By default, saying “Alexa” near an Alexa speaker will activate the voice assistant and it will begin listening for your requests or commands. It takes some getting used to, but after a while, talking to a speaker and calling it by a human name begins to feel fairly natural. That said, if you have someone … Read more
During winter months the growth of most houseplants slows down and, apart from plants that keep growing, it is best to reduce watering until the spring. Let the compost dry out before adding tepid water and drain away the excess so the pot doesn’t stand in water. There is no need to feed a plant … Read more
Hardly anyone has enough willpower to completely ignore what’s going on around them. That’s because paying attention to anything that might endanger or otherwise affect our lives in any way was vital to humans’ early survival. Even today our biology prevents us from completely focusing on a task when others are in view or earshot. … Read more
Hedges This is a good month to plant hedges. It’s worth looking out for bare-root plants as they’re cheaper than pot-grown ones. They’re dug up from the field and posted directly to you so they miss out on all the costs of watering and re-potting that bump up the price of container- grown plants. The … Read more
The number of health conscious people in the UK is on the up and commercial gyms can be incredibly busy at peak times. With costly memberships and families trying to juggle the demands of modern life, more and more are creating their own workout space at home. As garden rooms can be installed within 15-20 … Read more
The winter months are some of the most exciting and yearned for; crisp country walks, cosy log fires and chunky blankets. But if you are lucky enough to have a conservatory, orangery or garden room, the winter season can pose a threat. In order to be able to continue to use this room to appreciate … Read more
The working population in India drives consumption, and demographics suggest that a good part of it is at a life stage where they would be buying their first home. Real Estate in India may be in a slump, but the people who buy houses like to do it up well. Today, global Indians aspire to … Read more
Slamming doors, damage to walls and furniture and trapped fingers could be a thing of the past with the introduction of GEZE’s ActiveStop – a new control mechanism for internal swing doors. It’s a sleek, recessed door control – measuring only 28 mm wide incorporating a draw-in damper – which can be seamlessly integrated into … Read more
The Benjamin hotel in New York City offers guests an extensive pillow menu. Their sleep experts tell us how to find the perfect pillow for sweet dreams. At New York City’s The Benjamin, a luxury hotel in Midtown East, everyone takes a good night’s sleep very seriously. To that end, the hotel has instituted … Read more
The Amazon Echo is likely to prove one of, if not the most popular tech gift of the festive season, meaning the company now has an ear and a voice in thousands more homes around the world. Indeed, the company has just announced sales of the gadget are up 9x on last Christmas. When we … Read more