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BEAUTIFUL READER HOMES + HOW TO GET THE LOOK

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DECORATING SHOPPING FOOD MAKING STYLING

Style updates for your home & garden

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AUGUST 2021

Fresh salads & barbecue recipes

Design your dream bathroom

SO INSPIRING!

Stunning roomns transformatio

Before I held back with colour, but I’m glad I went for it in the kitchen

LIVING SUMMER Coastal room schemes Easy style ideas to bring a holiday vibe to your garden DIY kitchen updates Clever ways to revamp a gallery wall 5 easy craft projects

Budget buys for instant refreshes

TREAT YOURSELF! THE TOP ICE CREAM MAKERS THISSUMMER

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M U LT I - F U E L

Welcome to our AUGUST ISSUE!

W

ith many of us planning a staycation summer, this issue we show you how to make the most of your outdoor space on page 67 with easy style ideas to bring a holiday vibe to your garden, whether you’re dreaming of Ibiza luxe, tropical Miami or an exotic Moroccan adventure. For sunny vibes inside your home, this month’s decorator’s moodboards on page 57 are inspired by the coast, with three stylish looks perfect for relaxed summer living. And, if you fancy bringing the taste of summer home too, you might like to treat yourself to an ice cream maker – you’ll find our pick of the best on page 81 – as well as delicious recipes for a great British barbecue over on page 120.

This month’s inspiring reader homes include Maria’s gorgeous Victorian terrace (page 18) where old meets new with feature wallpaper, contemporary colours and upcycled furniture, Pauline’s modern country home full of vintage and handmade accessories (page 30) and Keelie’s light and airy 1930s semi, transformed from drab to fab with budget buys and savvy DIY hacks (page 42). You’ll also find plenty of clever tips and ideas in our amazing room transformations, including our cover star Heather’s colourful kitchen makeover on page 96.

Don’t forget to tell us how your renovations are going – just use the hashtag #myHShome on Insta. We look forward to hearing from you!

miss it PS.TheDon't next issue of HomeStyle is on sale 19th August ED’S PICKS 42

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106

COULD YOU BE OUR COVER STAR?

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

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

Get in touch

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

67

Co n t e n t s 08

67 DECORATING & STYLING 14 The wish list 57 67 72 78 85

The latest high street home buys Decorator’s moodboards This month’s trends are inspired by coastal scenes and days at the beach Sunny outdoor spaces Bring the style of your favourite holiday spot to your back garden Design your dream bathroom Your guide to beautiful baths, showstopping showers and more Finishing touches Expert advice on how to give your home a professional finish Choosing art for your home Make your walls picture perfect

4 yourhomestyle.uk

96

READER HOMES 18 Our home is classic yet quirky

110 It feels like our own little retreat A loft extension gave Laura a new bedroom and spacious en suite which she has filled with luxurious touches

Inspired by Pinterest, Maria has brought her Victorian home to life with colourful wallpaper and prints 30 I love the modern country look 07 Trending now Pauline’s dream home is full of vintage Gorgeous coloured glassware finds and handmade accessories 08 Shop the high street 42 DIY hacks saved us a fortune The best, affordable home buys Find out how Keelie turned a drab 1930s semi into a light-filled haven 16 Colour crush Shop summery pieces in lido blue 26 Terrific tassels 90 My new garden office is so flexible Add texture with fabulous fringes Caroline revamped her summerhouse to create a multi-purpose work area 38 Romantic florals From big, bold roses to ditsy designs 96 I’m glad I went for a pink kitchen With a lick of paint, Heather’s old oak 50 Warm terracotta kitchen is now light, bright and pretty Add depth with this earthy hue

SHOPPING

MAKEOVERS

72

Plus

WIN & SAVE

28

120

64 Stylish seat cushions Eight of the cheeriest designs around 81 Tried and tested: ice cream makers Find the perfect model and whip up great flavours all summer long 94 Country charm Kit out a pretty crafting space 100 Sweetness and bright Accessories to give your kitchen a lift 106 Dreamy bohemian Gold accents and natural textures 115 Savvy home solutions Ideas for simple, sustainable living

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40 Upcycled chalkboard Revamp an old picture frame 52 Macramé bottle cover A bit of string is all you need!

108 Sardine tin lanterns Turn old sardine tins into cute little candles for a beach BBQ 111 Boho rope tray This easy upcycled tray will look gorgeous on your coffee table

COOKING

118 Easy midweek meals A week’s worth of summer dishes 120 Cook a great British BBQ Sizzling meat and veggie recipes 28 Abstract face cushion 124 Food news Add character with this modern make What’s filling our trolleys this month?

MAKING

Contents

66

Win! A new Core pressure washer from Nilfisk

80

Save! 20% off at Photo Frames & Art

84

Win! A £100 voucher to spend at Posterlounge

REGULARS

66 Win a Nilfisk pressure washer 6 to win, worth £199.99 each!

80 Reader offer 20% off at Photo Frames & Art 84 Win £100 to spend at Posterlounge 10 x £100 vouchers up for grabs!

110 #myHShome Our pick of your fantastic pics!

125 Coming next month A sneak peek at our September issue!

128 Shopping directory Where to buy everything in this issue 130 In conversation with...

Meet the founder of Ecosophy On our cover August 2021 5

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

Rated as Excellent by our customers

Trending

Syotyurlewait y

RIDE THE WAVE

WARMING GLOW

Cielo Tulip glass vase, £20, Habitat

TOKABO table lamp in Purple, £8, IKEA

CHANGE YOUR SPOTS

Tortoise Blue carafe, £25, Arket

PRETTY IN PINK Pink candle holder, £14, Talking Tables

Style insider

TUTTI-FRUTTI

Small Moroccan vase, £40, HAY

COLOURED GLASSWARE Gorgeous glass in sweet shop colours that are too delicious to resist

lovwee

The trend for luminous coloured glassware is heating up just in time for summer. Pick and mix different hues to create an uplifting, rainbow effect that won’t fail to put you in a good mood TWINKLE TWINKLE Duo glass candleholders in Amber, Green, Grey and Plum, £5 each, Heavenly Homes and Gardens

Qkitchuicken refresh

Amber bubble wine glass, £5, Dunelm

ebirT hannaH erutaeF

PERFECTLY IMPERFECT

BETTER TOGETHER

Whitney cluster pendant lamp in Pink, £149, MADE.com

GREEN AND GORGEOUS

Green tumbler glass, £10 for a set of four, George Home August 2021 7

Poundland

PURE & SIMPLE Be inspired by natural textures

Tassel cushion, £5

Macramé cushion, £5; artificial grasses in wicker pot, £5; succulents on wooden criss-cross stand, £3; crockery, £1 each; candle, set of three, £3; wicker lantern, £6; trinket drawers, £5, all Pep&Co at Poundland

and calming pastel tones

Faux plant, £5

Seagrass storage basket, £5

Bathroom accessories, £1 each

Aztec faux succulent planter, £1

Scented candles, set of three, £3

SHOP THE

HIGH STREET

Here’s our pick of the best bargain buys the high street and web have to offer 8 yourhomestyle.uk

Style on a shoestring

Dunelm

BRIGHT PROSPECTS Refresh your work space with these practical and stimulating pieces

Industrial poster pack, £15

Oliver lift top desk, launching this month, £179

Idris desk lamp, £40

Cabinet storage, sunshine, launching this month, £35 Dustbin style bin, £10 Oliver lift top desk, launching this month, £179; cabinet storage, sunshine, launching this month, £35; small locker storage, £115; Thomas office chair, launching this month, £99; jute marl rug, grey, £79; Edited Life ash wood hooks, set of five, £22; industrial poster, set of five, £15; metal mesh pen stationery, £4; dustbin style bin, £10; Idris desk lamp, £40, all Dunelm

st1 yle the look HOW TO

2

August 2021 9

nottuD eitaK erutaeF

Go green! Green interiors have been steadily on the rise over the last year, with sage and pistachio tones being particularly popular.

These lighter shades of green are both cheerful and relaxing, and remind us of being in nature.

Accessorise with potted plants and grasses to create a zen environment. If your room doesn’ t get much natural light, opt for faux plants, or have a mixture of both.

st1 yle the look HOW TO

Next

DOWN TO EARTH East meets west with this fusion of Japanese and Scandi design

Fae accent chair with black legs, £175

Ashton storage stool, £125

Pasadena table lamp, £38

Tufted Berber square cushion, £20

Wooden grazing table, £35

Rattan tray, £32 10 yourhomestyle.uk

Tap into the Japandi trend by sticking to a neutral palette of earthy tones, opting for no more than five shades to keep things understated.

Get low! Keep tables, lights and seating close to the ground; this is a nod to classic Japanese interiors.

2

Style on a shoestring

Houghton corner chaise sofa in tweedy blend dove, £1,499; Guava rug, from £75; Kita easy fit shade, £55; knitted pouffe, £80; cushions, from £8; appliqué pattern cushion, from £16; woven nest table, £99 for two; tufted throw, £40, all Next

Green leaf print double duvet cover, £20; cushion, £7; candle, £3.50; green ridged ceramic vase, £3.50, round jute cut-out rug, £12, all Primark

Primark

TREEHOUSE TREASURES Create a jungle hideaway with these accessories inspired by the tropics Coconut shell candle, £3.50

Leaf pattern wax tablecloth, £8

Black striped two-tone wicker baskets, set of two, £8

Green fluted glass tealight holder, £1 Warm tonal pinch bowls, pack of three, £3

Ivory rattan round wall shelf, £10

August 2021 11

Wren Kitchens created a calming space for our busy family lifestyle

Leila and Carl Eldred wanted a functional, open-plan kitchen that could bring the whole family together, including their two young boys and pet dog The family instantly fell in love with the light-toned and functional Country Ermine kitchen in Pebble when they visited Wren’s showroom

Leila is overjoyed with her new open-plan family kitchen, where everyone can spend time together

For more inspiration, search #Wrenovation 12 yourhomestyle.uk

T

he kitchen today serves more purpose than simply somewhere to cook and eat – it’s now a multifunctional space in the centre of the home, in which family and friends can spend quality time together. Expert designers at Wren Kitchens understand that everyone’s lifestyle is different, so their kitchens need to function differently, too. No matter the size of your kitchen, Wren will work with you to create a tailormade design that suits your lifestyle.

To see how Wren collaborates with their customers to create bespoke designs, check out Leila and Carl Eldreds’ family-friendly kitchen transformation.

Their home is part of the #Wrenovation series, which shines a spotlight on real customer kitchen renovations.

pet Rottweiler, Harlow, so a space that was calming and could bring the family together was top priority when it came to updating their kitchen.

The previous space was dimly lit and narrow with a separate dining room, so when they walked into their local Wren Kitchens showroom in Royal Tunbridge Wells they were on the lookout for a bright kitchen with a functional openplan layout. ‘We had a look around all the different kitchens in the showroom and fell in love with the Country Ermine kitchen straight away,’ says Leila. ‘It even had a pet bed feature – I didn’t know I wanted one before’, she smiles. ‘It’s such a good idea! Now Harlow can enjoy their very own space, safely tucked away.’

Leila and Carl lead a busy lifestyle at home with their two young boys and

Leila knew she wanted a large kitchen sink in the island as a focal point so she could oversee the kitchen, rather than

FAMILY-FRIENDLY SPACE

SOCIABLE LAYOUT

Advertisement feature Maximise the social aspect of the kitchen like Leila has, with a central island that features a sink, breakfast bar and wine cooler

having her back turned while cooking and preparing meals. The couple also decided to get all new appliances through Wren. ‘We’re so happy with what we chose,’ says Leila. ‘We’ve got an oven that’s above the children’s reach, a dishwasher to keep on top of all the washing up, plus a wine cooler, which is great for us when entertaining – we love having people over now,’ she adds.

A pet bed is a handy feature for this busy family kitchen; Harlow now has a neat, tucked away spot in the heart of the home and it provides useful storage for their toys and bowl

FIRST-RATE DELIVERY

The delivery process was another standout to Leila. ‘It was absolutely fantastic – Wren bought everything in for me, placed it where I wanted it and checked it all off,’ explains Leila. Now, the spacious kitchen is the most used room in the Eldreds’ home, where they can eat all their meals together and entertain family and friends on a regular basis. During summer, they can open the bi-fold doors and enjoy spending quality time all together. ‘The kitchen’s really become the heart of our home now there’s so much room for both of us, the kids and Harlow – it’s perfect.’

August 2021 13

WINDOW SHOPPING Bring the classic designs of Emma

Bridgewater to your window dressing schemes thanks to a new collaboration between the British designer and Blinds 2go. Featuring Emma’s bright, nature-themed prints, including garden birds, sunflowers, lemons and ladybirds, each design holds a special place in her heart and reminds her of the comfort of home. Whether it’s a sweeping sunflower curtain set or a subtle ladybird-print blind you choose, these new window dressings will bring a touch of cottagecore charm to your interiors.

Prices start at £26.80 for roller blinds, £33.35 for Roman blinds and £47.65 for a made-to-measure set of curtains. See the whole range, and request a free fabric sample, at blinds-2go.co.uk

TheWISH LIST...

Sunflowers Yellow made-tomeasure curtains, from £48.65, Blinds 2go X Emma Bridgewater

Ladybirds Red roller blind, from £33.95, Blinds 2go X Emma Bridgewater

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

Modern Feminine Pink paint and wallpaper range, from £8, Dunelm

WHERE THE HEART IS Bring out the best in your home with this

charming new book from mindful interiors expert, Jo Peters. From finding the colour scheme that works best for your personality, to bringing the joys of nature indoors with clever natural decorations, Jo has packed her book full of feel-good interior tips to try, whatever your budget. Craft projects, poems, recipes and beautiful illustrations makes this read as comforting as it is practical and informative, and we especially love the mindful quotes dotted throughout. It would make a lovely housewarming gift, or a treat for yourself.

WALL TO WALL STYLE One of our fave homeware brands has launched their first range of paints and

wallpapers! Dunelm’s new Decorate and Co-ordinate range includes 40 shades of paint and over 150 complementary wallpaper designs, as well as floor tiles, splashback tiles and doorknobs. Wall stickers and a selection of self-adhesive wallpapers make the line ideal for renters as well as those of us working with a smaller budget. Paints cost just £16 for a 2.5L tin, and matching wallpapers cost £8 for a roll – we call that a bargain! The paints have also been made with the environment in mind, with low VOC and child-friendly, wipeable and waterbased ingredients. Browse the range at dunelm.com 14 yourhomestyle.uk

No Place Like Home: The Mindful Way to a Healthy & Happy Home Life by Jo Peters, £12.99, VIE books. Out 12th August

FABULOUS FLOORING

We’ve got our eye on several stylish designs from LifeStyle Floors, in particular their on-trend vinyl and luxury vinyl tiles (LVT). Their luxe finishes range from timeless distressed oak to warm concrete LVT and classic patterned vinyl. Easy to lay and simple to maintain, LVT and vinyl flooring are 100 per cent waterproof, so any spills can be wiped away – ideal for kitchens, bathrooms and high-traffic areas.

LVT starts at £23.49 per sq m and vinyl flooring at £16.49 per sq m, making them a budget-friendly option too. See the full range at lifestyle-floors.co.uk

Wish list

SAVEDriedVSbouquets SPLURGE Small dried flower bunch, Primark

Dried eucalyptus and wildflower bouquet, HBotanics Weddings via Etsy

WE ARE LOVING...

Say hello to vibrant, futuristic jesmonite! This smooth material is a cast-concrete substitute but more lightweight and eco-friendlier. It’s been used by Glasgow-based maker Lauren Macluskie to create these candy-coloured trays, which can be used as coasters, table organisers or just as a striking decoration. With prices starting at £4, we’re stocking up! etsy.com/uk/shop/ lmacluskie

BOUTIQUE BUYS Looking to dial up your garden style? Check out these vintage-inspired pieces

Parisian bistro-style outdoor dining chair, £165

Rockett St George’s latest garden furniture and furnishings are inspired by boutique hotels and Parisian al fresco dining, with striking black rattan, classic black-and-white patterns and shimmering gold accessories. Go for full impact in your outdoor space with one of their new

lovwee nottuD eitaK erutaeF

Large goldeffect classical face planter, £75 Green glass apothecary bottle, £48

Al fresco rattan outdoor bar drinks trolley, £250 August 2021 15

Colour crush LIDO BLUE Dip your toe into this latest colour

trend, inspired by swimming pools and Mediterranean skies

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2 3

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4

7 8

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1 Cinema sofa in brushed cotton in Lido, £1,395, Loaf 2 Glass candle holder in Dark Blue, £13, Five and Dime 3 Pauchard-style Tolix chair in Blue, £79, Pash Classics 4 Adley desk lamp in French Blue, £20, Iconic Lights 5 Beach hut bird house, £3, B&M 6 Bride and Wolfe Blue Lightning Bolt mirror, £75, Antipodream 7 Emilie O’Connor Homestore Blue Wave plate, £12, Fy! 8 Adonis Blue wood paint, £18 for 750ml, Thorndown 9 Cosmic Gems Blue portrait print, £15, Eleanor Bowmer 10 Glass soap dish in Turquoise, £6.99, H&M Home 16 yourhomestyle.uk

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5

Our home is calm and classic WITH A QUIRKY EDGE Old meets new in Maria Greener’s Victorian terrace, which she’s personalised with feature wallpaper, contemporary accessories and customised furniture

Style idea

Use a large pouffe as a mobile coffee table, foot rest or extra seating

Inspiring homes

MY STORY

We started house hunting because we’d outgrown our three-bedroom terrace.

We already knew the area, so when this house came on the market, we felt confident it would tick all our boxes.

I love the character of period houses, and although the interior wasn’t to my taste, the bones were good. We didn’t want a big renovation project, so the knocked-through, extended kitchen-diner and loft bedroom were plus points. Everything had been finished to a high standard, but the whole house didn’t really flow, and it needed a refresh. The rooms were mostly beige, and there just wasn’t much interest, style-wise.

We redecorated throughout with feature wallpapers, and added more storage space.

I get a lot of inspiration from Pinterest, and after some experimenting, I’ve realised I prefer neutrals as they make an ideal backdrop for ornaments and pictures. The kitchen and bathroom were in good shape, but not what I would have chosen, so I’ve given them a budget revamp. I’ve also adapted or upcycled some of the furniture we already had so it fits in here.

With the children getting older, we’ve changed the layout downstairs a bit, to make space for them to have their friends over. Our home feels comfy and inviting, and most importantly, it works for us.

‘Our home feels comfy and inviting, and most importantly, it works for us’

A BIT ABOUT ME I’m Maria Greener, a lawyer. I live here with my husband, Conrad, our children, Jasper and Tara, and our Spanish rescue dog, Luna. I post interior updates on my Instagram @thelynwoodhome.

WHERE I LIVE Our home is a five-bedroom Victorian terrace in Bristol. We’ve lived here since May 2015.

WHAT I WANTED TO CHANGE The interior was quite bland and a bit tired. There was very little storage, and the shiny, white kitchen units and chrome handles just weren’t for me.

I wanted to put my own stamp on the place and make it feel more like us.

HOW I MADE IT MY OWN I’ve gone for a calm, mostly monochrome look that I’ve personalised with interesting art and accessories and a mix of retro, upcycled and new pieces.

MY FAVOURITE PART I love looking at all the pictures in the kitchen-dining area. It’s such a bright, sociable space too, especially in the summer when the doors are open to the garden.

August 2021 19

elooP niloC sotohP ydnurG ellebannA erutaeF

Maria’s floral feature wallpaper is from House of Hackney. ‘I love flowers, and there’s a botanical theme running through the house in the artwork and wallpapers,’ she says

Welc ome TO MY HOME

Maria chose Farrow & Ball’s Dimity for the living room walls. Character features like wooden flooring, wide bay windows and decorative plaster mouldings contrast with modern accessories, like the wire lampshade from Nkuku

Living room

‘The living room definitely has its own cosy feel. It feels more grown-up and traditional than other parts of the house, partly because of the period fireplace and wood burner, which were here when we moved in. I’ve framed them with a gorgeous floral wallpaper, which has become the focus of the room. It was quite expensive, so I only used a small amount, but it still creates an eye-catching feature. Conrad fitted chunky shelves in the alcoves to display plants and other interesting bits and pieces, which stand out against the plain off-white walls. We brought the corner sofa from our old home, and I added the two armchairs. They’re really comfy and I like their retro-inspired look.’

‘I’ve realised I prefer neutrals as they make an ideal backdrop for ornaments and pictures’ 20 yourhomestyle.uk

The living space falls into two distinct areas, linked by the same flooring, wall colour and lampshades. Floor-to-ceiling shelving from IKEA maximises book storage in the den. ‘In an ideal world we might put the wall back up between the two rooms one day, as it would give us more flexibility,’ says Maria

TASSELS p26

Dining area

‘We used to have a sofa and TV in here, as well as the table, as that was how the previous owners arranged the room. When we added the kitchen island, we moved the sofa into the den next door and the new layout works much better. It’s not so crowded and we’ve got a proper dining area for family mealtimes. We brought the table and bench from our old house; Conrad made them from reclaimed oak boards, and they fit the narrow space perfectly. The gallery wall is one of my favourite features. It breaks up a big space and helps to zone the dining area and give it a distinct vibe. It’s mostly inexpensive prints and souvenirs, plus a couple of my daughter’s pieces, so it’s unique and very personal.’

Inspiring homes

Style idea

Add colour to white walls with an easy-to-change gallery display. Read our guide on page 85

‘Laying out the gallery wall involved a lot of trial and error,’ says Maria.

‘I looked on Pinterest for examples, and started with the larger items, using masking tape to hold them in place until I was happy’

Style idea

Light colours minimise the impact of eye-level cupboards so the room doesn’t feel cluttered

Kitchen

‘The kitchen originally had grubby cream walls and white, high-gloss units, which I didn’t really like. They were good quality though, as were the appliances and granite worktops, so I couldn’t justify replacing them.

Having seen the dark interiors trend on social media, I painted the walls a dramatic almost-black to begin with, but last year I changed them back to off-white, which works for me. It took about five coats of paint, but I saved money by using cheap magnolia emulsion as a base for my final colour. After a lot of research, I found a local specialist to spray-paint the shiny units, so we’ve now got a matt combo of pale and dark greys.

At the same time, Conrad built an island with a breakfast bar from IKEA carcasses, which we had sprayed to match in with the rest of the space.’

Update your HOW TO...

kitchen on a budget Revive a dated kitchen without the cost and chaos of a complete refit

Maria’s fitted kitchen furniture was given a revamp with a professional respray by Paramount. ‘There was lots of masking-off to do and all the doors were taken away to be treated,’ she says. ‘It was great value though, and the finish is fabulous’ Maria loves having plants and flowers around her home, and she spotted these quirky vases in HomeSense. The display shelf from Anthropologie nods to the monochrome scheme 22 yourhomestyle.uk

If you’re happy with the layout, replacement cabinet fronts quickly give your kitchen a fresh look, at a fraction of the cost of brand-new units. There’s a vast choice of styles, sizes and finishes around, or you can go down the custom-made route.

DIY is an option, although some products come without drill holes so that hinges and handles can be positioned wherever you want, and in that case, an experienced fitter could be worth the extra cost to get a perfect finish.

Provided your cabinets are in good shape, worn-out worktops can be removed and replaced. Revive wooden work surfaces and remove marks by sanding and oiling.

Another option is a quartz overlay, which is a thin, quartz sheet that’s fitted on top of the existing surface.

Rejuvenate tired tiles with specialist paint.

The tiles should be completely clean and dry before you start, and a small brush or roller will give you the smoothest result.

Refresh grubby grout afterwards with a grout pen. Alternatively, to transform tiles quickly, try tile stickers. There’s a great range of on-trend designs, but look for durability and moisture-resistance, and remember they won’t stick well to textured surfaces.

Tatty taps can really let your kitchen down.

Replacing them is straightforward for a competent DIYer. Style-wise, make sure the new tap fits existing tapholes in the worktop or wall. Choose a design that suits your sink, unless you’re changing that too, and a finish that won’t clash with existing metal like knobs or hinges.

make

Inspiring homes

FACE CUSHION p28

‘We put some chrome display shelves above the sink to start with,’ says Maria. ‘When we revamped the kitchen, Conrad changed them to wood, and I sprayed the brackets gold so everything sits well together’

A comfy chair and neat hairpin leg table, both from HomeSense, make a relaxing spot to sit and enjoy the garden view. ‘I like having eclectic bits and pieces for interest and personality,’ says Maria

Decking area

‘We’ve grown fruit trees against the flat wall , which provide lots of lovely fruit such as cherries, pears and plums. Due to the type of soil in this area and the wear and tear caused by kids and the dog, we had to replace the lawn with artificial turf, which has been great as it means we can use the garden year-round without it turning into a mud bath! We’ve also grown lots of climbers such as clematis and jasmine to make use of the vertical space we have and make the garden smell lovely in summer.’

The garden was a big selling point when Maria and Conrad first looked at the house.

Maria has turned the decking into a versatile outdoor space with an all-weather rug from Dunelm, patio furniture and strings of outdoor lanterns

Paradis Tropical Bloom cushion cover, Walton & Co

Steal my style

Master bedroom

Get Maria’s contemporary home style with these modern buys

Rose Gold kitchen utensils set, John Lewis & Partners

Joy of Missing Out print by mOOd, East End Prints

Boxing built around the chimney breast created wall space for the bed and bedside lighting. Maria’s black wall lights from Wayfair add an understated industrial edge that doesn’t distract from the bold wallpaper

‘I put a colourful, contemporary wallpaper behind the bed, where it adds impact but isn’t a distraction when I want to relax’

‘Conrad and I chose this bright loft room for our bedroom, as it already had a tiny en suite shower room and fabulous, balcony-style windows overlooking the park. Laying it out was a challenge, as there was no storage, a sloping ceiling, and a small chimney breast sticking out from the middle of one wall. The ceiling is highest opposite the windows, so we’ve fitted large wardrobes along there, with space-saving sliding doors.

Then Conrad boxed around the chimney breast, making it wider.

Although that ate into the room, it gave us extra flat wall space for the bed.

Décor-wise, it’s tranquil and fairly neutral, but I put a colourful, contemporary wallpaper behind the bed, which adds impact but isn’t too much of a distraction when I want to relax.’

Inspiring homes Maria’s monochrome theme runs throughout the house and brings some personality to the modern bathroom. Leafy plants freshen the scheme, while the luxurious bath, positioned under a skylight, is a favourite feature

Style idea

Window film is a quick and easy way to create privacy without blocking natural light

Guest bedroom

‘The walls in here were a cool, mint-green when we moved in. It’s a good-sized room but there was no storage, and nothing really of any interest. We had fitted wardrobes built in the alcoves, and I painted all the walls and the woodwork in the same neutral shade. That’s helped blend the wardrobes in, warm the room and give it a calm, quiet feel. I’ve layered on dark accents for contrast, like the bedside cabinet that I upcycled, and the upholstered headboard. Its pale grey fabric was looking a bit tired, but with a staple gun it was quick and easy to re-cover in a dark charcoal material. It’s a very light, tranquil space and it’s now doubled up as my home office.’

Bathroom

‘The bathroom is a lovely, big room and the previous owners had installed underfloor heating and good-quality fixtures and fittings.

It’s all a bit modern and shiny for my taste, especially the large tiles, but it would have been expensive and wasteful to change everything.

I experimented at one point by painting the walls a strong blue, but it just made the tiles stand out more harshly. The walls are now a soft pale grey, and I’ve refreshed all the grouting with a grout pen, so the room feels clean and airy. I’d love more traditional taps and some geometric patterned tiles, but I’ve added black accents to give a bit more style, and some pretty framed prints and plants for softness.’

WHAT I LEARNED...

Dark accessories like the headboard and bedside cabinet create contrast and link the guest bedroom to the rest of the house. A floating shelf above makes a great display space for more plants

Social media is great for inspiration, but it’s important not to get too drawn into a trend.

I found myself using dark, dramatic colours that weren’t really me, and I quite quickly went back to a paler palette.

Doing your own decorating saves a fortune, but it’s worth putting in time to learn some proper skills. I’ve mastered techniques like cutting-in to get really crisp edges. It’s not difficult, just a bit fiddly, but the results are so much better.

A house is constantly evolving, especially with a family. Keep an open mind, and don’t be afraid to try a different layout or adapt a piece of furniture if things aren’t working.

See yourhomestyle.uk for more great real homes

August 2021 25

Be inspired by Maria’s clever use of textiles in her home on page 18

£20.99 Wayfair

Shop the look...

Turn your bedroom into a sultry boudoir with this dramatic silk shade

TERRIFIC TASSELS love

£75 Ian Snow

This colour-block throw is made from 100 per cent waste felt

Add fun and texture to your schemes, like Maria, with fringed embellishments

we

£16.99 Heavenly Homes & Gardens

Unwind with the aroma of this Rose and Geranium scented candle

£10 Dunelm

Treat your curtains to a pair of opulent Vivaldi tiebacks

ebirT hannaH erutaeF 26 yourhomestyle.uk

From £17.99 H&M Home

Turn your bedroom boho with a pretty cotton rug

Shop the look

£45 MADE.com

E R G T NE

E R G T NE M

Soften up your schemes with AT INVESTM a soft fringed lampshade TSEVNI TA

£48 Anthropologie

Give your toes a tactile treat with a tufted Ellie bathmat

£12 Next

Update your bed with a group of stylish rectangular cushions

£16.99 Walton & Co

This moss-coloured cushion will refresh the look of your sofa

£25 Marks & Spencer

Keep evening chills at bay with this striped cotton throw

from £9.99 Zara Home Tiny tassels elevate this plain-dyed bedding set

£75 Ella James

Kick back and relax in this Pale Aqua hammock

£28 Oliver Bonas

This pretty mirror will double up as sparkling wall art

August 2021 27

Make the look...

ABSTRACT FACE CUSHION Add some character to your cushion collection, like Maria, with this minimalist-meets-modern design, the perfect way to finish off an armchair

Chambray Plain Beige cushion, £5, B&Q. Tulip Black matt fabric paint, £4.48 for 59ml, OnBuy. Cricut Pink iron-on foil, £11, Hobbycraft. Washed linen pillowcases, £9.99 each, H&M Home. Pintuck White king-sized duvet set, £25, Wilko

Top tip

Place some sheets of newspaper inside the cushion cover to act as a barrier so that the paint doesn’t seep through to the back.

You will need

● Cotton cushion cover ● Pencil ● Template ● Black fabric paint ● Fine paintbrush ● Iron-on foil ● Iron ● Tea towel 28 yourhomestyle.uk

1 2 3

Head to yourhomestyle.uk to enlarge and print the face template on plain paper. Carefully cut out the different elements of the face.

Next, position the template pieces on the cushion cover, using the picture above as a guide, and draw around each part with a pencil.

Paint the abstract face design using a fine paintbrush and black fabric paint, and leave to completely dry.

4

Use the template to cut out a pair of lips in pink iron-on foil. Set the iron to a cool setting with the steam off and place the lips on the cushion cover. Lay a tea towel on top and gently iron over for a few minutes until the foil has bonded to the fabric.

Remove the tea towel and allow to cool before peeling off the top carrier layer of the foil. Pop the cover onto a cushion inner to finish.

5

The Platform Bed. Creates an illusion of space in almost any room.

Experts in small space living

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make

CHALKBOARD p40

Style idea

Free up cupboard space and store plates on a dish rack instead

went for a timeless MODERN COUNTRY LOOK Pauline Fox has transformed her London terrace with neutral colours, vintage-inspired prints and handmade accessories to create a home that will never go out of style

Inspiring homes Pauline has brought soft pastel accents and an updated, country appeal to her kitchen. The old worn worktops, ugly flooring and wall tiling have been replaced over time, and she repainted the existing kitchen cabinets, finishing them with traditionally styled cup handles. The pine plate rack, one of many pieces that’s been revamped, adds to the rustic look

‘It just goes to show that creating your dream home is achievable, whatever your budget’

and asked if I could take things left outside people’s houses.

I’ve always loved interiors, but I could never afford all the cushions and accessories I’d like, so I started making my own. My mum taught me the basics of sewing, and I’ve picked up tips and new skills from online videos. I love doing it. You can’t just go out and find the right things immediately; you’ve got to wait. But, if you’re willing to search online, sort through second-hand stuff, and make a few things yourself, you can do it. It just goes to show that creating your dream home is achievable, whatever your budget.

A BIT ABOUT ME I’m Pauline Fox and I run a small online interiors business, Betsy Blair Home.

I live with my husband, Robert, and our children, Emily and Tom. WHERE I LIVE Our home is a three-bedroom Victorian mid-terrace in east London.

WHAT I WANTED TO CHANGE The unloved interior was in need of a complete overhaul. Rough woodchip and shiny orange pine cladding covered most walls, and the built-in wooden furniture made the rooms feel cramped and gloomy. It was all just really tired and a bit 1970s, right down to the swirly carpets and the hideous fake stone fireplace in the living room.

That definitely had to go.

HOW I MADE IT MY OWN I painted the built-in furniture in neutral colours and soft pastels and added patterned wallpapers and weathered, painted furniture that reflect my passion for a modern country look. I quickly came up with some effective ways to maximise my budget, like making my own accessories, to get the look I wanted.

MY FAVOURITE PART The fireplace. It sets the tone for the living room, makes a lovely focal point and it’s where the family gathers.

elooP niloC / sroiretnI paG sotohP ydnurG ellebannA erutaeF

MY STORY

We were the first people to view this house and we put our offer in the minute we left.

The rooms were a good size, the garden was lovely, and I could see the potential to make it ours without doing major structural work or spending loads.

Money was tight after we moved, but we didn’t let that put us off decorating. Being much bigger than our last home, I needed extra furniture to fill the rooms. Over the years I’ve picked up second-hand tables, chairs and accessories, often for just a few pounds. I really enjoy trawling charity shops and eBay and I’ve even knocked on doors

Welc ome TO MY HOME

Painting the wooden panelling in Pale Duck Egg by Laura Ashley has given a colourful twist to the traditional feature and ties in with other accessories in the space

Kitchen-diner

Simple, budget-friendly touches have turned the kitchen from gloomy and old-fashioned to a bright, cheerful space. Pretty striped fabric disguises the white goods and Pauline has refreshed the fitted cupboards and ugly pine cladding by painting them in soft, pale tones. ‘When we first moved here, I painted the walls and cabinets a heavy, yellowy cream,’ she explains. ‘It was an improvement, but I’ve redecorated recently, and as soon as the lighter off-white and pale blue went on, it just revitalised the whole room.’ The galley kitchen and spacious breakfast room makes for a family-friendly layout, but there was only one suitable spot for a large fridge-freezer so Pauline chose a retro-inspired Smeg design.

‘As it was going to be prominent, I really wanted something good-looking,’ she says.

‘It was worth saving up for because it’s a stand-out feature in the room.’

Keen to make the most of what she had, Pauline adapted the dated wall units to give the impression of a traditional kitchen dresser.

She swapped the centre panels of the wall cabinets for striped fabric, fixed tongue-andgroove panelling between the two sections to link them, and then painted everything.

‘I didn’t want to lose the storage and I’ve become quite handy with the drill,’ she says 32 yourhomestyle.uk

Style idea

Organise crockery by colour for a co-ordinated look

Inspiring homes

Craft area

‘I’ve included different tones and textures so it feels evolved, rather than looking too perfect’

Finding a purpose for the opposite end of the living room was a struggle. After trying a dining table, and a study area, Pauline now uses it for sewing and crafting, making pretty home accessories for her small online business, Betsy Blair Home.

With lots of crafting supplies, space and storage were priorities in this area.

The furniture is a mixture of upcycled items including the painted console table, originally from Next, and the table and chairs, which Pauline found in a charity shop for just £50. ‘I’ve included different tones and textures, so it feels as though it has evolved, rather than looking too perfect and contrived,’ says Pauline.

The period features, like the high ceilings and picture rails, won Pauline over when she first saw the house.

Original sash windows add character and flood the room with light

‘I always think about how I want a room to feel as well as look’ Style idea

Disguise ugly radiators with a pretty cover

ROMANTIC FLORALS p38

For added cosiness and to highlight the room’s period elegance, Pauline went for the slightly darker colour, Twine, below the picture rail and a lighter one, Pale Twine, both from Laura Ashley, above it

Bee print floral cushion, M&Co

Steal my style

Get Pauline’s country home style with these classic buys Majeic shaded chandelier, Wayfair

Cherries jug, Cath Kidston 34 yourhomestyle.uk

‘I could never afford all the cushions and accessories I’d like, so I started making my own’ Comfy sofas and a rug help create a homely seating area around the fireplace, as do cute accessories, like the heart decoration hanging on the wall.

‘Hearts are a very traditional homely symbol and they’re a bit of a favourite for me,’ says Pauline. ‘I love this one I found at The Range’

Inspiring homes

Living room

Pretty accessories on the mantelpiece draw attention to the fireplace.

Pauline painted and distressed the frame around the vintage-style rose print, which her mother gave her. The Holborn Charcoal clock from Laura Ashley ties in with the fireplace, and bunting from Betsy Blair Home is typical of Pauline’s homely country style

With an eye for a bargain, Pauline has decorated the living room on a budget. She gave the second-hand coffee table a new look by cutting down and painting the legs to tie in with the rest of the scheme, while the sofa and armchair are ex-display finds. ‘They’re really comfy and were an absolute bargain, although the sofa is actually a bit big,’ says Pauline. ‘We had to get it delivered when the window was being replaced, because it couldn’t fit through the door.’

The fireplace is the focal point of the room, and it’s the one thing Pauline was happy to splurge on. ‘We weren’t keen to do big structural jobs, but I couldn’t live with the stone-effect fireplace that was here when we first moved in,’ she says.

‘We kept a bit of money aside especially so we could replace it with something more in keeping with my style and the age of the house.’ Pauline went for a simple period-look fireplace with a reclaimed waxed pine surround, which she has recently painted. ‘I get a lot of ideas from Pinterest, and I’d noticed a few painted fire surrounds on there, so I thought I’d have a go. It was a bit scary, as it’s a lovely old piece, but I’m really glad I did it.’

HOW TO...

How to paint wooden furniture

The bedroom’s original coving was in good condition, but the couple replastered the walls for a polished finish and reinstated the picture rail to highlight its period charm

Refresh old wardrobes, drawers and more with these handy tips

Preparation is key! Varnished or treated wood needs a good sand, otherwise the new paint won’t stick. Wipe down after sanding to make sure surfaces are free of grease and dust. Priming will achieve a more durable finish and helps ensure that no stains show through on the finished piece. Allow the primer to dry completely before painting your first topcoat.

For the best finish, apply thin layers of paint – at least two coats, but you might need three – and allow to dry fully in between. Sand lightly in between coats if you have any drips or residue. When painting, work your brush every which way to help maximise coverage and get a rich, textured finish.

When picking your paint, consider what kind of finish you want and if it’s for use in high traffic areas, such as tables and chairs.

As long as you prime your piece beforehand, you can use water- or oil-based paint on wooden furniture. Oil-based paints provide excellent durability so they’re a good choice for frequently used pieces. If you’re short on time, consider chalk paint as sanding and priming isn’t always necessary and it provides a lovely rustic-style finish.

If you want to create an aged, vintagestyle effect, use fine sandpaper to distress the piece. Focus on areas that would naturally get the most wear and tear, like corners and edges. Apply light pressure – it’s better to build the look up gradually.

Add extra interest with a two-tone distress technique. Prime, then apply a darker shade on the bottom layer, leave to dry then paint on a lighter-coloured topcoat. Allow to dry then lightly sand the top layer, which will reveal the darker colour underneath.

One you’ve finished painting and it’s completely dry, apply furniture wax to prevent chipping. The wax will sink into the wood and protect the paint. Treat your piece with extra care while the wax cures and hardens, which can take up to 21 days.

For extra finishing touches, you could add new handles, do a stencil design or line the inside of drawers with pretty printed paper.

36 yourhomestyle.uk

Pauline tackled the wallpapering herself. ‘My dad taught me,’ she says.

‘This Laura Ashley design had a big repeat, so it was a challenge, but I’m pleased with the result’

Inspiring homes Pauline painted the shelf unit in a dark grey, adding definition and depth against the off-white walls and accessories, while mini bunting from Pauline’s online store, Betsy Blair Home, gives a cute finish

Style idea

Frame fabric swatches for an easy set of wall art

Bathroom

Pauline hasn’t done any major work to the bathroom since moving in, but little touches have given it a completely fresh look. Replacing the bathroom’s wall-to-wall tiles wasn’t an option, but a layer of tile primer, topped with fresh, off-white eggshell has made a massive difference.

As well as sanding the floor, Pauline has accessorised with simple, country-style gingham fabric. The existing bath has been spruced up with new traditional-style taps and painted tongue-andgroove woodwork, in place of the old plastic side panel.

Master bedroom

Pauline wanted a simple, tranquil scheme for the couple’s bedroom, and her starting point was this Summer Palace Taupe/Ivory wallpaper from Laura Ashley. ‘I loved it as soon as I saw it,’ she says. ‘It’s pretty but subtle, and calming too. Wallpaper is a huge inspiration to me and it’s usually the starting point for any decorating scheme. My current favourites are the beautiful vintage-inspired linens and wallpapers by Peony & Sage, Kate Forman and Cabbages & Roses.’ The furniture includes old pieces like the painted wardrobe, and new high-street buys, including the Hemnes chest of drawers from IKEA. ‘We had a bit of a decorating disaster when we were sanding the floors in here. It was a horrible job and we got about halfway through before we realised the bag wasn’t properly attached. No wonder it was so dusty! We got there in the end though.’

WHAT I LEARNED...

We put new PVC windows on the front of the house, and now I wish I’d splashed out on bespoke wooden sashes, even though they are really expensive. The rest of the windows are the originals and they’d look so much better if they matched.

I’d definitely get to know a house before making major alterations, and the same goes for the garden. Instead of waiting a few months to see what appeared, I pulled out lots of unpromising-looking plants that might have been lovely if I’d given them a chance.

See yourhomestyle.uk for more great real homes August 2021 37

Be inspired by Pauline’s soothing use of neutrals and delicate florals in her home on page 30

lwoeve £14 Dunelm

A floral bathmat will add a splash of unexpected colour

Shop the look...

ROMANTIC FLORALS

Let the outdoors in, like Pauline, with a blend of big blooms and ditsy designs

£22 Argos

This floral canvas print has hand-painted details for an extra-special finish

£12 for four John Lewis & Partners These Mireille napkins are the perfect excuse for an al fresco lunch

£8 Matalan

ebirT hannaH erutaeF

38 yourhomestyle.uk

Dramatic florals on a dark background create instant elegance

Shop the look

£15 David Austin Roses Create a classic centrepiece with this English rose jug

£30 Next

You won’t need green fingers to brighten up with this faux floral display

£17.99 H&M Home

£10 Arket

This dreamy shower curtain softens the look of a bathroom E R G T NE

E R G T NE M

VE AT IN STM

A cheery flower bowl will give your tablescapes a playful twist

TSEVNI TA

£29.50 Oliver Bonas

Put on your happy face with this vintage-style etched mirror

£70 Wilko

A luxurious room divider will help you make the most of your space

August 2021 39

Make the look...

UPCYCLED CHALKBOARD Revamp an old picture frame into a shabby chic noticeboard to give your kitchen an instant vintage touch, like Pauline. Use it to write to-do lists or leave sweet messages for your family

Top tip

Rose Cluster and Bow Drop Swag moulding, £3.09, Chic Mouldings

For extra vintage vibes, sand off some of the paint on the edges of the picture frame.

You will need

● Wooden frame ● Plywood ● White paint ● Chalkboard paint ● Undercoat or primer paint ● Moulded hardwood bead ● Hacksaw ● Panel pins ● Glue ● Framer’s tape ● Decorative moulding Measure the inside of the frame and cut a piece of plywood to fit inside the opening. Remember to use plywood that is slightly thinner than the recess inside the frame. Measure across the width of the opening – this will be the length of decorative moulded bead you’ll need. Use a small hacksaw to cut a length of the moulded hardwood bead to the correct size.

Apply an undercoat or primer to one side of the plywood, the moulded bead and the frame. Once dry, apply a second coat and then a third if required. After the primer has dried, work out the space required for the chalkboard by positioning your decorative moulding (do not stick). Mark the line of the bead to separate the chalkboard area from the decorative top section.

Paint the frame, bead, decorative moulding (if required) and top section of the plywood in white paint. Paint the bottom part of the plywood in chalkboard paint. Wait for these to dry, sand with sandpaper, then apply a second coat.

Assemble the board by putting the plywood into the frame and adding small panel pins around the edge, being careful not to split the plywood or the frame.

If you are using a narrow frame, use glue instead of panel pins. Tape around the edge with framer’s tape.

Glue on the bead to cover where the chalkboard and white paint meet and affix the decorative moulding in place.

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sniktaW erialC ekaM

5

Invest in cordless for a quieter and cleaner gardening experience.

ONE BATTERY FITS ALL

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SAVED US A FORTUNE Why buy new if you can make it or do it yourself, says Keelie Hayler, who’s turned a dark, drab house into a light-filled haven ‘Our kitchen makeover only cost about £150, but it’s completely transformed the space’

‘I wrapped the worktops in marble vinyl wrap from Create Your World. It was quite tricky to apply, but we got the look we wanted on a seriously small budget, and although we might invest in a new worktop in a couple of years, for now we love the effect’

Inspiring homes

MY STORY

When we were looking to buy our first home together, the main thing we wanted was a large kitchen-diner. We’d already had the luxury of an open-plan space in our rented flat and really liked how it worked as a sociable way of living. So, finding this place was a win as the downstairs area is huge, and there’s a lovely big garden. Also, having three bedrooms meant we have a spare room for friends to stay over, and there was space for my longed-for dressing room.

We didn’t want a huge project, as we wanted to concentrate on the decorating side of things. As soon as we moved in, we painted the whole of the downstairs white.

We’ve decorated before, but the walls here were in bad condition and needed filling and scrubbing, and it took four coats of paint to completely cover the dark grey that the previous owners had used. We didn’t have much spare money left over after we had bought the house, so we did small jobs each month after we had been paid. The biggest change was painting the kitchen cabinets, but even that was just the cost of the paint and new handles.

I’m really pleased with how the place looks now; it’s a real reflection of our taste.

Since we’ve painted everywhere white, we have the perfect foundation to add to if we ever want an easy update.

Welc ome TO MY HOME

A BIT ABOUT ME I’m Keelie Hayler, a science teacher, and I live with my boyfriend, Sean Mounfield, a web designer. I’ve recorded our renovation journey on Instagram, @keelieslife.

WHERE I LIVE My home is a three-bedroom 1930s semi in Nottingham and we moved here in August 2019.

WHAT I WANTED TO CHANGE The inside of the house was a dark grey box. The walls were dark grey, the carpets were dark grey, and to be honest, the whole house really needed some light and love put into it.

HOW I MADE IT MY OWN I painted most of the rooms white so I could start with a completely blank base and gradually added colour.

I finished each room with accessories that suit the muted, relaxed vibe that both Sean and I prefer.

MY FAVOURITE PART I love the kitchen now it’s finished; it looks like a completely different space.

I also love my dressing room and I’m still so happy every time I walk into it.

It’s a real luxury to have it.

nostaW enaJ eitaK sotohP sesoM asiL gnilyts dna erutaeF

Kitchen

‘Making your own scaffold shelves out of spare wood is so easy; you just need to invest in the tools. I cut them to size, sanded and varnished the wood and then hung them on brackets’

‘There was nothing wrong with the kitchen, though we didn’t like the original cream glossy cabinets and dark wooden countertops.

We didn’t have the budget to spend on a new kitchen, so I decided to do a revamp instead. I took the handles off, sanded and primed the cabinets, and then painted them in Farrow & Ball’s Wimborne White and Pigeon estate emulsion, which is great for kitchen cabinets as it’s wipeable. I did the painting in batches during the evenings and weekends, and then swapped out the original chunky silver handles for these slimline black ones to complement our accessories, as we already had a black kettle and toaster, and we had installed the black light fittings, from Amazon, when we first moved in. I then wrapped the worktops in marble vinyl. Although the entire makeover only cost about £150, it’s completely transformed the space and actually feels like a whole new kitchen.’

HOW TO...

Vinyl wrap a worktop surface

With a bit of effort you can achieve a high-end look on a tiny budget Give the worktop a good clean, making sure the whole surface is dust- and grease-free, and remove any silicone from around the edges of the cabinets, sink and also any appliances, such as the hob.

Measure each section of your worktop, and don’t forget to add extra to wrap around and under any front and side edges. Take extra care with your measuring and cutting, particularly around any difficult areas, such as your sink and hob, or hot water taps, etc.

Peel back a small section of the vinyl and put it up against your starting point; a corner is usually a good place to begin.

Gradually smooth and stick the wrap down, making sure to work out any air bubbles as you go. This is the tricky bit because any bubbles will ruin the final effect – a credit card is a good tool to help with this. You can always unstick and reapply the vinyl to remove any air bubbles or puckering as you go.

Carefully wrap the vinyl around the edges of the worktop. A hair dryer will help soften thick vinyl to make it more flexible, if necessary, for this bit.

Reapply a silicone sealant around the hob, sink and cabinets to protect the area from moisture and spills, and leave to dry for the recommended time while the silicone hardens.

44 yourhomestyle.uk

‘I made this pantry corner out of IKEA picture ledges painted the same colour as the cabinets. I added the wooden hooks, from H&M Home, to create a display and add colour and texture to the space’

‘There was nothing wrong with the original cabinets and without thousands to spend on a new kitchen, I decided to do a budget revamp’

Inspiring homes

Style idea

‘I love styling the table and I’m looking forward to entertaining inside, after the past year of social distancing.

This long runner, from H&M Home, adds a touch of luxury to the look’

Mirror your ceiling lights in a large, open-plan space

Dining area

‘My parents bought us the table and bench from Marks & Spencer as a moving in gift, and the double doors that lead out to the garden make this the perfect spot for dining. I wanted to add more wooden elements to complement the rustic industrial vibe of the table, so we made the scaffold board shelf ourselves. I chose wooden kitchen accessories, as even simple pieces like chopping boards, the salt and pepper shakers and the wooden pan handles, add to the look.

We’ve never liked the vinyl floor so ultimately I’d like to lay wooden boards throughout. It’s a big, expensive job that has to wait until we save up for it, so for now I cover as much as I can with rugs.’

‘I always have fresh flowers as an easy way to add colour without having to commit’

‘I wouldn’t say my home was exactly neutral as I’ve enjoyed adding layers of gentle colour, but I love white as a base and would never choose a bright look for my home. These tables are from Next and the mirror is from The Range’

Style idea A corner sofa adds sociable seating

Living room

‘This is a big room with very little natural light, so the grey walls made it feel dark and gloomy. Also, one wall had geometric pink and grey wallpaper on it, which we really didn’t like. So, we stripped back the paper, painted the whole space in white emulsion, which saved a fortune, and then I put this large mirror on the wall to bounce some light around. The change was instant, and the room was immediately so much brighter and more welcoming.

We knew this large space, incorporating the kitchen and diner, would become our most-used living area, so I wanted our main sofa and TV in here rather than in the front room.

The corner presented a natural space for this L-shaped sofa from DFS, which my parents gave us.’

‘I love budget shops like Dunelm, The Range and B&M, as I can afford to pick up cheap accessories to style my home, but they’re not too expensive to replace if I want an update’ 46 yourhomestyle.uk

‘I always have fresh flowers on the dining table, but faux flowers look so good nowadays that I keep this arrangement here all year round.

The side table is from HomeSense and the lamp was an Aldi Specialbuy’

Inspiring homes ‘Open shelving is great for displaying my fave trinkets as well as storing essential homeware, like gin and wine glasses!’

Living room/office ‘When we viewed the house, this room was being used as a teenager’s bedroom, and it had a carpet that was stained and covered in cat hair, which Sean is allergic to. So, we ripped that up and immediately uncovered holes in the floor and damp patches that we weren’t expecting, which had to be fixed. We painted the room in Pure Brilliant White by Dulux; this is the white we’ve used throughout the house as it’s inexpensive and gives an easy refresh. We knew this needed to be a hard-working room as it had to double as an office and extra guest room, as well as being a living room. I still wanted it to look good, so we bought this luxurious blue velvet sofa bed from MADE.com, and I chose gold and brass accessories to add a bit of extra luxe to the room.’

‘I love unique accessories, and adding luxe gold and black touches, like this lamp from HomeSense, and the chairs from Dunelm, has made this simple office area a lovely place to work’

‘Real cocktail cabinets cost a fortune, but my gin cabinet was a cheap buy from Amazon. It was originally black, but I did a quick update by spraying it gold. The lamp is from Aldi and the rug is from Dunelm’ August 2021 47

Style idea

‘I found the stool on the side of the road, sanded it down and painted it to match the room.

I added gold Zara Home handles to add a bit of bling to the B&M bedside tables. The TÄNKVÄRD bamboo bench is from IKEA’

Dried grasses and flowers add long-lasting, lowmaintenance texture to a room TERRACOTTA TONES p50

Master bedroom

Steal my style Get Keelie’s relaxed home style with these buys

Faux pampas grass in pot, Joe Browns Round cotton tablecloth, H&M Home Wire mesh rack, Next

48 yourhomestyle.uk

‘Although originally painted a lilac colour, this room needed the least work as it was a fairly new addition, so instead of rushing to decorate it, we did the rest of the house first.

Although Sean trusts my style ideas, we do talk through colours and Sean will rule some out. Although we both like muted tones, I generally put together a moodboard for Sean on Pinterest so he can visualise my designs. We wanted this room to feel warm, bright and cosy, and wanted a colour that had a nod to a freshly plastered wall, without being too pink, so we chose Copper Blush by Dulux. After painting everything white again, like the rest of the rooms, it was fairly easy to follow the flow of the room with the colour, as it’s all angles and not just a box room, which adds character.’

‘We knew we wanted this room to be bright but also cosy, so we chose a paint colour that was a warm take on a newly plastered wall effect. The chair is from eBay and helps create a relaxing corner’

Inspiring homes ‘I love a gallery wall and choose prints with colours that suit each room. I wanted light pink and neutral tones in here, and played around with scale for a less structured feel’

‘The jewellery storage mirror, from Urban Outfitters, is perfect for keeping my jewellery to hand and adds a chic touch to the gallery wall’

make BOTTLE COVER p52

Bathroom

‘The original bathroom had slate grey flooring and beige wall tiles, which I covered with white tile paint. We had to use four coats of paint and a sealer, but it’s still holding up 18 months later. I also stencilled the floor, using a Dizzy Duck Designs stencil, which was a bit tricky as I had to finish it by hand, but it only took a couple of hours and looks amazing. The back wall was originally white, but as I wanted a monochrome room I painted it black. The room doesn’t feel dark at all, though the extra-large mirror, from Dunelm, does help brighten it.’

Dressing room

‘I have a lot of clothes, so although it’s a bit of a luxury, I really wanted a dedicated dressing room to store all my dresses and accessories properly. It also makes life easier for Sean as he doesn’t have to share wardrobe space with me, and I have somewhere to get ready for work each morning. We stripped off the Eiffel Tower wallpaper and freshened the room with white walls. I wanted an exposed rail to hang some key pieces on, so we used some spare copper pipe and attached it to brackets. I wanted to bring in a boho theme, so I attached the rattan lampshade to a bulb and cable and wrapped it around the rail.

Upcycling with rattan is really popular now and it’s hard to get hold of, so I was chuffed when I found this ready-made rattan cabinet on eBay.’

WHAT I LEARNED...

‘I painted the shower screen black and then used electrical tape to make it look like a Crittall-style screen. I added the black loo seat to finish the look’

Everything takes longer than you expect, even just painting a wall. It will need filling, sanding and prepping before the painting even begins. But we enjoy doing it ourselves and seeing what we’ve achieved.

If you can make it or do it yourself it’s a great way to save money, and you can pretty much guarantee that there will be a video online to show you how. Our kitchen was transformed on a tiny budget.

Be patient. It’s easy to get excited when you buy your own home and go crazy with colour, but we waited and I’m glad that we started with simple white and built up layers of colour over time.

See yourhomestyle.uk for more great real homes

August 2021 49

Hints of terracotta warm up neutral schemes in Keelie’s cosy home on page 42

loweve

£88 Pooky

The shade of this Flora light is made from natural terracotta

£2.49 Walton & Co

Make yourself head of the table with this circular placemat

Shop the look...

£65 for two Antipodream Lay down in a field of flowers with the Hayfolk bedding

WARM TERRACOTTA Give your schemes a rich depth, like Keelie, with this earthy hue

E R G T NE

E R G T NE M

VE AT IN STM

TSEVNI TA

£479 Pepper Sq

Take this hard-wearing Tuscan wool rug outdoors on dry days

£125 Loaf

Lamps this shape used to light the London Underground

ebirT hannaH erutaeF

50 yourhomestyle.uk

£24.50 per 0.94ml Benjamin Moore Use this Mars Red paint to make your room feel cosy

Shop the look

£8 for two Primark

Sit pretty on these sweet seat cushions

£35 Iconic Lights

The Tromso shade combines a warm hue with a soft wood effect

from £8.95

Desenio

£17.95 The Northern Line

This Abstract Arches poster can be printed in many sizes

A Paprika rug will spice up your hallway

Use this geometric planter as a storage basket too

£45 Rose & Grey

Make some space for this Forn Studio architecture print

from £40 Braided Rug Company

£18 for two Garden Trading

Classic terracotta pots never go out of style

£5.99 Dobbies

This clever candlestick can hold tapers or tea lights

£150 Undercover

The Linus bed linen set is made from certified organic cotton

August 2021 51

Make the look...

MACRAMÉ BOTTLE COVER String and a bit of patience are all you need to upgrade a simple glass bottle or vase. Finish the look with stems of pampas grass, like Keelie, for full-on boho vibes ReTwisst White macramé string, £10 for 500g, Hobbycraft

Top tip

It’s a good idea to practise tying the pattern of knots on spare strands of string before starting the project.

You will need

● Glass bottle or large vase with a neck ● Natural string ● Measuring tape ● Scissors First, cut and tie a length of string, not too tightly, around the neck of the bottle.

Cut 48 lengths of string that measure 120cm long. Put the strands into pairs, and then fold them in half and loop onto the string around the neck of the bottle.

Separate the strands into groups of eight – you’re going to be working with each group of eight strands at a time. In your first group, start with the strand on the furthest right. Knot it onto the strand to the left. Keep working with the same strand working right to left knotting on three strands, then stop in the middle.

Take the strand on the furthest left of the same group and knot it onto the strand to its right. Work left to right using the same strand to make a knot onto three pieces of string. When you reach the middle, make two knots with the middle strand from step 3.

Repeat on the next group of eight strands, and continue all the way around the bottle.

Next, take the four strands on the right of the first group, and knot to the four strands on the left of the second group. Continue around the bottle, and repeat the process a further three to four times to build up rows of knots. Neatly trim the ends of the strands at the bottom to finish.

1 2 3

5 6

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4

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"

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DECORATORÕS

Style edit

MOODBOARDS This month’s themes are inspired by coastal scenes and relaxing days at the beach, for soothing schemes that work throughout the seasons

58

58 ROCKPOOL TREASURES Step into an underwater paradise with rich prints

60 WINDSWEPT DUNES Sink into a natural palette with gentle grassy greens

62 ICE CREAM &Soften SPRINKLES up with strawberry pinks and tactile fabrics

62

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60

Curtain in Sea-Ferns fabric in Marine, £26 per m, ILIV

Shell Shock wallpaper in Scandi Muted Tones, £36 per roll, Lust Home

Batik Patchwork Red tiles, £47.84 per sq m, Topps Tiles

Seaweed fabric in Cobalt by Voyage Maison, £26.50 per m, Curtain Fabric Store

Vivid Blue gloss wa s, £32.99 per sq m, Tilell tile Mountain

Corallia wallpaper, £175 for three rolls; Aegean cushion, £109; Greece Travels framed print, £234, all Mind the Gap

COLOUR PALETTE

Style edit

ROCKPOOL TREASURES Discover an intricately layered look with detailed ocean-inspired prints and weathered textures Vinyl flooring sheet in Ocean Painted Wood, £11.99 per sq m, Best 4 Flooring

Beachcomber cushions, £41 each, Cream Cornwall Urban COAT Painrsts Ox ut of te fit ut O £40 , nt ai p ue Bl e th an rb U , 5L 2. r pe Outfitters

Bilberry Blue wood paint, £18 for 750ml, Thorndown

Ramp upbluesthe moody and this look will last all year round

Sanderson Swallows at Sea fabric in Navy, £39 per m, Gordon Smith Ltd

Artist Edition stackable storage boxes, £18 for two, Arket

Harley wood-effect vinyl flooring in Light Grey, £8.75 per sq m, Homebase Matt emulsion in Lost Coral, £30.04 for 2.5L, Dulux

Into the Contour Antibac er in Navy, Deep wallpap £15 per roll, Wilko

Large metal Cor knob in copper, £6.50, Make italFab ulous

HOW TO l Start this look with a crisp, white base. White is a resilient colour and

will, of course, work with anything you use with it. It will also help to keep the look feeling fresh. Use a slightly blue- or grey-toned white to match the rich navy and you’ll have a cooler, brighter look overall. l Layer in the blues with large areas of textiles like curtains and soft furnishings. Use a range of blues, from whisper light washes of greyblue to deep-sea navy. This will help to give the look depth and interest. l Find a rich, orange-toned red or coral as your accent colour. This creates a contrast to the blues and will give the look a burst of energy.

Use the coral tone sparingly throughout the room on cushions and wall art. Remember that less is more when it comes to using accent colours. l To style this look later in the year, ramp up the moody blues. Take inspiration from the weather and bring in rich steel-grey throws or thick navy rugs. Dyed sheepskin textures will feel super cosy too.

August 2021 59

Dorma Cheddleton wallpaper, £25 per roll, Dunelm

Mustard Cushions in Sackville Stripe£23 per m, ILIV both ics, fabr Fern Fia and

Bamboo Texture Gree n wallpap £45 per roll, Grah am & Brown er,

MADE x Lick paint in Green 02, £38 per 2.5L, MADE.com

en Fusion Fernwort,hyfroGre 0, Dunelm £2 m ins rta cu t eyele

Emulsion in Spruce Things Up, £49.99 per 2.5L, Dowsing and Reynolds

HOW TO

WORK THIS LOOK

l This look is based around the dreamy combination of warm

sandy creams and yellow-toned greens. Start your scheme by creating a palette that will inform the rest of the look. Choose one rich cream colour and team it with one light and one dark green hue. You can use paint swatches to help you choose but you don’t need to use these colours as paint. l Use one of your three chosen colours on the largest areas of your room. You could have a cream carpet and cream walls to create an airy look or use the dark green on the walls to give your room a deeper and more cocooning feel. l Seek out prints and patterns with light botanical designs that match your palette of greens. Avoid anything that is very densely patterned and look out for subtle grasses and leaf motifs for a more calming, breezy effect. l To take this look into winter, bring in metallic elements. Brass and gold touches will make the greens feel rich and luxurious.

60 yourhomestyle.uk

Eggshell paint in Lansdown 104, £69 per 2.5L, Cox & Cox

WINDSWEPT DUNES Style edit

Relax into a romantic, restful look with green as the central shade and

Regal Select matte paint in Soft Fern, £24.50 for 0.94L, Benjamin Moore

French tickin Green and Charcgoafal,br£5ic in Field 7 Vanessa Arbuthpenor m,tt

Velvet matt paint in Waxed Khaki, £40.64 per 2.5L, Dulux Heritage

Take this look into winter with brass and gold metallic touches Pussy Willow wallpaper in Steel, £40 per roll, Laura Ashley

Meadow Grass voile fabric in m, Gilver and Gossamer, £35 per Clarissa Hulse

Picket tile in Green, £45.20 per sq m, Tile Giant

Astrea Fern Green tile, £63 per sq m, Topps Tiles

Seagrass natural carpet, £24.75 per sq m, Alternative Flooring

COLOUR PALETTE

Laurel Oak 51104 LVT floorin g, £41.99 per sq m, Mo duleo

Marseille Cream mix gloss wall tile, £51.77 per sq m, Victoria Plum August 2021 61

Matt emulsion in Cosmos Flower, £30.04 for 2.5L, Dulux

Palm Leaf Abstract Collage art print and Leaf Silhouette art print, both from £18 each, Violets Print House

Studio G Sketchbook Gala fabric in Pink, £11.25 per m, Your Stylish Home

GoodHome matt emulsion in Hyogo, £16 for 2.5L, B&Q

White and Sprinkles wallpraprolerl, Luinst Home pe Brights, £35

Dial up the energy of this look with lilac and yellow accents Dots Pink wallpaper £65 per roll, Graham & Bro, wn

HOW TO

WORK THIS LOOK

l This fun look is incredibly versatile. Stick to a palette of blush pink and

er, Luna Blush wallpap £10 per roll, Dunelm 62 yourhomestyle.uk

you’ll create a warm, chic space, even with the addition of slightly kitsch confetti designs. But, if you want to dial up the energy for a kid’s room, or create a light-hearted space for yourself, add lilac and a touch of yellow to your scheme. These accents will make the look dynamic. l Use a maximum of two different prints to make the most of the designs. They can lose their impact if layered up too heavily. Try using one pattern on the walls and another of a different scale on the curtains. Make sure to match at least one colour between both prints so that the scheme maintains a pulled-together effect. l Mirror the sprinkle motifs by using accessories with rounded edges.

Light fittings with smooth curves or circular rugs will look right at home. l To make this look cosier for the colder months, add in fluffy and fuzzy textiles of the same pink hue. Velvet, faux fur and suede are all good options to consider. You can use them singularly, or all together.

Style edit

ICE CREAM & SPRINKLES Create a strawberry ice cream colour scheme that’s scattered with playful touches in pastel hues cotta Blush, £49.99; Chambray tablecloth in, Terra ; Ravenna Ravenna napkins £17.49 for, allfour Co placemats, £10.49 for two Walton &

Hoxton Baby Pink tiles, £105.60 per sq m, Stone & Ceramic Warehouse

Regal Select Matte paint in First Light, £24.50 per 0.94L, Benjamin Moore

Amore carpet in Valentine, £23.99 per sq m, Lifestyle Floors

ood sheet HighlanderrinWg, £11.99 per sq m, vinyl flooooring Best 4 Fl Velvet matt paint in Potters Pink, £40.64 per 2.5L, Dulux Heritage

Faux fur soft circle rug in Pink,tou£4ch5, La Redoute

Lots of wallpaper by ScDoionts in Blancmange, Raspberry, Citrus, £25.50 per roll, Your Stylish Home

COLOUR PALETTE

lowvee Caribbean chill Tropical outdoor cushion in Mint, £7, B&M

Floral charm

Midsummer Night water-resistant seat pads, from £44.99 for two, Celina Digby

Freshly squeezed

Les Fruits machine-washable outdoor cushion, £18, Dunelm

8 of the best

SEAT CUSHIONS Laze in comfort on your Sunny stripes

Stripe outdoor seat pads, £14 for two, Matalan

daoP samohT erutaeF

Recycled cotton

Iman machine-washable seat pad in Pink, £20, Tikauo

64 yourhomestyle.uk

deckchair, sun lounger or dining chair with our pick of the cheeriest cushions and seat pads around

Paradise palms

Palm-print water-resistant seat pad, £18.99, Bean Bag Bazaar

Heritage print

Chrysanthemum water-resistant outdoor cushion, from £39.99, We Love Cushions

Earth tones

Chambray hand-wash seat pad in Terracotta Blush, £17.99, Walton & Co

Make a healthy choice

Mammoth is the only health and wellbeing brand partnered with the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, utilising award-winning sleep technologies derived from UK healthcare.

All our mattresses contain Mammoth’s naturally cooling Medical Grade™ foam and PostureCell® technologies, which are scientifically tested and shown to improve sleep. Our range of health mattresses are recommended by health professionals and trusted by leading sporting organisations.

So, no matter which mattress you choose, you can be confident your Mammoth will be doing you good.

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21st June until 1st September 2021 Buy any King Size Mammoth Shine mattress or Mammoth divan set, and only pay the price of a Double*

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Buy any Superking Mammoth mattress or Mammoth divan set, and only pay the price of a Kingsize* Includes headboards when purchased with a set. *T’s & C’s apply. Available only on Shine Collection

WIN! THE NEW CORE PRESSURE WASHER FROM NILFISK

Give your car and patio a fresh lease of life with the new Core 140 Powercontrol pressure washer from Nilfisk

6 LUCKY

WINNERS

TO ENTER

It’s super easy!

Head to yourhomestyle.uk, click on the ‘WIN’ tab, find the draw you want to enter and fill in your details.

Closing date 22nd September 2021.

The Core 140 Powercontrol pressure washer is compact and easy to store away

Nilfisk is helping to keep HomeStyle readers’ outdoor spaces shipshape by giving away six of its award-winning Core 140 Powercontrol pressure washers, worth £199.99 each!

The new Nilfisk Core pressure washer range combines clever cleaning solutions with striking and powerful features, making it the perfect choice for all types of outdoor domestic cleaning tasks. Expertly crafted using only the highest quality materials, the Nilfisk Core pressure washers are durable, efficient and offer exceptional performance.

To make the pressure washers even easier to use, Nilfisk has revolutionised the hoses with added features to offer further flexibility

and more storage options, including a hose storage pocket and patented through-feed hose reel system. In addition, each product in the collection also includes a new and improved power control system to make it easy to adjust the pressure while cleaning.

A wide range of accessories are also available on the Core collection, so no matter what the job, you can be confident the new pressure washers can handle it all – whether it’s making sure your car shines or cleaning your garden patio or furniture.

For more information visit consumer.nilfisk.co.uk

KEEP YOUR CAR & PATIO IN TOP CONDITION WITH A NILFISK CORE PRESSURE WASHER! TERMS AND CONDITIONS

66 yourhomestyle.uk

Competition closes on 22nd September 2021 at 23.59pm and you must be 18 or over to enter. This prize draw is open to residents of the UK and Channel Islands only.

Find full terms and conditions under the desired prize draw at yourhomestyle.uk/win

TRAVEL THE WORLD htA’eD asiL-annA erutaeF

from your back garden We may not be able to jet off to our dream destinations just yet, but you can bring the style of your favourite holiday spot to your outdoor space with these easy ideas

boho

MOROCCAN Laid-back and relaxed, Morocco’s bohemian style, full of spicy colours and tactile details, is perfect for lazy days in the sunshine and works for outdoor spaces big and small.

Indoor-outdoor Souk mirror, £75, Cox & Cox

Sahara rug in Black, £80, Walton & Co

Nomad Artisan throw, £49.99, Walton & Co Canberra slatted outdoor lantern duo, £75; TruGlow waterproof outdoor candle trio, £26.99; 15-drop bulb solar festoon lights, £34.99; Fes Moroccan solar lantern duo, £39.99; Temara Moroccan solar lantern, £39.99; 50 Warm White outdoor micro fairy lights, £12.99, all Lights4fun

Kaleidoscope crank and tilt parasol, £75, Freemans Elfyn chiminea, £149.99, Dobbies

lowvee Icon boho outdoor cushion, £19.99, Bean Bag Bazaar Solar pewter Moroccan lantern, £24.99, Festive Lights

Icon boho outdoor cushions, £19.99 each, Bean Bag Bazaar

this look

There’s no need to splash out on expensive garden furniture to create this look. Just lay down an outdoor rug and pile it high with showerproof cushions and pouffes.

Layer up your lighting to create a magical atmosphere after dark. Combine filigree metal Moroccan lanterns with strings of festoon bulbs overhead and LED candles, which won’t blow out in the breeze. Choose solar lights so you won’t have to bother with replacing batteries or worry about having trailing wires from the mains.

Take your colour inspiration from the kasbah and choose accessories in warm, earthy shades combined with cream and black. Add interest with texture – tassels, fringing, pompoms and knotted details on rugs, cushions and throws.

Global gardens Selborne double lounger set with sofa and bench option, £1,250, Garden Trading

Garden Trading teak drinks cooler table, £1,150, Lime Lace

this look

HOW TO CREATE Choose contemporary modular garden furniture in all-weather rattan with showerproof cushions that can be left out all summer. Look for sets that are versatile enough to be configured into sofas, side tables, loungers and corner units to offer maximum versatility and value for money.

Create a poolside bar in your garden. There are lots of affordable ready-made garden bars available to buy, or you could convert your shed into a tiki bar. Look for bar-height tables with troughs in the centre, which you can either fill with ice and bottles of beer or plant up with your favourite flowers. Don’t forget to buy shatterproof acrylic glasses and cocktail shakers to avoid any accidental breakages.

Use a fixed sail shade or a smart pivoting or cantilevered parasol to create a shady zone to give you some respite from the sunshine on hot days.

Arlo melamine salad bowl and server set, £18, Next

Foliera fire pit, £155, Ella James

Acrylic wine glasses £5 for four, B&M

BarCraft 13-piece cocktail shaker set, £9.99, The Bottle Club

Cosiscoop timber fire lantern, £149.99, Dobbies

lovwee

luxe

IBIZA If you long to laze on a luxury lounger, sipping cocktails by the pool, you can recreate that boutique hotel feel with a few well-chosen pieces of luxe-look furniture and accessories.

Funtime lounger, £89, Dobbies Havana Modern sun loungers and parasol in Graphite, £399, Out & Out

this look

HOW TO CREATE

Tropical deckchairs, £145 each; wooden footstools, £49 each, both Denys & Fielding

tropics

MIAMI

Indoor/outdoor palm leaf egg chair cover, £120, Ella James

The bright colours and exotic prints of this trend will add instant sunshine to your garden even on a dull day. Choose hot, clashing colours and have fun mixing up the tropical prints to create your own oasis in the urban jungle.

Watercolour Palm-print outdoor cushion, £18.99, Bean Bag Bazaar

Babylon pineapple cup, £3, B&M

Alps standing egg chair, £349; Mardi Gras cushions, £19.99 each; Gemstone smoke tumbler glass, £3.99; grasses, 2L, £9.99; Bergenia, 2L, from £9.99; Banana plant, 3L, from £16.99; plant pots from left: Fiesta egg pot in Orange, £34.99; large Thai pot in Dark Brown, £34.99; Etch terracotta pot, £16.99; Barley pot, from £16.99, all Dobbies 70 yourhomestyle.uk

Give drab garden walls and fences a touch of the tropics using hot, sunshine shades – try saffron yellow, zesty orange, punchy paprika or ocean blue. A strong-coloured background will really make your plants stand out and will help define your outdoor living space.

Head to the garden centre and stock up on palms, ferns and banana trees to create a lush, tropical vibe. Plant them in colourful pots that can be moved around to create a sheltered entertaining space and taken inside, or to a more sheltered spot, in winter.

Give your existing furniture a tropical makeover by adding colourful cushions in bold botanical prints. Look for shatterproof tableware featuring exotic fruits, such as pineapples and watermelons, for a fun, but practical touch to al fresco mealtimes.

Skandi Pop Fruit-print bowl, £2.50, Matalan

Palm Leaf garden parasol, £90, Ella James

Exotic Floral-print outdoor cushion, £14.99, Bean Bag Bazaar

loweve

Karu four-piece conversational set, £599; Balboa iron lantern in Antique Gold, £19.99; Colene bamboo windlight, £17.99; Mardi Gras cushion in Fuchsia and Tangerine, £19.99; Ikat striped cushions in Spice, Teal and Mustard, £12.99 each; Musa cavendishii plant, £12.99; Lenja Rose stoneware vase, £7.99; Capro candleholder in Brown, £5.99; Inka throw, £29.99; on table: Hilary yellow stoneware vase, £6.99; Grusha champagne glass tealight holder, £4.99, all Dobbies

Global gardens

Rive Droite bistro set in Lulworth Blue, small, £150, Garden Trading

Glass carafe, £16; glasses with a pearled edge, £5.75 each, both Charlotte Wikke

Harrington wooden bistro chair, £99, Cult Furniture

lwoeve

Bamboo Floral tumblers, £8 each, Brassica Mercantile White arch outdoor mirror, £295, Cox & Cox

this look

French stable lantern, £78, Rockett St George

HOW TO CREATE

Bistro sets are perfect for giving your outdoor space a little ‘je ne sais quoi’. They are especially useful for small spaces, such as balconies and postage stamp-sized patios, as they don’t take up much space and some designs can be folded up and stored away when not in use.

Choose accessories with an antique look to get that ‘I just found this at the local flea market’ feel. Distressed metal latticework tables and vintage-style lanterns are ideal pieces for this look. Look for distressed garden mirrors that will not only suit this trend, but will help create the illusion of depth in your garden if placed on a wall and surrounded with climbing plants.

When it comes to al fresco entertaining, serve your chilled rosé in elegant French-style carafes and tumblers in hard-wearing acrylic and opt for unbreakable bamboo tableware in colourful painterly floral prints.

country chic FRENCH

Prestington folding bistro table, £67.99, Wayfair

You can’t beat long, lazy days in the French countryside, the scent of lavender drifting in the air. Luckily, it’s easy to recreate that relaxed vintage vibe with bistro-inspired furniture and atmospheric accessories with a timeworn, ‘brocante’ feel.

Bamboo Floral plates, £10 each, Brassica Mercantile

Basket dining table, £329; Basket dining chairs, £290 per pair; Lemon jug, £12; Melon fruit bowl, £50; natural linen tablecloth, £75, all John Lewis & Partners

BATHING BEAUTIES

Your ultimate guide to designing your dream bathroom on a budget

BauLoop S-size basin mixer, from £83.83; BauLoop shower mixer, from £90.38, both GROHE

Updating your bathroom can feel like a big, complicated job, but it doesn’t have to be intimidating. Taking it step-by-step and planning everything you want in advance will help the process to go smoothly. It will also help you to communicate your vision to any tradespeople you’ll need to help you with the job. You might feel like having a bath is a deal-breaker, or that having two sinks will save your relationship! Always plan your ideal scenario first, as bathroom design is developing all the time. You might well be surprised by how much of your wishlist you can achieve.

BATHS

Baths are usually the largest feature of the bathroom, so it’s best to plan this first. Modern designs incorporate clever, space-saving features or flexible options for tap placement. So now it’s possible to fit baths into bathrooms where they couldn’t squeeze in before.

Tubby bath on feet, from £1,756, Albion

Straight-sided baths

Straight baths are a smart, affordable choice available in lots of different sizes. These baths are usually acrylic and fitted with feet and bath panels for support. Panels can be fully personalised, so while the shape might be standard, your bath doesn’t need to look basic. There’s also a shower bath option with a larger section at one end, to make your showering experience more comfortable. This style often comes with an added shower screen too.

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Free-standing baths

If you want to create a highimpact scheme, a free-standing bath will do all the hard work.

They’re great for period properties or for creating a vintage look, but they do come with a higher price tag. They can theoretically be placed anywhere in the room, but it’s always best to consult a plumber to work out how to connect to the existing plumbing.

Expert advice

BATH TAPS

Acrylic right-hand curved corner bath, 1500 x 1000mm, £300, Wickes

Your choice of bath taps has a huge impact on the look of your bath. To make sure you have a cohesive scheme, match your style of bath tap to the other hardware in your bathroom, such as your sink taps and door handles. Go traditional with chrome and ceramic accents or go ultra-modern with black minimalist styles.

Mixer taps These taps are a no-fuss

option for filling your bath.

They combine the streams from the hot and cold pipes into one continuous flow of water out of the tap.

Mixers look modern and elegant Vellamo Twist in the bathroom and are perfect brushed brass deck mounted bath filler, for creating a clean and £169.99, Drench contemporary look.

Corner baths

Make the most of wasted space with a corner bath. Even though they are full-sized baths, corner baths use space more efficiently, and leave you with extra floor space. These baths are usually wider than straight baths too, so give you a more luxurious bathing experience. Most styles of corner baths come with left- or righthand curved options, giving you a chance to choose the style that suits your bathroom best.

If you’re looking for a boutique hotel vibe, whirlpool and spa baths will give you the ultimate luxury bathing experience. Jets placed inside the bath give you a full body massage while you lie back and relax. Kids love them too, as the jets help to create extra bubbles! The cost of these baths goes up with the number of jets included in the design.

Whirlpool & spa baths

Pillar taps

These are usually sold as a set of two for the hot and cold. They have a traditional feel, but you can find ontemporary designs too. They allow a large amount of water to flow at once, so tend to fill the bath up more quickly than mixer taps.

Free-standing taps Unlike mixer or pillar taps, you don’t need to drill holes in the bath to install free-standing taps.

They maintain a clean-lined finish and look great with free-standing baths. Most designs have swivel spouts too, enabling you to place the tap nearly anywhere around the outside of the bath.

1901 bath taps in chrome, £121, Bristan Milano Mirage modern free-standing bath shower mixer tap with hand shower in chrome, £279.99, Big Bathroom Shop

Bath and shower mixer taps The Bath Co. Camberley Get all the fuss of installation lever bath shower mixer

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Cooke & Lewis Helena acrylic oval 12 curved bath, panel and air spa set, 1700 x 800mm, £980, B&Q

of a shower and taps over tap, £179, Victoria Plum with in one simple job! Bath and shower mixer taps allow you to send the water flow to the bath taps, or up into a shower hose. Some designs have an in-built cradle to hold the shower handset. Others come with a completely separate handset holder.

SHOWERS

Milano Barq recessed walk-in shower enclosure with tray, from £449.99, Big Bathroom Shop

Quick, convenient and refreshing, a shower of some sort is usually a bathroom must-have. Free-standing showers can have a small footprint, which makes them a great option for small bathrooms and en suites. However, with more space, you can create a dramatic feature from a large shower enclosure.

Electric showers

These are the most widely available type of shower. They’re a good budget choice and are simple to install. These showers pass water over an in-built heating element, so you only need to attach the cold-water pipes. This means you can have hot showers on demand, any time of day.

If you’re on a green electricity tariff, they can be an eco-friendly choice too.

Triton Aspirante electric shower in brushed steel, £139, Victoria Plum

Digital showers A high-tech option for modern

HOST multi outlet digital mixer with control in Black, £399.99, Triton

homes, these super-smart showers offer a wide range of fancy features to make showering convenient and comfortable.

Digital and smart controls allow you to precisely alter the temperature and flow of your shower, sometimes from up to 10 metres away! They often have indicator lights to tell you exactly when the shower is at your chosen temperature – ideal for keeping cosy on winter mornings.

Power showers If you have low water pressure in your

home, power showers are the solution.

They contain powerful pumps that boost the speed of the water through to the handset. This makes sure you have a strong, invigorating shower every time.

They are the most budget-friendly choice for gravity-fed water systems, which may require an external pump when combined with other types of showers. A thermostatic shower regulates the temperature, so if someone else in your home uses water, you won’t get a shock.

Mira Vigour thermostatic shower, £289, Mira

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These luxe styles offer ease of access, with plenty of wiggle room for a comfortable shower that feels spacious. They’re a great choice for very small bathrooms as the minimalist design creates a sense of flow that makes the room feel larger.

They’re also straightforward to clean, with few fiddly trims.

Quadrant enclosures

Mixer showers

These versatile showers simply combine water from your existing hot and cold supplies. They’re a popular choice, with many different designs available so you can create the look you want. For an ultra-minimalist scheme, built-in rigid mixer showers hide everything but the shower head and temperature controls.

Walk-in or wet room enclosures

Milano Clarus manual shower valve with 300mm round head in Brushed Gold, £269.99, Big Bathroom Shop

Quadrant designs are a good space-saving option. They have a small footprint so can squeeze into most bathrooms. But their curved design isn’t just clever, it’s also a great style choice. The edge of the tray can be referenced in the other fixtures and fittings, like circular sinks or rounded baths, for a smooth and pulled-together look.

Expert advice

SHOWER ENCLOSURES

Tubby Torre Dee bath, from £2,710, Albion

A good shower enclosure can transform your bathroom and your whole showering experience.

The flexibility of curtains means they can be changed season after season with no fuss, whereas walk-in enclosures create a durable, seamless style.

Newark sliding shower door, from £149.95, Victorian Plumbing

Curtained enclosures

Shower curtains instantly create a traditional feel. Rails are budget-friendly and simple to install, and curtains are a breeze to update. There’s a staggering range of plain, printed and patterned designs to choose from, so you can create the exact look you want.

Crosswater Clear 6 Matt Black offset quadrant shower enclosure, 1000 x 800mm, £630, UK Bathrooms

Built-in enclosures

GoodHome Beloya rectangular enclosure with corner entry and double sliding door, 1200 x 800mm, £290, B&Q

These require a bit of building work, but the finished effect can be stunning.

They’re a great opportunity to really show off your choice of tiles. The fully tiled walls create a durable and easily cleaned showering area, the size and shape of which is totally customisable.

Sliding door enclosures

Sliding doors neatly screen off the shower tray, letting out fewer splashes and keeping in the warmth. The flat panels give a sense of space, as they don’t block your eyeline. They’re also simple to clean with a quick wipe down after you’ve finished your shower.

TOP TIP

Mould is our least favourite bathroom visitor, but it’s simple to keep it away. Wipe down and dry up your shower enclosure after use and mould won’t have a chance to grow.

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BASINS

You’ll use your hand basin more than any other piece of sanitaryware in your bathroom, so it’s important to make the right choice. Find the largest style you can comfortably accommodate in your room for an elegant and wellproportioned overall look. Alternatively, you can combine a small countertop basin with a wide unit for the same effect.

Countertop basins

These basins sit on top of a vanity unit with all the pipework hidden inside. As the basin rests on the unit, there are no constraints as to what size or shape it can be. You can even upcycle your own unit TÖRNVIKEN 45cm and create a highly countertop wash basin personalised look. in White, £45, IKEA

Wall-hung basins

BASIN TAPS

It’s good design practice to match your basin taps to the style of bath taps or shower you have chosen, but don’t feel you have to limit yourself to buying the same shape exactly. Matching the materials and general look is enough to make a scheme feel considered, especially if they don’t share the same eyeline.

Pillar basin taps

These taps have a classic feel that always looks classy, with separate hot and cold streams so you can mix the water in the basin to the perfect temperature. Cross-headed basin taps are the ideal addition to a traditional bathroom scheme.

Vado Victoriana basin pillar taps, £89.99, Drench

If you’ve chosen a countertop basin without pre-drilled holes, these are the ideal taps. They’re an understated style choice and Milano Mirage a cinch to clean. The elegant wall-mounted design makes them appear as tap in chrome, though they’re almost floating. £99.99, Mano Mano

These clever designs are great for smaller bathrooms. The basin is attached to the wall with Cut out nothing but a & keep small bottle trap handy underneath for No one wants a cramped bathroom! Adam Chard from waste. This leaves Victoria Plum has these user-friendly tips... your floor clear and uncluttered, GENERAL CLEARANCE Clearance to the front: which creates a Clear space: It’s best to plan Recommended: 760mm; greater sense of a clear space of at least 760mm minimum required: 510mm. space in en suites from the front edge of all and cloakrooms. fixtures to any opposite bath BATHS Height: Between 500 and fixture, wall or obstacle.

600mm is comfortable for DOORS most adults.

Door entry: The opening of Space requirement: The a doorway should be at least minimum size for a straight 860mm wide. If the existing bath is 1500 x 700mm.

Clearance to the side: structure doesn’t allow for a change, then a minimum Recommended: 760mm; 610mm door is allowable minimum required: 530mm.

– don’t forget you might need Taps, fillers, wastes and any to get a bath through it! other form of controls need to Door interference: Make sure be accessible from both inside no door interferes with another and outside the tub. door to ensure the safe use of SHOWERS the fixtures and cabinets.

Space requirement: BASINS The minimum shower size Burlington Height: Between 760 and is 760 x 760mm.

Victorian 56cm Clearance to the front: 1190mm is comfortable for basin with full most adults.

Recommended: 760mm; pedestal and two Span (the distance from left to minimum required: 610mm. tap holes, £156, Door: It may seem obvious, right, without obstructions): UK Bathrooms Recommended: 1020mm; but a shower door must always minimum required: 760mm. open outwards.

PLAN YOUR LAYOUT

Milano Elswick 750 x 420mm rectangular wall-hung basin with Black towel rail, from £149.99, Big Bathroom Shop

Pedestal basins

You’ll already be familiar with this classic style of basin.

Pedestal basins are what you’ll most commonly find in bathrooms across the UK, and it’s easy to see why they’re such a huge hit. The neat pedestal conceals the pipework and leaves a clean, traditional look. They’re a no-nonsense style choice that will stand the test of time, so it’s worth investing in a high-quality model.

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new le crush alert: mandy *mandy armchair by Calvers & Suvdal, now in four stunning finishes.

mandy armchair / £549 dimensions: overall W:92 x D:78 x H:77cm / seat: W:60 x D:60 x H:79cm finishes: teddy white, petrol blue velvet, mustard velvet, claret velvet shop: calversandsuvdal.com/mandy phone: +44 020 8133 9222

FINISHING TOUCHES Know your sealants, caulks and adhesives Gappy skirting boards, discoloured silicone around the bath or loose panelling can make any room look less than perfect. Here’s our essential guide to making sure you get a professional finish…

Out with the old…

If you’re replacing sealant in the kitchen or bathroom, your first job will be to remove the old silicone. We’d recommend using a specially designed tool such as Unibond’s plastic remover and smoother tool, £2.75 from Wilko. It will get the task done easily without the risk of scratches, and can also be used to smooth new sealant later on. Simply scrape along the line of sealant and it should peel off in long strips, although it may need a bit more effort if it’s not coming away easily. If there are any bits of silicone that won’t budge, dab a little white spirit onto an old cloth and rub it over until they dissolve. Once all of the old sealant is removed, wipe clean with methylated spirit and leave to dry before applying fresh sealant.

UniBond plastic remover and smoother tool, £2.75, Wilko

Draper Tools 5-in-1 Sealant & Caulking tool, £5.54, Amazon

Toolbox essential

This multipurpose tool has four different options for smoothing caulk or sealant. It’s made from tough plastic, and also features a sharp blade, which is handy for cutting the end off cartridge nozzles or removing old caulk.

Mind the gap

Nick King, Category Manager at decorating and DIY specialist Leyland SDM, offers his advice on caulking…

CAULK

Used to fill gaps around the home – including around skirting, when decorating, but can also help to prevent draughts.

Silicone caulk is used in wet areas such as around the bath, for example, whereas latex caulk is ideal for dry areas and can also be painted. Caulk can be bought either in squeezable tubes or in cartridges, which are loaded into a caulking gun. Many people find the cartridges easier to use. It can also be bought in colours other than white, including magnolia and brown.

First, remove all of the old caulk using a utility knife, being careful not to damage the surrounding area. Specialist tools can also be bought to make this job easier. Next, clean the surface and vacuum up any loose bits. Use painter’s tape to mark off a thin area, approximately 6mm, where the caulk is to be applied. Cut the caulk nozzle at a 45 degree angle and puncture the tube or cartridge with a nail. Apply the caulk at a 45 degree angle by pressing firmly on the gun trigger, drawing the nozzle across the surface at a slow, steady pace. Smooth the joint by running either a wet finger or a damp cloth along the surface. Wipe off the excess and remove the tape. Leave to dry thoroughly.

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This nine-inch gun is a must for applying caulk, sealant or adhesive in cartridge form.

Metal caulk gun, £2.20, Wilko

Decorator’s caulk in Magnolia, £1 per 300ml, Wickes

Caulk is often used to fill any small gaps between skirting and walls. Most brands can be painted over, so if you’re making a feature of your skirting it’s easy to get a seamless look

Stick ‘em up

Sam Brockley, Senior Category Manager for Adhesives and Sealants at Bostik, has these top tips…

ADHESIVE

Thanks to the latest advances in technology, grab adhesives can be used in a multitude of tasks both inside and outside the home, including bonding skirting or architrave and installing wall panelling. When it comes to choosing a grab adhesive, strength, performance and setting time are all key factors.

Silane modified polymer adhesives (also known as SMP, SM Polymer or MS), such as EVO-STIK’s Strong Stuff waterproof adhesive are solvent-free products that offer resistance to extreme temperatures and movement, superior bond strength in both wet and dry conditions and fast setting times.

Solvent-based grab adhesives are renowned for their superior final bond strength, with some, such as EVO-STIK’s GRIPFILL, also offering gap-filling properties.

It’s important to check that surfaces will not be adversely affected by solvents before applying this type of adhesive.

Water-based adhesives, including EVO-STIK’s GRIPFILL Solvent Free, offer a more environmentally friendly alternative to regular, solvent-based adhesives. With no corrosive qualities, water-based grab adhesives can be used on almost any interior surface without the risk of a chemical reaction.

Most grab adhesives are applied using a standard cartridge gun.

All surfaces must be clean, dry EVO-STIK and free from dust, grease and Strong Stuff other loose material. Any paint waterproof grab should be removed from surfaces where the adhesive will adhesive, make contact and metal surfaces £9.99 per 290ml, Bostik should be degreased with detergent and water or an appropriate degreaser.

Cut off the dome at the top of the cartridge, taking care not to damage the thread. Cut the nozzle to the desired width and angle and screw onto the cartridge. Insert the cartridge into a cartridge gun and repeatedly squeeze the trigger until the adhesive appears. Apply parallel beads of adhesive to one of the surfaces, then align and bring the surfaces together, pressing firmly.

After carefully scraping off the EVO-STIK excess, uncured adhesive can be GRIPFILL removed using heavy-duty solvent free cleaning wipes or a cloth lightly adhesive, moistened with white spirit. £2.79 per Cured adhesive can only be 350ml, Bostik mechanically removed, for example by cutting, sanding or scraping. Always refer to the product’s Technical Data Sheet before use to ensure its suitability for your task.

Expert advice Ensuring that the joins around your shower or bath are properly sealed will not only protect them from water, but make the area look neat and tidy too.

Macramé tiles, from £50 per sq m, Topps Tiles

Achieve a professional finish by using sealant to fill any gaps between wet areas and tiles.

Arles Snow décor mix gloss tiles, £39.99 per sq m, CTD Tiles

Look out for ownbrand sealant, which can save you £££s if you’re working to a tight budget. Wilko’s is flexible, waterproof and mould-resistant.

All-purpose interior silicone sealant in White, £4 per 300ml, Wilko

Seal of approval

Harriet Goodacre, Brand Communications Manager and Tile Consultant at Topps Tiles, recommends…

SEALANT

With waterproof, anti-mould and anti-mildew properties, silicone sealants are a great option for bathrooms to fill gaps around basins, baths and shower trays, and help to achieve a neat look around the edge of tiles.

They’re usually available in white or clear finishes, and occasionally colours.

There are two main types of silicone sealant. Acetoxy Cure can be fully cured in just 24 hours but cannot be used on porous surfaces like limestone or travertine. Oxime Cure takes slightly longer to set but is suitable for use on delicate surfaces like marble and granite as well as metal and glass.

To apply, first ensure the surface is clean and dry. Insert the sealant cartridge into a caulking gun, making sure to cut the tip of the cartridge wider than the gap you’re filling. Holding the tip at a 45 degree angle, apply from one end to the other ensuring the sealant is evenly distributed. To finish, use a sealant smoothing tool to remove any excess and ensure a smooth finish.

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With artwork and frames handmade in the UK, every product is carefully crafted by a creative mind, making each piece feel that little bit more unique.

Committed to delivering a difference, Photo Frames & Art have carefully curated collections which spark imagination into any space. From minimalistic monochrome gallery walls to distressed and shabby chic vintage frames for that perfect boudoir feel, there’s something for every style and taste.

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d ste te d an d ie Tr ICE CREAM MAKERS Treat yourself to a frozen dessert maker this summer and make homemade ice cream, sorbets and more that friends and family will love. Find the perfect model with our handy buyer’s guide…

Cuisinart Iced Dessert Maker, £120

To test these machines, the HomeStyle team used Prue Leith’s classic vanilla ice cream recipe from her book Prue: My All-time favourite Recipes, Bluebird, £25. For more delicious ice cream flavours, check out our recipe selection at yourhomestyle.uk/recipes

I

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ce cream makers can whip up a tub of parlourquality ice cream in a matter of minutes, though depending on your make and model there might be some pre-freezing required first.

There are two kinds of machine on the market.

Freeze-ahead models are the most common, with numerous options depending on the type of desserts you’d like to make and how often you’d like to use your machine.

Prices range from as little as £31.50 up to £120 plus. With these models you’ll need to pre-freeze the ice cream churning bowl for a minimum of eight hours. The bowls will fit a standard freezer drawer, and these machines are generally more compact if you have a small kitchen.

Built-in freezer models on the other hand, don’t require freezer space, but they are more expensive and larger in size. This option is worth considering though, if you’d like to make ice cream frequently, quickly, with minimum fuss and without the worry of freezer space and thinking ahead.

Many machines, both pre-freeze and built-in freeze, will also let you make sorbets, frozen yoghurt and even gelato! No flavour concoction is off limits either as you are totally in control. Peanut butter and jelly? Chocolate orange? Why not! Here’s our pick of the best ice cream makers, tried and tested by the HomeStyle team…

Vonshef Stainless Steel Ice Cream Maker, £44.99

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VONSHEF STAINLESS STEEL ICE CREAM MAKER

Size: When assembled 23cm H x 24cm W x 20.5cm D Inner pre-freeze bowl 14.5cm H x 19cm D Capacity: 2L Type: Pre-freeze Guarantee: 2 years Price: £44.99 The low down:This ice cream maker has a large capacity and sleek, no-fuss design which makes it perfect for small kitchens and large families. It makes a whopping two litres of ice cream in one sitting, which is around the same size as your usual supermarket tub. This means you can easily serve a family of four and still have enough left over for the rest of the week.

Like other pre-freeze models, the internal freezing bowl needs to be placed in the freezer for at least eight hours before you use it. However, the large capacity of the bowl means you can pop other frozen items inside it to keep it in the freezer long-term, without wasting space.

The instructions that come with the machine are minimal, with diagrams only to help you to assemble it for the first time. However, as it doesn’t have many pieces, it is reasonably easy to put together. Operating the machine is super simple as there’s only one button to switch the machine on and off. The motor rotates the paddle smoothly inside the pre-freeze bowl and you pour your ingredients straight through the open chute in the lid, which also allows you to add any extras. You can also change the direction of the paddle by briefly turning the machine off, then on again, which can help to make a smoother ice cream.

In our test, the ice cream took 25 minutes to churn and then needed a couple of hours in the freezer to firm up. The texture was smooth and creamy and the taste was delicious. Even after a night in the freezer it was easily scoopable.

Once the ice cream is made, the motor can be removed entirely, which makes for safe and simple cleaning. The machine’s small scale makes it easy to store, and if the internal bowl is tucked into the freezer, all the other pieces fit neatly inside the casing.

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LAKELAND COMPRESSOR ICE CREAM MAKER

Size: 32cm H x 38.5cm W x 28.5cm D Capacity: 1L Type: Built-in freezer Guarantee: 3 years Price: £179.99 The low down: If you’re looking for reliability, minimum fuss or only have a small freezer, the Compressor Ice Cream Maker from Lakeland is a great option. Its built-in freezer means you don’t have to worry about pre-freezing your mixing bowl. What’s more, its useful extended cooling function, which keeps the ice cream cold for up to an hour once made, makes it ideal for entertaining too.

The in-built freezer means this machine is larger than pre-freeze models, so storage and counter space are considerations. Once set up and plugged in, it’s simple to use; position the removable mixing blade in the centre, then place the transparent lid and motor in line with it on top.

The ingredients are poured in through the opening, then you simply set the timer, press start and leave it to do its thing. The opening is on the small side, but we found using the measuring cup, which came included, was the best way of adding ingredients.

The machine’s booklet has easy-to-follow pictured instructions and there are 11 ice cream recipes included to give you plenty of flavour inspiration. The machine will let you make gelato too, by adjusting the churning frequency on the timer.

In our test, it took 50 minutes to churn and freeze one litre of ingredients into a delicious, thick ice cream that was ready to eat – or, if we’d had more resistance, could easily have been dispensed into a tub for eating later.

This model is on the upper end of the price scale, but if you’re a regular ice cream buyer it’s a great long-term investment and we love that you can whip up your favourite flavour without the need to plan in advance.

Focreramice addicts

Lakeland Compressor Ice Cream Maker, £179.99

IN THE FRO

What’s the difference between gelato and ice cream?

Here’s some frozen dessert knowledge you didn’t know you needed...

ICE CREAM usually has a custard base. It requires a high whipping process to produce a light texture and a cold serving temperature to maintain a hard texture.

GELATO includes more milk and less cream than ice cream. A slower churning technique makes it less airy and gives it a thicker texture. It’s also stored and served at a slightly higher temperature than ice cream, which brings out the flavours more.

CUISINART ICED DESSERT MAKER

Size: When assembled 29.5cm H x 20cm W x 20cm D Inner pre-freeze bowl 14.cm H x 18cm D Capacity: 1.4L Type: Pre-freeze Guarantee: 5 years Price: £120 The low down: Easy to assemble with a simple on/off switch, the Cuisinart Frozen Dessert Maker is an absolute doddle to use.

The pre-freeze bowl fitted comfortably into our tester’s standardsize freezer drawer and needs to be frozen for at least eight hours before use.

The clever, transparent lid design makes it simple to pour in the ingredients, add extras such as chocolate chips or fruit pieces towards the end of the churning, and see when your dessert is ready. This model doesn’t come with a built-in timer, so you will need keep an eye on it.

In our test, it took just 25 minutes to churn 1 litre of smooth and delicious soft-scoop vanilla ice cream. Once churned, you can eat straight from the bowl, but we found transferring to a tub and freezing for a further 60 minutes gave the perfect cone consistency. Even after a night in the freezer, it was still really easy to scoop.

The simple-to-follow instruction booklet includes 11 frozen dessert recipes including ice creams, frozen yoghurt and sorbets.

This model also comes with a Fresh Fruit Paddle, which can be used to blend soft fruits such as bananas and berries while freezing for a healthy option – great for kids! The compact, stylish design also means you won’t mind leaving it out on display on your countertop.

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Cuisinart Iced Dessert Maker, £120

JUDGE ICE CREAM MAKER

Peforrfetwoct Lakeland Digital Ice Cream Maker, £39.99

LAKELAND DIGITAL ICE CREAM MAKER

Size: When assembled 22.5cm H x 20.5cm W x 21cm D Inner pre-freeze bowl 14cm H x 20cm D Capacity: 500ml Type: Pre-freeze Guarantee: 3 years Price: £39.99 The low down: With just a timer and a power button, this ice cream maker couldn’t be easier to use. Pre-freeze the inner bowl for 12 hours then, once your chosen dessert mix is ready, simply plug in, select your churning time with the timer’s 5-minute increments and leave your mix to churn.

The machine comes with easy-to-follow instructions and seven ice cream and sorbet recipes to get you started. A transparent lid lets you keep an eye on the churning progress, and a handy opening in the lid means you can add toppings and flavourings to the ice cream as it mixes – perfect if you’re making a raspberry ripple or adding toasted nuts.

Its compact size and smaller bowl capacity make this ice cream maker ideal for those with limited counter space, looking to make a smaller quantity each time.

Our tester’s vanilla ice cream churned in 40 minutes, then needed a further 30 minutes to firm up in the freezer. Once set, it tasted deliciously creamy. Left overnight, the ice cream set hard and needed a few minutes to thaw in the fridge to prevent any bent spoons.

rse Pu friendly

Size: 24cm H x 20cm W x 20cm D Capacity: 1.5L Type: Pre-freeze Guarantee: 2 years Price: £31.50 The low down: Easy to use, compact and affordable, this entry-level model is a good choice for anyone who wants to make ice cream on a now-and-again basis, without breaking the bank.

The pre-freeze bowl, which fitted comfortably into our standard-size freezer drawer, needs to chill for a minimum of eight hours or be left overnight. Easy-to-follow instructions meant putting the machine together was very straightforward, with everything clicking into place. We found the funnel in the lid a little narrow, but with a bit of care we were able to pour the ingredients safely through.

The instructions suggested a churn time of 20-40 minutes and the vanilla ice cream reached its peak consistency around the 25-minute mark – little difference was made after this point. It was still very soft after churning and needed a couple of hours in the freezer to firm up before it was ready to eat. The consistency was smooth, light and delicious. After chilling overnight in the freezer, the ice cream needed around 30 minutes to soften before it was scoopable. As well as simple instructions, the machine comes with recipes including frozen yoghurt ideas.

Judge Ice Cream Maker, £31.50 August 2021 83

WIN! £100 VOUCHER TO SPEND AT TO ENTER

It’s super easy!

Head to yourhomestyle.uk, click on the ‘WIN’ tab, find the draw you want to enter and fill in your details.

Closing date 22nd September 2021.

10

LUCKY WINNERS

Boost your interior aesthetic with coordinating wall art from Posterlounge Fans of mid-century interiors will love Posterlounge’s selection of retro-inspired prints

This month, HomeStyle readers have the chance of winning one of 10 vouchers worth £100 each to spend at the online art shop, Posterlounge!

At Posterlounge, you will be seriously spoilt for choice. From modern graphic designs to great masterpieces, vibrant photographs and even vintage educational prints and maps, you’ll find something to suit your taste, whatever your style.

Once you’ve chosen your favourite images from the vast collection on offer,

you can then have them printed on a broad range of materials, including canvas, wood, acrylic, glass and aluminium, or opt for a premium poster.

Whether you want a tiny print to remind you of a special holiday or a showstopping high-impact artwork, you can create something truly unique for you and your home. Update your wall décor and bring some eye-catching artwork into your home!

See the full range at posterlounge.co.uk

DON’T MISS YOUR CHANCE TO WIN SOME STATEMENT WALL ART! TERMS AND CONDITIONS

84 yourhomestyle.uk

Competition closes on 22nd September 2021 at 23.59pm and you must be 18 or over to enter. This prize draw is open to residents of the UK and Channel Islands only.

Find full terms and conditions under the desired prize draw at yourhomestyle.uk/win

Style advice Frames from the ANYDAY range, from £10, John Lewis & Partners

nottuD eitaK erutaeF

discover art to suit your style W O H TO

Make your home picture perfect with prints and display techniques that complement your décor and your personality When it comes to interior design, wall art is the cherry on the cake. Artwork can bolster your interior aesthetic and let you add your own personal touch to a space.

Before you start shopping for your new art, identify potential spaces in your home where you could hang your prints.

Gallery walls look great hanging next to a staircase, for example, as there’s plenty of space and height for a high quantity of

pictures. Areas that allow you to stop and stare, such as hallways or near seating, are also prime spots for prints, particularly small, detailed designs. You can even add art to areas that are sometimes forgotten, like the bathroom and the garden.

Once you’ve picked your locations, you’re ready to choose your prints. Before you start hanging them though, do a trial layout by placing the pictures on the

floor. This will allow you see the effect of a group of prints together and let you rearrange them easily, without the faff of hanging them and taking them down and moving hooks about.

Both tightly packed arrangements – like a page of stamps – and well-spaced layouts can create an impact, and sometimes a single painting is all you need. It’s all down to personal preference...

August 2021 85

What’s your art style?

IXXI Pink Cockatoo print by Elizabeth Gould, from £26.55, Natural History Museum

lacissalC

For timeless, elegant art, source classical or classically inspired prints.

Eighteenth- and nineteenth-century botanical and nature prints are having a revival, and suit modern homes just as well as period properties.

A large, spectacular print like this one from the National History Museum needs no accompaniment. Let it take centre stage on your wall and add extra drama with nearby accessories in complementary colours.

These glass paintings are hand-painted and depict a range of Indian traditions.

The painting technique is derived from classical Chinese methods, which reached India in the eighteenth century.

TOP TIP

If you love a bit of everything, try a mix-and-match style through the use of multiple mediums such as neon, typography, collage and textiles. With this style, the more the merrier so try your hand at a gallery wall and don’t be afraid to clash colours and styles and use a variety of frames.

Bamboo Sensu fan wall decorations, from £70, La Redoute

lovwee

Watercolour Kitchen print, £15, Violets Print House Choose Joy II print, from £14, Mambo at Fy!

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Electric Love indoors/outdoors art print, from £250, Yard Art UK

Napo wall hanging, £55; Puka wall hanging, £69.50; Tress chair, £375, all Oliver Bonas

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Indian glass paintings, from £45 each, Lisa Comfort Home

If your home has a lot of natural light flooding in, your artworks may be at risk of becoming sun-bleached and washed out.

To avoid your prints, particularly watercolours and oil paintings, from fading, be sure to hang them away from direct sun.

Style advice

Custom arch star map, from £20, Meant To Be

This plant study was taken by photographer Karl Blossfeldt in the 1920s. Use a wooden frame to soften the high black-and-white contrast of the print.

This customisable star map print would make a wonderful gift for a special occasion and the pared-back style fits the bill for a fan of the minimalist look.

There’s a pleasing contrast between the soft curves of this Cubik painted electric line drawing and the straight lines pendant in Gold, of the pendant light. £90, Iconic Lights It feels good to buy art that you love that also supports the career of an independent artist. Whether it’s buying a lovingly made postcard, or investing in a larger unique piece, ‘shopping small’ will add a whole new level of meaning to your walls.

Giclée paper collage print, £10, Luiza Holub via Etsy

Let’s Play Checkers print, £32, Florence + Blank

Candied Beetroot lino print, £45, Ellie Edwards Lino

eidnI

TOP TIP

Toikka lino print, £38, Nåde Store

Visit local art galleries for inspiration; notice how the artworks are displayed and positioned, both individually and as a whole.

tsilaminiM

Vintage Botanical Study two photo print, from £13, Ink & Drop

Sometimes less is more, so if the minimalist trend appeals to you, pick just one or two prints to display and choose artworks that complement your interiors, rather than stand out from them. The opposite of maximalism and eclecticism, minimalism works on the idea that by having less on display you give more meaning to the things that you do show. Every item has significance, so think about the room as a whole when selecting your art.

Expert buying advice How do you go about buying art or starting a collection to complement your décor? We asked Ian Hay, Director of The Saul Hay Gallery in Manchester, to give us his pro tips

● Have confidence in your own taste No one can tell you what you like, though people can make suggestions of course. I compare art to music; you don’t need to justify your taste in music or art. Art, like music, is instinctive so trust your taste and follow your intuition. ● Mark a milestone Buy a piece of art that marks a milestone, whether that’s a key birthday, a wedding or a smashed target at work. Seeing it every day will remind you of the celebration and make you smile. ● Support local artists that resonate Buy art that means something special to you; perhaps the artist is from the same place as you, or you have a special connection somehow. For a lot of art collectors, there’s a great philanthropic feeling when buying a piece knowing that you’re supporting a talented local artist whose work you really like, where you’re actively helping to keep their career going.

Visit saulhayfineart.co.uk to see their current and upcoming exhibitions August 2021 87

Hung up

So, you’ve got a delightful haul of paintings, prints and photos, but what’s the best way to hang them all? Make space on your floor and use our templates below to see which style works best for you and your art If you know what look or colour scheme you’d like but don’t feel confident choosing individual prints, a pre-made gallery wall can get you started on your art collecting journey. Take a look at the gallery wall sets on Desenio, which let you customise print size and frames.

Insporoom natural living 1 gallery wall, from £150, Desenio

Minimalist: The grid: Classic trio Classic Larger print becomes the focal point Equal and self-contained

The axis: Original Aligned along the edge to draw

attention to other parts of the room

The axis: Spiral Aligned internally but adds direction and movement

88 yourhomestyle.uk

Looking for more art ideas?

Check out our guides to the best affordable art and best garden art to buy online at yourhome style.uk

The grid: Mondrian Hierarchical and asymmetrical

The eclectic: Modern Modern trendy take on salon style

EASY MOWS IT.

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

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

CORDLESS RANGE

Isummerhouse turned our INTO MY

OFFICE STUDIO

Having outgrown the kitchen table, Caroline Borgman decided to create a dedicated space to work from home, full of clever storage, a DIY workstation and pretty handmade décor

About me

I’m Caroline Borgman, an interior designer, @carolineborgmaninteriors. I live with my husband, Anthony, and two children, Amelie and Felix. Our house is a stone-built cottage in West Oxfordshire, which we bought in 2007.

My room...

MY PROBLEM ROOM The outbuilding was already here when we moved in. It was used as a summerhouse by the previous owners, and we had it as a storage space for a while. When I launched my interior design business, I needed a well-organised studio to work from, so it made sense to transform the summerhouse.

HOW I MADE IT WORK We cleared the space out, painted the walls and sanded the floors. We put in a good storage system with floor-to-ceiling shelves and created a multipurpose work area.

MY FAVOURITE PART I love how flexible the space is – I can go from meeting clients to getting stuck into my design work. I especially love the floor-to-ceiling shelving and my spacious workstation where I can do my sewing, paint furniture or get through paperwork.

90 yourhomestyle.uk

Before

TOTAL

£1,808 ‘I had outgrown the kitchen table and needed my own dedicated work space’

Style idea

Hide a messy shelf with a pretty cushion facing outwards

Garden office makeover ‘The outhouse is a sturdy structure because it’s made of breeze blocks and cladded in wood. It has a pitched slate roof and is completely weatherproof,’ explains Caroline

‘My gran used to take me to antique fairs and auctions when I was young, which is where I got my love for vintage and handmade items,’ reveals Caroline

Caroline has mixed wicker baskets and white storage boxes in the open shelf display, which creates a stylish backdrop and softens the look.

The containers are lightweight and easy to access, perfect for storing fabric samples and loose craft supplies August 2021 91

Style advice Three simple tricks to try in your own home

THINK OF PRACTICALITIES

It’s important to have easy access to your workspace, so consider an island table in the centre of your room, like Caroline’s, that allows access from all angles.

With multiple projects on the go, Caroline needed a large work surface, so a worktop made from an old door was perfect. ‘If I’m having a paperwork day, I just plug in my laptop, or if it’s a creative day, I clear the space and use it as a cutting and sewing table.’

BE INSPIRED

Fill your space with things that get your creative juices flowing.

To create a calm sanctuary and an inspiring environment, Caroline painted the walls and shelves white to make the small space feel bigger and brighter.

Displaying items you’ve already made or putting pretty craft supplies, magazine pages that you like or a fave fabric you can’t wait to use on show will encourage your creative side.

MODERN HARDWARE

If space is tight, go for wall-mounted vertical shelving to keep all your supplies organised and easily accessible.

Caroline assembled a wall of IKEA shelving to fit just under the ceiling, making use of every inch of space.

‘The separate sections make it so much easier to find items and then file away stuff,’ says Caroline. ‘The open shelving also lets me display examples of my handmade work for clients to see.’

92 yourhomestyle.uk

Style idea

Create a sense of order and contain loose craft supplies in baskets and glass jars

Garden office makeover ‘I love the island table. When I’m putting together client moodboards, I have enough space to manoeuvre around and be creative and I can also use the desktop for painting pieces of furniture that I’m upcycling. Originally, I planned to have the table built against one wall, but I’m glad I changed my mind. It’s so much easier to be able to walk around it’

Decking extends the outside area and opens up the studio to the garden, while double doors let plenty of light in and provide beautiful garden views

MY EXPERIENCE

‘I especially love the floor-toceiling shelving and my spacious workstation where I can do my sewing, paint furniture or get through paperwork’

We had always said that one day we would turn the old summerhouse into my studio. After project managing the renovation of our own house, friends started asking for help with their interior design projects and I soon realised with all the samples, fabric, moodboards and paint pots I really needed my own dedicated space.

The room isn’t huge, so I wanted to make the best use of the space with a functional workspace and plenty of storage.

I needed a big table that could double up as a sewing table and a workstation, and it also had to have space to house the printer and sewing machine. I started sketching some ideas, but it became clear that I needed a bespoke piece. As I was on a tight budget, we decided to make one ourselves from some shelving and an old door for the worktop.

Next, we sanded the floors and painted them a light grey. I love grey; it’s a very forgiving colour and a perfect base for the rest of the scheme. For a streamlined look, we went for spotlights that give a soft glow over the shelves and provide good light for my detailed work. We also cleared the garden in front and Anthony fitted decking that, with the double doors open, makes the space feel bigger; I love being able to sit out there on hot sunny days.

It’s so much better discussing design projects with my clients in a dedicated studio; it looks so much more professional. On extracold days, I use a portable heater so I can enjoy the space and the lovely garden views all year round. The only thing I need now is a good coffee machine and then I’ll be happy!

My shopping list

● Walls painted in Pure Brilliant White, £17 for 5L, Dulux ● Floor painted in Purbeck Stone eggshell, £73 per 2.5L, Farrow & Ball ● KALLAX shelving units, from £45, IKEA ● For similar storage baskets, try Clever Cube seagrass baskets, £12, Homebase ● For a similar ladder, try the Ines decorative ladder in Oak, £44, Maisons du Monde ● For a similar cushion, try the Vintage Foxgloves Summer Flower Garden cushion, £28, Fy! ● For a similar bistro table set, try the foldable bistro table and chair set, £79.99, Woodside ● Grey pigeonhole shelving, £95; Floral cushion, £30; Grey lamp base with shade, £45; personalised White crate, from £10; handmade tweed bag, £48; Seagull-print bag, £48; lavender-filled hearts, £8, all Caroline Borgman Interiors Turn to p128 for stockist details August 2021 93

JL110 sewing machine in White, £130, John Lewis & Partners

£10 Jysk

Add country cottage vibes with the quilted Flora blanket

£5.95 Westminster Abbey Shop

Get the look...

Turn a traditional tea tin into a storage box

COUNTRY CHARM

You mightn’t have a garden room, like Caroline, but wherever you get creative, these pretty buys will help you keep your space spick and span £9 Primark

£65 IKEA

Style up open shelving with a few of these straw wicker cubes

With a tilting top, you can adjust the Mittback desk to suit what you’re doing

£6 Paperchase

Use washi tape to display pictures without damaging the walls

A strip of hessian makes this simple jar oh-so-sweet 94 yourhomestyle.uk

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£2.99 Ginger Ray

VE AT IN STM

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£16.95 Annabel James

Rule number one: keep the Emma Bridgewater Roses biscuit barrel topped up with your favourites

Get the look

S tyle advice

loweve

Take a seat

Crafters spend a lot of time sitting in the one spot, so treat yourself to a comfy chair you can cosy up in. If you’re just using the kitchen chairs, make it comfier with a plump cushion and a faux fur throw on the back.

Recycled storage

Reuse old tea and biscuit tins as storage for your loose craft supplies. Empty glass jars are great for stashing pens or things like buttons – some labels are pretty enough to be left on, or decorate them with a string of ribbon or lace wrapped around the outside.

£35 Paraffle

Make your own wall art with this lovely embroidery kit

Shine on

Position your desk near a window for lots of natural light. A floor-standing lamp or adjustable desk light can be moved so you can focus the light on the task at hand.

£25 Hobbycraft

£17 Sophie Allport For instant cuteness, just add Sophie Allport’s Woodland Party bunting

This three-tier trolley takes up minimal space and offers maximum storage

‘From clever storage to pretty decorations, style up a craft space that inspires creativity’

Wildflower Paper Club subscription gift, from £12, Wildflower Paper Club

£25 Athena Art

Pretty up the walls with Chloe Rafferty’s Jug Of Flowers print

With 20 separate compartments, this double-sided case will keep your craft stash organised August 2021 95

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£33.95 Creative Options

Our once plainis now kitchen BRIGHT &

TOTAL

£2,570

CHEERFUL

Painting the walls and cupboard doors in pastel colours has made a world of difference to Heather Craig’s kitchen and saved her splurging on a brand-new design

About me

I’m Heather Craig @heatherrosieolivehome and I’m an assistant in early years learning. I live in a four-bedroom 1940s house in Dunfermline with my husband, Brian, an oil rig operations manager, and our children, Rosie, six, and Olive, four.

My room...

MY PROBLEM KITCHEN The oak cupboards and granite work surfaces were good quality, but they were a safe choice and in an older style that made the room look drab. I love colour, so I really wanted the kitchen to reflect that.

HOW I MADE IT WORK Painting the walls pastel blue and the cupboards a pale pink has really brightened the room. The colour scheme also complements the worktop and floor really well – I quite like the black now! We added more work surface space with a free-standing island and styled the room with colourful chairs, artwork, a patterned blind and tablecloth.

MY FAVOURITE PART I’m really pleased with the IKEA shelves in the dining area, which I painted to look like built-in furniture. It was previously crammed with clutter, so it looks much better now it’s been styled.

96 yourhomestyle.uk

Before

‘I felt brave enough to paint the kitchen pink because it wasn’t brand new’

Kitchen makeover Colour-confident Heather loved the idea of a pale blue and pink kitchen, so she gave the existing cupboards and walls a facelift with a lick of pastel paint

bbiG nosilA gnilytS bbiG salguoD sotohP nednettirC enaJ erutaeF

Style idea

Check the height of seating – here, bar stools were too high, but countertop stools are just right August 2021 97

Style advice Three simple tricks to try in your own home

PRETTY IN PINK

Heather thought the silver fridge-freezer jarred next to the pink cupboards. She considered wrapping the doors in pink vinyl but was put off as it tends to wrinkle, so she painted them instead. ‘I used sugar soap to clean the doors and then painted them in Rust-Oleum’s universal all-surface paint in Satin Rose, a paint and primer in one.

I sanded between the three coats to remove bubbles,’ she says. ‘It was definitely worth doing and at £19.99 a tin, it was such a cheap revamp.’

Style idea

Make shelves look like fitted furniture by painting them the same colour as the walls

SMART ART

Having previously stuck the children’s artwork to the walls, Heather wanted a tidier solution.

She found MDF pegboards from eBay and painted the sheets white for a fresh, modern look. To make it more of a stand-out feature, Heather framed the board with a border of scalloped wall stickers from Dekornik. ‘I love the look of the stickers and I might use them to create a frame for some artwork without the pegboard.’

She finished the look with pegs from Peg and Board to display a collection of favourite pieces including her children’s drawings, Polaroid pictures and postcards.

SHELFIE MOMENTS

Having a shelf beside the cooker is a great way to add interest to a bare wall. For a co-ordinated style, Heather has painted her shelf in the same colour as the cupboards and has fun changing up the art and trinkets she puts out on display, putting personality into this practical space. Heather has filled her collection of vintage glass bottles, from local shop Kitty at Home, with flowers from the garden.

She bought the T in the Park festival artwork from illustrator @bertiebryans. ‘The image of the big wheel and tents is iconic,’ says Heather. ‘It’s a nostalgic throwback for Brian and I because we’d go every year.’

98 yourhomestyle.uk

‘Before, I held back with colour but I’m glad I went for it in this space’

Kitchen makeover Cath Kidston patterns and flashes of mustard give a hint of warmth to the pastels, complementing the pink window frame and colourful chairs from Sklum. Heather already had the farmhouse table, which she painted pink

Heather replaced the black glass splashback with low-key white tiles that have been finished with black grout to tie in with the granite worktop

MY EXPERIENCE

We didn’t have the budget to replace the kitchen that was already here when we moved in, nor did we really want to. It’s great quality and it wouldn’t have been very eco-friendly to just get rid of it.

However, I love colour and thought the beige walls, oak cupboards and black worktops looked very plain, so we decided to refresh what we had.

I was desperate to add colour and loved the way Instagrammers @thehousethatcolourbuilt and @therachelhendersonstudio fully commit to colour in their projects. I got Love Restored, a local company, who upcycle furniture with Annie Sloan paint, to paint the cupboards a pale pink, as I’ve loved pink since I was young.

We felt like the big room was crying out for an island too, so we bought one made from oak, which gave us extra worktop space.

Unfortunately, the wood kept splitting and after having the island replaced a couple of times, we decided to buy one from IKEA instead. After recently renovating our bathroom, we had some pink striped tiles left over, which Brian used to cover the back of the island and I painted the walls pastel blue.

From a practical perspective, the integrated washing machine and fridge-freezer were really small for a family of four, so we replaced them with bigger models. I finished the room with a set of colourful chairs and a striped blind and floral tablecloth from Cath Kidston, which pick out all the colours in the room. Before I held back with colour, but I’m glad I went for it in this space – I will very happily live with this kitchen for years.

My shopping list

● For a similar washer-dryer, try the Samsung Series 5 ecobubble washer-dryer, £629; for a similar fridge-freezer, try the Samsung RB7300T fridge-freezer in stainless steel, £649, both ao.com ● Fridge-freezer painted in Rust-Oleum universal all-surface paint in Satin Rose, £19.99 per 750ml, Homebase ● Walls painted in Valspar V700 premium blend in Barking Creek, £46 for 5L, B&Q ● Cupboard doors painted in Antoinette chalk paint, £21.95 per 1L, Annie Sloan ● For similar wall tiles, try the Spellbound Matt White wall tiles, £24.95 per sq m, Walls and Floors ● VADHOLMA kitchen island, £299, IKEA ● For similar stools, try the Ernest bar stool, £94.99 each, Homescapes ● Lix chair, £52.95 each, Sklum ● Habitat three-door locker in Mustard, £100, Argos ● Ca’ Pietra Neapolitan porcelain tiles in Pink, £56.25 per box, Style Ideas Direct ● Cath Kidston Mid Stripe Candy blind, £107, Blinds 2go ● Summer Floral tablecloth, £35, Cath Kidston ● Wesco Grandy bread bin in Pink, £69, Red Candy ● Pegboard, £13.95 per sheet, eBay ● Five-pack of pegs, £10, Peg and Board ● Circles Mustard wall stickers, £40, Dekornik ● Make Me a Cup of Tea artwork, £30, Jessie Cave ● Fiori Stripe jug, £22.50, Oliver Bonas Turn to p128 for stockist details

£40 Cath Kidston

Retro Pink four-slice toaster, £40, Dunelm

Make a meal of it with Cath Kidston’s Provence Rose dinner plates

Get the look...

SWEETNESS & BRIGHT

Give dark, dull kitchens a quick and easy lift, like Heather, with happy accessories that will cheer up any space in an instant

loweve

£13 George Home

Add a pop of colour to the table with this 16-piece pastel cutlery set

£118.99 Wayfair

The Horace bar stool comes in lots of different colours, so mix and match

£19.99 Dobbies

Couples, this two-cup teapot is the one for you 100 yourhomestyle.uk

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This Best in Show tea towel is the perfect gift for the doglover who has everything

E R G T NE

£4.95 Rex London

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Get the look

S tyle advice

On repeat

£12 Oliver Bonas

To stop the look being too chaotic, repeat key colours throughout the space for a styled, cohesive feel. A patterned piece that features all the colours in one place is a clever way to draw everything together.

Go for it!

Don’t be afraid to take risks. As Heather shows, main features like doors, walls and even kitchen appliances painted in pastel colours make a stylish statement.

Common ground

Avoid the style being too overwhelming by sticking to a neutral base. Plain-coloured tiles, worktops and floors will help create balance and allow your brightly coloured accessories to shine. It’ll also be easier to add new accessories when you fancy a change.

£95 AO

Bring a little love to your cuppa with this retro-inspired mug

Who needs a café when the coffee is this good at home?

From £25 Urban Outfitters

Sophie Ward’s vintage-inspired wall art is perfect for a kitchen-diner

£22.99 HomeSense

£6.99 Homescapes

With button straps, this comfy cotton seat pad will stay securely on the chair

For less washing-up, one-pot recipes are the way forward

‘Contrasting finishes, such as wood, darker colours and metallics, give pastels a sophisticated spin’

Retro-style Rainbow porcelain mugs, £9.89 each, Joyce & Joan

£14.50 Red Candy

Seymour the sloth is sure to cheer you up on blue days

£8 Matalan

snruB anoirtaC erutaeF

Keep kitchen worktops neat and tidy with stylish canisters

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O ur loft bedroom is now

OUR OWN LITTLE RETREAT

Laura Davies has transformed her unused loft into a stylish bedroom and en suite, creating the perfect place to escape to at the end of the day

About me

I’m Laura Davies, 43, a freelance beauty writer. I live with my husband, David, 43, an area manager, and my daughters Nico, 11, and Marcy, nine, and Elvis, our teacup poodle. Our home is a four-bedroom Victorian terrace in Worthing.

My room...

MY PROBLEM ROOM We just didn’t have enough space in the house, so in February 2019 we decided to convert our attic into a master bedroom with a large en suite. You can see more on my Instagram @leopard_print_stairs.

HOW I MADE IT WORK We put down vinyl flooring and installed brick slips on the walls for a New York loft look. Bespoke built-in wardrobes have helped us maximise storage space and we went for a spacious walk-in shower for a bit of luxury.

MY FAVOURITE PART It has to be the vintage Scandart sideboard that we upcycled into a vanity unit. We installed electric plug sockets inside so that we can keep our electric toothbrush chargers out of sight.

Before

102 yourhomestyle.uk

TOTAL

£3,825

Bedroom and en suite makeover

‘The little wooden table was in my childhood home so it holds lots of memories for me. It’s got character and it slots perfectly in the space too,’ says Laura

‘I love waking up in the mornings with the sunlight shining through the macramé curtain’

‘The round gold-effect mirror is from MADE.com – we didn’t want all black everything, so we mixed it up a bit with gold touches on the mirror, the light fittings and the switches’

At £35, the peacock wicker chair was a bargain off eBay. ‘I’m a fan of buying off Facebook Marketplace and I have alerts on eBay for things I’m looking for,’ says Laura. The chair was originally bought for the living room, but Laura moved it up to the bedroom to complete the boho look. The floor-length mirror from Dunelm is the latest addition to the space. ‘I’m just going to keep it leaning against the wall,’ says Laura.

‘It bounces light around the room and makes the space feel bigger’ August 2021 103

Style advice Three simple tricks to try in your own home

CUSTOM BUILT

With a sloping ceiling to work with, Laura was restricted when it came to a wardrobe. Custommade built-in units have made the most of the available space and the couple went for plyboard fronts to keep costs down. Doors were designed at an angle to fit in with the slanted ceiling, and they fold fully open so they don’t get in the way of the bed opposite.

‘I have a lot of clothes,’ says Laura, ‘so I wanted to maximise storage space. We’ve used a mix of shelves, rails and storage boxes where we keep things like t-shirts and socks, so it feels really organised.’

WHAT’S IMPORTANT?

‘Having a spacious shower meant compromising on bedroom space, but I’d do it again in a heartbeat,’ says Laura. ‘It feels very luxurious, and I love how the cubicle is a feature of the room; the Crittall screen frames it so beautifully.’

A walk-in enclosure adds a minimalist, contemporary edge while maximizing the use of the space. A recessed shelf for toiletries and a rail, where the couple have hung plants, add extra detail to the shower, while the matt wall tiles were picked out mainly because they’re easy to keep clean.

GO FAUX

‘We wanted to keep the bare brick walls, but we couldn’t due to health and safety regulations. Instead, we installed brick slips – tiles that look like bricks – to replicate the look,’ explains Laura. ‘The tiler fitted the brick slips to the plasterboard and then a brickie did the mortar. We decided to paint the bricks in a bright white, just to really keep the feeling of light in the room. I’m so pleased with how they turned out. We got the look of the brick wall we wanted without the dust, mess and potential draughts.

It was definitely a practical and stylish design solution.’

104 yourhomestyle.uk

‘I feel so lucky to have such a nice space to escape to at the end of the day’

Bedroom and en suite makeover ‘I’m obsessed with plants,’ says Laura.

‘I can’t go anywhere without bringing a plant back and they love it up here as it’s so bright and sunny. This rail is a great place to hang them’

As the couple gave up floor space in the bedroom to make room for a luxurious bathroom, it was important to keep the small space clutter-free.

With bespoke fitted wardrobes and built-in cupboards, there’s plenty of storage space to keep clothes and accessories out of sight. They’ve also kept free-standing furniture, such as the MADE.com bed and wooden side tables, to a minimum, for a fuss-free look

MY EXPERIENCE

We always wanted to convert the loft, but after seven years renovating our home, we were exhausted. After a break, and needing more space, we finally took the plunge in 2019 and set about converting the space into our bedroom and en suite.

After getting a few quotes, we chose the same company who renovated our kitchen because we were impressed with their work before. When we got the architect’s drawings, we were disappointed to see there was a tiny shower room tucked into the eaves. As David is 6ft 4in, we had to rethink the layout. We decided to make the bedroom smaller to gain the headroom we needed for a walk-in shower.

We originally planned to have a sliding door dividing the two spaces, but when the plasterboard was installed, we didn’t like how much daylight we were losing. We decided to forget the door altogether. It’s not something that would work for everyone, but I love waking up in the mornings and seeing the view from our bed with the sunlight shining through the macramé curtain.

Our loft conversion feels like our own little retreat at the top of the house. I’m so happy with the design and feel lucky to have such a nice space to escape to at the end of the day.

My shopping list

Style idea

For a modern twist on a classic style, arrange metro tiles in a vertical layout

● For similar flooring try Bayswater Herringbone flooring in Natural Oak, £67.49 per sq m, Direct Wood Flooring ● Liberty black grid shower screen, £560, Roman Ltd ● Matte Black thermostatic shower, £495; Cube stone resin countertop basin, £270, both Lusso Stone ● Sleek Edison walllights in Brass, £29 each, Industville ● For a similar vanity unit, try the Hafstrom sideboard, £699, John Lewis & Partners ● Arles round large mirror in Brushed Brass, £169; Bran towel ring, £39; Liana bed in Ash and Rattan, £749; for a similar chair, try the Elka cane peacock chair, £349, all MADE.com ● For similar brick slips, try the Weathered White brick slips, £32.99 per box, My Brick Wall ● Linear White Matt Brick wall tiles, £17.95 per sq m, Walls and Floors ● For a similar towelladder, try the Leit ladder £34.95, Sklum ● Hanging rattan basket, £12.99, H&M Home ● Pineapple Elephant Menara bed linen set, from £20; Diamond macramé cushion, £22; Apartment Leaner mirror, £100, all Dunelm ● Pink Pleated Pinwheel cushion, £10, George Home ● For similar bedsidelights try the Wild White Metal and Natural Fibre wall light, £77 ● Ecru cotton macramé curtain, £88, Maisons du Monde ● Lightswitches, from a selection, Dowsing & Reynolds ● Rågkorn plant pot, £19, IKEA Turn to p128 for stockist details

Liberty double bed frame in Petal velvet, £899, DFS

£18 Oliver Bonas

The zip-up Flora jewellery box is handy for taking your fave accessories away with you

£21 Mint & May

Mix different-shaped cushions to create interest on the bed

Get the look...

DREAMY BOHEMIAN Put a glam twist on this free-spirited style, like Laura, with gold accents, soft shades and a mix of natural textures E R G T NE

E R G T NE M

VE AT IN STM

TSEVNI TA

£194 Maisons du Monde

You’ll be showing this peacock armchair off for years to come

£21 Argos

The reversible Agra Indian Garden duvet set is a two-for-one bargain

106 yourhomestyle.uk

Get the look

S tyle advice

£35 John Lewis & Partners

loweve

All the feels

For a sumptuous look and feel, mix and match different materials and textures.

Contrast velvet with rattan, pampas grass against glass, or faux fur and linen for feel-good vibes.

Nothing beats a sheepskin rug for sinking your toes into

Golden oldies

Much of this style is rooted in the 70s so have a hunt on eBay, in charity shops or car boot sales to see what vintage gems can be found. It might be worth asking your parents or grandparents too – who knows what could be hiding in the attic.

Go softly

Keep the look laid-back and relaxed with subdued colours. Pair off-white and beige with soft pastels like dusty pink, olive green and pale lilac.

£6 Primark

A geometric glass pot glams up this faux plant

£32 Five And Dime

Made from bamboo, this coat rack ticks the style and sustainability boxes

‘Let sunlight filter through sheer or light linen curtains for a natural sun-kissed look’ £198 Anthropologie

Natural jute and a tasselled trim give ultimate boho vibes Margot bed linen set, from £110, Undercover Living

£109 Very

Marble and metallic makes the Harper a stand-out side table

£100.99 ManoMano

Use a macramé curtain for a door, window or as a room divider

snruB anoirtaC erutaeF

£10 Urban Outfitters

Pressed flowers add romance to the scheme August 2021 107

AUTICAL

Turn old sardine tins into cute little lanterns, perfect for lighting up your garden or a beach BBQ

LA TER S N N

N lleB eissuS otohp niaM htA’eD asiL-annA stohs pets dna tcejorp ,erutaeF

108 yourhomestyle.uk

Style idea

Mix and match the colours and fragrances you use to suit your style and the season

top tip

It’s much easier to decorate your tin before you open it.

But once you do open it, be careful of any sharp edges. You can use a sanding block to dull them if necessary.

These nautical lanterns are easy to pop in your hamper for a day at the beach. The lids help to protect the candle flame from being extinguished by the sea breeze

Takes 3 hours you will need n

 Sardine tins  White spray paint  Acrylic paints  Paintbrush  Masking tape  Uniball POSCA marker pens, £3.50 each, Hobbycraft  Pre-waxed wick

assemblies for soya wax 100mm, £2.50 for a pack of 10, Hobbycraft  Scissors  Soya wax flakes, £8.50 per 1kg, Hobbycraft  Saucepan  Glass mixing bowl  Wooden spoon  Pyrex jug  Tranquility and Ocean Spray soap fragrance oil, £6 for 20ml, Hobbycraft

1

Working in a well-ventilated area, or outside if you can, cover the work area with old newspaper or a dust sheet. Use white spray paint to paint the top and sides of the sardine tin. Apply three coats of paint, allowing each coat to dry thoroughly before applying the next. Use a slow, back and forth motion when spraying to ensure even coverage and a drip-free finish.

Mask horizontal stripes around the sides of the tin with masking tape and paint the exposed surface using a fine brush and acrylic paints in two shades of blue. Allow to dry thoroughly before carefully removing the tape. Next, use paint pens to draw your chosen design on the top surface of the tin, as shown. Allow to dry.

Carefully peel the lid of the tin open halfway, remove the contents of the tin and gently wash the inside with warm soapy water to clean it. Leave to dry thoroughly.

2 3

4 5

Upcycling challenge

Place a glass bowl over a pan of boiling water and add some soya wax flakes to the bowl. Allow them to melt, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon.

Once the wax is melted, dip the bottom of a wick assembly in the wax then place it in the sardine tin close to the front edge.

The wax will help fix it into place. Trim away the excess wick leaving 2cm proud of the rim of the tin.

Add a few drops of candle fragrance to the melted wax then stir well. Decant the wax into a glass measuring jug, then use this to carefully pour the wax into the tin until it reaches just below the rim.

Use an old clothes peg to hold the wick upright, as shown, while the wax solidifies, then trim the wick down to 1cm above the surface of the wax. When using your lantern, angle the tin so the lid protects the flame from any breeze.

6 7

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5

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August 2021 109

Eas upc cle

BOHO ROPE TRAY This pretty cotton rope tray by Amber Clark can be made in little over an hour and will look fabulous styled on a coffee table or sideboard

You will need

● 13 inch pizza tray ● 9mm diameter cotton rope (we used 2 x 15m packs) ● Glue gun ● Scissors ● Staple gun Take a length of rope and curl over the end then glue straight onto the centre of the pizza tray, using a glue gun. It’s easier to put the glue onto the tray then firmly press the rope onto the glue, taking care as the glue is very hot.

Continue to curl the rope around in a circular pattern adding dots of glue to the tray and pressing the rope down firmly as you go. Keep wiping away excess glue as necessary. If you run out of rope, glue the end of the second piece to the first and continue until the whole of the top of the pizza tray is covered.

Once you get to the edge, begin layering and gluing the rope on top of itself to create a raised edge. We used four rows of rope.

Create handles by cutting two pieces of rope to the size you’d like and gluing to opposite sides of the tray, ensuring the ends are hidden on the underside of the tray. Use the staple gun to secure the handles in place.

Carefully flip the tray upside down and curl and glue rope to cover the ends of the handles and the base of the tray. This will give you a neat finish and stop the tray from scratching any surfaces. Leave the glue to dry for two hours before using your tray.

Follow Amber Clark on Instagram for more upcycling ideas, @amberclarkhome

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110 yourhomestyle.uk

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kralC rebmA yhpargotohp dna ekaM

Top tip

If your rope ends are a little frayed, give them a trim and add a dot of glue to stop them fraying again before gluing to the tray.

3 4

#myHShome

Get in touch

Use the #myHShome hashtag on Instagram for your chance to appear on this very page!

CALMING CORNER

Our home style incorporates Scandinavian and rustic accents with a neutral colour palette of beige, browns and shades of white to give the feeling of calmness and tranquility. Adding a colour block behind the reclaimed wood shelves creates an area of interest and a backdrop that enhances all my decorative accessories, which I’m forever changing up. I also like to add a pop of green with a plant or two to add balance. @stylingourabode

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

Sponsored by...

WIN A VOUCHER! month’s #myHShome – you’ve won some ecofriendly recyclable Orthex SmartStore storage worth over £25, from Homebase! Use the #myHShome hashtag on Instagram to show us your fave room for your chance to win a prize next month.

FEELING ZESTY

The brighter the better, I say, when it comes to home decor!

I love injecting colour into every corner of my home, from the staircase to the kitchen. When deciding what to do in the living room I couldn’t resist this vibrant lemon wallpaper, which has now added a cheerful, happy feel to the room. Mix that with a handful of my houseplants and it has created a fab space I absolutely love. @leafs_at_home

FIRST IMPRESSIONS COUNT

SPACE-SAVING STYLE

Our interior design mission has been to make each space a ‘destination’. We wanted to bring this concept to even the smallest areas of our home, like our narrow Edwardian hallway. We’re both fashion designers and we wanted the first thing people see when they walk in to be something that represents us; bold, creative and graphic, but still pared back. We like to keep our home harmonious by choosing earthy, neutral colours. @justoffroselane

For our style we definitely have a focus on combining colours and creating a warm and cosy space to chill out. We don’t overthink things and simply buy individual bits that we love and bring them all together. It works for us. We have to stay practical in such a small house too, so for example having this floating shelf instead of a dressing table means that our wee dog and his bed can fit underneath! @tinyweehoose August 2021 111

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

Milano Ultra kitchen in Camel and Bianco, from £3,372, Wren Kitchens

a narrow galley kitchen and would like Qto makeItohaveupdate the kitchen cabinets. What can I do the kitchen feel light and spacious?

Caro Langley, Wiltshire Darren Watts, Design Director at Wren Kitchens, A says… When creating a spacious galley kitchen, there’s one golden rule - don’t waste your space. When you’re updating

trebliG yelyaH erutaeF

your cabinets, ensure that you have considered storage solutions. If you have awkward corners, consider some rotating magic corner storage.

The more items on your worktops, the smaller your kitchen will feel.

When deciding on overhead kitchen cabinets, really consider where your points of natural light are coming from. Avoid blocking the path of natural light because that’s the easiest way to make a compact kitchen feel cramped and dark.

With a small kitchen, don’t allow colour to scare you. Playing around with colour is a great way to make your space distinctive and personalised. However, when designing a narrow galley kitchen, don’t overload your palette. Stick to one or two shades for your cabinets, walls and floors. This will ensure that the space doesn’t look chaotic or overly busy. In terms of colour choice, this is definitely down to personal taste rather than practicality. However, for a narrow galley-style kitchen, neutrals and pastels can enhance the space, but don’t be afraid to contrast with some deeper shades.

112 yourhomestyle.uk

HFP 5O41 WLG X UK freestanding dishwasher with ActiveDry, £499, Hotpoint

d like my kitchen to be as ecoQbuy aI’friendly as possible. Am I ok to dishwasher? Liv Chapman, Lincoln Kimberley Garner, Brand Manager Amisconception at Hotpoint, says… It’s a common that dishwashers are

water-hungry and inefficient. In fact, if you want to be more eco-friendly, you should invest in a dishwasher.

A dishwasher uses less water than handwashing. The Hotpoint freestanding dishwasher (HFP 5O41 WLG X UK), for instance, uses 9.5 litres of water on its eco programme.

A standard washing-up bowl holds around the same amount. However, as the dishwasher holds 14 place settings, you’d need to refill your bowl numerous times to effectively clean the same number of dishes. Modern dishwashers also benefit from energy-efficient technology. ActiveDry technology in Hotpoint dishwashers automatically opens the door at the end of the cycle to naturally air-dry dishes, reducing energy consumption by up to 20 per cent.

DIY but find it really tricky to Qany tips?IpaintloveDanielle a neat edge. Can you give me Shah, Newport Marcus Jarvis, In House Painter & AFirst, Decorator at Harris Brushes, says... get a brush designed for ‘cutting in’

the edges of the room, light switches, window frames and skirting boards. The Harris Ultimate Walls & Ceilings Blade Brush is perfect, as tapered bristles create an edge as thin as a blade, giving you absolute control. Patented Harris NO-LOSS™ technology also means no loose bristles.

Working in 1m segments, place the Blade’s wide tip against the edge and pull the paint along. Then paint higher using the brush as normal to create 5-10cm around the edge itself. Next, switch to the Ultimate Walls & Ceilings Flat Brush or Ultimate Powercoat Roller for fast coverage on large areas. Start a foot from where Ultimate Walls you’ve cut in. & Ceilings Blade For a fine finish with no brush, from ‘framing’, use a ‘W’ motion towards £3.20; Ultimate the painted area, overlapping Powercoat but without touching edges. roller and Harris tools are designed to sleeve, from make decorating easier and the £7.42, Harris packaging is colour-coded by task, Brushes so you’ll know what you need.

Expert advice

of my windows need replacing and I’m QversusSome wondering what the advantages are of triple double glazing? Alison Gainey, Sheffield Lee, Communications Director at AIn recentJames MyGlazing.com, offers the following advice… years, demand for triple glazing has been created

MyGlazing.com is the consumer advice site of the Glass & Glazing Federation

just moved house and want Qway toI’vetoclean deep clean. What’s the best laminate floors without damaging them? Alina Sani, London David Snazel, Buyer for hard A flooring at Carpetright, has this advice… Modern day print and production

Corinthian laminate in Palacade, £24.99 per sq m, Carpetright

VICE ?

D A T If you have a ERhome DIY dilemma or improvement

P X ED

processes now mean that most styles of flooring can be emulated with a laminate floor, from classic wood planks to stone and tile effects – and all for a reasonable price. Exceptionally durable, low-maintenance and easy to clean, laminate flooring is also a popular choice for families and busy homes.

It’s important not to use abrasive chemicals on laminates and, as such, a water and vinegar solution should suffice. As most laminates are not waterproof, use a lightly damp mop or cloth to clean, as too much moisture could cause your laminate to warp.

For any future spills, use a dry cloth to wipe up the product before using vinegar solution. Specialist cleaning products can also be used for a more intense clean.

To ensure your laminate remains in great condition for years to come, avoid a build-up of dirt and dust by brushing and vacuuming regularly. You could also consider door mats or runners in high-traffic areas such as entrances and hallways, to help stop dirt being spread. Additionally, although laminate is particularly durable, avoid dragging furniture across it and if you’re particularly worried about damage, consider placing soft castors under chairs and table legs to prevent scratches and dents.

due to the increased awareness of its thermal benefits, and it becoming the standard specification within low- and zero-energy homes.

One of the main differences is the extra pane of glass, which helps increase energy efficiency and reduces your carbon footprint. Almost a quarter of household heat energy is lost via inefficient windows and doors, however energy can be wasted in different areas of the home too.

So, it’s important to also look at where else you may be losing heat to improve overall efficiency.

While triple glazing can give improvements to thermal performance, it is still possible to achieve a Window Energy Rating (WER) of A+ using double glazing.

Another difference is the sheer physical weight of triple glazing versus the lighter weight of double. If you are getting triple glazing installed, you could incur additional costs such as reinforced fixings and frames. In terms of overall cost comparisons, this will vary depending on the job, the company and the product type, but generally you should expect to pay more for triple than double glazing.

Both types offer great benefits that will improve energy efficiency, save on heating bills, reduce noise pollution and increase the value of your property. Whichever you choose, both types of windows will last decades – so, long term, it’s a wise investment.

EE N

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

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HUNDREDS OF GREAT-VALUE IDEAS FOR EVERY ROOM

Be inspired by real reader homes and makeovers

Affordable decorating ideas & Quick and delicious recipes design advice for every room to feed all the family

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WHEN YOU SUBSCRIBE TO YOUR HOME MAGAZINE

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Visit www.buysubscriptions.com/YHH21 Or call 03301 358962† and quote: YHH21 OFFER ENDS 31st December 2021 *3 issues for £5 offer only is only available to UK residents paying by Direct Debit. After your first 3 issues your subscription will continue at £10.75 every 6 issues. If you cancel within 2 weeks of receiving your 2nd issue you will pay no more than £5. Your subscription will start with the next available issue. †UK calls will cost the same as other standard fixed line numbers (starting 01 or 02) and are included as part of any inclusive or free minutes allowances (if offered by your phone tariff). Outside of free call packages call charges from mobile phones will cost between 3p and 55p per minute. Lines are open Mon to Fri 8am – 6pm and Sat 9am – 1pm.’

v av home solutions

Helpful hints

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

Shop smart

Shoe shine Look after your hands

Rub the inside of banana Take these sturdy mesh bags to the supermarket to store loose fruit and veg and cut down on plastics. A pack of three includes small, peel on your medium and large bags, all made from 100 per cent recycled shoes as an plastic bottles. Their pastel colours mean they’ll look great hanging eco-friendly up in your kitchen too, and 1 per cent of sales go to Just One polish and Ocean and WWF UK. Mesh bags, £10 for three, kindbag.co watch scuffs disappear.

Anti-bac gel giving you dry hands? Yankee Candle’s new hand sanitisers include hydrating glycerine and essential oils to help counteract dryness.

Available in Clean Cotton and Lemon Lavender, £3.99 for a 100ml refillable bottle, yankeecandle.co.uk

Go wireless and wall-mounted

Free your surfaces from wires with the sleek Kit Qi wireless wall charger. It plugs into your wall socket and allows two phones or one tablet to charge wirelessly. Your device will be propped up vertically; handy for displaying a recipe, watching a show or Zooming at your desk. Available for £49.99 from amazon.co.uk

BAKER’S APPROVAL

PURSE-FRIENDLY This lightweight, fool-proof design had us mightily impressed for the price.

Russell Hobbs Food Collection hand mixer, £15.99, Very

CORDLESS

This snazzy cord-free number has seven whisking speeds.

Choose from five colours to match your kitchen style.

Cordless hand mixer, £149, KitchenAid

nottuD eitaK erutaeF

Comfortable to hold with powerful performance, it also stores away neatly.

Kenwood HandMix Lite, Mary Berry edition, £32.99, Lakeland

Kitchen essentials: Hand mixers

August 2021 115

Choose cork

Love your laundry To brighten your whites without the need for eco damaging chemicals, try alternative bleach, which is non-toxic, fragrance-free and just as effective on tough stains. It can be used all over the house, from floors to baking trays. A little goes a long way too. £10.50 for 1L, norfolknaturalliving.com

Cornwall-based homeware brand Liga are on a mission to make sustainable everyday products affordable for everyone. These ocean-themed placemats and coasters are made from ecofriendly, heat-resistant cork, which absorbs CO2 from the atmosphere and is ethically harvested in Portugal. From £2.75 for a coaster, loveliga.co.uk

Weather-proof garden furnishings

Just kitted out your garden room?

Extend the life of outdoor rugs and soft seating with Tent and Gear SolarProof spray from Nixwax, which adds a water-repellent layer and reduces UV damage from the sun. The formula is water-based, non-aerosol, non-flammable and environmentally friendly. £10 for 500ml, blacks.co.uk

Cover up

Keep food fresh with reusable eco cotton covers, £12 from Your Green Kitchen

lemon peel

When life gives you

Harm-free bug repeller

Did you know that most of our food waste is from fresh fruit and veg? Before you compost your citrus peel, try these...

Turn lemon peel into limoncello, an Italian lemon liqueur: simply add your lemon peelings to a jar, fill with vodka and leave to infuse for a month. Use in trifles or drink as a shot!

Throw citrus peels in with white vinegar and let sit for four weeks, then decant into a spray bottle and use as a surface cleaner.

Tips courtesy of skipsandbins.com

RefillableReusesurface cleaners for a greener home your current cleaning spray bottles with these eco refill packs

Neat concentrated cleaning refill, 30ml and makes 500ml with water, £3, Friendly Turtle 116 yourhomestyle.uk

Grapefruit and Geranium all-purpose sanitiser spray refill, 1L, £3.99, Bower Collective

Made Kind Lavender, Rosemary and Peppermint multi-surface cleaner refill, 1L, £8.90, Greenesty

The Thermacell Halo mini patio shield mosquito and midge repeller is a small, transportable device that creates a 20m square shield against buzzing and biting summer bugs, without harming them.

The unit is just 23.5cm tall and costs £34.99 from Lakeland

oc oking

QUICK-FIX

NO-FUSS MEALS AND EASY RECIPES TO TRY THIS MONTH In need of inspiration?

Turn over for easy midweek meals and BBQ dishes that are sure to be a big hit!

p118

Prawn fried rice

p120

Lentil hotdogs

p123

Halloumi, mushroom and courgette skewers

p118

French egg salad

Tasty midweek meals Make the most of the balmy summer evenings with these crowd-pleasing

MONDAY

TUESDAY

FRENCH LENTIL SALAD WITH HARD-BOILED EGGS

WEDNESDAY

PREP TIME 10 MINS COOK TIME 20 MINS SERVES 2 INGREDIENTS ● 5 tbsp olive oil ● 1 onion, finely chopped ● 3 celery stalks, finely diced ● 1 large carrot, finely diced ● 4 garlic cloves, crushed ● 400g tin cooked green lentils, rinsed and drained ● 2 tbsp lemon juice ● 1 tsp honey ● 1 tsp Dijon mustard ● Salt ● Freshly ground black pepper ● 2 eggs ● 100g goats’ cheese ● 30g roasted salted almonds, roughly chopped ● Small handful of flat-leaf parsley, chopped METHOD

1 Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a deep frying pan or

casserole dish. Add the onion, celery, carrot and garlic and cook until softened. Turn off the heat, add the lentils, stir through and set to one side.

BAKED FETA WITH CHARRED 2 Bring a pan of water to the boil. Reduce to a COURGETTES simmer and add the eggs. Cook for 10 minutes a hard centre. Once cooked, run under cold PREP TIME 10 MINS COOK TIME 15 MINS for water then remove the eggshell and cut the SERVES 6 eggs in half.

INGREDIENTS 3 Make a dressing by shaking together the lemon juice, honey, mustard, 4 tbsp olive oil and ● 3 tbsp olive oil, plus extra for brushing ● 200g rainbow chard, stalks finely chopped seasoning in a jar. Add the dressing to the pan of and leaves reserved ● 200g feta cheese, cut lentil mixture and stir through. into chunks ● 1 lemon, zest and juice ● 15g 4 Divide the mixture between 2 bowls, top with flat-leaf parsley, chopped ● ½ red chilli, seeded the eggs, crumbled goats’ cheese, almonds and and chopped ● 1 tsp coriander seeds, crushed chopped parsley, to serve. and ground ● 3 courgettes, sliced into ribbons ● 1 garlic clove, finely chopped ● 150g baby spinach leaves ● 30g fresh mint, leaves roughly torn VEGETARIAN

METHOD

1 Brush 2 foil sheets (30 x 40cm) with olive oil.

Divide the rainbow chard stalks between them and put the feta on top. Scatter over the lemon zest and juice, parsley, chilli and coriander. Drizzle over 1 tbsp olive oil. Fold up the foil and seal.

2 Preheat the oven to 190°C/Fan 170°C/ Gas Mark 5. Put the parcels in the oven for 15 minutes, turning halfway through, to cook. Rub 1 tbsp olive oil on the courgettes and cook in a heated griddle pan for 3-4 minutes on each side, until lightly charred.

3 Heat 1 tbsp oil in a frying pan over a medium heat. Fry the chard leaves for 4-5 minutes, until wilted. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Toss the spinach, mint, courgettes and chard leaves into a bowl. Top with the cooked feta and chard stalks.

Drizzle over the juice from the parcels, to finish.

118 yourhomestyle.uk

VEGETARIAN

GLUTEN FREE

PRAWN FRIED RICE

PREP TIME 10 MINS COOK TIME 15 MINS SERVES 4 INGREDIENTS ● 2 tbsp sunflower oil ● 2 eggs ● 50g cashew nuts, roughly chopped ● 1 red pepper, deseeded and thinly sliced ● 100g mangetout, diagonally sliced ● 100g spring onions, diagonally sliced ● 2 x 200g packets microwave basmati rice ● 100g frozen peas, blanched and drained ● 150g cooked and peeled king prawns ● 1 tsp Chinese five spice ● 3 tbsp gluten-free soy sauce METHOD

1 Heat 1 tbsp oil in a wok or large frying pan over

a low heat. Beat the eggs together and season.

Pour into the pan and cook for 1-2 minutes, then flip and cook on the other side for 1 minute. Tip onto a chopping board, slice into thin strips and set aside.

2 Fry the cashew nuts for 2-3 minutes until toasted, then set aside. Heat 1 tbsp oil in the pan over a high heat, then add the pepper, mangetout and spring onions and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until softened. Heat the rice to pack instructions.

3 Add the peas, prawns and five spice to the pan and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes. Add the soy sauce and hot cooked rice, fry for 1 minute, then add the egg strips and stir to combine and heat through.

COOK’S TIP

If you don’t have any spring onions, try using white onions or leeks.

to make in minutes

Food planning

summer dishes that can be enjoyed indoors or in the garden!

THURSDAY

SEARED BEEF AND PINEAPPLE SALAD

FRIDAY

Head to www.your homestyle.uk for more tasty recipes

1 To make the dressing, dry-fry the coriander seeds until fragrant, then

add in all of the remaining ingredients except the olive oil, salt and pepper.

Simmer for a few minutes, then set aside to cool. Remove the bay leaves and pour the olive oil into the mixture, whisking constantly. Season to taste.

2 Preheat the grill to medium-high. Combine the caster sugar and olive oil with a pinch of salt. Brush over the pineapple wedges and place on the grill for 10 minutes, turning once, until the outside of the pineapple is charred and sticky. Allow to cool slightly before serving.

3 Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a frying pan. Season the sirloin with salt and pepper. Once the oil is smoking hot, pan-fry the steaks for a few minutes on each side (depending on how you like your steak), then remove and allow the steaks to rest.

4 Blanche the asparagus for 2 minutes in boiling water. Plunge in cold water to stop it cooking then drain and set aside.

5 Cut the rested steak into thick slices. Add a pile of watercress onto each plate, then add the charred pineapple and asparagus. Top with the seared beef and drizzle generously with the spicy dressing.

HONEY-MUSTARD SAUSAGE AND APPLE SALAD

PREP TIME 15 MINS COOK TIME 30 MINS SERVES 2 INGREDIENTS ● 2 red onions ● 6 Cumberland sausages ● Olive oil ● 21g wholegrain mustard ● 25g honey ● 15ml cider vinegar ● Salt ● Black pepper ● 2 ciabatta rolls ● 1 apple ● 50g lamb’s lettuce METHOD

1 Preheat the oven to 220°C/Fan 200°C/Gas Mark 7. Cut the red onions into

thick wedges. Add the onion wedges and Cumberland sausages to a baking tray. Drizzle the onion wedges with olive oil. Put the tray in the oven and cook for 25-30 minutes until the sausages are cooked through and the onions are tender.

2 Meanwhile, combine the wholegrain mustard, honey and cider vinegar with 3 tbsp olive oil and a pinch of salt and pepper in a small bowl. Stir to combine to create the honey-mustard dressing.

3 Rip the ciabattas into bite-sized pieces and add them to a separate baking tray. Drizzle them very generously with olive oil and season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Put the tray in the oven for 6-8 minutes or until golden and crispy to create the croutons.

4 While the croutons are in the oven, cut the apple with the skin on into thin wedges.

5 Add the lamb’s lettuce, apple wedges, croutons, roasted red onion and most of the honey mustard dressing – saving some to serve – into a large bowl. Stir it all together to form the salad.

6 Cut the sausages in half lengthways. Dish up the sausages and salad onto plates and drizzle with the remaining honey-mustard dressing.

August 2021 119

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PREP TIME 20 MINS COOK TIME 20 MINS SERVES 4 INGREDIENTS ● 240g sirloin steak ● 2 x 85g bags watercress ● ½ pineapple, peeled, cored and cut into 6 wedges ● 2 tbsp caster sugar ● 2 tbsp olive oil ● 2 bunches asparagus, trimmed ● Salt ● Black pepper For the spicy dressing ● 1 tsp coriander seeds ● 2 bay leaves ● 1 shallot, finely sliced ● 1 red chilli, finely sliced ● 3 tbsp red wine vinegar ● 3 tbsp water ● 1 tbsp sugar ● 2 tbsp olive oil ● Salt ● Black pepper METHOD

BBQ bangers

Celebrate the Great British summertime in classic style with a mouth-watering spread of sizzling dishes – just don’t forget the Pimm’s!

LENTIL HOTDOGS

PREP TIME 20 MINS COOK TIME 7-8 MINS VEGETARIAN SERVES 8-10 INGREDIENTS ● 1 tbsp olive oil ● ½ onion, finely diced ● 2 garlic cloves, minced ● 2 Portobello mushrooms, chopped ● 100g walnuts ● 1 pouch Merchant Gourmet Puy lentils ● 100g sweet potato, cooked ● 1 tbsp chipotle paste ● ¼ tsp sweet smoked paprika ● ¼ tsp dried oregano ● 2 tbsp tomato purée ● 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar ● 5 tbsp plain flour ● 25g dried breadcrumbs ● ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper ● ¼ tsp sea salt To serve ● Hotdog rolls ● ½ onion, finely chopped ● ½ green pepper, finely chopped METHOD

1 Heat the olive oil in a frying pan over a medium heat. Sauté the onion, garlic and

mushrooms until all the liquid has evaporated from the mushrooms. Once sautéed, transfer the mix from the pan to a bowl.

2 Add the walnuts to a food processor and blitz to a crumb. Add the Merchant Gourmet Puy lentils and sweet potato to the food processor and pulse 2-3 times to lightly break up the potato and lentils.

3 Add the walnuts, sweet potato and lentils to the bowl with the mushrooms, onion and garlic. Add the chipotle paste, paprika, oregano, tomato purée, balsamic vinegar, plain flour, breadcrumbs and seasoning. Mix well with a spatula. The sausage mix should be relatively dry but if your mixture feels too wet, add a little more flour or breadcrumbs.

4 Lightly flour your hands then form the mixture into 8-10 sausages.

5 Coat the BBQ shelf with a little oil to prevent the sausages from sticking. Grill the sausages for 7-8 minutes, turning them over carefully every now and then.

6 Serve the hotdogs in a roll with onions, peppers and condiments of your choice.

COOK’S TIP

The sausages can be pre-made and stored in the fridge for 2-3 days before cooking.

Food to share

PREP TIME 15 MINS COOK TIME 8-10 MINS SERVES 4 INGREDIENTS ● 400g lean lamb mince ● 1 small onion, chopped ● 85g watercress, finely chopped ● 1 garlic clove, crushed ● 2 tsp ground cumin ● Salt ● Freshly ground black pepper ● 1 red and yellow pepper, cored and deseeded ● 2 courgettes ● 1 tbsp olive oil For the yogurt sauce ● 150ml natural Greek yogurt ● 1 garlic clove, crushed ● 50g watercress, roughly chopped ● Pitta breads or other flatbreads, to serve METHOD

1 Place the lamb mince, onion, watercress, garlic and

cumin in a large bowl with plenty of salt and black pepper. Mix together thoroughly.

2 Divide the mixture into 8 then use wet hands to shape each piece into a thin pattie. Put to one side. Cut each pepper into 8 wedges and thickly slice the courgettes.

Place in a bowl, season, add the oil and stir to coat.

3 Make the yogurt sauce by mixing all the ingredients together. Season to taste. Transfer to a small bowl.

4 Cook the burgers and vegetables over hot barbecue coals or under a hot grill for 8-10 minutes, turning once until the burgers are cooked through, with no sign of pink juices, and the vegetables are soft and chargrilled.

Serve with the yogurt sauce and flatbreads or in a burger bun if you prefer.

LEMON AND ROSEMARY SKEWERS WITH WATERCRESS PESTO

PREP TIME 20 MINS, PLUS MARINATING COOK TIME 15 MINS SERVES 6 INGREDIENTS ● 6 boneless chicken thighs ● 1 lemon, zest ● 2 sprigs rosemary, leaves finely chopped ● Olive oil ● Salt ● Pepper ● 1 red pepper ● 1 yellow pepper ● 2 courgettes ● 2 red onions, halved and peeled For the pesto ● 65g watercress, roughly chopped ● 1 garlic clove ● 1 tbsp toasted pine nuts ● 50g Parmesan, finely grated ● 5075ml olive oil METHOD

1 Using a sharp knife, cut the chicken thighs into decent-sized chunks.

You should get 3-4 pieces from each thigh. Place in a bowl with the lemon zest and chopped rosemary leaves. Drizzle with olive oil and mix thoroughly with a good pinch of salt and pepper. Leave in the fridge to marinate for at least 30 minutes.

2 Chop the peppers and courgette into chunks and the red onion into wedges. Toss in a little oil and season. Remove the chicken from the fridge and thread alternating chunks of chicken, pepper, courgette and onion onto metal skewers. Put back in the fridge until ready to cook.

3 To make the pesto, blend all the ingredients except the oil in a food processor, then slowly add the oil until the desired consistency is reached.

4 To cook, lay the skewers on a hot barbecue for around 4 minutes on each side, ensuring that the chicken is cooked through. Alternatively, pre-heat the grill to medium-high and grill for 5 minutes on each side.

Serve drizzled with the watercress pesto.

COOK’S TIP

Leave the chicken pieces to marinate in the fridge overnight for maximum flavour.

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LAMB AND WATERCRESS BURGERS

JERK MARINADE CHICKEN

PREP TIME 20 MINS, PLUS MARINATING COOK TIME 30-40 MINS SERVES 6-8 INGREDIENTS ● 5 spring onions ● 1 onion ● 2 garlic cloves ● 1 Scotch bonnet chilli for a mild taste, 2 for a spicier taste ● 1 tsp grated ginger ● 1 tbsp fresh thyme, chopped ● 1 tbsp brown sugar ● 2 tsp ground allspice ● 1 tsp nutmeg ● 1 tsp cinnamon ● 2 tsp salt ● ½ tsp black pepper ● 100ml orange juice ● 75ml soy sauce ● 60ml vinegar ● 2 tbsp vegetable oil ● 1kg chicken wings or thighs METHOD

1 Roughly chop the spring onions, onion and garlic.

2 Next, chop the Scotch bonnets. Make sure you wear protective COOK’S TIP

If you can’t find Scotch bonnets, use other types of red chilli. You may need to increase the quantity to match the spiciness.

BBQ CREOLE RIBS

PREP TIME 1 HOUR COOK TIME 2 HOURS SERVES 2 INGREDIENTS ● 2 racks of ribs For the BBQ Creole rub ● 1 tbsp garlic powder ● 1 tbsp onion salt ● 1 tbsp cayenne pepper ● 1 tbsp dried oregano ● 1 tbsp smoked paprika ● 1 tbsp dried thyme METHOD

1 Wash the ribs clean and pat them dry.

Mix the spices together in a bowl and slowly start to rub them on top of the ribs.

The bottom part of the ribs don’t need seasoning.

2 Cover the ribs with clingfilm and leave them to marinate for an hour. Once the BBQ coals have turned a uniform, ashy colour, place the ribs a good 5-6 inches above the coals – any closer and they will burn – and cover with a lid.

3 Leave the BBQ ribs to cook for 2 hours.

Carefully remove the lid then serve the sticky ribs.

4 If the weather turns, you can cook the ribs in an oven preheated to 200°C/Fan 180°C/ Gas Mark 6. Cover the ribs with tin foil and cook for 2 hours.

122 yourhomestyle.uk

gloves or use a plastic bag to keep the spice off your hands. If you prefer a milder taste, discard the seeds.

3 Add the ginger, thyme, brown sugar, allspice, nutmeg, cinnamon, salt, pepper, orange juice, soy sauce, vinegar and oil to a blender or food processor. Whizz until the marinade has formed a smooth consistency.

4 Place the chicken wings in a glass dish. Cover the chicken with the marinade and leave in the fridge for at least 3 hours so the flavours really get to work.

5 Place the marinated chicken wings on a preheated BBQ and leave to cook for 30-40 minutes, making sure the meat is thoroughly cooked.

COOK’S TIP: Turtle Bay recommends leaving the chicken to marinate for 24 hours or overnight in the fridge for full flavour impact.

HALLOUMI KEBABS WITH PEPPER AND MAPLE RELISH

PREP TIME 20 MINS COOK TIME 20 MINS VEGETARIAN SERVES 4 INGREDIENTS ● 150g halloumi, cut into cubes ● 200g chestnut mushrooms, quartered ● 1 courgette, cut into ribbons ● 25g fresh mint ● Olive oil, for grilling ● 2 tbsp pure Canadian maple syrup For the pepper and maple relish ● 1 green chilli ● 1 red pepper ● 1 red onion ● 25g fresh parsley, chopped ● 4 tbsp lime juice ● 4 large tomatoes, skinned and roughly chopped ● 2 tbsp pure Canadian maple syrup METHOD

BROAD BEAN HOUMOUS

INGREDIENTS ● 150g broad beans, fresh or frozen ● 1 ripe avocado ● 2 tbsp tahini paste ● 2 garlic cloves, crushed ● 2 tbsp coriander leaves, roughly chopped ● 1 lemon, juice ● 6 tbsp olive oil ● Salt ● Black pepper METHOD

1 Boil the broad beans in salted water

for 4-5 minutes. Drain and refresh under cold water.

2 Scoop out the avocado flesh and add the tahini paste, garlic, coriander, lemon juice and 3-4 tbsp olive oil. Place in a food processor and blend until smooth.

3 Add the remaining olive oil and season with salt and pepper, to taste.

1 For the pepper and maple relish, finely chop the chilli, red pepper, onion and parsley.

2 Add it all to a food processer with the lime juice, tomatoes and maple syrup. Blend evenly until it reaches the desired consistency.

3 Thread the halloumi, mushrooms and courgette onto metal skewers (or wooden skewers that have been soaked in water). Brush with olive oil.

4 Grill on a preheated BBQ for 2-3 minutes on each side.

5 Drizzle maple syrup over the skewers and cook for another minute.

6 Serve with the relish and broad bean houmous.

Taste of Italy

For last-minute dinners in a flash, look no further than Cirio’s range of rustic pasta sauces, priced at £2 each from Ocado. Made from Italian tomato passata, each sauce is flavoured with authentic Italian meat, wine and extra virgin olive oil. Grilled peppers, mushrooms and pork belly combine in our favourite, the Pancetta del Casale.

HAMPER FILLERS Rustle up a crowd-pleasing spread

with Higgidy’s range of picnic grub.

Choose from Garden Veg and Ricotta or Mediterranean Pepper and Feta quiches and SunBlush Tomato and Cheddar mini muffins.

Priced from £2.65 at Sainsbury’s.

Daily bread

Sail the seven seas from the comfort of your toaster with the Breads of the World collection from Jason’s Sourdough.

The range features flavours inspired by the peppery rye of a New York sub, the hearty herb-infused open sandwiches of the Baltic and basildrenched flatbreads from Italy.

Priced at £1.80 each from Asda.

CATCH OF THE DAY

Give your lunch break a boost with the new collection of sushi ready meals from Marks & Spencer. Fire up your tastebuds with Korean-style Chicken or Salmon and Avocado dragon rolls then cool off with Miso Sweet Potato and Tuna and Avocado sushi wraps. Packed with the freshest ingredients, the range is big on flavour while light on packaging. Priced from £2.50.

FOODNEWS Spend more time entertaining and less time cooking this summer with these time-saving buys

Most important meal of the day

Give your breakfast a boost or stock up on long-lasting energy for a weekend in the great outdoors with gluten-free porridge oats from Great British Porridge Co. Fuel the entire family with a bag of porridge, which comes in five delicious flavours, or enjoy on the go with a Breakfast Bowl that can be made in seconds with hot water – perfect for camping! Available from Sainsbury’s and Ocado and priced from £1.29 for a 60g Breakfast Bowl.

daoP samohT erutaeF 124 yourhomestyle.uk

HAPPINESS DELIVERED If the lengthy lockdowns have left

you short on ideas for entertaining the kids at home, then let Little Cooks Co come to the rescue with their monthly baking kits. Available for £12.99 per kit or a monthly saving if you subscribe, each parcel comes with healthy, organic ingredients and recipes for cooking with little ones, plus surprises such as seed kits and fun activities to try.

COMING NEXT MONTH

Gorgeous reader homes full of stylish ideas to inspire you

Design your dream kitchen-diner

nodroG yllO egami niaM egnahc ot tcejbus serutaef llA

Sweet and savoury seasonal recipes

Back-to-school bedrooms for teens

PLUS, DON’T MISS...

Q DECORATING INSPO WITH THIS SEASON’S HOT TREND: METALLICS Q CLEVER STORAGE IDEAS FOR EVERY ROOM Q LOVELY MAKES TO SHOW OFF YOUR CREATIVE SIDE Q INSTANT WAYS TO ADD WOW Q TOP PRIZES & MUCH MORE!

BE IN HOME STYLE

For your chance to grace our pages and win a fantastic prize, use the #myHShome hashtag on Instagram and tell us all about your pad and home style!

Get your copy! SEPTEMBER ISSUE on sale 19th August

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.

Contactless Delivery Available

Chesterton - Corner Rattan Set

SAVE £100

The luxurious Chesterton corner sofa and matching glass topped coffee table set is perfect for entertaining outdoors. Generously proportioned with deep, antifade cushions you can seat 5 people in comfort. It’s so easy to look after – the seat and back cushions all feature removable covers (see website). With a maintenance-free construction of thick polyrattan and a galvanised steel frame, the set can even be left out all-year round, making it the ideal addition to your outdoor space this year. Normally £799, now available at an amazing £699*, but only when you quote your £100 discount code HSJUL21B at checkout.

Delano - 5-Seater Garden Furniture Set

The Delano patio furniture set is generous in size and seats 5 in comfort. It comprises of 2 armchairs and a 3-seater bench, all with comfy cushions and a matching waterproof coffee table for storage. Contemporary in design, it is bang on trend in this season’s taupe.This Garden set is made from UV stabilised resin, meaning that you can leave it out all year round and the set is 100% maintenance-free. Was £499, it’s now just £299* but only when you quote your £200 discount code HSJUL21C at checkout.

SAVE £200 Havana – 8 Seater Patio Dining Set

SAVE £200

Make the most of your garden this year with the beautiful 8-seater Havana Garden Set. Comprising 8 stackable armchairs and matching 200cm rectangular dining table, the Havana is made almost entirely from aluminium so is lightweight and easy to move – yet incredibly strong. It is also maintenance free.

With fabric seat and backrest, the chairs are extremely comfortable. Normally £799, now it’s available at an amazing £599*. To receive your £200 discount quote code HSJUL21C at checkout.

To receive your discount on any of these products quote discount code at checkout at www.outandout.com or call 02037 728 752 before 19.08.2021. *Excludes delivery. Prices correct at time of going to press.

Shopping Directory

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FRANCHISES AVAILABLE

C L I M ATI SE D C OATI N G S BEFORE

AFTER

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Climatised Coatings has been in the business of transforming domestic and commercial properties using textured coatings for over 35 years. All our work is done by highly-trained personnel, to an exceptionally high standard of detail, rarely seen these days.

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72 08 SHOPPING GUIDE Where to buy everything featured in this magazine A

Albion albionbathco.com ALDI aldi.co.uk Alternative Flooring alternativeflooring.com Amazon amazon.co.uk Annabel James annabeljames.co.uk Annie Sloan anniesloan.com Anthropologie anthropologie.com Antipodream antipodream.co.uk AO ao.com Argos argos.co.uk Arket arket.com Athena Art athenaart.com AUDENZA audenza.com

Bristan bristan.com

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Dobbies dobbies.com Dowsing & Reynolds dowsingandreynolds.com Draper drapertools.com Drench drench.co.uk Dunelm dunelm.com Dulux dulux.co.uk

Gordon Smith Ltd. gordonsmithmalvern.co.uk Graham & Brown Paint grahambrown.com Grohe grohe.co.uk

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Ocean Lighting oceanlighting.co.uk Oka oka.com Oliver Bonas oliverbonas.com Orchard orchardhomeandgifts.com Out & Out outandout.com

Stockists

EDITORIAL

Editor Kirstie Duhig Art Editor Emily Waite Designer Libby Parfitt Features Editor Catriona Burns Production Editor Thomas Poad Staff Writer Hannah Tribe Editorial & Digital Assistant Katie Dutton Digital Editor Rebecca Messina Digital Writer Thea Jeffreys

P

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Ragged Rose raggedrose.com Red Candy redcandy.co.uk Rex London rexlondon.com Rockett St George rockettstgeorge.co.uk

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SKLUM sklum.com Smeg smeguk.com Sophie Allport sophieallport.com Sous Chef souschef.co.uk Stone & Ceramic Warehouse stoneand ceramicwarehouse.co.uk

Style Ideas Direct styleideasdirect.co.uk

T

Talking Tables talkingtables.co.uk The Northern Line thenorthernline.co.uk The Range therange.co.uk Thorndown Paints thorndown.co.uk Tikauo tikauo.com Tile Flair tileflair.co.uk Tile Giant tilegiant.co.uk Tile Mountain tilemountain.co.uk Topps Tiles toppstiles.co.uk Triton tritonshowers.co.uk

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07

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ADVERTISING

Group Advertising Manager Laura Jones Advertising Manager Heather Golden Business Development Manager Sophie North Brand Sales Executives Phil Wallington, James Beckett, Ava Holdstock Classified Sales Executive Sophie Roberts, Alex Armstrong Ad Co-ordinator Bryony Grace Senior Ad Designers Andrew Hobson, Cee Pike

MARKETING AND PRODUCTION

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PUBLISHING

Managing Director Marie Davies Promotions & Partnerships Manager Rosa Sherwood Group Managing Director Andy Marshall CEO Tom Bureau

W

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Yard Art UK yardartuk.co.uk Your Stylish Home yourstylishhome.co.uk

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Zara Home zarahome.com

CONTACT

HomeStyle at Immediate Media Co, Eagle House, Bristol BS1 4ST Advertising Enquiries: Tel: 0117 300 8805 Subscription enquiries: Email: buysubscriptions.com/contact Tel: UK 03330 162 139; US/Canada: 855 827 8639 (toll free); Rest of the world +44(0)1604 973748 Editorial enquiries Email: homestyle@immediate.co.uk Tel: 0117 927 9009 © Immediate Media Company Bristol Limited, 2021, member of the Audit Bureau of Circulations. Unsolicited manuscripts and transparencies are accepted on the understanding that the publisher incurs no liability for their storage or return. The contents of this magazine may not be reproduced without permission. All prices are correct at the time of going to press. The publisher, editor and authors accept no responsibility in respect of any products, goods or services which may be advertised or referred to in this issue or for any errors, omissions, misstatements or mistakes in any such advertisements or references. HomeStyle is published by Immediate Media Company Bristol Limited, Eagle House, Bristol, BS1 4ST, UK. Every effort has been made to secure permission for copyright material. In the event of any material being used inadvertently, or where it proved impossible to trace the copyright owner, acknowledgment will be made in a future issue. Immediate Media Co Ltd is working to ensure that all of its paper is sourced from wellmanaged forests. This magazine can be recycled. We abide by IPSO’s rules and regulations. To give feedback about our magazines, please visit immediate.co.uk, email editorialcomplaints@immediate.co.uk or write to Legal Director, Immediate Media Co, Vineyard House, 44 Brook Green, London, W6 7BT.

Ecosophy

IN CONVERSATION WITH We chat to Kate Anderson, the founder of Ecosophy, about the inspiration behind her beautiful eco home textile brand

What inspired you to Describe your style launch Ecosophy? and inspiration…

White organic linen tablecloth, from £125 and napkins, £50 for four.

Below left: organic linen napkins in flax, £75 for four, all Ecosophy Kate is inspired by minimalist Japanese design

My inspiration came from many areas, including a four-year period living in Japan, which gave me an appreciation for the beauty of natural materials and minimalist design, and degrees in anthropology and development, which gave me insight into the cultural aspects of textile production and its impact on workers. I also have an idealistic desire to create homeware that will create beautiful homes and a more beautiful world. I spent about two years researching sustainable textiles and visiting producers in India, Bangladesh, Turkey and France before I launched Ecosophy in 2017.

I’ve been very much influenced by my time living in Japan, so I appreciate designs that are subtle and draw on the beauty of natural materials. I get a lot of inspiration from walks in the woods. I often find myself taking close-up photos of tree bark and hoping nobody sees me, as I must look a bit weird!

The ethos of the brand is expressed in our name, which combines ‘eco’ – from the Greek oikos, meaning household – and ‘sophy’ – from the Greek sophia, meaning wisdom. This dual meaning of ‘ecological wisdom’ and ‘household wisdom’ reflects our ethos, which is to take an ecologically wise approach to homeware production and, through our journal, to promote this approach to interior decoration in general.

Simply getting Ecosophy off the ground and turning my dream into reality.

Tell us about the ethos behind Ecosophy…

Handwoven organic cotton flat weave bath towel, £30, Ecosophy

Who are you following on Instagram?

I’m really interested in the work of Fibershed, a global non-profit working on regenerative textile systems, and I enjoy following @southwestenglandfibreshed.

What’s your proudest career moment so far?

What does the rest of this year hold for you?

I’m working on some new collections and am planning to update Ecosophy’s journal much more regularly with posts exploring how homeware can help to create a more sustainable world.

What’s a typical day Who would you like for you? to collaborate with? gihuD eitsriK erutaeF

I usually spend my mornings I would love to work more responding to emails and with interior designers. Before packaging up orders. I then launching Ecosophy, I had spend my afternoons doing toyed with the idea of pursuing more creative work, like a career as an interior designer designing new collections and and I’d love to connect with that creating Ecosophy’s newsletter. industry more.

Shop Ecosophy’s textiles at ecosophy.co.uk and follow Kate on Instagram, @ecosophyhome

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