This thread was started by minnie101 in March and her comments at the end of May indicated she may have been by then well advanced in the planning if not the implementation. Doesn't that make suggestions for clearing and early stage design the following January somewhat posthumous? Changing topic to a piece orf growing advice for minnie101: we are now in a new year with a new growing season coming up. Instead of buying new lavendar plants to replace those which are getting leggy annd unkempt, why not look up how to take cuttings from those you have and replace with newly grown, free plants of your own? This will not only work with lavendar but with a huge variety of herbacious plants as well as most shrubs andd, if you have the patience to wait for the results, trees. You need some cheap plastic plant pots and some compost. A trowel would be useful. But you could even use an old spoon from the kitchen and a few empty yoghurt, margarine or other empty, washed packaging tubs with a couple of holes punched in the bottom for drainage. Here's an offer for all you Houzzer folk. If enough people would like to learn how getting free plants from your own cuttings works, I shall write an article for you and post it with a few pictures or drawings for clarity, here on the Houzz site if I can find out where to put it!

Hi Clara, this is an interesting one for you since the shape of your bedroom, door entry points and placement of radiator dictates the room layout. Even if there was room to flip the bed in the other direction and have it against the window wall, I don't think this would be wise. Firstly, you have the radiator to consider, which will block all that heat or make you very uncomfortable when in bed (!), and then you have the draft to consider when heat isn't on and you're right under a large window. I feel like you did a really great job with the existing layout and I understand that you want to change things up but feeling limited with options. To maximise space, I would suggest a built in corner wardrobe on the wall where the existing wardrobe was placed and wrap it around the returning wall. At the end of this wardrobe unit where it meets the foot of the bed, I would suggest softening that corner with some shelves to place a few books/ ornaments/ framed pics - makes it interesting and more personal. Depending on the gap between bed and end of wardrobe unit, you might be able to fit a mounted narrow desk to the wall which would double over as a contemporary vanity unit. I feel that you have a lot of space where the radiator is placed and have the potential to hide the radiator and maximise this space with a sleek storage unit. Naturally, there are clever ways for the heat to still radiate the room. I've attached an inspiration pic for you. If that doesn't feel right for you then why not centre your vanity table so that it obstructs the sight of the radiator? I'm all about balance and symmetry, this could work quite well! In terms of design scheme, the inspirational pics that the other responder sent you are fantastic. An indigo blue wall would make a bold design statement in the room (check out dulux denim drift blue paint for a softer hue), and pairing this with greys and stark mustard accents (cushions) will really funk up the space. Also consider a colourful contemporary abstract painting to hang against that gorgeous blue! Good luck Clara!

I want to have no lawn garden due to having 2 dogs. I was starting my garden ages ago but tried to finish off house things first I need garden design help I like my raised bed the hut will be replaced and moved to other side as I don’t want to be sitting looking into bins they will go behind a trellis I screen . Kinda like 3 diff areas but though about raised beds at the side. Now I’m confused I will be doing this myself on a tight budget buying things when I can Dug up so much like a swamp with the dogs not very nice Any help drawings anything would be appreciated I was going to try garden designers but the cost just can’t do it. I have 20 reclaimed slabs lying as well. I do also think painting the paving at my back door light grey to make colour mor uniform. Thanks in advance.

I think just covering all that fencing with climbers will make a huge difference, and a small tree will add height and interest. Smallish trees with lovely blossom are Sorbus (Mountain Ash), Hawthorn, Magnolia or even a dwarf apple tree - I have Spartan which has lovely pink blossom in spring followed by delicious red fruits. Climbers that like sun are Roses, Honeysuckle and Clematis. Climbing Hydrangea is a climber that enjoys shade so good for your shady spot. I’m not a fan of plastic grass, but I know what a mess dogs can make of a small lawn! You could just create another paved area, but in a different stone such as gravel or granite sets. Have a long on Pinterest where there are lots of ideas of “courtyard gardens” where there are no lawns but still full of lush planting. Shrubs would probably get too big, but there are little shrubs such as Skimmia, Hebe, Lavender etc that you can fill in the gaps. Here’s some ideas