“Wall art is the starting point of designing interior space; it is highly personal”. These are the wise words of Ed Godrich, co-founder of London-based Godrich Interiors. Indeed, creating an area in your home or office is a highly personal endeavour and while it’s great to get inspiration from interior design sites and magazines, a danger exists of your place ending up being a cold, hard copy of someone else’s dream. A certain way to insert your own sense of the individual, though, is through photography. With that in mind, here are 5 IDEAL tips for showcasing photo art in your arm.

FINE TUNING YOUR FOCAL POINT

A focal point is often the most important and under-appreciated part of the interior design, or so say the British Academy of Interior Design. And while it may sound a little generic – obvious even – the sentiment makes sense; the focal point is normally what you notice first when you enter a space. And first impressions count.

So, make sure your chosen photos truly demand the attention of those entering the room. It could be something as dramatic as a personal portrait or scenery from a recent stint of travelling. Choose something with a story behind it; a piece as conversation starter which you’d be happy elaborating on.

ESTABLISH MOOD

In interior design, a good way to establish the mood of space is through the use of colour and imagery. If you want to add personality and life, going with a gallery of photos is always a good idea. This looks like real thought has gone into the space; always a good look. A huge empty wall is often the best space for a gallery, according to CanvasPop. So if you happen to have a grand empty wall, then that’s practically begging to have photos hung on it. Of course, it is how you hang the gallery that can make it or break it.

DON’T LET THERE BE LIGHT

If you want to maximise the effect of your photos, it’s good to make use of lighting. Or not to make use of it, as it were. Because while natural light is best for illuminating a space, it has the opposite effect on photos. So, keep your photos out of natural light to protect them from fading.

Ceiling-mounted accent lights are a good option to emphasize a photo and draw the eye’s gaze towards it; you can even use the photos to create a sort of grid along the walls to lead guests toward a different area.

GIVE CLICHE A SWERVE

Should you be a little too self-conscious to display family portraits and huge close-ups of your lovely face, then displaying photos taken by a professional of something abstract or iconic is a good way to go. We’d caution heavily against cliched images found in every coffee shop and student dorm room, though. So, that’s no Lunch atop a skyscraper, then.

GET CREATIVE WITH FRAMING

You’ve put all of this thought into the subject matter of the photo and its positioning, but don’t neglect the frame; a key component of any photographic display in the home or office. A unique, creative turn in how you hang a piece can add real value far beyond the functional. The guys at freshome have some top notch tips here on having fun with your hanging.

I scream, you scream, we all scream for on screen. Said no one ever. But now we’ve got your attention, it’s time we had a little chat. You’ve been staring at your screen for so long that since you last looked up, the world has changed. And whilst we realise the irony of delivering this advice via a device, it really is high time that we collectively started using our phones, tablets and laptops less. Because our addiction is doing harm to our eyes, concentration, social lives and privacy, amongst other concerns, and something’s got to give. With that in mind, here are 5 IDEAL ways to reduce your screen time.

ACKNOWLEDGE YOU HAVE A PROBLEM

The first step to recovery is by acknowledging a problem exists in the first place. Indeed, since screen time has become so ingrained in our everyday, it’s sometimes hard to notice just how reliant we are on our phones and the web. It’s important, though, not to get too tangled. Simple ‘screen time’ assessments provided by your phone can tell you just how long you’ve been flicking, swiping and clicking each day, and nine times out of ten, it’s a real eye opener. Once you’ve got over the shock, you can start to implement some solutions.

SCREEN-FREE ZONES

There are times when you need to be glued to a screen; for most of us, during the working day for instance. And that’s fine. But there are other occasions when phone or tablet use has become habitual, and it’s having a detrimental impact on our lives. If you value your sleep, and you really should, then you should keep devices away from the bed, preferably charging in another room. We all know the negative effects of a blue light on a good night’s rest, so be vigilant before bedtime.

Equally important are meal times; a part of the day when we can unwind, chat with family and appreciate the simple things in life like a great meal. If you’re fork in one hand and Tinder, Twitter or TikTok in the other, well, that’s not a good look during dinner. Don’t let phones disrupt this special, humble time. By enacting these small, positive changes, you’ll notice your screen time decreases significantly.

‘APPY TO HELP

Counterintuitive, we know, that you’d need an app to reduce your screen time. Sinister, even. But there’s plenty of software out there to help you use your devices less and negate the harmful effects of too much usage. ‘Freedom’ is one such app; helping you to block websites which you feel are distracting you. ‘Self Control’ is another, this time designed for Macs. Make sure you deploy your phone’s ‘night mode’ feature, too, which renders your screen in a far less appealing browny hue after hours, reducing sleep disruption and your phone’s addictive properties.

LESS ON SCREEN & MORE IN PERSON

That Whatsapp group of all your pals gossiping and sub-gossiping, complementing, backstabbing and seeking validation; have you noticed that the more you converse on there, the less you bother to actually meet in person? When was the last time you looked your friend in the eye and said something nice, rather than simply respond with another meme? Just say no. By dialling up the face-to-face socialising, and toning down the social networking, you’ll be reducing your screen time and getting out there and seeing your friends. A double win; killing two birds with zero tweets.

BE SCEPTICAL

With every permission granted, every ‘allow app to access location’ and the rest, you’re compromising your privacy, giving away your data for free and helping companies with malevolent agendas make the world a worse place. Be sceptical of every second you spend on screen, absentmindedly endorsing another rigged referendum or post-truth conspiracy theory.

Dry January has morphed into the drought of 2019. Normcore has become the norm, and staying in is the new going out. Slowly but surely, Britain is shifting its predisposition to getting plastered; a change in the collective culture which is doing wonders for our health and wellbeing. Gym memberships are on the rise, and people are getting wise to the myriad benefits of a consistent exercise regime. Great stuff indeed, but what does this mean for the Great British stag or hen send off? Well, there’s still plenty of fun to be had without a hangover the next day, that’s for sure; here are 5 IDEAL stag or hen ideas for fitness fanatics.

TEAM SPORTS

Stag and hen parties are often a hotbed of inter-friendship-group tension and tetchiness. A little bonding prior to the big day can do wonders for wedding day harmony, and also give the perfect ice breaker for those who don’t know each other so well within the party. What’s more, the fitness benefits of team sport can be immense. Ideal, and bragging rights to be earnt which the winners can cash in on the wedding day.

PARKOUR

Limber up, let loose and, hopefully, let fly, too. Giving your pre-wedding party a truly adrenaline filled, modern twist could be just the ticket. No illegal highs here, just the natural sort achieved by vaulting obstacles and jumping between buildings. You’ll certainly break a sweat, too, if that’s your thing. The sport has experienced something of a lift-off in the public eye of late, and there are now multiple parkour facilities all over the country.

For beginners, a safe, padded environment will prevent any pre-wedding hiccups; bride on walking on crutches up the aisle anyone? You’ll be able to embrace your inner child on trampolines and foam pits while testing your acrobatic skills on more complicated obstacles; a fantastic workout for your legs and abdomen, as well as an intense cardio workout that can rival many other activities.

PAINTBALL

You wouldn’t traditionally associate stag do paintball with a great work out, but actually, it can get pretty intense. Rallying a troop of friends and embarking on a fun-filled day of paintball is ideal for stretching your legs, blowing off steam and creating memories which could equip the best man or chief bridesmaid with an amusing anecdote for their speech.

But what are the fitness benefits? For a start, what better way to motivate you to run fast than the looming threat of a paintball hurling towards you? You’ll also benefit from short, explosive bursts of cardio, and the stances required for covert, clinical shooting do a great job of replicating conventional exercises such as squats and burpees.

INDOOR ROCK CLIMBING

Indoor rock climbing is a classic leisure activity, but in recent years, it’s enjoyed a boost in popularity due to its benefits in strength and resistance training. Bouldering, a more simplistic version of rock climbing in which you’re closer to the ground, allowing you to forgo the safety harness, is a fine compromise if you have more tentative members within your group.

On the surface, bouldering may seem easier, but the truth is that it requires more in the way of creative thinking, adept problem solving, and strength to hold onto more difficult areas. This, of course, is a phenomenal workout for your arms, but the need to maintain your core and stretch in various directions will give you an extensive full-body workout. If the groom or bride to be is looking to get a little more toned for the big day, a hoist up the climbing wall is a great way to achieve this.

CHOREOGRAPHED DANCING CLASS

We’ve all seen those group dances of the groomsmen or the bridesmaids that have gone viral in recent years. Well, why not create your own that you can perform as a surprise on the wedding day? Dancing is a whole-body workout which is also a whole lot of fun; great for an energetic and hilarious hen or stag party. It can be difficult to find an active activity that will suit the fitness levels of everyone you want to invite, from younger sisters to mothers-in-law, but a choreographed dancing is suitable for all the group.

Brexit got your budget in a muddle? Rising energy costs have you worried about keeping the lights on? Climate change warnings causing a spot of soul searching? Or do you simply want to use those screens a little less and look up at the real world a little more? Whatever the reason for that sudden urge to cut down on your surge, we’re here to help, with these; our 5 IDEAL tips on lowering your electricity bill.

CHECK YOUR TARIFF

Your lean, clean, green domestic machine all starts with your tariff. So, begin by making sure you are on the best possible tariff with the best possible energy supplier. Although it may seem like a mountain of bureaucracy, moving supplier on a regular basis can save you buckets on your bill (and it’s actually not as complicated as it sounds).

A new company will often be more than willing to organise a better tariff for you, desperate as they are to secure your custom, especially if they can supply more than just your electricity. Note that if you fall behind with your payments, make sure that you contact them immediately to make arrangements to catch up as they could ask you to move to a prepayment meter which is a more expensive option for your supply.

KEEP METER READINGS UP TO DATE

Make sure that you’re providing your supplier with the most up to date meter readings; if bills are estimated you could find yourself paying too much in advance or having to find more money down the line as the debt builds. And that’s a nasty surprise no one wants, right? Therefore, it’s worth having a meter installed to keep track of your electricity usage. The meter will also indicate the points in the day when the usage is at its highest, so you can adjust your consumption habits accordingly.

DON’T WASTE WATER

Excessive water use is a drain on the household bills and the globe’s finite resources. So first things first, get any leaks fixed. You should only use water in your home when you absolutely need to because otherwise, you’re just being wasteful. That means turning off the tap while you’re brushing your teeth, taking shorter showers and the rest. Indeed, most of us don’t even realise how much water we use when flushing a toilet or filling up a glass of water at the sink.

Much of the water we use is heated, and according to the National Trust, around 30 per cent of the average household gas bill is spent on heating. Therefore, by saving water you’ll be saving energy and this in turn will reduce your carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.

GO BACK TO BASICS

Cut down on the use of appliances such as washing machines, tumble dryers and dishwashers by going back to basics. Yep, that’s right, we’re talking hand washing clothes and dishes, and drying outside, ‘on the line’, old school style.

Take a holistic approach to everyday actions; cook effectively using glass and ceramic pots and dishes as they are much more efficient when heated. Use the correct size burner for your food and reduce cooking time by putting lids on your pots. A gas hob is more cost effective than an electric one, as is batch cooking meals for the week and defrosting food well in advance without the use of a microwave. Little steps, we know, but all contributory to the bigger, greener picture.

USE ENERGY EFFICIENT APPLIANCES & EQUIPMENT

Consider, too, the appliances that you own, and how effectively and capably they run, especially those that use a good deal of electricity, like fridges, washing machines and dishwashers. Nowadays, these products are sold with an energy rating sticker located front and centre, so that you’ll know which product will save you energy costs in the long-run.

In the colder months, avoid using electric heaters as most types use loads of electricity. You should also consider the switch to energy saving light bulbs and make sure that you switch the lights off in the rooms that no-one is using. Dimmer switches are also worth using as often the light does not have to be on at full power and a lower light uses less electricity. What’s more, you should switch technology off instead of keeping it on standby mode. Result!

A business is only as good as its employees. Perhaps you’ve heard that one before? But can you also hear that creeping sense of dischord around the office? The lack of the usual harmony, there for all to hear, loud and clear; the team aren’t singing from the same hymnbook and the manager is tone deaf to the problem. Yep, this clumsily extended metaphor can afflict any office, anytime. But as fast as this disquiet can strike, it can also be remedied just as quickly, if there is a collective will. The answer? A day out, icebreaking, idea making and blue-sky creating. Here are 5 IDEAL outdoor activities perfect for team building.

LASER TAG

We all have someone we’d like to shoot in the office, right? RIGHT? Well, here’s your chance. Laser tag also brings the element of teamwork vital for such a morale-boosting exercise to succeed.

When the term ‘laser tag’ springs to mind, you tend to think of the indoor version enjoyed in your youth, with lots of flashing lights, zapping noises, and dark corners to take refuge in, but the activity and industry have both come a long way. Take GO Laser Tag London, for example, which has a huge facility spread across several acres that contains multiple forest battlefield environments; a more adult experience great for a day of teambuilding.

5-A-SIDE FOOTBALL

There’s nothing more effective in illuminating to staff the value of teamwork than introducing a little competitive edge. Team sports, such as five-a-side footy, offer a great opportunity to bond, keep fit and form friendly rivalries which have a long-lasting impact on office harmony. If made a regular thing (weekly perhaps?) a deep-rooted loyalty can be developed. After all, who’s going to want to walk out on their job when the big clash with the H.R department is going down next week?

HIKING

Office morale can get jaded by just how much time everyone is spending in front of a screen. A day out where no one has to look at a weekly report or send an email, instead breathing in fresh air and giving their legs a good stretch, is a fantastic way to bring the team together.

In the UK, we’re lucky enough to be surrounded by some of the most amazing hiking spots in the world. In terms of health, hiking at a decent pace can burn over 400 calories per hour, which is substantial when you consider that many people hike for an entire day. Take that, sedentary lifestyle associated with being tied to a desk!

PHOTOGRAPHY

Not everyone wants to be competing and cavorting. Something a little more serene could be just the ticket for those wanting to explore their creative side. This activity is an ideal follow-on from hiking, as the two can go hand-in-hand. Photography is an art form and as such can encourage an artistic eye within the group which could be of great benefit once back in the office. Of course, the equipment doesn’t come cheap, but this is a team building exercise which if done regularly could keep on giving.

VOLUNTEERING

Rather than forcing people to have organised fun, do something that will make a difference. From building community gardens, protecting wildlife, helping out at a farm, renovating community spaces, and revitalising parks and rundown housing estates, there are plenty of outdoor volunteering activities that are ideal for a memorable and rewarding team building trip.

Let’s get things straight; the idyllic Instagrammed travel adventure is never quite as it seems. For every moment that takes the breath away, there’s a thousand that didn’t. For every memory collected, a suitcase of ‘things’ was needed to make it happen.

For every time you found yourself, countless times you were lost. And perhaps most pertinently, for every pound spent, a hundred pennies needed to be saved. With this in mind, here are 5 IDEAL tips for budget travel best practice.

MAKE SAVINGS BEFORE YOUR TRIP

The best way to be fiscally comfortable when travelling is to save sufficiently before you set off. While that may seem obvious, it’s still important to bear in mind; having the pounds in place prior to your trip is the way to be financially free during it. By knowing exactly how much you have to play with, you can create a sound budget, planned out considerately according to your savings, and stick to it. Of course, some extra money should be put aside for mistakes, mishaps and missteps; an absolute inevitable when travelling with a free spirit. 

Speaking of budgeting, getting a prepaid credit card like Monzo is a good idea. You simply preload one with money and you can see exactly how much you’re spending every day via an app. Moreover, unlike other debit and credit cards, you can use Monzo to spend in any foreign currency without being ripped off by dodgy exchange rates; you can withdraw up to £200 every 30 days for free overseas. What’s more, if you lose or misplace the card while you’re travelling, you can “freeze” it immediately, and unfreeze if you manage to find it.

WORK WHILE YOU TRAVEL

It is not ideal to be continually eating into your savings without any money coming in, which is why working while you’re on the go is a wise idea if you want to experience a richer, fuller travel experience. There is often seasonal work or bar jobs ripe for transient employees, and these can be a fun way to meet new people as well as the obvious financial benefits. Alternatively, you could look into online work which you can do anywhere and at your own pace.

There are plenty of internet gigs you can earn money from like freelance writing, web design tasks, paid surveys and more, which allow you to earn while you travel. All you need is a laptop and stable internet. We’ve written more about that ‘digital nomad’ lifestyle here. Check it out!

CUT OUT THE EXCESS

The dream of ‘travel’ is one of hidden street food gems uncovered, roadside dive bars where lifelong friendships are made, of slumming it in the name of adventure and sleeping out under the stars. Therefore, a little sacrifice needs to be made on the finer things and home comforts you might be used to. This might take the form of cutting back on expensive fast food in favour of street eats, of drinking less or more cheaply, and of putting the pricey skin and hair care regime on hold; no one’s looking at the top of your head on that desolate mountain top, after all.

KEEP FOCUSED

Everyone has a reason for visiting a country, be it to sample certain foods, visit friends or see some famous sights. This is why you should streamline your itinerary according to your specific tastes rather than following the hype. Many tourist spots with that one Instagram worthy shot are actually pretty low on entertainment and high on cost otherwise, and additionally, are super crowded all year around. Don’t fall into the trap.

While planning, preparation, strategy and foresight aren’t exactly words which chime with the spontaneous, carefree approach to travelling which so appeals, a little focus can go a long way when it comes to being budget savvy. Indeed, creating a master wish list of things you truly want to see and do will ensure you can make the best decisions on the day based on where you are, your budget, and how you feel.

EMERGENCY FUNDS

Sometimes, an emergency can arrive or new travel options emerge and the need for quick cash will hit. If you need money immediately, it may be prudent to take out an online loan. You can get approved for quick loans online which will provide you with cash in the short-term to fund your trip. Of course, interest rates on such a loan are high, so make this a last resort.

There are lots of travel credit cards out there which might be a good idea before you go away. Some offer emergency travel assistance which can help fix travel fiascos like lost baggage and legal assistance.