Shackletons Home & Garden Blog

Here at Shackletons Home & Garden Centre, we specialise in supplying a great range of outdoor clothing. There's something for the entire family in The Potting Shed- this week we have been looking at the new ranges of country casual clothing from Jack Murphy, Hoggs of Fife, Le Chameau, Aigle, and our favourite, Weirdfish!

Although we dont sell clothing on our website, we have a large range instore- why not come along and have a look?

We will shortly be increasing our collection to include all the Spring/Summer clothing, including Tee-Shirts, Tops, Knitware, Shirts and accessories- keep watching for the latest updates or join us on Facebook!

Despite the fact that much of the UK has seen wintry conditions including snow and ice in the last few days, some homeowners are likely to be thinking about about the upcoming spring and planning what outdoor furniture they want to purchase ahead of the longer evenings that are just around the corner when spring arrives.

Shackletons are a supplier of high quality garden furniture and among the wide range of products we have available, you are sure to find something that fits in to your garden. But each year sees a different style of furniture being in demand in particular and individuals will want to make sure this area of their home is on trend in order to impress their friends, family and relatives.

Bright colours are going to be everywhere over the course of the rest of the year, which means it can be affordable for homeowners to give their garden a whole new look, just by splashing out on a tin of paint in order to coat their fences or decking in a new shade. And with that in mind, it will be important to select the right type of patio furniture that fits in with the new colour scheme.

Pastels always go well together, but brighter colours will look great together when spring arrives in just a few weeks time. With the sunshine bouncing off your garden furniture and reflected off your colourful fences and patios, it will look like a fashionable and exotic home from home that you will just love to spend some time in as the long evenings stretch out in front of you.

With the weather about to turn for the better, what could be better than investing in some new reading material and patio furniture as barbecue season nears ever closer? Get in touch with us here at Shackletons and we can help you to find the right type of furniture for your taste, budget and style of home.

What are the Best Types of Multipurpose Compost?

Now is the time to get down to the garden centre and pick up some great bargains on Westland multipurpose compost. This fantastic, all-purpose compost is ideal for any type of planting. If it’s seed compost you’re after, then look no further than the John Innes seed and cutting compost. This soil based compost is guaranteed to give your seeds a great start!

If you want to really spoil your seeds go for Westland’s Surestart seed and cutting compost. What is Surestart? Well, it is a new germination and establishment boosting formulation with natural plant extract.  Its fine grade and reduced peat content, ensures closer seed contact, for swift, successful seed germination, (up to 25% more germination) and strong, healthy seedling development and growth. It has a unique formulation that releases nutrients to the plant as and when required. A first class seed and cutting compost, I would strongly recommend that if you haven’t tried it already; you give it a go, as you won’t be disappointed.

As well as Westland compost, Shackletons Home and Garden also stock Arthur Bowers multipurpose compost and Miracle Gro compost, a well-recognised, all-purpose compost that has grown in popularity due to its many TV advert appearances. A firm favourite with Shackletons customers and with some great 3 for 2 deals on currently, 2012 should be another great year for Scotts with their Miracle Gro multipurpose compost fomulation.

Shackletons Home and Garden Centre is the premier stockist of an extensive range of Teak Garden Furniture by leading brands such as Gloster, Barlow Tyrie, Westminster, Alexander Rose and Neptune Classics.  We have a large range of garden tables, chairs, garden benches and patio furniture sets

Teak is a dense, coarse-grained hardwood that has been used for centuries in furniture making and is renowned for being the world’s best wood for outdoor furniture due to its own natural high oil content that is highly water resistant. This content alone can help protect the Teak from decay, insects, and bacteria ensuring that it lasts for many years and weathers to a beautiful silver grey colour. During the first 12 months of weathering you may find the grain on your garden bench or Teak garden furniture set lifts slightly and small cracks may appear in the end grains, this is a perfectly normal weathering procedure and only adds to the character of your Teak Wood garden furniture.

We are often asked how to care for your Teak Outdoor Furniture whether it is a garden bench or a complete Teak Patio set- we recommend this is done with a soft household brush across the grain and some warm, mild soapy water. Wash the product down after cleaning with cold water. For easy maintenance we recommend leaving your teak product to weather naturally to an elegant silver grey but if you prefer to keep the colour similar to the original colour, then we recommend the use of a wood treatment such as exterior Isoguard treatment or Cuprinol garden furniture teak oil which are products that protect your furniture from the elements and restore their appearance. Before applying or reapplying any treatments the teak must be completely clean and free from any colour variations or black spots- this may require a degree of light sanding.

 The expert team at Shackletons Home and Garden Centre are always on hand to answer any questions that you may have regarding the care of your outdoor teak garden furniture!

It’s a whole new year, and a rather cold one at that, which means most of us are probably longingly fantasising about the up-coming summer months. Unfortunately, after that rather chilly and stormy winter most of our gardens are in a bit of a sorry state; twigs everywhere, garden tables upended and a collection of your neighbour’s gnomes knocking about your lawn. What you really need to spruce up your sorry looking garden is some new designer garden furniture.
Luckily for you, here at Shackletons we have an impressive range of outdoor furniture that will, no doubt, tickle your fancy. We scour the world to find the best in garden furniture manufacturers, all of which are guaranteed to bring a touch of extra class to your garden.
Designer brands such as Bellagio Garden Furniture, Westminster Garden Furniture and Neptune Garden Furniture are all sold through our online store and in our garden centre. Whether you are looking for a traditional wicker patio piece or a super sleek and modern garden bench, at Shackletons we have something that appeals to every taste.
Perhaps you’re looking to create a romantic and idyllic garden getaway; you’ll need a beautiful bench to hide at the back of your garden for a peaceful reading space. Or, maybe you’re the party animal who wants a range of designer furniture that will be the envy of your friends during summer BBQs. Shackletons have a range of tables that seat over ten people - you’ll never have to worry about bringing out the office chair again!
Of course, it’s not just designer garden furniture that Shackletons are famous for. We also have a range of top-class garden accessories that will be sure to add the glamorous finishing touches to your space. We highly recommend looking at our range of garden cushions – they’re perfect for creating a burst of colour when placed neatly on your brand new designer garden furniture!

John Sankey is one of the Uk’s leading manufacturer of Designer sofas.
Made in Long Eaton, Nottinghamshire, John Sankey furniture has long been established as one of the leaders in their field. They take beauty and endurance of traditional craftsmanship, and update it for contemporary living. Classic pieces such as the Tolstoy Sofa and Chair, Mitford Sofa and luxurious Bloomsbury, stand the test of time. The result is creation of character within the home.

The shapes and fabrics within the JS collection lead to a classically timeless, yet very individual chic look. Made in England, one of the key design points within a John Sankey sofa, is the decisions that their customer has, enabling them to create a sofa or chair that is individual to them. John Sankey provide an eclectic range of fabrics and leathers from which you can select to create the feel you require, allowing you to perhaps mix fabrics, select contrast buttoning, piping and scatters, offering a truly bespoke service ensuring that they cater for all tastes.

The designers at John Sankey are continually updating designs and fabric ranges, striving to provide timeless elegance and unique choices.

Shackletons Home and Garden Centre is one of the premier stockists of John Sankey sofas. The designers on the Interiors team at Shackletons are able to offer ideas and advice, imparting their knowledge as to the manufacture and design of these sofas and chairs, ensuring that your chosen sofa sofa reflects perfectly the passion of the upholstery.

Shackletons have a selection of John Sankey sofas in their showroom allowing you to appreciate first hand the feel and sit of this handmade product. You can also see the full range of fabrics , leathers and wood colours available in swatch form. The Interiors team will be delighted to assist you in your choice of shape, and order you samples of your chosen fabrics.

To discuss your requirements or to order from the Shackletons range of sofas and chairs please click here for John Sankey Sofas.
A full soft furnishing design service is available within store, please contact us for more details and information.

Spring might seem a long way off as the high winds and driving rain batter our shores, but it really will be here before you know it. And with the arrival of spring, your garden will burst into life, with stunning colours and fresh green shoots everywhere, the bustle of spring wildlife and the busy new season birds building nests and searching for that all important partner for the breeding season.

With so much going on, you’ll want to be sure that you have a front row seat for all the spring action in your garden, so that you can enjoy every minute of nature waking up from winter. Which means that now is the time to plan for your garden furniture, with a little help from Shackletons.

Shackletons have a huge range of garden furniture and outdoor furniture, including stunning cast iron styles, rattan garden furniture and lots more, with sizes and styles to suit almost any lawn, patio, deck or yard. We have an excellent selection of benches, picnic sets, tables and chairs and lots more besides at Shackletons. And if you’re quick, you can make some serious saving ahead of the new season, with Shackletons January sale. Our Gloster range is now 30% off, with 35% off our Neptune range and a massive 70% off selected items in the Westminster collection.

Your garden may be the last thing on your mind right now, but when the spring does arrive in just a few short weeks, you’ll be glad you planned ahead, and saved, at Shackletons. With beautiful, brand new garden furniture ready and waiting, you’ll be able to shake off those cobwebs and get out in the fresh air and sunshine straight away to enjoy the very best that spring has to offer in your garden.

We are currently half way through the winter season and although it may seem like a million miles away, the spring and summer seasons really are just around the corner. With the temperatures improving in the UK from March onwards people’s attentions will turn to spending more time in the garden.

Of course making sure your lawn is tidy, flower beds are neatly arranged and the pond is clean are common situations that many people class as vital jobs to do in the warmer seasons. It would be unwise not to consider the effect that garden furniture and accessories can have for the image of a garden.

As with the interior of your home, making sure that your outdoor furniture is in pristine condition is a huge consideration, especially at times of the year when more people will be socialising and sitting in your garden.

Shackletons Home and Garden are advising people that preparation is the key when it comes to choosing garden furniture this year, as we all know once the sunshine breaks out for prolonged periods there is usually unbelievable demand for outdoor furniture and accessories.

Choosing the right outdoor furniture to suit your garden and personal tastes will also reflect to people that you have put time and effort into creating a chic area for relaxation. One of the garden design trends of 2012 is expected to be Rattan garden furniture, a style built to last that screams of exceptional quality.

Rattan garden furniture has grown in popularity over the last few years due to the unique design and manufacture process involved in creating such stunning outdoor furniture. Combining a sleek metal frame with traditional hand crafted weave offers durability, strength and comfort to compliment any garden.

If you are looking to add one off pieces of Rattan garden furniture such as dining sets or you want to explore the possibilities of creating a garden décor with a whole Rattan focus, Shackletons home and Garden are market leaders.

With Christmas fast approaching Shackletons Home and Garden Centre are getting into the festive spirit by offering customers a range of elegant and life-like artificial Christmas trees. Christmas trees of all prices and sizes are available to suit any room in the house and are perfect for giving your home that extra special Shackletons Christmas glow.

Our artificial Christmas trees come in a variety of different styles including pre-lit artificial Christmas trees, shake to shape trees and our extra special white frosted tree. With so many gorgeous trees on offer and stock flying off the shelves, we recommend you get your Christmas trees reserved now to ensure that you don't miss out.

We stock a range of artificial Christmas trees by Black Box and their Kelso model is quickly becoming a bestseller. The Kelso artificial Christmas tree is a striking six feet tall and is solid, long-lasting and built to endure the test of time – a fantastic investment that will last for many more Christmas’ to come! All of our Black Box artificial Christmas trees use either a folding or hooking mechanism which enables the branches to stay in place over and over again due to the high quality and clever manufacturing process.

With Christmas quickly creeping up on us, there is not much time left to make sure you’re ready for the big day! Feel free to browse through our large selection of artificial Christmas trees and get yours ordered now. Add some festive cheer to your home and choose the artificial Christmas tree you’ve been dreaming of for years!

Visit our Shackletons Facebook page for a chance to win a free artificial Christmas tree!

Our 2011 range of Christmas and Winter products now available to buy online!