Your NEW LOCALmagazine for Smarthome living

A pocket rocket info pack of home technology, gadgets, furniture & interior design

Hadleigh, Ipswich & Woodbridge Districts

Star Trek Gadgets: What Hi-fi BrandDirector and Editor-in-Chief, Clare Newsome,tells us what’s hot for the coming year

The Complete Coffee History:Stuff you didn’t know about the nations favourite beanMusic Festivals - uncut:Great headlines, but are they actually worth going to?

Interior Design:Jemima Withey gives us the inside track on colour

This monthsfeatures

July/August 09

Image coutesy: Spectral GB/What Hi-Fi

Insert yourheadline here

(We thought we’d let our hand-made furniture speak for itself )

Download a Nick Bournebrochure at: www.nickbourne.com

t. 01473 322020e. info@nickbourne.com

Please mention Smartliving Now magazine when replying to any advertisements

Smartliving Now Magazine

Publisher: Charles Woodthorpetech@smartlivingnow.co.uk

Editor: Janine Reaeditor@smartlivingnow.co.uk

Consultant Journalist/PR: Neil Farrowsales@smartlivingnow.co.uk

Smartliving Now MagazineP.O. Box 101, Ipswich IP7 9BE

With this, our first summeredition hitting your letterboxes Smartliving Now goesfrom strength to strength.

With the Met Office finally admitting they got it wrong, thesummer, or what’s left of it, could be a bit of a mixed bag. Sosettle down and cheer yourself up with this sun packedsummer issue and take a look at all the cool new products forthe home that can tempt you out of the damp doldrums.

We are privileged to introduce Clare Newsome who will besharing her wisdom on the luxury technology market. Clarehas been with What Hi-Fi magazine for many years as Editorand more recently as Editor-in-chief and Brand Director. Whatshe doesn’t know about the home audio visual market, quitefrankly, isn’t worth knowing.

New for this issue is a feature on the use of colour in interiordesign. Woodbridge based business woman Jemima Witheywill be putting the record straight so we don’t get confusedwith all the conflicting messages from the plethora of interiorprogrammes on TV.

We also have the charming Azzouz from the Coffee Link inIpswich who has put together a brief history of coffee whichmakes for very interesting reading.

With our title becoming more and more popular we have nowadded Boxford to the distribution list... London calling...maybe!

Be sure to check out our website www.smartlivingnow.co.ukand also consider sponsoring our good friend Stuart Melrosewho is cycling 500km on an arm bike from Ho Chi Minh City,Vietnam through to Angkor Wat in Cambodia. He is trying toraise money for the charity that bought him a wheelchair whenhe first broke his neck. A ‘bit of pay-back’ as he calls it.

The paper used for this publication isfrom sustainable managed sources inNorth America & Europe only.

Design, content and compilation of thispublication are protected by copyright.©2009 Smartliving Now. All rights reserved.While all reasonable care is taken to ensurethe accuracy of information included in thismagazine, the publishers take noresponsibility for statements made bycontributors or advertisers or for loss arisingfrom non- publication of any advertisement.Smartliving Now magazine is in no wayresponsible for the outcome or quality of anybusiness transaction between the advertisedsupplier and our readers or customers.

Please recycle this publicationwhen finished with.

ChampioningSustainability

1

Forty years on from men walking on the moonand the far-fetched predictions of thefuturologists (and David Bowie) haven’tmaterialised – we’re still earth-bound, andeating much more than protein-pills.

However, science-fiction got a lot more right.A recent report highlighted that many StarTrek gadgets are now a reality – from communicators (mobilephones) and wireless headsets to internet-style computersystems and flatscreen TVs.

tel/fax: 01473 401279www.nascentialandscapes.co.uk

Award-winning landscape design andconstruction from a team of skilled professionals.To embrace a new way of living, on time and onbudget, please call us on 01473 401279.

LANDSCAPE & GARDEN DESIGN HARD & SOFT LANDSCAPINGBESPOKE PONDS & WATER FEATURES TIMBER BUILDINGSSEMI-MATURE TREE PLANTING LIGHTING IRRIGATION MAINTENANCE

2009 AwardWinner

We understand your vision

STAR TREK GADGETS ARENOW A REALITY.Clare Newsome, Brand Director, Editor-in-Chief and GadgetGoddess at What Hi-Fi magazine reports

And the innovations continue. Just about however and wherever you want to enjoy yourmusic, movies and TV, there’s now a new top-quality solution – and without anastronomical price tag.

First up, take the dear-old telly. High-definition (HD) TVs have been around for a fewyears, but only now are the key elements in place – HD recording, playback and TVchannels – for consumers to make the most of this serious step up in quality fromstandard-definition (SD) sound and vision. It’s almost impossible now to buy a flatscreenTV that isn’t at least HD Ready – that is, which has the resolution to display high-def TV ormovie content. However, buying an HD TV doesn’t automatically mean you’re watching inhigh-definition.

To enjoy that eye-popping pleasure you’ll need a subscription to an HD TV service – Sky+HD and Virgin HD being the most popular; both of which come with a PVR (personal videorecorder) unit – or a Freesat-enabled TV or set-top box/PVR, which (like Sky) also requirea satellite dish.

Freesat is the only service that currently offers free HD content – though that’s essentiallyonly a selection of BBC and ITV programmes right now, while paid-for HD services offer awider choice of channels of HD sports, movies, drama, arts and more.

From next year, some HD content will be available via your standard TV aerial, with thearrival of Freeview HD. However, this will only be available in areas of the UK that havemade the switch from analogue to digital TV (see www.digitaluk.co.uk to check yourlocation). In addition, you’ll need a new set-top box or Freeview HD TV to enjoy that freeHD TV.

3

Another way of making the most of your HD flatscreen is a Blu-ray player. The successorto DVD, Blu-ray disc offers at least five times the amount of sound and vision capacity of aDVD, which means the space for far higher-quality content, plus a host of interactiveextras. All Blu-ray players will also play all your existing DVDs, plus ‘upscale’ them to suitthe higher resolution of today’s flatscreens.

To make the most of Blu-ray’s detail-packed picture, you’ll need a top-spec flatscreen –also known as a Full HD or 1080p TV – which are becoming ever-more affordable andubiquitous.

Still with me? Good – because high-def is certainly worth it. From pictures drenched indetail and rich colours to cinema-style sound that makes anything from a football match toa blockbuster movie a real event. Roll in the fact that the TV sets themselves are gettingmore stylish and clever by the minute – boasting everything from internet connectivity toenergy-saving features – and the goggle-box has evolved into a true home entertainmenthub. For example, plug in one of Panasonic’s new range of Blu-ray recorders and not onlywill you be able to enjoy Freesat HD TV, Blu-ray and DVDs, but also your photo andcamcorder content on the big screen – and archive the results. You can also manage allthat entertainment – plus even rip music from CDs and turn your TV into a jukebox – froma standard remote control.

Convergence continues with the new breedof streaming devices – such as the super-simple Apple TV – that’ll pipe all that tastymultimedia content, including downloadedmusic and movies, to your television and/orAV and hi-fi system.

And yes, if you already have – or havealways hankered for – a serious stereo sys-tem, the growth of computer-based audiodoesn’t mean you need to wave goodbye tostunning sounds. A hard-disk drive capableof holding many thousands of songs inuncompressed, CD-quality (or even higher!)can now be yours for under £100. It’s legallyacceptable to copy all CDs or downloadsyou’ve bought onto a hard-drive, from whereyou can stream them to your main system orload them onto an iPod or other portableplayer.

High-end audio companies, including Naimwith its awesome NaimUniti CD sys-tem/music streamer/internet radio unit andChord with its stream-happy, iPod- boostingIndigo are getting in on the act, plus there’s agrowing business in standaloneDACs (digital-to-analogue converter), whichcan boost the sound quality of anything from

music files on your laptop to discs spinning on your DVD player! Cambridge Audio’sDACMagic (£229) is a superb, affordable example of these excellent digital upgrades.

Another benefit of having your music stored on a hard-drive is how easy it’s becoming toenjoy your tunes anywhere – not just out-and-about on your iPod but throughout yourhome, via a multiroom audio system. Again, you can buy systems that integrate with allyour existing hi-fi kit, or offer everything you need in a single box. The Award-winningSonos system remains the simplest, best-of-both-worlds multiroom solution, allowing youto play music from a range of sources, access the entire online Napster music library as agiant jukebox, and be used to play either the same music throughout your home ordifferent tunes to suit the tastes of everyone in the household. You can even control it viayour iPhone or iPod Touch – via downloadable apps, those two Apple handhelds now offera range of handy home-entertainment uses, from remote-control applications toroom-acoustics analysis.

A starter Sonos system costs £700, but if your budget can stretch far more on a multiroomset-up should you wish – adding a zero to that sum will bag you Meridian’s Sooloossystem: an incredibly sophisticated music solution that’s is so compelling you may neverleave your house again!

Thanks to copyright-managementissues, movie servers - storing all yourDVDs - have remained a rare, priceyproposition. But with a specification justannounced that’ll enable archiving ofBlu-ray discs, expect to see HD MovieServers (allowing to you manage yourpurchased movie discs and downloadsas easily as you do your iPod music)hit the shops from later this year.

As convergence marches on, it’strailing fewer and fewer wires behind it,as products either hook up to yourexisting home wi-fi network or comewith their own cable-free solution.Those streamers and multiroomsolutions already mentioned are wi-fiready, while KEF’s Wireless Speakersystem can be added to any brand ofspeaker to cut down the cabling.

Both Panasonic and Sony already offerwireless TVs (well, other than the needfor a mains-lead), with Panasonic’sflagship Z1 set even able to be beamedfull HD Blu-ray content.

Yamaha’s new PDX-50 (£200) is asuperb example of dock-free iPod

54

Let us create the right environment for you...

...technical solutions for your lifestyle

DESIGN LIGHT AUDIO CONTROL

0845 1700017

www.technovations.co.uksmartliving@technovations.co.uk

0845 1700017

www.technovations.co.uksmartliving@technovations.co.uk

entertainment, allowing youto keep your Apple in handwhile wirelessly enjoying itssounds from the Yamaha’sspeakers.

Cutting out ugly cabling isjust one of the aestheticadvances on offer. Asalready mentioning, thehumble telly has alreadyhad a makeover, to whichyou can add speakers,electronics and even theracks to hold all your hit.

Furniture-grade homeentertainment housing –such as Spectral’s gorgeousrange – is a reality,complete with hiddentechnical touches, including

all the cable management and support/ventilation equipment needs to perform at its best.

If even the most stylish speakers – including B&W’s spherical PV1 subwoofer; more likesculpture than bass-box – are judged too intrusive, there are a wall andceiling-mounted options, including Soundbars that squeeze the abilitiesof a home-cinema amplifer and speakers into a single box that slipsunder your flatscreen. Yes, it’s pseudo-surround sound ratherthan the full cinema monty, but withsystems such as Yamaha’s YSPrange or Marantz Cinemariumthere’s surprisingly littlecompromise.

The world of custom-installation (CI) takes thingsone step further, with almostinvisible system solutionscombining in-wall and in-ceilingspeakers with cunningly concealed screens andplayers – all of which can be controlled from a singlehandheld device (and yes, that could even be your iPhone, too!)With CI getting ever-more affordable, it’s worth contacting your local specialist(find them via www.cedia.co.uk) to see the discreet delights on offer.Hopefully this feature has inspired to you explore the new worlds of home entertainmentjust as the crew of the Enterprise explored ‘new life and new civilisations’.

Technology is boldly going where it hasn’t been before and these are exciting times.Now, about that transporter room and holodeck….

6

And now the history bit...Out of Africa

The story of how coffee became one of the most popular drinks in the world is shrouded inmystery. It is thought that the coffee tree originated in the province of Kaffa, in the areaknown today as Ethiopia.

There is no real evidence to show exactly when, or how, it was first discovered that a richand stimulating brew could be made from the bean, but it is thought that before coffee wasever appreciated as a beverage, native tribespeople may have chewed the ripe cherriesand beans as food.

Established in Suffolk in 2005, the CoffeeLink at Ipswich’s Neptune Quay, (and soon-to-be new outlet at Ipswich railway station)started roasting only speciality coffees whichare 100% Arabica and Rainforest Alliancecertified.

Speciality coffee is all about quality, variety and roastingmethods. Azzouz and his team at the Coffee Link roast theirbeans in small batches ensuring a superior flavour and aroma.

The beans are very delicate and as an agricultural product, thevariety can sometimes change with the seasons.

Accordingly, the roasting method may have to be varied. Roast tooquickly at too high a temperature and you’ll scorch the exterior of thebean, roast too slowly at too low a temperature and you’ll sap thebean of its flavour.

My recommendation is to go along, breath in the aroma and theatmosphere and experience the tastes first hand. And while you’rethere, if you can corner Azzouz, he can give you chapter and verseon every type of coffee the globe has to offer. Go on, test him!

The Coffee Link01473 210620www.thecoffeelink.co.uk

The CoffeeLink’sHistory of Coffee

commercial residential

healthcare education

community public assembly

cutting edge designexpert & friendly advice

9

����������������� ���������������������������������� �����������

��������������������

������������������������������������������������������ ���������

���������

������������ ����������� ������������� ����� ����� ����� ����� �� �!������� �������������"�����"�����"�����"����� #$%&'�&$'()*+������+������+������+������#&&),�&*$$'&

-������������������������&)(���������.��/�0�������0�%�%11

+������ � ��������� �������

Please mention Smartliving Now magazine when enquiring about featuresPlease mention Smartliving Now magazine when enquiring about features

He enjoyed the drink so much that he gave it Papal approval. 30 years later a coffeehouse or ‘café' was opened in Venice. The growth of popular coffee houses, whichbecame favourite meeting places for both social and business purposes, spread from themid-17th century to other European countries including Austria, France, Germany, Hollandand England.

Café CultureIn Britain, the first coffee house was opened in Oxford in 1651 and by 1700 there were3,000 coffee houses in London. Every man of the upper middle classes went to his coffeehouse daily to learn the latest news. Edward Lloyd's coffee house (founded in 1668),attracted seafarers and merchants and eventually became Lloyd’s of London, theworld-famous insurers. Similarly, Jonathon’s Coffee House became the London StockExchange. Coffee drinking spread to the colonies and was indeed taken to Virginia, USAbut it would not have become so popular in America had it not been for the Boston TeaParty. Americans turned their back on Britain and tea and instead adopted coffee as theirnational beverage.

Global AppealThe last three hundred years have seen coffee make its way around the world,establishing itself in the economies and lifestyles of the main trading nations. Coffee isnow one of the most valuable primary commodities in the world, often second in value onlyto oil as a source of foreign exchange to developing countries. Millions of people aroundthe world earn their living from the coffee industry.

At times in history coffee has been hailed as a medicinal cure-all, and at otherscondemned as the devil's brew - in the latter case usually for political or religious reasons,when coffee houses were at their height of popularity as meeting places. However, in thelast half-century scientific research has established the facts about coffee, caffeine(responsible for coffee's mild stimulant effect) and our health: in moderation coffeeconsumption is in no way a health risk, and besides being a most pleasurable experiencedrinking coffee can indeed confer some health benefits.

There is evidence, however, to suggest that coffee trees were cultivated in monasterygardens 1,000 years ago. According to folklore, a goat herder called Kaldi noticed thateven the oldest goats behaved like young kids when they ate certain wild berries. Uponhearing this, the Abbot of the local monastery decided to experiment. He found that a brewof these ‘cherries’ could keep his brother monks awake through long hours of prayer.

A Mocha in MeccaCommercial cultivation followed, although the first reports of this, from the Yemen, werenot recorded until the fifteenth century. By the sixteenth century, coffee was being grown inPersia, Egypt, Syria and Turkey. Its popularity was probably due, in part, to the fact thatMuslims, forbidden alcohol by the Koran, found coffee to be an acceptable substitute.

The first coffee houses were opened in Mecca, where coffee drinking was initiallyencouraged, and quickly spread throughout the Arab world. These, which developed intoluxuriously decorated places where music, dancing, chess and gossip could be enjoyedand business was also conducted. With thousands of pilgrims visiting the holy city ofMecca each year from all over the world, word of the ‘Wine of Araby’, as the drink wasoften called, began to spread far beyond Arabia.

East to WestDespite the fact that trade in coffee, a much-prized commodity, was jealously guarded bythe Arabs to the extent that foreigners were not allowed to visit their coffee plantations ortake fertile coffee beans out of the country, seed beans and plant cuttings were eventuallytaken out of Arabia and cultivated in the Dutch colonies in India and Java. The Dutchcolonies became the main suppliers of coffee to Europe, with Amsterdam its tradingcentre.

From Sinner to SaintVenetian traders first brought coffee to Europe in 1615. Opponents to coffee were openlycautious and called the beverage the ‘bitter invention of Satan’. The local clergy evencondemned it! The controversy was so great that Pope Clement VIII was asked tointervene. Before making a decision however, he decided to taste the beverage forhimself.

10

You, your music your system

WWW.ICONIC-HOME.CO.UKPlease Call to arrange a demonstration at our showroom.

Home Control and Automation. Security and Lighting. Multi-Room Audio. Music and DVD Servers. Home Cinema Installers.

Unit F, Bristol Court, Betts Ave, Martlesham Heath, IP5 3RYTel: 01473 611131

Name: Lee Sands

Occupation: Director, Morton Smith & Sands Estate Agents

Age: 38

What have you been listening to recently?Paulo Nutini, The Ting Tings and Incognito

What audio system have you got?I mainly listen through my iPod and occasionally throughmy 5.1 surround sound system when I get the chance

Will you be updating any time soon?I am always on the look out for anything to do with gadgets,I love them! I have just bought a new 50” plasma tv afterfinally persuading the wife that it’s the right thing to do.I now want a Blue-ray player, a separate hi fi system,new iPod, and a 7.1 surround system.

Name: Dan Moat

Occupation: Sales & Marketing DirectorEncore International Ltd., Energy risk manager's.

Age: 41

What have you been listening to recently?Newton Faulkner, Lily Allen and Red Hot Chilli Peppers

What audio system have you got?I mainly listen through my iPod/i-deck combi (a MonitorAudio iPod player). I listen to CD’s in the living room on aDenon system with Monitor Audio Silver 7 speakers.

Will you be updating any time soon?I have been looking at a Bose Wave System, however Ispotted the Roth Audio Alfie in the last issue, which hasgreat reviews, so I need to do some more homeworkbefore committing.

&You, your music your system

If you would like to be featured, send us an email including the answers to the questions and a small hi-res image of yourself.sales@smartlivingnow.co.uk

12

Please mention Smartliving Now magazine when replying to any advertisements

Thorens TD 309 TurntableI had a sneeky peak at this luscious record player whilst at a show in Munich recently.Available is black or stunning red for around £1200, the yet-to-be-released turntable has a standard TP92 tonearm,but with an aluminium armtube cold-worked and rolled for strength.The sub platter is precision-machined Aluminiumwith a single ring micro-contact area. Speed control is via an electronic feedback system, automaticallycompensating for record weight and dynamic stylus drag, and the the deck also has adjustable belt tension todealwith belt stretch. Well, that’s all clear then!

Just looks and sounds fantastic, which isgood enough for me.

Charles Furniture, Carlo Rossi Wine TableCharles design focuses on creative solutions specializing in one-off furniture and lightingdesign. Carlo Rossi (a Californian wine company under the Ernest & Julio Gallo group)approached Charlesfurniture to design a range of furniture using their iconic wine bottle.A range of wine tables were created usinga central aluminium connector thatdisplays the bottle shape andstructure. The concept ofthe structure wasinspired by the imageof the vine and grape.www.charlesfurniture.co.uk

Planika FiresWithout the need for installation or a chimney, these fires from Polishcompany Planika can be set in any desired space... even the middleof the room. The patented Digifire technology is the only systemin the world that incorporates an automatic, fully electronicallycontrolled Fanola (ethanol liquid fuel) feeding system. The technologylies in the process of burning eco-friendly Fanola fuel - pure ethanol,in a patented container. With a remote operated ignition, firing up andextinguishing has never been so easy to manage.www.planikafires.com

ULTIMATE COLLECTION

14

While there are plenty of alternative fuel prospects floating around, a key factor in thewidespread adoption of such fuels is whether or not they are economical. That is why ateam of New York based researchers are so excited by their development of what theyhave termed ‘the first economical, eco-friendly process to convert algae oil into biodieselfuel’ – a discovery they predict could one day lead to U.S. independence from petroleumas a fuel.

One of the problems with current methods for producing biodiesel from algae oil is theprocessing cost. The researchers say their process is at least 40 percent cheaper thanthat of others now being used and, with a limitless amount of algae growing in oceans,lakes, and rivers, throughout the world, supply will not be a problem. Another benefit of theprocess is that there is no wastewater produced to cause pollution. "This is the firsteconomical way to produce biodiesel from algae oil," according to lead researcher andvice president of United Environment and Energy LLC, Ben Wen, Ph.D., "It costs muchless than conventional processes because you would need a much smaller factory, thereare no water disposal costs, and the process is considerably faster."

A key advantage of this new process, he says, is that it uses a proprietary solid catalystdeveloped at his company instead of liquid catalysts used by other scientists today. First,the solid catalyst can be used over and over. Second, it allows the continuously flowingproduction of biodiesel, compared to the method using a liquid catalyst, which is slowerbecause workers need to take at least half an hour after producing each batch to createmore biodiesel. They need to purify the biodiesel by neutralizing the base catalyst byadding acid. With the new process no such action is needed to treat the solid catalyst,Wen explains.

It's estimated that algae has an "oil-per-acre production rate 100-300 times the amount ofsoybeans, and offers the highest yield feedstock for biodiesel and the most promisingsource for mass biodiesel production to replace transportation fuel in the United States."Wen says that his firm is now conducting a pilot program for the process with a productioncapacity of nearly 1 million gallons of algae biodiesel per year. Depending on the size ofthe machinery and the plant, it is possible that a company could produce up to 50 milliongallons of algae biodiesel annually.

Wen also says that the solid catalyst continuous flow method can be adapted to mobileunits so that smaller companies wouldn't have to construct plants and the military coulduse the process in the field. Also, unlike crop-based biofuels, the production of algaebased biodiesel does not entail a decrease in food production, since it requires neitherfarmland nor fresh water.

Powerful Pond Life!Powerful Pond Life!

Combining washbasin and WCinto a single piece, and throughthe new Roca “water-reuse”technology, total water usage inthe bathroom is reduced by upto 25% in comparison to astandard 6/3-litre toilet (Dualflush). The “water-reusetechnology” reuses wastewater from the washbasin to fillthe toilet cistern. An automaticcleaning system has beenincorporated for the first time inorder to avoid flushing thebacteria into the W+W watercistern, and bad smells. Thisproduct is both safe and user-friendly and its cleanability andmaintenance characteristicsare thus assured, gettingbetter quality water andavoiding wastage.

The Roca W+W

Washbasin and WC are twoessential elements in everysingle bathroom. It doesn’t matterwhether they are small or big, or evenif they are installed in private or publicbathrooms, at home or in the office.In small bathrooms, these two fixtures are usuallyplaced very close to each other, or even on the samewall.

Neil Farrow reports

Please mention Smartliving Now magazine when enquiring about features16

LivingCOLOURDecorating your home should be a joy. Couples may often have very different tastes.To try and develop a scheme that works for both of you should be an enjoyable challenge.

With our homes, as with any good design, we should never put form before function. Thestarting point should be to consider the many uses a room might have and the needs ofthe individuals who use it. A living room may incorporate a home office, comfortableseating for watching tv, suitable lighting for reading the papers, a large toy box and lots ofstorage for DVD’s and CD’s. However pleasing a scheme is to look at if it is notcomfortable to sit down, there is no where to store your vast DVD collection and you geteye strain reading the Sunday papers the appeal will soon wear off.

Colour has far more power in a room than people appreciate. It can be used to changethe proportions of a room. Pale yellow is highly reflective and can make a room seemlarger and lighter. Blue is a cool colour and can work well in an overly sunny room as itabsorbs light, but in a chilly or dark room it would make you uncomfortable. Red is astimulating colour and can be very dramatic. It will make rooms appear smaller and cosier,but can be very oppressive in the wrong situation.

Any colour you choose may changesignificantly when seen in natural light,dusk and artificial light. A harmoniousscheme may suddenly clash horriblywhen the lights are turned on in theevening. It is always best to use largesamples of any fabrics, papers andpaints you are considering. Use a roll oflining paper and paint a sample that isat least A4. Always look at the samplesin the room where you are intending touse them before deciding. Taking thetime to consider your choices will savetime and money and lead to a much more pleasing result

Property programs on television are guilty of many things. My personal bette noir is the‘feature wall’. It seems to be used in every project and incorporate very bold, usuallypurple or green, flock wallpaper. Behind the head of a bed or on a chimney breast afeature wall can be very effective. But tread carefully before using different treatments onthe walls of one room

Confused by all the interior TV programmes givingconflicting messages about colour? So are we, so wegot local interior designer Jemima Withey to put therecord straight.

When trying to create a scheme that works from both a masculine and a feminineperspective, white is a great starting point. This could be bright white or a warm shade ofwhite. We are very lucky in our region to have wonderful natural daylight. White walls workwith this beautifully in any setting from a contemporary home to an oak beamed cottage.They do not need to appear harsh when they are combined with other colours andtextures. There will be no arguingabout the pattern on the wallpaper andit is easy to wash off any marks. Youcan break up large expanses of wallwith groups of pictures or photos.

The soft furnishings in a room are whatbring the whole scheme together.

They should allow you toblend yours and your part-ners taste to create aharmonious scheme. Romanblinds in white linen orwooden venetian blinds canbe combined with sumptuouscurtains. A deep comfortablesofa in a plain fabric orleather can be dressed withscatter cushions of variousdifferent shades andtextures. But alwaysremember the cushionsmust be comfortable, not justdecoration.

A master bedroom requires a relaxing and restful scheme. Darker more luxurious coloursand fabrics can be combined with white woodwork to create the right atmosphere. It isbest to steer clear of very vibrant colours in a bedroom, as they can be very stimulating.This is not ideal in any bedroom, especially children’s rooms.Many colours and textures can combine to please both sexes. Aim to create a classicalscheme that is neither to hard and cold nor too floral! Fabrics or wall coverings in deepsilver greys, warm aubergines, shades of gold or chocolate can create the rightatmosphere.

Most importantly a home should be about the people who live in it. Everyone has his orher own important mementos, photographs and heirlooms. Delicate negotiations may beneeded to find the right spot to show case them.

If trying to create a beautiful home together feels like a quick root to separate bedrooms,then you can always call in a professional. 01394 384 673 - jemimasd@yahoo.co.uk

COLOUR

18

Ultracalm Lemon LeafShavewaxExperience the luxury ofshaving with MoltonBrown ultracalm lemonleaf shavewax. The richthick cream wax is analternative to shaving

foam, it melts on contact with the skin to create a smooth oilpreparation base for shaving. Ideal for those with sensitive skin, theshave wax delivers a razor glide like no other. 125ml. £19.00www.moltonbrown.co.uk

GroomingEssentials

Charlie Woodthorpe reports

Take note: Women like the rugged man, but the rugged man wholooks after himself with style. Clear? No, nor am I. Basically it’s ano-win scenario, so you’re best to suit yourself and hope it hits thespot. If not, suit yourself again with something different, you’ll pullit off one day. (in retrospect, a bad turn of phrase)As it’s a bit of a lottery, try a smattering of the following...

4GreatGreat

Moisture rich aloe & palm body bar (£12)This is a Molton Brown men's classic! This bargenerates a rich lavish lather which makes foran ideal shaving accompaniment. The highconsistency of aloe vera in the bar providesboth an excellent facial and body cleanser.Plus the deep mix of armotic oils smell great!

www.moltonbrown.co.uk

Bvlgari Aqva Pour Homme Marine Eau de ToiletteSpray. £52. The scent is designed to evoke the naturalfreshness and vitality of the ocean, using ingredientssuch as neroli, grapefruit, white cedar wood and theaquatic plant posidonia, a key component of its AqvaPour Homme predecessor. An exploration of thefreshest and purest water. A contemporary aromaticaquatic signature. Dedicated to men seeking a unique,crisp and vibrant freshness.www.shedlifestyle.co.uk

Australian Body CareHand & Foot Cream100ml - £7.99

A calming rich Hand and FootSkin Cream enriched with 5%Tea Tree Oil and gentle AloeVera to soothe and restore dryor itchy skin on hands and feetand elbows. Suitable for all skintypes

Contains Aloe Vera to improvethe cream's moisturising,soothing and calming propertiesSoothes and restores dry, itchyor cracked skin. Skin friendly pHEspecially suitable for chappedhands, cracked heals, athletesfoot, eczema, psoriasis andspecific problem areas.www.shedlifestyle.co.uk

Call Steve Clark on 01473 657403 or 07850 326194

steve@heatsavesystems.com

renewablesheat recovery systemsair/water heat pumpsgeothermal systemsunderfloor heatingsolar thermal

Please mention Smartliving Now magazine when enquiring about features20

LatitudeLatitudeLazing around at

Neil Farrow just about remembers

I can only imagine it’s like having a baby... a few years down the line you don’t rememberthe pain and uncleanliness so you go through it all again with rose tinted glasses as adistant voice somewhere in the back of your mind tells you ‘Go for it, it’ll be worth it’.

Having ventured Southwold way a few years back, my kids, whom I remember had a greattime, never gave up the fight and eventually wore me down. I relented and started makingplans for another music and camping extravaganza of gargantuan proportions. And believeme, with four kids, that isn’t an over-statement.

We had learnt from friends the first time that planning is everything. Not just what to take,but more importantly, the schedule and timing of groups on each stage.

T minus two months and my older daughters were frantically using the Latitude website,My Space and YouTube to find out who was playing where and crucially, at what time.Timing is critical. Heaven forbid if there was a conflict of interest on different stages at thesame time. Last visit I remember jumping around to ‘We’re From Barcelona’ with myteenage daughter on my back at the Sunrise arena, then busting a gut to run through thewoods, over the bridge and up the hill to catch the final track from CSS. (Note to fathers:planning also means getting fit for such eventualities - I nearly had a cardiac arrest!)

What happens next is the ‘Discovery Phase’. You spend a few weeks tracking all thebands you have never heard of, filtering out the dross and honing in on the new youngtalent as if you were Simon Cowell with million pound record deals in your eyes. Thisworks especially well, when, in retrospect, you can brag down the pub that, when saidgroup hits the big time, you ‘personally discovered them’.

It’s now T minus two days, and the packing begins in earnest. This is also the first phaseof the marital arguments which rip through every family unit on camping expeditions. Don’tput too much emphasis on this phase, it will return frequently over the following days butwill be forgotten... I imagine, almost like childbirth.

It’s a hot day, the car is crammed full of tent’s, sleeping bags, wet weather clothes, food,booze and more booze and the top box is busting at the seems with booze as we drawstraws to see who is going on the Thursday afternoon to set up camp and who is followingthe next day with car number two, which is full of, you guest it... wet wipes!

As much as I love my little two dearly, they are small and unable to saddle up enormousamounts of kit onto their backs like Chilean Alpacas, so the straws may have beenweighed in favour of our bigger two with the view that unloading and setting up campwould be a breeze.

I admit, I was a tad naive as to the teenage mind, and on my sixth trip from camp siteback to car with a heavily loaded wheel barrow and a sack barrow, any thoughts of ‘lazingaround at Latitude’ seemed a lifetime away.

In the ensuing hours it seemed likemillions turned up and pitched theirtents, robustly guarding their domain,whilst giving off an air of nonchalanceas only the British can do. Then therewas a calm. A change of clothes and afew ciders later I was starting to chill.

Friday came and starting the day offwas the comedy tent with MarcusBrigstock and Lee Mack. Then it wasswiftly off up to the Uncut tent forAussie rockers The Temper Trap, ontothe Sunrise tent in the woods forCharlotte Hatherley, back up to the Obelisk for Ladyhawke and The Pretenders, down tothe Uncut again for Squeeze, who still have the magic, and back to the Obelisk for the PetShop Boys. Whatever the weather, I could have slept standing on one leg, having myeyeballs scraped with a rusty nail... I was absolutely cream crackered!

Saturday was much the same with comedians Sean Hughes and Ed Byrne, followed bythe fantastic White Lies, the cool dude's from Manchester - The Doves and the ultra-talented Newton Faulkner, who seems to have four hands playing at once. By this time thecider was flowing like the rain and it just seemed an endless frenzy of music, laughter andfriends.

Sunday started with a much needed full English, the best hangover cure on the planet.The morning shot past and suddenly we were running, and falling, down the wet slopes tosee Sean Lock in the comedy tent (warning: not a place for little ones - as we found out -as the jokes can go from harmless fun to full-on filth in a blink of an eye!). The effervesantRumble Strips had a great set at the Obelisk in the afternoon and the Editors were valuefor money in the evening although, I do admit, I listened from the warmth of my tent with alarge Pussers Navy Rum.

Apart from the music and comedy there is a kids village where they can learn circus skills(unfortunately, no circus to run away with though), drumming and all sorts of crafts, atheatre tent, a TV and Film tent and hoards of food and bohemian market stalls.

By Monday we were dead on our feet and had yet to break camp (oh joy, another six runsto the car which was about half a mile away). The tents came down a lot quicker than theywent up, even though they were wet, and the barrows were loaded like a train leavingCalcutta. Families were leaving anything that fell off, tents, gazebos, sleeping bags, kids,anything to get home quicker to bed.

Would I do it again? Bloody right, it was awesome!

The Rumble Strips

(not)

22

I was waiting for a train the other day and found I hadten minutes to spare. Like most people, I headed forthe food & drink store on the platform and grabbed asandwich and a bottle of water. Without thinking I justput the change in my pocket with the receipt and mademy way onto the train. I had been sitting for a fewminutes when I pulled out the receipt and looked downat the item totals. With a sharp in-take of breath, Icouldn’t believe the cost of the bottled water at £1.50!

By mad coincidence I later picked up a newspaper andfound a story about Hilden Water.

Hildon is one of the poshest bottled waters. Captured at its source under the chalk hills ofHampshire, it isn’t sold in supermarkets, only at upmarket venues such as the Savoy,Royal Opera House and the House of Commons. Sick of being accused of harming theenvironment Hildon lost its cool and took a 20-page trade magazine advertisementattacking tap water. On one page under the headline “Is it safe?” it wrote: “Cancer drugsfound in tap water”, adding further down: “Is there anything else they are not telling us?”

In some insane way, you can almost admire there outrageous front but with all theevidence from environmentalists saying for years that the £1.5 billion-a-year business is aneco-catastrophe, creating millions of tonnes of emissions and plastic to contain, transportand sell something that flows freely out of the tap. Phil Woolas, a former environmentminister, has labelled it “immoral”. So why is it in the House of Commons Phil?

For decades bottled water sales rose, providing billions in revenue for the drinks industry.Now that has gone into reverse. At the end of March bottled-water sales in the UK weredown 12% on the year, according to TNS Worldpanel, the research firm. Since 2006, saleshave fallen more than 18%. These stats probably fuelled the onslaught from Hildon who ina last gasp defensive action thought they could turn the tide with a “Canute” stance.

But think on this: Is it more immoral to produce and sell bottled water when it is readilyavailable from a tap, or to repeatedly go and buy it, although it will cost you about 500times more than water from the tap?

The Water companies don’t help the arguement when I also read in said article that itloses more water through leaky pipes in one day than the bottlers produce in a year!

Simon TweakermanSimon TweakermanBecome an iPhone geek and impress your friends by copying our all-knowingApple officianado’s latest exploits as an iPhone magician on our website.www.smartlivingnow.co.uk

He tweaks as he sleeps

Mark ‘Marco’ David from the Cooking Experiencelends us his expertise in the making of:

MEDIUM LAMB CURRY (serves 4)

2 tbsp vegetable oil900g Lamb Leg, boneless, trimmed andcut into 3cm cubes2 Onions, roughly chopped4 garlic clove, crushed2 cm piece of fresh ginger, grated1 tbsp ground turmeric1.5 tbsp Garam masala1.5 tbsp ground cumin1 tbsp Chilli powder6 cardomom pods1 tbsp plain flour6 large Tomatoes, chopped600ml chicken stock400g canned coconut milk250g baby spinach leaves, stalks removed200g plain yogurt1 pinch salt and fresh ground black pepper

... and to follow

STRAWBERRIES IN CARAMEL SAUCE (Serves 4)

2lbs fresh strawberries2 heaped tablespoons caster sugar1oz butter5 floz orange juice1 tablespoon Cognac

Heat one tablespoon of the oil in a large saucepan, add the lamband cook over a high heat to brown it quickly all over. Remove thelamb from the pan, place into a bowl and leave to one side. Addthe remaining oil to the pan, together with the onions, garlic andginger, cook gently for a few minutes until softened and goldenbrown. Add the spices and cook for a minute and then add the flourand mix well. Add the tomatoes and coconut milk and return thelamb to the pan. Add just enough of the chicken stock to cover themeat, and stir to release all the bits from the bottom of the pan.Simmer very gently for about one and a half hours, until the lambis tender, stirring occasionally. Skim any excess fat off the surface.Stir in the spinach and cook for a few minutes until just wilted, thenstir in the yoghurt and season. Serve with plain boiled basmati rice.

Hull the strawberries. Meltthe sugar in a frying pan untilcaramelised, add the butteroff the heat, allow to meltand add the orange juiceand cognac, simmer 5 mins

Marcowww.cookingexperience.co.uk

What do men cherish alongsidetheir technology, sport, booze andsex? FOOD of course!

Santa Digna Cabernet Sauvignon Rose 2008,Miguel Torres, Chile. Perhaps better known for his Spanish

winemaking Miguel Torres has a smaller set up in Chile. This rose is theperfect summer wine and the ripe fruity redcurrant style makes it a perfectaccompaniment to any spicy dish. £7.50 per bottle - reduced to £6.50 for themonth of August.

Black Lagoon Southern Gold, Muscat de Rivesaltes,Vin Doux Naturel. Perfumed and clean - a delight withall puds, especially strawberries! £12.79www.winesofinterest.co.uk

25

Simply call us on 01473 823366for friendly advice and quotations on any printed item

You are welcometo call in at any timewithout appointment or,if it is more convenient,we will be pleased to visit you.

Keith Avis Printers,68 High Street, Hadleigh, Ipswich IP7 5EFkelvin@keithavis.co.uk

WPK SystemsHome, Business & SchoolIT, Computer Services & Solutions

Website & Email HostingMicrosoft Exchange HostingComputer Sales, Support, Repairs & UpgradesNetwork Management

WPK Systems

5 Lister Road, Hadleigh, Ipswich IP7 5JN

office. 01473 829902 mobile. 07917 804490wayne@wpksystems.com www.wpksystems.com

Portrait & Commercial Photographic Studio

Virtual Tour Photography

Contemporary Family Portraits

PR & Marketing Photography

95 Fore Street,Ipswich, IP4 1JZTel: 01473 230099E-mail: info@lemontree-studio.co.ukwww.lemontree-studio.co.uk

Please mention Smartliving Now magazine when enquiring about features

Expert PanelExpert PanelThe Smartliving Now panel comprises industry experts from everycorner of lifestyle design and technology. These people know theirbeans so if you have any questions be sure to contact them direct.

Alastair Gardner from Signals in Ipswich has been designing and buildinghi-end hi-fi systems for more years than he cares to remember. A twochannel (stereo) nut, it would take a lot to convince Alastair of any othermedium available that would challenge his views on the purity of hi-endmusic reproduction. alastair@signals.uk.com

Graham Owens from Technovations in Gt Bentley, has designed lightinginstallations for theme parks and visitor centres worldwide. But, he alsoworks in the residential sector, creating inspiring and relaxing environmentsand carrying out technical installations for homes all over the country.smartliving@technovations.co.uk

Ian Mackenzie from Iconic Home in Ipswich is an ex Army Air CorpComputer Technician who has had extensive training in Home Automationand Security. Since taking over at Iconic Home he has created awardnominated home automation designs for private clients all overSouthern England. ian@iconic-home.co.uk

John Kersley and business partner Julian Pawsey are working at the cuttingedge of landscape design & construction. With 18 years of experiencebehind them they have also constructed gardens for various designers atthe RHS Chelsea Flower Show in London. info@nascentialandscapes.co.uk

Steve Clark from Heatsave Systems has become one of only a handfull oftechnical engineers in the country to be trained on the new Swedish NIBEgeothermal climate systems, heat recovery systems and air & water heatpump installations. He is also a certified plumber of distinction.steve@heatsavesystems.com

Please mention Smartliving Now magazine when corresponding with our expert panel

CONSERVATORIES . ORANGERIES . WINDOWS . DOORS

Notcutts Garden Centre Ipswich Road Woodbridge T: 01394 386666 www.countrysidehi.co.uk

Beautifully designed contemporary conservatories

Adding a well designed conservatory to your home createsthe most idyllic of rooms for reading, dining, playing or simplysitting back in your favourite chair enjoying a glass of wine.

Sounds tempting? Why not give us a call to arrange a free design consultation atyour home, or pop up to our showsite within Notcutts Garden Centre for a coffeeand an informal chat.

We’d love to see you.