Hotel Review: The Harrison, Belfast, Northern Ireland
The Harrison, Belfast, is a converted Victorian Mansion in the heart of the city.
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Wayfair’s stunning new spa lodge is a masterclass in cosy minimalism
Wayfair has collaborated with Ravendere Retreats to create Wildwood Spa a holiday let in North Devon that is a master class in cosy minimalism.
Getting the perfect balance between keeping a space minimalist but cosy and inviting can be hard, but the Wildwood Spa holiday let has got it just right. Set in 12 acres of woodland, Wildwood Spa is all about escaping to nature. However, at the same time, hosts Helen and Kieran and the team at Wayfair wanted to be sure the retreat offers the ultimate luxury and opulence of a boutique hotel.
‘Creating a space that reconnects us with nature means choosing natural, neutral pieces,’ says Nadia McCowan Hill, Wayfair’s resident Style Advisor, on her inspiration for the décor. ‘A base colour palette of pale woods, contrasting metal and soft stone can be enhanced with layers of forest green, ochre and pops of pastel pink and violets.’
Wildwood Spa is set into a sloping woodland site that makes the most of the landscape
The design started with what is essentially two understated cubes, nestled into a sloping site carved in the valley rock face. These flank a heated pool with hydrotherapy beds that can be enjoyed year-round.
Vast expanses of glass make up over 50 per cent of the walls of the property. Striking shou sugi ban cladding – a Japanese method of charring wood for preservation – has been used to shroud the exterior.
Clever louvres on the front windows help create shade, add privacy and mimic the many tree trunks surrounding the build. A green roof on each cube helps them blend into the landscape further and encourages biodiversity on the site.
Elements of Japanese design make their way to the inside of the property too. Black is used throughout as a grounding neutral, alongside myriad stone and wood textures that, again, bring the outside in.
This marries perfectly with Scandinavian style furniture and textures for a true example of why Japandi – a combination of Japanese minimalism and Scandinavian function and comfort – is a perfect match for modern spaces and one of the biggest Home Decor trends 2021.
Wildwood Spa
We were invited to stay in the property and make the most of the zen-like settings. Here is what we learnt about creating a cosy minimalist interior, just perfect for guests.
1. Start with a simple, fuss-free canvas
What surrounds Wildwood Spa is as important as what is inside the property, so the shell has been kept simple so as not to detract from the surroundings. All interior walls are either black (echoing the shou sugi ban outside) or clad with unfinished ply which creates a simple backdrop for the décor.
The all-black kitchen draws little attention to itself in the open plan living space with appliances, taps and even the sockets in a matching shade to seamlessly blend. If you’re brainstorming kitchen ideas this is a slick example to bookmark.
Terrazzo flooring throughout makes a subtle design statement, but the aggregate used is all greys, whites and stone colours meaning it doesn’t overwhelm the eye. It is also a very practical choice for a woodland home where muddy feet are par for the course.
2. Include hidden storage wherever possible
With a relatively small footprint, the designers of Wildwood Spa had to be clever with living room storage ideas to make sure there is plenty of room to hide everything away and avoid clutter. The solution is this built-in ply unit with push-to-open cupboard doors and the occasional recessed shelf nook.
There is also a banquette seat tucked away in this unit making sure the small dining space is not dominated by furniture. All this conceals cleaning tools and products, and even an ironing board.
There is a similar set-up in the bedroom and the use of ply brings warmth and texture to the space. The ply then continues round the upper walls aiding the invisible storage look.
Shop the look:
- Chumbley 118cm Solid Wood Dining Table, £139.99 at Wayfair
- Kyng Solid Wood Slat Back Dining Chair, £232.99 at Wayfair
- Bloomingville Stoneware Table Vase, £64.99 at Wayfair
3. Don’t have much furniture – but do choose statement pieces
Arts & Crafts master William Morris said, ‘Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful’ and we think this logic is the centre point of minimalist interiors. Every piece of furniture in Wildwood Spa has both a use and beauty – from the striking four-poster bed, to the emerald green velvet sofa in the living room.
Rugs, throw cushions and little curios are used throughout to add depth and interest. But if you were to strip these away you would still have plenty of focal points in the statement furniture, yet plenty of open space to enjoy.
Shop the look:
- Kazmierski Four Poster Bed, King, £1,152.28 at Wayfair
- Portledge 1 Drum Pendant, £103.99 at Wayfair
- Friederike Accent Mirror, £169.99 at Wayfair
- Hogansville 2 Piece Coffee Table Set, £193.99 at Wayfair
- Culley Serving Tray, £88.99 at Wayfair (seen on side table)
- Melinda Chunky Knitted Throw, £39.99 at Wayfair
- Guyer Cotton Cushion in ‘Brick’, £19.99 at Wayfair
- Blue Caryatid Li by Amedeo Modigliani – painting, £36.99 at Wayfair
- Monochrome Ripple III – painting, £69.99 at Wayfair
4. Consider lighting to be both a colour and texture
Smart lighting ideas do so much more than help you see what you are doing. It can be used to add warmth, highlight certain features in a room and can be layered in the way colour, texture and pattern can be.
Lighting design is split into three parts: task lighting, ambient lighting and accent lighting. Task lighting does what it says on the tin – it helps you complete a task and examples are desk lamps and over-counter lighting in kitchen lighting ideas. Ambient lighting is what many of us call ‘the big light’ such as a ceiling pendant that ensures you can see where you are going. Accent lighting lights objects and architectural points of the room – perhaps a spotlight over a sculpture or a frame light on some art.
In Wildwood Spa, dimmable spotlights are installed in the ceilings then complemented with a variety of lamps, pendants and mirror lights. The highly efficient bio-ethanol fire in the lounge also creates a warming light and focal point when lit. Its heat is barely needed thanks to underfloor heating in the lodge.
Even the hydrotherapy pool is lit from under the water’s surface, making it even more inviting when you can see steam rising from it in the cold night’s air.
Shop the look:
- Matilda Wide Tufted Wingback Chair, £249.99 at Wayfair
- Hykkon 3 seater sofa, £579.99 at Wayfair (just in shot)
- Alaniz Coffee Table, £399.99 at Wayfair
- Pepe 182cm Arched Floor Lamp, £205.99 at Wayfair
- Purley Table Lamp, £92.99 at Wayfair
- Seagrass basket, £29.99 at Wayfair
5. Go for barely-there window dressings
With such large windows, any window dressing would need to be equally large and would likely dominate the room. Curtains are a definite no-no in spaces like this so the designers chose simple black roller blinds that virtually disappear into the frames of the windows when open. They are automated too, so can be opened from the comfort of the bed in the morning to unveil the stunning woodland view.
A freestanding bath in front of a big window may seem a bold choice – especially with a public footpath in peeping Tom’s reach. However, while our hosts advised we close the blinds before a dip in the tub, the external louvres do obscure the room to some degree, while still allowing open sight from the inside out.
If you have smaller windows in a minimalist space, you could get away with lighter curtains, blinds or voiles in neutral colours, or colour matched to the walls.
Stay at Wildwood Spa
A stay at Wildwood Spa is the perfect way to unwind and get some serious design inspiration. Wildwood Spa is located based at Ravendere Retreats in Lee, near Woolacombe, Devon. You can book a two-night stay in the property which sleeps two in one bedroom on the Home To Go website.
Our visit was gifted by Wayfair to give us a first-hand experience of the holiday let. It included a full taste of the extras guests can choose to add to their stay including relaxing spa treatments by local therapists from the comfort of the lodge and exquisite private dining by Coastal Cooks.
Will you be booking yourself in for a New Year treat?
The post Wayfair’s stunning new spa lodge is a masterclass in cosy minimalism appeared first on Ideal Home.
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When to replace a boiler – signs it’s time to buy a new one
The boiler is the engine of your home. Its primary job is to keep all your household facilities working and running smoothly. Sometimes things can go wrong – whether old or new – so it’s important to know the signs so you can spot when you need to replace a boiler.
You boiler is a vital appliance that sends hot water to your radiators and underfloor heating. Plus, of course, it’s the essential source that supplies endless hot water to taps in your kitchen, bathroom and utility room for all your daily needs.
When to replace a boiler – signs it’s time to buy a new one
Image credit: Worcester Bosch
Only engineers registered on the Gas Safe Register are legally qualified to install, repair or move a central heating boiler. Carbon monoxide poisoning can be fatal so always check the tradesperson’s Gas Safe Register ID card to ensure they have the right qualifications for the job.
Here are the most common reasons it could be time to invest in a new central heating boiler for your home:
1. It’s an old boiler
If you have an older boiler that hasn’t been updated for a number of years, it’s likely that you will need a replacement. ‘Experts recommend that you get a new boiler when it is around 15 years old,’ explains Andy Kerr, Founder of smart home systems installer BOXT.co.uk.
2. It’s wasting money
‘In those 15 years technology will have drastically advanced – especially in the world of boilers,’ continues Andy. ‘What was once a white, industrial-looking box stuck on the wall can now look like something out of an Apple store. Not only visually but mechanically they’ve improved. Quieter, compact, and more efficient than ever – modern boilers save you money.’
3. It’s no longer energy efficient
The thing that impacts your boiler efficiency the most is its age. When an old boiler uses more energy than necessary to heat your home and water, it is producing more carbon emissions. When fossil fuels such as gas and oil are burnt with oxygen, they produce CO2, which is a greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change.
There’s been a lot of talk about a gas boiler ban in recent months, as the government ramps up its net zero plans for 2050. ‘Boiler efficiency is measured by how efficiently your boiler turns its fuel into heat energy,’ says Mark Glasgow, Director of The Edinburgh Boiler Company ‘Essentially, an efficient boiler uses the least amount of energy and money and produces fewer carbon emissions. It’s a win-win situation for both you and the planet.’
4. It’s broken or faulty
Even a boiler still under the recommended age and warranty can get a fault. It’s important to have an annual service (preferably in the warmer months) to pick up any problems.
Faulty boiler signs to look out for
Image credit: Vaillant
There are a number of ways a boiler can become faulty. Each problem has warning signs you should look out for. If your boiler constantly continues to suffer from any of the below issues, it may be more cost-effective to recognise when to replace a boiler, rather than repairing an old one.
Leaks or drips
Your boiler can begin to leak in a number of places. To really pinpoint the exact problem, you need to know where your boiler is leaking from. The most common cause of a leaking boiler is a broken component inside the boiler. The pump seal or pressure valve could be damaged.
If the pressure valve is the culprit, your boiler pressure may be too high (see below). If it is the pump, then it may simply have become worn out from excessive or constant use over time. Other common places you may find leaks include the pipes of your system. This can be due to corrosion, so it’s best to get in touch with an engineer who will be able to correctly identify the problem.
Lower pressure
Low boiler pressure can be caused by a number of factors, including water leaks, bleeding radiators as well as the need for a new pressure valve.
‘It’s easy to check the pressure of your boiler. All you need to do is look at the built-in pressure gauge. If the needle is below 1, you may have a problem that needs addressing,’ says Andy Kerr.
If you’re losing pressure quickly – even when re-pressurising your system – get in touch with an engineer to find out the underlying problem.
Higher pressure
If a pressure gauge measures above 2.5 it’s considered too high. Too much water in the system or malfunctioning boiler parts are usually the main culprits. The extra pressure will put stress on the system which can lead to cracks and leaks.
Image credit: Vaillant
Excessive noises
Strange noises coming from your radiators or system is usually an indicator there is a fault. Sometimes, the sound itself can pinpoint the problem:
Gurgling Are you hearing bubbling noises? This is usually caused by air trapped in the radiators, which can be rectified by bleeding radiators. Or, there is trapped air in the main system.
Kettling This is a term used when a whistling is heard similar to that of boiling a stovetop kettle. This may be the result of limescale build upon key internal components which then overheat.
‘Not only is this a noise issue,’ says Ben Mars, resident Gas Safe Engineer at Heatable.co.uk, ‘but consistent overheating can also result in the development of cracks and broken seals in the heat exchanger or nearby components, resulting in a leak.’
Humming If there is a humming or vibrating in the system, this could signify that the heating elements are not working properly. This suggests there’s a fault. ‘All boilers have some level of noise as part of its normal operation,’ says Ben. ‘If it’s a new noise, then it’s more likely there is a problem. Common causes are loose components, high water pressure or the pump running too fast.’
Dripping The likelihood is there is a leak somewhere which can lead to pressure loss or electrical component damage.
Clicking or tapping This generally means there may be an ignition failure.
No hot water
If a boiler is heating the house but not supplying hot water, the diverter valve may be defective. This problem is common in older boilers that have had a lot of use. The diverter value becomes worn, weakened or seized.
No heating
Faulty thermostats that control the temperature of the room may be the culprit. Or, boiler pressure may be to blame.
If neither are guilty it’s time to call an engineer. ‘Common reasons for this particular fault are broken diaphragms and airlocks, a motorised value failing,’ says a spokesperson at Auragas. ‘These issues will need a professional heating engineer to come and fix or replace the faulty part.’
Image credit: Heatable.co.uk
Constant ‘lockouts’
A boiler lockout is a shutdown procedure that initiates when the boiler is not working. If this is happening regularly and engineer callouts are becoming more frequent it may be time to consider whether a new boiler would save money in the long run. The older a boiler gets, the more difficult may be to source new components or parts. So, in fact, it will have become Beyond Economical Repair (BER).
If you notice any of these signs, seek the help of a professional right away. Visit the Gas Safe Register to find a qualified engineer near you.
The post When to replace a boiler – signs it’s time to buy a new one appeared first on Ideal Home.
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