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SEPTEMBER 2021

6 AMAZING

REAL HOMES & MAKEOVERS

MAG

Knock-out looks with metallics

Family-friendly seasonal recipes

Style ideas & budget buys to inspire you Our home has such a happy vibe

Designer styleiceats high street pr

LOVE YOUR HOME Create your perfect kitchen-diner Declutter with storage solutions for every space Style-forward schemes for teen bedrooms Mood-boosting interiors

Add wow with these must-haves!

GET CREATIVE TRY GILDING, DIPDYE & CANDLEMAKING

NEW Sonnette™ Shades

Luxaflex® Sonnette™ Shades combine the simplicity of a roller blind with a cellular design. Two layers of luxurious fabrics softly diffuse light creating a beautiful glow at the window, that will add style to any décor.

Control your shades from your smart device or remote control with PowerView® Automation.

Find a showroom at luxaflex.co.uk The Art of Window Styling

Welcome to our SEPTEMBER ISSUE!

A

utumn is one of my favourite times of year as that back-toschool vibe feels like the perfect opportunity to have a good declutter, plan new projects and spruce up our homes ready for cosy days ahead. With this in mind, turn to page 72 to find our clever storage solutions to make the most of your space, while on page 80 interior design expert and presenter for ITV’s This Morning Georgina also help to support your mental health. And, if you do have back-toschoolers in the house, our style-forward schemes for teens on page 84 are full of savvy ideas for study-bedrooms.

Whether it’s finishing touches or a complete transformation you have planned, this issue’s six stunning real homes and makeovers are packed with stylish decorating ideas, budget-friendly design hacks and amazing finds to inspire you – from our cover star Kathie’s chic country cottage on page 24 to Laura’s colourful Victorian home on page 36 and Nancy’s mid-century modern-inspired maisonette on page 48.

And, in this month’s Decorator’s Moodboards on page 63, we show you how to bring this season’s hot trend, metallics, into your home with glamourous hints of copper, silver and gold.

Do let us know what you’ve been up to using the hashtag #myHShome on Instagram and, as ever, I hope you enjoy the issue.

miss it PS.TheDon't next issue of HomeStyle is on sale 16th September

COULD YOU BE OUR COVER STAR?

Reckon you’ve got what it takes to be a future HomeStyle cover star? A creative home and a smile is all you need!

Take a quick snap of yourself in your favourite room and email it to us at homestyle@ immediate.co.uk. We can’t wait to hear from you!

Get in touch

WEBSITE FACEBOOK facebook.com/homestylemaguk TWITTER @homestylemaguk INSTAGRAM @homestylemaguk PINTEREST pinterest.com/your_home_style yourhomestyle.uk

ED’S PICKS

36

10

72

60

Save 20% + receive a Joules mug set when you subscribe to HomeStyle

Co n t e n t s 108

10

DECORATING & STYLING 07 Trending now

Dig in to veggie-themed accessories 09 HomeStyle loves...

Elevate your breakfast routine 16 The wish list The latest high street home buys 18 Colour crush Shop peach perfect pieces

24

80 Does your home make you happy?

Mood-boosting interiors advice from ITV’s DIY star, Georgina Burnett 84 Style-forward schemes for teens Study-bedrooms older kids will love 90 Design your perfect kitchen-diner Expert advice to help you make the most of your space

READER HOMES 24 Our home has such a happy vibe

MAKEOVERS 96 Colour has added a sense of drama Natalie’s elegant green colour palette has turned her once-dated kitchen from tired to inspired 102 It feels like a stylish airbnb Nic’s bold design choices have given her bedroom five-star appeal 108 Mornings are so much easier Launel’s beautiful new bathroom has plenty of space for the whole family

Kathie used clever design hacks to 20 Things to do in... September turn her cottage into a fairytale retreat Seasonal style ideas and easy updates 10 Shop the high street 36 I appreciate my home much more The best affordable home buys 63 Decorator’s moodboards Laura’s beautiful home has risen like a This month’s trends are all about phoenix after a fire ruined her reno 32 Totally mauve-ellous sparkling metallics Shop this on-trend shade 48 Renting has made me creative 72 Secret storage space Nancy has transformed her rented 44 A touch of velvet Style your way to store and order maisonette with mid-century touches Snuggle up with these tactile pieces 4 yourhomestyle.uk

SHOPPING

63 136

Plus

120

TOP PRIZES!

16

62

Win! A 3-seater sofa bed plus a £500 voucher

88

Win! A £500 Sony speaker and a Triton shower

122 56 Delicate botanicals Get down to earth with wildflowers 70 8 of the best… bedside tables Tables to make bedtime a treat 100 Easy elegance Master the laid-back glam look 106 Sweet dreams Create a cheery pastel scheme 112 Spa sanctuary Warm things up with vibrant hues 123 Savvy home solutions Genius ideas to make home life easier 127 5 of the best… smart light bulbs High-tech lighting solutions 129 Buyer’s guide to stand mixers Get yourself Bake Off ready!

Contents

MAKING

34 Sculpted candles Get lit with Insta-worthy candles 46 Gilded unit Use gold leaf to add a touch of glam 58 Velvet banner Lift your mood with a heartfelt make 118 Demijohn table lamp Make a unique coastal-inspired lamp 120 Ombré wall hanging Simple dip-dye makes a huge impact

COOKING

134 Easy midweek meals A week’s worth of delicious dinners 136 An autumn feast Sweet and savoury seasonal recipes the whole family will love

Win! A Bissell cordless cleaner worth £429.99

140 Food news New launches and tasty treats in the supermarkets this month

EVERY ISSUE

114 Ask the Experts Your decorating dilemmas sorted 117 #MyHShome Our pick of your fantastic pics!

126 Reader offer Save 20% at Welovecushions.com 144 Shopping directory Where to buy everything in this issue 146 In conversation with...

We chat to fantastic homeware designer Katie Cardew On our cover September 2021 5

We also sell futons.

Paradise robe £35.

Experts in small space living

20 stores | futoncompany.co.uk

Trending

Bscachokolto hero!

A NEW LEAF

Cabbage bowl, £39, Arket

SPICE IT UP

Chillies plant pot, £29.95, Emma Bridgewater

RAINBOW BRIGHT Rainbow chard wall art, £85, Anthropologie

CREAM OF THE CROP

ON THE GO

Avocado dip bowl set, £10 for three, Next

Bee Happy lunch bag, £14, Paperchase

WRITE ON

V-gang set of pens, £14 for three, Sass & Belle

lovwee HOME AND DRY

Pea pod tea towel, £12, Thornback & Peel

RED ALERT

Tomato serving dish, £12, John Lewis & Partners

SHARING IS CARING

Cabbage serving platter, £34.50, Oliver Bonas

NEAT AND CLEAN

Home Grown apron, £21, Sophie Allport

ebirT hannaH erutaeF

Pegiftrfecfort acokeoken September 2021 7

Camping, Travelling, Garden, Home...

ONE BATTERY FITS ALL

For homeowners looking for a brand that is trusted by professionals worldwide, we have an exciting range of products that are perfect for a wide selection of activities both at home or outdoors. Our LXT range of cordless products are ideal for anyone looking to make the most of their homes and gardens and enjoy outdoor hobbies and leisure time.

There is no need to worry about power – as all our LXT cordless products can be powered by the same batteries wherever you are. This ‘one battery fits all’ approach means our range of outdoor and leisure products offer a unique, portable solution that can help you make the most of your personal time whether your camping, caravanning, fishing, travelling or just relaxing in the outdoors, we’ll hopefully have something for everyone.

OVER 250 PRODUCTS TO CHOOSE FROM

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MAKING TIME FOR BREAKFAST Start your morning the right way with an energising burst of colour.

This bright and beautiful dinnerware from Habitat and Sainsbury’s brings a real sense of occasion to breakfast – very fitting for the most important meal! An espresso from this cute cobalt cup, and eggs served just the way you like them on these stylish coral dishes, and you’ll be in a good mood to face the rest of the day.

Style idea

Use colours from opposite sides of the colour wheel – like blue and orange – for a scheme that really pops!

September 2021 9

ebirT hannaH erutaeF

Architect studio jug, £10; Architect studio serve bowl, £15; Evora 16pc cutlery set with mirror finish, £50; studio kitchen textiles set, £11.50; Mabel terrazzo table, £150; Etta dining chairs in green, £150, all Habitat.

Habitat matte coral dinner plate, £2; Habitat matte coral side plate, £1.50; Habitat matte coral cereal bowl, £1.50; Habitat matte coral pasta bowl, £2.50; Habitat coral glass tumbler, £1; Habitat coral glass hi ball, £1.50; Habitat architect studio espresso cup & saucer, £4.50, all Sainsbury’s

John Lewis & Partners MODERN COUNTRY Recreate the charm of a country house with these timeless pieces

ANYDAY spindle dining chairs, set of two, £179; Santino dining chair, £199; round mirror, taupe, £150, all John Lewis & Partners

Gold curved mirror, £195

ANYDAY spindle dining chair, set of two, blue, £179

Swoon cole glass bar cart, black, £199

Flora and fauna cushion, in mallard, £45

Trestle six-seater dining table, dark oak, £599

HIGH STREET

Here’s our pick of the best bargain buys the high street and web have to offer 10 yourhomestyle.uk

Style on a shoestring

Matalan

NEW NEUTRALS Go back to basics with a and woven textures

Elemental timer, £8

Elemental clock, £20 Elemental mug, £4

Elemental vase, £16

Elemental jug, £10

Elemental woven butler tray, £30 Wall hanging, £12, moon canvas, £25; pom pom cushions, £16; tuft cushion, £16; woven butler tray, £30; basket, £15; vase, £8; bowl on stand, £20; timer, £8; rug, £15, all from the Elemental collection, Matalan

st1 yle the look HOW TO

2

September 2021 11

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Retreat from the fast pace of modern life by creating a haven at home. Choose chalky paint shades like this earthy terracotta to add warmth to your walls. Pair with potted plants and striped soft furnishings for full classic country charm.

Opt for quality with well-made furniture that will stand the test of time. Mix and match your chairs for a contemporary take on an eclectic country house style.

Habitat

Kiso brass and opal pendant light, £95; metal wire coffee table, £200; gold planter, set of two, £25; large crane ornament, £35; Kayleigh drinks trolley, brass, £125; Japonica large glass planter, £14; Japonica prosecco glass, £4.50; Japonica champagne coupe glass, £4.50; Japonica tumbler glass, £4; Aoki bamboo shelved floor lamp, £110

EAST MEETS WEST This Japonica range is a glitzier spin on the Japandi trend, where gold takes centre stage

Japonica champagne coupe glass, £4.50

Japonica large glass planter, £14

Japonica scallop printed cushion, £12

Achille ash table lamp, £65

Japonica wine rack, £20

Metal wire coffee table, gold, £200 12 yourhomestyle.uk

Style on a shoestring

st1 yle the look HOW TO

Cotton velvet linen mix cushion, £9; plain fur cushion, £7; diamond knit throw, £20; tassel cushion, £7; sunflowers duvet cover set, from £10; green ferns duvet cover set, from £10, all George Home

Pastel pink makes an ideal canvas for gold accessories and furniture to shine. Paint a feature wall in this shade, or use cushions and soft furnishings to showcase this colour.

Mix rattan and gold for a blend of organic and high-end style with an opulent Japandi feel.

2

George Home

COSY COTTAGE All the essentials for snuggling up

Forest floral duvet cover set, from £10

at home when the evenings draw in

Wood effect side table, £22

Moss bowl, £10 Jacquard leaf cushion, £7

Green bulb lamp, £12

Cosy check throw, £15 Animal print highball glass, pack of two, £6 September 2021 13

Wren Kitchens will make you feel at home Warren and Katie turned to Wren Kitchens to help them realise their dream of a family-friendly space with a calming Scandi aesthetic

Working with Wren, Warren and Katie were able to fulfil their vision of a Scandi-style kitchen, opting for low-maintenance Shaker 5-piece units in light grey

T Classic cup handles and a woodgrain finish add personality to the couple’s neutral scheme

14 yourhomestyle.uk

he kitchen has become the place where every member of the family can enjoy themselves – not simply a room for cooking, it’s now a social hub that works for everyone’s needs. With Wren Kitchens in your corner you can create the multipurpose room of your dreams, either using their online design tool, or spending a couple of hours with an expert designer to bring your ideas to life. Whether you’re making the most of an awkward space or starting from scratch with an extension, now’s the time to consider if your kitchen really works for you and your family.

To see how Wren collaborates with their customers to create bespoke designs, check out Warren and Katie’s light and airy open-plan kitchen transformation. Their home is part of the #Wrenovation series, which shines a spotlight on real customer kitchen renovations.

BRINGING THE DREAM TO LIFE

When Warren and Katie moved into their detached Warwickshire home in 2017, the whole house was in need of complete renovation, both inside and out. With two young boys, opening up the kitchen into a family-friendly space that everyone could use was high on their list of priorities.

Advertisement feature The island has ample storage and creates a natural flow from the kitchen into the dining room – it’s the family’s favourite feature

Warren, a keen cook and baker, had a clear vision of his dream kitchen. “I’d spent many hours creating Pinterest boards and Instagram collections of all the ideas, colours and features that I love,” he recalls. So, when he visited the Wren showroom he already had a good understanding of what he wanted and was A keen cook, Warren chose smart Neff appliances for the family’s sociable open-plan kitchen

impressed when the designer went the extra mile to make his dreams a reality.

“On the website I saw a woodgrain in a variety of different styles, but not in the Shaker 5-piece,” Warren explains. “The designer went out of his way to get me a sample of that into the showroom. It was brilliant to touch it and make sure it was what I wanted.”

THE PERFECT FIT

September 2021 15

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The seamless process of fitting Warren and Katie’s new kitchen added to their overall satisfaction and confirmed why they had chosen Wren. Throughout the whole process, the Wren customer services team were available at all times, just in case anything went wrong.

Warren is over the moon with the new space that’s been created for his busy family.

REALISING THEIR VISION “Now I don’t have to be in a separate room Warren and Katie chose a classic Shaker – I can be cooking, the kids can be playing design in matt light grey to create a bright, and Katie can even be working. It gives us calm space in which to spend time with the an environment that’s more family friendly, family. “I love the Scandi look – really minimal especially at dinner time,” he says. Warren’s and fresh, so everything is painted white. I advice for anyone looking to purchase a new like the way they use natural materials, so kitchen? “Go to Wren, speak to a designer and you get a lot of woods in there. It all adds bounce ideas off each other. Designing a to the natural, airy feel in the room,” says kitchen can feel a bit daunting, but they’ll Warren. With the help of Wren’s virtual make you feel at home and you’ll create reality technology, the multi-functional a kitchen you’ll be proud of.” space that Warren and Katie had envisaged began to take shape, complete with a large island, smart Neff appliances and hanging pendant lights overhead.

BLOOMING LOVELY

The popularity of dried flowers is well and truly blossoming (sorry) and it’s easy to see why. With all the charm and beauty of a fresh bunch of blooms, but without the unavoidable drooping and wilting, dried flowers are an eco-friendlier pick. At The Happy Blossoms, you can choose from a huge variety of bouquets and even buy an accompanying vase, available in a range of styles including bright, retro-inspired ceramics and ultraminimal glass. We love them as a stylish finishing touch for an interior scheme, or a unique and evergreen gift for a special occasion or housewarming. Pick a bouquet and vase, from as little as £12, at thehappyblossoms.com

The Droplet vase, rainbow, £26

TheWISH LIST...

The Groovy Candy dried baked blossom bunch, medium, £42; The Origami vase, light blue, £35

The Terracotta jug vase, £45

New this month: exciting collections, collaborations, creations and more…

Reclaim your joy framed poster, £49; Lady C lamp, £60; chunk terrazzo bulb holders with bulbs, lilac and mint, £30 each; vista cushion, £25; jiggle cushion, £25, all Henry Holland Modern Living x Freemans

CUTE COLLAB

Look out for an exciting new homeware collaboration between online department store Freemans and playful designer Henry Holland, which is set to launch in September. The new collection, called Henry Holland Modern Living, will include colourful, contemporary textiles, accessories, lighting and statement furniture, all with a nod to iconic designs from the 1970s. We’re loving the retro-inspired Lady C lamp with its squiggles and autumnal colour palette. Check out the rest of the range when it lands at freemans.com 16 yourhomestyle.uk

FEELS LIKE HOME

Ever walked into a picturesque house but found that things just felt a bit… off? Good interior design isn’t solely about stylish furniture and accessories. The untouchable ‘vibe’ of a house is what Feng Shui expert Kirsten Yadouga is hoping to help us with in her new book. With holistic practises, she breaks down how to turn each space and room into an area brimming with energy and harmony. She starts by providing handy decluttering and cleaning tips (always clean from top to bottom!) and emphasises the importance of stimulating all the senses when at home. For example, using sound, like a babbling water feature or twinkling chimes, can make a huge difference to your living space.

Crystals and chakras may not be for everyone, but there are plenty of other practical, accessible and well-researched pointers here to help us create homes that feel as good as they look.

High Vibe Home: Holistic Design for Beautiful Spaces with Healing by Kirsten Yadouga is out 16th September, £17.99, Chronicle Books

Wish list

VILLA VIBES

Bring the rustic charm of a holiday villa to your own home, with DFS’s new Fika and Corsica range. From a cosy, chunky sofa in an earthy hue, to this sleek, industrialvibe table and bench set perfect for wining and dining, this collection is designed to give your living and dining spaces a relaxing, retreat-inspired feel. Recreate the look for less with striking earthenware, textiles in terracotta shades and desert plants such as cacti, for the ultimate holiday-home look. The Corsica dining set, £299, and Fika sofa both are handmade and available from dfs.co.uk

SAVE VS SPLURGE Butterflies lampshade, Sophie Allport

Dragonfly swarm sage velvet lampshade, The Curious Department

WE ARE LOVING...

Pull up a pouffe! These stylish, comfy seats make a fun, refreshing change from your standard armchair. Sitting somewhere between a beanbag and an ottoman, these super soft Sugar Cube pouffes, made from velvet velour, Sugar Cube pouffe, can also double mustard yellow, £145 up as a coffee table – just pop a sturdy tray on top and voila! Choose from six shades, for £145, at welovecushions. co.uk

BOUTIQUE BUYS

Round amber glass vase, £26

Tap into the 70s trend with these accessories featuring curvaceous shapes in gold-brown hues For timeless homewares and furniture without the high-end price tag, take a look at indie brand Margo & Plum, specialising in eclectic, glamorous pieces with a nod to classic designs of the past. This new range of 70sinspired accessories is perfect for adding a touch of retro luxe to your home. margoandplum.co.uk

lovwee

Gold and white ceramic jar, from £34

Amber glass bottle, large, £29

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Soft yellow velvet ruffle cushion, £29 Amber glass face candleholders, £12 September 2021 17

Colour crush PEACHY KEEN

2

1

This juicy peach shade is the perfect colour for an autumnal refresh that’s

3 5

4

6

7

8

9

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1 Organic cotton net bag, coral, £5.95, Rex London 2 Kitchen Disco paint, £40 per 2.5L tin, COAT Paints x Maxine Brady 3 Metal bucket plant pot, peach, £1, Poundland 4 Melania glass vase, peach, £29, Cult Furniture 5 Wandering Folk grandé fleur dawn cushion cover, £35, Antipodream 6 Pablo wallpaper, terracotta, £20, I Love Wallpaper 7 Serene swan pastel art print, £6.50, Kitty Kenda 8 houseof pink arch table lamp, £79, Urban Outfitters 9 Bohemian sun desert landscape print, £15, Violets Print House

18 yourhomestyle.uk

TO BOOK A FREE APPOINTMENT CALL 0 8 0 0 5 8 7 6 4 8 0 OR VISIT US AT HILLARYS.CO.UK YEARS OF STYLE & VALUE

Rated as Excellent by our customers

Things to do in..

SEPTEMBER Easy updates and seasonal style ideas to try this month…

Pots, from £16 each; plants, from £14 each, Leaf Envy

Get ready for...

AAfter aNEW LEAF summer of outdoor

gardening, it’s time to turn your attention to your houseplants. Give them a bit of TLC and they’ll look great throughout winter. Leaf Envy has released a new collection of pots in three modern shapes and five on-trend earthy shades, just in time for the spruce up.

20 yourhomestyle.uk

September at home Lambswool blankets in sage block check and Mackellar tartan, £125 each, Tartan Blanket Co.

WEEKEND PROJECT Wood paints, from £5 for a 150ml sample, Thorndown

Protect your garden furniture before the weather changes with a fresh wash of colour from Thorndown’s latest collection of wood paint.

This range of six timeless tones is inspired by the colours of the Somerset countryside, so they’ll feel right at home in any garden – grand or petite!

Style switch

WONDER WOOL Stave off the early autumn chill by

investing in a soft, recycled wool blanket. Versatile, stylish and oh-so snuggly, these blankets will be your cosy companions for the rest of the season and beyond.

Kyto candle holders £19.50 for four, Oliver Bonas

take a seat

Quick win

STRIKE A LIGHT Candles become stars of the show

Rabbit faux fur sliders, £6; Snow leopard sliders, £6, Dunelm

this month. They give the evenings a warm atmosphere and their soft scents add a layer of ‘hygge’ too.

These candlesticks are reversible, so they hold lots of styles of candles.

deck the halls

YOURHOMESTYLE

Why wait until December to decorate your home with a bit of sensational seasonal foliage?

Celebrate the colours of autumn with wonderful wreaths and gorgeous garlands. Visit our website yourhomestyle.uk for more inspiration and check out our favourite autumnal wreaths at bit.ly/YHSautumnwreaths

Style switch

TOASTY TOES

Wheat wreath, £39.99, Lights4fun

As the days begin to get colder, treat your feet to a new pair of sumptuous slippers. These faux fur designs are perfect for lounging while still feeling super glam.

Slider-style slippers are easy to step into and the faux fur finish is not only on trend, it’ll help to keep your toes extra warm too.

September 2021 21

Be in HomeStyle

Fancy seeing your home here?

Just take a quick snap of yourself in your favourite room and email it to us at homestyle@ immediate.co.uk. We can’t wait to hear from you!

READER HOMES

Get inspired by this month’s gorgeous real homes, packed with stunning ideas to steal!

24 COUNTRY COTTAGE

Kathie’s fairytale cottage is filled with clever design hacks

36 VICTORIAN HOUSE

Rich colours set off the period features in Laura’s chic home

48 MODERN MAISONETTE Nancy has brought a mid-century modern style to her rental

36 24

PLUS SHO

48

26

52

EL K 41 September 2021 23

Our home looks like its'

OUT OF A FAIRYTALE Tucked away in the English countryside, Kathie Hodges’cottage is filled with modern pinks, clever paint effects and easy DIY hacks

‘The original owners of the Aga used it once then realised it was way too hot for their home, so they sold it to us for a good price. It was Jonathan’s idea to put the shelf above, which is a nod to the old-fashioned mantels and gives me extra storage. The vinyl rug is from Emily & Edward Design and is far more practical than a normal rug’

‘The original kitchen had lovely duck egg blue units, but they had to be ripped out to make room for the Aga. I was heavily pregnant at the time and couldn’t think about design, so I chose off-white units from Howdens as a stopgap. After a few years, I started playing with colour and I painted the kitchen cabinets to add some personality. I’m not the best at prep and tend to just go for it, so I used the Frenchic outdoor range, which is really hardy and doesn’t need priming. I didn’t even take the doors off; I just painted it all in situ, which didn’t take long as there aren’t that many cupboards. I recently added the green Lick paint on the arch and back wall, which helps contain the pink.’

‘All the shelves came from a play fort at Sudeley Castle. Jonathan dismantled it for the owners and I repurposed the wood into open shelves, as we decided cupboards would look too bulky’

uneven floor that needed redoing. Then we installed the Aga. It was the only thing on Jonathan’s wish list, but it meant completely renovating the kitchen. At one point – when I was eight months pregnant – the roof was off and the front of the house was missing, and I did find myself wondering what we’d taken on.

It was hard living here and being pregnant throughout the work as it’s not a huge property so there was nowhere to get away from it. But now it’s all done, I love it even more than that first day I walked in!

Welc ome TO MY HOME

A BIT ABOUT ME I’m Kathie Hodges and I live with my husband, Jonathan, our daughter, Maisie, six, our dogs, Daisy the cockapoo, and Poppy the Patterdale, as well as our 13 pet sheep. We have a groundworks and fencing company.

I like to share my home renovation on Instagram @the_koo_koo_nest_.

WHERE I LIVE Our home is a three-bedroom, semi-detached house in Chaceley, Gloucestershire. The cottage was originally built in about 1750 and we moved here in 2012.

WHAT I WANTED TO CHANGE Nothing initially; it was lovely. However, we soon realised the size of the dining room wasn’t fit for purpose, so we decided to do an extension, which brought up problems that led to a far bigger renovation than we planned.

HOW I MADE IT MY OWN We opened up the downstairs to add space for a large dining area, installed wall-to-wall doors out to the garden, and remodelled the kitchen so that we could fit an Aga. MY FAVOURITE PART I love opening the front door, looking through and seeing the finished space.

I feel so happy walking into our home and seeing what we’ve achieved.

nostaW enaJ eitaK sotohP sesoM asiL gnilyts dna erutaeF

MY STORY

On our second date, Jonathan said, ‘Maybe one day we’ll buy a house together and I know a place I think you’ll love.’ A year later he showed me this cottage and I loved it the second I walked in. It was homely, cosy and had a very happy vibe.

When we put the dining set in place, we realised there wasn’t room to pull the chairs out, so we decided to do an extension. We knocked through to create an open-plan space and we also fitted glass doors to let the light flood in. But this revealed an

Kitchen

Inspiring homes

‘I change this room around all the time and regularly move the dining table, but I think it’s finally found its rightful spot here. It originally came with brown velvet, high-backed chairs, but I think these rustic-looking ones, from Malt House Emporium, suit the room much better’

Dining room

‘I initially painted this whole space blue, but then quickly changed it to grey. It still didn’t feel right though, and the walls looked a bit boring. So one day I went to the local hardware shop and bought three tester pots of black, grey and white paint, and then used a couple of sponges to dab the paint on the walls. It was done fairly freestyle, but I love Mediterraneanlook, old character walls and I wanted to achieve that effect to add depth and interest. It took ages, about five hours in all, but I love the final result, though I’ve started adding touches of turquoise and yellow now. I wanted pendant lighting, but I change my mind and move things quite a lot, so I needed something that wasn’t permanent, and these rattan shades, with light, plastic bulbs and battery-operated lights, are simply attached using Command hooks.’

26 yourhomestyle.uk

Steal my style Get Kathie’s romantic home style with these pretty buys

Vogue Early April 1919 print, King & McGaw

Ola Blue seagrass pendant lampshade, Oliver Bonas

Daisy cushion, George Home

Inspiring homes

Press flowers HOW TO...

Use dried, pressed petals to add a pretty country cottage vibe to any room in your home The fresher the flower, the brighter the final dried bloom. Flowers that don’t have many layers of petals, such as pansies, daisies or poppies, tend to dry better.

A good tip is to choose a flower that can lay flat and will keep its shape.

The flowers need hydrating and then drying quickly to help preserve their colour. Firstly, cut the stem at an angle and place in a vase of water and flower food, out of direct sunlight, then leave for a few hours. Choose a paper with high absorbency, such as newspaper or kitchen roll, to press the flowers.

Open a book, place a few layers of kitchen roll on the page and put your flower on top; cover with more layers of kitchen roll, and close the book. Place some heavy books on top and leave in a warm place. Check after a day and remove any paper that has absorbed the initial moisture. Then leave for a week or two, checking every couple of days to see if all the moisture has been removed. Remove from the book, handling gently as the final flower may be brittle. Dried flowers are great for framing or used as a decoration in homemade vintage-style cards.

‘I dried the flowers in these frames myself simply by pressing them inside a book.

It was really easy, though a bit hit-and-miss as some flowers didn’t really work, but I love the natural, country look they add to the room’

make

SCULPTED CANDLES p34

‘I find inspiration everywhere and saw the idea of the rattan pendant lamps grouped together in the Watergate Bay Hotel.

They were really cheap to make as most of the parts came from Poundland’

‘This home is all about the seasons.

In summer, the garden becomes part of the house, and in winter it’s all about snuggling up in front of the fireplace’ September 2021 27

‘The corner cabinet was originally dark wood, but it clashed with the new tan leather sofa, so I painted it white to brighten the space’

‘I loved this house the second I walked in. It was homely, cosy and had a very happy vibe’

Style idea

Can’t choose between carpet or hard flooring? An oversized rug can give you the best of both 28 yourhomestyle.uk

Inspiring homes ‘This room is quite dark and doesn’t have a lot of spare space, so we had to be clever choosing furniture. This ottoman, from Daniel Keenan Interiors, is full of Maisie’s pens, pencils and drawing stuff, so she can open it up and create all day, and then it all gets hidden away at night’

‘The fireplace is really the star of the house, and between this and the Aga, we’ve never needed to put the heating on. The nook looks really pretty styled with fairy lights and old paintings’

Living room

‘By the time I started on this room I’d got much braver with colour. I chose prints for above the sofa from Green Lili and wanted to find ways to bring the colours into the room, but I’m not keen on peachy tones so I went back to my love of pink.

We originally had a sofa and armchair in here, but they were really big with chunky arms and used up too much space, so we went to DFS and chose this corner sofa, which suits the shape of the room much better. The beam was originally covered in thick, shiny black paint, which looked plastic, so I stripped it back to the natural wood using a product called PeelAway, which lifts layers of old paint off. It was a tough job, but it was worth it.’

September 2021 29

‘My old boss gave me the frames above the bed as a leaving gift and I’ve filled them with prints taken from a book on Vogue artwork’

‘The lampshade is from La Redoute and, combined with the antique brass bed and the old wooden wardrobe, I’ve created quite an eclectic look in here, but it works’

MAUVE p32

Master bedroom

‘This room has a romantic feel to it, helped by the beautiful bedding, from Wallace Cotton.

I’ve tried not to overdo it as I have to remember that it’s Jonathan’s room too, so it’s also full of warm wood and natural textures. To be honest the décor happened without too much thought. I had some blue paint left over from the dining room so decided to use it up in here.

It looked a bit flat, so I got some white paint and went mad with a sponge, adding texture to the back wall, which added some interest and depth. Jonathan bought the antique bed and wardrobe from an antique sale before I met him and they’re beautiful, quality pieces that have really stood the test of time.’

Maisie's bedroom

Inspiring homes

‘I wanted to create a fun room for Maisie and chose an Alice in Wonderland theme for a magical feel. I decided to get bunk beds so that Maisie could use the bottom as a cosy space to sit and play and use the top to sleep.

I attached the homemade curtains to cover the frame and ladder and then I got lots of faux flowers to decorate the top, which was fun to do. The base is fake grass and I’ve used floristry wire to attach the flowers. The wardrobe was a cheap second-hand buy. I sanded it down and used masking tape to create the stripes, then finished it off with some gold leaf.’

Style idea

Use the space on top of the wardrobe for extra storage

‘I had so much fun designing Maisie’s room. Most of it is created using upcycled furniture, paint effects and clever hacks, though the bunks are from Oaklands Furniture and the rug is from La Redoute’

WHAT I LEARNED...

It’s stressful living in a home during renovations; there’s masses of dust, you lose useable space and can end up without appliances for ages. It’s important to think about how you will deal with the practicalities before work begins.

Think through how you want to use your home. If it needs changing, then do it to suit your own needs. If a beautiful kitchen isn’t working, changing it will make life easier and you’ll love it more in the long run.

We heard many off-putting stories about bad tradespeople, so we made sure the ones we used were personally recommended by people we knew and trusted.

See yourhomestyle.uk for more great real homes September 2021 31

hop the look...

TOTALLY MAUVE-ELLOUS Get to grips with this on-trend shade, just like Kathie 3

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Pair your mauve pieces with robust forest greens for classy, timeless look

1 Mauve matt wall paint, £10 per 2.5L, B&Q 2 Delano viscose silk-look rug by Origins, from £85, Next 3 Super-soft pure-cotton antibacterial towels in Lavender, from £1.75, M&S 4 &Klevering imperfect plate in Lilac, £11, Gently Elephant 5 Mauve plain seat pad with button straps, £6.99, Homescapes 6 Fluffy faux-fur cushion cover in Mauve, £8, Dunelm 7 Laura spindle-back bench in Lilac, £150, Homebase 8 Rounded and Art Deco ampersand typography posters, from £18 each, Claude & Leighton 9 Woody Oud reed diffuser, £25, John Lewis & Partners 10 Lace detail single duvet cover in Light Mauve, £39.99, H&M home 11 Nine Angels lilac and silver jesmonite tray, £15, And so to shop

32 yourhomestyle.uk

Make the look...

SCULPTED CANDLES Brighten up a dinner table or sideboard, like Kathie, with these Instagram-worthy accessories KeraSoy 4120 pillar wax, £5.09 for all Cosy Owl

Top tip

If the candle doesn’t come out of the mould easily, put it in the freezer for five minutes – this will cause the wax to shrink slightly.

You will need

● Soy pillar wax ● Candle dye in orange, pink and lilac ● French vanilla fragrance oil ● Flat cotton candle wick, 20mm ● Thermometer ● Wick centring tool ● Blu Tack ● Candle moulds ● Digital scales To make the pillar candle, cut a length of wick a few centimetres longer than the mould, then feed it down through the length of the mould. Position the excess wick at the top, then thread it through the wick centring tool. Secure the wick at the base of the mould with a piece of Blu Tack to stop the wax from leaking.

Weigh out the amount of wax needed for the bottom layer of the candle – we used 75g. Add a couple of inches of water to a saucepan and bring it to a moderate heat. Place the wax into a metal jug or glass bowl, then place this into the water. Reduce the heat to a simmer. Allow the wax to melt to around 70°C and don’t let the temperature exceed 80°C. Once the wax has melted, remove the jug or bowl from the heat and immediately add in 0.15g (or a single flake) of lilac dye, mixing it into the wax. Leave the wax to stand and cool to around 60-65°C. At 60-65°C, add the fragrance oil to the wax – we added 6ml using digital scales to measure – and stir until the wax and oil have blended. Once the wax temperature reaches around 55-60°C, pour it carefully and slowly into the mould to avoid any air bubbles.

Leave to set for around 20-30 minutes on a flat, stable surface, then repeat Steps 2-4 using 35g of wax, 0.07g (or one flake) of pink dye and 3ml of fragrance oil. Pour the second wax colour into the mould on top of the first colour. Leave the candle to cool and set for 12-24 hours.

Once the candle has set, remove it from the mould and trim any excess wick. If using soy wax, leave the candle to cure for at least three to four days before using.

For the spiral candle, repeat Steps 1-3 using 75g of wax at Step 2, then 0.15g of orange dye (2-3 flakes) at Step 3, and 6ml of fragrance oil at Step 4. The process will not need to be repeated at Step 5 – just fill the mould to the top, then leave the candle to cool and set for 12-24 hours. Remove it from the mould to finish.

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VELVET p44

Now I appreciate my home SO MUCH MORE

After an electrical fire damaged most of her lovingly restored house, Laura Cave has worked tirelessly to make it a bright and beautiful family home again

Inspiring homes The family living room features a mustard yellow sofa, velvet chair and footstool from Loaf. A distressed rug from Cox & Cox and curtains in fabric by Anna Hayman complement the luxe look

‘Since the fire, we’ve added so much more colour and pattern’

Living room

‘The original lounge at the front of the house was pale green with a neutral carpet, and the fireplace was boarded up. We lived with it for quite a few years, but then decided to open up the fireplace and fit coving and new radiators. We painted the walls in Farrow & Ball’s Railings and replaced the carpet in a plush grey colour. I had fun creating the picture wall after months of curating a collection of pictures and frames. It’s my favourite room in the winter as it’s so cosy, especially when the log-burner is on.’ be ripped up, and sofas and soft furnishings binned. The house had to be rewired, walls replastered and underfloor heating replaced before the redecorating could start, 10 months later. As the insurance company would only replace like-for-like, it was just easier to choose the same things as before.

I’ve slowly added pops of colour to the rooms since the fire, inspired by homes I’ve seen on Instagram and in magazines.

I’m pleased to say we’re now very happy in our home again. It was a really stressful time, and the process of getting our house restored was tough, but I now appreciate my home so much more.

A BIT ABOUT ME I’m Laura Cave, 42, and I’m currently on a career break. I live with my husband, Alex, 42, children Rowan, 10, and Rufus, eight, and our cats, Coco and Ghostie.

I Instagram at @after_the_fire_2018.

WHERE I LIVE We live in a four-bedroom Victorian detached house in Dartford, Kent.

WHAT I WANTED TO CHANGE We had only just finished renovating the house before we had a fire in 2018.

But when we first moved in nine-and-ahalf years ago, it was fairly mundane with cream walls and laminate flooring, and a lot of the original features had been stripped out.

HOW I MADE IT MY OWN We put all the original features back, such as cornices, ceiling roses and the open fireplace. We decorated all the bedrooms, lounge, kitchen and extended the ground floor to create a large living and dining space. After the fire, we had to start all over again. As we were on a very tight budget and timeline, we decided to repeat the same schemes in most of the rooms.

MY FAVOURITE PART The open-plan lounge. The blue sofa was our first step towards adding colour, and since the fire we’ve added so much more colour and pattern.

nodroG yllO sotohP yawattA eizuS gnilyts dna erutaeF

MY STORY

We bought this house because we liked the area and the schools nearby. It was a good size and, although the original features had been stripped out, we saw its potential to be a lovely family home.

As well as redecorating, we extended at the back to create an open-plan lounge and dining room. It was all looking so lovely but then in 2018, the fire happened.

Luckily we managed to escape in time, but the fire, caused by an electrical fault, had taken hold in the hallway and had spread into the back. Most of our wooden furniture was saved, but flooring and carpets had to

Welc ome TO MY HOME

‘We rebuilt the same kitchen after the fire, but this time we chose white Corian worktops instead of wood to brighten up the scheme’

Style idea

A colourful splashback adds instant personality to a kitchen

Inspiring homes

Kitchen

‘We had these beautiful brushed oak herringbone tiles by Amtico laid throughout the back. They look like parquet but are much cheaper’

‘The original kitchen was cream, but when we had the extension built we painted the units in Farrow & Ball’s Down Pipe and changed the wooden handles for pewter ones. After the fire, DB Specialist Joinery in Canterbury rebuilt the kitchen in the same design, but changed the worktops from wood to white Corian, added a tiled yellow splashback and installed a much-needed wine fridge!’

‘In the hallway, I added a painted and gilded black cupboard and a scaffold board shelf above the radiator – both my own upcycled creations’ The family’s hallway is full of character, with patterned Amtico floor tiles and a striped stair runner creating a warm welcome

Laura upcycled this cupboard with black paint and gold leaf for the hallway. ‘I bought this cupboard on eBay for £15 for somewhere to store the kids’ books while we were renting’

make

GILDED UNIT p46

Hallway

‘This was where the fire started, in the cupboard under the stairs, so you can imagine that most of the hallway was damaged.

The staircase was rebuilt by a joinery company, and they also fitted new skirting boards throughout the house. We replaced the floor with Amtico tiles and fitted a black-and-white striped stair runner from a local carpet shop. There are some recent additions to the hallway, such as the painted and gilded black cupboard and scaffold board shelf above the radiator – both my own upcycled creations.’

September 2021 39

‘I created a feature wall of black-and-white framed photos in the lounge before the fire, and it took quite a while to hang and get them all perfectly straight.

So, it was a bit of a pain doing it all over again!’

‘We like entertaining family and friends and I love that we can open the doors out onto the garden’ The original wooden dining table is complemented by Kartell chairs from John Lewis & Partners and large industrial-style lights by Original BTC

Style idea Spread out the light with two hanging pendants

Useyourpattern in home HOW TO...

Inspiring homes The yellow chair and floor lamp were post-fire buys from MADE.com. Laura has surrounded them with houseplants. ‘I love finding unusual houseplants in our local garden centres, and sometimes from online shops,’ she says

If you’re new to bold designs, ease yourself in with these tips A good starting point is to go for smaller pieces such as cushions, napkins or even tableware. They’re affordable and, if you change your mind later, it’s not going to be a big deal.

If mixing patterns, stick to a cohesive colour scheme and use different size prints.

If you’re going for a bold feature wallpaper, pick out the secondary colours to use around the rest of the room, like in Laura’s bedroom.

Patterned flooring will draw your eye into the room, and is perfect for narrow, dark hallways like Laura’s.

If there’s one room where you can experiment with pattern then it’s a child’s bedroom – you can really let yourself go and create a fun and stimulating space that little ones will love.

Lounge/diner

Steal my style

‘This area was built in 2016. We wanted a space where the family could all be together, whether we’re cooking, eating, doing homework or watching TV. We also like entertaining family and friends, and I love the fact that we can open the folding doors and extend the living space out into the garden in the summer. The Amtico parquet-effect flooring and Loaf L-shaped sofa had to be replaced after the fire, but we were able to save the wooden dining table, which just needed a good clean.’

Get Laura’s contemporary home style with these on-trend buys

An abstract print

by Artemis Rose at Fy adds a pop of colour to the family’s neutral dining space

Pleated velvet cushion, Matalan

Remi floor lamp, Next

Ezra Brass Textured plant pots, Habitat September 2021 41

Bedroom

Laura has transformed her bedroom with a scheme of green and blue to create a haven of peace and calm; the perfect place to relax at the end of the day

‘The master bedroom had grey walls until only recently. I decided I wanted to create more of a visual impact in here so I chose this Bamboo Garden wallpaper by Linwood and painted other walls in a coordinating blue/green colour.

My upcycled wardrobes, Feather & Black bed and Graham & Green light were all saved after the fire, luckily, and restored back to their original state by a cleaning company.’

Style idea Revive old wardrobes with a lick of paint

‘I’m inspired by rooms I see in magazines and on Instagram, and I’m really enjoying being more creative at home’

Inspiring homes The walk-in shower has luxe gold-coloured fittings and a sleek Crittal-effect screen by Matki

Bathroom

‘The original bathroom was blue and cream with a shower over a free-standing bath. It was the only room we hadn’t refurbed before the fire, so when we learned the entire suite needed replacing, we decided to spend a bit more than the insurance company were willing to pay and change the layout. There was dead space in one corner for a walk-in shower, and we found the perfect-sized tray with a Crittal-effect panel by Matki.’

The monochrome family bathroom features decorative tiles by British Ceramic Tile and a roll-top bath from C.P. Hart, which Laura painted pink. ‘Alex is still not too keen, but I love it!’

Rufus' bedroom

‘Rufus’ bedroom used to be plain white, but we had painted it blue just before the fire. Since then, I’ve created a striped feature wall at one end and added pops of colour with artwork and accessories. Our other son’s room is still a work in progress! I’m inspired by rooms I see in magazines and on Instagram, and I’m really enjoying being more creative at home while I’m on a career break.’

Rufus’ bedroom features a striped feature wall in Deep Space Blue and Slaked Lime

by Little Greene Paint Company, and Charlotte’s Locks by Farrow & Ball. ‘It took ages to mask off the stripes, but I’m really pleased with the finished look,’ says Laura

WHAT I LEARNED...

That I’m quite a practical person, and can quickly focus on what needs to be done.

Indulging in my creative side has been very therapeutic in my recovery from the stress of the fire.

I make much bolder colour choices now.

After all, it’s just a bit of paint, and if we don’t like it we can just paint over it.

See yourhomestyle.uk for more great real homes September 2021 43

hop the look...

A TOUCH OF VELVET Get cosy, like Laura, with these gorgeously tactile pieces

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1 Haines office chair in Forest Green velvet and brass, £139, Cult Furniture 2 Velvet pet bed in grey, £22, Matalan 3 Opulent velvet pouffe in Teal, £55, Next 4 Velvet bean bag in Teal, £70, Argos 5 Yellow cut velvet cushion, £7, George Home 6 Tabitha distressed velvet quilted bedspread in Midnight Blue, £99, Made.com 7 Holly ruched velvet 30cm lampshade in Blue, £15, Dunelm 8 Sophia scallop occasional chair in Teal, £99, Homebase 9 Velvet storage box (35x30x16cm) in Teal, £14, Dunelm 10 French velvet round seat pad in Silver, £12, Dunelm 11 Velvet ottoman in Ochre, £12, Homebase

44 yourhomestyle.uk

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Explore one of the largest sculpture parks and exhibitions in Europe by one single artist at Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens featuring over 100 sculptures.

The beautiful Grade I listed woodland gardens are home to renowned South African Sculptor, Anton Smit and will showcase the artist’s contemporary sculptures and life works.

Included in garden entry.

SCAN HERE TO LEARN MORE Open daily | 0871 8733 389 | info@leonardsleegardens.co.uk www.leonardsleegardens.co.uk Leonardslee Gardens, Brighton Road, Lower Beeding, Horsham, RH13 6PP

Make the look...

GILDED DRAWERS You don’t need to buy new to bring a bit of glitz and glam to your home – just upcycle what you already have, like Laura, with gold leaf sheets

Top tip

For a longer-lasting finish, apply a coat of varnish to the furniture.

You will need

● Wooden drawers or cupboard ● Sandpaper ● Black satinwood paint ● Paintbrush ● Gilding paste ● Gold leaf sheets ● Soft dry paintbrush First, prepare the unit. Sand the surface to remove any varnish or paint and clean with a dry cloth.

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Apply a coat of black satinwood paint and leave to dry. Repeat with a second coat and again, leave to dry.

Apply a thin layer of gilding paste over the fronts of the drawers or doors with random brushstrokes. Allow to go tacky for 20-30 minutes, then carefully apply the gold leaf with your fingers. Leave to dry.

Using a soft dry brush, smooth out any wrinkles that might have developed and remove the excess gold leaf.

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Pebeo Gold mirror-effect leaves, £8 for 12 sheets; Pebeo gilding paste, £6 for 75ml, both Hobbycraft.

Artificial string of pearls, £7, Dunelm

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Renting has made me

MORE CREATIVE

With a few budget quick fixes and an eye for accessorising, Nancy Straughan has transformed her Victorian maisonette into a stylish family home

Style idea

Accessorise a dark sofa with a light-coloured throw displayed in the centre

Inspiring homes

MY STORY

After 10 years in London, it was time to move back to my hometown of Newcastle. I’d always wanted to move home and, luckily, Simon was on board. Just before our daughter Peggy was born we moved in with my mum, and a few months later we started renting this three-bed maisonette in the suburb of Jesmond. It’s at the top of a four-storey Victorian house, and feels like a palace compared to our tiny London flat.

Our landlord has let us make whatever changes we want, like painting, wallpapering and updating the kitchen worktops. By accessorising, we’ve given the flat a bit more charm. I’m quite a feminine decorator so

there are dried flowers on virtually every surface and vintage-style filament bulbs everywhere, which give a warm glow. It’s a mix of cosy rustic and modern vintage.

Newcastle is a very green, outdoorsy city. Being around nature has definitely influenced the interior. The only thing missing is a private garden, but we’re lucky we have a small shared garden with two other flats. I run my business from home too, which involves styling and photographing products for independent online shops.

Eventually, we might buy somewhere, but we’re very happy here for now. After a couple of years of uncertainty, I’m quite relaxed about where we’ll end up.

make SLOGAN BANNER p58

‘Being around nature has definitely influenced the interior’

A BIT ABOUT ME I’m Nancy Straughan, 32, a photographer and stylist, nancy-straughan.com. I live with my husband, Simon, 36, an accountant, and our daughter, Peggy, two.

WHERE I LIVE Our home is a rented Victorian three-bedroom flat in Jesmond, Newcastle, where we’ve lived since November 2019. I post home updates on my Instagram @nancy_straughan.

WHAT I WANTED TO CHANGE The flat was spacious but very plain with a boring kitchen and bathroom, so we needed to inject some character and personality into it.

HOW I MADE IT MY OWN As we’re renting, we’ve used removable wallpaper and given the small kitchen a mini makeover with new handles and adhesive vinyl on the worktops.

I’ve accessorised with vintage books, dried flowers and muted artwork.

MY FAVOURITE PART The grey marble fireplace in our bedroom. I feel so lucky to have such a wonderful original feature and it makes a great backdrop for photos.

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Taking pride of place above the sofa is a screen print by Wolf Jaw Press of a huge Russian hunting dog called a Borzoi. ‘I stumbled across it on Etsy as it’s one of our favourite dog breeds. They look so magical, and it fits with our vibe, which is a bit spooky and medieval’

Welc ome TO MY HOME

The personalised banner by Alice Gabb is inspired by north-east miners’ banners and the wording is from a song lyric by Chet Baker, which Simon played after their daughter was born. ‘With high ceilings, it needed to be quite big to have impact,’ says Nancy.

‘During lockdown we had no income, but had the best spring as a family so it reminds us of that time of renewal and hope’

‘This inexpensive IKEA Ivar bookcase is perfect for ever-changing displays. It’s been whitewashed so you can still see the grain, as there was so much wood in here already’

To cover a section of retro glass bricks, Nancy created a half wall of faux beadboard wainscotting here. It looks like panelling but is attached with double-sided tape so it can be easily removed

Style idea

Combine vintage furniture with soft furnishings in muted colours for a classic, mid-century feel

Living room

‘I love the original floorboards and pine doors in here, but the space is really long so I found it a real challenge to decorate. In our London flat, the rug filled up almost the entire space, but here it’s just floating. I believe in buying things you’ll love for at least 10 years and a bigger rug will be expensive, so I’d rather wait. In future, I’d like to change the dark DFS sofa for a more natural stone colour, even though it’s probably not a great idea with a two-year-old! Technically, it’s probably too small for the room, but it doesn’t show stains and leaves Peggy lots of space to play on the floor. I might’ve broken a few style rules in this room, but it has to work for us on a practical basis too.’

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Inspiring homes A dining table from MADE.com has been teamed with Danish chairs by HAY, one of Nancy’s favourite brands. ‘They’re very minimal, but when you mix them in with vintage pieces, it works really well’. The 1970s cabinet, bought for £20 from a London salvage yard many years ago, is ideal for storing Peggy’s toys

Style idea

Use 3D elements, like this dried flower hoop, to add extra interest to your walls

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‘There are dried flowers on virtually every surface and vintagestyle filament bulbs everywhere, which cast a warm glow’

Dining area

By painting arches in a muted pink shade called Hare by Crown, Nancy has added interest to the dining room alcoves.

After moving the William Morris curtains to Peggy’s room, she’s put up grey linen curtains paired with an oatmeal linen tablecloth for a simple, natural feel.

‘I prefer lighter soft furnishings, so I’ll probably change the curtains at some point. If we had a small downstairs loo, I’d probably paint that dark, but for main living spaces I like them to be light-filled, calming and airy.’

Update your HOW TO...

rental on a budget

‘The shelving is handy for our cookery books and Simon added an extra shelf above where I always have herbs drying,’ says Nancy. ‘It adds a cottagey feeling and ties in with the lovely stable door’

Make a big impact with these clever ideas that won’t cost a fortune Many landlords will be happy for you to paint walls if you agree to switch back to white or magnolia when you leave.

Alternatively, just paint a colour block shape in an alcove or behind the bed, as it’ll be easier to paint over later. If bold interiors are your thing, you might want to consider removable peel-and-stick wallpaper or decals that won’t damage the wall. Amazon and Etsy have some great budget designs.

If you’re tired of boring beige carpets, get some rugs. Since super-sized designs can be pricey, why not use two or three rugs in one space? A large rectangular design layered with a round rug is great for a boho look.

Ugly radiators are another pain for renters but there are some clever workarounds to consider, like radiator covers you can paint and customise. Alternatively, try radwraps.co.uk for magnetic radiator covers in a variety of designs that still allow the heat to circulate.

When it comes to hanging artwork without damaging the walls with nails, Command Strips are a great choice for smaller prints, but not so reliable with heavier frames. Ask your landlord if you can put up a few inexpensive IKEA picture ledges, which could be kept in situ for future tenants. Alternatively, prop your larger artworks on the floor, across a mantlepiece or on top of furniture.

Steal my style Get Nancy’s nature-inspired mid-century home style Amber glass candlestick holder, ad&i

Dried floral fan, George Home

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Ero velvet table lamp, Oliver Bonas

‘If we were living here long-term I’d redo the kitchen, but we’ve made the best of it on a budget’

Inspiring homes ‘I bought a bag of 20 inexpensive brass handles from Amazon to revamp the kitchen,’ says Nancy, ‘but I’ve kept the old silver ones in case the landlord wants to change it back’

‘The original black worktops made the kitchen feel gloomy, but wrapping them in this marble vinyl has brightened the whole room’

Kitchen

Style idea

Brass handles add instant warmth compared to chrome or silver

Stairs lead up to the kitchen, bathroom and office from the living room. ‘This part of the house in the eaves would probably have been the servants’ quarters, as there’s no cornicing and really small skirting boards,’ says Nancy. ‘Although I like the sloped ceiling and stable door, I hated cooking in here when we first moved in as the lighting and black worktops made it feel gloomy. The first thing we did was change the blue-toned LED spotlights for warmer ones as we hate cold lighting. Then I bought some brass handles and marble contact paper from Amazon to cover up the worktops and added a lovely Roman blind from IKEA to make it feel cosier.’

Sticking to plain cushions with a single stand-out patterned design is a failsafe style trick. Nancy’s added prints from King & McGaw in contrasting frames so it doesn’t look too uniform, and a dried flower hoop from The Allotment Florist

Style idea

Choose linen bedding for a good night’s sleep as natural fibres keep your body temperature regulated

Master bedroom

‘My mum and dad put the print on the mantlepiece in my room when I was little, so it reminds me of my childhood. I find it really calming’

Nancy has kept the bedroom walls white to highlight the original fireplace and added accents of grey, terracotta, pink and sage green. ‘Most of our furniture is from West Elm, mixed in with things like vintage books and dried flowers that make the mid-century pieces feel a bit softer,’ says Nancy. ‘We have quite a lot of vintage books dotted about. They’re mostly picked up on holiday from an amazing second-hand book shop in the Yorkshire Dales.’

Removable peel-and-stick floral wallpaper by Livette’s is ideal for renters. ‘It looks like it’s drawn on the wall, which is why I loved it,’ says Nancy

Inspiring homes ‘The shelves feature lots of nice pieces that I’ve collected for Peggy or things that friends have made her, so everything is quite special. I particularly love the print by local artist Gemma Koomen’

‘The Hammam towels were picked up on trips to Turkey, where they cost around £2 compared to over £20 in the UK’

Peggy's nursery

‘This is my favourite room in the flat,’ says Nancy.

‘It gets that golden hour light when the sun sets. I originally painted it sage green, but I soon went off it. I wanted something prettier without it being too cartooney and girly, so I used a lovely monochrome floral wallpaper instead.’ Since then, Nancy has added 1950s school chairs, an Ercol rocking chair, 1930s drawers from her mum and an IKEA cot that she painted pink. ’Mixing up different eras can look nice and eclectic but if you get it wrong, it can look messy. The key is using the same wood tone.’

Bathroom

Nancy has livened up her plain rental bathroom with artwork from Desenio, lots of plants and a warm brass towel rail from MADE.com to balance out the black floor. ‘As it’s so small, with only two shelves for storage, toiletries get put in the office next door,’ she says. ‘I’m a sucker for nice beauty product packaging, so anything on display has to look pretty. I store any ugly things like dental floss in IKEA wicker baskets. I’m tempted to add Moroccan floor tile stickers for a holiday spa feel, but I don’t know if it’s worth it, considering I don’t use this room for longer than 15 minutes.’

WHAT I LEARNED...

One thing it’s easy to get wrong is scale and proportion, like a massive sofa with a super tiny coffee table, or a gallery wall with tiny pictures spaced out on a huge wall. Always use the rule of thirds if you get stuck.

For instance, your seating area should take up two-thirds of the living room, your sofa should be two-thirds of that, and your coffee table two-thirds of your sofa.

When grouping different styles of things together, pick a colour palette to unify them. I’d suggest no more than five and preferably three colours. You can mix up eras and styles, but some go together better than others, like shabby chic and coastal as they’re both very relaxed, or industrial warehouse and mid-century, as they both have strong lines.

See yourhomestyle.uk for more great real homes September 2021 55

hop the look...

DELICATE BOTANICALS Get down to earth, like Nancy, with wildflower motifs 2

loweve

3

1

Style idea

Use dainty prints in different scales but similar colours to create a rich effect 4

5 6

8 9 7 ebirT hannaH erutaeF

1 Floral cotton double duvet cover set, £39.99, H&M Home 2 Meadow print mug, £10, Paperchase 3 Medium faux potted lavender, £36, Ella James 4 Scandi rug in Clay, from £115, Dunelm 5 Laura Ashley Lisette white self-adhesive glass splashback, from £199, Splashback.co.uk 6 Nymans foliage apron, £25, National Trust Shops 7 Anyday Monochrome floral dinner plates in Grey/White, £16 for four, John Lewis & Partners 8 Floral napkins, £9.99 for two, Zara Home 9 Sparkär door mat, £6, IKEA

56 yourhomestyle.uk

EASY MOWS IT.

Spend less time mowing the lawn and more time enjoying the garden. Mountfield cordless lawnmowers are easy to use and powered by a battery* that fits a whole range of Mountfield garden tools.

They have a convenient push button start, a quiet, lightweight design and no awkward cables. Available from just £119, get yourself a Mountfield and make mowing the lawn easy like sundae mornings. mountfieldlawnmowers.co.uk *Batteries are available in 20V or 48V and can only be used with compatible products.

CORDLESS RANGE

Make the look...

VELVET BANNER Bring a whole lotta heart to your home, like Nancy, with a feel-good message on a gorgeous velvet wall hanging Velour in Henna, £20.48 per m, Prestigious Textiles; Cricut iron-on foil, £11, Hobbycraft; Dark Gold fringe tassel trim, £12.98 for 25m, Amazon; Rattan seat bench, £119.99, H&M Home

You will need

● A3 sheet of paper ● Ruler ● Pencil ● Scissors ● ½ metre velvet fabric ● Template ● Iron-on foil ● Iron ● ½ metre fringe trim ● Pins ● Sewing machine ● Cotton thread ● Needle ● 40cm-long dowel rod ● String First, make your pattern. Mark the centre point on the bottom edge of the sheet of A3 paper, and two points on the side edges, 10cm up from each corner. Using a ruler, connect the dots at each corner and cut off the triangular sections.

Fold the fabric in half and pin the banner template on top. Cut out two fabric pieces, and set one piece aside.

Go to yourhomestyle.uk and print out the slogan template. Cut out each letter in iron-on foil. Arrange the letters on the banner piece and place a tea towel on top. Neatly press in place on a low setting, allow to cool and then carefully peel off the carrier layer on each letter.

Next, make the hanging loops. Measure and cut four pieces of 15cm x 10cm fabric, and fold each in half with the right sides of the fabric together. Sew down the long side, and then turn right side out. Fold and press each piece in half.

Measure and cut the fringe trim. Place it along the edge of one of the banner pieces on the right side, with the fringe facing inwards. Take the loops and lay them equally spaced along the top edge, again facing inwards. Take the other banner piece and lay it on top, right sides together, then pin in place trapping the fringe and loops inside.

Sew along all sides, leaving a small opening to turn the banner right side out. Neatly stitch up the opening and press the edges.

Hang the banner on the dowel rod.

Measure and cut a 50cm length of string and tie each end to the dowel rod.

1

2 3 5 6 7

nodroG revilO otohP yawattA eizuS gnilyts dna ekaM

Top tip

If you don’t have a sewing machine you can use strong fabric glue or hemming tape to make your banner.

4

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NEVER MISS AN ISSUE of your favourite magazine filled with the best home inspiration Living room makeover

My living is now room FULL OF

CHARACTER

‘Having a place that looks and feels restful was so valuable to us, especially during lockdown’

the moment she and Christian Beam began planning her living roombig buy was the rug from Next, made an offer on their home. The first for the colour scheme. The IKEA which was the starting point MADE.com sofa and armchair were gifts from family and the Beam dressed arch lamp was found on Facebook Marketplace. the windows with sheer voile curtains to filter the light

Style idea

vibes Bring summerroom to your living with all year round a spread of faux flowers

scheme and Using a pretty pastel colour adding fun touches and clever styling tricks, Beam Irwin has created a living area perfect for socialising and relaxing

About me

and interior stylist and maker of floral I’m Beam, 34, a freelance props @bloomsbybeam. I live home decorations, which I sell39,onanInstagram IT specialist. Our home is a 1950s with my husband, Christian, house in Middleton, Manchester. three-bedroom semi-detached I post home updates @aplacetogether.

My room...

ROOM MY PROBLEM LIVINGgood-sized layout, but it didn’t Our living space had a personality. open-plan I wanted to add lots of fun, have much warmth or the room more cheerful. happy colours to make HOW I MADE IT WORK shopped around We painted the walls andmake the layout for furniture that would the room with work better. I decorated selling bargain finds from second-hand my own sites and I filled the walls with for me to feel artwork. It took two years complete. that this room was finally MY FAVOURITE PART and I like My fireplace. It’s very photogenic it by changing that I can play around with artwork the mantel decorations oritthe above. I love how flexible can be.

TOTAL

£2,301 Before

taeF niwrI maeB gnilytS elooP niloC sotohP ydarB enixaM eru

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WIN! 3-SEATER SWYFT SOFA BED + £500 VOUCHER to spend at Cuckooland.com TO ENTER

It’s so easy! Head to yourhomestyle.uk, click on the ‘Win’ tab, find the draw you want to enter and fill in your details. Closing date 19th October 2021.

1

LUCKY WINNER If you’re planning on giving your home a makeover this season, there’s no better place to start than Cuckooland. With a fabulous collection of fun and stylish home furnishings, you can find everything you need to give every room in your house the wow-factor!

Cuckooland’s motto is ‘live in the wow’, and they love to keep their customers smiling with their quirky nature. Their vision was to build a home for unique, ‘cuckoo’ versions of popular products, delivered alongside outstanding customer service. And that’s exactly what they did!

For this month’s prize draw, Cuckooland have teamed up with sofa brand Swyft to offer one lucky HomeStyle reader the Model 04 Velvet 3 Seat Sofa Bed, worth

Enter today for your chance to win this stylish Swyft Model 04 Velvet 3 Seat Sofa Bed from Cuckooland, worth £1,995!

£1,995, as well as a £500 voucher* to spend at cuckooland.com – so get ready to make your home shine!

Perfect for stylish sitting and snoozing, the Model 04 Sofa Bed lets you couch surf like never before. Practical and comfortable, it’s also everything you can expect from Swyft – it’s delivered in 24 hours, has stain-resistant fabric and can be assembled in as little as five minutes.

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Pick out some accompanying furniture to buy using your £500 cuckooland.com voucher

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TERMS AND CONDITIONS

62 yourhomestyle.uk

*Voucher applicable online and on full-price items only. Competition closes on 19th October 2021 at 23.59pm and you must be 18 or over to enter. This prize draw is open to residents of the UK and Channel Islands only. Find full terms and conditions under the desired prize draw at yourhomestyle.uk/win

DECORATORÕS

Style edit

MOODBOARDS 68

Shine on with this month’s glittering ideas for using the season’s hot trend, metallics, in your home

64 CONTEMPORARY COPPER Combine copper with gorgeous green for a timeless combination

66 GLAMOROUS GOLD Brighten up using a chic

white scheme with classy gilded touches

68 SOPHISTICATED SILVER Indulge in shades of grey

64

with this sleek, elegant look

ebirT hannaH erutaeF

66

Palais green & copper wallpaper, £55 per roll, Graham & Brown

Holden Décor Art Deco Striped wallpaper in black and rose gold, £21 per roll, I Want Wallpaper

Colours Mosaic metallic effect smooth wallpaper in copper, navy & pewter, £16 per roll, B&Q

Studio G Murano fabric in Forest, £20 per m, Jane Clayton

TÖMMERBY flatwoven reversible rug, £55, IKEA

Clear glitter glaze in Copper, £29.95, Hemway

COLOUR PALETTE

Brushed copper cut-to-fit metallic splashback 3000mm x 600mm, £349, Splashback.co.uk

Style edit

CONTEMPORARY COPPER Give autumn’s deep, dark schemes a touch of magic with warm copper highlights Scintilla paarprika orange st les, pattern ti r sq m, £19.95 peoors Walls & Fl

Copper Luxe mosaic tile, £16.99 each, Tile Giant

Margot matt velour pencil pleat curtains in jade, from £40, Dunelm

Contrast copper highlights with deep green to create a

Statement walls metallic emulsion in Copper Pipe, £14 per 1.25L, Wilko

Metro tile in Forest, £30 per sq m, Topps Tiles Crofts & Assinder Monmouth cabinet cup handle on square plate in brushed copper, £5.65, Ironmongery Direct

Rust-Oleum metallic spray paint in Bright Copper, £11, Homebase Casablanca trellis fretwork wallpaper in black and copper, £10.99 per roll, World of Wallpaper

Thea pendant light in Copper, £121; Cookie pendant shade, from £58; Dexter pendant light, from £100, Pooky

HOW TO

WORK THIS LOOK

l Create a look with soft dynamism by pairing copper hues with forest

D-C-Fix matt coheppsivere effect self-ad Q film, £10 per roll, B&

Manipur fabric in Sienna, £84 per m, Your Stylish Home

green and navy blue. These colours contrast against the orange tones within the copper to give the look gentle energy and interest. For a more powerful look, consider using brighter blues and greens. l Copper is a key element for mid-century inspired schemes. It looks beautiful against the other essential for this look – deep-coloured woods like teak. To avoid the scheme seeming too themed, use brushed or slightly aged copper accents rather than full gloss. l Geometric and art deco-style patterns give this scheme its elegance.

To ensure your room feels cohesive, avoid mixing and matching between styles and stick to either soft, flowing curves or modern, sharp angles within your pattern choices.

September 2021 65

Savannah Cheetah wallpaper in white and gold, £17.99 per roll, World of Wallpaper

Flute tile in white, £60.60 per sq m, Topps Tiles

s Prestigious Textile ric Asteria Aquilo fabr m, in gilt, £40.61 pe on Graham Sanders Interiors

D-C- Fix adhe Grey, £8, Wilkosive film in Cortes

bonded Heavy crushedfab in Ivory, velvet curtain m,ric ry’s Fabrics Ter r pe .99 from £9

Rust-Oleum Gold effect furniture paint, £5.50 per 125ml, B&Q

Eggshell paint in Innings, £27.20 per 1L, Linda Barker Paints

HOW TO

WORK THIS LOOK

l When you combine gold with white, it brings out the best

of both colours. Gold warms up white tones to make them feel bright but still cosy, while white reflects beautifully in gold to make it seem even more glitzy. l Add touches of gold to a white scheme using delicate accents. Try adding golden braids to the edges of cushions and upholstery or choosing furniture with brass or goldfinished legs. You can also add your own gold touches to existing furniture with gilding wax or gold leaf. l Brass and gold finishes are the modern alternative to traditional chrome in the bathroom. These warm tones are ideal for en suites as they blend into cosy bedroom schemes, creating a better sense of flow between the rooms.

66 yourhomestyle.uk

Consec metal kitchen stool with solid seat and brass legs, £99 each, Cult Furnitelm ure

GLAMOROUS GOLD

Style edit

Create a high-end scheme with a light, bright look that’s full of golden wonder Tranquil gold wallpaper, £55 per roll, Graham & Brown

ric Harlequin Toco fab in ochre, £36 per m, Jane Clayton

Mason white glass side table with brushed gold legs, £224.99, my furniture

Combine gold and white to bringbothoutcolours the best in Copacabana wallpaper in gold, £9.60 per roll, Dunelm

Gilding wax in bright gold, £7.95, Annie Sloan

Cappella gold matt marble effect tiles, £17.95 per sq m, Walls and Floors Matt emulsion in Plaster Cast, £45 per 2.5L, Claybrook Handover premium imitation gold leaf book, £5.35, Jackson’s Art Supplies

COLOUR PALETTE

Platinum marble bianco hexago n gold vinyl, £22.99 per sq m, Carpetright

Vera leaf furnishing in gold, £15 per m, fabric John Lewis & Partners

September 2021 67

Curtains in Haldon Flint fabric, £37 per m; cushions from left to right in Charnwood Flint, Kielder Flint, Cuerden Silver and Wyre Silver fabrics, all £32 per m; throw in Kielder Flint, price as before, all ILIV Textiles

Mercury glass and glittering finishes create a gentle glow Velvet Crush foil silver wallpaper, £19.99, The Range

Rust-Oleum medium shimmer glitter paint in silver, £20 per 750ml, Wilko

wallpaper in silver, Geneva metallic ap £20, I love Wallp er

Knitted velvet furnishing fabric in silver, £30 per m, John Lewis & Partners

Matt emulsion in Polar Bear Selfie, £49.99 per 2.5L, Dowsing & Reynolds

Matt emulsion in Concrete Grey, £30.04 per 2.5L, Dulux

Metallic wood & metal paint in silver, £6 per 250ml, Wilko

look cooler than the greys with red or orange tones and are a closer match to chrome and other silver-toned finishes.

Elevate the look with mirrored furniture, as these pieces reflect light back into the room and accentuate the grey tones. For a purse-friendly Huggle extra soft shaggy rug, from £50, Next 68 yourhomestyle.uk

If glossy mirror finishes are too bling for your home, you can create a

Style edit

SOPHISTICATED SILVER This luxurious scheme will make you feel as though Silver metallic paint, £40 per 1L, Graham & Brown sphere, large £10, small Silver globe, £15; crystalfram es, from £3; organza to pho or £6; gem mirr cushion, £8; silver geo r silve £17; p, table lam ion, £8, all Wilko cush et velv hed crus

Silver glitter mosaic tiles, £39 per sq m, Mosafil

Belgravia Decor Amara silver panel wallpaper, £25, Homebase

KRISTALLER chandelier, £45, IKEA

Starluxe tiles in grey, £86.78 per sq m, Topps Tiles

Polyester ve upholstery fab lvet light grey, £9.99 pericr m,in Lee Mill Fabrics

COLOUR PALETTE

Vivian wall mirror, £80; Hotel Finley gold 5 light fitting, £109; oversized Hotel headboard, from £199; Hotel Finley tripod table lamp silver, £45: Hotel egyptian cotton 230 thread count silver stripe duvet cover, from £25; bolster crushed velour cushion in grey, £9.60; Dunelm emulsion in stone, £16 per 2.5L; Dunelm emulsion in pale silver, £16 per 2.5L, all Dunelm September 2021 69

Scandi style

Vox Concept bedside cabinet, white & yellow, £145, Cuckooland

All angles

Tammy side table, black mango wood, £199, Swoon Editions

Japandi dreaming

Conway Tambour bedside table, £199, Next

8 of the best

BEDSIDE TABLES From storage-friendly

Terrazzo treat

Zuiver Luigi round side table, £169, Cuckooland

nottuD eitaK erutaeF

Pretty industrial

Mustard Made The Shorty Short locker, lilac, £129, Rose & Grey

70 yourhomestyle.uk

to ultra-minimal, these new bedside tables will make zed time even more appealing

Touch of gold

Round gold side/occasional table, £70.95, Melody Maison

Space-saving

Jax small side table, dusty green, £59, ANYDAY John Lewis & Partners

Pink statement

Pebble side table, pink, £35, ANYDAY John Lewis & Partners

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you never knew you had

FIND THE STORAGE SPACE Make the most of under-utilised areas of your home with cleverly designed furniture and shelving to help you stay clutter-free

LIVING ROOM

Cedar corner sofa in Barley and Coffee Pastel Mix, £2,049, Sofology

htA’eD asiL-annA erutaeF

Perfect for a #shelfie

TRY A VERSATILE SOFA This clever modular corner sofa has optional wooden shelves built into the arm – a stylish feature that’s perfect if you don’t have enough floor space for a conventional coffee table in your living room.

ADD STORAGE ARMS If you don’t have a spare bedroom for guests, this space-saving sofa bed could be the perfect answer. Not only does it have a luxurious mattress so you don’t have to compromise on comfort, it also comes with optional storage arms which lift up to reveal plenty of room for bed linen, cushions or magazines.

Metro medium three-seater sofa bed with storage arm in Wemyss Kielder fabric in Cloud, from £1,500, Furl 72 yourhomestyle.uk

Aissa medium storage chaise sofa in Oxford Blue brushed linen cotton, £2,680; Georgette round footstool in Pumice, £470, both Sofa.com

LIFT UP THE LID If you really want a corner sofa, but worry it’ll leave no room for other furniture in your living room, look for a design with hidden storage.

The lift-up seat on this chaise sofa reveals the perfect spot to store bulky out-of-season throws or magazines, while keeping them close to hand for when you need them.

Style advice st in Investo cu uilmt b

Barnet Living Concept fitted furniture, from £3,600, Neville Johnson

Style idea

Paint shelving so it blends into the décor MAXIMISE A HIGH CEILING In an open-plan living area, lots of free-standing furniture can make the space feel too busy. By cleverly utilising the area around and above the aperture between rooms, you can really increase the storage capacity without taking up floor space. Consider a combination of display shelving to show off your treasures, and cupboards with doors to hide away your clutter.

CHOOSE WALL-TO-WALL In a small living room, keep the floor free of clutter by making the most of the wall space. Fitted base units which run the entire width of the room have enough storage capacity to hide your possessions, while display shelving around your TV offers ample space to keep your favourite objects and books.

Element units in Stone and Light from £1,500, The Home Collection, Sharps September 2021 73

Sussex double larder in Sage green £1,099, The Cotswold Company

Style idea

Store crockery, food and even wine in this versatile larder unit

KITCHEN Bespoke kitchen from £30,000 Life Kitchens

ADD A CORNER UNIT So often, the corner area in a run of kitchen base units goes to waste but, by adding a pull-out shelving system, you can make full use of the space and access everything easily when you need it.

OPT FOR FREE-STANDING UNITS If you live in a rented property, you may not be able to change your existing built-in kitchen, but by squeezing in a freestanding larder unit you can maximise your storage space.

What’s more, you can take it with you when you move!

UPGRADE YOUR DINING TABLE This contemporary dining table provides storage in its unique under-table cupboards. It’s perfect for storing away drinks and a few glasses. It has an unusual floating effect which gives the furniture a sense of lightness and fun, while the doors and drawers both have soft-close features.

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Blake dining table with side storage, £1,199, The Painted Furniture Company

Style advice SPACE-SAVE UP HIGH This neat, concealed extractor fan is not only streamlined, but it incorporates clever added storage for oils, spices and dried herbs, which are perfectly to hand whilst you’re cooking.

Full heigntrhty pa Arcos kitchen in Vintage Oak from £10,000, Schmidt Groupe UK Ltd

GET A WALK-IN LARDER Practical storage solutions can make all the difference in your kitchen.

This ingenious walk-in larder efficiently utilises otherwise unused space in the corner of the room. It offers a mix of tall storage and shelving, allowing you to see everything in one place without having to bend and reach for pots and pans in low cupboards. There is also floor space in the larder so you can easily access your essentials.

BE CLEVER WITH SEATING Open-plan kitchen diners are hugely popular right now, but a decent-sized dining table and chairs can eat up valuable space. However, by creating a banquette-style dining bench with storage capacity built in underneath the seat, you can create much-needed space for stashing your table linens, seldom-used cooking pots or even the kids’ toys!

Bespoke banquette seating, from £2,500, Herringbone Kitchens

Corner larder, from £1,103, LochAnna Kitchens September 2021 75

GET FLOATY Floor space in a small cloakroom or en suite can be limited, so a spacious yet slimline wallmounted vanity unit can provide ample room for cleaning essentials and toiletries, while still maintaining a feeling of space within the room.

ADD A SLEEK RADIATOR Make your radiator work harder with a model that offers storage at the rear. This one incorporates shelving for towels and toiletries, and a hanging rail for clothes.

Thurlestone Cloak offset vanity unit, £615, Imperial Bathrooms

Niva Bath radiator and accessories, £870, Vasco Elfa door and wall rack, £95, A Place for Everything

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GO VERTICAL We often forget the space behind a door, but this area can offer a useful place for hanging shelves where you can store toiletries and make-up without cluttering up the surfaces in the room.

BATHROOM

Bella bathroom units in Blush, from £225, Original Fitted range, Utopia

FIT BUILT-IN UNITS In a compact family bathroom it’s essential to utilise every inch of space to keep all the family’s toiletries and paraphernalia close to hand, but out of sight. Fit built-in units to make the most of normally unused areas, such as above, below and around the basin and toilet.

Pale-coloured door fronts, glass shelving and mirrored panels are ideal for helping to bounce light around the room and enhance the feeling of space.

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Style advice Clara bathroom units, from £380, Original Fitted collection, Utopia

Style idea

Create extra storage while also concealing unsightly pipework

WORK THE SPACE OVER THE LOO The area above the toilet in a bathroom can often go under-utilised. Make the most of the available space by adding a tall, slim storage cupboard that’s ideal for housing spare loo rolls, cleaning products and towels.

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Style idea

Incorporate some mood lighting into fitted bedroom furniture

ADD OVER-BED CUPBOARDS If your bedroom is small and you don’t have much spare floor space for free-standing furniture, then consider installing wall-mounted units on either side and above your bed. You can even incorporate handy bedside shelves, which take up a lot less floor space than traditional bedside cabinets.

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Contemporary Willow bedroom fitted furniture, from £3,000 + VAT, Neville Johnson

Style advice

BEDROOM

Vertigo wall bed, £1,690, Furl

Vox 4 You four-poster king bed with storage shelves in White, £945, Cuckooland

FOLD IT ALL AWAY If you live in a studio apartment, space is always at a premium, so choose a wall bed that can be folded away during the day and lowered at bedtime. This design comes with handy built-in shelving but the really clever part happens when you open it – you don’t need to clear your shelves as the ingenious mechanism keeps everything flat and in place!

BUY A STORAGE BED A bed with built-in storage will make the most of every available inch. This bed has shelves built into the base and headboard, plus useful hanging space for magazines – ideal for rooms where floor space is limited.

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Classic beech daybed with storage and sleepover trundle in Dove Grey, £385, Little Folks Furniture

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Croft bedroom range in Light Praline, from £2,500, Hammonds

CREATE A WINDOW NOOK Don’t let corner space go to waste in your bedroom. Consider a built-in seating area complete with lift-up seats or storage drawers underneath, and you’ve got the perfect cosy nook to sit and enjoy a book or relax after a hard day.

TRY AN UNDER-BED TRUNDLE This practical daybed is great for guest bedrooms or a spare room that doubles as a home office. It can be a sofa during the day and a single bed at night, while offering ample storage space below in the pull-out trundle for spare bedding or office paperwork.

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Does your home make you

HAPPY?

Interiors, upcycling and DIY presenter for ITV’s This Morning Georgina Burnett shares 10 ways your home can help look after your mental health

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ore than ever we’ve come to realise our home needs to be our haven, and my job as a home coach is to help people create homes that work for their life goals, health and wellbeing. The most common problems I see often stem from following fashionable colour schemes that don’t actually work for the homeowner, or playing it too safe through lack of confidence – there’s always a place for neutrals, but too much ‘greige’ is not good for the soul! Here are 10 simple steps to help you create a home that makes you happy…

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Georgina is a keen upcycler, as well as an interior designer, property developer and home coach

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Audit your home

The first thing I do with clients is a ‘home audit’. We list every tiny issue with each room that might irritate them or bring them down. Things to look out for are broken items, furniture that’s not serving a purpose, anything that is outmoded, cluttered or not practical.

We then identify how they need to feel in that room, as every room has a different part to play in terms of evoking emotions. A plan is then drawn up, which might include decluttering, fixing, removing and moving furniture. These solutions must be practical and long lasting, as quick fixes will simply end up causing more frustration.

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Find your colours Colour psychology is a huge part of my work. Every

day our mood and energy are affected by the colours around us. We may only have control of this in our homes – and yet, so often we still go for grey! I get it though, as colour can be scary. Firstly, identify which colours evoke which feelings for you personally, as you have likely been conditioned to feel a certain way around them due to life experiences. For a couple of pounds, get yourself a colour wheel which can guide you on how to mix colours with confidence. Just remember, if a colour doesn’t make you feel the way you need to feel, it’s not right, no matter the fashion.

Enhance a pale grey backdrop with uplifting teal and orange accessories

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Style advice

Energise with accessories

Don’t worry if you’ve already gone for grey. In fact, I often suggest neutral colours for the big, hard-tochange décor like walls and floors. Instead, accessorise the room to maximise your chosen colour scheme. It’s easy to energise a predominantly grey room with pick-me-up colours such as yellows, oranges or pinks. Just remember to represent that colour at all levels, not just in cushions, throws and ornaments. This can be done with artwork, feature walls and decorated shelves. And don’t forget that a plant is also a musthave accessory in any room, to aid mental health.

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Banish bland bathrooms If you rely on your shower to wake you up in the

morning, then you need more than just a zesty soap.

An easy and quick fix for sterile bathroom tiles is a colourful grout, while a set of matching towels will help put a spring in your step and get you moving.

Rise and shine

People often think the bedroom must be decorated in sleepy tones, but it’s also the place we need the most help to wake up in the morning. Sure, go for a mainly neutral, sleep-inducing scheme, but make sure you energise it with lively scatter cushions you can throw on the floor at night, and artwork behind the bed that can only be seen when you jump out of bed in the morning.

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“A common mistake I see comes from following fashionable colour schemes without properly thinking it through. For example, Pantone announced yellow and grey as their colours for 2021. For many people, yellow is a happy colour that evokes a feeling of joy and can stimulate the brain, but in others it can exacerbate anxiety and depression.”

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Add interest to a neutral scheme by papering or tiling inside an alcove or unused fireplace – you could go subtle or bold

Introduce pattern

So you’re nervous of committing to full-on wallpaper, but you need a bit more interest in your life? Try papering behind shelves or using picture frames to display the pattern on the walls on a smaller scale – this last one is a great tip for renters.

“I’m all for quality and anything that will last, but of course there’s more to finding the style that suits you than the price tag, and spending beyond your means on decorating can cause anxiety in the home. Repurposing and upcycling as much as you can is easier on your budget and good for you and the planet too.”

By painting old furniture, like this upcycled dining table and chairs, you can keep hold of treasured items, save money and create a brand new look

Top tip

Add a splash of colour and pattern with a bold abstract painting over a mantlepiece or above a sofa

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and try to crowbar it into a room. But it’s so easy to upcycle these days, enabling our furniture to move through life with us. Upcycling second-hand items is a really affordable way to inject just the right colour, and provide extra storage for a clutter-free room.

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For a feel-good home that also helps the planet, make eco swaps where you can and bring nature indoors by choosing sustainable natural materials and incorporating plenty of plants and dried flowers into your décor

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Top tip

Style advice

Thermal curtains and blinds can help to reduce your energy bills and have a sound-proofing effect, helping to create a calmer home environment too.

Make eco swaps where you can

The state of the climate is something that causes many of us anxiety. Well, a sustainable home is within your circle of control.

Making it as eco-friendly as possible by simply using less energy, reducing waste and buying mindfully will help your state of mind as well as the planet. If this is also reflected in your choice of furnishings, with naturally sourced materials, you get the added warmth of these colours and textures reflecting nature.

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Let the light in Getting light right can be the difference

between day and night! We no longer get up and go to bed with the sun, but need to trick our bodies if we are to achieve optimum sleep and energy – both vital ingredients for strong mental health. A way to do this is to have day and night lights. Your daytime bulbs in the ceiling are brighter and whiter, whilst your evening mood is set by lower, warmer lamps, strategically placed lower down to imitate the setting sun. Also, position furniture according to the natural light available. Rather than the TV being the focal point, try putting the window centre-stage to create a room that not only encourages you to switch off, but provides you with energy from natural daylight.

“There’s a reason we talk about ‘feeling grey’. I suffered from Post Natal Depression after the birth of my daughter; the best way I can describe it is that everything seemed monotone. So part of my strategy for recovery was to fill my home with the colours that lifted me. I’m not saying that cured me of course, but my home started to work with me rather than against me.”

changes. There’s much to be said for the old adage, ‘A change is as good as a rest’. The more mobile you can make your furniture, the easier it is to move a room around every so often, and you’ll be amazed how this can help to dust off the cobwebs of the mind.

Georgina Burnett

Georgina Burnett is an interiors, upcycling and DIY presenter for ITV’s This Morning.

Her vlog, TheHomeGenie.com shares her tips as a Home Coach, property developer, interior designer and upcycler, which you can also find in her book, The Street-wise Guide To Buying, Improving and Selling Your Home.

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Shake it up Don’t be afraid to ring the

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Elements Hannes duvet set, from £18; Soft & Cosy brushed cotton silver Oxford pillowcase, £6; Arthur recycled navy curtain, £24; Harvey throw, £44; Stockholm cushion, £14; industrial poster pack, £15; Elements poster pack, £15; white pom pom 10 light string lights, £5, all Dunelm

DESIGNER DEN Bedding is a relatively low-cost way to let teens stamp their own style on the room. It can be easily switched out if their tastes change, unlike furniture or paint. Handing over responsibility for this decision to your teen will help them to have a sense of ownership too, which might even encourage them to keep their room tidy!

Create an instant workspace.

This folding number can be quickly set up anywhere in the room.

Compact folding office desk in black, £40, Habitat

s m a e r d e g Teena with these practical, versatile designs with space to sleep, hang out and study

Save your walls from the damage of a constant succession of posters with a quick-change magnetic frame. Large wooden magnetic frame mount in dark brown, £12.99, H&M HOME

Help your teen keep on top of their work by categorising subjects by colour. Arreglo metal paper trays, £25 each, La Redoute 84 yourhomestyle.uk

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our teen’s bedroom is probably the hardestworking room in the house. These rooms regularly switch between being a study space, living room, bedroom and often a dining room too! To make these transitions as smooth as possible, they’ll want furniture and accessories that are as stylish and adaptable as they are.

SPACE AGE This sleek and stylish bed is so much more than just somewhere to sleep. It’s a desk, storage nook, bedside table and bookshelf too! Versatile pieces like this are real space-savers as they take up less floor area than separate pieces of furniture. A fresh white colourway creates a great backdrop for bolder accessories and statement bedding.

These clever wardrobe doors double as noticeboards with sustainable cork fronts.

SMÅSTAD wardrobe in white/cork, £163, IKEA

Weighted blankets can help anxious teens to get a good night’s sleep, perfect for combatting pre-exam nerves.

Wellbeing 3kg kids weighted blanket, £40, Silentnight

Locker single wardrobe in blue, £215, Next

Create some space for laid-back socialising with a collection of bright floor cushions.

Cotton floor cushion in yellow, £9.99, Homescapes

METAL HEADS Locker-style storage instantly creates the modern-retro vibes that Gen Z loves. Metal furniture is ideal from a parent’s perspective too as it’s easy to clean, hardwearing and widely available in a range of colours. Locker-style cabinets are often narrower than other types of cupboards too, so will squeeze into

Style idea

Create a funky faux headboard by painting a section of the wall a fabulous colour, or simply draw out the shape with washi tape

Hanging storage helps hide away awkward items like shoes.

Hona green wardrobe hanging shoe storage, £32.50, Oliver Bonas

Comet white midsleeper single bed with desk in white, £349.99,

Stylish monochrome accessories can be dressed up or down to create different looks. Penny black mini dot single bedding set, £18, Habitat September 2021 85

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Subtle scents help to create the ideal atmosphere for studying or relaxing.

Ultrasonic diffuser with calming oil gift set, £29.50, M&S

BOOK NOOK Create a grown-up look with classic furniture that has traditional details, like the faux panelling on this headboard. The Maine bed contains a clever shelf that can be used to store bedtime reading, or styled like a bedside table with lamps and coasters. These extra storage areas are a great way to make the most of spaces that might otherwise be wasted.

Maine single bed with shelf in white £299.99, Furniture And Choice

BJÖRKÅSEN laptop stand in beige, £19, IKEA Multi-coloured rugs add interest to the floor while giving lots of styling options.

Malay striped runner in Charcoal & Terracotta, £79, MADE

ROOM FOR A LITTLE ONE The SLÄKT bed is built for sleepovers, so it’s great for socialising with friends or bonding with younger siblings. A pull-out section concealed in the bed’s base creates another single bed in an instant. This pull-out section conveniently stores the mattress too. Both beds have proper slatted frames, so there’s at least a chance of them getting a decent night’s sleep!

FLEXIBLE WORKING No space for a desk? This laptop stand provides ample room for a laptop and notebook. A handy drinks holder keeps liquids safely away from the working area to avoid accidents too. The work surface can be kept flat or pivoted to an angle that’s comfortable when typing for long periods – and it can also be used for watching TV in bed!

Plus, it folds down flat for easy storage. If you have a budding musician in the family, it can double up as a sheet music stand too.

Create a stylish atmosphere with colour-change strip lighting.

Smart LED light strip, £30 for 5m, hey!

SLÄKT single bed frame with underbed and storage in white, £229, IKEA

Style advice Neon tube LED lights in yellow and pink, £45 each, HAY

Round noticeboards will blend into the overall décor more smoothly than squares or rectangles.

Push pins, £1.84 per pack of 50; round pinboard, £11.20, Søstrene Grene

IN THE ZONE Use colour creatively to turn different areas of the room into zones. Defining a workspace with a bold colour, like the black in this image, can aid concentration and associate being in that area with studying. This also confines hard work to one space, which makes it easier for them to relax in the rest of the room.

HIGH BEAM Coloured lighting will give the room an on-trend, out-of-this-world atmosphere. Use fixed coloured lighting, like these LED tube lights, for a consistent wash of colour. Create a fun look by mixing and matching different coloured lights in different spots.

Pink lights cast a rosy look, while purple gives a space-age feel. For a more high-tech approach, smart lighting can be used to create variable effects with just the touch of a button. Check out our guide to the best smart light bulbs on page 127.

This graphic cat cushion is seriously fun.

Grumpy cat printed cushion, £10, Habitat Paint in Rocket Fire, Basically Black, Tranquil Dawn and Bluebird Skies from £30.04 per 2.5L, Dulux Keep their workspace tidy with a neat headphone stand.

Yamazaki beautes headphone stand, £18, John Lewis & Partners

Fashion-forward teens need full-length mirrors, and a mirrored door saves on floor space.

Scandinavia 3 door mirrored wardrobe in pine, £185, Argos

Practical storage can still be fun, as these cute spotty baskets show.

Carter print reversible storage baskets, £18 for two, Next

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AMAZING PRIZES UP FOR GRABS! 1

LUCKY WINNER

SRS-RA5000 wireless home speaker, £500, Sony

88 yourhomestyle.uk

It’s so easy! Head to yourhomestyle.uk, click on the ‘WIN’ tab, find the draw you wish to enter and fill in your details.

Closing date 19th October 2021.

WIN THE NEW SONY SRS-RA5000 HOME SPEAKER WORTH £500

Sony is giving HomeStyle readers the chance to experience impressive 360 Reality Audio by offering up the new SRS-RA5000 wireless home speaker. Easy to set up and effortless to use with smart features, the SRS-RA5000 will fit into your life as seamlessly as it fits into your home.

A fantastic addition to any style-conscious home, this speaker allows you to immerse yourself in your favourite music and create a serene and soothing atmosphere where music can be your perfect companion. Whether you’re curled up on the sofa or cooking up a storm in the kitchen, stream music easily via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth®.

WIN A STYLISH AMORE ELECTRIC SHOWER FROM TRITON WORTHan attractive £195.99 Triton, the UK’s leading shower centrepiece for any manufacturer, is giving HomeStyle readers the chance to win an Amore electric shower, with three up for grabs.

Triton’s range of electric showers offers an efficient and more sustainable way to heat and use water, giving you a cleaner conscience when stepping into the shower. Instantly heating water on demand, these models avoid warming water unnecessarily, offering notable water and energy savings without compromising performance.

The Amore adds a touch of elegance to any bathroom design. Combining a contemporary finish with sophisticated technology, this electric shower is

TO ENTER

modern bathroom. Furthermore, the Amore benefits from unique touchactivated controls, together with an OLED display to confirm the chosen temperature and power setting – either max, eco or cold.

For more information about the Amore and to find out about Triton’s full range of electric showers, visit tritonshowers.co.uk

For those looking to improve their home sound system and impress guests, the SRS-RA5000 boasts ambient room-filling sound with Sony’s 360 Reality Audio and Immersive Audio Enhancement technologies. What’s more, the SRS-RA5000 is Hi-Res Audio certified, delivering superior sound quality from the comfort of your own home.

Enhance your space with the premium and design-led SRSRA5000, which has been carefully crafted to be a centrepiece in any home, with a black body and contrasting copper highlights.

For more information, visit sony.co.uk

Amore electric shower, £195.99, Triton

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LUCKY WINNERS

TERMS AND CONDITIONS Both prize draws close on 19th October 2021 at 23.59pm. You must be 18 or over to enter. These prize draws are open to residents of the UK and Channel Islands only. Find full terms and conditions under the desired prize draw at yourhomestyle.uk/win

KITCHENS & BATHROOMS

Put some new ideas on the table with this month’s stylish updates BEST OF BRITISH

Protect your kitchen walls with the high-quality, Britishmade splashbacks from splashback.co.uk. We love their tough 6mm glass splashbacks that deliver waterproof style without the mess of tiling. Their cushioned, peel and stick system means that installation is quick and easy too.

GO WITH THE FLOW

Did you know that, on average, we spend four months of our lives waiting for the kettle to boil? Quooker taps provide instant boiling water, so you can spend that time doing something more important, like reading HomeStyle! Prices start at £950 for a Nordic single tap, visit quooker.co.uk to see the full range.

Add a Quooker boiling tap to your worktop for instant tea breaks. Nordic square single tap in stainless steel, from £1,100, Quooker

Vintage apple snack bags, £2.95 for a set of three, Rex London

KITCHEN HERO

SNACK ATTACK

Give lunchtimes an eco update by ditching the cling film and packing your sarnies into these sweet-as-pie reusable snack bags.

The oh-so-Instagrammable cookware that took the US by storm is finally launching in the UK! Our Place was founded by Shiza Shahid, ex-CEO of the Malala Fund and mentor of Malala, with the aim of creating kitchenware that celebrates multiple food traditions across diverse cultures. The hero of the collection, The Always Pan (£140), has been designed to replace eight pieces of cookware at once, with stunning good looks as standard. See the whole collection at fromourplace.co.uk September 2021 89

Design your perfect

KITCHEN-DINER Make the most of your space with clever planning and savvy kitchen design to create a kitchen-diner to suit you and your family

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ne of the biggest trends in kitchens is to forgo the formal dining room and separate kitchen to create one shared space for both. Whether you’re knocking down a wall to achieve a large open-plan room or you want to squeeze a spot to eat into a compact kitchen, the first thing to consider is the layout.

Plan your layout to maximise your space

Making the most of your space involves planning the cabinetry to create zones for cooking, storage, socialising and seating.

An L-shaped run of units is ideal for adding a table or banquette into the corner; a U-shaped design can have a breakfast bar or worktop overhang on one side with a couple of stools underneath; galley kitchens could include a small table at the furthest end of the room, while large spaces can include an island and even a separate dining table with chairs and benches.

Choose a design that you know you’ll enjoy living with long-term, or one that is quick and easy to update if you know you like to change things up regularly. This could be as simple as adding open shelving onto unused wall space or adding a freestanding larder or dresser to create extra storage.

cabinets, doors and hinges, and also for installation, as many kitchen fitters will charge per cabinet. Whilst interior fittings make a huge difference to the functionality, this is an area where it’s easy to over-spend.

Plan carefully for what you will put in each cupboard or drawer to make sure you get exactly what you need. It’s great to research online, but nothing beats testing the kitchen displays yourself to get a feel for the quality.

The parts of the kitchen that are most visible and touched regularly contribute to the quality perception, so quality worktops, taps and soft-close doors and drawers are ‘Decide where best to spend your money. A something to look out for.’

Top tip

keen baker will need plenty of storage and a durable worksurface, an avid entertainer may want to splash out on a beautiful kitchen island for guests to sit around, or maybe having glass cabinets to show off your best china is more your style.’

David Lawson, B&Q Category Planner, Kitchen

Decide where to spend and where to save

Another important consideration is your budget. Knowing where to splurge and where to save is key to achieving the perfect finish, as well as a kitchen that will last.

‘Kitchen door fronts vary in price a lot depending on style and finish,’ says Becky Martin, Interior Design Leader at IKEA UK & Ireland. ‘If your budget is limited but there’s a door style you love, consider base cabinets with beautiful doors mixed with wall shelves to stay on budget. Alternatively, choose a lower-cost door style and treat yourself to some beautiful handles or a designer tap.

‘It can be better value to choose larger cabinets, both in terms of the cost of the 90 yourhomestyle.uk

GoodHome Garcinia kitchen in Matt Midnight Blue, £1,948 for an eight-unit design, B&Q

Even the tiniest of kitchens can squeeze in a spot to eat if the layout is well thought out. This space has an L-shaped run of cabinets that leaves room at the side for a table for two. In a room with plenty of natural light, you can be bold with a dark, dramatic shade for the units then balance it out with fresh white worktops and walls. The integrated handle design also keeps it fuss-free.

Style advice

Top tip

‘When designing your perfect kitchen-diner, think about how it will be used, in every way. Choose neutral base colours so you can ring the changes with accessories, invest in the best quality, easy-to-care-for furniture you can afford, with a worksurface that can be replaced if necessary.’

Mike Turley, Technical Manager at Trend Interiors

GoodHome Alpinia traditional Shaker kitchen in Matt Green, £1,008 for an eight-unit design, B&Q

Bring a sense of the outside in, with matt green cabinets and matching painted walls. A peninsular makes a great breakfast bar if you pop a couple of stools underneath and you can lighten up the look by choosing white quartz or laminate stone-effect worksurfaces, plus metallic accents such as a stainless steel oven and gas hob.

A worktop overhang creates an instant breakfast bar, which is perfect for early morning coffee and toast on the go, as well as keeping an eye on children as they do their homework after school.

You can prevent a smaller space feeling cramped and closed-in by swapping some wall units for niche storage and open shelving instead.

Slab kitchen in Dust Grey Soft Matt, from £10,000, Trend Interiors

Parquet Pie extendable dining table, £995, Loaf

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Choose flexible, space-saving furniture so you can create more room when you need it. An extendable table is a great option for smaller kitchen-diners, or if you want to be able to entertain at the last minute.

It’s also ideal for spending time with family and friends, catching up over coffee. A solid wooden design will last for years too, so is a good investment.

Consider layered lighting so you can create different effects depending on the mood, activity and time of day. This creates little pockets and pools of light, perfect for achieving different atmospheres. A mix of pendants, wall lights, recessed and track lighting offers both practicality and atmosphere, while handcrafted materials and retro fittings bring texture and added personality to the space.

Brooklyn 8-inch glass dome pendant in pewter, £69 each; Swan neck dome wall light in pewter and copper, £149; Barn Stem 15-inch flush mount in copper and pewter £89, all Industville

Select Brio Oak 22237 click vinyl flooring, £25.99 per sq m, Moduleo

Luxury vinyl flooring has so many benefits and is the perfect choice for kitchen-diners, as it is hardwearing, durable, easy to clean, scratch and stain resistant as well as warm underfoot. Choose an oak effect to add character and natural-looking woodgrain to your space. This look works well in both classic and modern schemes, too.

Use the island for casual dining and for guests to catch up with you as you cook, when entertaining. Then add banquette seating and a table at the other end of the room if space allows.

A row of pendants over the island provides task and ambient lighting, while a wooden chopping block at one end adds a practical spot for food prep.

Brooklyn 8-inch flat pendant lights in brass and pewter, £69 each, Industville

A trio of pendant lights over a breakfast bar or island unit offers great flexibility for the different activities that may take place there, especially if they are on a dimmer switch. Think bright lighting for homework or dining, and softer mood lighting when entertaining or relaxing after a long day.

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Top tip

‘‘Look at the zones of your kitchen and think about the activities that will happen in each space. Some areas such as food preparation zones, the kitchen sink and above the hob will require task lighting while others, such as the dining area, might call for mood and accent lighting.’

Marketa Rypacek, Managing Director for Industville

Style advice New England kitchen in Atlantic Green, from £7,489, Symphony

An island unit is the ultimate multifunctional piece for a kitchen-diner. As well as sitting at it for breakfast and catching up over coffee, it can also create handy extra workspace, storage and a home for the sink. Islands also help divide the room into different zones, keeping the cooking area on one side away from passing traffic, so it’s a safe choice when there are little ones around.

Calista PVC roller blind, £48.19 for 60 x 60cm, Swift Direct Blinds

When choosing a window dressing for your kitchen-diner, you want a material that not only looks good and either complements or contrasts with your colour scheme, but is also practical. A blind made from PVC fabric is ideal, as it’s both waterproof and flame-retardant – a great combination for busy family kitchens.

Helmsley by Laura Ashley Kitchen Collection, from £9,000, Symphony

Top tip

‘To save costs on good-quality cabinetry, consider full-height units for one wall. It may use a larger portion of your budget, but the cost will be offset by not needing wall units. Also, avoid add-ons such as pullout pantry units. These are not essential and can always be added at a later date.’

Simon Collyns, Marketing and Retail Sales Director at Symphony Group

Richmond by Laura Ashley Kitchen Collection, from £8,000, Symphony

Get the best of both worlds by adding glazed doors to separate the cooking area from the dining table. Sometimes, you don’t want an entirely open-plan kitchen-diner but you still want a feeling of inclusion, so this can be a cost-effective way of joining the two spaces.

A mix of grey and white cabinets with a matt finish looks cool and contemporary, and is easy to update and accessorise over time.

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Style advice Strass Elios handleless kitchen in Terrazzo, Tobacco and Celest, from £10,000 including delivery and fitting, Schmidt

Think about the height of your dining table. In this kitchen, the higher-thanaverage tabletop creates more of a breakfast bar feel that can also be used for food prep. Open shelving provides the perfect storage for everyday items such as cookware and glasses, while the terrazzo splashback and table tie the look together, turning a budget design into something with a luxe look.

Fröjered drawer front, £20, IKEA

Top tip

‘As space is often at a premium, consider creating a kitchen-diner that maximises floor-to-ceiling space. Integrated appliances and tall larder units will achieve a seamless, clutter-free feel.’

Sophie Devonald, Designer at Lifestyle Kitchens

Nova kitchen in gloss grey, from £5,000, Lifestyle Kitchens

An L-shaped layout is ideal for slotting in a compact table and chairs in the corner. Circular tables take up less space visually, while a glass top also enhances a feeling of light and space, ideal for really small rooms. Gloss cabinets can help to bounce light around the kitchen – a great tip for dark areas.

Families with young children could choose easy-clean cabinets with integrated handles, soft-close doors, and drawers and appliances built in at eye level for safety. Curved edges to worktops and tables are another nod to safety, while plenty of storage keeps everything neatly tidied away.

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tutti frutti

wallpaperdirect.com designerpaint.com

Make your home your own Borastapeter 1960 Borastapeter 1959 Main: Coordonné 8000051 Mind the Gap WP20098 Petronella Hall 11864 Morris 216724 Paint: Farrow & Ball Charlottes Locks

Changing the colour has added

Natalie and Sam painted the existing kitchen cabinets in Farrow & Ball’s Green Smoke. The breakfast bar had panelling added around the base as a design element and then all the old worktops were covered in vinyl.

Lastly, the old floor tiles were painted and stencilled

A SENSE OF DRAMA

Natalie Davies created a new dining area and chose a smoky green palette to transform her dated kitchen from tired to inspired

About me

I’m Natalie Davies, a stock control administrator, and I live with my partner, Sam, a butcher. Our home is a three-bedroom semi-detached 1930s house in north Wales.

My room...

MY PROBLEM KITCHEN When we moved in, the kitchen was in a useable condition, but very dated and not really to our taste. The dining area had been used as a second living room by the previous owners so we needed to reconfigure the layout.

HOW I MADE IT WORK We sectioned the space into zones and built a utility cupboard to house the washing machine. Then we extended the countertop to give us extra workspace, and covered the counter in vinyl. We added panelling to the breakfast bar and painted the units.

MY FAVOURITE PART I love the colour! We used Green Smoke by Farrow & Ball on the cupboards and the dining room wall, and it gives the space a real sense of drama.

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Before

‘We’d never attempted this sort of work before, so a lot of our time was spent learning on the go, with lots of Googling and watching YouTube’

Kitchen makeover

Style idea

Make the top of wall cupboards more attractive with real or faux plants

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Style advice Three simple tricks to try in your own home

BESPOKE BARGAINS

Natalie decorated her kitchen-diner on a budget and her upcycled sideboard was a bargain buy at just £30 on Facebook Marketplace. ‘I cut away the panelling on the doors and replaced it with cane webbing,’ she says. ‘Then I painted it an off-white shade and replaced the handles.’

PANEL POWER

Adding panelling to the base of the kitchen island gives it a high-end look.

Natalie glued timber battens along the base, making sure to space them evenly, then painted them in Farrow & Ball’s Green Smoke, the same colour as the kitchen cabinets.

‘It was such an easy process,’ says Natalie, ‘but it really makes a big difference’.

DELICIOUSLY DARK AND MOODY

Opting for two very dark wall colours could have made a small space feel dull, but having such a lightcoloured floor, white ceiling and white walls elsewhere means the green and black add drama without being overpowering. ‘I’d advise people not to be afraid to pick strong colours,’ says Natalie.

‘If you don’t like them, you can always change them. I just love the colours we’ve used.’

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What the previous owners used as a second living room has been turned into Natalie and Sam’s dining area, which has created a better flow to the space.

The back wall has been painted the same green as the kitchen units to tie the two areas together

Style idea

Use an awkward space as a display area

Kitchen makeover

‘We wanted the room to be fresh and light, but a bit different at the same time’

The original tiles were multicoloured, which didn’t go with the new scheme, but Natalie painted them white instead of replacing them. When it came to the worktops, Natalie wrapped them in vinyl to give them a completely new look. ‘It’s a slightly tricky process,’ she says, ‘and I’d recommend using a hairdryer to make it more pliable’

MY EXPERIENCE

Because of our tight budget, getting creative was the only way we were going to be able to transform our kitchen. The dated design needed an overhaul, and although it was useable, I really wanted something that was more ‘us’.

We did a mini makeover to begin with, where we painted the tiles and gave it a freshen up, but the space still didn’t flow particularly well. We couldn’t afford to replace the whole kitchen, so further down the line we tried another makeover. It was all cosmetic, so we didn’t need to do any building work, but it took us about a month as we decided to create the dining area too. We’d never attempted this sort of work before, so a lot of our time was spent learning on the go, with a lot of Googling and watching YouTube.

We wanted the room to be more in keeping with our style – fresh and light, with a bit of a quirky edge. After a lot of hard work, we’re really pleased with the result, especially considering we’ve never done anything like this before. Not only did we pull it off, but the result is better than I’d hoped for.

My shopping list

● Cabinets painted in interior wood paint, colour-matched to Green Smoke modern eggshell, £73 for 2.5 L, Farrow & Ball ● Walls painted in Green Smoke modern emulsion, £53 for 2.5 L, Farrow & Ball; Valspar Nevermore emulsion, £18 for 2.5 L, B&Q; Crown Brilliant White emulsion, £12 for 10 L, Wickes ● Julien MacDonald Honolulu Palm Foliage wallpaper, £24 a roll; floor tiles painted in Good Home multi-surface paint in Melville, £34 for 2 L, both B&Q, and Dazzle Me! Al Fresco paint, £19.95 for 750ml, Frenchic ● Amira tile stencil, from £7.98, Dizzy Duck Designs ● Ceramic shell vase in Terracotta, £18, Little Deer ● Reclaimed Industrial Chic solid wood dining table in White Wash, £370, Rcc Furniture ● For similar dining chairs, try the Hamilton dining chairs, £238 for two; macramé rug, £260, both Next ● Beckett mirror, £209, Maisons du Monde ● Argon Tableware wooden loop lid storage jars, £11.99 for three, Rinkit ● Macramé Global textured table runner, from £16, Dunelm ● For a similar ceiling pendant, try the Sharron three-light kitchen pendant, £177.99, Wayfair ● For similar mugs, try the Nordic mugs, £25.99, The Trouvailles ● Outline statement wall clock, £49, MADE.com ● Fridgemaster MS91515BFF fridge-freezer, £450, AO.com ● Wall planters, £17 each, eBay ● Elegant Flight poster, £28; framed pictures, from a selection, Desenio ● Vases, from a selection, all H&M Home Turn to p144 for stockist details

£25 Next

Metallic-gold detailing gives an indulgent finish to these Lipsy mugs

Macramé Global textured table runner, £16, Dunelm

£30 George Home

A matching dinner set will make an instant difference to your tablescape

Get the look...

EASY ELEGANCE

Create a laid-back glam look in your kitchen, like Natalie, £27 Oliver Bonas

This modern classic now comes in a brand-new Mustard Yellow colour

£20 Matalan

Give pampas grass the glam it deserves with a gold pot

£25 Argos

Add a feeling of light and space with Habitat’s Eden Window mirror

£18 Bombay Duck

Dress up your salad with handmade brass servers

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£49 La Redoute Simple, sleek and oh-so stylish, the SO’Home clock is what your wall is missing

Get the look

S tyle advice

Vases aren’t just for tables and shelves. Take inspiration from Natalie and place a selection filled with dried flowers in a corner of the room; leave them empty as decorations on the table or use them to keep utensils on the worktop.

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£96 där lighting

Light up a dull spot with the Tower cluster pendant

Mix materials

Add easy interest with different textures. Try pairing a wood and metal table with plush velvet chairs; add layers with macramé-style rugs and table runners, and fill ceramic and metallic vases with fluffy pampas grasses.

A touch of gold

A hint of metallic gives the right amount of glam. Pick accessories with a gilded finish; refresh tiles with gold-coloured grout or update cupboards with shiny new handles.

loweve £24.50 Oliver Bonas

These expensive-looking Joli glasses would make a lovely gift Diya pendant light, £99; Bronx two-seater bar table, £199; Hamilton bar stool, £99; Natural Jaco rug, from £55, all Next

£149 Cult Furniture

Comfy and stylish, the Kenton chair gets our vote

‘Keep minimalist design cool with a mix of shapes and a considered colour palette’ £19.99 H&M Home

Drinks and nibbles coming up, on this round rattan tray

£32.50 Very

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It feels like A STYLISH AIRBNB

Bored with her beige bedroom and shabby en suite, Nic Smith used smart storage solutions, bold wallpaper and modern bathroom fittings to create a five-star space

About me

I’m Nic, 40, and I‘m a project manager. I live with my three children, Charlie, 13, Daisy, 10 and Ben, seven. Our home is an 1890s threebedroom terrace in Burgess Hill, West Sussex.

My room...

MY PROBLEM BEDROOM My small bedroom felt cluttered, while the en suite bathroom was grotty and dated, plus the shower was leaking.

HOW I MADE IT WORK I had a huge clear-out before I painted the walls and put up a feature wallpaper.

A new bed with built-in storage has helped minimise clutter and in the en suite, modern black fittings, pink floor tiles and a new shower have transformed the space.

MY FAVOURITE PART I now love spending time in the en suite.

The black shower screen makes it feel like a luxury hotel.

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Before

Style idea

Different cushion designs in similar colours add character without looking too chaotic

‘I can’t believe, after living for 10 years with beige walls, that this colourful room is mine!’

Bedroom makeover Nic wanted to give her bedroom a vibrant makeover to reflect her love of pastel colours and statement prints. She fell in love with the pattern of MissPrint’s Foxglove wallpaper and picked out the pinks and blues with paint, accessories and furnishings

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Style advice Three simple tricks to try in your own home

ADD DEFINITION

In the en suite, Nic has stopped her blue walls and pink floor tiles from looking too cute by adding definition with matt black bathroom fittings and accessories. Not only have the dark accents given the space a grown-up edge, it gave Nic the confidence to be bold with colour and reassured her that the pastel scheme would work.

‘I was worried that the blue and pink would look like a sweet shop, but adding black gave it an edge, and made it into a grown-up space that will look good for years to come,’ she says.

STANDOUT ART

As much as we love gallery walls, they can sometimes be too busy for a bedroom, where you want to easily switch off and relax. Instead, choose one single piece that makes a statement, like this framed slogan print, and leave the rest of the walls bare so the room feels more spacious. If you’re decorating a bedroom and en suite, like Nic, you could use artwork to tie the different rooms together and help the rooms flow. Here, Nic’s artwork, printed wallpaper and bathroom walls all have blue running through, creating a cohesive look.

CREATE CALM

If your priority is making your bedroom a relaxing, calm environment, follow Nic’s lead and cut the clutter. Nic has kept accessories on display to a minimum – containing a few key items on the Dunelm tray makes it feel more ordered. For extra zen vibes, go for repetitive patterns that are known to increase feel-good brainwaves – a patterned wallpaper, like this Foxglove design, is absolutely perfect.

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Style idea

Start your day with a boost of positivity with a vibrant typography print

Bedroom makeover Nic’s bathroom was too small to have a wall-mounted or under-sink cupboard, so she went for a mirror with a slim shelf to keep her toiletries. A chest of drawers and tall boy give Nic plenty of storage for all her clothes

Nic has created space on the side table for a few of her favourite things.

Echoing the pink tones of the curtains and wallpaper with fresh flowers and a soothing candle, the look is calm and restful but still full of colour

MY EXPERIENCE

When I bought my home 10 years ago, the bedroom was purple with brown blinds, which made the room feel dark and gloomy.

There wasn’t much storage space in the bedroom either and the bathroom looked tired and felt damp. During lockdown, I decided to give the house a top-to-bottom makeover to reflect my love of colour and pattern. Last on my to-do list was the bedroom and en suite. When the shower started leaking, I was really worried that water would come pouring through the ceiling and I knew I had to do something to fix it once and for all.

I had a huge declutter, getting rid of clothes, paperwork, handbags, shoes and old beauty products. I was ruthless! I sold my bed on Facebook Marketplace for £60 so I slept on an air bed that I could deflate each morning, giving me lots of space to decorate.

I painted the bedroom and woodwork fresh white, and I took down the broken curtain track and put up new white slatted blinds.

Next, work on the bathroom started. My plumber ripped everything out and fitted the basics. I had the loo safely stored in the bedroom for three weeks which my kids found hilarious. I fell in love with these pink hexagonal floor tiles, and I went for black fittings to give the space an edgy look. The tile pattern echoes the shape of the pattern in the wallpaper and the etched pattern of the chest of drawers, helping the rooms flow.

It makes me so happy when I walk in here, it’s now a place I want to spend lots of time in as it’s so cosy and calm. I can’t believe, after living for 10 years with beige walls, that this colourful room is mine!

My shopping list

‘I slept on an air bed that I could deflate each morning, giving me lots of space to decorate’

● Walls painted in Brilliant Matt White, £18.99 for 2.5 L, Dulux ● Foxglove Tiki wallpaper, £76 per roll, MissPrint ● King-sized ottoman bed with Victor buttoned headboard in Midnight Blue, £554.98; Windsor 3000 orthopaedic mattress, £524.99, both Happy Beds ● EOS lampshade, £66.39, Umage ● Ranarp work lamp, £29, IKEA ● Abstract Shapes cushion, £10; Leaf Print Pompom cushion, £10; Oh My Slogan cushion, £12, all Matalan ● Brass Curved table lamp, £99, houseof ● Gold Metal Hammered tray, £8, Dunelm ● You’re So Cool print, £59, Doodlemoo ● Sunburst Rose matt glazed porcelain floortiles, £17.16 per sq m, Verona Group ● For similar wall tiles, try the White Gloss Metro wall tiles, £20 per sq m, Topps Tiles ● Pink and Gold glazed tumbler, £3, George Home ● Cubetto basin, £79; Mileto Matt Black mixertap, £89.95, both Victorian Plumbing ● Merano Thermostatic mixer square shower tray, £149.97; Luxura pacific pivot shower door in Black, £299; Hydrolux shower tray, £99.97, all Plumbworld Turn to p144 for stockist details

Wave after Wave wallpaper in Peach, Bubblegum, Mint and Custard, £40 per roll, Lust Home

£18 Dunelm

Just in case you need a reminder…

loweve

£59 Cult Furniture

Get the look...

The Cordelia table light is also available as a floor lamp

SWEET DREAMS

Ban the beige, like Nic, and create a mood-boosting bedroom that will cheer you up first thing in the morning and last thing at night £75 Next £6 George Home Use this little fella as a door stop

Tap into the scallop trend with the Doris Border rug

£25 The Hut

With a quiet ‘no tick’ feature, the Charlie Bell alarm clock will only wake you up when it’s supposed to

£45 Very

Get up and go with the help of these Arthouse slogan prints

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Get the look

S tyle advice

Mindful swaps

Give your brain a break and cut down on electronics and blue light before bed. Replace phones on the bedside table with an analogue clock, a good book, plant or a calming candle for an instant wellbeing boost.

Colour happy

Even if your scheme is neutral, a few pops of colour will give an instant uplift. Consider what kind of mood you want to create with your colour – bright shades, like green and yellow, are said to boost happiness and productivity.

Sweet smells

Evoke happy memories with a favourite scent.

Use candles, diffusers or incense to recreate the smell of time spent at the beach, in a pine forest or maybe by a cosy fire.

£20 The Creative Ox

£14 Argos

Bring happy vibes with this double-sided dotty bedspread

Hung on the door, this sturdy tote bag is handy for extra storage

£6 Primark

£29.99 Glasswells

Keep bedside table displays neat and tidy with Primark’s Goldtone tray

Oslo bedside table, £150; Oslo fivedrawer tall chest, £250; Wilson bed in Velvet Ochre, from £350; Carefree Ditsy duvet cover and pillowcase set, from £35; Floral ceramic vase, £16, all Next

£14.50 Oliver Bonas

The Yucca ceramic plant pot doubles up as a book end

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‘Natural materials and curved lines bring bright and cheery colours back down to earth’

Covered in duck feathers, this Laura Ashley Feather Cloud pendant will bring softness to your scheme

Ourroutine morning is SO MUCH

Style idea

For a personal touch in a bathroom, display family photos

EASIER

When extending her home, Launel Damseaux made room for a large family bathroom, complete with a walk-in shower and double sinks, with enough space for the whole family

About me

I’m Launel Damseaux, 39. I live with my husband, Francois, who owns a carpentry business, and our twin girls, Saranese and Damia, eight.

Our home is a three-bedroom house in Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex. We moved here in 2018.

My room...

MY PROBLEM BATHROOM The toilet was separate to the bathroom, which was really awkward. The dated pink bathroom suite had been there since the 1960s and it just needed ripping out so we could start again.

HOW I MADE IT WORK We designed a two-storey side extension, which allowed us to create a large family bathroom with a walk-in shower and a free-standing bath. Francois made bespoke storage pieces to help maximise the space and we finished the look with wood panelling, houseplants and bright accessories for a pop of colour.

MY FAVOURITE PART It has to be the size of our new bathroom – it’s so spacious compared to what we had before.

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Before

£3,850

Bathroom makeover

‘I love having the free-standing bath right by the window’

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The couple spent three days moving their bath around the room until they were happy with the positioning. ‘We put it at an angle to show off the unusual shape. It felt silly to shove it into a corner as we wanted to make a feature in the room’

Style advice Three simple tricks to try in your own home

ADD WARMTH WITH WOOD

The original plan was to tile the whole bathroom with black tiles, but after three days of cutting and fitting, the couple had a change of heart. ‘It was too time-consuming and expensive, so instead we fitted wood panelling on the walls,’ says Launel. For added interest, the strips were cut to different lengths and the wood was treated and sealed with Osmo oil for a waterproof finish.

Panelling can also be painted, just choose a bathroom-suitable wood paint.

SMART STORAGE

Originally, Launel and Francois were going to turn a corner of the bathroom into an upstairs utility room, but they changed their minds when they saw how spacious the bathroom felt. Not wanting to give up on either idea, Francois made this tall cabinet that houses towels, bedding and drawers for cosmetics, plus an ironing board and laundry baskets.

He also made a matching bespoke vanity unit, which cleverly hides the ugly pipework, as well as providing extra storage for everyday essentials, keeping the busy bathroom looking sleek and clutter free.

GROW SOME GREEN

Growing plants in your bathroom adds instant colour and texture. The higher humidity levels help plenty of plants live their best lives, and there are options for all types of bathrooms, whether yours is a sunny, light-filled space or a darker, windowless one. For windowsills with plenty of bright sunlight, try a Chinese money plant; a golden pothos will thrive in a humid environment with low-tobright indirect sunlight; and if your bathroom is on the darker side, go for something low-maintenance, like bamboo.

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Bathroom makeover For a cohesive look, the couple sourced wood-effect tiles for their walk-in shower. ‘We spent ages trying to find the perfect faux wood,’ explains Launel. ‘We called in lots of samples until we found one that looked the most realistic’

To get a designer look for less, Launel and Francois shopped around online for bathroom bargains. ‘We went to a few stores to see the basins and shower units in person. That way, we had a better understanding of how they worked, as well as the proportions, before buying online’

MY EXPERIENCE

Style idea

Cheat the look of wood with special-effect tiles

‘The bathroom evolved over time, and we made tweaks to the design as we went along to make it work for us’

When we bought our home in 2018, the whole house was in dire need of modernising. We inherited a tiny, carpeted bathroom with a vintage pink suite and a separate toilet. It was far too small for the four of us. My husband, Francois, who owns a carpentry company called Wood Works Brighton, undertook the renovations himself with the help of his brother.

We started by extending into the side return to create a large open-plan kitchen below, and a new spacious bathroom above.

The extension doubled the footprint of our existing bathroom. We also knocked down the wall that separated the toilet so we could fit in a roomy walk-in shower. Every morning, Francois would go into work at 6am to build all the cabinetry, then evenings were spent shopping online to find fixtures and fittings at the best price. The bathroom evolved over time, and we made tweaks to the design as we went along to make it work for us.

The bathroom makeover has had such a positive impact on our lives. We spend so much more time in here. It’s made our busy mornings less stressful because we all have space to clean our teeth and get ready before school. The room looks great, and we’re so happy with the end result.

My shopping list

● For similar floor tiles, try the Staunton Putty tile, £34.85 per sq m; for similar wall tiles, try the Solo Black wall tiles, £70.75 per sq m and Woodeves Oak tile, £19.94 per sq m, all Topps Tiles ● For a similar bath, try the Nova 1750 double-ended slipper bath, £699.95; for a similar basin, try the Casca Oval countertop basin, £99.95; Cruze free-standing bath tap and shower mixer, £199.95; Cruze contemporary mono basin mixer, £49.95; Monza modern round thermostatic shower in Chrome, £99.95, all Victorian Plumbing ● Bespoke oak vanity cabinet, £950; laundry cabinet, £1,110, both Wood Works Brighton ● Towels, from a selection, M&S ● For a similar mirror, try the Ikornnes table mirror, £20, IKEA ● Wall panelling made from All American White oak timber, from £3.32 per m, British Hardwoods Turn to p144 for stockist details

Calm sign, £6; trailing plant in pot, £10; bath tray, £15; ceramic tumbler, £3; ceramic soap dispenser, £5; bamboo soap dish, £4; bath mat, £10; spa body set, £12; body brush, £4; towels, from £5, all Matalan

£16.95 Squirrel

Pick products with pretty eco packaging, like Skargard’s saltwater soap bars

£5.99 HomeSense

Get the look...

Fill wicker baskets with your beauty essentials

SPA SANCTUARY

Prioritise relaxation in your bathroom, like Launel, with natural materials, warm colours and minimalist design £4 B&M

Bring zen vibes to your space with this bamboo planter

£30 Dunelm

£28 Anthropologie

Wrap yourself up post bath in this Ikat towel

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£22 Little Karma Co. Enjoy scents of lemongrass and ginger with this refillable eco candle

The minimalist design of the Elements mirror is so calming

£3 Matalan

There’s plenty of room for the whole family’s toothbrushes in Matalan’s Elemental tumbler

Get the look

S tyle advice

£7.99 Moonshine Prints

Keep it simple

Include mindful prints to bring you back to earth

Pour shampoo, soap and body lotions into plain dispensers to match your scheme.

To remind yourself what’s in each bottle, make DIY matching labels for a stylish, coordinated look.

Upgrade essentials

Sinking your toes into a fluffy bath mat or wrapping yourself up in a super-soft towel will make all the difference to your at-home spa, so treat yourself to cosy new ones.

Shower spa

Pop a shower steamer tablet into your shower tray and let the pure essential oils released relax or invigorate you, depending on your choice of scent. Citrus, peppermint and eucalyptus revitalise, while lavender and rose relax. Etsy has a wide selection for sale.

£29 Urban Outfitters

loweve £4.99 H&M Home

Brighten up bathroom floors with this Yellow Sunshine mat

Bars of soap are back so get a stoneware dish for the sink

Black Slimline trolley, £28; Beech massage brush, £6, Sisal back scrub, £7, all Dunelm

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‘Little touches, like a bath tray for your book and a scented candle, make it easy to unwind’

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£50 Habitat

A ladder, complete with shelves, is a great option for small spaces

£4.50 Green Island

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Make a simple swap with a bamboo toothbrush

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sk the AEXPERTS Our panel of those in the know answer your home improvement dilemmas

The Warmup StickyMat electric underfloor heating system starts at £54.95 for 0.5 x 0.5m, Victorian Plumbing

Q A

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I’d like to have underfloor heating in my bathroom – what’s the easiest way to do this and what flooring can I use on top?

Sally Maitland, via email George Holland, Bathroom Design Expert at Victorian Plumbing, says… If ease of installation is your priority I’d definitely advise opting for an electric underfloor heating system as opposed to a wet underfloor heating system. This is because electric ones don’t need to be plumbed into your home’s water system, so they take a lot less time to set up while providing you with heating that’s just as effective. Electric systems also tend to be cheaper on the whole and can be used throughout the year – even in warmer months when your central heating is off.

In terms of what flooring to use on top, your best bet is to opt for ceramic or stone tiling. These materials are by far the most conductive bathroom floor materials and will ensure that your heating runs as efficiently as possible. However, if you do have your heart set on a certain type of flooring, don’t panic. Thanks to their many safety features, underfloor heating systems are suitable for almost all types of flooring. This includes natural wood, vinyl, laminate and a host of other materials.

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Sorrento washable wallpaper in terracotta, £18 for a 10 roll, I Love Wallpaper

Q A

I’d like to wallpaper one of my bathroom walls, what’s the best type of paper to use? Kyra Hall, Hove Elaine Butler, Designer at I Love Wallpaper recommends…

Choose a wallpaper with a vinyl coating or scrubbable finish for extra durability. Always opt for standard or specialist bathroom papers and avoid peel and stick wallpapers as they’re not suitable for high humidity environments.

Before selecting wallpaper for your bathroom, ensure the area is well ventilated as it works best in rooms with a window or good extractor fan. When it comes to application, I always recommend using extra-strong wallpaper adhesive to avoid peeling, and not to paper areas that experience a lot of splashback – such as around the shower and bath. You might like to mix wallpaper with tiles or wood panelling to zone your walls while offering some practical protection, or indulge your maximalist tendencies with punchy colours and bold patterns.

Q A

The metal shelving in my shed has gone rusty, what’s the best way to treat the rust and protect it?

Katie, West Lothian Joanne Wallace from Zinsser’s Technical Team has this advice… Any metal made of iron or alloys containing iron, such as steel, will rust with exposure to oxygen and moisture. Zinsser paints and primers can restore rusted pieces and spare them from the tip.

Preparation is key. All surfaces must be clean, dry and free of anything that will interfere with the adhesion of the coatings to be applied. Remove as much rust as you can by scraping or brushing it off with a stiff bristle brush. Once you have a fresh, debris-free surface, feather it with a fine-grade abrasive paper then remove all dust. Next clean it down thoroughly with methylated spirit, changing the cloths regularly.

Fill any cracks and small surface defects with a suitable filler and allow this to fully dry. Patch prime all bare and filled areas with a coat of Zinsser Cover Stain, an all-purpose solvent-based, stain-killing, primer-sealer. Then, decorate with two full coats of Zinsser AllCoat Exterior, a mould-resistant paint that offers supreme protection and can be used inside and out. It forms a vapour-permeable, low-maintenance, water-shedding coating that’s re-coatable in one hour.

Zinsser AllCoat Exterior Satin, £20.84 for 1L; Cover Stain, £9.93 for 500ml, Toolstation

Expert advice

Q A

GoodHome Pebre Matt Anthracite soft-close right-hand opening pull-out storage, 639mm h x 855mm w, £187, B&Q

Q A

So Simple Mya three-seater sofa in Indigo Blue velvet, £699, DFS

UESTIONS! Q you have a UR DIYIfdilemma or

home improvement question, email us at homestyle@immediate. co.uk or write to Ask the Experts, HomeStyle, Immediate Media Co, Eagle House, Bristol, BS1 4ST.

OY D EEN EW

I’m saving for a new sofa, but is there anything I can do to revive ours in the meantime? Viv Fairchild, Kent Rob Ellis, Head of Design at DFS says... To give your sofa a quick refresh if it’s looking a little tired, remove the back, seat and any scatter cushions, place them on the floor, and strike them repeatedly with a flat hand, to re-plump. Cushions go through a lot. We sit, snuggle, eat, even sleep on them, so we recommend doing this regularly to keep your sofa looking its best. You might also like to consider lightly brushing down the sofa fabric with a soft brush or lint roller, or lightly hoovering the sofa with the brush setting, to gently clean the sofa fabric and help iron out any stubborn creases.

When purchasing a sofa, it’s worth thinking about how much maintenance you’re prepared to put into the day-to-day upkeep of it, as this may affect the filling you end up choosing.

Softer fibres offer a more relaxed look, but they do need regular plumping in order to keep them in tip-top condition. Foam filling provides a sleek and more formal look, and requires very little maintenance, which may suit some people better.

It’s also worth buying from somewhere that offers a guarantee. At DFS, we offer a 15-year guarantee on frames and springs for all our sofas, together with a two-year guarantee on stitching and the mechanical parts used on recliners.

I’m updating my small kitchen – how can I make the most of the space in the corner cupboards?

Zeena McKenna, Bradford Chris Webb, B&Q’s Merchandise Manager says…

When updating a small kitchen, it’s all about using every inch and angle to make the most of the reduced space. This often comes down to making your existing storage work harder. Our range of GoodHome Pebre Pull-out storage solutions is easy to fit inside cabinets and a real bonus for anyone with a compact kitchen.

The Pebre Pull-out Corner slots deep inside the cupboard and can be pulled to the forefront with ease, allowing you to access everything inside and for maximum space to be used.

Choose whether the door swings out to the left or right, depending on which side of the cabinet is in the corner.

The range not only saves you from trying to reach into those dark corners of your cupboards but also lets you use previously inaccessible areas.

Another option is the innovative Space Corner, which provides even more storage but doesn’t pull out of the cupboard as fully. It comes in two sizes, to fit an 800mm and a 1,000mm cabinet.

ULTIMATE CHALK PAINT GUIDE

Whether it’s transforming old furniture into shabby-chic gems or breathing new life into walls, matte-finish chalk paint has become a musthave for professional decorators and amateur upcyclers alike. But how do you use it and what colours should you go for? For expert tips, take a look at our ultimate chalk paint guide online, where we break down everything you need to know about chalk paint, including how to use it. We also have some expert advice from the queen of chalk paint herself, Annie Sloan.

Go to yourhomestyle.uk/ home-décor/how-to-usechalk-paint

Your weekly dose of home style inspiration

View this email online

Egg chairs have become the year’s most in-demand item! And it’s no surprise - what better way to spend a lazy sunny afternoon than swaying gently in the breeze? If you’ve fallen in love with egg chairs this summer, scroll down for our round-up of the most stylish models on the high street!

Elsewhere in this week’s newsletter, you’ll find three gorgeous real homes, including TV presenter Maxine Brady’s five-year transformation of a dilapidated Victorian terraced house in Brighton into a cool and sophisticated home.

We’ve also got practical advice, too - this week, we’ve got guides to choosing a new-build home and planning a garage conversion.

- Team YourHomeStyle

A WEEKLY DOSE OF HOMESTYLE INSPO Take a peek inside real reader homes and keep up to date with the latest interior trends, best bargain buys and exclusive giveaways with our newsletter, delivered to your inbox every Monday.

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Head to yourhomestyle.uk, the online home of HomeStyle magazine, for the latest interior trends, DIY decorating ideas, buyers’ guides and exclusive giveaways!

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Get in touch

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WALLPAPER PARTY

My interior style is all about adding colour and pattern while trying to keep all the original features in our Victorian house. I chose this stunning House of Hackney wallpaper for our bedroom as I knew it would be the perfect backdrop for adding some calming complementary colours to the room while showcasing the original Victorian fireplace. I also love adding prints to bring character to the space. The sofa is definitely the best place to relax after a busy day! @21_holmfield

Show us your style! Upload your home shot to Instagram using #myHShome

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Congratulations to everyone featured in this month’s #myHShome – you’ve won a bundle of storage Packmate bags worth £25! Use the #myHShome hashtag on Instagram to show us your fave room for your chance to win a prize next month.

READING NOOK

My home style is very much eclectic; I love mixing old with new. I always knew I wanted bookshelves and this room was the perfect place for them.

I wanted them to look as though they’d been there forever. I had a brilliant joiner who helped see my vision through. Going for a darker colour really helps them stand out. The armchair is a great pop against it – a perfect spot to sit and relax with a book. @beyondtheblankcanvas

COSY COLOURS

ALL IN THE DETAILS

We discovered the colour Threadneedle by Mylands and fell in love with its incredibly subtle shade of pink, which tends to change depending on the light. We had the entire room covered in it and it feels comforting and cosy. The monochrome Anthropologie chest of drawers is the perfect piece to add a contemporary aspect to the room. We love adding colour pops throughout the home, it makes us happy and keeps things fun. The Katy Paty switches are a great example of where beautiful design meets functionality.

They bring a smile to your face, which is what we try to do with little colourful details throughout the home. @home_ofcolour

Our home style is bohemian with pops of colour and a theme of pink running throughout. Our living area is designed to bring comfort. The combination of textures and natural light creates a bright and calming atmosphere. We chose a low and deep corner sofa that’s inviting to guests, allowing them to feel at home themselves. I’ve enjoyed experimenting with colour combinations, particularly through cushions, and have found that burnt orange complements dusky pink well, creating a ‘look at me’ effect. @gabysbohohome

September 2021 117

DEMIJOH

TABLE LAMP N

Turn an old demijohn bottle into a coastal-inspired lamp,

top tip

To find the right bung size, use a strip of paper to measure the inner diameter of the demijohn opening

lleB eissuS otohp niaM htA’eD asiL-annA stohs pets dna tcejorp ,erutaeF 118 yourhomestyle.uk

Style idea

Be creative with your lamp base filling – try sand, small shells or even buttons to match your décor

Rustic Rural Stone wallpaper, £59 per roll, Woodchip & Magnolia

Upcycling challenge It’s easier than you think to turn an old bottle into an eye-catching table lamp.

If you don’t have a demijohn you can also use your favourite spirit or wine bottle – decorative gin bottles work particularly well.

Takes 3 hours you will need n

 Demijohn  Drill  Tile and glass diamond ground drill bit, 10mm x 80mm  Safety glasses  Masking tape  Pencil  Large

natural decorative glass chunks, £4.50 for 550g, Hobbycraft  Blue decorative rocks, £4 for 600g, Hobbycraft  Turquoise decorative gravel, £4 for 600g, Hobbycraft  Bottle lamp kit with inline switch and rubber bung, £15.99, Lampspares  25cm drum lampshade  Pebeo acrylic paints, £4 per 100ml tube, Hobbycraft  Paintbrush

1

Begin by washing the demijohn with warm, soapy water. Allow to dry thoroughly. Swaddle the demijohn in an old towel to keep it stable on your work surface and prevent excess vibration when drilling.

Decide where you want to drill the hole for your lamp cable to go – we placed ours 4cm 1

4

up from the base of the demijohn. Stick a piece of masking tape over the point you want to drill – this will prevent the drill bit from slipping. Wearing safety glasses, use a drill with a diamond-tip bit to carefully and slowly drill a hole through the side of the demijohn. Remove the masking tape.

Feed the cable cord set up through the bottle and out of the demijohn neck, ensuring you see some of outer PVC and the stripped ends are poking out the top. Take a pencil and mark where the cable enters the hole you drilled. Then pull the cable out through the top of the demijohn until you get to the area you marked.

Take the cord grip and push the cable through one of the holes until the grip reaches the mark in the cable. Hold the grip with one hand and feed the end of the cable back through the second hole, ensuring the cord grip is still at the marked piece of cable.

Then pull the cable back, so the cord grip stops and sits inside the bottle behind the hole you drilled. You want to be able to see a little bit of the outer PVC of the cable sticking out the top of the bottle. Fill the demijohn to your desired height with sea glass or coloured glass nuggets.

Take the rubber bung and a 13mm spanner, hold the bung in one hand and

2 3

4

tighten the top nut until the bung fits tightly into the demijohn neck. Once the bung is in place, take the nut cover and place it over the bung to hide the brass parts of the bung.

Separate the lamp-holder into its three sections and screw the bottom section onto the bung's thread.

Wire the lamp-holder connection unit following the manufacturer’s instructions and carefully push the connection into the lamp-holder’s bottom section. Next, screw the top section of the lamp-holder onto the bottom section, ensuring it is correctly aligned, and gently tighten it up.

Choose three shades of acrylic paint – we chose blues and greens. Water the paint down, then working with the darkest colour first, paint a band around the bottom of the lampshade. Brush a layer of water across the edge of the paint to soften it. Working towards the top of the shade, add a band of the medium colour, followed by the lightest tone at the top. Keep the paint watery and brush the areas where the colours meet with a little more water to create an ombré effect.

Carefully dab away any excess moisture with a paper towel to prevent the colours from running. Allow to dry thoroughly, then fix the shade onto the lamp base and add a lightbulb to finish.

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September 2021 119

Make it This stylish boho-style wall hanging combines basic macramé techniques with dip-dye to create an eye-catching ombré effect Bergamo solid oak wooden double bed, £419.99, Furniture and Choice

Top tip

The dye on the strings will appear lighter in colour when it has dried, so if you want deep colours, leave the strings in the dyes for longer.

Create a gorgeous wall hanging for your bedroom or living space. We’ve used teal green shades but you can choose your colours to match your décor.

Macramé and dip-dye are easy to learn and budget-friendly too.

1

2

3

4

5

7

You will need

● 2 wide buckets/bowls ● 1 roll of macramé string (cotton is best to absorb the dye) ● Scissors ● Masking tape ● Rubber gloves ● 2 dip-dye paint colours (we used

Rit All-Purpose Liquid Fabric Dye in Emerald Green and Dark Green) ● Wood dowel ● Warm water First, decide on how long you want the macramé string to hang off your dowel. Double this length and add a little extra on too, so that it can loop around the dowel. The strings can be slightly longer at this stage, as you can trim them down after the dyeing process. Fold the string in half, then use the Lark’s Head Knot technique to loop the string around the dowel (as shown) leaving at least an inch of the wooden dowel bare on either end.

Pour the dye paints into two separate buckets following the preparation method on the bottle. You might want to protect the general work area with old rags or plastic coverings in case of any drips or splashes.

Wearing rubber gloves, gently and evenly dip your strings into the lighter of the two dye paints first. Make sure to leave around a third of the top part of the strings bare.

Slowly pull the strings out and squeeze any excess dye water out.

Next, dip the lower third of the strings into the darker dye. Make sure to stop dipping around halfway up the paler dyed section. When you’re ready to remove the strings, squeeze any excess dye water out again.

Attach another piece of string to the wood dowel on either side so you can hang it up to dry. Then, leave the dip dye wall hanging to dry overnight. It’s best to let it dry outside as the dye might drip onto your floor.

Once the wall hanging is dry, lay it out on a flat surface and use a ruler or masking tape along the bottom edge to create a straight line. Then, trim off any uneven ends. Now you can hang up your bespoke creation!

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September 2021 121

WIN! MULTI-SURFACE CORDLESS CLEANER FROM BISSELL

TO ENTER

It’s so easy! Head to yourhomestyle.uk, click the ‘WIN’ tab, find the draw you want to enter and fill in your details.

Closing date 19th October 2021.

3

LUCKY WINNERS

The BISSELL CrossWave Cordless Max multi-purpose cleaner, worth £429.99 Mop, vacuum and dry with the CrossWave Cordless Max cleaner from BISSELL!

HomeStyle readers can now combine their cleaning chores with the BISSELL CrossWave Cordless Max, the machine that vacuums, mops and dries simultaneously! It’s been designed for larger households and can tackle everything from spilt cereal and milk to messy footprints left by family and pets.

The 36V Li-Ion battery provides 30 minutes of runtime so you can clean your home with cordless freedom. Its multi-surface cleaning capabilities also let you easily switch from cleaning sealed hard floors, to refreshing area rugs.

The BISSELL CrossWave Cordless Max

has an automatic self-cleaning cycle that flushes out dirt from the appliance and brush roll using water from the clean tank, for hygienic cleaning at the touch of a button. There are two separate tanks – a clean water tank mixed with BISSELL cleaning formula and a second tank that collects dirty water. This tank features a removable divider that cleverly separates pet hair and debris from dirty water to make disposing of its contents hasslefree. Two tanks ensure only fresh water reaches the floor.

This machine has a sleek design with a digital user-interface indicating when the

PRIZE WORTH £429.99!

device is fully charged, plus a warning light to tell you when the dirt tank is full.

The motorised XL multi-surface brush roll, meanwhile, lets you cover a large surface area and get close to hard-toreach spots like edges and tight corners.

Clean, vacuum, mop and dry in one go with the BISSELL CrossWave Cordless Max!

See the full range at bisselldirect.co.uk TERMS AND CONDITIONS

122 yourhomestyle.uk

Competition closes on 19th October 2021 at 23.59pm and you must be 18 or over to enter. This prize draw is open to residents of the UK and Channel Islands only. Find full terms and conditions under the desired prize draw at yourhomestyle.uk/win

v av home solutions

Helpful hints

Our pick of the latest products, hacks and hints to make your home life simpler and more sustainable…

Need more shelfie space?

Clear the clutter with a set of chrome shelves you can style and fit to suit your space. The BiGDUG shelf comes in a range of sizes with three, four or five tiers. Its click-lock assembly is quick and easy and means that each shelf can be raised or lowered in 25mm increments. This five-tier design is ideal for a kitchen corner or utility space. Prices start at £48.33 for a three-tier shelf, bigdug.co.uk

Wasps be gone

Dilute peppermint oil in water, 1 part to 5, and spray around eating areas and windows.

Positive pegs

Do your bit for the ocean, and hang your laundry with care with NONA pegs, made from recycled fishing nets.

They’re designed to be unbreakable but also flexible for snap-free hanging. A box of 20 is £15, madebynona.com

Green cleaners

Still on the hunt for a reliable, plastic-free surface cleaner?

Eco-cleaning brand Neat’s new range includes a variety of anti-bac cleaners, available as fresh, fragranced concentrated refills that you can dilute in existing spray bottles or with the brand’s stylish aluminium bottles. Pick up a starter pack, which includes the bottle and concentrated refill, for £8.99, or a refill for just £2.49. Available from most major retailers, or neatclean.com

Kitchen essentials: Stylish recycling bins you don’t need to hide SPACE SAVERS

GO HIGH

If floor space is at a premium, try this clever stacked bin design Kaja double recycling bin, forest green, 34L, £69, MADE.COM

3-IN-1

Made from recycled plastic, this box comes with three removable bins SmartStore recycling bin unit, white, 76L, £89.99, Lakeland

nottuD eitaK erutaeF

These sleek, durable bins stick to your cupboard door for space-saving storage Brabantia built-in sort and go bins, set of two, 16L each, £48, Dunelm

September 2021 123

Wallpapering essentials Statement wallpapers add instant depth and drama to a room, and with the right tools are easy to apply. With Harris’ Seriously Good Paperhanging Kit, £7.24 from Amazon, you’ll have everything you need.

Find expert tips on hanging wallpaper at harrisbrushes.com

Eternal flame

You’ve heard about refillable cleaners, but how about refillable candles? New brand Constant Candle Co is setting out to change the ways of disposable candle culture. It’s created eco-friendly packaged wax that you can heat up and pour into empty candle jars, so you can reuse your jars again and again. Each tub of paraffin-free wax can be heated up in the microwave in a matter of minutes, then you simply insert the wick into your desired jar, pour your wax and let it set. There are seven heavenly fragrances to choose from, each £15, and the brand is also currently offering a limited-edition starter set with a pretty ‘forever’ candle holder designed by ceramicist Bridget Hemmings.

Head to constantcandle.co.uk

Look sharp

Swiss brand Victorinox has released a colourful cooking prep range to accompany its renowned line of kitchen knives.

A paring kit, with two knives and a peeler, is available in four bright, pastel shades for £18, ideal for style-savvy cooks. victorinox.com

All aglow Keep those long, summer evenings going with this stylish, portable LED lamp. £41, Lexon

Wastewanontt not

Spruce up your shower

Create less waste when you cook and bake with this simple yet clever reusable baking liner. Use it to line your baking sheets and trays as a protective, non-stick layer instead of baking paper, and you’ll also cut out the need for adding butter or oil – great for healthier cooking. The baking liner can also be used as a non-slip work surface. Once you’re done, simply pop it in the dishwasher or wipe it clean with warm, soapy water. Reusable Baking Liner, £12.99, ecoliving.co.uk

Water filters for a great-tasting glass of H20 Filter out inorganic substances often found in tap water with a handy purifying jug

Walter filter carafe, 1.3L, £25.95, BRITA 124 yourhomestyle.uk

Soma plant-based water filter pitcher, white 1.3L, £40, The Clean Market LDN

Water filter jug, 2.8L, £39.99, Zerowater

Take your daily cleanse up a notch by tying a fresh bunch of eucalyptus to your shower head. The essential oils will be released by the steam of the hot shower, emitting a fresh, relaxing scent, that helps to clear your sinuses and can even relieve hay fever.

COMING NEXT MONTH Stunning real homes & makeovers filled with ideas to inspire you!

Discover the hottest new

PLUS, DON’T MISS…

Spice up your décor with paprika & turmeric hues

Ask our stylists: one problem living room, two style solutions Top tips to help ready your home for winter Cosy up with heating ideas for every space Bargain buys for instant updates, amazing prizes & much more!

Get your copy!

OCTOBER ISSUE on sale 16th September

Delicious one-pan dishes, comfort puds & family faves

READER OFFER! SAVE 20% AT WELOVECUSHIONS Robert Gillmor Autumn/Winter 2021 cushion collection, £31.99 each, WELOVECUSHIONS

Their Nibs cushion collection, £34.99 each, WELOVECUSHIONS

TO REDEEM

It’s super easy! Simply use the code

HOMESTYLE20

at the checkout to get 20% off your order at welovecushions.co.uk.

Offer expires 1st November 2021.

Are you sitting comfortably?

and design houses, including The National Gallery, The British Library, TATE and House of Turnowsky, there is a design for every mood and palette.

HomeStyle readers can now take the Autumn 2021 sees the launch of the Their opportunity to freshen up their interior Nibs collection, as well as the introduction of style with a fantastic new range of cushions the decadent Floral Masters Collection from available from WELOVECUSHIONS. the National Gallery. Also brand new are Whether your style leans towards the Sugar Cubes – WELOVECUSHIONS’ luxurious abstract, has a nod to the nostalgic, takes velvet pouffes, and charming winter fauna its cue from the beauty of nature or is designs from Robert Gillmor. luxuriously chic, WELOVECUSHIONS has All of WELOVECUSHIONS’ unique a design for everyone. homeware is handmade and made to With over 3,000 images available from order at its London HQ. And, although the across national archives, individual artists company is best known for its cushions,

there’s plenty more on the website to tempt you, including kitchenware, lampshades and outdoor accessories!

If you’re looking to add a new twist to your home style in time for autumn, why not bring art into your home through a range of cosy cushions, and treat yourself with this exclusive offer.

Head to welovecushions.co.uk to see the full range available.

*Offer cannot be used in conjunction with other offers or clearance lines on the website

126 yourhomestyle.uk

5 OF THE BEST Bright spark

Kasa filament smart bulb by TP-Link, around £14.99, Amazon Compatible with the Kasa smartphone app, Alexa or Google Assistant, these dimmable bulbs are ideal if you want to combine the look of a classic filament bulb with the latest smart tech. It’s simple to create ‘multi-scenes’, saving your light settings for different occasions, and you can also group bulbs together, letting you control them all with a single tap.

We love: The choice of soft white – great for everyday use – or warm amber, for a softer, more intimate setting such as a dinner party.

SMART LIGHT BULBS

Add a little high-tech ambience to your home with some of our favourite buys to suit every budget.

Each of the bulbs we’ve mentioned here is expected to last around 25,000 hours, based on usage of around 3 hours per day – that’s over 20 years!

Over the rainbow

Smart colour light bulb, around £44, Hive This colour-changing smart bulb needs a Hive hub to work, so it’s ideal if you already own other Hive devices.

Control your lights with the Hive app or using your voice, save energy by setting schedules, and adjust the brightness with a swipe. Smart sensors (sold separately) allow lights to turn on automatically when you open a door or walk into a room. Magic! It’s also worth noting that Philips Hue lights can now be integrated into the Hive ecosystem.

We love: The spectrum of 16 million colours, which means that you can create the perfect ambience for any occasion.

Spot on

Lighten the mood

White to Warm Wi-Fi LED smart light, around £24.99, LIFX Offering a range of white shades from ultra warm to almost blue, this bulb is 1000 lumens bright but can dim down to just 1%, so you can change the tone to suit the time of day, or even your mood. There’s no need for a separate hub as it simply connects to your WiFi, and can be controlled with your voice using Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Siri and Google Assistant.

We love: Day & Dusk mode, which sets your lights to mimic the different colour temperatures of the sun throughout the day.

Home tech

Shape shifter

NEXT MONTH

Smart thermostats drebbiH asiL erutaeF

Triangle and hexagon starter kits, from £89.99 and £119.99, Nanoleaf Transform a plain wall by creating your own design with these super-cool light panels. Set it to display as a solid set of lights, or transition through colours at different speeds for a unique effect.

They’re controllable through touch, smart home systems and the easy-touse app. As well as offering a sensory experience that all ages will love, you can also install some simple games that use the touch controls on each panel.

We love: The music visualiser feature, in which the lights change and adapt to the music you’re listening to via a speaker in the same room. Did someone say ‘disco’?!

GU10 smart spotlight, £10, Hey! It’s easy to personalise your home with this smart bulb in handy spotlight form. Hey! smart lighting products are designed to connect directly to your router – there’s no need for a separate hub to integrate them – and they also work with both Alexa and Google Home. You can set lighting schedules to align with your routine, group lights in one room to control them with a single command, and adjust the brightness, warmth and colour.

We love: The affordable price – proving that you can still achieve a smart lighting system, even if you’re on a budget.

September 2021 127

FREE EXPRESS HOME DELIVERY TV

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“The benefits of passive Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS) are many and varied. I’ve seen the results for myself at first hand, and this type of modality (the contraction and relaxation of the calf Dr Paul Clayton muscle) may benefit those who are not as active as they used to or would like to be. What was noticeable in the study that we conducted was that people were able to function better than previously, after using this device”

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Your buyer's guide to STAND MIXERS

Buyer’s guide

The Great British Bake Off is poised to return to our screens, so get yourself oven-ready with every baker’s must-have – the all-important stand mixer Russell Hobbs x Emma Bridgewater Polka Dot Stand Mixer, £189.99, Russell Hobbs

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have more power and create much less mess than a hand mixer, and have lots of additional functions too.

All of the stand mixers we’ve included have a splashguard, which helps to keep your surfaces clean, and a tilt head, which makes inserting and removing the mixing bowl a doddle. Many of these mixers give you the option of additional attachments too, so you can create more than just your standard Victoria sponge.

Before making your choice, have a think about how often you’ll be using your mixer and the different tasks you want it to perform…

CONSIDER YOUR BAKING NEEDS If you enjoy baking most weekends and like experimenting with recipes and styles, it’s worthwhile investing in a

higher-end machine that will stand the test of time, and one that will give you the option of additional attachments so you can play around with new ideas and mixes. If you’re more of a high-daysand-holidays type of baker, who bakes up a storm for special occasions, then a straightforward, entry-level stand mixer which has the three standard mixing heads might be the best bet for you.

Your kitchen space should also be considered. If countertop space is limited, a smaller, compact stand mixer which can be easily stored away is a must. Many of these stand mixers are style statements in themselves though, so if you do have plenty of room, why not show them off?

Now there’s nothing for it but to get on your marks, get set, BAKE! September 2021 129

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ith Bake Off back on our screens in the next few weeks, the baking bug is set to take hold of us all once again! If you’ve been weighing up whether or not to invest in a stand mixer – every Bake Off contestant’s best friend – our handy guide will help you find the right model for you. With a range of different prices, sizes and capabilities, there’s a stand mixer here to suit your baking requirements and budget.

From fresh bread, cookies and cakes to pastry and even fresh pasta, stand mixers are a practical, timesaving kitchen gadget that’ll make light work of your baking sessions, letting you whip up a large batch of treats with the press of a button while keeping your hands free for other baking or cooking tasks. They

Bosch MUM59340GB Stand Mixer, £233, AO

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Cuisinart Precision SM50BU Stand Mixer, £230, AO

Mulmitipxeurrpose Bosch MUM59340GB Stand Mixer

Speeds: 7, plus pulse function Size: 28.2cm H x 28cm W x 27.1cm D Weight: 7.5kg Capacity: 3.9L Power: 1000W Accessories: Stainless steel bowl, splashguard, shredding discs, citrus press, blender, meat mincer, recipe DVD Attachments: Flexi-stirring whisk, height-adjustable beating whisk, kneading hook Guarantee: 2 years The low down: This model is not just a stand mixer, it’s a food processor too! The Bosch MUM59340GB comes with all the essential attachments for baking, but also includes cooking prep must-haves including shredder discs for grating, chopping and slicing, a citrus press juicer and a meat mincer. Considering all these extra attachments, this mixer is surprisingly compact and would fit neatly in a cupboard.

A three-zone moveable ‘arm’ accommodates the various attachments and the easily manoeuvrable head, adjusted at the touch of a button, makes it simple to insert and remove the stainless-steel mixing bowl. This model also features a heightadjustable planetary mixing head, to ensure the beating whisk and kneading hook reach right to the edge of the bowl so that all of the ingredients are incorporated. The flexi-stirring whisk uses a sweeping and rotating motion, great for blending butter and flour together at the beginning of your baking prep. When kneading dough, the machine can move a bit, so it’s best to keep an eye on it and place it far from the counter edge. All the attachments are dishwasher safe.

The culinary possibilities and high performance this machine offers justify the higher price tag, as its dual function saves having to buy a separate stand mixer and food processor – ideal for keen bakers and cooks.

WHISKED AWAY Wondering what a beater, balloon whisk

Cuisinart Precision SM50BU Stand Mixer

Speeds: 12 Size: 36cm H x 37cm W x 21cm D Weight: 7.5kg Capacity: 5.2L Power: 500W Accessories: Stainless steel bowl, splashguard, recipe book Attachments: Chef’s whisk, flat paddle, dough hook Guarantee: 3 years The low down: If you’re a keen breadmaker, or are looking to get into baking bread, this stand mixer has the tools you need.

Its robust and reliable dough hooks can cope with a thick dough and make a well-kneaded ball each time, essential if you’re hoping for a Paul Hollywood handshake for your well-risen loaf!

As well as its impressive dough hooks, the chef’s whisk attachment is designed for gentle mixing, perfect for making deliciously light and airy creams or sauces, while the flat paddle mixes excellent cookie and cake batters. The mixing bowl has an ergonomic handle and both the bowl and attachments are dishwasher safe too.

The Cuisinart Precision mixer is a little larger than some other models, but it can be used side-on as well as front-on, which may help if counter space is limited. Its higher price tag is paid off thanks to its sleek finish, sturdy design, high-capacity bowl and great performance, added to which it’s also one of the quietest models on the market, which makes it ideal if you have an open-plan kitchen and living area.

Beater or flat paddle This mixing head helps to fold ingredients together for gentle mixing Dough hook and dough hook do? Here are some This will do the kneading for you when you technical terms busted have ingredients that need greater force when mixing, such as bread dough Balloon whisk K beater The most familiar type of whisk, a balloon This clever mixing head has been designed whisk is used for whipping soft ingredients to reach all areas of your mixing bowl, so no together for a smooth, light and fluffy texture scraping down needed mid-mix 130 yourhomestyle.uk

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VonShef 1000W Black Stand Mixer

Speeds: 8, plus pulse function Size: 32cm H x 41cm W x 25cm D Weight: 4.5kg Capacity: 3L Power: 1000W Accessories: Stainless steel bowl, splashguard Attachments: Flat beater, dough hook, balloon whisk Guarantee: 2 years The low down: The dinky VonShef 1000W is a great choice if you’re on the hunt for an affordable, entry-level mixer. Its compact size also makes it ideal if you have a smaller kitchen or limited counter space. The contemporary design will sit comfortably in a range of kitchen interiors, but if you don’t want it on show, the low height will make it easier to tuck away.

The model includes a handy pulse function, giving your ingredients an added burst of blending when required, and the transparent splashguard has a large ingredients chute, so you can easily add ingredients while you whisk which is a perk. The mixing bowl, splashguard and balloon whisk are dishwasher safe, while the other attachments are wipe-clean only.

Three attachments in total are included, with the flat beater a go-to for everyday baking such as batters, creams and cake mixtures. It’s worth noting this machine performs best with larger batches, as the mixing heads don’t reach right to the sides of the mixing bowl with a smaller quantity. It can knead bread dough sufficiently, but for a keen breadmaker it would be wise to choose a larger, sturdier model. For an occasional baker, however, this is a sound choice, which will certainly save on time and effort.

VonShef 1000W Cream Stand Mixer, £69.99, VonHaus

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Russell Hobbs x Emma Bridgewater Polka Dot Stand Mixer, £189.99, Russell Hobbs

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Buyer’s guide

Kenwood kMIX KMX750 Stand Mixer, black, £299, John Lewis & Partners

Kenwood kMIX KMX750 Stand Mixer

Speeds: 6, plus fold function Size: 35.5cm H x 24cm W x 38.5cm D Weight: 10.9kg Capacity: 5L Power: 1000W Accessories: Stainless steel bowl, spatula, splashguard Attachments: K beater, balloon whisk, dough hook, plus 10 optional additional attachments (sold separately) Guarantee: 2 years The low down: Easy to set up and simple to use, the Kenwood kMIX KMX750 is at the higher end of our price range but would make a great investment for keen bakers and cooks.

This model was actually used in the Bake Off tent itself, so you know it means business!

Combining style and practicality, this Kenwood has a sleek, stainless-steel exterior with a design modelled after the retro kitchen mixers of the 1950s. It has some seriously impressive features too; a unique fold function means more advanced bakes such as soufflés are a doddle, sturdy dough hooks will help create a well-kneaded dough, and smart speed control means you can carefully build up mixing momentum without creating spills.

Considering its large capacity of 5 litres, it’s also relatively compact, making it suitable for most kitchen sizes. The stainless-steel bowl can be washed in the dishwasher and the exterior is wipe-clean only.

This is an incredibly stylish, high-performance stand mixer, perfect for those who need a reliable model to turn to, day after day. Additional attachments include a food mincer, fruit press, rotary slicer, spiraliser, grinding mill and a selection of pastamaking accessories as an added draw for cooking enthusiasts.

Russell Hobbs x Emma Bridgewater Polka Dot Stand Mixer

up cakes, bread, biscuit and pizza doughs with ease. With its classic Emma Bridgewater polka dot design, it’s a style statement too.

This model has 10 speeds, modified with a Speeds: 10, plus pulse function dial, and the addition of pulse control. The Size: 35cm H x 20cm W x 37cm D planetary mixing action also ensures that the Weight: 6.1kg attachments reach right to the sides of the Capacity: 5.5L Power: 1000W bowl, making sure that your ingredients are Accessories: Stainless steel bowl, thoroughly incorporated without the need to splashguard, spatula, recipe book pause and scrape down the sides.

Attachments: Beater, dough hook, Due to its lighter weight, the unit needs to balloon whisk be placed firmly in the centre of your Guarantee: 3 years counter-top when in use, just in case The low down: On the hunt for a lightermovement occurs when whisking heftier weight model that can be moved around ingredients or kneading dough. Hand with ease? This brand new Russell Hobbs x washing is recommended.

Emma Bridgewater stand mixer is an With its 5.5-litre bowl and reliable impressive choice. Despite its lightweight performance, this model is the perfect size design, it has a powerful motor that can whip and design for batch-baking family treats.

September 2021 131

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In need of

inspiration?

Turn over for tasty midweek meals and delicious Autumn dishes

QUICK-FIX COOKING No-fuss meals and easy recipes to try this month 134 EASY MIDWEEK MEALS Quick, tasty, family-friendly dinners

136 AHARVEST FEAST

Make the most of seasonal veggies with pizzas, pies and more

138 FRUITS OF THE SEASON Delicious desserts to celebrate apple and blackberry picking

136 138

134

Tasty midweek meals

Add a touch of spice and a whole lot of punchy flavour to your week with

MONDAY

TUESDAY

FRUITY CHICKEN WITH PINEAPPLE SALSA

PREP TIME 15 MINS (PLUS MINIMUM OF 2 HOURS FOR MARINATING) COOK TIME 45 MINS SERVES 4 INGREDIENTS ● 8 free-range chicken thighs bone in, skin on ● Jar of Chilli and Pineapple Chutney ● 4 banana shallots or 2 red onions, sliced into quarters ● 2 tbsp olive oil ● Sea salt and black pepper ● ½ small bunch of coriander leaves For the pineapple salsa VEGETARIAN ● 1 small pineapple, diced ● 2 fresh red or green chillies, finely chopped ● 1 red, yellow or CHIPOTLE RED PEPPER SOUP green pepper, finely chopped ● ½ red onion, in cold water, finely chopped ● Small PREP TIME 15 MINS COOK TIME 30 MINS rinsed bunch of coriander, leaves chopped ● Seeds of SERVES 4 ½ pomegranate ● 1 or 2 limes, zest and juice INGREDIENTS METHOD ● 4 red peppers ● 2 large brown onions 1 Mix the chutney and olive oil in a non-reactive ● 3 garlic cloves ● 350g tomatoes ● 1 tbsp smoked paprika ● 1 tsp ground coriander bowl with ½ tsp sea salt and a generous grind of black pepper, then add the chicken and mix ● 1 tbsp chipotle paste ● 400ml vegetable stock ● 1 tsp light brown muscovado sugar thoroughly. Leave to marinate for a couple of hours ● 10g basil ● 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil for (ideally overnight). roasting ● Butter, for frying ● Sea salt and 2 Heat the oven to 190°C/Fan 170°C/Gas Mark 5. freshly ground pepper

Place the chicken and onion in an oven-proof dish, large enough to accommodate the chicken in one METHOD layer. Drizzle the chicken with a little more olive oil.

1 Preheat the oven to 240°C/Fan 220°C/Gas Roast for 45 minutes, until the chicken is golden and Mark 8. Discard the pepper stalk (leave the pith cooked thoroughly. Sprinkle with coriander. and seeds) and chop into 3-4cm pieces. Add to 3 While the chicken is cooking, mix the chutney a large baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, season ingredients together and season to taste. Serve with generously and toss to coat. Place on the top shelf pitta or flatbreads and a green salad. of the oven and roast for 20 minutes, until tender and lightly charred.

2 Meanwhile, halve and thinly slice the onions.

Melt a knob of butter in a large casserole dish or saucepan. When sizzling, add the onion. Gently fry for 15 minutes, until soft and lightly caramelized.

3 Peel and thinly slice the garlic. Roughly chop the tomatoes. Add the garlic, spices and chipotle paste to the pan and fry for 2 minutes, until fragrant.

Add the tomatoes, stock, sugar and the roasted veg (if they’re not ready, just add them later). Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat to a very gentle simmer and cook for 10 minutes.

4 Remove the pan from the heat, then blitz the soup using a stick blender. Taste to check for seasoning and add more salt, pepper and chipotle paste to your liking.

5 Divide into bowls, scatter over the fresh basil and add a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, then serve immediately.

134 yourhomestyle.uk

WEDNESDAY

VEGETARIAN

SWEETCORN AND HALLOUMI FRITTERS WITH SWEET PEPPER RELISH

PREP TIME 15 MINS COOK TIME 15 MINS SERVES 4 INGREDIENTS ● 1 courgette, grated ● 75g plain flour ● 100g halloumi cheese, grated ● 200g sweetcorn kernels ● 75ml milk ● 1 free range egg ● 3 tbsp Tracklements Sweet Pepper Relish, plus extra to serve ● Salt and freshly ground black pepper ● Olive oil METHOD

1 Grate the courgette with a coarse grater, pop

onto a clean tea towel and squeeze out the excess water. Place the flour, halloumi, sweetcorn and courgette in a large bowl and mix together.

2 Whisk the milk, egg and Tracklements Sweet Pepper Relish together. Mix the wet ingredients with the dry ingredients and season.

3 Heat a little oil in a non-stick frying pan over a medium heat Cook the fritters in batches, spooning a tablespoon of the batter at a time into the pan. Fry to golden brown and then flip over to cook the other side.

4 Serve in a bun, topped with the relish or with a selection of salads, and use the relish as a dip.

to make in minutes

Food planning

these deliciously moreish recipes that the whole family will love

FRIDAY

THURSDAY

CHICKEN AND CREAMY GREENY ONE-PAN PASTA

and freshly ground pepper

METHOD

1 Slice the broccoli stems into three or four pieces, then peel and thinly slice the garlic.

2 Add a drizzle of oil to a large, high-sided frying pan set over a medium

heat. When hot, add the chicken and garlic and fry for 5 minutes, stirring very often to avoid the garlic burning.

3 Next, add the water, stock jelly and pasta to the pan with a generous pinch of seasoning. Bring to the boil, cover with a lid and leave to bubble away for 8 minutes.

4 When there are only 4 minutes of cooking time left, add the greens (peas and broccoli), stir in and replace the lid. You might need to increase the heat slightly to get the temperature back up to a good bubble. Add a splash more water if the pasta is looking in need. After 4 minutes, remove the lid and reduce the heat to low, then add the crème fraîche and stir in. Taste to check for seasoning.

5 Remove the pan from the heat and add the lemon juice, parmesan and mint leaves. Stir well, then pile into bowls, making sure you pour all the soupy sauce in too. Finish with extra parmesan if you like.

COOK’S TIP

This dish is great reheated with a handful of fresh spinach, or turn it into a pasta bake with more pasta to bulk it out, and a cheesy breadcrumb topping.

PRAWN AND ONION PIL PIL

PREP TIME 5 MINS COOK TIME 10 MINS SERVES 2 INGREDIENTS ● 1 crunchy white baguette ● 1 shallot ● 6 garlic cloves ● 20 raw prawns ● 5g fresh parsley ● 200ml olive oil ● A generous pinch of dried chilli flakes ● ½ tsp smoked paprika ● Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

METHOD

1 Preheat the oven to 170°C/Fan 150°C/Gas Mark 3, then pop the baguette in the oven to warm up while you make the dish. Peel, halve and thinly slice the shallot lengthways. Peel and slice the garlic. De-shell and de-vein the prawns, seasoning them too. Finely chop the fresh parsley and set aside.

2 Add the oil to a medium frying pan along with the shallot, chilli flakes and smoked paprika, and set over a medium heat. Once the shallot and chilli flakes start sizzling, leave them for 2 minutes, then add the garlic to the pan and fry for another 4 minutes.

3 Add the prawns, nestle them in and fry for a minute. Then turn the prawns over, remove the pan from the heat and let them continue to cook in the residual heat for a final minute. Season one final time and take the pan to the table or transfer to a serving bowl.

4 Sprinkle some parsley over the top and scoop up the prawns and the sticky, crispy shallots with plenty of bread.

COOK’S TIP

Head to www.your homestyle.uk for more tasty recipes

Any leftovers are delicious piled into a sandwich with some garlic mayo and Little Gem lettuce, or you might like to turn them into a taco filling, served with a tomato salsa, guacamole, sour cream and some fresh chilli.

Chipotle red pepper soup, Chicken one-pan pasta, Prawn and onion pil pil, all from Fridge Raid

by Megan Davies, Ryland Peters & Small, £18.99 September 2021 135

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PREP TIME 10 MINS COOK TIME 15 MINS SERVES 2 INGREDIENTS ● 200g tenderstem broccoli or any leafy greens ● 2 garlic cloves ● 200g cooked chicken ● 900ml boiling water ● 1 chicken or vegetable stock jelly ● 160g dried pasta ● 100g frozen peas ● 150g crème fraîche ● Freshly squeezed juice of 1 lemon ● 30g parmesan ● 10g fresh mint, stalks discarded ● Olive oil, for cooking ● Sea salt

SPELT, BEETROOT AND GOATS’ CHEESE PIZZA

PREP TIME 20 MINS (PLUS ONE HOUR PROVING) COOK TIME 8 MINS SERVES 2 INGREDIENTS ● 125g wholemeal spelt flour, plus extra for dusting ● 125g white bread flour ● 5g salt ● 3g dried, quick action yeast ● 2 small beetroot ● 100g goat’s cheese with rind ● 50g cherry tomatoes ● 2 tbsp passata ● 1 tbsp thyme leaves ● 1 tbsp pine nuts ● 1 tbsp parmesan ● Handful of rocket leaves

METHOD

1 Mix the flours, yeast and salt together in a large bowl or stand mixer with

the dough hook attached. Add 170ml lukewarm water and knead together for 5-8 minutes to form a smooth dough. Cover and leave to prove for 1 hour.

2 Meanwhile, slice the goat’s cheese, tomatoes and beetroot. The beetroot is best when very thin, so use a mandolin or speed peeler.

3 When the dough is risen, pre-heat the oven to 250°C/Fan 230°C/Gas Mark 9. Divide the dough in two and dust the surface of 2 non-stick baking trays with spelt flour. Pat each lump of the dough into a flat disk on the trays, making sure the dough is an even thickness.

4 Spread 1 tbsp passata thinly on each pizza base then top with the cheeses, beetroot, thyme, pine nuts and parmesan.

5 Bake in the hot oven for 8 minutes, top with rocket leaves and serve.

VEGETARIAN

COOK’S TIP

Get inventive with your pizza toppings by using up leftovers in the fridge or swapping in different storecupboard staples and herbs

An autumn feast Get ready for family gatherings with these light and delicious dishes that make the most of the season’s harvest

Food to share

PREP TIME 10 MINS COOK TIME 30 MINS SERVES 4 INGREDIENTS ● 2 JAZZ™ apples, cored and cut into thin slices ● 400g cauliflower florets ● 2 red peppers, cut into chunky slices ● 4 cloves of garlic ● 4 shallots, each cut into segments ● 2 tbsp olive oil ● 1 tbsp sherry vinegar ● 2 tbsp harissa ● Salt and pepper to taste

METHOD

1 Preheat the oven to 200°C/Fan 180°C/ Gas Mark 6.

2 Break the cauliflower florets apart, cut the peppers into strips, break apart the shallots and peel the garlic cloves before adding to a large bowl with the apple slices.

3 Mix the olive oil, harissa and sherry vinegar together and pour over the veg, then mix everything with your hands to ensure the veg and apples are well covered.

4 Place the marinated veg and apples on an oven tray and bake for 20 minutes.

5 Take out, give it a mix and bake for another 10 minutes. Serve with couscous, coconut yoghurt and mint leaves.

VEGETARIAN

DARK ROASTED FILO PIE

PREP TIME 30 MINS COOK TIME 45 MINS SERVES 6 INGREDIENTS ● 350g diced sweet potato (or a mix of sweet potato and butternut squash) ● Mild olive oil, for drizzling and frying ● ¼ tsp ground cinnamon ● 1 small red onion, finely sliced ● 4 tbsp Whole Earth Crunchy Dark Roasted Peanut Butter ● 200g baby spinach, rinsed ● 6 sheets filo pastry ● 100g feta cheese ● Salt and pepper METHOD

1 Preheat the oven to 200°C/Fan 180°C/

Gas Mark 6. Toss the sweet potato with enough olive oil to coat, add the spices and season well with salt and pepper.

Place in the middle of the hot oven for 35 minutes until completely soft to the point of a sharp knife. Remove from the oven and allow to cool. Turn the oven down to 180°C/Fan 160°C/Gas Mark 4.

2 While the sweet potatoes are roasting, heat a teaspoon of oil in a small frying pan over a low heat and fry the red onion for 15 minutes until completely soft and translucent. Set aside.

3 Place the washed spinach in a

saucepan with a lid. Cook over a medium heat for 5 minutes, turning occasionally with tongs until wilted.

Remove to a colander and place a weight (such as a jar or a clean, heavy bowl) over the spinach to squeeze out as much liquid as possible.

4 Once the sweet potato has cooled slightly, blitz in a food processor with the peanut butter until smooth. Set aside.

5 Grease a loose-bottomed 23cm round tin with olive oil. Drape a sheet of filo, allowing the pastry to come up the sides in the tin. Brush with olive oil and repeat with the remaining sheets of filo, overlapping the sheets at angles as you go to create a ruffled effect.

6 Spread the peanut butter and sweet potato mixture over the middle of the top filo layer to reach the sides. Dot the wilted spinach over the top, along with the red onion. Crumble the feta over the top of the pie in large chunks. Bake in the oven for 25 minutes until the feta is golden in places and the filo is crisp all over.

7 Allow the pie to cool for 5 minutes before lifting out of the tin and slicing into wedges. Serve warm or cold, with salad as part of a picnic, or alongside baby potatoes and wilted greens.

COOK’S TIP

For kids, make smaller individual pies that are easier to hold

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CAULIFLOWER AND APPLE TRAYBAKE

VEGETARIAN

BLACKBERRY AND APPLE EVE CAKE

PREP TIME 20 MINS COOK TIME 40 MINS SERVES 4 INGREDIENTS ● 500g JAZZ™ apples peeled, cored and sliced ● 50g blackberries ● 125g unsalted butter ● 125g caster sugar ● 125g selfraising flour ● 50g soft brown sugar ● 2 eggs ● A handful of blackberries and double cream to serve

METHOD

1 Put the sliced apples and 50g blackberries in a shallow ovenproof dish and sprinkle with the brown sugar.

2 Cream the butter and caster sugar until fluffy. Add

VEGETARIAN

PEAR AND WALNUT TARTE TATIN

VEGAN

PREP TIME 20 MINS COOK TIME 20 MINS SERVES 6-8 INGREDIENTS ● 300g readytoroll puff pastry (use glutenfree if necessary) ● 2 pears, sliced and cored ● 30g caster sugar ● 2 tbsp golden syrup ● 65g vegan butter ● 1 tbsp brandy (optional) ● 1 tsp vanilla extract or paste (optional) ● Pinch of salt ● 80g walnuts or pecans ● Cinnamon, for dusting METHOD

1 Preheat the oven to 190°C/Fan 170°C/Gas Mark 5. On a floured

surface, roll out the pastry so that it’s around 0.5cm thick. Using an ovenproof frying pan (we used a 28cm pan but you don’t need to be exact), cut the pastry to fit the pan, leaving 1cm extra around the edge.

Leave the pastry to one side.

2 In the same frying pan, combine the sugar, golden syrup, vegan butter, salt and vanilla extract. Heat on a medium heat for a few minutes until the sauce starts to thicken and turn slightly brown.

Remove from the heat, stir in the brandy (if using) and then cover the pears and nuts in the caramel sauce until thoroughly coated.

3 The pears will be very hot at this point so using tongs (or alternative), arrange the pear slices in a pretty pattern on the bottom of the frying pan. Once you have the pattern you like, scatter the nuts over and around the pear slices.

4 Place the sheet of pastry over the top of the frying pan, tucking in the edges around the filling. Brush the pastry with a little rapeseed oil and place in the oven for 20 minutes or until crisp and evenly golden.

5 Remove the pan from the oven (be careful, the handle will be hot!) and place a large plate over the top. Flip the pan over so that the tarte displays fruit-side-up on the plate. Sprinkle with cinnamon, add a little more golden syrup if necessary, and serve with vegan ice cream.

138 yourhomestyle.uk

one egg and mix. Add the other egg and half the flour and mix again.

3 Add the rest of the flour and a tablespoon of warm water and mix until well combined.

4 Pour the mixture over the fruit and bake for 40 minutes at 180°C/Fan 160°C/Gas Mark 4 until golden brown in colour. To serve, mash up a handful of blackberries in a bowl and add to the double cream.

Mix in and spoon on top of the cake.

COOK’S TIP

VEGETARIAN

Homemade pastry is best, but if you’re short on time shopbought works just as well

BRAMBLE BAKEWELL TART

PREP TIME 45 MINS, PLUS 45 MINS CHILLING COOK TIME 1 HOUR SERVES 8 INGREDIENTS For the pastry ● 200g plain flour (or switch for gluten-free plain flour plus ½ tsp Xanthan gum) ● 100g butter, cold and cubed ● ½ tsp salt ● 30g icing sugar ● 1 large egg yolk ● 1 tbsp water For the jam ● 120g blackberries ● 100g jam sugar ● 4 tbsp Bottlegreen Bramble Cordial ● 1 tsp cornflour For the frangipane ● 100g butter, softened ● 100g sugar ● 75g self-raising flour (or switch for gluten-free self-raising flour) ● 2 large eggs ● 125g ground almonds ● 2 tbsp Bottlegreen Bramble Cordial ● 25g flaked almonds ● 9 blackberries For the icing 50g icing sugar ● 2-3 tsp Bottlegreen Bramble Cordial

METHOD

1 Preheat the oven to 200°C/Fan 180°C/Gas

Mark 6. Using a food processor or your fingertips, rub the butter into the flour until it resembles fine breadcrumbs. Stir through the salt and icing sugar, followed by the egg yolk and water. Stir until the mixture begins to clump together, then work it into a ball of dough with your hands. Cover in clingfilm or baking paper, flatten into a round and chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.

2 Roll out the chilled pastry on a lightly floured surface until just less than the thickness of a £1 coin. Gently rest your tart tin (20-22cm round) over the pastry and trim the pastry to about 2.5cm wider than the tin. Roll the pastry back over the rolling pin, then unroll and drape over the tart tin.

Press the pastry into the edges of the tin and leave the overhang around the edge.

3 Prick the base of the pastry all over with a fork.

Chill in the fridge for at least 15 minutes. Line the chilled pastry with oven-safe clingfilm or scrunched baking paper and fill with baking beans or dry pulses. Bake for 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and use a sharp knife to trim the excess pastry away from the tin. Lightly brush the inside

of the pastry with the reserved egg white and place into the oven for a further 5-10 minutes or until the base appears dry. Remove from the oven and set aside. Reduce the oven temperature to 180°C/Fan 160°C/Gas Mark 4.

4 To make the jam, stir together the blackberries, jam sugar, cordial and cornflour over a high heat.

Bring to a boil ,then reduce the heat and simmer for about 5 minutes or until it registers 105°C on a sugar thermometer, if you have one. Remove from the pan and leave to cool to room temperature.

5 To make the frangipane, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add in the flour, eggs, ground almonds and cordial and mix until combined.

6 Spread the cooled bramble jam over the base of the pastry case. Top this with the frangipane and level off. Press the blackberries into the frangipane and scatter over the flaked almonds. Bake in the oven for about 35 minutes. Remove from the tin to cool on a wire rack.

7 Make the icing by mixing the icing sugar with the cordial until it has a thick, fluid consistency. To finish, drizzle the icing over the top of the tart with bold strokes.

Hap-pea days

Fill a hungry tummy in between meals with a healthy new savoury snack from vegan brand, BitesWeLove. These little morsels are green peas, roasted to a crunch and packed with flavour.

Go classic with Sea Salt & Black Pepper, choose sweet and spicy Smoked Paprika, or Sour Cream & Jalapeño for a nutritious snack with a kick. A great choice for an energy boost when you need it most.

Available from Sainsburys for £2.25 per 100g pouch.

EXTRA CRUNCH

If there’s more than one Marmite Crunchy Peanut Butter lover in your household, then chances are a jar doesn’t last long. Luckily, the new XL jar has arrived! Combining delicious Marmite with crunchy peanut butter, it’s a perfect topping for toast, bagels or crumpets to brighten up breakfast. Some even say a touch of grated cheese is good on top! Available for £4.90, exclusively from Tesco.

Picnic pots

Grab a high-protein snack on the go, with Bangin’ Bites from HECK. These mini cooked cocktail versions of Heck’s 97% Pork and Chicken Italia sausages come in portable pots – great for picnics and lunchboxes. For an extra flavour punch, try the new Dip Pots, containing cocktail sausages plus a tasty sauce for dunking.

Each pack costs £2.25 from larger Tesco stores.

WHOLE LATTE LOVE

Sink your spoon into the new Caffè Latte ice cream from Blue Skies – a decadent, dairy-free dessert that makes a perfect pickme-up after dinner with its smooth coffee flavour. Made using fresh coconut milk from Ghana, where local experts hand-select and cut the fruit to ensure the highest quality, this tasty treat is also available in Mango & Passion Fruit, Simply Coconut and Chocolate & Orange. Find your favourite flavour of Blue Skies ice cream at selected Waitrose stores, priced at £4.99 per 450ml tub.

FOODNEWS This month, we’re stocking up on back-to-school snacks and enjoying some delicious plant-based treats too

Fruity refreshment

renneB yppoP erutaeF

If you find it a challenge to guzzle two litres of water a day, despite all the health benefits, then let teapigs help you out with its new cold brew range. Simple and natural, these fruity little infusions can be added to a bottle or glass of water for an instant dash of flavour. There are three new flavours for 2021 – pink grapefruit, watermelon & hibiscus and blackcurrant & raspberry – joining the original lychee & rose, cucumber & apple and peach & mango. They contain no added sugar and are naturally caffeine free, while the 100% plant-based packaging is also a winner.

This Joseph Joseph ‘dot’ bottle is currently available with three cold infusions as a starter pack for £12. For 20% off all teapigs products*, head to teapigs.co.uk and use the code HOMESTYLE20 at the checkout.

*One use per customer; offer valid until 30.09.21

140 yourhomestyle.uk

HIP HIP HOORAY Get your 3pm chocolate fix with this

scrummy range of creamy oat-based bars from new brand, HiP (Happiness in Plants). With colourful packaging and fab flavours including Salty Pretzel and Cookies no Cream, these vegan delights sure to be devoured by chocoholics, and not just those who are already fans of oat milk. It’s a much healthier choice too, with 30% less sugar than your average bar of dairy-based milk chocolate.

HiP chocolate is now available from Ocado or buy direct from hipchocolate.com for £3 per 70g bar.

Three more of the 1000+ fabrics available

The Ruffle Pouffe is based on an original Victorian design, with huge appeal for lovers of vintage furniture but given a contemporary edge through a range of over 1,000 fabulous fabrics from renowned manufacturers Ashley Wilde, Kai, Fryetts and Prestigious Textiles. Whatever your home’s style there will be a fabric to fit from classic florals and sumptuous velvets, muted neutrals and modern geometrics, acid brights and ontrend jungle prints.

Perfectly proportioned and handcrafted using traditional techniques, the Ruffle Pouffe features beautiful fabric roses to ensure that it becomes a wonderful focal point in your home. Matching scatter cushions are also available in the same vast range of fabrics which, combined with the Ruffle Pouffe, will give an instant lift to any room.

• Choose from over 1,000 beautiful fabrics • Made to order and delivered FREE within 28 days • From Beautiful Sleep Ltd creators of the amazing Gx Pillow Introductory offer for Home Style readers!

And FREE UK mainland delivery*

Use code HS2 to save £50 - prices from £199* (Usual prices from £249)

Order now from www.rufflepouffe.co.uk or scan here and code will automatically apply: or view fabrics online and call:

FREEPHONE 0800 702 2500 William Morris, 19 February 1880

*Final price depends on fabric selected, free delivery to UK mainland only call for other areas

Ruffle Pouffe

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Stockists

16 EDITORIAL

Editor Kirstie Duhig Art Editor Emily Waite Designer Libby Parfitt Features Editor Catriona Burns Production Thomas Poad Additional Production Poppy Benner, Rob Banino Staff Writer Hannah Tribe Editorial & Digital Assistant Katie Dutton Digital Editor Rebecca Messina Digital Writer Thea Jeffreys

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18

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HomeStyle at Immediate Media Co, Eagle House, Bristol BS1 4ST Advertising Enquiries: Tel: 0117 300 8805 Subscription enquiries: Email: buysubscriptions.com/contact Tel: UK 03330 162 139; US/Canada: 855 827 8639 (toll free); Rest of the world +44(0)1604 973748 Editorial enquiries Email: homestyle@immediate.co.uk Tel: 0117 927 9009 © Immediate Media Company Bristol Limited, 2021, member of the Audit Bureau of Circulations. Unsolicited manuscripts and transparencies are accepted on the understanding that the publisher incurs no liability for their storage or return. The contents of this magazine may not be reproduced without permission. All prices are correct at the time of going to press. The publisher, editor and authors accept no responsibility in respect of any products, goods or services which may be advertised or referred to in this issue or for any errors, omissions, misstatements or mistakes in any such advertisements or references. HomeStyle is published by Immediate Media Company Bristol Limited, Eagle House, Bristol, BS1 4ST, UK. Every effort has been made to secure permission for copyright material. In the event of any material being used inadvertently, or where it proved impossible to trace the copyright owner, acknowledgment will be made in a future issue. Immediate Media Co Ltd is working to ensure that all of its paper is sourced from wellmanaged forests. This magazine can be recycled. We abide by IPSO’s rules and regulations. To give feedback about our magazines, please visit immediate.co.uk, email editorialcomplaints@immediate.co.uk or write to Legal Director, Immediate Media Co, Vineyard House, 44 Brook Green, London, W6 7BT.

Katie Cardew

IN CONVERSATION WITH

We chat to illustrator Katie Cardew about her unique, colourful prints and homewares Clockwise from above: Pink blooms and Harlequin Pink tea towels, £11 each; Katie drawing at her desk; 6 o’clock club G&T board, £12

When did you launch from them. For example, I knew your brand?

I wanted a wedding range, so I Back in 2013 I was doing some illustrations for a magazine that my graphic designer sister was working on. I couldn’t believe they were paying me for them – I felt like an imposter! After that I began taking commissions, which evolved into a range of fine art prints and cards. This grew into the range of around 400 products we sell today!

designed some prints that could be personalised with the couple’s names and wedding date, and teamed with a matching card.

No! I studied English at Newcastle University and then worked for a couple of years in London, in both finance and then events, which I didn’t enjoy.

Drawing is something that I have always done on the sidelines, but I just needed that catalyst to turn it from a hobby into a job.

What’s your proudest career moment?

Did you study design?

Peacock Pattern placemat, £14 and coaster, £3, from the Country Estate Collection

What’s a typical day?

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I have a five-year-old and a oneyear-old, so my day often starts with me extracting shoes from under the sofa or trying to stop them feeding toast to the dog!

Later I drive to my studio where Emma, my marketing wizard, and I will film videos and plan stories for social media. After emails and admin, I squeeze in some creative time to work on new designs, packaging or displays for our shop. I’m home by 4.30pm to spend the evening with my little ones and partner, Jamie. Once the kids are in bed, I head off for a night partying. Kidding!

I literally flop on the sofa in front of Ru Paul’s Drag Race and give my eyelids a little rest..

Describe your style…

More is more! I think there is a time and a place for neutral items around the home, but pops of colour here and there are equally important. If my products make people smile when they use them, my job is done!

Getting the keys to our new shop in Stamford a few weeks ago was pretty brilliant! I think one of my proudest moments, though, was overhearing my daughter telling her friends in the playground that her mummy was an illustrator and she wanted to be too, one day. I work hard and often get the ‘mum guilts’, but knowing that she is proud of me is incredibly rewarding.

What’s next for you?

The next thing on our list is to get our shop fitted out and opened!

We’ve got the electricians and decorators in this week and next, so it’s moving in the right direction. We’re also working with Not On The High Street and frantically trying to upload all our products onto their website!

Who would you love to collaborate with?

My team and I are constantly wearing Lucy and Yak dungarees and boiler suits, so I would love What inspires you? to do a design for them!

I try to find inspiration from the things in life which bring us all See Katie’s new collections at joy – flowers, dogs, horses, house katiecardew.com. Follow her plants, wildlife.. I also try to think on Instagram and Facebook of occasions and work back @katiecardewillustrations

40 Years

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