Solihull Living Mar - Apr 2021

For more than just cooking
From a quick coffee on the run to a full on feast for
14, a Classic Interiors kitchen is a space that works
for you and your family. We make kitchens for
more than just cooking, we create rooms for life,
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on practicality & functionality. Everything we
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W I N T E R
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www.classicinteriors.co.uk 0121 405 1310

Contents
A Note
from the EDITOR
13
Glorious
A Culinary Easter Journey recipes through to
Northern celebrate Ireland the spring
I was hoping we would be
approaching this edition with a bit
more of a certain outlook, but at the
time of going to press, the shape
of the next few months still looks
rather…fluid. Time to call on some of
that British resilience and adaptability
– and wait for the joys of spring to
flow forth. After all, there’s nothing
that a big old wedge of cake can’t fix,
so that’s what we are providing!
This edition is still a celebration of
my favourite season – a time of
fabulous food, spring cleans and
new beginnings. We hope you enjoy
reading it as much as we have
enjoyed putting it together!
The competition
page returns
04
Whilst Easter might yet again not take
its usual form, we still have some
celebratory and seasonal recipes to
help you take joy in the preparation
and flavour of good food - no matter
how much company you have to
share it with.
On the home front, we have a
wonderful kitchen before and after
feature to inspire. If lockdown has
seen you improve instead of move or
you love your home but the space is
no longer working the way it should
for you, take a look at what can be
done with a bit of imagination!
A real-life before and
after kitchen renovation
18
Key Account Manager Marion Cassidy
e marion@minervapublications.co.uk
d/l 01225 984502
twitter: @LivingSolihull
Spring clean tips
from the experts
Editor Katie Thomson
e katie.thomson@minervapublications.co.uk
Publisher Sally Thomson
Pre-Press Manager Kate O’Connell
Contributors Rebecca Rose, Peter Thomson, Sue Cooke, Matthew Biggs
Angela Cave and Pete Lawrence. Front cover courtesy of Clarence Court Eggs
MINERVA PUBLICATIONS HQ
Unit 21c, Paxcroft Farm, Hilperton
Trowbridge BA14 6JB
t 01225 984 550
visit our website www.minervamagazines.co.uk
24
Disclaimer: The publishers shall not be held liable for any loss occasioned by failure of an
advertisement to appear, or any damage or inconvenience caused by errors, omissions and
misprints. No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior permission from the
publishers. The opinions expressed within are not necessarily those of the publishers.
Spring is a traditional time for a
good clean and clear out - given
we are bursting out of the seams of
our homes, we should be making
the most of the storage we have
and reduce the clutter - so we’ve
got some expert tips to banish the
baggage and some cleaning hacks to
make your house shine.
Our ever-popular competition page is
back with a bumper crop of amazing
prizes - don’t forget to enter - I always
bemoan the fact I can’t as there are
some exceptional goodies to be had!
All that’s left is to wish that the next
time we see you, we are firmly on
the road back to normality - there’s
a palpable good feeling in the air and
long may it continue!
Katie
www.minervamagazines.co.uk | 3

COMPETITION
SnüzPod
bundle worth
over
£250
Time
To enter any (or all!) of our competitions, head to
www.minervamagazines.co.uk/competitions.
Find the competition and enter on that post,
using the appropriate keyword.
T&C’s apply and no cash alternatives available. Winners chosen at
random - entries made after closing date will not be accepted.
There’s no doubt about it, when it comes to a happy parent
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them close by mum and dad always, whilst also promising
more sleep for the whole family!
Closes 20/04/2021 - Competition keyword ‘SNUZ’
Win Gtech’s new
Power Tools
collection worth
£280
Gtech, award winning specialists in home
technology, have added a brand new
selection of cordless power tools to help
you tackle home DIY with ease.
The cordless 20V Combi
Drill was designed for the
most popular DIY tasks. It
offers three modes of operation
so you can switch between
drill, hammer and screwdriver
modes with 21 different torque
settings for driving jobs requiring
precision.
The cordless 20V Impact Driver
makes driving screws, nuts and
bolts a breeze, helping you handle
larger screws, thicker materials and
remove tight fittings easily to take
the strain out of DIY. Both available from
gtech.co.uk Closes 20/04/2021
Competition keyword ‘GTECH’
The Alcatel 3T 10
comes with an Audio
Station, so you can
dock your tablet and
enjoy crystal clear sound
whether that’s to sit back
with your favourite shows
while the living room is
occupied or keeping the
kids entertained!
You can host virtual parties,
movie nights and more.
The tablet also comes with
built-in Google Assistant
too meaning it can be
voice-controlled and you
won’t have to lift a finger.
Available at jdwilliams.co.uk
Closes 20/04/2021
Keyword ‘ALCATEL’
Tablet and
speaker worth
over
£199
Win a stylish Milo console table
from Zurleys
Are you working from home but
using a cluttered kitchen table?
Online furniture store Zurleys is
giving away a stylish Milo console
table, so that you can create a
dedicated workspace at home.
This sleek,
Scandinavianstyle
table in
grey and white,
features two
roomy drawers.
Ideal as a home
office desk, the
Milo is equally
well-suited to a
modern-style
living room or
bedroom.
Closes 20/04/2021
- Competition
keyword ‘ZURLEYS’
Console table
worth over
£160
Win a beautiful pair
of unisex, vintage
Christian Dior
sunglasses.
With a beautiful
collection of pre-loved
and vintage glasses
and sunglasses, Queen
of Specs offers a more
sustainable option when it
comes to choosing your
next pair of glasses.
Based in Cheltenham
and with over 50
years in optics, Queen of Specs have curated a
collection of eyewear that includes designs from
leading fashion houses such as Prada, Gucci,
Cazal, Christian Dior and Hugo Boss for quality
conscious people. They offer worldwide
delivery and prescription lenses for any of
their glasses frames are available from £29
per pair. queenofspecs.com
Closes 20/04/2021
Competition keyword ‘SPECS’
Win a pair of
unisex, vintage
Christian Dior
sunglasses worth
£99
4 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk

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www.minervamagazines.co.uk | 5

What should 'catch up'
look like for children
in schools?
As the vaccination programme rolls out and
we can begin to think of a time when schools
return to ‘normal’, pupils, parents, teachers
and school leaders are once again presented
with talk of ‘catch up’ for children with longer
school days and extending the term being
touted as the solution...
Ensuring children develop their literacy and numeracy skills is
crucial. But, beyond that, we have to reflect on what exactly
we’re asking children to “catch up” on and whether we are
focusing our energies where they matter most.
Are we looking at helping children to ‘catch up’ on their
confidence, their resilience, their skills for learning or their
friendships? Are we driven to ensure children ‘catch up’ on their
love of art, cooking or their sports fixtures? Or, are we being
driven to ‘catch up’ on facts and figures to shoehorn children
through exams and standardised tests? If it’s the latter, it may
seem a sensible fix (though unlikely to feel that sensible to those
involved in remote education who have worked harder than ever)
then we will be doing our children a disservice in the long term.
Standardised testing is important but it is not paramount and
should certainly not be used as the outcome we reach for when
we build our response for children in the future. In terms of future
life outcomes and success, children need social skills, leadership,
good work habits and sports related competencies. The child
who loves to read, explore outside to learn about nature, play
and build with their toys or practice their favourite instrument are
setting themselves up with skills for a successful future.
It is far more sensible for us to change the standardised test
in the short term to accommodate this past year and to then
help children focus on their wellbeing and their ability to learn
effectively in school. If we must talk of catch up, let’s talk of
helping children to catch up on their friendships and relationships
in school. Let’s catch up on break time with friends, chess club,
sports fixtures, art lessons or after school drama.
If we invest time in our children’s wellbeing in the short term, we
can accelerate their academic ‘catch up’ in the long term.
David Preston, Headteacher, Arnold Lodge School
01926 778050
15 - 17 Kenilworth Rd, Leamington Spa,
Warwickshire, CV32 5TW
ADVERTISING FEATURE
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PRIZE BUNDLE!
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to practise essential reading and writing skills offline.
Reading Eggs was created in 2008 by expert educators at Blake
eLearning with over 30 years of experience. The multi-awardwinning
early learning resource focuses on a core reading
curriculum of skills and strategies essential for sustained reading
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It has been designed for kids aged two to thirteen and is an
invaluable resource in helping them build essential reading skills.
The programme covers the five components of reading which
all children need to become proficient readers: phonemic
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Reading Eggs’ results speak for themselves with over 91%
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From March, Reading Eggs will be offering 35% off the All
Access 12-Month combined subscription for up-to four children,
now £54.99 down from £83.99. Reading Eggs is also offering 10
per cent off all book packages throughout March.
To enter this competition, head to:
www.minervamagazines.co.uk/competitions
Use the keywords ‘Reading Eggs’ on the form
Competition closes 20th April 2020.
For more information visit: www.readingeggs.co.uk
www.minervamagazines.co.uk | 7

Image courtesy Heathfield School
FAMILY LIFE IN LOCKDOWN by Jane Prescott
We all know how limiting, frightening, and
all-consuming the impact of the Covid-19
pandemic continues to be on our lives.
But there have also been positives, and
in many households, enforced lockdown
has been an opportunity to re-engage with
family life and reclaim relationships and
values.
As a head teacher, I speak to other Heads
as well as the staff and children in my own
school. While there are always concerns
and individual struggles, what I repeatedly
hear is how many of us are now doing
things together as a family.
Many of us are eating more healthily
and cooking with our children, dining
together around the table, rather than in
front of the TV. This is such a valuable
lesson for children, preparing meals from
basic ingredients and enjoying the social
benefits of family mealtimes.
Families are taking walks and gardening
together. For teenagers, walking can be
an opportunity to enjoy one-to-one time
with a friend whose company they might
previously have enjoyed only in a group.
This is when friendships can deepen and
flourish.
Indoors, we’re digging out old board
games and jigsaws, and reading books
with younger children has become a joy
rather than something to shoehorn in
at the end of a frantic day. Parents are
brushing up and passing on their knitting
and crocheting skills. It’s as if lockdown
has given us permission to slow down, be
creative, and talk to one another instead
of being hunched over our mobiles all
evening.
Of course, screen time remains important.
School moved online during lockdown and
technology helps children to stay in touch
with friends. Nevertheless, it seems we
now use technology together to contact
extended family and grandparents. I
regularly hear about online quiz nights
for all generations of the family. You
could argue that some families are more
in touch than ever, as the grim reality of
the pandemic makes us more inclined to
reach out to those we love.
Time plays tricks on us. When we have
less of it, we try to recapture it with ready
meals and gadgets. When we have more
of it, we often squander it. But when we
are forced to embrace day after day at
home, we bake bread, play games, and
take walks. In fact, the amount of time
available is always the same, it’s simply
that lockdown has demonstrated what can
happen when we choose to enjoy it with
our families.
I want all my students back in school,
where unhappy children are less likely to
fall through the net. But lack of family time
can also impoverish a child, and it’s my
hope that children who have flourished
during lockdown are able to carry on
enjoying those valuable, whole-family
experiences.
Image courtesy Westfield School
Jane Prescott is President (2020/21)
of the Girls’ Schools Association and
Headmistress of Portsmouth High
School GDST. www.gsa.uk.com
8 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk

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Take On Charity's
Challenge To Save
Lives In SOLIHULL
The lifesaving crew of Midlands Air
Ambulance Charity is challenging the
people of Solihull to help raise vital funds
for critical care missions in 2021,
as part of the organisation’s 30th
anniversary year...
The Air30 Airbase Challenge is based on four distance options,
ranging from 27 – 121 miles, which represent the distance
between the charity’s three airbases. Participants can select
how they complete the chosen mileage as an individual or a
group. Any method can be used; run, jog, walk, swim, cycle (or a
combination of), or even by pogo stick! Once started supporters
will have 30 days to complete the activity.
The Air30 Airbase Challenge starts on 1st January 2021 and will
end on Monday 31st May 2021, when the charity first formed.
All participants can choose their 30-day window for completion.
As well as setting themselves a physical challenge, participants
are also being tasked with raising funds for the rapid response,
pre-hospital emergency service in a bid to increase donations
following the difficulties of 2020.
There will be four challenge options in total, representing three
operational airbases across the Midlands – RAF Cosford in
Shropshire, Tatenhill Airfield in Staffordshire and Strensham
Services on the M5 in Worcestershire.
ADVERTISING FEATURE
These distances include:
Tatenhill to RAF Cosford: 27 miles – route helimed09
RAF Cosford to Strensham: 40 miles – route helimed03
Strensham to Tatenhill: 54 miles – route helimed06
Or participants can take on the Helicopter Challenger, the full 121
miles, which is the distance between all three airbases as the
helicopter flies.
Each of the distances will benefit from a member of Midlands Air
Ambulance Charity’s aircrew allocated as a team leader, who will
be sending regular emails to keep participants motivated in their
challenges.
A small sign-up fee is required in addition to any sponsorship
monies raised. Registering as an individual will cost £5, or £10 for
a team registration, with a maximum of four participants.
To register your interest and for more information on Midlands
Air Ambulance Charity’s Air30 Airbase Challenge, visit
midlandsairambulance.com/air30-airbase-challenge and
follow the organisation on social media. Participants complete
the activities at their own risk.
fi
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10 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk

R
Challenge yourself
and help save lives
in your area
To kickstart our 30th anniversary year in 2021, join the aircrew
on our New Year - New You challenge.
Take on one of four distances to raise vital funds to
support our lifesaving service. It’s a great way to
help our charity and get fit at the same time!
£5 for individuals £10 for a team of four
Sign up now at: midlandsairambulance.com/air30-airbase-challenge
Help make our next mission possible

Our locations.
You explore them.
We’ll support them.
Red Rails
Ref: P00894
We’re partnering with
Cornwall Community
Foundation to give
back, so you can look
forward to wonderful
holidays in strong and
supported comunities.
cornishhorizons.co.uk
01841 533331

EASTER
Though it is still not Easter as
we know it, it doesn’t mean you
can’t celebrate with some special
dishes and delightful bakes.
These fabulous recipes all come
from Clarence Court Eggs
Bites
SIMPLE HERBY
ASPARAGUS OMELETTE
WITH FETA AND RADISH
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 10 minutes
Serves: 1
INGREDIENTS
150g British asparagus spears
A small handful radishes
Juice of half a lemon plus a wedge for
serving
½ teaspoon honey
Extra virgin olive oil
½ small bunch fresh dill, leaves picked
A few sprigs parsley, leaves picked
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 Clarence Court Hens Eggs
A knob of butter
40g feta cheese
METHOD
Click the woody ends from the asparagus
and place a medium frying pan on a
medium/high heat. Add all but one spear
of asparagus and dry fry for about 5
minutes or until starting to soften, turn
occasionally.
Use a speed peeler to peel strips of
radish and the raw asparagus. Add to a
bowl, with the lemon juice, honey and a
drizzle of olive oil. Toss together and add
a few of the herb leaves and a pinch of
salt and pepper.
When the asparagus spears are cooked,
remove from the pan and place to one
side on a plate. Return the pan to a low/
medium heat. Beat the eggs well with the
remaining herbs and a good pinch of salt
and pepper. Add the butter to the pan
and swirl it around, once melted tip in
the eggs and use a spatula to draw lines
through the mixture and make sure any
raw mixture gets contact with the pan.
Cook to your liking arrange the asparagus
on one side of the omlette, scatter over
the feta and fold the omelette over.
Gently transfer the omelette to a serving
plate, top with the salad and serve with a
lemon wedge.
PEA AND PECORINO
QUAIL EGG ARANCINI
Preparation time: 10 minutes, plus time
for cooling
Cooking time: 6 minutes
Serves: 6
INGREDIENTS
6 Clarence Court quail eggs
1 white onion, diced
1 garlic clove, minced
A splash of white wine
200g of pearl barley
600ml of vegetable stock
50g frozen peas, thawed and roughly
chopped
50g of butter
50g of Pecorino, grated
2 tablespoons plain flour
1 Clarence Court egg, whisked
4 tablespoons breadcrumbs
Vegetable oil for frying
METHOD
Boil the quail eggs for 2 minutes, peel
and set aside.
In a pan over a medium heat, sweat down
the onion in a little oil until softened but
not browned, add the garlic and cook for
a further minute before adding the barley
stirring well.
Add the wine and stock one ladle at a
time until all the liquid has been absorbed
and the barley is cooked through. Add in
the chopped peas, butter and Pecorino
and season to taste. Spread the mixture
onto a tray and allow to cool.
Lay out the flour, beaten egg and
breadcrumbs in 3 separate bowls. Take
a handful of barley risotto and with
wet hands, gently lay a quail egg into
the middle and mould into a ball. Roll
in flour, dip into egg and roll into the
breadcrumbs. Cook two at a
time in oil at 160ºC for 3-4 minutes until
golden brown.
Drain onto kitchen paper and serve warm.
www.minervamagazines.co.uk | 13

EARL GREY AND GINGER
SIMNEL CAKE
The Simnel Cake is buried deep in the traditions of England. It
signals the start of new beginnings with the coming of Spring.
It often now served around Mothering Sunday. This zesty
version includes the not too traditional addition of warming
ginger and citrus Earl Grey tea.
Preparation time: 40 minutes (plus soaking fruit overnight)
Cooking time: 2 hours
Serves: 10-12
INGREDIENTS
6 pieces of stem ginger in syrup
50g dried apricots
50g glace cherries
100g sultanas
50g dried cranberries
125g currants
60g chopped mixed peel
Zest of 2 oranges
200ml earl grey tea (made with 3 tea bags and cooled)
250g unsalted softened butter
250g soft light brown sugar
230g self-raising flour, sieved
4 large Clarence Court Hens Eggs
½ teaspoon mixed spice
1 teaspoon ground ginger
3 tablespoons apricot jam
Icing sugar for dusting
300g marzipan
Mini eggs and edible flowers to decorate
METHOD
The night before you bake the cake, chop the stem ginger,
apricots and cherries and add them to a bowl with the
remaining dried fruit, orange zest and cooled tea. Cover the
bowl and set aside to soak overnight.
The following day drain the fruit and discard any tea that
hasn’t been soaked up. Grease and line a deep, heavy, 20cm
round baking tin with baking parchment. It’s often useful to
wrap a sleeve of foil wrapped in baking parchment around
the outside of the tin and secure it with string. This prevents
the cake from browning too much as its baked for around 2
hours.
Pre-heat the oven to 150ºC/gas mark 2. Place the butter,
sugar, sieved flour and spices into the bowl of a free-standing
mixer. Whisk for a minute or two until beaten into a smooth
cake mix. Alternatively, you can do this by hand with a
wooden spoon. Fold through the tea-soaked fruit.
Spoon the mixture into the lined tin and level out evenly. Place
the cake in the oven to bake for 2 hours or until golden and
risen. To check it’s ready, insert a skewer into the centre of the
cake. If any mixture remains on the skewer, cover the cake
with tin foil and bake in the oven for a further 10 minutes.
When it’s ready, allow the cake to sit in the tin for 20 minutes
on a cooling rack, then carefully turn it out and allow to cool
completely.
Melt the apricot jam and brush it on to the top of the cake.
Roll out half of the marzipan to a 20cm circle on a clean work
surface dusted with icing sugar and place on top of the cake.
Roll out 11 balls and arrange them around the edge of the
marzipan circle. Use a blow torch or place on a hot grill for a
minute or two to achieve a golden-brown finish. Top with mini
eggs and edible flowers if using.
14 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk

Spring will come and so will happiness.
Hold on. Life will get warmer.”
– Anita Krizzan
pring will We are
come
exciting and busy
and
getting ready
so
to
so
open
will
the garden
happiness.
shop
& display gardens in early March.
Bulbs
We have many varieties of Spring bulbs, with new growth,
Hold on. Life that are will ideal to instantly get transform warmer.”– bare beds. Anita
These can be bought in pots for easy planting and we have a great range
including specialist varieties
Krizzan
Roses
Come and see our extensive range of new stock roses.
A varied selection with an additional supplier; we have more than
we’ve ever had before.
Competitive prices and a fantastic choice.
re exciting and and busy busy getting ready to to open open the the garden shop shop & & di
gardens in in early early March.
Bulbs

HOT CROSS BUNS
Preparation time: 2 hours, 20 minutes
Cooking time: 15-20 minutes
Serves: 12
INGREDIENTS
500g strong white bread flour
10g fine salt
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons ground mixed spice
1 orange zest, finely grated
1 lemon zest, finely grated
300ml semi skimmed milk
60g unsalted butter
10g fast action yeast
1 large Clarence Court Hens egg, beaten
150g sultanas
50g dried cranberries
50g chopped mixed candied peel
Vegetable or flavourless oil
75g plain flour
100g Bonne Maman Apricot Conserve
METHOD
Place the strong white bread flour in a large
mixing bowl. Stir in the salt, mixed spice, ground
cinnamon, orange and lemon zest. Make a well in
the centre.
Gently heat the milk until lightly steaming and stir
in the butter until melted. Pour the milk and melted
butter into a jug (check that’s it’s lukewarm) and
stir in the yeast. Mix until frothy then pour into the
well and add the beaten egg. Mix with a dinner
knife at first bringing the flour slowly into the milk
mixture and forming a rough dough.
Transfer to a free-standing mixer with dough hook,
spoon in the mixed fruit and knead to a smooth
dough for about 5 - 10 minutes. Tip into a lightly
oiled large bowl and cover with clingfilm. Place
in a warm cupboard or by a radiator for 1 hour or
until double in size.
Meanwhile line two baking trays with greaseproof
paper. When the dough is ready turn out on to a
clean lightly floured work surface and ‘knock back’
divide the dough into 12 equal sized balls, using a
weighing scale helps make sure they are all even.
Place 6 balls on each tray fairly close to each
other. Place each tray in a large food safe bag
(large roasting bags work well) and secure with an
elastic band making sure the bag doesn’t touch
the buns. Place the trays back in the warm place
and allow the buns to double in size (about 45
minutes).
Pre-heat the oven to 200ºC/Gas Mark 7. Mix the
flour with 75ml water and spoon the paste into a
small icing or piping bag.
When the buns are ready, remove them from bags
and pipe a cross over each bun. Place the trays
in the oven and bake for 15 - 20 minutes or until
golden brown. Turn the trays halfway.
Meanwhile, melt the jam in a pan and pass
through a sieve. Once the buns are cooked
remove from the oven, brush over the glaze
and allow to cool a little. Serve fresh or toasted
with butter. You can freeze the buns, just cool
completely and glaze after defrosting and
reheating.
16 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk

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B2 5HU

FAMILY
FOCUSED
living
As well as shaping our lives and plans, the last year of intermittent
lockdowns has certainly changed the way we need our homes to
function. With kitchen tables shared between home schooling and
home-working, or living spaces packed with exercise kit, many of
us have gotten to know our four walls very well - but found them
falling short in terms of how they work for us...
This was the case with homeowners
Lisa and Phil, who had to put off a more
significant move in March 2020, “we
had had our offer accepted on a period
property that needed lots of work, but
right as we were about to exchange,
our buyers pulled out. In a way, it was a
blessing in disguise, as whilst our house
isn’t our dream home, we were glad to
not have to live in a full-house building
site during lockdown. All this did make us
reconsider our space and how to make it
work better for us in the present.”
With two young children, like many
homes, the kitchen and dining areas
were the heart of the action, “I suppose
our layout was a fairly standard one – a
kitchen looking over the back garden,
then a separate dining room which had
an opening into the sitting room. We also
had a conservatory which was just never
The old conservatory (right) transformed
into a modern extension and new
French doors from the kitchen.
used – it was either very cold or upwards
of 50ºC in the summer months. It just
seemed like a huge waste of space and
created this awkward, multi-door access
to the garden, with about 1,000 trip
hazards for my two-year-old.”
Many of us have spaces like this, which
don’t fit with how we want to live – often
the kitchen is separate and leaves one
family member away from all the action.
“The kitchen had only wall units too and I
really wanted a breakfast bar area where I
could have friends over for coffee but have
eyes on the kids playing at all times too.”
BEFORE
18 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk

Lisa and Phil wanted to create a ‘broken plan’
space – that is, an open-plan kitchen/diner
with some seating and a play area for the
kids, then closing off the sitting room to have
more of a cosy retreat. “Rather than having
a full extension, we found out that we could
use the existing conservatory foundations and
half wall to create a whole new room with a
skylight – then, by removing the existing wall
between the kitchen and dining room, we could
create a large L-shaped space, with a snug for
the kids and a peninsula - we didn’t have the
clearance room for an island, but this gives us
a lot of the feel without making the walkways
feel cramped” says Lisa, “this reconfiguration
also allowed us to have French doors direct
from the kitchen to the garden – something I’ve
always wanted for summer dining outside.
“We decided to seal up the opening between
the dining area and sitting room so we had a
separate space - a retreat from the kids and
all their stuff!”
The couple went to a local kitchen supplier
who suggested they look at the Lifestyle
Kitchen range by Crown Imperial – they
loved the sleek simplicity of a modern shaker
style called Avio and the colour options
were fantastic. “I’ve always loved the look
of dark kitchen units, so we went with a mix
BEFORE
“MANY OF US HAVE SPACES LIKE THIS,
WHICH DON’T FIT WITH HOW WE WANT TO
LIVE – OFTEN THE KITCHEN IS SEPARATE
AND LEAVES ONE FAMILY MEMBER AWAY
FROM ALL THE ACTION.”
www.minervamagazines.co.uk | 19

Frayed linen cushion and mudcloth
cushion, both hauslife.co.uk
the Graphite shade on the bulk of the cabinets
and white on the storage around the banquette
seating area. I was worried the dark colour might
overwhelm the space, but it’s gorgeous – there’s
such a depth to it which shifts in the light and
the simple lines keep it timeless. The doors and
drawers have such a feeling of quality, they’re
really robust and easy to clean - important with
sticky kids about – and they have the soft close
function, which is just amazing when you’ve not
had it before! We opted for a mix of conventional
cupboards, a larder cupboard around the fridge, a
curved one for the breakfast bar and of course the
full height ones on the banquette seating – great for
housing the hoover and large kitchen appliances!”
Lighting was a huge consideration for this newly
zoned, multi-function room. Lisa wanted the
lights to help define each space - with functional
track spotlights in the kitchen, pendants over the
breakfast bar and a beautiful statement light over
the dining table. “To save on costs, instead of
having a raft of new spotlights installed, we chose
these beautiful ‘Osaka’ track spots from DAR
Lighting. Then we chose the ‘Dynamo’ pendant
lights for the breakfast bar - they have a diffuser
on the bottom which stops the light from having
that stark, interrogation appearance - they create
a fabulous ambiance. The pendant over the dining
table is called the ‘Alana’ and I was immediately
attracted to its stylish form and functionality - it
looks amazing in situ. Despite choosing lights from
three different collections, they work together really
well and all have a stunning antique chrome finish,
which tied the metallic finishes on the handles and
tap together.”
Whilst you may not consider it, the sink and tap
are some of the most important purchases in the
20 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk

Cabinets from Crown Kitchens
Tap and Sink from GROHE
Accessories from jysk.co.uk
www.minervamagazines.co.uk | 21

BEFORE
DAR Lighting
Alana Pendant
“THE PENDANT OVER
THE DINING TABLE IS
CALLED THE ‘ALANA’
AND I WAS ATTRACTED
TO ITS STYLISH FORM
AND FUNCTIONALITY - IT
LOOKS AMAZING IN SITU.”
kitchen - especially with our heightened-awareness of the importance
of regular hand washing. This beautiful GROHE Minta SmartControl
kitchen mixer tap is perfect for the hygiene-focused and budding chefs
alike with its button-controlled start technology, “it’s so convenient - if
you have a heavy pot to fill with water or have handled raw meat, you
can start the tap with the touch of an elbow or wrist. You can adjust
the flow of the water with the button too - the spout can also pull out
so you can rinse down the whole sink with ease. We paired it with the
GROHE K700, which has an undermount design - it’s so sleek and
looks amazing against our composite worktop.”
It’s no secret that kitchens require robust flooring – it has to be able to
cope with water but also resist damage from dropped pans or knives.
The obvious answer was luxury vinyl, so Lisa and Phil went straight to
the experts at Amtico, “we knew we wanted wood effect and I am a huge
fan of a classic herringbone pattern. Our concern was that this floor had
to run into the hallway too, but that’s too narrow to support this pattern
– but the beauty of these Amtico planks was that they can be laid in a
whole host of different configurations – ours has a transition from straight
planks in the hallway to my beautiful herringbone. We went for the colour
Honey Oak, but you can even mix and match shades in the range to
create some lovely tonal variations and patterns. They also come with an
amazing 25 year guarantee which gives real peace of mind.”
22 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk

Table, vase, tray, sculpture and
candle all jysk.co.uk
Mudcloth Throw, hauslife.co.uk
Amtico Flooring in
Honey Oak
DAR Lighting Osaka Track
and Dynamo Pendants
Having now completed the project,
would they change anything?
“Honestly, it’s surpassed our
expectations - it was a relatively
painless process which has
completely transformed the way we
live. We opted for the best quality we
could afford and I’m so glad we did -
this is beating heart of our home and
now it works for all of us.”
STOCKIST DETAILS: Sink: K700
undermount sink, £591.13 excl. VAT
and Minta SmartControl kitchen tap in
Supersteel £395.97 excl. VAT, both grohe.
co.uk; Lights: Osaka, £134.40, Alana, £96
and Dynamo, £132, all darlighting.co.uk;
Flooring: Amtico in Honey Oak part of the
Amtico Spacia Collection, amtico.com;
Cabinets: Lifestyle Kitchens by Crown
Kitchens, crown-imperial.co.uk
www.minervamagazines.co.uk | 23

SPRING
Spring cleaning and
organisational tips
refresh
CLEANING HACK
Regular vacuuming may leave carpets looking spotlessly
clean but lurking within the fibres of the household
carpet is a layer of bacteria that cannot be removed
by vacuuming alone. Regularly washing your carpets
will keep bacteria at bay, and ensure they keep their
appearance for longer and smell fresh and clean.
LAUNDRY HACK
To make laundry
smell amazing,
soak a thick
sponge in 5 parts
water to 1 part
fabric softener,
wring it out until
damp and then
add it to the drying
cycle - your laundry
will smell amazing
and it’s more ecofriendly
than using
dryer sheets
New VAX Platinum SmartWash
Our carpets have to stand up to a lot of action, but
sometimes vacuuming just isn’t enough. Wage war
on dirt, bacteria and odours in the home with the new
Vax Platinum SmartWash, the UK’s first carpet washer
with motion sense technology that removes over
99% of bacteria trapped in your carpet fibres that can
cause bad smells.The clever solution for home carpet
washing also outperforms the UK’s leading rental and
leaves carpets dry in as little as just one hour.
Carpet washing has never been easier. Just add
warm water and VAX Platinum Antibacterial Solution,
turn on and push forward to start washing. The
advanced FlexForce brush bars set to work agitating
the carpet to remove tough stains, dirt
and spills, delivering a deep clean
seven times more effective than
vacuuming alone. If time is short,
simply activate the ‘dry only mode’
after washing and pass over your
carpets again; to dry them in as
little as one hour.
Where to buy: Direct from
www.vax.co.uk priced
£299.99 including 2 x 250ml
VAX Platinum Antibacterial Solution
and 1 x Pre-Treatment Spray, free delivery and a free steam
cleaner worth £59.99.*only when purchasing direct from VAX.
Which Interior Personality Are You?
With The Home Edit and
Marie Kondo sparking a
generation of interior and
organisation obsessives,
Brabantia is working
with organiser to the
stars Vicky Silverthorn
Set of Four Square
to reveal the personality
Stacking Canisters,
£31.50, brabantia.com types when it comes to
home organisers
In response to the
decluttering trend,
Brabantia and Vicky Silverthorn have
identified five personality types when it comes
to how we keep our homes.
WHICH PERSONALITY ARE YOU?
THE PRACTICAL: tidying up is a breeze
for this person, within 10 minutes the house
is looking spotless without what looks like
any effort
THE SHOW HOME: their home is clean
and shiny at all times, and the pride in their
immaculate space is clear. It’s just so!
THE TRY HARD: this person really wants
to be tidy; the intention is there but there’s
always too much ‘stuff’ they’re buying!
THE NATURAL: they don’t live with much
stuff, so organising their belongings is easy.
THE THROW AWAY: how this person’s
house looks depends on the day. They like to
shop, but equally like to have a mass clear out
every few months, but it always fills back up.
TOP TIPS
START WITH THE KITCHEN: Clear your
food cupboards, give to the food bank and
get the food looking like a shop shelf so you
can see exactly what you have. Food which
needs using up at the front and surfaces clear
ready for healthy prep time.
CHARITY SHOP BOX: Place a box or bag
in your hallway (or hang on door handles) so
when you spot something you don’t want / try
something on you no longer want, you have
somewhere to put it before it heads to the
charity shop. Not having this often means we
put things back and think ‘I’ll do it later’ and it
often never happens.
THROW THE RULEBOOK OUT THE
WINDOW: Ignore any unnecessary rules
such as have I worn it in the last year and
ask yourself the most powerful question of all
(if you are decluttering to give yourself more
space) ‘Can I live without this?’.
THINK CONSCIOUSLY: More sustainable
living – this is a valuable reason to be more
conscious of what you are buying. The
throwaway culture we have lived in needs to
come to an end and placing appreciation on
long lasting good quality items needs more
focus and attention.
DECLUTTER FIRST, STORAGE
SECOND: You need to declutter before you
buy storage which is too big and not actually
needed. Often once you’ve got rid of things
you no longer want you’ll find your storage
problem isn’t as bad as you first thought.
BE PRACTICAL: Get rid of what isn’t
working for you and replace it with practical
equipment. This could be anything from a
bin that is too small or a clothes dryer that
annoys you every time you try and put it up!
The right equipment will make life easier and
reduce stress!
Organister to the stars
Vicky Silverthorn
Bo Touch Bin, from £158,
brabantia.com

NOTES FROM THE GARDEN
SPACE STATION
Our regular contributor Matt Biggs is currently away,
meanwhile we talked with our in-house gardening expert
Angela Cave and discussed how we may wish to consider
making the most of our gardens...
Whatever we have been doing, or not doing, over the last year
most of us will have spent quite a lot of time at home. For those of
us with gardens there may have been a reappraisal of how we use
the space we have, and many people will be feeling that the space
they do have in the garden might be up for a re-think. Working
from home may have been temporary for some, others might be re
assessing how they work and wanting to work from home on a more
permanent basis or starting a new venture which needs just that bit
more overflow and storage space.
Enter the garden building. This option is becoming increasingly
popular as it adds space without the need, usually, for planning
permission and it can be achieved relatively quickly too. There are
other perks apart from a shorter commute - why not install a home
cinema so that your office can turn into a place of recreation once
the working day is over, add a bar and have a home pub, add some
gym equipment and get the abs you have always wanted, there are
so many great things about new space! For those just starting a new
business, it can be a workshop, production area, packing space,
even a studio to film those all-important blogs and vlogs - the more
you think about the options the more essential it becomes!
It would be a good idea at this stage, to get in touch with a local
company who can advise on the options, make yourself a mood
board and a list of what you want your space to do, how big you
want it, how it is going to blend into your existing space and the
style of your home - there are many things to consider, but whatever
you decide, the anticipation and realisation of having your own new
space is definitely something to look forward too.
Landscapes & Driveways
Summer
bargains!
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01926 940854 / 07341 985164
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www.minervamagazines.co.uk | 25

COPING WITH DEMENTIA
Across the world, 44 million people live
with dementia. Hundreds of millions of
people are affected by the dementia of
parents, partners, siblings or friends.
And as much of the world struggles with
an aging population, dementia is set to
become ever more of a challenge for
societies and individuals.
But most people who are diagnosed, or
who are dealing with the diagnosis of a
loved one, feel as though they are alone.
This book fills the gap, providing practical
information and support for living with, or
caring for, Alzheimer’s and other forms of
dementia.
With clear and sensible information about
recognising symptoms, getting help,
managing financially, staying at home,
treatment, being a carer and staying
positive, this guide will help those with
dementia and their families to make sure
that they can stay well and happy as long
as possible.
To find out more about this condition we
would recommend that you read Professor
June Andrews’ book: Dementia:
What You Need to Know.
Professor June Andrews RMN, RGN,
FRCN is an inspirational woman whose
impact on healthcare in the UK, and
further afield, is profound.
26 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk
She is a refreshing force of nature - smart,
politically astute, amusing and possessed
of a razor-sharp intellect. A Scot, she
trained as a nurse in Nottingham,
England before taking up a series of
posts that moved from practice to policymaking
and strategic management and
influencing.
As Director of the University of Stirling’s
Dementia Services Development Centre,
Professor Andrews makes ambitious
things happen all the time: she recently
conceived of a new online design
guide for care homes and hospitals,
ensuring wall-to-wall media coverage
and heightened public and professional
awareness of the practical things you
can do to make life better for people with
dementia.
Working to make change internationally
Not content with revolutionising dementia
care in the UK, Professor Andrews is
simultaneously working to make change
internationally. She has worked in many
countries including the Netherlands,
Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, Ireland,
Canada, New Zealand, Australia, the
USA, Saudi Arabia and Hong Kong; she
has been an adviser to the Canadian
Knowledge Translation Network,
and judged awards for the European
Foundations in Dementia and the NHS/
Design Council. In 2011 she gained
recognition for her international work
through
the Robert Tiffany Award, and
was presented in Philadelphia with the
first-ever Founders’ Award of the British
American Project, of which she is a Fellow
and advisory Board member.
June supports other health and social
care teams as a coach and mentor,
and has led successful teams for three
decades. Because of her considerable
achievements as a nurse leader, she
received the Chief Nursing Officers’
Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012.
Fellow of the Royal College of Nursing.
In 2014 she was made a Fellow of the
Royal College of Nursing of the United
Kingdom, the highest honour that the
RCN can bestow. In 2013 she was listed
in the Health Services Journal as one
of the fifty most inspirational women in
health care and separately as one of the
100 most influential clinicians in England.
To find out more visit
www.juneandrews.net

Heartlands Care
& Nursing Home
Vaccinating our residents against Covid-19
We understand how difficult things are for the elderly
population right now. If you’re concerned about how
your relative is coping and would like them to have
more support, Heartlands provides family-led nursing,
residential and dementia care in a luxurious and
homely environment. All those in our care will be offered
the Covid-19 vaccine, allowing them to live safely and
as they wish.
0121 786 1212
50 Broadstone Road, Birmingham, B26 2BN
www.countrycourtcare.com
Questions about
living in a care home?
Speak to our Trusted Advisor, Philip, today.
At WCS Care we know moving into a care home is an
emotional and difficult decision and there’s lots to think about.
We’ve over 29 years’ experience of helping people to
make the best decision for their next home, whether that’s
a WCS Care home, or one outside our group that’s more
suited to their needs. Our focus is on
doing the right thing for you, not us.
Call me today for an initial
discussion about your needs.
07802 728447 p.rainsford@wcs-care.co.uk
wcs-care.co.uk
/wcscare
@WCS_Care
Registered charity
number 1012788
28 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk

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OUR HERITAGE • YOUR FUTURE
BUILT ON INTEGRITY AND TRUST

THANK YOU to all our amazing CAREGivers and staff,
working tirelessly to keep our clients safe, well and happy in their
own homes. We are so proud to work with such amazing people, you
are simply the best!
And a BIG THANK YOU to the key workers and our
friends and partners in the NHS, Solihull County Council and other
Local Authorities, Alzheimer’s Society, Parkinson’s Society and Age
UK to name just a few, your bravery and dedication is truly amazing.
Helping our elderly community feel safe and reassured...
Home Instead Senior Care Solihull
01564 330 395 | 01212 704 615 | www.homeinstead.co.uk/solihull
Each Home Instead Senior Care© franchise office is independently owned and operated. Copyright © Home Instead 2017.