Homes & Gardens

Five Common Lawn Care Mistakes Exeter Homeowners Make Every Summer

A healthy lawn doesn't just happen by chance, especially around Exeter and with so many new builds these days. Even with Exeter's generally favourable climate, a few common mistakes can leave grass looking patchy, brown or worn out by the end of summer.

Whether your garden is used by children, pets or simply as a place to relax, avoiding these pitfalls can help keep your lawn looking its best throughout the warmer months.

1. Cutting the Grass Too Short

It can be tempting to mow the lawn as short as possible to reduce how often it needs cutting, but this often does more...

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Parkfield Interiors appointed to design Spinnakers showhome

Designer, Maria Smythe, has been appointed to deliver the interior design for the showhome in high quality development Spinnakers on Exmouth Quay.

Maria, who owns Parkfield Interiors, will be responsible for creating the design concept for the showhome as well as creating and sourcing all the fixtures and furnishings.

She said: “I’m delighted to be working with Eagle One Homes again. Spinnakers is a superb development with unrivalled views over the River Exe. Creating a design which really makes the most of this feature is my challenge. Everything needs to lead the eye to...

Exclusive Exeter residential development to offer city's first concierge service

LUXURY city living is set to reach new heights at an exclusive new development in Exeter with the launch of a professional concierge service for all residents.

For those residing at the prestigious Dean Clarke House apartments on Southernhay, a concierge will be on hand to offer a range of ways to assist in the smooth running of their everyday lives.

It is the first time a service of its kind has been offered in Exeter and it is set to raise the bar of luxury living standards in the city.

"Having a concierge to hand is the ultimate luxury, complementing the...

Give a bird a home - and feel the love

Valentine’s Day marked the beginning of the annual Nest Box Week, and bird lovers flocked to the Axe Estuary Wetlands near Seaton on Wednesday 19th Feb for ‘Give a bird a home’ – an opportunity to create a bespoke nest box.

Kits were prepared by East Devon District Council Countryside Rangers, who also gave advice on where to place the completed article for the best results.

"Different species of birds have different requirements when it comes to nest boxes," explained Fraser Rush, Axe Estuary Wetlands Officer. "We have two types of kit on offer; one for a nest box which...

First time buyers choose to stay close to home

Young people in Exeter who are flying the nest are not getting very far - instead choosing to buy their first property just a few miles from home.

A survey conducted by One Poll, on behalf of leading housebuilder Barratt Homes, has revealed that almost 70% of first time buyers in Exeter under the age of 35 are likely to move within a 20 mile radius of their family home.

Female buyers are even keener to stay close, with 25% preferring to only move up to 10 miles away, compared to 32% of males who would consider moving up to 20 miles away.

The figures have been...

Holiday home owners encouraged to make regular checks during severe weather

Holiday home insurance specialists Boshers are highlighting the importance of property owners making regular checks on their homes.

The advice comes with more severe weather forecast and with the first school half term of the year bringing visitors in to those areas already affected by extreme wind and flooding.

Mark Lavington, Director at Boshers Ltd explained; “With many holiday home owners living away from their properties it is vital that they are regularly checked in order to proactively deal with any potential damage from the weather. Identifying issues and damage to...

Top 10 tips for Surviving a Flood

The Exeter Cleaning Company, itself no stranger to flooding, gives TED readers its tips on preparing for and surviving a flood.

Home sweet Holmdale

East Devon District Council with partners DCH (formerly Devon & Cornwall Housing) proudly unveiled 12 new affordable flats in Mill Street, Sidmouth, last week. Many have already been snapped up, but a few still remain available to purchase under a shared ownership scheme.

The smart new Holmdale apartments are the result of a partnership agreement between the Council, which retains the freehold of the town centre site, and DCH, who manages affordable housing schemes across the South West.

Built on the site of a former motor workshop, later used as a gym, the 12...

Birdwatch results may be affected by flooding

This year's Big Garden Birdwatch' took place last weekend, with over half a million estimated amateur surveyors taking part across the UK. Findings can still be submitted to the RSPB until the 16th February. However, the trend of the annual survey - which began in 1979, may well be disrupted this year due to the freak storms and repeated flooding which took place over winter. Dr Sasha Dall, a senior lecturer at Exeter University, explains that "During these bouts we'll expect to see more and more of them using bird feeders - particularly ground feeders like starlings,...

Topping Out at Exwick

Cornerstone celebrated reaching roof stage on their latest affordable housing development on Friday.

The development, at Ennerdale Way in Exwick, comprises four one bed and five two bed flats at affordable rents for local people registered on Devon Home Choice.

The topping out was celebrated on the roof with bubbly and doughnuts.

The development is expected to be completed in April 2014 and has been made possible with grant funding from the Homes & Communities Agency.

If you would like to find out more about Cornerstone Housing their rented properties...

Beware cowboy builders taking advantage in flood-hit areas

Devon and Somerset Trading Standards Service is warning people affected by the recent floods to be aware of rogue traders and cowboy builders.

Previous floods and severe weather in the UK have seen rogue traders offering a range of flood and damage recovery services as well as tarmacking, driveway cleaning, roof cleaning, guttering and garden maintenance.

Devon and Somerset Trading Standards is urging people to be on their guard and to follow some simple steps:

Don’t be rushed into making a decision on the doorstep, even if the trader says the work needs to

Homes & Gardens

Five Common Lawn Care Mistakes Exeter Homeowners Make Every Summer

Parkfield Interiors appointed to design Spinnakers showhome

Exclusive Exeter residential development to offer city's first concierge service

Give a bird a home - and feel the love

First time buyers choose to stay close to home

Holiday home owners encouraged to make regular checks during severe weather

Top 10 tips for Surviving a Flood

Home sweet Holmdale

Birdwatch results may be affected by flooding

Topping Out at Exwick

Beware cowboy builders taking advantage in flood-hit areas

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