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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 REALHOMES.COM
Real HOMES BEFORE AFTERS
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50+ pages of inspiring home makeovers
APRIL 2019
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amazing LIVING ROOM updates
COLOUR YOUR HOME easy paint ideas for high impact
BI-FOLD DOORS bring the outdoors in
best buys Kitchen storage Stylish beds Modern worktops
STEP INTO SPRING go big and bold with botanicals
LIGHT & BRIGHT
stunning looks for your dream kitchen-diner
seph Joseph o J a e iv e c e r mixing bowls set
So if the brighter days have got you feeling buoyant and thinking of transforming your home, don’t miss part three of our extension planner on page 124. Packed with practical advice on how to find the right designer for your project, it could be the first, very important step you take towards achieving your dream space. Beth Murton Acting Editor @BethMurton
on my list this month There’s nothing like greenery to bring a spring vibe to your home, and at least this lovely faux plant stands a chance of survival in my house! See page 57 for details
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from the editor PHOTOGRAPH KATIE LEE
rrival of some long-awaited sunshine ways guaranteed to put a spring in tep at this time of the year. The dark of winter are behind us and instead cing home to snuggle up on the sofa, I want to throw open the windows and doors, embrace the outdoors and bring a feeling of light into my home, even if the outdoor temperatures don’t always match my spring-like vibe yet. Harnessing the feel-good emotions that come with brighter days, sunnier skies and light-filled interiors is something all of the homeowners we feature strive for when embarking on a home-improvement project. It’s also the reason why extensions and renovations are rarely just about adding space. More often than not, there’s an emotional aspect that drives these types of projects. The urge to create a better home life can encourage you to do anything from making the perfect spot to unwind while basking in the evening sunshine to designing a sociable indoor/outdoor layout that encourages the family to spend time together, or even creating a master bedroom in the loft where you can escape for half an hour of peace and quiet. After all, not many of us would put ourselves through the upheaval of major building work if the end goal was simply about gaining a few extra squares metres of room. This is where a great designer can be worth their weight in gold, taking on board all of your ambitions for your space and turning them into reality. What’s more, they can come up with innovative ideas you would never have thought of, as Maria Norberg discovered when extending her semi-detached home (page 24). The architect’s suggestion of including a floor-to-ceiling window at the front of the new extension has given them the light, open-plan family space they desperately wanted, but it’s also turned what could have been a simple two-storey side addition into a striking contemporary design that Maria says ‘everyone comments on’.
s t n e t n o c Style agenda 47
Inside track
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How to add a pattern pop to your bathroom with wallpaper
news The products and trends that grabbed our attention this month
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#nowtrending
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home truths 59
real home 60
66 HOT HUE Snap up some key pieces in Pantone’s colour of the year: Living Coral
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new ways with paint Creative decorating ideas for a colourful twist
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24
the big debate Artificial grass or the real deal?
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Create a room that’s tailor made for lounging around
sweet dreams Button-backed, colourful or floral beds for every scheme
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Easy update Paint a geometric headboard to save space and money
Maria Norberg imported the best of Scandi style to her Sheffield semi
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new buys on the block The key hallway trends and how to get the look on a budget
Our monthly columnist, Lisa Dawson, on spring DIY projects
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beautiful botanics Create a horticultural haven with leafy prints and lush greens
Let’s be friends on social media
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Sunday project
128
Receive a Joseph Joseph nesting bowl set worth £30 when you subscribe – see page 102
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49
s t n e t n o project advice
home life
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My favourite corner 81
Real Home
123 extension of the month A clever side addition that instantly caught our eye
Real Home See how Nicola Harvey used her dynamic style to create a modern family home
124 extension planner How to achieve the best design
100 let there be light
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remodelling a flat How to make substantial improvements to your space
Why Amanda and Richard Monaghan’s dream home was worth every penny
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project news
The latest ideas and buys for your renovation
A reader shares the part of her home she loves the most
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108
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128 the april report
Simple ways to enhance and reap the benefits of natural light
The latest ideas, trends and buys for your kitchen and bathroom
105 ‘what i gave up for my dream home’
131 Save 20% on tiles Make savings with our great offer
Three renovating readers share their hard-earned advice
141 bi-fold doors Open up your home to the garden with the latest styles
60 108 real home Robyn and Jamie transformed a beige box into a vibrant home
150 Focus on worktops Make kitchen surfaces a style feature with our simple guide
120 fill your home with books Home libraries and reading nooks: a new way to escape
153 The edit The latest towel radiators and kitchen trolleys on the market
132 real home See how Belinda Flury’s extended kitchen created a bright, relaxing space to entertain friends
148 real home Check out Kath and Vivian’s nature-inspired bathroom
#Sorealhomes Share your home with us on Instagram using our hashtag
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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
REALHOMES.COM
EDITORIAL Editor Laura Crombie Acting Editor Beth Murton Assistant Editor Alison Jones Features Editor Ellen Finch Style Editor Anna Morley Deputy Style Editor Amelia Smith realhomes@futurenet.com 01527 834456
l a Re s e m o H t s ju a k c i cl y a aw #SOREALHOMES
Future PLC, Units 1 & 2, Sugarbrook Court, Aston Road, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire B60 3EX
INSIDE INSIDE
track
Get the scoop on new design ideas, must-have products and looks you’ll love… Porto three-seater sofa in Honey, £1,099; Rune armchair in Rose, £449; Nyhavn cabinet in natural mango wood, £449; Kasper coffee table in marble & mango wood, £349; Penfold stool in Emerald, £299; Shackleton hand-woven rug in pale blue, £199; Priya blanket in camel & grey, £59; Lotus, Victoria and Linnea cushions, from £30 to £40, all Swoon
SPRING FLING If you’re seeking interior pieces with a dash of panache, look no further than Swoon’s latest collection that really makes us do just that – swoon! It’s bold, colourful and uses a range of materials, so you can mix and match furniture and accessories to your own individual taste. Like to try before you buy? See the products at 11 Debenhams stores across the country, including Westfield White City. You’re welcome.
Treviso pendant light in Fresh Pink, £119
FEATURE ANNA MORLEY
Kaveri cushion in black and white, £29
easy living We are loving the elegant retro lines of the Swoon range, but what to choose? We’re gonna need a bigger space to put them all in
Streep side table in brass and marble, £279
Kiln cabinet in walnut and brass, £529
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Aron chair in Emerald velvet, from £379
LAYER YOUR LAIR
SHOPPING SECRETS FROM A HOME ST YLIST
The classic zigzag of chevrons never goes out of style – trust us. The jigsaw-like complexity of parquet is easy to achieve in luxury vinyl – just lay down tiles or planks for a stunning floor. Moduleo’s new Bohemian range comes in soft grey, pale ash, natural or dark wood. Time for some zig-a-zag-ahh in your life (again).
Pippa Jameson, @pippajameson, is a stylist, consultant, art director, TV designer and founder of pippajameson interiors.co.uk tips for A spring refresh Choose a key accent colour that’s hot for 2019, such as coral. Invest in three or four items, like cushions, a candle and some fresh or faux succulents. This will inject some spring/summer colours and the plants will bring the space alive. My best styling secret Shop thrifty. You can find some absolute treasures if you hunt around at reclamation yards and online. I hardly ever buy new; you just need to know where to shop.
Impress collection Bohemian dryback luxury vinyl flooring in 61254 colourway, £32.99 per m2, Moduleo
One to watch in 2019 I think Amazon is going to up its homeware game. I hope we’ll also see more of Made + Good, an online marketplace selling the work of independent makers/designers.
Super subtle Leather, velvet and ceramic are just some of the finishes you’ll find in the latest collection by Fox & Ivy, exclusive to Tesco. The versatile new range has texture a-plenty, and we reckon these buys will be finding their way into a fair few trolleys over spring. Seasonable key pieces that are affordable yet luxurious – that’s always a winning combo in our book.
my inspirationS... Fashion and travel. I’ve always looked at spring/summer fashion shows to gain my inspiration, and I have my camera at the ready when I travel to take snaps for ideas for my shoots. My fail safe shop is.... Rowen & Wren – the items are great quality and I love the naturalness of the materials they use, such as brass, linen, galvanised metals and wood. I also love Oliver Bonas!
Left Leather handle mirror, £15; teal quilted velvet cushion, £16; ombre cylinder vase, £16; ceramic planter, £12; trinket tray, £4; glass frame, £12; glass trinket box, £14; ceramic jug, £16; frosted vase, £20; reactive glaze cylinder vase, £12, all Fox & Ivy at Tesco
My favourite shop for unusual items If money were no object, it’d have to be Liberty. They have such an eclectic mix of fashion and pieces for the home.
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Small grey prism pendant, £100 Fitzroy Midnight 100 per cent wool flatweave runner, £129 per m, Roger Oates Design
Large pink prism pendant, £150
NATURE ROCKS
Medium grey prism pendant, £130
There are some gorgeous geode-inspired pieces hitting the shops, and these lights really caught our eye. Capturing the beauty of natural quartz formations, the crystal-shaped pendant lights are part of awardwinning designer Sarah Colson’s Prism collection for Debenhams. Hang singly or cluster together for drama.
Textile temptation Myriad influences ranging from modern art patterns in fashion to embellished surfaces have led to the Artesia range from Villa Nova. Painterly prints and textured weaves feature florals, abstract patterns, experimental geometrics, and metallic hints; the designs capturing the spontaneous nature of handpainted artwork. Wallcoverings work as stand-alone statements or in harmony with soft-tothe-touch textiles and velvets.
Walls papered in Berea wallcovering in Verdigris, £59 per roll; chairs in Fitzroy Alpine, £60 per m, Marka rug in Teal, from £425, all Villa Nova
Medium pink prism pendant, £130
EARN YOUR STRIPES City townhouse, rural retreat or somewhere in between, stripes work in almost any scheme, especially for stairs or hall runners. Roger Oates Design’s popular Fitzroy now comes in a new colourway – Midnight. Dark indigo is offset by grey, making it a warmer way to bring this colour into the home.
FOR MORE GREEN BOTANICS TURN TO PAGE 49
English Garden candle, £49
A NEW FLAME Homeware brand Polkra has collaborated with London-based illustrator Katie Scott to create five hand-painted, essential oil candles, and what beauties they are. A fantastical depiction of each fragrance decorates the ceramic pots, which can be reused once the candle is finished.
Portobello Oud candle, £49
GO NUDE If you’re on top of the latest colour trends, you’ll already know that neutrals are in demand for 2019. Barely there tones in hues of oatmeal and linen are warm, inviting and versatile. The new rug collection from Woven is just the ticket if you’re after a perfect neutral update. Made from natural materials, flatwoven or tufted in a variety of thicknesses, and in a range of timeless shades, there’s plenty to sink your toes into here.
Book worm Be Bold: Interiors for the Brave of Heart, Emily Henson (Ryland, Peters & Small, £19.99) This book is a maximalist’s dream! Stylist and author Emily Henson brings playful patterns, bold prints and vivid colours to your interiors. The more daring of the trends appear in chapters like ‘Decorate Like No-One’s Watching’, ‘More Is More’ and ‘Paint It Bold’. Brimming with inspiration and ideas to recreate, there’s also a nosey around some spirited styling in the ‘Trailblazers’ section. Enjoy!
Oat beige handwoven flatweave rug by Ligne Pure in wool and bamboo silk, from £829, Woven
Orion smoked glass ceiling light, £382, Artisanti
Celestial purse vase, from £90, Poole Pottery
GALACTIC FANTASTIC There’s a cosmic force emanating around the interiors world where designs inspired by the stars are in warp drive. Celestial chic has never looked this good.
INSTA FOLLOW
WEST ELM
Foil Moons cushion, £30, Oliver Bonas
If it’s glamorous, confident imagery with beautiful styling you’re looking for, head over to @westelm and @westelmuk insta feeds. Both are filled with lust-worthy room sets featuring sharp furniture in bang-on colours. Love them.
Galaxy double duvet cover set, £15, George Home
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Decorative round art mirror in blue, £199, John Lewis & Partners
EXTENSIONS HUB Planning an extension this year? Whether you’re making the most of your empty side return or double-storeying it in a quest for more bedrooms, we’ve got plenty of expert advice, along with incredible real homes to keep you inspired. realhomes.com/extensions
get involved We always 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…
g n i d n e r t w o #n REA JOIN THE COMMUNITY ON
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INSPIRATION AND ADVIC
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Easyclean matt wall paint in Soft Lime, £25 for 2.5ltrs, Crown
Wall paint in Provence, £39.95 for 2.5ltrs, Annie Sloan
PHOTOGRAPHS STUART COX, CHRIS SNOOK
SPRING REFRESH Got yourself a weekend project? Giving your living room an update? Save yourself the stress of frantically googling ‘How to tile a splashback’ by heading to our dedicated decorating section for all your DIY needs. We promise we won’t judge if you need a quick reminder on how to paint a wall (we have a guide for that, after all). realhomes.com/ decorating
RENOVATION, RENOVATION, RENOVATION This is not a drill: spring is almost here, and with it, your new year renovation project. Get all the inspiration you need from our comprehensive online guide, which is packed with top tips, must-read how-tos and amazing case studies. realhomes.com/renovations
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Estate emulsion paint in Dayroom Yellow, £46.50 for 2.5ltrs, Farrow & Ball
Easycare paint in Sorbet, £35.71 for 2.5ltrs, Dulux
home truths
LISA DAWSON
PHOTOGRAPH KATIE LEE
It’s not long until Easter and this can only mean one thing. I’m not talking about furtively
quickly became apparent that it was, of course, a significantly larger job than I’d anticipated. Unfortunately, I am not the most well prepared, nor the most patient, decorator and after one coat, I decided I was done. Finito. From a throwing a chocolate bunny into your distance, it looked great. I positioned Aldi shop, feeding lambs or eating more olive trees either side and took a hot cross buns than hot dinners. I’m photograph for my Instagram account. talking clearing out the shed, Marie Winning. Well, I was until a courier came Kondo-ing your drawers and battling to deliver a parcel and told my husband the crowds by the paint mixer at B&Q. that the door looked as if it had been All out, brushes primed, trowels ready painted by a five year old. Rude. I still for some serious Bank Holiday DIY. haven’t got around to doing the second There is nothing better than a coat (I’m blaming the cold weather) so good weekend project. As the lighter come the Bank Holiday, it’s going back days arrive, so does our urge to make on the to-do list. Argh. some changes and breathe life into Front door aside, this month our living spaces. Daffodils raise their I’m undertaking a project of epic heads in the garden, and the idea proportions – the family bathroom. of basking on your patio with a glass Currently a no-go area due to a broken of wine come summer feels like shower, a cupboard an actual possibility. full of duvets used by Well, as possible as ‘From a distance, my son’s 15-year-old it can get in North for sleepovers Yorkshire, anyway. the door looked friends and a permanently I recently undertook a weekend great. a courier open window for the cat (meaning the project that didn’t room temperature quite work out as said it looked is arctic), I’m going I’d hoped. I live in a as if it’d been to be transforming Georgian house and the space for the the original front door painted by a social media project is, to put it mildly, that I run with my fairly large. Built in five year old’ friend, Bianca Hall 1759, it’s a whopper – – Revamp Restyle almost four foot wide Reveal. Running for four weeks, the and panelled – and it was painted red. concept is to challenge 10 bloggers Upon investigation, I discovered one to revamp one room in their home over of the reasons people painted their a four-week period, using every DIY doors in this colour was not only hack in the book. You can follow because it was considered lucky, but both mine and the bloggers progress also to show their home was paid off. on Realhomes.com and also via the Hmmm. Seeing as our mortgage can @revamprestylereveal Instagram page. only be rivalled by the National Debt, And even better, you can join in the the chances of this occurring are slim. fun and post your own DIY projects Concerned I was borderline fraudulent, to the #revamprestylereveal hashtag. I decided I’d paint it pink. Apparently, Now all you have to do is to work out this colour reflects a person who is which project you’re going to focus fun loving and fearless, someone who on. Just one suggestion from me – enjoys making a statement and most know your limits and don’t take on of all, signifies hope. Forever hopeful more than you can chew. Unless of my mortgage being reduced by a you’re holding an Aldi chocolate lottery win, I fearlessly set to work bunny or a hot cross bun, of course. transforming the door into a glorious FOLLOW LISA @_lisa_dawson_ entrance worthy of Palm Springs. It
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extended 1930s house
Perfectly pared back Inspired by her Swedish roots, Maria Norberg has imported the best of Scandi-style open-plan living to her Sheffield semi
Profile
WORDS KAREN WILSON PHOTOGRAPHS KATIE LEE
THE OWNERs Maria Norberg, who works in child welfare and also makes macramé wall hangings, lives here with husband David Jenkinson, a sales manager, and son Bo, four THE PROPERTY A four-bedroom, 1930s semi in Sheffield project COST £120,000
Why Maria’s house ticks all our boxes A slow and considered approach has been key for Maria Norberg when renovating the 1930s Sheffield semi she shares with husband David and son Bo. Having moved from Sweden to the UK 20 years ago, the hallmarks of Scandinavian design are evident throughout her home, but particularly in the two-storey, wood-clad side extension built in 2016. Sparked by the arrival of Bo, who needed space to play, it’s a masterclass in pared-back open-plan living, with large windows, white walls, touches of wood, plants and graphic prints converging to create a relaxing, harmonious vibe. When they first moved in, the couple took out a £15,000 loan and knocked together the kitchen and dining room before installing clean-lined white units with wood worktops and white tiles. The simple design turned out to be futureproof when the house was expanded some years later. In the living room and bedrooms, Maria has experimented with bolder colour and pattern, but it’s clear the monochrome open-plan space punctuated by pops of green is closest to her natural design leanings. By getting inspiration from magazines, Instagram and websites, then trying to replicate the looks she loves with high street buys, Maria has successfully achieved a high-end look on a modest budget.
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Alessano herringbone oak-effect laminate ooring, B&Q. For a similar dining set, try the Bedford oak oval dining table and Laxa curved oak dining bench, Frances Hunt. For a similar dining chair, try the Svenertil, Ikea. Tangle chandelier light, Made.com. White salt & pepper set, Sagaform
Right Jonny twoseater sofa in Revival Yellow; Austin copper cluster pendant, both Made.com. Striped blind made in Sofia fabric, Ikea
TOP TIP If you love wood flooring but haven’t the budget for the real thing, a wood-effect vinyl could give you the look you want
Over to Maria...
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I’ve always loved the open plan, light and bright feel of houses in Sweden – it’s what I’ve grown up with. So when we designed the extension, I knew I wanted a glass corner to bring the outdoors in. Another thing on my wishlist was parquet flooring, but in the end we had laminate to save money. It might not last forever but I don’t think it’s compromised the look. We added underfloor heating, which makes a huge difference when walking around with bare feet. I don’t like having the main lights on – I prefer little pools of light – so I planned where every light fitting would go, even making sure there was an electric fitting above the seating area, even though we hadn’t chosen a sofa yet. The dining table gets a lot of comments on Instagram. It nearly
got ruined when turps was spilt all over it, but it’s cleaned up fine. This is where I make macramé wall hangings, although I might move production to the spare bedroom. The gallery wall above the wall-hung cabinets is another favourite spot. I’ve added a few quirky pieces that spark discussion. The One Eye print by Olle Eksell reminds me of my childhood as it used to be on the cocoa packs in Sweden, so everyone knows it. The built-in bar is great for entertaining and Bo loves having space to play around in, so it works for everyone.
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‘
Our first priority when we moved in eight years ago was knocking through and swapping around the kitchen and dining room. By taking out the chimney breast, we freed up space for more units and an island, while the new bi-fold doors link the space to the garden. The old grotty kitchen was straight off the hallway where the mini sofa is now. Another door, which we blocked off, led into the dining room. Sorting this has made a huge difference to the way we live. The builders had to pull down the ceiling to treat woodworm and dig out the uneven concrete slab the flooring was laid on to prevent movement in the future. We lived upstairs with a makeshift gas stove and microwave, washing dishes in the bath. It was winter so a plastic bag hanging out the window was our fridge! Luckily my brother is a builder. He came over from Sweden to fit the £4,000 Howdens kitchen, which saved us money. When Bo came along, we had an extension built at the side. As well as new flooring throughout, we also made some tweaks to the kitchen. We had understated ceramic pendant lights above the island, but they weren’t doing much for the space, so we’ve added much larger black shades. They’re about 20 times bigger than the old lights but, thankfully, when they were up we both really loved them. I’ve also added classic String shelves. We have items with sentimental value on there, like the old radio that belonged to Dave’s granddad and the cast-iron pot stand which spells out Köping, the na my home town. This is the sp m happiest with, and I’m alway ing to it. It evolves over time
White Greenwich gloss kitchen units; Lamona microwave and oven, all Howdens. Java rattan pendant shade, Made.com, Gabriel white bar stools, Atlantic Shopping, are similar. String shelving, Scandinavian Design Centre. Cooke & Lewis Katiki matt black tap, B&Q. For similar wall tiles, try Metro brick flat white matt, £12 per m2, Tiles Direct
TOP TIP A slat effect on a big picture window is an architecturally interesting way to add a little privacy if it’s facing the street
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When planning the extension, I knew the layout I wanted and was keen to have wood cladding, but it was our brilliant architect who suggested the floor-to-ceiling window at the front which everyone comments on. We got a loan and cashed in some bonds to pay for it, and we did go over our £80,000 budget by around £20,000. This is mostly because we changed all the windows to match the new ones and insulated the whole house before re-rendering the pebble dash exterior. I didn’t want to compromise on the windows or the cladding, as they’re such key features of the build.
Walls painted in Down Pipe, Farrow & Ball. Kivik sofa in Hillared beige, Ikea, is similar. For a similar wingback chair, try the Kubrick in Scuba Blue, Made.com. Jungle print wall chart, Rose & Grey. Cushions, H&M and Ikea. For a similar white and black boho cushion cover, try Huckleberry
BEFORE
REALHOMES.COM
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I’ve started to experiment a bit more with colour recently, and I’ve painted the living room darker to make it cosier since the rest of the ground floor is light and bright. It works well with the wall hanging I found on Instagram, and my vintage console table I discovered on the street outside a pub. A mirrored wall brings light to the a by the chimney breast, and hung some prints from Casa in Barcelona over the sofa.
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‘
Although we did the extension mainly for the ground floor space, an extra bedroom upstairs was a nice bonus. We had earmarked this as a spare bedroom as we were worried it would end up feeling long and narrow, but the architect suggested opening the ceiling up into the eaves to create more height. It makes the room feel much bigger, so we were happy to make it our bedroom in the end. It was my idea to have walkthrough open wardrobes on either side. There’s also storage above the en-suite shower room and a hatch above the bedroom door to access the rest of the loft. I’ve dressed this room with several of my macramé wall hangings in shades of green, grey and pink. I also sell them on Etsy. The room’s not quite finished yet as I’m strug to find things like bedside lig d shelving units. When I fi e right things, I’ll kno The Fredd grey olstered bed by Habitat is similar to this. For a cerise cushion, try the Houdini at Andrew Martin. For a similar throw, try the Ingunn at Ikea
‘ I LO
E H T F O L E E F HT G I R B , T H G I L E VED TH
H O U S E S I G R E W U P W IT H IN
SWEDEN. WHEN WE EXTEND
I KN EW I WAN TE D TO BR IN G TH E OU TD OO RS IN ’
E D,
TOP TIP
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I used Pinterest to narrow down my ideas for the en-suite shower room. The starting point was the hexagonal wall tile, and I definitely wanted a large walk-in shower. However, the biggest challenge was finding a black steel-framed shower screen, as the ones we loved were too expensive at around £2,500. Our architect put us in touch with a glass company and a frame company who would make the two components separately. The glass arrived, but unfortunately, the frame company went bust and we lost the money we’d paid them. In the end we found a simple black shower screen online for under £800. We adapted the vanity unit with a custom-made countertop.
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Hexagonal tiles, Tiles Direct. Harbour status matt black shower frame, Drench. Mode countertop basin, Victoria Plum. Vanity unit, Ikea. For a similar cocktail chair, try the Eva Velvet in grey, Dunelm
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Use a connecting hallway or space behind the bed to make a dressing area. Open shelving can prevent it looking too narrow
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It took a long time for Bo to get his big boy room (right and below) while we were doing the extension, and he loves it. It’s one of my favourites, too. Although he got a new bed, much of the furniture and pictures are from his nursery. We deliberately haven’t got much toy storage in here, as we wanted to keep this room mainly for sleeping and relaxing. He does have book storage next to his bed so he can easily pick his bedtime story, and a little craft area where he can entertain himself. This bedroom has lovely vie er Sheffield, so I often fin elf chilling in here if I get a minutes during the da Rachel Powell wallpaper, and Ingela lion print, both This Modern Life. White shelving and notice board, Ikea. Duvet cover, Ferm Living. Potter library table, Great Little Trading Co. Kidcraft round storage table and chairs set, Argos is similar
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The guest room used to be our bedroom before we had the extension. I was never really happy with the décor as it didn’t have any character or feel to it. I was inspired by using colour and pattern in Bo’s room to experiment in here, too. At first I considered a bare plaster colour on the walls, then I saw a new shade from Farrow & Ball called Sulking Room Pink and decided to brave it. I made the headboard myself to cont with it. The spotty wallpa finishes it off nicely and c s continuity with Bo’s room Dots black and white wallpaper, Graham & Brown. Dark floral velvet cushion, Amara, is similar. Peacock print, The Lost Fox. Ribbon table lamp, Habitat. For similar oak veneer drawers, try Malm at Ikea
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Contacts Architect Thread Architects, 07975 578578, threadarchitects.co.uk Kitchen Howdens, howdens.com Laminate flooring B&Q, 0333 014 3098, diy.com Tiles Tiles Direct, 0113 253 0005, tiles-direct.com
THE PLANS BEFORE
FIRST FLOOR AFTER
BEFORE
AFTER
DINING AREA BATH ROOM KITCHEN-DINER
BEDROOM
KITCHEN
BATH ROOM BEDROOM
MASTER BEDROOM
GROUND FLOOR
BAR UTILITY
LIVING ROOM
LIVING ROOM
BEDROOM
PLAY ROOM
BEDROOM
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EN SUITE
BEDROOM BEDROOM
THE PROJECT
Report S AND ESSE THE LATEST IDEAS, TREND
NTIAL BUYS
FOR YOUR HOME IMPRO VEMENT PROJECT
CAN YOU DIG IT? Fancy growing your own veg/ flowers but without the aching back and numb knees that usually come with it? Raised beds make it easy to access your home-grown produce. The WoodBlocX modular system lets you build your own beds, seating, ponds and walls from pressuretreated pine blocks that slot together. A small herb planter costs £145, while the popular rectangular raised bed costs £382.75.
Hot new colours
FEATURE ALISON JONES
CUPBOARD LOVE An uncluttered room is balm to the soul. Whether we’re tidying for spring or culling our possessions, we need plenty of storage for what remains. Fitted wardrobes are ideal as they use up every scrap of ceiling-to-floor space. The timeless yet contemporary Esker by Kindred has full-height units with subtle contouring. Available in matt Cashmere, Dove Grey and Anthracite (pictured), with prices starting from £4,500
Caught on camera What price security? Well, £19.99 with this affordable indoor camera from Neos. The SmartCam has many of the features you’d find in a high-end camera, including live streaming, night vision, motion and sound detection, phone alerts and two-way audio. Keep an eye on your home to see if anyone is there who shouldn’t be or just to check that the dog’s not on the bed.
#SOREALHOMES
Instead of relying on a tin of drippy radiator paint to give your heating a burst of brightness, go for bold with a contemporary shape in a stand-out shade from Vasco. With a palette of 56 colours, there is plenty of choice beyond the coolly functional white or black. Instead of blending into the background, these statement pieces can take centre stage. Oni O-P radiator in Melon Yellow, from £973
CLAD ALL OVER Say Formica and it conjures up visions of laminate kitchen worktops. But the Formica Group can make exteriors as smart as interiors with its stylish, highperformance weatherboard. VIVIX Lap planks are a modern alternative to wood and fibre cement plank cladding. Packs of four 2990mm planks cost from £112.50 through Arnold Laver.
Hit the deck
PHOTOGRAPH STIFF AND TREVILLION/KILIAN O’SULLIVAN (INNERVISION SCREENS)
‘Prime’ your garden for another hot summer with Composite Prime decking, More than 280 old milk containers go into every square metre of the environmentally friendly decking, mixed with wood flour from sustainable forests. It looks like natural timber but is splinterfree, slip-resistant and a doddle to maintain. Priced from £51 per square metre; for stockists, go to composite-prime.com.
HEART OF GLASS Partition walls have seldom looked more attractive than when they are made of glass and steel rather than more conventional stud and plasterboard. Crittall has introduced sliding doors as part of its InnerVision internal screen range, which glide back and forth on concealed running gear. A set of single Crittall InnerVision sliding doors start from around £8,000 (including installation).
BRIGHT SPARK Your number’s (lit) up with this wall light and door number combo from Juice Electrical Supplies. Available in matt black, stainless steel, galvanised steel or aluminium, the light is a beacon on a dark evening, and a useful clue for people unfamiliar with your address. Your Amazon/Deliveroo/ Uber driver will thank you. The Konstsmide Modena house number light costs from £30.89 to £58.95, depending on the finish.
Valspar Garden Exterior paint in Green Willow, Mayan Bubbles, Float Like a Butterfly and Welcoming White, all from £15 for 1ltr, B&Q
Garden variety
Sue Kim, Valspar’s senior colour designer, offers tips for painting outdoor surfaces Q ‘The elements are determined to fade and flake your paint. When choosing, look for both UV and mould resistance, and longlasting weatherproof formulas.’ Q ‘Before starting, remove surface dirt and loose paint with a scraper and a stiff bristle hand brush. If the wall is very dirty, wash with household detergent and rinse with water. Fill small cracks and holes then sand down. Use an exterior primer to prepare the surface.’ Q ‘Choose saturated hues for your front door or create a bespoke shade in Exterior Wood & Metal paint with colour matching. Cut into the nooks and crannies of the door using a 1in brush and fill in the rest using a 4in mini roller.’
A DV E RTOR I A L
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CREATE A FOCAL POINT Keep cosy with a stylish stove from the Stovax Heating Group pring may be around the corner, but there’s never a bad time to update your living space with a stove. We’ve gathered our favourite styles from the variety of fuel options and designs that are available, for a fresh, on-trend scheme.
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1 SLEEK STYLING If ease of installation and use is at the top of your list, Gazco’s Vogue Midi electric stove may be the perfect solution. Requiring only connection to the mains, this electric stove offers stunning flame effects and a choice of striking fuel beds. With sophisticated, modern-traditional styling, the Vogue creates the perfect atmosphere in virtually any part of the home. From £1,249, gazco.com. 2 NORDIC FEEL With a Nordic style and sleek black glass, the tall and stylish Loft from Gazco is the ultimate in contemporary gas stoves. With the option for modular installations, including a wall-mounted version, it creates an impressive focal point that can be controlled from the comfort of your sofa. For those opting for Plinth and Logstore bases, there is also the choice of two other elegant finishes apart from matching steel – the smart Castillo grey sandstone or warm Woodgrain sandstone. From £2,195, gazco.com. 3 INDUSTRIAL VIBE If you’d like a vintage industrial scheme, the Gazco Beat inset gas fire makes an ideal choice with its cast-iron construction and clean lines. This
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statement design is reminiscent of Art Deco architectural styles, and a fireplace creates a clear centrepiece for the rest of your scheme to work around. From £1,128, gazco.com. 4 ELEVATED HEAT If you want the romance of a woodburning model, the new Vogue Midi T Highline from Stovax offers a tall aesthetic with an elevated view of mesmerising flames. With a useful log store base, the side opening makes it easy to access your wood supply. SIA Ecodesign Ready, this stove also burns so cleanly that it lowers emissions to an absolute minimum and meets future environmental regulations ahead of time. From £1,695, stovax.com.
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Lupin doublebed frame in Candy, £795, Button & Sprung
Macy double bed in Pillarbox Red, £880, Living It Up
Mellow velvet king-size bed in ochre, £849, Danetti
SWEET DREAMS Button-backed, colourful or floral? Whatever your style, there’s something for you in our great selection of upholstered beds Harlow doublebed frame in Petal Chelsea Bloom, £1,130, Sofa.com
Condor doublebed frame in grey, £249, Argos
FEATURE SOPHIE WARREN-SMITH
#SOREALHOMES
Rugsund two-drawer double divan bed in Tallmyra Grey, £480, Ikea
style it now Dress, drape and furnish your new bed with our pick of the best finishing touches – whatever your bedroom scheme…
FOR MORE INSPIRATION, VISIT REALHOMES.COM/BEDROOM
Brooke velvet-effect upholstered doublebed frame, £599, John Lewis & Partners
WHITE STRIPES Kisa double duvet cover, £130, Also Home
ART DECO DESIGN Kirkby Design pendant cushion in teal, £95, Sweetpea & Willow
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COWBOY COOL Ranch jacquard double bedlinen set, £59, Marks & Spencer
Tom Tailor Zigzag Kelim Berry rug, from £109, Modern Rugs
Setting Plaster estate emulsion, £46.50 for 2.5ltrs, Farrow & Ball Upholstered curve wall mirror, £89, Oliver Bonas
Stockholm printed hi ball glass, £1.50, Sainsbury’s Home
Pav embroidered geometric velvet coral cushion, £30, Cult Furniture
Russel Wright American modern pitcher in coral, £60, Eclect Design
Bloomingville Art Deco coral glass vase, £18, Beaumonde
Grassington sofa in Tango Velvet Flamingo, £2,128, Sofas & Stuff
Aloha matt emulsion paint, £38 for 2.5ltrs, Graham & Brown
Wild Wood Pink Lemonade paper lampshade, £34.95, Trendy Cookshop
HOT H U E It’s been chosen as Pantone’s colour of the year, so snap up some key pieces in on-trend coral tones
Thea upholstered double bed in coral brushed linen cotton, £1,100, Sofa.com
Cotton striped throw, £15, George Home
Chalk paint coral mix using Tilton and Emperor’s Silk, £19.95 each for 1ltr, Annie Sloan
FEATURE ANNA MORLEY
style it now Choose this energising colour in your accessories and essentials and enjoy a spring burst of this fashionable shade.
WRITE ON Jot down your thoughts, hopes and dreams in a personalised coral splatter sketchbook, £19.99, Papier
JOG ON Feel healthy, on-trend and maybe a little smug in these Puma coral suede trainers, £44.99, Deichmann UK
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CARRY ON Not only does the Iris coral bag, £45, from Weaver Green tick all our style boxes, but it’s made from recycled plastic bottles, too!
REALHOMES.COM
Timothy Oulton Mimi Peeling Ceiling dining chair with arms, £525, Barker & Stonehouse
Flor red wood wall clock, £55, Habitat
E T A B E D G I B E TH YES
‘For a smaller urban garden, artificial grass is a no-brainer.
WORDS ALISON JONES
It’s come a long way’ Nikki Edwards (@this_e17_life) lives in a Victorian terrace in Walthamstow, London, with her husband and two young children ‘We aren’t very green fingered so we’ve had very patchy, unappealing lawns in the past. When we renovated this house we put in a big feature window and it was quite important the garden looked nice and green. If we had a real lawn, that was never going to be the case because we couldn’t be trusted to keep it that way! We put our desire to have something lovely to look at above our desire for real grass. ‘We had about 10 different samples of fake lawn. The one we chose, from Hi-Tech Turf, was the most expensive, but it didn’t make sense to compromise on it when it will be the main bit you look at. The end result is amazing; guests can’t tell it’s fake, even when walking on it – artificial grass has definitely come a long way. In the hot summer, our garden looked quite nice and lush, and you could see other gardens were really struggling. Our children have a water table and paddling pool and with fake grass you don’t worry about it being splashed, you can just tip the water out and it seeps through. On real grass it would create a kind of boggy situation. ‘We occasionally get a weed pop through, but that adds to the realism. We just pluck it out. If we had a lot of garden, I might have real grass, but for a smaller urban garden, artificial is a no-brainer.’
satisfying. You feel proud you’ve made it that green’ Lexi Atkinson (@no2thelangsdon) lives with her fiancé in a new-build detached house in Essex ‘Nothing really beats the feel of natural grass. I have seen a lot of artificial grass and though it is getting better and looking more real, I think you always know when someone has fake grass in their garden. ‘In the summer you do have to look after real grass, but we have got sprinklers, we put feed down as well, and use aerating shoes. It is quite satisfying to check on it and think it is looking quite green today. You feel proud that you have made it that green. ‘We didn’t have a problem watering it in the summer. We’ve got a rainwater butt in our garden and we let it fill up over winter, so we were using that. My fiancé mows it and I strim it and go round the edges. You nurture it and make it look the best it can be. It’s like a child – you look after it the best you can and help it grow. ‘The garden was one of the first things we did in the house because we wanted somewhere to enjoy in the summer. A real lawn encourages wildlife. We get mushrooms – I’ve looked it up and that is a good sign. You leave them there to help the grass. ‘I don’t think we’d consider artificial grass as it would be expensive in a big space. My sister has it and it feels strange to walk on. And in the heat last year the fake grass was scorching to your bare feet. The leaves sit on top think they actually vacuum it – so aintenance with artificial grass as well.’
My sister has artificial grass and it feels strange to walk on. In the heat l st year it was ac ually scorching under your bare feet
NEXT MONTH: SHOULD YOU LET YOUR CHILD CHOOSE THEIR ROOM DECOR?
Is it time to pack the lawnmower away and pick grass that never grows? We ask two garden lovers if natural or artificial is best
‘Real grass is quite
#SOREALHOMES
SHOULD YOU GO FAUX IN THE GARDEN?
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FEATURE AMELIA SMITH
Always thought wallpaper couldn’t be used in a bathroom? Well think again. If your bathroom is looking a little tired and in need of a quick revamp, consider wallpapering one or more of the walls in a bold and colourful design for an instant transformation. The beauty of bathrooms is that they’re usually the smallest room in the house, meaning they’re the perfect place for a larger-than-life print. What’s more, decorating only half the wall in a small space like this means you won’t require a huge amount of wallpaper, so you can splash out (no pun intended) on a designer print for maximum impact. And if you’ve found your dream pattern, but it’s not special bathroom paper, fear not, because any wallpaper can be used. As long as it’s not in direct contact with water (inside the shower would be a definite no no, obvs) and you’ve got good ventilation (open that window when you’re in the shower), you’re good to go. For added protection against steam and splashes, simply hang your chosen wallpaper and paint over it with a coat of decorators varnish to help seal it.
Palm extra-wide wallpaper, £165 per roll, Lucy Tiffney. Try Decorators Varnish in Dead Flat, Satin or Gloss finishes, from £3.85 for 100ml, Polyvine
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pattern pop
BEAUTIFUL B O TA N I C S Take inspiration from the great outdoors and create a horticultural haven by embracing bold leafy prints and lush, verdant shades for an on-trend scheme that brings the outdoors in
BURSTING BLOOMS Create a dramatic backdrop with a captivating modern wallpaper. This showstopping design has it all – Art Deco flair, bold pattern and vibrant colours. Pair with dark-coloured furniture to create a statement and conversation starter all in one.
FEATURE ANNA MORLEY
Botanical Botanica Forest wallpaper, £325 per roll, Cole & Son. Pullman Green paint 1829, from £14 for 750ml, Craig & Rose. Menu Cast pendant light shape 4, £229, Nest. For similar furniture, try Ercol Originals all-purpose chair, £395, and Plank table, £1,100, both Heal’s
CALM ENVIRONMENT Forest green is a perfect backdrop for a classic yet contemporary living area. This rich shade used on walls, door and trims brings the vibrancy of nature inside and strikes the perfect note between harmony and joie de vivre. A pop of botanical pattern ensures this scheme’s trend credentials. Keeping to a similar colour palette throughout is key to making this look work. Walls, door & trim painted in Puck and ceiling in Slaked Lime Absolute matt emulsion, both £43.50 for 2.5ltrs, Little Greene. Charcoal day dream sofa, £1,605; IC floor lamp in black, from £505, both Holloways of Ludlow. Lorraine rug, from £2,550, Jennifer Manners. For a similar cushion, try Sugarloaf Shores botanical vintage cushion, £25.99, Wayfair
FRESHLY PICKED We’ve seen a surge in green being used in kitchen schemes this year, both on cupboards and walls. Injecting pattern into the mix with some subtle botanics will give an added dimension. Using wallpaper in this room is unexpected, and the charming illustrations set against a soft hue are elegant with a playful undertone.
REALHOMES.COM
Lighthouse Palm Chelsea Green wallpaper, £95 per roll; window shutters painted in Willow V; cabinets in Stable Green and Floor in Wattle I, all Pure Flat emulsion, £48.50 for 2.5ltrs, all Paint & Paper Library. Lucia wall light, £288, Hector Finch Lighting. Jack dining table, £2,695; Vienna dining chairs, from £180, both Benchmark
Ottilie armchair in botanical print Velvet Nightshade, £1,080, Love Your Home
Liesel botanical green print floor cushion, £125, Habitat
Jangala Botanical large wool rug in pink and teal, £299, Made.com
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Rei table lamp, £100, Oliver Bonas
Palm Print easy care reversible duvet set, from £10, George Home
ENCHANTING SCENE Wake up to nature every day by surrounding yourself in luscious foliage. Maximise the green-ongreen theme by mixing and matching colours, textures and patterns. Wallpapers can sit alongside solid swathes of paint, and leaf-print motifs can be offset with a grounding base of white. Jute round rug, £100; Harrogate high back armchair in Edie Mustard, from £699; Cole & Son Great Vine wallpaper in Leaf Green, £100 per roll; Emily double bedstead, £399; Aralia double duvet set in green, £65; Anthropologie Augusta throw in yellow, £78, all John Lewis & Partners
Palm Jungle wallpaper lampshade in Jet Black, from £40, Love Frankie
Dark Leaves Swimsuit Girl plant pot, £65, WAGreen
Leaf contrast art print framed poster in teal/ pink, £25, Cult Living
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Tapestry Palm cushion, £6, George Home
Mauricette solid birch and palm leaf print chair, £87, Maisons du Monde
REFRESHING STYLE Two-tone rooms are most definitely a thing. Achieve a balanced look by using a beautiful foliage pattern for the top half of a wall, then contrast with paint or plain tiles for the rest. It’s a fresh, sophisticated take on a classic scheme, which any bathroom visitor should appreciate. Wall panelling painted in Calypso Green Regal Select flat paint, £63 for 3.79ltrs, Benjamin Moore. Garden of Serica wall covering in Malachite, £248 per m, by Anna Glover. Bourne wall-mounted basin, from £720; Chessleton wallmounted three-hole basin mixer in antique brass, from £1,482; towel ring in antique brass, from £210; round tilt mirror in antique brass, £858; Derwent pendant light, from, £445, all Drummonds
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Secret Garden wallpaper in Twilight, £89 per roll, Abigail Edwards
W Morris & Co. Acanthus 212550 Privet wallpaper, £76 per roll, Style Library
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Electric Lagoon velvet fabric in white, £85 per m, The Curious Department
Paste the wall Banana Leaf wallpaper, £20 per roll, Next
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Romo Arboretum jade cotton linen fabric, £60 per m, Peter Jones
Oakmere fabric in Verdigris, from £24 per m, ILIV
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Mind The Gap Green Sanctuary in Anthracite, £150 per roll, House of Sloane
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Galerie Organic Textures wallpaper G67944, £26.21 per roll, Wallpapers & Borders
Meadow Scene Soft Apple Green cotton fabric, £70 per m, Victoria & Rebecca
Menagerie of Extinct Animals MO2071 wallcovering, £135 per metre, Arte
New buys on the
BLOCK Take your pick from this season’s stylish solutions for welcoming hallways and shop the look at your favourite high-street stores
INDUSTRIAL STYLE
ECLECTIC INSPIRED
i
i
White flower pot with gold wire stand, £89.99, Zara
Corona narrow shelf unit, £180, Dunelm
Round leather strap mirror, £49.99, H&M
ELEGANT GLAMOUR
Pink geometric multi tassel rug, £100, River Island
Fern diffuser, £7, Primark
Content by Terence Conran Fusion console table, £449, John Lewis & Partners
Zigzag rug, £56, Homebase
Hanging lily pad macramé pot, £29.50, Marks & Spencer
Hexagon picture frame, £5.99, New Look
i Lisbon Living baskets, £24 for two, Sainsbury’s
Silver mirror lamp, £30, Wilko
FEATURE AMELIA SMITH
REALHOMES.COM
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Axel light, £60, Debenhams
Pinnig bench with shoe storage, £40; Pinnig rack with three hooks, £15; Ingatorp desk, £125; Soderup rug, £25, all Ikea
Hercules rustic solid oak console table, £349.99, Oak Furniture Land. For similar paint, try Aloha, £38 for 2.5ltrs, Graham & Brown
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Pippard console table by Hudson Living, £435, Next. For a similar mirror, try the Cade round mirror, £80, John Lewis & Partners
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space saviour In small bedrooms, every inch counts, so ditch the bulky headboard and paint a design directly onto your wall. Whether you want a large decorative pattern or a minimal modern shape, you can create a headboard illusion that suits your scheme perfectly. If art isn’t your strong point, don’t worry, steady hands aren’t required as the masking tape does the hard work for you. The perfect small bedroom solution that takes up zero space, looks great and costs less. It’s a win win.
Sapphire Salute (main wall) and White Mist (background/ headboard) matt emulsion, from £25.36 for 2.5ltrs, Dulux
WORDS AMELIA SMITH
FOR MORE CREATIVE PAINT IDEAS, TURN TO PAGE 66
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WHAT TO DO... 1 Measure and draw out the headboard border. (Use the tape measure, weighted string and spirit level to ensure straight lines). 2 Mark the border with masking tape. 3 Seal the tape by painting it with the background colour and allow to dry. 4 Mark the design you want to create with masking tape, then seal it by painting over the area in your background colour. Allow to dry. 5 Paint your wall and headboard area with your chosen colour (blue here) and allow to dry. 6 Peel off masking tape.
REALHOMES.COM
YOU’LL NEED… Q two paint colours Q paint brush Q masking tape Q pencil Q tape measure Q weighted string Q spirit level
LIVE YOUR
best life ( IN THE LOUNGE OF DREAMS)
Is your living room dying for some TLC or massively overdue a makeover? Relax, our guide will help you achieve the dreamiest room for just lounging around pen-plan living may be trendier than gold pineapples and flamingoes combined, but the smart DIYer leaves one or two walls intact. And here’s why. You may yearn for a sociable hub that brings the whole family together but, trust us, one day (maybe every day), having a quiet sanctuary to escape the hustle will seem heaven sent. It’s also a room where the kids can crank the telly up to full volume without ruining your coffee break, not forgetting the number one role of the living room – sofa-surfing your way through a Netflix binge. Plan the layout of your living room by establishing a focal point. The beautifully framed fireplace is a popular contender, preferably with a real wood-burner (much more efficient than an open fire). A stunning piece of art or a gallery wall can also work. Arrange the seating around said focal point, but in a way that encourages conversation. Too far apart and it’ll feel like you’re at a job interview rather than having a cosy chinwag; crammed in will fast-track claustrophobia. Even your closest friends and family will thank you for respecting their personal space.
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The television is one of the most notoriously tricky objects to position in a living room – it has always brought relationships to the brink across the land. We all have one; some are bigger than a small country. Unless you have the funds for a super-swish television that doubles as a work of art (hello The Frame by Samsung), aim to conceal. Try placing it against a black backdrop, or on the same wall as the door to the room so it’s not the first thing you see when you come in. Decorating your living room is a thousand times easier since the advent of style-led social media like Instagram and Pinterest. The former tends to be more open about the sources of furnishings and wallpapers etc. And let’s not forget the inspiration value of a glossy interiors mag (go to page 102 to subscribe to Real Homes). Once you’ve got a look or colour palette that appeals, start tracking down the big ticket items first. You’ll want flooring and sofas that will last a decade or more – both physically and in your heart. And don’t forget storage. Hiding away the less attractive side of living – be it a games console or a lifetime’s subscription to a footie mag – will improve the enjoyment factor therein.
dress to kill
Waska oak and cane sliding door cabinet, £749, La Redoute
Birds in Tree cushion, £25, Cath Kidston
Felt Flying Green Parakeet wall art, £39.50 for a set of three, Hurn & Hurn
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Kismet linen lampshade, from £65, Clarissa Hulse
Knitted Poufs, £99 each, Nordic House
WORDS LINDA CLAYTON
Accessorise living rooms with layers of colour and texture – dialled up or down to suit your mood
Ombre paint effect walls using Mineral Mist mixing matt emulsion (upper wall), £29.16 for 2.5ltrs, and Denim Drift matt emulsion (lower wall), £25.36 for 2.5ltrs, Dulux
Few living rooms are complete without some kind of low-level table on which to place books, wine glasses and a candle or two, but is an ottoman or coffee table best? An ottoman is upholstered, and thus softer on tot’s head/legs when they’re dashing around, and comfier to put feet up on. The downside is they’re harder to clean and meet spills like a sponge. A chunky coffee table is responsible for many a trip to A&E but it will wipe clean and, depending on the surface, major scuffs or stains can be sanded out.
The ombre trend has moved from hair salon to living room and we love it. To achieve the perfect colour blend, look for paint shades that come in gradients – for example Dulux’s Gooseberry Fool ranges from 1 to 6. For a subtle effect, choose two consecutive numbers, or skip a couple to make it more obvious. Paint the wall in your two chosen shades (use string to mark the horizontal dividing line) and leave to dry before adding a second layer of thick paint, where they meet. Finally, use a dry brush to blend the wet paints across the divide.
Hanging curtains closer to the ceiling and letting them fall to the floor makes windows feel bigger. Some like to add a couple of extra inches to the length to create a pooling effect. This works best with heavier linen curtains – cheap materials can bunch and crease. If your sofa is directly under the window, go for blinds made to neatly fit the window’s dimensions that won’t flap about above your head.
Patrick two-and-half-seat sofa in Deep Turquoise cotton matt velvet, £2,440; Chaplin coffee table, £320, and side table, £220; cushions, from £30; Stack medium rug in Bottle Green, £299, all Sofa.com. Wisteria table lamp in green glass with 45cm drum lampshade in Peacock dupion silk, £310, Pooky
} } Don’t forget... THE HIDDEN TECH
Victrola VS-140 wood bluetooth speaker stand, £229.99, Amazon
The general rule regarding hanging pictures is to ensure the centre is at eye level. As occupants are mainly seated in the living room, artwork should be hung a touch lower. A gap of about 20cm between a sofa or sideboard and the bottom of your picture frame is a good guide. Narrow picture shelves are brilliant for displaying an assortment of family photos and art, and can be easily switched up. Start with the largest frames at the back, overlapping as you go to fill in gaps.
If there’s not enough space to have seating facing each other – considered the most sociable scenario – a corner sofa is the next best option. You can maintain eye contact with guests and there’s space to spread out. There’s no law that states a corner sofa must hug the walls, they can also be used to zone a bigger room or steer the traffic flow so that people don’t walk in front of the television or fireplace.
Left Bespoke Polygon rug, £325 per m2, Niki Jones. Marble round coffee table, £249, Dwell. Lazy Time corner sofa in Graphite, from £2,704, Camerich. Moooi Non Random 71 large pendant light, £785.46, David Village Lighting. Interior design, Studio K
5 things... While a classic suite certainly takes the effort out of choosing soft seating, a statement sofa with one or two accent chairs is far more dynamic than a matchy-matchy three piece. It also gives you the freedom to switch one out if you see something nicer, or if one falls victim to children/pets. Try to think in proportion – an ocean liner of a sofa will look daft next to a couple of nursing chairs, for example. It can also help to stick to shapes inspired by the same design era, such as mid-century or 1970s. And if the sofa is heavily patterned, go for plain chairs, and vice-versa. Our main advice? Mix it up, but don’t go bonkers.
you’ll only know once you’ve revamped your living room
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The location of the remote(s). There they are, on your swish new coffee table. Grab them before they slide between your swish new sofa seats.
The joy of a TV hung on a wall so it doesn’t hit you in the eye when you walk in, and away from the window so your Judge Rinder sesh isn’t blanked out by the sun.
Compulsive Cushion Collecting is a real condition, there’s no cure. It’s a nice idea to change covers each season, but there are only two in the UK – winter and nearly winter.
Decent Shelfies are within grasp. Download the Panora App to get that whole shelf shot. Issue fines to punish unauthorised shelf additions.
A lock-in doesn’t have to happen at the pub. A late-night date with your sofa and a good box set can be just as much fun, and without the babysitter’s bill.
Fitz cocktail chair in Primrose, £369; Athena coffee table in marble and iron, £349; Pearl side table in green marble and metallic, £149; Turin two-seater sofa in Emerald, £1,099; Jalore side table in bone inlay, £349; large Massa hand-knotted rug in natural and black, £349, all Swoon
INTERIOR DESIGNER
BO FENTUM ‘We purposefully sought out a 1970s home – I love their big, boxy rooms and large windows – but this ground floor room was too small and gloomy, so we extended it by three metres, going double-height, and adding windows on three sides. Full-width bi-fold doors open onto the garden. I’m a fan of mid-century design, thus the ceiling in the new section of the lounge is teak panelling, and I created a new 1950s-style fireplace using Staffordshire blue bricks and an asymmetrical chimney breast. The flooring is reclaimed Afzelia wood parquet. This all made the perfect backdrop for my mid-century furniture and ceramics The walls are Conch Parade by Valspar.’ Instagram: @bo.fentum.design; bofentumdesign.com
Two-tone painted walls are simple but effective. Going dark near the floor, and transitioning to light near the ceiling will make the wall feel taller. Or flip it to make a cavernous room cosier. Use low-tack tape but pull it off before the paint is dry to prevent it welding to the wall. Start with the palest shade, and use a spirit level to check your line.
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Lamps are the way forward when lighting a living room. By all means install a central pendant to provide a design feature by day – add a ceiling rose to really bump up its impact – but lamps come into their own at nightfall. Aim for three to five, depending on room size, and make sure those nearest reading chairs are adjustable. Some ceiling spotlights won’t go amiss, especially if the room is northfacing, but position them where needed, rather than in a grid.
Above Tokyo large corner group sofa, £3,699; Melena round tables – small, £119, large, £150; Design Project No045 LED floor lamp in black, £115; Hiko black floor lamp, £140; cushions, from £10; Chevron loop pouffe, £75, all John Lewis. Watercolour trellis rug, from £499, West Elm
print & textiles designer
ANNA MARTIN
Below Jungle Luscious Green wallpaper, £60 per roll, Graham & Brown
Rugs are having a moment, and are brilliant for bringing in colour and pattern without making a solid commitment to fixed flooring. They can also cover up a multitude of sins. There are some positively bargainous options that don’t look cheap from the likes of Dunelm, Ikea and La Redoute. When placing a rug in a living room, ensure you buy one big enough to fit under the sofas and chairs in a seating arrangement. The rug will play a unifying role, and won’t hitch up or provide a trip hazard to the same degree as an unanchored rug.
‘When we bought our 1930s house, the living room was very dated – patterned carpets, yellow curtains, nasty Anaglypta wallpaper and hideous gas fireplace. At first we painted the fireplace wall in Farrow &Ball’s Off Black, but the minute it was finished, I knew the whole room had to go dark. The decorator was sceptical until he saw the results! I love the almost chalky black finish, which has a decadent, masculine feel to it. We kept the fireplace and skirting white for contrast. It’s generally a very monochrome room but ideally I’d like to replace the rug with something that has a bit of colour. We’re looking to replace the sofas with something in dark velvet; as we now have a puppy as well as a child, the light grey is no longer ideal. I think a living room needs texture – throws and sheepskins can really save the day.’ Instagram: @amotherdesigner
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Wallpaper has always been a high-impact way to push pattern in a room, and this year we’re getting braver than ever with bold prints. Jungle fever remains rife and is perfect for those with a healthy houseplant addiction (you know who you are). Bespoke mural-style options can be scaled to fit. Try Lucy Tiffney’s amazing wallpaper designs (aka Instagram gold) – fabulous for a striking feature wall. If you’re a little wary, you’ll be glad to hear the dado rail from the 1980s is back. A half-wall of paint, topped with a less scarily sized portion of wallpaper, will break you into pattern gently.
CREATIVE WAYS WITH
PAINT Take inspiration from these bold decorating ideas and give your home a fun, colourful twist this season
1 Bold geometric Can’t find a wallpaper you love but want to add interest? Express yourself and paint a striking geometric design that oozes confidence. Draw your shapes, outline with masking tape and paint in each section. Choose a few colours of a similar shade, like this design, or for even more impact, opt for clashing colours. For paint colours like this, try Secret Escape from Crown and Copper Green from Mylands. Dorado white leather bed, £449.99, Furniture Choice
TOP TIP It’s worth investing in a high-quality masking tape to create clean, sharp edges
FEATURE AMELIA SMITH
T
he best thing about owning your own home is that you can do exactly what you want to it; so embrace this freedom, colour outside the lines and stamp your personality onto your space. And what better way to do this than with the humble paint brush? From the latest trends to unique designs, we’ve gathered the best new ways to rethink paint and give your home a burst of colour.
2 Staircase pop What better way to indulge in the ombre-effect trend than on a wooden staircase? Painting your risers in varying shades of a single colour is a playful way to transform your hallway, and using lighter colours at the top will make your space feel bigger and brighter, too. It’s always best to use a specialist floor paint on the treads, as these will be subject to more wear and tear than the risers. Stairs painted in Teal, Duck Egg, Powder Blue, Moonlight Bay & Clay White, all Easyclean matt emulsion, from £25 for 2.5ltrs, Crown
3 Stencil style Want to give an unloved floor a cheap yet impressive facelift? Stencilling is your new best friend. Simply clean the floor, roll on two coats of bonding primer, then two coats of paint. Leave to dry for at least 24 hours before stencilling with your chosen pattern and colours, and seal with a nonyellowing water-based varnish. A beautiful tile-effect design at a fraction of the cost of a new floor. Kerala cement tile stencil, from £8, Cutting Edge Stencils, Etsy
TOP TIP
4 Creative cabinetry Break the mould and create a kitchen that doesn’t look like everyone else’s by painting your drawers in a combination of colours from a similar palette. Simply remove the drawers or doors, sand the surface, apply a primer and then finish with two coats of your chosen paint colour. You could even paint your shelves as well to draw the scheme together. Left drawer in Fire Cracker 4, middle drawer in Party Surprise 1, right drawer in Russian Velvet 4, and main wall in Mineral Haze 2, all £29.16 for 2.5ltrs of Mixing matt emulsion, Dulux
For more advice on painting cabinets, head to realhomes. com/design/ how-to-paint-kitchencabinets
TOP TIPS
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Learn how to perfect your painting skills with this handy advice DID YOU KNOW? Once opened, paint lasts two years. Dispose of out of date paint or your white walls could soon be yellow. PICK THE RIGHT SHADE Investing in tester pots is always wise to avoid expensive mistakes. Apply two coats of your chosen shade in a large square on the walls you intend to paint. Check how the colour alters through the day as the light changes, as this will impact its look and feel – what works in bright sunlight might not at twilight.
Brilliant borders Updating your skirting boards, doors and frames in fresh paint can instantly transform a space, but move over standard white, a bright sunshiny shade will give your décor a modern lift. We love the warm welcome of this elegant hallway thanks to the showstopping colour. Walls in Loriini – Dorian, £97.50 per roll; door frame and skirting in Trumpet 196, £64 for 2.5ltrs of Intelligent Eggshell, Little Greene
TOP TIP ‘Painting skirting boards, window frames and radiators in the same colour as the walls creates the illusion of more space,’ says Judy Smith, colour consultant at Crown
SAVE OR SPEND Is it worth investing in designer paint? They often have better pigmentation, richer colours and more depth, but aren’t necessarily easier to use or more durable than cheaper options. PREPARATION IS KEY To get the best finish on your walls, repair and fill any holes or cracks in advance, brush the walls to remove dirt or dust, then wipe down with a sponge and sugar soap solution, allowing them to dry before painting. WHICH FINISH? The higher the sheen the more light it reflects, and it also tends to be more durable and scrubbable – good for high-traffic areas such as hallways. But if a shiny finish isn’t what you’re after, go for a flat matt paint. ‘Juxtaposing paint finishes can really open up a space, creating depth and layers in a room,’ says Judy Smith, colour consultant at Crown.
6 Colour block For a fun and playful child’s bedroom that’s sophisticated, too, or if you want to go strong with colour but think a whole wall will be too much, split it in half and go bright on the bottom and neutral on the top. Keep it simple and neat by painting your skirting board in the same colour. Our top tip? Masking tape and a spirit level are essential tools for ensuring a super straight line. Top of wall in Hippo Hooray and bottom of wall in Daisy Chain, £40 for 2.5ltrs of Claypaint, Earthborn
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7 Frame your view Look at the shape of your room and consider which aspects you’d like to highlight. Here, the beautiful view from the recessed window is accentuated by painting the recess in bright red. This small pop of colour has a big impact, adding personality to an otherwise sleek but neutral space. Window trim and accent wall in Ravishing Red 2008-10; main wall painted in Paper White OC-55, from £23 for 940ml of the Regal Select Flat range, Benjamin Moore
TOP TIP
Go all over If you’ve found a colour you love, don’t reserve it for your walls. Paint your skirting, door, window frame, ceiling, panels and even radiators in a similar shade for an on-trend look that says ‘complete’. Lower wall, skirting and door in Plaster IV; ceiling in Plaster II, bath in Drakensberg, from £49.50 for 2.5ltrs of Pure Flat emulsion; upper wall Archipelago Plaster wallpaper, £95 per roll, all Paint & Paper Library
9 Get organised Why hang up a lopsided notice board, when you can get creative and save money by painting one directly onto your walls? Simply use a hexagon-shaped template to paint a series of shapes on your wall, making a vibrant backdrop for displaying your ideas, goals and diary dates. There’s no excuse for ignoring them now! Antoinette, Aubusson Blue, Original and Graphite wall paint, £39.95 for 2.5ltrs, Annie Sloan
REALHOMES.COM
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Bathroom paint is specially designed to resist steam and condensation, prevent mould and avoid flaking in highmoisture areas
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Kerry Lockwood, an interiors blogger and influencer (@kerrylockwood_) lives in a rented Victorian terrace in Morpeth, Northumberland with husband Justin, their children, Alfie, 13, and Jersey, 10, and dog Chester ‘You’ll often find me curled up here in the late afternoon having a cup of tea while dinner is cooking. Chester is never too far away either – he loves a good cuddle on the sofa! As one end of our double reception room, it’s a cosy spot to sit and read (or catch up on Instagram) while still feeling part of family life if the kids are watching TV in the adjoining space. It used to be my least favourite part of the house when we moved in because of the glazed wall. The frames were varnished dark brown and it all look very 1980s. I initially painted the frames grey to help them blend in with my decorating scheme, and then last year when we updated the hallway – swapping green painted walls and horrible carpet for a light and bright scheme – I decided to create a more industrial look. I painted thin wooden battens to match the frames, cut them down to size and then wedged them between the frames. It instantly turned this dated feature into a Crittall-style screen that I love! As the battens aren’t attached to the glass, they can easily be removed if we move house in the future – something you have to consider when making changes to a rented property. We’re lucky that our landlord is happy for us to decorate the house, and paint is such a quick and easy way to transform a room. It’s amazing how a few simple, inexpensive changes can turn an unloved corner into one of your favourite spaces.’
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REALHOMES.COM
WORDS BETH MURTON PHOTOGRAPH KATIE LEE
MY FAVOURITE CORNER
Glazing frames painted in Jack Black by Little Greene. Sofa, Ebay. Grey sheepskin, Suburban Salon. Cream sheepskin, Sweetpea & Willow. Black and white sheepskin, Cowboy Kate. Black pendant light, Graham & Green. Gold pendant light, Habitat
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Profile THE OWNERs Amanda Monaghan and her husband, Richard, who own a tepee hire business, and their children, Finn, 10, and Orla, seven THE PROPERTY A four-bedroom detached new-build house in York
WORDS HEATHER DIXON PHOTOGRAPHS DAVE BURTON
project COST £400,000
Amanda and Richard love the clean contemporary lines and industrial edge of the kitchen area. The oak floor adds warmth and texture to the open-plan living space. Herringbone oak flooring, JS Woodcraft. Kitchen units and appliances, Roundhouse Design. Eames dining chairs, Cult Furniture. Armchairs, coffee table and sofa, Ikea. Star wall light, Maisons du Monde. Carravaggio pendant lights, Functionality
New-Build Home
DREAMING BIG Amanda and Richard Monaghan went way over budget to build their dream home – but they know it was worth every penny
‘We’re both passionate about great design. We didn’t want a cold, sterile house. It had to be imaginative, modern and homely’
The open-plan living room is flexible and welcoming. Amanda and Richard included bespoke shelves to add valuable storage and provide a place for their book collection. Shelving, Norton Joinery. Walls painted in Cornforth White, Farrow & Ball
#SOREALHOMES
two tone Create a subtle statement with a wooden, colour-pop dining table
Williston Forge dining table, £259.99, Wayfair
Suki black folding round dining table, £250, Habitat
Ralph extending dining table, £499, Made.com
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manda and Richard took a huge gamble when they bought a dated bungalow in the village where Amanda grew up. Not only did they want to radically alter and extend the property, they also hoped to buy more land to create a bigger garden for their children. ‘When we bought the property we only had a verbal agreement with the local farmer to purchase part of his field to the back of the house, but nothing in writing,’ says Amanda. ‘We also had no idea whether or not we would get planning permission to turn the bungalow into a modern family home. We took a huge risk.’ The couple wanted to be closer to their business in the village, and to Amanda’s parents, who live nearby. The modest bungalow was all they could afford. ‘We put in a cheeky offer which was accepted,’ says Amanda. ‘We lived in the bungalow for four years while we decided what we wanted to do with it.’ Amanda and Richard initially set aside £100,000 for the project, however, after calling in architects Bramhall Blenkharn, they realised they would be better off demolishing the bungalow and starting again – even though it would mean spending four times as much to achieve the modern, spacious family home they dreamed of living in. ‘We pushed ourselves to the limit, but it was worth it to get it right first time,’ says Richard. The family moved into Amanda’s parents’ house for nine months while the bungalow was demolished and the new house built. ‘It was a huge help to us,’ Amanda admits. ‘We had two small children, the business was growing and we were building a house – living in a caravan on top of all that would have been incredibly stressful.’ The couple wanted their new home to have a light, open-plan living area downstairs, glass doors opening directly onto the garden, a luxury bathroom and spacious bedrooms for the children. To their surprise, planning permission went through without any objections (‘It was a major new-build in a tiny village – we expected some opposition,’ Richard says) and the build progressed without a hitch. ‘We were so busy we didn’t spend lots of time deliberating over the finer details,’ says Amanda. ‘The architects had a very clear vision of the way the house would look. We made snap decisions and they were usually the right ones. It was instinctive. We’re both passionate about great design. We didn’t want boring square rooms or a cold and sterile house. It had to be imaginative, modern and still feel homely.’ Amanda and Richard ditched their old furniture so they could start afresh, but when it came to ideas for decorating and furnishing the house, they had very different views. Although they agreed on the sleek kitchen, bathroom fittings and modern sofas, Amanda wanted to introduce soft prints, mixed colours and eclectic details, while Richard favoured cleaner lines, strong blocks of colour and geometric shapes. ‘We both like Scandinavian designs and natural textures, but we really struggle to agree on the details. If we both like something we tend to buy it, whatever the cost, because it’s such a rare occurrence,’ says Amanda. In spite of this, they love living in their new home which, they say, ticks all the boxes. ‘I used to go to sleep visualising the way the house was going to look and how we would use the space,’ Richard recalls. ‘It’s lived up to all our expectations. It’s a fabulous family space and a really sociable house. We love having dinner parties and the kitchen works really well because it faces into the dining area.’ Amanda agrees: ‘It’s a brilliant family home. We took a gamble – and it paid off in every way.’
Prime oak dining table, £895, Farmhouse Table Company
The design of the ground oor lends itself to social occasions with all the main living areas linking together. The sitting room is directly off the open-plan family room, but it can be made separate with folding doors. SITS sofa, Red Brick Mill. Cushions and throws, HomeSense
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Left The house and double garage are linked by an area which includes a utility room, boot room and Richard’s ‘man cave.’ ‘The shelf system was first designed in 1949 and is still going strong today,’ he says.
Use modular shelving to fill unusually shaped spaces. Timeless and slimline, it is excellent for storage/display
Below Amanda wanted the children’s rooms to be light and spacious. Her mum made the quilt.
String shelving system, Funktionalley. Eames chair, Cult Furniture. Cupboards in boot room, Norton Joinery. For similar paint, try Tallanstown Grey, Paint & Paper Library
For similar wardrobes and bedframes, try Ikea. For a similar multicoloured chandelier, try the Souk 5, Dar Lighting
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TOP TIP
sweet dreams Let your kids slip into the land of nod in style with a statement bed Dorchester grey single bed, £159, Noa & Nani
Franklin bed frame, £150, John Lewis & Partners
Sparrow bed, from £734, Bobby Rabbit
Busunge extendable bed in light pink, £130, Ikea
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Contacts Architect Bramhall Blenkharn, 01653 693333, brable.com Joinery Norton Joinery, 01653 692377, nortonjoinery.co.uk Oak flooring JS Woodcraft, 01904 479900, jswoodcraftflooring.co.uk
TOP TIP If you can, carve out a separate dressing area, leaving the bedroom uncluttered and more conducive to sleep
‘Our bedroom is a difficult room to balance because of the high ceiling so we had a headboard made. We’re still deciding what to put on the wall,’ says Amanda. Headboard, The Fabric Gallery. Grey throw, John Lewis & Partners. Pink throw, Laura Ashley. Bumble Grey bedside tables, Habitat. Wool carpet, Pocklington Carpets. Cushions, HomeSense. Side lamps, Love 4 Lighting. Zoffany Taupe wallpaper, John Lewis & Partners
Wall painted in Purple Tulip, Zoffany. Victoria + Albert bath, porcelain tiles and ‘Thunderstorm’ mosaic tiles, all Smith Brothers of York. Duravit Ketho double vanity unit, Home & Stone. Towel table, Cult Furniture
AFTER BEFORE
Above After living in the dated bungalow for a few years, Amanda and Richard decided that the best way to achieve their dream home was to demolish it and build a completely new house
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THE PLANS
Don’t let living in an apartment hold you back from making improvements. See what’s possible and get inspired by the flat owners who’ve done it all before reating a more spacious home, and one that’s better suited to contemporary life, might feel challenging if you own a flat rather than a house. However, it is possible to substantially remodel your apartment in many of the ways a house owner might. Depending on the floor on which your flat is located, you may be able to carry out a host of projects to transform a cramped or old-fashioned layout, including extending, going open plan or converting the loft. If you’re improving your flat, it’s essential to bear in mind that more permissions are necessary than is generally the case for a house, and the costs of these will weigh on your budget. Gaining these go-aheads will also affect how quickly results can be achieved, so build this time into your project calendar. The additional necessities and extra time involved in improving a flat as compared to a house shouldn’t put you off, though. Revamping could enable you to live in a location you prefer when a flat that’s already ideal would be too costly. Like the idea? Read on for expert tips and real-life inspiration…
WORDS SARAH WARWICK AND JO DYSON PHOTOGRAPHS SIMON MAXWELL (SKETCH ARCHITECTS PROJECT)
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Remodelling a flat
LEASE KNOWHOW Most flats are leasehold properties, which means making improvements isn’t as straightforward as in a freehold home. You’ll need to check your least first to see if you can make alterations, and what it says about getting permission from the freeholder. There may well be a fee for this plus other costs to pay for the professionals the freeholder uses to check and approve your proposals, so keep this in mind when budgeting. Retain the documents after the work’s finished, as you’ll need them when you come to sell.
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A GUIDE TO
LOFT LIVING A loft extension and remodel has turned Jo Dyson’s cramped Victorian flat into a spacious home – doubling the size and adding outside space ‘Inspired by my friend Clare’s “reverse living” loft extension, I was looking to buy a top floor flat with a view to extending the loft and creating outside space with a roof terrace. After a lengthy search, I viewed a flat on a Monday and had an offer accepted on the Tuesday morning. It was exactly what I’d been looking for. ‘I arranged to speak to my new neighbours, who agreed that I could convert the loft space. The leases were ambiguous, however, and my initial excitement turned into a legal
OPEN LAYOUTS Thinking of making a flat open plan? You’ll need to be aware of the requirements of the building regulations with regard to safety in the event of a fire. Generally, if your flat is no higher than the first floor, there’ll probably be more options in terms of the open-plan arrangements you could create, while above this level, going open plan may well necessitate a fire suppression system. It’s vital, though, to investigate your particular situation with an experienced building control inspector yourself or via your architect.
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NOTIFY NEIGHBOURS Many alterations need notification to adjoining owners under the Party Wall etc. Act, and this includes owners and occupiers with an interest that’s greater than a oneyear tenancy, as well as the freeholder. The licence the freeholder grants for your alterations can include deemed consent under the party wall rules, and that may reassure the neighbours so they don’t object to your work. A party wall surveyor can give you professional advice, and serve the required notices.
LOFTY HEIGHTS Those who live in top-floor flats might be tempted to convert the loft to create a bigger home. Whether you’re actually the owner of the loft is a crucial issue – having access to it doesn’t give you the right and you may need a solicitor to draw up a document that grants you the lease. Once again, the freeholder’s consent is a must-have. A home in a listed building means listed building consent is probably required for the work, too.
marathon – I needed to have the loft space clearly demised in my lease in order to convert it, otherwise I wouldn’t actually own the space I intended to create. It took a year and a half of neighbourly negotiations, but the saga gave me time to plan the work and secure planning permission. ‘The rear pitched roof was to be removed and replaced with an L-shaped mansard extension to accommodate a new top floor that would extend along the rear of the Victorian property. To adhere with planning permission, the new walls had to be “raked back” at 70 degrees to ensure that the neighbours’ right to light wasn’t affected. ‘I wanted the dining and kitchen area to be located in the biggest part of the loft extension. It’s not often I’m sat still long enough to watch TV, so the living area didn’t need to be a focus; it was more important that the sofa was located close to the roof terrace for those warmer days. I also decided to convert the small bedroom on the first floor into a family bathroom. ‘In the end, I doubled the size of my flat, and turned a one-and-a-halfbedroom corridor of a flat without any outside space into a light and bright home with three double bedrooms, two bathrooms and a south-facing, sunny roof terrace. The reverse living concept has maximised space and allows the roof terrace to be accessed from the main living area, which now feels like a house. My once dark, cramped flat is now a bright, light sociable space.’ COST AND CONTACTS Project cost £100,000 Architect Sketch Architects, 020 3773 4880, sketch-london.co.uk Design Mae House Design, maehousedesign.com
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PERMISSION NEEDS Many home improvement projects for houses can be undertaken under the permitted development regime, meaning an application for planning permission isn’t required. However, the same does not apply to flats, nor maisonettes. An extension to a flat will need permission; extending or altering the roof if you want to convert the loft in a top-floor flat also will (see ‘Lofty heights’, right); and changing windows may well require an official go-ahead.
FREE FLOW
‘There were a number of layout-related problems with the flat. The door out to the garden came off the bathroom, and the bathroom itself was a poorly constructed extension with minimal insulation. The kitchen space was a little cramped and outdated, too. ‘Prior to the extension, the living room was at the front, and the kitchen and bathroom at the back. Having the work done meant I was able to create a combined open-plan kitchen-livingdining area. Meanwhile, the old living room is now a second bedroom. ‘I am the freeholder for the building, so I had no issues with getting permission. My neighbours on both sides were also very amenable. I had a party wall surveyor appointed who drew up a party wall agreement, and I kept the neighbours informed. ‘The planning process was slightly complicated in that the council rejected the wrap-around plan at first. I had assumed we’d need to submit a more modest proposal, but the architects were optimistic that an appeal would be successful. They were proved right,
BUILD IN Although bespoke joinery may feel like a luxury, purpose-made storage for bedrooms and living spaces can be worthwhile to maximise stash space while retaining as much of the floor area as possible. Think about the balance of open and closed units, so there’s room for display as well as a place to tidy away clutter. As for kitchen cabinetry, go right up to the ceiling and store rarely used items at the top. When it comes to choosing the material, a consistent finish throughout will make the interior cohesive and calm.
PHOTOGRAPHS ADAM SCOTT
Adding a rear extension and reconfiguring transformed Ronan Devlin’s awkwardly arranged flat into a light-filled contemporary home
GOING SIDEWAYS Side return extensions aren’t just for houses. A ground-floor flat in a Victorian or Edwardian terrace could be a great candidate for one of these additions. The side passageway at the back of the property is probably not adding anything to the garden, but it could bring plenty to the internal layout. For example, using the side return might mean a one-bedroom flat can become a two bed. Leaseholder approval and planning permission will, of course, be required.
which allowed us to build on a bigger footprint than I had anticipated. ‘The flat has gone from cramped and slightly grotty to a space that is open, light-filled, and amenable to socialising. Where before if I had a few people over for dinner, it was always a bit of a struggle to fit everyone in, now it feels like a space that has been designed for it. ‘The nicest aspect of the whole flat is how it flows. When you come through the front door you can look right down the hallway through the extension and out into the garden. If there’s one detail that delights me, though, it’s the little lightwell, which has been made into a Japanese Zen garden. I also love the shower, which is under the oak beams and has a skylight. Having so much natural light in a shower is a bit unusual, and it turned out much more beautifully than I expected.’
SIZING UP If you live on the ground floor, it could be possible to build an extension to your flat. Get permission from the freeholder first (see ‘Lease knowhow’, page 81), showing the plans you’ve had prepared. Bear in mind that as well as an application for planning permission for the addition, there may be other approvals required. If the work involves any demolition work and your home’s in a conservation area, that may need consent. Flat in a listed building? Then you’ll likely need listed building consent.
COST AND CONTACTS Project cost £130,000 Architect Grey Griffiths, 07786 802067/ 07967 701067, greygriffiths.com
LIGHTEN UP Internal windows and glazed doors and screens can be space-expanding additions to a flat, allowing light to pass from one room to another. Consider them for kitchen partitions, if you’re keeping this area separate from the living space, and hallways. Bathroom doors can be top glazed, too – textured glass will let light through while maintaining privacy.
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BEDROOM BOOST Rachel Noel and Jonnie AeronThomas extended to transform a shabby one-bed flat into a modern two-bedroom home ‘The flat was pretty hideous. It wasn’t just in need of work but the undoing of a lot of bad work. We bought it because of its location and the opportunity to develop it into a two bedroom. We were first-time buyers and renting out a second bedroom was the only way we could have afforded to live where we do. ‘We’d looked at the floorplan ourselves and had an idea of how the second bedroom might be created, but our architects were invaluable – they saw the whole picture and added space. ‘We extended to the side and backwards and copied what the next-door neighbours had done. The room at the front of the flat was originally the lounge and that’s now the spare bedroom, and our bedroom is in the middle and used to be the kitchen. That’s where the access to the garden was, so we turned the door into a window and the bedroom now looks on
KITCHEN UPGRADE Many flat owners end up with the same dull kitchen as everyone else in the block, or the basic design fitted by the developer. As with all proposed work on a flat, check the lease before going ahead. Any necessary permission in place, consider whether you might opt for a replacement kitchen that makes the flat feel bigger. Handleless units, for example, will be sleeker, while pale-toned cabinetry will reflect light to make the kitchen area look larger. Fitting units right up to the ceiling may be a sound idea to maximise storage and keep your home uncluttered.
ON THE FLOOR Fitting the same flooring in living spaces and bedrooms can help make an apartment feel larger. It’s vital to choose a design that’s up to life in all areas. The hall is going to see a lot of foot traffic and the kitchen also demands an easy-clean surface that won’t be compromised by the humidity of the room. It’s probably simpler to choose a different flooring for the bathroom(s), though, to keep them hygienic and practical.
to a courtyard behind the side extension. The kitchen, living room and dining room are all in one openplan space at the back. ‘Nimtim Architects co-ordinated the permission from the council as freeholders, including submitting the application and relevant information and liaising with the housing team, in consultation with us. We got planning permission relatively quickly but the complications came from the three neighbours. Nimtim recommended a brilliant surveyor and we offered to have a photo survey in addition to the party wall agreement with both next door neighbours and the upstairs one. ‘We lived in the flat for a year before we did the work and it’s a completely different place now. We spend most of our time in the back room because it’s so light, and more time in the garden. We wanted space to host, and since the work was done, we’ve hosted big barbecues in summer and on Bonfire Night. It’s cosy enough for the two of us, and with our flatmate, but we’ve even done parties for 20 to 30 in the summer. It’s been really flexible.’ QUIETER LIFE A washing machine and dryer can be noisy presences in a flat, so a utility area that offers sound insulation as well as hiding them can be a valuable asset. It could just be a matter of creating cupboard space for the appliances within a revamped kitchen or elsewhere – remember that the two could be stacked so you won’t lose much floor space. If you live in a maisonette, a landing area might offer enough width to create a utility cupboard to house them.
COST AND CONTACTS Project cost £87,600 Architect Nimtim, 020 8693 0878, nimtim.co.uk
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IMPROVE WINDOWS Windows draughty or ugly? Replacing them can give your flat a facelift. As ever, start with the lease to see if you need to get permission from the freeholder. Unless it’s a like-for-like replacement, planning permission may well be needed, and local policies vary, so check with your planning authority. Those who live in a converted listed building are likely to need listed building consent – planners can advise on what’s acceptable.
BEDROOM LIGHT Extending into the side return of a ground-floor flat and creating a second bedroom in what was a rear reception room needs a thoughtful approach to ensure the bedroom has natural light. Leaving a courtyard between the side extension and this back room will preserve the window of the new sleeping space, while opting for a glazed door at the end of the side return facing the courtyard will bring extra light to the addition. Rooflights in the side return extension will help make the new space brighter, too.
GO EN SUITE A flat with a sizeable bedroom could be made more luxurious with an en suite. As ever, check the lease to see if you need written consent and bear in mind the costs incurred in getting the freeholder’s OK (see ‘Lease knowhow’, page 81). You needn’t give up a vast amount of space: a shower room needs only 1x2.6m, and a bathroom 1.7x2.3m. A window isn’t essential, but good ventilation is. Connecting into the existing soil pipe is preferable, but a flexible small-bore waste pipe and pump with macerator is an alternative, albeit at extra cost.
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PHOTOGRAPHS MEGAN TAYLOR
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Demolishing walls and adding a new double-storey extension has allowed for a spacious kitchen-diner with plenty of circulation space. The strong industrial aesthetic works well within the generous dimensions of the room, which seamlessly connects to the entrance hall, utility room and garden. The dark wood splashback softens the surrounding harder materials, which Nicola repeated on the breakfast bar. Kitchen, Leicht. Wild Brasilica splashback, Spekva. For a similar worktop, go to Cavendish Equipment. Fusion tap, Quooker
TOP TIP Teaming richly coloured units with a crisp white backdrop makes a stunning contrast, and can prevent the kitchen feeling too dark
two-storey extension
SELF-MADE SANCTUARY Nicola and Adam Harvey’s dynamic style has turned their dated Victorian house into an on-trend family home
A seamless concrete floor is paired with Leicht’s Concrete-A kitchen cupboards and stainless-steel worktops, which have a ‘rough brush’ finish so scratches aren’t noticeable. The breakfast bar is a dark wood to add warmth to the utilitarian scheme. Bar stools, Hay. Aplomb mini suspension pendants, Foscarini Lighting
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WORDS JANE CRITTENDEN PHOTOGRAPHS JAMES FRENCH STYLING MARISHA TAYLOR
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icola and Adam Harvey are design aficionados, enthused by their respective jobs in interior design and property investment, so when they finally found an ambitious renovation project, they couldn’t wait to get stuck in. ‘We spent two years looking for the right house in the right location,’ says Nicola. ‘This one was completely uninhabitable, but we weren’t scared of taking on a big project.’ With 300 square metres of space and a big garden, it isn’t hard to see why the Harveys were drawn to the bones of the property. They sketched out ideas, drawing on their experience to push the boundaries of conventional renovation design and find ways to create visual impact. A hidden gem revealed itself in the roof. ‘The high pitch formed a huge loft area, which would have been a waste not to use,’ Nicola explains. ‘Rather than convert, the height sparked the idea to have a mezzanine floor in our bedroom and a playroom above Summer’s bedroom.’ The couple also opened up the ceiling above the landing with a big roof lantern. They added to the openness by changing the staircase – making an industrial design statement in the process. ‘The original staircase split left and right onto the landing,’ says Nicola. ‘My new design is a single flight and wider by 100mm, with a steel case, open timber treads and a glass balustrade.’ Light, openness, and space form the bedrock of Nicola and Adam’s design approach. In the entrance hall, a ceiling-height sliding door closes off Nicola’s office, and glass doors link seamlessly through to the 11-metre-wide kitchendiner-snug. Here, a four-metre, double-storey extension increases the space and has helped turn their bedroom into a luxurious sanctuary. This master suite is the jewel in the design. ‘We wanted the wow factor so I designed a mezzanine dressing room and staircase,’ says Nicola. ‘I found a local firm to make both staircases as they were competitively priced.’ The demands of changing the upstairs layout meant few of the walls remain – the Harveys even sacrificed a bedroom. But the remodelled look is better balanced, showcasing four en suite bedrooms and a laundry room. ‘It made more sense to put it upstairs as this is where most of our washing is,’ says Nicola. ‘Downstairs, we have a small utility with a dishwasher and extra sink.’ The couple enlisted designer and structural engineer Laurence THE OWNERs Goodman, from Frampton-Martin Sage Design, to draw up their ideas. Nicola Harvey, an interior designer Plans for the double-storey rear extension were submitted as soon as (designbynicola.co.uk), her husband, the Harveys completed on the house. The family moved in with Adam’s Adam, who owns a property mum during the renovation. ‘To save money, I sourced contractors for investment company, and the plumbing and heating, who conveniently had their own bathroom their daughters, Mia, seven, and Summer, four company,’ she says. ‘They recommended an electrician they’d worked with before, which was great because I wanted the team to gel together.’ THE PROPERTY Nicola also found a screed company to be sure the quality and A four-bedroom detached 20thapplication was compatible with the concrete flooring they’d chosen. century house in Radlett, ‘We used a thin concrete product applied with a trowel,’ says Nicola. Hertfordshire ‘We laid it on our downstairs screed subfloor and upstairs on doubleproject COST layer plywood.’ Concrete became an unexpected design aesthetic £200,000 elsewhere, too. ‘We decided to have a microcement metallic gold feature wall in the dining-snug area and in our bedroom,’ says Nicola. ‘We’ve also got dark grey microcement in our downstairs loo. We bought the concrete by the square metre, and the more you buy the cheaper the unit price.’ The swathe of gold softens the utilitarian concrete and steel aesthetic, and balances out the industrial-style kitchen cupboards and stainless-steel worktops. Elsewhere, the remaining walls are painted white for a unified feel, with warmer colour accents in soft furnishings and accessories. ‘We started off wanting an industrial look but as the project progressed we’ve moved towards a Scandi minimalist feel,’ says Nicola. ‘Lighting was important, too. We spent a long time working out a plan to create layers of light.’ Nicola and Adam hosted a big family party to celebrate finishing the renovation. ‘I love the feeling of space,’ says Nicola. ‘And I particularly love the impact of our bedroom because it’s not what you would expect. The house is great for clients as they’ll come here, get ideas, and see how accessible it is to create unusual design.’
TOP TIP For a luxurious feature – and a touch of the unexpected – give a statement wall a metallic finish
rise & shine Illuminate from the ground up with a statement floor lamp 1
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1 Cane Birgion floor lamp, £89, Dunelm 2 Antique bronze palm leaf floor lamp, £365, Audenza 3 Eden floor light, £100, Debenhams 4 Stella opal glass ball floor lamp, £100, Matalan
Above The shaggy rug and lattice wood shade add texture and warmth to the concrete floor. Green patterned cushions draw out the wall’s rich tones. Rug, John Lewis. Light shade, Graham & Green. Cushions, Black Parrot. Wall light, Foscarini Lighting. Hay Mags sofa, Pink Apple Designs Left The gold wall looks stunning in the open-plan room and is made with microcement. For a similar wall material, try Microcement Supplies UK. Dining table, Hay. Eames chairs, Vitra. Pendant light, Skandium Right Glass doors fold back to the wall for a streamlined feel between the kitchen and hallway. To the right, a sliding door reveals Nicola’s office. For similar doors, try Space Slide. For similar stairs, try Contemporary Steel Staircases
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The master bedroom en suite was created by knocking the old bathroom and toilet together, and benefits from the added space of the extension. Nicola carefully planned the layout to fit in a curved bath, double vanity and walk-in shower. She chose Carrara polished marble tiles in different sizes for the floor and walls. A separate brick pattern defines the wet room shower. For similar tiles, try Walls & Floors. For a double vanity unit, try the Mode Burton at Victoria Plum. Try the Lusso Luxe wallmounted basin mixer for a similar tap
Veneto large format marbleeffect floor tile, £34.95 per m2, Walls & Floors
save
V spend
Maranello large format marbleeffect polished tile, £59.63 per m2, Fired Earth
Above Opening up the roof and adding the two-storey rear extension increases the volume of the master bedroom, with the mezzanine and concrete floor creating dynamic design impact. Bed and bedside tables, Bluesuntree. Drawers, Habitat. Metallic cow hide, City Cows Left The gold microcement wall adds glamour, enhanced by layered lighting. Reading lights are built in either side of the bed with spotlights above the bench. Reading lights, Astro Lighting. Bedside pendants, Muuto. Spotlights, Artek. Animal cushions, Smallable. Artwork by Ally McIntyre, Jealous Gallery. Bench, Artek
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Designer and structural engineer Frampton-Martin Sage Design, 01923 351094 Kitchen Leicht, 07802 402921, leicht.com Artwork Jealous Gallery, 020 7739 4107, jealousgallery.com
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Contacts
MARVELLOUS MARBLE Create a luxurious look with some upscale tiles
Left A space-saver staircase with safety glass was fitted by the builders in Summer’s bedroom and leads up to a loft playroom.
THE PLANS BEFORE
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Bed, Aspace. Rug, Graham & Green. White metal side cabinet, La Redoute
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Below Carefully chosen accessories add colour and pattern to Mia’s simple white room.
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Rug, Debenhams. Stool and desk, Habitat. Artwork by Ben Eine, Jealous Gallery.
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Right and far right Little has changed outside the house, although the Harveys replaced all the windows with grey textured aluminium double glazing. The timber door was designed by Nicola with sandblasted glass panels For similar windows, try Velfac. For a similar door, try Jonathan Elwell Bespoke Joinery
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BEFORE
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This house was
uninhabitable, but
we weren’t scared of taking on a
big project
” TOP TIP Use excess garden to create valuable off-street parking Gravel is a budgetfriendly surface
We all know the many benefits of natural light, but what simple changes can we make to maximise it in our home? Andréa Childs explores the options
here’s a reason we fling open the curtains in the morning and crave a daylight fix after eight hours in an artificially-lit office. All those kitchen extensions with bi-fold doors, open-plan living spaces and dormer-windowed loft conversions aren’t just about increasing the space in our homes, they’re about flooding it with natural light. In a world where we spend up to 90 per cent of our waking hours indoors (according to the National Human Pattern Activity Survey), we’re searching for feelgood rays of sunshine on a grey day – even if that means looking at them through a window from the comfort of our sofa. We’re biologically hardwired to respond to the light around us, which means the decision to place a dressing table by the bedroom window, say, or light candles for a romantic meal, isn’t just about the shape of our room or the state of our love life. Bright morning light shows up fine details, so it’s great when we’re putting on our make-up. The orange and red tones of sunsets and candlelight are warm and flattering, which is why they’re the default option for cosy, intimate evenings. And just as the colour of natural light changes
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Like a cat, I follow the light around my house. I love the shafts of light and shadows of leaves as the sun filters through the trees into my kitchen in the morning. In the afternoon, I take my laptop to the bedroom, where light streams in the bay window. I even wander out of my windowless bathroom and brush my teeth on the landing. ‘There’s an ecological argument for increasing the amount of natural brightness as it reduces energy consumption from electric lights. When we’re working on a project, we also consider which rooms are used at what time of day,’ says Kevin Slack, director of eco-architectural practice Greenspace Architects (greenspacearchitects.co.uk). ‘Ideally, “morning rooms” such as bathrooms and kitchens need light early in the day, so should be east-facing. Bedrooms, where light may not be a priority, can be north-facing. “Evening rooms” – the places you want to relax in when you come in from work – should catch the last light from the west.’ It can be easier and less expensive to repurpose a room than to take down walls to let in more light. If you’re going to fit a new bathroom or kitchen, check it’s in the best place it can be before you start work. And don’t assume wall-to-floor glazing is the only solution. ‘It’s incredible how much brightness knocking a window through a wall or fitting a rooflight will add to a space, for a lot less than the cost of expensive glazed doors or a glass-box extension,’ says Slack. My friend Vanessa swears she actually enjoys doing the laundry since she had skylights fitted in her utility room, while Slack says a neighbour always thanks him for fitting a glazed panel above her stairs. ‘It’s not even a living room, it’s just a transitional space, but she says it makes her happy every morning when the stairway is filled with light,’ he says.
bright and happy I once went on a natural health retreat where the building was fitted with orange lightbulbs and we had to wear amber glasses after 7pm (yes, we did all look like Bono in pyjamas). It was the extreme version of putting night mode on our phones and the theory was the same – to return us to the natural light cycle our bodies are designed for. Bright, blue-toned daylight stimulates the release of cortisol to make us feel awake and alert, as well as the feelgood hormone serotonin, which helps to regulate our mood. At night, when natural light is lower and redder in tone, it triggers the sleep hormone melatonin. That simple biological system gets messed up when we spend the
Decorating with light If you love dark décor and are horrified by the idea of yellow floors, don’t despair. ‘There is such a thing as too much light. Our homes need balance, with cosy, dimmer areas to give a feel of safety and relaxation,’ says Kevin Slack. ‘If your décor is dark or your home doesn’t get much natural light, you can use artificial illumination to replicate the real thing – bright, colder-toned LED bulbs in the daytime, switching to softer lamplight or washes of yellow-toned light in the evening.’ ‘I love juicing up a dark corner with a stunning wallpaper, delicious fabrics and the warmth of good lighting,’ says designer Sarah Fortescue (sarahfortescue.com). ‘Don’t try to remedy the issue by painting the space white or neutral, as there won’t be enough natural light bouncing from the walls and the space will appear flat. Use an intense wall colour, such as Benjamin Moore paint in Peony Pink or my Jungle Fever wallpaper in Jade, plus table lamps and wall sconces on dimmers to give different variations of golden glow.’ And make the most of the natural light you do have. Rearrange furniture so you have an armchair by the window, swap bedrooms with your children to give them the brighter room (they’re more likely to use them in the daytime than you are), and if you’re not overlooked, replace the frosted glass in your bathroom or hallway with clear glazing that lets the light flood in. I’m going to make a start by cleaning my windows – I’ve a feeling it will make my outlook a whole lot brighter.
five bright ideas for your home ONE
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Invest in smart lighting such as Philips Hue, which has wake-you-up and go-tosleep settings, as well as different tones for reading, relaxing, concentrating and energising. Head to meethue.com.
In a windowless room, an LED panel fitted with daylight bulbs will give the illusion of natural light and costs from around £20. Try ledhut.co.uk.
Strip back window treatments to maximise incoming light. Instead of curtains, choose roller blinds or shutters that fold back completely. See californiashutters.co.uk.
Reflect available light by hanging a mirror opposite a window and choosing glossy surfaces and metallic accessories, all of which will bounce light around the room.
Trim overgrown trees outside windows to stop them blocking light coming in.
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Day-to-night natural light
day in gloomy rooms, then scroll through Insta property pics on our blue light-emitting screens at night. We don’t even need to go outside to experience the benefits of natural light. A recent study showed that workers with windows in their office slept 46 minutes longer each night and did more exercise than those without exposure to natural light. Others have found that hospital patients recover quicker when they have access to good levels of daylight as it helps to reduce depression, regulate circadian rhythms and ease pain levels. At The Wellcome Collection in London, an exhibition called Living with Buildings (until 3 March; installations open until 22 April) looks at how natural light has been used in health centres, from the tuberculosis clinics of the 1930s to Maggie’s Cancer Centres today. ‘Maggie’s ensure their buildings employ as much natural light as possible to create spaces that are welcoming, empathetic and domestic in their feel,’ says curator Emily Sargent. ‘In Finland, architect Alvar Aalto designed the Paimio Sanatorium to be a “medical instrument” for tuberculosis recovery. Natural light was critical to his vision for patient rooms, balconies and dining areas, and he even included bright yellow lino on the staircases to “bring the sunshine in”.’
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depending on the time of day and the season, so does its direction. All of this – the quality and quantity of light – affects the look of our homes, our mood and even our longterm health. Get the light right and life really is brighter…
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Whether it’s cutting back on luxuries or moving back in with your parents, a home improvement project can mean a lot of sacrifices. Three readers reveal what they put on hold when they embarked on their big builds…
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caravan and camped through the “Beast from the East”’ Rosie Peniston, a land and planning manager for a housebuilder, lives in Altrincham with her husband, Dan, also a land manager ‘Dan and I got married in 2017 and we were looking at going to the Maldives for our honeymoon. At the same time, we were considering selling our house, but because of the strong market in our area, we were outbid on a few occasions. We decided to swap our honeymoon and extend the house instead – the first of many sacrifices we made! ‘We considered staying at home during the build to save money, but with a dormer loft conversion and a side and rear extension on the cards, we would have been miserable. Instead, we borrowed my parents’ caravan and moved off site, closer to work – which was an hour from home – for seven months. We even camped through the “Beast from the East” of 2018 – at one point, we had no water for four days. ‘There were the usual things, like not going out as much – I didn’t see my friends in London for over a year – but the main thing for me was the sacrifices that other people made for us. Mum and Dad sacrificed their caravan, and the whole family ended up teaming up to sort out the mistakes that the builders had made. My poor dad got so fed up of me ringing him up and crying down the phone that he came down from Cumbria and did a big snagging list. We worked through everything as a family team, including relaying drains and refitting windows. ‘I really missed our home and our area while we were away. Living in Manchester, we can go into town for drinks on a Friday, or for brunch at the weekend, so it was a bit of a shock to find ourselves in the middle of rural Lancashire! It wasn’t nice to be out of our home for seven months, but we spent every weekend grafting in the hope that we’d be finished by Christmas last year – and we were. Since Dan and I got married, we’ve basically been project managers together. Now, I want to enjoy our married life.’
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WORDS ELLEN FINCH IMAGES GETTY
WHAT I GAVE UP FOR MY DREAM HOME
‘We borrowed my parents’
‘We haven’t holidayed abroad for years, and our weekly shop costs £100 a week’ Nicole Hau, a teacher and stay-at-home mum, lives in Sutton Coldfield with her husband, Dan, an electrical engineer technician, and their children, Reuben, four, and Starlie, one ‘Over the past nine years, Dan and I have taken on three different houses to build up to our dream home. We started with a two-up, two-down, which we gutted back to the plaster and renovated. We lived there for a couple of years before renting it out and moving to our next property. That wasn’t in such a bad condition, but we made the downstairs open plan. We thought we’d settled down and weren’t going to move, but then I got an email alert – I always keep my Rightmove alerts on for my area – about this house. It was located on a lovely street that rarely has houses going on it – we always buy the worst house in the best street we can afford. We wanted to upscale, and this had an extra bedroom to what we already had. We’d be able to extend to gain space in the house without affecting the garden size. It ticked all our boxes. ‘The find was all the more significant because it felt like we’d been waiting all our life for a house like this. I’ve been with Dan since I was 16, and we couldn’t be happier to have fallen upon this amazing property. Everything fell into place and the sacrifices we made to achieve our goal have been worth it. We haven’t holidayed abroad for years – as soon as the children hit two, you have to pay for seats on the plane. I save on the weekly shop by sticking to a budget of £100 a week. It means lots of home cooking and no readymade meals or takeaways. We don’t spend frivolously on things like clothes and beauty products. Dan and I don’t do Christmas or Valentine’s presents – any money we do spend, we spend on the children. It’s more important to us that we create a house that the kids can make memories in. ‘We’re having a walk-in wardrobe installed, and we laugh about the fact that we’ll need to buy the clothes for it. I’m looking forward to going shopping. I never spend money on myself, neither does Dan. Everything’s always been assigned to a particular budget – the extension budget, or the bathroom – so I’m looking forward to a bit of spontaneity. I can’t wait to look at something in a shop window and think, “I’m going to have that now”.’
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Having a visual reminder of the end goal, like a mood board, will help you get through difficult days
‘My husband’s told me we can’t go out as much any more. I’ve therefore christened it the “no-fun budget”’ Lorraine Wilson Brown, a home stager, lives in Bath with her husband, David Brown, a marketing procurement expert ‘We bought our house three years ago as a project house and we’ve done a lot of work on it, but the bulk of our money and time has gone into the kitchen extension. The existing kitchen is so small that we’re constantly bumping into each other and tripping over the dishwasher door when it’s open. We’re halfway through a side and rear extension now. We extended out into what used to be the drive and turned it into a utility room last year. We also removed the garage that was at the back of the house and had the foundation of the rear extension laid, but phase two is going to be the biggie. We need to knock the back walls out, install new flooring and underfloor heating, and get new kitchen units. ‘To save up, my husband’s told me we can’t go out as much any more, so I’ve christened it the “no-fun budget”. We’re spoilt for choice on restaurants and bars in Bath, but to save money we’re rarely eating out. Our holidays aren’t quite so nice as they used to be – we’re sticking to the UK or Europe rather than venturing further afield into other continents. I managed to replace my car – thank goodness, because I needed a new one – but we’ve cut down massively on spending. ‘I miss going out to eat the most – it’s a real 21st-century problem, but I love getting the bus into town and getting a couple of drinks before a meal. My husband reckons it’ll be 2021 before the kitchen is finished. When he told me, I wailed, “Nooooo.” I can’t wait that long. I’m an impatient person and want everything done yesterday. ‘When we’re finished, I’m going to dance around in the space and enjoy the luxury of not bumping into things whenever I move. I’m looking forward to having room for those extra kitchen items like serving bowls or china teacups – at the moment, I have to send David up into the loft to get them. It might seem like ages away, and I’m missing our regular dinners out in town, but I’m hoping that by 2021, it will all be worth it.’
The green accent wall in the dining room echoes the colour in the living room and helps unite the ground floor scheme. Robyn’s love of travel and art combine in her collection of travel posters; the white mounts pop against the vivid wall colour. Skylights flood the room with light but save precious wall space. Table and chairs, Ebay. Candle holder, Habitat. Walls painted in Paradise Green 4, Dulux. For a similar rug, try the Lapljung Ruta from Ikea
renovated 1960s terrace
LIVING IN
COLOUR Robyn and Jamie transformed a boring beige box with a profusion of curiosities – creating a warm and vibrant home
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WORDS MANDI MILLAR PHOTOGRAPHS FIONA WALKER-ARNOTT
in the process
ith the patter of tiny feet – four furry ones, to be exact – on the horizon, Robyn Donaldson and her husband Jamie Watts needed a dog-friendly house with a garden. But, living in south-east London, it was proving an expensive impossibility – until Robyn spotted this Brockley mid-terrace close to their ex-local authority flat. Before they had a chance to bid, though, it dropped off the market. Unable to get it out of their heads, when the property was re-marketed nine months later, the couple wasted no time in closing the deal…
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Robyn and Jamie had to cut back on their kitchen spend and work with what was already there. The high-gloss doors units had to go, though, and were repainted. ‘The worktop is from Ebay,’ Robyn says. ‘I thought it was laminate, so I was thrilled it was solid timber when it arrived.’ Units painted in Brilliant White, Johnstone’s. For similar ceiling lights, try the Olsen from Heal’s
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ROBYN SAYS...
Profile THE OWNER Robyn Donaldson, a project manager at the Orwell Foundation and Sunday Times Short Story Award, lives with her partner Jamie Watts, operations director at Bedales Wines, and their Bedlington terrier, Cilla THE PROPERTY A three-bedroom 1960s terrace in Brockley, south-east London project COST £25,000
‘We couldn’t believe we’d found a whole house in our price range in London. The flat was great but it wasn’t big enough to have our friends over as often as we’d have liked and of course, because we wanted a dog, we needed a garden. ‘Jamie wasn’t convinced about the house, and his mum was even less enamoured. It was basically a characterless magnolia box with a downstairs bathroom, a long lounge and dark bedrooms. But it had that extra bedroom, a little garden for us to potter in, lots of wall space for all my art – and plenty of potential. ‘Our plans for the place were pretty radical. We wanted to make the tiny dining room and miserable galley kitchen next to it into a single open space. The boiler had been mysteriously placed in the dining room so we wanted to move that and put in new French doors from here into the garden – the cheap way, we reckoned, of getting that glass box extension effect. The lounge had two doors, so we blocked the second up to create the feeling it was meant to be one space. ‘Colour is important to me, as is surrounding myself with things I love. I’d describe the house now as chaotic and colourful. I want it to feel like a museum of curiosities – a welcoming space where you always find something exciting, just like I remembered my nana’s house! ‘When I’m designing a room, I start with the furniture to make sure there’s room for the essentials, then I decide where the art will go and what colours to choose – usually with Jamie trying to keep me from painting the whole room in something too intense. ‘Jamie was good too at keeping an eye on the budget and making sure I didn’t go mad. We had spreadsheets so nothing sneaked in or got overlooked. We had high points and low ones. The best day was when the wall between the dining room and kitchen came down and the space was flooded with light. Finding out we needed to replace the bathroom, on the other hand, was a downer. It was worth it, though, to stay in an area we loved – and to be able to welcome Cilla into our family.’
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‘Before we started work on the house, it had to be signed off by Building Regulations. I project managed as we had a tight budget and that saved us some money – though Robyn “helped” too! I’d always tackled work in our old flat myself, but the scale of what was needed on the house meant we’d have to have help, which was very new for us. We used a plumber to move the boiler, a builder to remove the wall, a handyman to put in the French doors, and a decorator for the posh paper. ‘As with most projects, we soon discovered that previous owners had taken shortcuts. They’d plumbed the bathroom basin to drain directly under the house, which meant replacing the bathroom completely, ripping up the garden to redirect the pipework, installing proper draining and then reinstating everything. We also wanted new lighting over the island but discovered that the kitchen lights had been wired directly into the main circuit, so that had to be made safe. ‘We had planned to move the bathroom upstairs, however, it would have been too expensive and cost us a bedroom. We didn’t damp-proof either, though we definitely have some damp – it wasn’t an immediate problem so we’ve put it on the back-burner for now. Because of the unexpected expenses, we had to make cuts elsewhere – like painting the existing kitchen and just fitting new worktops. ‘Hindsight’s a great thing and if we were doing it again, we’d leave the work until spring. We moved in the day we completed and got stuck in right away – despite it being November. We were lucky things went smoothly – the boiler was moved and up and working in a day, but if anything had gone wrong we’d have been out in the cold! ‘I wasn’t convinced about the house before we bought it but I trusted Robyn’s vision and it’s all worked out. Rescuing Cilla a few months ago was the final chapter – it’s a story with a happy ending.’
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JAMIE SAYS...
TOP TIP Add industrial drama to a room by painting internal French doors black or grey. Feeling brave? Go for a bold colour instead
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‘When I’m designing a room, I start with the furniture to make sure there’s room for the essentials, then I decide where the art will go and what colours to choose’
stylish storage Whether you fill it with DVDs, magazines,toys (or booze), keep it chic with a retro sideboard
Toshi sideboard, £699, Atkin & Thyme A vibrant gallery wall adds pops of character and colour to the living room. Monochrome chair, junk shop find; for similar, try the Maya Patchwork from SuperStudio. The four-door teak unit was from a friend; for similar, try Tikamoon. Vintage Appalachian Hickory flooring, Kronospan
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Russell rosewood sideboard, £749, Swoon
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Dutchbone Retro Gin low sideboard, £489, Cuckooland
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TOP TIP
The gold velvet sofa was the perfect fit for the couple’s retro-look living room, and anchors the pattern for the rest of the scheme. ‘It was from someone’s nana’s “good room” – you know, the one kept for best – so it’d never been used,’ Robyn says. Sofa and Eames-style chair, Ebay. Coffee table, Bygone Times. Paco rug, Habitat. For similar wallpaper, try Gold Green Palm Leaf, B&Q
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Counter busy wallpaper with simple, streamlined window dressings by opting for blinds instead of curtains
‘I absolutely love this wall colour,’ Robyn says. ‘Even on a dark day the room feels warm and cosy, and when the sun shines it glows.’ She matched the subject matter of her pictures – all portraits – to marry a range of styles and frames. For a similar bed, try the Amelie from Oak Furniture House. Walls painted in Sulphur Springs, Dulux. For a similar ceiling light, try Lombok
TOP TIP No budget for a bathroom renovation? No worries – a new shower curtain can add colour and character
Right Moving the bathroom upstairs would have been costly and sacrificed a bedroom, so Robyn and Jamie decided to make it into a colourful statement instead.
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Basic white floor and wall tiles, B&Q. Tile decals, Bleucoin on Etsy. Shower curtain, Heather Gallar Art on Etsy
sunny shades Create a warm, cosy and bright space with stylish tones of ochre
Wharf Sacking Marble matt emulsion, £46 for 2.5ltrs, Mylands
Ochre Weave Mixing matt emulsion, £29.16 for 2.5ltrs, Dulux
India Yellow No.66 estate emulsion, £46.50 for 2.5ltrs, Farrow & Ball
Old Gold Coloured matt emulsion, £18 for 2.5ltrs, Crown Paints
Aztec Yellow Aura matte paint, £25 for 940ml, Benjamin Moore
This image and right Robyn’s love of graphic art continues with the gallery wall in this bedroom. The yellow unit was an Ebay find that she painted and uses as her wardrobe. ‘The clothes become colourful accessories in themselves,’ she says. Wardrobe painted in Lemon Drizzle, Dulux. Blue throw, H&M Home. For a similar swing chair, try Cox & Cox
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LIVING ROOM
BEDROOM BEDROOM
BATH ROOM
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LIVING ROOM KITCHENDINER BATH ROOM
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Builder, plumber and decorators MyBuilder, mybuilder.com Flooring Kronospan, 01691 773361, kronospan-express.com
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THE PLANS
fill your home with
books Literature lover? A home library or reading nook could be the escape from everyday life that you’ve been waiting for…
Despite our constantly ‘switched-on’ digital lives, it appears we’re still very much in love with old-fashioned, physical books. And it’s not just the joy of finding somewhere quiet to read them that we love, either – we’re talking surrounding ourselves with books to create libraries in our homes. And there’s hard evidence singing the praises of home libraries. Children who come from homes with books do better in school, and in general life, than those without. A recent survey
of 160,000 adults in 31 countries concluded that teens growing up in a home with a sizeable home library (at least 80 books) has a large effect on literacy in later life. The paper, titled Scholarly Culture: How Books in Adolescence Enhance Adult Literacy, Numeracy and Technology Skills in 31 Societies, discovered that teenagers with only lower levels of secondary education, but who grew up surrounded by books, ‘became as literate, numerate and technologically apt in adulthood as
of making a little reading den with plenty of fairy lights, blankets – and unlimited cups of tea, of course!’ So how do you go about creating your dream home library? Anna, who confesses to ‘squeezing bookshelves into tiny areas’ wherever she’s lived, believes you can put a ‘library’ anywhere. ‘All you need are some shelves, a comfortable, decent chair and lighting, which means at least one power point,’ she explains. ‘You could be fancy and use lighting to highlight the shelves and the books, which looks great.’ What’s key though, is that the shelves have to be able to take the weight of the books that are going on them. ‘Any good joiner should be able to advise,’ she adds. ‘I once fitted 3.5m-long floating shelves, but in order to make sure they were up to the job, we built in discreet “bookends” mid-shelf to help take the weight.’ When shopping for a bookcase, Anna recommends one with height-adjustable shelves to avoid having that one book that just won’t fit. ‘I love using wood veneer,’ she continues, ‘but painted MDF is much more cost-effective. I usually make shelves 30cm deep, but you can choose 20cm-deep ones for paperbacks.’ Anna also encourages her clients to be brave with colour in their home libraries. ‘It will make you stop and pause,’ she explains. ‘Try painting the back of the
shelves a bold colour, so you see a hint of it through the books.’ ‘Think about using empty, unused wall space in your home for shelving,’ says Cari, ‘like the space under your stairs. Fitted furniture allows you to create personalised storage that works for you, creating a sophisticated and clutter-free environment in the process. By incorporating bookcases in areas around a door frame or in an awkward alcove, you don’t only make use of wasted space, but the feature can become an attractive and integral focal point to the room.’ ‘The home libraries I find most interesting are the ones you find in unusual places, like books going up the stairs, surrounding the bed or around the TV,’ adds Bronte. ‘And I just love it when people fill whole walls with books. I have a bookshelf in my living room, but my collection has long since outgrown that. Many of my books are piled up in corners of rooms because of the lack of space for another bookshelf. The piles have almost become features in their own right!’ she laughs. ‘There are always books wherever you look.’ ‘Home libraries can be about more than just books,’ says Anna. ‘Try interspersing books with photos, or favourite toys the kids have outgrown. Or display something collected on holiday – it adds to the life of it all.’
Top picks to inspire your library Get your reading hat on for our book-inspired edit…
THE BOOK SUBSCRIPTION Reading in Heels is a monthly subscription service and digital book club offering the latest in modern literary fiction, all packaged up with a selection of beauty and lifestyle treats. From £10 (plus P&P) a month. Sign up at readinginheels.com
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THE BOOK SWAP EVENT Prenderland Books is passionate about getting kids to read. If your shelves are full of books you’ve outgrown or your children are moving on to new literary adventures, head to prenderlandbooks. co.uk to organise a book swap event.
THE BOOK JOURNAL This 48-page A5 journal is just the thing to gift to a bookworm – perfect for recording their thoughts on the latest books they’ve read. A personalised cover and choice of six colours, £22.99, Designed via Not on the High Street
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WORDS JENNIFER MORGAN IMAGE GETTY
university graduates who grew up with only a few books.’ Housing 80+ books, though, could be a bit of a spatial challenge. Sales of bookshelves were reportedly up 10 per cent in 2018, but what if you want to do something more creative with your collection, like the understair libraries you keep pinning on Pinterest? Adding a home library or reading nook could be the answer, as interior designer and project manager Anna Auzins (annaauzins.co.uk) points out. ‘I think the need for the tangible has increased. We’re realising that we could end up living in sterile boxes if we aren’t careful. Books make a room feel very homely; they ground it and make it feel like someone actually lives there. ‘Some people are fortunate enough to have a whole room for books, which is glorious, but these often form part of complete house renovation projects. One project I worked on involved building in the shelving and adding cornicing, so the bookcases look part of the walls. On another project, the couple had 12,000 books to house! But I’ve also worked on projects where the library just forms a corner of a room. In one 1930s house, the kitchen had been extended at the back to form a big kitchen-dining-family room, which left the former dining part of the room redundant. By putting in shelving, it became a space in its own right.’ Window seats, snugs and TV-free living spaces are all options you can consider when looking to create quiet zones, especially if you’re planning a big reconfiguration of the interior of your home. ‘The projects we work on can vary from a multifunctional space with storage, like an integrated desk with a bookcase, to a grand library with floor-to-ceiling shelving, which may require its own access ladder,’ says Cari Bateman, senior designer at Neville Johnson (nevillejohnson.co.uk). ‘Many of our clients who embrace the digital age still have a passion for books.’ ‘Books are decoration in their own right, adding colour and texture to a room,’ Anna says. ‘When you introduce shelving for books, it means you aren’t just looking at a blank wall – you’re looking at life. A library creates warmth; a place to de-stress and detox and allow our minds to think in a different way.’ Content creator and book-lover Bronte Huskinson (@bookishbronte) agrees. ‘In my house, books are everywhere,’ she says. ‘I love the idea
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Here’s a new one for you: tiled feature façades. Pretty bold, pretty clever, and just plain pretty. This geometric beauty caught our eye thanks to the striking tile pattern and on-trend shades of green – perfect for a spring refresh. The whole rear exterior has been updated with modern brick, which contrasts with the original 19th century house – but while the tiled side-return extension looks cutting edge, it’s actually a nod to the green ceramic designs made popular in Victorian architecture. Top it all off with a supersized pivot door and picture window, and you’ve got a true winner in our eyes. Project cost: £200,000. Conibere Phillips Architects, 020 7043 2575, coniberephillips.com
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shaping up
Now you know where you want to extend, it’s time to think about getting the right design for the new space. Here’s how to achieve it ost fun part of your extension project will be the gn process – working with a professional to get pace, look and feel (inside and out) just as you t it. A good design process results in a successful gn, and therefore a successful project. If only it always like that! For people unused to working with pro essional designers, the experience can sometimes be fraught, expensive and, worst of all, end up with a disappointing result. If you’re going to go through the upheaval and expense of extending your home, you had better be sure you’re going to be happy with it when it’s complete. So a good design experience is key – here’s how to ensure you get it right.
Do I need a designer? You’ll need professional design help at some point in your project, but you don’t necessarily need a full-service architect and a long, involved process. The reality is that many extension projects look the way they do because there are only really one or two solutions to extending common house types, and the natural engineering limitations imposed on extensions (the spans of steel joists, for example) means that for most people there isn’t going to be a lot of fresh thinking going on. Clearly, a window or rooflight shape and style will need choosing, as will some design details (such as whether or not you have a level threshold
The title ‘architect’ is protected under the Architects Act of 1997 and means that only those registered with the Architects Registration Board can use the term to describe themselves. This means that they have been through the appropriate education, and have the relevant qualifications and training. They will also have signed up to the Architect’s Code of Conduct and have professional indemnity insurance of at least £250,000. Searching the lists of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) is a good starting point to find a designer. Bear in mind, however, that even though this guarantees they meet the above criteria, that’s only a proportion of the whole skill set required to bring your project to life. A good designer will be experienced, energetic, engaged with the project (and you) and adept at resolving difficult design issues. The place to start, therefore, is not so much with the title as the person. You’re after a designer with all of the above hard and soft skills. That may well be an architect, but it could also be a local house designer without any formal qualifications. Insurance is key, of course, but many non-architects have that, too.
WORDS JASON ORME IMAGES GETTY
How to find a designer Start with RIBA’s Find an Architect service by searching its database at architecture.com. RIBA also provides a bespoke matching ‘Referrals’ service for homeowners on its website. In terms of non-RIBA designers, you could try architectural technologists, who offer many of the same services as architects – look for one at ciat.org.uk. Finding unaffiliated house designers – anyone, frankly, can set themselves up as a designer – is much more difficult as there is no central database. Local builders might be able to help. Indeed, many people who talk to builders as the first port of call in their project get good recommendations from them for designers whose plans are detailed, clear and technically sound; it’s generally a very good sign when builders like designers. Other recommendations from the likes of friends, family or neighbours may well point you in the direction of someone
Understanding what a designer does The job of a designer is relatively ill-defined – it means different things on different projects. In the grandest sense, the designer is the expert who can bring together all of the diverse elements you need to make a project like this work, from initial feasibility, co-ordinating any structural drawings, cost analysis and construction advice to getting it through planning and building control, and even supervising the construction process. That’s all without mentioning the actual house plans. Most designers working on extension projects would expect to be doing the following: i producing initial sketches and drawings to get the concept right and agreed with you i submission and liaison with the planning authorities (or confirmation of exemption under permitted development rights if relevant) i production of final construction drawings for building control and construction purposes to be sent to a builder for their quotation In most cases the relationship will end there, although some will be able/willing to manage the builder/tender process and even project manage the build itself if you wish. A word of warning here. House designers specialise day in, day out, on the design of buildings. Not all of them specialise in extensions – so bear this in mind when talking to a practice or individual with a varied mix of project types. The truth is, there isn’t a great deal of money in house designers devoting lots of hours to small extension projects compared to the money they can earn from larger commercial jobs, so your project may frequently find itself at the bottom of the list if they get busy. For that reason, you ideally want a specialist homes/extensions designer. Also, if your project requires other non-design related solutions, then don’t assume your house designer is the person to help. For sites with sensitive planning issues, you’ll need a specialist planning consultant. These are people who work all the time around the local authority’s planning department, knowing the policies and appeal decisions inside out – something your house designer could never compete with. Similarly, if you’re particularly worried about costs, don’t expect your house designer to give you the same level of assurance on materials and labour prices as a proper quantity surveyor – so don’t be surprised if the answers you get back on costs are not specific. Use a house designer to their strengths as part of a team of experts early on in your project and you’ll have a much better chance of success than relying on them alone.
How do I decide? With the above in mind, meet your shortlisted designer (or designers) in person. Don’t expect a free design consultation. Talk to them about the project, see if they understand what you want to achieve, and then see if they can convince you that, under their guidance, they can add sufficient skill to
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NEXT MONTH: GETTING PLANNING APPROVAL FOR YOUR PROJECT
What are my options?
who has had similar work done. Finally, you could also scour the names of the designers who submit house plans to the local authority seeking planning permission. Which designs do you like? Ideally they are the ones that received approval!
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between the internal and external floor levels), but this is not design work that requires bold architectural energy. You will, of course, need a structural engineer to work at the design stage to confirm the size and depth of any steel beams required. You’ll also need some design work in terms of the electrical/lighting scheme. In the majority of cases, homeowners will benefit from employing an experienced house designer for their extension. Builders (who could probably build a perfectly adequatelooking extension for you without the involvement of a designer) and structural engineers wouldn’t be best placed to solve particular problems with your extension project, or give it the design flourish that elevates it above the ordinary. Experienced house designers can help to make even ordinary-shaped extensions feel special, perhaps with clever window placement or a striking cladding choice. They will also be experienced in how to rearrange the flow of the space once the new extension is complete. There are a lot of very ordinary extensions around, and it usually pays to have someone with a skilled eye to help yours be something you’re really proud of.
a sofa having a coffee on a Sunday morning, looking at the garden while cooking; kids watching television after school while you’re working at the dining table, or even an area for a Friday night kitchen disco! Provide this list to your designer as part of the brief, and assess the plans you get back against it. Can you achieve all of those things in your new space? If not, it’s time for revisions.
make it special. It goes without saying that you should look at their previous projects, and ask them what their particular areas of interest are. In other words, what do they do well, and what can they bring to the project that others can’t? Just as important as the design conversation is the customer service factor. Many homeowners instantly feel on the back foot when talking to designers about their projects, and it’s always a mistake. You’re both the client and the boss, and you’re employing a designer in the same way that you would anyone else – to work for you and to get the job done well. So the element of service is key – namely, how long can I expect the process to take, what are the turnaround times on design revisions, and how do you charge? In most cases this will be a staged fixed fee, agreed in advance.
Revisions to the design Nothing is going to be perfect first time, and it definitely pays to take a few days looking through the plans before feeding back to the designer. There may well be stipulations in your agreement as to the number of revisions allowed in the fixed fee, but remember that you can’t change the design once it’s built, so it pays to take your time and get it right now. Be clear about why you see the problems, and suggest potential solutions. The key frustration for designers here is a lack of clarity and the feeling that the homeowner has it all in their own mind, so now’s the time for you to be explicit.
how much do designers charge? The traditional RIBA sliding scale of fees is a thing of the past, although some designers still cherish its simplicity and transparency – effectively a design charge of somewhere between 10-15 per cent of the overall project cost, reducing down for bigger spends. This typically means that most designers would be expecting to earn around £7,000£15,000 for a project in the £70,000-£100,000 range (a large kitchen extension or small two-storey extension). This approach was unpopular with homeowners, mainly because it gave no certainty as to the design cost, but also because there wasn’t an incentive for designers to drive costs down. These days, the majority of designers work on a fixed-fee basis. This doesn’t mean that fees are cheaper, but at least they are more transparent. In most cases this £7,000-£15,000 figure is a good guide for those building large-scale extensions that require quite a bit of design work. Anything lower than £5,000 in fees simply means that the designer won’t be able to afford to put in the design hours to ensure that everything is as good as it can be. That said, if you need very little design work, then you should be paying fees in the £2,000-£5,000 range – perhaps you do only need a week’s worth of a designer to sketch up some plans for planning approval and then leave the builder to get on with the rest.
The end of the line It’s not common, but some relationships between designer and homeowner end without the production of plans satisfactory to all. In many cases, the injection of a fresh approach and a fresh eye can help to unlock a troublesome project. Some schemes benefit from a multifaceted approach to design, with each designer bringing a skill to the table. The way that relationships like this end is related to the fees paid. Designs remain the copyright of the designer but as long as the fee has been paid at each stage, then the client enjoys a licence to use the designs on the site in question. This is another reason for ensuring that there is a clear stage payment agreement through the process, as it means that the financial hit for effectively ending the relationship with your architect is limited.
Next month: the ins and outs of planning permission
What do I need to give the designer? The level of information you provide to your designer is critical in ensuring a successful outcome for your project. Your initial brief should include: i basic requirement in terms of rooms needed i what you intend to use the new space for i some examples of spaces you like and, just as importantly, things you don’t like i your budget i other aims, such as energy efficiency, natural light, smart technology, and so on... What your brief shouldn’t be is too prescriptive in terms of how big the design should be or what it should look like. Ideally you want your designer to add some value for their fees, rather than slavishly drawing up what you have in your mind. Trust them to add value to your project. One way to rationalise this further is to provide the designer with a list of the experiences you hope to enjoy in the new space. These will be different for everyone, but might include something along the lines of the following: sitting on
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A DV E RTOR I A L
BOOST YOUR KERB APPEAL Create your dream home with the latest cladding solutions from Cedral enovating and designing a home that’s both practical and stylish isn’t always an easy task, but one place you may want to consider starting is with your exterior. Creating a unique look which reflects your style and personality will help ensure your home makes the best first impression. Plus, a new exterior can help improve the overall efficiency and performance of your home, saving you money in the future. Fibre cement cladding, such as Cedral, can be fitted on top of your home’s existing structure and be designed to complement windows and doors. The lightweight nature of Cedral and other fibre cement cladding lends itself to short installation times, making it an
R
ideal solution for both a quick refresh and a complete transformation. Cedral fibre cement cladding provides a minimum life expectancy of 50 years, and can withstand attack from insects, rot and the external elements. This gives you peace of mind that your renovation has been designed to stand the test of time, while looking good all year round. Unlike other cladding materials, fibre cement cladding, including Cedral, is very practical and hardwearing. The cladding is available in factory-applied colours, so it doesn’t require regular repainting or maintenance. Cedral Lap and Cedral Click fibre cement cladding offers four
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colour palettes to choose from – Mineral, Forest, Earth and Ocean. The mineral range has a distinctive stone feel, the Earth range has darker, richer colours, the Forest range is warm and neutral and the Ocean range has cool blue hues. All of the colours make for a subtle yet striking finishing touch. So to enhance your kerb appeal with a brand new bespoke exterior, Cedral Lap and Ceral Click fibre cement cladding are an ideal solution with a Class A fire performance, too. To find out more information, head to cedral.world.
THE APRIL
Report AND ESSENTIA S D EN TR S, EA ID ST TE LA THE
L BUYS
FOR YOUR KITCHEN AN
Store it all Always trying to clear the clutter? Wall-hung basin cabinets are a great way to sneak in extra bathroom storage and free up floor space to make your room look bigger. So embrace your inner Marie Kondo and get sorted with this modular range, available in a range of colours and sizes. Infinity unit in Windsor Oak, £1,134 for unit, worktop and mirror, Crosswater
D BATHROOM
GOING FOR GOLD A boiling water tap might be a practical investment, but that doesn’t mean it can’t look stunning, too. Quooker’s new gleaming gold finish has gone straight to the top of our wish list. Time for a brew, anyone? Fusion gold tap, from £2,020, Quooker
FEATURE AMELIA SMITH
Classic update Want the traditional aesthetic of Victorian floor tiles with the ease, practicality and warmth of modern vinyl? We’ve got just the ticket with these monochrome additions to Amtico’s Décor collection. Prices start from £165 per m2
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NEW NEUTRAL
There’s no denying that shower enclosures aren’t always the sexiest of additions to a bathroom scheme, but this bold design is proving to be something of a headturner. In contrast to many of the frameless designs available, this style makes a feature of its black frame and sliding door, and is perfect for creating a modern look in your space. Black sliding door, £1,093.20, Merlyn Showers
Steampunk style Corinthia light, £69, Iconic Lights
3 of the best KITCHEN ISLAND LIGHTS Shed some light on your worktop with a multi-bulb ceiling pendant that’s a stylish centrepiece, too
Calia three-pendant ceiling light, £325, John Lewis
PERFECT MATCH Struggling to find a kitchen in your perfect shade? If you’ve found an item – be it an art print, tea towel or a favourite jumper – in your ideal kitchen colour, you can now take it into one of Wren’s showrooms and they’ll colour match it for you in seconds. A kitchen to match your favourite dress? Why not? Milano Contour Ermine kitchen in Spearmint, £3,663 for built-in units shown, Wren
FOR MORE INSPIRATION, ON VISIT REALHOMES.COM/KITCHEN REALHOMES COM
High impact
Pasaro five-light kitchen island pendant, £97.99, Wayfair
#SOREALHOMES
Coloured sinks and toilets might conjure up visions of pink 1970s bathrooms, but the brand new collection from West One Bathrooms is an altogether more tasteful offering. This soft cashmere shade is our favourite, but the range also comes in a deep green or pale blue if you want to go bolder. Primo Lux wallhung toilet in Camelia, £1,078.80
London Funk Compass, £54 per m2
Embossed Ocean, £51 per m2
Aged Seren, £42 per m2
London Funk City, £54 per m2
Fes, £35 per m2
SAVE 20% AT THE BAKED TILE COMPANY Update your home with beautiful tiles
Faded Delft, £39.50 per m2
Reminiscent Sea Green, £36 per m2
HOW TO CLAIM Head to bakedtiles.co.uk and enter the code ‘REAL2019’ at the checkout. TERMS AND CONDITIONS Save 20 per cent at The Baked Tile Company. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Must be applied online and cannot be applied retrospectively. UK mainland only. Valid until 2 April 2019. Lily pad, £72 per m2
Tuscany Tropical Decor, £48 per m2
Who doesn’t love a patterned tile? The Baked Tile Company offers on-trend hues, 3D designs and classic patterns packed with personality and character. And we’ve joined forces to offer you 20 per cent off its entire range, including its new Spring Summer 2019 collections. Whether you’re looking to revamp your bathroom, kitchen or hallway, you’ll be amazed at the difference a fresh new tile design can make. Follow @BakedTileCo on Twitter and @bakedtileco on Instagram to stay up to date with all the latest tiling trends.
Embossed Ocean, £51 per m2
WORDS MANDI MILLAR PHOTOGRAPHS FIONA WALKER-ARNOTT
C L A SS I C A L LY CHIC
The soft, muted tones of Belinda Flury’s extended kitchen gave her and daughter Flossie a relaxing space where they could enjoy the garden and entertain friends
Profile The owner Belinda Flury, who works in property, and her daughter, Flossie, 17 The property A three-bedroom Victorian end terraced house in Hackney, London project cost £75,000
Although the extension took up part of the garden, the outside space has become more of a feature inside thanks to the floor-to-ceiling doors and windows across the back wall. ‘We feel so much more connected to it now,’ says Belinda Osea kitchen units and Carrara marble worktops, Plain English. Steel windows and doors, Clement Windows. Ceiling lights, Davey Lighting. Walls painted in Cornforth White, Farrow & Ball
The 50mm deep marble worktop reflects the chunky floating shelves above. ‘I preferred this hob because the low profile virtually disappears into the marble,’ Belinda says. ‘Gaggenau was updating the range so it was hard to source, but we managed it in the end.’ Hob, extractor and oven, Gaggenau. For a similar tap, try the Clearwater Elegance twin-lever bridge sink mixer, Tap Warehouse
BEFORE
Step one
moved to their Victorian end of terrace back in 2005, Belinda Flury and her daughter, Flossie, loved the house, but as Flossie grew up, it was time to re-think their home. When Flossie moved into a converted basement area in the property, it kickstarted a complete renovation – central to which was an extended kitchen-dining space. This light, bright, open-plan room had to feel cosy enough for times when just the two of them were at home, but generous enough to host their friends and family. Belinda reveals the steps she took to achieve her dream space…
Step two
having
cramped beginnings
Design time
‘Working in property, I’m well placed to see lots of beautiful homes and decide what I like,’ says Belinda. ‘The existing kitchen/dining room was cramped and dark – it just wasn’t somewhere I wanted to spend time in. It turned cooking – something I enjoy – into a chore. And although the garden was a good size, it felt very cut-off from the house. The space just didn’t work for us or for the house.’
‘I wanted more space, which meant I’d have to extend, but I also wanted it to be light and bright. I didn’t want a “fitted” look but rather for it to look more like another furnished room in the house. And I wanted a space big enough to fill with friends but where Flossie and I would still feel at home when it was just us. I’d seen Plain English kitchens in other properties and knew that’s who I’d use. We worked with their senior designer, Anneka Schranz. She seemed to share our vision of bringing this space to life, and she was willing to go the extra mile to fulfil the attention to detail that was so important to me.’
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The over-sized island unit is the heart of the home now. Belinda had plumbing run under the floor to site the sink here. Some of her favourite buys are the classic mid-century Ercol chairs. ‘I found them on Ebay and painted them to suit the room. The sheepskins and reindeer hide make them really comfortable.’
Step four
Step five
DRAWING UP PLANS
Overcoming hurdles
Final touches
‘The plan was to extend outwards across the width of the house and then sideways to take in the side return. We’d be losing garden space as a result, but ultimately the outside became more of a feature. I needed planning from Hackney Council, which surprisingly took only eight weeks. I’d originally asked for the steel windows and doors to continue around the corner of the extension, but this was denied. In the end I went for a large side window instead, which I actually prefer now. Work started in July 2016 and went on for a year. As it was part of a complete house renovation, Flossie and I moved into rented accommodation for the time so we missed the worst of the mess.’
‘Anneka and I worked collaboratively. I project managed and was regularly on site to ensure everything went to schedule – which wasn’t always the case. A large sewer pipe, which hadn’t been identified prior to plans being approved, was right under the extension. We had to get permission from Thames Water to move it. The builders stopped work for two months while awaiting approval. I wasn’t happy! Then, at the very end of the project, we had to move back into the house before the steel window frames had been fitted, so we lived with boarded-up windows for our first summer, which was a bit depressing. They were worth the wait, though, and the garden was quite a reveal the day we could finally enjoy it from the kitchen.’
‘In terms of style, I wanted something timelessly elegant with real attention to detail. The Shaker-style in-frame doors are hand-painted timber so we can change the colour at any stage. Anneka managed to source a Gaggenau hob that sits flush with the marble work surface – a tricky detail to accomplish. It was the last model of that particular range and I actually preferred its retro look to the newer replacement. I go with what I like rather than trends, so I’ve mixed materials – industrial black metal window frames alongside brass taps, and bentwood dining chairs with geometric ceiling pendants. The finished result is a transformed space that Flossie and I love spending time in. After 150 years, it feels like the house finally works!’
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Step three
Stools, SCP. Distressed shelf unit, Emma Leschallas, Antiques of Tetbury. Dining table, Plain English. Ercol dining chairs painted in Jack Black, Little Greene. For sheepskins, try The Conran Shop or The White Company
Contacts Kitchen Plain English, 020 7486 2674, plainenglishdesign.co.uk Glazing Clement Windows, 01428 643393, clementwindows.co.uk Paint Farrow & Ball, 01202 876141, farrow-ball.co.uk
Above The over-sized window in the side wall means the kitchen enjoys maximum light. ‘I wanted the classic Ercol sofa to match the dining chairs; Ebay came up trumps again,’ says Belinda. ‘The frame is refinished so its blonde timber reflects the table top. For classic Ercol furniture, try Vinterior. For similar lights, try the Slam Dunk floor and table lamps in brass, Loaf
my kitchen favourites
Gavi wine rack, £125, Red Candy
Friday night tipple of choice ‘Whispering Angel in an ice-chilled glass’
Favourite scented candle ‘Diptyque Feu de Bois and Bond No. 9 Nuits de Noho’
Saturday night dinner at mine… ‘Baked sea bass and green salad – and a bowl of fries on the side!’ aFunk 360 degrees bluetooth speaker in Cool Grey/Rose Gold, £99, Amara
Decorative print ceramic bowl in gold, £29, Cult Furniture
Always ends up on the iPlayer ‘It’s got to be 1980s club classics!’
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Welles bar stool in mango wood and white, £149, Swoon Editions
My go-to coffee roost ‘The stools at the end of the island’ Diptyque Feu de Bois scented mini candle, £27, John Lewis & Partners
A GUIDE TO
Bi-fold doors
Opening the inside of your home to the outside is easy with designs as fabulous as they are functional i-fold doors are a favourite with home improvers. Open, they turn interior and exterior into an uninterrupted expanse that can make a home feel bigger, as well as turning it into a more sociable venue for spending time with family and friends. Closed, they’ll still bring in plenty of light, and provide easy passage to the garden through a traffic door. You can choose from designs in timber, aluminium and a combination of the two – there’s a look to suit every interior and garden. You’ll also need to decide which side the door leaves should stack, and whether they should open into the house or the garden. Intrigued? Get inspired with these stunning options…
B
OPEN HOUSE
WORDS SARAH WARWICK PHOTOGRAPH MATTHEW CLAYTON
Bi-fold doors can happily fit with a Victorian home. In this extension project by Scenario Architecture, they make the addition bright and open, while still allowing light through to the original home via door and window openings left in place to respect the historic layout. They’re integrated with angled fixed frame glazing in the gable end and a single glazed door. Six-panel set of Sunflex SF75 bi-fold doors, from £1,500 per panel including fitting, IDSystems
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SIX OF THE BEST ALUMINIUM DOORS
ALL SEASONS
Best for bespoke Bi-folds from Apropos are tailor-made to fit extensions, conservatories, orangeries or new-builds, and the design for this lean-to kitchen addition has solarcontrolled glazing. From £15,000
Best for easy fitting For simple installation, check out these doors from Benchmarx Kitchens & Joinery, which are also designed for thermal efficiency and to be low maintenance. From £3,470 for a H2.09xW1.79m, three-door option
Best for a steel look The bespoke glazing bar design of this Legacy bi-fold from Sieger Systems gives it sought-after style, and it even has a cat flap built in. £7,200 for design, supply and installation
Open a dining area to the garden in summer, then enjoy the view in winter. From Anglian Home Improvements, these doors have gas-filled double-glazed sealed units that’ll keep you snug when it’s chilly. The aluminium frames come in a selection of colour finishes and they’re secure, too: each primary door has a Yale 3 star cylinder lock and shoot bolts that hold the folding doors secure. From £3,600 for W1.55m including installation
‘Consider your frame and glass options. Selecting aluminium could help reduce the frame size, creating a larger proportion of glass and more expansive views into the outdoors’ Rachael Munby, Anglian Home Improvements
Best for kitchens Try teaming white cabinetry and worktops with bi-folds in the same shade for a modern look. Finished in grey outside, these Quickslide H2.1xW5.6m doors cost £5,460
Like the idea of a different door colour on the inside of your room to that on the outside? The composite construction of these WarmCore aluminium doors from Bison Frames means a different shade on either side comes at no extra cost. There are four powder-coated finishes on offer, as well as four external aluminium designs for the door sashes, three handle finishes and four threshold options. Around £840 per door leaf
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COLOUR CHANGE
Best for DIYers If you’re keen to fit doors yourself, this Status aluminium door from Vufold comes as a complete set for a competent DIYer to fit. Five-door W5m, from £4,499 double glazed
Best for opening out Maximise garden access with bi-folds fitted on two sides of a room. The XP10 from Express Bi-Folding Doors slides effortlessly for speedy opening. Around £1,000 per panel installed
Classic lines Here’s proof that bi-folds aren’t just a top choice for contemporary extensions. The choice of frame materials and the detailing can make them an ideal partner to more traditional architectural styles, too. These sets of timber doors have bronze inserts. The frames can be stained or painted, there’s a choice of timber profiles and the double glazing features lead detailing. A set of bi-folds, H2.4xW3.2m, costs around £8,500, Architectural Bronze Casements
‘The combination of aluminium and wood for folding doors is often considered desirable, with maintenancefree aluminium on the outside and the warmth and texture of natural wood on the inside’ Peter Watkins, Centor
THREE OF THE BEST Best for shading Built-in screens and shades in Centor’s 205 integrated door prevent overheating and stop insects. They’re solid European Oak on the inside with an aluminium exterior. This H2.13xW5.76m doorset cost £15,264
Best for grain Enjoy unique natural detail with these Oak KustomFold doors from Klöeber. There’s a variety of stain or paint finishes including a dual-colour option. From £3,390 for W2.09m up to H2.2m
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Best for slim frames Maximise views with timber frames of just 12.2cm. This double-glazed four-panel set of Sunflex SF75h doors from IDSystems has integrated Venetian blinds, and costs from £1,800 per panel including fitting
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TIMBER DOORS
Breathing space
‘Consider everything from aesthetics to thermal efficiency and security. Aluminium is strong and light. Choose doors with an eight-point multilock and low U-values for the best performance’ Neil Ginger, Origin
THREE OF THE BEST
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Bi-fold doors at 90 degrees to one another can create a seamless merger of the interior and the garden. This home’s terrace is its only outdoor area and, with exterior space at a premium in the city centre location, the owners wanted to make the most of it. Archangels Architects removed an old extension and reconfigured the inside to allow living areas to be fully opened to the terrace. Bi-fold doors, £1,200 per panel, Ultraline
Best for space expansion Up to 90 per cent of the elevations can be opened up with these aluminium bi-folds from IQ Glass, making outdoors and indoors one in this Cornwall home. They cost £8,640
Best for minimal lines Solarlux’s SL60e doors have slender panels that stack with minimal protrusion into indoor or outdoor space, so they’re space savers for small rooms and sleek in large ones. Price on application
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Best for industrial style In dark silver metallic with stainless-steel hardware, these doors from Origin complement the interior furnishings perfectly. Standard two-door bi-fold, H2.2xW1.8m, £2,519
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PHOTOGRAPH SAMUEL J BLAND (ULTRALINE)
CORNER DOORS
bathroom redesign
WORTH THE WAIT Saving up for their dream bathroom meant that Kath and Vivian could go all-out with a luxurious yet affordable scheme Kath completed her dream kitchen renovation after years of saving, her thoughts immediately turned to the cramped, impractical bathroom directly above. After buying the property and extending the downstairs, she and husband Vivian were held back from further projects by lack of budget. However, a couple of years later, they found themselves able to design the house they’d always wanted. Kath explains how they achieved their bathroom on a budget…
WHEN
BEFORE
WORDS ELLEN FINCH PHOTOGRAPHS KASIA FISZER
MODEST BEGINNINGS ‘This bathroom was horrendous before. It had been built by a guy who lived here on his own, so everything was squashed into the corners and on the outer walls. It’s directly above the kitchen and is quite big for a terraced house, but it wasn’t designed to its full potential. Eventually, we’d saved enough money, and when the shower kept breaking, we decided it was time for an overhaul.’
Profile THE OWNERs Kath Pinkham-Edwards, a contracts buyer in the gas and oil industry, lives here with husband Vivian Edwards, who works in technical support THE PROPERTY An early-20th century, three-bedroom mid-terraced house in Neyland, Pembrokeshire project COST £9,800
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SOU FITTERS ‘We negotiated a fixed price for the bathroom. I gave the company the opportunity to pull the floorboards up and check there wasn’t any extra plumbing work that needed doing. We went with a local company. A lot of the time it does pay to use local – they were always more than willing to come back and sort out any problems.’
OVERCOMING CHALLENGES
SMART IDEA ‘Years ago, I lived in Germany, where they have washing machines in their bathroom. I’ve always wanted the same. Both the washing machine and the boiler are in here, in built-in cupboards to hide them away. The machine sits on a big rubber mat to absorb vibrations. It means that if I’m doing some washing and we have visitors, it’s not all over the kitchen floor – it’s up here out of the way, instead.’
SHOPPING LIST Wood and Pears wallpaper, Cole & Son. Flooring, British Ceramic Tile. Mirror, Ebay. Bath, The Cast Iron Bath Company. Bath mixer, Tap Warehouse. Table, Zara Home. Storage and sink, Soakology. Tap, Soak. Bath mat, Next Home
INDULGENT TOUCH ‘I love having a bath. Vivian doesn’t – he always says, “Why would I want to lie in my own dirt?” We opted for a slipper bath – it’s smaller so you can’t completely lie down flat in it. The shower is for practicality but the bath is for luxury. If I’ve had a long day working around the house, I’ll pour myself a glass of wine, run a bath and put a programme on the iPad.’
Contacts Flooring British Ceramic Tile, 0845 618 7144, britishceramictile.com Storage Soakology, 0330 088 2803, soakology.co.uk Bath The Cast Iron Bath Company, 01723 585896, castironbath.co.uk
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‘We wanted a walk-in shower, but when we sat down with the bathroom company to work out pricing, we realised it was going to add £800 to the budget. I said I’d source the taps and the WC to cut down costs so that we could afford it. I think it’s future-proofed the bathroom. We also had underfloor heating. It’s about deciding your priorities and where you want to spend money. You can save on the things you’re not as bothered about – and replace them later if you feel the need to.’
FOCUS ON
Worktops Make kitchen surfaces a standout feature or a subtle presence. Find a material and look you’ll love with our guide BEST FOR DIYING
BEST FOR A MARBLE LOOK
Ideal for revamping your kitchen, this work surface can be cut to length and the edges covered with the strips included, so you can easily size it to fit. Its top layer of oak gives it interesting individual grain and colour variations. Particleboard beneath the timber makes the design less sensitive to kitchen humidity. Skogså oak worktop, £200 for L246cm, Ikea
This quartz design has the appearance of marble with the durability and minimal care requirements of a composite material. This version is exquisitely detailed, while the rest of the collection – inspired by the soft tones of sweeping clouds – offers alternative veining and details. Milan Macchiato, from £280 per m2, Cirrus collection, Radianz
BEST FOR STONE FANS If you like individuality in your kitchen, natural granite delivers as each slab is different. Granite worktops stay looking good for years, so are a sound investment. The polished finish of this Spanish granite maximises light reflection. Azul Aran polished granite, £906 per m2, 1909 Kitchens
WORDS SARAH WARWICK
Three TOP TIPS MATERIAL CONCERNS Laminate is inexpensive and can look like other surfaces, while solid wood is characterful and can be affordable. Natural granite and marble are luxurious and each worktop is unique, but they’re priced accordingly. Quartz – made from natural stone plus man-made materials – is easy to clean and durable. Man-made solid surfaces can be moulded seamlessly, but they’re costly.
Think care requirements and durability as well as appearance to make the best choice
KEEP SMART Laminate is easy to clean, but damage can’t be repaired. Wood requires regular oiling but can be sanded and refinished if marked. Quartz is stain resistant and doesn’t need sealing, while solid surfaces are non-porous and wipe clean. Stone should be sealed and can be damaged by acids in food or the wrong cleaner. A trivet will stop heat damaging your worktop.
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DIY OR GSI? If you’re sufficiently handy and confident in your skills, you could fit a wood or laminate worktop yourself to save money. Stone, quartz and solid surfaces will require you to get someone in for a professional installation. Bear in mind that a stone like granite is heavy, so cabinets must offer sufficient support.
BEST FOR EASY CARE A mild detergent is all that’s required to keep this quartz worktop looking as good as new because the surface is non-porous. This pale shade will help keep a kitchen light and bright, but there’s a choice of 38 colours in all as well as the option of 20 or 30mm depth. Regency White, from £250 per m2, CRL Stone
B ST FOR SUBTLE SHEEN This gloss laminate has the appearance of natural slate at a budget price, and will look smart when teamed with white units in a classic monochrome scheme. Combine it with the matching upstand or a simple black and white tiled splashback. Black slate-effect worktop, £83 for W60xL300cm, Wickes
An oak work surface will bring gentle warmth to a kitchen – and can be an attractive contrast to pale painted units or sleek man-made cabinetry. Properly cared for, it will age beautifully, too, and can be sanded and refinished if necessary. Deluxe oak (on island), from around £215; standard oak, £125, both for a W62xL200cm top, Worktop Express
BEST FOR A CONCRETE LOOK This understated worktop creates the contemporary style of concrete at a great price. It’s available in lengths up to 5.2 metres, and thicknesses from 1.3 to 9.8cm, so you can choose from a super slim or more substantial-looking preparation surface. Concrete structure laminate worktop, from around £150 per metre, Rational
finishing touches CLASSIC PATTERN Metro tiles have a timeless style you’ll stay in love with. Metro Aqua beveledged ceramic tiles, £15.99 per m2, Tile Mountain
Complement your worktop with a splashback in a different material, or continue it into an upstand BLOCK COLOUR Try a panel that’s a breeze to wipe down in a stunning shade. Totally Teal, from £109 for a W60xL90cm panel, AluSplash
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SEAMLESS STYLE Match work and wall surface for a sleek look. Solid surface in Mist, £250 per m for 2.5cm worktop, £165 per m2 for 12mm splashback option, Mistral
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BEST FOR A NATURAL FINISH
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Be inspired by stunning before and after transformations Looking to add space? Don’t miss our guide to conservatories Exterior makeovers to make your home stand out from the crowd The latest high street shopping buys Update your space for spring with this season’s hottest colour combination
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Towel radiators Create a style statement and surround yourself in warmth with the latest designs 2
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FOR MORE ESSENTIAL BUYS, VISIT REALHOMES.COM/BATHROOM
1 Noir 800 square radiator, £292, Bathstore 2 Neptune heated towel rail in brown metallic, £362, Easy Bathrooms 3 Kora 5 polished brass electric towel radiator, £1,452, Castrads 4 Regency column towel radiator in green, from £1,377.20, Vogue
FEATURE AMELIA SMITH
5 Quirinius towel radiator in chrome, £395, Heritage Bathrooms 6 Copper square ladder towel radiator, £149.99, Soak.com 7 Demi Baroque radiator, £1,961, The Albion Bath Co
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Kitchen trolleys Whether it’s a butcher’s block, room divider or extra storage, roll in some portable shelving and transform how you use your space 2
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FOR MORE GREAT BUYS, VISIT REALHOMES.COM/KITCHENS
1 Foundry kitchen trolley, £319, A Place for Everything 2 Metro Lane Ann kitchen trolley, £126.99, Wayfair 3 Giro industrial trolley, £349, Cuckooland 4 Forhoja kitchen trolley, £80, Ikea
FEATURE AMELIA SMITH
5 Carbon steel storage trolley in Sage, £39, Dunelm 6 Botanique green metal wheeled trolley, £97.74, Maisons du Monde 7 Grattify Engioi cabinet trolley, £560, Not on the High Street
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I discovered I had a skill for plastering. I did our whole bathroom, conservatory and filled in a door. Saved us a fortune
Upcycle as much as possible so you spend on the things you need to. You can always replace furniture but it’s difficult to do that with fixtures @THEHOUSEWITHNONAME
@PASTELDREAMAT14
Self-adhesive wallpaper is especially good if you tend to change your mind/style a lot
READERS’ VIEW
What are your top tips for home renovations?
@ROXYLEMAN1
Mark the kitchen design out in masking tape on the floor. Get a feel for the space before making it permanent
I swear by Peelaway paint stripper. Everything from fireplaces to plasterwork stripped back to their original glory @LITTLETERRACEDHOUSE
When the cat peed on the new carpet in my son’s room, I put down a floor in big rectangles of marine plywood and varnished it. My son loves its industrial look
FEATURE ALISON JONES
@BRIGHTBRICKTREEHOUSE
YouTube has been my husband’s go-to for tips. He learnt to install a kitchen and plaster from videos. He was chuffed with our houses
Never overlook the small details – they can transform the mundane into something extraordinary @17ROOMS
@HAU_TO_DIY
We had our old doors chemically stripped of years of paint. Everyone thought they’d come back ruined. We sanded them smooth and beeswaxed them and they look gorgeous @JEMLARNER 162
@FOREVERLONDONHOME
Spend money on the things you value most and save money in other areas. I made all the headboards in our house, did a lot of painting and upcycled @SLIMMINGCOOK
Don’t be afraid of hard work, dark colours and sticking with your instinct. Best thing I did was expose an old brick wall in the kitchen – but it was time consuming and extremely messy @ELISEFLUTE