Frisbees, solar panels and a toilet are among the rather unorthodox stars of the Chelsea flower show, as horticulturalists attempt to show how gardens can be practical as well as beautiful. The event, now in its 112th year, usually tends toward showcasing peonies and roses over human waste. But the Garden of the Future, designed … Read more
This is a great time to be a shopkeeper, if that shop is for those worried about the breakdown of civilisation. “It started with Covid, and people weren’t looking for toilet rolls, put it that way,” says Justin Jones, who runs the online UK Prepping Shop, whose stock ranges from emergency food and wind-up radios … Read more
When the Filter asked me to test and rate six dating apps, it was a challenge I undertook without flinching. I’m something of an expert in this field: for close to a decade now, I’ve written and talked about my love life on public platforms. The reactions have always been mixed: friends roll their eyes, … Read more
A gardener and activist hired by the Royal Horticultural Society to help it reach out to younger and disadvantaged people has said its flagship Chelsea flower show celebrated “exclusivity over equity” as he walked away from the role. Tayshan Hayden-Smith, 28, was asked in 2022 to become the charity’s ambassador for young people and communities. … Read more
Any day now I am going to do a complete wardrobe reorganisation and then make tons of money selling my old clothes on Vinted. Also, learn Spanish. Go through the 10,000 photos on my phone, print out the nice ones of the kids and put them in nice frames, and create one of those charming … Read more
We know better than to take good weather for granted, especially with a weekend approaching. So with the forecast set to fair, it’s time to get outside (before it inevitably starts raining again). The Guardian’s journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more. Whether you’re planning … Read more
Whether you’re enjoying afternoons lounging in the garden, a lively barbecue on the patio or a sundowner on the balcony, the right outdoor furniture can transform an outdoor space completely. The Guardian’s journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more. No matter how beautifully your garden … Read more
Forest Gate, London A seven-minute walk from Forest Gate station, and the Elizabeth line, is an orange-hued brick block of townhouses built in 2021. Within the building is a three-storey property with a roof terrace. Despite its muted exterior, the inside is a carnival of colour: different themes for different rooms; and hand-painted murals. The … Read more
If you were prepping, what should be your top five things to hoard in light of the recent power outages in Spain and Portugal? Alina Ahmad, Johannesburg Send new questions to [email protected]. Readers reply We live in a wildfire area and were evacuated in 2020 when half the town burned up. There is never enough … Read more
A pre-fab cabin and a beach house designed for a growing family are among the properties shortlisted in the sustainability category of the Houses awards, Australia’s premier residential design prize. This year’s seven-panel jury noted ‘the radical idea of doing less’, with low-impact renovations that prove you don’t need to demolish to make something remarkable