Home and Garden decorating expert Celia Rufey shares her top decorating tips

Small chips on the rims and feet of everyday glassware can be filed smooth with finest-grade sandpaper.

Polished wood furniture can be buffed as often as you like but apply a good beeswax polish just two or three times a year – and never use silicone-based spray.

White spirit is more effective in removing the sticky residue that is left on containers after labels have been removed than some products made specially for the job.

Cut flowers last longer if you add a soluble aspirin and a spoonful of bleach to the water in the vase.

To make a standard radiator fade into the background, paint it the same colour as the walls it stands against. If the wall is papered, use a paint that matches the background colour of the design. An eggshell or a flat oil finish will further help the radiator to “disappear”.

When space is tight, it’s sometimes good to think big. A significant piece of over-sized furniture can deliver drama and gravitas to a small room.

If windows enjoy a beautiful view, choose curtains or blinds that provide a frame rather than needless competition.

You can extend the burning time of beeswax candles by keeping them in the fridge for at least 24 hours before you use them.

When choosing a carpet from sample pieces, always put the samples on the floor to see how they look rather than choosing the one that looks best when held in the hand.

If your cat (or dog) sleeps on the sofa, the quickest way to remove any hairs is to put on a dry rubber glove and use it to brush the fabric in one direction. The hairs will gather into a neat little pile.

If you are troubled by companies cold-calling to sell you plastic windows, bathroom fittings or “dream” holidays, contacting the Telephone Preference Service, 0845 070 0707, will help put a stop to it. Full details of the service can be found at www.tpsonline.org.uk.

Usiku body lotion, Jo Wood Organics. Lidded jar; porcelain box; both Heal’s. Tortoiseshell hair clips, John Lewis. Mercury Silver Moon mat, Ochre. Antique Chinese jar, Eskandar.

STYLING KAREN SMITH
PHOTOGRAPHS TOM LEIGHTON
SEPTEMBER 2007

• Laminate recipes so they stay pristine.

• Make the most of walls for items such as knives and kitchen scissors.

• Keep attractive condiments and utensils close to hand.

• A decorative storage tin makes a great utensils holder.

• Keep recipe books splatter-free with an acrylic stand.

To get the look, try Ikea, Ella’s Kitchen Company,Divertimenti, Habitat, David Mellor and Heal’s.

Preparation and planting
1. Clear and dig over the main area for planting, removing any perennial weeds.
2. Plant the magnolia and prunus (cherry), staking them if necessary. Ideally, do this in autumn or winter although if the trees are container grown they can be planted any time.
3. Plant the hellebores randomly to look as natural as possible.
4. Plant the bulbs (narcissus, muscari, chionodoxa and scilla) around the hellebores in small groups and drifts. For the most natural effect, scatter the bulbs and plant them where they fall.
5. Finally, plant pot-grown primroses and erythroniums. For ground cover, plant spreading Vinca minor (lesser periwinkle) and Tiarella wherryi.

Spring plant list
1. Magnolia x loebneri ‘Leonard Messel’
2. Prunus ‘Ukon’
3. Helleborus foetidus
4. Helleborus x sternii ‘Boughton Beauty’
5. Pink/cream hellebores (Lenten Rose)
6. Narcissus lobularis
7. Narcissus ‘Jenny’
8. Primula veris (primrose)
9. Muscari azureum
10. Erythronium ‘Pagoda’
11. Chionodoxa forbesii ‘Pink Giant’
12. Scilla siberica ‘Spring Beauty’

APRIL 2004
ORIGINAL IDEA JANE NEWDICK
ILLUSTRATION BETTY BIB

The next burning takes place on 24th, 25th and 27th May, with a barbecue in the Courtyard, and is repeated throughout the year as part of the estate’s sustainable management of its woodland.

For more details, visit www.hestercombe.com.