Boiling Point
The toaster, the microwave – whatever did we do without them? And now there is a new must-have gadget to make our lives easier: The Quooker – the UK’s only 100ºC water tap. Forget the kettle; turn on the Quooker for instant boiling filtered water¬ for tea, coffee, pasta, blanching vegetables, warming dishes or even sterilizing babies’ bottles.
The Quooker tap fits over any existing sink and is easily installed by a plumber. It is available in four designs and six finishes, from contemporary to classic, so there is a Quooker to complement every kitchen.
One of the most important aspects of the Quooker is safety – no trailing electric leads or risk of a kettle being pulled over. Installed over your sink, it is out of reach of little fingers and has a safety device for extra reassurance.
Your turn to recommend - 24 July
Here are just some of the tradespeople you have recommended this week:
• Roofix; high quality and efficient roofing company. Based in SW London. Call 020 7498 6329.
• Magic Wood Floors Ltd; experts in supply & installation of wood floors. Based in SE London. Call 0800 0130 223 or visit www.magicwoodfloors.co.uk
Made of Stone
London Stone Paving has scoured the globe to put together a collection of natural stone to inspire you. Regardless of whether your project is a small residential patio or a high specification commercial installation, London Stone Paving can provide the ideas and the expertise to transform your outdoor space into an oasis.
Its Middlesex showroom is ideally located, just minutes from junction 14 of the M25. Here you will find a variety of sandstone, limestone, slate, travertine and granite displayed in a range of colours, styles and finishes.
And having found your perfect stone, why not take advantage of its installation service?
London Stone Paving offers a professional installation service using highly skilled contractors which means you are left with a high quality finish that will only look better with time.
Top of the tree
Building fantastic climbing frames that manage to be both attractive and exciting, JC Gardens can custom-build to your own specifications, featuring slides, suspension bridges, scramble-nets, monkey-bars and more. Fresh from exhibiting at The Chelsea Flower, JC Gardens is offering readers two great deals: a significant 15 per cent off all climbing frame orders placed during July, and its handmade tree-swing for just £100. For more details and to claim these offers go to www.jcgardens.com or call 020 7627 5035 and mention this column.
Keep it on file
For those of you who’ve embraced my ‘don’t move improve mantra’, this handy home decorators file could reduce some of the stress that comes with renovation. Divided into four useful sections, it includes a year to view planner, note pad, helpful tips and a contacts section. There are also clear pockets to store paint charts, swatches and clippings, and a clever sheet of paint tin labels so you know which is which when the inevitable touch-ups are required. £14.99 from www.strawberryfool.co.uk
For some more Really Useful Bargains, click here.
Your turn to recommend - 9th July
• Watertight Solutions plumbing & heating. Covering greater London, Surrey, Windsor and Hampshire. Call 0203 002 6868 or see www.watertightsolutions.uk.com
• BM Building Services, specialists in interior refurbishment. Covering all London. Call 07968 769158
• Prestige Painters & Decorators. Covering London, Richmond and Twickenham. Call 07847 235 904 or visit www.prestige.uk.com
Prestigious Properties
Prestige started life as a company specialising in painting and decorating, but over the past seven years has forged strong bonds with various other high-quality tradesmen, meaning it is now able to offer you a complete refurbishment package.
Taking the current climate on board, Prestige is well aware that people are keen to improve as opposed to move, and its full project management package is perfect for such renovations.
Plumbers, under floor heating specialists, interior designers, painters and decorators; Prestige can source and mange them all, taking away at least some of the stress of interior refurbishment.
Previous projects include transforming Clapham’s Old Fire Station into a six bedroom house; work for charitable trusts and many conversions have been completed to the demanding standards of property brokers. And Prestige isn’t resting on its laurels, understanding “Word of mouth" is the best recommendation you can get, it will happily provide customers with no-obligation references.
Bespoke kitchen cabinets
Tucked away in Stratford, East London, Paragon Interior Furniture is a little gem, designing, manufacturing and installing bespoke kitchens, studies and bedrooms at distinctly non-bespoke prices.
Using only the best quality solid woods, veneers, stones and granite, Paragon uses its low key East End location to keep overheads right down; and without salesmen or high street overheads, it can offer a large range of kitchen products at a fraction of usual retail prices.
The bottom line is that bespoke kitchen cabinets, for which you might pay 20k-25k on the high street will cost 10 - 15k at Paragon. And top quality standard range kitchen cabinets that retail at around 12k –14k on the high street, will cost just 8k – 10k. You can also get top brand appliances and quality work tops at equally competitive prices.
And in case that wasn’t enough, Paragon Furniture is offering readers a further 15 per cent off all orders placed on kitchens, studies, bookcases and bedrooms before end of July 08. Simply mention 'Evening Standard' when visiting Paragon’s showrooms at Unit 2, GTEC House, Canning Road, Stratford E15. Call 020 8503 0199 or email paragonfurniture@aol.comwww.paragonfurniture.co.uk
Discounted artificial grass is pure class
When the sun comes out, lawn-based leisure pursuits are pretty much top of everyone’s list. Whether it be sun-bathing, a game of five-a-side, playing with the kids or even a spot of croquet, a luscious lawn spells fun for everyone – though mowing it is quite another story! So if you want some top class grass without the graft – have a look at the amazing LazyLawn™.
This artificial grass is a million miles away from the scratchy astro-turfs of old. It looks great, is soft to the touch, won’t be spoilt by the weather or overenthusiastic children and is guaranteed to last for 12 years.
LazyLawn™ has been the industry leader for 25 years now, and it can be spotted in countless sports stadiums, next to F1 tracks and even in this year’s Big Brother House. LazyLawn™ will also be on show at this years prestigious Hampton Court Flower Show!.
Lawn mower competition
Granted, it is easier to pay for a gardener than to mow the lawn yourself, but when you see Bosch’s new cordless Rotak 43 Li, the world’s first cordless mower to use lithium-ion battery technology, you may just change your mind.
Bosch is offering two peopel the chance to win one of these wireless lawnmowers (worth £399.99 each). To enter visit homesandproperty.co.uk/offers, before 25 July 08 or text BOSCH to 87233 followed by your name and email address (texts cost 50p plus standard network rate; you will be added to the H&P emailing list).
See www.boschgardening.co.uk or call 0844 736 0108 for more details.
