Something unique for everyone: Emma’s at Oxford

The different and the unusual – if you like to stand out from the crowd with that unique purchase there is one place you should make a shopping destination. It’s Emma’s at Oxford, specialists in an eclectic range of personally chosen books, gifts, and clothing. Anyone who has ever looked for pure cotton […]

Belkin takes charge

Fumbling with multiple charging cables is a thing of the past for Apple users. Metropol’s gadget guru Ian Knott checks out Belkin’s Boost Charge Pro charging stand. We’ve all experienced that “Who’s taken my charging cable?” moment, or gotten sick of navigating the snaking, intertwined bedside cables just so you can set your […]

The smart home rise

The smart home market is booming, with more and more people introducing tech into their homes in 2022. The convenience of products like voice-assisted technology, such as Alexa and Google Home, is driving huge amounts of growth in this market. As well as this is popularity in tech that assists with home security, […]

Pattern play: RESENE

Is there any colour combination more classic than black and white? A duo like no other, designers and decorators are often drawn to what’s known as an achromatic colour scheme for its simplicity, minimalism and timelessness. Achromatic and monochromatic are terms often confused. An achromatic colour scheme is one that possesses no hue, […]

Bespoke, sustainable treasures: Pure by the Barrel Man

Creativity and sustainability have come together, organic reaction-style, to produce exceptionally made products for your home. From recycled oak wine barrels comes art, furniture, homewares, and garden ornaments. Chairs to gumboot racks, platters to plant stands, the Pure by The Barrel Man range is as extensive as it is thoughtfully presented. The team […]

Mirror mirror on the wall: One World

Since the German Scientist, Justus von Liebig added a thin layer of silver to glass in 1835, we have had the modern mirror. Now we have a simple way to add space, light, and sophistication to our homes. Heather Fine from OneWorld reflects on ways to get the most out of using a […]

Working with pride and passion: Luke Gardner

Even a keen easterly wind can’t detract from Luke Gardner’s pleasure in his al fresco “office”. Upon a ridge overlooking the glorious lakes at Clearwater, Luke is found laying pavers for a large-scale remodelling of a property’s garden. “It’s a complete makeover involving everything from paving and hedging to decking and a BBQ […]

Autumn stripe living: RESENE

After two decades of grey reigning supreme as the preferred neutral for most, warmer tones are finally beginning to make a comeback. Previously seen as the pique of modernity, many are coming to realise that cool greys aren’t always particularly comforting hues – especially when used in large quantities. Earthy clay browns, especially […]

A golden age: The Stamp Exchange

An ancient Chinese proverb tells us that real gold is not afraid of the melting pot. Now is an ideal time to test that if you have any of the precious metal you don’t want. Gold prices internationally are high and may rise even more due to soaring crude oil prices and conflict […]

Keeping flowers fresh

Cutting flower stems and pruning the leaves before putting them into a vase, watering them every few days, and keeping them away from direct sunlight, heat, drafts and fruits, all ensure they’re fresher longer. Nick Drewe, trends specialist at UK’s WeThrift says raiding the cupboards may be just as beneficial to your blooms. […]