Author: Rhys Gregory

Across Wales, more homeowners are discovering a simple truth: sometimes the best move is not moving at all. As the cost of upsizing continues to climb, families from Newport to Cardiff are rethinking how they use the space they already have – and for many, that means turning part of the garden into a fully functional room. The New Welsh Dream Home Home improvement specialists say they’ve seen a surge in interest for garden rooms – versatile, insulated spaces that work as home offices, gyms, studios, or even teenage hangouts. Unlike extensions, they rarely need planning permission and can often…

Across Wales, natural materials are making a comeback. From exposed slate in farmhouse extensions to marble-style worktops in new-build kitchens, homeowners are rediscovering the beauty – and longevity – of stone. Amid this quiet design revival, one Welsh company is bringing craftsmanship back to the centre of home interiors. Based in South Wales, Stonerite has built its reputation on creating bespoke stone worktops that combine modern precision with the durability of traditional materials. The Return of Texture and Timelessness In an age of flat-pack furniture and short-term décor trends, natural stone represents permanence. Recent data from Houzz UK shows that…

Your bedroom should be more than a place to rest—it should be a space that nurtures your well-being. A calming retreat that helps you unwind from the day, recharge your energy, and wake up feeling renewed. With a few mindful updates, you can turn your room into a peaceful, personal and effortlessly luxurious sanctuary. Luxurious Textures Layering with plush textures is key. Remember, you’re likely to be wearing comfortable clothing in this room, so choose textures that complement cosy women’s loungewear, such as faux fur throws and velvet cushions. Adding different textures through soft furnishings, curtains, or wall decor adds…

Wales isn’t just about sheep and rugby anymore. Don’t get me wrong – those are still pretty important – but tech has completely flipped how people live here, from Cardiff’s buzzing streets to gorgeous coastal spots like Tenby. It doesn’t matter if you’re a total tech nerd or someone who panics when your phone updates – these changes hit everyone. Here are five big ways technology’s messing with Welsh life (in a good way, mostly). Healthcare That Actually Comes to You Remember taking half a day off just to see your GP? Yeah, those days are pretty much done in…

A Llandudno weightlifting club once on the brink of closure has roared back to life – and produced a new British champion. Diamond Weightlifting on James Street was just weeks away from shutting down earlier this year with membership halved and the future looking bleak. But since local couple Claire and Phil Higgins took charge, the club has doubled in size and its young athletes are hitting new heights. Thirteen-year-old Charlie Ellis-Perry, from Colwyn Bay, struck gold at the British Junior Championship in Birmingham. Meanwhile, teammate Izzy Deakin,  14, claimed bronze and two others, Iwan Pemberton, 16, smashed a personal best…

One of the UK’s best loved pop stars Rick Astley is heading to North Wales for a joyous headline show next summer. The Never Gonna Give You Up hitmaker will headline TK Maxx presents Live at Llangollen Pavilion on Wednesday June 24 when he will be joined on the night by very special guests Lottery Winners. Rick Astley leapt to fame in 1987 with the era-defining smash single Never Gonna Give You Up, followed by hits including Together Forever and Whenever You Need Somebody. After stepping away from the spotlight for several years, audiences in Llangollen were treated to a…

A yellow weather warning for rain has been issued across Wales for Tuesday, 11 November, with forecasters warning of potential flooding and travel disruption. The Met Office says the warning is in place from 7am until midnight, as heavy rain moves in from the west during the morning and becomes more persistent through the afternoon and evening. Rainfall totals of 30 to 50mm are expected widely, with 60 to 80mm possible over south-facing hills. The downpours are likely to be accompanied by strong southerly winds, which could add to the disruption. Communities across Wales, including Cardiff, Swansea, Newport, Carmarthenshire and…

The movement to redesign Wales’ economy is gaining momentum as Wellbeing Economy Cymru (WE Cymru) prepares to host the second Festival of Ideas at Swansea Arena on Wednesday 12 November 2025. Supported by 4theRegion and a network of Welsh partners, this year’s event will focus on a bold question: what would it take to build an economy that works for people and the planet, not just profit? Free to attend and open to everyone, the festival aims to bring together community leaders, business owners, public-sector professionals, students and anyone who cares about Wales’ future. According to WE Cymru, the current…

Taylor Wimpey South Wales is due to launch the third phase of homes, Yr Rhodfa, at its Parc Llandaf development on Saturday 15th November, with the event running from 12pm – 4pm. Parc Llandaf is just a short walk from Llandaff and Pontcanna Fields, offering green spaces and River Taff views. The development features modern detached homes, 3-storey bespoke townhouses and 2-bedroom apartments, making it suitable for families and professionals. The event will provide a great opportunity for prospective buyers to take a look around the Dale show home, a bespoke house type available at Parc Llandaf, and speak with…

Global development consultancy, Arup, has designed a pioneering Net Zero Carbon in operation (NZCio) Welsh school campus using performance modelling technology from global climate tech firm, IES. IES’s Virtual Environment (VE) dynamic modelling software played a central role in the design of the Mynydd Isa Campus, helping to reduce carbon emissions by over 100 tonnes per year. Designed in 2023 and completed in 2025, the two-storey, 10,500m² campus meets Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) ‘Excellent’ standards, reflecting strong performance across areas such as energy use, materials, water and occupant wellbeing. The IESVE software was used to assess and refine energy performance,…