List of All Articles with Tag 'life'

Designing a home that feels “just right” is no small feat. It’s about achieving that delicate balance of form and function, curating an environment that shows off your personal style but is also timeless and versatile. With this endeavour in mind, I’ve scoured Google and compiled a list of the most common design and decoration queries. I then asked nine of the UK’s leading interiors experts to give their sage wisdom. Read on to see if your burning questions are finally answered. How do I discover my own design style? Your personal style is the combination of design elements that reflect your tastes, preferences, personality, and overall aesthetic. Many of us need a bit of a hand when it comes to figuring out exactly what this looks and feels like. Luxury London-based interior designer Naomi Astley Clarke explains: “From Instagram to TikTok, there’s no shortage of design inspiration at our fingertips, and as a result, we’re increasingly influenced by widely varying aesthetics. This can lead to confusion about what we really want our own living spaces to look like. To discover your own style, think first about your lifestyle and how you envision your home functioning to support and enhance that. Rather than fixating on achieving a beautiful aesthetic, ask yourself – how do I need this space to make me feel? For example, in your bedroom, you’ll want to be relaxed and well rested. Consider the colours, materials, and things that will help you achieve that feeling.” She continues, “If you are someone who has collected a lot of inspiration photos, search for common themes that standout. From there, your interior designer will be able to help you to develop those beloved motifs, colours, and styles into a cohesive, liveable space that’s entirely bespoke to you.” What kitchen mistakes should I make sure to avoid? Don’t force an island into a space that’s simply not big enough. Tom Howley, design director of the eponymous bespoke kitchen company, explains: “Kitchens need to be as functional as they are beautiful, and sacrificing floor space to fit an island will just give an awkward, uncomfortable look. The importance of walkway space should be a key consideration. When designing your layout, always leave a metre of walkway space on either one or two sides of your worktop, island, or peninsula counter.” Additionally, don’t skimp when it comes to your cabinetry – environmental and quality issues often lie behind exceptionally cheap prices. Howley adds, “Invest in high-quality cabinetry as it will last a lifetime and can be easily repaired and repainted, thus extending the life of the entire kitchen and ultimately saving you money in the long run. Solid wood always looks and holds up the best.” Which kitchen worktop material is best? Kitchens are a busy place and the work surfaces, more than any other part, really takes the brunt of this. Astley Clarke explains, “Kitchen worktops are used constantly – from unloading groceries and chopping vegetables to serving as offices and homework hubs. They’re the foundation of all activity that goes on in the heart of a busy home. Marble is one of the most elegant and luxurious worktop options, but the drawbacks, along with the high cost, are that it is a soft, porous stone, making it prone to staining and chipping, especially in high-traffic kitchens. If you want the look of marble but with more practicality, I recommend quartz as it offers a natural stone aesthetic whilst being extremely durable, virtually non-porous, and stain and scratch resistant.” Jonathan Stanley from Caesarstone, the engineered stone worktops pioneer, adds: “It’s important to prioritise low-maintenance and longevity when choosing a worktop for your kitchen. Natural stone, such as marble, is highly susceptible to staining, especially in a busy hub such as the kitchen. To avoid substantial damage, you would have to seal your marble countertops at least annually. Caesarstone, on the other hand, requires virtually no maintenance. A simple soap and water solution is enough to gently cleanse our surfaces, with no need to wax or seal them. We also offer a lifetime warranty across all our indoor surfaces, ensuring durability and cementing your worktop as a worthwhile one-off investment.” How do I make my small flat feel larger? Making a small space feel bigger is all about tricking the eye. Athina Bluff, founder and lead designer for interior design studio, Topology, advises, “Try to show as much floor space as possible. Think about how you can swap out something chunky for something wall mounted and lightweight, such as a desk on four legs for a floating one. Additionally, opt for glass and Lucite furniture. The more you can see around and through the item, the more light will travel through the room, allowing further floor space to be visible.” Sophie Clemson, director and co-founder of online interior design service, The Living House, adds: “Think big and opt for a large rug to help anchor your living room. Make sure this rug is large enough to fit under your entire sofa – if it’s too small, it will look like it’s floating in the middle, making the room feel disjointed and more cramped.” Clemson continues, “Paint your ceiling the same colour as your walls – this helps blur the edges and make the room feel more spacious. Avoid a feature wall as this can make the wall feel like it’s coming towards you, causing the space to feel especially narrow. And if you have an open plan flat, use the same flooring throughout to create a cohesive flow that makes the space feel vaster.” What is layering lighting, and why is it important? Layered lighting is the combination of multiple, varying sources of light which, when put together, cast a pleasing glow around a room. For example, these could include an ornate, Rococo-style, gilt chandelier hanging from the ceiling, combined with a couple of sconces with endearingly petite, hand-woven lampshades on either side of a mirror, and a floor lamp with a curved brass stem, which softly illuminates a dim corner. “A layered approach allows you to adapt the lighting in your home to suit your evolving moods and needs,” explains Niki Wright, co-founder of lights&lamps, an ever-evolving curation of contemporary design-led lighting. “Think of your lighting like the sun. Big and bright in the day, then gradually becoming lower and softer by night. When ceiling lights are no longer needed to see by, you can switch to more subtle table and floor lamps. Imitating the setting sun organically transitions your living space throughout the day, bringing peace and calm before bed.” How do I choose and style artwork to match my living space? Award-winning British interior designer, Matthew Williamson, tells me: “When sourcing art for your own home, it’s important to bear in mind that the only person it needs to impress, touch, or inspire is you. Never buy art to impress or pander to anyone else, any trends, or because you think something would ‘look the part’ in a room. Above all, your collection needs to resonate with you, whether it reminds you of something fundamental about the way you wish to live your life, or it simply makes you smile.” Martin Waller, founder of global design brand Andrew Martin adds, “Hang your artwork at eye level or just above, creating shapes and patterns with multiple pieces to form a cohesive gallery wall. For example, if you have two portraits, face them towards each other as if they’re having a conversation and make themes like putting all your pictures of animals together, even if they’re of different styles and eras. The important thing is to tell a story with your curation. You can also play with colour by organising a group of monochrome pieces with one vividly coloured work in the middle.” Waller continues, “Don’t be afraid to put very contemporary art in a traditional space, or vice versa – it is often the merging of seemingly incongruous styles that creates beauty through surprise. And when considering your colour scheme, pinpoint one or two of the boldest colours in the room and reflect them in your chosen artwork. Or, working inversely, pick out a hue you love in your artwork and highlight it by using the same tone in cushions and other soft furnishings. This works similarly with shapes – you can mirror a circular shape in an image with a spherical vase or sculptural lamp for example.” What are some inexpensive ways I can make my space feel more luxurious? Anne Haimes, design director and founder of Anne Haimes Interiors says, “To make your home look more high-end I always recommend framing your artwork. Inexpensive prints are a great way to introduce personality into your home without breaking the bank on costly art. But time and time again I see people neglect to frame their prints, which unfortunately creates the look of posters in a teenager’s bedroom. Second-hand shops often have beautiful but cheap vintage frames that will help uplift your existing art.” She continues, “Another trick is to swap out any branded soap bottles or washing-up liquids you may have in your kitchen and bathrooms for glass or ceramic vessels. Replacing branded plastic packaging with a dispenser of your choice will make your home appear much more cohesive. You may also be able to save some money in the long run by buying more cost-effective and sustainable refill packs.” Athina Bluff adds, “For a small but impactful detail that will make your space feel more premium, change your switches and sockets from white to brass or a sleek black. And opt for feather down cushion inserts, removing all foam cushion pads. Foam cushions often sag and don’t age well, whereas feather-filled ones feel very reminiscent of a boutique hotel. Make sure to give them a classic ‘karate’ chop for ultimate luxury.” Astley Clarke finishes, “A premium scented candle in an elegant votive instantly elevates a space. The aroma-filled flicker of a candle can be both meditative and escapist, making your space extra inviting and boosting your spirit. Hotel Costes’ ‘Brown’ candle is my favourite. Crafted with an exquisite attention to detail and quality that makes it well worth the price tag, the iconic Parisian hotel’s signature scent was inspired by an ironwood piece of furniture from the Ming dynasty that emits scents of liquor, mild tobacco, and wet stone.” Read More Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker leave hospital after ‘urgent family matter’ Harry and Meghan spotted at Beyonce’s Renaissance tour in Los Angeles ‘People looked at me like I was weird’: Young Christians on life in secular Britain How to soften city living with laidback English country design Interior designer Naomi Astley Clarke on how to add value to your home ‘I think a better word for “clean” beauty is “thoughtful” beauty’ Mediterranean muses, wild blooms and shrooms: Trends to watch from this year’s Chelsea Flower Show

Jimmy Buffett, the all-American musician turned mogul who spun his beach bum folk-rock hits into a prolific business

Camden has long been known as the spiritual home for misfits. Come, all ye oddballs, the streets of Camden scream. All are welcome! Although nowadays it’s a little less punk haven and a little more tourist trap (yes, I’m looking at you, pastas dunked into cheese wheels), there are still pockets of Camden that have retained its unconventional charm. It’s also where punky pair and Israeli chefs Shiri Kraus and Amir Batito have set up shop for both their restaurants, The Black Cow and the newer Epicurus, just minutes away from each other. Like The Black Cow, modeled after the classic American steakhouse but infused with Middle Eastern flavours, Epicurus takes its culinary cue from across the pond. This time, Kraus and Batito decided to focus on the all-American diner and put their Israeli twist on classics like pancakes, wings and ribs. When I ask if this is because American food is a bit of a blank slate, Kraus swiftly corrects me; to her, it’s all about the excitement of infusing the character of American cuisine with Israeli flavours and seeing what’s possible. It’s a pairing that I think is unusual, but to the chefs, makes perfect sense. It’s a warm, balmy day when I make my way to Epicurus to meet my friend, as well as Kraus and Batito. The outdoor space is placed tantalisingly in the late afternoon sun, so we bask in it as our tiny table fills up with more plates than is sensible. The quirky menu features punny dish names like “Chip Chip Hooray”, “Raspoutine”, “Top Dog” and “Sloppy Yossef”, which I find immediately endearing – my love for a good (or even bad) puns knows no bounds. We are instructed to eat as many things as possible with our hands, although Kraus concedes: “You could use a fork, I’ll only judge in silence.” We find delight in the “Oof Gozal” – chicken wings coated in a yellow Amba mango and Scotch bonnet sauce. Despite the use of the fearsome chilli, these wings are barely spicy, favouring the flavour of the Scotch bonnet over the heat. They are incredibly moreish and the fact that your fingers end up being absolutely covered in sauce is only an invitation to get licking. You should also definitely get the “Papi Chulo”, a mix of crunchy deep-fried okra and soft padron peppers covered in spices that come with a lemony-garlicky-chilli aioli for dipping. It’s brilliant for snacking on in the sun. Another honourable mention goes to the Epicurus single decker burger, which is also available as a double. It contains some of the richest, fattiest ingredients I’ve ever seen between buns, like bone marrow aioli and Baron cheese, and it does border on being a bit too unctuous. The Harissa bacon jam helps pull it back a little, but only just. Would I eat it again? Definitely. But I probably would get a salad instead of chips to make myself feel slightly better about ingesting all that fat. I am usually glad when menus don’t have calorie counts – even when they do, I avert my gaze determinedly – and boy, am I really glad there’s no calorie count on this menu. Not everything hits the spot, which I’m hoping Kraus and Batito will be able to tweak until they do. The “Dakdakim”, pancakes stuffed with pulled shawarma chicken, has the trappings of something great, but the addition of both bacon jam and spiced quince make the dish too sickly sweet. Meanwhile, the rack of babyback ribs covered in a deliciously tart-yet-sweet date honey and pomegranate molasses needs a bit more fat on the bones to make it truly delectable – otherwise the mouth-puckering quality of the sauce make the too-lean ribs a bit too dry to really enjoy. But these are small gripes, and ones that I’m happy to forgive if they are improved upon. Is it worth elbowing your way through the thronging crowds of Camden Lock Market to get to Epicurus? I think it will be. Never mind the cheap tat and endless boba tea shops (most of which are simply not very good, there are better places to visit boba tea that isn’t just a sugar bomb) – head to Epicurus for a tasty escape. Epicurus, Unit 90, Camden Stables Market, Greater, London NW1 8AH | www.epicuruscamden.co.uk | 07843 199560 Read More Dorshi, Dorset: Funky Malaysian dumplings are a hit on the south coast National Burger Day 2023: The best burgers in London and where to eat them The best outdoor restaurants, terraces and rooftop bars in London to book now

Life at Sea's three-year round-the-world cruise sets sail from Istanbul in November. However, for any stragglers, the cruise will now allow newcomers to join the ship at any stage, continuing the journey indefinitely -- making it the "cruise that never ends."

Young students who were hit hardest by the pandemic are entering the upper grades of elementary school

Post Malone has shown off his weight loss in new photos after revealing he gave up soda in an effort to become healthier. On 28 August, the “Sunflower” singer — whose real name is Austin Richard Post — shared with his Instagram followers a full-body mirror selfie of his new look. In the photo, he was dressed in all black head to toe, with the singer writing in the caption: “Introducing Viceroy Chungus VonBattlepass, I love you.” During an appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience podcast on 8 August, the singer credited his weight loss with cutting out soda as well as performing regularly for his “If Y’all Weren’t Here, I’d Be Crying” Tour, which started on 8 July. He revealed to the popular podcast host that he went from 240lbs to 185lbs, effectively losing 55 pounds. In the past, the singer said that his post-show rituals would usually include him indulging in a soda. “Shows, soda,” he elaborated to Rogan about his guilty pleasure. “Soda is so bad. It’s so bad, but it’s so good. I’ll have a soda. I’m a bad boy and I’ll have a Monster energy [drink].” He added, “I had a great show, and you know what, I’m feeling a little bit naughty. I’m gonna have myself a Coke on ice.” Cutting back on soda is one of many lifestyle choices the singer has made this past year. Ever since welcoming his baby girl in 2022 with his fiancée, he revealed that he has “never felt healthier,” and is “the happiest [he’s] been in a long time”. In an April Instagram post, he wrote that he started making healthier choices for the sake of his daughter. “I guess dad life kicked in and I decided to kick soda, and start eating better so I can be around for a long time for this little angel,” the singer said. According to Dr Elizabeth Ko and Dr Eve Glazier from UCLA Health, drinking soda has been linked to many adverse health conditions, including "obesity, poor blood sugar control, and diabetes”and “recent studies have found an association with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and heart disease”. The doctors also noted that research indicates that drinking at least one soda per day “measurably increases the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes”. Though some might suggest diet sodas as an alternative, the doctors wrote that they are “not any better” because they can increase hunger and disrupt metabolism. The “Circles” singer doesn’t intend to stop his wellness journey by just cutting back on soda and eating better, he also said he plans on cutting back on “smokes and brews” as well. Read More Post Malone reveals his fiancée turned him down the first time he proposed Post Malone hits back at false ‘rumour’ about hard drug use

Federal regulators say more than 85,000 highchairs sold at major retailers across North America are being recalled due to a fall hazard after a handful of injuries were reported

Shaquille O’Neal has spoken candidly about his fitness and health goals while opening up about his 55-pound weight loss. The former NBA star, 51, discussed his recent weight loss, and his “crazy goals” for himself, during an interview with Entertainment Tonight, where he revealed that he decided to change his lifestyle after realising he couldn’t “walk up the stairs”. “I was getting chubby and couldn’t even walk up the stairs. I didn’t like the way I looked in the mirror,” he explained. “I was like, ‘I’m gonna lose 20’ and then I was trying to lose 20.” According to O’Neal, who weighed 406 pounds at the start of his journey, he began by exercising, with the Los Angeles Lakers legend then changing his eating habits as well. He told the outlet that his goal is now to be “between 315 and 330 [pounds],” which he said is what he weighed when he helped lead the Miami Heat to their first NBA title in franchise history in 2006. In addition to losing more weight, the basketball star, who is 7ft 1in, also wants to achieve an “eight pack,” although he joked that he’s halfway to his goal. “I’ve got a five-pack now so I’ve got seven more packs to go because I want to take my shirt off on Instagram,” he said. This is not the first time that O’Neal has opened up about his fitness transformation, as he told the outlet in December that he was inspired to get healthy after a friend called him “fat”. “I got a couple people involved - it’s all about eating right. I got some blood work done, a friend of mine called me and said: ‘You’re fat,’ and she gave me this guy’s name, and he did some blood work, and you know, ‘cause I was the athlete - I wasn’t a salad eater. I won’t pay attention to any of that. I don’t care about none of that,” he recalled at the time. According to O’Neal, he also hadn’t known the difference between “a carb and a protein”. “At 50 years old I never knew. So, he was saying you can’t do this, you can’t do that, more vegetables, my iron’s low. And once I just started changing those certain things, it dropped,” he said. Read More Shaquille O’Neal says he follows ‘respectable nepotism’ philosophy when it comes to his children Shaquille O’Neal surprises family by paying for their washer and dryer at Home Depot

A model who has undergone countless filler injections and is known for her controversial look has revealed her latest surgical procedure. Anastasia Pokreshchuk regularly hits the headlines due to her protruding cheekbones, claiming to have the “biggest cheeks in the world”. In a bid to maintain her title, the model often undergoes beauty treatments and says that she’s “lost count” of how many procedures she’s had. Most recently, Anastasia revealed a before and after photo of herself at 18 and now, at age 34 – also telling fans that she’s gone under the knife again to get the “biggest breast implants” available. And now, she’s planning a mysterious procedure with a gynaecologist which has left fans concerned. In a clip that has over 113,000 views and thousands of likes, the content creator speaks to the camera while sitting opposite a doctor, before showing the surgical chair. “Today I have an appointment with the gynecologist,” she says. “Soon I will have an operation and from today I will start treatment. “I will tell you everything in detail [...] “The first gynecologist I want to see again and whom I trusted.” Users have flocked to the comments to share their reactions, with many offering suggestions about the so-far unknown procedure to come. “A rose with extra lips,” Natalia added. Another user said: “Will you have a uterus extended? Or the sex lips? I’m just intrigued.” [sic] “Well, we don’t need to tell everything about gynecology and show it, I hope you didn’t grow extra lips there,” someone else commented. [sic] Anna added: “The only doctor that could move your silicone sex lips. No one could but she could.” [sic] “He has a bicycle seat face,” another user said. [sic] Anastasia, from Ukraine, first started having beauty and surgical procedures when she was 26. Aside from her obsession with big cheeks, she also has veneers, and breast implants and has had Botox injected into her forehead. Spending thousands of pounds on fillers alone, the once natural beauty has received mixed responses about her look – having been compared to a Marvel character in the past. However, the now blue-haired star loves her appearance. She previously sadi: "After I had the injections and saw the changes in my cheeks, I fell in love with them. "I understand that they look weird for other people, but I don't mind."

Spotify Technology SA is cracking down on white-noise podcasters, reducing the advertising support for programmers that provide little

A wave of strikes and the collapse of a major carrier took a toll on US payroll growth

Khloe Kardashian has officially changed her son Tatum’s last name, one year after his birth. A Los Angeles county judge granted the name change for the baby – who Kardashian shares with ex Tristan Thompson – on 31 August, according to documents obtained by US Weekly. In June, the publication had first reported that Tatum’s last name was initially listed as “Kardashian” on his birth certificate. Now, the 13-month old has been granted a new surname, which is the same as his father’s, officially decreeing him “Tatum Thompson”. Similar to law in other states, California law allows parents to pick if they want their child to have their father or mother’s last name. Parents can also do the combination of the two, and give the baby a surname with a hyphen in between the two last names. The law states that whatever last name is picked will be permanent, as a court order is required to change the name. In July 2022, the former couple welcomed their child, Tatum, together via surrogate. They also share a five-year-old daughter, True. The arrival of the pair’s second baby came months after they ended their on-and-off relationship, when Thompson confirmed he fathered a son with fitness instructor Maralee Nichols. In the most recent season of The Kardashians, the Good American founder has also spoken candidly about raising her son. During an episode of season three, which aired in June, she admitted to feeling less bonded to her son born via surrogacy than her daughter True, who she birthed herself. “With True, it took me a couple of days to be like, okay, this is my daughter,” Kardashian said. “With him, it’s taken me months. I love him and I love kids but, I still don’t have that complete bond.” Kardashian added that she sometimes felt “guilty” that she hadn’t bonded with her son in the same way as her daughter. “I’m like, why isn’t it the same? But I know it will be and I know, like, I don’t treat him differently. I just question myself sometimes,” she explained. Despite her challenges and feelings about her son, Kardashian also acknowledged that she was being hard on herself. “I wish I wasn’t so critical of myself because I’m very kind to everyone else,” Kardashian said in her confessional. “I’m just not very kind to myself.” “But being a mom is truly one of the most magical experiences ever,” she added. In July, Kardashian took to Instagram to share a series of photos of Tatum in honour of his first birthday. She also included a sweet tribute about her relationship with her son, in which she expressed how ​“God knew [her] heart needed” him when he was born. “I am so proud to be your mommy. So proud of the love and laughter we have in our house. So proud of your beautiful, gentle, loving, infectious spirit. You light up every single room. There’s no denying that everyone smiles when they look at you!” she wrote. “Especially True, she is so proud to call you hers.” Read More Khloe Kardashian denies disrespecting Halle Berry and says ‘don’t tear me apart’ amid Tristan Thompson reports Khloe Kardashian reveals ex Tristan Thompson and his brother moved in with her after their mother died Kylie Jenner addresses the ‘misconceptions’ she’s had plastic surgery Khloe Kardashian officially changes son Tatum’s last name to Thompson Khloe Kardashian takes swipe at ‘hater’ for insulting sister Kim How did man who dodged theme parks due to his weight lose nearly 60kg?