EDITOR’S LETTER All the latest buys from the high street and artisan makers p8
Welcome September is one of my favourite times of the year as we get to reveal the autumn/winter trends! We’ve picked the top three looks and there’s something for everyone, from those of you who like the simple things to those who love a little bit of luxury in your home. Turn to page 34 to see our selection and to find out how you can bring the trends into your scheme. Keen cooks should take note of the 9 must-have ingredients for a chef’s paradise (p46) – we spoke to the professionals to find out exactly what it is that makes a kitchen work seamlessly. And keep reading to steal ideas from a dreamy kitchen makeover (p50), completed by a homeowner who really knows her food! If you’re itching to get started on a craft project then you’ll love our Make it Easy section this month. If you’re a sewist then add a Japanese tie-dying technique (p62) to your skill set before you learn how to cover a chair. My pick, though, is our DIY masterclass: how to make a garden bar (p64) with palette wood!
SUBSCRIBE & SAVE Treat yourself with our special offer – this month’s deal includes pretty cake tins! Sign up on page 90.
FOLLOW & SHARE WEBSITE
yourhomestyle.uk
facebook.com/yourhomemag
TWITTER @YourHome
Discover the new season’s most exciting trends, from the beauty of nature to allout glamour
Editor Mel Sherwood Features Editor Michelle Grady Staff Writer Sophie Demetriades Editorial Assistant Ella Rhys-Jones Designers Sally Bufton, Beth Charlton Lucas Digital Editor Rebecca Messina Digital Editorial Assistant Thea Jeffreys Advertising: Group Advertising Manager Laura Jones Advertising Manager Heather Golden Business Development Manager Sophie North Brand Sales Executives Phil Wallington, Aileen Booth, James Beckett, Kayla Rose, Baylee Sowter-Halling Classified Sales Executive Sophie Roberts
@yourhomemagazine
pinterest.com/yourhomemag
Ad Coordinator Bryony Grace Senior Ad Designers Andrew Hobson, Cee Pike Marketing & Production: Subscriptions Director Jacky Perales-Morris Direct Marketing Assistant Gemma Balding Director of Licensing and Syndication Tim Hudson Syndication Manager Richard Bentley Production Director Sarah Powell Junior Production Coordinator Georgia Tolley PR Manager Toby Hicks Publishing: Managing Director Marie Davies Promotions and Partnerships Manager Rosa Sherwood Group Managing Director Andy Marshall CEO Tom Bureau
Contact Your Home at Immediate Media Co, Eagle House, Colston Avenue, Bristol BS1 4ST General Enquiries Tel 0117 927 9009 You can email the magazine at yourhome@immediate.co.uk For subscriptions visit: buysubscriptions.com/contact UK: 03301 358962 Overseas: +44(0)1604 973748 © Immediate Media Company Bristol Limited, 2020, member of the Audit Bureau of Circulations. Unsolicited manuscripts and transparencies are accepted on the understanding that the publisher incurs no liability for their storage or return. The contents of this magazine may not be reproduced without permission. All prices are correct at the time of going to press. The publisher, editor and authors accept no responsibility in respect of any products, goods or services which may be advertised or referred to in this issue or for any errors, omissions, misstatements or mistakes in any such advertisements or references. Your Home is published by Immediate Media Company Bristol Limited, Eagle House, Colston Avenue, Bristol, BS1 4ST, UK. Every effort has been made to secure permission for copyright material. In the event of any material being used inadvertently, or where it proved impossible to trace the copyright owner, acknowledgement will be made in a future issue. Immediate Media Co Ltd is working to ensure that all of its paper is sourced from well-managed forests. This magazine can be recycled. We abide by IPSO’s rules and regulations. To give feedback about our magazines, please visit immediate.co.uk, email editorialcomplaints@immediate.co.uk or write to Legal Director, Immediate Media Co, Vineyard House, 44 Brook Green, London, W6 7BT
Editor’s portrait Philip Sowels
34
Contents 34
Discover the new season’s hottest trends
94
40
Dish up a Moroccan feast that the whole family will love
How to create the perfect crafting room
18
Slide into autumn with Scandi-style pieces
September at home 8
8
This month we love Discover the best things to buy, see and read this September
11 Household hints Check out our tips for keeping your clothes looking as good as new and choosing a water filter 13 Smarter shopper Read our savvy advice for how to furnish your home for less 14 Consumer news Get an insight into the pros and cons of paying for private health insurance 42 Buyer’s guide Invest in a freezer that will stand the test of time
Decorating 18 Trend alert Cosy up your home with new Nordic-inspired designs
17
34 The three hottest autumn/winter trends Give your house a refresh with these end-of-year schemes 40 From spare room to craft room Transform an under-used space into a creative haven
Makeovers
22 22 I restored the original layout for a cosy space Christine Leech converted her open-plan space into a snug and inviting living room 26 It reflects our passions for travel and wildlife Tessa Bird added personality to her period living room 30 It’s a luxurious, grown-up place to escape to Debra Davidson-Smith’s new extension turned her tired family living room into a sophisticated space
Kitchens & bathrooms
45
46 Create a chef’s paradise Bring a professional kitchen into your home 50 I made the kitchen the heart of the house Lily Coles transformed her kitchen 52 Modern vs traditional Which bathroom style do you prefer?
Reader homes
71 72 DIY tricks gave our home a bespoke look Kirstie McCormick has created a fabulous, wheelchair-friendly house 78 We created our quirky home together Elaine Murphy Byrne began styling her home while it was still being built 84 This house was a fresh start Sharon Hyatt-Mailes has given her new home the personal touch
Plus! 12-PAGTE CRAF GUIDE
MAKE IT EASY! Update your space with homemade projects and new skills
58
Pa Paint a your way to w perfection pe
60
Add pearlescent detail to a dresser
22
Christine created her inviting living room with a mix of handmade, highstreet and vintage pieces
Food & Entertaining
93 94 Moroccan feast Make these tasty meals packed with aromatic spices 98 Make-ahead meals Prepare a batch of breaded chicken cutlets to enjoy with a variety of delicious recipes
Home Improvement
103 104 A guide to downsizing Learn what to look out for when you are searching for a smaller home
Gardening
109 110 In your garden this month… Find out what to plant, pick and see in your outdoor space this month
Don’t miss out! 10 Your letters We delve into our inboxes and post bags to find out what you’ve been up to this month
44 Win! 14 bumper bedding bundles from Silentnight are up for grabs 90 Subscribe to Your Home to save 20 per cent on the shop price and receive a trio of Joules cake tins! 102 Coming next month Take a sneak peek at our October issue
64
Create your very own garden bar
114 Giveaways Try your luck and enter our four fantastic prize draws
Plus, check out…
116 Shopping guide Find out where to buy everything you’ve seen in this issue
62 Sew simple Give a chair a stylish shibori makeover
130 Eco news Save money and the planet with these top buys
66 Ask the experts Your home improvement questions answered
Have you missed an issue? Call 0330 1358962 to order back copies
68 Craft stash must-haves Discover kits, classes, books and bargains
Effortlessly create a new look in your kitchen with appliances from Montpellier SFO74B and MWBIC74B Make the perfect match with this built-in Trufanâ„¢ multifunction oven and combi PLFURZDYH GXR %RWK KDYH DQ /(' 'LVSOD\ complemented by touch and pop-in pop-out FRQWUROV IRU FRPSOHWH HDVH RI XVH
ng M tchi Ove & v M cr w
downdraft hoods
MRT91DFMX 5DQJH &RRNHU r 'XDO )XHO 'RXEOH 2YHQ *ULOO Use with our Electric Hobs
/sl n
tyle
$YDLODEOH LQ FP FP RXU downdraft hoods give hasslefree extraction and comes FRPSOHWH ZLWK PRWRU
&RS\ULJKW RI 0RQWSHOOLHU 'RPHVWLF $SSOLDQFHV
Turn heads with the 90cm dual fuel range cooker with 5 gas burners, cast iron SDQ VXSSRUWV DQG D VOHHN PLUURU QLVK Telescopic rails in the oven make it safer and easier to get hot food out of the oven, meaning it not only looks good, its easy to XVH DV ZHOO
luxe cooking $OO ULJKWV UHVHUYHG ( 2( )HDWXULQJ 6)2
% 0:%,&
% ''&+
057
')0; 0*+
%* 0:
30
3',. 0',
cooking on gas
B coo ing pro wit our gas o glass hobs...
Upgrade your hob for an easy kitchen WUDQVIRUPDWLRQ 7KLV PRGHO KDV JDV burners, including a wok burner, cast iron pan supports and black glass base for FRQWHPSRUDU\ VW\OH
wit /nverter M tor
MGH90BG
FP *DV +RE
forgotten something? 2XU 6WRS $GG *R WHFKQRORJ\ allows you to add items of clothing after the wash has started; perfect for adding that dropped item you QG DIWHU \RXoYH SUHVVHG VWDUW
MW9140P .J :DVKLQJ 0DFKLQH $ (QHUJ\ 3URJUDPPHV
To find your local stockist or where to buy online, visit our website montpellier-appliances.com
ishes done!
/ clu es Plumbe Ice & W ter ispenser %ULQJ VW\OH DQG IXQFWLRQ WR \RXU kitchen with the side by side range IURP 0RQWSHOOLHU )HDWXUHV LQFOXGH no frost technology, quick freeze and digital touch control, along with 489 /WU FDSDFLW\ PHDQLQJ WKHUHoV VSDFH for all of your shopping! M530PDIK American Style Side by Side )ULGJH )UHH]HU LQ %ODFN
american style side-by-side
)RUJHW ZDVKLQJ XS ZLWK RXU LQWHJUDWHG GLVKZDVKHUV 7KH 0', KDV DQ ,QIR/(' OLJKW WKDW VKLQHV D VRIW JORZ onto your work surface when the F\FOH KDV HQGHG
Visit our website montpellier-appliances.com DQG VRFLDO PHGLD SDJHV IRU PRUH LQVSLUDWLRQ
MDI800 3ODFH 6HWWLQJV 3URJUDPPHV • 6 Temperatures
THIS MONTH WE LOVE
No place like home
An uplifting and happy home is essential to your well-being – it’s where you should feel safe and content. In Dwell, Gather, Be, Alexandra Gove reveals how you can create a home that encourages meaningful living and one that also feels like a personal sanctuary for you and your loved ones. She shows you how to design your rooms with consideration and intention, and experience the joys of hygge living as a result. Beautiful Scandi-style interiors – kitchens, living rooms and bedrooms – are laced throughout the book to provide all the inspiration you need to create your ultimate cosy haven. After all, home is where the heart is.
THIS MONTH
FOR STOCKISTS SEE P116
we love…
Make the most of September with the best things to do, see and buy this month
Hidden Gem:
Alice in Scandiland, Lostwithiel Situated in Lostwithiel, a small Cornish town, Alice in Scandiland is the bricks-and-mortar extension of Alice Collyer’s award-winning interiors blog of the same name. The store combines vintage and contemporary homewares with a Scandinavian vibe. Think understated furniture made from raw oak, statement prints and natural beeswax candles. Alice’s passion for vintage is evident in her selection of pre-loved pieces, such as ’50s sideboards and retro ceramics. Alice in Scandiland also offers vegan, plastic-free products that encourage a lower waste lifestyle. You could replace your disposable face wipes with reusable versions, hand sewn from organic cotton and linen. Visit the store at 28 Fore Street, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0BL or go to shop.aliceinscandiland.com
8
yourhomestyle.uk
Dwell, Gather, Be: Design for Moments by Alexandra Gove is out now, published by Blue Star Press for £30
SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW Concrete and rainbow colours aren’t two things you’d usually think to combine. But that’s exactly what Studio Emma did, and the results are spectacular. Its range of bold vessels, homewares and art objects are all made from concrete and experiment with free-form patterns and unique textures. The Circle Clock, £50, painted in a beautiful blend of pink, orange and yellow, will brighten up a dull office wall, while the sage and lilac square planter, £40, would make a wonderful marbled home for a small houseplant or stationery. Move over ceramic, concrete is our new go-to for all-things homeware. Available to buy from Curious Makers, curiousmakers.co.uk.
Find more of Studio Emma’s concrete housewares at curiousmakers.co.uk
GREAT IDEAS FOR… London Fashion Week
For the love of layering As the weather begins to transition (sigh), now is the perfect time to add some beautiful layers to your summer bedding. Patterned quilts look gorgeous draped over the end of beds, and the Kaira from Chandan Whittle is our pick this season. Produced by a female-led co-op in South India, the quality quilt incorporates both natural and geometric designs that are steeped in tradition. Hot pink on one side and a rich jade green on the other, you’ll be able to switch the aesthetic of your bedroom with one simple flip. Large tassels adorn each corner for that extra finishing touch.
18th – 22nd Se�tember
Accessories that are very much en vogue Christian Dior, £40, V&A Shop
Kaira quilt, £210, Chandan Whittle
Gold and glass raffia base jewellery box, £29.50, Oliver Bonas
SHOP FROM YOUR SOFA Furniture shopping can be a long-winded and draining process, but don’t fret. Ufurnish.com is here to make it easier. The market-leading search engine is your one-stop shop for all your favourite homeware brands. Dunelm, John Lewis and Habitat all under one virtual roof! The website allows you to easily navigate over 100 brands’ offerings, compare them and choose the best option for your home. You can add products to your favourites list, make home design boards for ultimate creative ease and receive sale alerts and promotions from your best-loved retailers – bargain-hunting made easy. Visit ufurnish.com to start shopping!
Pink Velvet Coat Hanger, £6.50 for 10, The Hanger Store
John French London Underground Scarf, £75, V&A Shop
CONSCIOUS CREATION The ultimate guide to productivity and mindfulness, the MYnd Map MY Journal is all you need to become an organisation expert. The journal offers tips and techniques to practise positive thinking while working towards your goals. It’s ideal for creative individuals who value visual strategies, such as journaling, mind mapping, colour therapy, and noting down positive affirmations and thoughts of gratitude. With proper use, a MYnd Map journal can help you feel more empowered and ready to pursue your passion. Choose from six lively shades including sunset orange and hot pink.
Feature Ella Rhys-Jones
MYnd Map MY Journal, £29.99, myndmap.co
YSL Fashion Museum Poster, £11.95, Desenio
Diamond Door Hooks, £12.99, Beautify
September 2020
9
GET IN TOUCH
Your Home needs you! We love to hear what you’ve been up to, so send us your letters, tips, projects and photos. This month’s prizes are provided by Sassy Shop Wax.
Letter of the month
WONDERFUL WREATH As a front-line nurse, the last few months have been very unsettling. But when I get some downtime, it’s lovely to sit quietly and indulge in Your Home magazine. I’ve been keeping my children as busy and crafty as possible in between going to work and school. Recently, after raiding our craft box, I made a gorgeous summer wreath out of some old moss and faux flowers. We’ve hung it up on the front door for all to see – it makes me smile every time I see it. Hannah Schofield, by email Your Home says Your summer wreath looks so beautiful, Hannah. Such a vibrant way to jazz up your door while keeping the children entertained!
+ Hannah’s letter has won her a selection of wax melt goodies from Sassy Shop Wax, worth £49!
Set the benchmark high I wanted to share photos of the little haven I’ve just created in my garden. In the morning when the Sun is shining, I sit here peacefully with a coffee – always a great way to start the day! I spotted this pretty bench in a local store, reduced from £200 to £100 (I did try to knock them down again, but had no luck). It was a little rusty, so I set about upcycling it and I’m so happy with the results. Helen Barker, by email Your Home says Helen, your garden seating area is idyllic. The bench is as good as new and the perfect place to relax with a cuppa!
The hearth of the home
P ize drawer These drawers belonged to my Nan who was downsizing. They were on their way to the rubbish dump until I intervened and saved them! I could see the potential in them with their beautiful original handles and tapered legs. I used dark grey silk paint for the chest and B&Q emulsion tester pots for the drawers. It took a lot of effort – the drawers needed four coats each – but I’m really happy with the final result! Laura Barton, by email Your Home says What an amazing transformation, Laura! The colour combination you’ve used is so chic and looks great with the original handles.
EMAIL YOUR TIPS, PHOTOS AND LETTERS TO yourhome@immediate.co.uk. Letters can be posted to Your letters, Your Home magazine, Immediate Media Co, Eagle House, Colston Avenue, Bristol BS1 4ST, but please note that we may not see them for some time as we are currently working remotely. Letters may be edited. We apologise but photos cannot be returned. 10
yourhomestyle.uk
I love Your Home magazine and wanted to share my fireplace that isn’t a fireplace! The fire surrounds we had looked at were out of our price range, so I decided to make a cosy little nook for our electric stove. I used items I had lying around to make it look like it really belonged in our living room – it’s so cosy! My husband dreads me picking up your magazine as it usually leads to lots of DIY jobs. During these difficult times I’ve kept him busy and have just got him to repaint our kitchen tiles. Anita Peach, by email Your Home says This is such a creative update to your fireplace, Anita! We love the vintage vibes and the pretty selection of vases you’ve used.
Get Online Tweet us your pictures and comments @your_home or like our Facebook page www.facebook.com/yourhomemag
Courtesy of Sassy Shop Wax, this issue’s letter of the month will receive a selection of wax melt goodies worth £49. The three runners-up will each receive a selection of wax melt goodies worth £28.25. Find out more about Sassy Shop Wax products at sassyshopwax.com.
Always wash similar colours together – keep your lights with lights and darks with darks
Freshen up your home with our handy tips and tricks
How to… Keep your clothes and fabrics from fading in the wash
Always check washing symbol labels first. Look for warnings such as ‘wash cold’ or ‘hand wash’ as these often indicate that the dyes used in the clothes are likely to bleed in the washing machine. If the label doesn’t have these warnings, the item is likely to be colour-fast and safe to wash without any extra precautions. Pre-treat stains before washing with a small amount of detergent or a natural alternative, such as baking soda. Then, turn the garment inside out, especially if it’s new. Doing this reduces friction on the garment’s outside, which can transfer colour to other garments and lead to fading. After you’ve checked the labels, separate your clothes according to colour. Group all of the pure white items together and ensure you don’t include any garments with designs or patterns. Add these to the coloured clothes pile, which is reserved for lighter colours, such as pinks, yellows, light greens and light blues. Finally, the dark clothes load – think greys, navy, red, dark purple and black. Once you’ve separated your laundry, load the washing machine but don’t overfill it as this can cause uneven cleaning. Set the machine to run a gentle wash in cold water, ideally at 30°C, which keeps fibres closed and traps the dye inside. Lots of liquid detergents are optimised for cold washes so you can get the same results while being gentle to your clothes. Still concerned about your colours running? Try using colour run prevention sheets, which are designed to catch loose dyes before they transfer to clothes.
Q&A How can I deep clean my oven? Possibly the most dreaded household chore, cleaning the oven isn’t for the faint-hearted. Marigold is here to make the job a little bit easier thanks to the Scrub Away Heavy Duty Scourer, which costs just £1.10. Remove the shelves and soak them in hot soapy water (or wash them in the dishwasher if they fit). Then, dip the scourer in hot soapy water and scrub the inside of your oven to remove all stubborn food and grease. Wipe it down with a clean microfibre cloth, replace the shelves and you’re good to go.
Editor’s Choice Enliven your kitchen with these bee-inspired accessories by Joules. The set of three tea towels, ! ! _QTT QV[XQZM aW] \W JM I »J][a JMM _PQTM drying up and the yellow honeycomb design is I []KP I XZM\\a XI\\MZV aW] TT _IV\ \W SMMX it on show. Or you can protect your clothes from baking spillages with the crossbody apron, £22.95. A cute bee appliqué adorns the navy fabric and contrasting yellow ties add some zest.
September 2020
Feature Ella Rhys-Jones
Wouldn’t it be amazing if your black jeans actually stayed black for longer than three months? It’s a real nuisance when colour fades or bleeds from your favourite garments, so follow these steps to keep your clothes in tip-top shape for as long as possible…
11
G eat Buy
What to look out for
THIS MONTH Bring some Scandi-style to your storage solutions with these collapsible baskets 1-2-3-4 storage baskets, £18, The Find Store Make your desk the envy of your colleagues with this elegant copper stationery holder
The Quiet Glass by LittleSolves consists of a soft silicone base and toughened glass. Unlike a standard tumbler, it’s quiet to put down and difficult to knock over, so it’s perfectly designed for the bedside table, or for clumsier younger hands at the dinner table. We also love the vibrant colours. Choose from eight eye-catching shades, including jade, mustard and hot pink – a simple way to remember whose drink is whose. The Quiet Glass retails for £9.99 and is available now on Amazon.
Trace copper desktop organiser, £23.50, Red Candy
This is definitely the (pine)apple of our eyes Pineapple rattan storage basket, £69.50, Oliver Bonas
Keys? Check. Glasses? Check. A sophisticated way to keep these essentials and more all in one place? Check Entryway Organiser All-in-One, £92.54, Woodyoubuy on Etsy
Hallways cluttered with shoes will be a thing of the past thanks to this nifty organiser Black and white hanging 16 pocket organiser, £2, Poundland
WE TEST… Water filters We tried out a selection of water filters – here’s what we found… LIFESTRAW HOME WATER FILTER CARAFE JUG £54.99 LAKELAND This is definitely the best-looking water filter we’ve ever used – one you won’t want to keep hidden away in the fridge! The filter is designed to remove bacteria, parasites and microplastics, as well as to reduce chemicals and heavy metals. Although it was quite heavy to pour, the jug has a 1.7-litre capacity and the water tasted pure.
ZEROWATER 12-CUP FILTER £39.99 ZEROWATER.CO.UK This jug’s large 2.8-litre capacity and practical design make it the perfect option for families. Although the water filters through relatively slowly, the five-stage filter system results in clean-tasting water. The product also comes with a Total Dissolved Solids reader so you can actually monitor the effectiveness of the filter.
THINGS WE CONSIDERED O Was there a difference in taste? O Did it fit easily in the fridge door? O Was it good value for money?
BRITA ALUNA WATER FILTER JUG £10.50 ARGOS This jug is quick and easy to assemble and the water filters through in no time. It’s a suitable size for most fridges and is easy to pour from. There was a subtle improvement in taste thanks to Brita’s filter technology. The most affordable option here, it does exactly what it says on the tin!
AQUA OPTIMA ORIA WATER FILTER JUG WITH 3 FILTER CARTRIDGES £20 AMAZON This jug is lightweight and easy to put together, and filters tap water to taste more refined. The extra filter cartridges are easy to swap in and make this a more affordable option, as you won’t have to buy new filters for around six months. It has a 2.8-litre capacity and fits snugly in the majority of fridges.
9/10 9/10
12
7/10
yourhomestyle.uk
8/10
THE LATEST CONSUMER NEWS
Savvy ways to… In a survey of 1,500 homeowners 56 per cent said they don’t have their dream kitchen, and 54 per cent said they wanted a selfcleaning oven. Source AO.com
YH Fab find Wiser is a smart heating system, developed by British heating experts Drayton, which allows you to control the temperature in every room of your house via a smartphone app. The idea behind Wiser is to help you save money, and the environment, by allowing you to set different temperatures for specific rooms, as well as program the heating system to turn off when the last person leaves the house. (You can also program it to turn back on again when someone returns.) The app now includes an Insights screen that shows you the weather and the percentage of energy you’ve saved each month by using its smart modes. Research has shown that by using the Wiser system you could save up to 24 per cent on your energy bills. Find out more by visiting wiser.drayton controls.co.uk.
Furnish your home on a shoestring Q Check Facebook and eBay Both are great resources for bagging a bargain, but you’ve got to shop smart. Use your phone’s camera to snap a picture of the item your looking for and use eBay’s image search option to find a similar match that’s up for sale. Facebook Marketplace allows users to list everything from furniture to clothing to sell nationwide, but it works on a first-come-first-served basis, so check back regularly to make sure you don’t miss out. Q Forage on Freecycle Hundreds of great products are given away daily on Freecycle. Its aim is to keep items out of landfill by providing a new home to unwanted items in your local area. Q Explore charity shops Most charity shops stock furniture and/or home furnishings. The British Heart Foundation and Emmaus regularly have sideboards, sofas and cabinets at great prices – some might need a little upcycling, but
the prices are purse-friendly. It’s all about timing with charity shops, so make regular visits. Q Shop sample sales A great way for brands to clear out last season’s stock is to hold a sample sale. Sign up to samplesaleguide.co.uk to receive the latest news about which retailers are holding them. It’s also worth checking brandalley.co.uk, which has a dedicated homeware section with new items added daily. Q Try police auctions When the police seize goods or receive lost property, if the rightful owners can’t be found, the goods often find their way to auction. Check out bumblebeeauctions.co.uk, an auction website used by the English and Welsh police, that boasts furniture, rugs, ceramics and tools all at reduced prices. Also, search eBay for official police shops selling recovered goods – some items are listed with postage costs but others are collection only.
SMART SAVINGS
tech news
According to energyhelpline.com, 25 million homes will see an increase of about 30 per cent in their energy bills due to the Covid-19 lockdown. But today’s cheapest energy deals are 16-18 per cent lower than this time last year, so it’s worth shopping around to see if you can find a better deal. You could save as much as £33 per month, or £396 over a year, which would be enough to treat yourself to the gorgeous Tulsa two-seater sofa in pink, which is £395 from habitat.co.uk.
The Echo Auto is Amazon’s latest smart assistant offering and brings the power of Alexa to your car. It lets you play music, check the news, make calls, manage your calendar and set reminders just by using your voice. The device uses eight microphones to allow Alexa to hear you speaking over any music that’s playing as well as the air conditioning and other driving noises. Simply plug the Echo Auto into your car’s 12V power outlet or USB port and connect to the Alexa app via your smartphone to get the features you enjoy at home.
September 2020
13
Feature Lara Berry Photo BHF Stores
FACT FILE
THE LATEST CONSUMER NEWS
WHAT DOES HEALTH INSURANCE COVER?
P
Q Basic cover pays for most in-patient treatments, tests and day surgeries. Q An extended premium will cover the cost of private out-patient treatments including specialists and consultants. WHAT ISN’T COVERED? Certain treatments and conditions aren’t covered by health insurance:
Q Health or medical insurance pays all or some of any medical bills if you go down the private route.
rivate health and dental Q Going private gives you a choice insurance can be a regarding the level of care you get great way to get You can opt to pay for a private as well as how and when you can fast-tracked for treatment consultation if there is a long receive it. waiting list, without signing up and possibly gain other Q Policies will differ depending on for a health insurance policy. If benefits such as better needs be, the consultant can your circumstances and the level of hospital accommodation. then refer you back to the cover you want. But whether it’s a personal NHS for treatment. plan or a perk offered by your employer, private healthcare comes at a cost. To help you decide whether it’s worth paying for the privilege, It could be worth paying the extra for a let’s look at the advantages and disadvantages private healthcare plan if… of paying a premium for healthcare…
Q Organ transplants. Q Standard pregnancy and childbirth costs. Q Elective cosmetic surgery. Q Any pre-existing conditions. Q Chronic illnesses such as epilepsy, diabetes, hypertension.
PROS AND CONS
IS IT WORTH IT?
DENTAL INSURANCE
You can get dental care on private insurance too, but you should consider the following… Q If you sign up with an NHS dentist, checkups and treatments are subsidised so it’s a lot cheaper than paying for private care. Q Some dentists only offer private care so you may be forced to pay for some cover. Q Choose either private dental insurance cover or a plan, such as Denplan, DPAS or Practice Plan, which will help you to spread the cost of any treatment. Q Spreading the cost is useful if you want any cosmetic dentistry or need expensive root canal, crowns, dentures or bridges. Q As a guide, NHS treatment costs are around half those of private care. Q Prices start from £70-£300 per year depending on the level of cover you want.
14
yourhomestyle.uk
Weigh up the benefits before you sign on the dotted line:
Q You think you need treatment sooner rather than later and want to bypass NHS waiting lists.
PROS
CONS
Q Specialist referrals
Q You would prefer to be treated at a private clinic or hospital.
Q Waiting times are often reduced
Q Some conditions get priority treatment on the NHS anyway
Q You need certain medicines or treatments that aren’t available on the NHS, such as specialist surgery for sports-related injuries.
Q Your choice of surgeon and hospital
Q You can afford to pay the premiums and you’re not sure the NHS can provide you with the treatment or care you or your family requires.
Q Get all the scans you want
Q Private room
Q Quicker access to physiotherapy
Q Can be expensive (from £700-£1,800 per year for a family of four) Q Chronic illness is usually not covered Q Treatment may not be local
SPORTS INJURIES Do health insurance policies cover sports injuries? Megan Jeffries, Tenby Some do, so it’s best to look for a specialist provider if this is something that’s important to you. Try sportsinsurance4u.com or generalandmedical.com.
useful contac ts
Compare quotes at comparethemarke t.com, moneysupermark et.com or gocompa re.com. Find insurance plans at simplyhealth.co.u k, bupa.co.uk, vitalit y.co.uk and axa.co .uk. Visit onlinemoneya dvisor.co.uk for adv ice on whether private insurance is right for you. Go to denplan.co.uk , dpas.co.uk and practiceplan.co.uk for dental cover.
Feature Hayley Gilbert Photo Getty Images
Is it worth paying extra for private health or dental insurance? We look at the pros and cons and what you get for your money
WHAT IS COVERED? As UK residents, most of us are entitled to free healthcare from the NHS. If you decide to go private however, you’ll need to pay for the cost of your treatment
Masterclass Kitchen Cabinetry - From ÂŁ10,000* Your Dream Kitchen, Made in Great Britain since 1975. masterclasskitchens.co.uk Ashbourne in Graphite
Find your nearest Platinum Partner retailer. Midlands
Scotland Dundee Dunfermline Galashiels Glenrothes Kirkcaldy Perth
01382 731560 01592 774474 01896 759944 01592 774474 01592 774474 01738 638822
North Blackburn Brighouse Doncaster Fleetwood Grimsby Harrogate Leeds Lytham St Annes Macclesfield Morpeth New Mills Northallerton Retford Sheffield Wirral York
01254 693765 01422 887426 01302 364809 01253 283786 01472 343853 01423 862286 01133 910179 01772 631316 01625 464955 01670 789599 01663 746851 01609 780289 01777 707656 01246 416642 0151 6321670 01904 479792
Birmingham Dudley Duffield Gloucester Hampton-in-Arden Henley-in-Arden Hereford Leicester North Leicester South Ludlow Northampton Nottingham Stamford Sutton Coldfield Towcester Wolverhampton Worcester
London 0121 2705619 01384455755 01332 842534 01452 310451 01675 442705 01789 488899 01432 262820 01530 833960 01455 561200 01584 871960 01604 385050 01159 842842 01780 654321 0121 5721540 01327 358180 01902 710545 01905 335408
East Anglia Ipswich Norwich Royston
01473 742200 01603 666161 01763 271991
masterclasskitchens.co.uk
*
Price does not include appliances, worktops, sink, taps, flooring or lighting.
Perivale Richmond Watford
Wales 0208 6162722 0208 3329166 01923 369706
South Abingdon Arundel Barnstaple Basingstoke Bideford Bishop’s Stortford Bourne Bourne End Brighton East Bristol Budleigh Salterton Camberley Chelmsford Dorchester Esher Fordingbridge Godalming
01235 554773 01243 696700 01271 267310 01256 810460 01237 423444 01279 898710 01778 420700 01628 528712 01273 628618 01179 246002 01395 442463 01252 522400 01245 392792 01305 520848 01372 467464 01425 650235 01483 610222
Helston Hemel Hempstead Horley Ivybridge Melksham Polegate Purbeck Sailsbury Seaton Sherborne Storrington Tiverton Tring Trowbridge Wadebridge Waterlooville Whitstable Winscombe Witney Wokingham Worthing
01326 565522 01442 803303 01293 786116 01752 897800 07500 520140 01323 409222 01929 422345 01722 328777 01297 22559 01935 817111 01903 741004 01884 251675 01442 827997 01225 759800 01208 813231 02392 176380 01843 593069 01934 844144 01993 704105 0118 9783393 01903 201901
Aberdare Abergavenny Cardiff East Cardiff West Dyffryn Ardudwy Haverfordwest Hay-on-Wye Nefyn Newport St Asaph Swansea
01685 813869 01873 850911 02920 485888 02920 593969 01341 242015 01437 765814 01497 821374 01758 721081 01633 252187 01745 582786 01792 790088
Channel Islands & Isle of Man Guernsey Isle of Man Jersey
01481 710500 01624 623222 01534 865750
ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE
TRANSFORM YOUR HOME WITH LIGHTING When it comes to illuminating your home, getting the right balance between natural light, fitted lighting and lamps can be tricky. Iconic Lights reveals how you can transform your space with the flick of a switch… FEATURE CEILING FIXTURES Investing in a large ceiling fixture helps to transform your space in two main ways. Firstly, it will draw your eyes upwards and open the space up by tricking you into thinking that the space is bigger than it is. Secondly, the feature fixture will also bring a little drama to the party, as well as illumination.
LOVE YOUR LAMPSHADES Choosing lampshades that look good and suit your home is, of course, crucial. But it’s also important to work out what kind of light you want from a lampshade. The weight and colour of the shade will directly affect the amount and tone of light that’s emitted. If you want brightness, consider mesh shades or glass. Or dispense with shades altogether and go for exposed bulbs – Edison-style.
16
yourhomestyle.uk
LOFTY FLOOR LAMPS Floor lamps that exploit height are especially effective in rooms where space is limited or in ones that have tight, dark corners. With a tall floor lamp, you get plenty of light without the lamp taking up too much space and if you opt for an adjustable design, then it also becomes multifunctional – it can be used as a task light for reading, for example.
MIRROR, MIRROR… Mirrors are magical and adding one to a wall will help bounce both natural and artificial light around the room. And, as you’ll already know, the reflections these shining surfaces produce also serve to make the space look bigger – two birds with one mirror. Discover perfect lighting to transform your space at iconiclights.co.uk
Decorating Give your house a revamp with iridescence, a lick of paint and handmade accessories Glistening Ivory mix mosaic tiles, £9.95 per sheet, Walls and Floors
Mini trend: I idescence Iridescence may seem as if it belongs to the world of party décor and futuristic fancy dress outfits, but there are subtle ways to bring the trend into your home. Iridescent glass in the form of tealight holders, table lamp stands and vases can be found in abundance in your favourite high street shops. These pieces will give a gentle nod to the trend, but if you’re keen to go all-out, then opt for the gleaming mosaic bathroom tiles pictured left. Thea metallic iridescent glass vase, £25, Habitat
Iridescent glass tealight holder, £7, Matalan
Feature Sophie Demetriades
Metro iridescent glass sphere table lamp in Nickel and Grey, £80, BHS
Marina iridescent blue glass vase, £34, Artisanti
Handcrafted style
AUTUMN REFRESH
Textile designer Ruth Holly creates beautiful patterns inspired by natural surfaces for an array of homewares, including cushions, table linens, tea towels, coasters, wall art and placemats. Her recent collection, called Nomad, is a melting pot of vibrant and earthy pigments, including baked ochre, deep charcoal and silver-grey tones. The colours and textures used to create this range are influenced by Ruth’s memories of holidays here in Britain as well as farflung exotic locations. The homeware pieces start from £12.95 at ruthholly. co.uk.
Revamp your worn-out furniture and faded walls with Frenchic’s new and improved Lazy range of paint. These all-natural finishes can be found as chalk, mineral and wax infusion paints and they contain no toxins or VOCs, so they’re healthier for the environment. Plus, there’s no priming needed with these odourless paints as they give even coverage and they’re water resistant, too. Take your pick from 18 colours in the collection, priced from £6.95 at thegreyworks.com.
September 2020
17
STYLE FILE
TREND ALERT…
New Nordic
Create a cosy haven with this calm and comfy scheme
W
ith the Sun about to set on the warmer weather, it’s time to turn your attention towards cosying up your home in preparation for autumn. The new Nordic trend is a top choice for the upcoming season, especially if you’re looking for a touch of tranquillity: its stripped-back style will transform your home into a chilled-out space where you can rest and regenerate. But there’s no need to completely close the door on summer just yet – at least, not in terms of colour. This scheme is uplifting and relaxed, as it shies away from cool greys and concentrates instead on rich neutrals including beige, oatmeal, yellow-cream and light wood. Warm base tones are at the heart of this style, but you should blend these with pastel shades of soft green, pale blue and mellow yellow, then mix them with bold accent colours such as navy and mustard to liven everything up. Ultimately, this style is comfortable and understated without being minimalist. Channel it into your home with plenty of raw wood furniture – think tables, chairs and sideboards – as well as tactile textures such as wool, sheepskin, wicker and rattan. Artisan design and unrefined finishes are also key to this scheme, so bring those in with ceramic vases and earthenware plant pots.
Inject some fun with brightly coloured patterned bedsheets. Metal dome shade, £10; Decorative ceramic stripe jug, £14; Reversible lemon print duvet set, from £10; Reversible watercolour stripe duvet cover, from £15, all Matalan
Margo side table in Blue Velvet, £149, Dwell Yellow handknotted weave cushion, £8, George Home Steer away from grey tones and keep the base colours warm and neutral. Ginko leaf bedding set, from £12, Sainsbury’s Home
18
yourhomestyle.uk
Check woven throw blanket, £15, Matalan
STYLE FILE Honeycomb vases, £8 for a set of 2, George Home
A casual dining area is a key element of the new Nordic look. Orin LED large ceiling light, £219; Halli mirror, £249; Earth large dining table with four dining chairs and large dining bench, £1,195, all Furniture Village
Arc dining table, £999; Scandi dining chair, £299; Broste Copenhagen Arild flowerpot, from £56; House by John Lewis Eat Coupe dinnerware set, £52 for a set of 12; Pasta bowl in Yellow, £10; Medium bowl in Yellow, £9; Dip bowl in Yellow, £6; Robert Welch Radford cutlery, £135 for a set of 24; Spot stem wine glass in Mazarine Blue, £8; GOTS organic linen napkins in Delft Blue, £15 for a set of two, all John Lewis & Partners
Broste Copenhagen Nordic sea teapot, £35, Amara
Babylon rattan dining chair, £145, Decoville
Feature Sophie Demetriades
Cast aluminium casserole dish in Pistachio, £49.50; Round natural placemats, £9.50 for a set of three; Linear striped bud vase, £4; Wine glass in Grey, £5; Marlowe dinner plate, £6; Marlowe side plate, £5; Marlowe cereal bowl, £5; Marlowe platter, £25; Ash wood and marble salad servers, £15; Wine glass in Clear, £5; Allegro cutlery, £8 for a set of 16; Linen napkins in Light Green, £9.50 for a set of two, all Marks & Spencer
Clockwise from top left: Crystalline matte paint, £23 per 0.94L, Benjamin Moore. Safi fringed souk yellow rug, £64.99, Carpetright. Kahrs Scandi premium oiled flooring, £44.71 per sq m, Lifestyle Flooring. Scandi boho striped cushion, £17, Albert & Moo
September 2020
19
STYLE FILE Napkins, £8 for a set of four; Spot reactive glaze mug, £3.50; Spot reactive glaze cereal bowl, £3.75; Spot reactive glaze side plate, £3.75; Spot reactive glaze dinner plate, £4.25; Amber water jug, £12; Amber hiball, £3.50; Amber tumbler, £3.50; Serving bowl, £15, all Nordic Spring collection at Sainsbury’s Home
Spend V Save Invite soothing vibes into your living room with a wooden lantern Ova bamboo lantern, £31, Abode Living
Cane and wood lantern, £50, Next
Origami vase, £34, Curious Makers
Keep your interior light and airy with sunshine colours and light wood finishes. Olav three-seater Nordic blue wool finish sofa, £949, Calvers & Suvdal
Clockwise from top left: Asiatic Florian soft sheepskin floor rug in Taupe, £79, Cult Furniture. Wooden round Scandi design wall clock, £8, Wilko. Triangle print cushion, £12.99, M&Co. Golden Straw matte paint, £23 per 0.94L, Benjamin Moore
20
yourhomestyle.uk
Tufted spot cushion, £12; Decorative ceramic stripe jug, £14; Round moulded mirror, £16; Glass base table lamp, £45; Happy slogan cushion, £10; Velour cushion, £6; Large matte velvet cushion, £12; Check woven throw blanket £15; Round storage basket, £14, all Matalan
STYLE FILE SOFT TOUCHES Bring in textures including sheepskin and wool with rugs, cushions and blankets to make your interior calm and cosy.
BEAUTIFUL BASKETS Whether you’re after woven or rattan textures, one of these Nordicinspired baskets will fit the bill
Mina rattan basket, £90, Sweetpea & Willow
Leaf green and gold metal jewellery stand, £28, Oliver Bonas
Open weave basket, from £70, Garden Trading
Nordic seedheads cushion, £14.95, Annabel James
Striped cotton mix basket, £79, Cult Furniture
Keep your furniture unfussy and modern, but add a few splashes of ochre and navy to bring life to the scheme. Carlton black task desk Lamp, £19; Amber tumbler, £4; Filey reactive mug, £5; Monroe glass grey bedside table, £129; Wicker black storage basket, £12, all Dunelm Cochin pendant ceiling light in Wooden Weave, £89, Housecosy
Nolan natural and black woven seagrass storage basket, £55, Habitat
Lilly fabric armchair in Mustard, £239.99, Homescapes
Pampas 100 per cent organic jute basket, from £22.50, The Braided Rug Company
This scheme also touches on sustainability with eco-friendly furnishings and natural raw materials, such as this soft hemp bed linen. 100 per cent hemp bed linen, from £21, Soak & Sleep
September 2020
21
LIVING ROOM MAKEOVER
I restored the original layout for a cosy space Christine Leech transformed an open-plan room into a warm, snug and inviting living space by adding a wall and a working fireplace
W
hile open-plan layouts are a must for many, Christine Leech, 45, was actually keen to add a wall when she moved into her two-bedroom Georgian terrace in South London. ‘The living room and hallway had been knocked into one, and walking straight from the street into the living room meant the space felt exposed and impersonal, not to mention draughty,’ says Christine. So, when it came to re-designing the room, her plan was to restore the original layout and inject some muchneeded character.
STEP ONE Luckily for Christine, several of the neighbouring houses still had their original ground-floor layouts and she was able to check out the dimensions before committing to the wall. ‘I also constructed a makeshift divide from dustsheets so I could live with the space for a while. But I needn’t have worried as it immediately felt right,’ she says. The new timber stud wall was installed by a local builder and proved fairly straightforward, although adding the unique display niches was a little more stressful. ‘Having mentioned the idea to my builder, he informed me that I’d have to decide there and then – and while I love the finished look, I think they could have been positioned a little better, if I’d had more time,’ she says.
total cost £2,647 Before
22
yourhomestyle.uk
Christine showcases prints, photos, crafts and souvenirs behind the sofa, making stylish use of display niches set within the stud wall
LIVING ROOM MAKEOVER
Natural wooden ornaments, vases and cheerful, dried yellow plants give a minimalist Scandi look By teaming her monochrome scheme with crafty projects, high street buys and vintage finds, Christine has created an eclectic and inviting living room
Good idea!
Rather than investing in an expens ive surround, try making your ow n! Chr ist made her rustic mantle using rough- ine timber and second-hand corbels,sawn for just £34. Feature Paula Woods Photos Lizzie Orme
STEP TWO When Christine moved into the property, installing a wood burner was at the top of her wish list. Once work was underway on the wall, it wasn’t long before she spotted her ideal stove in a local showroom. ‘The removal of an old, and frankly dangerous, gas fire, plus the stove installation was carried out by professionals,’ says Christine. ‘But I did save money by enlisting the help of my father to knock out the brickwork and reveal the original arched opening.’ Sourcing a hearth online and a DIY mantle also helped bolster funds, which were soon put towards new tactile, timber flooring.
September 2020
23
LIVING ROOM MAKEOVER
Good idea!
Christine added vintage pieces, such as this trunk from her parents’ house, to inject personality into the room The Ercol rocker was one of Christine’s eBay bargains. Newly reupholstered, it looks very cosy next to her fireplace
STEP THREE When it came to matters of décor, Christine opted to keep things simple with a mix of relaxing and versatile greys. ‘I decided to embrace the fact that this is a north-facing room by choosing deep, chalky hues that would work well with almost any accent colour and warm, wood tones,’ she explains. A true fan of bargain buys, most of Christine’s furniture was sourced in sales, local vintage emporiums or second-hand shops. ‘The lovely space-saving, modular sofa cost £550 in a closing down sale; my retro table was £20 from a junk shop; and the fabulous Ercol rocker was just £80 on eBay,’ she says. ‘I’m also forever finding things in skips or acquiring items from my parents’ house, such as the box by the sofa.’ 24
yourhomestyle.uk
Robust timber floor hard-wearing optioninungdeis a tactile, floating tongue and grooverfoot, while ards that simply slot together ensubo re easy retro fitting.
Reinstating the original hallway wall not only redefined the living space, but also eliminated draughts and privacy issues. Christine’s choice of a modular sofa helps make the most of limited space
LIVING ROOM MAKEOVER Christine gathered hydrangeas from her garden and dried them to create an everlasting floral display
ROOM PLAN
3.5M
3M
THE DETAILS PAINT
£126
FLOORING
£636
STOVE AND HEARTH
£938 £34
MANTLE FURNITURE
£690
LIGHTING
£175
CURTAIN FABRIC
TOTAL
£48
£2,647
Shopping list STEP FOUR As an avid crafter, Christine was also keen to personalise many of her vintage and second-hand finds. ‘I think it’s a great way to inject instant character,’ she says. She painted a bargain-buy £40 cupboard (which now holds the television) to match the scheme, while the rocker and a footstool brought from her previous home were both re-upholstered for a fresh look in keeping with the rest of the room. Combining an
3 OF THE BEST… D
existing blind with new homemade curtains also offered a stylish and flexible solution to controlling light levels and insulation. And now that the room is finished, Christine couldn’t be happier. ‘It’s the perfect place to sit and relax or entertain friends – especially on cold winter evenings. And any minor loss of floor space is more than made up for by not entering the room from the street, and having a hall to store coats and shoes.’
ied blooms
Walls in Dark Lead Colour and French Grey ey y absolute matt emulsion, £47 per 2.5l each; cupboard in Dark Lead Colour intelligent eggshell, £32 per litre, all Little Greene. Bohemia x40 EcoDesign multi-fuel stove, from £839, Westcombes. Brazilian Black Slate hearth, from £98.95, Mrs Stone Store. Compact Cotton White Matt oak plank flooring, £52.99 per sq m, Quick-Step. Ercol rocker, £80; wooden corbels, £12 each, both eBay. Freestanding cupboard, £40, British Heart Foundation Charity Shop. Dylan floor lamp, £155; Kura small paper pendant shade, £20; for similar corner sofa, try Hyde, £895, all Habitat. Curtains in Aina linen fabric, £8 per m; for similar rug, try Vindum, from £80, both IKEA.
£12 from Rose & Grey These whitened stems of bleached ruscus have a pretty, ethereal quality.
£22
£22 from Hudson Home Add warmth with a bunch of dried Lagurus ovatus, or hare’s tail grass, in a terracotta hue.
£42 from Lime Lace Enjoy summery florals all year round with this Mediterranean-inspired Pisa bouquet.
£12
£42
September 2020
25
LIVING ROOM MAKEOVER
It reflects our passions for travel and wildlife Tessa Bird has kept the character of her period living room, but added plenty of personality with travel mementos and her love of nature
T
he period features first attracted Tessa Bird and her partner Robbie Henderson to what became their family home in Addlestone, Surrey. They decided to buy the three-bedroom 1930s semi when they first saw it just over three years ago, despite the fact it needed a lot of work. ‘It had a real Arts and Crafts feel, with beautiful wooden panelling and lovely solid floors. We wanted to preserve as much as we could, but we knew there was plenty of work ahead too.’ Tessa (@photographybylittlebird), a family photographer, and Robbie, a marketing manager, only had Mya, now five, at the time, but have since had Thea, now two. ‘Initially we concentrated on the things that desperately needed doing, like the bedrooms, and then put in a decent bathroom, as it was virtually non-existent, but what we were craving was a proper living room that we could all be together in.’ The room wasn’t as they wanted it, with bright yellow walls, a pink fireplace and honey-stained floorboards. ‘The whole thing didn’t hang together. It was far too colourful and not very restful, so we knew we had to think hard.’
Before The fireplace, with its carved wooden detail, inlaid seating and shelving, has once again become the focus of the room with neutral shades on the walls
26
yourhomestyle.uk
LIVING ROOM MAKEOVER A mix of textures was high on Tessa’s list and she’s achieved it with tactile throws and cushions, not forgetting to add patterns featuring her favourite animals
Good idea !
Add mementos fr adventures to brom globetrotting flavour to ainscghean exotic me.
An old chest, which Tessa found on Gumtree for £50, provides a handy side table and space to display plants, souvenirs and photo frames
STEP ONE After working out their budget,
total cost £3,037
Tessa and Robbie thought about what they could save or improve without over-spending. ‘We’re very committed to recycling and reusing, as well as being vegan and obsessed with animals and nature. We can do quite a bit of stuff between us, so we sanded the floor and stained it.’ The couple also bagged themselves a leather sofa, chair and chest, all in good condition, by hunting around on eBay and Gumtree. ‘Leather just keeps getting better with age and it fitted in with the relaxed, natural look we wanted to create.’
September 2020
27
Feature Stephanie Smith Photos David Giles
This period living room has had its original features carefully preserved, while the colour has been pared back and replaced with neutral tones. Tessa has added personality with original photography, textured textiles and simple decorative accessories
LIVING ROOM MAKEOVER STEP TWO A calm atmosphere was also high up on the list, so the couple chose to repaint the walls in off-white and grey. ‘We did two of each to give a contrast and the white has a soft, pink tinge to it.’ After waxing and coaxing the wood around the fireplace back to its best, the couple turned their attentions to the French doors and window. They opted for white shutters rather than fussy curtains at both. ‘That took up a chunk of our budget, but we know we’ll never get fed up of them.’ The pink fireplace had to go as well, and the couple painted over it with the same offwhite as the walls to create a cohesive look. With the basics in place, Tessa wanted to personalise the room.
Good idea!
Create an eye-catc your favourite fa hing frame for upcycling an olmdily photos by window.
A big fan of the simplicity of shutters, Tessa has used them throughout the room. The enormous retro lamp is German and a family piece, so Tessa’s given it pride of place next to her chair
The original built-in seating and shelving around the fireplace was something Tessa and Robbie wanted to preserve, and they’ve carefully cleaned and treated the wood to bring it back to its best
STEP THREE Texture is very important to Tessa, and she considered how to bring in different materials and fabrics. A big cowhide rug from eBay helped, along with throws in mohair and fake fur, and fabric cushions in her preferred grey and white, but with images of animals on them. ‘I’m not a massive one for lots of colour. I prefer just to have the odd burst of it, like the yellow throw.’ Original artworks and photography are also essentials for the couple. ‘As a photographer, mainly in black and white, I wanted to put up lots of photos of us as a family that we can enjoy every day.’ 28
yourhomestyle.uk
LIVING ROOM MAKEOVER
ROOM PLAN
Good idea!
practical A tower out of trunks makes forwit other m and stylish storage. Match the dlehstic can e accessories, such as vintag k. ks to complete the period loo
4M
3M
THE DETAILS SHUTTERS
£550
RADIATOR
£623 £1,255
FURNITURE PAINT
£96
LIGHTS
£48
RUG
£150
ACCESSORIES
£315
TOTAL
£ 3,037
shopping list
STEP FOUR The last big item Tessa felt was missing was some sort of coffee table in the middle of the room. ‘We were really keen to use an old table, which belonged to my great aunt, somewhere. It’s a piece of post-war government-issue utility furniture. We cleaned it up, then chopped off the legs
halfway down and waxed it. We also picked up some old ammunition boxes at a car boot sale that we use as child seats around the table, and they double up as toy storage. The finishing touch was putting up souvenirs from our travels before the children, such as the head over the fireplace from Bali.’
Kensington Premium White window shutters, £189.99; French door shutters, £359.99, both Tuiss. HX306 Triple Column radiator, £623, Hudson Reed. Walls painted in Dove Tale and Skimming Stone estate emulsion, £47.95 for 2.5l, both Farrow & Ball. Suitcase chests, from £20; tall candlesticks, £20 each; yellow mohair throw, £20; grey and white cushions, £15 each; giraffe cushion, £15; faux fur throw, £40; butterfly dishes, £9.99 for a set of four, all TK Maxx. Second-hand leather sofa, £450; chair, £300; cowhide rug, £150; cage lights, £12 each, all eBay. Ammunition boxes, £15 each, car boot sale. Faux-fur cushions, £9.99 each; Live the Life picture, £20, both Dunelm. Chest beside sofa, £50, Gumtree. Multi photo frame, £30, Sass & Belle.
3 OF THE BEST… Animal cushions £9.50 from Marks & Spencer
£19.99
This abstract cheetah design will add personality to your sofa and is made from soft pure cotton.
£19.99 from Bean Bag Bazaar Chill out sloth-style on this tropical jungle print cushion, which can be used outside in summer.
£26 from Mint & May Make a statement with a maximalist tropical cushion, adorned with toucans, foliage and fringing.
£9.50
£26
September 2020
29
LIVING ROOM MAKEOVER
It’s a luxurious, grownup place to escape to A new extension enabled Debra Davidson-Smith to turn the old family living room into a luxurious space full of tactile fabrics and rich colours
total cost £4,532
A
fter 16 years in the same house, Debra Davidson-Smith was more than ready to make a change to her living room. When the family first moved into their five-bedroom Edwardian semi in Buckhurst Hill, Essex, their needs were very different. ‘Our boys, Max, now 22, and Oly, now 19, were little and there was a separate small living room and dining room, which we made into one space and blocked in one of the doors. We put in two new gas fires and went for a contemporary look with plenty of grey and sofas that could withstand dirty hands.’
30
yourhomestyle.uk
Three years ago, Debra, a media consultant, and her husband, Duncan, managing director of a broadcasting company, extended their kitchen right along the back of the house to make a large kitchen-diner with seating areas and a games zone. ‘It’s been very popular with everyone and the boys have space to invite their friends over.’ But having such a well-loved kitchen area meant the living room became a bit redundant, explains Debra, ‘and I’d had my beady eye on it for a while.’ So, she began to draw up plans for a new look and new use for the space.
Before
LIVING ROOM MAKEOVER STEP ONE As an essential part of the extension plan, Debra had insisted on glass doors rather than an open-plan space. ‘I knew it was important to be able to separate this space off and I became more and more convinced that it should be a snug adults-only living room, as well as an office area for me, as I work from home.’ After making sure everything she wanted would fit into it, Debra chose a theme for the space: her love of opera. She was pleased the glass doors were already in place. ‘It means that if we have a party, everything can be totally opened up. But for the majority of the time the living room is cut off and the doors are soundproof.’
STEP TWO With the walls painted in the same calming grey as the kitchen/diner, Debra’s attention turned to the floor. ‘We’d had contemporary vinyl flooring in there for years, but the whole room looked dated and a bit scruffy, and it was frankly a bit cold at times. I wanted a cosier feel, so carpet was really the only option.’ Knowing that she was going to buy new furniture, as their old suite was well past it, Debra deliberately looked for a low-cost carpet. ‘I found a heavy-duty one in grey for £16 a metre, which didn’t need a lot of looking after and fitted the bill.’
Debra searched carefully to find the pictures of famous opera costumes to frame and for cushions by the artist, Fornasetti, whose designs inspired the wallpaper Feature Stephanie Smith Photos Colin Poole
A living room that had become dull and dated has been turned into a space full of character and colour, with tactile seating and theatrical flourishes
Good idea! Make more of a footstool by turning it into a small table for drinks and snacks – cover it in a fabric that matches the colour scheme to help tie it in with the rest of the décor.
September 2020
31
LIVING ROOM MAKEOVER A contemporary desk in dark wood is Debra’s mini office – as it’s under the window, it’s a light, bright space to work in during the day
STEP THREE With her neutral base in place, Debra was excited to start introducing the rich colours and fabrics she’d been dreaming about since she started the redecoration project. ‘We already had a vibrant yellow chair, so I decided on yellow, green and grey as my main colours. For me, velvet equals luxury and comfort, and I found a gorgeous green velvet sofa, which was the big investment.’ She added three further chairs to provide flexible seating when entertaining, but Debra still felt that something major was missing. ‘The walls were too plain, so I deliberately searched for wallpaper to tie in with my opera theme, and I found just the thing, which I put on both chimney breasts.’
STEP FOUR To add even more character, Debra ordered black and white cushion covers to match the wallpaper and brought
A much-loved pair of Edwardian opera glasses were the inspiration behind the room’s spectacular scheme
32
Good idenetyaof st!orage and
ides pl A sideboard prgovmessy out of sight. Debra has keeps anythine two glass panels at the ends covered th er fabric to tie it in with with leftov overall scheme. the
yourhomestyle.uk
LIVING ROOM MAKEOVER
ROOM PLAN
5M
4M
THE DETAILS CARPET
£256
BLIND
£125 £3,335
FURNITURE PAINT
£34
LIGHTS
£379
SHELF
£50
WALLPAPER
£188
ACCESSORIES
£165
TOTAL shopping list
The plain original gas fireplaces didn’t need replacing, so Debra has simply added a fire screen of a flower painting from her parents’ old house
more colour in with two pheasant designs in mustard velvet. ‘I couldn’t decide what to put on the walls, but then I found some reproductions of old costume designs, which fitted in well, and put them in black frames.’ Lighting was another item on Debra’s list and, while the large wooden
pendant in the centre and the metal arc lamp provided sufficient light for the room, Debra also wanted an element of fun. ‘I saw the gorgeous monkey lamp online and just had to treat myself. We absolutely love it in here, especially when the two of us are sitting down with a drink at the end of a busy day.’
3 OF THE BEST… Retro armchairs £399 from Atkin and Thyme Plush velvet and elegant curves give this 60s-inspired Kiku armchair a luxe feel.
£4,532
£399
Edelweiss desk in Walnut and Black, £249; Margot Accent chair in Antique Gold velvet, £399; Sweep Arc floor lamp, £99, all Made. com. Liatorp sideboard, £229; black picture frames, £8 each; white pots with cacti, £7 each, all IKEA. Winston sofa in Fern velvet, £1,799, Swoon Editions. Teatro wallpaper by Cole & Son, £144 per roll, Designer Wallpapers. Harmony Ribbon pendant light, £135; nest of three tables, £150; shelf, £50, all John Lewis & Partners. Seletti Monkey light, £150, Made in Design. Yellow and blue glass vases, £16 each, Debenhams. Walls painted in Polished Pebble matt emulsion, £17 per 2.5l, Dulux. Grey carpet, £16 per m, SCS Carpets. Footstool in Sanderson’s Anthos fabric, £134, Serrina Interiors. Roman blind in Sanderson’s Zagora fabric, £125, Gail Annand Curtains & Blinds. Fornasetti cushion covers, £5 each; costume design pictures, £10 each, all Etsy. Paoletti Hunter Pheasant cushions, £9.95 each, Linens Limited.
£294.99 £795
£294.99 from My Furniture Its sculptural shape and rich teal hue makes this Mentosa chair a striking centrepiece.
£795 from Charlton Island This cocktail chair is upholstered to order with Susannah Weiland’s Entangled Chrysanthemums print.
September 2020
33
STYLE ADVICE
THE THREE HOTTEST
Autumn/winter trends Stay ahead of the curve with 2020’s end-of-year looks
You might think that strong autumnal colours would make your space look dark, but if you blend them with light wood and neutral tones, as in this scheme, the end result will be both fresh and charming. St Ives chest of drawers in Natural Solid Oak and Grey, £399.99, Oak Furnitureland
RETREAT TO NATURE As leaves transform into an array of colours, the clocks go back, and wildlife begins to prepare for hibernation, autumn signals the time for change. So, as the glow of summer sets and we breeze towards a cooler climate, nature signals the need to cosy up your home for the new season. Retreat to Nature is a favourite theme at Your Home HQ ; it emphasises warm colours and comforting textures to create a calm haven in which you can hunker down for autumn. To capture the seasonal shift, bring in rich, intense hues such as sage, damson, berry, peacock blue, russet and ochre. Mirror the materials and textures found in enchanting forests and rugged British landscapes by blending these characteristic colours with wood, jute, wool and rustic fabrics. Although nature is starting to wither, it doesn’t mean you can’t preserve some of its beauty. Display dried and pressed grass and flower arrangements to bring a spot of nature into your living or dining space. You also won’t be surprised to hear that a plethora of wild creatures feature aplenty in this scheme; welcome soft furnishings and artworks with motifs such as owls, deer, hedgehogs, badgers and foxes to channel this charming rural theme.
34
yourhomestyle.uk
Make a feature of this patterned blind by combining it with dark blue walls – these intense hues will create an inviting retreat.
Sage Advice eggshell paint, £49.99 per 2.5L, Dowsing & Reynolds
William Morris Compton Amber roller blind, from £34.40, Blinds 2go Mustard diamond cable knit cushion cover, £12.99, Homescapes
Purple succulent in stone pot, £21.95, Melody Maison
STYLE ADVICE
Our expert says…
Owl knitted cushion, £49, Sophie Allport
Wicker deer head, £64.99, Ivyline Tana stonewashed throw in Ochre, £69, Abode Living
Large resin log tealight holder, £12.99, Gisela Graham
Dried wildflower bouquet, £22, Rose & Grey
‘After spending more time at home this year, it’s natural that our interiors take on an even greater importance. A desire to feel connected and closer to nature is becoming evident as people try to strike a balance between well-being and productivity. There’s also a tendency towards biophilia and bringing the outside world into the everyday; people are introducing dried plants into their homes and combining these with flora and fauna motifs on wood and wool. Organic, undyed shades can be paired with an autumnal colour palette to create snug sanctuaries that feel full of life.’ Jemma Dayman, Junior Buyer at Carpetright
Hang up a few dried flowers and grasses or place them in a vase on the mantelpiece or coffee table to welcome nature into your home. The Green Indoors trend, inspiration from Furniture Choice
Bring in rustic textures and leaf motifs with these autumnal placemats. Tegola golden oak luxury vinyl tile, £42.99 m sq, Carpetright
Moodboard
Feature Sophie Demetriades
Seagrass leaf placemats, £10.95, Graham & Green
Clockwise from top left: Woodland animal print cushion, £22.50, Marks & Spencer. Villa Botanical leaf green rug, from £49.99, Carpetright. Hedgehog fine art print, £85, Enchanted England. Pantile pure matt paint, £25 per 1L, Fenwick & Tilbrook
September 2020
35
STYLE ADVICE
Moodboard Saturn swirl base table lamp with dark grey shade in Black Nickel, £60, BHS
Inverted triangle art print framed poster in Black and Pink, £30, Cult Furniture
Be inspired by the art deco period and include flowing lines and curves with ceramic vases. Ariel bar stool with backrest in Burnt Orange, £159, Cult Furniture
Rupa tall sculptural ceramic vase in Grey, £39, MADE
Clockwise from top left: Fan metallic wallpaper by Erica Wakerly, £96 per roll, Lime Lace. Monaco rug in Rosy, from £189, Sofa.com. Winter Garnet pure matt paint, £25 for 1L, Fenwick & Tilbrook. Geometric deco print velvet cushion in Dusky Pink, £20, Cult Furniture
Make a feature of this sumptuous, spice-inspired sofa by letting it pop against a royal blue backdrop. Stella two-and-a-half-seat sofa in Paprika Velvet, £1,840, Sofa.com
GROWN-UP GLAMOUR Luxurious, lavish and dramatic are three words that epitomise this deco-inspired scheme. The trend isn’t for the faint-hearted – it radiates confidence with lashings of bold block colours including midnight blue, deep teal, blush pink and jet black, as well as signature autumnal hues of russet, rust and berry. The furniture designs of Grown-up Glamour are no less opulent, as they take inspiration from 1930s elegance with fluid lines and flowing curves. Think show-stealing scallop-back chairs styled with unique lamps and polished vases. The geometric fan shape, typical of the art deco period, features in abundance on luxe wallpaper, soft furnishings and abstract prints. Dramatic style rules this scheme, so show off your flamboyance with art deco patterned wallpaper, plush velvet, silk accessories, gold-edged mirrors, grand sideboards, and richly coloured accent chairs and sofas. This interior also demands a dose of bling, so bring in touches of metallic gold, rose, brass, bronze and copper – all things shiny and elegant will complement this look. You can introduce these glistening pieces with a luxe drinks trolley alongside striking lamps and pendant lights.
36
yourhomestyle.uk
STYLE ADVICE
Our expert says… ‘If you’re colour confident, then this autumn is the time to take the plunge and redecorate at least one room in a rich hue. My favourite way to achieve this look is to go bold. For the ultimate statement, create an ultra-luxe, all-encompassing, floor-to-ceiling finish in one colour. Using a single shade to cover the skirting boards, walls, ceilings and window frames adds a sense of grandeur and creates a boutique hotel look, which provides a backdrop for sophisticated furnishings and accessories.’ Helen Shaw, Director at Benjamin Moore
Dial up the glam factor with tactile velvet furnishings and metallic accents. Belgrave medium two-seater sofa in Erin Midnight, £1,599; Design Project by John Lewis cushion in Burnt Orange, £60; Rib knit throw in Navy, £50; Rubin side table in Black, £199; Neo mug in Putty, £8; LSA International Utility tealight holder, £25 for a set of two; Huxley task lamp in Smoke/Antique Brass, £70; Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II digital camera, £529.99, all John Lewis & Partners
You can’t go wrong with a touch of gold in this extravagant scheme. Library monogram mugs, £14.95; This is my Happy Place metal word art, £45, both Bombay Duck Portrait art deco-style mirror, £68, Audenza Duo stool green velvet brass base, £119, Dwell
Benson cluster ceiling pendant in Polished Copper, £100, BHS
Cheetah coasters, £39.95 for a set of four, Mint & May
Incorporate a nod to autumn with rust and berry coloured cushions.
Plum and gold fan tealight holder, £5.25, The Contemporary Home
Bar drinks trolley in Gold, £125, Next
Freya cushion covers with fringing, £24 each; Harrington teal velvet cocktail chair, £368, all Audenza
September 2020
37
STYLE ADVICE Amara’s autumn/winter Country collection draws on a refined rustic theme to give rooms a cosy update with touchable textures and soft neutrals. Striped wooden pot with lid, £24; Circle spotlight table lamp, £60; Wood table with woven storage base, £120; Embroidered Ring cushion, £40; Cable-knit pouffe, £80; Kids blue stripe pouffe, £80, all Amara
Dunelm’s new Retreat range aims to create a calming sanctuary with a mix of neutral and typically autumnal colours, alongside natural textures such as jute, wood and rattan. Franco side table, £69; Dayo Jardinere glass table lamp, £28, both Dunelm
SIMPLE COMFORTS If an escape to the simplicity of the countryside is what you’re after, then this trend is for you. Understated, honest style is at the heart of this comforting scheme, with its emphasis on pared-back pigments, natural woven textures and unfussy furnishings. The homely look is best suited to a place with character, one that boasts bare brick walls, parquet flooring and exposed wooden beams. Simple Comforts is a look that’s easy to replicate in almost any room by using a mixed palette of warming neutrals, including oatmeal and beige, as well as a few cooling greys to add balance to the scheme. Intersperse these hues with subtle hints of dusky pink, sage green, rust and terracotta, along with a dark accent hue of navy blue if you want to further emphasise the feelings of serenity and calm. This trend draws its textures from nature, with woollen throws, sheepskin accessories, cable-knit cushions, Berber carpets, jute rugs and weathered wood tables. Blend these with other snug furnishings such as sofas you can sink into and cream-coloured, brushed linens. This combination of tactile textures, comfortable furnishings and soft colours will create a safe, hygge haven in which you can relax and unwind.
38
yourhomestyle.uk
Eivissa round jute rug in Natural, £139, Pepper Sq
House by John Lewis chunky knit pouffe in Plaster, £75, John Lewis & Partners
Use tactile floor textures such as woven wool and natural-coloured jute to bring cosiness and comfort to this simple scheme. Rugs, from £39.99; cushion covers, £3.99, both H&M
Chunky knit throw, £70, Marks & Spencer
STYLE ADVICE
When the weather gets chilly and dark, a calm and therapeutic bathroom, like this one, which uses pieces from Dunelm’s Reluxed collection is just what you need.
Our expert says… ‘Having spent a lot of time around the house recently, comfort has become more important than ever, so investing in high-quality furnishings that are cosy and well-made is a must. If you’re not looking to replace your seating, you can achieve a feeling of being cosseted by investing in other items of furniture or accessories. You may notice that you’re missing the feel of a soft rug underfoot, or that you need a side table for your drinks and magazines, or a floor lamp that emits a soft glow.’ Suzy McMahon, Buying Director at Sofology
Romano silver Roman blind, from £30; Marbleeffect top bath table, £35; Marble duck tealight holder, £5; Aura marble silver wallpaper, £10 per roll; Sheared stripe bath towel, £16; Glass cylinder vase, £12, all Dunelm
Winter Acorn pure matt paint, £25 for 1L, Fenwick & Tilbrook
Paloma throw in Pink, £45, Habitat
Antoinette and Old White linen fabric, £39.95 per metre, Annie Sloan
Pure Mongolian wool cushion in Charcoal, £45, Marks & Spencer
Ashkhan natural storage baskets, £25 for a set of three, Habitat
Dutchbone woodland floor lamp, £119, Cuckooland
Moodboard
Clockwise from top left: New noble shaggy autumn leaves rug, £49.99, Carpetright. Autumn Allium, £8.95, Desenio. Two-tone check cushion, £7, George Home. Trooper pure matt paint, £25 per 1L, Fenwick & Tilbrook
Go beyond a Berber rug and spread this woolly textile across the whole room for cosy and stylish warmth underfoot this winter. Auckland Berber wool carpet in Stone, £14.99 m sq, Carpetright
September 2020
39
DECORATING IDEAS
FROM SPARE ROOM TO
craft room
Transform an under-used space into a crafter’s haven full of colour and inspiration
This hairpin desk offers lots of space to spread out a project on, while its open design means you can move along to switch between tasks or add versatile stand-alone storage underneath 3-rod hairpin legs, from £72; Large formica birch plywood tabletop, £159.95, The Hairpin Leg Company
Keep haberdashery and other bits and bobs organised in accessible baskets, such as this trendy raffia trio with a bright coral trim Raffia tassel storage baskets, £55 for a set of three, Bohemia Design
Stackable metal storage trunks will make the most of a small space and protect fabrics and yarns from dust Metal trunks, £110 for a set of three, Habitat
A low-pile rug will make it easier to vacuum during the post-project clean-up. This bright abstract design will inspire your creativity too Sunrise rug, £120, Habitat
Not only can you wheel this cute trolley from cutting table to crafting desk with ease, it also comes in a range of Insta-worthy hues Råskog trolley in Turquoise, £39, IKEA
S ylish storage 40
yourhomestyle.uk
DECORATING IDEAS 2. U e simple jars and candleholders for thrifty storage I often pick up glass jars and pots in charity shops to store small items, such as buttons and pins. Trendy acrylic make-up storage caddies also make great thread holders.
4. C eate an inspirational pinboard Mine has grown over the years and now takes up almost a whole wall. I love being able to pin up postcards, magazine pictures and cute quotes to keep me going.
3. O ganise your stash by colour - it’s pretty and practical!
S ash savvy Keep your craft kit organised with these tips from designer and sewing shop owner Samantha Claridge
I find that I am nearly always looking for something based on colour, so I have my supplies arranged that way. I keep my cotton fabrics in chest drawers, again sorted by colour for when I’m pulling fabrics for a project.
1. U e drawers with labels I use little labelled drawer units and try to keep all similar items grouped together in one place so I can easily see what I have at a glance.
5. U e drawer dividers for small items Cutlery trays are a great way to keep lots of little bits in order in shallow drawers. In deeper drawers, you can use shoe boxes or smaller box lids to keep things organised.
6. Save desk space with hanging storage I made a banner with little clear pockets for my sewing machine needles, but you could easily make something similar in a larger size for other craft supplies, such as ribbons or embellishments.
Ensure you never misplace your scissors again by hanging them on a pegboard. Customising it with the different shelf and peg options will be a fun project in itself!
A comfy workspace will help you get in the creative zone, so a good, height-adjustable chair is non-negotiable! This one has a faux leather cover that won’t attract stray fluff and threads No creative space is complete without a gallery wall! Introduce other decorative elements as well as prints – here, jumbo stars make for a statement display, but you could add oversized tassels or pompoms for a handmade touch
Soft pad office chair in light grey and gold, £249, Cult Furniture
Star gold metal wall hanging, from £29.50, Oliver Bonas
September 2020
41
Feature Michelle Grady
Pegboard, from £25, Block Design
BUYER’S GUIDE Clever features
Invest in a HIGH-QUALITY
Freezer Under-counter, chest, free-standing… discover which of these appliances is right for you Hotpoint Day1 UH8 F1C G.1 freezer, £449.99, Currys PC World
A
good freezer should last for years, so finding a model that will stand the test of time as well as meet your food storage needs is of paramount importance. But with a dizzying number of freezers available, it can be tricky to find one that has all of the qualities you’re after. So, we’ve checked out a varied selection of freezers to help you find the one that’s best for you.
Dimensions 59.5 x 63 x 187.5cm Compartments Four baskets and two flapfront drawers Energy rating A+ Type Free-standing, upright
Smeg CVB20LP1 freezer, £1,342, B&Q
Dimensions 60 x 73.2 x 153.5cm Compartments Three drawers and two flap-front sections Energy rating A+
Design classic
Type Free-standing, upright
Offering a contemporary look in a graphite hue and six spacious drawers for storage, this Hotpoint freezer is both stylish and more than capable of coping with the needs of a growing family. It has a 260-litre capacity as well as an alarm to alert you when the freezer door has been left open. Better still, you don’t need to bother defrosting by hand, as ice-build up is prevented thanks to its ‘No Frost’ technology.
This model isn’t just an aesthetic treat with its 1950s-inspired retro style, it also has three roomy drawers, two spacious flap-front compartments and handy features, such as a fastfreeze function and a temperate alarm. While you’re paying a premium for this design classic, its style and function will last and last!
Indesit UI6F1TW.1 freezer, £379.99, Argos
Dimensions 59.5 x 64.5 x 167cm Compartments Four drawers and two flapfront sections
Space saver
Energy rating A+ Type Free-standing, upright Thanks to its four deep drawers and two flap-front compartments, this slimline freezer manages to squeeze 223 litres of capacity into its 60cm-wide interior. It’s ideal if you need to pack a lot of storage space into a compact kitchen. It also has a fast-freeze function to start preserving your food as soon as it’s inside and a frost-free setting to prevent ice build-up.
42
yourhomestyle.uk
Hotpoint Aquarius HZA1.UK.1 integrated freezer, £349, Currys PC World
Dimensions 54.5 x 59.6 x 81.5cm Compartments Three drawers Energy rating A+ Type Integrated, upright
For compact kitchens
Despite being a compact model that sits beneath your worktop, this Hotpoint Aquarius freezer doesn’t compromise on storage space. Its three deep drawers offer 91 litres of capacity. An evaporator helps prevent ice building up on the inside and it comes with an adjustable thermostat to keep your food at the right temperature with optimum energy efficiency.
Familyfriendly
Hotpoint CS1A 250 H FA.1 chest freezer, £259, John Lewis & Partners
Dimensions 69.8 x 91.6 x 101cm Compartments One basket drawer and one large compartment
WHICH FREEZER IS RIGHT FOR YOU? We asked Lauren Clark, AO.com’s large appliance expert, to give us the low-down on what to consider when you’re investing in a new freezer…
Energy rating A+ Type Free-standing, chest Anyone with a large family knows that buying food in bulk and freezing numerous portions saves hours in the kitchen. A deep and wide chest freezer, like this one from Hotpoint has ample room to preserve huge amounts of food. This model also has ‘FrostAway’, a feature that keeps the air inside the freezer dry to reduce ice formation by up to 50 per cent.
It’s important to think about the size, specific features and whether you want an integrated or free-standing model. The classic option is a free-standing design that can be easily installed and moved, whereas integrated models sit behind a cupboard door and add a polished look to a kitchen. There are also three main types to consider when purchasing a freezer:
JLUCFZS617 frost-free freezer, £379, John Lewis & Partners
Dimensions 59.5 x 63.5 x 85cm Compartments Four drawers Energy rating A+ Type Free-standing, under-counter
Quickfreeze
BUYER’S GUIDE
This under-the-counter model has four transparent drawers that can be pulled out completely for easy loading and unloading. The door can also be supplied with the hinges on the right or left, depending on which way suits your kitchen. But the biggest advantage of this stainlesssteel John Lewis freezer is its quick-freeze function, which drops the temperature in one section to preserve your food quickly without it affecting the other items already stored in the other drawers.
UPRIGHT These are popular choices for family homes. Upright freezers are manufactured in both free-standing and integrated models, so they can be enclosed behind cabinets. Upright models also offer a large amount of space for frozen food and, for anyone with limited kitchen space, there are slimline options available.
UNDER-COUNTER If you have a small kitchen or you need a second appliance because you’re short on storage in your main freezer, then this option is for you.
CHEST These are an option if you have a large household or like to stock up on frozen foods. Chest freezers open via a lid on the top and offer plenty of space. But it’s worth noting that these models are not currently designed to be integrated. Once you have figured out which type of freezer is best for you in terms of capacity and fit, think about the features that are important to you, such as a frostfree function, a control panel lock, or a temperature warning system.
Bosch GSN36VB3PG tall freezer in Black, £699, John Lewis & Partners
Dimensions 60 x 65 x 186cm Compartments Four drawers and three shelves
Dimensions 50 x 54 x 84.5cm
Energy rating A++
Compartments Three sections
Type Free-standing, upright
Energy rating A+
If you have lots of mouths to feed then this Bosch freezer is worth a look. It has a whopping 242-litre capacity – enough to hold up to 15 bags of shopping. It’s also earned an A++ rating for its superb energy-efficiency and has fast-freeze technology to help your food keep more of its flavour and freshness when you put it into cold storage. And of course, it has classy looks thanks to its polished, shiny jet-black finish.
Type Free-standing, under-counter It may be small, but this sleek, Russell Hobbs freezer has a 68-litre capacity – easily enough room to hold three bags of groceries. It’s easy to slot under a worktop too so you’ll have no trouble trying to find space for it in your kitchen. Plus, it has a reversible door that can be opened from the left or right, depending on your kitchen’s layout.
Energyefficient model
September 2020
Feature Sophie Demetriades
Russell Hobbs RHUCFZ3B under-counter freezer in Black, £229, AO.com
Small but spacious
43
WIN! Your chance to win a Silentnight Airmax set for a refreshing night’s sleep Enjoy a relaxed night’s sleep thanks to the cooling technology of the Airmax range
T
he breathable Airmax range is created with innovative technology that ensures optimum air circulation throughout the bedding, enabling a fresh, cool and comfortable snooze. You’ll be cocooned in pure comfort with the Airmax 10.5-tog duvet, which features specially constructed air mesh sides to increase airflow around you. To guarantee a great night’s sleep, the Airmax pillows are a must-have addition to the duvet. They offer
soft-to-medium support that encourages your head to sink comfortably into the pillow while still allowing the fresh air to surround you and prevent overheating. And to polish off the calm and cosy experience – the transformative Airmax 300 topper, which elevates your mattress to the ultimate level of comfort. Prepare to be submerged in serenity and enjoy an utterly refreshing and restorative night’s sleep thanks to the Airmax range.
WIN! Prizes wor th ove r £110 each
THE PRIZE Silentnight has teamed up with Your Home to offer 14 readers the chance to experience unparalleled bedding breathability and comfort with its best-selling Airmax collection. Each winner will be able to transform their bedroom into a refreshing retreat with Silentnight’s Airmax double duvet, a pair of Airmax pillows and an Airmax mattress topper. FIND OUT MORE To find out more about the full range of Airmax products, visit silentnight.co.uk.
TO ENTER, visit yourhomestyle.uk, choose the WIN tab, find the Silentnight prize draw and fill in your details. The closing date is 30th September 2020 at 11:59pm. TERMS AND CONDITIONS 1 Promoter: Immediate Media Company Bristol Limited. 2 The promotion is open to all residents of the UK, including the Channel Islands, aged 18 years or older, except the Promoter’s employees or contractors and anyone connected with the promotion or their direct family members. 3 By entering the promotion, you agree to be bound by all the rules of the promotion including these terms and conditions. 4 The Promoter may share the details of the winners with the prize provider for the purposes of fulfilling/delivering the prize. 5 The Promoter excludes liability to the full extent permitted by law for any loss, damage or injury occurring to the participant arising from his or her entry into the promotion or occurring to a winner arising from his or her acceptance of a prize. 6 The Promoter reserves the right to amend these terms and conditions or to cancel, alter or amend the promotion at any stage, if deemed necessary in its opinion, or if circumstances arise outside of its control. 7 Only one entry per prize draw will be permitted per household, regardless of method of entry. Bulk entries made by third parties will not be permitted. Entries received after the closing date of the promotion will not be considered. 8 No responsibility accepted for lost, delayed, ineligible or fraudulent entries. 9 The prizes are non-refundable, non-transferable and not for resale. The prizes cannot be used in conjunction with any other offers, promotions or discounts. There is no cash alternative. The Promoter reserves the right to substitute the prizes with other prizes of the same or greater value. 10 Closing date for entries is 11.59pm on 30th September 2020. 11 Winning entries will be chosen at random (after the closing date) from all entries. 12 The winners will be notified of their win within 28 days via email. 13 Winners must claim their prize within 28 days of notification. In the event that a winner cannot be contacted or fails to claim their prize within 28 days, the Promoter reserves the right to offer the prize to another entrant, or to re-offer the prize in any future promotion. 14 The Promoter’s decision as to the winners is final and no correspondence relating to the promotion will be entered into. 15 The prizes are as stated above. 16 Entrants must supply to Immediate Media Company Limited their full name, email address or daytime telephone number. The Promoter will use entrants’ personal details in accordance with the Immediate Privacy Policy (immediate.co.uk/privacy-policy). 17 The surname and county of residence of the winners will be available upon request by sending an SAE to Your Home September 2020 Prize Draw, Eagle House, Colston Avenue, Bristol, BS1 4ST within two months of the closing date of the promotion. The Promoter will contact the winners before releasing this information and provide the winners the opportunity to object or limit the amount of information shared. 18 The promotion is subject to the laws of England.
44
yourhomestyle.uk
Kitchens
Playful patterns, bold hues and sleek finishes are on our radar this month
& BATHROOMS Matt magic Are you bored of metallic finishes in your bathroom? Matt black might be the alternative you’re after. Matki’s new range of shower enclosures and bath screens offers a matt black coating that’s corrosion and scratch resistant. Industrial and modern, the velvety finish and dramatic colour add texture and depth to tiled bathrooms, and look sleek alongside natural woods and stone. The range also offers pleasing design-led features, such as soft return handles and hinge systems that allow for wide shower entrances. Beautiful investment pieces, prices start at £883.20 for a Matt Black Bathscreen and £1,584 for a Matt Black Illusion Hinged Shower Enclosure IR800.
Orla Kiely optical flower towels in yellow, pink and grey, from £16, John Lewis & Partners
Patterned tiles are a sure-fire way to add some pizazz to your kitchen floor. Take cues from the Victorian period and inject some charm into your home with Verona’s latest additions to its Patterned Tiles collection. Elaborate geometric patterns combine with soft hues for a harmonious design that’ll bring a vintage touch to modern kitchens. The 45 x 45cm tiles are scored to give the appearance of smaller tiles, for a traditional look without a lengthy installation process.
Incorporate eye-catching colours and lively patterns into your bathroom with textiles from the exclusive collaboration between John Lewis and design brand, Orla Kiely. Orla’s signature style is instantly recognisable in the Optical Flower Towels, which make the most of stripes, spots and graphic flowers. Opt for yellow or pink for a true retro vibe, or keep it minimal with a soft grey. These towels are so pretty you’ll want to keep them on display!
DINE IN STYLE Take a walk on the wild side with the Jungle Fever range from M&S. Abstract animal designs, punchy colours and durable materials combine for a playful but practical set of dining accessories. Make the most of the last of the warm weather and dine al fresco with the cutesy picnic tumblers, dinner plates and a picnic jug full of your favourite tipple. The way to a fussy eater’s heart! Prices start from £12.50, marksandspencer.com.
Feature Ella Rhys-Jones
Modern charm
FLOWER POWER
Ribera blue tile 45 x 45cm, £30 per sq m, Verona
September 2020
45
KITCHEN IDEAS
THE
1
9
MUST-HAVE INGREDIENTS FOR A chef’s paradise These are the items you’ll find at the top of every enthusiastic cook’s wishlist
ISLAND DREAMS Most keen home cooks dream of owning a kitchen with an island unit taking centre stage. Not just because they look great, but because they also help you maximise your food preparation space and provide extra storage
Cotswood kitchen, from £10,000, Crown Imperial
As well as providing additional meal prep space, a large island can transform the kitchen into a family hub. If you love to have company while you cook, then you can slot seating neatly underneath the island so that it can be used as a social space as well as a preparation area – you might even entice a budding sous chef to give you a helping hand Genoa Cloud and Pebble kitchen, from £8,100, Caple
46
yourhomestyle.uk
KITCHEN IDEAS
2
TIME FOR WINE
Ok, we admit it, this one isn’t just for the chef in your house. Most people, chef or not, would love a dedicated wine rack. But when you’re making a gourmet meal with fancy vino, a storage spot like this makes it easy to reach the bottle you need… and keeps them from taking up valuable space elsewhere Gala kitchen, from £5,000, Lifestyle Kitchens
Kitchen must-haves Celebrity chef and Hoover Brand Ambassador Simon Rimmer reveals his professional kitchen essentials
3
HANDY HOLDER
Convenience in the kitchen is what every busy home cook strives for, especially if you’ve got a growing family to feed. This stand makes following a recipe much easier, plus we think every aspiring chef deserves to have their genius food combos acknowledged
• A kitchen isn’t complete without an oven, as it opens the door to so many more dishes, so investing in a high-quality cooker is a top priority for any enthusiastic home chefs. • A professional set of knives is another kitchen musthave. It makes preparing food much easier by giving you better control over precise chopping and slicing. • Whether you prefer cooking on gas or induction hobs, non-stick pans are absolutely vital. Not only do they require less fat to prevent the ingredients from sticking, they’re a lot easier to clean afterwards.
Personalised wooden kitchen recipe book or iPad holder, £39.50, Shop On Your Doorstep
4
WALK-IN WONDER The equivalent to a fashion lover’s walk-in wardrobe, a floor-to-ceiling pantry is every home chef’s dream. You’ll have room for spices and preserves aplenty with this opendoor store cupboard, which features 13 roomy shelves, two deep drawers and a spacious unit
5
Feature Sophie Demetriades
Door-hung spice rack and internal timber drawer fronts in Natural Oak, £3,260, Burbidge Kitchen Makers
SHELF LIFE To make your go-to kitchenware more accessible, opt for open shelving so those essential utensils are always within easy reach
Country kitchen in Chalk White and Castle Rock, £9,866, Wren Kitchens
September 2020
47
KITCHEN IDEAS
6
SMART STORAGE
Being an enthusiastic chef isn’t just about cooking; organisation is key to the kitchen, too. So, savvy storage is a priority for wellused kitchens and this clever way to keep chopping boards neat and tidy is a winning solution in our eyes
It’s easy enough to nest saucepans into one another in your kitchen cupboard, but anyone who has ever cooked knows how tricky it can be to fit the lids neatly in there, too. This simple storage saviour is a godsend for cooks who like to keep their go-to pots and pans tidy Cupboard saucepan lid storage holder, £11.99, Neo Direct
Shaker kitchen collection, from £20,000, Harvey Jones
Our expert says… ‘An aspect of the kitchen-planning process that should be considered early on is storage space. By adding in clever solutions to key areas, you can ensure everything you need is close at hand. This helps to create a practical and ergonomic kitchen design.’ Andrew Story, Head of Product Development at Roux Kitchens
Keeping your cutlery tidy is just as important as organising your spices in alphabetical order (yes, that’s right: you’re not alone on this one). And this tray from Wayfair will slot easily into any drawer to house your essential kitchenware Cutlery tray, £13.14, Wayfair
With stunning looks, professional design and the stamp of approval from world-renowned chef Michel Roux Jr, this kitchen is a top choice for keen cooks. Its design takes inspiration from top restaurants around the globe and combines these ideas with new glossy colours and stylish features, including integrated lighting, hidden storage, floor-to-ceiling larders and bi-fold units Prouve Gloss light grey kitchen, from £9,000, Roux Kitchens
A chef needs plenty of storage, but having everything on display isn’t to everyone’s taste. If you’re after something sleeker, opt for this drawer tower from Burbidge Kitchen Makers Malmö Space Tower, from £2,250, Burbidge Kitchen Makers
48
yourhomestyle.uk
KITCHEN IDEAS
7
TOP OF THE RANGE A high-quality cooker is a worthy investment – and this dual fuel oven and gas hob combo fits the bill. With three ovens, a grill, a five-ring gas hob and a powerful wok burner, it’s more than capable of cooking your food to perfection
Leisure Chefmaster CC100F521C 100cm Dual Fuel Range Cooker, £1,050, AO.com
8
CUTTING EDGE
To make five-star food, you need the best tools for the job. This knife set includes paring, utility, chef, bread and carving blades, all of which have contoured, Micarta-composite handles to provide a comfortable grip and ultra-sharp cutting edges to help you prep food with precision Professional X50 knife set, £169, ProCook
How to build a professional kitchen Ben Burbidge, Managing Director at Burbidge Kitchen Makers, gives his essential advice on how you can create a cooking space fit for a five-star chef
9
POTS AND PANS
A keen cook needs high-quality equipment and Denby’s castiron cookware is a top choice for foodies as the collection is versatile, durable and stylish. It’s just what you need for weekday one pots, batch-cooked family dinners and slow-roasted Sunday lunches
Functionality is just as important as style when creating a professional kitchen in your home, so before you begin planning your layout think about how you’ll use it. Do you often cook for groups of people and need a large preparation area? Or are you a keen baker who requires ample storage for your equipment? Professional kitchens are separated into dedicated preparation, cooking and washing areas so that different tasks can be tackled at the same time. When you consider your kitchen layout, make sure your fridge and hob are both within easy reach of your sink. It’s an old piece of advice which has lasted because it works – think of these areas as points on a triangle and ensure the distance between each isn’t too large but gives you space to work safely and efficiently.
A kitchen needs to be practical and storage is the key to a clutter-free space. Consider investing in a pantry or freestanding larder for food items that can be stored at room temperature. A pan rack will make use of the overhead space and ensure frequently used cookware is within easy reach. An island or peninsula can be a worthy investment. Consider what sort would suit you best before you finalise your layout, as they can offer a different purpose depending on your preference, whether it’s a place to congregate, prepare food, cook or wash up. Bear in mind the space under the island can be used for storage as well as low fridges, drawers and of course, a wine rack. Think about what type of worktop you want, too. Professional kitchens often feature stainless-steel ones, but these aren’t widely seen at home as they show up fingerprints. Wooden worktops are popular, but need more regular maintenance than laminate, for example.
Cast Iron range, from £75, Denby
September 2020
49
KITCHEN PROBLEM ROOM
I made the kitchen the Lily Coles completely redesigned the kitchen in her Victorian terrace to
INSIDER INFO WHO LIVES HERE? Lily Coles, a renewable engineer, has lived alone in her two-bedroom Victorian terrace in east Reading since 2012.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE THING ABOUT THIS ROOM? ‘The most concerning thing for me about the original room was that there was no space for a kitchen table, which was my only must. I come from a foodie family and love to cook.’
WHAT DID YOU LEARN DURING THE PROCESS? ‘Be brave and do your research. As I grew in confidence, I realised there was more I could have asked for at the beginning. The builders I chose to work with were very accommodating to my small, last-minute requests, such as moving a stud wall to make more space for a utilityy area.’
Before 50
yourhomestyle.uk
L
ily Coles almost didn’t buy this house because of its original kitchen. It was a dark, narrow galley with no space for a table. Having grown up in a family ‘big on food’, she wanted her kitchen to be the centre of her house. The solution was an extension, with skylights and bifold doors leading out to the garden. The new design would give her a room she could spend time in all year long, with space to entertain and cook with the produce she grows at home. ‘It was so difficult to know where to start as I like so many different interior styles,’ says Lily. ‘I started to see a pattern emerge in my references for dark grey and black units, with modern, bright Scandi touches. I also reasoned that this look goes with everything so it meant I had a bit more freedom with the rest of the kitchen.’
Lily approached several local builders for quotes and eventually chose David Bressington Building Services. ‘They were a bit more expensive,’ she says. ‘But I knew they would care about the project and pay a lot of attention to the details. Because it was my first big decoration project, and I’d never had a reason to think about details such as what colour windows and skirting boards should be, or where the light switches should go, they were a great support.’ The renovation took four months, lasting from January to May 2015, and Lily moved out while the work was underway. It took around four weeks longer than the builders originally estimated because of some issues with party wall extractor fans. It meant Lily couldn’t build as high as she’d originally planned, but the builders switched the
KITCHEN PROBLEM ROOM
heart of the house emulate the feel of her restaurateur parents’ home PLAN AMPLE STORAGE Lily’s builder constructed this dresser for her. It’s an important piece as she’s not keen on having too much clutter in the preparation area of the kitchen
shopping list
CREATE A SOCIABLE SPACE With a bright living space in mind, Lily planned the entire extension around having a generous kitchen table and bifold doors to bring the outside in
Laxarby unit, £210 for a 600mm unit; Ekbacken concrete effect worktop, £40 for 186 x 2.8cm; Fagleboda handles, £6 for a pack of two; Domsjo sink and Ringskar tap, £205; Fiskbo frames, £5 each, all IKEA. Range, £618, Kenwood. Cumbrian Stone floor tiles, ST14, Knight Tile Collection, £18.99 per sq m, Karndean. Pendant light, £225, from Original BTC. Kitchen tiles (mismatched leftovers), £200 in total, Marlborough Tiles. Bespoke shelves, £300 by David Bressington. Kitchen walls painted in Strong White, £49.95 per 2.5l; skirting boards painted in Cornforth white, £49.95 per 2.5l, both Farrow & Ball. Kitchen table: for similar, try Farmhouse dining table, from £355, Made in the Cellar. Kitchen chairs: for similar, try Windsor Fern dining chair in natural, £89 each, Cult Furniture. Yellow chair: for similar, try French school chair with wood finish in yellow, £47, Cult Furniture. Clothes pulley, £60, Garden Trading. Beko CFG1582DS Fridge Freezer in silver, Currys. £269.99. Typewriter: for similar try Smith Corona Courier Typewriter, £82.43, SoYesterdaySoCool on Etsy. Bench: for similar, try Alpen Home Bearpaw Wood Kitchen Bench, £159.99, Wayfair. Mallorcan pottery: for similar, try the serveware and sideplates, starting at £8, Anthropologie. Vintage utensil holder: for similar, try Ceramic Jug, £15, Mudness Ceramics on Etsy. Antique glass sweet jars: for similar try the Vardagen range, from £1.50, IKEA.
total cost:
£4,483.99
WORK WITH EXISTING FEATURES To reduce cost, Lily kept the support walls for the bathroom upstairs, which marks the original external wall of the kitchen. A spacesaving clothes pulley tucks away overhead
Feature Lara Watson Photos Fiona Murray
position of the kitchen to solve the problem. ‘I actually prefer it this way,’ says Lily. ‘I hardly use the rest of the house anymore,’ she enthuses. ‘The light in here is amazing – it’s bright and airy in the summer and cosy in the winter. I now feel claustrophobic in other kitchens with only a window! And I love gardening and growing my own veg now, as the garden feels like it’s part of the house. Getting home, opening the doors and picking fresh veg and herbs from the garden for supper never gets boring! My whole life is in this kitchen now and I wouldn’t change a thing.’
September 2020
51
BATHROOM IDEAS
MODERN vs traditional We compare the best of classic and contemporary bathroom looks to help you create your dream scheme
T
he bathroom might be one of the smallest spaces in the house, but it can also be one of the biggest investments, particularly when it comes to installing the essential fixtures and fittings. Will you go for the clean, minimalist lines of a modern bathroom or the elegant, timeless appeal of a classic suite – or perhaps even a little bit of each? The good news is, both looks will make for a bathroom you’ll love for years. Here, we’ve rounded up the ultimate in trendy and traditional taps, tiles and more for you to compare, contrast and covet.
MODERN
T aditional
BATHS There’s nothing quite like a luxurious soak in the bath, whether it’s in an elegant roll-top or a minimalist tub that wouldn’t look out of place at a posh spa. The Cloud Freestanding bath (above), £2,395, Waters Baths of Ashbourne, has a contemporary curved shape and glossy finish, while the Duke roll top (right), £399.95 from Victorian Plumbing, has ornate chrome feet for a vintage feel.
FINISHING TOUCHES Lyle speckled 3-piece set, £29, Made.com
Geo towel, from £11, Debenhams
A by Amara glass accessories, from £10, Amara
MODERN
Mode towel, from £12, Christy
T aditional 52
yourhomestyle.uk
BATHROOM IDEAS MODERN
FLOORING For flooring that offers both style and longevity, it’s hard to beat a monochrome design. It’ll work with modern and classic suites, and any colour palette, making it easy to refresh your décor. Mardi Gras 99 York vinyl (below), £17.99 per sq m from Carpetright, combines the look of Victorian checkerboard tiles with the budget-friendly price of vinyl. For a fresh, Scandi-inspired wood finish, try Pamera Ultimate Timber PU flooring, from £21 per sq m, Avenue Floors.
tip t r e
Ep
‘In recent years, there have been many developments in design and styles that mean the effects vinyl can create, such as traditional tiles or wood, are incredibly realistic. For the floors of modern wet rooms and showers specifically, it’s worth investing in specialist flooring with the highest grade of anti-slip.’ David Snazel, Hard Flooring Buyer at Carpetright
T aditional
MODERN
BASINS Feature Michelle Grady
A crucial element in every bathroom, basins are both a functional necessity and an attractive design detail. The Lorelei basin (left), £800 from London Basin Company, is reminiscent of delicate antique porcelain and we love the way it looks next to sleek taps and surfaces. At the other end of the scale, go for a simple square sink with a utilitarian feel, like the Milano Dalton double basin with black washstand, £299.99 from Big Bathroom Shop, to tie in with the current trend for industrial interiors.
T aditional September 2020
53
BATHROOM IDEAS
SHOWER
MODERN
A shower-over-bath option is often the go-to for traditional bathrooms, but if you’d prefer a separate cubicle, choose an unfussy enclosure that will allow an ornate suite to be the star of the show, like this Six sliding door shower with side panel (below), from £1,029.60, Arysto. For minimalist bathrooms, a statement shower enclosure is the way to go to create a streamlined space. Try the bold black finish and curved silhouette of the Arezzo arched black frame wetroom screen (left), from £239.95, Victorian Plumbing.
T aditional
MODERN
TILES Blue is a classic colour for bathrooms, but that doesn’t mean it’s reserved for traditionalists! Get creative with an unusual shape to create a feature wall, such as Porcelain Superstore’s fish scale Drops Persian Blue (above), £89.10 per sq m. For a country-style bathroom, choose a chintzy pattern like the trailing florals of the Arbour Blossom wall tiles, £79.95 per sq m, Original Style.
54
yourhomestyle.uk
T aditional
BATHROOM IDEAS
MODERN
STORAGE Bathroom clutter is inevitable no matter what your decorating style, so plan in plenty of storage options. Keep things classic with coordinating units in a neutral shade, such as the Chatsworth 3-piece suite (right), £649.95 from Victorian Plumbing, and add gold hardware for an upscale feel on a budget. Not all bathroom bits and bobs need to be hidden away, though – display stacks of towels on open shelving, decant toiletries into bottles and introduce natural tones with wood boxes for a spa vibe (above). Flodalen hand towel, £6, Dragan boxes, £10 for four, IKEA.
T aditional LIGHTING io 665 wall lamp, £420, Astro Waterloo wall light, £40, Garden Trading
MODERN
MODERN
T aditional
p i t t er
Ep
‘For a traditional bathroom, paired wall lights work really well. This could mean placing them either side of a bathroom mirror or to frame a bathtub. Choose curved, delicate detailing and antique brass designs to complete the look. For modern décor, try using chrome finishes and sleek, cleaner designs.’ Roddy wall Rohan Blacker, light, £126, Pooky founder Pooky
TAPS
T aditional
With tiles, flooring, suites, colours and more to choose, taps can be sometimes be an afterthought, but they can really bring a bathroom renovation together. Go for polished brass and ceramic handles to add a touch of vintage luxury – we love the Etros wall-mounted brass bath shower mixer (left), £425, Frontline. Or pair a chic bath with a polished chrome tap, like the Atrio single-lever bath mixer (above), £991, Grohe.
Davey Hampton wall light, £375, Original BTC
September 2020
55
Find out how you can sign up to a free weaving class
DIY MASTERCLASS
ate by getting creative Give plain tiles a pretty upd of floral coasters with ceramic paints for a set
SEW SIMPLE
REVAMP, REPAIR, RECYCLE
Pull-out guide
MAKE, DO & CRAFT
y s a e T MAKE I
YOUR HANDY
Master a Japanese tie-dyeing technique to create a chair cover
A
change in season is always a good time to refresh your space with some handmade updates, and learn new skills at the same time. Try your hand at shibori with our chair cover, and boost your painting techniques with our faux inlay dresser. Plus, level up your DIY game and create a pallet-wood bar for your garden – it’s the new way to celebrate at home.
CRAFT STASH MUST HAVES
You’ll be amazed at your upcycling skills once you complete this dresser makeover
ASK THE EXPERTS
House your favourite tipples in a homemade bar
MAKE, DO & me with Add colour and creativity to your ho
PAINTED UTENSILS Get out the spray paints for these colour-block utensils
SHOPPING LIST Pack of three wooden utensils Aerosol spray paint in candy blue, pink, white and bright yellow Masking tape Sandpaper Small paintbrushes
1
First, protect your work surface and the area you’re working in. Rub down the wooden utensils with sandpaper until they’re smooth, removing any rough wood. Starting at the tip of the handle, mark where you want the first painted section to end. Wrap tape tightly around this point to make a barrier for the paint and to achieve a clean edge. Paint with your preferred colour, leave to dry, apply a second coat. When the paint is fully dry, remove the tape and repeat the process to create another band. As this is butting up to the edge of the first section, you’ll need to put some tape over the first section of paint to preserve your straight edge. Make sure that the paint is completely dry before applying the tape otherwise the paint will peel off. Paint two coats and leave to dry fully before repeating for the third section, then a fourth section if required. When all three painted areas are completely dry, touch up any missed bits with a small paintbrush. Go over the utensils with very fine sandpaper to remove any brush strokes or rough edges.
2
3
Project by Claire Watkins
58
yourhomestyle.uk
these painted pretties
top tip These make a cute personalised housewarming gift when tied together as a set.
MAKE, DO & CRAFT
top tip
PATTERNED TILE COASTERS
This is a great way to repurpose leftover tiles. You could also mix and match different sample tiles for a budgetfriendly make.
Transform plain tiles into a set of vintage-look floral coasters SHOPPING LIST Plain ceramic tiles Ceramic paints or patterned paper (wallpaper, origami paper or wrapping paper) Sandpaper Pencil Scissors PVA glue Rust-Oleum Crystal Clear Semi Gloss Finish Spray Felt Tailor’s chalk
1
First, protect your work surface and the area you’re working in. Use sandpaper to rub away any rough edges from the tile and then clean it. If you’re painting a floral design, paint it in layers, leaving each one to dry before adding the next. If you’re using patterned paper, first lay the paper face down onto your surface, then place the tile on top. Draw around the tile using pencil. Measure 0.5cm inside the pencil line and draw another line going all the way around the tile. Cut out the paper around this inside line. Next, place the patterned paper on top of the tile, pattern side up; the paper should be slightly smaller than the tile with a small border of tile showing. Trim more if needed. Coat the tile with a layer of PVA glue, then stick the patterned paper on top, smoothing out any bumps. Leave to dry for about 30 minutes, then paint the tile and paper with another coat of PVA glue. Leave overnight to dry completely. Gather all your painted or paper-covered tiles
2
and spray with clear gloss finish and leave to dry. Once the decorated tiles are dry, place one onto a piece of felt and draw around it with tailor’s chalk. Cut out the felt and stick it to the bottom of the tile using PVA glue. Trim away any overhanging felt to finish, and repeat for all tiles.
3
Project by Claire Watkins
FRAMED PAINTED GLASS
top tip
Create a bespoke piece of wall art with this simple painted initial
Sketch your design on paper and place beneath the glass to use as a guide.
SHOPPING LIST Rust-Oleum Painter’s Touch paints (small brush pots) Rust-Oleum artist brushes Glue gun Masking tape Glass picture frame
1
Before starting, protect your work space. Also ensure that the glass in the frame is secure. You may need to use a glue gun to stick the glass in place. Allow the glue to fully dry. Mask the edges of the frame and use a clean, dry cloth to remove any dust from the glass. Once you’ve decided upon your design, if needed, mark out the shape on the glass. Using Rust-Oleum Painter’s Touch, a multi-purpose, water-based paint for interior and exterior projects, paint your design in layers, allowing them to dry between each coat. Start with the leaves in green first, wait for them to dry and then add the details in darker green. Once they’re dry, paint the flowers in a contrasting colour. When your design is fully dry, remove the masking tape.
2
3
1
2
3
Project by Rust-Oleum. Find more inspiration at rustoleum.com
September 2020
59
PAINT AND GLAZE
REVAMP, REPAIR,
Rec cle
Pearlescent Glaze, £11.95 for 250ml, Annie Sloan
Chalk Paint in Old White, from £5.95 for 120ml, Annie Sloan
Chalk Paint in Graphite, from £5.95 for 120ml, Annie Sloan
Transform a plain piece of furniture with painted pearlescent detailing
F
or a speedy upcycle, there’s nothing like a lick of chalk paint! It’s one of the simplest ways to refresh much-loved old furniture or bargain second-hand finds. If you’ve got a few painted projects under your belt, it’s time to take your skills up a notch and try this dresser design with a pearlescent leaf motif inspired by traditional inlay. Be warned, though – once you’ve finished, you might just be tempted to paint the wardrobe to match as well!
YOU WILL NEED ) A dresser or chest of drawers ) Chalk Paint in Graphite and Old White ) Large flat detail brush ) Small flat detail brush ) Large round detail brush ) Pearlescent Glaze ) Clear Chalk Paint Wax ) Lint-free cloth ) Paint stirrer ) Tape measure ) White chalk
1
Protect your work space, and clean and dry your piece of furniture with a lint-free cloth. Tape off areas you don’t want to paint, remove hardware and sand any rough patches if needed. Use a mix of Chalk Paint in Graphite and Old White as a base – it’s advisable to add some water to the paint and mix well. Charge the brush well with paint and apply. Work it in all directions to spread the paint evenly, then work it straight up and down to get an even coat.
2
60
yourhomestyle.uk
3
Once the paint is dry, use a tape measure and white chalk to sketch out your design and ensure it’s symmetrical. To make it easier, sketch it onto a piece of paper first to make sure you’re happy with it, or even create your own stencil to paint with if you’d prefer. Using Chalk Paint in Old White and a large flat detail brush, fill in the chalk outlines or stencil. Use a small flat detail brush to paint the straight lines along the edges and a large round
4
detail brush for the border leaves. Once this is dry, apply the Pearlescent Glaze directly over the Old White, being sure to mix the glaze well before use. Finally, apply two coats of Clear Chalk Paint Wax to protect the paint, removing any excess with a lint-free cloth.
5 6
Project by Annie Sloan. For more upcycling ideas visit anniesloan.com
top tip REVAMP, REPAIR, RECYCLE
Paint with the grain of the wood and work on a small area at a time to get a quality finish.
September 2020
61
Pleat, dye and sew a stylish new statement piece with this
shibori chair revamp
S
hibori is a Japanese technique used to create unique dyed patterns on fabric, and it’s super easy to try at home! Similar to tie-dye and just as fun, it’s done by folding, bunching and twisting fabric, ready to be dipped in dye. Here’s how to use pleats and pegs – and your trusty sewing machine – to transform a tired old chair into a shibori showstopper.
YOU WILL NEED 6m calico fabric Velcro: see instructions for details Cotton tape: see instructions for details Dylon hand dye: ocean blue Salt Clothes pegs Pins Scissors Sewing thread Sewing machine
1
Pre-wash your fabric on a hot wash and then tumble dry it on a hot setting and press well. To make the pattern pieces, cut out a piece of calico for each section of the chair. Cut them large so there’s enough spare fabric for fitting. The lower edge of the chair will need more than you think necessary to allow for making a tape casing, so be generous. Pin each section onto the chair and then remove them, but keep the pins in place. Add a seam allowance all the way around outside the pin marks then cut out. Sew the calico cover together, leaving one of the side seams half open. Fit the cover onto the chair, pin the side seam closed and adjust the fitting, taking it in to give a closer fit if necessary. Remove the calico cover from the chair and then mark the sewn seams with felt pen. Unpick the calico cover so you have your pattern pieces. We had six for our chair. Press each of your pattern pieces so they lie flat then pin each one onto some more calico to use for the chair fabric. Cut out the fabric pieces and press. Concertina each pattern piece of calico into pleats then press flat with a steam iron to hold them firmly in place.
2
3
62
yourhomestyle.uk
4
3
4
5
6
Peg the pleated pieces at even intervals down the length of the pleats through all the layers of fabric. Place the pegs alternately on each side of the fabric. Once the pegs are in place, wet the fabrics thoroughly. Mix the hand dye according to the manufacturer’s instructions and then immerse the pegged fabric pieces in it. Follow the instructions on your dye packet for the dyeing time. Once the dye has taken, remove the pegs, open up the fabric and put the pieces under running water until the water runs clear. Wash and dry the dyed fabric according to manufacturer’s instructions. Sew all the fabric pieces together as you did for the original calico pattern, leaving one of the side seams half open. Try the cover on the chair inside out and use pins to make any adjustments if necessary. The raw edges around the bottom of the chair need to be cut 4cm longer than the chair all the way around the chair for the casing. Remove the cover and stitch any adjustments needed. Cut a 3cm width bias strip from calico to bind the curved raw edges around the chair legs. You’ll need to put the cover back on the chair to
5
6
7
mark exactly where the legs meet the cover then snip up to them. Now remove the cover again. Turn the raw edges of the leg sections under so they reach the top of the chair legs. Trim just these sections to 5mm outside this, leaving the rest of the raw edge longer to make the casing. Fold the long edges of your binding strip to the wrong side (WS) so that they meet in the centre, then pin this on top of the turned-under edge of the chair leg section on the WS and stitch into place. Sew Velcro onto both sides of the seam opening, with the hooks on one side and the loops on the other. Turn the lower edges of the chair cover beside the hemmed leg sections under by 1cm then by 3cm to the WS. Stitch the casing in place close to the edge on each section. Cut a length of cotton tape that will fit through the casing with extra to tie. Put the cover on the chair, close the Velcro then thread the tape through the casings with a safety pin and pull so that the cover fits snugly on the underside of the chair.
8
Project by Juliet Bawden for Simply Sewing magazine. See more at gathered.how
top tip
SEW SIMPLE
Shibori uses a variety of folding methods, including pleats as we’ve done here. With scraps of fabric, try creating different dye effects before you start on your cover.
September 2020
63
DIY ma e class
Create your very own palette bar for your outside space
top tip Make use of this bar all year round with spring garden parties, summer BBQs, Bonfire Night gatherings and as a place to pop the champagne and watch the fireworks on New Year's Eve!
YOU WILL NEED
I
f you missed your trips to the pub garden as much as we did during lockdown, then you’ll love the idea of turning your outdoor space into your every own watering hole! This illuminated outdoor bar is a fun spot for you to enjoy the last of the summer’s long evenings, and it will be the star of all your future garden parties once things return to normal. The bar is wall-mounted and can be closed away when not in use. To get the festivities started, flip open the drop-down bar, flick on the fairy lights and fill the cabinet with bottles, glasses and your favourite cocktail ingredients.
64
yourhomestyle.uk
) Hand saw ) Wrecking bar ) Hammer ) Palm sander ) Drill with drill bits ) Holesaw bit ) Stapler ) 3 x pallets ) Sandpaper in course, medium and fine grits ) 1.5m length of 4 x 32mm steel chain ) RustOleum chalkboard spray paint or brush-on chalkboard paint ) 1 x Rust-Oleum Metallic copper spray ) Solar fairy lights in warm white or amber ) 2 x Coach bolts ) Screws ) Eye hooks ) Carabiners
top tip You could use a vibrant neon paint instead of metallic if you prefer a funkier finish.
1
2
3
4
5
6
GET INSPIRED
1
Use a wrecking bar to carefully remove the planks of wood from all three pallets. Attach three of the thick side supports together to create an L shape and screw them together. Repeat with another three thick side supports. These will form the sides of the bar. Assemble the back of the bar with the new L-shapes on the sides. You only need to cover the bottom half of the bar as that’s all that will be visible. Position five planks close together so there are no gaps between them and screw them into the L-shape sides. Add a plank across the top for structural integrity and another as a vertical support in the centre. Leave the gap on the back so you can add the lights later. Turn the back of the bar around and attach five planks at the top of the front, again with no gaps. Use a piece of cardboard or paper stapled to the top of the front to mark out the ’Bar’ sign and decide where you want the lights. Using a drill bit that’s slightly broader than fairy light bulbs, drill holes through the cardboard and through the wood on the front of the bar.
2
3
8
4
Measure the gap from the bottom of the front to the covered section at the top and cut down two palette side supports to fit this gap. These will be the supports for the dropdown bar. Lay out four planks close together and position the side supports so that they’re set in from the ends of the planks. This will ensure that the drop-down panel will fit inside the corner supports of the bar. Cut away an angle from the bottom of the sides at the front of the bar. Place the dropdown section in position on the front of the bar and drill a hole through the side of the bar and the drop-down support. Add a coach bolt through the hole to act as the hinge, then do the same on the other side. Open the drop-down section and add some planks across its supports to create a surface. Use a holesaw bit to cut holes along the back edge of this surface. The holes need to be big enough to act as holders for your beer and wine glasses and bottles. With the drop-down section closed, you’ll see a gap on the underside of the
5 6
DIY MASTERCLASS
7
This DIY palette bar was created by blogger Cassie Fairy (cassiefairy. com) for manomano.co.uk, the online DIY, home improvement and gardening hub. For more DIY projects, check out The Handy Mano blog: blog.manomano.co.uk
bar. Attach an extra plank here to fill the gap. This plank will act as the bottle shelf behind the drop-down section when it’s open. Sand down all the rough edges and paint the back interior of the bar with copper spray paint. Use chalkboard paint (either brush-on or spray paint) to paint the all the other interior and exterior surfaces of the bar. This will allow you to use chalk to add the words ‘birthday’, ‘cocktail’, ‘New Year’ or any other celebratory phrase you want to the front and sides of the bar. When the paint is dry, use an eye hook and carabiner to attach a chain to the inside edge of the corner support. Add another eye hook and carabiner near the front of the dropdown section and clip on the chain. To hold the drop-down section shut, add eye hooks to the sides of the bar and the sides of the drop-down section then attach carabiners to each hook so they can be clipped together. Then working from the back of the bar, poke the fairy lights through the holes. Finish by painting a line of metallic paint between each fairy light to spell out ‘Bar’.
7
8
September 2020
65
Ask the
EXPERTS
We answer your DIY and maintenance questions with a little help from the experts
Q
Since I’ve been spending more time gardening, I’m using more water. How can I preserve water, but also keep my plants and flowers looking fresh? Vanessa Day, Dundee
A
Feature Katy Layton
Marcus Eyles, who is Horticultural Director at Dobbies Garden Centres, has this advice… There are many ways you can use less water and still keep your garden looking great. They’re all really easy and you’ll quickly find that you’re using much less water from the tap, which reduces your usage and saves on water bills. One great way to save water is to reuse boiled kitchen water from cooking or steaming.
66
yourhomestyle.uk
Instead of draining it through the colander and pouring it away, pop a bowl underneath the colander so you can transfer it to your watering can, once you’ve finished cooking. Just remember to let it cool to room temperature before you water your plants and flowers. Alternatively you could install a water butt and use it to conserve rainwater. This will give you a constant supply of free water for your garden, plus plants prefer rainwater as it’s naturally the correct pH for most plants and slightly acidic. To conserve moisture in your borders, apply a layer of organic matter such as compost, manure or bark. This process is called mulching. It has great benefits for your soil condition and will help your plants to flourish. For more gardening tips visit dobbies.com.
Q
We live in a small terrace house that has ugly concrete steps to reach the raised garden. What can we do to make the steps look more appealing? Stacey Rickett, via email
A
Chris O’Boyle, Trading Director, Everyday Repair & Maintenance at Homebase, has these suggestions… One of the simplest things you can do with concrete is jet wash it – you’ll be amazed what a difference it can make. Similarly adding a few potted perennial plants, such as a lupin or a dianthus, to the steps is a quick way to add interest and colour. It is possible to paint concrete steps, either in a more neutral hue or brighter, colourful shades if you really want to liven them up! A good acrylic masonry paint will weatherproof the steps, adhere to the concrete and can help to smooth the surfaces. But if the steps are used regularly, you’ll need to repaint them as the foot traffic could wear the paint away. For a more dramatic transformation, you could lay paving stones on top of the concrete, but be sure to use stone mortar and a spirit level to make sure the stones adhere properly to the surface of the cement and lie evenly to avoid tripping. With a job like this it’s best to ask in-store when you buy your paving stones to make sure you have all of the right equipment. For more information visit homebase.co.uk.
Q
I’d like to put up some shelves up above my sink, but it’s a stud wall and I don’t know how to ensure they’ll be secure. What would you suggest? Jools, via email
A
Neil Daly, Category Director for Building and Technical at B&Q, says… Different walls need to be handled in different ways. Before drilling, hammering or putting a screw into a wall, be sure you’ve checked what’s behind it with a pipe, cable and stud detector. For stud partition walls, the screws need to go into the timber, preferably the vertical studs (or the horizontal rails if they’re at the right height). You can find them by tapping and listening, or by using an electric stud detector (for metal studs). You’ll also need to use the correct rawl plugs for a stud wall – you can check in store. For fixed shelves, choose your brackets and space them out according to the shelf material, its thickness and the load it needs to support. Fit the shelf brackets with the longer arm against the wall and the shorter one under the shelf. Remember: the length of the longer arm will show you how closely you can fit the shelves on top of each other. For more information visit diy.com.
Q
We have skylights in our extension, but they’re difficult to clean. How can we clean them without leaving water marks? Sheena Holmes, South London
A
Jonathan Hey, Founder of Aliwood Roof Lanterns suggests… First of all, it’s important to put your safety before the cleanliness of your windows. If you don’t have a sturdy ladder available, aim to use a long-handled mop with a cellulose sponge for any cleaning you do. Unless you’re certain your skylight is made of glass, rather than acrylic or polycarbonate, don’t clean them with ammonia or household window cleaners as this will cause damage. You can simply
use a small amount of liquid dish soap in a bucket of warm water. Begin by removing all the dust and debris with a long-handled dry mop (or a clean, dry cloth if you’re using a ladder). Soak your cellulose sponge in a dish soap and water mixture, and wring it out before giving your skylight a gentle wash. Once it’s clean, replace the soapy
water with cool, fresh water, ensure your sponge is clean and wash away any soapy residue. Once your skylight has dried, you should find that it’s water mark-free. To keep your skylight looking as good as new, apply a thin layer of auto wax with a clean, dry cloth once the window has dried. Find out more at aliwood.co.uk.
Carpet provides an aesthetic appeal, with its colour, texture and pattern, but also a practical benefit by helping to soundproof your footsteps. Opt for a hard-wearing style with a high stain resistance. Vacuum frequently to help prolong the carpet’s life and reduce the buildup of dirt and dust. Patterned floorings are a little more forgiving to everyday marks, which will help your flooring stand the test of time. And it’s worth investing in underlay as this helps reduce wear of the flooring underneath while
offering a more luxurious feel. A thicker underlay will boost the flooring’s lifespan and make a big difference to a value carpet, helping to make it feel plusher underfoot. Find out more at carpetright.co.uk
Q
What’s the best type of flooring for high-traffic areas? I need something that will reduce noise and not need replacing every few years. Philippa Theobald-Roe, Bedford
ASK THE EXPERTS
A
Jemma Dayman, Junior Buyer at Carpetright says… When it comes to flooring for high-traffic areas, such as hallways and living rooms, choosing a quality, durable, lowmaintenance style is essential. You should consider carpets and luxury vinyl and laminates first. Although budget is a necessary consideration, opting for cheap, low-quality flooring can cost more in the long run, if you end up having to replace it regularly. It’s worth purchasing the best quality flooring you can afford. Luxury Vinyl is an elegant choice that emulates more expensive materials, while being incredibly hard-wearing. If you’re on a tight budget, there are laminate designs where the effects, such as wood grain, are incredibly realistic.
If you have a DIY or maintenance question, write to Ask the Experts, Your Home, Immediate Media, Eagle House, Colston Avenue, Bristol, BS1 4ST or email asktheexperts@yhmag.co.uk
September 2020
67
CRAFT STASH Find the latest crafting news, workshops and brilliant buys
WORKSHOP Woven wonder What could be better than a mindful weaving workshop? A free one, of course! Head over to craftcourses.com to find the Cardboard Loom Weaving class, which costs nothing and is taught through a series of online videos that you can pick up whenever you like and fit in around your day. In the workshop, you’ll learn basic weaving terminology and discover how to make a simple loom, a rya knot fringe and pompom trim, as well as get to grips with beginner weaving techniques.
Feature Sophie Demetriades
LEARN A SKILL Newbie stitchers
CRAFT STASH MUST HAVES
Learn to Sew in 30 Minutes is Debbie von Grabler-Crozier’s learn-as-youstitch guide to sewing. The practical book is packed with 25 quick-andeasy projects and will teach you all the skills you need to create them. Each speedy-stitch make takes around 30 minutes to complete, so you can quickly improve and you don’t need bolts of pricey fabric either – you can simply use scraps for most of the projects, which include floral pin cushions, chic eye masks, autumnal bunting and sweet toys. Purchase Learn to Sew in 30 Minutes for £12.99 at searchpress.com.
must haves
EASY KNIT KIT
Keep the kids entertained with this adorable mushroom knitting kit. It’s an excellent way to introduce children to the art of knitting, plus it has everything you need all in one neat package, including non-sharp wooden needles, three balls of red, pink and white yarn, and of course, super-simple instructions. Grab your kit from rexlondon. com for just £6.95.
Savvy storage Clear up the mess in your crafting space by investing in this shiny gold thimble tidy for £10 from redcandy.co.uk. Whether you want to use it for stationery, paint brushes or sewing scissors, this metallic storage pot is the solution to your creative clutter – and if gold doesn’t float your boat, opt for silver instead.
BOX OF TRICKS If you’re a keen crafter, then you’ll know that your collection of supplies can often end up in disarray. But there’s no need to fret over tangled ribbons and mixed up buttons, as Cambridge Imprint is coming to the rescue! For just £19.99, you can pick up one of these colourful, patterned, handmade postcard boxes, which you can use to store all of your crafty bits and bobs.
Peony Coral Charm Award-Winning
rare | unusual | exciting
BUY 3 FOR
£
OR
£
5 8
FOR
JUST £3.60 PER PLANT
INCREDIBLE COLOUR CHANGING BLOOMS
H
UGE, DEEP SALMON goblets appear in spring to tantalise your senses by revealing each petal one by one by until fully opened when the blooms take on their full, ruffled romantic appeal. Truly magical to watch as the blooms change colour through shades of salmon, apricot and vanilla. Incredibly sought-after by florists due to the unique interest they create in the home whilst lasting for up to 4 days in a vase. The long red stems are also a sight to behold as they push through the soil in early spring. This fully hardy herbaceous perennial is best planted in autumn to settle into the new environment before the plant starts to flower. Supplied as large 3-5 eye bare roots which means you will have at least three flowers per plant in the first season and many more for years to come. Plant the bare root directly into the garden on arrival in a sunny spot ensuring the eyes are no more than 2.5cm below the ground. Coral Charm will reach a height and spread of 80–90cm (30–36") in maturity and lives for generations. Your order is covered by our No Quibble Guarantee and will be confirmed together with a copy of our latest catalogue. Supplied as fully mature bare rooted plants in early October to guarantee success.
ORDER ONLINE hayloft.co.uk NAME & ADDRESS
• BY PHONE 0844 335 088 – QUOTE YH0920 • PLEASE SEND 5
ITEM CODE
PRICE
CORAL CHARM
BRPCC0 -YH0920
£ 5
CORAL CHARM
BRPCC0 -YH0920
£ 8
QTY
TOTAL
P&P (UK ONLY) Postcode
£4.95
Tel
TOTAL DUE Please enter the last 3 digits of your security code (CV2)
I enclose Cheque/PO made payable to Hayloft Plants Ltd or please debit my Mastercard/Visa/Maestro Card no.
Expiry date
Start date
Issue no
CV2
Send the coupon to: Hayloft Plants, FREEPOST RTGR-JAGJ-JETG, Pensham, Pershore WR 0 3HB
Order confirmation will be sent by email along with any future special offers and you may unsubscribe at any time.
HAYLOFT PLANTS, MANOR FARM NURSERY, PENSHAM, PERSHORE, WORCESTERSHIRE WR 0 3HB
0
Calls cost 7p per minute plus your telephone company’s network access charge. We may send Hayloft gardening catalogues in the future, if you prefer not to receive them, please call 0 386 562999. Occasionally the advertised delivery date may change, however, this will be clearly stated on your order confirmation.
YH0
The perfect gifts for Makers, Menders and Growers
www.tinkerandfix.co.uk
Reader homes Peek inside to find inspiration for renovation and redecoration
Show off your hard work in Your Home
78
Have you just finished decorating your home? If so we’d love to see your photos and, who knows, they may even be featured in a future issue. You can share them on Instagram using #YHlovemyhome and #YourHomemagazine, or email yourhome@immediate.co.uk
Find out how Elaine helped to create the family home she always wanted
72
Kirstie transformed a former-rental property to make it wheelchairfriendly and super sty lish
AL
TE PLUS IDEAS TO S
89
83
77
84
See what changes Sharon made to bring the period details of her Victorian house back to life
September 2020
71
REAL HOME
DIY tricks gave us a wheelchair-friendly home with a bespoke look Kirstie McCormick almost gave up on finding a house with enough space for her family, until she stumbled across the perfect project
A
happy accident helped Kirstie and her partner David find their ideal home. Keen to relocate to a property that could be made accessible for their son, Oscar, who has cerebral palsy, the couple put their family home on the market in 2013 and it was snapped up almost immediately. But with such specific requirements, they struggled to find somewhere with enough space to create the home they wanted for Oscar and his younger brother, Teddy. They almost pulled out of the sale altogether.
‘Try not to overthink things too much. Go with what you like, it can always be changed later.’ ‘We really needed somewhere with a spacious garden that we could extend into, but nothing that we’d seen even came close,’ says Kirstie. The couple were so frustrated that they considered calling the search for a new home off and staying in their existing place. But they still had a few of viewings booked in and decided to go along and see them anyway, despite being unsure about the suitability of the properties. ‘We were right; they weren’t a good fit. But as we were driving home from one of them, we noticed a ‘for sale’ sign poking out of a bush a few houses down. The property wasn’t on Rightmove and was being sold by an agent outside of the area so, fortunately for us, it hadn’t been marketed very well.’ The house had all of the space they were looking for and more, so they bought it. Although a great match in many ways, the house wasn’t perfect and needed a lot of work doing to it. The house’s previous owners were a couple who had emigrated to New Zealand, and it had been rented out for a number of years after they left, so the interior was a little 72
yourhomestyle.uk
‘Before we did the extension, we had a galley kitchen that ran down the side of the house,’ Kirstie remembers. ‘Now, situated where the old living room was, it’s much more spacious and is a pleasure to spend time in’
REAL HOME ‘My favourite make in the kitchen has to be my gin shelves,’ says Kirstie. ‘They were easy to build using basic timber and plumbing fittings, and they really lift the space with all of the colourful bottles on display’
COME ON IN…
‘We bought our cabinets and doors from IKEA,’ says Kirstie. ‘We purposely chose timber doors as we planned on painting and personalising them. Originally, we went for grey base units and white ones on the wall, then changed our minds and painted them black. I’m so pleased with the outcome’
Customi paints, hansedlekitchen cabinets with s an create a uniqd utimber scraps to e look.
WE ARE Kirstie McCormick, 39, a full-time carer and stay-at-home mum, my partner David McGill, 41, and our sons Oscar, nine, and Teddy, seven. My elder daughter, Esme, has moved out.
OUR HOME Is a four-bedroom 1930s semi-detached property in Redcar, Cleveland. It was a three-bedroom property when we moved in, but we extended it to add another bedroom and bathroom.
MY TOP TIP IS Don’t worry about how long a job will take, just get on with it. I have delayed so many projects because I felt overwhelmed by them, only to find they were actually really quick. FIRST FLOOR Bedroom
Back living room
Kitchen
Front living room
Hallway
Feature Abbi Henderson Photos Georgia Burns
Good idea !
SECOND FLOOR
Bedroom
Bathroom
Master bedroom Hallway
September 2020
73
REAL HOME
‘We knew it was going to be a really big job.’
unloved. ‘The décor was very dated, and every room needed a makeover,’ Kirstie recalls. ‘But we knew what we were getting ourselves into and were prepared for the challenge. We could see the property’s potential, so we kept our focus on that.’ In October 2013, the family moved in. To make it liveable in the short term they gave it a quick and low-cost makeover, removing old, eyesore wallpaper and white-washing the walls throughout. It wasn’t until summer the following year that the real work started. Prior to having Oscar, Kirstie was an architectural technologist and she also has a degree in interior architecture. Both her experience and qualifications were invaluable when it came to the renovation of her new home, and helped the couple save a small fortune in fees. ‘We tried to do as much of the work as we could ourselves in order to stick to our budget,’ says Kirstie. ‘I designed the extension to create a downstairs bedroom and bathroom for Oscar, and my dad built it.’ The building work took around a year to complete and, once finished, completely altered the flow, not to mention the size, of the ground floor. Now completely open-plan,
74
yourhomestyle.uk
it’s spacious enough for Oscar to navigate comfortably in his wheelchair, which is exactly what Kirstie had hoped for. With the structure and layout sorted, Kirstie and David began to decorate the house room by room, as budget, which was tight, would allow. The kitchen was the first and biggest project. The couple couldn’t afford the bespoke design that Kirstie had her heart set on, so they did their best to recreate it. A friend helped to fit the base units on one side of the room, as they didn’t have the money to pay somebody to fit the entire kitchen and then David – after learning a DIY trick or two from the same friend – completed the installation. Kirstie came up with a few nifty solutions to make the kitchen look more bespoke and less flatpack. ‘I had an idea to use stair newel posts and timber architrave around the cooker to give our Ikea kitchen a more personalised, one-of-a-kind look,’ she says. ‘Unfortunately for David, I snapped the tendon in my finger putting a sofa cover on so, reluctantly, he had to take on the DIY. He did a great job, though and the kitchen has turned out to be my favourite room in the whole house.’
Good idea !
Paint contrastingwhoodwork a contemporaurye for a subtle, update.
The open-plan kitchen, dining and family room is Kirstie’s favourite space in the house. ‘I just feels so light and spacious, and I love looking out onto the garden’
REAL HOME The family room is perfectly styled for entertaining. Being within earshot of the kitchen, guests can comfortably chat to Kirstie while she’s prepping drinks and food, and having sofas that face one another allows for easy conversations
‘I call our lounge a Marmite room, because I think you either love or hate it. I love the boldness of the prints and the dark colours, but I know it’s not for everyone’
‘We did as much of the work as we could ourselves to save money.’
‘When we took the blown vinyl down we saw that the ceiling wasn’t in a very good condition,’ Kirstie remembers. ‘I was reluctant to replace it as that would’ve meant taking the original coving down, so we repaired and papered it with a dark, patterned design instead. Wallpapering the ceiling was a backbreaking job, but I love the end result’
Good idea !
Spruce statement wupallceilings with paper, Kirstie has. just like
September 2020
75
REAL HOME
‘Don’t underestimate your own skills. I’ve tried tiling, decorating and upcycling furniture.’ ‘I put off decorating the hallway for so long,’ Kirstie confesses. ‘But it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. We put up coving, papered the ceiling with a dark, plain design and hung a light paper with a gold sheen on the walls’ ‘Originally, the master bedroom was white and pillar box red with a cream carpet,’ Kirstie recalls. ‘It doesn’t get much sun as it’s northfacing, so instead of forcing it to be light, I leant into its natural darkness and painted the walls black. I sometimes suffer from migraines, so the black walls are perfect for keeping the room cosy and dark. It’s great for hangovers too!’
76
yourhomestyle.uk
‘A few years after painting we had to replace the ceiling,’ says Kirstie. ‘We took the opportunity to add coving at the same time, which I think helps make the room look more ‘finished’. I also love how it borders the walls, whether you have them painted or papered’
REAL HOME
IDEAS TO STEAL Add a tropical touch with a palm lamp, like Kirstie’s. Exotic Leaf Table Lamp, £55, Joe Browns.
Patterned rugs are more forgiving where dust and spills are concerned, so are ideal in a kitchen setting. Antique Style Persian Rug in Old Green, £389, Cuckooland.
Make a style statement with a geometric mirror.
Kirstie opted for wallpaper in the spare bedroom to add texture, as the space was fairly pared-back. Black woodwork gives a contemporary finish
‘I decided, while designing the new bathroom, that I wanted marble, but I didn’t want to pay marble prices,’ says Kirstie. ‘I also wanted something durable that wouldn’t stain, so I opted for a marble-effect tile that gave me the look I was after for much less’
‘Take your time to avoid costly mistakes.’ Bit by bit, Kirstie and David turned their outdated interior into a contemporary and welcoming space for the entire family. A monochrome theme runs throughout the house and is punctuated with metallic flecks and dramatic patterns. ‘I think my style is quite eclectic,’ says Kirstie. ‘I like a lot of different styles and try to blend them all without going too over the top.’ Kirstie finds much of her interior inspiration on Instagram and likes to inspire others by documenting her renovation on her account @dotty.about.design. Despite looking to other interior lovers for ideas, she doesn’t go with the crowd. ‘I don’t tend to follow trends, but if I do, I’m usually late to the party,’ she says. ‘I’m a firm believer in surrounding yourself with things that make you smile, so I never worry what other people think about my home or décor. It’s important for me to decorate in a way that makes me, and my family, happy.’
Large gold wall mirror, £16.99, TK Maxx.
Spruce up your sofa with exotic animal print cushion covers. Tiger cushion, £20, House by John Lewis.
Recreate Kirstie’s glam jungle look with dark and metallic palm print wallpaper. Tropical Palm Tree pattern wallpaper, £15.99 per roll, Cult Furniture.
FOR STOCKISTS SEE PAGE 116
September 2020
77
REAL HOME
We moved in with bare concrete floors and created our quirky home together Elaine Murphy Byrne met husband Shane while he was building the house they now live in. They’ve since transformed it into the family home they always wanted
‘The island quickly became a magnet for people to gather around chatting.’
78
yourhomestyle.uk
REAL HOME
COME ON IN…
WE ARE Elaine Murphy Byrne, 41, an
Shane’s handmade island is constructed from salvaged timber and contrasts well with the cream-painted Shaker kitchen units. Elaine’s basket collection stands out beautifully against the dark teal walls, painted in Under the Wave from Fired Earth. The kitchen is from Designer Kitchens in Dundalk, the bamboo blinds are IKEA, the floor tiles came from Armatile and the bar stools are from Harvey Norman
OUR HOME IS A four-bedroom, self-built house in Co Monaghan, built in 2009.
I LEARNT That you need to go beyond your comfort zone and experiment a little to create an interior that’s really your own style. Staying with ‘safe’ choices won’t do it!
I’M MOST PROUD OF All the things that Shane’s built: the island, the climbing wall, all the light fittings. I’m very proud of my husband!
THE NEXT THING TO DO IS The sitting room. We have a sitting room on the other side of the house, which is filled with junk. We’ll make it into a room for reading, with a wood burning stove, a big, comfy sofa and a special reading chair for Lola.
Study
Utility room
Kitchen
Dining room
Sitting room
GROUND FLOOR
Feature and Photos Barbara Egan Reportage
C
ommercial electrician Shane Byrne decided to build the perfect family home in Co Monaghan, even though he didn’t have a family. Then, just as he was completing the building, he met Elaine, his perfect partner. ‘When I moved in, the house had bare concrete floors,’ Elaine, who has since become Shane’s wife, says. ‘But it was a beautiful home, quite quirky and individual. And it was obvious that there was so much we could do with it.’ Its quirky and individual character is largely down to the unusual layout of the ground floor, an idea Shane got from an image he spotted in a magazine. ‘I liked the idea of the living room being a separate element at right angles to the rest of the building and I thought a vaulted ceiling would be fantastic in the space,’ he says. ‘That was my starting point and then the rest fell into place around it. It made sense to have a big, open-plan living space where everyone could be together in one family area.’ Having the kitchen and dining rooms as part of the same space was important, but he wanted to make a distinction between them without using walls. Shane achieved this by installing a breakfast bar and a change of level (there are steps down from the kitchen to the dining room). ‘We needed columns to support the structure at the change in level and I wanted to use brickwork. Then I looked at the long, featureless kitchen wall and thought I could create a brickwork feature around the stove to break up the wall and give the kitchen a focal point,’ he says. Both partners love food and cooking, although Shane jokes that he doesn’t get much time now. ‘But the range is in use constantly,’ says Elaine. ‘Between family meals and baking, which I love, it frequently has every element and space in it on full blast. It’s the perfect place for family get-togethers
adult education teacher, Shane Byrne, 45, an electrician and maker of bespoke light fittings, and our daughter Lola, three.
Living room
Bedroom 3 Bathroom Bedroom 1 Bedroom 4
FIRST FLOOR Bedroom 2
September 2020
79
REAL HOME and parties. We usually have parties for Halloween and Christmas, using a big, temporary table running through the living room and serving the food from the kitchen island.’ The couple decided to add an island as they found the kitchen worktop area was limited for food preparation, especially for those big family events. Shane, who loves working with wood, sourced some timber that had been salvaged from an old brewery and made a simple, sturdy island. ‘We found it quickly became a magnet for people to stand or sit around chatting,’ says Elaine. ‘It’s the focal point of the kitchen now, where before there was just a large space.’ Looking for a dining table, the couple spotted one with an unusual high-level woodblock top that seemed like a good match. ‘We went to buy a table and saw this one, which we really liked, but it was 3,000 (just over £2,700), so we kept walking,’ says Elaine. But then they discovered it was part of an eight-seater dining set that had two chairs missing and that the shop was willing to let it go at half price. ‘That was perfect for us, as we could put the table against the wall of the breakfast bar and the six chairs worked perfectly,’ says Elaine.
The natural textures of woven baskets, bamboo, timber and terracotta sing out against the deep teal of the kitchen walls
The breakfast bar overlooks the dining and living rooms, and serves as a divider to break up the open-plan space between them and the kitchen. Above it hangs one of the distinctive light fittings Shane has designed and built using plumbing parts
80
yourhomestyle.uk
REAL HOME The idea for the double-height living room at right angles to the house came from a picture Shane found in a magazine. He cut the picture out and kept it until he began building this house The couple wanted to connect the dining and kitchen areas, and put the dining table behind the breakfast bar. Shane made the industrial-look light fittings from plumbing supplies and salvaged timber. The dining table and chairs came from The 1933 Furniture Company in Navan
Good idea!
An indoor climbing wall will keedayp s. energetic kids occupied on rainyps he Shane made this one with gri bought online.
One of the most striking features of the interior are the light fittings, which Shane makes himself, often using old pallets, copper and gun barrel plumbing piping to create quirky, unique pieces. You can see his designs on Facebook at Tinkered Things. ‘I love making them, working out a new design and creating something from scratch,’ he says. Many of the larger pieces are industrial style, made from salvaged materials and filament bulbs. The smaller table lamps are more delicate pieces, made in the shape of hotair balloons or rockets, and Elaine is really proud of her husband’s design flair. ‘It’s part of what makes our family home so personal to us,’ she explains. A couple of years ago Shane also made a climbing wall for their now three-year-old daughter Lola – an idea that originated from Elaine. ‘Lola loves being outside, running about and climbing things,’ she says. ‘I was trying to find something to keep her happy and active on a rainy day. I saw something like it online, so I asked Shane if he thought he could make one.’ Shane found the climbing grips on Amazon and Lola loves to use it, although there’s usually a special safety mat underneath. Last year saw the home get completely repainted, starting with the kitchen units – originally pale green, they’re now cream. Elaine then decided to paint the walls in the
September 2020
81
REAL HOME
‘The quirky light fittings Shane makes are part of what makes our home so personal.’
In the master bedroom, Shane made the bedside lamps and framed musical score around the bed. The mirror and the mirrored lockers are from Next, the walls are painted in Taupe from Colourtrend and the couple had the headboard made. The red cushions are from Avoca Metallic and mirrored surfaces give the master bedroom’s simple colour scheme an extra dimension while the red cushions and lamp flex provide coordinated pops of colour
82
yourhomestyle.uk
open-plan living and dining area in a deep blue-green to contrast. The colour change in the kitchen helps to showcase her collection of basketry on top of the units. ‘I do like to collect baskets; they remind me of the old-fashioned shopping baskets grannies used to carry. There’s something comforting about them’, she says. ‘I wanted to move on from the light colour we had on the walls and liked the richness of the deep green. I also felt it brought in the colour from the lush countryside outside. The space is big and bright enough to take dark colour and I love the result.’ ‘It’s our family home and it works for us,’ says Elaine. ‘It changes as we go on. Our next project is to finish off the sitting room and I’d also like to redo the bathroom. It was done quickly on a tight budget and is really just a compromise. I’d like to design something much more interesting!’
REAL HOME The basic bathroom is slated for refurbishment, but Elaine has cheered it up with mirrors and faux trailing plants from IKEA and an art print from TK Maxx. The faux cheese plant leaves are also from IKEA and the tiles are from Armatile
IDEAS TO STEAL This light fitting has a similar look to the ones Shane makes. Quinn Pipe Bar 5 Bulb Diner Pendant Light, £80, Matalan.
Soften the look in any high-traffic room with a Persian rug. Dutchbone Bid Antique Style Persian Rug in Old Red, £279, Cuckooland.
Good idulteraa-l!ow-
Introduce somlie age into your maintenancewfoith faux plants bathroom al cacti. and re
Elaine has gone for a comfortable, country look in the guest bedroom. The bed and bedside tables are from Harvey Norman, the bedside lamps came from Dunnes Stores. The picture over the bed is from IKEA and the duvet set was a gift
Wicker and rattan baskets stand out beautifully against dark walls. Black chevron woven basket, £14.99, M&Co
Faux plants are maintenance free and always look good. Trailing House Faux Plant, £8, Argos Home
Nothing says country kitchen better than a classic cast-iron casserole dish. Cast-iron casserole dish, £35, Sainsbury’s Home
FOR STOCKISTS SEE PAGE 116
September 2020
83
REAL HOME
This house was a fresh start for our family Sharon and David Hyatt-Mailes swapped the upheaval of big renovation projects for a Victorian home they could enjoy making their own
84
yourhomestyle.uk
REAL HOME
COME ON IN…
‘It was always my dream to have a Smeg fridge in a cool colour in my kitchen! It’s the first thing everyone notices in our open plan space,’ she says. The metal ironwork bar stools are an Amazon find and the hanging pan rack came from eBay. ‘We sanded back the worktop to revive the wooden surface and we make sure we oil it frequently to keep it in top condition’
WE ARE Sharon Hyatt-Mailes, 51, illustrator at thehouseportrait.co.uk and Instagrammer (@overatno_43), my husband David, 53, a taxi driver, and our children India, 23, and Zak, 19, and our dogs, Coco and Honey.
OUR HOME IS A four-bedroomed semidetached Victorian villa dating back to 1892.
MY TOP TIP You can find lots of bargain pieces of furniture in junk yards that are ideal for upcycling.
A
fter completing a huge renovation project on their previous home, Sharon and David Hyatt-Mailes wanted to move into a house that needed very little building work to give their family a much-needed break. ‘We virtually demolished, rebuilt and extended our last house. We lived in a caravan on-site for six months, which took a toll on our family life,’ says Sharon. ‘Over the past 20 years we’ve renovated five properties and they were big projects. This time around, we decided we’d buy a more manageable place.’ The location of their new home was important to the family, says Sharon. ‘We lived a semi-rural life before this and we wanted to move closer to a town. We wanted to be able to walk to the shops, live nearer to family and have a better quality of life with more to do.’ With all of this in mind, the couple started house hunting in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire. ‘We loved the old town. It’s very quaint with cobbled streets, lots of period properties and local food markets. I wanted to move closer to my sister too, who lives up the road.’
I’M MOST PROUD OF All the DIY work we did in our living room. We installed the dado and picture rails, added the panelling under the window and put down new flooring. Lots of very hard work went into this room. Garden room
GROUND FLOOR Lounge area
Kitchen diner
Feature and styling Maxine Brady Photos Chris Snook
The little pantry provides much-needed storage space in the kitchen. ‘It used to have everything just thrown in there, until we put in the little cupboards, re-did the shelving and changed the light fitting,’ Sharon says. ‘The wooden worktop was covered by ugly vinyl plastic, which we peeled off.’ The little curtain hides the washing machine
Hall
Living room
FIRST FLOOR ATTIC ROOM Bedroom
Bedroom
Bedroom Bedroom
Bathroom
September 2020
85
REAL HOME
Good idea! k
Fake a home library with boo a wallpaper. You could even prop up ladder to complete the look!
Taking pride of place in the living room is the unusual marble fire surround. ‘The fire basket was from our old home,’ explains Sharon. ‘It was in our garden for about eight years just sitting there waiting for the moment when we could use it again’ To start with Sharon only painted the alcoves in Gramophone matt emulsion by Crown, but as she has grown in confidence, she decided to paint the rest of walls for a warm look. Above the DFS sofa hangs an architectural drawing of an Italian building. The metal wire side tables were a bargain buy from Aldi. The Union Jack chair was an eBay find. ‘I picked up the chest of drawers as part of a collection of furniture for just £120,’ Sharon says. At the windows, shutters from California Shutters filter in the daylight
86
yourhomestyle.uk
REAL HOME The dining table is one of Sharon’s many upcycling projects, which she painted in black Rust-Oleum paint. She then turned her attention to the chairs. ‘I used leftover paint from my front door for some of the dining chairs because I wanted to bring more of the lilac colour into my home.’ Above the fireplace hangs an oversized clock from Dunelm
Start your own collection of hanging hearts to give your walls some country styling
It was their dream to buy a Victorian house. ‘We’ve always loved the character of older properties,’ she says. ‘This house, in particular, felt very welcoming and the proportions of the rooms were ideal. But sadly, it was above our price bracket.’ Instead of over stretching themselves, the couple waited for the price to slowly drop before making an offer. Within months they had sold up and moved in. The fact that this house needed very little building work was appealing to Sharon and David. There was a small issue with a leaking skylight, which needed professional help to repair, but otherwise the house was structurally sound. ‘David and I have always done most of the renovation work on our previous homes ourselves,’ explains Sharon. ‘Over the years we’ve taken various courses including carpentry, joinery and interior design, which have saved us a fortune on
tradespeople. We could tell straight away that this house only needed cosmetic changes to breathe life back into it.’ Over the past three years, Sharon and David have decorated every room. Some of the rooms needed a quick refresh, while others needed a little more attention. ‘We tackled the kitchen as soon as we moved in, adding extra units for storage space and we put a coat of paint on the walls,’ she explains. They also painted the central island and the range surround black. ‘We had to shave down the mantle to be able to squeeze in the range cooker.’ At the other side of the room where the dining table sits, the couple installed a log burner. ‘We found one for next-tonothing in a reclamation yard, which we stripped back and restored.’ The couple carefully put back all of the period details in the house. ‘We salvaged an
Why not copy Sharon’s idea and paint your wooden front door in a fresh colour? She used Dusty Lilac eggshell by Valspar. On the wall hangs an old map of Hertfordshire by Mapiful. To finish off her hallway, Sharon has installed period-style switches that she sourced from eBay. The umbrella stand is a marketplace find
September 2020
87
REAL HOME Behind the dressing table, Sharon has put up a metallic pineapple wallpaper from B&Q. ‘We all store our clothes in here and it’s a lovely space to get ready in,’ she says. The black chair was a birthday gift from David to Sharon. Above the upcycled dressing table hangs an industrial light fitting found on eBay
Good idea!
By using the same wallpaper in ron Sha the wardrobe doors as on the walls, ure nit fur of e piec the ted nec has con with rest of the room.
Sharon’s daughter, India choose the décor of the attic bedroom picking out a monochrome striped wallpaper from Wilko for the walls and matching cushions from IKEA. ‘The wooden storage box has been with us from house to house,’ says Sharon. ‘Originally, it was dark wood, but I painted it white to match India’s room design’
88
yourhomestyle.uk
‘We salvaged an ironwork fireplace for our master bedroom. Behind the surround, we cheated a brick effect with wallpaper’
REAL HOME
This shower screen was originally chrome, but Sharon painted it with black paint by Frenchic and then used flexible black car vinyl spray on the hinges. She added lead strips to create the effect of a Crittall window
IDEAS TO STEAL
The bathroom is the latest DIY project that Sharon and David have tackled. The bath was painted black and the walls in Deep Blue Sea bathroom paint by B&Q. Shutters were installed at the windows and, above the bath, they put up a rustic wooden mirror to reflect light around the room
Make a statement in your kitchen with attention-grabbing appliances. Smeg baby blue fridge, £899, AO.com
Paint a feature wall with this subtle yet warming colour. Lilac Spring 5 egg shell, £29.16 for 2.5 litres, Dulux
Create the impression of movement with alternating geometric patterns. Alter wallpaper, £30, Limelace
Add an extra dimension to art displays by mixing in ceramic collectibles. Ceramic heart, from £4, Daisy Park
Simple, understated and chic – a metal-framed bed matches almost any look. New York metal double bed, £199, Cuckooland
ironwork fireplace for our master bedroom. Behind the surround, we cheated a brick effect with wallpaper,’ she says. Wooden flooring was put down throughout to cover the draughty floorboards. The area that needed the most attention was the hallway. They steamed off the anaglypta wallpaper and stripped the painted woodwork. ‘The walls were crumbling in places,’ says Sharon. ‘We had to fit a dado rail that curves up three flights of stairs. It took forever to get that perfect. To finish, I painted the front door in a pretty lavender shade.’ When it came to decorating, Sharon has been playful with her design choices. ‘We put
up a faux-book wallpaper in the garden room as we wanted to have a little bit of fun. The same goes for the Union Jack chairs and our artwork. I find lots of my furniture bargains on eBay – it’s an affordable way to add personality to my home.’ Now that their house is finished, Sharon and David are considering downsizing. ‘We want to stay in the Hemel Hempstead area, but we also want to buy a second home by the seaside. Then we’ll have the best of both worlds – coastal living and the bustle of town life,’ Sharon says. ‘It’s going to be a tough decision and it’s going to be hard to say goodbye to his house.’
Turn decanted food into display items. Elements glass storage jars, from £7, Dunelm
FOR STOCKISTS SEE PAGE 116
September 2020
89
ORDER REFERENCE: YHP259
Complete the order form and send it to: FREEPOST IMMEDIATE MEDIA Your Home magazine subscription order form: Yes! I would like to subscribe to Your Home magazine Payment options: UK Direct Debit – £25.99 every 13 issues, saving 20% + Joules cake tins and free delivery Your details Name .................................................................................................................. Telephone ........................................................................................................... Address............................................................................................................... .........................................................................Postcode .................................... Email ................................................................................................................... Please send Your Home magazine as a gift to the person below Name .............................................................................................................. Telephone ....................................................................................................... Address........................................................................................................... ......................................................................... Postcode ......................... ....
BRILLIANT REASONS
TO SUBSCRIBE SAVE 20% ON THE SHOP PRICE paying only £25.99 every 13 issues by Direct Debit* Receive a gorgeous SET OF 3 JOULES CAKE TINS – WORTH £20! NEVER MISS AN ISSUE of your favourite magazine filled with the best home inspiration
Instruction to your Bank or Building Society to pay by Direct Debit Please fill in the form and send to: FREEPOST IMMEDIATE MEDIA Name and full postal address of your Bank or Building Society
Originators Identification Number
7 1 0 6 4 4 To: The Manager
Bank/Building Society
Address
Postcode Name(s) of Account Holder(s)
Branch Sort Code
Bank/Building Society Account Number
Reference Number (for office use only)
Instruction to your Bank or Building Society: Please pay Immediate Media Co Ltd Debits from the account detailed in this instruction subject to the safeguards assured by the Direct Debit Guarantee. I understand that this instruction may remain with Immediate Media Co Ltd and, if so, details will be passed electronically to my Bank / Building Society. Signature(s)
OFFER ENDS 15th September 2020
Date
Banks and Building Societies may not accept Direct Debit Instructions for some types of account
OTHER PAYMENTS For a year’s subscription (13 issues) Europe – £39 for 13 issues ROW – £47 for 13 issues US / Canada – £38.35 for 13 issues I enclose a cheque made payable to IMMEDIATE MEDIA CO LTD for £.... I enclose a cheque/postal order for £ .......................................................... made payable to IMMEDIATE MEDIA CO LTD. Please charge my Visa/Mastercard/Switch/Amex £ ...................................... Name on card................................................................................................. Card no .......................................................................................................... Start date (Switch only) ........................... Issue no.(Switch only)..................... Expiry date ...................................................................................................... Security code (last 3 digits on reverse)............................................................. Signature ........................................................................................................ DATA PROTECTION Keep in touch: Your Home (published by Immediate Media Company Limited) would like to send you updates, special offers and promotions by email. You can unsubscribe at any time. Please tick here if you would like to receive these . We would also like to keep in touch by post and telephone about other relevant offers and promotions from Immediate Media. If you do not wish to be contacted this way please tick here post phone . For more information about how to change the way we contact you and how we hold your personal information, please see our privacy policy, which can be viewed online at immediate.co.uk/privacy-policy
90
yourhomestyle.uk
*Joules cake tins offer is only available to UK residents paying by Direct Debit. Stock is subject to availability and Your Home reserves the right to substitute the cake tins for another item of similar value. The cake tins will be sent separately within 28 days of payment. Your subscription will start with the next available issue. †UK calls will cost the same as other standard fixed-line numbers
(starting 01 or 02) and are included as part of any inclusive or free minutes allowances (if offered by your phone tariff). Outside of free call packages call charges from mobile phones will cost between 3p and 55p per minute. Lines are open Mon to Fri 8am-6pm and Sat 9am-1pm.
Your essential interiors magazine packed with inspirational ways to improve your home
LY E N N O O H R! T N FE O F M O
SAVE 20%
+ RECEIVE YOUR JOULES CAKE TINS
WHEN YOU SUBSCRIBE TODAY
Simple ways to order
X Lines are open Mon to Fri 8am-6pm and Sat 9am-1pm
Order online at www.buysubscriptions.com/YHP259 Quote: YHP259 Complete the form opposite and send it to: FREEPOST IMMEDIATE MEDIA (no stamp or any other address details required) Call our subscription team on 03301 358962†and quote: YHP259 For subscription enquiries, email our subscription team at buysubscriptions.com/contactus
September 2020
91
Experts in the finest Chesterfield Sofas, lovingly hand crafted in our workshop.
Visit www.TimelessChesterfields.com or Call 0800 470 0164
Food & drink Our favourite foodie finds this month and turn over for seasonal recipes
3 ways with… Aubergines 4 To make an aubergine parmigiana the easy way, preheat the oven to 200°C. Grill three sliced aubergines on both sides until lightly charred. In an ovenproof dish, layer up a 350g jar of tomato and basil sauce with the aubergine and a 125g ball of torn mozzarella. Top with some sauce, a sprinkling of Parmesan and 50g of breadcrumbs, then bake in the oven for 30 minutes until golden. 4 For a delectable dinner party dip, roast two halved aubergines at 200°C for about 35 minutes until tender throughout. Leave to cool then scoop out the flesh into a bowl. Add two crushed cloves of garlic, the juice of half a lemon, 2 tbsp tahini, 3 tbsp olive oil, ½ tsp cumin and mix together until well combined. Season to taste and serve with a sprinkling of parsley on top. 4 For sticky miso aubergines, preheat the oven to 180°C then score the flesh of two halved aubergines in a criss-cross pattern. Mix 50g brown miso with 2 tsp sesame oil, ½ tsp grated fresh ginger, 1 tsp honey and a splash of water to form a paste. Spread the paste evenly over the aubergines, then loosely wrap in foil and place in the oven on a baking tray. Roast for around 35 minutes until tender. Scatter over some freshly chopped coriander leaves and serve with couscous.
If you do one thing this month… Wind down for the evening with a fruity, herbal tisane from Newby Teas. Naturally caffeine-free, these fragrant infusions are loaded with sweet berries, roots and spices. The calming properties of tisane help to alleviate stress, so why not swap your regular caffeinated cuppa for Start the day the healthy way with one of these KIND’s new breakfast bar range. These soothing blends? on-the-go soft bakes boast wholesome The Rooibos ingredients, high fibre and are even certified gluten-free. There are three Orange is our delicious flavours to choose from: pick for a chilly blueberry almond, peanut butter and autumnal night. honey oat. Priced at £1.29 for a single Choose from tea and £2.99 for a pack of three, you bags or loose leaf. can find them in all good Prices from £4.50, supermarkets. newbyteas.co.uk.
Try me…
Eat me…
Buy me…
Add a dash of Latin-American flavour to your soft drinks with Caleño Juniper & Inca Berry Free Spirit. A tropical taste with spicy botanical undertones, Caleño will transport you to the lively, colourful streets of Colombia. It costs £24.99 for 70cl and is available from Sainsbury’s and caleno drinks.com.
For tasty popcorn with a twist, try Tyrrells revamped range of flavours. The sweet variety is made using a touch of Madagascan vanilla while the ever-popular sweet & salty combines sea salt and caramel for an irresistible snack. Pick up a bag for £1.90 in Sainsbury’s.
Make the most of the vegan alternative to cow’s milk with The Oat Milk Cookbook by Kim Lutz (Sterling, £16.99). Packed with recipes such as butternut squash soup, peach blueberry cobbler and chocolate hazelnut butter, it’ll turn you into an oat milk convert in no time.
September 2020
93
Feature Ella Rhys-Jones
this month we love…
FOOD & DRINK
MOROCCAN FEAST Aromatic North African dishes that pack a flavoursome punch
PREP TIME 5 minutes COOKING TIME 40 minutes SERVES 4
Moroccan lamb meatball and basmati bake YOU WILL NEED 300g basmati rice 400g can chopped tomatoes 500ml hot chicken stock 1 tsp rose harissa paste 1 cinnamon stick, broken in half 1 pack 24 lamb meatballs 25g fresh flat-leaf parsley, coarsely chopped
DIRECTIONS Q Preheat the oven to 200°C/Gas Mark 6. Place the basmati rice in a casserole dish. Q Stir together the tomatoes, chicken stock and harissa paste. Pour them over the rice, add the cinnamon stick halves and mix well. Q Sit the meatballs on top then cover and bake in the oven for 20 minutes. Remove the lid, stir and cook for a further 15-20 minutes, uncovered, until the rice is tender, the liquid has been absorbed and the meatballs are cooked through and nicely browned. Scatter the parsley over the top and serve. Recipe and image courtesy of Waitrose, waitrose.com/recipes
FOOD & DRINK
Rainbow chard and chickpea Moroccan style stew YOU WILL NEED 1 onion 2 garlic cloves 240ml water 2 tsp vegetable stock powder 500g tomato passata 100g feta cheese 150g dried apricots 400g tin chickpeas 120g couscous 1 tsp rose harissa paste 25g fresh flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped 200g rainbow chard
PREP TIME 20 minutes COOKING TIME 15 minutes SERVES 2
DIRECTIONS Q Fill and boil the kettle. Halve, peel and thinly slice the onion. Roughly chop the apricots. Peel and grate the garlic, then drain and rinse the chickpeas in a colander. Q Pour 240ml boiled water into a saucepan and bring it to the boil. Then remove it from the heat, stir in the couscous and half of the veg stock powder. Pop a lid on the pan and leave to stand for 8-10 minutes or until ready to serve. Q Heat a drizzle of oil in a large frying pan on medium high heat. Once hot, add the onion and cook until it’s softened, stirring occasionally. Stir in the garlic, harissa paste and dried apricots and cook for 1 minute. Q Stir in the passata,100ml water and remaining stock powder, then season. Add the chickpeas and simmer for 2-3 minutes until the sauce has thickened. Add the rainbow chard in handfuls and stir it in. Cover with a lid and cook for 3-4 minutes until the chard is tender. Q While the stew cooks, break up the feta into small chunks and fluff up the couscous with a fork. Stir through a drizzle of oil and half the chopped parsley. Serve the couscous in bowls, spoon the stew on top and finish with the feta and remaining parsley. Recipe and image courtesy of Hello Fresh, hellofresh.co.uk
Tomato, onion, pepper and pomegranate salad YOU WILL NEED 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 1 tbsp Dijon mustard ½ lemon, juiced 500g mixed tomatoes, halved or quartered if large 1 red onion, thinly sliced 190g sweet mini peppers, sliced 200g reducedfat salad cheese, crumbled 80g pomegranate seeds 15g fresh basil, leaves picked
DIRECTIONS Q To make the dressing, put the oil, mustard and lemon juice in a bowl and whisk until smooth. Q Put the tomatoes, onion, peppers, salad cheese and half the dressing in a large bowl and gently toss to combine. Q Transfer to a large serving dish and top with the pomegranate seeds and basil leaves. Season with pepper and serve with the remaining dressing to drizzle over.
Feature Ella Rhys-Jones
PREP TIME 15 minutes SERVES 4
Recipe and image courtesy of Tesco, tesco.com/recipes
September 2020
95
FOOD & DRINK
Moroccan-style tray-baked chicken
PREP TIME 15 minutes COOKING TIME 45 minutes SERVES 4
YOU WILL NEED 1 large onion, sliced 2 garlic cloves, sliced ½ lemon, thinly sliced 400g can chickpeas, drained and rinsed 350g carrots, quartered lengthways 1 tbsp olive oil 1 tbsp ras el hanout 8 chicken thighs Handful of flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped Handful coriander leaves, roughly chopped 4 tbsp natural yogurt
DIRECTIONS Q Preheat the oven to 200°C/Gas Mark 6. Place the onion, garlic, lemon, chickpeas and carrots over the base of a large roasting tin. Sprinkle with the oil and scatter with ½ the ras el hanout. Season and toss together to coat. Arrange the chicken thighs on top of the vegetables. Season the skin and sprinkle with the remaining ½ tbsp ras el hanout. Q Roast for 25 minutes, then lift the chicken from the pan and toss all the vegetables. Return the chicken, baste with the juices and roast for another 15-20 minutes until golden. Ensure the juices run clear and there is no pink meat. Q Scatter the chicken and carrots with the herbs and serve with the yogurt and sides. Recipe and image courtesy of Waitrose, waitrose.com/recipes
PREP TIME 20 minutes COOKING TIME 8 minutes SERVES 2
Chermoula-spiced halloumi YOU WILL NEED 250g vine tomatoes 2 pack little gem lettuce 1 lime 2 spring onions 225g block of halloumi 2 tsp chermoula spice 2 tbsp olive oil 1 tsp honey 2 naan breads
DIRECTIONS Q Preheat the oven to 180°C/Gas Mark 4. Chop the tomatoes into 2cm chunks. Trim the root from the little gem lettuce then halve it lengthways and slice thinly widthways. Zest, then halve the lime. Trim the spring onion then slice thinly. Q Cut the halloumi block widthways into 1cm thick slices. Place on a plate and drizzle with oil. Sprinkle on the chermoula spice and use your hands to coat the cheese in the spice. Q Squeeze the lime juice into a large bowl and stir in a pinch of lime zest and the olive oil. Season with salt and pepper, mix well and add more lime zest to taste. Q Heat a frying pan over medium high heat. Add the halloumi slices and cook until browned. Turn carefully and repeat on the other side. When browned on both sides, remove from the heat and drizzle on the honey. Turn the halloumi to coat in the honey. Q Warm the naans in the oven for 3-4 minutes. Meanwhile, add the lettuce, tomatoes and spring onions to the bowl with the dressing. Toss to coat. Place a naan on each plate and drizzle with olive oil. Top with the salad and then the halloumi slices. Drizzle on any dressing or honey that’s left behind and serve. Recipe and image courtesy of Hello Fresh, hellofresh.co.uk 96
yourhomestyle.uk
FOOD & DRINK
Oranges and pomegranate in sherry and cinnamon syrup YOU WILL NEED 4 large seedless oranges 80g pomegranate seeds 10g fresh mint 200g low-fat Greek yogurt For the syrup 75g caster sugar 75ml sweet sherry, such as Oloroso 1 cinnamon stick ½ tsp vanilla paste
DIRECTIONS Q Make the syrup in a small pan by heating the sugar, sherry, cinnamon and vanilla until it’s boiling. Turn down to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes, or until it’s syrupy, then remove from the heat. Leave to cool completely. Q Cut the skin and white pith off the oranges, then slice into discs 1cm thick. Arrange on a platter and top with the pomegranate seeds. Just before serving, pour over most of the syrup and garnish with the mint leaves. Drizzle the remaining syrup over the yogurt and serve alongside in a bowl. Recipe and image courtesy of Tesco, tesco.com/recipes
PREP TIME 10 minutes COOKING TIME 35 minutes SERVES 8
PREP TIME 5 minutes COOKING TIME 10 minutes SERVES 6
Rosewater rice pudding with pomegranate and pistachio YOU WILL NEED 170g pudding rice 1.5l whole milk 100g caster sugar 75g pistachios ½-1 tsp rosewater 10 cardamom pods, seeds removed and crushed 1 pomegranate, seeded and juice reserved
DIRECTIONS Q Put the rice and milk in a large pan set over a gentle heat. Cook, stirring frequently, until the rice has absorbed a little of the milk. Add the sugar, then cook for a further 25-30 minutes until it’s tender and creamy. Q Meanwhile, lightly toast the pistachios in a dry frying pan or in the oven. Remove and leave them to cool a little, before chopping. Q Add the rosewater to the rice mixture a drop at a time to taste, then stir in the cardamom pods. To serve, divide the rice pudding between 8 bowls, then top each with some pomegranate seeds, pistachios and a drizzle of the reserved pomegranate juice. Recipe and image courtesy of Tesco, tesco.com/recipes
September 2020
97
MAKE-AHEAD MEALS
B eaded chicken cutlets
Photo Getty Images
Take the hassle out of dinnertime – prepare a batch of family-friendly cutlets and freeze the leftovers to make speedy midweek suppers
98
yourhomestyle.uk
FOOD & DRINK YOUR BASE RECIPE
B eaded chicken cutlets
PREP 40 minutes COOK 10 minutes SERVES 4
YOU WILL NEED 8 chicken breasts cut into cutlets 4 garlic cloves, chopped 1 tsp paprika 200g all-purpose flour 4 eggs, whisked 250g panko breadcrumbs 50g breadcrumbs Vegetable oil Salt Pepper Lemon slices, to serve (optional) Parsley, to serve (optional) 1 To make the cutlets, slice the chicken breasts in half lengthways. Pound the chicken cutlets using a small mallet or rolling pin to tenderise. Place them into a medium-sized bowl and add garlic, paprika and a couple of generous pinches of salt and pepper. Rub the seasoning onto the cutlets and marinate for at least 20 minutes, or in the fridge overnight. 2 Prepare the breading station by placing the flour in a large bowl and the whisked eggs in another. Put the panko and other breadcrumbs together in a third large bowl. 3 Dip each cutlet into the flour and shake off the excess. Place each one into the egg wash, before putting them into the breadcrumbs – ensure each cutlet is thoroughly coated. Repeat the process until all of the cutlets are covered in the breadcrumbs. 4 Add enough oil to fill a large frying pan about a third of the way up. Heat the oil on a medium-high temperature for a few minutes and check to see if it’s hot enough by dropping in a small piece of the breadcrumb mixture to see if it fries and floats. 5 Once the oil is hot, add the breaded cutlets into the oil in batches. Fry them for about 3-4 minutes on each side or until golden brown, then remove them and place onto a wire rack to drain. 6 The chicken can be served hot – garnish with lemon and parsley or your choice of sides and sauces. Or, try our three recipe ideas…
Save f or
For other delicious recipes, visit thecozyapron.com
er lat Freeze the
breaded chicken by allowing it to cool to room temperature (between 30-60 minutes), then wrap each piece individually in foil, or place them in shallow airtight containers or reusable freezer bags so they can be stored. Allow each cutlet to defrost thoroughly before use.
RECIPE ONE
Katsu curry PREP 20 minutes COOK 20 minutes SERVES 4
YOU WILL NEED Breaded chicken cutlets, defrosted Rice, steamed 150g cooked edamame beans 3 spring onions, sliced For the sauce 2 tbsp vegetable oil 1 onion, thinly sliced 5cm ginger, finely grated 2 garlic cloves, crushed 1 tbsp curry powder 2 tbsp plain flour 600ml warm chicken stock 60ml soy sauce 2 tsp honey 2 tsp rice vinegar
medium heat. Add the onion, garlic and ginger then sauté for 3-4 minutes. Add the curry powder and stir until fragrant. Mix in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes. Whisk in stock, soy sauce and honey, then simmer and whisk occasionally, for 10 minutes. Stir in the rice vinegar and garam masala. 2 To warm the chicken cutlet, preheat the oven to 220°C/Gas Mark 7. Put it on a baking tray and place in the oven until cooked through and golden, around 5-10 minutes. 3 Slice the chicken and serve with rice, katsu sauce, edamame beans and spring onions.
1 tsp garam masala 1 For the katsu sauce, heat the oil over a
Recipe and image courtesy of Tesco, realfood.tesco.com
September 2020
99
FOOD & DRINK
esh r f it If you haven’t
Ma ke
pre-cooked the cutlets, then try this slightly different mix to make them even better… Marinate 4 skinless chicken cutlets in 1 tbsp of olive oil, 4 chopped garlic cloves, a pinch of salt and pepper, a squeeze of lemon juice and some Italian seasoning. Press the cutlets into 100g flour, then 2 whisked eggs and a mix of 125g panko breadcrumbs and 50g Parmesan. Fry as instructed in the base recipe (p99).
RECIPE TWO
Chicken Parmesan PREP 20 minutes COOK 25 minutes SERVES 4
YOU WILL NEED Breaded chicken cutlets, defrosted 25g Parmesan, grated 25g mozzarella, grated Spaghetti Fresh basil and parsley to garnish For the marinara sauce 2 tbsp olive oil 6 garlic cloves, crushed 1 tsp Italian seasoning ½ tsp dried oregano 2 tbsp tomato paste 2 tbsp red wine 1 tin tomatoes, crushed 1 tin diced tomatoes, drained Salt Pepper
100
yourhomestyle.uk
1 For the marinara sauce, place a pan or small pot over a medium heat, then drizzle 2 tablespoons of olive oil into the pan. Add the garlic and stir. Once the garlic becomes aromatic (after about 30 seconds), add the Italian seasoning and the dried oregano, then stir. 2 Add the tomato paste and stir to incorporate, then mix in the red wine, followed by the tomatoes. Add a teaspoon of salt and a couple of pinches of pepper. Bring the sauce to a vigorous simmer, then reduce the heat and allow it to simmer gently, uncovered, for 10 minutes. Cook the spaghetti according to the packet instructions.
3 Preheat the grill on a high setting. Place the fully defrosted chicken cutlets on foil or a parchment-lined baking tray, then top with several generous spoons of the marinara sauce. Sprinkle the Parmesan and grated mozzarella on top. 4 Place the chicken under the grill for a few minutes until each cutlet is cooked and piping hot throughout, and the cheese is melted and golden. Finish the dish with a garnish of fresh basil and parsley, then serve with spaghetti and any remaining marinara sauce. Recipe and image courtesy of The Cozy Apron, thecozyapron.com
FOOD & DRINK RECIPE THREE
Honey mustard chicken salad PREP 25 minutes COOK 15 minutes SERVES 4
YOU WILL NEED Breaded chicken cutlets, defrosted 3 hearts Romaine lettuce, chopped 225g cherry tomatoes, halved or quartered 70g toasted almonds, sliced 15g coriander leaves, chopped For the dressing 115g mayonnaise 60g sour cream 60ml cider vinegar 3 tbsp honey 2 tbsp Dijon mustard 1 garlic clove, crushed 1 heaped tsp dried tarragon leaves ¾ tsp salt ¼ tsp pepper 60ml olive oil
Mak e it
1 Add all of the dressing ingredients, except the oil, into a food processor. Blend until smooth then, with the processor running slowly, drizzle in the olive oil until emulsified. 2 Put the chicken cutlet on a baking tray and place in an oven, preheated to 220°C/ Gas Mark 7, for 5-10 minutes or If you haven’t until it’s cooked thoroughly. To pre-cooked the cutlets, assemble the salad, add the follow these steps to add extra Romaine lettuce, cherry flavour… Slice 450g chicken breasts tomatoes, almonds and in half lengthways and place into a bowl. coriander to a large Season and coat in honey mustard dressing. bowl. Drizzle over the Marinate for 15 minutes to 2 hours. Combine dressing and toss so the 120g panko breadcrumbs and 50g Parmesan salad is evenly coated. in a bowl. Coat the marinated chicken in Slice the chicken cutlet flour then dip into 2 whisked eggs. Put the and add it to the salad. pieces in the breadcrumb and Parmesan mixture, then fry according to Recipe and image the instructions in the courtesy of The Cozy Apron, base recipe (p99). thecozyapron.com
sh e r f
Parmesan-crusted chicken, balsamic potatoes and garlic-roasted tomatoes from Hello Fresh, hellofresh.co.uk
Chicken nugget pittas from Tesco, realfood.tesco.com
Feature Sophie Demetriades
WITH THESE BREADED CHICKEN CUTLETS, YOU CAN ALSO TRY…
Kimchi mayo chicken burgers from Waitrose, waitrose.com
September 2020
101
Next month in…
IDEAS L EA h TO inSsT e id st ylis
YH
LOV ES
Step es full re a d e r ho m on of inspirati ic a nd ad v e
Quick-and-easy craft projects to fall for this autumn
Decorate every room of your home with the latest looks
Cosy up with seasonal recipes that everyone will love
On sale 15th September 2020 To subscribe, call 03301 358962 or visit BUYSUBSCRIPTIONS.COM 102
yourhomestyle.uk
/YHP259
Home
Turn over to discover everything you need to know about downsizing
IMPROVEMENT All you can heat The days may be getting shorter and cooler, but there’s no need to call time on our barbecue suppers yet. Morsø’s cast-iron outdoor heating collection will keep al fresco diners content into the autumn. The Kamino outdoor fireplace, £999, is a sophisticated and sensible addition for a patio or terrace – combine it with the Tuscan Grill, £89, and the Kamino converts into a barbecue to cook up delicious dishes. For a more budget-friendly option, try the Ignis Firepit, £199, a heater and grill that’ll warm up smaller spaces.
A new lease of life There are many ways to upcycle worn out furniture and a lick of paint is a cheap and cheerful way to do it. Introduce some colour and personality with Valspar’s new range of furniture paint. A paint and primer in one, this blend takes the hassle out of surface prep and is suitable for use on most materials, including glass and metal. DIY to your heart’s content with over 2.2 million colours to choose from, all of which have impressive quick-drying qualities. Valspar’s new furniture paint can be found at B&Q, priced £21 for 750ml. Kamino outdoor fireplace, £999, Morsø
Paired with contemporary furniture and accessories, Industville’s range of metallic wall lights will transform your outdoor space into a stylish, relaxing haven. Set the scene for an al fresco dinner party with the Brooklyn Outdoor Dome Wall Light, £139. You can choose between pewter, copper and brass versions – the latter is great if you’re after understated opulence. Alternatively, try this Swan Neck Wall Light in copper, £95. Its industrial design will bring an urban edge to your garden, but is also suitable for use indoors. Versatile lighting at its finest.
RAISE THE ROOF Take your garden shed to new heights with Onduline Classic Sheet, a lightweight corrugated roofing panel. Suitable for both complex construction projects and straightforward renovations, the bitumen sheets are easy to install and don’t require any heavy-duty tools. Simply trim them to size with a handsaw and fasten them down using a screwdriver or hammer – no need for expert help. Onduline’s roofing products are designed to last. There’s no need to worry about leakage as water tightness is guaranteed and, thanks to the robust, metal-free material, rust will be a thing of the past. And for an extra eco-friendly bonus, the manufacturing process is low-energy and has a low-carbon footprint. Prices start from £17, visit onduline.co.uk to find out more.
September 2020
103
Feature Ella Rhys-Jones
A bright spark
Furniture paint in rhubarb and custard, heavy mist and cinnamon mocha, Valspar
HOME IMPROVEMENT
Greenway at Beckton Parkside is a new London development from Peabody with one-, two- and three-bedroom shared-ownership apartments
A 60cm-wide cooker should fit easily into a smaller kitchen. This CFN670SS model from CDA has two ovens, a grill and induction hob, and costs £629
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT DOWNSIZING If you think now is the time to declutter and downsize, here’s how to start your journey to a new, smaller property
Feature Hayley Gilbert
T
here are many reasons why people decide to downsize. For some, it’s because the children have left home; for others, it’s the need for a place that’s easier and less expensive to look after. Whatever the reason, you’ll need to figure out what type of property you want, where you want it to be and how much you can afford to spend on it. But downsizing also means you’ll have less space, which means every square inch of your new home has to work harder. So here are a few tips to help you find, and fit your life into, a downsized dwelling…
WORK OUT WHAT YOU WANT
1
The first thing to do is list the things you want in a downsized home, as this will help to narrow your search. Work out why you want to downsize – is it due to money, property, location, family circumstances? Think about where you want to live – somewhere nearby or another part of the country. This could be your chance to swap a country cottage for a city apartment or a townhouse by the sea. Look online at locations and the types of properties on offer and see what your budget allows. Downsizing can be emotional and stressful, but it can have a number of benefits – you could save on bills, the property will be easier to manage and you can enjoy doing it up. Not to mention the fact that by selling a larger property and buying a smaller one you might end up with money leftover in the bank.
Get a sea view with a one- or two-bed apartment in the Meridian Waterside development by Inland Homes in Southampton, inlandhomes.co.uk
104
Create dining space in a compact kitchen by adding a window seat into a run of units, like this one yourhomestyle.uk from Benchmarx Kitchens
This three-bed bungalow with glass rear elevation is one of four styles available in Edenstone Homes’ Parc Ceirw Garden Village, near Swansea
HOME IMPROVEMENT
To give smaller spaces eye-catching focal points, use bright fabrics and floral prints. The window dressing is Hedonie, £139.90 per m, Couture Living
CHOOSE THE PROPERTY THAT’S RIGHT FOR YOU Downsizing isn’t just about finding somewhere smaller; it’s also about finding a new home that suits your lifestyle and plans. If this is your last property purchase, you might want to consider a bungalow or somewhere with easy access and a small, low-effort garden. Think about what you can manage in terms of maintenance, upkeep and getting around, and how you might feel in five or 10 years’ time. Many downsizers opt for a retirement village for older residents who still want to live independently, or you could go for an apartment set within a luxurious complex. On the other hand, it may simply be a case of swapping a five-bedroom detached house for a two-bed terrace. Take your time to make sure your next property matches you and your needs.
2
Millgate Homes’ Kingswood development in Ascot offers luxury two-bedroom apartments in a 22-acre woodland setting
CONSIDER RENTING
GET A GOOD DEAL
It may make more sense financially for you to rent rather than buy your next property. This will give you more flexibility and less of a longterm financial commitment later in life. Furthermore, renting also frees up all the equity you may have leftover from selling up, some of which you can use for travelling and holidays or gift to your children so it won’t be affected by inheritance tax later on (see gov.uk/ inheritance-tax/gifts for information on criteria and limits). By renting you won’t have to worry about unexpected costs, such as a broken boiler, because the landlord will take care of them. It also means that you’re not tied to a particular property if you feel like a change in years to come. The downside is that by renting you aren’t building up any capital, but that may suit your circumstances, even if it’s in the short term.
Once you know what sort of property you want, where you want that property to be and what you can comfortably afford to spend on it, you need to make sure you get the best possible deal. Search property websites, keep an eye on local newspaper ads that cover the location you’re interested in and phone estate agents in the area to register your interest. Visit the areas around the properties you’re interested in to get a feel for prices, traffic and noise levels, but also what amenities and transport links it has. Look at property developers’ websites as well as those linked to estate agents and check out property auctions too. It’s also worth looking into up-and-coming towns where public transport is being improved and new shops are popping up, as you could bag a bargain.
3
4
Lick Home’s experts know how to make the most of smaller spaces through décor. Buy paint, wallpaper and supplies online, and consult remotely with Lick Home’s specialists
This two-bed stone barn in Port Isaac, Cornwall has a large garden and countryside views. Xxxxxxxxxxx 2020 Find it and others like it on johnbray.co.uk
105
HOME IMPROVEMENT
Retirement specialist Beechcroft has a wide range of properties designed for downsizers, both new-builds and converted period homes.
EXPERT ADVICE
‘Moving house is a chance to clear out everything that’s not needed to free up It’s easy to assume that space and make your new home feel larger. downsizing will save you When downsizing it’s important that there is still money and while it certainly enough room for guests. Smaller spare bedrooms can, there are still plenty of costs are useful while a downstairs bathroom can be involved with moving house, so handy during the day. Having a light-filled space ensure it makes financial sense next to the garden is also a good way of before you leap in. creating a nice area for sitting.’ Once stamp duty rules return to Charles Bettes, managing normal (the threshold has been raised director of gpad London. to £500,000 until March 2021), it will gpadlondonltd.com take up a large portion of your budget.
WEIGH UP THE COSTS
5
START TO DECLUTTER
6
You’ll need to have a good sort out before downsizing. It’s potentially a big job, but if you start early it’ll feel less overwhelming. Sell your old things, donate them to charity shops or give them away on Freecycle (freecycle.org) or similar sites. Your local council may be able to collect large pieces of furniture or appliances for a small fee. Alternatively, Any Junk (anyjunk.co.uk) is a nationwide rubbish removal and skip hire service and can take away bulky waste and furniture. Any Junk can arrange same-day collection in most cities and, on average, sends 96 per cent of the things customers throw out from to recycling facilities. Keep any items you use regularly or that have sentimental value. But you’ll need to be a bit ruthless as the fewer belongings you have to take to your new smaller home, the larger it will feel, and you can begin your life there with a clean, decluttered space.
Hornsey Town Hall in London’s Crouch End has been turned into a complex of one, two and three-bedroom apartments spread between new-build blocks, a mews building and a restored Broadway annex
106
yourhomestyle.uk
A country cottage could be the perfect property if you’re looking to downsize
Image hamptons.co.uk
You won’t pay anything on properties below £125,000 while those between £125,001 and £250,000 will pay stamp duty of two per cent. Anything above that is five per cent. Then there are the estate agent’s fees – these will vary but an average commission is around two per cent of your sale price. You could look at online agents instead, who charge a flat fee of around £700. Conveyancing fees and surveys will cost between £2,000 and £2,600, then there’s the price of hiring a removals firm as well as any décor, fittings and furnishings you need for the new place.
USEFUL CONTACTS
O To get rid of large items without sendin g it to landfill, visit an yjunk.co.uk O Compare remova l quotes at getamover.co.uk O Look for propertie s nationwide at rightmove.co.uk, onthemarket.com , zoopla.co.uk or pr imelocation.com O Properties up for auction can be found at auctionhouse.co.u k
CASE STUDY ‘Having enough space was the most important aspect of downsizing’
Active and young-at-heart, Ann-Veronica is enjoying becoming part of a new community and feeling settled for the long term
Ann-Veronica chose a ground floor two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment with a balcony and views across open countryside
Feature Gill Rothwell
Ann-Veronica Scaramanga hadn’t given a thought to downsizing until her son David inadvertently found her future home. ‘He stumbled across this place while out walking his dog close to where he lives,’ she explains. ‘He stopped for a drink at the on-site Greenhouse restaurant, discovered that it was part of a newly built retirement village and thought it would suit me down to the ground.’ At the time Ann-Veronica didn’t feel ready to move, but after suffering a bad winter and realising her present home needed a lot of work, she decided to take the plunge.
‘What impressed me most was the amount of space both inside and out at Wadswick Green,’ she says. ‘Space is really important to me. I’ve been to other places like this and found them to be unbelievably cramped, whereas here the apartments are spread out and a huge selling point was how much privacy and green space my flat offers.’ In fact, Ann-Veronica believes she chose the best apartment on the site – on the ground floor at the end of a block with a large glass-sided balcony affording ‘a terrific vista across the fields beyond’. ‘It’s incredibly peaceful and beautiful,’ she says. The landscaped grounds are amazing with wide borders, masses of trees and the apartment blocks are built at angles to each other so you’re not overlooked.’ Downsizing from a three-bedroom detached house wasn’t a problem for Ann-Veronica, who describes her style as ‘minimalist’. ‘I did have to get rid of some possessions,’ she adds. ‘But I’m not particularly sentimental and it gave me the perfect excuse to buy new pieces that are more suited to the contemporary style of my apartment.’ Ann-Veronica even had help packing and unpacking, which is one of the services available to new residents. The other facilities include a spa with indoor swimming pool, jacuzzi, sauna and steam room, gym and hair salon. The Greenhouse restaurant is also open to the public, which AnnVeronica believes breathes life into the place. ‘There’s always a lot going on and a great feeling of being part of an active community. This is definitely not a place where you come and wait for God!’ Built by Rangeford Villages in Wiltshire, Wadswick Green is 10 miles from Bath and set in 25 acres of grounds. For more info call 01225 220940 or visit wadswickgreen.co.uk.
At over 30-feet long (just over nine metres), there’s no shortage of space in the open-plan living, kitchen and dining rooms, which boast floor-to-ceiling picture windows, hardwood flooring and underfloor heating
Xxxxxxxxxxx 2020
107
READER OFFER! SAVE 25% AT EKO HOME DEEM T O R E e code
se th Simply u e25 at the om YourH to receive 25% t checkou ur order at off yo me.co.uk. ekoho s on 30th pire Offer ex ber 2020. Septem rs Eliminate odou hwith the touc free Galleria Sensor Bin
Recycling has never been easier than with the X Cube bin from EKO Home
W
Reduce your rubbish with the Morandi Sensor bin (above) and Food Waste Caddy (right)
108
yourhomestyle.uk
e have teamed up with EKO Home to offer you 25 per cent off everything at ekohome.co.uk. EKO Home is on a mission to re-imagine your house using products designed with beauty and intelligence, and by using the discount code YourHome25 at the online checkout, Your Home readers can save 25 per cent. EKO Home produces a range of recycling, sensor and pedal bins suitable for every room. There’s also a selection of table-top bins, including the Food Waste Caddy (left, £19.99), which has an antibacterial coating to help prevent odours and mould. The X Cube recycling bin is available in four colours (£169.99) and has an antibacterial coating, as well as germresistant removable inner buckets, a deodoriser compartment and a
silicone seal to contain smells. The soft curves of the Galleria Sensor Bin, available in four colours (above left, from £89.99) are best suited to a home office, living room or bedroom, while the Morandi Sensor Bin (far left, £79.99, available in four colours) is perfect for bedrooms and bathrooms. For the kitchen, there’s a choice of general waste or recycling bins, in a range of capacities that can be opened by a pedal, such as the X Cube pedal bin (top, £169.99), or with a touchfree sensor. Whether your budget is big or small, EKO Home has a smart solution to suit, and they’re all backed by a manufacturer warranty. Get the latest EKO Home Instagram updates from @ekohomeuk. To redeem this offer, go to ekohome.co.uk
Gardening Great buys and advice to help your garden grow
A walk on the wild seed Flood your lawn with colourful blooms using the Annuals Wildflower Mix from The Grass People. The mix contains cornflowers, corn marigolds and corn poppies, so you can expect a vibrant blend of red, yellow and blue. Sow the mix into a flower bed, border, generous pot or lawn and the seeds will bloom within months to create a mini wild meadow of your own! A 100g bag costs £20.40, thegrasspeople.com.
Cut it short
NATURAL ORDER We could all use a little extra storage space for garden tools and Dibor is offering some that’s both stylish and practical. The Wall-Mounted Garden Storage Basket is available in delicate duck-egg blue, on-trend sage green, grey and cream. Simply attach it to the wall of your potting shed or garage and fill it with your most-used tools, gloves and accessories. It even comes with a slot for a label – handy if you’re an organisation enthusiast. Pick one up for £16 at dibor.co.uk.
Easy come, easy grow Fresh herbs can transform your cooking, so why not grow your own? The Herb Seeds Starter Pack by Seed Pantry contains all the essentials needed to grow organic herbs in your garden. Learn how to sow and tend basil, coriander, chives and parsley. The set comes with a mini propagator, biodegradable pots and mini compost discs so there’s no need to step outside. You can set them up on the kitchen windowsill and you’ll have herbs sprouting in a matter of weeks. The Herbs Seeds Start Pack costs £30 from Not on the High Street.
Greens for your greens Made entirely from plants, Miracle-Gro’s Performance Organics Fruit & Veg Concentrated Liquid Food is the most wholesome way to take care of your home-grown produce. With vegan and sustainable living on the rise, it’s becoming easier than ever to make your garden as green as possible. This highperformance plant food will help you do just that. It’s certified organic and packaged in 100 per cent recycled and recyclable material. Pour a capful into your watering can and you’ll notice your plants perking up in next to no time. 1 litre costs £6 at Homebase.
September 2020
Feature Ella Rhys-Jones
Mowing the lawn is a chore that many of us dread. But Ryobi’s Brushless Cordless 37cm Lawnmower Starter Kit takes some of the hassle out of the task. With no cords to trip over and a multiple-position handle, you can cut the grass comfortably and conveniently. The EasyEdge feature draws grass into the path of the blade so that you can mow right up to the perimeter of your garden without the need for a grass trimmer. Its functionality doesn’t stop there, though – it’s been designed with a collapsible grass catcher that folds down compactly for easy storage in small garages or sheds. This starter kit contains a 4.0Ah ONE+ battery and charger, everything you need to tackle an unruly lawn. Available at Homebase for £349.
109
GARDEN IDEAS Cosmos is ideal for pots, producing a thick and luscious canopy of colourful blooms
If beds are too much to handle, containers can be used to create a verdant garden design that can be easily changed each season
IN YOUR GARDEN
this month…
You can see this colourful container arrangement at Barons Close, Sussex, through the National Open Garden Scheme
With autumn just around the corner, enjoy all that September has to offer
STYLE YOUR GARDEN: container Of all garden designs, container planting surely has to be the most creative for gardeners with a sense of their own style. There are limitless combinations of plants that can be arranged together in complementary pots, whether it’s seasonal displays, permanent planting schemes or fruit, vegetables and herbs. While container gardening is a great S ENQ RL@KK RO@BDR HS @KRN VNQJR VDKK HM K@QFDQ F@QCDMR VGDQD RODBH B @QD@R such as shady corners or large patios, B@M ADMD S EQNL ENB@K ONHMSR NE BNKNTQ shape and structure.
110
yourhomestyle.uk
For maximum effect, display your containers in ascending tiers. Position SGD S@KKDRS OK@MSR @S SGD A@BJ @MC RDS SGDL NM OK@MJR NE VNNC RTOONQSDC AX AQHBJR SGHR VHKK DMRTQD SGD BNMSDMSR NE each pot can be clearly seen. The great thing about container gardening is that pots are portable and can be moved or changed at any time. !DENQD HMUDRSHMF HM MDV ONSR KNNJ around your garden for any suitable items that can be repurposed for the job, such as a beautiful vintage metal AHM SG@S XNT BNTKC KK VHSG OQDSSX OHMJ @MC VGHSD NVDQR
planting
Use the right compost from the start. Hardy plants that are expected to stay in their pots for a few seasons will need to be planted in a heavy, loam-based, John Innes compost while seasonal displays of tender plants and edibles need lighter, peat-free, multi-purpose compost. All will need a regular liquid feed (diluted seaweed or tomato feed) during the growing season. Containerised plants need to be watered on a regular basis, even if it’s been raining as the canopy of the plant NESDM @BSR KHJD @M TLAQDKK@ @MC OQDUDMSR any rain water getting to the roots.
GARDEN IDEAS een shrub The dense and evergr duces pro ca oni Skimmia jap ed flowers delicate, dome-shap
Characterful pots are ideal for creating winter displays
WHAT TO DO in the flower garden Plant a pot for winter interest Plan ahead for the winter months by filling containers with plants that are at their best during the coldest period of the year and position them where they’ll be easy to appreciate. Put them next to an entrance, on the patio or in full view from a window. A mix of plants with colourful leaves, berries and flowers work well together. Garden centres often sell them in small packs of six. Skimmia japonica, Gaultheria procumbens, variegated ivy, heucheras and winter flowering heathers are just a few that make good bedfellows in a container. You could always under plant them with spring bulbs, such as narcissus, muscari and crocus to extend the display into spring.
Feature Louise Midgley Images NGS, Thompson & Morgan, RHS, Chris Lacey, John Millar, Getty Images
Winter interest plants that clim b can transform a bare spot by a wall or fence
Order bulbs early
Swap the trowel for a bulb planter to make sowing large quantities of bulbs easier
For the best selection of spring bulbs, place an order online, or visit your local garden centre as soon as possible. Most bulbs can be planted out from September onwards, but it’s best to leave tulips until November when the temperature of the soil has dropped sufficiently to prevent them getting tulip fire, a fungal disease that thrives when the ground is warm. Bulb planters make it easier to get large quantities of bulbs into the ground than trying to do it with nothing but a trowel. The Gardena Bulb Planter (pictured left), removes a section of the soil that’s then placed back into the ground on top of the freshly planted bulb, leaving no sign of disturbance. When you’re planting an assortment of spring bulbs in pots, layer them in order of size, with the smallest bulb at the top. And remember to cover the pot with wire mesh or something similar because squirrels have a real appetite for tulip and crocus bulbs, and they’re quite prepared to dig everything else out to get to them.
September 2020
111
September’s wildlife garden visitors Frogs, toads and newts make up a useful group of amphibians that help gardeners fight the war against slugs and snails. They inhabit gardens that have ponds, although they also frequent surrounding gardens without water features. If you have a garden pond or are thinking about putting one in, remember to include a log or something similar at the edge of the water to give frogs and toads something to climb onto when exiting the water. The common toad is distinguishable from the common frog (pictured right) by its inclination to walk rather than leap and it also tends to have a warty olive brown skin rather than the smooth skin you see on a frog. Our garden ponds have become vital refuges for these amphibians, since so many ponds in rural villages and farms have been lost over the past few decades. At this time of the year, newts, which are mainly found in Newts will be leaving the water at this time of year in ponds, ditches and lakes, leave the water, having spent most e search of spots to hibernat of spring and summer in it. They begin to look for suitable places on land to hibernate during the winter months, usually under logs or beneath piles of vegetation. Frogs and toads visit the water to breed in spring, but spend the majority of their time on land in damp places. They too will hibernate during winter. At the start of autumn, be mindful that they’ll be looking for places to hunker down. Leave some damp areas of your garden undisturbed so that they can make a spot for themselves in which to comfortably see out the cold winter months. The taste of freshly picked sweetcorn is an unmissable treat
WHAT TO DO on the veg plot Bring in the harvest September is a rewarding month for vegetable growers, especially if they’ve been making successional sowings of veg with a quick turnaround from plot to plate. Don’t miss out on the sublime taste of sweetcorn by popping it into a pan of boiling water within minutes of being picked – it’s an experience not to be missed. To find out if the cobs are ripe, pinch a kernel. If it releases a milky sap, it’s ready for picking; if it’s still watery, they may need a little longer and if no liquid at all comes out, they’ve probably passed their peak of perfection.
Lift and store onions Harvest main crop onions this month and get them ready to store for use in winter. Dig them up once the tops have bent over and turned brown, spread the onions out on trays or wire racks to allow the outer skin of the onions to develop a dry papery skin. Turn them regularly and bring them undercover if it rains. Hang the onions in a cool, frost-free, dry environment when the foliage and outer skins have completely dried. They can either be hung in groups together (see far right) or plaited together by their foliage.
Mind your head : onions can be hung up until you’re ready to use them
Harvest potatoes If the foliage on your main crop potatoes shows any sign whatsoever of blight, cut it right down to ground level and dispose of it in your garden rubbish bin, not on the compost heap. The potatoes can either be lifted and stored or left in the ground for a few more weeks.
Once harvested, store potatoes in a cool, dark, dry spot
When the leaves no longer stand up, it’s time to dig up your onions
112
yourhomestyle.uk
GARDEN IDEAS TOP THREE PLANTS
for Se tember WHAT TO DO in the fruit garden Order fruit trees and soft fruit in bare-root form
HEBE ‘GREAT ORME’ For continuity of colour from July until at least October, this hard-working evergreen shrub deserves a place in any garden. Use it as a hedging plant; it grows to about four feet (around 120cm) tall and you can give it a home in an attractive container or plant it in a sunny, sheltered border. (SR @ATMC@MBD NE ROHJX AQHFGS OHMJ NVDQR VGHBG fade to white as they age, are held amid narrowleaved, shiny foliage. Great orme was found to be O@QSHBTK@QKX @SSQ@BSHUD SN ATSSDQ HDR HM @ !TSSDQ X Conservation survey, making it a top choice for wildlife enthusiasts in urban or rural settings.
There are several advantages to growing bare-root specimens, but the main one revolves around good root formation. When planted in winter or early spring, the roots are able to access plenty of moisture in the ground and form a supportive underground network to feed the top growth as soon as it begins. Containerised fruit trees planted in spring, may be slower to establish if the season ahead of them is dry. The selection of bare-root fruit trees, shrubs and canes is also far more diverse than that on offer in containers during the growing season. Bare-root stock is despatched when its top growth is dormant, usually from November to the beginning of March. It’s always sensible to get newly despatched bare-root specimens in the ground as soon as they arrive, unless the ground is completely waterlogged or frozen solid.
Prune summer fruiting raspberry canes There are two types of raspberry canes: summer fruiting (floricane) and autumn fruiting varieties (primocane). To complicate matters further, they’re pruned in completely different manners. Floricane raspberries produce fruit on the previous year’s growth and primocane raspberries on the new season’s growth. By now summer fruiting raspberries will have stopped producing fruits, so cut back the stems that bore the fruit down to ground level. New fresh canes will be present and it’s these that will bear next year’s fruit. Now is a good time to tie them into canes before winter sets in. Autumn fruiting raspberries should be pruned at some point during February by cutting all their spent canes right down to ground level.
RUDBECKIA ‘PRAIRIE SUN’ LEONOTIS LEONURUS If you’re looking for the wow factor in your garden, this statuesque plant punctuates borders with tall spires that carry whorls of vibrant orange blooms. While this plant is considered to be hardy in its native South Africa (where it’s commonly called Lion’s Ear), in the UK it needs protection from harsh, winter weather so may be best grown from seed each year. Give it a sunny sheltered position in freeCQ@HMHMF RNHK @MC HS KK NVDQ ENQ @ MTLADQ NE weeks from late summer into autumn.
Add a ray of sunshine to your borders or containers with the golden glow NE K@SD RTLLDQ NVDQHMF QTCADBJH@R The well-branched, sturdy plants of ‘Prairie Sun’ carry a profusion of large C@HRX RG@ODC NVDQR SG@S G@UD FQDDM centres encircled by two-toned yellow ODS@KR 3GDHQ VDKBNLHMF @S RG@OD makes them very popular with a wide range of pollinating insects. Grow them with other late-blooming plants, such as asters, sedums and salvias to BQD@SD @ @LANX@MS ROK@RG NE C@YYKHMF colour in your garden. September 2020
113
FOUR AMAZING PRIZE DRAWS TO ENTER!
We have fabulous goodies up for grabs this month! Win a Posterlounge voucher worth £100
10 lucky winners
Do you want to bring a fresh new look to your walls? Posterlounge is offering you the chance to win one of 10 vouchers worth £100 each. Posterlounge has art from every era and in every style, so you’re guaranteed to find the right prints to decorate your walls exactly to your taste. Why not choose a minimalist design that incorporates soft autumn colours, such as berry red, burnt orange and sage green? Or maybe you prefer a boho-style print with warm colours and geometric shapes? Portrait and landscape formats are available in different sizes and a variety of materials, so no matter which designs you choose you can be sure they’ll look fantastic on your walls. You’ll be spoilt for choice with these premium posters, which can be mounted in wooden frames and printed on your choice of canvas, wood, aluminium or acrylic glass. Find the full range at posterlounge.co.uk.
Win one of three sets of Nanoleaf Hexagons
Worth over £170 each
Discover limitless lighting options with these tech-savvy hexagonal panels. Your Home has teamed up with Nanoleaf to offer three lucky readers a nine-panel package of these light-up shapes. The Nanoleaf hexagons take lighting to a whole new level by combining practicality with creative design. Plus, they work with the other light panel shapes Nanoleaf has in the pipeline, creating endless illumination possibilities for your smart home décor. By combining smart technology and a sleek, ultra-thin look, the modular LED light panels allow plenty of ways for you to explore, create and play. The Nanoleaf hexagons transform your space with multi-sensory experiences like touch interactions, real-time music sync, screen mirroring and more. To make your own music, you simply use the scenes and playlists features in the Nanoleaf app. For more information, visit nanoleaf.me.
114
yourhomestyle.uk
Win one of three luxury cutlery sets from Viners Iconic kitchenware brand Viners is giving Your Home readers the chance to win one of three 44-piece Eden canteen cutlery sets. Every piece in the Eden collection features smooth, rounded handles with elegant curves and the whole thing comes in a beautiful wooden box. Created with weight, balance and style in mind, the cutlery is made with 18/10 stainless steel that feels comfortable to hold and has a highly polished finish. It’s safe to say that all of your dinnerware needs will be covered with this Eden cutlery set to hand, as it comes with two serving spoons, six tea and soup spoons, six table knives and forks, and six dessert spoons, forks and knives. What’s more, the collection is rust-resistant, dishwasher safe and is covered by a 50-year guarantee. For more information, visit viners.co.uk.
Worth over £180 each
FOUR AMAZING PRIZE DRAWS TO ENTER!
WIN! A day at sea with HMS Spirits and The Boat Club, worth £2,500 One lucky Your Home reader will win a day at sea with luxury gin brand HMS Spirits and The Boat Club.* The winner will have the opportunity to take five friends with them on the water for a chartered boat ride departing from Poole, while the HMS Spirits founder, Ben Maguire, shakes up his finest gin cocktails for everyone to enjoy. You’ll stop off in Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight for a few hours before returning to Poole, where you can explore the beautiful beaches of the south coast.
gins, including Mary Rose, Dreadnought and Elizabeth. Each one is copper-pot distilled using only the world’s finest botanicals. The Mary Rose gin is the flagship spirit and consists of a juniper-infused London Dry with soft, subtle notes of grapefruit and rosemary. The Dreadnought gin is a bold, punchy spirit, but is also an incredibly smooth navy-strength version of the Mary Rose. And finally, the Elizabeth gin is a blend of the classic London Dry mixed with natural elderflower distillate, as well as juniper, floral and honey tones. For more information, visit hmsspirits.com.
FOR GIN LOVERS HMS Spirits believes in drinking better, not more. Which is why the British brand delivers a delicious fleet of high-quality, distinct
*The winner and those accompanying the winner for the HMS Spirits boat ride must all be 18 or over and must make their own way to the embarkation point. The details of those attending may need to be recorded for NHS Test and Trace. Prize to be redeemed within a year of receiving.
Photo Getty Images
Prize worth £2,500!
To enter, visit yourhomestyle.uk, choose the WIN tab, find the prize draw you’d yo like to enter and fill in your details. Closing date 30th September 2020 at 11.59pm TERMS AND CONDITIONS 1 Promoter: Immediate Media Company Bristol Limited. 2 The promotion is open to all residents of the UK, including the Channel Islands, aged 18 years or older, except the Promoter’s employees or contractors and anyone connected with the promotion or their direct family members. 3 By entering the promotion, you agree to be bound by all the rules of the promotion including these terms and conditions. 4 The Promoter may share the details of the winner with the prize provider for the purposes of fulfilling/delivering the prize. 5 The Promoter excludes liability to the full extent permitted by law for any loss, damage or injury occurring to the participant arising from his or her entry into the promotion or occurring to a winner arising from his or her acceptance of a prize. 6 The Promoter reserves the right to amend these terms and conditions or to cancel, alter or amend the promotion at any stage, if deemed necessary in its opinion, or if circumstances arise outside of its control. 7 Only one entry per prize draw will be permitted per household, regardless of method of entry. Bulk entries made by third parties will not be permitted. Entries received after the closing date of the promotion will not be considered. 8 No responsibility accepted for lost, delayed, ineligible or fraudulent entries. 9 The prizes are non-refundable, non-transferable and not for resale. The prizes cannot be used in conjunction with any other offers, promotions or discounts. There is no cash alternative. The Promoter reserves the right to substitute the prizes with other prizes of the same or greater value. 10 Closing date for entries is 11.59pm on 30th September 2020. 11 Winning entries will be chosen at random (after the closing date) from all entries. 12 The winners will be notified of their win within 28 days. 13 Winners must claim their prize within 28 days of notification. In the event that a winner cannot be contacted or fails to claim their prize within 28 days, the Promoter reserves the right to offer the prize to another entrant, or to re-offer the prize in any future promotion. 14 The Promoter’s decision as to the winner is final and no correspondence relating to the promotion will be entered into. 15 The prizes are as stated above. 16 Entrants must supply to Immediate Media Company Limited their full name, email address or daytime telephone number. The Promoter will use entrants’ personal details in accordance with the Immediate Privacy Policy (immediate.co.uk/privacy-policy). 17 The surname and county of residence of the winners will be available upon request by sending an SAE to Your Home September 2020 Giveaways, Eagle House, Colston Avenue, Bristol, BS1 4ST within two months of the closing date of the promotion. The Promoter will contact the winners before releasing this information and provide the winners the opportunity to object or limit the amount of information shared 18 The promotion is subject to the laws of England.
September 2020
115
Shopping guide A
Abode Living 01273 621116 abodeliving.co.uk Albert & Moo 020 8088 8280 albertandmoo.com Alice in Scandiland shop.aliceinscandiland.com Aliwood Roof Lanterns 01245 967107 aliwood.co.uk Amara 0800 587 7645 amara.com Amazon 0800 279 7234 amazon.co.uk Annabel James 0345 548 0210 annabeljames.co.uk Annie Sloan 01865 713089 anniesloan.com Anthropologie 00800 0026 8476 anthropologie.com/en-gb AO.com 0161 470 1200 ao.com Argos 0345 640 2020 argos.co.uk Armatile armatile.com Artisanti 0345 259 1410 artisanti.com Astro 01279 427001 astrolighting.com Audenza 0116 298 6393 audenza.com Avenue Floors avenuefloors.co.uk Avoca avoca.com
B
B&Q 0333 014 3098 diy.com Baker Estates 01626 241404 bakerestatesltd.co.uk Beautify beautify.co.uk Beechcroft 01491 818474 beechcroft.co.uk Benchmarx benchmarxkitchens.co.uk Benjamin Moore 01753 575756 benjaminmoorepaint.co.uk BHS 0333 005 0070 bhs.com Big Bathroom Shop 0345 122 7569 bigbathroomshop.co.uk Black + Blum 020 7633 0022 black-blum.com Blinds 2go blinds-2go.co.uk Block Design blockdesign.co.uk Bohemia Design 0131 555 2485 bohemiadesign.co.uk Bombay Duck 020 8749 3000 bombayduck.com British Heart Foundation 0300 330 3322 bhf.org.uk/shop Burbidge Kitchen Makers 024 7667 1600 burbidgekitchenmakers.co.uk
C
Cala 01628 552300 cala.co.uk Caleno calenodrinks.com California Shutters 0800 195 0196 californiashutters.co.uk Calvers & Suvdal 020 8133 9222 calversand.com Cambridge Imprint 07732 131135 cambridgeimprint.co.uk Caple 0117 938 1900 caple.co.uk Carpetright 0330 333 3444 carpetright.co.uk CDA 01949 862012 cda.eu Chandan Whittle chandanwhittle.com Christy 0161 367 5800 christy.co.uk Couture Living 01924 457243 coutureliving.com
116
yourhomestyle.uk
Craft Courses craftcourses.com Crosswater 0345 873 8840 crosswater.co.uk Crown Imperial 01227 742424 crown-imperial.co.uk Cuckooland.com 01305 231231 cuckooland.com Cult Furniture 020 8185 6960 cultfurniture.com Curious Makers curiousmakers.co.uk Currys 0344 561 1234 currys.co.uk
D
David Wilson Homes dwh.co.uk Debenhams 0344 800 8877 debenhams.com Decoville decoville.co.uk Denby 01773 740899 denbypottery.com Desenio 020 3318 2047 desenio.co.uk Designer Kitchens designerkitchens.ie Designer Wallpapers 0800 043 4798 designerwallpapers.co.uk DFS 0808 149 3686 dfs.co.uk Dibor 0800 408 0660 dibor.co.uk Dowsing & Reynolds 0113 819 9985 dowsingandreynolds.com Drayton 0333 6000 622 draytoncontrols.co.uk Dulux 0333 222 7171 dulux.co.uk Dunelm 0345 165 6565 dunelm.com Dunnes Stores 0844 264 3185 dunnesstores.com Dwell 0345 675 9090 dwell.co.uk
38
eBay 0345 355 3229 ebay.co.uk Edenstone Homes 01291 674800 edenstonehomes.com Enchanted England enchantedengland.co.uk/shop Etsy etsy.com/uk
George Home 0800 952 0101 asda.com Gisela Graham 020 7708 6396 giselagraham.co.uk Graham and Green 01225 418200 grahamandgreen.co.uk Grohe grohe.com Gumtree gumtree.com
F
H
E
Farrow and Ball 01202 876141 farrow-ball.com Fenwick & Tilbrook 01362 684125 fenwickandtilbrook.com Frenchic 01276 469757 frenchic.co.uk Frontline 0845 470 2424 frontlinebathrooms.co.uk Furniture Choice 03330 150000 furniturechoice.co.uk Furniture Village 0800 804 8879 furniturevillage.co.uk
G
Gail Annand Curtains & Blinds 020 8949 8108 Gardena 0344 844 4558 gardena.com Garden Trading 01993 845559 gardentrading.co.uk
H&M 0344 736 9000 hm.com Habitat 0344 499 4686 habitat.co.uk Harvey Jones 0800 389 6938 harveyjones.com Hello Fresh hellofresh.co.uk Homebase 0345 077 8888 homebase.co.uk Homescapes 0121 368 0051 homescapesonline.com Hotpoint 03717 052167 hotpoint.co.uk Housecosy 0333 339 1117 housecosy.com Hudson Reed 01282 418000 hudsonreed.co.uk
I
IKEA 0203 645 0000 ikea.com/gb Immaculate Vegan immaculatevegan.com
Industville 020 7971 7871 industville.co.uk Ivyline 0844 800 2214 ivylinegb.co.uk
J
Joe Browns 0113 270 6655 joebrowns.co.uk John Bray 01208 862601 johnbraysales.co.uk John Lewis & Partners 0345 610 0359 johnlewis.com Joules 0345 250 7160 joules.com
K
Karndean 01386 820100 karndean.com Kenwood kenwoodworld.com/uk KitchenCraft 0121 785 4149 kitchencraft.co.uk Kitchen Makers 01590 683225 kitchenmakers.co.uk
L
Laura Ashley 03332 008 009 lauraashley.com Lagoon 020 7129 1309 vivalagoon.com Lakeland 015394 88100 lakeland.co.uk Lick Home lickhome.com Lifestyle Floors lifestyle-floors.co.uk
Where to buy everything in this issue Lime Lace 0330 058 4158 limelace.co.uk Linens Limited 0800 389 0059 linenslimited.com Little Greene 0845 880 5855 littlegreene.com London Basin Company 020 8749 1267 londonbasincompany.com
M
M&Co 0333 202 0720 mandco.com M&S 0333 014 8000 marksandspencer.com Made 0344 257 1888 made.com Made in Design 020 7692 4001 madeindesign.co.uk Made in the Cellar 01143 271170 madeinthecellar.co.uk ManoMano manomano.co.uk Mapiful mapiful.com Marigold 0117 330 2277 marigold.co.uk Marlborough Tiles 01672 512422 marlboroughtiles.com Matalan 0333 004 4444 matalan.co.uk Matki 01454 233888 matki.co.uk Melody Maison 01302 741000 melodymaison.co.uk Merlyn 0808 101 1429 merlynshowering.com Millgate Homes 0118 934 3344 millgatehomes.co.uk Mint & May 020 3637 7969 mintandmay.co.uk Morsø 01788 554410 morsoe.com Mrs Stone Store 01283 730388 mrs-stone-store.com MYnd Map myndmap.co
Poundland 0333 234 1877 poundland.co.uk ProCook 0330 100 1010 procook.co.uk
Q R
Quick-Step 08448 118 288 quick-step.com
Red Candy 0121 224 7728 redcandy.co.uk Rex London 020 8746 2473 rexlondon.com Roux Kitchens 01937 862202 rouxkitchens.com Rose & Grey 0161 926 8763 roseandgrey.co.uk Rust-Oleum makeityours.co.uk Ruth Holly ruthholly.co.uk
S
Sainsbury’s 0800 636262 sainsburys.co.uk Samantha Claridge Studio samanthaclaridgestudio.com Sass & Belle 020 7346 0117 sassandbelle.co.uk Sassy Shop Wax sassyshopwax.com SCS Carpets 0800 731 0048 scscarpets.co.uk Search Press 01892 510850 searchpress.com Shanly Homes 01494 671331
shanlyhomes.com Shop On Your Doorstep shoponyourdoorstep.com Silentnight 0333 123 0892 silentnight.co.uk Smeg smeguk.com Soak & Sleep 01483 616616 soakandsleep.com Sofa.com sofa.com Sofology 03444 818181 sofology.co.uk Sweetpea & Willow 0345 257 2627 sweetpeaandwillow.com
T
Tesco 0800 323 4060 tesco.com The Braided Rug Company 01654 767248 braided-rug.co.uk The Contemporary Home tch.net The Cozy Apron thecozyapron.com The Find Store thefindstore.co.uk The 1933 Furniture Company the1933furniturecompany.ie The Grass People thegrasspeople.com The Grey Works 01444 456161 thegreyworks.com The Hairpin Leg Company thehairpinlegcompany.co.uk The Hanger Store 01245 253434 thehangerstore.co.uk TK Maxx 01923 473561 tkmaxx.com Tuiss 0800 862 0466 tuiss.co.uk
U V
Ufurnish ufurnish.com
V&A Shop 020 7942 2000 vam.ac.uk/shop Valspar 0344 736 9174 valsparpaint.co.uk Verona 0113 244 4984 veronagroup.co.uk Victorian Plumbing victorianplumbing.co.uk
W
Waitrose 0800 188 884 waitrose.com Walls and Floors 01536 314730 wallsandfloors.co.uk Waters Baths of Ashbourne 01332 824166 watersbaths.co.uk Wayfair 0800 756 4357 wayfair.co.uk Wearth London wearthlondon.com Westcombes 020 8852 6204 westcombes.co.uk Wilko 08000 329329 wilko.com Wren Kitchens wrenkitchens.com
Y Z
Yorkshire Fabric Shop 01924 728753 yorkshirefabricshop.com
Zerowater zerowater.co.uk
N
Neo Direct 0845 533 3085 neodirect.com Newby 020 7553 4521 newbyteas.co.uk Next 0333 777 8000 next.co.uk Not on the High Street 0203 318 5115 notonthehighstreet.com Notting Hill Genesis nhhg.org.uk
O
Oak Furnitureland 0800 440 2254 oakfurnitureland.co.uk Oliver Bonas 020 8974 0110 oliverbonas.com Onduline 020 7727 0533 uk.onduline.com Original BTC 020 7351 2130 originalbtc.com Original Style 01392 473000 originalstyle.com
P
Peabody 020 7021 4842 peabodysales.co.uk Pepper Sq 020 8243 8559 peppersq.com Pooky 020 7351 3003 pooky.com Porcelain Superstore 0330 094 0304 porcelainsuperstore.co.uk
47 September 2020
117
NEW , s of free patterns Step-by-step tutorials Video guides
Explore fresh project ideas for all your favourite crafts with the brand new website for makers everywhere. Discover easy-to-follow patterns and tutorials for crochet, knitting, sewing, quilting, papercraft and stitching, and learn new skills from experts you can trust.
www.gathered.how g
Food & drink TAKEOVER
YOUR BONUS
foodie guide
speedy p120 Super suppers
in p122 Healthy a hurry
No-fuss meals and easy recipes to try this month September 2020
119
BONUS RECIPES
Super speedy suppers Break free from the kitchen and claim back your evenings with our cheat’s
Monday
Tue Tuesday
Wednesday
War roasted pepper Warm pper and lentil salad, with olives oli ive and halloumi mi Prep and a cook time 50 MINSS Serves 2 Ingredients Ingred 4 4 red pe peppers 4 2 tbsp olive oil 4 1 small red onion, finely diced 4 2 carrots, finely nely di diced iced 4 2 celery sticks, finely diced 4 2 garlic cloves, finely fine chopped, grated or crushed ushed 4 100g pu puy-style lentils, rinsed in a ssieve ieve under cold water 4 1 bay leaf 4 tsp sp dried oregano 4 tsp ground cumin 4 tsp dried mint 4 1 tbsp red wine vinegarr 4 100g pitted black blac olives 4 1 pack halloumi, mi, cut into into 1-2cm 1-2cm-thick slices 4 Glug of extra ra virgin virgiin olive oliive oil 4 50g watercress 4 Handfull of fresh mint, chop chopped 4 Salt and pepper
Method
1 Grilled lamb rogan josh wi with ith chickpea chi ickp p salad l d and d minted yoghurt Prep and cook time 25 MINS Serves 4 Ingredients 4 225g rogan josh sauce 4 4 lamb steaks 4 400g tin chickpeas, drained and rinsed 4 100g watercress, large stalks removed 4 4 spring onions, thinly sliced 4 1 tbsp olive oil 4 2 tsp red wine vinegar 4 1 tsp cumin seeds, toasted 4 150g Greek-style k-style natural yoghurt 4 2 tbsp fresh mint, nt, chopped 4 2 tbsp pomegranate seeds
Method
1
Brush half of the rogan josh saucee over the lamb. Cook it under a pre-heated grill, turning once or twice, then baste with the remaining maiining sauce until nicely browned but still a little pink in in the centre. Transfer to a warm plate and nd leave to rest for five minutes. Meanwhile, toss together the chickpeas, ckpeas, il, red wine wiine watercress, spring onions, olive oil, vinegar and cumin seeds. Divide the salad and lamb steaks between four plates. Stir the yoghurt and mint, then spoon spoon into into a bowl. Add the pomegranate seeds eds and serve with the lamb and salad.
2
3
120
yourhomestyle.uk k
Griill the peppers under a medium-high Grill igh heat, untilil blackened unti bla and soft (about 20 minutes). miinutes). Once charred, charre tip them into a bowl and cover with a plate to co cool in their own steam; this loosens osens the ski skins. ins. When cool enough to handle, peel away the blackened, papery skin and discard. Heat th the oil in a large pan. Add the onion, carrot and celery and fry on a low heat carro at for 15 mi minutes, stirring now and then. Once softened, ened, add the garlic and cook, stirring for two minutes. utes. Add the lentils, bay leaf, oregano, cumin, mint and 300ml of water. Bring to the boil and simmer for 20-25 minutes, until the lentils are tender. Almost all the liquid should be absorbed by the end of cooking. Chop the peppers into strips and stir into the lentils with the vinegar and olives. Remove the bay leaf and season to taste. Heat a dry non-stick frying pan. Add the halloumi slices and fryy for about two minutes on each si side, ide, until untiil golden. Stir in the watercress and extra virgin virgiin olive oil, then serve with wiith the halloumii slices sliices on top, scattered with the fresh herbs.
2
Sausage and apple toad in the hole
3
Prep and cook ti time ime 60 MINS Serves 4 Ingredients
4 5 6
4 2 tbsp olive oil 4 Pack of 6 British pork sausages 4 1 large red onion, thinly sliced 4 2 English Cox apples, cored, peeled and quartered 4 6 fresh sage leaves 4 100g plain in flour 4 2 eggs, beaten 4 200ml semiskimmed milk
Method Meth h
1 2 3
Preheaa the oven to 220ÂşC/200ÂşC Fan/Gas Mark Preheat ark 7. Place tthe oil in a large cast-iron gratin dish or roasting tin and a heat in the oven until very hot. Add the sausages, sliced onion and apple quarters, then baste with hot oil. quarter Tear the sage leaves into pieces and scatter over the sausages. Cook in the pre-heated oven for 10 m minutes until the sausages are just starting starti ing to br brown. While the th sausages are cooking, sift the flour into int a bowl and season. Whisk in the eggs and milk miil to give a smooth batter. Pour the th sausages and return to the oven batter over the miin for 25-30 minutes until the batter is puffy, crisp a the sausages are browned and golden and t and cooked through. Serve with w creamy mashed potato and greens vegetables. v
4 5
BONUS RECIPES
to whip up this week food plan. These tasty recipes are so quick and easy to rustle up
Thursday T
Friday
S Salmon and spring ing onion fishcakes o
Sto cupboard Store essentials e Olive ive oil 4 Extra virgin olive oil 4 Red wine 4 Oli vinegar 4 Salt 4 Pepper 4 Plain flour 4 Vegetable oil o 4 Eggs 4 Semi-skimmed milk
Pr and cook time 60 MINS Prep INS Serves 4 Se Ingredients In 4 500g Maris Piper potatoes 4 2 lemons, emons, zested ze 4 1 tbsp capers, drained 4 15g fresh di dill, il chopped 4 1 red chilli, finely chopped 4 4 tbsp grated Parmesan 4 6 spring ing oni onions, ions, th thinly sliced 4 180g pack hot-smoked oked sa salmon, skin discarded, flesh flaked ed 4 Plain flour, flo for dusting 4 Vegetable oil, for frying 4 Skin-on fries, to serve (optional)) 4 Tartare sa sauce, to serve (optional) 4 500g frozen peas 4 20g fresh mint, leaves roughly chopped 4 25g salted butter
Method M
1
Boil the potatoes for 10-12 minutes es unti untilil soft. Drain well, then return to the pan to steam-dry for one minute. Use kitchen paper to scrape off fo the th skins. Transfer to a large bowl and mash. Add the th lemon zest, capers, dill, chilli, parmesan, esan, spring onions on and salmon, then season. Mix well and form fo into eight cakes with your hands.. Dust each cake with 2-3 tsp flour, then then transfer to a plate and chill for 30 minutes to firm up. Add enough oil to a large frying pan n so that itit comes 2cm up the sides. Fry the fishcakes hcakes over a medium heat for four minutes on each side ide or until golden brown. Meanwhile, boil the peas for three minutes, then drain. draiin. Return to the pan and mash lightly liightly with wiith the mint, miint, butter and a little liittle seasoning. seasoniing. Serve the fishcakes with the peas. Add chips and tartare sauce, ifif preferred.
2 3 4 5
Veggie lasagne Prep and cook ti time ime 30 MINS Serves 2 S IIngredients g 4 250g asparagus, trimmed 4 2 large square sh sheets dried lasagne pasta 4 235g spi spinach, in washed 4 200ml tub halffat crè crème ème ffraîche 4 175g frozen baby broad bea beans, thawed 4 15g fresh dill, finely chop chopped 4 Zest and juice of 1⁄2 unwaxed llemon
Method
1 2
Place the th asparagus in a steamer or colander over a pan p of boiling water. Cook for 8-10 minutes un until tender, then remove. Meanwhile, bring another large pan of water Meanw to the boil. b Cook the lasagne according to the pack instructions until al dente. Drain, reservi reserving ing a little water, and cut each sheet into four pieces. piieces. Keep each sheet in the reserved water to sto stop them sticking together. Place th the spinach in a large, hot frying pan with wi ith a splash s of water. Cook and stir for onetwo mi minutes inute until wilted. Add the crème fraîche, broad beans, dill, lemon zest z and juice. Simmer for one to two minutes un until heated through. Season well. Place a sheet of pasta on each plate, top with some so of the asparagus and sauce, then repeat with the remaining three sheets, the asparagus and a sauce.
3 4 5
Rogaa josh curry sauce Rogan Lamb steaks Lam Tin Ti in of o chickpeas Watercress Wate Spring onions Sprin Cumin seeds Cum Greek-style natural yoghurt Gree Fresh mint Pomegranate seeds Pom Asparagus Aspa Dried Dri ied lasagne sheets Spinach Spi in Half-fat crème fraîche HalfFresh dill Unwaxed lemons Unw British Bri itis pork sausages English Cox apples Eng FFresh sage Maris Piper potatoes Capers Red chilli Grated Parmesan Pack of hot-smoked salmon Skin-on fries (optional) Tartare sauce (optional) Red peppers Carrots Celery Garlic Puy-style lentils Bay leaf Dried oregano Dried mint Pitted black olives Halloumi Frozen peas Salted butter
Want more inspiration? For more delicious recipes, head on over to the HomeStyle website! yourhomestyle.uk
Feature Kate White Recipes Rogan josh; toad in the hole; lasagne, Waitrose & Partners. Pepper and lentil salad, Riverford. Fishcakes, Tesco
Shopping list Shop
Berry smoothie Prep and cook time 10 MINS Serves 2 Ingredients 4 cup Ocean Spray Cranberry Original with no added sugar 4 cup frozen mixed berries (strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and blueberries) 4 170g low fat berry-flavoured yogurt 4 banana, cut into slices
Method
1 2 3
Combine all of the above ingredients in a blender or food processor. Blend for a few seconds on high speed until everything is thoroughly combined. Pour into a large glass and drink straight away or use a transportable bottle so you can enjoy your smoothie on-the-go.
Healthy in a
HURRY
Always rushing? Here are some tempting tummy-fillers to grab as you go, go, go 122
yourhomestyle.uk
BONUS RECIPES Green frittata muffins Prep and cook time 30 MINS
Serves 3 MAKES 6 Ingredients 4 2 tsp olive oil, plus extra for greasing 4 1 garlic clove, crushed 4 large courgette, grated 4 Handful baby spinach, roughly chopped 4 30g frozen peas 4 4 large eggs, beaten 4 40g Cheddar cheese, grated
Method
1 2 3
Preheat your oven to 180째C/160째C Fan/ Gas Mark 4. Grease six holes of a muffin tin and put a disc of baking paper in the bottom of each. Heat the olive oil in a small frying pan over a medium heat. Add the garlic, courgette and spinach. Cook for 4-5 mins, stirring frequently to prevent the vegetables catching on the bottom of the pan. Remove from the heat and stir through the frozen peas. In a large bowl, gently stir the cooked vegetables and cheese into the beaten egg. Divide the mixture evenly between the prepared muffin holes. Bake for 18-20 mins, until the frittatas are set and golden. Take out of the oven and leave to cool slightly, before removing from the tin. Store in a plastic container and refrigerate, or make batches and freeze for easy weekday packed lunches.
4 5
Ultimate healthy flapjack Prep and cook time Serves 12 Ingredients 4 1 ripe banana 4 2 tbsp coconut oil 4 3 tbsp tahini 4 60g runny honey 4 pinch of salt 4 1 tsp cinnamon 4 45g mixed seeds (such as pumpkin, sesame and sunflower) 4 100g rolled oats (use gluten-free oats to make recipe gluten-free) 4 50g sour cherries 4 2 tbsp chia seeds 4 50g pistachios
Method
1 2 3 4
Preheat the oven to 200째C/180째C Fan/ Gas Mark 6. Mash the banana with a fork until it becomes a smooth paste. Melt the coconut oil over a low heat. Remove from the heat and add the tahini and honey. Mix the dry ingredients in a bowl, plus a pinch of salt. Add the banana paste and honey mixture. Stir everything together until it is combined. Press into a 16 x 16cm tin, lined with baking paper. Bake for 25 mins, or until firm and golden. Leave to cool in the tin before slicing the baked mixture into flapjack bars.
5 6
September 2020
123
Feature Catherine Smalley Recipes Smoothie, Ocean Spray; muffins and flapjack, Tesco
35 MINS
3 issues for £5 When you subscribe to Gardens Illustrated Special offer • Your first 3 issues for £5* • Continue at just £9.70 every 3 issues by Direct Debit – SAVING 35% • Never miss an issue of your favourite magazine • Free UK delivery direct to your door
PROMOTION CODE
GIH20
Subscribe online at
buysubscriptions.com/GIH20 or call our subscriber hotline on 03330 162114†
EVA NEMETH
†
Calls from landlines will cost up to 9p per minute, depending on provider. Calls from mobile phones will costt up to 55p per minute, but are included in inclusive call packages. Lines are open 8am-8pm weekdays and 9am-1pm Saturdays. Overseas readers call +44 1604 973722. *Three issues for £5 is available for UK subscribers paying by Direct Debit only. After your first 3 issues, your subscription will continue at £9.70 every 3 issues saving 35% thereafter. If you cancel within 2 weeks of receiving your second issue, you will pay no more than £5. Your subscription will start with the next available issue. Offer ends 31 December 2020.
*
Y L R IA TO EC UC R SPOD FFE TR O IN
SAVE
% when you subscribe*
SUBSCRIBER BENEFITS • Save a fantastic 50%* on the shop price • Pay just £2.49 a month by Direct Debit • Never miss an issue of your favourite magazine filled with the best home inspiration and fantastic features on collectable antiques • Offer ends 31st December 2020
SIMPLE WAYS TO ORDER Visit buysubscriptions.com/HAH20 Or call 0333 016 2117 and quote HAH20 *50% saving is only available to UK residents paying by monthly Direct Debit. Your subscription will start with the next available issue. UK calls will cost the same as other standard fixed line numbers (starting 01 or 02) and are included as part of any inclusive or free minutes allowances (if offered by your phone tariff). Outside free call packages, call charges from mobile phones will cost between 3p and 55p per minute. Lines are open Mon to Fri 8am-6pm and Sat 9am-1pm. Offer ends 31st December 2020.
Inspiring ideas AMAZING PRICES
First 3 issues for only £5* when you subscribe SIMPLE WAYS TO ORDER O Visit buysubscriptions.com/HSH20 O Or call 0330 135 8961† and quote HSH20 OFFER ENDS 31st December 2020 *3 issues for £5 offer only is only available to UK residents paying by Direct Debit. After your first 3 issues your subscription will continue at £10.75 every 6 issues. If you cancel within 2 weeks of receiving your 2nd issue you will pay no more than £5. Your subscription will start with the next available issue. †UK calls will cost the same as other standard fixed line numbers (starting 01 or 02) and are included as part of any inclusive or free minutes allowances (if offered by your phone tariff. Outside of free call packages call charges from mobile phones will cost between 3p and 55p per minute. Lines are open Mon to Fri 8am – 6pm and Sat 9am – 1pm.’
SCUMBLE “Extraordinary name.
THANKS
GOOSIE Extraordinary furniture.”
TO OUR Radiator Table aginst our Georgian Wall Panelling
To donate to the NHS please go to nhscharitiestogether.co.uk
Your quiet space.
www.scumblegoosie.com ~
01453 731305
ϬϭϱϬ� ϮϯϰϬϬϬ � ǁǁǁ�ŇŽŽƌƐŽĨƐƚŽŶĞ�ĐŽŵ ĞŶƋƵŝƌŝĞƐΛŇŽŽƌƐŽĨƐƚŽŶĞ�ĐŽŵ
The new Scoop sofa. Transforms even the tiniest space into a haven of peace and tranquility.
Experts in small space living 21 stores | 0345 609 4455 | futoncompany.co.uk
www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk
To advertise here please call Sophie Roberts on 0117 300 8801
SHOPPING DIRECTORY
A BIG
SHOPPING DIRECTORY
Highly water resistant
Re-Silver Plating
:LOO QRW DNH RU SHHO UV resistant
H;L?L; OEKH I?BL;HM7H;
Contains no biocides or preservatives
;FDI" Ij[hb_d] I_bl[h" 9eff[h eh 8hWii XWi[ c[jWb
Safe for use on children’s toys
TURN THIS…
INTO THIS…
• Cutlery Sets/Pieces
• Candlesticks
• Trays and Bowls
• Jugs/Tankards
• Tea/Coffee Sets
• Some Jewellery (please ask)
• Trophies
• + Many Other Items!
• Ornaments
• Knife Handles Replaced
Easy to apply 5 New colours for 2018
NO OBLIGATION QUOTES
www.treatex.co.uk
Classic Colour Collection 7UHDWH[ &ODVVLF &RORXU &ROOHFWLRQ LV D KLJK TXDOLW\ RSDTXH ZRRG ıQLVK suitable for many indoor and outdoor applications. Available in 21 colours.
R P Day & Co
0114 2467240 www.steelcitycutlery.com/plating
OWN A BESPOKE NATIONWIDE VERANDA TODAY R E E OU IV N E NS LI SE TE ON E EX NG RA
GET UP TO
25%
OFF
TO CELEBRATE
OVER 30 YEARS
Contemporary Verandas
OF HOME INNOVATIONS
Custom made to suit your property Built to the highest quality :LGH UDQJH RI VW\OHV DQG QLVKHVb Huge choice of colours FREE design consultation
OVER 50,000 VDWLV HG FXVWRPHUV Full installation service 5 Year Guarantee on all products 5DQJH RI QDQFH RSWLRQV DYDLODEOH FCA approved
For a FREE EURFKXUH RU QR REOLJDWLRQ GHVLJQ FRQVXOWDWLRQ CALL US TODAY ON or visit us online at www.nationwideltd.co.uk
0800 179 9839 N
HOME INNOVATIONS
24 MONTHS INTEREST FREE CREDIT AVAILABLE* *Credit is subject to status and affordability. Representative Example: Cash price £4,500.00, 30% deposit of £1,350.00, amount of credit £3,150.00, annual rate of interest 0% p.a fixed, 0% APR Representative, 24 monthly repayments of £131.25, total amount payable £4,500.00 (including deposit).
To advertise here please call Sophie Roberts on 0117 300 8801
www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk
SHOPPING DIRECTORY
www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk
To advertise here please call Sophie Roberts on 0117 300 8801
ECO NEWS
Eco
news Save money and energy with our best buys
GREEN FINGERS Give your plants a happy home with these sustainable crochet hangers. Each one has been handmade in the UK using recycled cotton and you can purchase your favourite design for only £18 from wearthlondon.com. The holders are suitable for a range of lowmaintenance plants such as trailers and cactus, plus they come in five gorgeous colourways including cream mixed with grey, blush, sand, dusky pink and jeans blue.
Eco Comfort pillow, £30, Silentnight
Sleep easy A good night’s rest in a cosy bed is a treat for both your body and your mind. Now you can sleep even more soundly by snuggling up in bedding that has a positive effect on the environment, with the help of Silentnight’s Eco Comfort collection. The range includes
mattresses, duvets and pillows that are all made from 100 per cent recycled plastic bottles. The bedding doesn’t compromise on comfort and won’t put pressure on your purse either, as the collection starts from just £30. Find out more at silentnight.co.uk.
HANDWOVEN HOME Lüks Linen is an East Sussex-based brand that works with small family ateliers and weavers in Turkey to produce beautiful handwoven textiles. Many of the products, which include throws and cushions, use a traditional Turkish towel material called peshtemal, which is a lightweight fabric made from 100 per cent cotton. These vegan-friendly products come in a huge range of pastel colours that will complement a calm and cosy interior scheme. Find out more at lukslinen.com. Ela peshtemal in Gorse, £45; Damla organic cotton peshtemal in Olive, £35; Pinar cushion, £75, all Lüks Linen collection from Immaculate Vegan
3 OF THE BEST eco lunch boxes Purbeck lunch box, £15, Garden Trading
Stainlesssteel sandwich box, £32.95, Black + Blum
130
yourhomestyle.uk
Feature Sophie Demetriades
Natural Elements ecofriendly lunch box, £7.99, KitchenCraft
Sky above, earth below CPF TG YKVJKP
ELECTRIC
01952 200 444
GAS
|
OCTMGVKPI"EJCTNVQPCPFLGPTKEM EQ WM
WOOD BURNING
|
YYY EJCTNVQPCPFLGPTKEM EQ WM
M U LT I - F U E L
MY LAWN,
MY OFFICE!
Admiring the view from the office! Mountfield lawnmowers have been transforming the nation’s lawns since 1962. Our lawnmowers have become part of family life for many of our customers, are extensive range has all lawns and lifestyles covered. So, when we say Your Lawn, Your Way we really do mean it. Order online for FREE* delivery or why not visit your local Mountfield dealer and see the range for yourself.
To view the full range, visit our website www.mountfieldlawnmowers.co.uk *Selected postcodes
YOUR LAWN, YOUR WAY
S481 PD LS
S501R PD
SP555 V