Although we’ve had one or two frosts, this autumn has been remarkably mild. Roses are still in bloom in many places and, amazingly, sweet peas are in flower in some Scottish gardens facing the North Sea. The autumnal leaves are looking good, though we’re losing them quickly now, and the berries are gleaming. The garden […]

We know that it’s a complicated business, running a busy and successful pub, bar or restaurant. Anything that gets it right easily and with no fuss – like outdoor rattan furniture – has to be welcomed. Having an outdoor area is practically essential for anywhere in the hospitality industry nowadays, whether it’s for everyday eating […]

A cold and windy week has made it clear that my garden needs a tidy up. Wherever you live, and whatever the weather you have enjoyed (or endured) lately, and unless you are a very tidy gardener, most outdoor spaces benefit from a good tidy up before the winter. If you can, leave part of your […]

A day bed is comfortable and relaxing. Strangely, perhaps, it has a private air to it as it usually has sides and a back. Not quite a bed and not quite a sofa, the day bed family includes the chaise longue, the fainting couch and the cure chair. Day beds have been around for centuries […]

There’s plenty to do in the October garden. It’s all about clearing and cleaning up, planting and moving, and getting ready for autumn rains and winds. It can be a bit of a scramble to do what’s necessary before the weather turns against us. But who knows what October's weather will be like? It can […]

Autumn has some fabulous days when it’s an excellent choice to be outside. It’s a lovely time of year to be out and about in the garden or going for walks. That special autumnal mixture is like nothing else: glorious sunshine, dropping temperatures, high winds and wonderfully coloured falling leaves, sudden rain and a slight […]

Even though summer is over it’s still very nice to sit outside in the garden or on patios, terraces and balconies. Rugs, jumpers and a patio heater help to take off any slight coolness or deeper chill. If you’ve got an outdoor space take as much advantage of it as you can! Enjoy your outdoor […]

City life tends to be demanding and draining, so it’s essential to develop a safe space that enables the occupants of a home to relax. One way of achieving this is to switch up the concrete jungle for some time in a green space such as a park or common, but what can you do […]

Home and garden security is an important concern for any homeowner or tenant, especially if their property is appointed with high quality furnishings from a provider such as Rattan Direct. Crime is an unfortunate fact of life in our society, and thieves are becoming increasingly savvy. Quality home furnishings are like catnip to burglars, and […]

Lawns aren’t looking their best where I live. After a summer of heavy use, and just recently a lot of rain, the grass has some thin patches, while in others it has grown long and straggly (thanks to the rain). The good news is that the recent rain means I can start on my annual […]

It’s the August bank holiday in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and, as is traditional, the weather picture is mixed. Here are three tips for what to do in the garden this bank holiday . Do what you can – it all makes a difference. 1. Be in the moment You know how the house […]

Let me tell you about the two types of rattan furniture. There is beautiful natural rattan furniture, at home in the conservatory or other places indoors, and there is lovely synthetic rattan furniture, ideal for the garden and all places outside. Both natural and synthetic rattan are durable materials, well suited to furniture. Natural rattan […]