< Previous20 LINCOLNSHIRETODAY1218-21_Layout 1 21/06/2016 12:34 Page 3LINCOLNSHIRETODAY21HOMES51) Vision Sorrento Sahara:These multi-coloured vision blinds from Direct Blinds are asubtle and pastel-shaded addition tocompliment a variety of other furnishings. 2) Barcelona Modular Sofa Set: TheBarcelona Modular Sofa Set from Living it Upcan be arranged to suit your space andstyle – perfect for the conservatory. 3) Chicago Sofa: Comfortable and stylish– this Chicago Sofa can be paired with avariety of cushions and throws to make itentirely your own – available fromAskew’s of Alford.4) Tealby Oak Dining Range: Traditional,sturdy and stylish; this dining set is asmuch a delight to look at as use - availablefrom Askew’s of Alford.5) Design House Stockholm Greenhouse:Create a miniature garden in theconservatory with this clever contraption fromEinrichten Design, recalling experimental andminimalist Scandinavian designer furniture. 6) Pearl Vase: With its naturally distressedfinish, the Pearl Vase from Sweetpea & Willowlooks as though it was plucked straight fromthe heart of an oyster shell. 64PHOTO: ASKEW’S OF ALFORD318-21_Layout 1 21/06/2016 12:34 Page 422 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYARTISTIC LINCOLNSHIRE Ever since she was a youngster, AnitaMortimer has been fascinated withcreating art. Whether it was picking up apencil, crayons or even felt tips, shewould while away hours scribbling onscrap paper or in colouring books. Butafter she left school, art lost itsmomentum, as it was made clear to herthat a “proper job” was more of apriority. Anita grew up in Croydon Surrey, andwas the only daughter in a family of fourolder brothers. It was an exciting andinspiring time, with plenty of parks toexplore, interesting people to meet andvaried cultures to become immersed in. Itwas a heady experience, rich with colour;people dressed in their native outfits, thesmells were overwhelming, and musicrang out from every street corner. All ofthese rich, tactile memories factor intoAnita’s art, adding depth and nuance. Growing up, the only animals Anitaever saw were the perennial pets, such ascats, dogs and rabbits. She wasfascinated by their fur, and would oftendraw her own pet, Sindy, whose coat wasa beautiful black and tan. This acuteobservation of her surroundings is acrucial aspect of Anita’s art. Indeed,watching, studying and enjoying theworld around comes across in every oneof her works. Each boasts keenobservations like all good fineart, yet there’s a playfulnessthat sets her pieces apart frommany of her contemporarieswho are more concerned withrecreating every detail in front of them. Anita now lives in Lincolnshire, whereshe’s happily married with two grown-upchildren, and has started to draw again.Although she took art for her O- and A-Levels, Anita is largely self-taught andlearnt by doing rather that fastidiouslyfussing over the theory. She never tookart too seriously and despite gettingaccepted into art college, she turned itdown feeling that she needed to do“something proper”. Instead, she went toanother college to study the variousaspects of community care with thehopes of becoming a police woman. Creativity, however, would always be atthe back of her mind and when herchildren were born, Anita would draw ontheir walls. She’s even been asked byfriends to make murals on their ownchildren’s bedrooms and these were thetimes when Anita worked in colour. Oneof the starkest aspects of Anita’s art is itscolour, or rather the lack of it. In tryingthe capture the detail of her subjects,which she sees in black and white, Anita’sart is all grey shades, black strokes andevocative white space. She uses graphite,a material she describes as “very raw”and one which you can’t hide behind. Inthat regard it is a challenging andunforgiving medium, but Anita feelsthat’s what makes it exiting. Anita hasspent many nights trying to conquer andmeet the demands of the pencil, evenworking into the early hours day afterday. Capturing natureLincolnshire is a constant inspiration for artists;we catch up with Anita Mortimer whoseworks have sparked interest at home andabroad. 22-23_Layout 1 21/06/2016 10:56 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY23ARTISTIC LINCOLNSHIRE THE LITTLE REDGALLERYLove art? Then we’d love to meet you, please call in for a cup of tea and a chat.The Little Red Gallery are feeling ‘Love’ with a fantastic range of pieces and perfect gift ideas.8 Bailgate Lincoln LN1 3AE01522 589134art@thelittleredgallery.co.ukwww.thelittleredgallery.co.ukDespite many of the inherentchallenges involved in art, Anita findsart comforting, a process which takesher on a journey that transcends all ofher leisure pursuits. Although havingplayed football, spent time in the gymand swimming pool, none impart thesatisfaction that drawing, especiallywildlife subjects has. Anita’s pictures have soldinternationally, and she has taken on avariety of commissions for wildlife, petsand people portraits. Her latest ventureis into landscapes and life drawings,and she intends to go onto a safari,something that will surely have a hugeimpact on her art. 22-23_Layout 1 21/06/2016 10:56 Page 224 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYAs a garden designer I want to createthe ideal garden for my client. I want toprovide a garden that meets their briefand budget, while providing them withan amazing outdoor space. I also keep upto date with the changing trends withinthe world of gardens and outdoor spacesso that I can give clients unique ideas thatthey may not have considered.This year, the fashion is to have curvedlines, rustic textures, and focal points.There is also a move away from formalgardening with people opting for a morenaturalistic look with long-floweringplants which need less tending. Theseplants could be Salvia Nemorosa‘Caradonna’, Tiarella ‘Iron Butterfly’,Erysimum ‘Bowles’s Mauve’, Dianthus‘Memories’ and Penstemons ‘Blackbird’ or‘Schoenholzeri’.Ed Fuller from Fullers Forestryand Landscaping shows youhow keeping abreast of thelatest trends can lead to aspectacular outdoor space. Keeping upWhen you are thinking about yourplanting, you may want to consider anothertrend - having a ‘colour scheme’. Borderscan be packed with a variety of plants butmodern gardens will have a colour schemeto complement the planting scheme. If youwant to take this to another level and join atrend from over the pond you could alsoconsider ‘Colouring Structures’. This isbasically painting your fence either a varietyof colours or one bold colour to enhanceyour overall garden colour scheme.Although formal gardens are no longertrendy, rockeries are making a comeback.However they are not on large scales. Whilethey are in a variety of sizes, small seemsbest so that they set off a garden instead ofproviding an imposing, harsh feature. Morepeople want to use local materials, and soyou could consider using stone from one ofPHOTO: ANDREW WHEELER: WWW.AWPHOTOGRAPHIC.ORG.UK24-25_Layout 1 21/06/2016 10:57 Page 1the many local quarries. Allow plenty of space betweenyour rocks and use a variety of sizes of stone, and thenadd some ferns, alpines and succulents which are alsofashionable plants at the moment. If you don’t think a rockery is right for your gardenthen you could consider another similar option, which is ascree garden. This is an area which, taking inspiration from thealpine landscape, could have water running through it with avariety of stones, gravel and aggregate interspersed with avariety of plants. Cushion plants and those that are mat-forming are ideal for a scree garden. Try to avoid rampantgrowers, tall plants or those with large foliage. The perfectscree garden will provide adequate moisture in the summeralong with good drainage and protection from damp in thewinter. The best plants for a scree garden are GeumMontanum, Lewisia Cotyledon, Dianthus Alpinus, Saxifraga andDaphen Cneorum ‘Eximia’.Instant gardening is also a new movement. People do notwant to wait for their garden to mature and so establishedspecimens are being used. These can help create form andisolated focal points instantly but there is a cost implication.Ensuring your garden is nature friendly is one of the impetusfor this movement as people want to provide instant habitatsand insect friendly planting. Getting back to nature is probablythe biggest trend for this year with the relationship between usand nature being at the forefront of a lot of people’s gardendesigns. Even if you don’t have a large area you can stillprovide for nature.The final fashion that has moved on is that garden sofas havebeen replaced with the garden bed. The garden is such animportant place to relax and de-stress, and so the garden bedis being seen as the ultimate way to kick back and chill out.After all this is the time of year that you should be out in yourgarden and enjoying it.LINCOLNSHIRETODAY25Specialised Servicesin Garden DesignLandscaping andTree MaintenanceBacked by a highly-skilledand experienced team,we’ve built our reputationon an ability to provide our clients with professional, tailored gardening and forestry solutionsFREE NO OBLIGATIONQUOTATIONSFULLERSForestry & LandscapingCall 01522 868717 or 07867 510544info@fullersforestry.co.uklwww.fullersforestry.co.ukwww.landscapinglincolnshire.comGARDEN ADVICEAround thegardenlDead head bedding plans and perennial plants to stop themself-seeding and encourage further flowering. Cut back the fadedperennial plants.lDead head your roses to keep them looking tidy. Leave theflowers in place if your rose produces attractive hips (seed pods). lDead head sweet peas regularly to keep them blooming andwater daily in dry weather.lKeep an eye out for pests on plants, early treatment is best.lIf you need to prune your deciduous Magnolia, now is the besttime to do it.lCutting back growth in hanging baskets can encourage newflowers and foliage and will revive the display. Make sure you feedyour baskets well after doing this. lPick your courgettes while they are young to encourage morefruit, and pick your runner beans regularly to prevent thembecoming stringy and to make room for developing pods.lWater your lawn during hot weather, particularly newly seededor turfed lawns. lTurn the contents of your compost bin every month to keep itwell aerated.lKeep bird baths topped up in hot weather. PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/LIANEM24-25_Layout 1 21/06/2016 10:57 Page 226 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYGARDENSFabulous vistas, terraces bedecked withcontainers and borders packed with sun-loving plants are just some of thedelights of this particular reader’sgarden. There’s also paths that beckonthe visitor to stroll amongst its bordersfilled with interesting shrubs andperennials, the dappled shade of trees,beautiful lawns and wildflower areas. The garden really is a testimony to itsowners, Jane and William Cross, whohave transformed what was a witheringovergrown patch of land, into what willsurely be enjoyed for generations tocome.Hill Top Farm is just outside ofOakham and when the couple firstinherited it, some seventeen years ago, itwas nothing but a small housesurrounded by fields. It’s hard to imaginethat as we look at the glorious house andLabour ofLoveSituated within Oakham Parish, this beautiful hill top garden overlooks thevillage of Braunston and the Qwash Valley, and is truly in a class of its own.26-29_Layout 1 21/06/2016 11:53 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY27GARDENSgarden that stand proudly in place now. This south facing garden has a heavy clay soilwhich is constantly being improved by using siltfrom the on-site pond and composted manureand, judging by the way the plants are flourishing,this formula works very well indeed.As we stand on the front porch terrace we havea full view of the front garden and the LincolnshireRutland hills in the distance. There isn’t anotherhouse in sight and it affords a real sense oftranquillity.The summer months are arguably the mostattractive but as Jane tells us “I often spend all dayin the garden - the grass alone takes six hours tocut and trim.” But, clearly when it’s a labour oflove, time is almost irrelevant. As the colder months approach, this bringsautumnal colour and thanks to long lasting bloomssupplied by Rasell’s Nurseries out at Little Bytham,28 Á26-29_Layout 1 21/06/2016 11:53 Page 228 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYGARDENSVictorAquaticstropical - marine - coldwater - pondPond section now openQuality locally sourced marginal plants andlillys and still low prices185 Victor Street, Grimsby DN32 7QBT: 01472 358698www.victoraquatics.co.ukBring this advert for10% off Open 7 days a weekwhich Jane refers to as “proper plant people”, the garden stilloffers plenty of interest. William is kept busy too, with the upkeep of the ponds andanimals on the grounds. The Bantam chickens help keep slugs atbay, eating a very high percentage of them, which means plantscan flourish. To further the growth of the garden, as a whole,Jane says the best thing she has ever learnt is that you have tobe cruel to be kind. “People need to have the courage to cutback plants, trees and bushes. It is too easy toput off work for a week but you will only giveyourself twice as much to do the week after. Itsounds obvious but hard work and dedicationis the best tool to have in your shed”. When I reach the area where all thechickens live, I notice the new born chicks andducklings swimming on a little pond. Janesays she loves to have a casual morning strollin this area of the garden and check in on thewildlife. I could just imagine doing it myselfwith a warm cup of tea in hand and the earlymorning sun beating down on my face.Clearly, Jane and William are veryknowledgeable on plants, as can be seen fromthe well stocked borders, which include amixture of early, mid and late season flowerersto guarantee interest. The way these are planned in groups,drifts and clusters rather than individual specimens means thegarden captures the visitors attention every time you wanderthough this peaceful haven, enabling you to spot somethingyou didn’t the first time around. 26-29_Layout 1 21/06/2016 11:53 Page 3LINCOLNSHIRETODAY29GARDENSThe planting also ensures the garden takes on a differentshape with each season and you can be sure each season will bejust as beautiful as the next.The garden is open under the NGS Open Gardens on Sunday14th August 2016, 2pm – 6pm.SAVE 10%Show this advert in branchto qualify for this offer!Scunthorpe branch only. Terms & Conditionsapply, ask in-branch for detailsSCUNTHORPECome and see us at Warren Road,Scunthorpe DN15 6XH. Tel: 0330 119 2549Trex®is one of the most durable composite deckingproducts on the market, and is guaranteed for 25 yearsresidentially and 10 years commercially.Imagine a deck that won’tfade, stain, rot or split...EGETABLE &&&&&SALAD PLANTTTTTTTSSSSSSSSHERBS & SEEDDDDDDDDSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSA varied, healthy selection in ssstototototoockckckckckckGrow your own tasty goodnessssss!!!!VEGETABLE &SALAD PLANTS HERBS & SEEDSA varied, healthy selection in stockGrow your own tasty goodness!OLURFUL STONENumerous colours, sizes & texturesof Stone Chippings & Aggregateesssssavailable inn bulk or bbagagggggegegegegedddddCOLOURFUL STONENumerous colours, sizes & texturesof Stone Chippings & Aggregatesavailable in bulk or baggedQUALITY PLAANNTTEERRSSSFrost resistant Wooddlolodgdge eplplanantetersrssssAAyyypAdAddd sosomem rreaeal l ststylyle etoto y youour r rr papapapapapapapapapatitittittititiittio!o!o!o!o!o!o!o!o!oo!!ooQUALITY PLANTERSFrost resistant Woodlodge plantersAdd some real style to your patio!millstonegardencentre.co.uk01472 828 150 Cheapside, Waltham, Grimsby DN37 0HX Mon to Sat: 8:00—5:00pm. Sun: 10—4pmQUALITYTURFFROM 1mTO 1000m2 GRADESQUALITYTOPSOILFrom £40per tonEASY TO USE!HAND MADE QUALITYQUALITY COMPPOOOOOOOOOOOOSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTComprehensive e rarangngee ofofc comompopoststtsssssssssideal for alall l apapplplicicataatioioooonssnsnsnsssnininnclclclcclcccccccccccccududududududududinninininninining g gg gggaqaqqqqaqaqaqaqqqqquauauuauauauauuutitititititttittccccccccccQUALITY COMPOSTComprehensive range of compostsideal for all applicationsincluding aquaticTREES & SHRUBSGreat range of Fruiting & Ornamental Trees, Shrubs & Herbaceous specimens to enhance your gardenFREEPRPRPRPRPRPRPRPRPRPROFOFOFOFOFOFOFOFOFOFESESESESESESESESESESSISISISISISISISISISIONONONONONONONONONONALALALALALALALALALALAAAAAAAAA ADVDVDVDVDVDVDVDVDVDVICICICICICICICICICICEEEEEEEEEE FRFRFRFRFRFRFRFRFRFROMOMOMOMOMOMOMOMOMOMSSSSSSSSS SEAEAEAEAEAEAEAEAEAEASOSOSOSOSOSOSOSOSOSONENENENENENENENENENEDDDDDDDDDD EXEXEXEXEXEXEXEXEXEXPEPEPEPEPEPEPEPEPEPERTRTRTRTRTRTRTRTRTRTSSSSSSSSSSFREE PROFESSIONAL ADVICE FROM SEASONED EXPERTSGREAT RANGE!26-29_Layout 1 21/06/2016 11:53 Page 4Next >