest break—a favorite piece of dinnerware or a special family heirloom mid-dinner party is certainly frustrating, you don't have to lose all hope should a mishap occur while entertaining in your home this season.

Christmas markets across the UK

The holiday season is just around the corner—and chances are, your calendar is already filling up. If you’re hosting any get-togethers, your to-do list is probably just as packed.

Kristin Chenoweth is no stranger to spreading joy. The multi-hyphenate singer, actress, and Tony-award-winning Broadway performer has been entertaining crowds for decades, traveling around the country and around the world to do so, often during the holiday season.

We don’t mean to cause alarm, but the holiday season is almost officially upon us. While it’s always important to live in the moment and enjoy the current season, with busy lives and busier schedules, now is the ideal time to start some prep for the holidays.