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Affordable luxuries: eco-friendly candles

scented candles are big business. Choose candles that contain no paraffin wax and if they have palm wax choose brands that guarantee sustainable palm

Heat pumps do bring down energy costs

Researchers at the Energy House 2.0 research facility at the University of Salford, working with housebuilders Bellway and Barratt Redrow and construction solutions manufacturer Saint-Gobain UK & Ireland, have spent the past year testing 14 different heating systems to see which ones will heat homes the best at the lowest cost.
 

Nat Maks' Suminagashi wall prints

Nat Maks' wallpapers, murals and prints are hand-printed using the Suminagashi technique.

The process involves a medley of colours being placed on water, which then start to expand on its surface. The colours move on the water in an organic way and when a dynamic pattern has been formed, Nat makes a print by placing and moving paper on the water so it picks up the colour pattern. This technique means each piece is unique. 'There are no pattern repeats - we create individual rolls of paintings,' she explains.

Design Museum extends smash hit Tim Burton exhibition

The Design Museum has revealed that its fantastical Tim Burton retrospective has become the most visited exhibition in its 35-year history.

More than 170,000 people have so far experienced The World of Tim Burton and because visitor numbers aren't abating the museum is extending the show by five weeks.

The exhibition arrived in London as its final destination after a decade-long world tour that saw it visit 14 cities in 11 countries since 2014. 

Avoid condensation and mould in your home

ventilate your home to avoid condensation and black mould. It's healthier to have airflow indoors so even in winter, be sure to open windows a little

Deco eco-friendly Christmas gift guides: practical presents

Eco friendly Christmas gifts can be pretty or practical..or both. Choose from linen and wool fabrics, FSC-wood products and ideally gifts made in your country. We love Space 1a in London for its organic cotton homewares and Helen Round in Cornwall for her linen products. Also check out Cactus Tongue if you have a bicycle you need to hang up...

Blinds UK talks window treatments

Blindsuk.net is Britain's leading online Roman blinds and blinds and curtain company. Choose from eco friendly sustainable fabrics such as linen, wool, hemp and recyclable synthetics such as polyester. And the company's products are all manufactured in the UK, using UK/EU made fabrics. Blinds UK

Valentine's Day gifts: please, no bins

Valentine's Day gifts should be person and flowers top the list. Eco friendly and biodegradable, they top the sustainability list too if they're grown in the UK

Secret Gardens

Mission Spiritus Oman Expedition

A small team of expert adventurers is heading out to Oman to undertake the most comprehensive study ever of micro and nano plastics in any desert region. The 26-day expedition through the Empty Quarter of the Oman desert will cover over 1000km, with all equipment being transported by 4x4, camel, on foot and by hot air balloon.

Fifty two sand samples will be collected for analysis and there'll also be studies on how the human body copes in hostile environments.

This mission aims also to inspire millions of children around the world to plant trees and protect forests.

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