Staying put this August? According to a travel poll this month, 40 per cent of people in Britain will not go on holiday at all this summer due to the enormous expense of a trip abroad. Instead, we're embracing time at home – the perfect excuse for a return to the simple pleasures of the outdoors, swapping expensive trips to theme parks for nostalgic, affordable games and projects that will keep children occupied for hours. First thing's first: transforming the garden into a haven of fun and relaxation. As with dieting, all-out deprivation never works, so allow yourself a few stylish treats to get you in the holiday spirit. Think of it as investing in a "holiday wardrobe" for your home – items to enjoy all summer and then bring out again next year. MAKE YOUR GARDEN A RESORT Swap your tired garden furniture for a new set (Ikea's are great value), or go for the full holiday resort look with loungers and deckchairs (Sainsbury's has a good range of both, from £34.99; 0800 328 1700; www.sainsburys.co.uk).

You could just revive your old ones with Habitat's blue-sky Maui deckchair slings, below right (£10, 0844 499 4686; www.habitat.co.uk) – or dress up their Aiden wooden furniture range (from £94.50) with home-made cushions or seat covers. made to measure curtains spaldingfisherman's lanterns (£12, Garden Trading; 0845 608 4448; www.gardentrading.co.uk); open curtains c4d) or windmills (Heal's Blomus silver 4-sail is £16, 08700 240780; www.heals.co.uk) complete the picture. curtains se16Arrange simple tea-light holders along a path to add atmosphere in the evening, or hang Ikea's solar globes or Graham & Green's blossom lights in the trees or along a fence. balmoral tartan curtain fabric

If you're pining for chic hotels, look at the minimalist benches by John Reeves, left (£695) and sleek Tuli outdoor standing lamps (£250) at Heal's, and add ambience with a fire pit (try the Caracas, £79, from B & Q), flares or lanterns. maybach curtains itunesTo create an urban bar, pick up some metal barrel seats, above left (£145 each; mildew-resistant grommet fabric shower-curtain linersAlternatively, take inspiration from holidays past. curtain fabric shops enniskillenadd citrus-coloured planters from Habitat and lemon trees (£17.95, 01827 702240; www.gardenoasis.co.uk). or exotic with John Lewis's bright Birds of Paradise towels (£29) and vivid tableware. For a flavour of India, Dotcomgiftshop's recycled picnic mat, Habitat's Rocio outdoor carpet (now £6), napkins block-printed in Jaipur (Few and Far; www.fewandfar.net);

or travel farther East with the Bali Red Garden Sun Umbrella, top left, £180 from Burford Garden Company (01993 823117; www.burford.co.uk), potted orchids, pebbles and Garden Trading's bamboo hanging lanterns, £12.50. Phone: 031 20 301 3660 WATCH THE BLUEBELLGRAY WAY Why shop at bluebellgray Spreading happiness and colour with hand painted watercolour design - with an emphasis on quality and integrity bluebellgray source the best materials and techniques to create unique and quality products.HomeAbout UsFabricsCurtain AccessoriesCommercialLocationContact Us Welcome to loose ends Fabrics Over the years – nearly 25 of them now! – we have specialised in providing top quality, discontinued and overstock designer fabrics that are perfect for all types of curtains, blinds and upholstery. But this is only half our story, because we also stock many of the latest pattern books and fabric hangers from some of the best names in softAll of which means you get to choose fabulous fabrics at

Hopefully a quick look around our website will give you plenty of ideas about our fabrics and the services we offer, plus you need to measure up before you visit the showroom. We look forward to meeting you soon! Website designed, developed and hosted by MBM Europe ltd. You've selected the UK version of our website where all the prices will be displayed in pounds. Alternatively, if you're outside the UK, please select one of the following options: Europe - all prices displayed in Euros US and Canada - all prices displayed in US Dollars Rest of World - all prices displayed in pounds You've selected the US version of our website where all the prices will be displayed in US dollars. Your basket will now be cleared. Alternatively, if you're outside the US or Canada, please select one of the following options: UK and Rest of World - all prices displayed in pounds You've selected the European version of our website where all the prices will be displayed in Euros.

Alternatively, if you're outside of Europe, please select one of the following options: Please note, our website content is written in English. Thank you for visiting OKA.Please select the version of our website you’d like to view. United Kingdom - all prices displayed in pounds Rest of World - all prices displayed in poundsSince its founding, we at Budget Blinds Serving Waterloo have proudly served the local community by offering high quality and stylish window coverings for any occasion. Our goal is simple: to provide you with the best products and services in order to enrich your home environment. Our lavish selection of window treatments includes shutters, blinds, draperies, shades and even window film. Regardless of the window’s size or shape, you can rest assured Budget Blinds Serving Waterloo will have a customized window coverings solution ready for you. Call us today to schedule your free in-home consultation. We’ll bring you the highest quality and most fashionable window coverings in Waterloo and surrounding areas.

Looking forward to helping you beautify your home! We are Certified Smart Home Consultants who are Lutron-trained and qualified. Brian and Ashley Vermunt Budget Blinds Serving WaterlooOur products can be seen on Buying & Selling with the Property Brothers, Love it or List It, The Marc & Mandy Show, and more! Learn More About Us You are awesome ! This process was much more convenient than I thought it was going to be. In addition, your price was much better than the other coverings I priced out locally. AND you called ahead to say you were going to be a few minutes late. I couldn't be more pleased with your service. Beautiful Window Coverings are Just the Beginning At Budget Blinds Serving Waterloo, we bring you attractive window treatments that are sure to impress any guest but, more importantly, we bring you an unmatched level of service. It all starts with our free in-homeHere are some things you can look forward to with a simple call: