- NEWS
10% tax on junk food to tackle obesityA 10% tax on fizzy drinks, sweets, biscuits, crisps, and chocolate is to be recommended to the health minister as a way of tackling the country's soaring obesity problem.
Prayer vigil for fine weather as farmers queue for fodderA 24-hour prayer vigil for fine weather has been held on the Kerry-Cork border.
- WORLD
How Star Trek predicted the futureWHEN Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry first dreamed up the concept of a television show based in the unexplored universe of Outer Space in 1964, the world was a very different place.
BIG READ: A week in the online terror worldMichael Moynihan on his week in the online terror underworld.
- BUSINESS
IBRC delays loan valuations, saleThe valuation and sale of IBRC loans has been pushed out by six months to November and December of this year.
The smart money is always on SeánFounded four decades ago, its annual turnover is now €2bn.
- SPORT
The Terry Reilly Interview: The Godfather of GalwayOver the course of almost half a century, Liam Sammon has been in service to Galway football. Now he hopes a new generation can restore county pride.
Super Blues keep double in sightsJoe Schmidt's side won their third European trophy in successive years and gave Connacht reason to celebrate also as the Westerners gained entry to next season's Heineken Cup courtesy of their neighbours to the east.
- LIFESTYLE
Perfume for summer: Let in the seasonal lightYOUR wardrobe isn't the only thing that needs updating once the barometer starts to rise.
You’re not gay. You’re in a bromance. Did you cry with your buddy while watching Fergie say farewell at Old Trafford?
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Latest ShowBiz
Glass walls brighten dark rooms
Q. My home is facing north and constantly feels dark as a result - what do you suggest?
Q. I have a large window with valance curtains in my living room but the room still feels dull - any advice?
A. It sounds like your window treatment is the problem here. In order to allow every ray of light into your home, avoid cluttering the windows with dark or fussy curtains. Go for simple eyelet or tie-back curtains instead of valance ones.
Extend the curtain pole or track beyond the edges of the window so that you can pull them right back. Don’t forget to think about what’s outside the window too. Clear any plants and trees that might be blocking the light; paint walls and fences in white or pale colours to reflect light into the room; and choose pale-coloured paving slabs or gravel for underneath the window.
Q. I’ve read all about the importance of proper lighting in the home, but how do I know if the lighting I’ve got is sufficient?
A. You might not realise you’ve got bad lighting, but you’ll certainly recognise the symptoms: headaches and sore eyes, frustration in the kitchen at not being able to see what you’re doing and arguments in the bedroom over whose turn it is to get up and switch off the light. Good lighting should make your home feel spacious, clean and welcoming and is generally achieved through a combination of general and feature lighting. General lighting includes flush mount, semi-flush mount, chandeliers and recessed ceiling lights. Feature lighting includes downlighters, uplighters, track lighting and table lamps.
Q. My teenage son wants to paint his bedroom black - should I let him?
A. Personally, I wouldn’t! However, it is possible to decorate a room with black without it looking like a vampire’s lair. Negotiate with your son on painting the room charcoal grey instead of black. If he insists on black, be sure to use a matte paint over prepared walls as gloss or semi-gloss will only highlight imperfections. Depending on the size of the room, too much black can be overpowering so I’d advise only painting one or two walls. Remember that black can be difficult to paint over so decide which wall(s) you’re going to paint before you start. Offset a feature black or charcoal grey wall with contrasting white, metallic or lime green accessories.