October:
If you haven't already, now is the time to lift and split flowering herbaceous plants and if the soil is still warm there is still time to plant hardy trees and shrubs, remember to prune climbers and tidy up any other trailing plants to protect from the autumnal winds.
November:
As we move closer to November sweep paths around the house and rake the lawn regularly to keep them free of leaves, gather the leaves and use as mulch under shrubs. Start to plant Spring bulbs, tulip and daffodils so they are ready for next year and that long awaited first bursts of vibrant colour.
As the nights have started to draw in and this weekend we turn back the clocks, we tend to turn our thoughts to being inside the home and preparing for those long winter evenings ahead.
I think we all agree that the hub of any home is the kitchen; we do so much more in the kitchen today than just prepare and cook food. Every good party starts in the kitchen, doesn't it? Kitchens provide great communal areas where people, friends and family get together to eat, drink, interact, work, study, listen to music, read a book and relax...
Here are some ideas to make your kitchen that much loved room of the house:
The breakfast bar!
A great area and use of space in a smaller kitchen, a good area to gather at meal times, a quick snack or interact with the chef, they are also a great alternative to the table for extra worktop.
The island!
Similar to the breakfast bar but add more style to a larger kitchen, the island offers more functionality, they often house the hob or sink, they offer more storage and countertop space, which has many uses: for food preparation, baking, for party food, for serving drinks, using the computer for "Googling" those amazing recipes and for the children so they can do their homework.
The farmhouse table!
I personally love a traditional farmhouse style table. Today tables come in all sorts of sizes, colours and materials for any style of kitchen, whatever the size. There is nothing nicer than having the family or a group of friends around a table for that much loved Sunday roast and discussing the week that has gone. The table is great for any time of day and has many uses, they are a versatile piece of furniture.
The sofa!
For those who have a little more space, the addition of a sofa or a couple of comfortable chairs can make a kitchen more multifunctional. A place of comfort to relax and enjoy a good book, listen to music or have a coffee with a friend. Children also like to snuggle up on the sofa giving parents time to prepare a meal whilst interacting and keeping an eye on young ones.
