Category: HOME & GARDEN
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The Lodge
It’s ever evolving, and it’s hard to put a value on the Lodge and how much joy it brings me. Very few people get to work in a place like this. Not only is my office beautiful it’s got an amazing location – right in the heart of the UoB campus, which is itself the…
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The en-suite bathroom’s new look
It’s not finished yet but much of the overhaul is complete. It’s fair to say that it exhibits the house style of rich complementary colours alongside bespoke art. I like each room to have it’s own personality and character, functioning as a unique part of the greater whole. You can catch a glimpse of the…
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Is this the most handsome clock ever made?
For years I have wanted a centerpiece for a display in my home office but all options fell short. That is, until now. I stumbled upon this stunning clock when I was buying a Mondaine watch with an identical design and colourway. As soon as I saw it I knew it to be the solution…
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Autumn ’22 House Progress Update: sexy double oven
Such has been my meandering focus over the last few months that I have not documented any recent home improvements, of which there has been a few. The drama I had over the installation of this new oven was genuinely hard to believe (I’ll spare you!). This only makes satisfaction with the end result more…
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Dr James’ Good News (1): How do you like those apples?
There’s a dizzying amount to feel depressed about at the moment so here’s some good news: my apple tree produced its first batch this year! As you can see it’s a monster bounty, almost a bowl full. 🙂 Just wait until next summer, there’s no stopping us now.
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Spring & Early Summer
It has to be the best time of year because the days get longer, the garden springs back to life, there’s a bank holiday every few weeks and you get to wear a single layer every now and again due to the warmer weather. Partly in relation, you feel a natural pull outdoors and cannot…
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Home improvement
Moving into my office in Edgbaston has given me the opportunity to introduce some new art into my home. I have also had some decorating done this week, beginning the long-awaited conquest of the top floor.
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One small step for man, one giant leap for the man’s fitness mission!
After a (typically) long period procrastinating I have executed a plan to get a punch bag mounted in my garage gym. It’s taken a month to put it together – buying the bag on Ebay (bargain!), fetching the mount from Decathlon, fetching the Rawl plugs from Homebase, the wall mats from Aldi, etc, etc. So…
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Home for Christmas, 2021 edition
What can I say about Christmas that doesn’t verge on cliché? Very little I’d guess. I’ve always kept Christmas well and in my own way, and the latter explains why I always enjoy it so much. No compromises, no bland middle ground so as to not offend certain understandings of what Christmas is or should…
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Some 2021 garden highlights
No summer in the UK is the same as the last, nor is it predictable. I’ve had summers that have rained every day and others that have featured prolonged heat waves. Either way, each year some things grow fantastically whilst others don’t take at all, in spite of my best efforts. Here’s a little collage…
Dr Martin James 