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M a k e yo u r d r e a m h o m e a r e a l i t y
Real Homes RealHomes.com
before afters
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may 2019
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clever exterior makeover ideas garden rooms glass extensions for every style and budget
50+ pages of stunning home transformations
style edit decorate with the hottest hues
best buys Window blinds Shower enclosures Kids’ bedrooms
urban gardens how to go green in the city
beautiful homes family spaces redesigned for modern living
Beth Murton Acting Editor @Bethmurton
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Finally, this month we have two fantastic subscription offers for you. Either get five issues for the incredible price of just £5 (see page 149), or pay £18.50 for six months and receive a free Landon Tyler room diffuser and beauty gift set worth £22 (see page 52). Sign up today and become part of our amazing Real Homes community – you won’t regret it.
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from the editor phoTogRaph katie lee
’s nothing like the promise of a bank ay weekend or two on the horizon ur you into decorating action, is e? If good weather was guaranteed, ure we’d all be planning weekend jaunts to the seaside, but if there’s one thing you can rely on in life, it’s that the great British bank holiday and grey, drizzly, disappointing weather usually go hand in hand! For that reason, you’re more likely to find me stocking up on paint in the aisles of a DIY store than hiding under an umbrella on a UK beach. Things on my holiday weekend to-do list include a number of garden tasks to get my outdoor space ready for summer, and then repainting the downstairs loo (exciting times!) – although after reading this month’s feature on updating this smallest of spaces (page 58), I might need to up my decorating ambitions. Whether you’re after a quick way to refresh your space over a bank holiday break or want to start planning a bigger transformation project, there are plenty of ideas to steal inside this issue. And I’m thrilled to say that even more of you are enjoying the inspiration on offer in Real Homes magazine every month, too. The latest official circulation figures have seen us increase our readership over the last 12 months, faster than almost all other homes magazines. The great news doesn’t stop there, either. Our website, Realhomes.com, has seen incredible growth over the last 12 months and is now the UK’s fastest growing online homes brand, and more than 54,000 of you follow us on Instagram for your daily interiors fix. All of which means these are incredibly exciting times at Real Homes HQ, and there’s yet another reason why. We’re thrilled to announce the launch of The Real Homes Show, a fortnightly online TV show offering advice on everything from extending your home to choosing the perfect colour scheme. Watch the show at realhomes.com/TV and turn to page 93 for more details on how you can get involved too.
s t n e t on Style agenda
Inside track 13
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Turn a small space into the perfect home office
news The products and trends that grabbed our attention this month
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#nowtrending
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home truths 57
real home 58
hidden depths 64
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the big debate Should you let your child pick their own room décor?
READER OFFER
new ways with marble
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downstairs loos s
See ways to incorporate this ornate stone into your scheme
what lies beneath Inspired by all things oceanic, discover under-the-sea style
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128
...with throne-worthy flairr. How to create one you’ll always want to show off
Stylish storage benches that tick all our boxes
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Easy update Make hanging planters to grow your own herbs
Kate Bowl used her trained eye to transform a run-down Victorian villa into a modern family home
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new buys on the block Key trends for kids’ rooms and where to get them on a budget
Our monthly columnist, Lisa Dawson, on garden makeovers
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natural selection Blush, terracotta and orange create the latest colour combo
Let’s be friends on social media
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Sunday project
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Receive a room fragrance and beauty gift set worth £22 when you subscribe – see page 52
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s t n e t n co project advice
home life
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project news
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exterior makeovers
My favourite corner
A reader reveals why she loves a spot where she can be creative
real home
See how clever planning allows Laura and Ed Gray’s home to adapt to every life stage
The latest ideas and buys for your renovation How to transform the outside of your home
123 Save 20% at garden trading
Get set for spring with our offer
real home
125 extension of the month
Discover why Pauline and Mick’s house is the perfect party place
A stylish rear addition that instantly caught our eye
106 dreaming big
Can pinning extravagant extension pics help or hinder your project?
126 extension planner Getting the right permissions for your project
109 ‘how we balanced our projects’
128 the may report
Three renovating readers share their hard-earned advice
The latest ideas, trends and buys for your kitchen and bathroom
112 real home
128
141 guide to conservatories
Beth and Tom used their DIY skills to bring an unloved property to life
Our round-up of new looks for modern glazed extensions
120 going green fingered
150 Focus on blinds
131 real home
153 The edit
How you can reap the rewards of urban gardens
Find the right design for any size and shape of window
Check out Heather and Jim’s kitchen-diner extension
The latest door handles and shower enclosures on the market
137 Real Home
131
43
94
A wraparound extension and interior overhaul gave Stuart and Matt a light and airy kitchen
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June 1-2 SEC, Glasgow IN ASSOCIATION WITH
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ISSN 1464 - 4061 áƺ Əȸƺ ƬȒȅȅǣɎɎƺƳ ɎȒ ȒȇǼɵ ɖɀǣȇǕ ȅƏǕƏɿǣȇƺ ȵƏȵƺȸ ɯǝǣƬǝ ǣɀ ƳƺȸǣɮƺƳ ǔȸȒȅ ȸƺɀȵȒȇɀǣƫǼɵ ȅƏȇƏǕƺƳً ƬƺȸɎǣˡƺƳ ǔȒȸƺɀɎȸɵ ƏȇƳ ƬǝǼȒȸǣȇƺٮǔȸƺƺ ȅƏȇɖǔƏƬɎɖȸƺِ Áǝƺ ȵƏȵƺȸ ǣȇ Ɏǝǣɀ ȅƏǕƏɿǣȇƺ ɯƏɀ ɀȒɖȸƬƺƳ ƏȇƳ ȵȸȒƳɖƬƺƳ ǔȸȒȅ ɀɖɀɎƏǣȇƏƫǼƺ ȅƏȇƏǕƺƳ ǔȒȸƺɀɎɀً ƬȒȇǔȒȸȅǣȇǕ ɎȒ ɀɎȸǣƬɎ ƺȇɮǣȸȒȇȅƺȇɎƏǼ ƏȇƳ ɀȒƬǣȒƺƬȒȇȒȅǣƬ ɀɎƏȇƳƏȸƳɀِ Áǝƺ ȅƏȇɖǔƏƬɎɖȸǣȇǕ ȵƏȵƺȸ ȅǣǼǼ ǝȒǼƳɀ ǔɖǼǼ I³! ٢IȒȸƺɀɎ ³ɎƺɯƏȸƳɀǝǣȵ !ȒɖȇƬǣǼ٣ ƬƺȸɎǣˡƬƏɎǣȒȇ ƏȇƳ ƏƬƬȸƺƳǣɎƏɎǣȒȇ ǼǼ ƬȒȇɎƺȇɎɀ ۰ חאIɖɎɖȸƺ ¨ɖƫǼǣɀǝǣȇǕ nǣȅǣɎƺƳ Ȓȸ ȵɖƫǼǣɀǝƺƳ ɖȇƳƺȸ ǼǣƬƺȇƬƺِ ǼǼ ȸǣǕǝɎɀ ȸƺɀƺȸɮƺƳِ zȒ ȵƏȸɎ Ȓǔ Ɏǝǣɀ ȅƏǕƏɿǣȇƺ ȅƏɵ ƫƺ ɖɀƺƳً ɀɎȒȸƺƳً ɎȸƏȇɀȅǣɎɎƺƳ Ȓȸ ȸƺȵȸȒƳɖƬƺƳ ǣȇ Əȇɵ ɯƏɵ ɯǣɎǝȒɖɎ Ɏǝƺ ȵȸǣȒȸ ɯȸǣɎɎƺȇ ȵƺȸȅǣɀɀǣȒȇ Ȓǔ Ɏǝƺ ȵɖƫǼǣɀǝƺȸِ IɖɎɖȸƺ ¨ɖƫǼǣɀǝǣȇǕ nǣȅǣɎƺƳ ٢ƬȒȅȵƏȇɵ ȇɖȅƫƺȸ דזזזא٣ ǣɀ ȸƺǕǣɀɎƺȸƺƳ ǣȇ 0ȇǕǼƏȇƳ ƏȇƳ áƏǼƺɀِ «ƺǕǣɀɎƺȸƺƳ ȒǔˡƬƺ يªɖƏɵ RȒɖɀƺً Áǝƺ ȅƫɖȸɵً ƏɎǝ È ِ ǼǼ ǣȇǔȒȸȅƏɎǣȒȇ ƬȒȇɎƏǣȇƺƳ ǣȇ Ɏǝǣɀ ȵɖƫǼǣƬƏɎǣȒȇ ǣɀ ǔȒȸ ǣȇǔȒȸȅƏɎǣȒȇ ȒȇǼɵ ƏȇƳ ǣɀً Əɀ ǔƏȸ Əɀ ɯƺ Əȸƺ ƏɯƏȸƺً ƬȒȸȸƺƬɎ ƏɎ Ɏǝƺ Ɏǣȅƺ Ȓǔ ǕȒǣȇǕ ɎȒ ȵȸƺɀɀِ IɖɎɖȸƺ ƬƏȇȇȒɎ ƏƬƬƺȵɎ Əȇɵ ȸƺɀȵȒȇɀǣƫǣǼǣɎɵ ǔȒȸ ƺȸȸȒȸɀ Ȓȸ ǣȇƏƬƬɖȸƏƬǣƺɀ ǣȇ ɀɖƬǝ ǣȇǔȒȸȅƏɎǣȒȇِ çȒɖ Əȸƺ ƏƳɮǣɀƺƳ ɎȒ ƬȒȇɎƏƬɎ ȅƏȇɖǔƏƬɎɖȸƺȸɀ ƏȇƳ ȸƺɎƏǣǼƺȸɀ ƳǣȸƺƬɎǼɵ ɯǣɎǝ ȸƺǕƏȸƳ ɎȒ Ɏǝƺ ȵȸǣƬƺ Ȓǔ ȵȸȒƳɖƬɎɀٖɀƺȸɮǣƬƺɀ ȸƺǔƺȸȸƺƳ ɎȒ ǣȇ Ɏǝǣɀ ȵɖƫǼǣƬƏɎǣȒȇِ ȵȵɀ ƏȇƳ ɯƺƫɀǣɎƺɀ ȅƺȇɎǣȒȇƺƳ ǣȇ Ɏǝǣɀ ȵɖƫǼǣƬƏɎǣȒȇ Əȸƺ ȇȒɎ ɖȇƳƺȸ Ȓɖȸ ƬȒȇɎȸȒǼِ áƺ Əȸƺ ȇȒɎ ȸƺɀȵȒȇɀǣƫǼƺ ǔȒȸ Ɏǝƺǣȸ ƬȒȇɎƺȇɎɀ Ȓȸ Əȇɵ ȒɎǝƺȸ ƬǝƏȇǕƺɀ Ȓȸ ɖȵƳƏɎƺɀ ɎȒ Ɏǝƺȅِ Áǝǣɀ ȅƏǕƏɿǣȇƺ ǣɀ ǔɖǼǼɵ ǣȇƳƺȵƺȇƳƺȇɎ ƏȇƳ ȇȒɎ ƏǔˡǼǣƏɎƺƳ ǣȇ Əȇɵ ɯƏɵ ɯǣɎǝ Ɏǝƺ ƬȒȅȵƏȇǣƺɀ ȅƺȇɎǣȒȇƺƳ ǝƺȸƺǣȇِ Xǔ ɵȒɖ ɀɖƫȅǣɎ ȅƏɎƺȸǣƏǼ ɎȒ ɖɀً ɵȒɖ ɯƏȸȸƏȇɎ ɎǝƏɎ ɵȒɖ Ȓɯȇ Ɏǝƺ ȅƏɎƺȸǣƏǼ ƏȇƳٖȒȸ ǝƏɮƺ Ɏǝƺ ȇƺƬƺɀɀƏȸɵ ȸǣǕǝɎɀٖȵƺȸȅǣɀɀǣȒȇɀ ɎȒ ɀɖȵȵǼɵ Ɏǝƺ ȅƏɎƺȸǣƏǼ ƏȇƳ ɵȒɖ ƏɖɎȒȅƏɎǣƬƏǼǼɵ ǕȸƏȇɎ IɖɎɖȸƺ ƏȇƳ ǣɎɀ ǼǣƬƺȇɀƺƺɀ Ə ǼǣƬƺȇƬƺ ɎȒ ȵɖƫǼǣɀǝ ɵȒɖȸ ɀɖƫȅǣɀɀǣȒȇ ǣȇ ɯǝȒǼƺ Ȓȸ ǣȇ ȵƏȸɎ ǣȇ ƏȇɵٖƏǼǼ ǣɀɀɖƺɀ ƏȇƳٖȒȸ ƺƳǣɎǣȒȇɀ Ȓǔ ȵɖƫǼǣƬƏɎǣȒȇɀً ǣȇ Əȇɵ ǔȒȸȅƏɎ ȵɖƫǼǣɀǝƺƳ ɯȒȸǼƳɯǣƳƺ ƏȇƳ Ȓȇ ƏɀɀȒƬǣƏɎƺƳ ɯƺƫɀǣɎƺɀً ɀȒƬǣƏǼ ȅƺƳǣƏ ƬǝƏȇȇƺǼɀ ƏȇƳ ƏɀɀȒƬǣƏɎƺƳ ȵȸȒƳɖƬɎɀِ ȇɵ ȅƏɎƺȸǣƏǼ ɵȒɖ ɀɖƫȅǣɎ ǣɀ ɀƺȇɎ ƏɎ ɵȒɖȸ Ȓɯȇ ȸǣɀǸ ƏȇƳً ƏǼɎǝȒɖǕǝ ƺɮƺȸɵ ƬƏȸƺ ǣɀ ɎƏǸƺȇً ȇƺǣɎǝƺȸ IɖɎɖȸƺ ȇȒȸ ǣɎɀ ƺȅȵǼȒɵƺƺɀً ƏǕƺȇɎɀً ɀɖƫƬȒȇɎȸƏƬɎȒȸɀ Ȓȸ ǼǣƬƺȇɀƺƺɀ ɀǝƏǼǼ ƫƺ ǼǣƏƫǼƺ ǔȒȸ ǼȒɀɀ Ȓȸ ƳƏȅƏǕƺِ áƺ Əɀɀɖȅƺ ƏǼǼ ɖȇɀȒǼǣƬǣɎƺƳ ȅƏɎƺȸǣƏǼ ǣɀ ǔȒȸ ȵɖƫǼǣƬƏɎǣȒȇ ɖȇǼƺɀɀ ȒɎǝƺȸɯǣɀƺ ɀɎƏɎƺƳً ƏȇƳ ȸƺɀƺȸɮƺ Ɏǝƺ ȸǣǕǝɎ ɎȒ ƺƳǣɎً ƏȅƺȇƳً ƏƳƏȵɎ ƏǼǼ ɀɖƫȅǣɀɀǣȒȇɀِ
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Future plc is a public company quoted on the London Stock Exchange (symbol: FUTR) www.futureplc.com
Chief executive Zillah Byng-Thorne Non-executive chairman Richard Huntingford !ǝǣƺǔ ˡȇƏȇƬǣƏǼ ȒǔˡƬƺȸ Penny Ladkin-Brand Tel +44 (0)1225 442 244
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PRODUCTION Head of Production Mark Constance Production Project Manager Clare Scott Advertising Production Manager Joanne Crosby Digital Editions Controller Jason Hudson Production Manager Vivienne Calvert
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CIRCULATION Head of Newstrade Tim Mathers
INSIDE INSIDE
track
Get the scoop on new design ideas, must-have products and looks you’ll love… Patterned cotton table runner, £8.99; porcelain plate with motif, £3.99; textured bowl, £6.99; porcelain plate, £8.99; leaf-shaped dishes, from £6.99; stemmed wine glass, £6.99; shallow Champagne coupe, £6.99; tumbler, £4.99; gold cutlery, from £4.99 for four teaspoons, all H&M Home
GET SET FOR STYLE Pastels, check. Fringing, check. Florals, check. H&M Home’s latest collection has it all, and then some. Browse its wide range of designs and you can easily see why this is a go-to shop for so many interior stylists. An eye-watering selection of on-trend, seasonal pieces and oh, did we mention that it’s all at very affordable prices, too? What’s not to love!
Green cushion, £17.99
Yellow flower cushion cover, £2.99
FEATURE ANNA MORLEY
Fringe mirror, £17.99
Pink throw, £17.99
easy living Continue the springtime update with seasonal pieces from H&M’s new collection and give your interior a burst of freshness
Stoneware teapot, £19.99
Scented candle in holder, £8.99
plump up the colour
shopping secrets from A home st ylist
extra-large Isabelle sofa in Bellevue velvet Ochre, from £1,799; Sandford parquet coffee table, £229; Milan mirror, £69; cushions from £15; block stripe vase, £19.50, and jug, £15; large two-tone reactive vase, £29.50, all M&S Home
Ochre, orange, dusty pink – shades that look like they’ve been left to dry in the sun are everywhere at the moment. add them to your home with cool ceramics and colourful cushions from M&S’s new ranges. If you want a bigger burst of zing, there’s an Ochre sofa you could sink into. turn to page 45 for more of this colour combo.
emma Morton-Turner, @emmamtstylist, is a stylist/writer and founder of website insidestylists.com, which features blog posts and podcasts Favourite way to refresh a space? I’m all about painting vintage furniture. If I get bored of a piece, I’ll just give it a quick refresh with an Annie Sloan chalk paint. My go-to for last-minute homeware props Always a vintage shop, boot sale or charity shop. You never know what you’re going to find, and you can spray paint it the colour you need. From the high street – H&M Home and Zara Home. Ones to watch for 2019 I interviewed designers Design Savages for Inside Stylists and came away totally inspired. They have beautiful wallpapers, art and lampshades with the best names. Also, Sarah Colson, who has just designed her first collection of lighting, Prism, for Debenhams.
Cool collab Iconic furniture maker Ercol has teamed up with Brit textile brand Flock to create a collection of limitededition chairs. Showcasing two brand-new Flock fabric designs on Ercol’s award-winning Marino chair, these bold geometric beauties are sure to be classics in their own right.
My fave local shop Central Furniture in The Old Fire Station in West Wickham. It’s half antiques and half vintage treasure. Great for furniture, art and mirrors. I always walk out with something from... HomeSense, because the stock changes all the time. It’s always fun to check it out. Who does your style best? My style is a mix of vintage meets modern with splashes of colour. In my head, it’s Andrew Martin on a budget with painted furniture thrown in for good measure.
ercol x flock Marino chair in Kiso, £1,995, Heal’s
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Cloudnola flor wooden wall clock, £50, Cult furniture
Industrial-style shelved storage console, £389, the farthing
edina black geometric mirror, £225, Habitat
the shape of design We hope we look as good at 100 as the Bauhaus movement, which this year marks its centenary. Its distinctive shapes and timeless design continue to inspire the way we decorate. Focusing on simplicity and functionality, Bauhaus was renowned for its use of industrial materials, a neutral palette and complementary accents of strong colour. Take your pick from these current pieces that pay homage to this defining era.
Pea Pods wallpaper in terracotta
London table lamp in yellow, £489, Original BtC
electra occasional chair in Pumpkin Orange, £441, Sweetpea & Willow
heaven sent
Mono wallpaper in Starlight
Wallpaper experts MissPrint looked to the Pleiades cluster for its Seven Sisters collection, and it’s left us starry eyed. It includes 10 new designs exploring myths and mysteries associated with the cluster; from ancient hieroglyphs to the aztec and Mayans’ belief in the movement of the cosmos and leaves and seeds representing new life. It’s £72 per roll.
Shapes wallpaper in flint
Pendulum wallpaper in Moroccan Sun
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Book worm LOVE COLOUR: Choosing Colours to Live With by Anna Starmer (Ivy Press, £25) The Great Indoors podcasters Sophie Robinson and Kate Watson-Smyth, have been raving about this book. In short, international colour and trend forecaster Anna shares her passion for colour to help you transform your home. The book also comes complete with a removable colour chart booklet, so you can note and match your perfect colours anytime you’re out and about.
Geometry test
Using statement lighting in a scheme is usually on everyone’s ‘must-do’ list. And Där Lighting is rather good at providing just that. This geometric piece from its new collection of pendants could double up as a piece of art.
WIngIng It Is it time to migrate your bedding? Perhaps the latest collection from Christy will persuade you it is. One of their latest patterns, Orizuru – that’s crane if you don’t speak Japanese – has been spotted among its spring/summer collection, and we think it will definitely take off. Okay. No more bird puns, we promise, but we think this striking design with navy background would easily bring a bedroom scheme right up to date.
Orizuru double duvet cover set, £65; Bobbi navy double duvet cover set, £55, both Christy
Där Lighting hexagon five-light LeD pendant in black, £600, Castlegate Lights
Chop shop Children have all the fun, and these plates prove it. Ceramica Blue has introduced a range of quirky animal design plates for little people. And what’s more, they’re made out of eco-friendly sawdust from bamboo chopstick manufacturing, meaning they can save the planet as they feast. We think adults might want in on the action, too.
Insta folloW
French Fancy
Inspiration abounds on the Maisons du Monde insta feed @maisonsdumondeuk. Lustful styling of living rooms, table place settings, bathrooms…there’s even some eye-catching shelfies. All looks are pulled together with its signature global-feel furniture with on-trend accessories. Get following.
Penguin, lion, budgie, flamingo, cockatoo, kangaroo and fox character plates, Dia.25cm, £12 each, Ceramica Blue
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PROJECT HUB Before you delve head first into your extension or renovation project, make sure you check out our expert guides on everything from budgeting to choosing builders. This extension by Mustard Architects features striking Crittall glazing. realhomes.com/renovations
get involved We’d love to hear from you! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for the latest news, behind-the-scenes shoots and gorgeous imagery. Plus, share your homes with us using #sorealhomes and you might just find yourself featured on our feed…
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INSPIRATION AND ADVIC
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spick and span
PHOTOGRAPH TIM CROCKER (MUSTARD ARCHITECTS)
KonMari-ing your home this spring? You’ll need our top tips on all things cleaning. Housekeeper’s lambswool duster, £6.99, and feather duster, £7, both Dunelm. realhomes. com/tag/cleaning
‘TUBE’ INTO OUR NEW tv show We’re excited to announce the launch of the Real Homes Show, in partnership with Checkatrade. The first episode of the online TV show goes live on 4 April. Tune in fortnightly for advice on extending and improving your home, tips on making the most of small spaces, tours of the homes of the Insta-famous, and tips on sourcing affordable tech, furniture and accessories. Plus, there’s a £1,000 giveaway to celebrate the first episode. You can’t afford to miss it! Visit realhomes.com/tv
GO GAGA FOR GARDENS Spring has sprung, everything’s coming up green and we think we’ve even spotted the sun once or twice, so now’s the time to think about your garden. Stuck for ideas? Find top tips, amazing case studies and our pick of the best products. realhomes.com/gardens
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Lisa Dawson
home truths
have one. Once the lawn is cleared of soggy dog toys, most of which have been there so long the grass has died beneath them, it’s mowed and treated, ready for the summer months. Step three is the potting of the The perfect three-bedroom starter plants. Now, despite the fact that home, it came complete with a square I generally have the same effect on patch of land at the back which, upon greenery as a litre of Roundup, I really purchase, resembled the Mad Max enjoy a visit to the garden centre wasteland (minus a youthful Mel to forage for my patio pots. As Gibson, unfortunately). The plot was my garden’s hedged, there’s no previously the West Terrace of the old opportunity for border filling (a Elm Park football ground, the home of blessing in disguise) so I concentrate Reading Football Club for many years. on adding colour via tubs. I tend to It also backed onto the Spread Eagle, pick a mixture of evergreens and a rowdy local pub, which meant our annuals, avoiding anything that garden was often littered with plastic requires complicated care. Herbs are beer cups and discarded fag ends. On also an excellent way to adorn your the plus side, when the wind blew in the outdoor space – not only are they right direction on August Bank Holiday generally fairly hardcore (rosemary, weekend, the dulcet tones of Reading thyme, chives and Festival would reach lavender have all held us as we sat on the ‘despite having their ground for a decking with our wine number of years in and nibbles – a more the same effect my courtyard), but civilised way to enjoy they smell delicious the music than on greenery and can be used for battling it out cooking, thus saving in the mosh pit. as a litre of a tidy sum on the For those of us Roundup, I enjoy pre-packed version. whose horticultural The final step skills are limited, a visit to the is planning the living May is the start of space. This is the the gardening season. garden centre’ most fun of all. I like Brighter, warmer my outdoor areas to days mean ideas for reflect my indoor areas and am a big fan outdoor socialising spring to the of bringing the inside out. Coffee tables, forefront of our minds. In our house, rugs, cushions…no item is safe from the first sign we’re embarking on redistribution in my attempts to create Operation Summertime is the jet wash. the perfect alfresco lounging space. There’s not much that can beat the Festoon lighting is a must – whether satisfaction of attacking the patio with you are decorating a small corner or a a high-pressure water spray. Banishing full patio, every space is improved with the dead leaves and animal detritus left the addition of a bit of sparkle. And no by our cat, Molly, aka Hannibal Lecter in respectable outdoor area is complete feline form, is another therapeutic task. without a fire pit – a necessary purchase Step two is garden clearance. in a country where temperatures can Without fail, there is always a mouldplummet from 25 to 17 degrees before covered discarded paddling pool in the you can say ‘pass the Sauvignon’. corner, bought when the sun appeared So pull out your pressure washer, and then abandoned the moment any stock up on topsoil, hang the fairylights sort of insect was spotted floating in it. and prepare your garden for the Great Every year I say never again and every British Summer. Long may it last. year I’m harassed at the till by my kids insisting they’re deprived unless they FOLLOW LISA @_lisa_dawson_
PhotograPh Katie Lee
The first garden my husband Joe and I owned was attached to our Barratt new-build.
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a class act renovated victorian villa
Kate Bowl used her well-trained eye and renovation experience to transform a run-down Victorian villa into a modern family home
‘I didn’t set out to become a serial house renovator,’ explains Kate Bowl. ‘I just love interior design and know exactly how a house can look when I’ve finished with it, whatever state of disrepair it’s in.’ The house she lives in with her husband, Jonathan, and their three children – an old vicarage – was uninhabitable when the family took it on. Because it sits within a Conservation Area – and is itself a house of local interest – the couple’s options were somewhat limited as to how and where they could extend. It’s taken some creativity and a great deal of patience to get it up to scratch, but the family’s Victorian villa today, with its modern double-storey extension, is unrecognisable from its former state. However, it’s Kate’s confidence in her own sophisticated style that’s won her our admiration. When so much of interiors seems to be about trends – whether it’s dark walls, Scandi spaces or Mid-century modern – Kate’s home is a refined, considered reflection of her personal taste. We love riding the zeitgeist bandwagon as much as the next person from time to time, but it’s always refreshing to see a homeowner stick to their guns when it comes to designing their space. Stepping into Kate’s rather welcoming hallway, we couldn’t wait to hear more about what she’s been up to…
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Words Nicola Wilkes PhotograPhs Matt caNt
WHY KATE’S HOME CAUGHT OUR EYE…
‘since the kitchen-diner has been finished, we spend most of our time in it, especially on a sunny day with the doors wide open. the space feels like it’s doubled in size.’ Bi-fold doors, P&L Joinery. Sofa, dFs. Coffee table nest, Next
Profile THE OWNERs Kate Bowl, an interior designer, and her husband, Jonathan, who works for a technology company, live here with their daughter, grace, five, and twin boys, William and Joseph, three THE PROPERTY a late Victorian five-bedroom villa in a suburb of stockport project COST £476,000
Over to kate...
‘
selling our previous house in didsbury, moving into a onebedroom flat and, subsequently, Jonathan’s parents for a short time in between wasn’t the easiest transition into our home. It was just the way it worked out. I viewed the house before Jonathan and I knew I’d love it, so I rang him straight after and said I wanted to live there. offers were via sealed bids and we were going on holiday two days later. It was a nail-biting few days but we found out we’d won it while skiing in switzerland. ‘our plan was to renovate and remodel the existing four-bedroom house to add a further two en-suite bathrooms, demolish the outhouses and build a two-storey extension to create an additional master bedroom. We put in for planning permission in May, but it wasn’t granted until august Bank holiday. We chose a builder who had done work locally and who also subcontracted all relevant trades, but I project-managed the entire renovation myself while heavily pregnant. I was here at least once a day to oversee the work and make decisions. It was worth it – because all the work was done at the same time, the house has a great flow.’ ‘We moved in right before Christmas and I thought it would be a good idea to invite the family around for Christmas day. When my mum went to cook she realised all of the plastic casing was still on the cookers because they’d not been used yet! We spend all of our time in here now, especially with the playroom just off to the side, so I can watch the children play while I’m cooking, relaxing or working.
‘
Kitchen, Ultimo Kitchens. Walls painted in Westminster and graphite, sanderson. ‘Quarry’ wallpaper, John Lewis. Masters dining chairs, Kartell. Bar stools, dwell. Dining table, heal’s
top tip
add tonal interest and accentuate your favourite kitchen features by framing them with a border of dark paint
BEFORE
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the house needed a fresh eye and a new, modern purpose, but I wanted to keep some rooms as stand-alone spaces – like the more grown-up front sitting room. I like having somewhere special in the house that I can style and dress in a more sophisticated way. I wanted to retain some of the period feeling the house has, which the front rooms, with their bay windows and classic detail, evoke.
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Sofas and chairs, Marks & spencer. Ottoman and cushions, homesense. Lamps, achica
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‘
I love the trends that come and go, but unlike fashion and what you wear, your home will always be a true reflection of your own personal style. I’d find it extremely difficult to live in a space that wasn’t really “me”, no matter how “on trend” it was. With interiors, you can’t hide your true style – it will come out one way or another! I’m fascinated with other people’s interiors as it says so much about someone’s personality.
‘
Wallpaper, Cole & son. For a similar chest of drawers, try graham & green
Chests of drawers, Marks & spencer. Walls painted in skimming stone, Farrow & Ball
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the extension and renovation was phase one of the project and we’ve since gone on to demolish the old garage at the back of the house, move the drive to the front of the house and build a new double garage with space for a gym/office above. Now I keep looking around the house and thinking “am I done? What’s next? shall we move?” one of the nicest parts of the entire project has been the interest from our neighbours – we’ve had some lovely comments about the house since we finished the build. It’s taken a lot longer than we initially thought to complete the additional work that we took on after the house itself was finished, or that reason it’s turned fro ig project into a huge one – we’re finally happy with it. Bedside tables, Made.com. Accessories, Next and achica. For a similar headboard, try Loaf
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I wanted an eye-catching design for the kids’ room, so I opted for this bold retro-style spiderman wallpaper – it packs a punch and the boys love it. the other walls are balanced with a calming grey. It’s a children’s room, so it needs to be fun, but I opted for sophisticated accessories that the room still feels in ing with the rest of the house. Walls painted in Elephant’s Breath, Farrow & Ball. For similar wallpaper, try graham & Brown Marvel superheroes wallpaper, B&Q
‘ I lov e t
r u o y t u b , o g d n a e m o c t a h he trends t
h o m e w I l l a lw
ays b e a t r u e
le y st l a n so er p n w o r u yo f o n Io ct r ef le 29
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adding the two-storey extension to the back of house meant we were able to create a spacious master suite. It’s made such a difference to the house and I love our light, bright bedroom with its huge feature chandelier. although we didn’t make any big changes to our original ideas, we added Velux windows to the landing (where the two roof apexes meet), which weren’t part of th inal plan – but we’re really h with the additions becaus flood the landing with light. Chandelier, dwell. Walls painted in Westminster, sanderson. Cottonwood wallpaper, Laura ashley. Bourgie table lamps, Kartell. Armchair, Made.com
Contacts Architect gda designs, 01260 273331, gdadesigns.co.uk Kitchen Ultimo Kitchens, 01625 532811, ultimosince1981.com Bathrooms Finishing touches, 0161 456 1184, ftbathrooms.co.uk Garden PaLs Landscapes, 01625 614729, palslandscapes.co.uk Flooring Cheshire tile studio, 0161 485 7073, cheshiretileandbathroom.co.uk
THE PLANS grouNd Floor
FaMily rooM
First Floor
playrooM
eN suite
sittiNg rooM
bath rooM
bedrooM
bedrooM
dressiNg area eN suite
Wc kitcheNdiNer
study
Master bedrooM
diNiNg rooM
utility
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bedrooM
bedrooM
top tip
Evoke the soothing environment of a spa with large format stone-effect tiles. opt for minimal grout lines for a sleek finish
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as a family space, we needed the main bathroom to be practical, but I wanted it to be sophisticated, too. the standalone bath is luxurious but also makes bathtime easy, and the vanity unit has handy extra storage. We chose large-form s for a spa-like feel, and over ink we have a Venetian -style r that adds real wow-factor. Bathroom, Finishing touches. For a similar bath, try soak.com. For large-format tiles, try topps tiles. For a floating vanity unit, try the Monza from Victorian Plumbing
Report THE projEcT
s and esse The laTesT ideas, Trend
nTial buys
for your home impro vemenT projecT
saved by the bell
Looks do matter when you want to get a good one at whoever is standing outside your door, and you can with the smart (in all senses) Ezviz DB1 Wi-Fi video doorbell. It can give you a head-to-toe, blindspotfree view of who’s ringing the bell, sends the image straight to your smartphone and allows you to talk to them. It costs £134.99 from Amazon.
Brush on beauty Why wait for fickle flowers to bloom for a burst of colour in your garden. Paint your summerhouse/shed your favourite shade and enjoy it all year long. This humble potting shed has been transformed beach hut-style with Barleywood blue outside and the cloud-like colours of Natural Stone and White Daisy inside and on the trim. Create a secret garden escape in a weekend. Cuprinol Garden Shades cost £27.98 for 2.5 litres.
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Bring minimalist beauty outside with lighting that can withstand the elements. Christopher Wray’s new Aplomb outdoor light introduces an understated style to your terrace. The conical concrete downlight contains an LED module and is height adjustable, It comes in three colours: Light Grey, Sage Green and Pompeian Red. The Aplomb outdoor lights are £400 each.
realhomes.com
light touch
SIZE IT UP The co-founder of Origin doors and windows, Victoria Brocklesby, talks about the beauty of bi-fold doors, big and small
PATIO PERFECTION The terrace or patio is your first impression of the garden, so cast out cracked, trip-hazard slabs with weeds poking through and replace with these neutral beauties from Gemini Tiles. They come in two thicknesses – perfect for linking the inside and outside. Lay them tight together for a sleek look or ‘grout’ in between with gravel for a contrast in texture and colour.
The Outside Fleury, Concept and Stonewall tiles come in size 60x60cm and cost from £100.63 to £130.74 per m2, Gemini Tiles
WORDS ALISON JONES PHOTOGRAPH CHRIS DAVIES (SWAIN ARCHITECTURE)
WOOD WITH HISTORY If these walls could talk, what tales they’d tell. Wood cladding brings warmth and character to your rooms – these Bold Surfaces by Ted Todd have all that...and a little bit extra. The teak used for the panels is from Javanese fishing boats, while the oak was laid down as railway tracks in the 19th-century, bearing the weight of thousands of trains. Far from being erased, the marks of their former use have been enhanced during the restoration process, so you can look and wonder what made them. Woodworks by Ted Todd new launches include Capitol and Thread, which are both reclaimed pine, and Minette, which is European oak. They all cost £100.74 per m2.
Industrial appeal More often seen on commercial buildings and high rises, natural fibre cement makes a cool-looking cladding for the home. It can be fixed directly onto masonry or timber board, and doesn’t need maintenance. And forget dull greys, it can be created in any RAL colour and made to match door frames and windows. Swain Architecture used fibre cement from Equitone on this detached home, which cost £100 per m2 for the 25 square metres of material needed.
i Replacing old garden doors, with much larger panels of glass that can fold back is fantastic for opening up the home. As bi-fold doors are essentially large glass walls when they’re closed, they can make the space lighter and bring the outside in. i Bi-folds can be made to fit openings as small as 1200mm for a three-door set. These are often used in kitchen spaces. But in the past we have manufactured a showstopping 20m-wide set of doors, with 11 panels folding in each direction. The bigger the set, the heavier the doors will become, but so long as there’s good structural support, there is no limit. i Deciding on the right set for your home will depend on its structure, whether it’s listed, and what functionality you want to achieve in the room. It can also come down to budget. i The simplest style is a straight set of doors, all folding in the same direction and with an odd number of panels, such as a three-door set. This is frequently chosen to open up the back of a property across one wall. i A more complex style would be an internal moving corner door with a wraparound door. Something like this often requires a cantilevered roof to offer sufficient support, but it can result in a fantastic opening across two walls. i In listed buildings, approval might be needed to change windows and doors. If it’s given, the replacements will often need to be the same colour as the old ones. This is why our offering 150+ RAL colours and four woodgrain finishes is such a benefit. i Getting the advice of an experienced installer at this stage will let you see what the possibilities are and how you can go about achieving them. origin-global.com
Lulu storage ottoman in honeycomb weave, £449, Made.com Velvet ottoman in green, £395, Oliver Bonas
Jacobs teal upholstered storage bench, £250, Habitat
Ercol Bosco storage bench in oak, £740, Barker & Stonehouse
West Elm mid-century storage bench in acorn, £599, John Lewis & Partners
HIDDEN DEPTHS
Eton Mess ottoman in Bumblebee clever velvet, £515, Loaf
Some pieces of furniture work a little bit harder. Whether it’s a seat, footrest, handy extra surface or storage, these benches tick the right boxes
Malvern storage bench, £250, Next
Lancaster wood storage bench in Vintage Grey, £235.99, Wayfair
Brunel blanket box with Smoke Grey cushion, £474, Heal’s
FEATURE ANNA MORLEY
style it now Your pretty, practical bench can be dressed to give you even more use. Some cushions or a tray with decorative items will give it an extra boost
DRINK UP Sit back and pour yourself a well-deserved brew in the stylish House Doctor coffee pot in black, £55, Amara
KEEP IT TOGETHER Group favourite vases and display on top of this elegant 5A Fifth Avenue gold tray, £29, Dunelm
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REALHOMES.COM
Buttons grey linen upholstered storage ottoman, £360, The French Bedroom Company
SETTLE DOWN Add comfort and on-trend colour with a Sea Green and Coral cushion by Uma P Gokhale, £30, Art Wow
Scallop flatwoven rug in cerise by Salvesen Graham, from £1,490, Jennifer Manners
Matt gold scallop mirror, £88, Barker & Stonehouse
Bloomingville Aruba bowl in gold, £7.55, Beaumonde Brooklyn Umbrella flush mount pendant in pewter, £69, Industville
Pair of hi-ball mermaid glasses, £6, George Home
Connie green scalloped fronted sideboard, £749, Swoon
Evelyn accent velvet chair upholstered in teal, £279, Cult Living
callop print cotton Sc cushion in pink, £35, Freemans
WHAT LIES BENEATH
Interiors have plunged under the sea, taking inspiration from all things oceanic. Dive right g in for these statement pieces
Florbella scalloped F ceramic vase, £28, Oliver Bonas
2LG Luca double bed in Electric Blue cotton velvet with dark walnut legs, from £1,802, Love Your Home
FEATURE ANNA MORLEY
style it now Satisfy your inner mermaid and continue your homage to the deep blue with these under- (and over-) the-sea treasures…
Ca’ Pietra Jigsaw Mac Maize encaustic tiles in ebony and ochre, by Neisha Crosland,, £89.28 per m2, Tile & Stone e Online
RIPPLE EFFECT Have a seagull’s eye view of the water with the dramatic Ocean Blue Waves 2 classic fine art print, from £5, Abstract House
IN THE BAG Net your groceries in the Sea Green French-style string shopping bag, £4.95, Rex London
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STAY PUT Hold paper firmly in place or simply stare at this mesmerising Jellyfish paperweight, £17.99, Zara Home
REALHOMES.C C OM
Libra Halcyon blue velvet two-seater shell sofa, £1,199, Homelia
E T A B E D G I B E TH YES
‘They’re big enough to tidy their room, they’re big enough to
WORDS ALISON JONES
decide how it looks’ Lyndsay Macaulay (@lyndsay_macaulay) lives with her husband and two daughters in a three-storey modern townhouse on the Wirral ‘I’ve let our two girls decorate their rooms since we moved in. We thought they’d settle faster. if their bedrooms had a real emotional connection for them. One of them wanted a Frozen theme and the other Tinkerbell. They picked colours, soft furnishings, rugs and wall stickers. ‘We are relaxed about what they come up with. It’s just paint and you can easily do that again. Children change what they’re interested in so fast that trying to put in things that are permanent is a hiding to disappointment. ‘It’s important everybody feels like the house is theirs. If children are big enough to tidy their room, they are big enough to decide how it looks. You can’t just expect them to do the boring bits, they should be able to do things that are fun. ‘One has a Roald Dahl theme at the moment and the other boho. We’re working on a macramé kit together and she’s hand-stitched the cushions. It lets them think about colour and space. They learn useful things and that mistakes aren’t serious. If something isn’t right, we can redo it. ‘Their friends, who still have quite little girl bedrooms, like the way my daughters’ rooms change – there’s always a big unveiling. When my daughter displayed a pottery skull she’d painted with flowers, she thought she was the business.’
strings and do the work, my Scandi cool is the way to go’ Mum of three Kerry Martin-Moore (@ironbarbieandbabybear) lives with her two youngest boys and her fiancé in a fourbed new-build semi in South Lincolnshire ‘I learned the hard way by letting my two oldest sons loose on their room décor – years of eye-boggling space/zig-zig duvet covers, Thomasthemed rooms with patterned curtains and even a Hungry Caterpillar room complete with an oversized leaf canopy taking up half the space. ‘With my two-year-old, I decided early on that his would fit the overall theme of Scandi calm the rest of the house exudes. With icy blue for his room and pale grey for the playroom, it’s easy to bring in the monochrome/pastel pieces I love. Even the toys on display match the scheme with brightly coloured plastic garishness tucked out of sight. ‘Left to his own devices, my toddler would have Mr Tumble spotty walls and Peppa Pig duvets and other such frippery. The thought of it makes me shudder! Many children’s rooms are impractical – busy and bright schemes don’t make it very restful for sleeping. And the cost of changing it every six months as Wolly and Tig fall out of favour to be replaced by Teletubbies would be astronomical. Children are fickle beings and easily swayed by new toys and TV shows. ‘There’s plenty of time for my youngest to have some input into his décor when he’s older, albeit through a poster subtly hidden behind the door or a few well-placed toys in a colour lf hinted at by me. l then, seeing as we hold the purse d do the donkey work, Scandi cool is rward – and he seems to love his room.’
Left to his own devices he’d have Mr Tumble spotty walls and Peppa Pig duvets. The thought of it makes me shudder
NEXT MONTH: SHOULD YOU HIRE AN INTERIOR DESIGNER OR STYLE IT YOURSELF?
With their love for slime/unicorns, do you risk your little one choosing their room scheme? We ask two Real Homes followers who decides
‘As we hold the purse
#SOREALHOMES
SHOULD YOU LET YOUR CHILD PICK THEIR DECOR?
NO
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micro desking
What to do: 1 Empty the cupboard (obvs). 2 Fill in any wall holes with filler. sand the walls and paint them. 3 For the desk, trim an old worktop or piece of wood to size, leaving the width a few centimetres less than the width of your space. 4 Cut two pieces of wood to the same size as the depth of the desk, screw them to the walls on either side and place desk on top. or use an L-shaped bracket to fix to the walls. 5 Measure, cut to size and attach floating shelves above the desk. 6 add a plant, some stylish desk accessories and get to work.
dalmatian print, made using black paint on white and stencils from Ideal stencils on Ebay
Follow @patirobins on Instagram and check out her blog style-squeeze.com to see the full transformation.
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realhomes.com
words amelia smith photograph pati robins
Can you believe this stunning desk space used to be a redundant boiler cupboard, crammed full of forgotten items? with more of us working from home, a dedicated desk space is high on our wishlists. If your house is on the smaller side, a home office may seem out of reach, but this gem of an idea from dIY guru pati robins has made us think again. Be creative with your space; look for empty corners, landings or storage areas like this and transform them into your home work hub.
n at u r a l s e l e c t ion
Pink Power feeling confident? Commit yourself to this new palette by painting walls, woodwork and even a fireplace; here creating a colourful yet gentle backdrop to the bolder orange accents. Clay minerals inspired this particular wall colour, so there’s a fresh earthy quality to it. using a patterned rug incorporating the same tones anchors the scheme and gives a focal point, along with sleek, eye-catching furniture.
feature anna morley
Walls painted in Powdered Clay matt emulsion paint, £18 for 2.5ltrs, Crown. for a similar rug, try the Spliced striped rug, from £149, West elm. for a similar light, try the Grasshopper light, £119, Cult furniture. for a similar sofa, try the Gertie vintage pink sofa, £399, Made.com. for a similar armchair, try the Kempton armchair in amalfi velvet in coral, £370, Debenhams
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realhomes.com
There’s a new and unexpected colour combination in town, and we’re loving it. Pairing romantic blush tones with terracotta and orange hues makes for a striking ’70s-inspired look that’s bang up to date
Pack a Punch Play with blocks of clashing colour for a cool yet intense scheme. Look to the evening sky for a sunset-infused palette to inject a bolt of vibrancy into your décor. Painting strong shapes in these colours is an imaginative way to give this trend a distinctly retro vibe. Wall in antoinette wall paint, £39.95 for 2.5ltrs; middle block Barcelona Orange chalk paint, £19.95 for 1ltr; outer square a mix of Barcelona Orange and antoinette chalk paint, £19.95 for 1ltr; inner squares in Barcelona Orange and emperor’s Silk mix chalk paint, £19.95 for 1ltr; day bed slipcover made from Linen union in antoinette + Old White, £39.95 per m; floorboards in Scandinavian Pink floor paint, £19.95 for 1ltr; rattan lampshade in emperor’s Silk chalk paint and radiator in antoinette chalk paint (prices as above), all annie Sloan
on the level Here’s a masterclass in seamlessly uniting colourways. Split a wall by using two different tones then build the rest of your scheme around the mix. this vibrant jeweltoned footstool pops beautifully against the fresh backdrop of green, which in turn sits alongside the soft blush hue. Mid-century styling and some sharp black lines help to ground this confident look.
realhomes.com
fresco desk in natural mango wood, £329; Houdini shelving in mango wood, £329; Penfold ottoman in Zinnia, £229; Helios pendant light in green marble, £59; Soho hand-woven rug in Smoke, £229, all Swoon. for similar paint colours, try turqouise Blue and Confetti Intelligent matt emulsion, both £50 for 2.5ltrs, Little Greene
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Pretty in PaStel Make a calming retreat by adding a generous swathe of pale blush tones to your bed. With a soft upholstered headboard and ‘burrow-intome’ pillows topped with rust-coloured cushions, this tactile look is texture overload – guaranteed to ensure a restful night’s slumber. Hadley ottoman king-size bedframe, £939; velour cushions, £29 each, all furniture Village. for a similar wallcovering, try red Grunge watercolour paint wallpaper mural, £36 per m2, Murals Wallpaper. for a similar bedspread, try the Blush Pink bedlinen, from £100, Secret Linen Store
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verSatile Style Simply adding one key item can give your space a superfast refresh. Dress your floors in statement shades and pattern by introducing an of-the-moment rug. team with a perfectly styled coffee table topped with colourful accessories, then sit back and relax. tyler side table, £50; romy white glass vase, £35; Juno two-seater sofa, £595; Scottie cushions, £55 each; tyler coffee table, £95; aerial sage ceiling light, £40; Lane flat weave rug, £170; trent flat weave rug, £170, all Habitat
yle t s l a Re al
Etchd Home ceramic tumbler in peach, £12, Such & Such
Re See how rs mix llowe o f s e m Ho n-trend o s i h t th it up wi ombo colour c @bambetleblog
Jigsaw Hopscotch pattern tile in Pomato Pink by Neisha Crosland, £10.20 per tile, Ca’ Pietra Boccia small bowl pendant with rough texture in pink, £119.99, Dowsing & Reynolds
Artfully Walls Fictional Interiors art print, from £108, Anthropologie
Grand looped border shag rug, from £399, West Elm
Curveball double bed in Rose Quartz clever deep velvet, £1,285, Loaf
N I Y T T E PR
Zuiver cute desk clock in pink, £25, Cuckooland
@tinyandthehouse
PINKS
Finn two-seater sofa in Autumn Orange, £945, Living It Up
@bo.fentum.design
Bubbla tall amber votive, £9, Abode Living
Alica cushion by Martha Coates, £40, Habitat
Kiki Tibet Persian rug in terracotta, £600, Lilla Rugs Line cushion in orange, £54, Ross & Brown
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New buys on the
BLOCK Take your pick from the latest kids’ bedroom trends and shop the look at your favourite high-street stores
PRETTY PASTEL
EXPLORER STYLE
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Busunge two-drawer chest in Light Pink, £70, Ikea
Colours white beaded pendant light shade, £12, B&Q
Quadpod table lamp, £15, Morrisons
SCANDI COOL
Stacked frames, £14, Sainsbury’s
Abigail Ahern Camel Eland head, £80, Debenhams
Round knitted green pouffe, £79.99, HomeSense
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Blanket with tassels, £24.99, H&M
Compton midi sleeper with desk, £460, Next
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Elements Blomma square cushion, £15, Dunelm
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FEATURE AMELIA SMITH
REALHOMES.COM
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Camden house bookcase in white, £49.99, Argos
Geo single duvet set, £12, Wilko
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Dulwich Sprig storage baskets, £18 for two, Cath Kidston
Country fairies embellished single duvet cover and pillowcase set, £40, Little Home at John Lewis & Partners
Wall painted in Spring Bud and Khaki Twist, both £14 for 2.5ltrs of Crown Breatheasy matt emulsion, Homebase
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Alfie single bed in white, £175, George Home
AQ UI C
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hanging herbs
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Summer’s around the corner, and our thoughts are turning to the garden. In a bid for sustainability and healthy living, growing our own fruit and veg is high up on the agenda. If your outside space isn’t big enough for full on rooting carrots and onion bulbs, don’t forget about the humble herb. Simple to grow and light enough to hang, this is the perfect solution for getting green fingered in a small space. Make the perfectsized planter in your ideal colour in a few simple steps…
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YoU’ll need 1 litre of paint from the Cuprinol Garden Shades range n Old wooden crate n Wall bracket n 5cm paintbrush n Drill and drill bits n Screwdriver n tape measure n rope (preferably nylon cord) cut into four equal lengths n Your favourite herbs – oregano and sage are perfect choices for vertical gardening WhAt to do 1 Drill small holes in the bottom of your wooden crate and sand off the rough edges. this will allow the water to drain and stop the wood from rotting. 2 Drill a hole for the rope in each corner of the crate and sand smooth. 3 apply two coats of your favourite Cuprinol Garden Shades colour inside and out, allowing it to dry thoroughly between coats. Green herbs look great against Coastal Mist, shown here. 4 Cut four equal lengths of rope then thread one through each corner hole and tie securely. Create a secure loop at the top. 5 fix a bracket to the wall if needed. fill your brand new planter with your favourite herbs and hang it up – all ready to harvest and add to your salad at your next barbecue.
feature amelia smith
Wall painted in forget Me Not; planters painted in Coastal Mist, both £27.98 for 2.5ltrs, Cuprinol
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DOWNSTAIRS
LOOS
(WITH THRONE-WORTHY FLAIR) Small, dark and home to spiders it may be, but with a little love, your downstairs loo can be a stylish space, or at least not too embarrassing to show guests
B
esides being the smallest room in the house, the downstairs loo is also one of the most important. Bear with us on this. Besides its obvious proximal advantages, having a loo on the ground floor means unexpected guests need never venture upstairs. No more cold sweats while wondering what toothpaste-smeared carnage they’ll meet in the family bathroom, or whether they’re peering into your pants-strewn bedroom en route (admit it, we’re all guilty). Nobody needs that kind of stress in their lives. While most new-builds come with a downstairs loo, sadly it’s not the norm in older properties. This is why you’ll often find a toilet shoehorned under the stairs, or in the laundry room, and there’s no shame in that. In fact, if you don’t have a downstairs loo yet, do check out your utility spaces for new plumbing potential. If it’s a choice of tackling your ablutions amid the laundry mountain, or traipsing upstairs eleventy billion times a day, a randomly located ground floor loo wins. When decorating a cloakroom, most of us pop a picture up, maybe a mirror, and move on to more exciting projects. Yet the décor can be as glam as you like, and if Pinterest and Instagram are anything to go by (and they generally are), the
humble downstairs lav is fast becoming the test station for our more daring decorating fantasies. In truth, the only rule of styling a downstairs loo is that there are no rules. Even when it comes to budgeting, the downstairs loo rocks. Spot a stunning designer wallpaper (damn you again Instagram) only to discover it costs £95 a roll? Totally impossible in the bedroom, but in the downstairs loo, one roll will be more than enough – go ahead and do the ceiling while you’re at it. It’s the same story for tiles; a small panel above a bijou basin and it doesn’t matter if the tiles you are lusting after could be cast from pure gold (which they might be going by their price tag). Of course its dimensions are always going to be an issue – hence the ‘smallest room’ moniker. Happily, there are loads of space-boosting tricks, including vast collections of scaled-down cloakroom fittings, to help relieve the situation. Of course they’re not magic, the room will still be small, and possibly dark, so why not embrace it with moody paint colours and dramatic wallpapers? Herein lies the true beauty of the downstairs loo; it is virtually (but not entirely) impossible to make it look any worse.
PIMP YOUR POWDER ROOM
Terrazzo hand towel, £4, George Home
Copper metal tap toilet roll holder, £14.95, Melody Maison
Metal wall-hanging shelving unit, £69, Cult Furniture
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Cordoba encaustic tiles, £96 m2, Ca’ Pietra
Leaf glass pendant light, £69, Idyll Home
Words Linda CLayton
Use smart storage and well-chosen accessories to make a big impact in your smallest room
samuel Heath Landmark pure mixer in Urban Brass, £1,408; duravit Vero hand basin, £185, both CP Hart. Lampas Marine ceramic tiles, £59.56 per m2, Topps Tiles
There’s nothing like a blast of bright colour when entering a cloakroom. Go as brave as you dare and don’t be afraid to clash – blue and green should most definitely be seen. don’t just focus on the walls, coloured sanitaryware is creeping back in. so far, pastel shades are most prevalent, but you can find brighter colours by hitting up the salvage and reclamation yards. salmon pink or avocado anyone? Also, check out alternative materials like concrete, which can be mixed with pigments in any shade – try The Poured Project.
The often-wasted space under the stairs can prove the obvious spot to install a new ground floor toilet, especially if it’s in a central location. Head height will be your biggest stumbling block. While the toilet can be tucked under a sloping ceiling, it can’t go too far back or there won’t be room for the cistern, or comfortable use. Get a plumber in to talk soil pipe connections, and consult your local Building Control officer; some councils insist on wheelchair access and room to manoeuvre one once inside.
Above Kai wall-hung WC with softclose seat, £245; Kai 400 cloakroom basin, £80; Kai lever basin monobloc tap, £199; solo 80 back-lit illuminated mirror, £275, all Crosswater sharing your downstairs WC with laundry appliances could be worth it if it means getting the washing machine out of your kitchen. Try to make sure there’s a clear walkway to the loo, and enough leg room once you get there and sit down – allow 70cm in front of it (this applies to any toilet install). And as it’s a dualuse room, don’t forget a lock for the door to spare your blushes. Right Farmhouse Belfast sink, £140, rangemaster. Ionian 4193 mixer taps, £435, Perrin & rowe. Victorian closecoupled toilet, £602, silverdale. Fitted furniture and panelling, around £6,000, by Burlanes Interiors
Lillången washbasin and cabinet, £140; Karmsund table mirror (mounted on wall), £35; dynan open storage, £35; and shelf unit, £30; Lillången high cabinet with mirror door, £85, all Ikea
Freestanding storage is a godsend in tight spaces, and great for retrofitting if you’re just redecorating or if you are renting. Look everywhere for storage potential – above the cistern, under the basin, or between the two. Tiered storage units with open shelves or baskets made from mesh or clear acrylic keep spare towels and loo roll on show and easy to grab.
Add cloakroom facilities to your downstairs loo to relieve your hallway, but only if there’s room to spare – you don’t want to fight a jungle of coats to get in. An enclosed cupboard will feel less cluttered than open coat hooks. shoes can even be stored between the toilet and basin, but try to avoid stashing smelly sneakers and boots; the odour will concentrate in the confined space.
A shower in your downstairs loo can take the pressure off your family bathroom, especially if there’s no en suite upstairs. Great for early morning or late night showers without waking the rest of the family, and handy for washing your dog in winter, when the outside tap feels too cruel (probably not something you’ll want to reveal to guests). The key to showering in a small space is powerful extraction. some extractors have automatic run-on timers that clear the room before switching off.
INSTAGRAM DIYERS
Stephanie & andrew dodd We bought our 1950s home, in Bath, in 2016 and have been self-renovating ever since. This cloakroom was a larder, and we cut our teeth on many DIY tasks, such as plumbing, drilling through exterior walls, bricklaying, tiling, wallpapering. It does feel worth it now to have that extra toilet downstairs. We picked tiles and a cabinet that would go with most schemes, so it could easily be changed up in the future. I love pattern and kept saving images of bathrooms with wallpaper on Pinterest. This paper (from Holden Décor) is now my favourite feature, it’s so fun and vibrant and guests love it. We’re thinking about painting the ceiling another colour in the future. You can afford to be experimental with décor in a cloakroom. Because it’s so small, all decorating rules can go out the window – bring on the dark colours and crazy patterns! Instagram: @the_diy_dodds
Ca’ Pietra Patisserie Encaustic floor tiles, £3.84 each; dune Exa hexagonal feature wall tiles, £105 per box; bespoke shower tray with showerLab fixed minimal walk-in shower screen, £2,512; Bisque deline ladder heated radiator, £558; Laufen rimless wall-hung WC, £993; AXor Citterio E manual shower mixer with lever and two shower heads in brushed brass finish, £1,638, all ripples
Five things... ONE
The importance of locking the door. Every. Time. This may not hit home until your youngest has swung the toilet door wide open at the same time your eldest has opened the front door to the Hermes driver.
TWO
How much easier it is to get a member of your family to come to your rescue when the loo roll runs out because they are literally in the next room. Hello, hello? ANYoNE??? Nope, sorry.
you’ll only know if you have a downstairs loo
THREE
The ‘smug-factor’ of displaying halfdecent hand soap. And we don’t mean Baylis & Harding, thanks Gran. or the supermarket liquid soap decanted into a fancy pump that’s acceptable in your upstairs bathroom.
four
The multipurpose use of hand towels, frequently purloined to dry the dog, wipe football boots, cover the hamster cage, protect clothing during crafting sessions and keep Baby Annabell cosy in her pram
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five
The thoughtful provision of reading material, in any form, is a big mistake, huge. Lengthy use of the downstairs loo is NoT to be encouraged under any circumstances.
A radiator in the cloakroom isn’t essential, but you’ll regret not having one come winter. A small heated towel rail, ideally plumbed into your central heating system, should suffice, and keep the hand towel dry. Check out Vogue UK’s simplicity II – a single, electrically heated stainlesssteel pole with hook measuring just 3cm wide by 110-180cm tall.
Wallpapered ceilings are huge right now, and the downstairs loo is a great place to experiment with this look rather than committing to a room you spend lots of time in. Carrying the same wallpaper from wall to ceiling can make the room feel bigger, as there are no defined breaks between vertical and horizontal surfaces. Wallpaper the ceiling first and work downwards. Paper away from the window to avoid shadows highlighting joints.
Don’t forget to never get caught short!
Cloud toilet paper shelf by Lyon Beton, £125, Lime Lace
If an extension is on the horizon and you don’t have a downstairs loo, or you’d love a bigger one, consider carving off a section of your new build. The exact location of a new loo is usually dictated by the external soil pipe – the closer you can get, the less groundwork involved. But think about how it will connect with the rest of the house, in terms of easy access from the living areas. Nearest the hall or just off the kitchen works well.
Above Carlton traditional cloakroom basin, £59.95; Bristan 1901 traditional basin gold plated pillar taps, £92.34, Victorian Plumbing. Lilo Bathroom brass bin, £20, Made.com. The wallpaper is from 2LG studio’s bespoke Forest Hill range for Custhom studio, price on application. Interior design by 2LG studio
INTERIOR DESIGNER & STYLIST
emma merry
The space-boosting super powers of mirrored glass should definitely be harnessed in your home’s smallest room but not at the sacrifice of storage. A slim-depth mirror cabinet above the sink is perfect for stashing extra soap, First Aid supplies and spare lightbulbs. Mirror-backed glass shelving can offer an element of storage but, as it is not enclosed, you will still see the room’s full dimensions.
When we bought our 1920s home, a loo and corner basin had been installed in an understairs mop cupboard. The sloped ceiling and exposed pipes made it feel busy and confined. I couldn’t extend, so I used décor to make it appear bigger. Carrying the Splatter wallpaper (by Sanderson) on the ceiling helps hide awkward angles. Gloss finishes reflect the light. The wall tiles were a nightmare to cut; the tiler had to be plied with doughnuts to keep going. With herringbone you use 20 per cent more so start with an inexpensive tile to compensate for wastage. Approach cloakroom design with your living room eyes – they don’t need to be sterile. Reflect your personality with shelves of decorative items, and mirrors. I love guests’ reactions. They open the door, and go, ‘How is this possible in such a tiny space?’ I laugh and say, ‘Where there’s a will, there’s a way.’ Instagram: @emma.merry.styling; emmamerrystyling.com
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Below Melville Wallpaper from the Whimsical range, £90 per roll, Cole & son. shown in Hayfield Meadow development, Hampshire, by Hayfield Homes
new ways with
Marble Create a scheme that oozes elegance and high impact with nature’s most beautiful patterns
1 Geometric patterns
Black, grey and white marble combine in a striking geometric design, giving the classic beauty of marble a modern twist. This bathroom also features marble taps, mixer/side table and basins. Marmo wall-mounted short spout three-piece basin mixer in black, £849.47; Cielo I-Catini basins in matt polvere, brushed bronze & carrara marble, from £3,049; Marmo freestanding bath filler mixer, £3,296.30, all CP Hart. For floor tiles, try the Hexagon Carbon Infusion polished tile, £70.57 per m2, Topps Tiles
feature AMeliA SMitH
M
arble is a classic and timeless material that works well in any room or space. Whether you’re looking for bold, distinctive veins or a more subtle feathery pattern, there’s a marble to suit. You can choose faux designs for ease and great value or enjoy the classic luxury of the real deal. Here are some of the best ways to enjoy marble in your home, giving you a touch of opulence every day.
2
DiD you know
Marble stickers
every slab of real marble is unique, so no one else will have the exact same veining, colours, depth and quirks that yours has
Why buy new furniture when revamping your own is this easy? this stunning marble-effect sideboard is created by simply applying stickers to the doors. Choose from a huge variety of patterns online, enter your dimensions and these will be delivered to your door. all you need to do is peel off the backing paper and stick it on the surface yourself – you don’t even need glue! these durable stickers are moisture and stain resistant, and you can reuse them, too. abstract marble texture sticker, from £19, Pixers.
3 Dramatic splashback
the contrast of the bright white stone and dark grey veins on this arabescato marble splashback and worktop offers high impact looks. It really pops against a solid dark backdrop, such as these rich green cabinets and walls. Naturally heat resistant, marble is suitable for worktops, as well as fireplace surrounds. real arabescato marble splashback and worktop, with whole kitchen, from £25,000, Devol. for a similar surface, try arabescato Corchia, £500 per m2, Gerald Culliford.
4 Patio power
add instant opulence to your garden with a marbled patio area. the latest printing technology means that even the most durable and hardwearing of outdoor porcelain tiles can look like real marble. this large-format design will make your patio feel more spacious, and the smooth, easy-to-clean surface will reflect light on sunny days. for that sought-after indoor/outdoor link, choose a marble-effect flooring for your interior, too. Marble stone porcelain Calacatta outdoor slab tile, £42.99 per m2, tile Mountain.
How to care for real marble Top tips to help maintain marble’s natural beauty Prevention iS keY A splash of lemon juice or a dripping glass could eat away at your marble surface, creating dull spots known as etches. Seal your marble every few months to make it stain resistant (but not stain proof). Ask your marble supplier for the right sealants and cleaning products. Invest in coasters, placemats and boards to prevent accidental marking.
5 Playful style
Marble tiles are a great way to introduce a subtle hint of natural pattern into your scheme. Get creative with the layout of metro tiles, be it brick effect, vertical or herringbone (like this). Here the open jagged edge adds a fun design element to this classic material. Carrara polished marble, from £71.98 per m2, Mandarin Stone
regulAr cleAning use warm soapy water and a soft cloth to gently wipe the surface. thoroughly dry the marble to prevent absorption which could create stains. For marble floors, use a dust mop rather than a vacuum as this could harm the stone. StAin Alert As marble absorbs liquid, if you spot a stain, act fast. But there’s still hope even if do you come downstairs to the horror of last night’s red wine explosion. Make a poultice of baking powder and hydrogen peroxide or ammonia, apply liberally and let it sit on the stain for 24-48 hours. Head to themarblecleaner.com for the full recipe. eliMinAte ScrAtcHeS gently rub the scratch using warm water, washing-up liquid if necessary, and a soft cloth. For deeper scratches, try rubbing it with very fine-grain sandpaper. if this doesn’t work, contact a professional.
DiD you know Carrara marble is a cheaper option due to its greyer colouring and fine feathery veining
6 Feature wall
Celebrate the beauty of marble for less and create a stand-out focal point in your living room or bedroom with a mural. an ideal way to bring high-impact pattern into your home for a low cost. White marble mural, from £26 per m2, Wall Sauce.
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8 Statement kitchen island
Central islands are a must-have in many kitchens, but how about upping the style stakes with one that resembles a block of marble. this stunning island will work with any colour scheme so you can easily chop and change the rest of your space. this aria kitchen surface in a Calacatta marble pattern is a more affordable option than real marble, plus it’s easier to install and maintain. aria surface, from £125 per m2 for 12mm, and from £200-£240 per m2 for the 20mm, formica Group.
7 DiD you know
Spa-like shower
Persian grey marble has a subtle, pared-back look, which will blend in seamlessly with the rest of your scheme. these marble-effect shower panels are a practical and hygienic alternative to tiles, can be easily installed on a DIY basis, and a simple wipe down will keep them clean. thanks to marble’s natural calming quality, it’s perfect for making a sanctuary where you can unwind at the end of the day. Persian grey gloss panel, from £142.62 per panel, Selkie.
Calacatta is a more expensive marble because of its bright white colour and dark veins
Elegant flooring
Get the look of ornate marble floors combined with the warmth and practicality of luxury vinyl with this easy-to-fit design. a great option for brightening a dark space, it’s also 100 per cent water resistant, so is suitable for use in kitchens and bathrooms. Novocore ascot marbleeffect rigid vinyl flooring tiles, £25 per m2, Wickes.
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Jenni smith, a dressmaking, quilting and textile art teacher (jenni-smith.co.uk) lives in a 1970s house in ilkley, west Yorkshire with husband Paul and children Harry, 14, edie, 11, and ellis, six ‘I love this cosy corner. It’s part of an open-plan living room, kitchen and diner, but it’s not close to the TV, so it’s where I read, write down ideas in my notebooks and sometimes sew. Although I’ve got a separate workspace in an outbuilding and a studio in town, I’ll sometimes do hand quilting here. It’s quite a slow process and I can do little bits here and there while still being sociable – like this colourful quilt made from Japanese double gauze and Indian Kantha remnants. I couldn’t tell you how long they take to make – it’s the one time in my crazy life where I lose track of the hours. I’m known locally as “Sewing Jenni” and have taught a couple of hundred people how to quilt since I learnt in 2006 while living in Toronto. We all sleep under my quilts and the kids watch TV wrapped in them, too. This corner also has my favourite chair from A Rum Fellow. The fabric was hand-loomed in Guatemala, so it’s been made by someone who really cares and has been paid properly. My studio manager, Kay, created the Moomin on the Stedge shelf, my friend Hannah made the elephant pin cushion and the mushroom pictures are from my friend’s Etsy shop, NicolaClarkeStudio. If the house was burning down, though, I’d save my quilts. The fabrics tell a story – some are from my children’s clothes or relate to a particular person or place. They soak up all the experiences of life. I’d like to think they’ll live on as heirlooms.’
Words karen wilson PhotograPh katie lee
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my favourite corner
Profile THE OWNERs Laura Gray, who runs an interior design consultancy (lauragrayinteriors.co.uk), lives here with husband Ed, an accountant, and their sons, Arthur, nine, and George, six THE PROPERTY A three-storey Edwardian semi, with five bedrooms in West Bridgford, Nottingham project COST ÂŁ70,000
Extended Edwardian semi
LIFE STAGES With some clever planning, Laura and Ed Gray’s three-storey home has adapted to every phase of their lives
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Left Designing a classic kitchen that wouldn’t date was a high priority. ‘I already had a vision in mind for what I wanted,’ says Laura, who chose simple gloss white cupboards teamed with wooden floors and work surfaces. Kitchen units, Second Nature. Engineered oak flooring, Kings Interiors
realhomes.com
WORDS Karen Wilson PHOTOGRAPHS Katie lee
V
iewing 13 homes in one day was a completely exhausting yet necessary step for Laura and Ed Gray when they first started house-hunting in Nottingham. As the pair were itching to move out of their small one-bedroom flat in London’s Crouch End to gain more space, they had to cram in as many viewings as possible when visiting Laura’s family in Nottingham. Although they’d considered Ed’s home town of Norwich or moving back to Cambridge where they first met, unsurprisingly, the pull of family and friends, coupled with much lower house prices, meant it was game, set and match to Nottingham. ‘Viewing so many properties was a mammoth day,’ remembers Laura. ‘But the last one, a private sale, was lucky number 13. We loved the family room off the kitchen, and it was close enough to my parents, but not too close!’ Luckily Ed was able to transfer to his company’s Nottingham office and Laura, then a tax adviser, found a position with a new firm. However, it was a hectic time. ‘We got married in Cambridge, moved house and started new jobs all in the space of three weeks,’ she says. ‘It was absolutely nuts.’ Initially it was a case of toning down the magnolia and lemon colour scheme to make the house more liveable, with the bathrooms and kitchens staying on the back burner for a good five years. Laura had never liked the cheap beech wood kitchen units, black worktops and lino floor, but when their sons came along, the inadequacies of the space became even more apparent. ‘It had one high window overlooking the garden and a side door with steep steps down
top tip
Get a tin of black chalkboard paint from a hobby or DIY shop and turn a bare wall into a fun space for notes and doodles
BEFORE
Top left A range cooker was a must for Laura, who later had LEDs retrofitted under the wall cabinets to improve the task lighting. ‘I’m so glad I got the back-painted glass as well, it’s so easy to wipe clean,’ she adds. Range cooker, Rangemaster. Back-painted glass, Nottingham Bespoke Glass. The Ferm Living pine tea towel by Made in Design is similar
Above right The new utility and boot room, which has built-in cupboards and a bench seat inherited from Laura’s aunt, has totally transformed family life. ‘Before there were always buggies in the middle of the house, blocking the hall, plus shoes and coats everywhere,’ she says. Tintin picture, Joe’s Store. Try black bird fabric, Shop 4 Cotton on Etsy, to make a similar cushion
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Calia six-10 seater extending dining table, John Lewis & Partners. Eames-style dining chairs, Wayfair. Planter, La Redoute
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Following the extension, the couple took the opportunity to add a decked area with glass balustrade where they can enjoy breakfast in summer. Having made do with their old dining table for several years, Laura recently replaced it with an ex-display table she found at auction.
Two starting points provided the basis for the living room scheme; Laura’s favourite shade of blue and the huge picture by Peter Blake which inspired the soft furnishings. ‘I wouldn’t normally go so bright and bold, but I wanted the picture to be the star and it wouldn’t work surrounded by pastels,’ explains Laura, who had her sofa re-covered to blend into the wall. Walls painted in Inchyra Blue, Farrow & Ball. Footstool in J Brown Monza Buttercup velvet, Hollygate Upholstery. Sofa re-covered in Lucerne Serpentine, Villa Nova. Cushions, Habitat and Heal’s
button up As comfy as they are stylish, create the perfect snuggle space with these colourful designs Kubrick wing back chair in Candy Pink, £399, Made.com
Oops-A-Lazy footstool, £595, Loaf
Henry small sofa in Meadow soft wool mix, £1,590, Arlo & Jacob
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Safina Diamante wing-back king-size ottoman bed in grey velvet, £349.97, Furniture 123
realhomes.com
to the side return,’ she says. ‘We couldn’t let Arthur go in the garden alone as we couldn’t see him from the kitchen. It made sense to extend and create a kitchen-diner with bi-fold doors.’ The main game changer though was extending into the side return to create a lobby area with utility, boot room and toilet. ‘Originally we wanted one big open-plan room but couldn’t afford the steelwork required,’ says Laura. ‘Luckily my dad’s a retired architect – he designed the space with rooflights above the dining area and the utility to bring light further into the kitchen. We don’t have an understairs cupboard as we have stairs down to a cellar, so it gave us somewhere for coats and shoes, too.’ The first and second floors have adapted to the family’s needs over the years. ‘The room at the top of the stairs on the first floor was originally a bathroom, but there was another bathroom and separate toilet next door, which just seemed silly,’ says Laura. ‘We knocked the bathroom and toilet together to make a bigger family bathroom and turned the additional bathroom into a fifth bedroom for George.’ Later on, when the neighbouring boiler kept waking George at night, he was moved up to one of the loft bedrooms. ‘We added rooflights and I designed a built-in bed to make use of the eaves space,’ says Laura. ‘But it wasn’t until we visited a neighbour that we realised there was a bricked-up void between the two lofts where I could also create a big landing cupboard.’ The £332,500 that Laura and Ed paid for the house back in 2006 has turned out to be a shrewd investment, as it’s now worth around £600,000. What’s more, the success of the project gave Laura the impetus to pursue a long-held passion to retrain as an interior designer. ‘I’d been dragged round building sites and show homes by my dad as a young girl, and I’d helped friends renovate their homes, so it seemed the perfect fit,’ she says. However, it wasn’t until their sons started school and the couple were both told their workplaces were being relocated that Laura got the push she needed to follow her dreams. After embarking on a distance learning course with KLC School of Design, she’s now self-employed and has teamed up with a neighbour and friend, who’s also an interior designer, to put together show home interiors for local builders. The living room – the last room to be decorated – acts as a bold showcase for Laura to bring clients to. ‘It was starting to feel tired and bland,’ she says. ‘It took about two years to convince Ed to paint it dark, but after I created a mood board, he went along with it.’ Despite getting itchy feet a couple of years ago, the Grays are now certain they’ve found their forever home. ‘We looked at a few houses as we wanted off-street parking,’ says Laura. ‘But, it just made us appreciate the proportions we have and prompted us to redecorate. We also knocked down a brick wall at the front and had a driveway laid – much less hassle than moving house!’
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top tip
Can’t find the headboard you want to match your décor? Try making one bespoke with MDF, foam and fabric
The master bedroom has been redecorated twice since the couple moved in. ‘I wanted to create a boutique hotel feel – like a luxurious sanctuary,’ says Laura, who made the grey upholstered headboard herself. ‘I’d bought the wallpaper for a client and, amazingly, Ed said he liked it so I jumped on it.’
Top far left A light grey paint colour transformed the dark stained fireplace and has been used above the picture rail, too. ‘I had a frameless mirror made to measure because I wanted to bounce the light around,’ says Laura.
she painted a feature wall in her new office that contrasts with the white furniture. It’s now a calm space with a lovely view of the garden.
Fireplace painted in Ammonite, Farrow & Ball. Frameless mirror, Lee Glass. KC South Pacific Kiribati carpet, Kersaint Cobb. Rug, Lidl. Leather chair, Vintage Terence Conran for Habitat
Bottom far left Laura loved the floor tiles in the hallway but initially painted the lemon walls in off-white as a quick fix.‘Recently I’ve created a feature wall with wallpaper, painted the woodwork grey and added a stair runner with yellow edging to tie in with the living room and front door colours – it looks much more welcoming.
Top left Laura had some Inchyra Blue paint left over after decorating the living room, so
Desk, drawers and stool, Ikea. Lamp, Anglepoise. Your Smile picture, Habitat
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Diversity stair carpet in Stone Age, Edel Telenzo Carpets. Woods wallpaper, Cole & Son. Woodwork and radiator cover painted in Down Pipe, Farrow & Ball. Lamp shade, Asda. Lamp base and Jidda pendant light, B&Q Bottom left Knocking the bathroom and separate toilet together has created a family-sized space. ‘The shelving niche is my favourite,’ says Laura. ‘I gave the builders a wine glass to make sure it would fit perfectly!’ Bath and cupboard, Bathstore. Tiles, B&Q. Lloyd Pascal slim bamboo bath rack, Victorian Plumbing, is similar. Towel, Asda
#sorealhomes
for more decorATing ideAs, visiT reALhomes.com/decorATing
Flamingos wallpaper, Cole & Son. Throw, Habitat. Bedside table, Furniture Village. Bedside lamp, Homebase. Walls painted in Ammonite, Farrow & Ball
Fitted wardrobes were ripped out along this wall in the loft bedroom to free up more space for the bed. ‘It used to be a teenage art student’s bedroom and she’d drawn all over the walls in black,’ recalls Laura. ‘It took four coats of white paint to cover it.’ Walls painted in Skylight, Farrow & Ball. Pink bedspread, and bedside unit, Ikea
top tip
Layer up in a guest room to add colour, warmth and comfort. Clever accessorising can pull a scheme together
Below The attic bedroom has gone through various guises over the years – morphing from a guest bedroom to an office and back. ‘It took so long to clear my stuff out when people stayed over that I moved my office down to the first floor,’ says Laura.
White chair, Blue Sun Tree. Oak bathroom ladder, The White Company, is similar. The blue butterfly cushion, Dunelm, is similar
Dublin six-seater dining table, Habitat. Yellow filing cabinet, Bisley. Star light, white rabbit and hex mirror, all Asda
colour pop Need a quick update? Throw down a new blanket and instantly brighten your room 1
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1 Azure thick stripe tassel throw, £100, A by Amara 2 Bronte by Moon merino lambswool blanket, £59.95, Hurn & Hurn 3 Knitted pom-pom throw, £20, George Home 4 Dusty blue cotton throw with tassels, £28, Ian Snow
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realhomes.com
Below Laura and Ed had to take out a fireplace in the loft guest bedroom in order to fit in the en-suite bathroom they really wanted for this space. ‘I’ve still got the fire surround so I’m determined to find a way to get it back in the room at some point!’ she says.
right Arthur chose the red, yellow and blue colour scheme for his bedroom. ‘He would’ve had a red ceiling and door as well, but I reigned him in a bit,’ laughs Laura, who made the Lego headboard herself from MDF, foam and an Ikea blanket. Red cabinet and yellow clock, Ikea. Star duvet, Next. Paper aeroplane wall stickers, Studio Picco on Etsy. Try True Teal, Valspar, for a similar wall paint
Contacts Construction Pete Oakes of Lanston Developments, 07773 633159 Electrics Matt Rawson of RMR Electrical, 07968 113963 Bespoke cupboard design Laura Gray Interiors, 07989 425958, lauragrayinteriors.co.uk Upholstery Hollygate Upholstery, 07496 466205
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a guide to
Exterior makeovers
for more advice, visit realhomes.com/tag/exteriors BEFORE
above paul testa architecture added crisp render and timber cladding to give this home a more modern look
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evamping the interior of your house? Then think about the outside as well. An exterior makeover can turn the hideous into the handsome, add value and make it easier to sell when the time comes. It’s not just looks you can improve, either. You could boost insulation, bring in more daylight, add balance and proportion or even create extra living space. An exterior makeover doesn’t have to be high budget. Relatively simple updates such as painting or cladding walls can make a radical
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difference. If you’re prepared to invest more, changing the proportions of the house with extensions and altering the roof are all possible. Whichever route you’re taking, don’t forget to factor in any permissions that might be needed and the time your project will take. Whether the changes are cosmetic or more extensive alterations, do them sympathetically because poor results risk devaluing your home. Use our guide and you can avoid the pitfalls, plus see how others turned unlovely houses into great-looking homes.
#sorealhomes
words sarah warwick photograph Dug wilDers (paul testa architecture)
Your house might be architecturally uninspiring, unbalanced or just plain ugly, but it’s not beyond help. Discover how to transform the outside
photograph tern television proDuctions ltD/channel 4 (case stuDy)
Q a
The walls of my home make it look awful – is there anything I can do? Exterior finishes like pebbledash or stone cladding might once have been a hit, but they can make a home look like a relic from the past now. Houses might also feature bricks that don’t match, or have acquired over time a variety of exterior finishes that don’t complement one another. Even if the brick is consistent in appearance, it may be deeply unattractive. The simplest way to beautify your home could be to paint with masonry paint. You’ll need to do any repair work before painting, but a pale neutral can revamp walls in fairly short order. Render can also transform the exterior with a finish that can be either smooth or textured. Use an insulated version and you could also improve your home’s energy efficiency. Modern silicone-based render is a low-maintenance option, and is flexible and breathable, or opt for traditional lime render. Avoid concrete render if you have a period home with lime mortar as it can cause damp. Cladding is a further option when an exterior revamp is required. There’s plenty of choice when it comes to materials. Timber boarding can work on both modern and some historic homes, and both less costly softwoods and more expensive hardwoods are available. There are also man-made timber lookalikes: uPVC, for example, can have the look of wood. You could also consider a timber composite, laminate, weatherboarding, fibrecement, stone, brick slips (thin slices of brick) and even metal. Take expert advice on whether the weight of a chosen cladding or render is suitable for your home. Consider maintenance and care requirements, too. Bear in mind that you don’t need to stick to just one finish. Combining, for example, render and timber-clad areas might create the interest your home needs; alternatively, you could paint one floor and clad the other. Whether you need permission for changes to external walls depends on where you live, and what you want to change. Painting won’t require planning permission, but you’d need listed building consent if you live in a house designated as such. Cladding a house in a Conservation Area, national park, or AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) will need official permission, and outside these areas, the rules say cladding must employ materials of similar appearance to those used in the construction of the house to avoid the need to apply for permission.
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The facTs
BEFORE
property 1960s detached problem Lack of space; dated look solutions Extending; re-roofing; cladding; new doors and windows project cost around £200,000
case study
New england style ‘We bought the house knowing the Cambridge housing market was crazy and the choice limited,’ says Frankie Bolt. A dark, tiny kitchen and small bedrooms left it dated and impractical for modern living, so the house was extended on the ground floor and made bigger upstairs, too. ‘We built over the garage,’ says Frankie. ‘It was slightly separate with a little passageway and we built out to meet it and make it a bit larger.’ Inspired by the house opposite, the exterior of the enlarged house was clad in Cedral weatherboard in Silver Grey to create a cohesive appearance. ‘It gave the house a New England look,’ she adds. ‘We wanted to go with that because of the upkeep issues. In theory there’s no repainting because it’s impregnated with colour and it’s low maintenance.’ Choosing the warm grey colour wasn’t a hasty decision. ‘It took longer than we thought
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as it’s hard to imagine such a big expanse,’ admits Frankie. The house’s windows were also replaced, moving away in style from the small originals. ‘We wanted wood windows for a traditional rather than a modern feel,’ she says. ‘These suited the cladding.’ Sliding doors were fitted to the kitchen and living room, and the roof was retiled. ‘We were going to have to change it anyway, and it was more in keeping to redo the lot.’ COst and COntaCts weatherboard Cedral, cedral.co.uk roof tiles Marley, marley.co.uk Doors and windows dale windows, 0845 652 7399, dalejoinery.co.uk sliding doors pyramid aluminium, 01543 372750, pyramid-profiles.co.uk garage door Cambridge garage doors, cambridgegaragedoors.co.uk architect david osborn, 01223 833212, davidosbornarchitect.co.uk Building contractor roban Builders, 01763 660465, robanbuilders.co.uk
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Inspired by the Japanese technique of shou sugi Ban, where timber is surface charred, Iro’s external cladding comes in a selection of 15 colours. It has a self-cleaning, water-repellent surface and is UV stable. around £38 to £40 per m2
Q a
Below white wooden windows were replaced with bronze windows sympathetic to the dark wood cladding on this barn home. around £432 for fixed and £924 for opening window, 550x1100mm, architectural Bronze Casements
Can fitting new doors and windows change the style of my house? New windows can make a huge difference to the look of your home, leaving it far more attractive even if you do nothing else. Likewise, swapping the front door for a new design can prove a winning strategy. If period character has been stripped from a home, you could bring it back by exchanging standard replacement windows for versions appropriate to its age. Contemporary sash and casement windows can be highly energy efficient, so changing the look this way won’t affect energy bills. On other houses, you might want to boost daylight inside your home as well as updating the exterior by fitting slim-framed windows with contemporary credentials. Do think about whether you want to change the size of the opening as well as the window design itself to create a better balanced exterior. It’s a good idea to replace a run-of-the-mill front door with a design appropriate to a property’s age if it has historic credentials. For newer houses, a door in a shade that matches contemporary window frames can give your home a facelift, as can a version in timber or an accent colour. You might consider converting the garage as part of your exterior makeover but, if not, swapping to a more modern garage door design can work wonders. Those on integral or attached garages especially can dominate the front of a home, so an exchange is often in order. New windows and doors of a similar appearance to those used in the construction of the house don’t usually require planning permission. To be clear about what’s OK, speak to your local planning department, and also be aware that the council may have withdrawn permitted development (PD) rights with a socalled Article 4 Direction. Listed buildings will need consent.
left swap dated windows for a sleek modern version. ow-70 slimline window in raL colour 9007M (dark Metallic silver), from £300 depending on window configuration, size and colour, origin
Q a
Will adding a porch make a difference to my home’s appearance? Constructing a porch at the front of a house can add an attractive focal point. The new addition should complement the house’s architecture and proportion to be a success. It will prove a useful extra, too. An open porch will provide shelter while you’re getting door keys out of your bag and a small version can be a place to remove shoes to keep your interiors cleaner, while a
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Amelia says. ‘However, by pairing this with a dark grey base to tie in with the new soffits, fascias and windows, you are still able to achieve a bold, contemporary look without the additional outlay.’ The bungalow’s old painted steel windows needed to be replaced. ‘We opted for new powder-coated aluminium frames, again working within this simple palette of white and grey. By creating such a contrast. the windows become a real feature within the elevations,’ she reveals. The front door of the house was previously hidden from view, so a large section of the front wall was removed and replaced with a new front door and large glazed panels. ‘Going for a bespoke, oversized door creates a sense of scale and generosity that was previously lacking,’ says Amelia.
case study The facTs property 1940s bungalow problem too small; dated exterior with fussy detailing solutions two-storey extension; painted finish for original house; new windows and front door project cost around £188,500
in harmony
‘Due to the wooded nature of the site, timber was seen as a natural choice for the new two-storey extension, and so the existing property was taken back to a simple palette of grey and white, removing the fussy detailing and providing a contemporary way of balancing this striking new addition,’ explains architect Amelia Samways. ‘It was key that the new and existing elements of the property worked together harmoniously.’ The external walls of the original bungalow are in painted, textured brick that’s similar to the original. ‘The choice to stick with painted brick instead of render was initially taken as a way of saving costs,’
COst and COntaCts architects La hally, 01962 843500, lahally.com glazing hh aluminium, 01489 589655, hhali.co.uk timber cladding International timber, internationaltimber.com
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realhomes.com
BEFORE
large porch can boost your home’s overall storage. Following the rules on porches – ground floor area no more than three square metres; no part more than three metres above ground level; no part within two metres of any boundary and the highway – means you can use permitted development rights to add it. Take care, though, that there is no planning condition or Article 4 Direction restricting these in your case.
Q a
Is it worth considering changing the roof to make my house look more attractive? The roof can have a considerable effect on the look of a home. Homes built in the 1960s or 1970s can often be improved by tackling it, as can older properties that have been unsympathetically reroofed at some stage. Replacing roof tiles is a possible tactic. A heavy tile might be substituted with a slate-look version with pleasing results, for instance. More radically, if the roof has an unappealing shape or shallow pitch, this could be remedied. If you’re following this route, it’s probably worth considering a loft conversion at the same time if the new roof will be tall enough and you need the extra space, or if the addition will make your home more saleable in the future. Dormer windows that make a converted
loft more spacious can also make the overall exterior picture prettier. While you’re considering the roof, don’t forget elements such as the fascia (where the roof meets the walls), the soffit (which is underneath the fascia), and the bargeboard (on the gable end of the house), all of which could be uglifying the house, as could the guttering. Reroofing a house doesn’t usually need planning permission but make sure your home isn’t affected by any restriction to your permitted development rights. Other alterations are very limited without planning permission, while converting the loft has to follow the rules to be classed as PD. Find the details at realhomes.com/ planning-permission.
Q a
Could extending improve the exterior of my house? As well as providing more internal space, extending can change the outside for the better – particularly if your place is boxy or unbalanced. On the other hand, if the house has been extended previously, ill-thought-out additions might be compromising its appeal, so you might consider altering them. If old extensions are poor quality, demolition and replacement may be the best approach, and will allow you to address any issues with the connection between house and extension.
Smaller extensions can often be achieved without applying for planning permission, but these are mostly rear additions. If you’re looking to make a home more symmetrical or add character to a boring box, then your design may well need planning permission, as it will if rights have been restricted. It is always best to check with your local authority planners.
Q a
Can I give my house an exterior facelift myself? With the right skills and time, you could undertake some exterior changes yourself. But do bear in mind that most changes need building regulations approval if they’re not undertaken by someone registered with the relevant competent person scheme, so you’d have to get approval by the building control body at the local authority or an approved inspector. A single change – swapping windows or rendering the house, for example – may be a project you undertake with a supplier/installer, but for a more radical makeover encompassing multiple changes, work with a professional architectural designer with demonstrable experience of similar projects who can create a coherent scheme that’s sympathetic to the house’s architecture, celebrates good features and alters or hides the bad elements of your home.
photograph malcolm menzies
above and right the new second storey of this transformed bungalow has been clad in fibre cement board by Marley Eternit, a hard-wearing, low-maintenance material perfect for its coastal location and look. the Vufold bi-fold doors feature marine grade stainless-steel fittings to withstand the weather
realhomes.com
BEFORE
case study The facTs property 1970s detached problem dated; small windows solutions rendered finish; new windows, guttering and fascias; replacement roof tiles; extensions project cost around £71,000 for insulated render, roofing, fascias, soffits, guttering, windows and doors
PleasiNg PaleTTe A new rendered finish transformed architect Kate Cooper’s home. ‘We wanted to insulate externally so the house was more sustainable to run and comfortable to live in,’ she says. ‘Render is ideal over external insulation and the through-colour silicone systems are maintenance free. We liked the white as a clean colour that’s unlikely to date.’
The old windows were also replaced. ‘We chose Velfac windows for the clean sightlines and the fact that windows, sliding doors and French doors all look identical from the outside,’ says Kate. She also changed both guttering and fascias. ‘We went for a specially fabricated single piece aluminium soffit and fascia to match the window colour and keep the palette simple. Fascias are eliminated entirely from the gable ends and we have rendered right up to the tiles for a very clean, minimal look. We went with zinc guttering for the natural material and tactile, hand-made quality.’ The house’s roof also had a revamp, with plain clay tiles in a blend of blues and reds taking the place of the previous large format concrete tiles. ‘This creates a more interesting roof and tones in with the greys of the bricks, windows and fascias.’ A new extension in brick and glass across the front makes an impact and changes the perception of the house. ‘It’s contrasted by a new garage door and panelling in a rich cedar timber to add warmth and a tactile feel,’ she adds.
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COst and COntaCts architect and project management absolute architecture, 01635 528188, absolute-architecture.co.uk render sto, 0141 892 8000, sto.co.uk roof tiles dreadnought, 01384 77405, dreadnought-tiles.co.uk Bricks Michelmersh Brick holdings, 0844 931 0022, mbhplc.co.uk windows and doors Velfac, 01536 313552, velfac.co.uk guttering VMZinc, 020 3445 5640, vmzinc.co.uk
BEFORE
Advice on All thingS homeS We’re super excited that the first episode of our new online TV show, The Real Homes Show, in partnership with Checkatrade, goes live on 4 April! Whether you want help making more space, picking colours to decorate with or finding tradespeople, our presenters have the answers. It’s everything you love about Real Homes, but on demand. Head to realhomes.com/tv now to get involved.
small space squad
Fed up of feeling cramped? Our renovation experts Laura Crombie and Jason Orme (left) have been on the road, visiting your houses and helping you create the space you need without spending a fortune. First up, making the most of a compact Victorian cottage.
£1,000+ homewaRe giveaway To celebRaTe The fiRsT episode
e h t O T N I E TUN W O H S s E M O H L A E R
et your g o t y a w w citing ne x e n a ’s e r e h show s? t e ic m t s o a h t l n a a e f r r e u with o want mor interiors fix Trade secreTs
Need a builder/plumber/decorator but not sure where to find someone reliable? We’ll be grilling expert tradespeople so you know the questions to ask. Plus, we’ll get them to choose their perfect brew from our snazzy tea chart. Why? Why not?
Spin the wheel Each episode we’ll spin our Twister-esque colour wheel and pick a shade to focus on, starting with mustard. real homes’ resident Style Ed, Anna Morley, will then tell you how to use that hue in your home – whether you want to dip your toe into teal or go full-on with fuchsia.
ThaT’s #soRealhomes Join us on exclusive behind-the-scenes tours of some of Instagram’s most beautiful homes. Sian Astley finds Dee Campling’s pared-back, nature-inspired living room is the perfect inspiration for those new-season neutrals.
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New-build makeover
Haven
Thanks to their open-plan kitchen diner and well-used bar, Pauline and Mick’s moody Scandi home is a place fit for parties 94
‘I’m a bit of a crockery collector, so we have some lovely industrial shelving to keep all the interesting bits on display,’ Pauline says. ‘I wanted the unit to be an extension of the kitchen – it helps to bring the kitchen into the dining room.’ Table, Design Shack Interiors. Chairs, Ebay. Bench, made to order. Shelving, Amazon. Pendant light, Ikea. Flooring, Howdens. Walls painted in Urban Obsession, Dulux. Rug, Ebay. Cushions, H&M
Profile THE OWNERs Pauline Simpkin (@paulinesimpkin6), a business manager at a PR agency, lives with her husband, Mick, an employment advisor for a trade union. They have two grown-up children, Rebecca, 27, and Sean, 25 THE PROPERTY A four-bedroom new-build townhouse in West Malling, Kent project COST £13,000 for structural work, kitchen installation and appliances
auline Simpkin’s cosy Kent home is a testament to the cocoon-like powers of dark interiors. Each room is a mix of handmade furniture, second-hand buys and industrial touches, but the common theme throughout is a cosiness that permeates the space even in the summer months. That’s been Pauline’s key motivation all along. ‘Having a cosy and atmospheric home is the most important thing to me,’ she says. Her house, which she shares with her husband Mick, is a prime example of how a nondescript new-build can be transformed into a family home. ‘We haven’t changed the footprint of the house but when we moved in, the first thing we wanted to do was change the blank magnolia walls,’ Pauline laughs. ‘We’ve never had a planned budget, so it’s been a gradual process.’ Pauline describes her style as ‘modern rustic’, but the house has come together purely by accident. ‘I buy items that flow from room to room and don’t really think about what I’m doing. I just make a split decision and go for it,’ she says. ‘For example, we used to have fitted wardrobes in our bedroom, but one day I woke up and decided I didn’t like them. Mick had to unscrew them and take them out! I’ve never regretted what I’ve done, though. I’ve only really ever made mistakes with wall colours, but you can always paint over that.’ The couple’s biggest project was their kitchen-diner, which they completed with a relatively modest budget of £13,000. ‘The kitchen was more expensive than anything else in the house,’ she says. ‘I wanted a sociable space where we could eat as a family, and where I could cook and talk at the same time, so we took the wall down between the kitchen and the dining room to make it more entertaining-friendly.’ Today, it’s the most-used room in the house. ‘We’re always having a chat around the table – it’s a massive thing for us,’ Pauline says. ‘We always ate together as a family when the children were younger, and even now they’ll come home with their partners most weekends and we’ll have a meal.’ As well as creating an open-plan space, Pauline and Mick replaced the existing kitchen with a sleek and simple Howdens model. It makes cooking a joy for Pauline. ‘I’m a real foodie,’ she says. ‘When I come home, I go straight to the kitchen to prep and cook. I like the space to be bright and light, so we decided to keep the kitchen itself neutral. You can change a coloured wall, but you can’t change a kitchen as cost effectively.’ Future-proofing their home with neutral foundations is one of Pauline’s top tips for budget-friendly interior makeovers. ‘I love natural wood,’ she says. ‘It goes so well with light and dark interiors, and you can easily paint it to change it up.’ She’s a big believer in making the most of what she’s got and subscribes to the idea that easy updates can make a major difference to a room. ‘I’m always thinking: How can I change this room around without it costing much?’ she says. ‘It
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doesn’t cost a lot to add a coat of paint, so it’s easy to turn a room around for very little money. I constantly have a paint brush in my hand – over the years, I’ve been through quite a few different looks.’ Pauline is also a big fan of Ebay. Along with made-tomeasure furniture from Etsy and handmade pieces created by Mick – like the bedside shelves built from floorboards and the bar shelves crafted with scaffold boards – a lot of the items in the couple’s home are secondhand. ‘I buy and sell on Ebay,’ Pauline says. ‘If I want to change something, I’ll sell it online and use the money to buy something new. That way, I don’t have to pay out massive amounts for anything.’ As Pauline and Mick’s children have grown up and moved out, it’s allowed the couple to reimagine the spaces in their house. ‘The second living room on the ground floor used to be a study, but as the kids got older and we started having parties, we changed it into a bar,’ Pauline says. ‘It’s our Friday night room. We start there and head up to the dining room on the first floor when dinner’s ready.’ Their daughter Rebecca’s former bedroom has been repurposed as a guest room – though Rebecca still claims it as her own. ‘She loves it, although we have different styles – her home is beautiful, with a marble-effect table and beautiful highback chairs,’ Pauline says. ‘She almost definitely gets her love of interiors from me.’ Rebecca and her brother Sean may have flown the nest, but Pauline’s house remains a family home. Every room is carefully crafted to invoke a certain feeling – whether it’s the haven-like quality of the master bedroom or the partyready atmosphere of the gin bar – and Pauline says her most treasured moments are at home with her children. ‘My favourite part of the weekend is sitting around the table on a Saturday morning and seeing what’s been going on with my family,’ she says. Next, she’s branching out into outdoor living. ‘I’d love to add a pergola on the back of the house – they’re lovely and cosy on a summer evening,’ she adds. ‘It’s my next project for 2019 – although Mick and Sean might not have realised this yet!’ Far right ‘The kitchen’s on the middle floor, and when the sun floods the room with light in the morning, it’s a really beautiful place to sit,’ says Pauline. Now the room forms a larger open-plan kitchen-diner, it’s perfect for hosting dinner parties. ‘I love having friends around for dinner,’ she adds. ‘I can spend a whole day prepping in here!’ Kitchen units, worktop, hob, extractor and sink, Howdens. Splashback tiles, Tile Mountain. Oven, A&O. Rug, Ebay. ‘Eat’ sign, @rwnorfolk via Instagram
Left Pauline’s Scandi aesthetic is toughened up with industrial touches like mesh shelving and bold typography. For similar mesh wall shelves, try Wayfair
cosy feet
WORDS EllEn Finch PHOTOgRAPHS MalcolM MEnziEs
Keep your toes warm and embrace natural materials with our pick of the best boho jute rugs
Jute rug in pink, £95, Amara
Rustic braided round jute rug, £64.95, The Farthing
Jute and chindi diamond peach weave rug, £22, Ian Snow
Lene Bjerre Karna rug, £239, Sweetpea & Willow
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This image and right ‘The living room is where you get cosy,’ Pauline says. ‘I wanted to add lots of textures to give the space warmth.’ The sideboard was an Ebay purchase from years ago. ‘It’s never gone out of fashion. We just change what’s on top to move with the times.’ Wallpaper, Harlequin. Walls painted in Railings, Farrow & Ball. Tan sofa, DFS. Fabric sofa, Ikea. Log storage and coffee table, Etsy. Butterfly chair, Maisons du Monde. Print, King & Mcgaw
top tip
realhomes.com
give neutrals a kick and add interest by introducing bold contrasting tones like black
clever idea
Left and below Pauline’s cosy theme continues in the second living room, which she’s painted in dark colours to create a snug, cocooning atmosphere. It also doubles up as a bar area – the perfect place to welcome dinner party guests. Bar trolley and chair, Maisons du Monde. Ceiling light, Iconic Lights. Circular rug and black dresser, Ebay. ‘Discotheque’ sign, Violet & Percy. ‘gin bar’ sign, Velvet Chalk
Above left Pauline has adorned the walls of her home with prints, which pop against the dark walls and add colour to the space.
realhomes.com
Black leather sofa, DFS. Square rug, Modern Rugs. Crate coffee table, Ebay. Shelf, Etsy
top tip
Swap traditional storage for lockerstyle options to add industrial cool to any space. Turn over for our favourites
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Right and below ‘Instagram is a major source of inspiration,’ says Pauline. ‘We get a lot of ideas off each other. I wanted a concrete-effect wall in our bedroom, but I didn’t know how to get it on a budget. I found a company on Instagram who specialise in lime paint, which gives the wall that textured effect. It’s easier than wallpaper and gives the room a rustic look.’ Wall paint, Bauwerk. Bed and ceiling light, Ikea. Wall lights, Ebay. Cushions, H&M. Bedlinen, H&M. Throw, Dunelm. Storage unit, chest of drawers and chairs, Wayfair. Desk, Etsy. Lamp, Iconic Lights
HELLO RETRO
Embrace high-school chic with fun yet practical locker-style storage Stijn low locker two-door cabinet, £229, Cuckooland
Blue-grey metal two-door wardrobe, £385.50, Maisons du Monde
Lixhult storage combination, £130, Ikea
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‘It’s easy to turn a room around for lIttle m o n e y. I c o n s ta n t ly H av e a pa I n t b r u s H I n m y Hand – I’ve been tHrougH quIte a few looks’
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Left and below Rebecca’s old bedroom has been repurposed as a guest room, though Rebecca still claims it as her own. The space doubles up as a desk area and dressing table for Pauline. Bed, Ikea. Headboard, Sunny Side Interiors via Not on the High Street. ‘&’ art print, Etsy. Side tables and chair, Ebay. Throw, H&M. Cushions, HomeSense
top tip
Feeling crafty? You can make features like headboards and tables from old floorboards or scaffold boards with simple carpentry
Contacts Kitchen Howdens, howdens.com Prints King & Mcgaw, 01273 511 942, kingandmcgaw.com; Violet & Percy, violetandpercy.co.uk; Velvet Chalk, velvetchalk.com Tiles Tile Mountain, 01782 223822, tilemountain.co.uk
THE PLANS AfTER
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By opening up the dining room to the kitchen and repurposing the study as a living room and bar, Pauline and Mick have reimagined their family home to suit their lifestyle.
xtensions: g and
lor-made ension
Dream
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Double storey exte costing, planning a
Can pinning pictures of extensions beyond our means help us to create our perfect space, asks Andrea Childs, or do we need a reality check? I’m currently planning a summer revamp of my garden. So far, this involves a lot of tearing out pages from magazines (this one included) and a rather out-of-control Pinterest habit. The photos I’m collecting all feature decking and raised beds, just like my outdoor space. They also happen to have kitchens, sunken fire pits and pergolas with chandeliers hanging among the rambling roses. My garden is a courtyard; the ones in my Pins look the size of my local park. But that’s
okay; it’s just inspiration, right? We’ve got to dream big before our design expectations crash on the rocks of reality. ‘I use Pinterest a lot with clients; it starts the discussion about what they want and how it should look,’ says interior architect Paula Barnes (elizabarnes.com). ‘I love it for planning kitchens because whatever the size of your room, a moodboard can help with how to organise cupboards and add details like slots for breadboards.
Interested in exten Our 30 second vid
How to plan and d glass extension
ontemporary n extension
Real home: a tailor-made retro kitchen extension
‘i Don’t think you can ever D r e a m t o o b i G – i t ’ s t h e o n ly way t o D o a m a z i n G t h i n G s w i t h y o u r s Pac e ’ design style – contemporary, country, industrial – can be placed over a furniture plan. When you know what you need, consider the scale of each piece so you know the size to shop for. Then use your mood board to guide you when it comes to defining the look.’ It was this approach that Katy Harkness took when she decided to decorate her Victorian detached house in Brighton. ‘A lot of the rooms are odd shapes, so I’d search for “small bathrooms,” for example, when I was collecting pictures because I needed practical ideas. It was only after I had the design mapped out that I began looking at surfaces and fixtures, such as tiles and the shower head. I didn’t get room envy but I knew I’d have to pare back the ideas to make them work in my own home.’ Measuring up and scaling down may seem to take the thrill out of the design process but it’s the secret to making your dream ideas work in the real world (I have a friend who splashed out on a sofa she’d seen on Instagram. When it didn’t fit down the stairs of her new basement, her husband literally sawed it in two pieces and had it lifted through the window, before nailing it
back together. Needless to say, they both lost the love for that heart-overhead buy). ‘It’s really important to consider scale,’ confirms Paula Barnes. ‘Those dream kitchens you’re looking at are probably made bespoke for a huge space, with wider units and more drawers than an off-the-peg design. You can get a similar look in a typical home but you need to be prepared to have fewer, smaller cupboards. But keep the details that make it special, whether it’s a butler’s sink or pull-out pan drawers.’ The same goes for furniture. ‘You might not get a massive corner sofa in your house, but maybe you could fit a gorgeous Chesterfield that has that same sense of luxury and style,’ Paula says. With this in mind, I scroll through my garden design boards once again. The sunken fire pit and outdoor kitchen pics get deleted, and I get an unexpected sense of closure from letting go of those ‘never gonna happen’ ideas. I realise I don’t need a pergola to hang a chandelier from; there’s a handy tree branch I can use instead. But I have added some shots of homemade wood-fired saunas to the visual mix. A girl’s got to dream, after all…
find your project inspo
view it We love the ‘Before, During, after’ design projects that interior designer amber Lewis profiles on her blog, all Sorts Of (allsortsof.com).
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Pin it There’s endless inspiration on Real Homes Pinterest. it’s about everything homes and gardens – from decorating, extending and making space to colour combos and moods to create.
reaD it Want ideas for your new project? Subscribe to Real Homes and all you need will be delivered straight to your door every month. See page 52 for details of our latest offer.
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That said, you do have to be realistic about your space.’ Maybe it’s not ideal to look at park-size gardens as inspiration for a stamp-sized plot, or at Crittall windows and tin-tile ceilings in a New York loft when you live in a Thirties semi in Nuneaton. Geraldine Logan from Cardiff came unstuck when her kitchen project was knocked back by planners after neighbours complained about her extending into the side return. ‘I’d spent months making moodboards and planning the build,’ she says. ‘We adapted the plans and got the kitchen-diner we needed but I couldn’t get my original ideas out of my head, so there’s always a feeling of disappointment about the end result. There’s this nagging sense that if the extension had been a metre wider, it would have been perfect – and I have the Pinterest board to prove it!’ According to leading US interior designer Penny Drue Baird, thinking small is a bigger problem than largerthan-life ideas. ‘I don’t think you can ever dream too big – it’s the only way to do amazing things with your space,’ she tells me. ‘If your home doesn’t fall into the category of fabulous architecture, consider adding architectural details. Mouldings, panelling and beams can all be incorporated in infinite ways. Be creative!’ ‘I added beading to my walls to create a faux-panelled look,’ says Estelle Gardiner from Hull. ‘It was inspired by a chateau I’d seen on a TV property programme which had amazing original oak panelling. I live in an ordinary house in Manchester, so I’m not going to pretend it’s a mansion. But the walls are a feature now, instead of just being a blank, boring surface.’ Taking the ideas you love and making them work for your home is key, according to interior designer Marion Falchi. ‘The property can always work; you just have to change a detail or two,’ she says. ‘If you decide to extend, make sure there’s a connection between the old and new spaces. You may have to remove walls in the original property to create a sense of flow, as small rooms in one area create a clear divide, or if you like loft-style exposed brick walls, you could think about how to get that feel without it dominating the décor in a smaller room.’ ‘I would treat aesthetic ideas as their own category, away from the practical decisions,’ advises Penny Drue Baird. ‘First, make a list of every function the room must have and see if you can realistically fit all the furniture you need into the space. Almost any
‘I couldn’t bear the thought of damaging the new furniture or
Words ELLEN FINCH images gEtty
how we timed our garden project Should you wait to work on your garden after a kitchen extension, or endure the mess and do it all at once? Our readers share their tips...
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Fiona Edwards, deputy dean at the University of West London, lives in Richmond with her husband. Ben, and their Norfolk terrier, Axel ‘We lived in our house for two years before we started renovating, and the garden hadn’t been touched since the 1960s. The fencing was falling down and the paving was covered in mould. ‘We did a whole-house renovation and left the ground floor last. By that time, we were running out of money – we ploughed a lot into the kitchen because it is, after all, the heart of the home. We didn’t have as much left as we planned – we had to use some of our contingency after a burst sewer pipe forced us to relay our concrete floor. ‘Even so, we decided to do the garden at the same time, partly because the builders were already on site – it made sense that they work on garden tasks, like setting the paving, while they were doing the kitchen. I could also keep an eye on what was going on. I’d created moodboards, but they weren’t always accurate – I arrived home one day to fencing that looked nothing like the picture. If I hadn’t been there, it would have been awful. ‘The timing also made sense because we have no side access, so our biggest concern was carting things through the house. I couldn’t bear the thought of damaging the new furniture or treading soil into the flooring, so we needed to do it at the same time as the house. I’m glad in hindsight – the amount of muck and mess that came from the paving alone was unbelievable. ‘Of course, there were some downsides – the money issue being one of them. We would have liked a water feature and nice lighting, but it was a toss-up between doing all that later on and keeping a clean house. I would have had a formal seating area, but our garden is a tiny space so we had to be careful not to go over the top. It looks fantastic now – the bi-fold doors fold back and we have Astroturf so the grass always looks amazing. In the spring and summer, it feels like one big room.’
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treading soil into the flooring’
‘Two Westies, mixed with a garden full of mud, is not an ideal situation’ Louise Manners, a kitchen designer, lives in Milton Keynes with her husband, Allan, and their two daughters ‘It was always the plan to do the groundwork for the garden at the same time as the kitchen extension. When we started prepping, we had to remove the patio to make way for the extension. We also got rid of the raised beds and took down some dead trees. We hoped we’d have enough in our budget to do the garden at the end, but the extension ran over. ‘We found this house by chance. We couldn’t find anywhere with a lovely garden – they were all postage stamp-sized – until we came across this. It had a tiny kitchen with just two units, but it was ideal for an extension – the garden was so big that you wouldn’t lose much by building out. We gutted the whole house from the upstairs down, rewiring and replumbing along the way – which is where the garden budget disappeared to. The kitchen also has a utility and shower room off it. ‘For the garden, we want to add in another patio, and we have planning permission for a summerhouse or an office for Allan. We’ve laid the foundations for that thanks to digging it all out with the extension work, but I think we maybe should have just removed the patio and left everything else for later – the garden looks like a bomb site! We have two Westies, and mixed with a garden full of mud, it’s not an ideal situation. Luckily we can usher them straight into the utility room for a good wash. ‘Still, it’s all ready to go now – and doing all the groundworks at once meant that we didn’t have to go through two lots of upheaval, either. We were even able to use the debris from the walls we knocked down as hardcore foundation for the patio and garden office. All we need to do is find the money to finish the garden off in time for summer – fingers crossed!’
Extending? See if you can lay the groundwork for your new garden at the same time to save time and money
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‘In the end, the garden came hand in hand with the kitchen extension. It’s all about forward planning’ Carla Avery-Poppitt, a photographer, lives in Stafford with her husband, Jaimie, and their children Sofia, eight, and Ruben, four ‘We’d planned to build out into the side return of our 1930s semi and create a wraparound extension. We soon realised that we wouldn’t have enough space down the side passage for our bikes and the lawnmower, though, so we changed our plans to just extend out further at the back instead. It worked out better in the end – not only do we have more patio space, but it meant that we didn’t have to change the location of the main drains, which are round the side of the house. ‘In the end, the garden came hand in hand with the kitchen extension. Our builders had to re-level the floor in the extension, so we’ve kept the concrete they dug out to refill the patio area and make it level with the kitchen and the bi-fold doors. It’s a lot easier to put the groundworks in for both at the same time, too. We added in outdoor electrics for a garden office and factored in our outdoor lighting within the extension budget – we figured we might as well buy them at the same time as the internal fittings. We have a dog and want a hot-cold feed tap to wash him off after muddy walks, so we asked the plumber to put the pipework in for that while he was working on the extension. It’s little things like those that are cheaper to do at the same time – it’s all about forward planning. ‘In hindsight, it’s a good job we altered our plans at the start of the project – we can get mini diggers down the side of the house, but if we’d filled it in, the builders would have had to hand-dig everything instead. It would even have affected the light – our garden is southeast facing, so blocking off that extra bit of space would have rendered the entire garden dark. ‘There were some drawbacks. We probably won’t be able to afford to do the drive at the same time as the patio at the back, even though it makes sense to do it all at once while the digger is in. We initially factored the garden in with the kitchen budget, but in the end, other things came up that meant we had to take money out of the outdoor fund. It just means we’ll be cutting back on the garden, mainly on materials – sandstone instead of slate, for example. It will all be worth it in the end, though – we can’t wait for it to be finished so we can enjoy it this summer.’
a dv e rtor i a l Painswick
Eclectic Grey
Cotswold Green
Irish Oak
No.10 Black
COLOUR POP YOUR WINDOWS
Up your home’s kerb appeal with new designs from the residence Collection
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f you’re looking to transform your home’s exterior, new windows can have a big impact. But there’s so much for you to consider when choosing your design that the colour is often left to the last minute. Yet the specific shade of your window frames is integral to the overall look and feel of your property. The Residence Collection features an impressive variety of colours to either blend in seamlessly or pop against your home. The experts at The Residence Collection monitor colour trends closely. In the last few months, they have noticed that greys have quickly overtaken the ‘woods,’ with many opting for a more modern colour, even on older properties. Grained White is the most popular choice, with Eclectic
Grey, Painswick and Clotted Cream its most notable colour trends. Or if you want to inject some classic character, the handpicked heritage colours are perfect for a traditional, country look. What’s more, with the Residence 9 collection, you can also choose different colours for the interior and exterior. This means you could have bold black exterior frames for a sleek and modern appearance, and a more subtle shade on the inside to blend in with your interior décor . You won’t have to sacrifice performance for style, either. With all Residence Collection windows being virtually maintenance free, a simple wipe clean and occasional oil of the hinges will keep them good as new. They’re also available in double and
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triple glazing. If you live near a busy road, triple-glazed windows may be a smart investment – and for optimum acoustic performance, choose the 44mm triple glazing. Also, the windows are A++ rated, ensuring you keep the warm air in and the cold air out, saving you money on heating bills and being environmentally responsible. To find out more, visit residencecollection.co.uk where you can view all the colours or search #residencecollection on Instagram for more window inspiration.
updated 1930s semi
love at first sight First-time buyers Beth and Tom tell features editor Ellen Finch how they used DIY know-how to transform an unloved property into a quirky, Scandi-inspired home 112
‘I wanted to keep the living room cosy, but still light,’ Beth says. ‘I went for a Scandi vibe, which came from the sofas – we saw those first and they influenced the rest of the scheme.’ The floorboards are original: the couple didn’t have to touch any of the flooring downstairs.
Wall paint, Homebase. Cupboard, Ikea. Sofa, French Connection at DFS. Cushions, H&M Home and The Range. Black industrial lamp, ceiling light and nest of tables, Made.com. Mirror, Swoon Editions. Make Art Not War print, Etsy
Buying
your first home is an exciting prospect for any young couple. It’s a chance to leave the rental market and get your foot on the housing ladder, and an opportunity to finally try out the decorating schemes and design ideas you’ve been coveting on Instagram. For Beth and Tom, their three-bedroom semi wasn’t necessarily going to be their forever home, but it was a space that they could make their own. As a renter hoping to venture into the world of homeowning myself, I couldn’t wait to find out how the couple tackled the highs and lows of a renovation project for the first time…
Q
This is a lovely house for a first property. Looking at the before photos, it doesn’t look like it needed a whole lot of work doing – aside from the usual décor updates, obviously! What was it that drew you to it? We knew we wanted to buy somewhere we’d be able to put our own stamp on. Of course we were looking to add a bit of value, but it wasn’t necessarily about that. We loved the space – we could visualise exactly what we wanted to do with it, which was a good sign. It needed a bit of TLC; there was nothing wrong with it, but it wasn’t to our tastes. The big kitchen-diner with an island was what drew us to it. The lounge is the perfect size for the two of us, and the garden was decent – it ticked all the boxes. We’ve always seen our first property as a step on the housing ladder rather than our forever home. We just wanted to get away from renting and have our own house – with more freedom to do what we wanted.
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You’ve completely transformed every room in the house. What’s the process been like for you? We’ve been doing it up bit by bit since we bought it. We haven’t done it full pelt – we did one room, then had a break. We didn’t want it to take over because we both work full time. It would have been easy to let it take up every weekend! The kitchen was definitely the crux of the project.
Q A
The kitchen captures the Scandi/industrial vibe that we’re loving at the moment. How did you tackle it? We had a new bathroom put in when we moved in, but in the kitchen, rather than having new units, we decided to utilise what was already there. We kept the cupboards and painted them, which was a bit of a chore – they’re melamine, so we had to find a primer that would work first. We also had a stud wall put in to create a utility room. The space used to have a back door and French doors out to the decking area – I think it must have been a separate kitchen and dining area at some point – but we decided we didn’t need two doors, so we put a window in where the back door was to brighten up the utility a bit.
We wanted freedom to do what we wanted –
Q A
How have you financed the work? The only time we got extra funding was for the kitchen, but everything else has been added to as and when. Each month, part of our pay cheques go towards the house. We’ve saved with a lot of mix-andmatching. For the kitchen especially, we bought bits and bobs off Gumtree, including one worktop. The others were from Tom’s old company. We scrimped on some parts to save for other, more expensive things. We decided on brick slips for the kitchen-diner chimney rather than exposed bricks, e they weren’t in amazing condition. That was probably ostly compared to other parts of the project. We did k slips ourselves, as well as the tiling and painting, out too much arguing!
knowing you’ve done it all yourself, it’s quite
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You’ve certainly used that freedom to your advantage. There are so many clever details and considered touches. I love the herringbone tiling across the kitchen wall. What was it like launching into a renovation project as first-time buyers? I love getting stuck into projects and having a go at everything, so I really enjoyed the process. But we we quite lucky – our dads were hands-on with it as well. The basically came in, showed us how to do the basics, like til and then left us to it. It took a long time, though. There moments when I thought, ‘Why did we start this?’ But when you come to the end and see the result, knowing you’ve done it all yourself, it’s quite an accomplishment. I’m glad you like the tiling, too. We didn’t do the house up with a view to sell – we just did it for our own tastes. We both like that industrial vibe and I think that comes through in the décor.
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ounds like a lot of work – but it looks like it’s nitely been worth it in the end. What’s your favourite thing about the house? It would have to be the kitchen. It’s a sociable space. We’ll have family and friends over, and because it’s open plan, whoever’s cooking doesn’t feel out of it. Even when it’s just me and Tom, one of us can be making tea while the other’s pottering around. We spend a lot of time in there – it’s lovely.
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WORDS EllEn Finch PHOTOGRAPHS Kasia FiszEr
an accomplishment
Profile THE OWNERs Beth Jamison, a technical worker for a cladding materials manufacturer, lives with her fiancé, Tom Marsden, a project manager for a precast concrete company THE PROPERTY A three-bedroom 1930s semi-detached house in Nottingham project COST £8,700
‘The kitchen-diner feels like a big space, especially for the house,’ Beth says. ‘That’s what drew us to the house in the first place.’
realhomes.com
Walls painted in white emulsion, Dulux. Chanel and Champagne print, @chelseaprints. New York print, John Lewis & Partners. London print and Hello sign, Violet & Thistle. Canvas, Dwell
‘We opted for brick slips instead of a proper exposed brick wall because the originals weren’t in great condition – but you still get the same industrial style,’ Beth says. Grey unit, Ikea. On Air sign, Violet & Thistle. Brick slips, Brickslips UK. Table and bench, Design Shack Interiors. Chairs, Ebay. Cushion covers, H&M Home. Radiator and rug, Ebay. Wall clock, Ikea. Ceiling light, Cult Furniture
left and below ‘I wanted statement tiles, so went for a full wall instead of a splashback,’ Beth says. ‘We just needed to decide whether to go with herringbone or something more linear, which would’ve been easier. But we like a challenge!’
White worktop, handmade. Grey worktop, Howdens via Gumtree. Cupboard doors/ drawers paint, Dulux; for a similar colour, try Goose Down. Handles, All Handles & Pulls. Sink, Blanco. Wire shelving, Rose & Grey Interiors. Concrete light, Ebay. Bar sign, HomeSense
bEfORE
diner style
Gather your hipster crowd together on some industrial-inspired seating 1
2
1 Boston metal dining chair, faux leather upholstered in black, £75, Cult Living 2 Vita dining chair in graphite and acacia, £185, Cuckooland 3 Austerlitz black leather industrial tufted armchair, £147.50, Maisons du Monde 4 Brown industrial leather dining chair, £140, Rockett St George
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left The guest bedroom is used when friends and family visit. The couple found the colour while searching for inspiration for their own room. ‘It’s neutral, but has more depth to it,’ Beth says. ‘I painted the woodwork grey to tie it in.’ Bed and black mirror, Argos. Throw, HomeSense. Ceiling light, Dunelm. Rug, Ebay. Hanging plant, The Watered Garden of Nottingham. For a similar paint colour, try Dorchester Pink Pale, Little Greene
REFLECTIVE MOOD
Hang an eclectic collection of vintage-style mirrors for a display that’s fairest of them all 1
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1 Art deco mirror, £64.99, Very 2 Hestia gold metal mirror, £45, JD Williams 3 Angled square gold mirror, £35, Oliver Bonas 4 Ira wall mirror, £58, Anthropologie
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This image and left ‘I got the inspiration for going dark from Instagram,’ Beth says. ‘I’d thought about it but only went through with it once I’d seen it done elsewhere. I’m glad we did – it makes an impact on the bedroom and it’s quite relaxing.’
THE PLANS
Walls painted in Hague Blue, Farrow & Ball. Flooring, Wickes. Rug, Argos. Bed, Wayfair. Bedside lights, Vendimia Lighting Co. Throw, TK Maxx. Prints, Ikea. Bedside tables, Ebay, Bedlinen, cushions and planter, Matalan
bEfORE
ground Floor
AfTER
ground Floor utility/ wc
KitchEn-dinEr
living room
AfTER
First Floor
bEdroom
bath room
bEdroom bEd room
Contacts Brick slips Brick Slips, 0333 577 8831, brickslips.co.uk Tiles Tons of Tiles, 0247 750 0004, tonsoftiles.co.uk Table and bench Design Shack Interiors, 07722 921615, designshackinteriors.co.uk
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#sorealhomes
living room
for more renovation advice, visit realhomes.com/renovations
KitchEn-dinEr
Going greenfingered A younger generation is wielding forks, planting veg and renting allotments. We dig into gardening’s growing appeal
WORDS jennifer morgan image getty
T
here’s big news at RHS Chelsea Flower Show this year; HRH The Duchess of Cambridge is co-designing the RHS Garden with award-winning landscape architects Andrée Davies and Adam White of Davies White Landscape Architects. And she’s not alone: we’re in the midst of a young urbanite gardener revolution. Gardenresearch.com states that ‘18-34year-olds now occupy 29 per cent of all gardening households’. There are waiting lists for allotments as long as a green-fingered arm, and community gardens are an exciting trend. But what’s causing this outdoor revolution? Alex Mitchell, gardening columnist for the Evening Standard and author of books including The Rurbanite: Living in the country without leaving the city (alex-mitchell.co.uk) believes there’s a strong connection to millennials’ concern about the environment and food politics. ‘You only have to see the massive rise in veganism among this age group to see they’re really thinking about the impact of what they eat on the planet. What better way to minimise that impact than to grow organic food or tend a garden to encourage wildlife?’ she says. ‘Millennials take their mental health seriously, and know gardening, nurturing a living thing and creating a haven makes you happier.’ One such gardening fan is Pippa Blenkinsop, style editor for Period Living magazine (see p149 to subscribe). She has an allotment with her dad. ‘I wanted to get closer to nature,’ she explains, ‘but I also love flowers. My dad grows the fruit and veg and I use my part as
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made. ‘They love finding people who share their geeky obsessions with heritage vegetables or fan-trained fruit trees. For those worried about mass food production, they’re a great way to grow your own.’ At home, Alex’s best advice for would-be urban gardeners is to get a pot. ‘Buy the biggest you can fit into your space and pack it full of plants to create a mini garden,’ she says. ‘It’s easier to grow things in one big one than lots of smaller ones because the compost doesn’t dry out so quickly. Herbs are a great start – something easy like chives or mint. Try a chilli plant on your kitchen windowsill – you will soon have enough chillies to dry some for winter. Homegrown tomatoes taste so much better than even the poshest shop-bought ones – I go for the orange cherry tomato Sungold variety, while last year’s Plum Raisin was the most delicious tomato I’ve ever eaten.’ Being an urban gardener isn’t expensive either. ‘All you need is a pot or patch of ground, seeds or plants and a trowel or fork for digging compost and soil. Secateurs are also handy, but that’s it really,’ says Alex. Such small-scale production is also a great activity to do with the kids. There are workshops where you can learn basic gardening knowledge. Ross Geach of Padstow Kitchen Garden (padstowkitchengarden.co.uk) leads several a year. ‘One of the most important skills to learn is to grow what you eat most of and what costs you the most to purchase,’ he explains. ‘We all have garden meltdowns from time to time, but see it as a constant learning curve. Stick at it and you’ll reap the benefits.’
#sorealhomes
ideas for would-be gardeners
For more advice, visit realhomes.com/garden
a cutting garden. It’s one of my happiest places; when I am there, I am immersed in the moment and it really helps to calm my mind. I love to watch things grow and know where they came from.’ Pippa had to wait two years for an allotment to come up. She only has a ‘patch of concrete’ at her own home, so considers the £25 a year she pays with her dad for their half-plot money well spent. She’s picking up lots from him, but loves learning through trial and error. ‘I also find the veteran allotmenters a brilliant source of advice,’ she says, ‘and while I tend not to look things up online, I do share snaps of my blooms on Instagram.’ More than a fifth of Brits use social media to source gardening advice, with platforms offering a forum to share tips, claim Wyevale Garden Centres (wyevalegardencentres.co.uk), whose weekly Facebook Live broadcasts by the horticultural team are up 220 per cent year on year. If you can’t get an allotment in your area, Alex suggests a community garden. ‘They are a really exciting trend young people are getting into,’ she says. ‘They’re ideal for beginners with busy lives as there’s usually someone experienced to help you, and you can commit as much or as little time as you can spare. People from all walks of life come together united by a simple, really rewarding goal. Search online and you’ll probably find a community garden near you.’ Alex tends her garden at home in Kent but knows members of community gardens who rave about friendships they’ve
READ… Crops in Tight Spots by alex mitchell (Kyle Books, £18.99). Out on april 11, alex’s new book shows how and what you can grow if you’re short of outdoor space.
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SIGN UP… For an allotment. apply for one near you with your local council. They will either contact you about a plot, or in many cases, add your name to a waiting list.
START… a community garden. There are lots of helpful tips on the RHS website (rhs.org.uk), including how to find a plot and advice on insurance you’ll need.
SAVE 20% AT GARDEN TRADING Get set for spring with this exclusive discount Steel bistro chairs, various colours, from £60 for two
With warmer days and lighter nights finally here, BBQs and brunches on the patio are just around the corner, which means it’s the perfect time to transform your garden into your own stylish sanctuary. We’ve joined forces with Garden Trading to offer you 20 per cent off its extensive range, including the latest spring/summer collection, so you can create your perfect space for less.
Ithaca plates and bowls, from £15; Meze jugs and carafe, from £12; Broadwell wine glasses, £20 for four
Colour pop Embrace fresh, seasonal shades with the new Bistro collection, inspired by the British countryside. From Dandelion to Peppermint, Dorset Blue to Earl Grey, each colour will add vibrancy to any style of garden.
the most of outdoor living. Gather friends and family together for a meal that’s as beautiful as it is delicious with the Meze collection. Mix and match beautiful ceramic bowls, sharing boards and brass cutlery, and style your own way to enjoy garden dining to its fullest.
Made for sharing Spring and summer are all about throwing open the doors and making
Feel the flow For chillier days, the Garden Room collection creates a harmonious blend between indoor and outdoor spaces. Leafy greens, natural materials and woven textures with a retro feel are guaranteed to add easy style points. Hanging pots, a bamboo coffee table and the all-weather nest chair will help to create the perfect space for a little ‘me time’ all season long. To discover the full spring/ summer collection, head to gardentrading.co.uk.
Hampstead hanging nest chair in allweather bamboo, £350
Sarsden chimnea in raw metal, £230; Harting sofa in all-weather rattan, £1,000; Squirrel festoon lights, from £45
HOW TO CLAIM Head to gardentrading.co.uk and enter the code ‘REAL20’ at the checkout. TERMS AND CONDITIONS Save 20 per cent at Garden Trading, excluding the clearance section. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Must be applied online and cannot be applied retrospectively. UK mainland only. Valid until 2 May 2019.
Hampstead armchairs in all-weather bamboo, £480 for two; jute hanging plant pots, from £8
Foscot fire pits: small, £60, medium, £100, large, £190
Cotton and beech rocking deckchair, £85; Rive Droite bistro tray table, £25; diamond blanket, £45; open-weave rattan basket, from £50
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WORDS EllEn Finch phOtOgRaph Billy Bolton
We’ve gone topsy-turvy for this timber extension. Switch up a traditional framed box for something with a little more architectural interest, like this inverted S-shaped border. the dark-stained timber façade from Bespoke Construction & glazing contrasts beautifully with the original walls of the house, and it’s a naturally modern addition that doesn’t take away from the building’s existing period features. and oh, the glazing! a frameless glass picture window that flows seamlessly into the rooflight? Be still our beating hearts. We’re picturing sunlight-flooded brunches that spill out onto the terrace. project cost: £170,000. Simon Whitehead architects, 020 7183 1063, simonwhitehead.com
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taking shape
You’re finalising the design of your new space, but will you need planning permission to build it? Here’s the lowdown on what you need to do a home improvement projects such as extensions any rrequire planning consent from your local planning authority. If you don’t receive appropriate planning a permission, you risk being unable to sell your home p in the future. Worst case scenario? You could even be sserved an enforcement notice, which could lead to its forced de emolition. So it pays to understand the process and what your responsibilities are. Not all home-improvement projects are subject to planning approval. The work you can do to your home without needing planning approval is known as your permitted development (PD) rights. This includes repair, internal remodelling and many small-scale extension schemes. Want to know what’s possible under PD? Read on for some of the most common projects and guidelines. i Single-storey extensions A single-storey extension must not extend beyond the rear of the original house by more than four metres if a detached house (temporarily doubled to eight metres until 30 May 2019), or by more than three metres (temporarily doubled to six metres) in any other case (e.g. semi-detached or terraced). In both cases, the height of the extension must not be more than four metres. i Two-storey extensions These must be less than three metres and not within seven metres of the neighbour’s fence. This could either be a two-storey extension to a house, or might comprise the addition of a storey onto an existing single-storey part of the house (e.g. over a garage).
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WORDS JASON ORME IMAGES GETTY
Do I need planning approval?
Permitted development rights process When the government introduced the expansion of PD rights in 2013, which includes the allowances for single-storey extensions, it made compliance with the new limits subject to a prior approval process. So if the project falls within the scale of projects permitted temporarily under the rules that came into force in May 2013 (i.e. if your single-storey extension is between four and eight metres for a detached house or three and six for a terraced/semi-detached home) then you will first need to apply to your local planning authority (LPA) for prior approval, which is different to a planning application. You will need to complete a ‘notification form for a proposed larger home extension’ – there is no fee. The LPA will then write to the immediate neighbours and give them at least 21 days to decide if they wish to object. If there are no objections, then as long as an extension falls within the rules the LPA have to grant prior approval and the scheme can go ahead. If there are objections, the LPA will consider the impact of the proposal on the residential amenity of neighbours and will either decide that the impact is acceptable and grant prior approval or take the view that the impact is not acceptable and refuse. There is a right of appeal against any refusal of a prior notification. The LPA have to issue a decision within six weeks; if they don’t, prior approval is automatically granted. Regardless of whether your project falls within the prior approval system, you do have some other options in order to confirm its status. If you are unsure as to whether your project falls under PD, many local planning authorities offer a planning enquiry service. This will, for a small charge (typically under £50) confirm in writing whether the project falls within PD. Your final option is to complete the more formal application for a Certificate of Lawful Development for a Proposed Use. This is a nationally administered process (which costs a little over £100). It will give you a formal response as to your PD status – and go a long way to satisfying future purchasers.
This is usually handled by your house designer, although there is no requirement for this to be the case. Once submitted, you will receive a receipt of the application. This then kickstarts the decision process: i The application will be assessed by the designated planning officer for compliance with planning policy and the level of potential controversy. i The stream for the application is then decided: the decision will either be made by the delegated officer, or will be handed to the local planning committee to decide. In almost all cases, the time of the planning committee is reserved for larger, more controversial developments, and so extension projects will be usually decided by the delegated planning officer. i Relevant consultees will be notified – these include the ubiquitous planning notice posted to the nearest lampost, as well as the parish council, highways departments, and others depending on your case. i Based on the above responses and whether the application conforms with local planning policies as outlined in the local plan, a decision is made. In around 90 per cent of cases this is within eight weeks.
Can my neighbours stop my project? The local authority will base its decision on what are known as ‘material considerations’, which can include (but are not limited to): Q Overlooking/loss of privacy Q Loss of light/overshadowing Q Parking Q Highway safety Q Traffic Q Noise Q Impact on listed building and Conservation Area Q Layout and density of building Q Design, appearance and materials Q Government policy Q Disabled access Q Proposals in the development plan Q Previous planning decisions Q Nature conservation Neighbours will be consulted and invited to comment, together with parish councils (in England and Wales), but only those objections based on the material considerations are taken into account. The loss of a view, or a perceived reduction in house value, are not material considerations.
What happens next? If your planning application is approved, you will receive an approval notice. This will permit commencement of the development within three years of the date of the decision, and will usually include a list of conditions. It is critical that you pay close attention to these conditions and formally discharge them. This means getting an approval that the condition has been satisfied in writing. Conditions typically include further details on external materials, a landscaping scheme, and perhaps some restrictions on the timing of work.
Do I need a planning consultant? What if my project isn’t within Permitted Development? Not all houses enjoy PD rights. The local authority may have removed them under an Article 4 Direction (perhaps when the original house was built). PD rights are restricted in specially designated areas such as Conservation Areas and National Parks, and do not apply in the case of listed buildings. If your project doesn’t fall within PD, you will need to apply for planning consent. An application should include the following: i five copies of application forms i the signed ownership certificate
Many people will appoint a planning consultant before they even buy a plot to work out the potential of a development. This could save you thousands of pounds on buying a project that turns out not to be feasible. Planning consultants have full knowledge of the ever-changing planning policies that any project will be subject to. So, whether you are extending, renovating or building a new home, their help could be indispensable — especially if your project is in an area that carries restrictions, such as a Conservation Area or Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, or you’re simply not 100 per cent confident of the rules surrounding your build.
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NEXT MONTH: PLANNING THE LAYOUT OF YOUR NEW EXTENSION
There are also detailed guidelines relating to the overall height of the extension, the eaves height, roof pitch, materials used for the extension and the proximity to boundaries. For full details, visit realhomes.com/planning-permission.
i a site plan, block plan and elevations of both the existing and proposed sites i a Design and Access Statement i the correct fee – for extensions, this is currently £206
#SOREALHOMES
The enlarged part of the house must not extend beyond the rear wall by more than three metres if it is to qualify as permitted development. So if a house has a single-storey extension of four metres, it is not possible to add a second storey extension under permitted development. i Side extensions Extensions to side walls need to be less than half the width of the original house, single storey only, and no higher than four metres. i Wraparound extensions In most cases, the classic L-shape wraparound extension will require planning consent. Individually the rear element and the side element should be OK – it’s the joining element that fills the corner that makes the scheme ineligible for PD.
Report THE may
s and es The laTesT ideas, Trend
senTial buys
for your kiTchen an
d baThroom
measure up If the recipe says 100ml of water, it has to be exact, right? If you’re a stickler for cooking precision, this tap technology allows you to select a specific volume of water. EVOL-S Volume smart tap, £681 for chrome and £880 for stainless steel, Blanco
New hues Smeg has introduced three new colours to its iconic FAB 28 refrigerator range: striking ruby red, rich emerald green and a more pared-back taupe. Which of the exciting retro designs would you choose for your new kitchen scheme? FAB28 refrigerator, from £1,849, Smeg
Space saver
Struggling for countertop space? This clever design transforms your sink into a colander, cup stand, ice bucket and chopping board. Swap out the features as you need them, so you’ll always have room to keep your Champagne chilled. We’ll raise a glass to that. Zona 100 sink, £438.74, Caple
spend a penny The latest shape that’s hit our tile radar is circular, mini and oh-so stylish. Penny mosaic tiles are a stunning option for bathroom walls or kitchen splashbacks. These new Yoga Penny tiles are available in a variety of modern colours, but we’re loving this Blush shade. Yoga Penny tile, £13.20 per 33x31cm sheet, Ca’Pietra
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mid-century modern
Striking the right balance between a seamless flow and clearly zoned areas in an open-plan space can be tricky. Masterclass Kitchens has launched The Living Collection, a range of freestanding living room furniture designed to complement its kitchens. Sutton sideboard and media unit in Autumn Blush, from £520, Masterclass Kitchens
What better way to create a focal point in your bathroom than with a colourful roll-top bath? Victoria + Albert Baths’ freestanding Quarrycast baths and basins now come in 194 colours to suit any scheme. Hampshire bath in rAL matt 1007, £3,095, Victoria + Albert Baths
Three things...
FeATure AmeliA Smith
to consider for wet rooms Joe Pascoe at Victorian Plumbing offers some expert tips for your space 1 ‘Ensure the entire room is waterproofed. Before tiling, fit a waterproof membrane and a showerlay wet room tray. This slopes to the drain, and can be cut and fit to prevent leaking.’ 2 ‘Consider the tiles you use. Natural stone is porous and will need resealing, so ceramic or porcelain are more practical and durable. Small or mosaic tiles with more grouting are more slip resistant and allow you to manipulate corners and vary the gradient for drainage.’ 3 ‘A shower screen is a smart solution for reducing splash and spray around the room, helping to keep towels and toilet paper dry.’
#sorealhomes
Open-plan made easy
Bright spark
for more inspiration, visit realhomes.com/bathroom
This refreshingly retro bathroom furniture range has gone right to the top of our lust list. The classic 1950s vintage wall-hung design (which has the option of adding legs), means it’s simply irresistible. Kompass two-drawer wall-hung furniture unit in Jade, from £475, Frontline Bathrooms
Profile The owners Heather Stewart, a blood transfusion practitioner, and her husband, Jim, who runs a sales agency business The property A three-bedroom semidetached Edwardian house in Giffnock, Glasgow project cost £136,250
WORDS KAREN WILSON PHOTOGRAPHS KATIE LEE
kitchen extension
SPRING REFRESH By extending to create an open-plan kitchen diner, Heather and Jim have unified their house and garden and achieved their dream space
Left, right and previous page Wood beams made on site support the new kitchen extension and frame a bespoke extractor made by Kelvent. Schock sink, Arch tap, Planar units and Maxtop worktops, Magnet. Bar stools, Atlantic Shopping. Flooring, Karndean. Appliances, AEG. Pendant lights, Next. Stove, HWAM. For a similar dining table, try the Kimberley by Barker & Stonehouse
BEFORE
Step one
Step two
JUST
one month after getting married, Heather and Jim had sold their separate homes and moved into their new Edwardian property. With four grown-up children to host on weekend visits, the couple set about creating the perfect openplan entertaining space – achieving the indoor-outdoor link we all covet. Lifestyle benefits aside, Heather and Jim were eager to inject interest into their spacious kitchen-diner, like the architectural oak beams that highlight the sloping extension roof. Here, they reveal the steps they took to achieve their dream kitchen…
Rescue mission
First steps
‘We loved this house in the first 20 seconds we viewed it,’ Heather says, ‘but we didn’t appreciate how poor the light was in the kitchen until we moved in. At first, we were going to make do with the original layout as there was a big, serviceable dining room and separate kitchen, but having a utility room, toilet and outhouse between the kitchen and garden meant there was no connection to the outside space. ‘We wanted to upsize as we needed space to seat ourselves, our kids and their partners when they visit. It was time to try modern, open-plan living.’
‘I’d worked with the architects twice before, so I knew they’d make a great team,’ Jim says. ‘We knocked through the warren of rear rooms and extended one metre beyond the footprint. It required extensive groundworks to remove 200 tonnes of earth from the sloping rear garden and build a new retaining wall using bricks from the internal dividing walls we’d knocked down. Luckily, there was a singletrack road at the top of the garden for access, but the job required underpinning and specialist house insurance to cover us during the build.’
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Right With 23 steps to the top, splitting the garden into three tiers that follow the sun has made it much more usable – particularly now it’s linked to the kitchendiner with sliding doors.
Step four
Step five
Special features
Kitchen designed
Lifestyle
‘Rather than bi-fold doors, we chose larger-than-average commercial spec windows across two sides of the extension to frame the garden views, as well as two sets of doors and a big skylight,’ Jim explains. ‘The exposed beams were fabricated on site, and they’re a major feature of the room – they add warmth and create a really attractive shadowing effect. ‘We also commissioned a bespoke extractor. We decided to move the hob to the island to make it more sociable, but that meant the overhead extractor we’d ordered didn’t fit between the roof trusses. I love it because it’s totally unique to this house.’
‘Jim project managed the build, but I took control of the kitchen design,’ reveals Heather. ‘I wanted a cleanlined look, so I picked high-gloss units teamed with Maxtop Quartz work surfaces to reflect the light. It’s all drawers because I don’t like cupboards and there isn’t much wall space. ‘Jim suggested the grey luxury vinyl tile flooring, but I’d never had it before so I was unsure. It’s so soft and warm underfoot, it’s easy to clean, and nothing breaks when you drop it. We’ve used it throughout the house so you don’t see the join between the old and new parts.’
‘The project overran by a few weeks because materials were delayed, but we have nothing but praise for the builders,’ Heather says. ‘I can enjoy my terraced garden now, and I’m embracing open-plan living. ‘The space has three distinct parts that follow the sun, which we call lower, middle and upper earth! It’s taken a while to get used to cooking in an open space – you have to be relaxed about mess – but it’s great for parties and family gatherings. The only downside is that our beautiful front room gets neglected – the last time we used it was on Christmas Day!’
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Step three
Anthracite Grey composite decking, UPM ProFi Deck. Glass balustrading, CTM Fabrications. Sliding doors, Windowplus
Contacts
Above French doors with glass panels maximise the light in the living area and give easy access to the side garden.
Architect Slorach Wood, 0131 319 1260, slorachwoodarchitects.com Building work and kitchen fitting Byrne Home Improvements, 0141 637 0228, byrnehomeimprovements.co.uk Kitchen Magnet, 01325 744093, magnet.co.uk Flooring Karndean, 01386 820 100, karndean.com
French doors, Windowplus. Sofa and chair, Sofa.com. Footstool, John Lewis. Cushions, Ikea. Pendant light, Wayfair
my kitchen favourites Boja gold foil wine glasses, £32 for four, Oliver Bonas
The best thing about going open plan ‘The extra space – it’s great for parties’
The perfect dinner party recipe ‘Chicken tagine or Thai green curry’
Alfresco terracotta patterned tagine, £35, John Lewis & Partners
The one item we couldn’t do without ‘Our log burner!’ Our go-to shop for kitchen buys ‘We love most high-street ranges – like Marks & Spencer and Sainsbury’s’ Paxton dining table, £799, Marks & Spencer
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Vision Small T woodburning and multi-fuel stove, from £1,335, Stovax
Alresford armchair in blue velvet, £399, Atkin & Thyme
On a Saturday morning, you’ll find us... ‘Watching Saturday Kitchen while reading the paper’
Extended kitchen
Profile The owner Stuart Fyfe, PR director, lives here with his partner, Matt Davey, a solicitor The property A three-bedroom Victorian terraced house in east Brixton, London project cost ÂŁ85,000
THE BRIGHT SIDE A wraparound extension and interior overhaul gave Stuart and Matt a light and airy kitchen that’s perfect for entertaining
The flexible kitchen is the heart of the home. There’s space to eat or chat around the island, a more formal dining area and, with the bi-fold doors open, a natural flow out to the garden. Kitchen, LWK Kitchens. Flooring, Floors of Stone. Cupboards, Hacker Kitchens. Table, Made.com. Chairs, Stone Butterfly. Bi-fold doors, Duration Windows. Pendants, Heal’s. American fridge/freezer, Siemens
WORDS RICHARD WEBBER PHOTOGRAPHS CHRIS SNOOK
BEFORE
Step one
and Matt never shirk a challenge, which is just as well because they faced an almighty task when they acquired their 1880s terrace house in south London. Behind the brick façade lay a neglected, pitiful interior, but the couple had the foresight to realise they could transform the property into a comfortable, stylish home. Springing into action, Stuart and Matt set about laying the foundations for the key element of their new home: a wraparound kitchen extension. Alongside a loft conversion and a complete renovation of the house’s interior, they’ve managed to create the open-plan, guest-friendly space of their dreams. Here, the couple explain what it took to get to the light and airy kitchen they stand in today.
Step two
Stuart
Rescue mission
First steps
‘We’d lived in flats since getting together and we dreamed of owning a house,’ says Matt. ‘We wanted somewhere we could redo, and acquiring a wreck to renovate in a developing neighbourhood was the most cost-effective option. It was close to places we already knew and having spent 18 months searching, this property seemed perfect. ‘There were broken windows, boarded-up doors and no boiler. None of the floors were level, and every room had graffiti or odd colours on the walls and floors. The Victorian coving and fireplaces were unsalvageable. It was a complete mess.’
‘We sold our Clapham flat and bought the house, then for the next three months, we consulted architects and builders,’ Matt explains. ‘We converted the loft under permitted development, but for the kitchen extension, we waited until the local authority updated its planning policy to allow wraparound extensions. Once that happened, the application was approved within eight weeks. ‘When work began, it became clear that the existing internal structure was worse than we’d thought, so we had little alternative but to gut the interior and start with a fresh canvas. As a result, it’s basically a new house with an old exterior.’
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Contacts Below Raising the level of the garden has enabled Stuart and Matt to create an ‘insideoutside’ effect when the bi-fold doors are open. The rendered flowerbeds and artificial lawn produce an attractive yet lowmaintenance garden.
Step three
Step four
Step five
Artificial grass, Namgrass. Tiles, Floors of Stone. Fireplace, Mrs Stone Store
DIY details
Grey matters
Be our guest
‘We tried to keep decorative costs to a minimum by rolling up our sleeves once the builders had left,’ Stuart says. ‘It’s something we enjoy, although it took six months because we worked at weekends or during evenings when we had time. We went over budget by a few thousand on fixtures and fittings. It’s a house that we’ll live in for a long time, so we wanted a high standard – even if that meant spending a little more. ‘We encountered a few problems – including with the weather. At one point, it was so cold that the plaster in the kitchen took longer to dry than planned. On the day the kitchen installers were due to arrive, we were in there at 5am with the heaters on at full blast, desperately trying to dry the plaster without damaging it.’
‘When it came to the colour palette, we had the whole house to decorate, so we needed a scheme that would be coherent throughout,’ recalls Matt, ‘and we wanted something that wouldn’t date. We looked at pictures of other kitchens, and the ones we liked all had grey in them. It’s a good canvas for adding splashes of colour, and it’s warmer than white, too. ‘We added a few extra touches. We have underfloor heating, remotecontrolled rain-sensing Velux windows and bi-fold doors that open up onto the secluded garden.’
‘We could hardly fit six people in our old kitchen, so this extension has really changed how we live,’ Matt says. ‘We have the doors open all the time in the summer. When friends come over, they can sit at the breakfast bar while we’re cooking, so it’s more sociable. You can seat 12 around the table, and with two ovens, it’s easier for catering. We’re entertaining a lot more than we used to. From experience, we know that, at a squeeze, we can fit 100 people in the living room, kitchen and garden! ‘All the effort has been worth it. Our attention has turned to the garden now. We’re trying to keep it alive but so far, our track record hasn’t been great. Our friends joke that we’ll probably end up killing the synthetic grass, too!’
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Windows Guild Home Improvements, 0800 731 4582, ghiwindows.co.uk Bi-fold doors Duration Windows, 01268 681612, duration.co.uk Kitchen LWK Kitchens, 020 7536 9266, lwk-home.com Kitchen flooring Floors of Stone, 01509 234000, floorsofstone.com
A guide to
Conservatories Spend time in the garden without leaving the comfort of your home by investing in a glazed addition
Words SaRah WaRWick
A
modern conservatory is a room you can use comfortably all year round as an extra living or dining space. The frame of the addition is generally made from either uPVC, aluminium or timber, and this is complemented by modern glazing and effective insulation that prevent temperature extremes. Choose from a traditional design with period good looks, or a contemporary take on the garden room with a slim, sleek frame and minimal detailing. Traditionally, a conservatory has a glazed or mostly glazed roof, and walls that are also glazed – often above a dwarf wall – in contrast to an orangery, which generally has a solid perimeter roof with a roof lantern, or lanterns, and features less glass overall. Some companies, though, offer solid roof conservatories, and the wide choice makes it easy to find a design that suits your needs and complements your home and garden. It’s often possible to add a conservatory under permitted development (PD), without the need for planning permission. However, this applies to houses only and – as with extensions – the PD criteria do have limits on size, how many additions can be put on to a property overall, and position. Find the details at realhomes.com/ planning-permission.
cook out, Look out This bespoke conservatory was designed for a kitchen and dining space with bi-fold doors out to a patio. Made from hard and strong douglas fir and thermally efficient Argonfilled glazing, it has a contemporary paint finish in Tempest. From £40,000, Vale Garden Houses
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inviting At night Think about evening lighting. Light strips with integrated low-voltage spotlights fitted under the individual rafters are available for this solarlux design, from €116 (£100) per metre, as well as other dimmable options. A solarlux Wintergarden conservatory like this design would cost approx £40,000
three of the Best Contemporary Conservatories Best for stepping out Large doors and a floor level with the exterior are features worth incorporating into a cutting-edge design like this one from Trombé. Around £50,000 to £60,000 for frame, glass, design and installation
Best for sLeek coLour Bespoke designs by Apropos come in a choice of shades for the aluminium frame including pale finishes as well as the on-trend slate Grey (seen here) or Blackest Black. From £15,000
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Best for hArmony The pointed roof sections of this conservatory by IQ Glass echo the Victorian Gothic lines of the house. structural glazing supported with steel junctions and a slim-framed door maximises the view. Price depends on glass size, location and access
sunshine sAvvy With a built-in weather station, this conservatory from The Caulfield Company monitors the temperature and angle of the sun, automatically raising and lowering awnings to stop heat build-up and glare. Made from aluminium, the bespoke structure’s roof and door systems offer high strength, noise cancelling and thermal values up to Passivhaus requirements. Bespoke conservatories start from £25,000
realhomes.com
three of the Best modern Conservatories
Best for eAsy upkeep This aluminium conservatory by Everest is very low maintenance. The slim frames boost sightlines, and low-iron outer glass panes improve clarity. Price on application
Best for Loftiness Adding height can make a conservatory feel luxuriously sized without increasing the footprint. This bespoke design cost around £34,300 from Hampton Conservatories
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Best for wArmth This seasoned oak conservatory has a tactile natural frame and clean-lined, contemporary look. Created by richmond oak, where project costs range from £50,000 to £80,000
enduring feAture Made from Accoya wood, this Georgian-style addition by Westbury Garden rooms has lasting good looks. The wood goes through a process called acetylation that makes it more durable and stable, and also improves its paint retention. The design has solar-control glass in the roof as the garden faces south, reducing heat but letting light in. From £45,000
realhomes.com
three of the Best timber Conservatories
Best for cover An extended roof adds a sheltered terrace to this oak-framed orangery by Arboreta, for more chances to sit out. A glass lantern draws light inside. From £66,000 for frame, glazing and joinery
Best for duAL use In a large garden, consider a room sized to fit dining and seating areas to optimise its utility. From £1,500-£2,000 per m2 for supply and fit of bespoke hardwood design, Everitt & Jones
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Best for LoveLy LAndscApes Mature trees in your garden? The fully glazed roof of this seasoned oak conservatory could beat an extension for views. Prices start from around £36,000, Prime oak
gArdeners’ deLight
#sorealhomes
three of the Best traditional Conservatories
for more ideas, head to realhomes.com/tag/conservatory
A frame in a shade that complements planting, like this olive Green aluminium Marston & Langinger design at Alitex, will blend an addition in with a garden. Budget around £2,500 to £3,000 per m2 for fitted frame and glazing
Authentic Lines The historic designs of the Edwardian conservatory by Anglian complements this period home. Made from easy to care for uPVC in Anthracite Grey with a white interior. From £18,645
Best for equAL views dine in garden surroundings. david salisbury’s designs are made from siberian larch or sapele with solar control and light-reducing glazing options, and prices start from £40,000
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Best for opening out Bi-fold doors suit modern spaces, but they also work well in classic garden rooms, like this hardwood design with insulating roof glass by Malbrook Conservatories. From £36,000
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focus on
Window blinds
Whether dressing a large expanse of glazing, a small window, or anything in between, find the perfect design for you beST fOr mInuTe aDjuSTmenTS
beST fOr bIg wInDOwS Vertical blinds are a fuss-free way to dress large windows when day-long privacy plus managing glare is a must. This off-white colourway complements an industrial interior perfectly, and the design comes in a selection of other contemporary pale and dark neutral shades. Deanna Mist vertical blind, from £17.90 for H30xW30cm, 247blinds
With fabric front and back, you can line up the see-through strips or the solid strips as needed for privacy and to regulate light. The rich metallic finish will bring subtle glamour to your room. Enjoy Luxe Gold roller blind, £76.76 for a made-to-measure blind, H120xW80cm, Day & Night range, Blinds2Go
beST fOr brIghTenIng vIewS If the outlook from a room’s not up to much, put the focus on the window itself with a colourful blind. Orla Kiely’s Rosebud Orange Roman blind is a winner for a 1970s-inspired scheme. From £68.45 for a made-to-measure blind, H60xW55cm, English Blinds
WORDS Sarah WarWick
Three TOP TIPS DeSIgn alTernaTIveS Rollers create a tidy fit when down and maximise light when rolled up. The soft pleats of Romans make windows look generously dressed. To control light and glare on screens, the adjustable horizontal slats of Venetians are effective, as are verticals. For a fine balance of privacy and light, check out double-layered day and night blinds.
Get the lowdown on styles, fit and safe blind operation for family homes
lIghT balance Blinds fitted inside the window recess are a good idea when space is short, and where they’re teamed with curtains. Want to block street lights, and go undisturbed by early dawns or long evenings? Fit outside the recess and go for a design with a blackout lining. Maximise light in a dark room by hanging a Roman so the pleats stack above the glazing.
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chIlD SafeTy Spring-operated or motorised blinds are ideal for kids’ rooms. Wand-operated verticals and Venetians also avoid the use of cords or chains (as these can pose safety issues). Other options include chain-break connectors and breakaway tassels built into the blind design. Alternatively, install a separate system like a tensioning device on a chain loop or cleat for storing the cord.
beST fOr neaT fIT
beST fOr STeamy rOOmS
Make sure the design you choose still lets you open and close the window easily. These Venetians have a tensioned fit and can be designed to work so the treatment doesn’t get in the way of window, patio or sliding door handles. Red metal venetian, £371 for H100xW120cm tension fitted, Thomas Sanderson
Opt for a moisture-resistant blind to cope with life in a busy family bathroom. This roller can be sponged clean, and offers transparency options from blackout through to semitransparent to suit the window’s setting. Floyd ASC teal roller blind, from £80 for a made-to-measure H61xW60.1cm blind, Style Studio
beST fOr bay wInDOwS Consider rollers to dress a bay. They can be made to fit each section, and they’ll keep the extra floor space created by the shapely window free, which means you can easily position furniture there. Try a tribal print like this one to complete a scheme that celebrates the handmade and quirky. Brindle Spice roller blinds, from £75 for H76xW61xcm, Hillarys
Roman blinds can be sized up to fit expanses of glazing, and will make an interior feel snug when they’re lowered after dark, as well as smartly dressed during the day. These unlined blinds show off the texture and weave of the fabric, but lined versions are also available. Everyday Style Roman blind in fabric 8840 Syre (unlined), £206 for H200xW180cm, Luxaflex
finishing touches mODern STrIPe These verticals will hold their own in a scheme full of colour. Calcine in teal/ fuchsia/mandarin, £39 per m, Atelier collection, Harlequin
Have a Roman blind made up in one of the latest fabrics. Here are three of our favourite new designs bruSh STrOkeS Enjoy the view of a painterly floral with dynamic style and bold, modern scale. Artesia Eden, £35 per m, Villa Nova
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DOuble Take This reversible fabric looks striking from either side. Knot Geometric in Cobalt, £49.50 per m, Coast collection, Ian Mankin
realhomes.com
beST fOr cOSy nIghTS
COMING NEXT MONTH in your new
On sale
PHOTOGRAPH PAUL DEBOIS/GAP PHOTOS
25 april
Be inspired by stunning before and after transformations Get ready for summer with our guide to outdoor living areas Add light, space and value with a modern glazed extension The latest kitchen and bathroom buys Clever decorating ideas and easy weekend projects for stylish interiors
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Shower enclosures Step into daily luxury with one of these sleek, modern designs suitable for any bathroom 2
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for more essential buys, visit realhomes.com/bathroom
1 Arezzo matt black frame grid wet room screen and support arm, from £159.95, Victorian Plumbing 2 Pure shower wall panel, from £465, Pure Bathroom Collection 3 Jacuzzi Loft black frame wet room glass panel with wall support, £399, Victoria Plum 4 Designer black frameless Easyclean sliding shower door, £349.99, Soak.com
fEAtUrE amelia smith
5 Solet single sliding door quadrant enclosure, £749, Easy Bathrooms 6 Edge Pivot shower door with side panel, from £588, Crosswater 7 Kinedo Eden Quadrant shower cubicle with sliding doors, £1,940, UK Bathrooms
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Door handles 2
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feAtURe amelia smith
1 Urfic Belgravia lever on rose, £13.99 per pair, Screwfix 2 Curve glass mortice knob, £45 per pair, John Lewis & Partners 3 Kua lever on square rose, from £30 per pair, Carlisle Brass 4 Heritage Brass Waldorf door handle in antique brass, £40.74, More Handles 5 Lever handle with a leather grip, £80.41, SDS London 6 Beehive Rosewood door knob, £21.50 per pair, Suffolk Latch Company 7 Lannion brushed nickel effect handle, £18 per pair, B&Q 8 Aged brass pointy door pull, £102.25, Willow & Stone
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for more design ideas and tips, see realhomes.com/doors
Choose your material, texture and style carefully for doors that open with a real flourish
I’ve topped up on tulip bulbs (250 to be exact). Excited to see how the new crop does. Leaves are popping up now! @CLAREMARIEDESIGN
A lovely patio with a kitchen, bar and outdoor cinema. Though I’d settle for a lawn that didn’t have holes because the dog has taken up digging as a hobby...
FEATURE ALISON JONES
@OURBEECHTERRACE
Large patio for entertaining, lovely flower borders, a summerhouse, hot tub and maybe an outdoor bar @SCANDI_LOUS_HOME
READERS’ VIEW
What’s on your garden wishlist?
Porcelain tiles that are both internal and external to give the illusion of the living area of our extension carrying through to the garden
To turn our green blank canvas into a tropical garden with my own zen den for yoga and hiding from the world
@HAU_TO_DIY
@OUR_URBAN_HOME
A garden right on the sea (preferably in Lindos) A daily swim and toes in warm sand
We bought a pizza oven last year. Hopefully we’ll be getting lots of use out of it this summer @HARRY.HOMESTERS
My dream garden would have built-in seating in sun and shade, so I didn’t have to get chairs out of storage every time I want to soak up some Vitamin D @MRSCLAIRELOUISECLARK 162
@ARTATPONTHIGH
One of those fab outdoor kitchens – and a chef to make some amazing food so I can sit there in the sun enjoying a mojito! @LORRAINEWILSONBROWN
My garden was a complete bomb site after finishing our extension. It’s been cleared, patio and planters installed, shed almost finished and turf going down. Now I need to start growing things @NUMERO_QUINZE