Interior design is great fun as it gives the chance to put your own stamp on a home and make it your dream house. It’s an exciting time when you give your home a makeover and after the planning stage you go shopping for paint, furniture, floor coverings, decorative items and the like, but there is one part of internal decoration that is overlooked, and that is the doors.

Choosing the right internal or external doors for your home isn’t complicated, yet is one that many shy away from, choosing instead to paint their existing doors instead to blend in with their new décor. This is all well and good if you are going for a cool, minimalist look and your rooms get plenty of natural light, but certain types of doors are designed to be varnished or stained, and covering them with several layers of paint is a travesty.

Doors with glass panels set in a wooden frame bring more light into a dark room and become a feature on their own. You may be loathe to have glass doors in your home if you have young children, so the ones with glass in the top half would solve that problem. A door can be a contrast but shouldn’t stick out like a sore thumb, and with so many styles available these days there is no excuse for having the wrong doors.

While doors through which you enter a room often take precedence, you shouldn’t ignore cupboard doors either. A drab kitchen can be brought back to life with the replacement of the cabinet doors, and will save you a small fortune on replacing the whole kitchen. These doors come in all colours and designs, and also with glass panels, so choosing and fitting the right doors for your house kitchen needn’t be the daunting and expensive task that it may seem.

In an effort to help expose new talent and promote new local jazz talent The Old Joint Stock Theatre in Birmingham is continuing its Jazz in the Bar series that is free and open to the public.  Each night of jazz is a relaxing array of soothing jazz music with quality ales and food on the menu for those who want to make a real night out of it. 

The Theatre offers monthly jazz nights and a regular Sunday Jazz season with the Theatre’s house band, Four on the Floor. The house band performs every Sunday from 1-3pm and invites locals, and those visiting Birmingham, to stop by for a leisurely few hours of good food and great music. On the last Sunday of every month Holly Thomas also comes out and offers a special performance that will thrill those that love the world of jazz.

Those who would rather indulge in their jazz after working hours will want to stop by on February 29^th when the Richard Foote Quartet performs as part of the Jazz in the Bar series.  Foote is a trombonist who has just graduated from the Birmingham Conservatoire Jazz Course and was a former member of the Conservatoire’s UK Big Band tour.

His current quartet plays a mixture of his personal compositions and old standards, allowing audience members to get a taste of something new along with the old jazz favourites that they know and love.

Four hospitals in the West Midland area have gained the distinction of trauma centres allowing them to accommodate people that are suffering from life endangering injuries.  Included in the list of hospitals that can now offer emergency care are the North Staffordshire University Hospital, Coventry University Hospital, Birmingham Queen Elizabeth Hospital, and the Birmingham Children’s Hospital.  The latter will now feature a consultant on staff at the site 24 hours a day.  As a result of the changes, the centres will now be equipped to deal with complex emergencies and multiple injuries.

A spokesperson for the NHS stated that they hope with the new changes they will be able to save as much as sixty more lives every year in the area due to the addition of the centres.  Patients with life threatening injuries will be sent from Shropshire to the North Staffordshire hospital while those with life threatening injuries from Worcestershire and Herefordshire will be sent over to the Birmingham Queen Elizabeth Hospital.  The Coventry University Hospital already regularly takes life threatening injuries from certain areas in Northamptonshire and Warwickshire as well as inCoventry.

Dr. Matthew Wyse a trauma doctor from the service in Coventry stated that since the status change they have received notable extra investment that has allowed them to place extra funds into increasing emergency staff to care for trauma patients.  He added that their consultants will be on site to aid critically injured patients around the clock.

With the opening of the channel tunnel, the UK is now very much part of Europe as  far as rail travel goes. Gone are the days when you had to catch a flight to central Europe to meet your train, and those who love the luxury of travelling by rail can now encompass this mode of transport right from the off. Luxury tours across Europe is seeing a huge resurgence of interest as more and more have realised this is the best way to see the best of Europe.

By letting the train take the strain and relaxing in consummate luxury while seeing the sights and sounds of the most exciting and diverse of continents is the stuff dreams are made off, but which are now very much a reality. From west to east and back again, the train will take you through all the best known countries such as Spain and France to those still shrouded in mystery but now accessible thanks to the fall of the iron curtain.

Travelling from Western into Eastern Europe offers you the best of both worlds, literally. The colourful fiestas and carnivals give way to quaint towns with their roots set deep in folklore, and a culture as far removed from Western Europe as you can find. There are dedicate rail journeys where you will have luxurious rooms on board to get your head down at nights, and others that include stays at hotels in the top destinations.

Whichever of these that appeal to you the most is immaterial, there simply is no better way of exploring our vast continent that going by rail, and planning your luxury train travel across Europe is both exciting and exhilarating. Once you have selected your route you can relax in the knowledge that you are going to enjoy the kind of experience which creates memories that last a lifetime.

The jewellery quarter in Birmingham is found to the South of Hockley and is a specific part of the Birmingham City Centre that is known as the heart of coin, medal and jewellery production in the city.

It has also been the home to many of the top industrial technology advancements. Throughout the 20^th century the area has slowly lost its shimmer as a top international jewellery hub, but it is now being turned into a creative business hub and an urban village, bringing a new type of gleam to the city of Birmingham that is quite unique.

The landmark of the jewellery quarter is easily the Chamberlain Clock that stands at the corners of Frederick Street and Warstone Lane and once you you spot the old clock you will know you are in the right place. One of the other primary aesthetic features of the area are the metal sculptures that hang on the lamp posts along the major streets of the quarter that were designed by Anuradha Patel.

The easiest way to find the area is by taking one of the two trails created by the Birmingham City Council. The first is The Findings Trail that features thirty pavement slabs that dot the trail and each contain information about the area. The second, and more intriguing, route is The Charm Trail that is shaped like a bronze charm bracelet and is started with an actual large steel charm and leads tourists through the major museums, factories, and hotspots of the area.

Birmingham is one of the most stunning cities in England and is known for its vibrant night life, but it is also known for its unique one-off experiences such as the Coventry Transport Museum.  In fact, the Coventry Transport Museum is the only one of its kind in England as it is home to the largest collection of British road vehicles on the globe. Within the doors of the museum you can easily find over 230 different vehicles as well as a stunning array of 250 cycles and an additional 90 motorcycles.  For those who love mechanics, there is simply no better place to spend an afternoon.

Many of the cycles and cars are from more than two centuries ago making them a testament to how far transportation has come over the last few years.  On the other hand, you can also take place in some thrills such as trying out the land speed record simulator in which you will practically feel the air blowing past your face on the simulated open roads. Open every day from 10am until 5pm the museum is a great stop if you have a few hours to kill and one that you will likely want to stop back later at again with the children.

Go on an Archaeological Adventure

Ready to be mystified? Head on over to Gilmerton Cove located in the South of Edinburgh, this natural wonder is filled with curious passageways hidden just below the bustling streets above. To be able to tour around the region, why not consider car hire from Edinburgh airport upon arrival. Take a tour and you’ll learn from your helpful guide that the cove was dug out by hand but no one has any clue as to to why! With all the mystery in the air you’ll definitely get a feel of adventuress Edinburgh.

Get Some High Culture

Well, the National Museum of Scotland certainly has something for everyone! Filled with treasures from the natural world, sciences, technology and more you’re sure to find this family friendly environment super stimulating. This recently refurbished gem also boasts so many floors, hall and exhibits that you probably won’t be able to fit it all in one day!

Go on a Day Tour

Want to experience multiple cultural sites at once? Then a day trip should certainly be on the menu! Thankfully, you’ll have plenty to choose from. Whether it’s a tour to get a taste of the local nightlife, natural scenery or museums, Edinburgh offers so many tour options you’ll probably have trouble choosing one. Our favorite? Take a free tour of the Scottish highlands in a coach with a friendly guided tour bus driver. You’ll learn about the ancient history of the highlands and your tour driver will certainly deliver lots of laughs. Get to it, eager travelers!

Never think that a box of Valentines chocolates is a mundane, overdone gift that won’t be appreciated. The fact is that we are a nation of chocoholics and there is nothing we would like more than to receive a box of luxurious chocolates that we can indulge in and will set our taste buds alight. By steering clear of the cheap brands and getting some that are that little bit special, you will delight your loved one more than other gift will.

The key is to make an effort. Don’t just head to the corner shop or garage and grab a box that looks nice. Chocolate lovers are connoisseurs, and know exactly what chocolates can be bought from where. Recipients need to know that you have put in the groundwork and the effort to track down the best chocolate you possibly could for them, so go that extra mile and see how much it is appreciated.

The rookie mistake is thinking that just because someone loves chocolate, they will love all chocolate. If this is your way of thinking, you couldn’t be more wrong, chocolate is as personal as perfume, everyone has a particular favourite that is so special they would never buy it for themselves. This is what you are aiming for this Valentines Day, the wow factor.

Go for a respected brand that allows you to make up a box of individually selected chocolates. This ensures that they get all the varieties they like, and none go to waste. It also shows the effort you have put into them by choosing them specially, and as many produce heart shaped chocolates especially for Valentines Day, a few of these certainly won’t go amiss; especially luxurious soft centres such as Strawberry or Cherry.

These will also let you create a box of all milk, or all plain chocolates, depending on the receiver’s personal preference. If they like both, you can create a bespoke box with all their different types and flavours, and if they are more expensive than you would normally pay, the look on their face when you give them to them on Valentines Day will be priceless.

The living room is one of the most important rooms in the house, as it is the space in which we relax and unwind and should be designed accordingly. It is very simple to bring together a living room space that is both calm, relaxing, and gives of a soothing ambiance to allow us to recharge our batteries in comfort. Here are few tips for designing your perfect living room space with very little effort.

Colour is vital; too vibrant and it will stimulate your senses rather than relax them, too cold and you too will feel chilly. A neutral colour on three walls and a feature wall with a splash colour is the perfect balance. This wall should be the one which houses your fireplace, which will be the focal point of your living room. Whether you look into buying or exploring chair hire options, these should be turned towards the focus of the room regardless. If you don’t have one already, a fireplace adds a touch of elegance that is also functional.

If you don’t like carpet and prefer laminate flooring, add the odd rug or two, depending on the amount of floor space available, in the warm colour you have added to your feature wall. Lighting is all important when creating your ideal living room, discreet wall lights and an attractive central light gives you the best of both words and you can have the lighting to suit the occasion and your mood.

Many of us have dispensed with the dozens of ornaments our ancestors found so attractive, and while this is understandable it’s important to ensure that your room doesn’t seem stark or bare. Cushions and modern prints on the wall with give the impression of modern chic without the clutter.

Arrange the furniture to ensure that everyone can see each other and you have the perfect room to spend quality family time together. It is very easy to pull this together so if your living room isn’t creating the atmosphere you desire, simply change it.

The West Midlands is a region of England that is full of upper educational opportunities as it is home to plenty of different universities and a few university colleges.  In fact, almost every major city within the West Midlands is home to at least one university.  The major nine universities that are spread across the West Midlands include the University of Worcester, University of Birmingham, Birmingham City University, University of Wolverhampton, University of Warwick, Coventry University, Staffordshire University, Aston University, and Keele University. At the lower level there are also three university colleges including the University College Birmingham, Harper Adams University College, and the Newman University College.

The presence of the universities not only help to bring an atmosphere of education to the West Midlands, but also help keep the cities trendy and hip as they aim to college at their college aged clientele. In fact, it is easy to find hip and trendy bars and cafes in almost all of urban areas of the West Midlands and independent shops and pubs are the norm across the area making it easy to break away from the demands of normal day to day life and just have fun on a city break over the weekend.