Oasis

A pair of solicitors have revealed how they transformed their dream home into a tropical oasis inspired by the Raffles Hotel in Singapore. Brisbane-based Kerrie and Paul were both nearly 40 and living the ultimate high-flying city life when they decided to leave the city of Brisbane for 'open spaces, the lush tropics and an ability to sail away on the weekend'. While the pair knew that their jobs meant they had to live near the city, they also realised they wanted to spend their evenings and weekends near the water and slightly away from their place of work. A pair of solicitors have revealed how they transformed their dream home into a tropical oasis inspired by the Raffles Hotel in Singapore (exterior pictured after) RELATED ARTICLES Previous 1 Next Meet the Australian jewellery designer who sells a piece... Your gut guide: Doctor busts the three biggest myths... Old church hall hides unexpected and beautiful surprise... 'He can't wait to be a tradie': Mum throws … [Read more...] about How we created our dream home: Solicitor couple reveal how they transformed their house into a spectacular tropical oasis inspired by a luxury hotel

A couple have revealed how they renovated a rundown two-bedroom home in Queensland into a spectacular tropical oasis.  The house, which once had a paint job in avocado green, used to be a single storey, two-bedroom, single bathroom dwelling with a backyard covered in acres of broken concrete.  But today, under the dedicated efforts of Belinda Smith and her builder husband, the dwelling features a second storey, five bedrooms, four bathrooms, vast open-plan living and a pool. BEFORE: The 'avocado' house once sported a paint job in lurid green complete with unappealing white trim AFTER: The home has been elevated by one storey and its renovations are in keeping with other million dollar properties that line the street Its new owners said they saw the potential the moment they first laid eyes on the 'avocado' home, however, the scale of the project was a force to be reckoned with. Describing her thoughts on undertaking the renovation, Mrs Smith said she knew it would be a … [Read more...] about Now THAT’S a reno! Builder couple reveal how they transformed an overgrown ‘avocado-coloured’ home into a spectacular tropical oasis

Davinia Taylor has reportedly purchased a second house from Noel Gallagher, three years after the Oasis rocker first listed the property for £11.5million. Having already bought the Oasis star's £3.25million West London home - Supernova Heights - in 2005, before offloading it to David Walliams, the ex-party girl has now acquired Noel's £8million North London mansion, complete with a gym, six bedrooms and a garden room.  Noel will no doubt be delighted the Primrose Hill socialite and ex-Hollyoaks star, 41, has purchased the property , which is less than two-miles from Supernova Heights, after a lengthy struggle to sell. House-hopping: Davinia Taylor has reportedly purchased a second house from Noel Gallagher, three years after the Oasis rocker first listed the property for £11.5million. Property mogul: Having already purchased the Oasis star's £3.25million West London home - Supernova Heights - in 2005, before offloading it to David Walliams, the … [Read more...] about Davinia Taylor buys Noel Gallagher’s £8million four-storey North London mansion complete with a gym, six bedrooms and a garden room… three years after Oasis rocker listed the property for £11.5million

Towns and cities Thermae Bath Spa, Bath One of the UK’s most dramatic spas (pictured above), this neo-Georgian building is wrapped in angular glass, with access to three naturally heated spring-fed pools. The spa can get busy, so go early and head straight for the rooftop pool for views across the city. The thermal experience floor includes a sauna, steam room and a “celestial” relaxation room. Make the most of the waters with a watsu treatment (£67) – a form of shiatsu massage in a private pool.Book it Spa taster sessions, including use of the spa and lunch or dinner, start from £48, thermaebathspa.comStay The boutique Queensberry Hotel has doubles from £100 room-only, thequeensberry.co.uk Kings Head, Cirencester Overlooking Cirencester marketplace, the Kings Head is a coaching inn dating from the 14th century, with a modern country-chic interior. The spa is in the vaulted cellar, whose tactile limestone adds to the dark, atmospheric space. The … [Read more...] about 30 of the best spas in the UK

My daughter spots them first, glinting like diamonds in the midday heat of the Moroccan sun, irresistible for small fingers to pick at. “Treasure!” she exclaims, kneeling down to pick clusters of tiny crystals out of the earth, some of them clear, others in ochres, oranges and yellows. From gold and silver to cobalt, nickel and zinc, the Atlas mountains are a mineral paradise, as well as an ancient and lucrative industry. Centuries ago, explains our walking guide Abdelkarim, the original silk route would have passed through these mountains en route to Timbuktu, transporting gold and silver from the area. Mining is big business in Morocco, its applications ranging from cobalt for phone batteries to quartz crystals in watches and zinc oxide in agriculture. Rich with ravines and canyons, waterfalls and wild flowers, the Atlas mountains stretch 2,500km, spanning Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia, and separating the Atlantic and Mediterranean coastlines from the Sahara desert. Today, … [Read more...] about Jewel of the Atlas: mining for pleasure in a Berber retreat