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EDITOR’S LETTER

Editor’s portrait Lizzie Orme

Welcome In these difficult times it’s easy to get bored staring at the same four walls day in, day out. If you’ve decided to give your home a revamp, then you’ve come to the right place. In this issue we’ve got plenty of ideas to help you turn your home from drab to fab. On page 40 you’ll find a host of quick and easy decorating ideas that can transform your home in just a weekend, while over on page 36 we’ve got lots of affordable solutions to help you switch up your décor for a lighter, brighter summer look. Now that trips to the spa are a distant memory, maybe you fancy recreating the experience at home. Turn to page 54 to find all the inspiration you need to create your own special space to relax and unwind. Plus, don’t forget to check out our three bathroom makeovers this month for even more ideas to inspire (page 24). When it comes to kitchens the nation is divided: some lust Treat yourself or a loved one with our after sleek, handless units with glossy surfaces, while others fantastic subscriber offer. See page 90 hanker for characterful country-style cabinets. If you’re for details. in the latter camp, then you’ll love our feature on page 48, where w you’ll find rural charm in abundance. Talking of rural, May is the start of elderflower sseason and on page 98 we’ve got some delicious rrecipes for using this lovely hedgerow blossom. LLet’s face it, who doesn’t llove food for free?

subscribe & save

Editor-in-Chief Anna-Lisa De’Ath Features Editors Catriona Burns, Michelle Grady Staff Writers Hannah Tribe, Sophie Demetriades Editorial Assistants Ella Rhys-Jones, Katie Dutton Designers Sally Bufton, Beth Charlton Lucas, Libby Parfitt, Emily Waite Digital Editor Rebecca Messina Digital Editorial Assistant Thea Jeffreys

Find bril liant, pu rsefriendly buys for ever y ro om from all your favourit e homewa re store s

71 Our gorgeous reader homes are full of great ideas to steal

follow & share ww

w.yourho memaga zine.co.u facebook k .com/you rhomema @Your_H g ome instagram .com/you rhomema pinterest gazine .com/you rhomema g

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 SowterHalling Classified Sales Executive Sophie Roberts Ad Coordinator Bryony Grace Senior Ad Designers Andrew Hobson, Cee Pike Marketing & Production: Subscriptions Director Jacky Perales-Morris Direct Marketing Executive Emma Hunter Director of Licensing and Syndication Tim Hudson Syndication Manager Richard Bentley Production Director Sarah Powell Junior Production Co-Ordinator 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: yourhome@buysubscriptions.com 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


Contents 44

Get to know the latest high-tech robomowers

108

94

Our gardening tips for this month will help your garden to look its best

Cater for everyone with delicious vegetarian recipes for the barbecue

78

Steal design ideas from our stylish homes

May at home 7

7

This month we love Our favourite things to buy, see and do this May

Makeovers

24

24 It’s practical but glamorous too Rachel turned her characterless old bathroom into a relaxing spa

54 Create your own spa-throom Treat yourself to a luxurious bathroom scheme

Reader homes

28 We’ve upsized a toilet into a shower room! Jane took advantage of a redesign to add another bathroom

71 72 We’re so thrilled we’ve kept it in the family Sarah renovated an inherited wreck and turned it into a cosy home

32 Recycling allowed us to stay on budget Helen Jones used revamped pieces in keeping with her period home

78 Every room of our house is special and unique Terian fell in love with her house the second she stepped inside

20 Trend Alert : Santa Fé style Make way for a new look, inspired by warmer climates

Kitchens & bathrooms

36 Simple steps for a summer makeover Give your home a seasonal style face-lift

48 Country-style kitchens Create your ideal traditional kitchen with a contemporary twist

84 My home is my very own Hansel and Gretel cottage Haley fulfilled her childhood dreams with an idyllic cottage

40 12 speedy décor updates Use your extra time on decorating jobs you’ve always wanted to do

52 We doubled the size of our kitchen Jane Whitton made her space bigger and brighter with use of some outside space

13 Household hints Freshen up your home with this month’s best cleaning products 17 Smarter shopper Our tips and tricks will help you to save money on days out

Decorating

19

47

Have you missed an issue? Call 0330 1358962 to order back copies


Plus! 12-PAGE T PULL-OU GUIDE

MAKE IT EASY! Update your space with stylish craft projects and expert advice

60

Make delightful tableware to take anywhere

62

Give an old rattan chair a bright look

64

Sew a stylish tablecloth with built-in resistance to the British weather

84

Haley’s adorable cottage fullfils her childhood dreams

Food & entertaining

93

Don’t miss out!

94 Meat-free BBQ Set out the perfect vegetarian spread with these tasty recipes

11 Your letters We take a look at some of your news, views and photographs

98 It’s elderflower time! Enjoy the delicate flavour and promise of summer days around the corner

58 Win! Your chance to win a SodaStream Spirit sparkling water maker

Home Improvement

101 102 How to build a summerhouse Get more from your outside space with a garden room or summerhouse

Gardening

107 108 In your garden this month Enhance the beauty of your garden in May with our top tips and best buys 44 Buyer’s guide Cut the hassle of lawn care with a clever robotic lawn mower

90 Subscribe to Your Home Take out a subscription this month and enjoy 23% off the shop price 112 Prize draws Our prizes include vinyl tile flooring and a top-quality lawnmower 114 Shopping guide Find out where to purchase everything in this issue 116 Coming next month Take a peek at what’s coming up in the June issue 122 Eco news The latest products to help you to live more sustainably

Plus, check out… 66 DIY masterclass Boost the look of your garden by laying a new patio 68 Ask the experts We answer your home improvement questions 70 Craft stash Our top products to keep your hands busy this month


MY LAWN,

MY HOME!

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Malton’s famous food market is swapping stalls for home deliveries during the lockdown

The market that comes to you! The monthly food market in Malton brings gastronomes to the Yorkshire town from far and wide. But the government measures to contain Covid-19 mean any plans to visit have to be put on hold. But that doesn’t mean the pastries, pies, fresh produce and beverages that would normally be on sale at the market can’t still be enjoyed, as many of the regular stallholders have teamed up to organise a delivery service. If you’re within range, you can have some of the delicious delights brought direct to your door. Find out more at www.maltondelivers.co.uk

THIS MONTH

FOR STOCKISTS SEE P114

we love… Discover the latest things to do, buy and see this May

This independent, family-run interiors business was set up by three sisters in 2016. Their passion for all things homely stems from their mum, who used to buy, transform and sell houses and furniture. They moved house a lot until they moved to Camperdown Lane, where they lived for 16 years and often helped out with doing up the space. They now have their own homes, but have never lost the joy of moving furniture around, playing with colour schemes and seeking out new and exciting homewares. Camperdown Lane sells everything from interiors accessories and gifts to furniture, some of which are one-off pieces. If you like a calm, comfortable vibe, we definitely recommend a visit. Visit the shop at: 18 St Owen St, Hereford, HR1 2PL or online at www.camperdownlane.com

HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS Fans of Cath Kidston’s distinctive vintageinspired prints will love this new book that welcomes you into her home. She fell in love with the rambling manor in the Cotswolds as soon as she stepped inside it and has lovingly transformed it into a stunning place to live. You’ll pick up some great decorating and style tips as you peek into her spaces including: the entrance hall, sitting room, office, kitchen, dining room and attic. More than that though, you’ll learn more about the person behind the hugely successful brand as she relates stories about her life in design. Prepare for some serious house envy! A Place Called Home: Print, Colour, Pattern by Cath Kidston is out now, published by Pavilion Books for £30

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk May 2020

7

Feature Katie Dutton and Emma Lewis

Camperdown Lane, Hereford


THIS MONTH WE LOVE

GREAT IDEAS FOR… National Sandwich Week 17th-23rd May All you need to make and enjoy the perfect sarnie! Colourful cactus lunch bag, £5, Sass & Belle

The land of nod The theme for this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week is ‘sleep’ – how we’re not getting enough of it and how vital it is for our mental health. Creating a relaxing environment in your bedroom and making sure it’s dark and cool enough will help you grab more of those precious zzzzs. We think the new Clarissa Hulse Costa Rica Fern bed linen, especially in the calming shade of green (prices start at £60, clarissahulse.com) is a great way to do just that. And luxurious accessories, such as this silk eye mask, £25 from Sara Miller, could also help you slip into a rejuvenating sleep – aaaaah! Mental Health Awareness Week is 18th-24th May, Visit mentalhealth. org.uk for more information and fundraising tips

Bohemian Journey Elephant water bottle, £15, Paperchase

CAN’T TOUCH THIS! Inject some colour and humour into your kitchen with these new oven mitts, from Red Candy. When you’re running late with dinner, the kids are having a meltdown and you’re feeling a very long way from being a domestic goddess, a glance at these should put a little smile on your face, helping you to keep calm and carry on warming those baked beans.

Poppy Treffry insulated reusable food wrap, £9.95, notonthehighstreet.com

Oven Mitts, £13, www.redcandy.co.uk

WHO LET THE DOGS OUT? Lunch Punch Sweet Treat sandwich cutters, £10, Eatwell

Wedgwood Butterfly Bloom sandwich tray, £54, John Lewis & Partners

8

Celebrate your four-legged friends with these fab new products to brighten up your home. When you and your pooch get back from a long walk you can wipe any muddy feet (and paws) on this super-cute yet highly practical Sausage dog door mat (below), £19.50 from www.redcandy.co.uk. Then settle down on the sofa with the Joules Falmouth Dog cushion (below right), £40 from joules.com. Last but not least, keep your postwalk cuppa from marking the table with these ‘Barklife’ ceramic dog coasters (above right), £12.99 for four from hannahturner.co.uk.

May 2020 www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk


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GET IN TOUCH

Your Home needs you! We love to hear about what you’ve been up to, so send us your letters, tips, projects and photos. This month’s prizes are provided by Crafter’s Companion.

Letter of th monthe

PLANT POWER I wanted to share photos of my finished light décor project that I’m super proud of. I love indoor plants and wanted to create something original. I found the brass ceiling pendant light reduced as it had no shades. Instead, it had lots of faux leaves and foliage threaded through a garden trellis. I added some globe bulbs and hung it up using fish wire in the corners to help hold the weight. My son calls it our jungle light! Rebecca Smith via email Your Home says This looks like something that’s come straight out of a design showroom, Rebecca! It’s such a lovely idea and you’ve created a truly eye-catching piece.

Eco island I wanted a new island for my kitchen but I like to recycle wherever possible, so this is the solution my husband came up with. He made it out of old kitchen cupboards and recycled wood that we had around the house. It’s 70% recycled and cost under £80 to build the base and paint. I think it looks fabulous! Sharon Sims via email Your Home says Your island is indeed fabulous, Sharon and immaculately made! Hats off to your husband. We really love the on-trend shade of blue.

+ Rebecca’s letter has won her a goody bag from Crafter’s Companion. Send us your projects and photos and you could be next month’s winner!

New & improved Last year my mother asked my father to make a new bird table as our old one was getting very tatty. Armed with an old fence post, some wood offcuts and reclaimed slates, he set to work. The photograph shows the end product – the birds and my mother are delighted with the result. Not bad for an OAP who has recently had a hip replacement, a knee replacement and a fused ankle! Gavin Parker via email Your Home says Your dad’s craftsmanship is outstanding, Gavin! Does he take commissions?

SEND YOUR TIPS, PHOTOS AND LETTERS TO: Your letters, Your Home magazine, Immediate Media Co, Eagle House, Colston Avenue, Bristol BS1 4ST or email Yourhome@immediate.co.uk Letters may be edited. We apologise but photos cannot be returned.

Savvy style I’m a new reader of your magazine and absolutely love the inspirational ideas and beautiful real homes. My family and I moved into our home 18 months ago and we’ve worked so hard to make it our own on a budget. To make a quirky statement, we selected a tropical print wallpaper for one of the walls in our living room. I’m also a fan of upcycling and sourcing bargains locally so was delighted to find the clock and old hostess trolley for just £10 each on boot sale app sites. The shelf and wall brackets were sourced from a lovely little reclamation yard nearby. The room is cosy, relaxing and makes us all smile when we settle down into it after a long day. Holly Chalmers via email Your Home says This is super stylish room Holly, all the more impressive for doing it on a budget too!

Get Online Tweet us your pictures and comments @your_home or like our Facebook page www.facebook.com/yourhomemag

Courtesy of Crafter’s Companion, this issue’s letter of the month will receive £45 worth of embroidery goodies. Three runners-up will each receive £25 worth of embroidery kits. Find out more about Crafter’s Companion and their products at crafterscompanion.co.uk


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Freshen up your home with our handy hints and tips

How to… Clean and store your winter bedding

The first thing to remember is that bedding must be clean and completely dry before you pack it away. Even a small amount of dirt or moisture can encourage mould, staining and odours. Always follow the cleaning instructions recommended by the manufacturer, otherwise you run the risk of damaging your bedding. Duvets and pillows with synthetic fillings can often be washed at home in the machine, if they’ll fit comfortably, but always check the label first. Bedding filled with natural materials can sometimes be washed at home, but are often best cleaned professionally, as they usually require a much larger-capacity machine. However you choose to wash them, items such as duvets and pillows will take much longer to dry thoroughly than you might think. Even slight dampness can result in the growth of mould, which you’re unlikely to discover until you bring them out again for the colder months – not a nice surprise when you’ve been looking forward to snuggling down in your winter duvet! When it comes to storage, this really depends on the space you have available. These days, not many homes have a spacious airing cupboard, so under-bed storage boxes are ideal. If you’re really struggling for space, however, consider vacuum bags (see above right). We love Lakeland’s range, which are available in different sizes and have a viewing window so you can see what’s inside at a glance. They also fold flat for storage and feature easy-carry handles.

Q&A

I’ve just had new carpets fitted throughout my home. But with two young children and a dog I’m expecting the odd spillage. Do you have any suggestions for a spot carpet cleaner that’s quick and easy to use? We’d recommend the Vax SpotlessGo – a powerful, cordless spot and area cleaner that’s perfect for any home where sticky fingers and muddy paws abound. It weighs just 3.2kg, so it’s easy to carry around the house. The SpotlessGo’s Active Jet Spray targets a mix of water and solution at any dirt or spillages, which can then be agitated and sucked away with the range of attachments. There’s even a squeegee tool for windows and shower screens. It also uses a ONEPWR battery, which you can swap into Vax’s other ONEPWR SpotlessGo, compatible products. £149.99, Vax

Editor’s Choice

AnySharp 5-in-1 Multi Scissors, around £12.93, Amazon

The perfect addition to your kitchen utensil drawer, )Va;PIZX [ QV 5]T\Q ;KQ[[WZ[ IZM XW[[QJTa \PM WVTa XIQZ aW] TT M^MZ VMML I[ \PMa JWI[\ M`\ZI \WWT[ []Q\IJTM NWZ ITT [WZ\[ WN PW][MPWTL \I[S[ ) J]QT\ QV _QZM [\ZQXXMZ JW\\TM WXMVMZ OIZTQK IVL V]\ KZ][PMZ mean that you can use just these scissors for plenty UWZM JM[QLM[ K]\\QVO <PM JTILM[ IZM UILM NZWU XZWNM[[QWVIT OZILM PIZLMVML [\MMT _PQKP PMTX[ SMMX \PMU [PIZX IVL UISM[ \PMU TI[\ U]KP TWVOMZ )VL QN \PM JTILM[ M^MZ _WZS TWW[M \PMa KIV JM \QOP\MVML _Q\P \PM KMV\ZIT \MV[QWVQVO JWT\

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk May 2020

Feature Lisa Hibberd

Now that the warmer weather is here, it’s time to pack away those thick winter duvets and blankets. Follow our top tips to make sure yours stay in good condition during their months in storage.

13


Impress your barbecue guests with perfectly formed patties! This device will ensure a consistent shape and size, whether you’re making meat, fish, vegetarian or vegan burgers Gentlemen’s Hardware non-stick burger press, £18, Wild & Wolf

What to look out for

THIS MONTH

G eat Buy Keep the drinks flowing with this stylish dispenser – its wide neck opening means it’s easy to pack with plenty of ice and fruit. So it’s perfect for punch! Kilner 5L vintage drinks dispenser, £18.50, Amazon

Ideal for an alfresco feast, these melamine plates prove that you don’t need to sacrifice style for practicality. We love the contemporary designs in crisp white and dark blue

Gather your condiments and cutlery in one place with this handy organiser. It also features a chalkboard on one side so you can display your alfresco menu for all to see

Royal Doulton Pacific melamine salad plates, £18 for four, John Lewis

Food Glorious Food table tidy and chalk board, £28.99, T&G Woodware

It might not be the first place you think of that would harbour germs, but your home office should have a regular deep clean. All those nooks and crannies are ideal hiding places for dust and grime, so why not tackle them with these nifty tools from OXO? Bring some sparkle back to your screen with the microfibre cloth that will wipe away grubby fingerprints and smudges. The loop brush reaches down into the gaps in your keyboard to sweep out any debris and a firm-bristled brush will help to remove any tacky marks without scratching the surface. All three tools attach to a convenient ring so they stay together, and the cloth has its own pouch.

Create a talking point at your table with one of these quirky bottle openers. The only issue is deciding which one to choose Lobster bottle opener, £18, Paperchase. Palm tree bottle opener, £4, Matalan. Bird bottle opener, £19.50, Oliver Bonas

Good Grips Keyboard and screen deep cleaning set, £10, OXO

THINGS WE CONSIDERED O How well did it clean? O Did it require much effort? WE TRIED OUT A SELECTION OF BARBECUE CLEANING PRODUCTS, HERE’S WHAT WE FOUND… O What was the fragrance like?

WE TEST… barbecue cleaners BARBECUE CLEANER, £2.99, JEYES This odourless cleaner sprayed on easily and the fast-acting formula removed most burnt-on food and grease without too much effort, after being left for the recommended one to two minutes. It’s suitable for all types of barbecues, as well as utensils, and the trigger spray bottle makes it easy to apply. It claims to kill bacteria such as salmonella, listeria and E. coli, so it’s good for keeping your grill hygienically clean.

BARBECUE CLEANING WIPES, £5.99, LANDMANN We were wary of these wipes’ strong fragrance, but they had an immediate effect on stubborn grease and dirt. The super-tough wipes didn’t disintegrate, even after scrubbing a filthy barbecue grill. They have a rough and a smooth side for scraping through grease, then polishing the surface. They’re also anti-bacterial and contain vitamin E and aloe vera so they’re kind to the skin on your hands.

9/10 8/10

14

May 2020 www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

OVEN AND GRILL BBQ CLEANER, £6.99, HG We really liked the foaming consistency of this cleaner, as it helped the spray to cling to the barbecue grill while it did its job. It removed burnt-on food and grease effectively once it had been left for the recommended time, although it did take two or three applications for more stubborn areas. We found the fragrance to be quite strong, but not unpleasant.

7/10

ENAMEL CLEANER, £9.99, WEBER This cleaner lived up to its claim, leaving the enamel lid and body of our barbecue looking as good as new. We sprayed it onto to the cold barbecue, inside and out, then wiped it off with a cloth. The cleaner dissolved grease and dirt, leaving a good shine, and it didn’t have too strong a fragrance. A great buy to keep the your barbecue looking smart.

8/10


EDITOR’S CHOICE

Bring a touch of gold to your home with these opulent, easy-fit pendants from där lighting. Handmade in India, these Apiary (above) and Kiki (left) pendants feature intricately woven metal in a swirl and loop design. There’s no need for an electrical installation, simply attach them to your ceiling lamp holders for an instant glow. The Apiary pendant measures H36cm x W36cm and costs £47.40 while the Kiki pendant is H20cm x W50cm and £46.80. Both are available from www.darlighting.co.uk.

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk May 2020

15


Thank you, Sylvia Sylvia left a gift in her Will to help conquer Stroke The first we knew of Sylvia was when we received notification of the gift she’d left us in her Will. Shortly after, a beautiful story of a much-loved woman began to unfurl. Friends remembered Sylvia’s kindheart and her wish to help others. She spent part of her adult-life caring for her mother, and developed a passion

for medicine. Becoming a medical secretary was her next step and, in the course of her career, she discovered the devastating impact a stroke could have on people and their families. She saw that research and treatment were vastly under-funded, and she decided to remember the Stroke Association in her Will.

Sylvia’s gift has helped fund our work to conquer stroke. She’s supported research to prevent and treat stroke, and she’s helped care for survivors. And that’s something you can do too – in the same way. If you would like to learn more about remembering the Stroke Association in your Will, please get in touch.

Call 020 75661505 email legacy@stroke.org.uk or visit stroke.org.uk/legacy 5HJLVWHUHG R FH 6WURNH $VVRFLDWLRQ +RXVH &LW\ 5RDG /RQGRQ (&O9 35 5HJLVWHUHG DV D &KDULW\ ,Q (QJODQG DQG :DOHV 1R DQG ,Q 6FRWODQG 6& $OVR UHJLVWHUHG LQ 1RUWKHUQ ,UHODQG ;7 ,VOH RI 0DQ 1R DQG -HUVH\ 132 6WURNH $VVRFLDWLRQ ,V D &RPSDQ\ /LPLWHG E\ *XDUDQWHH ,Q (QJODQG DQG :DOHV 1R


THE LATEST CONSUMER NEWS

Savvy ways to…

Enjoy days out for less

64% of Brits state a ‘lack of space’ as the main reason for wanting to move house. Source Insulation Express

Q Got a store card? It’s worth checking what

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Q A wealth of options to suit all tastes and ages

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can be found on www.groupon.co.uk. You

entry for one adult with the purchase of a

could try stand-up paddle boarding, get up close

child or adult ticket to resorts such as Alton

and personal to a reptile, take a balloon flight or

Towers, Chessington World of Adventures and

have a go at paint-balling.

Legoland Windsor. You can find the vouchers

Q Last but by no means least, www.

on promotional packs of Kellog’s cereal and use

moneysavingexpert.com is bursting with bargains, from restaurant, theatre and cinema deals to days out of all kinds.

them to book your tickets online. Offer ends 30 June 2021.

YH Fab find Wish you could afford a new bathroom or dining table perhaps? Whatever it is you’re craving, you can download the free Savings Goals app from the Apple App Store for to help you save up. It allows you to create a ‘savings goal’ amount and the date you want to reach it, then it calculates how much you need to stash away each week or month. Or you can say how much you’re able to save each week and the app will let you know the date you should reach your target. You can also watch your pennies mounting up in the money-jar display as you picture your transformed home.

tech news

SMART SAVINGS Railcards can save you cash on train travel. Live in the south east? A Network Railcard (£30) offers 1/3 off off-peak tickets in the area. Aged 26-30? The 26-30 railcard (also £30) gives you 1/3 off most journeys. The Family & Friends railcard (£30 again) lets up to four adults get 1/3 off and up to four children get 60% off! Visit www.thetrainline. com for more. With the spare cash, you could buy an American Tourister Airconic suitcase, £135, americantourister.co.uk.

If you have a Fitbit Ionic or Versa smartwatch and Bosch, NEFF, Siemens or Gaggenau appliances, you can start and monitor them while you’re out and about, thanks to the updated Home Connect app in the Fitbit App Gallery. Preheat your oven while you’re running in the park or start the coffee machine from your bed in the morning to give you more gym time. You can also check if you closed the fridge door after you’ve run out of the house, for example.

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk May 2020

Feature Emma Lewis Photos Getty Images

FACT FILE

Aaaah, you never forget those special family

17


THE LATEST CONSUMER NEWS

Get your affairs in order with an up-to-date will – it’s one of the most important things you can do to look after your loved ones once you’re gone

I

HOW TO MAKE YOUR WILL There are a variety of ways to write your will: Q The best way is to appoint a solicitor who specialises in wills and probate. Make sure they’re licensed with either the Solicitors Regulation Authority or the Law Society. Q You can use a professional will writer but these aren’t qualified solicitors so check that they’re a member of the Institute of Professional Willwriters.

t’s not something Free Wills Month and the anyone likes to think Will Aid scheme take place about, but making a every March and November. Participating solicitors will will is an important step waive their fee for writing a towards securing your basic will, in exchange for family’s future. There’s a donation to charity. no need to wait until you’re older and it’s especially vital if Do I need to appoint an executor? you have a spouse, children and any Denise Williams, Portsmouth valuable assets such as property. Having all your wishes written down in such a way will Yes, you should ask a solicitor, ensure that your family and friends are taken family member or friend to be care of, as well as detailing any arrangements an executor. They’ll ensure all for what happens to your remains. Here’s your affairs are taken care of, such how to go about it and the essential things as paying off debts, cancelling credit you need to consider…

Estate agent

WHY WRITE A WILL There are many reasons for making a will: Q A will is a legally binding document that allows you to decide how your estate (your money, possessions and property) will be distributed after your death.

Feature Hayley Gilbert

Q It also lets you determine who will look after your children. Q If you haven’t made a will, there’s no guarantee that any of your wishes will be carried out and it could lead to disputes between family members.

cards and notifying banks and other businesses of your death. They basically take on the administration of your estate and should be honest, trustworthy and well-organised. You can have a second choice in case the first is unavailable, but you’ll need to name both in your will.

INHERITANCE TAX

Q Having a will speeds up the probate process, as it lets the court know how you’d like your estate to be divided.

This is a tax on your estate, which includes all property, possessions and money: Q There’s no tax paid if the value of your estate is below the Nil Rate Band of £325,000 or if you leave everything above the threshold to your spouse, civil partner or a charity.

Q It can also help to reduce inheritance tax, so you can give more to family, friends or charity.

Q Anything above the threshold will be liable for inheritance tax at the rate of 40%.

18

May 2020 www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

Q Some charities offer free will-drafting services so ask your preferred charity if this is something they do. Q It’s possible to make your own will but you’ll need to ensure it’s valid and legally binding. Get advice from a solicitor if you plan on going down this route as the document needs to be written and signed correctly.

WHAT ASSETS SHOULD I INCLUDE? Every will is different but there are some basic assets that should be included, with details of who you would like to leave them to. These include: Q Any property you own or co-own. Q Bank or building society savings. Q Other savings such as premium bonds. Q Life insurance or an endowment policy. Q Pension funds that include a lump sum payable on death. Q Investments including trusts, stocks or shares. Q Personal effects such as jewellery, antiques or anything else you want someone to have.

useful contacts Find a member of The Society of Will Writers in n your area at www.willwriters.com. Check for regulated members of the Solicitors Regulation Authorit y at www.sra.org.uk. The Law Society has details of members in your area at www.lawsociety.org.uk. For information on Will Aid and Free Wills Month, visit www.willaid.org.uk and www. freewillsmonth.org.uk. Head to www.ipw.org.uk for regulated willwriters.


Decorating Spring into action with these fresh ideas for exciting new looks Bella double bed in Dove Grey Smart Velvet £1,310, Sofa.com

Mini trend: Purple Reign Spring is a fantastic time to think about using pastels in your decorating schemes. Their soft tones will lift your spirits and brighten up your rooms. We’ve seen the popularity of blush pink explode over the last few seasons, but its sugary tones don’t work for everyone. If you feel like you need something more modern, lilac is a great alternative. Its balance of blue and red undertones creates a soothing colour that will work anywhere, just as effectively as pink. It also works beautifully as a fresh update on grey. Choose a dusky hue and bring life back to your walls. Lilac bud vase trio, £28, Mint & May

French Lilac 1403 paint, £25.50 per 0.94l, Benjamin Moore

Letter tray in lavender grey, £29, Cambridge Imprint

Welsh tapestry cot blanket in Heather, £55.99, Welsh Otter

The lyrical names of Fenwick & Tilbrook’s paint collection, Shades of Spring, bring to mind all the best things about this season. Great Lake, Woodland Jay and Vintage Peony create images of tranquil outdoor spaces that are full of life. These paint colours bring that sense of vitality indoors with their pigment-rich formulas. Fenwick & Tilbrook is a family-run business, based in Norfolk that produces a range of over 120 beautiful colours. Pick up your favourite hue, from £40 per 2.5l, at fenwickandtilbrook.com

Lucy Tiffney Collection, from £8, Debenhams

BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL Turn your tea-break into a tropical treat with this gorgeous range of tableware and kitchen essentials. Lucy Tiffney has designed her collection in partnership with Debenhams using her distinctive, playful style. She combines glorious colour with charming, painterly botanical motifs. Switch up your kitchen storage with the matching sets of tins or go for full-on maximalism with a three-tier cake stand and matching tea-set, either way, they’ll help you turn your kitchen into paradise.

Feature Hannah Tribe

Spring G eens

Rococo candle in Lilac, £5.95, Rex London

CHECK OUT OUR NEW DECORATING PAGES AT WWW.YOURHOMEMAGAZINE.CO.UK www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk May 2020

19


STYLE FILE

Keep the colours consistent to avoid it feeling cluttered. Blush, mustard and avocado make great accent colours Embossed ceramic planter, £18; throws, £20 each; velour cushion, £12; embroidered face cushion, £10; embroidered colour block cushion, £12; hourglass, £16; natural woven easy-fit lamp shade, £20; face ceramic base table lamp, £30; ombré glazed vase, £14; abstract colour block wool rug, £100, all Matalan

TREND ALERT…

Santa Fé S yle As the temperature begins to rise, make way for a new look inspired by warmer climates

O

ne of this year’s hottest trends evokes summer sunshine and long, balmy evenings. It’s a look that has its roots in the style of the American South-West, North Africa and the Middle East. Picture the colours you’d find in the desert landscape and take your cues from there. Start by making a base of warm, earthy tones. Opt for cream, soft pink and biscuit hues. Then add in flashes of brighter colour with your furnishings and accessories. Deep blue, turquoise and green will contrast with the natural tones to create a vibrant look. If you’re looking to decorate your bathroom or kitchen in

20

this way, there are lots of traditional Moroccan or Mexican-style tiles to look out for. Think carefully about texture, this will help prevent your neutral scheme from looking washed out. Choose textiles with a visible weave, such as linen with slubs. If you have a wooden or vinyl floor, find rugs with a deep pile (a classic Berber-style rug, for instance) or thick, flat woven rugs in bright colours. Keep the window dressings light, a simple voile with a matt finish will soften the strongest rays. Leave wooden furniture in its natural state, adding a coat of wax to protect it from scuffs. Then settle down to enjoy your place in the sun.

May 2020 www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk


Tufted bench, £145; Tufted stool, £95, both Oliver Bonas

Statement patterns in earthy tones add interest to the look without being overpowering Medium rope storage basket, with black base, £9; three-tier shelf kit, £25; tall wire candle holder, £6; Mr & Mrs Face plant pots, £3 each; Stockholm birch wood sofa, £899; Berber-style cushion, £14; Aztec cushion, £10; Maestro chevron rug 120cm x 170cm, £34; Fenton coffee table, £35; Clever Cube in Oak, £22; Nala photo frame, £7; trailing plant in pot with legs, £8; Inga table lamp, £15; Terrazzo fabric storage box, £8; tea light holder with black triangles, £2; tea light holder with black dots, £2; Mumbai circular mirror, £20; plant in ceramic pot, £12; trailing plant in geo-shaped pot, £9; Pioneer ceramic candle in Golden Amber, £4, all Homebase

STYLE FILE

Clockwise from top left: In Deep Water eggshell paint, £49.99 per 2.5l, Dowsing & Reynolds; AS Creation Stone embossed wallpaper, £9 per roll, B&Q; Katie Voile fabric, £35 per m, John Lewis & Partners; Powdered Heather matt paint, £29.16 per 2.5l, Dulux; Light red quarry tile, £29.78 per sq m, Topps Tiles; Flax curtain fabric in Evergreen, £39 per m, Stitched

Feature Hannah Tribe

Choose thickly woven textiles to create a layered and tactile look

Mix and match a variety of neutral tones to give the look depth. Then add in pops of colour Apollo coffee table, £39.99; Lana sofa, from £249.99; Farasha butterfly cushion, £6.99; Apollo shelf unit, £99.99, all The Range

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk May 2020

21


STYLE FILE It may seem like a retro choice, but textured and rag-painted walls are on the way back into fashion Jute rug, £45; terracotta succulent, £4; rattan table lamp, £30; African Tribal Pattern duvet set, from £10; cow print duvet set, from £10; jute striped cushion, £10; Crewel Work Geo cushion, £8; embroidered cushion, £7, all George Home

Clockwise from top left: Terra vinyl flooring in blue, £59 per sq m, Atrafloor; Honest Touch matt paint, £29.16 per 2.5l, Dulux; Element rustic natural cork wall tiles, £36.21 per sq m, Floortiqué; Good Home Nivosa concrete imitation wallpaper, £16 per roll, B&Q; Series Woods Professional Natural Oak laminate flooring, £24 per sq m, UK Flooring Direct

Spend V Save Bring some dazzle to the dining table

Ipanema woven placemat, £6, Sainsbury’s Home

This neat styling tip adds colour to a plain wall while helping to frame your favourite display pieces, just give a mini-canvas a wash of paint and place it at the back of the shelf From top left; Amur blue vase, £25; Hinata speckled blue vase, £25; Oren clay jug, £25; Mariel orange patterned vase, £15; Holland rabbit head, £30; Sian grey textured tall vase, £30; Dimitri blue speckle bird, £20; Pitada small pink vase, £18; Hanti blue elephant, £18, all Habitat

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May 2020 www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

Round woven placemat, £11.99, Zara Home


STYLE FILE

BEDOUIN BEAUTY Take inspiration from desert dwellings to create an opulent oasis

Geo shapes throw, £10, Wilko

Make a feature of handicrafts and souvenirs from far-off places, by turning them into decorative wall art Decorative wall baskets, £85, Idyll Home

Succulents, cacti and other greenery from arid climates make great houseplants because they thrive in the warmth Shelving, £25; cactus vase, £12; Sahara candle, £12; faux cacti, £8; double planter, £22; table, £42; grey cushion, £14, all Sainsbury’s Home

Kilim upholstered ottoman, £309.99, Homescapes Online Woven stripe cushion, £12, Matalan

Java rattan table lamp, £69, Made.com

Nova Rug, from £34.99, The Range

Ceramic vase, £12.99, H&M

Buskbo rattan armchair, £99, IKEA

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk May 2020

23


BATHROOM MAKEOVER

It’s practical but glamorous too Using a sophisticated colour palette and clever decorating ideas, Rachel Faber switched her characterless old bathroom into a relaxing spa Rachel’s new high-end bathroom has been transformed with a periodstyle suite, dark-blue tiles and fun tropical prints

Feature and styling Emma Fishman Photos Lizzie Orme

Caption hereCoreicil magnis modicium laccuptatiat labor sum sequi adit, si autent.Pa diste pre sit odit pro voloreh enihita spitio es ipiendit molupta tectiis volorrum aped ut aut alibusa dolo ilitioratas deribus magnita nos modipsundae conse provit.

total cost £4,740

R Before 24

achel Faber, 35, a busy working mum, who lives with her wife, Miriam, 36, and their daughter, Sophia, aged one, has a lot on her plate. Not only has she started her own event styling and grazing table business, @bohemiansocial, but she’s also busy decorating their three-bedroom terraced house in Wanstead, East London. ‘When we moved in, we knew it was going to be a crazy few months ahead. With a new baby in tow, the place was quite chaotic. I also decided to

May 2020 www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

start a business, as well as decorating the new house, so it’s been crazy.’ The old bathroom was in dire need of some TLC. ‘We were desperate for a relaxing feel but, with a growing family, it had to be practical too.’

STEP ONE Rachel and Miriam were certain of one thing: they wanted a serene, relaxing space they could unwind in. ‘We’re both non-stop during the day, so we wanted a luxe bathroom that felt like a hotel spa.’


BATHROOM MAKEOVER

This walk-in shower is a godsend in the mornings and offers a practical solution for all the family

Good idea!

Opt for wood-effect floo as practical as porcelairntiles – they’re easier to maintain than tiles so are especially in a bathroomreal wood, setting. The traditional-style basin and stand looks sleek against the blue tiles and round hanging mirror

The couple had been collecting ideas since buying their new home two years ago and they knew exactly the look they were after. With a vision in mind, Rachel ordered lots of tile samples and finally opted for a darkblue rectangular tile to warm up the space and asked the tiler to apply them in a herringbone pattern. ‘We loved the effect so much, that we tiled all around the room, just going halfway up the wall, and all around the shower area.’ Rachel wanted a rustic-style floor but the floorboards weren’t in great condition and made the room feel chilly. So they opted for wood-effect porcelain floor tiles instead. ‘They look just like real wood but are so warm underfoot.’

STEP TWO After discussing the best floor layout, Rachel and Miriam got busy ordering their

pride and joy: the free-standing bath. ‘We loved the traditional style but were keen to mix up the look with some fun, modern touches.’ The bath sets off the mood in the room and Rachel teamed it with an elegant basin and washstand, in keeping with the period of the property. The shower area was a top priority and although Rachel loves a long soak in the bath, she also wanted a power shower to help wake her up at the start of the day. ‘I have this shower to thank for my ability to function in the mornings… it makes me feel more human at 7am.’ Plus, being a walk-in design, it makes showering Sophia much easier too. The wood-effect tiles fill the room with the warm tones of a wooden floor but are much easier to maintain than the real thing. Sophia loves to perch on the newly covered stool in the bathroom

STEP THREE The room is blessed with two large windows, but some privacy was necessary. ‘This was our chance to add some fabric from one of our favourite

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk May 2020

25


BATHROOM MAKEOVER designers, Emma J Shipley.’ Rachel chose from the Kruger collection, displaying a menagerie of jungle animals and tropical plants. ‘We love her work and wanted to give the room a quirky twist.’ Rachel went on to revamp an old IKEA chest with some matching wallpaper and also upholstered a handy stool for Sophia too. Searching online for some lighting suitable for bathrooms, Rachel stumbled across the eye-catching chandelier. ‘It just completes the look perfectly. The bathroom is a joyful space that we can all enjoy now.’

ROOM PLAN The classic-look taps suit the bath perfectly and give the room a timeless elegance, as well as offering extra showering options

3.15M

2.55 M

THE DETAILS PAINT BATHROOM SUITE TAPS

Good idea !

Use paint a d statement wall off-cuts tongiv paper a new leaseeoofld storage units li designer loofekwith a . Rachel is thrilled with the result of her first ever upcycling project. She’s given this old IKEA chest a fabulous facelift using wallpaper and paint

3 OF THE BEST... safari style £26 per m from Sophie Allport Take inspiration from Rachel’s upcycles and recover a footstool in this fun zebra motif fabric.

£26

£49

£39 from Ella James Display blooms and botanicals in one of these characterful animal vases, or collect all three.

£49 from Audenza Add a touch of the exotic to a windowsill with this majestic gold leopard ornament.

26

May 2020 www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

£39

SHOWER & CUBICLE

£117 £1,958 £509 £1,064

FLOOR & WALL TILES

£679

BLIND

£290

LIGHTING

£123

TOTAL

£4,740

shopping list Bayswater bath-shower mixer, £327.69; Crosswater Belgravia handset and hose, £218.75; Bayswater basin mixer, £181.01; Burlington basin stand, £185.75; Burlington Classic basin, £250.25; Burlington cistern, £57.75; Burlington rimless WC, £121.92; Scudo Bathrooms i8 wetroom panels, £284.36; Crosswater Stone resin tray, £284.82, all Loughton Bathrooms. Hudson Reed Farringdon bath, £1,347.98; Hudson Reed Brampton heated towel rail, £350.96, both Victorian Plumbing. Kruger fabric by Emma J Shipley, £40 per m; Kruger wallpaper by Emma J Shipley, £51 per roll, both Clarke & Clarke. Ivar cabinet, £45, IKEA. Aquanova Thymo mirror, £98, Amara. Tabula Chocolate floor tiles, £36.50 per sq m; Diamante Blue wall tiles, £39.57 per sq m, both Topps Tiles. Tabitha chandelier by Endon Lighting, £122.99, Wayfair. Walls painted in Wevet estate emulsion, £47.95 for 2.5l, Farrow & Ball. Duck board, £14; bath rack, £10, both Dunelm.


A style guide to the

outside

Industry expert and founder of Out and Out Original, Daniel Fairburn, brings you this season’s best deals on designer furniture. Visit www.outandout.com or call 02037 728 752 for more exciting deals and discounts.

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BATHROOM MAKEOVER

It feels like showering in a rainforest! Dramatic botanical wallpaper, green tiles and plenty of plants have given Jane Vincent the nature-inspired, family-friendly shower room she craved

M

oving from south-west London to the Surrey border enabled Jane Vincent and her husband Dave to get more for their money and a bigger garden, plus get their older daughter, Anya, 12, into a good secondary school. But, when they moved into the three-bedroom 1920s semi in Shepperton two and a half years ago, Jane, a graphic designer and artist, and Dave, a homecare manager, knew they had a massive project on their hands. ‘We’d totally renovated our previous house from top to bottom, and we saw lots of potential in this house, but it was muddled downstairs. I was desperate to introduce a second bathroom. With two sporty girls, one just isn’t enough for all of us.’ The couple put together a plan to extend five metres into the garden, scoop out the middle of the house and open everything out to add a new kitchen and diner. Jane also knew exactly how she wanted to transform the downstairs bathroom.

STEP ONE A small, cold toilet with a tiny sink on the side of the house was rarely used when they first moved in. But, as the couple opted to keep the side passage in the new extension, Jane could see a way of extending the toilet and making it into a much-needed shower room. Once the plans were approved and the build completed,

Before 28

May 2020 www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk


BATHROOM MAKEOVER a long, narrow space was left for the shower room. ‘I wanted something dramatic and full of character, not just a bland shower with neutral tiles, so I put my design skills to work.’

STEP TWO Having decided that the shower should be as big as possible, the couple went for one the width of the room. ‘It had to be at the end away from the passage, as you couldn’t have a window in the middle of the shower, so that bit was easy.’ When it came to the other end of the room, Jane knew what she wanted: a section that housed the toilet and sink, as well as providing some storage. Having been impressed with the grey kitchen units they’d

total cost £4,545

A bare, rectangular space has been transformed into Jane’s dream shower room. It’s full of colour with some dramatic wallpaper and practical design ideas. As well as a dark-grey vertical radiator, Jane has added two small rails to ensure towels are kept nice and toasty

chosen from Wren, Jane chose the same ones for the shower room as well. ‘I designed the space and Wren’s in-house designer helped me work out what sizes of units we needed. The shower room is off the kitchen so it ties the two together.’

STEP THREE The couple decided to use the same wood-effect vinyl flooring they’d used in the kitchen. ‘It made sense as it’s waterproof and practical, and it ties in with the grey units as it has a grey wash.’ They also tiled in white gloss tiles halfway up the wall and had some shelf inserts put in near the back corner. With the basics in place, it was time for Jane to ramp up the colour

Feature Stephanie Smith Photos David Giles

The wall insert shelves were created by the builders with plasterboard and lining paper, then painted in a darkgrey shade to match the wallpaper

A large walk-in shower, with up-todate plumbing and shower controls, stretches across the entire width of the room. The green tiles inside the shower have a rain-washed distressed look, which ties in with Jane’s rainforest theme

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk May 2020

29


BATHROOM MAKEOVER A built-in unit designed by Jane incorporates the sleek back-to-wall toilet and oval raised basin. She’s also added new flower knobs to keep the botanical theme

ROOM PLAN

3M

2.1M

Good idea !

in small or na a built-in torrilow bathrooms, opt for to save spaceetaand basin unit additional stnd provide orage.

and character. ‘I’d been obsessed with the House of Hackney Florika wallpaper for ages and was itching to use it. I love all the flowers and plants, and the dark background. It’s expensive, but you don’t need much.’ Jane then used some of the colours in the wallpaper as inspiration.

STEP FOUR The wallpaper’s green hue was used as the basis for the tiles in the shower, while the pale grey was tracked

down for the walls above the tiles. The yellows and blues have been matched in the hammam towels and Jane has added accessories in darker tones from her travels in the Far East. She also framed photos she’d taken of plants at Kew Gardens. ‘It’s such a vibrant wallpaper I didn’t want to add any new shades and tones that might not complement it, so my tip is to pick the colours you want from the paper itself. Now everyone’s desperate to use this room.’

3 OF THE BEST... storage pots £15 from Red Candy This contemporary concrete and copper storage pot combines two on-trend finishes

£65

£28 from Hudson Home For storage you’ll be happy to show off, choose this sculptural acacia wood jar

£65 from Rockett St George Add rustic detailing to your bathroom with a quirky giant clay face flower pot

30

£15

May 2020 www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

£28

THE DETAILS UNIT

£790

SANITARYWARE

£548

SHOWER

£1,934

MIRRORED GLASS

£290

WALLPAPER

£185

PAINT

£20

TILES

£490

FLOORING

£119

ACCESSORIES

£169

TOTAL

£4,545

shopping list Infinity Plus units and shelving in Italian concrete matt, £782.85, Wren Kitchens. Doorknobs, £8 for two, Nikky Home on eBay. Palio Clic Arezzo flooring, £39.95 per sq m, Karndean Design Flooring. Florika wallpaper, £185, House of Hackney. Walls painted in Smokestone 1, £19.99 for 2.5l, Johnstone’s Paint. Mirrored glass, £290, Knights Glass. Catania Green wall tiles, £40.44 per sq m; Timeless Neutrals wall tiles in White Gloss, £26.78 per sq m; Carrara Brick Marble Mosaics, £14.99 per tile, all Topps Tiles. Platinum Dual Central Fed shower, £788.22; Flight Safe rectangular 1400 x 900mm shower tray, £306.48; Ascend Hinged Door Alcove, £840, all Mira Showers. Salvia radiator in Anthracite, £259.99; Oval vessel basin, £79.94; Tec single-lever basin mixer, £62.95; Luna back-to-wall toilet, £145.95, all Hudson Reed. Woven cotton hemp baskets, £16 for three, Sea Team at Amazon. Shaving mirror, £125, Lusso Stone. Hammam towels, £18 and £10, Drift Linens.


YOUR HOME PROMOTION

&

Stylish

FUNCTIONAL Interior designer Dee Campling has teamed up with Montpellier Appliances to share her top tips for creating a utility room that’s as beautiful as it is practical LIGHT

Dee Campling is an interior design expert and social media influencer. She holds regular styling workshops in beautiful venues and works for clients on design and styling projects across the country.

Placing your sink under a window can make all the difference when creating a lighter utility room – and who doesn’t like a garden view when doing the washing up? Skylights are another great way to maximise light, and because they provide a natural source of sunlight, they’ll speed up the laundrydrying process. What’s not to love?

COLOUR SCHEME Painting your utility room in bright colours can help promote a sense of space. If you want to bring the outdoors indoors, go for sunny yellows and vibrant greens. Your utility room will probably take more knocks and bumps than the rest of your home, so it’s better to use a hardwearing, wipeable paint.

PERSONAL FLOURISHES Give your utility room the same treatment you’d give the rest of your house with personal, homely touches. Houseplants will always make a room feel lived in, while children’s art will add heart to any space. You could use one of your walls to make a collage or use a large notice board to display their pictures alongside treasured postcards and family mementoes.

STORAGE To maintain a zen space, you’ll want enough storage to accommodate everything you don’t want to see. Whether it’s individual cupboards for children’s coats and school equipment, or an under-counter unit to pop your dog crates in, don’t be afraid to get creative when making your house a clutter-free zone.

Maximise space under the counters with a freestanding Side-By-Side Fridge Freezer (M520WDK) in Black, around £599, Montpellier

APPLIANCES Feature appliances are both practical and beautiful, which is exactly what you need in a multi-purpose room. American-style fridge freezers offer lots of food space and have the added bonus of being a striking addition to the room. Ours is recently new from Montpellier Appliances and it’s a dream. Thanks to its drinks dispenser, we’ve got access to chilled water whenever we feel like it. If you want to make your appliances feel more cohesive with the room, try dressing them with houseplants for a burst of botanical beauty.

For more information and where to buy, go to montpellier-appliances.com, or visit @montpellier_appliances and @deecampling on Instagram for inspiration

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk May 2020

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BATHROOM MAKEOVER

Recycling allowed us to stay on budget Helen Jones used an eclectic mix of revamped and vintage pieces to turn her dated bathroom into a tranquil and characterful haven, in keeping with the charm of her period home

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hen Helen Jones and James Brannigan moved into their cottage on the Suffolk coast, they were delighted with the generously sized upstairs bathroom. ‘It’s actually one of the reasons we decided to buy it, as most of the other cottages we’d seen had downstairs bathrooms,’ says Helen. What wasn’t so great, however, was the dated suite, tired vinyl flooring and lack of heating. The room did benefit from some lovely period features though and, despite a limited budget, the couple were determined to transform this rather bleak, chilly space into a warm and welcoming sanctuary.

STEP ONE Helen and James’s plan was to recycle wherever possible, thus leaving enough money in the kitty for quality fixtures and fittings. ‘The cottage is Grade II listed so we wanted to make sure we did it right,’ explains Helen. Not surprisingly, their first priority was heating! ‘Unfortunately, extending the existing system wasn’t really an option, as any new pipework would have to be surface mounted. So, we simply installed an electric radiator instead,’ says Helen. The couple then turned their attention to the messy job of cleaning and sealing the existing exposed brickwork, before ripping up the old vinyl to reveal near-perfect

Before 32

May 2020 www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

The couple constructed a false wall to hide ugly pipework and new back to wall cistern, in order to streamline the room and create a useful display ledge


Helen and James’s upcycled bathroom is now a warm and relaxing retreat complete with quirky, period-inspired touches and vintage accessories

BATHROOM MAKEOVER

The couple constructed a false wall to hide ugly pipework. The new backto-wall cistern helps streamline the room and creates a display ledge

Good idokenewaag!ain by

lo MAke an agingebatathps and painting the ur at fe adding lour to match exterior in a coom me. your bathro sche

floorboards. ‘It was a fantastic surprise and, apart from a good scrub, they’re just as we found them,’ smiles Helen.

total cost £2,628

couple opted to keep both their inherited bath and the vanity unit. ‘The free-standing bath is actually acrylic and was simply refreshed with a coat of paint and new taps,’ says Helen. But it’s the revamped vanity unit that she’s most proud of. ‘I’d always wanted his-and-hers basins, so when a friend suggested replacing the top to add two countertop bowls, I couldn’t wait to get started,’ she smiles. A coat of paint soon eradicated the original orange framework, while inspiration for the zinc cladding came via Pinterest. ‘The top and tap housing were made to order by a local fabricator and I couldn’t be happier with the result, as it’s both distinctive and practical,’ says Helen.

STEP THREE There was never any thought of recycling when it came to the existing toilet, as a replacement was a must for Helen – who also came up with the idea of constructing the false wall. ‘I’m not a fan of close-coupled cisterns, so I persuaded James to

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk May 2020

33

Feature Paula Woods Photos Lizzie Orme

STEP TWO Rather than invest in a new suite, the


BATHROOM MAKEOVER

The inherited vanity unit is now totally unrecognisable thanks to some clever upcycling

ROOM PLAN

2.5M

3.9M

THE DETAILS £112

PAINT

£1,072

TAPS SANITARYWARE

£669

HEATING

£543 £15

FURNITURE

£125

ZINC

£92

PANELLING

TOTAL

£2,628

shopping list invest in a neater, boxed-in finish, which would help open up the space,’ she explains. The clever use of easy-fit panelling and the resulting display ledge also enhance the period feel. As does the soothing green paint palette. ‘It’s quite a dark room so I confined my favoured deep green to the vanity unit, while paler tones complement the original timbers, as well as keeping things light and airy,’ says Helen.

STEP FOUR The couple were happy to mix things up when it came to those all-important finishing touches. ‘Both

the antique mirror and chair were spotted online, while the bench is on permanent loan from the kitchen. A quick trip to the high street resulted in finding the storage baskets and fresh foliage,’ recounts Helen. In fact, it’s this casual mix-and-match approach that has helped give the bathroom such a welcoming and relaxed vintage vibe. And now that it’s finished, Helen can’t quite believe it’s the same room. ‘I just love everything about it – and it just goes that to show you don’t have to spend a fortune to create a unique and characterful space,’ she beams.

3 OF THE BEST... distressed accessories £60 from Sweetpea & Willow

Walls in Pearl Colour intelligent matt emulsion, £51.50 per 2.5l; panelling and bath in Pearl Colour Dark intelligent eggshell; vanity in Harley Green intelligent eggshell, both £32 per litre, Little Greene. Black Topaz crosshead bath/shower mixer, £632; threehole wall-mounted basin mixer, £247; Vessel basins, £199 each; Richmond backto-wall pan, £125; Carlton toilet seat, £146; chrome electric towel rail, £543, all Hudson Reed. Georgian Tall Wide Joint panelling, £23 per 120 x 60cm sheet, English Panelling Company. Made to order zinc cladding, £125, Uniseed Engineering. Jambo jute runner 183 x 67cm, £79.95, Nkuku. Flådis belly basket, £13, IKEA. Monochrome rope basket, £9; paper storage basket, £15; cable knit basket, £8; Ribbed lotion dispenser, £7; tumbler, £5; Grey Ridged resin tray, £7; Eucalyptus Shadow Seafoam towels, from £8; Seafoam and Denim Egyptian cotton hand towels, from £6; Hydrea Cactus body brush, £10, all Dunelm.

£195

Treat yourself to a candle-lit bath with this shabby-chic antique-look Dixie lantern

£195 from Shimu A classic Chinese design given a twist with blue lacquer, this round stool would make a great side table

£440 from The French Bedroom Company

£60

This Rama & Sita console’s antique turquoise patina makes it a chic way to add useful stroage

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May 2020 www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

£440


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DECORATING IDEAS

Simple steps

to a summer makeover Give your home a seasonal style face-lift with the latest looks

Andhara curtains from Sanderson in Saffron/ Teal, £59 per m, Style Library

T

he temperature is rising, the plants are thriving and the birds are singing, which means summer is well and truly on the way – finally! But before things really start heating up, why not take the opportunity to rethink the styling in your home? With a few carefully selected additions, you can put an entirely new spin on your interior to give it a sensational new look.

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May 2020 www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

ADD SUMMER SCENTS With hints of dry amber, sandalwood, juniper and geranium, alongside ripe oranges and cardamom pods, this candle’s aroma will transport you to a richly wooded glade, teaming with flowers and fruit trees in full bloom. A fragrant treat for your eyes and nose. Bohemian Journey cardamom and ruby orange candle, £12, Paperchase


DECORATING IDEAS

COLOUR POP TREND

S

ummer 2020 is an exciting time for interiors, with more people looking to make the most of their homes and really maximise their appeal. One of the big trends of the year is bright, vibrant shades, which are being used to capture the colourful tones of the season. Natasha Painter, head of marketing at Blinds 2Go

MIX AND MATCH Quirky ornaments work best in wild colour combinations – as this selection of pink and gold pieces from Matalan proves! Wall art, £12; tumbler, £3; ceramic pineapple, £12; ceramic hand, £8, all Matalan

SHINE A LIGHT Pep up your lighting with new shapes, colours and materials to add some style to your interior illumination. With these retro lights, you can choose the colour of the cable and the ceiling rose to make sure they perfectly complement the rest of your décor. Jules clear glass pendant lights, from £129, Glow Lighting

Looking to indulge in a little luxury during afternoon tea? Consider this beautifully designed tea set from the John Lewis & Partners Eclectic collection – new for summer 2020. Sultan’s Garden large plate, £28; Sultan’s Garden small plate, £16; Sultan’s Garden Lion mug, £15; organic linen napkins in ochre, £15; Sultan’s Garden teapot 550ml, £75; Spode Zoology Gardens cup and saucer, £35; Plane cutlery set, £60 for a set of six, John Lewis & Partners

BUY A NEW RUG Summer brings bright and beautiful colours to the outside world and you can bring some of them inside your home by adding bright soft furnishings such as a colourful new rug. Find one with a pretty pastel shade and a geometric pattern, like this one, and it’ll complement almost any décor scheme. Coral rug, £90, Limited Abode

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk May 2020

37

Feature Sophie Demetriades

JAZZ UP YOUR TABLEWARE


DECORATING IDEAS

STAY PRETTY AND PRACTICAL

W

ith the onset of summer, your home may be in need of a refreshing makeover. For an instant injection of joie de vivre, why not start with your windows? Window blinds not only provide an instant pop of colour to a room, but they’re also vital for controlling the light and heat that comes into the house. By adding Venetian or roller-style blinds to your abode, you can direct any blinding sunshine away or block it out completely. Light-filtering thermal blinds are also great for reducing the amount of heat that comes through a window while still allowing brightness into the room. Natasha Painter, head of marketing at Blinds 2Go

CHANGE YOUR BEDDING Light and bright bedsheets, like the colourful Aura range from John Lewis & Partners, can give your room a style boost to make it feel refreshed and new. Rattan double bed in black, £599; Aura double bed duvet cover set, £70; Rattan bedside table in oak, £199; Rattan dressing table in black, £399; Rattan dressing table stool in black, £125, all John Lewis & Partners

SWITCH-UP YOUR WALL DÉCOR Add a touch of Art Deco elegance to your walls with these delicately pressed flowers displayed in a finely edged gold frame. Floral hanging frame, £14, Paperchase

STRIP BACK YOUR CURTAINS Create an airy atmosphere and allow the summer breeze to glide into your home with a set of voile curtains – they will keep your house looking and feeling cool. Wave Tahiti voile snow curtains, from £21.15, Curtains 2Go

BRING IN MORE MIRRORS Reflect the abundance of beautiful natural light around each room of your house with a few new mirrors. Large round mirror, £135, Next

SOFA SAFARI Animal-inspired prints are all the rage at the moment, so scatter a few cushions decorated with exotic creatures around your home to stay on-trend this summer. Zebra knitted cushion, £49, Sophie Allport

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May 2020 www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

Retro Boombox print with custom song title,

from £12, Rocket Jack Design on Etsy


Bond Street four-seater fabric sofa, £1,069; Milo brass floor lamp, £189; Edna nest of tables, £219; cushions, from £39; Sunburst antique mirror, £999, all Furniture Village

INTRODUCE COLOURFUL VASES Summer brings with it a wonderful array of coloured glass vases, like these unique designs from Oliver Bonas. Fill them with foliage and dot them around the house to bring vibrancy and nature to your home. Dalia Lustre amber rounded glass vase, £32; Zinnia blue glass bud vase, £12.50; Zinnia pink glass bud vase, £12.50; Flores Lustre pink glass vase, £26; Peonia Lustre pink and orange glass vase, £28, all Oliver Bonas

MATCH SHADES This summer’s on-trend tones include coral, navy, ochre and turquoise and more. Find inspiration for ways to combine the colours from this beautiful moodboard selection from Furniture Village.

FILL IT WITH FOLIAGE Connect with nature by bringing the outdoors in. Flowers and succulents are a great way to add a touch of summer to your home – and these decorative pots are perfect for housing your favourite plants. Discovery indoor pots, prices available on request, Wilko

Jasmine armchair in Bamboo Spice, £479.99; Jasmine sofa bed in Duck Egg, £849.99; Bevel coffee table in Natural Solid Oak, £249.99; Bevel small bookcase in Natural Solid Oak, £279.99; Novara table lamp with charcoal linen shade, £189.44, all

Oak Furnitureland. Twin Tone Play screenprints in Peony Pink and Smith Grey, from

£80, Lane by Post; Colores rug, from £35.40, The Rug Seller

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk May 2020

39


DECORATING IDEAS

12 SPEEDY DÉCOR UPDATES Style-up your space this bank-holiday weekend with our top tips

W

ith two bank holidays just around the corner, you’ll finally get a chance to spend some extra time on those all-important decorating updates you’ve been dying to sort out for months! To give you a helping hand, we’ve gathered a selection of quick and easy ideas that you can turn into a reality over a three-day weekend.

1

FURNITURE UPDATE

Give your handles a style boost with these gorgeous stone knobs… they can be used for everything from drawers to doors. Each one is a true treasure as they’re handmade and use natural agate sourced from the Arabian Sea. Sea green agate knob, £6.95, Graham & Green

2

STYLE WITH STICKERS

If you’re tight on time and money but are looking for a super quick and inexpensive way to tile a wall, then why not have a go at using stickers instead? These vintage patchwork ones from Wayfair will give you a luxe finish in a fraction of the time it takes to apply ceramic tiles. Altenwald vintage tiles wall stickers, £54.99 for a set of 12, Wayfair

3

FRONT DOOR REFRESH

Decorating doesn’t necessarily mean you have to focus solely on the inside of the house. You could turn your attention to the exterior too, especially if your front door is looking a little tired and in need of a repaint to cover up any peeling or cracking. Make sure you prep the surface well before you start painting for long-lasting results. Tom’s Oil Eggshell paint in Celestial Blue, £36 per 1L,

Little Greene

40

May 2020 www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk


DECORATING IDEAS

4

SCHOOL’S OUT

A speedy update that will provide all family members with hours of fun is the creation of a blackboard wall. But don’t worry, you won’t get told off for doodling on this surface! The self-adhesive vinyl is designed to stick to anything metal, varnished, laminated or painted so that you can draw and write to your heart’s content. Blackboard film, from £15 for 122 x 50cm, Purlfrost

5

HARDWARE REFURBISH

Searching for a way to add a personalised touch to your furniture? Try adding wallpaper to a storage shelf, table top, or even the inside of a chest of drawers. You won’t need to use much wallpaper, so it’s an excellent way to incorporate some highend off-cuts into your design. Bercy Art Deco Arch patterned wallpaper, £16.99 per roll, Cult Furniture

Feature Sophie Demetriades

Raindrops wallpaper in Gold, £59.95 per roll, Bobby Rabbit

6 WONDERWALL

To add a rich and elegant touch to your home without breaking the bank, invest in decorative wood panels. Not only do they look fabulous and are easy to clean, they’re also an incredibly quick and easy DIY task. Georgian panelling, £23 per 60 x 120cm sheet, Scumble Goosie

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk May 2020

41


DECORATING IDEAS

7

DO IT YOUR-SHELF

Making a set of shelves is one of the simplest DIY tasks, but it can be made even easier if you use items that you already own, such as an old wooden ladder. Not only are they a great way to add a quirky touch to your home, but they’re also incredibly simple to adapt, as all you need for the shelves is a few flat pieces of wood. Take inspiration from this stylish set from Wayfair. Lisa ladder bookcase, £55.99, Wayfair

8

CRATE IDEA

Rather than going along with the ‘out of sight, out of mind’ tactic by shoving all of your old clothes or clutter into the back of your wardrobe (don’t worry, we’re all guilty of this), why not use the long weekend to create more storage space instead? Invest in a few simple crates, then stack and screw them together to make a chic new storage unit. White wooden storage crates, from £12.99 for a set of three, Sue Ryder

9

JUST ADD TILES

If you’re an avid cook, then a splashback is a musthave for the kitchen. But just because it serves a practical function, there’s no reason why it can’t be an eye-catching feature, too. Introducing the Papyrus collection of tiles from Original Style, which features six different patterns. Winchester Residence Manoir Papyrus tile range, from £3.38 per tile, Original Style

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May 2020 www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk


DECORATING IDEAS

10

PICTUREPERFECT

A gallery wall is a fun and fast way to do-up your digs. If you have an eclectic collection of furnishings then this would go well with a randomly placed group of frames, whereas a grid format in a modern scheme will work best. Mango wood-effect frame, from £3; Sanctuary Parakeets boxed canvas, £18; rattan mirror, £25; large mount grey frames, £3.50; hexagonal wall shelf, £10; String of Pearls cement pot, £7; grey washed wood floating frame, from £3; Champ fabric reversible corner chaise sofa, £949; large bamboo lantern, £20; Fulton oak small sideboard, £179, all Dunelm

11

ULTIMATE UPCYCLE

Over the years, your furniture is bound to suffer a little wear and tear, so why not revamp your favourite piece by giving it a lick of paint? This beautiful pastel green shade from Annie Sloan will work a treat on any wood furnishings, plus the colour is bang on trend for the new season. Lem Lem chalk paint, £21.95 per 1L, Annie Sloan

12

WEEKEND RE-COVERING

If you have an old armchair that’s looking a bit tired, the best way forward is to upholster it with some brand-new material. It’s a quick, crafty trick and it’s a job that can taken care of in just one day! Small stripe patch pattern blue chenille upholstery fabric, £38.99 per metre, Yorkshire Fabric Shop Gold cream funky round modern pattern chenille upholstery fabric, £38.99 per metre, Yorkshire Fabric Shop

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk May 2020

43


BUYER’S GUIDE

Cut the graft

with a robotic lawn mower Sit back and relax while your trusty mower does all the hard work for you

F

or some, cutting the grass is therapeutic; for others it’s a chore. If you’re one of the latter, then you can take the hassle out of the task by investing in a robotic lawn mower. But how well do they work? And how do you know which model to pick? Well, we’ve teamed up with an expert from Flymo to give you the low-down on what to look out for when selecting the robot that’s right for you.

Perfect for large gardens

Mowbot1200, £750, Cobra Cutting height 2-6cm Cutting width 18cm Maximum mowing area 1,200 sq m This floral mower is more than just a pretty face, it’s capable of keeping even the largest of lawns trimmed and tidy. The Mowbot1200 has a motor powerful enough to scale slopes of up to 20° and comes with a waterproof charging station. Bluetooth connectivity means you can set it up from your smartphone or tablet, and there’s also a choice of seven colour finishes.

G eat for narrow spaces

Sileno City 250, from £679.95, Gardena Cutting height 2-5cm Cutting width 16cm Maximum mowing area 250 sq m If you’re looking for a robotic mower that’s perfect for smaller gardens with tight, complex layouts, then this is it! The Sileno City 250 can deliver a superb finish on lawns up to 250 square metres in size, will cope with inclines of up to 15° and is narrow enough to navigate through gaps between flowerbeds, borders and paths that are just 60cm. Its swivelling rear wheel ensures the bot is highly manoeuvrable and its frost sensor automatically suspends mowing when its close to freezing to protect your lawn.

EasiLife 500, £749.99, Flymo

EasiLife 500, £749.99, Flymo Cutting height 2-5cm Cutting width 16cm Maximum mowing area 500 sq m The EasiLife 500 has been designed take the effort out of looking after your lawn. Depending on your preference, you can either program the mower directly through its on-board keypad or schedule its activity via a smartphone app. It also has LawnSense and FrostSense technology so it can adapt the cutting schedule based on the weather and lawn growth. Plus, as it trims it drops the clippings to so they can act as a fertilising mulch to improve the health of your lawn.

P oduces a clean finish

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May 2020 www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

Smart tech model

RX20U Automatic Robotic Lawnmower, £599, Robomow Cutting height 1.5-4.5cm Cutting width 20cm Maximum mowing area 300 sq m With the RX20U, all you need to do is create a cutting schedule on your smartphone and the mower will do the rest! Its floating cutter deck will ensure this robotic groundskeeper perfectly follows the contours of your lawn to give it an even finish across the entire surface. The twin wheel design also enables it to cut right up to the edges so that no areas are missed. It’s ideally suited for lawns of 200 sq m but can handle lawns of 300 sq m if they’re flat, rectangular and obstacle free.


BUYER’S GUIDE

YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED All the need-to-know essentials of robotic lawnmowers, explained by Flymo product manager, Darren Feasey…

Ultimate timesaver

ROB S400, £599.99, McCulloch Cutting height 2-5cm Cutting width 16cm Maximum mowing area 400 sq m The ROB S400 is easy to operate thanks to its user-friendly keypad and set-up wizard, which guides you through the programming process. It also features Bluetooth connectivity that’s linked to a dedicated smartphone app, so you can control and monitor it from the comfort of your sofa, patio or hammock. To prevent excessive wear to your lawn, the ROB S400 also has ‘Lawn Shield’, an intelligent system that automatically adjusts the mowing schedule based on grass growth. Mowbot800, £599, Cobra Cutting height 2-6cm Cutting width 18cm Maximum mowing area 800 sq m This slightly scaleddown Mowbot is just like the 1200 model, opposite, but is intended for slightly smaller gardens. Like its big brother, it can be controlled via your smartphone or tablet, can climb 20° slopes, has a waterproof charging station and a body shell than comes in seven colour schemes.

B illiant with slopes

iMOW RMI 422, £999, STIHL Cutting height 2-6cm Cutting width 20cm Maximum mowing area 800 sq m For lawns that are up to 800 sq m, the compact RMI 422 mower is the robot for the job! It will cut, charge and adapt its schedule all of its own accord, meaning all you have to do is sit back and bask in aroma of freshly cut grass. The mower’s blade mulches as it cuts, so there’s no trimmings to collect or bag up, as they’re instantly returned to the ground to provide nutrients for the soil. The size of those trimmings can also be minutely controlled as this mower has 15 different height settings to cut grass.

How do they work? Robotic mowers automatically cut the lawn to give you more time to enjoy your garden. When the cutting schedule has been set up, they automatically come out and cut the lawn. They mow following a random pattern to ensure that every inch within an area defined by a boundary wire is perfectly cut, then they return to a charging station once they’ve finished. Most models will drop the tiny grass trimmings onto the lawn as they go along so they can be used as a natural fertiliser. What features should I look for? Make sure you select one that works for your lifestyle and is safe and secure. A PIN protection function features lift, tilt and collision sensors that will provide you with peace of mind at all times. It’s also important to work out the size of the area the mower will need to cut before you make the purchase and check that you have access to an outdoor power source, which will be required for the charging station. If you have narrow passages in your garden, then check to see if the mower you’re considering is capable of not only navigating them but also fitting through them. Lastly, always research the mowers you’re interested in and read reviews before making up your mind. Are robotic lawnmowers easy to set up? They’re extremely simple to set up and the job can usually be done in four steps: position the charging station; lay the boundary wire; plug in and switch on; the complete the set-up schedule wizard on the mower’s display. If it has Bluetooth and a smartphone app, you can change schedules easily with these, too. Can robotic lawnmowers withstand the rain? Most robotic mowers are waterproof and are able to do the job come rain or shine, but double check this before buying if this is an important feature for you. Some mowers also go a step further; Flymo’s EasiLife, for example, even checks the temperature with its FrostSense feature, ensuring that it’s not too cold to cut the lawn as doing so in cold temperatures can damage the grass. Can they handle sloped gardens? Each robotic lawnmower is different, so yet again it’s best to check before purchasing. Flymo’s EasiLife mower can tackle gradients of almost 20° and is able to work in any shaped gardens.

Ideal for peace and quiet

WR130 300 M2 Landroid robotic lawnmower, £600, WORX Cutting height 2-5cm Cutting width 18cm Maximum mowing area 300 sq m This new WORX model has Smart Auto scheduling and an intelligent navigation system so it know when to cut your lawn and the best way to go about it. It’s also pretty quiet for a lawnmower (below 45 decibels), so it won’t disturb you when you’re dozing in the Sun. Like the others here, it also mulches grass as it goes, so there’s no clippings to collect afterwards. www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk May 2020

45

Feature Sophie Demetriades

Features a mulching mow deck


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North Blackburn Brighouse Doncaster Fleetwood Grimsby Harrogate Leeds Lytham St Annes Macclesfield Morpeth New Mills Northallerton Retford Sheffield Wirral York

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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

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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

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Channel Islands & Isle of Man Guernsey Isle of Man Jersey

01481 710500 01624 623222 01534 865750


Kitchens

Be inspired by this month’s country kitchens and spa-style bathrooms

& BATHROOMS Relax and unwind Dorma silk blend towels, from £2 for a face cloth; Loxwood solid oak stool, £49; geo global candle, £5; marble bath mat, £14; lustre pink mug, £2.75; bamboo bath rack, £10; hydrea massage brush, £5, all www.dunelm.com

There’s nothing to say that a family bathroom can’t double as a relaxing refuge, so why not introduce an element of calm with Dunelm’s mindfulness collection? We’ve fallen head over heels for this range, which includes some gorgeous accessories to help you create your very own spa-throom. Style up your existing scheme with carefully chosen accessories in subtle shades and organic textures. And don’t forget a set of thick, fluffy bath towels to wrap up in when you step out of the tub!

SCANDI-STYLE CHIC Gaining top marks for style and functionality, this new microwave from Russell Hobbs is a must-have for any Scandi-inspired scheme. It has a 17-litre capacity and eight auto-cook functions to enhance the microwave and defrost settings. The pre-set functions allow you to cook anything from popcorn to pizza. What’s more, its compact size makes it ideal for small kitchens. It also comes in white and in a ‘manual’ version with dials if you’re not so keen on this ‘digital’ model. Scandi compact 700W digital microwave,

Tile style

TAKE A SHELFIE

If you don’t want to splash out on a new kitchen, replacing the tiling is the ideal way to give your space a facelift. Especially if you go for something a little out of the ordinary, such as this Syren design from Topps Tiles. Named after the mermaid in Frederic Leighton’s painting ‘The Fisherman and the Syren’, these fan-shaped tiles are inspired by the shape of a mermaid’s tail. They’re available in shades of blue, green and off-white, so you can mix and match the colours to create the perfect look for your kitchen. They’re not the cheapest tiles around, but we think it’s worth paying a little more for a striking splashback that will make a real statement.

Give your bathroom a new look with this season’s range of gorgeous yet affordable accessories from Wilko. We love this stunning mini shelving unit, which features a built-in mirror and space for a few essentials. The matt black finish provides the perfect backdrop for splashes of ochre yellow, as seen in the tumbler, towels and soap dispenser – the perfect way to add an uplifting injection of colour for the summer months ahead. Complete the look with a couple of super-cute succulents and you’re good to go!

Syren tiles in Nordic Blue, Midnight Blue, Fresh Sage and Peacock Green, £85.04 per sq m (91p per tile), Topps Tiles

Feature Lisa Hibberd

£74.99, Amazon

Black shelving unit with mirror, £15; ochre soap dispenser, £4; ochre tumbler, £3; towels, from a selection, all Wilko

VISIT WWW.YOURHOMEMAGAZINE.CO.UK FOR MORE KITCHEN & BATHROOM INSPIRATION www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk May 2020

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KITCHEN IDEAS

Rural charm Want to create a true ‘heart of the home’? For a warm and welcoming space, look to the country kitchen

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e’re not sure if it’s the lowbeamed ceilings, the cabinets dressed up with vintage trinkets or the big farmhouse table, but country kitchens are the most charming of them all. Perfect for cooking, entertaining or just retreating from the hustle and bustle outside, rural-style kitchens are centred around the

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best bits of home life. But that doesn’t mean they have to be totally traditional. There are plenty of ways you can bring this style up to date and make it work for the here and now. Whether you live in the middle of a city or right out in the sticks, you can bring a little rustic charm to your kitchen – read on to find out how.

May 2020 www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk


KITCHEN IDEAS SAVVY STORAGE Ditch the plastic and store cupboard essentials in Kilner jars, glass bottles and colourful canisters for a quick and easy way to tap into the country-style trend. Display your storage on open shelves alongside wicker baskets – great for stashing away tea towels and cleaning products – and hang mugs on hooks to create your own pantry-style corner Belly basket, £10; rush storage basket, £18; Elements glass canister, £8; Kilner jars from £2.50; recycled glass carafe, £8; Spring Lulworth mug, £3.50 for a set of four; Lyon mugs, £1.50 each; dipped mug, £3; marble pestle and mortar, £12; Loxwood oak stool, £49, all Dunelm

FRENCH FANCY Simple lines and glass-fronted cabinets combine classic appeal with a contemporary edge in this French Shaker kitchen. While this design is functional for everyday life (plenty of storage, a sizeable island and available in a contemporary light blue or soft cream shades), it also has bags of rustic romance French Shaker kitchen, £1,075, Homebase

GO GREEN

Bodbyn kitchen, £895, IKEA

RUSTIC CHARM

Feature Catriona Burns

Green is the colour of the moment, but with its classic design and elegant style, this Bodbyn kitchen will stand the test of time. Perfect for small spaces, it also ticks a lot of our country kitchen boxes, including a brass-coloured tap, Butler-style sink and space to hang those all-important dried herbs and flowers

Channel your inner Julia Childs with Frenchinspired kitchenware for instant country charm. This wooden box has carved handles at either side, making it easy to carry or lift down from the shelves. There’s also a chalkboard on which you can scribble a note about the contents or an important message, such as a request for more coffee and croissants French chalkboard wooden storage crate, £22, Dibor

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk May 2020

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KITCHEN IDEAS PEAR SHAPED Weave that field to fork ethos into your décor with these vibrant Coupe de Fruits tiles. Individually hand crafted, the traditional designs feature some of our favourite ‘five a days’ and come in a range of colour options. As you don’t need too many of them, you can keep costs down by peppering them in between more purse-friendly types of tile Coupe de Fruits tiles, £18 each, Original Style

DRESS IT UP What is a country kitchen without a wooden dresser? We’d style this oak cabinet up with our favourite china, framed photos and mementos for instant countryside charm. Its sage grey colour will complement most country kitchen schemes and there’s also plenty of room to hide away the whole family’s knick-knacks in the three drawers and cupboards, so it’s practical as well as pretty Brindle large dresser, £859.99, Oak Furnitureland

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May 2020 www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk


KITCHEN IDEAS

COME TOGETHER If having a sociable space is important to you, go for a design with an island. Whether you use it as a breakfast bar, a space to prep dinner or a spot to share a coffee and chat with a friend, an island is sure to become the hub of your kitchen Ashton kitchen, from £15,000, Crown

DETAILED DESIGNS While the obvious choice for flooring might be rusticstyle wood, we love the look of this patterned design. Featuring multi-tonal shades of blue against an off-white background, this tile-effect vinyl flooring is a great way to add character to your space Platinum Almeria blue vinyl flooring, £14.24 per sq m, Carpetright

SMALL AND SWEET If you don’t want to invest in a whole kitchen, build up the look with accessories. Most high-street brands have ranges that suit this style – look for polka-dot prints, chintzy florals or nature-inspired homeware. We love Sophie Allport’s Bees collection, with the charming range of illustrated kitchenware bringing an instant farmhouse feel Bees bread bin, £28, Sophie Allport

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk May 2020

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KITCHEN PROBLEM ROOM

We doubled the size of Jane Whitton made use of some spare outside space to expand her

INSIDER INFO WHO LIVES HERE? Jane Whitton, 53, a Lloyd’s broker, lives in a four-bedroom Edwardian house in Woodford Green, Essex, with her husband Alan, 49, their two children Bruce, 14, and Eliza, 12, and their Jack Russell, Mitzi.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT THE NEW ROOM? ‘Our kitchen feels so much bigger now and brighter too… and with the shiny surfaces it’s much easier to keep clean.’

WHAT ARE YOUR TOP TIPS? ‘Work out how much cupboard space you need, so you have a place for everything. That way, it’s much easier to keep the surfaces clutter-free.’

WHAT WAS WRONG WITH YOUR OLD KITCHEN? ‘It was so dark and depressing with wooden doors that were impossible to keep clean. We also didn’t have enough storage space.’

Jane decided to take the plunge and use up some outside space to create a brighter and larger kitchen that’s more in keeping with the rest of the house

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Before 52

hen Jane Whitton and her husband Alan moved into their house in Woodford Green, Essex, along with their two children, Bruce and Eliza, and the family dog, Mitzi, they decided to put up with their inherited kitchen and concentrate on other rooms in the house. ‘I wouldn’t have picked these wooden units myself but, because decorating the kitchen wasn’t a top priority, we were happy to live with them for the time being.’ But Jane soon realised that storage space was tight and the wooden units were difficult to keep clean. ‘I just couldn’t get them looking pristine.’ She grew sick of the

May 2020 www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

constant cleaning and the lack of space, so decided that drastic measures had to be taken. ‘We had a small area of space outside, behind our kitchen window, which we’d been wanting to put to good use. It wasn’t big, just a couple of metres wide, but enough to make a difference to our kitchen.’ After calling a builder friend, they discussed the building costs of knocking through to use the extra space to create a larger kitchen. Jane suggested a skylight to let in more light and knocking down as much of the supporting wall as possible. With the building work underway, Jane and Alan got in touch with a kitchen supplier.


KITCHEN PROBLEM ROOM

our kitchen kitchen and flood it with natural light

CLEAN LINES Jane loves the simplicity of her new kitchen, with its streamlined design. The shiny surfaces give it a modern touch, and the undermount sink and shiny chrome tap keep the washing up zone looking sleek and clutter free

‘Our budget was quite tight because the building work was expensive, but we were able to stretch to an L-shape formation with a central island.’ The island unit has plenty of storage underneath but the new layout also created room for enough base and wall units to keep the kitchen feeling neat and organised. The island also provides a large worktop area for Jane to prepare her meals as well as acting as a sociable breakfast bar for all the family. Keeping her old appliances meant Jane was able to budget for a quartz worktop. ‘There was no reason to buy new appliances and it really helped to kept our costs down. Easy-to-clean surfaces are a must for me. That’s why I chose a stain-resistant worktop and wipe clean units. It’s very low maintenance now, thankfully.’

BREAKFAST IN STYLE

shopping list

ADD CHARACTER

White gloss kitchen units with duo edge, £3,850; Blanco white quartz worktops and upstands, £2,900; Grohe Minta mixer tap, £159; Franke Largo sink, £275, all from Any Kitchens. Uddig tea towel, £2.50 for two; potted plants, from £1.75; Nypon plant pot, £1; Persillade plant pot, £2.50; Kaffeböna plant pot, £6.50; Fejka artificial potted plant, £6; Eklatera lidded jar, £3.50; Intressant spice mill, £9; glass lidded jug, £6; glass lidded jar, £4; Variera bamboo tray, £7; Rundlig serving bowl, £8; Ostbit bamboo tray, £6.50; Urladda tray, £3.50; Entusiasm bowls, £9 for four; Formidabel pink plates, £3; Formidabel blue plates, £4; Tillagd black cutlery, £40 for a 24-piece set, all IKEA. Motel Neon print, £11.95; Neon Heels poster, £11.95; Ramen noodles poster, £7.95; Kinda Care poster, £6.95; New York poster, £11.95; Black metal frames from £9.95, all from Desenio. Green plant stand, £20; faux potted aloe vera plant, £30, both Sainsbury’s. Shayne bar stools, £111.99, Wayfair.

Jane added potted plants and also chose framed prints to add some splashes of colour and bring the kitchen to life

total cost:

Feature Emma Fishman Photos Lizzie Orme

The large worktop provides a handy spot to sit and have a quick bite to eat during busy mornings. The two wooden bar stools tuck in neatly underneath when not in use

£7,530.44

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk May 2020

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BATHROOM IDEAS

CREATE YOUR OWN

spa-throom

Treat yourself to a luxurious bathroom scheme and bring the spa to you with these ideas for creating an at-home sanctuary For an edgy take on spa style, pair this designer mixer tap with a free-standing bath. It has an aerated spout for better water efficiency and includes a useful hand-held shower handset. Plus, its dusky black finish will add a sense of drama Velar Black free-standing bath shower mixer, £695, Frontline

Spa décor is all about creating a feeling of indulgence. And adding a big, free-standing bath like this one, with its polished surface, curved shape and minimalist design, will do just that. Being crafted from tough Lucite means the tub’s sides can be extra-slim (just 20mm) to provide you with more space for a relaxing soak and give it an elegant look. It can even be painted to match your décor Stream free-standing bath, from £1,795, Waters Baths of Ashbourne

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May 2020 www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk


BATHROOM IDEAS What could be more of a treat than a shower that’s tailored to your exact preferences? Triton’s digital mixer makes your morning shower extra-special by putting you fully in control of the experience, with customisable pre-sets so you can always find your favourite shower settings. There’s even option to use it with a wireless control so you can turn on the shower from the comfort of your bed Triton HOST digital mixer shower, from £349, Triton

Don’t forget the basin when it comes to putting together a well-appointed spa scheme. Instead, make a feature out of this bathroom essential by choosing one with a unique shape, like this one. Inspired by the nature’s organic curves, this splash plate is crafted from durable quartz and limestone composite, polished to a glossy shine, and comes with a lifetime guarantee

Achieve the luxe look of a tiled floor on a budget with a tile-effect vinyl. Choose a striking geometric design for an easy way to give your bathroom an on-trend update. Vinyl with a non-slip, waterresistant finish makes it a practical flooring option too Mardi Gras 599 Sagres Vinyl, £15.99 per sq m, Carpetright

There’s nothing quite like the feeling of relaxation after a good massage, so go for a shower panel featuring built-in jets for a little bit of bliss every day. This Dharma shower panel has a sleek, easy-clean finish, comes with two water settings – a gentle rain shower or a cascading water blade shower head – and has two built-in body jets for a gentle massage Dharma thermostatic shower panel with built-in massage jets and water blade, £775, Frontline

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk May 2020

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Feature Michelle Grady

Evolve splash plate, £365, Waters Baths of Ashbourne


BATHROOM IDEAS

If you’ve made the switch to eco-friendly bar soap, then you’ll need a soap dish to go with it – and this pretty little number will fit right in with a chic bathroom look. Handmade from recycled brass and with an antique finish, it’ll bring a vintage-glam vibe to your basin Peacock soap dish, £45, Mint & May

Fluffy towels are a spa essential, and this set of two from Made.com fit the bill. Absorbent, soft and featuring a modern abstract design in a calming blue hue, they’ll be a dream to wrap up in after a long soak Oporo bath towels, £29 for two, Made. com

Make sure you have something soft and stylish underfoot after a bath or shower with a cosy bathmat. This striped one from So Souk is handwoven from 100 per cent cotton and finished with a cute coordinating tassel detail Handwoven tasselled bath mat, £30, So Souk

For the luxe look of marble without the hefty price tag, marble-print wallpaper is ideal for updating an existing bathroom as a budget-friendly alternative to tiles and makes just as much of a style statement. This design from Wallsauce is available as made-tomeasure wallpaper or a peel-and-stick mural White marble mural, from £29 per sq m, Wallsauce

To pep up bathrooms decorated in dark, atmospheric hues, swap classic chrome for contemporary gold hardware that’ll stand out against a moody colour palette. This thermostatic rain shower’s sleek lines and satin gold finish makes it look high-end for boutique-inspired style Havasu, £529.99, Dowsing & Reynolds

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May 2020 www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk


BATHROOM IDEAS A mirrored cabinet is a must in any bathroom, but this one has lots of nifty additional uses too: a Bluetooth speaker that connects to your phone so you can play soothing tunes while you relax in the tub, an internal shaving socket to charge shavers and toothbrushes, and 60 mini LED lights to cast a subtle glow Galactic illuminated LED Bluetooth bathroom mirror cabinet, £194.99, MY Furniture

Creating a spa bathroom doesn’t mean you have to do a full overhaul; just adding a few choice accessories can give your space a smart new look. Pick a mix of natural materials such as wood, jute and seagrass, plush textiles in soft tones of taupe, beige and mushroom, and add a few scented candles to set the scene for your at-home spa day Croft Collection jute round rug, 180cm diameter, £80; Lorn four-seater dining bench, £550; seagrass basket, £30; ultra-soft bath towels, from £7; round oak wood tray, £35; peony artificial aloe plant in marble pot, £100; carved terracotta rustic large vase in grey, £40, all John Lewis & Partners

Top tip ‘We’re seeing a rise in the use of organic materials and earthy, natureinspired colour schemes alongside a focus on wellness and relaxation. Certainly, within bathrooms, we’re moving towards pure organic forms, raw materials and methods of stress-relief.’ Lee Frost, Director at Waters Baths of Ashbourne

If you’ve chosen a neutral palette for an authentic spa look, metallic touches will bring contrast and warmth. Topps Tiles’ Rhomba Metallic tiles in bronze have a high-gloss, reflective finish that’ll bounce light around the room and can be used with other tile shades, such as the Rhomba Tekno grey and Rhomba Torrano tile as shown here, to create a unique feature wall Rhomba Metallic tiles, £64.58, Topps Tiles

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk May 2020

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WIN!

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WIN! Your chance to win a SodaStream Spirit sparkling water maker 15 lu

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e’ve teamed up with SodaStream to offer 15 lucky readers a chance to win a Spirit cordless sparkling-water maker, worth £99.99 each. You’ll never have to worry about carrying heavy packs of water back from the shops or stocking the fridge with single-use plastic bottles again! With the SodaStream Spirit you can make delicious sparkling drinks at home.

The SodaStream Spirit equips you with the ability to make all of your favourite softdrinks whenever you want. Simply fill the carbonating bottle, plug it into the Spirit, push the button and in no time at all you’ll be sitting back and enjoying your delicious sparkling drink. Quench your thirst, help the planet and treat you and your loved ones to healthy sodas and cocktails all in one go!

Staying hydrated is refreshingly simple with SodaStream. The SodaStream Jet is now available at ASDA stores and www.asda.com. To find out more about SodaStream and view the full range of products, visit www.sodastream.co.uk

To enter, visit www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk, choose the WIN tab, find the prize draw you’d like to enter and fill in your details. Closing date 31st May 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 prize does not include installation. 10 The prizes are nonrefundable, 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. 11 Closing date for entries is 11.59pm on 31 May 2020. 12 Winning entries will be chosen at random (after the closing date) from all entries. 13 The winners will be notified of their win within 28 days via email. 14 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. 15 The Promoter’s decision as to the winner is final and no correspondence relating to the promotion will be entered into. 16 The prizes are as stated above. 17 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). 18 The surname and county of residence of the winners will be available upon request by sending an SAE to Your Home May 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. 19 The promotion is subject to the laws of England.

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MAKE, DO & CRAFT The ties on our tableclot h project will keep it secure in the face of the Great British weather

Our experts help to solve your home improvement problems

Give a plain rattan chair a colourful makeover

M

ay is the month when everything in the garden is bursting with life. The bees are buzzing and the flowers are blooming. Make the most of an underused sunny spot by laying a patio and take mealtimes outdoors with our colourful picnicware projects. Over the next few pages you’ll find all the ideas you need to make the most of this special time of year.

CRAFT STASH MUST HAVES

Learn how to lay a perfect patio

ASK THE EXPERTS

DIY MASTERCLASS

the eading into ds y days by h n an n h su ir ’s fa th n n o ow Enjoy this m icware made by your h picn garden wit

SEW SIMPLE

REVAMP, REPAIR, RECYCLE

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top tip Have a look for free downloadable templates online if you’re not able to draw your own floral design freehand

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Protect picnic treats under a colourful geometric raffia cover

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MAKE, DO & CRAFT

RAFFIA FOOD COVER

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CUTLERY WRAP Sew a cute fabric storage pouch for your utensils

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top tip This wrap works as a pencil case too – just adjust the size of the stitched sections to fit

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Project 5HEHFFD 5HLG Styling /LVD -RQHV Photos 3KLOLS 6RZHOV

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REVAMP, REPAIR,

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Rec cle Give a vintage find a colourful upgrade with this easy woven chair upcycle

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attan chairs are a huge home trend right now – and the good news is there are plenty to be found second-hand so it shouldn’t be too difficult to bag a bargain. But don’t stop there, make your vintage treasure unique by adding bright woven details and tassels for a wow-worthy piece your guests are sure to admire.

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YOU WILL NEED Hooked Zpagetti, 95% cotton, 5% synthetic, 49m per 380g, one cone each in Coral Watermelon (Yarn A) and Superb Yellow (Yarn B) Paintbox Yarns Wool Mix Super Chunky, 50% wool, 50% acrylic, 55m per 100g, one ball in Peach Orange (954) (Yarn C) Katia Peru, 40% wool, 40% acrylic, 20% alpaca, 106m per 100g, one ball in 34 (Yarn D) Tapestry needle Rattan chair

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Take a length of Yarn A, approximately 60cm, and tie it around the back of the chair with a simple securing knot. Next, wrap the yarn evenly around a small section of the back, pulling tightly as you go. You’ll need both hands to keep the yarn in place as you wrap. Once the section is wrapped, tie the loose end to the back of the frame, then tuck it inside to hide it. Using new lengths of Yarn A, repeat this process for the other sections that form the back of the chair. Cut a 2m length of Yarn B, then use a plain weave stitch to thread in front of and behind the rattan stems that form the back of the chair. The rattan is acting as the warp and the yarn as the weft. Ensure you alternate the weave with the row below, repeating it until the pattern reaches about 3cm in depth. Repeat using a 2m length of Yarn C. Weave further layers of the two colours to create

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a 10cm section of woven texture. Once you're finished, tuck the loose ends into the back of the weaving for a neat finish. Tie a 3m length of Yarn C to the bottom of the vertical frame structure. Working upwards, wind the yarn around the frame tightly, ensuring the coverage is even. Once covered, tie the loose ends and tuck back into the frame. For the rya knots, cut Yarn D into three 20cm lengths, fold them in half and wrap them around the front of the seat. Pull the loose ends tightly through the loop created and trim to leave 5cm lengths. Repeat this process at regular intervals along the front of the frame. Next, wrap the arms of the chair. Starting at the bottom of one arm, tie on a 40cm length of Yarn A and wrap it upwards for 10cm. Using a tapestry needle, thread the end into the wrapped yarn, then repeat on the other arm.

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Take the tapestry needle and thread on a 30cm length of Yarn B. Weave this in front of and behind Yarn A on the arms of the chair to create a woven effect. Thread the loose ends back under the yarn to finish, then repeat on the other arm. The soumak stitch sits on top of the woven section and is great for adding texture. Working on the back of the chair, start by pulling Yarn B under two warp pieces, back over these two, then under the following three warp pieces and back onto the past two pieces. Repeat this process. When going back in the opposite direction, repeat the same process to create a braided effect. Create six chunky tassels using Yarn D, then fasten each one onto the back of the chair, using the main image as a guide to their placement.

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Project Cath Chamberlain Styling Sarah Malone, Sally Bufton and Becki Clark Photos Philip Sowel

REVAMP, REPAIR, RECYCLE


Make a tie-down tablecloth to pretty up your picnic table

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here’s nothing like dining alfresco on a sunny day – apart from when a summer breeze carries your tablecloth away! If you’re going to be enjoying your meals in the garden now that the warm weather is here, sew a tablecloth that won’t budge, with this clever tie-up design made from durable oilcloth fabric. We’ve gone for a blue polka-dot print for a retro tea-party vibe.

YOU WILL NEED Oilcloth fabric: see instructions for how much to buy Sewing machine Sewing thread Scissors Fabric clips

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Measure the top of your table then add 52cm to both the width and length. This includes a hemming allowance and a 25cm drop on each side of the table. You may be limited by the width of the fabric as to the measurement of the drop. If this means that the drop for the width is less than 25cm then adjust the drop for the length so it’s the same on all sides. Add 16cm to your calculated length to use for the ties. Purchase your chosen oilcloth fabric to these dimensions. Cut out two 8cm strips across the width of the oilcloth fabric to make the ties. Cut both of these strips in half to make four strips. Cut the remaining oilcloth to the dimensions you calculated previously. Fold one tie strip in half lengthways with the wrong sides (WS) together. Open out

then fold the long raw edges so they meet at the centre fold. Fold in half again and topstitch into place. Repeat to make the other three ties. Fold all the raw edges of the tablecloth fabric under by 1cm to the WS. Stitch the edges down to hem them. Lay the tablecloth right sides (RS) down on the table. Mark each corner of the table and the place where the legs start beneath it with a cross on the WS of the tablecloth. Take into account the depth of your tabletop, as the legs may start away from the tabletop corners. Take one of the tie strips and fold it in half widthways to find the centre. Place this centre point on the cross on the tablecloth. Stitch across it a couple of times to hold securely in place. Repeat this to attach the other ties to the tablecloth.

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top tip

Project R&B Designs

SEW SIMPLE

With ties to prevent it moving or slipping, this design would be an ideal cover for a kid’s crafting table too

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ma e class DIY

Boost the look of your garden by laying a smart new patio

top tip

SYMPHONY Matte paving in Carbon, £78 per sq m, Marshalls

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erhaps you have a beautifully sunny spot down the end of the garden that’s rarely used, or an old patio or decking that’s seen better days. Maybe you’ve been living with paving that was there when you bought your house, but was never to your taste? Now’s the time to take action and transform your outdoor space so you can enjoy the summer to the utmost.

top tip If you’re removing turf, save some in case you need to fill in any gaps between the lawn and the new patio.

CHOOSE YOUR STYLE First up, work out your budget, then do your research and decide on the style, colour and size of the slabs you’d like. Next, decide the pattern you’d like to lay them in. Check out paving websites such as www.bradstone.com and www.marshalls.co.uk for inspiration. When you know the dimensions of your chosen slab and your patio area, work out how many slabs you’ll need and, once they’ve been delivered, you can lay them out in position to check that your idea will work! Try to avoid cutting slabs as much as possible. Make a note or take a photo of your preferred scheme so you can refer back to it.

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May 2020 www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

StoneMaster in dark, mid and light grey, £342 for a pack of 240, Bradstone

Feature Emma Lewis Photos Step-by-step images courtesy of Wickes

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Make sure you have a friend to help you lift heavy slabs and bend your knees, not your back, when you pick them up.


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Check there are no pipes or cables where you intend to dig – if you’re worried, use a cable avoidance tool (CAT). Then, using pegs, string or builders’ line, mark out the position of the patio and check the corners are properly square by using a set square. Mark the edge of the patio with a spade or lawn edger, then remove the pegs and string. Dig down 150mm to allow for hardcore, Slablayer and your tiles (measure the depth of your tiles to get this measurement accurate). Add a slight slope into it to direct rainwater away from the house or outbuilding if necessary. Add half of the hardcore, to create a 50mm layer and rake it so it’s roughly level (keeping any slight slope that’s needed). Compact the area with a tamper or whacker plate to create a stable base. Add the remaining hardcore to create a 100mm layer and compact it again. Add the Slablayer to a depth of 25mm, then follow the manufacturer’s instructions to wet it. Rake it again to level out the surface. Starting in the corner at the highest point of the patio, dampen the underside of the first slab with a large paintbrush and lay it. Gently tamp down on the top surface of the slab with a rubber mallet to bed it in. This slab will be the guide for all the others, so make sure it’s perfect. Continue to lay the slabs, leaving your required joint width between them – use an offcut of wood to help you create a uniform width. Regularly check the levels, including the slope you’ve allowed, as you go along. Slablayer needs to dry slowly over a few days, so cover the patio with plastic sheeting if rain is forecast. Fill in the joints with Slablayer. Mix enough water to create a damp, but not wet, consistency and apply to the joints with a trowel. Brush any excess Slablayer from the face of the slabs before it sets and stains the surface.

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YOU WILL NEED

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DIY MASTERCLASS

Steel-capped boots dust mask safety goggles set square gloves rake hardcore Slablayer (£4.90 for 20kg, Wickes) tamper or whacker plate rubber mallet wood offcut of width between tiles spirit level trowel

PRACTICAL PLANNING

top tip Brush and wash your patio regularly to prevent algae build-up.

If your patio is directly next to your house, you need to lay it so it’s 150mm below the damp-proof course, and make sure it has a very slight slope (1:60 or 16mm per m) away from the house or any outbuildings so that rainwater will run off and not cause damp problems with the buildings. If your patio will adjoin your lawn, make sure it’s 10mm below ground level to make mowing easier.

GEAR UP

Marshalls Saxon Textured Mocha paving slabs, £50.93 per sq m, Wickes

If you have several packs of slabs, mix them up before you lay them to disguise any slight variation in colour or pattern. Ideally, wear shoes with steel toe caps, and sturdy gloves.

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Ask the

EXPERTS

We answer your DIY and maintenance questions with a little help from the experts

Q

I’ve just moved into a rental flat and hate the tiles in my kitchen. What can I do? Maria Alton, Birmingham

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Feature Catherine Smalley

Nadia McCowan Hill, Wayfair's resident style advisor, says… While you should be wary of making changes that affect the structure of a rental property, less-than-lovely features, such as ugly kitchen tiles, can be pimped up and made pretty. At wayfair.co.uk you’ll find a broad range of easy-to-apply, stick-on wall tiles that will turn even the dreariest scheme into something beautiful. Marrakech-style mosaics in bright bohemian colours will

add instant character, while a scalloped fish-scale design in on-trend aquamarine is sure to make a splash (see below). For a classic look, opt for a timeless metro-style tile with a veined marble patina. The trick to installing stickon tiles successfully is careful measurement and ensuring that surfaces are dry, and siliconeand dust-free before you begin applying the tiles. You could also ask your landlord if any tired cabinetry can be given a fresh lick of paint and if you can swap unremarkable knobs and handles for fashion-forward hardware in burnished brass. The result? A bright and breezy new kitchen that will look a million dollars without breaking the bank. Discover the full range of tile and handle options at www.wayfair.co.uk.

Winthrop 30 x 30cm PVC Peel & Stick Subway Tile, £22.99 for six sheets, Wayfair

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Decorating May 2020 www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk Special 2020 www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

Q

I’d like to build a sitting/viewing platform on the edge of my large wildlife pond. Would decking work for this? Anita Choudhury, Cheltenham

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Sarah Francis, product manager at Arbor Forest Products, has this advice… This is a wonderful idea and an ideal material for it would be a composite decking, such as Trex (see below). Composite decking is highly durable and won’t rot, warp, crack or splinter, regardless of harsh weather, proximity to water or daily wear and tear. Designed with the outdoors in mind, Trex is made from 95% recycled materials and has a smaller carbon footprint than wood. Composite decking is also very cost effective and low maintenance. You don’t need to worry about sanding, staining or painting – just a wash with soap-and-water twice a year will do. The lack of harmful chemicals needed to produce and maintain Trex decking makes it a safer choice for humans, animals and the environment. I’d suggest using the Trex Protect Joist and Beam Tape on your substructure beneath your decking to shield it from moisture, which can cause rot and decay so it lasts longer. Visit www.arborforestproducts. co.uk to find out more.

Q

I’m due to replace my gas boiler and I’m considering my options. Should I go for something greener? Emily Wilson, Southampton

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Izzy Schulman, director of Plumbers4U says… Energy regulator OFGEM plans to remove gas central heating from all homes by 2050 to meet emissions targets, but what are the alternatives? Air-source heat pumps absorb heat from the outside air and used it to heat radiators and hot water. There aren’t many providers for these yet, though, so they’re quite expensive. Electric boilers are considered safer and greener than gas, as there are no negative emissions or risks of carbon monoxide leaks. These are also more expensive than gas boilers and unsuitable for larger homes as the water’s heated on demand, so it may not be able to produce enough. Finally, there are decarbonised boilers, which are powered by hydrogen. These also cost more than a gas boiler, but rates should start to come down as demand grows. For now, you could switch to a renewable energy tariff to be a little more eco-conscious. Oh, and turn your boiler’s thermostat down one degree. Find out more at www.plumbers-4u.co.uk.


Q

I’d love to get a conservatory, but as our garden faces south, I’m concerned that it will get too hot. What are my options? Ruth Powell, Gloucester

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Phil Goult, Head of Conservatory Development at Anglian Home Improvements, suggests the following… This can’t be answered in isolation as, due to the British climate, we also have the challenge of keeping the conservatory warm in the winter. So you need the right combination of insulation and ventilation. Choose traditional foundations and an insulated base. Then think about frame design and how many opening doors and windows you need. Roof vents are a great idea

in a south-facing conservatory and can be manually or electronically operated to allow hot air to escape, plus you can leave them open when you’re not at home. Ventilated eaves and a ventilated ridge (the highest part of the roof) will let hot air escape and circulate to regulate the temperature. You can also choose options such as Anglian’s Solaroof, which is a film that mediates the Sun’s rays. The wafer-thin film is fitted onto the glass and is essentially like putting sunglasses on top of your conservatory. The tinted film reflects 75% of the Sun’s heat away from the conservatory’s interior, reduces glare by 80% and blocks 98% of the UV rays that can cause furniture to fade. It’s a really worthwhile upgrade. The quality of the overall conservatory build is also vital as you want the whole thing to

look good and be energy efficient and secure, as well as last for many years to come, so make sure you choose a maker that’s approved by the British Board of Agrément. Visit www.anglianhome.co.uk for more information.

Corner Conservatory in Anthracite Grey, price on application, Anglian Home Improvement

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I’d love a rich colour for my kitchen cabinetry, but I’m worried it might be a bit much in a small space – what do you think? Tamsin Porter, Manchester

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Cambridge True Handleless kitchen in Forest Green, price on application, Benchmark Kitchens

way to maximise storage – you can simply add bridging units above your wall cupboards for an impressive, high-end finish. Your choice of worktop can impact heavily on the final look too. A wooden worktop will add warmth to a scheme, but if you need to help bounce light around the room, try a white or paler shade of worktop. Continuing the worktop into a breakfast bar will give you seating and lift the colour at the same time. Darker shades can offer a fantastic background for your finishing touches. Brushed-gold handles and

ASK THE EXPERTS

Bella Glenn, design expert at Benchmarx Kitchens says… Not at all! A deep colour can help turn your smaller kitchen into a real statement room. However, it’s important to select a shade that won’t be too overpowering. Look for cabinetry that has a muted tone to add a softer touch of colour, rather than going all-out bold. The Cambridge forest green kitchen (pictured) has a grey undertone that’s gentle on the eye, so will work in whatever space you have. To avoid a solid block of colour, break up the lines by choosing a combination of open shelving and cabinets to enhance the available light and provide practical space. The latest trend for taking cabinets up to the ceiling is also a perfect

taps, and glass pendant lighting add a luxurious feel. Sitting down with our team of designers is free of charge, so pop into your local Benchmarx Kitchens branch to discuss your dream kitchen. Visit www.benchmarxkitchens.co.uk for more information.

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

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CRAFT STASH

Feature Hannah Tribe

Check out the latest crafty news and brilliant buys for your stash

Discovery Kits, £11.99, Spectrum Noir

must haves

F inge benefits Homemade tassels are a brilliant way to add a touch of colour and texture to everyday items, even your house keys can be made more fun (and easy to find) with a statement tassel. Make your tassels perfect every time with a tassel maker from Clover. The large tassel maker (£13.50) will help you to make tassels from 6-10cm and the small tassel maker (£10.50) is suitable for tassels from 5cm to an adorable 3cm. Try mixing threads of different colours and types for a multidimensional effect. Clover products are available nationwide from all good craft and hobby shops.

MINI MASTERPIECE

In stitches

Seven different artists were chosen to work with Spectrum Noir on its latest release, the Discovery Kits. Each artist helped to create a set of pens, paper and practice sheets that would make the perfect starter kit for any budding artists. Try out Creative Colouring with Carrah Aldridge or Watercolour Markers with Bonnita Moaby. You’ll find a helpful how-to guide along with your new materials too. There’s also advice from the artists on the Spectrum Noir website if you need extra tips and tricks. Discovery Kits are priced at £11.99 from Crafterscompanion.co.uk

Corinne Lapierre’s mini craft kits let you create all sorts of beautiful items, such as this pin cushion. The kits are made in Yorkshire using 45% wool felt that’s soft to use and easy to work with. The kits combine classic techniques, such as embroidery and appliqué so they’re great for practising your skills and learning new ones. Everything you need to complete each project, besides scissors, is included in the kit. Prices start at £7.20 from www.corinnelapierre.com.

BOX OF TRICKS LEARN A SKILL Collage

CRAFT STASH MUST HAVES

The pages of contemporary artist Maria Rivans’ new book Extraordinary Things to Cut Out & Collage are full of surprises. One page is covered by mushrooms, another with astronauts. It’s so packed with exciting ideas, it’s hard to know where to start. Helpfully, Maria outlines all the things you need to think about while creating a collage, so you can let your imagination run free. The book has over 1,500 images for you to cut out and includes background templates for you to stick your compositions on to. Extraordinary Things to Cut Out & Collage is published by Laurence King and priced at £16.99.

We could all use a bit of extra storage, but that doesn’t mean it has to be boring. The Works has a huge selection of wooden storage boxes, with prices starting from £2, that are just waiting to be transformed with a lick of a paintbrush. They’re the perfect blank canvas for your creative ideas. Why not try some découpage with PVA glue and pages from your favourite magazines or stick on sea glass or stones? You could even just give them a simple, chic coat of your favourite coloured paint. The possibilities are endless.


Reader homes This month’s homes are packed full of fresh ideas for decorating updates

Show off your hard work in Your Home

78 It wasn’t love at first sight for Terian, but its now her perfect home

Have your just finished decorating your home? If so we’d love to see your photos and, who knows, it may even be featured in a future issue. You can share them on instagram using #YHlovemyhome and #YourHomemagazine, or email yourhome@immediate.co.uk

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Renovating a listed building was a leap of faith for Sarah

TEAL

PLUS IDEAS TO S

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84 Haley‘s idyllic cottage fulfills her childhood dreams

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FIND MORE INTERIORS TO INSPIRE YOU AT WWW.YOURHOMEMAGAZINE.CO.UK www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk May 2020

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REAL HOME

We’re so thrilled we’ve kept it in the family Sarah and William Guild inherited a wreck but after renovating it, they turned it into a unique home. Now they wouldn’t want to live anywhere else

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aking on a historic house with major issues was a leap of faith for Sarah Guild, when she moved to the countryside nearly eight years ago. ‘I was living in London in a rented flat and working as a television events producer when I met William. He told me about this wreck of a house that he wanted to transform. It had been in his family since the 1970s and was now his. It had been rented out for years but was in a real state.’ After taking Sarah down to the Hampshire home, she caught his enthusiasm too. ‘I’m an old romantic at heart and I loved the idea that

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we could make this a family home again. So I agreed, although I could see it would take all of our savings to put it right.’ A survey showed the pair exactly how many issues there were, including a lack of heating and problems with the wiring and plasterwork. Also, being a Grade II listed building, there would also be lots of planning issues to overcome. ‘If we were buying the house and had got this survey, we wouldn’t have gone ahead. But we knew it would be a labour of love, so we went for it.’ The couple took on an architect with expertise in listed and oak-framed buildings,

May 2020 www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk


REAL HOME

COME ON IN...

Good idea ! OUR HOME IS A four-bedroom detached house made up of three 15th-century cottages in the Meon Valley, Hampshire.

WE ARE Sarah Guild, 37, a floral designer at www.sarahguildfloraldesign.co.uk, William, 38, an engineer, and their children, Peter, five, and twins Alice and Elizabeth, three.

MY TOP TIP IS Choose things for your home that you love. I’m really influenced by the Marie Kondo theory, surrounding yourself with just the things that bring you joy.

THE BEST BIT ABOUT LIVING HERE IS The community. We’ve made great friends and have a house where people pop in for tea all the time and we love that.

MY FAVOURITE ROOM IS The kitchen, as we’re really into cooking and making things. It can host parties, ad hoc science experiments for the kids, or be a late-night flower workshop if I’m working to a deadline. GROUND FLOOR Reception Kitchen/ Dining Room

Bathroom

Living Room

Bathroom

Bedroom

Feature Stephanie Smith Photos David Giles

Dressers a store and shreowgreat place to glassware and off crockery, potted plants.

Chimney

Sarah spotted the shabby-chic dresser at local interiors centre Chesapeake Mill and she knew just the spot for it. A family wooden chair has been put to good use and teamed with an Orla Kiely flowered cushion

‘We didn’t realise beforehand, but we’re really drawn to turquoise and blue tones, so I guess that’s become our theme or signature colour through the house.’

FIRST FLOOR

Bedroom Bedroom

Chimney

The cosy living room has had a woodburning stove from Charnwood in almond installed in the old fireplace, which was the first thing the couple did when they moved in as the house was freezing. A cream sofa from Made.com, a brightly striped rug from Wayfair and a lilac throw from Marks & Spencer add touches of luxury. With flowers a constant theme, Sarah has carefully framed some old pages of a wildflower book and hung them above the fireplace, against the soft walls painted in Picket Fence from Earthborn

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Bedroom

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REAL HOME

A classic white kitchen from Ultraplan in nearby Botley keeps things simple and makes the most of the new extension. Sarah has matched it with white brick tiles from Wickes and smart grey floor tiles from Topps Tiles

Julian Livingstone, and started talking to the planning department to work out what might be acceptable. Plans for a large rear extension to form a kitchen diner were drawn up, but didn’t get approval. ‘It turned out we had a very rare example of what’s called a cat slide roof at the back, which we couldn’t touch. So we had to go back to the drawing board. In the end, it took four years to get planning permission as we had to do everything right.’ In the meantime, Sarah gave birth to their three children and was busy with her new floral design business. ‘I did a course while pregnant with Peter, then did the flowers for a friend’s wedding, followed by moss wreaths at Christmas, and it started to take off. I was actually made Floral Designer of the Year last year, which was a huge thrill.’ Having been brought up in Devon, Sarah has memories of the wild flowers growing in the hedgerows and picking sweet peas in the garden. ‘Working with flowers would keep me happy forever, whether it’s designing, growing or arranging them.’ She grows flowers, herbs and plants in her own garden, which she uses in her arrangements and has a workshop in the courtyard of her home. When full planning permission eventually came through and the work started in 2018, the couple had to move out for 10 months. ‘We moved into a rented house nearby, as we couldn’t have lived there. The extension was built, which brings light into the whole cottage with the rooflight, plus everywhere has been rewired and all the boundary walls

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The large, American-style fridge freezer is tucked around the corner and has been boxed in to make it less of an imposing feature. A worktop from Langford Stone complements the classic kitchen while the Wickes brick tiles have a reflective surface, which bounces light around the room and are grouted in white to blend in

May 2020 www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk


REAL HOME ‘I’m an old romantic at heart and I loved the idea that we could make this a family home again.’

Good idea !

Cover an old ta oilcloth to br ble with a piece of ighten add colour. it up and

Good idea! ng

Make a fireplace stand outcolbyouusir tiles with a dramatic and pattern.

The H-frame of beams gives a natural break between the kitchen and living space without cutting out the light. Sarah took on a sturdy family hand-me-down table and chairs to cut costs and has added a spotted tablecloth from Dunelm in her favourite turquoise The brick floor in the master bedroom was uncovered during the renovation and had to be properly sealed and treated. A Warren Evans wooden bed was an investment and Sarah has teamed it with white bedding and striped pillowcases from Joules. The old mantelpiece has been preserved and treated, and makes a great shelf for displaying her finds

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REAL HOME relined. We’ve kept all the wattle and daub, but there was plenty of plastering to be done, plus we’ve added lime render, so the house can breathe. And that was before we could even think about the new kitchen, bathroom and the décor. One big bonus was digging up the awful floor in our bedroom and finding lovely old bricks underneath, which are protected anyway by the listed status.’ During the build Sarah was on hand most days to deal with any problems while working in her workshop. ‘I got to know the builders pretty well, but there were a few hairy moments, such as when a huge delivery of lime render arrived at the same time as a big delivery of delicate peonies and I was trying

to stop the dust ruining the flowers. But they were nice guys.’ The past year has been spent decorating the house and making it their own. ‘We didn’t realise beforehand, but we’re drawn to turquoise and blue tones, so that’s become our signature colour.’ The couple love a mix of inherited furniture, antique shop finds and the odd contemporary touch. It’s been a busy few years, with three small children, a business and a massive renovation to oversee. ‘We absolutely love this house after nearly eight years of planning, building work and upheaval. We’ve been through a lot with it, but we’ve ended up with something special. I can’t imagine moving now.’

When Peter became big enough for a bed, Sarah tracked down a car duvet set on Amazon. She added a patchwork quilt she made herself, along with a wigwam from Aldi The large, modern bathroom from Wickes is part of the extension on the ground floor. It allows Sarah to bathe all three kids together with room to spare, and she’s jollied up the neutral tiles with a duck egg bath mat and funky flamingo towels from Dunelm

‘One big bonus was digging up the awful floor in our bedroom and finding lovely old bricks underneath, which were protected anyway by the listed status.’ 76

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REAL HOME The spare bedroom doubles as an office and Sarah has toned down the colour in there but stuck to her favourite blues, with navy curtains from John Lewis & Partners and a subtle striped Willington duvet cover from Dunelm, adding in an IKEA bed in white

IDEAS TO STEAL

Cover any surface with a wipe-clean tablecloth. Mini Mackerel Navy oilcloth, £39, Cream Cornwall

Instantly cheer up any fireplace or floor with turquoise tiles. The largest room has been allocated to the twins, and Sarah has added feminine touches with pale pink walls in Earthborn’s eco-friendly Cupcake paint, plus curtains from John Lewis & Partners and some star bunting from H&M Home

Parquet turquoise tiles, £47.35 per sq m, Harvey Maria

A metal bucket for kindling is both practical and stylish. Kindling bucket, from £19, Ludlow Stoves

Feel like you’re sleeping in a meadow with a floral bedspread. Wildflower quilted bedspread, £120, The French Bedroom Company

Pep up your condiments by keeping them in a pair of stylised peacocks. Peacock salt and pepper, £23 a pair, Red Candy

Get the look of pressed flowers with these charming prints. Kew botanical prints, £95 for a pair, Sweetpea & Willow

FOR STOCKISTS SEE PAGE 114

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REAL HOME

Every room of our house is special and unique Despite rejecting this house on paper, Terian Tilston fell in love with it the second she stepped inside. Since then, she’s been turning it into a fun, vibrant family home

E

xhausted from a long, tiresome house hunt, which had Terian and her husband, Sam, viewing property after property that just wasn’t right for them, they very nearly let this one pass them by. In fact, based on the photographs and specs alone, Terian completely dismissed it as an option and refused to arrange a viewing for fear of wasting more time exploring somewhere that wasn’t a good fit. Sam felt differently, however, and eventually talked Terian into taking a look.

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‘Reluctantly, I agreed to view it,’ she says. ‘I felt certain that I wouldn’t like it and that it wouldn’t be the place we were seeking. But the second I walked in the door all of that melted away and I knew it was perfect for our family. It had the space we were after and was in the most beautiful location, which is actually really annoying because it means Sam was right and he’s been very smug about it.’ Being an interior designer, Terian had some big ideas for their new home, but felt it important to live in the space for a while


REAL HOME

Good idea ! Giv

e tired kit using a colochuen tiling an update re as-good-as-dngrout for an ew look.

COME ON IN...

‘Clever use of paint can completely transform a room when you’re on a tight budget.’ Terian and Sam compromised on the cabinet colour (Sam wanted white; Terian favoured yellow for the wall cabinets and black for the lower ones). The white metro tiles were intended to give the room a fresh feel without breaking the budget and grey grout was used to enhance their sparkle

‘On a whim, I picked up some black paint that I wanted to test somewhere in the house,’ says Terian. ‘I was only supposed to paint a tiny section, but I got carried away and, before I knew it, had painted a giant triangle mural in the kitchen. It’s the best mistake I’ve ever made!’

a small village outside of St Andrews, Fife.

WE ARE Terian Tilston, 32, an interior designer, and husband Sam, 34, along with their son Harrison, three, and daughter, Iona, five months.

MY TOP TIP IS If there’s an item you really want but can’t afford, don’t buy an inferior version. Wait, save and buy pieces you love. FOR STYLE INSPIRATION I look to previous decades, particularly the ’60s, but also my own past and memories.

NEXT TO DO IS The kitchen floor, which we will replace soon, and the main bathroom, which suffered a set-back. Eventually, we’d also like to extend over the garage.

Dining room

GROUND FLOOR Utility room

Kitchen

Bedroom

Bedroom

Feature Abbi Henderson Photos Georgia Burns

In Terian’s own words, the kitchen was an eyesore before they got their hands on it. ‘The cupboards were a dark pine colour and the wall tiles were dark red,’ she recalls. A new kitchen would have been Terian and Sam’s preferred option, but as their budget wouldn’t stretch that far, they opted for upcycling instead. They had cupboard doors professionally painted and fitted low-cost metro tiles on top of the original tiles to save money

OUR HOME IS A four-bedroom house in

Living room

FIRST FLOOR Bedroom

Bathroom

En Suite

Bedroom

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REAL HOME

before dusting off the paintbrushes. ‘It was really quite frustrating as the house was so dated and just not to our taste,’ she recalls. ‘All I wanted to do was temporarily tart it up with quick fixes. But I was determined not to, as not properly thinking through your interiors leads to waste – not just of physical items, but time and money too – and poorly designed spaces.’ Terian and Sam had moved from a small house and only had a few furnishings with which to fill the seemingly endless space in their new abode. And yet, despite the temptation, they resisted buying a single thing until they were settled and had a better idea of how they wanted to feel, in their new home. With a limited budget, the pair developed a plan to slowly update their home at a price and a pace they were both comfortable with. This would also allow plenty of time to design (and save for) room schemes that aligned with the way of life they wanted while minimising waste. The kitchen would be their initial focus, followed by flooring throughout the house and then the main bathroom. The couple completed as much of the work as they could themselves and bought second-hand items wherever possible. But, as so often happens with house updates, an unexpected turn threw their plans wildly off course. ‘Unfortunately, not long after moving

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‘It’s such a fun, happy place to be.’

The dresser in the hallway is one of Terian’s upcycling successes. Passed on to her by her mum, who bought it for £30, Terian restored it using a cheery coral-coloured paint and handles for under £1 a pop from eBay

‘In my eyes, the living room is supposed to be the heart of the home, yet when we moved in it was bland and soulless,’ says Terian

The dining room is multifunctional. It’s a playroom for Harrison, an office for Terian and a space for entertaining guests. It leads onto the garden and a beautiful countryside view, which Terian wanted to maximise, so she opted for a neutral palette and pared-back furnishings to let Mother Nature do the talking

Good idea !

Frog Tape and great for quica few tester paints are that can trakn, low-cost updates sform a room.


REAL HOME Terian came across the Mini Moderns P.L.U.T.O wallpaper she has in her lounge in a magazine and decided that room’s scheme would be based around its blue-green tones. Terian has been fighting a losing battle trying to flood the naturally dark living room with light using interior tricks that never worked out. Eventually, she conceded and embraced its moody nature with deep hues and dark wood

‘My gran’s Trinidad house was a huge influence on this room’s scheme,’ says Terian. ‘It had very similar furniture and colours. I have many happy memories from my time there so the living room feels very nostalgic to me.’

‘Stay true to yourself, don’t follow trends!’

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REAL HOME in, our en suite bathroom suffered a serious leak,’ says Terian. ‘We had to spend all of the money we’d saved for the kitchen renovation on ripping out and replacing the suite and repairing the damage. Originally, we had planned to leave the en suite until last, but I suppose life had other ideas.’ Repairing the en suite meant that compromises had to be made to complete the rest of the renovation. In the kitchen, for instance, Terian and Sam had hoped to purchase entirely new units, but with money tight after the leak, they decided to keep the current cabinetry and spruce it up with a coat of paint and some new tiles instead. ‘The whole space looked brand new for a fraction of the price it would have been to rip it out and buy a new kitchen,’ says Terian. ‘It’s such a nice, fun and happy space to be in now.’ Elsewhere, Terian used her paint and DIY know-how to add colour and creativity to reduce outgoings further. The house, built in 2001 but lacking any kind of modern interior design, was bland and crying out for a décor update. After careful consideration of how the couple intended to use each of the rooms – both at present and in the future – Terian began to tackle them one at a time. Some areas, such as the living room and spare bedroom, were given fun, playful updates, with vibrant patterns and multiple colours.

Others, such as the dining room and master bedroom, were given pared-back makeovers, with muted palettes and subtle furnishings. And you can see all of Terian’s designs for on Instagram by visiting @teriantilston_ interiordesign. ‘Every room is different and unique, and has been designed to evoke different feelings,’ says Terian. The most important goal in the renovation was to create a home that the whole family loves by surrounding themselves in furnishings, artwork and décor that bring them joy and make them smile. ‘Sam and I tend to have different preferences when it comes to design,’ says Terian. ‘He’s a minimalist at heart, while I love colour and pattern. We had to meet in the middle on a few subjects, including the colour of the kitchen cabinets, but one thing we share a love for, however, is mid-century-inspired furniture, so we started to grow a small collection of pieces.’ When budget allows, Terian plans to update the kitchen floor and finally get around to giving the family bathroom a makeover. She also dreams of one day extending over the garage for extra space upstairs. ‘Our home is always evolving,’ she says. ‘I’m not sure it will ever be fully complete, because the spaces adapt with us as we grow and I absolutely love that.’

‘A home takes a while to grow, so slow down, think and plan.’

Colours of the Caribbean was Terian’s influence for the guest bedroom scheme. With little budget to play with, she used a single tin to paint the lower half of the wall pink and testers to create the circle and rectangle mural. The cushions and bedspread were made from cotton napkins, which cost £5 for four at Aldi

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Good idea ! R

epurpose clothing orfatebric scraps and old cushion covera towels to create s and throws.

Before, the en suite was beige with a coordinated toilet and sink set, and a brown shower. Not quite the spa experience. Terian wanted the incredible countryside views through the window to be a focal point, so stuck with a simple, monochrome scheme, with clean lines and modern finishes


REAL HOME Pre-makeover, Harrison’s bedroom was a ‘beige box’. Terian used tradequality white paint from Dulux to cover the bland beige, then painted the bottom half – and stripe border – in black. ‘I redecorated the room in a couple of days with just two tins of paint and some Frog Tape. The difference it made was phenomenal!’

‘We wanted the master bedroom to feel calm and be an escape from the busyness elsewhere,’ says Terian. ‘So it was important to stick to minimalistic design here. I’ve used accents of pink and coral – our happy colours – but otherwise it’s deliberately neutral.’

IDEAS TO STEAL Spice up simple schemes with abstract wall art. Abstract pink print, £35, Cult Furniture

Embrace blue-green hues in your home. Teal The Show emulsion paint, £49.99 for 2.5L, Dowsing & Reynolds

Get the upcycled look, minus the work, with this mid-centurymeets-modern cabinet. New Boys Murphy Pink mango wood sideboard, £545, Oliver Bonas

Utilise textiles and soft furnishings to replicate Terian’s midcentury sitting room scheme. Orla Kiely cushions, from £35 each, John Lewis & Partners

Add an element of fun with furnishings in sunshine shades. Sophie dining chair in mustard, £85, Habitat

A sleek, matt-black shower provides a spa-like feel. Hannoki rainfall shower in black, £439.99, Dowsing & Reynolds

FOR STOCKISTS SEE PAGE 114

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REAL HOME

My home is my very own Hansel and Gretel cottage Haley Curran has fulfilled a childhood dream by moving into an idyllic cottage and is renovating it in phases to turn it into her perfect home

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REAL HOME

COME ON IN...

OUR HOME IS A pair of old stone labourers’ cottages, which have been extended and refurbished.

WE ARE Haley Curran, interior designer and

‘We have no iron, toaster, electric kettle, microwave or tumble dryer. The Aga does all of those things for us.’

‘E

ver since I was a small child, I’ve loved Hansel and Gretel-style cottages,’ says Haley Curran. ‘My father would always look out for tiny, old cottages with diamond-paned windows and half-doors on his travels and on a Sunday, he would say, ‘I’ve found a lovely window (or door, or gate) Haley,’ and we’d go off on a little adventure to see it.’ In 2006, Haley and her husband Eugene O’Reilly were living in an apartment in Navan, Ireland, and looking out for a house to buy. ‘We were both brought up in the country and have always had horses, so

we wanted a country home with some land,’ says Haley. ‘We also really wanted to do a renovation. My business is in interiors and Eugene was working in the construction industry at the time, so we felt we had the skills to cope with a project. We had our own ideas about how we wanted to live and wanted to create our own home.’ For years, a pair of old labourer’s cottages from the Bective Estate had drawn the couple’s admiration and they’d often comment on them as they passed by. ‘I was brought up in an old rectory, surrounded by huge trees, very similar to those around the cottages. They felt like home to me,’ says Haley. ‘They really were like something out of a fairytale.’ The cottages were now derelict and had been on the market for years. Nobody would buy them as they were on one of the busiest and most dangerous roads in the county. Then a decision was taken to realign it and the plans involved cutting off a loop of road with the two cottages and an old church, and the couple immediately started negotiations to buy the cottages. At last, the deal went through and the couple’s solicitor asked the vendor for the

MY STYLE IS Eclectic and I only bring things into my home that I truly love. Whether it matches or not, there’s always a way to make it work!

BEST BIT ABOUT LIVING HERE The woodland around the house. The trees make sure that you keep in touch with nature and the seasons – you really notice the spring, the summer passing and the autumn colours. GROUND FLOOR

Bathroom Bedroom Bedroom

Hall

Living Room

Feature and photos Barbara Egan/Reportage

Haley’s beloved Aga is a reconditioned 1970s model with a claret finish and the inglenook was built with bricks salvaged from the demolition of internal walls. The kitchen is from Neptune. The wall cabinets are painted in Mizzle and the lower cabinets in Calluna, while the pantry is finished in Lulworth Blue. The dresser behind the dining table is painted in French Grey and the walls in Middleton Pink, all from Farrow & Ball

owner of Ebonyrose Interiors; Eugene O’Reilly, a psychotherapist studying for a Masters in Mediation and Conflict Resolution, both 41; their son Arthur, aged two; and their dogs, Tilly, Sprocket and Comet.

Patio

Utility

Kitchen

Bathroom

MEZZANINE FLOOR

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REAL HOME

Haley’s kitchen takes up the whole double-height space. This was the first phase of the build and the entire house at the time, so the couple lived in it for several years, sleeping in the mezzanine bedroom. The table is French oak and the chairs are made by Richmond Interiors – both are from Ebonyrose Interiors. The curtain fabric is Potting Shed by Sanderson ‘I based the living room around the antique mirror over the mantlepiece – it’s one of my favourite things,’ says Haley. The rug is the Persia design from Hug Rug and the bookcase is reclaimed elm with steel doors, both from Ebonyrose Interiors. The striped sofa fabric is from Designers Guild

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Good idea ! Ad

ding a m to utilise unezuzanine is a great way sed spac height roome in a double

keys. ‘What keys?’ came the reply. ‘I’m sure there are no doors!’ There were no roofs either – an ash tree had grown up through what is now the middle of the kitchen and there was little to be saved except for four walls and the mature trees surrounding the cottages. ‘But we knew exactly what we wanted to do from the start,’ Haley points out. The couple put a mobile home in the garden behind the cottages and started work on phase one of the renovation. The cottages were cleared of everything except the outer walls, as the roofs, floors and everything else were beyond saving. The redbrick internal walls were removed (the bricks would be reused to build the fireplaces later on) to make one large space: a very big kitchen with a utility and bathroom at one end, and with a mezzanine as a bedroom. ‘I used to joke that we had the biggest kitchen and the smallest bedroom in Meath!’ says Haley. But it was all part of the plan. The initial work took nine months and then the couple lived quite happily in the


REAL HOME Haley likes to collect from antique shops and auctions, but the orange statement chair is contemporary, from Ebonyrose Interiors. The blind is made in peacock-print Voyage Arabesque Bolshoi fabric Phase three of Haley and Eugene’s home was a second extension, linking two new bedrooms and a bathroom to the house with a new entrance hall. The floor is Tumbled Crema Marfil from Versatile in Navan, the William Morris Golden Lily-print wallpaper is available from Jane Clayton & Co and the wall colour is Grey Violet from Zoffany. The Mudd & Co console table, lamps and mirror are all from Ebonyrose Interiors

Heaters or chimeneas help prolong the summer evenings spent outside with the barbecue, but Haley has gone the whole hog with a real fireplace. It shares a chimney with the living room and, being slightly elevated, is just right for keeping you toasty at the table

Good idea ! A

n external keeping youfirw eplace is ideal for arm dining outdwohen you’re ors

kitchen and mezzanine for several years, while they saved for the next stage. ‘It was actually very cosy living in an open space with an Aga at one end,’ she says. Phase two came a few years later and involved the construction of an extension to the rear of the original cottages, with a large, double-height living room. As a keen collector of architectural salvage and rare finds at auction, Haley had two pieces that this room was based around: the mantle mirror, which had the fireplace constructed to fit it, and the Chinese screen doors, installed in an opening that was created especially for them. These remain beautiful and unusual focal points of the living room, although they didn’t come into play until phase three – the construction of a small

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REAL HOME hall behind it with two bedrooms (one for Arthur, their son, who is now two) and a second bathroom leading off it. ‘This will be part of the ground floor for phase four,’ explains Haley. This final phase will involve building an extension with a bedroom, boot room and study adjacent to phase three’s construction, with a master bedroom suite on the first floor that will have what Haley happily describes as a ‘treetop balcony.’ ‘But we love our house as it is, even without the final phase. It works very well for us,’ says Haley. ‘We spend most of our time in the kitchen, especially in the summer and the outside dining area with a barbecue and fireplace is a lovely place to spend time.’ The Aga, a 1978 model reconditioned as an oil-fired stove with an electric element, is the natural focal point of the kitchen. ‘We have no iron, toaster, electric kettle, microwave or tumble dryer,’ says Haley. ‘We believe that things should not be a rush once you’re at home and the Aga does all of those things for us. I like cooking and Eugene loves baking; sourdough is his passion at the moment. We don’t turn the Aga off in the summer, we just turn it down a notch. So right now he’s busy recalculating the best places for his sourdough cultures with the new temperatures!’

‘I used to joke that we had the biggest kitchen and the smallest bedroom in the county!’

Haley and Eugene moved from their perch in the mezzanine down to this relaxing, pretty ground-level bedroom built in phase three. The walls are painted in Zoffany’s Como Blue and the bedhead is upholstered in Sanderson’s Taormina Velvet. The pillowcases are by Emma Shipley, the Golden Geese bedside lamps and throw are all from Ebonyrose Interiors Arthur’s room is bright and cheerful, with plenty of space for his teddies. The walls are in Zoffany Norsk Blue and the pillowcases are Sanderson’s Treasure Map. The bedside table came from Steven Shell

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REAL HOME

IDEAS TO STEAL Crystal pendants add sparkle over the kitchen table. Kyrie pendant, £144, där Lighting

Quirky bedside lamps are fun and look fabulous against the deep-blue wall colour in the master bedroom. Brass flamingo table lamp with ombré shade, £125, Audenza

A hydrangea in a nice jug always looks good on a table setting. Antique Purple giant hydrangea stem, £6, The Contemporary Home

‘I promised myself a lovely roll-top bath, where I could lie and look out at the treetops,’ says Haley. The bathroom wallpaper is Zoffany’s Umi Akita vinyl finish, the Frank Hudson cheval mirror and Gallery wall mirror are both from Ebonyrose Interiors

Haley uses oversized clocks for impact on the chimney breasts in her kitchen and outside dining area. Tosca wall clock, £180, Oak Furnitureland

Brightly coloured animal-print cushions transform a space with life and colour. Parrot cushion, £45, Jessica Russell Flint

A window mirror in the hall adds interest and depth to the space. Fleura garden wall ornate arched mirror in Antique Ivory, £159.99, John Lewis & Partners

FOR STOCKISTS SEE PAGE 114

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Experts in the finest Chesterfield Sofas, lovingly hand crafted in our workshop.

Visit www.TimelessChesterfields.com or Call 0800 470 0164


Food & drink Discover our favourite foodie finds and turn over for some seasonal recipes…

3 ways with… artichokes For a summery salad, combine 6 sliced artichoke hearts from a jar, 2 courgettes (cut into ribbons), 100g fresh peas and some rocket leaves. Make a pesto by whizzing 2 tbsp toasted pistachios, a bunch of basil leaves, 1 garlic clove and the zest and juice of one lemon in a blender. Add 1 tbsp olive oil, season and loosen with lemon juice or water. Pour the pesto over the salad and toss it all together. To make chargrilled artichokes, first remove the outer leaves with a sharp knife, trim the stalks to about 5cm and cut the heads into quarters. Scoop out the inedible purple/pink inner leaves. Steam for 45 minutes or until tender. Drain, season and drizzle with olive oil, then place under a medium-heat grill. Remove once charred. For a yummy hummus, combine 140g cooked frozen peas, 100g jarred artichoke hearts, 2tsp ground cumin, 2tbsp lemon juice, 4tbsp olive oil and a small handful of mint leaves in a food processor. Pulse to make a rough purée and serve in a bowl.

S ore-cupboard delights! If you’re lacking imagination for what to do with all those tins of tuna, sardines and more in your kitchen cupboard, help’s at hand! The Tinned Fish Cookbook by Bart van Olphen, £14.99 published by HB, will open your eyes to the potential of everything from salmon and anchovies to mackerel and crab. Packed with protein and healthy fats, the We’ve been snacking on Joe & Seph’s contents of these cans can new vegan popcorn – a welcome addition provide you and your family to their impressive 50-flavour range! At with a healthy meal that £4 per 80g, they’re not cheap, but they’re air-popped (not fried) and made with won’t cost the earth, and natural ingredients. We crunched our now you can whip up culinary way through Toffee Apple & Cinnamon, delights such as watercress Coconut & Cacao and Salted salad with crab and fennel, pasta Caramel. Find more flavours at puttanesca or quinoa tabbouleh www.joeandsephs.co.uk with sardines. Jamie Oliver’s ‘fish hero’ can now be yours too!

Try me…

Eat me…

Buy me…

Those looking for a plant-based protein power boost should check out PRESS soups. Pea & Mint and Spicy Chipotle both make tempting and convenient lunches. Find them at Ocado, priced £4.50 for a 500g pack.

To mark its 50th anniversary of making awardwinning condiments, Tracklements has introduced limited-edition gold labels on its best-selling Strong Horseradish Cream, Robust Wholegrain Mustard and Fresh Chilli Jam (from £2.25 for a 140g jar). The shiny celebratory labels make the jars look as good as their contents taste.

Imagine if you could have the pleasure of eating jerk chicken, bánh mì or bao buns in the comfort of your own home? Street Food (£14.99, CICO Books) promises just that. Perfect for those who can’t resist the lure of the East and yearn for the bustling markets of Asia, this recipe book will have you conjuring up different cultures from your very own kitchen.

CHECK OUT WWW.YOURHOMEMAGAZINE.CO.UK/FOOD FOR MORE TASTY RECIPES www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk May 2020

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Feature Catherine h i SSmalley ll

this month we love…


FOOD & DRINK

MEAT-FREE BBQ We’ve found the perfect spread for your veggie BBQs this summer season

Rainbow burger with sweet potato fries YOU WILL NEED For the fries 600g sweet potato 1 tbsp vegetable oil salt and pepper For the burger 1 x 400g can butter beans 40g pine nuts, toasted 1 small courgette 200g sweet potato 150g cooked beetroot 1 tbsp ground cumin 2 tbsp chickpea flour salt and pepper 1 tbsp coconut oil 4 vegan burger buns mixed salad leaves 1 red onion, sliced 1/2 cucumber, sliced

vegan

DIRECTIONS Q Preheat the oven to 200°C/180°C Fan/Gas Mark 6. Chop the sweet potato into chips about 1cm thick, no need to peel. Place the chips onto a baking tray, drizzle with vegetable oil and season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Arrange them in a single layer and put them onto the top shelf of the oven to cook until golden, (25-30 minutes), turning halfway through. Q While the chips are cooking, start making the burger. Drain and rinse the butter beans, then place them in a mixing bowl and mash them with a potato masher. Stir in the pine nuts. Q Coarsely grate the courgette, sweet potato and beetroot. Squeeze out any excess water from the courgette then add the grated vegetables to the bowl with the butter beans. Add the ground cumin, ½ of the chickpea flour and seasoning, then gently stir the mixture until everything has combined. Q Lightly dust the work surface with the remaining chickpea flour and divide the burger mixture into four equal pieces. Shape into four patties about the same size as the buns. Q Heat the coconut oil in a frying pan, add the patties and cook on each side for 5 minutes until golden and cooked through. Only turn the patties once. Q Five minutes before you’re ready to serve, put the burger buns on the baking tray with the chips to lightly toast. Q Fill the toasted buns with a handful of salad leaves, the sliced red onion and cucumber, and the burger patties, and serve with a side dish of sweet potato fries. Recipe and image courtesy of The Vegetarian Society, vegsoc.org 94

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PREPARATION TIME 20 minutes COOKING TIME 30 minutes SERVES 4


FOOD & DRINK

New potato and harissamarinated halloumi skewers YOU WILL NEED

PREPARATION TIME 15 minutes (plus 1 hour/overnight to marinate) COOKING TIME 35 minutes SERVES 4

veggie

450g new potatoes 500g halloumi 2 garlic cloves 90g harissa paste 2 1/2 tbsp olive oil 1 lemon 1 large red onion 250g courgette 150g natural yoghurt 10g coriander 12 metal skewers, or wooden skewers soaked in water for 20 minutes before using

DIRECTIONS Q Chop the halloumi into roughly 2.5cm cubes. Crush the garlic, then combine with the harissa, 2 tbsp of the olive oil and the juice of half the lemon in a bowl. Add the halloumi into the mixture and toss to combine, then allow it to marinate for 1 hour, or overnight. Q Prepare the potatoes by rubbing off any loose skin under a tap. Chop any larger potatoes in half. Half-fill a saucepan with cold water, then add the potatoes. Place them over a high heat and bring up to the boil, then cook the potatoes for 7 minutes before draining. Allow them cool slightly while you prepare the remaining vegetables. Q Preheat the barbecue or put a griddle pan over a high heat. Slice the red onion into wedges and the courgette into 1cm discs, then halve the discs to make semi circles. Toss the courgette, onion and new potatoes in a bowl with the remaining 1/2 tbsp oil and season to taste. Q Thread the new potatoes, red onion, courgette and halloumi onto the skewers, reserving any loose marinade. Barbecue or griddle for 12-15 minutes, turning every few minutes, until everything is golden and lightly charred, and the potatoes are cooked through. Q Mix the yoghurt with the leftover harissa marinade and serve alongside the skewers, with a scattering of roughly chopped coriander leaves and the remaining lemon half, sliced into wedges. Recipe and image courtesy of Seasonal Spuds, seasonalspuds.com

Roast sweet potato with Braeburn apple and fennel salsa YOU WILL NEED 2 sweet potatoes 200g Braeburn apples, skin on and finely diced 100g fennel, diced 50g baby tomatoes, diced 75g spring onion, finely chopped 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (avocado or hemp oil also works well) 5g coriander, finely chopped salt and pepper, 1 x 400g can chickpeas 1 garlic clove, finely grated 1 lime (juice and zest) 1 tsp chilli flakes

Q Preheat the BBQ. Tightly wrap the sweet potatoes in tinfoil and cook in the embers for around 45 minutes, until soft. Q Toss all the remaining ingredients together in a large bowl and mix through with clean hands. Q Split the sweet potatoes open and fill with salsa.

PREPARATION TIME 10 minutes COOKING TIME 45 minutes SERVES 2 with leftovers

Feature Emma Lewis

DIRECTIONS

vegan

Recipe and image courtesy of Great British Apples, greatbritishapples.co.uk www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk May 2020

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FOOD & DRINK

Portobello mushroom, beetroot and goat’s cheese burger

PREPARATION TIME 10 minutes COOKING TIME 20 minutes SERVES 4

YOU WILL NEED

veggie

For the burger 4 portobello mushrooms 4 brioche buns 2 avocados, peeled, sliced and drizzled with lemon juice and a pinch of salt and pepper 2 beetroots, sliced goat’s cheese, sliced into 4 discs 1 red onion, sliced 2 tbsp parsley, finely chopped 1 tbsp dried oregano

DIRECTIONS Q Preheat the BBQ. Heat a suitable pan and toast the brioche buns or char them on the BBQ. Q Drizzle the mushrooms with olive oil and season well. Cook them in the pan until they’re soft and cooked, then set aside. Q In the same pan, add the red onion and a dash of olive oil. Season well and cook until the onion is starting to caramelise. Remove the onion to a bowl and stir in the herbs. Q Top each bun base with slices of beetroot, avocado, one of the portobello mushrooms and the herby red onion mixture. Q Place a disc of goat’s cheese on the top of the burger filling (you could then pop it under a grill to melt the cheese, if you like). Add the top half of the bun then serve immediately. Recipe and image courtesy of The Mushroom Bureau, justaddmushrooms.com

Crispy crumbled romano peppers YOU WILL NEED 4 Romano peppers 2 large Spanish onions, chopped 25g butter 4 tbsp Bonne Maman Wild Blueberry Conserve 2 tbsp capers, chopped 4 tbsp tomato purée 2 eggs, beaten 125g goat’s cheese 8 tbsp breadcrumbs

DIRECTIONS Q Preheat the BBQ. Meanwhile, cook the onion in the butter in a frying pan on the hob until soft and golden (about 15 minutes). Stir in the conserve, capers and tomato purée. Leave to cool. Q Make a slit along one side of each pepper, open it out a little, then remove any seeds and discard. Divide the onion mixture between the peppers. In a small bowl, beat about half the egg into the goat’s cheese, then spoon this over the onion mixture. Q Brush the peppers with the remaining egg and then pat them down with the breadcrumbs. Q Place the peppers on a sheet of tinfoil and cook on the BBQ for 20-25 minutes or until tender. Place them under the grill briefly if you wish to brown them on top. Recipe and image courtesy of Bonne Maman, bonnemaman.co.uk

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PREPARATION TIME 25 minutes COOKING TIME 25 minutes SERVES 4

veggie


FOOD & DRINK

Broccoli and chickpea bhaji burger with Indian-style salsa and raita YOU WILL NEED

vegan

PREPARATION TIME 15 minutes COOKING TIME 25 minutes SERVES 4

For the burger 250g broccoli florets, cut into bite-sized pieces 2 x 400g cans chickpeas 2 tbsp olive oil 1 shallot, finely chopped 1 tbsp medium curry powder 1 tsp ground turmeric 90g gram flour 1 small bunch fresh coriander, stalks and leaves chopped 4 vegan burger buns salad leaves For the salsa 4 large vine tomatoes, chopped 1 red onion, sliced 1 carrot, cut into strips 1 bunch coriander, chopped 1 lime, juice and zest For the raita 375g vegan Greek-style yogurt 2 tsp ground turmeric 1 tsp ground cumin

DIRECTIONS Q Heat half of the oil in a frying pan and gently fry the shallot for 3 minutes until it’s beginning to soften. Add the broccoli to the pan and fry for 2 minutes. Sprinkle over the curry powder and turmeric, and cook for 1 minute. Set aside to cool. Q Drain and rinse the chickpeas, then place them into a large bowl and mash with a potato masher until they’re smooth, but retain a little texture. Q Place half of the gram flour into a small bowl and combine with 4-5 tbsp of cold water to produce a smooth paste. Add the broccoli mixture to the mashed chickpeas along with the gram flour paste. Stir gently until combined. Q Sprinkle some of the remaining gram flour onto a board, divide and shape the burger mixture into 4 patties, roughly 2cm thick. If you want to freeze the patties, do it before coating with gram flour. Q Place all of the salsa ingredients into a large bowl and mix them to combine. Make the raita by adding the ingredients to a different bowl and mixing them well. Q Heat the remaining oil in a large frying pan over a medium heat, add the patties and cook for 10-12 minutes, or until golden and cooked through, turning halfway. Q Serve the burgers in a toasted burger bun with salad leaves on the base and a spoonful of raita on top. Serve the Indian-style salsa on the side. Recipe and image courtesy of The Vegetarian Society, vegsoc.org

Roast courgette, green bean, chickpea and broad bean salad YOU WILL NEED 2 courgettes roughly, chopped 200g green beans, trimmed and halved 1 tbsp olive oil sea salt For the dressing 4 tbsp chopped mint 4 tbsp coconut yogurt 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil juice 1/2 lemon sea salt For the salad 1 can chickpeas, drained 150g broad beans juice 1 lemon 3-4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil sea salt Toppings 3 tbsp pine nuts, toasted fresh mint pea shoots (optional)

PREPARATION TIME 20 minutes COOKING TIME 25 minutes SERVES 2

vegan

DIRECTIONS Q Prepare this before your BBQ. Preheat your oven to 180°C/Fan 160°C/Gas Mark 4. Add the courgette and green beans to a baking tray, drizzle with olive oil and season well. Q Roast for approx 25 minutes or until soft, then set aside. Q To make the coconut mint dressing, add all the ingredients to a jar and mix to combine. Q To make the salad, add the chickpeas, broad beans, roast veg, lemon juice, olive oil and salt to a large platter or bowl. Toss to combine. Q Top with dollops of the coconut mint dressing, pine nuts, fresh mint and pea shoots. Recipe and image courtesy of Rebel Recipes by Niki Webster (Bloomsbury Absolute, £26) www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk May 2020

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FOOD & DRINK

IT’S ELDERFLOWER TIME! Enjoy the delicate flavour and promise of summer days around the corner…

Gooseberry, mint and prosecco jellies YOU WILL NEED 350g fresh (or frozen) gooseberries, plus extra to decorate 100g caster sugar 1 tbsp elderflower cordial 1.5 x 12g sachets of powdered gelatine 300ml Prosecco fresh mint sprigs, to decorate

DIRECTIONS Q Top and tail the gooseberries, then put them in a saucepan with the caster sugar. Cover and cook over a gentle heat for 10 minutes, gently shaking the pan occasionally. Remove them from the heat and stir the elderflower cordial into the mixture. Set it aside to cool for one hour, stirring occasionally. Place a sieve over a mixing bowl and strain the mixture. Mash any fruit left in the sieve until all the juice is removed. Discard the fruit pulp. Q Put 6 tbsp cold water in a heatproof bowl and sprinkle over the gelatine. Once the mixture has turned spongy, after 3-4 minutes, place over a small pan of gently simmering water and stir until it’s melted. Pour into the cooled jelly mixture and stir until everything’s combined. Pour in the prosecco and stir again. Q Place 6 wide champagne glasses onto a baking tray and carefully fill each one with the jelly mixture, then place them into the fridge for 2-3 hours to set. Q To serve, top with gooseberries and a sprig of mint. Recipe and image courtesy of Tesco

PREPARATION TIME 20 minutes COOKING TIME 10 minutes plus time to set SERVES 6

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FOOD & DRINK

Lemon & elderflower layer cake PREPARATION TIME 15 minutes COOKING TIME 20-25 minutes SERVES 8-10

YOU WILL NEED For the cake: 240ml whole milk 175ml liquid egg whites 3 lemons, zest only 3 tsp elderflower cordial 250g plain flour 340g granulated sugar 1 tbsp cornflour 4 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp salt 170g unsalted butter, cubed 2 meringue nests, crumbled (optional) fresh flowers For the elderflower syrup: 100ml elderflower cordial 100g granulated sugar For the lemon meringue buttercream: 360g caster sugar 1 tbsp honey 100ml water 175ml liquid egg whites 600g unsalted butter at room temperature, cut into big chunks 3 heaping tbsp lemon curd 1 tbsp lemon juice or more, to taste

DIRECTIONS Q Preheat the oven to 180°C/160°C Fan/Gas Mark 4. Grease four 6in, or two 9in, cake tins with butter and line the bottom of the tins with baking paper. If you’re using butter, dust the tins with flour and shake out any excess. Q Mix the milk, egg whites, lemon zest and elderflower cordial together and set aside. Q Put the flour, sugar, cornflour, baking powder and salt into a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and mix to combine. Add the cubed butter while beating the mixture on a low speed until it resembles breadcrumbs. Add the liquid ingredients slowly and gradually increase the mixing speed to maximum. Stop the mixer, scrape the bottom and sides, then mix for another 30 seconds until the batter is smooth. Q Divide the mixture between the cake tins and bake for 20 minutes if you’re using small tins or 25 for larger ones. The cakes are ready

when they’re springy to the touch and coming away from the edges of the tins. Leave them to cool in the tins for 10 minutes, then run a knife around the edge and carefully turn them out onto a cooling rack. Q Mix the cordial and sugar in a saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring until the sugar is dissolved. Cool slightly then brush the syrup sparingly over the cakes. Q To make the buttercream, mix the sugar, honey and water in a deep saucepan to make a sugar syrup. Bring the syrup to the boil over a high heat and check the temperature with a thermometer. Cook until it reaches 120°C. Q Put the egg whites in a stand mixer and whisk at max speed until you have soft peaks. Q As it’s whisking, carefully pour the sugar syrup into the egg whites. Continue to whisk until you have a glossy meringue and the bowl feels barely warm to the touch. Q Add the butter, a few chunks at a time, and whisk at max speed until it’s incorporated. The buttercream may separate or look curdled, but keep whisking and it will soon become smooth. Add the lemon juice and curd, and whisk until they’re combined. Q Spread a layer of buttercream over the bottom cake layer and sprinkle with crumbled meringue if using. Repeat with the second and third layers, and then top with the fourth. Spread a layer of buttercream over the top and sides, and smooth with a palette knife. Place the cake in the freezer for 20 minutes. Q Top with fresh (unsprayed) or edible flowers and serve. Recipe and image courtesy of AO Life

Homemade elderflower cordial 25 heads of elderflower 7 lemons 1.5l water 800g caster sugar

2 limes, sliced

DIRECTIONS Q Gently wash the elderflower heads under cold water and place them into a large bowl. Peel a thin layer of the zest from five of the lemons, slice the fruit and add to the elderflower with the sliced limes. Q Bring the water to the boil and gradually stir in the sugar. Simmer gently until all of the sugar has dissolved. Allow to cool slightly before pouring over the elderflower, lemons and limes. Cover with a cloth and leave it to sit in a cool, dry place to infuse for 24 hours. Q Place a muslin cloth or large, fine sieve over another large bowl and strain the mixture. Squeeze the juice from the remaining two lemons and stir through your cordial. Q Pour into sterilised bottles or freezer-proof containers. Seal tightly and store until ready to use. You can freeze it to ensure it lasts longer.

PREPARATION TIME 30 minutes plus infusing time COOKING TIME 10 minutes MAKES 1-2 BOTTLES

Feature Emma Lewis

YOU WILL NEED

Recipe and image courtesy of Daylesford www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk May 2020

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Home

Discover all you need to know about successfully planning and building a garden room

IMPROVEMENT Make an entrance There are so many improvements that can make a difference to the exterior of your home, but not all have such a big impact as adding a porch. We love The English Porch Company’s range of kits, which includes the Cliveden design. This timber canopy porch is ideal for front, side or even back door positions, offering not only a stunning feature over your door, but shelter from the elements in bad weather. It’s available in 1,200mm and 1,500mm widths, and the angle of the roof can be changed to match the roof of your house. Special sizes are available on request. Cliveden canopy porch kit, from £1,375 plus delivery, www.theenglishporchcompany.co.uk

Take a stand

Werner 79025 Pro

work platform, £50, Are you planning to www.wickes.co.uk undertake DIY and decorating projects this year? If so, make safety a priority and avoid overreaching by investing in a work platform. Werner’s latest design has a large, slipresistant work surface and a load capacity of 150kg. The platform stands 51cm high, enabling you to reach up to a height of around 2.25m, ideal for those almostout-of-reach areas. It folds completely flat for convenient storage in the shed or garage, and it’s made from lightweight aluminium with a handle for easy carrying.

Planning success If you’re going to apply for planning permission, take a look at the latest study from experts in wooden floors and doors, A Wood Idea. By analysing approval rates across England, they’ve discovered which regions have the highest success rates for planning applications. Data showed that the North East is top (with 93% of applications approved), followed by the North West (92%). The lowest average planning approval rates tended to be in West London. To see the figures for where you live, visit bit.ly/39ihwIo AllClean interior paint,£27 per 2.5L, www.brewers.co.uk

In busy households, it’s always best to opt for a hard-wearing emulsion that will stand up to marks, scuffs and stains. The latest offering from painting and decorating experts, Zinsser, does just that, with a scrubbable, stainresistant formula for exceptional performance in high-traffic areas. Unlike ordinary paints, AllClean is ISO 11998 Class 1 scrub rated, which means it has the highest abrasion resistance and cleanability. This outstanding scrub rating allows repetitive cleaning without affecting the painted finish for up to 10,000 scrubs.

FOR MORE EXPERT ADVICE AND CASE STUDIES GO TO WWW.YOURHOMEMAGAZINE.CO.UK www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk May 2020

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Feature Lisa Hibberd

ONE TOUGH CUSTOMER


HOME IMPROVEMENT

Choose indoor-outdoor furniture for your garden room. Rattan egg bench, £300; cushions, from £10, both Argos

For the full Scandi experience, turn a potting shed into a sauna, from £15,000, Finnmark Sauna

CREATE A SANCTUARY IN YOUR GARDEN If you need a handy home office, a games room or just somewhere to relax on a hot summer’s day, a garden room is the perfect solution

H

ave you ever thought how nice it would be to have an extra room? Do you long for a guest bedroom for visiting family and friends, or are you working from home and could use a space that offers some peace and quiet? Whatever purpose you’d like to use it for, installing a garden room is a lot cheaper and a lot less hassle than building an extension or loft conversion. With prices from as little as £2,500, there are all sorts of options available, including some that are fully insulated with electrics, plumbing, beds, kitchens and wood-burners. Here’s what to consider before you invest in a garden room and how to go about getting the right one for your needs.

CHECK IF YOU NEED PERMISSION

1

Before you begin, find out if you require planning permission. It all depends on where you want to position your garden room as well as where you live. Your new room will fall under permitted development and so won’t need planning permission if it does not contain sleeping accommodation and is single storey with a maximum eave height of 2.5m. The overall height must not exceed 4m for a dual-pitch roof and 3m for any other type. If the room is within 2m of a boundary, the maximum height is 2.5m. It must not be located forward of the main front wall of the original house as it was first built or as it stood on 1 July 1948. Also, no verandas or balconies, and raised decking can’t be higher than 30cm. Anything else will need planning permission, including if you live in a national park, conservation area or listed building, a flat, maisonette or any other building that isn’t a house.

Choose a Scandi-style garden building made from solid log, to stay naturally warm in winter and cool in summer. Ultra, from £15,225, Norwegian Log

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Shepherd’s huts are ideal for overnight guests and can be fitted with bunk beds, wood-burners, showers and kitchenettes. The Snug, from £23,400, Plankbridge


HOME IMPROVEMENT

The Malvern Arley Pavilion works equally well as a home office and/or games room, from £2,412, GBC Group

2

Decide what you want to use the garden room for, as this will help you determine which materials, fixtures and fittings you need. When it comes to the windows and doors, look for powder-coated aluminium models with energy-efficient double glazing. Also, if you’re going to spend a fair amount of time in the room, ensure it’s properly insulated with floor, wall and roof insulation to keep it at a comfortable temperature all year round. Think about adding lighting, heating, electrics and possibly even a water supply to make it a truly multifunctional space. And don’t forget security, as you may be storing valuable equipment inside – consider installing anti-pick locks, security screws on windows and perhaps even integral window bars and security cameras.

This fully insulated, 5m x 3m garden room makes a great space for entertaining, from £7,749.99 Waltons

THINK ABOUT POSITION

DECIDE ON ITS PURPOSE

3

4

Work out where the sunlight falls during the day and then you can decide on the optimum position for your new garden room. If you’re working in there all day long, for instance, you’ll want to make the most of the natural light during the hours of 9-5. If, on the other hand, you’d prefer to use it as a home gym after work, placing it so the room catches the evening sun may be a better option. Do you want it to be positioned away from the house (maybe if it’s for work or for the kids to hang out with their friends) or do you want it closer to your property so it’s easier to carry items back and forth? Wherever you choose to locate it, bear in mind that if it’s more than 2.5m tall at the eaves, it has to be more than 2m from the boundary to avoid planning permission.

A garden room can be used for all sorts of activities and its intended purpose will largely dictate its size, cost and the elements within. A home office, craft space, teen den or spare bedroom will likely benefit from an electricity supply, at the very least, so you can recharge and power any computers, printers, sewing machines, TVs, and games consoles, or reading lamps and electric blankets. If the room is to be used as a home gym, it may be that you only need it to be well insulated with comfortable flooring underfoot. A games room or space for entertaining could be more basic while a spare bedroom may require planning permission so always check before you splash out on the furniture and home comforts to make it cosy.

Use specialist paint to keep your garden room in top condition. 10-year exterior satin paint in Pure Brilliant White, from £17.99 for 750ml, Sandtex

Feature Hayley Gilbert

CONSIDER BUILDING MATERIALS

Make your outdoor room feel warm and welcoming with the Observatory fabric collection in Amber, from £22 per m, ILIV

Make the outside of your garden room a functional area too with the String galvanised metal shelving system, from £80, Utility Design

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HOME IMPROVEMENT

EXPERT ADVICE PLAN A BUDGET

5

Work out your maximum budget and stick to it. Factor in the cost for the garden room as well as preparing groundworks (a concrete base is best), installation costs, labour and then the price of kitting it out with all the extras you need. Buy the best quality you can afford and consider companies that specialise in these sorts of things rather than off-thepeg high street buys. If you need planning permission and building regulations inspection and sign-off, then you’ll need to allocate some of your budget for this too. Other costs can include delivery, site clearance and the foundations.

Turn your space into a spot for hobbies and really make it your own. Garden Trading Aldsworth potting table, £350, John Lewis & Partners

‘The size of your summerhouse will depend on the intended use – an office can be a compact 3m x 3m. For a gym, you’ll need at least 12 sq m. For maximum versatility, invest in the biggest garden room you can afford. You never know, a craft hobby might become a business, while an office could double as a kids’ hangout. The bestinsulated garden rooms can be used all year round and accommodate plenty of extra storage space. Decluttering your home and having a bonus room in the garden to enjoy – now that can add significant value to your property.’ Anna Sippel, marketing manager at Waltons, www. waltons.co.uk

Made from hardwood, this octagonal Baltimore Summerhouse would make the perfect spot for relaxing with a cold drink on a hot summer’s day, from £5,940, Scotts of Thrapston

USEFUL CONTACT S

Find out more abou t planning permission and build ing regulations at ww w.planning portal.co.uk Compare insurance quotes for your outbuilding at ww w.gocompare.com or visit ww w.home protect.co.uk There’s plenty of ad vice about making your garden room sec ure at ww w. thecrimepreventio nwebsite.com

OTHER POINTS TO KEEP IN MIND

6

Size-wise, your garden room won’t need planning permission if the building doesn’t take up more than 50 per cent of your garden. Think about access too, as well as making sure you don’t block any natural light for your neighbours. Even if you don’t need planning permission, you’ll want to keep on their good side. A specialist company will be able to carry out a site survey to measure up and check for any potential issues regarding planning and building control. Don’t forget to insure your garden room and its contents too. Garden rooms can be multipurpose spaces, such as a guest room/hobby area. Eclipse 575 Eleanor Vinyl, £22.99 per sq m; Bali wooden bed frame in white, £199.99, both Carpetright

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HOME IMPROVEMENT

CASE STUDY ‘Our garden room gives us extra living space all year round’

Gaelle and Will, with three-yearold Rosie, are planning to move to a bigger house soon, preferably one with another summerhouse at the bottom of the garden

The outside of the summerhouse went from dull green to beach hut blue when the Collins moved in and is now their favourite spot for family meals and entertaining friends in the summer

Feature and photos Gill Rothwell

The old summerhouse at the bottom of the garden was by no means a major selling point when Gaelle and Will Collins bought their two-bedroom terraced home five years ago. But now they wouldn’t have a house without one. ‘We had no idea how useful it would be,’ admits Gaelle, ‘but as we’re really stretched for space indoors, it’s turned into a valuable asset we use all year long.’

Installed by the previous owner on a solid concrete base, it fills the width of the garden, providing some privacy as well as useful extra living space. ‘It had been used as a home office so had full electrics, reasonable insulation and sound laminate floor covering,’ says Gaelle. As a parttime journalist, who often works from home, she had originally planned to use it the same way but eventually realised it made more sense to create a family-friendly living/playroom. ‘The summer that Rosie was born, we kept her travel cot in there for daytime naps while I sat and read nearby in the sun,’ adds Gaelle. ‘Now she’s older, it’s used to store all her oversized toys, which take up too much space inside the house.’ And, though it’s obviously much cooler in winter, Gaelle finds this the ideal place for a workout on her exercise bike. Having repainted the outside in a ‘sort of beach hut shade of blue’, Gaelle concentrated on giving a similar look to the interior with its whitewash painted walls and wood-effect flooring. ‘I wanted to keep the space clutter-free and avoid the temptation to use it purely as a dumping ground for all our junk,’ says Gaelle, who is delighted with the wicker sofa she found in a charity shop for £50. Besides a small bookcase, the only other furniture is the dining set that came from the couple’s old flat, making this the ideal spot for summer dining – especially since they’ve installed a fridge to chill wine and beer. It’s also great for parties. Gaelle decorated the whole place with balloons and bunting for Rosie’s third birthday last year and entertained 30 friends with 12 children between them.

The spacious, uncluttered interior is furnished as an additional family room with homely personal touches on the walls like the posters and straw hats

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EDITOR’S CHOICE This collection of gorgeous grape vases from Truly would make a wonderful centrepiece on your dining table, windowsill or sideboard. Bag them all for a floral display or pick out one to show off on your bedside table or shelf. With spring finally here, now is the time to bring the botanicals indoors! The small vase stands 10cm tall, has a 9.5cm diameter and costs £9; the medium vase is 18cm tall, 11cm in diameter and costs £15; and the large vase is 26cm tall, 13cm wide and £22. All are available from www.truly.co.uk.

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Gardening Great buys and advice to help your garden grow

Tools you can trust

Prevention is better than cure Fed up of spending hours weeding the garden? Help is at hand. You can now manage weeds in an organic, natural way with a new weed prevention product from Westland. Resolva Weed Preventer, £10.99 for 2.5kg, is made from 100% plant-based natural ingredients and is safe for gardens used by children and pets. It’s proven to stop weeds before they start, by preventing their seed development and establishment. Simply sprinkle it on bare soil then water it in to provide six weeks of protection after application. It does not damage established plants. Resolva Weed Preventer comes in an environmentally friendly tub with scatter scoop and is available from B&Q, Homebase and Wickes. Visit www.gardenhealth.com for further information.

Spade £34.99; fork £34.99, both National Trust by Burgon & Ball

Put a smile on your face Zinnias cheer up a garden. You can’t glance at these cheerful blooms without breaking out into a grin! Zinnia seeds can be sown from March to June, but they love the sun, so it’s better to plant them out later. They attract pollinating insects, grow quickly, are low maintenance and make fabulous cut flowers! We love Zinnia ‘Forecast’, which has beautiful single and double blooms that will pepper your garden with purple, pink, yellow and orange. Zinnia ‘Forecast’, £2.99 for 40 seeds, Thompson & Morgan

When the gloves are off

READY, STEADY, MOW… Electric lawnmowers are becoming ever more popular and Mountfield’s are renowned for being quiet, lightweight and easy to use. The Princess 34 is the perfect mower for small to medium-sized gardens. Hand-propelled, it’s powered by a 1,400W motor, has a 34cm cutting width and a 15-metre electric cable. The Princess 34 also benefits from a rigid 35-litre collection bag, with a window to make checking on the contents easy, while a mulching plug offers a choice of lawn maintenance. Plus the rear roller will ensure you get perfect stripes every time!

Princess 34 lawnmower, £129, Mountfield

If you find gardening in gloves too cumbersome, but still want to protect your hands, then barrier cream is the solution. This vegan-friendly barrier cream is blended with shea butter, vitamin E and thyme oil to keep your hands feeling soft, with carrot and calendula extract to help comfort skin. Use it before and after gardening to keep your hands in tip-top condition. You can even reuse the pretty tub for potting cuttings and seeds. In the Garden barrier cream, £7 for 200ml, Heathcote & Ivory

FOR MORE EXPERT ADVICE AND INSPIRATION GO TO WWW.YOURHOMEMAGAZINE.CO.UK www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk May 2020

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Feature Anna-Lisa De’Ath

Burgon & Ball has teamed up with the National Trust to launch a range of high-quality garden tools at affordable prices. As well as having a classy heritage aesthetic, a percentage of their sales goes towards the vital conservation work the National Trust carries out. The collection consists of a spade, fork, trowel, hand fork, round-tined fork, claw cultivator, patio weeding knife, dibber, lopper, hedge shear, topiary shear, bypass secateur and pocket knife. The tools are crafted from strong high-carbon steel with dark wood and touches of brass to give them a distinctive look. The spade and fork are both specially constructed to make them strong and robust enough for the toughest digging jobs, while their textured powder coatings protects the exposed steel surfaces from corrosion. The tools are available to buy in garden centres, National Trust shops and online at www.burgonandball.com and nationaltrust.org.uk/shop.


GARDEN IDEAS Part of the National Garden Scheme, this garden, designed by RHS Chelsea Gold medal-winner Marcus Barnett, shows how house and garden aesthetics can complement each other perfectly

Stylised plants and a simple colour scheme provide a harmonious backdrop for this elegant relaxation space

Photo Haskins Garden Centre

Structural plants in containers are perfect for a modern urban garden

IN YOUR GARDEN

this month… There is no better place to be than in a beautiful garden during the month of May

STYLE YOUR With crisp, clean, geometric lines and streamlined landscaping, modern or contemporary gardens create an organised and functional outdoor space for you to enjoy. Contemporary landscapes are often CDRHFMDC SN QD DBS SGD HMSDQHNQ NE SGD property they’re part of so as to create an area that can be used as an extra ‘room’ in which to relax or entertain. Simple, muted colours are an intrinsic feature of the hard landscaping of most modern designs, which in turn provides a harmonious backdrop for stylised

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plants such as grasses, bamboos and clipped box. Bold blocks of colour are more likely to be seen in statement pots, cushions or sail shades than in the mix of plants. Over the last decade, however, several garden designers have begun to incorporate more naturalistic planting schemes into their contemporary designs. PollinatorEQHDMCKX OK@MSR SG@S G@UD @ LNQD THC vibe and help soften hard edges have replaced many of the traditional structural specimens, giving these

May 2020 www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

modern gardens more aesthetic appeal and making them more wildlife friendly. You can see some exquisite examples of this by visiting one of the venues in the National Garden Scheme, which provides access to over 3,700 private gardens in England and Wales, while raising money for nursing and health charities. The top image on this page shows a garden in Sutton, Greater London, which opens to the public as part of the scheme. Visit ngs. NQF TJ SN MC RHLHK@QKX RSXKHRG F@QCDMR open near you.


Photo ngs.org.uk

Keep box hedges looking crisp and sharp with regular pruning

WHAT TO DO in the flower garden Prune topiary shapes Prune any topiarised shapes or box hedges at the end of the month and again at the end of August. Box and Yew are commonly used for topiary because they grow neither too fast nor too slow but there are plenty of other suitable plants to use if you’re starting from scratch and making your own. Box Blight and Box Tree Moth are rife in certain parts of the country so it may be wise to opt for an alternative such as holly, privet or lonicera nitida.

The Chelsea chop

Keep deadheading single dahlias to keep them flowering thro ughout the summer months and into autumn

Extend the flowering period of some late-flowering herbaceous perennials by giving them the ‘Chelsea chop’. This quirky term was named after the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, which traditionally takes place at the end of May – the optimum time to carry out this pruning technique. Mature clumps of plants such as Leucanthemum (Shasta daisies), Phlox paniculata and Heleniums can all be encouraged to flower more prolifically and over a longer period with a little random pruning. Cut back a third of the stems by half, leave another third intact and prune all those that are left by a third. This will provide you with a longer sequence of flowering.

Pick repeat-flowering plants Flag irises and peonies are classically beautiful but their appearance is fleeting as they flower only once. While they still deserve a space in any garden, surround them with hard-working plants that produce flowers over a longer period, some from spring to autumn. Erysimum ‘Bowles’s Mauve’ is one such variety; in mild winters, it may still be flowering in December. Treat it as a short-lived, shrubby perennial and replace it every three or four years. Cuttings of this plant strike easily when placed in gritty compost. Perennial geraniums that include Rozanne and Johnson’s Blue provide masses of flowers over a long period and every three or four years they can be divided to make new plants for the garden. Single dahlias will bloom from mid-summer to the first frosts, provided yyou remember to dead head them.

Feature and photos Louise Midgley

Photo Elho.com

um Johnson’s Blue This perennial gerani pruned this month ng bei m fro efit ben will flowering lific pro re mo age to encour

Erysimum ‘Bowles’s Mauve’ produces flowers over a long period of time

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MAY’S garden visitors Foxes are a familiar sight in most people’s neighbourhoods no matter where they live, having adapted to survive in habitats, both rural and urban. Sightings are more common at dusk and through the night when they’re scavenging for food, although it isn’t rare to see one basking on a shed roof on a sunny day or wandering across a quiet garden in broad daylight. These beautiful, born survivors divide public opinion but there’s no denying that, as members of the dog family, they’re exceptionally playful and remarkably family orientated. They look for a partner in winter, the period they’re most likely to be heard screeching loudly while fending off rivals and trying to attract a mate, usually in the middle of the night. The female will give birth in an underground den in spring, normally to a litter of between four and seven cubs. Foxes divide opinion, but they can be a joy Although foxes are at the top of the food chain, young to watch in the garden cubs are vulnerable to disease, predators such as badgers and birds of prey, and many get run over by cars. A fox’s diet is made up of small mammals, earthworms, insects, birds, fruit, berries and food left out by humans. We should all be mindful that wild animals don’t kill for fun but out of necessity, so that the animals can survive and feed their young.

Photo Harrod Horticultural

WHAT TO DO on the veg plot

Raised beds are ideal for growing a variety of veg in a relatively small space – perfect for urban gardeners

Small space veg growing If you grow your own vegetables from seed, don’t be tempted to grow all the seeds in the packet in one go, as this may produce a glut that goes to waste. Have a think about how many plants are needed and keep the remainder of the seeds in a cool place until next year. So, for example three productive courgette plants would probably be adequate for an average-sized family. Successional sowing of small quantities of seed every few weeks, for crops that have a quick turnaround, such as lettuce, beetroot, carrots and peas will provide a steady, more manageable supply of fresh veg throughout g the growing season. Grow them in neat rows fairly close to each other as shown in the raised beds from Harrod Horticultural (above right) and rotate their position with each new sowing to prevent the build-up of pests and diseases.

Portable container gardening For herbs and low-growing veg and fruit, invest in a Vegepod planting system. These portable containers have a permeable mesh lid that extends the growing season by protecting plants from cold weather in spring or autumn. Maintenance of plants is minimal; watering is only required during the early stages of growth, until the plant roots reach the reservoir of water at the base. A set of wheels on a Vegepod is an optional extra but is very useful if your garden is small and you occasionally need to move your plants out of the way.

Sow winter crops Vegetables that are ready to pick over the winter months are slow growers and need many months to produce an edible crop. Winter brassicas that include winter cabbage (both white and red ball-headed), kale, cauliflower and purple sprouting broccoli can all be sown now. While you can direct sow seeds into a weed-free bed, the seedlings will probably be eaten by slugs or pigeons. It’s better to sow the seeds into modules under cover and plant them out in June when they’re larger. Press them firmly into the ground and cover with a protective mesh or fleece to keep cabbage white butterflies from laying their eggs on the leaves.

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Slow-growing ca bbage should be sown now for a winter cro p

Curly kale makes a colourful addition to the veg plot

Medium raised bed with cover, £189; medium stand, £59, both Vegepod


GARDEN IDEAS TOP THREE PLANTS

for May WHAT TO DO in the fruit garden Grow patio fruit trees

Fremontodendron ‘California Glor y’

FREMONTODENDRON ‘CALIFORNIA GLORY’ This upright, spreading shrub requires a sunny, sheltered position to give its best. It’s a great plant to grow against a wall that’s beneath an overhanging gutter because, once established, it doesn’t need much water in summer and enjoys having its roots baked by the Sun. It produces sunshine yellow NVDQR EQNL D@QKX RTLLDQ SN SGD NMRDS NE @TSTLM VGHBG Q@CH@SD @F@HMRS AD@TSHETKKX RG@ODC C@QJ FQDDM leaves. Wear gloves when pruning this shrub as its ENKH@FD @MC RGNNSR B@M B@TRD RJHM HQQHS@SHNM

If you can’t grow full-sized fruit trees because there simply isn’t space in your garden, consider growing miniature fruit trees that produce fullsized fruits. Most varieties of fruit are available in dwarf forms, which can be grown in a container and since they deliver their crop at waist height, and you won’t need to climb a ladder to harvest their fruit in late summer. They’re also easy to prune and can be covered in fleece to protect them from harsh frosts or hungry birds. The Apricot ‘Aprigold’ Patio fruit tree (left), £24.99 from Thompson and Morgan, is self-fertile and therefore doesn’t require another pollination companion. Deliciously sweet fruit can be harvested each year from late July.

Protect fruit from hungry birds Birds have a great sense of timing when it comes to pilfering fruit. They’ll wait until the fruit is at its ripest and then, given the chance, strip it in a matter of hours. While it’s lovely to share some of the crop with wildlife, you can protect the rest with fruit tree sleeves. Re-usable sleeves, such as these (right) from Harrod Horticultural, starting at £21.95, are made from UV-stabilised, fine-grade insect mesh and can be used on a variety of fruits including peaches, cherries, grapes and plums. They come in 10m rolls, which you can cut to size.

ALLIUMS

Candelabra primulas

CANDELABRA PRIMULAS These majestic, hardy perennials carry whorls NE AQHFGSKX BNKNTQDC NVDQR HM RG@CDR NE KHK@B pink, yellow, orange, red and white on tall, strong stems. To guarantee they’re long-lived, grow them in damp, shady borders or boggy FQNTMC NM SGD DCFD NE @ ONMC NQ RSQD@L where their roots have a continuous supply NE V@SDQ (E BNMCHSHNMR @QD E@UNTQ@AKD SGDX KK RDKE RDDC OQNETRDKX @MC DMRTQD @ VNMCDQETK CHROK@X XD@Q @ESDQ XD@Q

Alliums

Ornamental drumstick alliums are HMU@KT@AKD ATKAR ENQ KKHMF SGD F@O between late spring and the start NE RTLLDQ R GDQA@BDNTR CHROK@XR 3GDX @CC ENB@K ONHMSR NE BNKNTQ and structure to your borders. 3GDHQ CNLD NE SHMX NVDQR attracts copious bees, especially ATLAKDADDR @MC @QD ENKKNVDC AX attractive seed heads throughout late summer and autumn. Grow SGDL HM EDQSHKD RNHK SG@S CQ@HMR DE BHDMSKX CTQHMF GD@UX Q@HME@KK

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SEVEN AMAZING PRIZE DRAWS TO ENTER!

We have fabulous goodies up for grabs this month! Win luxury vinyl tiles from Kraus Flooring UK

Win a self-propelled Mountfield SP42 lawnmower

One lucky Your Home reader will be able to update their home with new luxury vinyl tiles, worth £500, from Kraus Flooring UK. Combining durability and style, luxury vinyl tiles are considered to be one of the most versatile flooring finishes, rivalling natural wood, laminate and tile. Its click-fit system makes it easy to install, and an integrated underlay reduces installation time. The only tools required are a knife and a tape measure! Available in 20 stunning colourways, the range is also 100% waterproof, making it ideal for bathrooms and kitchens, as well as the rest of the home. Discover the full range at www.krausflooring.co.uk

Your Home has teamed up with Mountfield, one of the UK’s leading lawnmower manufacturers, to offer readers the chance to win one of two SP42 lawnmowers, worth £239 each. With over 50 years of experience, Mountfield has gained a reputation for producing lawnmowers and lawn tractors of outstanding quality and reliability. The Mountfield SP42 is an easy to use, self-propelled petrol mower, powered by a Mountfield ST120 Autochoke engine. With a 41cm cutting width, it’s the ideal mowing machine for small to medium-sized gardens. See the full Mountfield range at www.mountfieldlawn mowers.co.uk

One lucky winner

Two lucky winners

Your chance to win a premium classical streaming service from Primephonic Three lucky Your Home readers will win a Primephonic platinum annual subscription in this giveaway. Primephonic is a premium streaming service for classical music lovers and has the world’s largest classical music catalogue, which currently stands at over 3.5 million tracks. As well as enjoying high-resolution sound and hand-entered data for accurate playlist curation, subscribers can enjoy new releases each week, discover hidden gems and the history behind the classics, as well as expert commentary from a wealth of indepth artist podcasts. Find out more at www.primephonic.com

Three lucky winners

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Win a DuraOcean bistro set Your Home has joined forces with LifestyleGarden to offer one lucky reader the chance to win a DuraOcean furniture set, worth £499. Made up of a table and two chairs, what makes this set special is that it’s made from sustainably sourced wood and 100% recycled plastic that’s been recovered from the ocean. Plastic in the seas already kills thousands of marine creatures every year and predictions suggest that, by 2050, a lot more plastic will have found its way into the ocean. LifestyleGarden, leading manufacturer of eco-friendly outdoor furniture, decided to do something about this and came up with the DuraOcean chair. Each one contains 3.5kg of recycled marine waste, while the legs are made from sustainable Brazilian FSC-approved eucalyptus. Find out more at www.lifestylegarden.com

One lucky winner


SEVEN AMAZING PRIZE DRAWS TO ENTER! Win a bundle of gardening goodies from Hozelock

Win a PetSafe Automatic Ball Launcher

With spring in the air, it’s the perfect time to get out and make the most of the garden. With that in mind, Hozelock is giving one lucky reader the chance to win a collection of gardening products worth over £350. To encourage you to water wisely and help your garden flourish, the bundle includes a Cloud Controller and an Auto Reel with 20m hose. To protect plants from garden pests and diseases, the lucky winner will also receive a BioMix to make homemade nutrient-rich liquid feed. Finally, to reclaim your garden from pesky weeds, the bundle will include the Green Power Evolution Thermal Weeder, which destroys weeds without chemicals in seconds with a thermal shock. Visit www.hozelock. com to see their whole range of gardening goods.

Keep your mitts away from grubby tennis balls thanks to this savvy pet accessory from PetSafe. We’re offering four lucky readers the chance to win the PetSafe Automatic Ball Launcher, the ultimate game of fetch for dogs! This fun toy is suitable for all breeds and keeps dogs entertained while encouraging mental and physical activity. The innovative launcher has nine distance settings and six ball angle settings, plus it has a built-in delay after ball placement to help instil valuable waiting skills. The Automatic Ball Launcher retails for £141.99 and can be purchased via www.petsafe.com/UK.

One lucky winner

Four lucky winners

Win tickets to Grand Designs Live Your Home has teamed up with Grand Designs Live to give 30 readers the chance to win a pair of tickets, worth up to £34, to the UK’s leading contemporary home show – Grand Designs Live, proudly sponsored by Anglian Home Improvements. Taking place from 22nd–31st August 2020, at London’s ExCeL, the show will boast a range of new exhibitors and features, as well as all popular favourites, with design guru and TV broadcaster, Kevin McCloud leading the event. Whether you’re starting out on your first renovation, building a new home, redecorating a room, installing a new kitchen or simply looking for ideas, Grand Designs Live is the mustvisit event for anyone wanting to learn about the world of interiors, design and self-build. Covering builds, kitchens, bathrooms, gardens and interiors the show offers access to amazing brands launching new products, talks live from industry experts and the chance to check out homewares not yet available on the high street. For more information visit Grand Designs Live www.granddesignslive.com

30 lucky winners

TERMS AND CONDITIONS A maximum of two free adult tickets per household can be claimed. Tickets can only be claimed online and cannot be claimed by any other method. Your name will be printed on the ticket. Tickets cannot be exchanged for cash, are not transferable and cannot be duplicated.

To enter, visit www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk, choose the WIN tab, find the prize draw yo you’d like to enter and fill in your details. Closing date May 31st 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 31st May 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 May 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.

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Shopping guide A

Aldi 0800 042 0800 www.aldi.co.uk Amara 0800 587 7645 www.amara.com Amazon www.amazon.co.uk Annie Sloan 01865 770061 www.anniesloan.com Any Kitchens 01438 230010 www.anykitchenltd.co.uk Argos 0345 640 2020 www.argos.co.uk Arket 020 3868 9990 www.arket.com Artisanne 07780 956935 www.artisanne.co.uk Atrafloor 0151 305 7376 www.atrafloor.com A Wood Idea 0191 448 7422 www.awoodidea.co.uk

B

B&Q 0333 014 3357 www.diy.com Blinds 2go 0800 862 0464 www.blinds-2go.co.uk Brewers 0845 504 5040 www.brewers.co.uk Broste Copenhagen www.brostecopenhagen.com Burgon and Ball 0114 233 8262 www.burgonandball.com

C

Carpetright 0330 333 3444 www.carpetright.co.uk Charnwood 01983 537777 www.charnwood.com Chesapeake Mill 01329 834078 www.thechesapeakemill.com Clarke & Clarke 01706 242010 www.clarke-clarke.com Clarissa Hulse 020 7226 7055 www.clarissahulse.com Claybrook Studio 020 7052 1555 www.claybrookstudio.co.uk Crown www.crown-imperial.co.uk Cult Furniture 020 8185 6960 www.cultfurniture.com Curtains 2go 0800 862 0463 www.curtains-2go.co.uk

D

Där Lighting 01295 672200 www.darlighting.co.uk Desenio 020 3318 2047 www.desenio.co.uk Dibor 0800 408 0660 www.dibor.co.uk Dowsing & Reynolds 0113 819 9985 www.dowsingandreynolds.com Dulux 0333 222 7171 www.dulux.co.uk Dunelm 0345 165 6565 www.dunelm.com Dunnighams 01255 502497 www.dunninghams.co.uk Dylon 0845 490 0176 www.dylon.co.uk

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E

Earthborn Paints 01928 734171 www.earthbornpaints.co.uk Eatwell UK www.eatwell-uk.co.uk Ebonyrose Interiors +353 (0)46 907 5432 www.ebonyrose.ie eBay 0345 355 3229 www.ebay.co.uk Elho 013 751 5750 www.elho.com Etsy www.etsy.com

F

Farrow & Ball 01202 876141 www.farrow-ball.com Floortiqué 0118 907 6533 www.floortique.co.uk Flymo www.flymo.com Fortnum & Mason 020 7734 8040 www.fortnumandmason.com Freemans 0333 200 8077 www.freemans.com FrogTape www.frogtape.com Frontline www.frontlinebathrooms.co.uk Furniture Village 0333 272 0292 www.furniturevillage.co.uk Fusion Mineral Paint www.fusionmineralpaint.uk

G

Gardena www.gardena.com George at Asda 0800 952 0101 www.asda.com Graham & Green 01225 418200 www.grahamandgreen.co.uk Great Little Trading Company 0344 848 6000 www.gltc.co.uk

H

H&M 0344 736 9000 www2.hm.com Habitat 0344 499 4686 www.habitat.co.uk Harrod Horticultural 0333 400 1500 www.harrodhorticultural.com Haskins Garden Centre www.haskins.co.uk Heathcote & Ivory 020 7483 8383 www.heathcote-ivory.com Holistic Silk 01840 250425 www.holisticsilk.com Homebase 0345 077 8888 www.homebase.co.uk Homescapes Online 0121 368 0051 www.homescapesonline.com House of Hackney 020 7739 3901 www.houseofhackney.com Hudson Reed 01282 418000 www.hudsonreed.co.uk

I

Idyll Home 01270 812717 www.idyllhome.co.uk IKEA 020 3645 0000 www.ikea.com IQ Glass 01494 722880 www.iqglassuk.com

J

Jane Clayton & Company 01761 404505 www.janeclayton.co.uk

May 2020 www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

94 JD Williams 0345 071 9018 www.jdwilliams.co.uk Jeyes 0845 490 0176 www.jeyesfluid.co.uk Jim Lawrence 01473 826685 www.jim-lawrence.co.uk Joe Browns www.joebrowns.co.uk Joe & Seph’s www.joeandsephs.co.uk John Lewis & Partners 03456 049049 www.johnlewis.com Johnstone’s Paint 01924 354354 www.johnstonespaint.com Joules 0345 250 7160 www.joules.com

K

Karndean Design Flooring 01386 820100 www.kardean.com Kate Guy www.kateguy.co.uk

Kebony www.kebony.com Keller Kitchens +31 (0)164 285106 www.kellerkitchens.com Kempton Park Market 0118 945 1799 www.sunburyantiques.com Kidly www.kidly.co.uk Knights Glass 01932 783479 www.knightsglass.co.uk

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Lakeland 015394 88100 www.lakeland.co.uk Landmann 01480 421720 www.landmann.com Landford Stone 01794 324232 www.landfordstone.co.uk Laura Ashley 0333 200 8009 www.lauraashley.com La Redoute 0330 303 0199 www.laredoute.co.uk


Limited Abode 0116 277 8897 www.limitedabode.co.uk Little Greene Paint Company 0845 880 5855 www.littlegreene.com Lots Road Auctions 020 7376 6800 www.lotsroad.com Love Celery 0117 924 7220 www.lovecelery.co.uk Love Radish 0117 924 7220 www.loveradish.co.uk Lush Designs 020 8293 5662 www.lushlampshades.co.uk Lusso Stone 020 3370 4057 www.lussostone.com M&S 0333 202 0720 www.marksandspencer.com Made.com 03442 571888 www.made.com Mamas & Papas 0345 268 2000 www.mamasandpapas.com Matalan 0333 004 4444 www.matalan.co.uk McCulloch www.mcculloch.com Mini Moderns www.minimoderns.com Mint & May 020 3637 7969 www.mintandmay.co.uk Mira Showers 0844 571 5000 www.mirashowers.co.uk Mountfield Lawnmowers 0800 669 6325 www.mountfieldlawnmowers.co.uk Mowbot www.mowbot.com Mudd & Co. 01538 380988 www.muddandco.co.uk My Furniture 0800 092 1636 www.my-furniture.com

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Red Candy 0121 224 7728 www.redcandy.co.uk Robert Dyas www.robertdyas.co.uk Russell Hobbs 0345 658 9700 www.russellhobbs.com

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Sainsbury’s 0800 328 1700 www.sainsburys.co.uk Sara Miller www.saramiller.london Sass & Belle 0207 346 0117 www.sassandbelle.co.uk Scumble Goosie 01453 731305 www.scumblegoosie.co.uk Sian Zeng 020 8691 7770 www.sianzeng.com Sophie Allport www.sophieallport.com So Souk 01295 760099 www.sosouk.co.uk Stitched 0330 133 1455 www.stitched.co.uk STIHL 01276 417678 www.stihl.co.uk Store 01244 680501 www.aplaceforeverything.co.uk Sue Ryder 0800 917 8123 shop.sueryder.org

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T&G Woodware 01275 841841 www.tg-woodware.com The Basket Room 01608 239482 www.thebasketroom.com

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The English Panelling Company 01453 731305 www.theenglish panellingcompany.co.uk The English Porch Company 0345 222 0155 www.theenglishporchcompany.co.uk The Hairpin Leg Company 01666 818222 www.thehairpinlegcompany.co.uk The Range 0345 026 7598 www.therange.co.uk The Rug Seller 0161 876 4566 www.therugseller.co.uk Thompson & Morgan 0333 400 0033 www.thompson-morgan.com Topps Tiles 0800 783 6262 www.toppstiles.co.uk Tracklements 01666 827044 www.tracklements.co.uk Ultra Finishing 01422 417110 www.ultra-finishing.co.uk UK Flooring Direct 024 7601 2840 www.ukflooringdirect.co.uk

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Vax 0330 026 8455 www.vax.co.uk Vegepod 0800 978 8656 www.vegepod.co.uk Versatile +353 (0)46 9029444 www.versatilebathrooms.ie Victorian Plumbing 0345 862 2878 www.victorianplumbing.co.uk

Wallpaper Direct 01323 430 886 www.wallpaperdirect.com Wallsauce 01772 284110 www.wallsauce.com Warren Evans 020 3927 7777 www.warrenevans.com Waters Baths of Ashbourne 01332 824166 www.watersbaths.co.uk Wayfair 0800 169 0423 www.wayfair.co.uk Weber 0203 630 1500 www.weber.com Werner 01621 745900 www.wernerco.com/eu Westland 01480 443789 www.gardenhealth.com Wickes 0330 123 4123 www.wickes.co.uk Wild & Wolf uk.wildandwolf.com Wilko 08000 329329 www.wilko.com Wren Kitchens www.wrenkitchens.com

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Y Z

Yorkshire Fabric Shop 01924 728753 www.yorkshirefabricshop.com

Zara Home 0800 026 0091 www.zarahome.com Zinsser 0191 411 3146 www.zinsseruk.com

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National Trust www.nationaltrust.org.uk/shop Next 0333 777 8000 www.next.co.uk Nkuku 0333 240 0155 www.nkuku.com Not On The High Street www.notonthehighstreet.com

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Oak Furnitureland 0800 440 2254 www.oakfurnitureland.co.uk Ocado 0345 656 1234 www.ocado.com Oliver Bonas 020 8974 0110 www.oliverbonas.com Original Style Tile Showroom 01392 446300 www.ostileshop.uk OXO 0207 949 0115 www.oxouk.com

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Paperchase 0203 322 4788 www.paperchase.com

Pure Evil Gallery

www.pureevilgallery.com Purlfrost 020 8992 4024 www.purlfrost.com

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Discover the fascinating stories behind our reader homes Fresh new interior trends for summer style

Add a personal touch with stylish craft projects

Tasty recipes to treat your dad with this Father’s Day

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MORAL FIBRE The team at Weaver Green have made it their mission to create gorgeously soft textiles from plastic waste and the results are amazing. They process discarded plastic using heat and fine combs to draw out sturdy fibres. These fibres are stretched and spun together to make a resilient yarn with the texture of wool. The yarn is then coloured with any one of a rainbow of non-toxic dyes and woven using traditional techniques to create stylish rugs and throws. Processing the plastic in this way uses as much as 70 per cent less energy than creating plastic yarn from scratch. At the end of 2019 Weaver Green had recycled their 100 millionth plastic bottle, with many of these bottles having been collected from streams, rivers and the coast. They’re helping to make the world a more beautiful place to live in. Prices for rugs start at £67, visit www. weavergreen.com to find out more.

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EDITOR’S LETTER

Photo Lizzie Orme

Welcome I don’t know about you, but it only takes the briefest hint of sunshine to make me want to get out in the garden. Let’s face it, you’ve got to take it when you can get it with our changeable British weather! No matter whether you have an expansive lawn or just a teeny balcony, there’s no doubt that spending time outside is good for your wellbeing. But don’t be downhearted if your outdoor space is looking a bit lacklustre, we’ve filled this special magazine with lots of ideas to help you breathe new life into it. On page 4 you’ll find our favourite outdoor living trends for this season. Whether you favour tropical brights, relaxed boho vibes, modern urban lines or chilled-out coastal chic, I guarantee you’ll find a look you love. If, like me, you enjoy sitting in the sunshine listening to the birdsong, then treat yourself to a special quiet space all of your own. Take a look our selection of gorgeous garden retreats on page 18 – all ideal for some relaxing ‘me-time’. With more of us using our gardens to entertain into the night, it’s important to make sure your space is well lit and warm so you can stay outside for longer. On page 10 you’ll find a host of lighting solutions for creating the perfect ambience in your garden, while over on page 14 you’ll find a collection of outdoor heaters that are just made for gathering around with family and friends. If alfresco entertaining is your thing, then take a look at our delicious barbecue recipes on page 26, while our roundup of unbreakable tableware on page 24 will ensure guests can relax and enjoy their food without worrying about smashing your best plates! I hope you’re inspired by the following pages follow & share ine.co.uk and that you enjoy lots ww w.yourhomemagaz omemag urh /yo com ok. ebo fac of sunny days in the @Your_Home memagazine garden this summer! instagram.com/yourho memag pinterest.com/yourho

contents 4

Let’s go outside From beautiful boho and tropical brights to cool coastal and modern urban… you’re sure to discover a trend you love. 10 Light up the night Create the perfect glow with these outdoor lighting ideas.

14 Turn up the heat Make the most of your summer evenings with the latest firepits and outdoor heating solutions. 16 Ask the experts Our experts answer all your outdoor living questions. 18 A place in the sun Treat yourself to a stylish summer retreat with one of these garden buildings.

20 15 quick and easy garden updates Revamp your outdoor space and add both character and colour with a lick of paint or a splash of woodstain. 24 It’s time to dine alfresco From metal and melamine to paper and bamboo, check out our pick of the latest tableware for practical and stylish summer spreads.

26 Get your grill on Turn up the heat with a selection of recipes to create a delicious barbecued feast. 30 Shopping directory Where to buy everything you’ve seen in this issue.

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We love this muted colour palette – it’s perfect for an subtle summer update Poppy picnic rug, £125; Sun Dance wooden tray, £35; Luxe blush champagne flute, £9; Rosehip pink terrazzo candle, £19; medium Poppy field rug, £125; toasted almond washed velvet cushion, £36; pink washed velvet cushion, £36; pink Poppy pouffe, £120; blushed sky throw, £55; crimson washed velvet cushion, £36; concrete planter, £35; medium antique planter, £30, all French Connection

LET’S GO

OUTSIDE Whether you have a garden, courtyard or balcony, embrace the season ahead and choose one of these four trends to give your outside space a new lease of life Give your boho scheme an organic feel with natural materials – this bamboo lounger and sandstone side table are a great combination Bamboo lounger with cushion, £299; navy outdoor scatter cushion, £9.99; mustard herringbone blanket, £40; Eclipse outdoor rug, £44.99; terracotta Sandstone side tables, £199 for three; Lizzy pot, £7.99; mixed succulent, £4.99; Mikasa Cheers stemless wine glasses, £19.99 for four; round rattan Water Hyacinth coasters, £7.99 for four, all Dobbies

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May 2020 www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

The epitome of boho style – use lengths of fabric to shade a decked area or soften harsh outdoor lines. Creating a carefree, relaxed feel will encapsulate this trend in an instant Floor cushion, £25; cushions, from £14; ceramic planter with stand, £22; macramé hanging planter, £12; hanging planter, £6; fringed woven basket, £10, all Matalan


Coordinate your accessories for a well thought out look – and at these prices there’s no excuse not to!

We’re sure this statement chair will find a home… inside or out

Luxury Boho printed seat pads, £7; Boho round printed dinner plate, £1.50; Boho side plate, £1; Boho printed serving bowl, £3.50; Boho small round printed bowl, £1; Boho XL floor cushion, £15; hanging plant with beads, £8, all B&M

Bloomingville natural cane Emmy chair, £339, Cuckooland

Cosy up your terrace with a cushion that boasts a mix of patterns and detail Woven textured stripe cushion, £12, Matalan

Beautiful boho Embrace the boho trend to enjoy fresh and easy summer living. With an earthy, neutral colour palette anything goes – an eclectic mix of fabrics, finishes, baskets, planters, fire pits and tableware will have you cracking open a bottle of wine and relaxing in your own little corner of paradise in no time.

Floors outdoors don’t have to be harsh when beautiful rugs like this are available Outdoor rug, £90, Limited Abode

It’s all in the details and this pitcher is bang on trend Glass pitcher, £33.75; cocktail napkins, £3.25; pompom garland, £12.75, all part of the Boho Spice range from Talking Tables

This chiminea can be a great focal point in your garden and help you to enjoy the space long into the evening

LED solar metal lantern, £24.99, Dobbies

Disguise a plain wall with a mirror that will reflect the light and make your garden feel like it goes on forever

Green Plumas chiminea, £89.99, Dobbies

Feature Lara Berry

Add touches of Moroccan style with these solar-powered lanterns

Sahara faux rattan mirror, £18, Sainsbury’s Home

Add some metallic accessories for a luxurious finish Wilderness gold metal tray, £12.50, Sainsbury’s Home

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Create the summer holiday vibe in your own back garden with accessories to make entertaining a breeze Hello Summer Festival trolley, £18; picnic blanket, £26; diamond wine glass, £3 each; Hello Summer wine glasses, £4 each; diamond tumbler, £3 each; Hello Summer drink dispenser, £8; bowl, £2, all Matalan

Look to partyware to perk up your garden, whatever the occasion Giraffe planter, £10; tiger planter, £10; melamine dinner plate, £2; cutlery, £3; ice cream cones, £2; milk bottle straw tumblers, £3; printed scatter cushion, £12; plain cushion, £8, all Party Animals collection, Sainsbury’s Home

Tropical brights Even if the weather is a bit dull, make sure your garden shines with colour by embracing the tropical brights trend. Choose brilliantly bold colours in everything from furniture and parasols to lighting and tableware, and you’ll be set to celebrate the summer in style, right through to autumn

This swing seat is bound to transport you to far-off shores House by John Lewis Salsa garden swing seat in aegean ombre, £249, John Lewis & Partners

Keep drinks cool and ready to go in this handy drinks bucket Inject bold hues into your garden scheme starting with a statement set of furniture, then add a tropical vibe with patterned cushions Ipanema Fruit garden parasol, £18; Ipanema four-seater set with two tables (available in blue or coral), £180 per set; Ipanema printed scatter cushion, £12, all Argos Home

Party Animals coloured drinks bucket, £12, Sainsbury’s Home

Use these striking tea light holders on your balcony, around your garden or among pots on your patio – fabulous during the day or night Delta tea light holders, £6 each, Habitat

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May 2020 www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk


Add plenty of foliage in eye-catching planters to help transport you to tropical climes

Spend vs Save

Rattan-effect planters, £10 each; large tile decal large pot, £15, both Wilko

Keep out of the sun in style

Ipanema Fruit parasol, £18, Argos Home

Islabomba beach umbrella, £55, Amara

Beautiful glassware in stunning colours will wake your outside space up for the season ahead Asher tumblers, £12 each, LSA International

Add personality to your space with these funky lights – perfect for a tropical scheme Party Animals neon flamingo light, £10, Sainsbury’s Home; Neon cactus wall light, £5.99, HomeSense.

Serve up in style – choose accessories in statement colours to carry your new look into the great outdoors Party Animals kids jug, £2, Sainsbury’s Home

If you’re not green-fingered, treat your space to some faux foliage to help your colourful scheme pop Artificial bamboo tree, £25, George Home

Nothing says tropical quite like a pineapple! Pineapple drinking glass, £3, B&M

Enjoy the Great British sunshine from one of these colourful seats Jambi range, from £95, Habitat

Mix and match bold soft furnishings in clashing hues to recreate that tropical feel Chill Here printed cushion, £12.99, Beautify; Red velvet cushion cover, £6.99, Homescapes.

Look out for different textures and shapes in bold hues to update your space House by John Lewis Salsa round garden coffee table in saffron, £120, John Lewis & Partners

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How to get the look…

Galvanised metal, rope details and vintage shapes make these lanterns the perfect accompaniment Miner’s lantern in foliage green, £18, Garden Trading; Coastline galvanised steel Fisherman’s lantern, £15, Sainsbury’s Home

Ian Ellis, John Lewis and Partners Outdoor Living Buyer, has these top tips for getting the coastal feel for summer… ‘Coastal design can be one of the most soothing styles for your outdoor space; transporting you to the sunny seaside from the comfort of your own garden. ‘To achieve the coastal look at home, start with a palette of soft, muted shades of ivory, sand and ocean blues. Layer with throws, cushions, garden pots and lanterns in slightly bolder hues of the same colours for a welcoming yet distinctive space. ’In terms of furniture, choosing distressed wood pieces with neutral cushions and pads will be a great foundation to transform your space. Alternatively, opt for rattan or wicker, as these materials will create a versatile, contemporary space and give a chic coastal aesthetic. ’When it comes to finishing touches, avoid going overly novelty with nautical. Weave in jute, rope-style homewares, such as an outdoor rug or select a few carefully placed shells and vases, as including a few coastal pieces will complete the look.’

If you’re new to the gardening world start with easy-care, supertrendy succulents. Their bold colours and ocean-inspired pots will fit this look perfectly Ocean-air plant vase, £12.99; Moya charcoal round pot, £3.99; Moya grey round pot, £5.99; Nella white face pot, £3.99, all Dobbies

Cool coastal When it comes to the little touches, this galvanised metal watering can is just the thing Coastline watering can, £12.50, Sainsbury’s Home

Nautical schemes are always a popular décor choice for outside spaces, transporting us to favourite seaside haunts and evoking much-loved memories. Be inspired by natural hues, shades of blue and oceanic-silhouettes to create a beachside retreat in your very own back garden

Create your own cool coastal scene, whether you live next to the beach or in a city

This crab ornament will add a fun, nautical nod Metal crab ornament, £13.99, The Nautical Co

Add warmth to your scheme – and a place to perch – by incorporating wooden tones in your garden furniture choices Rattan chair, £330, Abode Living

St Ives garden furniture in natural, from £89; LSA International Terrace storm lantern, £33; Rick Stein Coves of Cornwall Trevone Bay salad bowl, £26; Robert Welch drift double wall wine cooler in stainless steel, £95; Mix ’N’ Match stripe reversible showerproof outdoor cushion in navy, £10; Rick Stein Coves of Cornwall Constantine Bay serving dish, £34.99; Robert Welch drift serving tray, £55; wicker log basket in grey, £30; festoon outdoor line lights in clear, £65, all John Lewis & Partners

We love the shape of this vase Blue stoneware narrow vase, £24, Beaumonde

While away the hours dreaming of far-off shores in this snooze-worthy hammock Pale green hammock, £70, Nisi Living


Modular furniture with a rattan finish is ideal for a modern urban look. Team it with soft furnishings in geometric prints to complete the scheme Alora garden modular corner lounge set, £799, John Lewis & Partners

Achieve that sleek, clean look with a monochrome scheme, then add some greenery to give it a fresh, cool feel

XXX XXXX

Trailing house faux plant, £8; Nordic spring four-seater bistro set with table, £250; Spot chenille charcoal cushion, £10; Skandi black strung outdoor lantern, £20; Elegance hi-ball glasses, £8 for four; Skandi floor cushion, £18; Global diamond cushion, £14, all Argos Home

Metal lanterns are an easy, budget-friendly way to update a space. Find solar solutions or use with battery-operated candles to help you use your outdoor space all day long and into the evening Metal lantern, £25, M&S. Skandi black strung outdoor lantern, £20, Argos Home

Modern urban Clean lines, architectural elements and stylish solutions can bring this sleek style to any outside space, however big or small. Use lanterns, festoon lighting and fire pits to make this a place you can use all day Hang these among trees or from fences for a subtle glow Solar large filament-style bulb, £5, Sainsbury’s Home

Luscious greenery will enhance the space and gently soften harsh lines Artificial umbrella plant, £15, George Home

If space allows, this swing seat makes a great statement New Population large garden swing, £499.99, HomeSense

We love this table and chairs set – team it with on-trend terracotta for an updated look Nerja five-piece garden dining set, £449, George Home

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Ideal for adorning a favourite plant, these batterypowered mini rose lights blend into leaves and foliage for a seamless look Multi-coloured Rose micro fairy lights, £6.99, Lights4fun

light up the night

This assorted selection of lights and candles creates a gorgeous setting when dusk falls 15 drop-bulb festoon string, £14.99; Moroccan moving flame string lights, £26.99; set of two black slatted lanterns, £59.99; TruGlow outdoor candle trio, £26.99; Moroccan patterned solar lantern set, £38.99; 50 warm white LED micro battery outdoor fairy lights, £5.99, all Lights4fun

Create the perfect glow with these outdoor lighting options

S

ummer is finally on its way and what better way to prepare for a season of outdoor entertaining than to get your garden ready? Outdoor lighting is an often overlooked part of garden décor, but the difference it can make to the atmosphere is amazing. Whether you’re looking for pretty fairy lights for a small courtyard garden or balcony, or strings of festoon lights for a large party or event, we’ve sought out some of the best options around, including mains-, battery- and solar-powered designs. Plus, read our expert advice to make sure your outdoor lighting scheme is both safe and successful. It may be a bit pricey, but we can’t resist this quirky rabbit lamp, which doubles up as a Bluetooth speaker Anatole rabbit LED colourchanging portable outdoor light and speaker, £150, John Lewis & Partners

This chap will light up any barbecue that continues after the Sun’s gone down Solar-powered monkey with bulb, £16, Sainsbury’s Home

This seven-bulb solar string gives your illuminations a mismatched vintage look, by combining round, teardrop and fluted shapes

Add a sophisticated geometric sparkle with these solar-powered gemshaped string lights

Solar vintage-style bulb string lights, £35, Cox & Cox

Geo garden string lights, £17.50, Red Candy


Create a cosy atmosphere with this set of solar-powered lights, which look fabulous hung above a table

Expert advice:

Solarvet LED lighting chain, £19, IKEA

how to Illuminate your outdoor spaces in style Jo Naughton, Co-Founder of Lights4fun, offers her top tips for mains-powered outdoor lighting… ‘If an outdoor socket is a luxury you currently lack, fear not – it’s not as expensive or tricky as you think to get one installed. If you have a socket on the inside wall, it’s quite a straightforward job for a qualified electrician to drill through to the outside and fit an external one with a weatherproof cover. Then, it’s simple to light up your garden and achieve a wonderful sparkle from just one plug. ‘IP44 is the minimum legal UK rating requirement for electrical products intended for outdoor use, which includes mains-, battery- and solar-powered items. It means products without this rating are not weatherproof. Always check the safety rating before you buy if you plan to use the lights outside. ‘Be careful about the size of plug you go for, to ensure it fits inside the socket with the cover closed. Often, people buy transformers that don’t provide the crucial watertight seal. Lights4fun ranges have been designed with this in mind. ‘Once you’re up and running with your socket, then you can choose the ideal lights for your space. Pretty fairy lights in an overhead canopy look gorgeous, or opt for larger festoon lights draped along a fence or hedge. Always light at three levels, ground, table and above. That way, you achieve a professional and balanced look that’s a real crowd pleaser. If you don’t fancy splashing out on the whole look at once, go for a statement piece that creates a ‘wow’ factor. And the good news is Lights4fun plugs come with an integrated timer, so you can sit back and relax knowing you’re in complete control of when your lights switch on and off.’

Place these solar-powered lamps around your patio for a lovely evening glow Solar wire lights, £39.99 each, Dobbies

Create a stylish feature with these eye-catching, solar-powered ring lights, which you can hang from tree branches or a gazebo frame Three hoops outdoor LED light, £45, John Lewis & Partners

Feature Lisa Hibberd

Show off your green-finger skills by letting your new shoots burst through into the spotlight with these quirky plant pot-lantern combos LED solar planter lights, £14.99 each, Dobbies

With their slender black frames, these stake lights will add a subtle twinkle to a pathway or flower bed Cage solar stake lights, £25, Cox & Cox


Solar technology Pop a tealight inside these vibrant metal lanterns for an instant splash of colour Delta metal tealight lanterns, £6 each, Habitat

Sometimes, all it takes is some flickering candlelight to make a corner cosy enough to curl up in

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Grey lattice ceramic lantern, £18, Homebase

)[ _MTT I[ JMQVO KWUXTM\MTa [INM \W ][M IVL QV[\ITT _Q\PW]\ \PM QVKWV^MVQMVKM WN PI^QVO \W JM XT]OOML QV\W I [WKSM\ \PMa ZM NZMM \W Z]V IVL \PM UW[\ MV^QZWVUMV\ITTa NZQMVLTa KPWQKM I^IQTIJTM :MKMV\ QUXZW^MUMV\[ QV [WTIZ \MKPVWTWOa UMIV \PI\ [WTIZ TQOP\QVO WX\QWV[ IZM U]KP UWZM XW_MZN]T \PIV \PMa ][ML \W JM IVL KWUM QV I _QLM ZIVOM WN LM[QOV[ \W QTT]UQVI\M aW]Z W]\LWWZ [XIKM · NZWU TIV\MZV[ _Q\P [\ISM[ \PI\ OW QV\W \PM OZW]VL \W LMKWZI\Q^M [\ZQVO TQOP\[ _Q\P ^QV\IOM [\aTM J]TJ[

Inspired by the sea, this gorgeous spherical lantern has a chunky rope cover for a nautical feel La Rochelle globe lantern, from £78.95, Annabel James

Create a warm glow beneath a parasol with this pretty lighting arrangement. Its five strings each feature 10 white fairy lights and are finished with a festoon bulb. It also has eight lighting effects LED battery-powered parasol lights, £16.99, Lights4fun

Illuminate your space with this lightbulb lamp, which looks great hung from a tree, gazebo or pergola, but also works as a tabletop lantern Edison solarpowered lightbulb lamp, £9.50, Red Candy

Bring some spectacle to your beds with this wind spinner and its light that changes colour. Gemini solar wind spinner, £29, JD Williams

7VM NMI\]ZM \W TWWS W]\ NWZ Q[ \PM [QbM WN \PM [WTIZ XIVMT Q\[MTN <PM TIZOMZ \PM XIVMT \PM UWZM KPIZOM Q\ KIV \ISM L]ZQVO LIaTQOP\ PW]Z[ IVL \PMZMNWZM \PM TWVOMZ Q\ KIV [PQVM QV \PM LIZS *MIZ QV UQVL \PI\ [WUM [WTIZ TQOP\[ VMML \W JM TMN\ W]\ NWZ I KW]XTM WN LIa[ \W KPIZOM JMNWZM aW] ][M \PMU NWZ \PM ÅZ[\ \QUM If you’re searching for lanterns, look no further than your nearest Dobbies store, for a fantastic range to choose from Rattan lantern, £30; LED large solar lantern, £32.99; Barney green lantern, £18; LED solar glass jar, £9.99; LED solar jar plant, £7.99; iron lantern with handle, £15; green tea light holder, £16; LED metal light, £12.99, all Dobbies


5 of the best solar lanterns Solvinden solar-powered lantern, £17, IKEA Birdcage solar LED lantern by Lights4fun, £25, Not on the High Street

We love the striking effect of this battery-powered light, which will add a little sparkle to your soirée Starburst LED hanging light, £21.95, Annabel James

The simple style of these paper globe lamps means they make a real design statement when hung in a cluster Solvinden LED solar-powered pendant lamps, from £6 each, IKEA

Salsa rattan solar-powered garden lantern, £20, John Lewis & Partners

Valencia floral solar lantern, £12.99, Lights4fun

Let this growling big cat stake its claim on your dining table and it’ll repay you by glowing all evening Leopard candle, £5, Sainsbury’s Home

Bring the indoors outside with this pair of industriallook cage lanterns. The dome-shaped and tapered, geometric shades make for a stylishly stark, mismatched combination Solar cage lights, £75 for two, Cox & Cox

Moroccan Mood LED solar metal lanterns, £24.99 each, Dobbies

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TURN UP THE

HEAT Make the most of your summer evenings with one of the latest firepits and outdoor heaters

L

et’s be honest, while UK summers can be glorious they’re not always warm enough to extend your alfresco entertaining late into the evening. So why not bring some warmth and atmosphere into your summer soirées with an outdoor log-burner or heater? Whether you’re relaxing with friends, toasting marshmallows or simply enjoying the peace and quiet of your garden in summer time, with one of these crackling away you can enjoy your evenings outside in cosy comfort.

This durable, cast-iron wood-fired burner is compact and portable. It’s a lovely little stove that will bring warmth and light into your garden. It also doubles as a BBQ, so you can combine it with a cast-iron grill or casserole dish to cook a delicious meal over an open fire. Jiko, £99, Morso

Heat & cook

Homebase has a whole range of affordable chimeneas, available in a number of different clay finishes, to bring a touch of South American style and warmth into your garden this summer. This simple design is perfect for a more compact outside space. Chimenea, £90, Homebase

Bring some Texas ranch spirit into your home this summer, with this rustic fire basket. It’s easy to assemble, has an base plate to collect burning embers and conjures up images of lazy evenings looking out across dusty plains. Texas steel stripe fire basket, £30, Homebase

Bargain buy This solid-looking firepit, with a touch of Danish design flair, is a classic crowd pleaser. It’s compact (45cm in diameter and 32cm tall), easy to use and durable. Its enamelled, castiron construction weighs 18kg so it’s more than capable of standing up to the strongest of summer breezes. Ignis outdoor firepit, £199, Morso

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Despite its looks giving the impression of heavy stone, this granite-effect firepit is actually lightweight and easy to move. It stands at a height of 40cm, has a diameter of 75cm and comes with a protective mesh cover. La Hacienda Hawkesbury firepit, £159, John Lewis

The slightly brutalist design of this firepit is stylish and modern. An iron fire bowl neatly rests in a cementeffect base, creating both a focal and social point for your garden. Ivyline square firepit, £155, John Lewis

You’ll find this portable firepit easy to assemble and even easier to transport as its legs are collapsible and it comes with a handy carry bag. You’ll love sitting around the crackling flames with friends and family and admiring its ’50s B-movie flying saucer styling. Portable folding firepit, 66cm x 45cm Amazon Basics, £39.99

You’ll love the stylish twist to this outdoor heater solution, bringing interior design inspiration in to your outdoor space. Available as both a standing floor heater or a tabletop alternative, these electric heaters from Kettler will complement rather than dominate your patio or terrace. They create no noise or fumes, and use infrared technology that heats physical bodies rather than the air around them, making them very energy efficient.

Bargain buy

Kalos Plush electric heater table top, £149, Kettler

Ivyline rectangular firebowl and console firepit, £135, John Lewis

Safe for kids Feature Kate White

The Ivyline range from John Lewis features this rectangular stand and firebowl, in a stylish cementeffect finish. The sculptural look and feel of this firepit will look great in any larger landscaped garden.

This raised firepit features a contemporary square design, with a red stone fuel bed. The glass surround not only protects the flames from wind, but also protects little fingers from the flames. The gas canister fits neatly inside the base, so it does not interfere with the pit’s neat shape. Kalos universal firepit square, £399, Kettler

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ASK THE EXPERTS

ask the experts Our team of experts answers all your outdoor living questions

Chiltern log cabin (4m x 3m), £2,799.99, Forest Garden

Q

We’d like to install something in the garden that works as more than just a shed for storage. Something we can maybe sit in or use as an extra ‘room’. What considerations are there in terms of space and style? Megan Willis, Shrewsbury

Feature Hayley Gilbert

A

Lynsey Grinnell, head of marketing at Forest Garden, has these suggestions… In Britain we spend an average of 142 hours a week indoors – that’s 53 years over an average lifetime – so it’s no wonder we’re all tripping over each other’s feet in our homes. A Forest Garden log cabin can be used as a home office, informal dining area or a games room… one of our customers has turned theirs into a gym. Our new contemporary models have straight, clean lines with large windows that can be single or double glazed, depending on the model, to let the light stream in and create ideal working conditions. The thicker the logs, the higher the insulation performance. Ours start at 28mm thick and go up to 45mm. Forest Garden cabins are made from kiln-dried timber, a process that extracts moisture and reduces the chances of splitting and warping. But wood is wood, so expect it to shrink and expand through the changing seasons. The cabins come untreated so it’s important to treat them, inside and out, with a solvent-based preservative treatment soon after assembly. Our smallest cabin is 3m x 2m, which makes for a perfect little study or summerhouse. The larger Chiltern makes a comfy living room. After investing in a log cabin, our customers often pay professional tradesmen to install a power supply and even insulation to extend the building’s usage beyond the warmer summer months. Cabins should not normally require planning permission but check with your local authority.

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Q

I’d like to create a lounge-style feel in my garden, so it’s perfect for sitting and socialising with family and friends. But what materials should I choose for the furniture to make sure it will withstand the weather? Lucy Anderson, Truro

A

Ian Ellis, John Lewis and Partners outdoor living buyer, has the following advice… The durability of outdoor furniture is a key consideration when it comes to refreshing and updating your home’s outside space and there are a variety of choices in the new collections. Depending on the size of your space, your budget and your preferences for materials you can create a more formal loungestyle set-up or one that’s relaxed and playful. Wood is a perennial favourite. Tropical hardwoods, such as teak and eucalyptus, are naturally weather resistant due to their high oil content. This makes them easier to look after, as you can keep them outside throughout the seasons and, because they’re natural timbers, any weathering should add to their look. We would, however, recommend you store such furniture in a well ventilated space in the worst wintry weather. A stylish alternative is using rattan-effect or synthetic wicker pieces. Available in a wide variety of configurations, from twoseater patio sets through to sofa-style corner units, they’re a fantastic way to introduce a ‘hotel chic’ look to your garden. These sets look like the real thing but are weatherproof, highly supple and durable, as well as being UV- and tear-resistant. Our newest ranges are also available in bright colours so you can create a less formal look for your outdoor space. Finally, metal furniture offers great value for money, particularly if you have limited space. Bistro sets are available in eye-catching powder-coated aluminium finishes. They require a little more care but can be wiped clean with a damp cloth and a weak solution of detergent. Larger sets with glass tops are also available and benefit from being covered over winter. Burford six-seat garden dining table, £499; Burford garden dining table bench, £220; Burford woven garden dining chairs, £260 per pair; alpaca throw in charcoal, £200, all Croft Collection; jute pouffe, £79; Mora Stripe embroidery cushion, £45, all John Lewis & Partners


Q

How can I spruce up my old garden furniture? I have a tired wooden bench, as well as a metal bistro table and chair set that has seen better days, but I don’t really want to buy new pieces as I’m keen to upcycle what I already have instead. What products are best and any advice on colour? Jenny Ross, Whitstable

A

Matthew Brown, technical consultant at Sadolin and Sandtex, has this to say… Rejuvenating furniture that is old and unloved is both creative and environmentally conscious, but there are a few points to consider to ensure you do the best possible job. The most important thing is to make sure you buy paint or stains that are specifically formulated for metal and wood. There are several products on the market – Sadolin and Sandtex offer a wide range in a variety of finishes and colours that are perfect to give outdoor furniture a much-needed update. Wood and metal paints will not only transform your garden pieces and inject a pop of colour but they’ll also protect the furniture from the elements and keep it looking fresh for longer. When it comes to colour, one solution won’t suit all outdoor spaces but there are a few rules we recommend to help you get the most out of your garden. One thing we suggest, regardless of the size of your garden, is to consider creating a theme around which your colours and accessories naturally flow. A Mediterranean-themed space with warm earthy tones, such as reds, browns and oranges, makes for a stunning exotic environment. Alternatively, a Caribbean-inspired garden using vibrant tones featuring plenty of blues, greens and yellows could create a beautiful statement look.

A

Hamish Smith, creative director Ca’ Pietra, says… If you love the look of a natural stone then take a look at our limestone paving. Limestone is great because it wears naturally and, over time, looks beautifully worn-in. Consider the effect you’re going for – if you want a more contemporary tile, then an etched finish might be better. There are a few things to consider when looking at natural stone. Firstly, always remember to seal tiles, as this will ensure they’re protected from the elements. They’ll need resealing Brompton porcelain tiles, £65.10 per sq m, Ca’ Pietra in the future too, so it might be worth setting yourself a timely reminder. Also, not all stone and tiles can be used outside so check whether they’re suitable for your intended use. If it’s not recommended for outdoors then steer clear. Speaking to a specialist will ensure you choose a suitable tile. If you want an easy-tomaintain tile that will look the same today as it will in years to come, then you might want to look at porcelain, as there are plenty of options available that provide the effect of stone but without the upkeep. If pattern is your thing, consider a porcelain tile with a print – some of our customers clad these on outdoor kitchens but also use them to create zonal areas in their gardens. Remember to check for the slip rating and whether the tiles are frost resistant. Porcelain tiles might work well for the barbecue area, as they’ll be easy to maintain and allow you to easily clean up any spills.

Q

I’d like a really low maintenance outdoor living space that will look pretty all year round. What should I be looking for in terms of planting and other features? Becky Wright, Flintshire

A

Georgia Lindsay of Georgia Lindsay Garden Design, suggests the following… If you’re installing new paving, don’t use natural stone; go for porcelain paving instead (20mm thick for outdoor use) – it’s non-porous, so repels dirt and is virtually maintenance free. For planting, I’d recommend using evergreen, structural plants, such as Pittosporum tenufolium and Ilex crenata, in between seasonal perennial planting to provide points of interest even in the coldest months. And always plant a selection of bulbs for seasonal interest – crocus for February, tulips for April and alliums for May. Pots are useful for adding seasonal colour – place them near the house so you can appreciate them when you’re inside during the winter. Summer perennials are the easy part but choose plants that stay in flower the longest such as Salvia nemorosa ‘Caradonna’, Erysimum ‘Bowles’s Mauve’ and Geranium ‘Rozanne’. For the winter consider Clematis cirrhosa var. purpurascens ‘Freckles’, which is evergreen but will flower from November to February. Try to also have a point of interest in your garden, such as beautiful furniture, a sculpture or a water feature that will draw the eye into the garden and add a layer of interest.

Photo Nathalie Priem

Q

What stone is best for outdoor use? I’m keen to create a patio and maybe a separate space for the barbecue and am open to suggestions in terms of pattern, colour or even print. Helen Griffin, Eastbourne

Superdec in Conifer, Candied Grapefruit, Pendle Hill, Wiswell, from £35.99 for 2.5L, Sadolin


a place in the sun K ITCHE EN TRENDS KITCHEN

Treat yourself to a stylish summer retreat with one of these delightful garden builds

top tip ‘Adding a porous surface, such as gravel, around your build helps keep things dry and firm underfoot.’ Lynsey Grinnell, Head of Marketing at Forest Garden

Too good for tools, this classic timber shed is available in five sizes and can be customised with a range of extras including insulation, double-glazing and even a solar panel! The Potting Shed (in Little Greene’s Juniper Ash), from £1,757, The Posh Shed Company

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W

iith th summer just just around the corner, your thoughts will wiill naturally turn to ways of spending spendiing time in in your outdoor space. And what better way to do that than in in your own relaxing retreat? A small cosy corner in in which you can enjoy enjjoy the sun by yourself or share the shade wi ith guests on hotter days. Maintenance-free aluminium and decorati ive with decorative iiron ron are popular choi ices for open pergolas, gazebos and arbours. But when choices iitt comes to she-sheds, summerhouses and covered structures, timber tiimber reigns reiigns supreme. Ask about FSC (Forest Stewardship Stewardshiip Council) Counciil) certification certiificatiion to ensure the wood comes from sustainable sources and look for a guarantee of antii-rot treatments. Once you’ve picked piicked and positioned, posiitioned, at least 10 years, plus anti-rot your ideal refuge, all that’s left iiss to sit siit back and enjoy enjjoy the summer sun.


Bargain buy

Double-up on space with this modular summerhouse and storage combo. Featuring fully glazed bi-fold doors and a storage cupboard that can be fitted on the left or right, this modern module is available for self-assembly or fully installed and ready painted. Contemporary summerhouse with side shed (368cm x 214cm x 243cm), from £1,299.99, Waltons

top tip ‘Planning permission for a summerhouse or gazebo will only be required if it’s over 2.5m high and within 2m of a boundary – but do check with your local authority.’ Lynsey Grinnell, Head of Marketing at Forest Garden

The perfect place to take a break on a sunny day, this factory-painted arbour’s armrests have conveniently recessed drinks holders to keep your refreshments close at hand. Supplied flat-packed and available in three colour combinations. Orchard arbour (136cm x 210cm x 81cm) in Sage and Cream, £450, Dobbies

Good idea

Compact corner designs will make the most of a small plot and this trellis timber arbour is one of our favourites. A great choice for climbing plant lovers, it comfortably seats four and is delivered flat-packed for DIY installation.

If you prefer a more rustic vibe, take a look at this hexagonal willow gazebo. Available with or without a pressuretreated floor, it comfortably holds a small table and chairs, and is supplied flat packed for easy self-assembly. This all-in-one dining arbour comfortably seats six, making it ideal for entertaining. Crafted from pressure-treated timber, the addition of trellis panels on the sides provides privacy, while still allowing for a cooling breeze on hotter days. Woodland arbour table and benches set (216cm x 236cm x 182cm), £1,364.95, Cuckooland

Rowlinson Willow Natural gazebo (248cm x 215cm x 265cm), £386, B&Q

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Feature Paula Woods

Sorrento Arbour (217cm x 202cm x 199cm), £459.99, Forest Garden


XXX XXXX

15 quick and easy

garden updates

Revamp your outdoor space and add instant colour with a fresh lick of paint, woodstain or oil A dining set painted in mix-andmatch shades makes for an easy, relaxed look in a conservatory or garden. Complete the scheme with glass bottles and tubs in the same selection of colours. The Alitex Collection in Wood Sage, Lulu, Passiflora, Cinnabar, Juniper Green, all from £25 per 1L, M&L Paints

For a thrifty, boho-style picnic table, screw two pallets together, then bring out their natural tones with a coat of woodstain. Classic All Purpose Woodstain in Natural, from £32.99 per 2.5L, Sadolin

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Use toning paint shades to create a sophisticated lounging zone. Don’t forget to give planters a coat of colour, too. Garden Shades in Cool Marble and Seagrass, £27.98 per 2.5L, Cuprinol


Create a sun-drenched Mediterranean vibe by stencilling a tile design on to an old table. Complete the look with a plastereffect feature wall, aquamarine painted chairs and distressed terracotta hanging planters. Wall in Chalk Paint in Scandinavian Pink, Henrietta and Paloma, from £5.95 per 120ml; table in Chalk Paint in Old White, from £4.95 per 120ml; Tallulah stencil in Graphite, £2.95; chairs in Chalk Paint in Florence and Old White, from £5.95 per 120ml, all Annie Sloan

Expert advice: how to prep surfaces ready for painting Matthew Brown, Technical Consultant at Sadolin and Sandtex, the exterior decorating specialists, has this advice: When decorating any material, the first step is to make sure surfaces are clean, dry and sound – a new coating can’t make a poor surface into a good one! Preparation is key to ensure the woodstain or paint will adhere properly and give the desired durability.

WOOD Start by sanding down the surface – a very light abrasion ensures there is a textured ‘key’ for the paint to stick to. Using sandpaper, preferably a P180 or P240 grade and abrade in the direction of the grain, rather than across it, to help prevent marks and damage to the wood. The next step is to dust it off. Even if the timber looks clean, use a cloth or brush to wipe across the grain, as well as up and down. Finally, degrease or clean the surface. Whether it’s softwood or hardwood, I recommend using methylated spirits on a clean, lint-free cloth while wearing gloves.

Upcycle pallets to make this cute snuggle seat. All you need is chalky-finish paint, a few screws and some cushions. Find the project at www.makeityours.co.uk. Chalky Finish Garden Furniture Paint in Powder Blue, £18.99 per 750ml, Rust-Oleum

METAL To prepare a new metal surface use mineral spirits to degrease then follow up with a rustinhibitive primer before painting. This will protect the material and help it look fresher for longer. For previously painted metal, rub down any rust or old paint with a wire brush and it dust off with a brush or clean cloth. Finish by wiping the surface with mineral spirits on a lint-free cloth to ensure good adhesion.

If your decking looks weathered, you can restore its colour and protect it against the elements with a quality dedicated oil. Always prepare the wood thoroughly before painting. Decking Oil, from £31.67 per 2.5L, Liberon

‘Natural wood starts looking tired quickly but you can give garden furniture a new lease of life by XIQV\QVO Q\ QV +]XZQVWT /IZLMV ;PILM[ ‘Create a seamless connection with nature by using colours that mimic organic elements. Plants that IZM MI[a \W UIQV\IQV XZWL]KM I TM[[ UIVQK]ZML TWWS ‘Use greens and sky blues to paint the bigger MTMUMV\[ []KP I[ [PML[ IVL NMVKM[ \PMV ILL ÆI[PM[ WN JZQOP\ ÆW_MZ QV[XQZML KWTW]Z[ WV [UITTMZ Q\MU[ TQSM N]ZVQ\]ZM IVL XTIV\MZ[

Feature Alice Butler

Three quick tips

Transform a basic picnic table into a statement piece with an eye-catching stripe and planter. Simply paint a stripe between two lines of masking tape and finish by attaching a window box decorated in the same colour. Garden Shades in Terracotta, £14.04 per 1L; Anti Slip Decking Stain in Silver Birch, £28.69 per 2.5L, Cuprinol

Marianne Shillingford, Creative Director, Cuprinol

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Expert advice: how to choose and use paint, stain and oil 3LFN WKH ULJKW ÀQLVK IRU \RXU SURMHFW ZLWK WKHVH WLSV IURP ZRRGFDUH H[SHUWV /LEHURQ«

paint If you’re bringing a splash of colour to your timber summerhouse, shed or furniture, make sure you choose a durable exterior paint formulated to provide protection from the elements as well as a decorative finish. Paints are available in a broad range of colours – just remember to check the product can be applied to all types of European and exotic wood. Before applying, ensure the paint is well mixed and test it on a small or inconspicuous area for colour, compatibility and end result.

Decking paint For an easy upgrade (and long-lasting protection against water and UV damage) choose a product that provides stain protection, timber seal and colour. Also, make sure the paint is washable and anti-slip. Apply it with a brush between the grooves and edges in areas of two square metres at a time; then paint with a roller in various directions, avoiding excessive application. On exotic, hardwood or oily timber, remove any excess oil before starting.

Woodstain This is a great way to give gates, fences, windows and shutters a new lease of life. A product such as Liberon’s Garden ColourCare can be used over most wood stains so it’s ideal for projects like this. Firstly, check that the product can be applied to European and exotic woods, and that the surface is prepped, clean and dry. To achieve an even colour tone, stir thoroughly with a piece of flat wood measuring about 1in wide to lift up the pigments from the bottom of the container. Dilute the first coat with 15 per cent water before applying a second, non-diluted coat.

Colour blocking isn’t just a trend for interiors – you can use it to make a bold statement in the garden too. This bench has been painted with Superdec woodstain, which comes in over 300 shades. It’s self-priming and protects for up to 10 years. Wall in Superdec in Crazy Daze; bench in Blue Peter both from £35.99 per 2.5L, Sadolin

Freshen up your summerhouse with an all-white makeover. For a flawless finish without discolouration from wood tannins, add a coat of primer before two further coats of your chosen shade. If the weather is on your side, this project can be completed in a day. Stain Blocking Primer, £15 per 1L; Royal Exterior, £16.99 per 1L, Protek

Oil This will revive and restore colour to weathered timber fences, gates, sheds and decking, as well as enhance their natural beauty. Select a highly water-resistant product with UV filters to prevent fading. For the best results, always ensure the surface is prepped, clean and dry. Also, it’s advisable to try the oil on a separate piece of wood to check the finished effect.

Jazz up a window ledge with a display of brightly coloured plant pots. These ones were sprayed in minutes. Universal All-Surface spray paint in Slate Grey, Cardinal Red, White, Racing Green and Canary Yellow, £17.99 each, all Rust-Oleum

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All the family will love pitching in to create a colourful rainbow tepee. For this project the panels were painted in a base coat before the pattern was marked out with painter’s masking tape. Each panel was then each painted in two coats of colour. Base coat: Wood Stain and Protector in Warm Stone, £5.95 per 1L ; coloured panels: Cranberry Crush, Fire Engine Red, Marigold, Mustard Yellow, Primrose, Cornflower, Bristol Blue, Grass Green, Willow, £5.95 per 1L each; Wood Stain and Protector in Baby Pink,£ 8.50 per 1L each, all Protek


Turn hexagonal planters into quirky frames for succulents. These were sanded then sprayed with a primer, followed by a water-based chalk paint at a distance of 20cm. Always spray over newspaper in a well-ventilated area, ideally outside, and apply two or three fine coats to build the colour. Twist & Spray primer, £8; Chalk spray paint in Duck Egg, Antique White and Dove Grey, £6.99 each, all Plastikote

If you’re upcycling pieces in both wood and metal, save money by choosing a product that can be used on both. This planter echoes the vibrant violet tones of the hydrangea.

Repurpose plastic bottles and thrift-store candlesticks with a quick spritz of spray paint. Twist and Spray in Pink Burst, April Green, Exotic Sea, Orange, Bright Red and New Yellow, £8 each, all Plastikote

Three quick tips »<PMZM [ JMMV I ZMIT [PQN\ QV LM[QZM NWZ I]\PMV\QK Q\MU[ _Q\P I PQV\ WN VW[\ITOQI IVL ]XKaKTQVO WNNMZ[ IV MI[a _Ia \W JZQVO \PM[M [WZ\[ WN XQMKM[ QV\W aW]Z OIZLMV

Exterior Wood & Metal in Carolina Blue, £29 per 1L, Valspar

We love how this old metal dining set has been brought back to life with warm yellow chalk paint. Add a top coat of glossy lacquer for robust allweather protection. Chalk Paint in English Yellow, from £5.95 per 120ml; Chalk Paint Lacquer, £21.95, all Annie Sloan

»:MX]ZXW[QVO IT[W TM\[ aW] KZMI\M WVM WN I SQVL N]ZVQ\]ZM \PI\ [ KWUXTM\MTa aW]Z W_V XZW^QLQVO I XMZ[WVIT \W]KP \W aW]Z [XIKM »8ITTM\[ KIV JM ]XKaKTML QV\W XTIV\MZ[ IVL XIQV\ML QV I JZQOP\ [PILM \W ILL [\aTM \W IVa W]\[QLM IZMI Sue Kim, Senior Colour Designer, Valspar

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk March 2020

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This colourful and comprehensive collection is guaranteed to bring plenty of summer cheer to your spread.

It’s time to

dine alfresco

Tropical print paper cups, £2 pack of 20; Tropical print paper plates, £2 pack of 20; Riviera printed melamine plates, £3 set of four; Alfresco melamine large bowl, £2.50; picnic plate £1.50; drinks dispenser with four tumblers, £5, all B&M

From metal and melamine to paper and bamboo, check out our pick of the latest robust tableware for practical and stylish summer spreads

H

ot, sunny afternoons and long, balmy evenings are perfect excuses to get together with a few friends and take your cooking, eating and socialising out into the open air. But while you may not want to use your best china and crystal, it doesn’t mean you have to make do with plain paper plates and plastic cups. Outdoor tableware can be bright, colourful and full of character as well as being robust, practical and – most importantly of all – capable of being used more than once. Let these smart acrylic, hammered-effect serving bowls – available in four vibrant shades – take centre stage at your table. Party Animal salad bowls, £3.50 each, Sainsbury’s Home

Ramp up the colour with vibrant patterned tableware and your guests will feel like they’re dining in a tropical paradise. Ipanema melamine dinner plate, £3; pasta bowl, £3.50; dip bowl, £3.50; tumbler, £2.50; large platter, £10; all Sainsbury’s Home

Go green this summer with recyclable paper cups. This funky Boho range also includes matching plates and napkins for a colourful spread. Frida Kahlo large paper cups, £5 pack of 12; Boho pompom lights £14, both Talking Tables

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May 2020 www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk


Introduce a vintage vibe with this ribbed, glass-lookalike dining set. Discovery plastic serving bowl, £2.50; small bowls, £1 each; side plates, £1 each; plates, £1.50 each; tumbler, £1; wine glass, £1; Lemon shoulder bag, £8, all Wilko

Splash some Caribbean colour around your barbecues with these bold, bright paper napkins. Tropical Fiesta Bright paper napkins, £3.50 pack of 20, Talking Tables

We love this chunky drinks set, which features a stylish blue-tinted rim. It’s made from durable plastic but remember to hand wash it in order to maintain its good looks for longer. Coastline glass and jug set, £15, Argos

Peony melamine dinner plate, £8.50, side plate, £7.50, and bowl, £7.50, Sophie Allport

This super affordable melamine tableware taps into the trend for all things Aztec. Boho printed dinner plate, £1.50; Boho printed side plate, £1; Boho printed serving bowl, £3.50; Boho printed small bowl, £1, all B&M

Have fun with colourful mix-andmatch tableware, available in five graphic geometric designs and made from robust, sustainable bamboo. Estrela plate, £7.50; Ziguezague salad bowl, £17; Pintura tumbler, £5.50, all Rouge

Feature Paula Woods

This pretty yet practical tableware would be a blooming marvellous addition to any summer party.

Bargain buy

Plastic picnicware gives you that fine-dining look but with added practicality and portability. Penzance pot with succulents, £28; Penzance bowls, £18 set of four; Blue acrylic jug, £16; Penzance plates, £20 set of four; Blue acrylic high ball, £6; Penzance platter, £12; Blue acrylic salad bowl, £15; Penzance paper napkins, £7 per 50 pack; Blue acrylic wine glass, £6, all Laura Ashley

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk May 2020

25


Get your

grill on Turn up the heat this summer with a delicious barbecued feast

Red pepper and sweet potato bean burgers

PREPARATION TIME 45 MINUTES COOKING TIME 10 MINUTES SERVES 4

YOU WILL NEED 225g sweet potato, peeled and diced 1 red pepper, deseeded and finely diced 1 small red onion, chopped 400g tin borlotti beans, drained and rinsed 400g tin cannellini beans, drained and rinsed 3 tbsp chilli jam, plus extra to serve 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped 2 tbsp vegetable oil, for frying salt and pepper, to season 4 burger buns 1 large ripe avocado, peeled, stoned and mashed lettuce, to serve

DIRECTIONS Q Prepare the barbecue for indirect cooking over a medium-high heat (between 200ºC and 230ºC). Put the sweet potato chunks into a roasting tin, add the olive oil and toss to coat. Roast on the barbecue with the lid down for 10-15 minutes. Q Remove the roasting tin from the barbecue and add the red pepper and onion, stirring to mix. Roast for a further 20 minutes. Remove and leave to cool. Q Tip the borlotti and cannellini beans into a food processor or blender and blitz for a few seconds to give a partially blended mixture – it needs some texture, so avoid over-processing. Q Transfer the beans to a large mixing bowl. Add the cooled, cooked vegetables, chilli jam and parsley. Season and mix together thoroughly. Use a burger press to make four burgers, or shape them into four patties with your hands. Waxed discs can be used to keep the burgers separate if you’re stacking them for storage in the freezer. Q Drizzle the vegetable oil on a baking tray and lay the burgers on top. Place on a moderate indirect heat with the barbecue lid closed and cook them for 5 minutes on each side until they’re golden brown. Remember that the burgers are a little fragile, so use a fish slice to turn them over carefully. Q Split the burger buns and toast them lightly. Add a layer of smashed avocado, then the burgers, extra chilli jam, and top with lettuce leaves and the top half of the bun. Recipe courtesy of Lakeland

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May 2020 www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

vegan


Corn on the cob with shallot herb butter

PREPARATION TIME 10 MINUTES COOKING TIME 15-20 MINUTES SERVES 6

YOU WILL NEED 6 corn on the cob 2 shallots, finely grated 100g butter, softened 20g fresh herbs, chopped salt and pepper, to season

DIRECTIONS Q Add the soft butter to a bowl and stir through the grated shallots and herbs. Season well and stir again. If you’re making the butter ahead to use later then place it onto a sheet of clingfilm, roll into a sausage shape and leave to chill in the fridge. Q When you’re ready to cook the corn, take a little of the butter and rub it all over a corn cob using clean hands. Repeat with the remaining corn. Reserve the rest of the butter for after cooking. Q Lay the buttered corn on the grill bars of the barbecue on a medium direct heat and cook for 15 minutes, turning frequently, until they’re lightly charred in places and the corn is tender. Serve immediately with the rest of the butter dotted on top.

veggie

Recipe courtesy of www.ukshallot.com

Beetroot wraps with grilled halloumi and houmous YOU WILL NEED

DIRECTIONS Q Add the fennel and cumin seeds to a small roasting tray set on the barbecue rack or under a hot grill and toast for 1-2 minutes, until fragrant. Remove from the heat, add 1 tbsp oil and chilli flakes, stir to combine and set aside. Q Add the wraps to the barbecue, or grill, and cook for a few seconds on each side to warm them through. Spread the houmous between each wrap and scatter over the Love Beets Sweet & Smoky Shredded Beetroot. Q Cut the halloumi into 5mm-wide slices then griddle the slices on the barbecue over a medium direct heat until they’re lightly charred. Toss the halloumi slices in the spiced oil then divide them between the wraps. Q Scatter the herbs over the wraps along with the pine nuts before wrapping and serving.

veggie

PREPARATION TIME 10 MINUTES COOKING TIME 10 MINUTES SERVES 2

Feature Matilda Bourne

80g Love Beets Sweet & Smoky Shredded Beetroot 150g halloumi ½ tsp fennel seeds ½ tbsp cumin seeds 2 tbsp olive oil ½ tsp chilli flakes 2 medium-sized flatbreads or wraps 80g houmous Small handful fresh flat leaf parsley, finely chopped Small handful mint leaves, finely chopped 1 tbsp pine nuts, toasted

Recipe courtesy of Love Beets www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk May 2020

27


Venison burgers with blue cheese and crispy shallots YOU WILL NEED 650g venison mince 5 tbsp double cream 2 cloves garlic ½ tbsp fresh flat leaf parsley ½ tbsp chives 4 juniper berries 200g blue cheese 16 shallots, peeled and sliced olive oil salt and pepper 4 burger buns tomatoes, red onions, gherkins, salad to garnish

DIRECTIONS

PREPARATION TIME 20 MINUTES COOKING TIME 20 MINUTES SERVES 4

Garlic prawns with a lemon and dill sauce YOU WILL NEED For the sauce: 150ml mayonnaise 2 tbsp fresh dill, finely chopped 1 lemon, zested 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice ½ tsp Worcestershire sauce 4-8 drops Tabasco sauce, to taste 1 garlic clove, finely chopped For the prawns: 680g large shell-on prawns 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 1 tbsp fresh dill leaves, finely chopped 2 garlic cloves, chopped ½ teaspoon sea salt ¼ tsp cayenne or ground black pepper

DIRECTIONS Q In a small bowl, combine all the ingredients for the sauce and whisk until smooth. Cover and refrigerate up to four hours before serving. Q To peel each prawn, grab the shell above the tail and break it loose. Peel away the shell, pulling off the legs but leaving the tail intact. Q To de-vein each prawn, using a sharp paring knife, make a shallow slit along the back of the prawn. Lift the black vein out of the slit and discard it. In a bowl, combine the prawns, oil and dill. Q On a chopping board mash together the garlic and salt, using the sharp blade and the side of the knife to create a paste. Add the paste to the prawns along with the pepper. Toss to coat evenly and set aside while you prepare the barbecue. Q Prepare the barbecue for direct cooking over medium-high heat (between 200ºC and 230ºC). Brush the cooking grates clean and arrange the prawns on the barbecue in an orderly way, such as left to right, so you can easily remember which prawn started cooking first. Q Grill over a medium-high heat, with the lid closed, for 4-5 minutes, turning once, until the prawns are firm to the touch and just turning opaque at the centre. Serve immediately with the sauce on the side. Recipe courtesy of Weber’s Barbecue Bible by Jamie Purviance. Published by Hamlyn.

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May 2020 www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk

Q Place the mince in a bowl and season well. Using your hands or a fork, gently combine the seasoned meat with the cream, garlic, parsley, chives and juniper berries. Try not to over mix, as the cooked burgers will be tough. Q Gently shape the meat into four patties and make a slight indentation in the top of each burger with your fingers. Q Divide the cheese into four and shape each piece into a ball. Insert the cheese into the centre of the burgers and pull the meat back over the top to seal in the cheese. Q Heat the olive oil in a frying pan and fry the shallots on the hob, or on the barbecue, until crispy. Q Preheat a griddle pan or barbecue until very hot. If using a pan, put in a little olive oil. Sear the burgers to seal in the juices and cook for 2 minutes on each side, so that the cheese melts in the middle and the meat is cooked through. Q Serve the burger on lightly toasted rolls, topped with the shallots, along with slices of tomatoes, red onion and pickled gherkin or with a green salad. Recipe courtesy of ukshallot.com

PREPARATION TIME 20 MINUTES COOKING TIME 5 MINUTES SERVES 4


PREPARATION TIME 25 MINUTES + CHILLING COOKING TIME 30-35 MINUTES SERVES 6

YOU WILL NEED For the dough: 135g plain flour 50g sugar ¼ tsp sea salt 5g cold unsalted butter, cubed 2 tbsp good-quality bourbon For the filling: 450g assorted summer berries, rinsed and dried 2 tbsp plain flour 3 tbsp sugar 2 tbsp good-quality bourbon 1 large free-range egg, beaten 1 tbsp double cream whipped cream or vanilla ice cream, to serve

DIRECTIONS Q In a food processor, pulse the flour, sugar and salt briefly to blend. Add the butter and pulse until pea-sized pieces develop. Add the bourbon and pulse until it’s combined. Q Turn the dough out into a large bowl and form it into a smooth ball. Avoid overworking the dough or else the crust will be tough. Flatten the dough into a 10cm-wide disc, then wrap it in clingfilm and refrigerate until the

barbecue and pizza stone, or large rimless baking tray, are preheated. Q Prepare the barbecue for indirect cooking over a medium heat (180ºC-230ºC). Brush the cooking grates clean and place a pizza stone over indirect heat. Close the lid and preheat for at least 20 minutes. Q Cut a piece of baking parchment into a square that’s about 40cm x 40cm. Remove the dough from the refrigerator and let it sit until it’s just soft enough to roll out. Lightly flour the baking parchment and dough, then roll it out into a 30cm circle around half a centimetre thick. Q Working quickly, toss the berries with the flour and 2 tablespoons of the sugar in a large bowl. Add the bourbon and toss to mix it all together evenly. Q Spoon the berry mixture onto the centre of the dough circle, leaving a 5cm border of uncovered dough around the edge. Fold the

edges of the dough snugly over the filling, pleating them as needed. Q Combine the beaten egg with the double cream in a small bowl and lightly brush the top crust with the egg wash, then sprinkle the entire top evenly with the remaining tablespoon of sugar. Q Using the baking parchment to help guide you, gently transfer the crostata to the preheated pizza stone or baking tray. Q Bake over an indirect medium heat, with the lid closed, for 30-35 minutes until the fruit is bubbling and the crust is browned. Using a baking tray, remove the crostata and baking parchment from the stone. Transfer it to a plate or chopping board and leave to cool for 10 minutes. Serve with whipped cream or ice cream. Recipe courtesy of Weber’s Barbecue Bible by Jamie Purviance. Published by Hamlyn.

www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk May 2020

29

Photo Ray Kachatorian

Summer berry crostata


Shopping guide A

Abode Living 01273 621116 www.abodeliving.co.uk Amara 0800 587 7645 www.amara.com Amazon Basic www.amazon.co.uk Annabel James 0345 548 0210 www.annabeljames.co.uk Annie Sloan 01865 803168 www.anniesloan.com Argos Home www.argos.co.uk B&M 0330 838 9000 www.bmstores.co.uk B&Q www.diy.com Ca’ Pietra 01380 735885 www.capietra.com Cox & Cox www.coxandcox.co.uk Cuckooland 01305 231231 www.cuckooland.com Cult Furniture 020 8185 6960 www.cultfurniture.com Cuprinol www.cuprinol.co.uk Dobbies 0131 561 6406 www.dobbies.com

B c

D E

Ella James 01572 759190 www.ellajames.co.uk

J K L

R S

H

M

T

I

N p

v w

F G

Forest Garden 0333 321 3142 www.forestgarden.co.uk Garden Trading 01993 845559 www.gardentrading.co.uk George Home www.georgehome.com Georgia Lindsay Garden Design 07958 918034 www.georgia lindsaygardendesign.com Gisela Graham 020 7708 6396 www.giselagraham.co.uk Graham and Green www.grahamandgreen.co.uk Habitat 0344 499 4686 www.habitat.co.uk Home Bargains www.homebargains.co.uk Homebase 0345 077 8888 www.homebase.co.uk HomeSense 01923 473561 www.homesense.com IKEA 020 3645 0000 www.ikea.com

Editor-in-Chief Anna-Lisa De’Ath Features Editors Catriona Burns, Michelle Grady Staff Writers Catherine Smalley, Hannah Tribe, Sophie Demetriades Editorial Assistants Ella Rhys-Jones, Katie Dutton Designers Sally Bufton, Beth Charlton Lucas, Libby Parfitt, Emily Waite 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-

JD Williams 0345 071 9018 www.jdwilliams.co.uk John Lewis & Partners 03456 100 336 www.johnlewis.com Kettler 01527 591901 www.kettler.co.uk Laura Ashley www.lauraashley.com Liberon www.liberon.co.uk Lights4fun 01423 816040 www.lights4fun.co.uk LSA International www.lsa-international.com M&L Paints 01730 779911 www.mandlpaints.com M&S www.marksandspencer.com Matalan 0333 004 4444 www.matalan.co.uk Morso 01788 554410 morsoe.com/en Notonthehighstreet 0203 318 5155 www.notonthehighstreet.com Plastikote www.plasti-kote.co.uk Protek www.protekwoodstain.co.uk

Red Candy 0121 224 7728 www.redcandy.co.uk Rouge 020 7275 0887 rouge-shop.com Rustoleum www.makeityours.co.uk Sadolin 0330 024 0298 www.sadolin.co.uk Sandtex 0330 024 0303 www.sandtex.co.uk Sainsbury’s Home www.sainsburyshome.co.uk Sophie Allport 01778 560256 www.sophieallport.com Talking Tables www.talkingtables.co.uk Tesco www.tesco.com The Nautical Company 01256 351283 www.thenauticalcompany.com The Posh Shed Company 01544 387101 www. theposhshedcompany.co.uk Valspar www.valsparpaint.co.uk Very 0800 092 3355 www.very.co.uk Waltons 0800 029 1000 www.waltons.co.uk Wilko 0800 032 9329 www.wilko.com

Halling Classified Sales Executive Sophie Roberts Ad Coordinator Bryony Grace Senior Ad Designers Andrew Hobson, Cee Pike Marketing & Production: Subscriptions Director Jacky Perales-Morris Direct Marketing Executive Emma Hunter Director of Licensing and Syndication Tim Hudson Syndication Manager Richard Bentley Production Director Sarah Powell Junior Production Co-Ordinator 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: yourhome@buysubscriptions.com UK: 03301358962 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

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March 2020 www.yourhomemagazine.co.uk


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