Sass&Belle

Dry Gardens and Mantelscaping Tips

Here at jmm PR, we have been scouring the internet for our favourite articles of the week.

This week brings tips on planning a dry garden as well as ideas on recreating the latest interiors trend in your own home.

Image: James Basson

Homes & Gardens – How to plan a dry garden – ideas for landscaping and plants

Dry gardens can be ideal for a variety of different reasons. They are a low maintenance option for people who don’t have time to spend hours gardening, as well as being a go-to style for gardens that get very little shade throughout the day. On top of this, they are also much more eco-friendly as they require very little water usage and the high quantity of nectar a typical dry garden plant produces makes it a perfect ecosystem for insects. This article by Homes & Gardens has some useful tips on how to plan a dry garden.

When choosing which plants to include in a dry garden, it’s incredibly important to assess how much rainfall and sunlight your garden is likely to get. Dry gardens are all about shapes rather than the size or colour of flowers, so it’s a good idea for shrubbery to be a starting point. Having a diverse assortment of shapes and sizes will really bring your outdoor space to life. As dry gardens thrive in direct sunlight, avoid planting large trees which will cast shade. Lawns are much too uniform for the wildness of a dry garden, so consider reducing your grass space as much as you can.

Drainage is also hugely important in a dry garden, as you need to avoid planting anything in areas where rainwater will sit. Use gravel, sand, crushed hard core or concrete, as not only will these look good, but they’ll also improve drainage too. Stony soil is also a great option to prevent weeds from growing in, as they thrive in rich soil.

Do you think a dry garden would benefit you? Let us know in the comments!

Image: Sass & Belle

House Beautiful – Mantelscaping: how to style your favourite home accessories

Even if you haven’t heard of the term ‘mantelscaping’ before, you’re likely to have seen the trend while flicking through the pages of your favourite interiors magazine or scrolling through your Instagram feed. Similar to tablescaping, the name given to the creation of stunning table settings, mantelscaping describes the increasingly popular trend of arranging decorations above your fireplace. This article from House Beautiful delves into the craze, sharing some simple tips on how we can transform a mantelpiece into a stylish focal point.

If you’re looking for an introduction to the trend, the article offers up the following simple yet informative explanation from Daisy Coombes, Marketing Manager, Sass & Belle: “’Whether you’re a maximalist or minimalist, mantelscaping is all about curating a collection of things that bring colour, texture as well as showcasing your favourite pieces.” Spanning a range of decorative items such as artwork, vases, planters, candles and trinkets, the items you select to accessorise your mantelpiece should allow you to express yourself and help to breathe a new lease of life into your home each season.

A top tip to keep in mind when planning your mantelpiece décor is to opt for accessories with a common colour or pattern, which will help to achieve a cohesive look. Despite this, don’t be afraid to combine different heights, shapes and textures! Interiors enthusiasts have probably already heard of the ‘rule of three’, and this is certainly something to keep in mind when decorating your mantelpiece. By grouping items in odd numbers, you can create a stunning arrangement that flows perfectly and is more visually aesthetic.

Want to get involved in the trend but don’t have a mantelpiece? You can recreate the same concept in a different part of your home, such as on a sideboard, shelf, or any other area up against a wall!

If the helpful tips and tricks in the article aren’t enough for you, then you’ll love the stunning images that are included, which are sure to inspire you to get involved in mantelscaping! Our favourite thing about this trend is that your mantelpiece décor can be updated frequently to ensure you never get bored. We love the idea of ensuring our mantelscaping matches the current season too, accessorising it with stunning flowers in the summer and with pumpkins and a maple leaf garland in the autumn.

We would love to hear your thoughts on mantelscaping and what items you would pick to decorate with. Or maybe you’ve already styled your mantelpiece with a selection of stunning accessories? Don’t forget to let us know in the comments section!

Ends

Steph and Jess at jmm PR

18th June 2021

About jmm PR:

jmm PR is a PR, social media and influencer marketing agency that offers a range of bespoke and innovative marketing services that can make a real difference to your business.

With decades of experience and proven success in raising the profiles and awareness of brands and businesses, jmm PR has extensive public relations and commercial knowledge, which can effectively contribute to the growth of your business. In addition, services include writing press releases, proof reading and copy writing, plus campaign and event support, social media and influencer planning and marketing.

jmm PR offers solutions for businesses of all sizes, including PR packages designed to support SMEs in addition to annual press office management to complement marketing plans of larger organisations.

For more information, please visit the website www.jmmpr.co.uk or contact the team on 01536 414555 or contact@jmmpr.co.uk

Categories

Archives

Recent Posts

  • Compact New Brochure From Tucson Makes Pump Selection Easier
    In Tucson
    Tucson Pumps has released a new brochure in a compact A5 format, providing a handy guide for installers to keep in their van and a practical resource for merchants at their trade counters. […]
  • Flair Introduces Complementary Finishes Literature
    In Flair Showers
    Ensuring finishes in the bathroom are cohesive and balanced is vital for achieving a harmonious, elevated space. To support bathroom designers and its retail and merchant partners, Flair Showers has produced a new complementary finishes guide that highlights the finishes available from its Sanbra Ltd sister company, St James England, for bathroom brassware that perfectly complement its shower enclosure finishes. […]
  • Instantor to Showcase R-Press Fittings at the IRAC 2026 Exhibition
    In Instantor
    Instantor, market-leaders in press solutions, will be exhibiting its R-Press range of press fittings for the first time at Ireland’s Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heat Pump Exhibition (IRAC). Taking place at the Green Isle Hotel in Dublin on the 16th April 2026, the biennial IRAC exhibition aims to bring wholesalers, suppliers and industry professionals together to showcase their products, services and network with colleagues. […]
  • R-Press ACR Fittings Now Available Through Leading Merchant BES Ltd
    In Instantor
    R-Press fittings from Instantor are now available through BES Limited. A merchant with over 50 years of experience, BES supplies a comprehensive range of products to the plumbing, heating and gas industry. The portfolio includes 15,000 products which are stocked and distributed via BES’s state-of-the-art 77,000 square foot warehouse in Birmingham. […]
  • Flair announces strategic partnership with PHG
    In Flair Showers
    Extending the availability of its shower solutions in the UK, Flair Showers is partnering with Plumbing Heating Group (PHG), the UK’s leading merchant buying group for plumbing, heating and bathrooms. PHG members will now be able to supply shower enclosures, bathscreens and wetrooms from the installer-friendly Flair PRO Collections and premium Harmony Collections. […]