Period Features

Useful tips when painting with Oil Full Gloss

Our Oil Full Gloss is a traditional oil based paint designed to give full coverage only after two coats. One of the most common mistakes when using our Oil Full Gloss is to 'over apply' the paint i.e. apply too much onto the surface which might cause the paint to 'wrinkle' and so take a lot longer to dry. Click here to see the 'wrinkling' in more detail as well as the remedial action your customer can take if this problem occurs.

Also remember that:

	•	Our oil paints can thicken if stored at low temperatures (below 10˚C) and we would suggest you store at room temperatures for 24 hours before you plan to use the paint.
	•	You must allow each layer to fully dry before applying the next coat.
	•	You must paint in dry conditions with temperatures averaging above 10˚C.
	•	For best results use a natural bristle brush.

Entertaining Children Over Christmas

Worried about how you are going to entertain excitable children in the lead up to Christmas? www.activityvillage.co.uk/christmas_pages.htm has enough ideas to keep any family busy including Christmas writing paper, notepaper, gift tags, bookmarks, scrapbook and craft paper, templates, Christmas cards, stories and poems to print out, games and more!

Christmas Markets

Christmas markets offer not just a shopping experience but an opportunity to get into the festive mood. Whilst the most famous Christmas markets are to be found in Germany and Austria, in recent years there has been a huge growth in home grown Christmas markets. Find one to suit you and enjoy some outdoor shopping and a glass of mulled wine at one of the 154 UK markets listed at www.christmasmarkets.com

Wonderful Winter Colours

If you are deliberating this winter over which Farrow & Ball shade to decorate an occasional room such as a dining room, why not be brave and consider some very strong colours? They work wonderfully, creating a really dramatic and intimate atmosphere and a perfect place to entertain.

Try colours such as Brinjal® No.222, Radicchio® No.96, Drawing Room Blue No.253 and Chappell Green® No.83 - their richness and warmth make them an ideal choice for dining rooms so often lit by candle light. The rich, dark, velvety tones are intensified by the light and take on a wonderful jewel-like quality - perfect for Christmas and beyond!

Christmas Tree Advice

The British Christmas Tree Growers Association www.christmastree.org.uk has a list of retailers who sell trees fresh from the field which should mean that they will last longer. Advice on the types of trees available and how to care for them can also be found on the site.

Win A £25 Period Features Voucher!

This month we are giving away a £25 Voucher to spend on any of our lovely products, redeemable in store or online. Just answer one simple question and after the closing date of 31st January 2009, we will pick the winner at random from all the entries received.

To enter please take a look at our Bells & Bell Pulls which can be found in our Period Hardware section then just answer the following question: On our Claverley Bell Pull, what finish does the ‘Pull’ button have? Email the answer to us at competition@periodfeatures.net. Good luck!

The lucky winner of our October/November competition, receiving a £25.00 voucher, was Mr Adrian Crook. Many thanks to all of you who entered.

Christmas Tipple

All too often those not drinking alcohol are left feeling rather uncomfortable at parties, standing out with a glass of lemonade, cola or orange juice in their hand whilst other guests or their hosts tell them that 'surely one drink wouldn't be a problem?' The solution is to provide a good range of alcoholic free drinks such as hot or cold fruit punches, alcohol free beer and wine. The latter has traditionally had something of a poor reputation but good alcohol free wine does exist and is perfect for your festive gatherings. For a large range of the above, along with Champagne and liqueurs available by mail order from single bottles to whole cases, visit the LoNo Drinks Company Ltd at www.lono.co.uk

Sash Window Restoration

The desire to make our homes draught-proof and to upgrade the insulation has led to many traditional box sash windows been replaced with uPVC double glazed windows. Replacement windows often clash with the proportions of the house but this is a sacrifice many people will accept in order to have a warmer home. It is possible to restore and improve your existing sash windows and have the best of both worlds and there are many websites offering help and advice. Sash-style www.sash-style.co.uk offer free advice on all aspects of maintaining sash windows from DIY advice on re-cording a window to draught-proofing it with DIY kits. There is also a directory of people who can take on this work for you. DIY sashes http://www.diysashwindow.co.uk/index.htm offer DIY restoration kits that will repair and draught-proof a sash window.