Ytgjj

WIN! HOT WATER TAP, OUTDOOR FURNITURE & MORE!

£3,342

INSPIRING IDEAS AMAZING PRICES

OF PRIZES TO WIN

DECORATING SHOPPING FOOD MAKING STYLING

BEST VALUE

HOMES MAG

789 wow factor

MAY 2022

Instant updates with

Easy bakes + spring feasts

Decorate with the latest trends Choose what you love and don’t be afraid of colour

LOOK INSIDE

H IT RE FR ES H

7

Real homes & makeovers

High street buys for every budget

TIPS & TRICKS Purse-friendly ways to redo your kitchen The best wi-fi boosters to maximise your connection Grab the feather duster and start the spring clean How to make your home more efficient and cut bills

Ideas to steal from our style savvy readers!

MAKE TODAY! PEGBOARD, ABSTRACT ART & PAINTED PLANT P POTS

Spacecraft

Double your useable space with our sofa beds

Experts in small space living 20 stores | futoncompany.co.uk

Welcome to our MAY ISSUE!

W

ith warmer, lighter days ahead and a smattering of bank holidays on the horizon, there’s no better time than now to give your rooms a refresh. In this month’s issue you’ll find plenty of decorating trends to inspire you. We’ve got a host of ideas on page 73 to give your walls the ’wow’factor, whether it’s with texture, paint or a breathtaking mural. While over on page 61, our decorator’s moodboards take their inspiration from classic looks from the past, reinventing them for today’s interiors.

If you’ve been hankering after a designer-look kitchen but you’re watching the pennies, then you’ll love this month’s ‘luxe for less’feature on page 80, where you can discover how to create a timeless Shaker scheme or an edgy industrial look on a budget.

If you’re planning on giving your place a top-to-toe freshen up for spring, then check out our feature on page 84, which is packed with clever tips and expert advice to help you de-clutter and deep-clean your home. Once the job is done, you’ll feel de-stressed, too!

As always, we’ve got plenty of stunning real homes (page 21) and gorgeous makeovers (page 90) in this issue, all packed with brilliant ideas to steal that I know will inspire you.

Finally, if you’re a foodie, like me, then you’ll love trying out our delicious recipes on page 124, which celebrate all the fresh produce that’s in season right now and not only that, they look and taste amazing!

COULD YOU BE OUR NEXT 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@ourmedia.co.uk.

We can’t wait to hear from you!

Get in touch WEBSITE

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The next issue of HomeStyle is on sale 3rd May

PINTEREST

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ED’S PICKS

124

56

46

96

Co n t e n t s

124

08 DECORATING, STYLING & LIVING 14

22 80

The wish list Our favourite high-street home buys

96 84

16

Colour crush California is dreaming with this soothing Palms Spring pink Things to do in May Spruce up your garden furniture and get clean, green and ready for a picnic

34 61

68

73

Decorator’s moodboards Three looks that nod to the trends of yesteryear reworked with bags of modern style One problem room, two new looks An L-shaped lounge is revamped Wonder walls Redecorate and create a masterpiece

4 yourhomestyle.uk

Step up your spring clean It’s time for the annual blitz!

READER HOMES 22

18

when restyling her kitchen with a pared-back redesign and fresh colours

Luxe looks for less Achieve the kitchen you’ve always wanted and on a dream budget too

46

‘Our home is cosy and quirky’ Atia has transformed a rundown semi into a colourful, stylish place ‘I’ve embraced a calm home’ Isatu has used natural textures and simplicity to create stylish serenity ‘My home makes me smile’ Emily’s new-build is bursting with rainbow colours and vibrant artwork

MAKEOVERS 90

From dark to light and bright!

Francesca took a minimalist approach

Bright colours feel like home Luxury touches and bold shades fill Sisi’s glam living room

102 Blending antique with high street Caroline got to work updating her bathroom with salvaged pieces

SHOPPING 07

Style insider Grrreat tiger-themed buys

08

Shop the high street The best style bargains this month

30

Playful patterns Bring cheer with stripes and florals

42

Urban Japandi Soften industrial with gentle curves

Contents

73

61

Plus PRIZES TO WIN

16

130

55

Stylish sofa from Furniture Village, worth £1,295

57

A Pronteau hot-water tap worth £1,049!

112 54

Pastel pops Live your life in full technicolour

94

Sleek Scandi Nordic with a dose of glam!

100 Summer brights Bring sunshine into your home with these happy hues

56

Painted plant pots Brighten up your mantelpiece or windowsill

108 Magazine rack Upcycle this cool, industrial design

COOKING

72

Amazing goodies from Dobbies and Yale

Next issue A sneaky peak at the June edition

110 Ask the experts Our panel answers all your home-based queries

120 Food news Tasty treats to try this month

114 Reader offer Save 25% on beautiful Abstract House prints and frames

106 Old meets new Classic and contemporary blend to create the perfect partners

122 Tasty midweek meals Quick and easy, family-friendly dishes

115 Savvy home solutions Top tips for a smooth-running home

113 Home tech Power up with a wi-fi booster

124 Where the wild things grow Delicious spring ideas

MAKING 32

Wooden pegboard Display your must-haves in style

REGULARS

128 Shopping guide Where to buy all the products featured in this month’s issue

58

Subscribe and receive...

A Sara Miller lunch set worth £40!

44

Abstract art Unleash your inner Rothko!

60

#myHShome Your pics take centre stage!

130 In conversation with... Monica Born Swedish founder of Superfront On our cover May 2022 5

Trending ON A PLATE Nathalie Lete Titania dessert plate, £14, Anthropologie

A CAT CUPPA

we

love

This big cat s bold stripes add instant drama FURRY FEET

Tiger mug, £13.50, Sophie Allport

Tiger doormat, £25, Red Candy

TAKE AWAY

WE’RE HOOKED

Lisa Larson tote bag, £17, Arket

Tiger coat hook, £8, Urban Outfitters

Style insider

TERRIFIC TIGERS

Take a walk on the wild side with this fiercely hot trend According to the Chinese zodiac, 2022 is the Year of the Tiger. The Chinese believe the tiger personality to be lively, free and independent so give your home interiors a touch of these feral traits with tiger-themed pieces. They’re perfect for adding a playfulness to more minimalist looks.

PAW IT OUT Tiger jug, from £21, Quail Ceramics

BED OF ROSES Paloma Home Tibetan tiger cushion, £48, Next

IT’S A MATCH Tiger luxury matches, £7, Heavenly Homes & Gardens

Fierce tiger poster, from £12.95, Desenio

SHINE A LIGHT Tiger head candle holder, £12.99, The Range

SUPER STARS Skinnydip tiger round cushion in Red, £35, John Lewis & Partners

May 2022 7

Feature Hannah Tribe

QUICK DRAW

Habitat TURN A NEW LEAF thanks to this new range

Black wood three-tier shade, £70

Naturalist side table, £65

Raffles oak wooden armchair, £250

Leaf print cushion, £16

Naturalist small planter, £6

Scandi brush marks rug, 120 x 170cm, £125

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 Naturalist Floral double bed set, £38; Matte Black tall ceramic table lamp, £70; Black planter spindle legs, £30; planter on stand, large, £40; halfmoon flatweave cotton rug, 120 x 180cm, £75, all Habitat

Next Home CRAFT WORK

This new collection focusses on cosy tactile textures and warm, earthy tones

Craft oak coffee table, £150

Hera table lamp, £95

Ceramic shaped vase, £22

Global shape wall plaque, set of three, £45

Organic shaped statement mirror, £155 Bali rattan easy fit light shade, £130

Craft oak side table, £90; chunky chenille cushion, £20; textured cushions, from £20, all Next Home

HOW TO

style the look

1

Feature Katie Dutton

Bring the soothing, biophilic trend up to date with bold black accents and graphic prints. Pairing patterned fabrics with luscious plants will add double the interest to your scheme.

Boost your greenery with a painted feature wall (as shown above).

A bold shade will create a dramatic backdrop for your houseplants.

2

May 2022 9

Joe Browns WILDEST DREAMS

Travel the globe from your home with these eclectic accessories

Lavish leopard floral reversible cushion, £28

Lavish leopard plate, £25

Glorious gold crane ornament, £25

Brilliant bamboo candle pot, £15

Wonderful willow birds reversible cushion, £28

10 yourhomestyle.uk

Glorious gold crane table lamp, £129; Brilliant bamboo candle pot, £15; Ferocious tiger bed set from £50; cotton texture throw, £30, all Joe Browns

Style on a shoestring

HOW TO

style the look

Crane armchair in Light Grey, £229; Pebble low shelving unit, £179; reverse cotton stripe cushion in Terracotta, £15; brass Tony task lamp, £20, all ANYDAY at John Lewis & Partners

1

Tap into this lavish trend, inspired by art and design from China and Japan, by switching out soft furnishings and key accessories, such as table lamps, with ornate, tasselled pieces.

Go gold! Incorporating this shade will give you an instantly luxe look.

2

John Lewis & Partners NEW MODERN

Scallop Peacock velvet office chair, £129

The ANYDAY range for spring and summer teams classic pieces with curvy designs

Clip sofa side table, £69

Dual head floor lamp, £75

Round edge mirror, £60 Ceramic vase with handles, £16

May 2022 11

‘Wren made the stylish, sociable kitchen of our dreams become a reality’ Ben Edge and Heidi Baran were brimming with ideas for their new open-plan kitchen, but they weren’t sure how to put it all together until their Wren designer came up with a personalised scheme to tick all of their boxes Quality family time for Ben, Heidi and their two children, Phoebe and Zachary, is now spent around their new island

o matter whether you have a few colours and styles in mind for your kitchen, or you feel a little overwhelmed by the options available, it can be tricky to bring both practical and aesthetic features together into one design.

That’s where the experts at Wren come in – the knowledgeable designers work collaboratively with you to put together a kitchen that’s as individual as you are, suggesting storage solutions and colour combinations you may never have thought of yourself. Here, as part of the #wrenovation

N

series, which shines a spotlight on real customer kitchen renovations, Ben Edge and Heidi Baran share how Wren helped them to create a kitchen that combined their ideal elements into one wow-worthy look.

MAKE IT PERSONAL When they moved into their modern newbuild three and a half years ago with their two children, Ben and Heidi immediately knew they wanted to renovate the kitchen, which was small and old-fashioned in comparison with the rest of the house.

For more inspiration, search #wrenovation 12 yourhomestyle.uk

They lived with it until the lockdown gave them the motivation they needed to finally create the stylish, sociable space they had imagined when they first moved in.

First, the couple knocked down the wall between the kitchen and dining room to create an open-plan room that would work both for family life with their children, Phoebe, nine, and Zachary, five, as well as for spending time with friends. ‘We quite like to entertain and have a lot of people over,’ explains Heidi, ‘and we had this vision of an open-plan kitchen where we could all sit around the island.’

Although changing the layout was an easy decision, choosing the kitchen itself proved

Advertisement feature Ben and Heidi’s Infinity Plus Milano Shaker kitchen is packed with clever storage – there’s even an American-style fridge-freezer hidden behind stylish doors

A farmhouse sink paired with a chic gold tap gives Ben and Heidi the mix of classic and modern they love

KITCHENS WITH CONFIDENCE With the style of the kitchen picked out, there were still many choices left to make – and, once again, Rehman was on hand to help.

Selecting a colour palette was a struggle for the pair, so Rehman made suggestions and gave them samples to take home and see how the colours worked in the actual space.

‘It was really helpful seeing the colours in the natural light at home,’ recalls Ben. They settled on a two-tone kitchen, with wall units in Ceramic Matt and the island in Forest Green, two of their favourites from the many colours available at Wren. They also wanted to give their kitchen a rustic twist, so the designer suggested adding a wooden breakfast bar to the island. The gold accents add a luxury element – ‘it makes it one of those kitchens that people walk into and are in awe of,’ says Ben. The couple love the final design’s mix of classic charm and modern finishes, which Rehman gave them the confidence to combine for an individual look.

SAVVY SOLUTIONS The couple’s Wren designer took care of all the practical details, too. To help them visualise the kitchen, Rehman gave them 3D renders with multiple versions of the design.

As Ben mentions, ‘it was our Bible for a while!’

Rehman also proposed clever solutions to include all the appliances Ben and Heidi wanted, which the couple never would have thought of: they dreamed of having a big, American-style fridge-freezer, but believed it would be too bulky for the space until

Rehman suggested integrating it into the cupboards. They added a built-in NEFF microwave too, which the couple love as it looks sleek and has a touch screen.

Storage was also a priority for the family of four, and Rehman included all the cupboards they could need; the couple’s favourites are the pull-out corner cupboard and the larder unit. ‘It’s a really good utilisation of space,’ says Ben.

EASY AT EVERY STEP The delivery and installation of the kitchen was a similarly smooth and enjoyable process; Wren managed the installation, and Ben and Heidi were pleased with the speed at which the project was completed. ‘The designer and fitter coordinated everything.

We were informed at every step and felt at ease with the whole process,’ explains Heidi.

The couple are thrilled with their new kitchen, and their overall Wren experience.

‘The design is beyond our expectations, and the process was really exciting and seamless,’ says Ben. Most importantly, the new kitchen has made a huge difference to their day-to-day family life: ‘We never used to eat together as we didn’t have the space, but now we’re able to sit down as family, which is lovely.’

May 2022 13

Feature Michelle Grady

to be more difficult. The couple didn’t have a clear vision of exactly what they wanted, so they went to Wren in the hope that the designer could help them bring everything together into a show-stopping kitchen. ‘We had ideas, but none of them were definite, so with the help of the designer, Rehman, we went through stage by stage until we found something we were really happy with; he helped us realise what we wanted.’

Thanks to Rehman’s guidance, Ben and Heidi decided on a traditional, Shaker-look kitchen, but with a few modern twists to add their personal touch.

LIGHTBULB MOMENT

Opal disk wall light, £79; tube table lamp, £119

Glass dome ceiling light, clear, £149

We’re dying to get our hands on houseof’s new bold range of lighting for spring/summer 2022.

Appealing to fans of 1970s design and abstract shapes, the new collection pairs curved designs with three calming colours inspired by nature: rich ocean blues, soothing sand and dramatic charcoal grey.

With ceiling lights, wall lamps, table lamps and floor lamps, there is something to suit a range of interior schemes, from classic period properties to contemporary apartments. As for us, we’ll have one of everything please! Prices start from £79 for a wall light and you can see the whole range at houseof.com.

Round diffused wall light, £99

Sputnik ceiling light, £349

Bar wall light, £159; diffuser floor lamp, £229

TheWISH LIST...

New this month: exciting collections, collaborations, creations and more WE ARE LOVING...

With so many candles on the market these days, it can be hard to know where to start when shopping for one. Luckily, we’ve had the chance to try out some seriously gorgeous scents from sister duo Tora and Alex Young, who are behind the candle company Collingwood of Somerset.

Inspired by the English countryside, each candle is infused with natural botanical oils (we love the orange blossom and fig scent) and poured with eco-friendly coconut wax. There are gift sets too, so if you’re after a birthday present, house-warming gift or a treat for yourself, look no further. £38, collingwoodofsomerset.co.uk.

Peach & avocado mirror keyrings, £4; flower candle, £15; flower handle mug, £12; flower grid candle, £15; retro snack boxes, set of four, £8; Oh Hey Rainbow mug, £10; two tone bottle, £15; retro wave bottle, £15; floral bottle, £15; floral mug, £12, all Paperchase

DARLING BUDS

With spring well and truly here (whether the British weather agrees with us or not!) we’re revelling in colourful homewares and vibrant patterns. Paperchase’s spring range has certainly hit the brief. We’re obsessed with the scallop-edge coasters, wavy print lunch boxes and mugs and practical reusable water bottles. With prices ranging from £6 to £20 they’re a steal too! paperchase.com 14 yourhomestyle.uk

Printed coasters, set of four, £16

Bumblebee match bottle, £18; orange blossom & fig candle, £38, Collingwood of Somerset

Wish list

DUVET DAYS

US property developers and power couple Courtney and Robert Novogratz are introducing their own range of fun, punchy homewares for us lucky Brits. Their bedding range, now available at Next, has particularly caught our eye. Featuring playful patterns, from waves to cranes, and statement colours, such as candy pink and soothing baby blue, these threads are guaranteed to breathe new life into your bedroom aesthetic. Better yet, they’re made from 90 per cent recycled polyester. A single duvet cover and pillowcase set costs £50 and a double set costs £70. There are sheets and body pillows too! Get tucked in at next.co.uk.

SAVE VS SPLURGE Glass mugs

Glass mug with handle, £8.50,

Borosilicate mug, from £29, HAY

FLOWERS FOREVER

If you love the dried flower look, try your hand at creating your very own displays from scratch! Modern Dried Flowers (out on 5th April) takes us through 20 creative projects using pretty, dried blooms, from eucalyptus mobiles to a delicate floral hair comb. You’ll also learn which flowers are best to grow and how to cut and dry them. Modern Dried Flowers by Angela Maynard, £16.99, White Lion Publishing.

Novogratz waverley tile cotton duvet cover and pillowcase set, from £50; Novogratz waverley garden cotton sheet, from £35, all at Next

Cushions, from £31, Amara

BOUTIQUE BUYS: DAY HOME This Danish brand channels an effortless boho style Love the luxe look? DAY HOME is a great place to try. Specialising in timeless designs, which fuse minimalist Scandi-style with global influences, it offers everything from soft furnishings to ornate decorative pieces for as little as £35. Find DAY HOME at various high-street and online stores, including Fenwicks and Amara.

Leo vase, medium, £38, Fenwick

Bamboo organiser, £307, Amara

Feature Katie Dutton

lowvee

Bamboo lantern, £76, Fenwick

Birdie garden cushion, £70, Amara May 2022 15

Colour crush PALM SPRINGS PINK

Celebrate with a cool Cali makeover that’s fresh and neutral yet fun enough to add impact and interest to your interiors

1

2

3

4

5

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9

8

Feature Katie Dutton

10

1 Palm Springs pink porcelain tiles, £63, Porcelain Superstore 2 Citrine 12-piece dinner set, £30, Habitat 3 Fluted bulb vase, soft blush, £40, Cox & Cox 4 Fabia pink tealight holder, £12.99, Dobbies 5 Lagarus Ovatus dried bouquet, blush pink, £14, Rockett St George 6 Abstract pastel shapes art print, £41.95, Abstract House 7 Colourblock cushion, £18.99, M&Co 8 Stockholm pink stoneware mug, £12, ProCook 9 Liberty Quill Bloomer lamp, empire shade, pale pink, £52, Pooky x Liberty Wilma 10 Turnham three-seater sofa, brushed weave, blush pink, £1,499, Cult Furniture 16 yourhomestyle.uk

A-Z OF DECORATING from Anaglypta to Zoffany

YOUR FIRST & SECOND PURCHASE Pick up a Brewers Card in-store or register online

Over 180 stores nationwide. Visit brewers.co.uk to find your nearest.

T H I N GS TO DO I N . ..

MAY

Feature Hannah Tribe Photos Flashpop, Getty Images

Easy updates and seasonal style ideas to try this month

W E E KE ND P R OJE CT

Sitting pretty May is the perfect time to spruce up outdoor furniture and wooden planters to give you a bright new look for summer. To perfectly prep your piece, remove any loose pieces of paint, then give it a sand and a clean. For a smooth finish, paint the fiddly corners before moving on to the larger areas, using long brush strokes. Valspar’s range of fade-resistant garden paint is available in 200 stunning shades. So, you can keep your garden fresh with bright colour all year around.

18 yourhomestyle.uk

Valspar Garden mid-sheen paint & primer in English Primrose, £26 per 2.5L, B&Q

May at home

HELPI NG HAND

Get together Celebrate your friendships, and make some new ones, this month. The 9th to the 15th of May is Mental Health Awareness Week. This year the theme is ‘loneliness’, a problem more people are struggling with following the isolation of the pandemic. So get together with your besties and make new connections by joining a community group or class. Even if feelings of loneliness aren’t something you’re experiencing at the moment, you might just be the friend someone needs to break out of theirs.

Take time to reconnect and make new friends during Mental Health Awareness Week in May

Bamboo and recycled plastic cleaning range, from £7, Pangea Home

YOUR HOM ES T YLE

Clean dreams

The spring clean can be a bit of a slog so we’ve put together a simple guide to help motivate you. Head to yourhomestyle.uk and search for ‘deep cleaning plan’ and learn how to tackle a blitz in manageable chunks; or turn to page 84 for top tips in our special feature on making your home sparkle.

3-pint jugs, £37 each; tumblers, £8 each, both Falcon Enamelware

ST YLE SWITCH

Picnic ready

Top up your table with Falcon’s limited-edition range of enamelware. There are three gorgeous new colours to choose from: Olive Oil, Buttermilk and Burgundy, which have been applied to its most popular styles.

These sturdy pieces are manufactured from heavy-gauge steel and durable porcelain. The materials make them extremely tough and hard-wearing, so they’re perfect for drinks in the garden – or camping, when the weather warms up!

PR OBLEM SOLVED

Grow simple

Get back to your roots with Sow Grow Gather, Sam Corfield, £16, Quadrille

You’ve decided to take the plunge and turn your outdoor space into a green and gorgeous productive plot. Where do you begin? Sam Corfield‘s (@the_hairy_ horticulturalist) debut book; Sow Grow Gather is the perfect jumping-off point for your bid to live the good life as his infectious enthusiasm and light-hearted approach make it easier to start growing for the first time.

conscious choice

Purple prayer plant, from £80, Brazen Botany

QU ICK WIN

A new leaf

If you haven’t been blessed with green fingers, and no matter how hard you try you can’t help but kill your houseplants, Brazen Botany has got your back. The Londonbased company makes vibrant, un-killable houseplants using coloured paper, wood and wire, which makes them a great ecofriendly alternative to plastic plants.

May 2022 19

Be in HomeStyle

Fancy seeing your home here?

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

READER HOMES

Be inspired by this month’s gorgeous real homes, packed with stunning ideas to steal!

22 MODERN ECLECTIC Atia has transformed her semi with creative upcycling hacks

34 SIMPLE BEAUTY Isatu brings calm to her space with natural textures and neutral tones

46 HAPPY NEW-BUILD First-time buyer Emily has added personality with cheerful colour

46 22

PLUS SHOP THE LOOK 30

34

42

54 May 2022 21

Our characterful house is so COSY & QUIRKY

When Atia Azmi bought a rundown semi with her husband, Matiur, she had her work cut out turning it into the colourful family home it is today ‘I’ve made some of the cushions in here myself,’ says Atia. ‘The blue sofa is from Designers Guild, the coffee table is from La Redoute, while the vintage rug is from Morocco.’ On the wall, Atia has framed art prints and teamed them with decorative plates to create an eclectic display

PLAYFUL PATTERNS p30

Inspiring homes

When we first saw this house, it was in a bad state. There was peeling wallpaper in every room, a garage door that was falling off and a strong smell of cats! Despite all of that, we weren’t put off. We loved the area as it has great connections to London and good schools for the children and the house has off-street parking and a big garden. We also loved the original features, such as the picture rails and French doors and there was lots of potential for improvement.

We knew the house was going to need a substantial amount of work to make it liveable for our young family. Our first step was to get the plumbing and heating

redone, followed by putting new flooring down and decorating each room. At first, I didn’t think the kitchen or utility room would be suitable for us to use, but luckily, they’ve been perfectly functional.

Since moving in, we’ve converted bits of the house to make it work better for us, like turning the small en suite upstairs into a fourth bedroom. Staying within our budget and working around the constraints of the house layout were the hardest parts, but we got there in the end. By making changes over time, we’ve added personality to the place. It’s a big transformation from the house we first bought. Now it feels much more ‘us’ and we love it.

‘It’s a big transformation from the house we first bought.

Now it feels much more “us” and we love it’

Welcome TO MY HOME A BIT ABOUT ME I’m Atia Azmi, 38, a GP and craft and lifestyle blogger. I live with my husband, Matiur, 45, a commercial manager, and our children, Suhayb, 13, Noura, nine and Idris, six, and our cat, Leyla. You can see more of my home style at @thebrightbloomshome.

WHERE I LIVE Our home is a four-bedroom, semi-detached Edwardian house in Beckenham, Greater London.

We moved here in 2016.

WHAT I WANTED TO CHANGE The house was in quite a poor state, with peeling wallpaper and bad paintwork. All of the rooms desperately needed redecorating.

HOW I MADE IT WORK We gave every room a makeover and had a new bathroom fitted upstairs.

We also converted part of the master bedroom into a small fourth bedroom, to give us the sleeping space that our family needed.

MY FAVOURITE PART Our front living room is such a wonderfully versatile space, and we use it for lots of different things, from reading to entertaining. I absolutely love the wall colour, artwork and our pink fireplace.

Feature and styling Laurie Davidson Photos Lizzie Orme

MY STORY

Family room

This colourful space leads through from the hallway to the conservatory and it’s where the family watch TV and relax at the end of the day. At one end, a sofa from Designers Guild makes a cosy seating option, with wallpaper by Eijffinger covering one wall. At the other end, a small round table and chairs offer a place to eat, or for the children to do homework. Atia has kept the walls white here, allowing the colourful artwork to stand out. She bought the rattan shelving unit on Facebook Marketplace, one of many finds she has stumbled on. ‘I’ve discovered some great bargains on Facebook Marketplace,’ she says.

At the other end of the family room, French doors lead into the conservatory. Atia bought the dining table and chair set for £20 from Facebook Marketplace and painted it in Annie Sloan’s Antoinette, while she upholstered the chair seats in a House of Hackney fabric. The armchair is covered in a kantha throw from Graham & Green

‘Choose what you love and don’t be afraid of colour’

Sweet pastel storage trunks from MADE. com sit next to the sofa.

Stacked on top of each other, they double up as a side table and are also used to store some of Atia’s craft materials for her work as a part-time sewist

‘I bought the radiator from Cast Iron Radiators and had it custom painted in Fired Earth’s Hustle at 5pm,’ says Atia.

The colourful dried flowers are from The Happy Blossoms

Steal my style

Get Atia’s warm and welcoming home style with these buys

Dried bouquet in jam jar, Lisa Comfort Home

Blue glass candle holder, Talking Tables

24 yourhomestyle.uk

Rifle Paper Co print, Papermash

Inspiring homes

Living room

Atia has added plenty of colour to the main living room, but the pink-painted fireplace is the main focus, standing out against the dark blue walls. ‘We painted the room in Inchyra Blue by Farrow & Ball and this is my favourite scheme in the house,’ Atia says. ‘I tend to like modern, eclectic styles with a mix of furniture.’

It’s not only the walls that are painted this colour either – the picture rail, shelves, cupboard and skirting are also in Inchyra Blue, with bright artwork from Jessica Ford taking pride of place above the sofa.

Style idea Colour coordinate books for a dazzling display

Atia wanted this room to be a more formal space for entertaining guests, while adding personality with colour and texture. Glam furniture, such as the marble-top coffee table from M&S has been teamed with more fun elements including a neon pink double candle from Lex Pott and mirror from Graham & Green. The fireplace is painted in Farrow & Ball’s Nancy’s Blushes, and quirky candles from Dowse Design add a fun, modern touch. Original art

by Rebecca Newport is displayed on the mantel

Kitchen

The kitchen is a slightly awkward shape, leading from the utility room to the conservatory. Atia didn’t think it would be useable at first, but with a quick and easy update, she’s happy to keep it for now. The units are the originals that had been left in the house, and Atia has painted them in a custom-mixed spearmint green colour. The flooring is a tile-effect vinyl used to cover the old flooring underneath and the splashback is made up of contemporary tile decals to cover the originals.

Style idea Give dated tiles a quick and easy makeover with on-trend decals

‘We want to have an open-plan kitchen when we extend, with a more practical layout than we have currently,’ explains Atia. ‘I’d really love to have an island and much more storage space’

Inspiring homes Spearmint green-coloured units and tiles work well with the light grey walls and floor tiles. The door knobs were changed to copper designs to complement the fresh mint colour

The pegboard from Block Design is perfect for keeping Atia’s craft stash within easy reach, as is the Mustard Made locker. A trolley and swivel chair from IKEA add another bit of colour to the space, while the desk is a vintage find

make

PEGBOARD p32

‘During Ramadan, we eat at the dining table every evening as a family, and entertain here on Eid Day’

HOW TO...

Use a conservatory all year round Make it work whatever the season

Conservatories are renowned for being too hot in the summer, which can often mean they’re not used as much as you’d like. If you find yours is stifling in the sun, consider additional ventilation, from opening vents, doors or windows to help cool it down. Alternatively, blinds will offer some shade and reduce heat and glare, as well as protect your furnishings from fading in the sunlight.

An insulated roof will help keep the heat in when it’s cold and reflect it when it’s hot outside, helping your conservatory to stay toasty in the winter and cool in the warmer months. Polycarbonate roofs are a cheaper option, but a double-glazed glass roof could be a more cost-effective, energy-efficient option in the long run.

You could also install blinds that have heat-reflecting properties and update any single-glazed glass panels with modern, double-glazed insulated designs. Draught excluders around doorways and draughtexcluding tape around window seals will also help stop cold air from getting in.

A conservatory is a hard room to heat and connecting it to your home’s central heating system could just mean wasted energy. Instead, invest in an electric heater that you can control manually.

Keep a stash of blankets and throws to hand, so you can reach for one if you’re feeling chilly, whether it’s during the winter or on a cool summer’s evening.

Conser vatory

‘We’ve always had a dining table in here, but it’s not very practical in the winter when it gets cold!’ says Atia. The table is an eBay buy and the chairs were found in a junk shop and painted in Annie Sloan’s Graphite.

The pink sideboard is made from IKEA Ivar units. Atia painted it in Farrow & Ball’s Rangwali and added gold-coloured legs and door knobs

Although it can be hot in the summer and cold in the winter, the conservatory is used as both Atia’s home office and main dining area. ‘We are in the process of submitting a planning application for a large extension, which would turn the conservatory, kitchen and family room into one big space,’ she says.

For now, it’s where Atia does her sewing work and where the family enjoy special meals together. ‘During Ramadan, we eat at the dining table every evening as a family, and entertain here on Eid Day,’ says Atia. ‘The table is full of dishes to share with guests, and we decorate with lights and paper decorations to make it fun for the children.’

May 2022 27

Master bedroom

The master bedroom originally had an en-suite bathroom, but Atia and Matiur converted it into another bedroom as they felt it was a better use of the area. Again, bright colours fill this space with storage and an upcycled headboard, transformed using Annie Sloan’s Florence paint, and walls in Little Greene’s Grey Teal.

Noura s bedroom

The wardrobes are from eBay and painted in Frenchic paint, while the original handles have been replaced with brass designs from Plank Hardware. Each room has a door and frame in contrasting colours. In the master bedroom, the frame has been painted in a bright and pretty, fuchsia-coloured hue called Mischief by Little Greene 28 yourhomestyle.uk

Atia loves this brightly coloured scheme just as much as nine-year-old Noura. For some clashing pattern, she’s teamed the bright floral wallpaper with a polka-dot design, both by Rice from Eijffinger. The wallpaper was chosen when the children were small and shared a room, but it works just as well for an older girl. Atia has made some of the décor herself. ‘The patchwork quilt is mine and it’s my favourite out of all the things I’ve created for the house,’ she says.

Atia has covered the bed from Loaf in a striking bedspread from Anthropologie, along with floral pillowcases from Bluebellgray.

The chest of drawers is from MADE.com, the bedside tables are from La Redoute, and the wall lights are from Dunelm

To add texture to the space, Atia added a wall hanging from Weaves and Wreaths on Etsy and a woven lampshade by Juliet Gunn. The shelves have been spraypainted red to make them stand out

Inspiring homes

Bathroom

The bathroom used to have a large walk-in shower, but Atia wanted to include a bath as well. Although it’s a small space, the couple measured it up and found the dimensions would just about allow it. The floor tiles are Sakura cement tiles from Otto Tiles and everything else was chosen to complement the colours in the design, including the bath from Burlington, which Atia painted in Farrow & Ball’s Nancy’s Blushes. The wall tiles are from Mandarin Stone and have been laid in a herringbone pattern with green tiles in the shower area. The walls are painted in Farrow & Ball’s Green Smoke and the brass fittings are from Crosswater’s MPRO range. Atia had the shower fittings powder coated in gold to match the rest of the bathroom, which was cheaper than buying a brass-finish shower enclosure.

Style idea Use S-hooks to hang plants from a shower screen

The sink unit is from Aspenn Furniture and painted in Farrow & Ball’s Green Smoke to match the walls. The wall lights are from där lighting and the gold radiator is from Terma

A string of hearts plant hangs down the side of the shower cubicle, while a print from Juniqe ties in with the botanical theme

WHAT I LEARNED...

Choose what you love and don’t be afraid to add colour. When we first moved in, I painted everything grey and white. It was a bit bland and was quickly ruined by grubby little hands! The bright wallpaper prints and bolder paint colours disguise this much better.

It’s easy to save money by upcycling vintage finds. I’ve found plenty of bargains for our home, ranging from wardrobes to chests of drawers, as well as our dining table and chairs.

Adding texture, pattern and colour with accessories helps inject personality to your interior. I’ve used lots of brightly coloured rugs and cushions to make our home truly unique.

See yourhomestyle.uk for more great real homes May 2022 29

hop the look...

PLAYFUL PATTERN Mix and match florals, stripes and geometrics to build a cheerful yet sophisticated look, just like Atia 1

Style idea

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1 Aquarelle brushstrokes cushion, £14.99, Dobbies 2 Strawberry Garden Teal Billie mug, £8, Cath Kidston 3 Asiatic Rugs Colores floral rug in Red, from £71, Next 4 Small Polish jug in Cornflower, £9.95, Artisan Homeware 5 Country Cottage floral stoneware cereal bowl, £8, John Lewis & Partners 6 Retro floral towel, from £4.50, George Home 7 Stripe print apron, £18, Monsoon 8 Magazine file in Red Oak Leaves, £32, Cambridge Imprint 9 Empire shade in Liberty’s Poppy Meadowfield in Jade, from £32, Pooky 10 Embossed goblets in Turquoise, £14.95 for set of two, Dibor 11 Isolation Garden wash bag, £22, Bluebellgray 30 yourhomestyle.uk

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Make the look...

WOODEN PEGBOARD

Keep your space neat, tidy and stylish, like Atia, with this easy-to-make board.

Use it to hang kitchen utensils, crafting must-haves or to display mini plants

If you want to hang the pegboard up, simply drill small holes in each corner of the board and use screws to fix to the wall

You will need

● Plywood sheet & pieces ● Pencil ● Ruler ● Drill &

8mm wood bit ● Sandpaper ● Masking tape ● Paint ● Dowel rod ● Rotary tool ● Saw ● Hammer ● Wood glue

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Measure and mark 36 equally-spaced points on the plywood sheet. Then, using a 8mm drill bit, drill holes through the wood at each point. Smooth rough edges with sandpaper.

Mask off the board diagonally with tape and apply paint to one half.

To make the pegs, cut the dowel rod into 10cm pieces with a saw and sand any rough edges. Bang the pegs into the holes on the board with a hammer.

For the shelves, first rest a rectangular plywood piece on top of two adjacent pegs. Mark the position of the pegs on the plywood and then, using a rotary tool with a round carving bit, make two adjacent grooves across the plywood. Stick it on top of the pegs with wood glue and leave to dry.

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Make and styling Suzie Attaway Photo Oliver Gordon

Top tip

Birch plywood sheet, £26.17; birch plywood pieces, £1.75 each, all WoodSheets.com. Lilac Wine matt furniture paint, 99p for a tester sachet, Rust-Oleum. Hardwood 0.8cm dowel, £1.50, Hobbycraft. Vattenkrasse watering can, £10; artificial plants, from a selection, all IKEA

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The large option has a magnetic strip to hold your brush, whereas the small option is useful for touch-ups or cutting in.

May 2022 33

Feature Thomas Poad

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I wanted to embrace

A CALM HOME

Pairing the beauty of Scandinavian design with the simplicity of the Japanese lifestyle, Isatu Chadborn has created a home full of stylish serenity

‘Old meets new in my carefully curated home’ ‘Although I went for a sleek, all-white kitchen, I still wanted a relaxed look. Adding textiles, like a simple tablecloth, is an easy way to soften a room. The kitchen is from Lubina Kitchens and the sofa is from Next. The textured porcelain floor tiles are from Tile Mountain and are great for hiding marks’

Inspiring homes

I love a period property, but after spending more time fixing them than enjoying them, we decided it was time to try something more modern and easier to maintain.

So, when we saw this 1960s house we were excited to transform it into an amazing family home. Our house sold quickly so before we completed, we spent seven weeks renting an apartment.

When we finally moved in, we freshened the whole house up with a lick of white paint. Then I started planning the reno, knowing the big project was converting three downstairs rooms into a sociable, open-plan kitchen-diner. We talked with an

Style idea Add interest to a blank wall with a trio of inset display shelves

architect, but the best idea came from our builder, who explained putting a supporting beam into the roof would be too disruptive to the rooms above and suggested making a feature of the dividing wall. I designed the kitchen with the help of our kitchen fitter, making sure to include plenty of storage to hide the ugly appliances. Then we moved onto the living room, where we made the most of the fireplace by building a false chimney breast and a beautiful hearth.

I wanted to embrace slow living and create a relaxed, calm home, so I decorated using natural textures, neutral tones and vintage furniture. Finding my interiors style has taken time, but it’s also been fun.

Welcome TO MY HOME A BIT ABOUT ME I’m Isatu Chadborn, a learning support assistant, aged 55. I live with my husband, Peter, 53, a financial planner, our son, Travis, 20, a student, and our dog, Ziggy. Our daughter, Millie, 24, left last year to buy her first home with her partner.

WHERE I LIVE Our home is a four-bedroom extended 1960s detached house in Brightlingsea, Essex. We moved here in April 2012.

You can see more of our home on my Instagram @life_of_isatu.

WHAT I WANTED TO CHANGE I wanted to create a relaxed home with one large space where we could all be together. This meant converting the warren of small downstairs rooms into a large, kitchen-diner, featuring a comfortable sofa area.

HOW I MADE IT MY OWN I chose a neutral colour palette of soft whites and gentle browns balanced with black accessories, vintage furniture and curved ceramics.

MY FAVOURITE PART It used to be the kitchen-diner, as it worked exactly as I wanted it to, being a place that the whole family could gather and socialise together. But having recently converted one of the bedrooms into a yoga room, I’m now in two minds.

Feature and styling Lisa Moses Photos Katie Jane Watson

MY STORY

‘I designed this breakfast bar using a piece of plywood covered in the same glass as the splashback. The kitchen tap, similar to the Schon Ramsey tap from Victoria Plum, has a useful boiling water option. The only thing I would change is putting the sink in the island. Washing up in front of the breakfast bar isn’t ideal. I think having the hob there instead would be far more sociable’ Isatu uses the breakfast bar as an extra work surface. For a similar flatpack stag head, try Alpen Home’s 3D design from Wayfair

‘There was already a chimney breast here and we thought, “How many people get to have a fireplace in their kitchen?”

So rather than get rid of it, we turned it into a working fire, which makes the room so cosy in the colder months.’ The bar stools are from Dunelm. For similar pendant lights, try the Hoxton Cone triple bar pendant from Garden Trading

Style idea Fit a slim wine cooler in between two cabinets

36 yourhomestyle.uk

‘I didn’t want a plain blank wall to replace the door that we had gotten rid of, so we created the recessed shelves to add a beautiful display space.

Styling these shelves with some of the wonderful objects I’ve collected over the years has made a real feature of this wall.

I love collecting special pieces of ceramics and I’m generally not precious about where I buy them – new or vintage suits me – although I do love Dantes Ceramics, and I will get something from there as a treat for Christmas, or maybe my birthday’

Inspiring homes ‘We planned the layout of this room so that we could easily move from kitchen to dining to sofa.

We replaced the original double doors through to my office with a single sliding wooden door, a great space-saving solution that we’ve used throughout the house. The tablecloth is from H&M Home and the rug is from IKEA’

shop

URBAN JAPANDI p42

Kitchen-diner

‘I find beauty in the simplest things and I love creating displays with everyday items, such as vases, ceramics and books’

‘This was the space that really sold the house to us. Although it was originally three separate rooms, we could see how it would work as the main hub of the house. We took time to live in the space and work out the best design rather than rush into it, as I wanted to design a hardworking, functional space where we could relax and socialise. We had to keep part of the load-bearing wall, but I happily run with these ideas rather than see them as setbacks, so we made it a feature of the room and wrapped the island and breakfast bar around it. I knew I didn’t want gloss cabinets, which can quite quickly look dated, so I chose sleek, matt white, handleless units, for a classic, timeless look.’

HOW TO...

Get the Japandi look Tap into this interiors trend with these top tips A warm and welcoming vibe is at the heart of the look. With that in mind, texture is key so think thick-weave throws and heavily textured cushions.

The colour scheme is calm and muted, taking inspiration from the light, natural look of Scandinavian homes, and the warm, darker browns of Japanese interiors.

Natural light is encouraged to stream through simple blinds rather than fussy curtains, and floorboards covered with natural rugs are preferred over carpet.

Living room ‘The original living room was painted light blue and had an ugly gas fire. I painted the whole space white and then ripped up the carpets, and we were lucky enough to find some beautiful, original parquet flooring underneath. We opened up the wall to install a real fire, built up the chimney breast and then I commissioned a beautiful bespoke concrete hearth. I originally painted the whole room in Farrow & Ball’s Down Pipe, and although Pete loved it, I felt it was too dark and overbearing. So, although it was a hard job, needing a colour blocker and three coats of paint, I decided to change it back to white, leaving just a feature wall with colour. I loved the difference immediately. It was then I realised how much I respond to light, gentle colours.’

Japandi leans towards fresh blooms and living plants, rather than fake foliage.

Embrace its minimal look, and choose simple stems or living branches, like Isatu’s magnolia shoots.

Emphasis on sustainability, with a nod to natural wood, vintage furniture and handcrafted ceramics, is an important part of the concept. Go for pared-back, sleek accessories and streamlined modern vintage furniture. There is a nod to rustic elements on the Scandi side of the look, that embraces rustic imperfections.

‘Rather than get rid of accessories if my taste changes, I prefer to try and update them to suit my current style. This mirror is the walnut veneer Stockholm from IKEA, but I wanted a black mirror in here, so I just painted this one’

‘Although I’ve never gone for bright, bold colours, I’m only now finding a calm, relaxed look that reflects my personality’ 38 yourhomestyle.uk

Inspiring homes ‘I bought these Ercol pieces before they became popular again and gave them an update by reupholstering them. The vintage cabinet is from eBay, the abstract print is just a tea towel I framed, the rug is from La Redoute and the sheepskin is from Surrey Style’

make

ABSTRACT CANVAS p44

‘I picked up this chair from a local charity shop for £10 and painted it in Farrow & Ball Setting Plaster. I made the pinboard using a piece of hessian stapled onto some MDF’

Steal my style Get Isatu’s considered look with these buys

Green Crane velvet cushion, Rockett St George

‘I found this coffee table on eBay for just £20. For that price, I didn’t believe its top was solid marble until we went to pick it up, and it took three of us to lift it into the car. We bought the sofa from Debenhams years ago and it’s still got plenty of life left in it’. Everything is thoughtfully curated to create balance in Isatu’s home, from her monochrome colour palette, warmed up with browns and soft caramel tones, to her beautiful displays of everyday items

Office ‘This used to be the playroom, and then the teenage den, but it got to the point when the children were in their bedrooms all the time. I thought it was a great idea when Pete suggested I make it into my own crafty workspace and office.

We painted the wall in Naval Night by Valspar, which is a nice contrast to the rest of the house. The desk is from IKEA and the shelves are from Bloomingville.’

Black metal shelf, Matalan

Large vase, B&M

May 2022 39

Master bedroom ‘I had saved this panelling idea on a Pinterest board, not really knowing where I would use it. When it came to decorating our bedroom, I knew it was just what this room needed. Luckily, this was an easy DIY job – all we had to do was mark out the panels on the wall and then glue and tack on the pre-cut wood.

I enjoy simple palettes and soft tones, and wanted to create a warm, cocoon-like feel in here, so I chose Craig & Rose’s Pale Cashmere, a warm beige colour, which I’ve teamed with black accessories.’

Style idea Break up a blank wall with simple but stylish panelling

The straight lines, simple palette and symmetry encourage the calm, slow atmosphere Isatu prefers. The black and white accent shades ground the colours of the walls, bedding and floor. The side tables are from IKEA and the bedside lamps are from Southwood Living. ‘I love simplicity in my interiors, and I’ve realised that neutrals and a monochrome palette are what I love; they make me feel calm and relaxed, though I do like to throw in a bit of gentle colour now and then to break up the look. I bought the chair from a Cult Furniture outlet store near us, and the print is by Sofia Lind’

Inspiring homes ‘I wanted a vintage vanity unit in here, but couldn’t find anything I liked, so I chose this plywood cabinet, from Urbansize, and got our plumber to convert it to hold a basin stand. The splashback is made from one large tile and I spray-painted the Garden Trading lights white’

Bathroom

‘I wanted a free-standing bath and separate shower, so we ripped out the airing cupboard and moved the water tank. To help plan the layout, Pete scaled down all the main parts onto small pieces of paper and I played around with them until we found the perfect floor plan. We chose three different types of lighting; task lighting above the basin, soft pendants for relaxed baths and spots in the ceiling for everyday use.’

Yoga room

‘This used to be Millie’s dressing room. When she moved out, it became a bit of a redundant space, so I turned it into a yoga room for myself and Pete. I painted the walls in Farrow & Ball Old White, a calming colour, perfect for creating a serene environment, and then painted the chest and drawers the same colour.

I swapped the original handles for stylish Zara Home ones, and then Pete attached the peg rail to give me a simple styling device.’

Spare bedroom ‘This was originally our daughter, Millie’s room. She moved out last year, so I decided to redecorate and convert it into a spare room.

The simple, box-like space needed a feature, and panelling is an easy and cheap way to add interest. Pete built a wooden frame to create the false wall, and then we added a plywood ledge to display beautiful things, like this print by Sofia Lind. I painted the whole room, including the doors and radiator, in Well Grounded by COAT Paints, and put in a new bed from Next.’

Painting everything the same colour has given this room a modern update, it makes it feel bigger, while adding to its cosy vibe; the ceiling remains white to keep it feeling fresh

‘I spotted the cabinet in a charity shop. It’s the perfect piece to store our yoga accessories, and I have some little black legs that I’m going to put it on. I bought the magnolia branches from a florist. I’m excited to see them bloom over time’

WHAT I LEARNED...

Most of the ground floor is white, so instead of choosing expensive paints with interesting names, I buy large tubs of good-quality trade paint, which saves me an absolute fortune.

Glass isn’t always the most practical material in a kitchen. I love the sleek look it has, but our hob, splashback and breakfast bar, all made of glass, show up stains very easily and need constant maintenance to keep them looking nice and clean.

If you take your time, you’re much more likely to create a home that better reflects your personality and that you’ll enjoy more, as your decisions will be more mindful and considered.

See yourhomestyle.uk for more great real homes May 2022 41

hop the look...

URBAN JAPANDI Take the edge off a minimalist look, like Isatu, with gentle curves and high-end materials

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Style idea

Warm up a striking monochrome theme with touches of terracotta

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Feature Hannah Tribe

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1 Black sgraffito planter and wire stand, £23, Sass & Belle 2 Tori pendant light, £115, Dunelm 3 Bancroft window style wall mirror, £129, Cult Furniture 4 Abstract face wire ornament, £2.50, Primark 5 Rust Orange side table, £85, Quince & Cook 6 Ridged glass storage jar, £6, B&M 7 Stockholm low stool in Burnt Orange velvet & Brass, £49, Cult Furniture 8 ANYDAY terrazzo bulbholder table lamp in White, £18, John Lewis & Partners 9 Seat pad, £18 for two, Matalan 10 Gold wall planter, £12, Habitat 11 Loft metal laundry basket, £25, Matalan 42 yourhomestyle.uk

Make the look...

ABSTRACT ART A beautiful painting needn’t break the bank. Try going for simple yet striking designs, like Isatu, that you can easily create yourself Stretched 35 x 45cm canvas, £4, The Works. Beige, Tan and Black Home Craft acrylic paint, £2 each for 60ml, Hobbycraft. Wall painted in Harley Green intelligent matt emulsion, £29 per 1L, Little Greene Paint Company. 746 Retro telephone, £49.95, No 33 Lifestyle

Top tip You can use a sponge instead of a stencil brush, but don’t apply too much paint at once as it could seep under the design

● Side

● Pencil

● Paintbrush ● Sheet of

● Masking tape ● Repositionable ● Stencil brush ● Kitchen paper Place the round side plate and saucer on the stretched canvas and draw around it with a pencil.

Neatly paint the circles in beige and terracotta colours and leave to dry. Apply a second coat if you feel that it’s needed.

Go to yourhomestyle.uk for your leaf template. Print it out and then place it beneath the sheet of acetate. Use masking tape to hold it securely in place on your cutting mat, and then carefully cut around the shape using a sharp craft knife.

Spray the back of the stencil with repositionable adhesive and allow it to go tacky for a few minutes. Place it over the dry painted circles on the canvas and then stick it in place.

Apply a little black paint to the stencil brush and dab off the excess on some kitchen paper.

Brush the paint over the stencil and continue until all cut-out areas are covered in paint. Leave to dry and remove the stencil to reveal your very own piece of abstract art.

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Make and styling Suzie Attaway Photo Oliver Gordon

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The starting point for the living room was the yellow IKEA sofa, which led to a contrasting teal design from Habitat. Both colours are picked out in the speckled rug by Benuta

My home is filled with things that

MAKE ME SMILE First-time buyer Emily Smith has used rainbow colours and vibrant artwork to transform her new-build on a budget

Inspiring homes

Living room

‘One of the first decisions we made was the bright yellow sofa. I loved it but was worried it wasn’t very sensible. Luckily, Jake liked it as much as me, so we went for it. That was the starting point and then we chose the green sofa to contrast. It was definitely influenced by our wedding colours from 2018 when I picked sunflowers and then dark green to go with them. I assumed that we’d paint the walls, but I quite like having them white, as you can fill the room with other colourful things and you know that it will work. It’s the perfect backdrop for a gallery wall. The prints all have different frames, but everything has a bit of pink or yellow to tie into the colour scheme.’

Welcome

TO MY HOME A BIT ABOUT ME I’m Emily Smith, 26, an NHS medical imaging physicist. I live with my husband, Jake, 25, who’s head of tech for an advertising and media company.

I share our renovation story on Instagram @coloursofnumberone.

WHERE I LIVE Our home is a three-bed new-build semi in Nottingham. We moved here in November 2020.

WHAT I WANTED TO CHANGE I wanted to add as much colour and personality as possible to what started off as a very plain white box.

MY STORY

Buying our first home was a spontaneous decision. We’d been renting a house in Bingham but went for a nosey around this new-build development. We hadn’t planned to buy for a year or so, but it was in the perfect location and there were only two homes left for sale. Luckily there was a 5 per cent NHS discount, and we could use the government’s Help to Buy scheme, which gave us a five-year interest-free loan for 20 per cent of the 25 per cent deposit. This meant it was cheaper to buy than rent.

Since moving in, we’ve spent around £5,000 making it our own. No major work

has been done but we’ve painted walls, bought furniture, hung artwork and gradually added accessories. It’s been a lot of trial and error. We’ve not rushed to paint over every white wall though, as they’re a great backdrop to maximise light and make our colourful furniture, accessories and feature walls really pop.

Although we won’t be here forever, we’re in no hurry to move. We can walk into the city centre in half an hour or to the river in five minutes. I love that every room gets used every day and it’s such a joy and privilege to have our own space where I can express my personality.

MY FAVOURITE PART The living room as there’s a wall of windows and doors onto the garden, so it’s always light and sunny in there.

Of all the rooms, this is the one that I’m happiest with.

Feature Karen Wilson Photos Katie Lee

‘I like bold colours, maximising natural light and giving each room its own distinct feel’

HOW I MADE IT MY OWN We’ve put up fun, colourful art prints, painted feature walls and fitted banquette seating in the dining area, as well as turning the smallest bedroom into a dressing room and the second bedroom into a home office.

‘My style is as colourful as I can get away with!

If it makes me smile that’s a good thing’

‘The radiator cover from Wayfair has made a big difference in the hallway,’ says Emily. ‘I’d wanted a ceramic brick vase for months and treated myself to one from StolenForm’

Ready-made IKEA curtains were shortened to fit and Emily found a bargain accent chair on eBay to match.

‘The print from Penny and Me is so vibrant and pulls together other colours in the space,’ she says

Style idea Fill empty space above cupboards with a couple of houseplants

‘This chest of drawers was a brown monstrosity when I saw it on Facebook Marketplace, but I loved the little pull-out shelf,’ says Emily. ‘Upcycling it with Farrow & Ball’s Sulking Room Pink was a lockdown labour of love and polishing all of the handles was a bit of a faff, but it was worth it!’

Quick fix Head to yourhomestyle.uk for more upcycling inspiration

Inspiring homes

Kitchen

‘We picked our kitchen from the builder’s options, but by the time it was due to be fitted, the range had been discontinued. As a result, we ended up with a better kitchen for the same price. I love the kitchen, but it needed some colour, so I covered the plain glass splashback behind the oven with mint green tile stickers. That led to matching accessories in minty green. We could’ve got a built-in fridge-freezer but it was cheaper to get a free-standing one instead. In future we might change the sink, tap and handles for a fresh new look, but we’re pretty happy with it for now.’

make

PAINTED PLANT POTS p56

‘I’m really glad we went for built-in appliances and having a dishwasher for the first time is a game-changer,’ says Emily. ‘I also love the strip lighting that Jake installed around the base’

Steal my style

Yellow Shell cushion, Mint & May

Get Emily’s happy-go-lucky

weve

lo Pink throw, HomeSense

Cuckoo house clock, Red Candy

May 2022 49

‘We’ve gone for pastel accents of mint green and pink in here,’ says Emily. ‘I sent back a few dining chairs because they weren’t the right minty green colour, but eventually found these on the Sklum website’

Style idea Hang mirrors opposite windows to bounce light around a room

PASTEL POPS p54

‘All the rooms get used every day and it’s such a joy and privilege to have our own space where I can express my personality’

Inspiring homes

Style idea Create a display of your fave cookbooks with picture ledges

Dining area

Rather than getting a joiner to create built-in banquette seating, the couple bought flatpack bench seating from Wayfair to save money. ‘It took hours to build, but we were lucky the measurements worked perfectly with the space,’ says Emily. ‘It’s also got handy storage underneath.’ The pair took their time finding the perfect extending table to match.

‘We’ve had eight people sitting around it, but you could probably fit more,’ says Emily. ‘The bench makes it a bit more casual. If someone’s cooking, it’s a lovely place to sit, have a drink and chat.’ An IKEA pendant, found on Facebook Marketplace, finishes off the space. ‘We bought a set of two lights, but they turned out to be much bigger than I’d thought,’ says Emily, ‘so we just sold the other one’.

HOW TO...

Create banquette

seating

Tips for space-saving dining First, consider the style you’re going for.

Do you prefer a rustic, farmhouse look with painted tongue-and-groove panelling, a more minimalist Scandi vibe with vertical wood slats, or perhaps a modern industrial style complete with faux leather upholstery?

IKEA picture ledges hold the couple’s collection of recipe books.

‘We both love cooking,’ says Emily.

‘Jake does all the weekend roasts and dinner parties’ Emily painted a feature wall in Delicate Blossom

by Wilko with complementary prints from Etsy.

‘We created a faux foliage wall to liven up the pillar using panels from eBay with more fake plants added in,’ she says

If you need to incorporate storage there are several options, from flip-top benches to sliding doors or straightforward cupboard doors underneath. If you don’t have much tall storage in your kitchen, this space can be invaluable for hiding away a brush, mop and bucket, vacuum cleaner or ironing board horizontally.

Most joiners will be able to create made-to-measure bench seating to your exact specifications. This can include upholstered seating and backing.

Alternatively, you could ask them to make the wooden base, and then create your own seat pads using just foam, fabric and a staple gun.

You can often save money with flatpack corner bench seating. Wayfair’s Hayley corner bench seat, from £402.49, is a good ready-made option that comes with flip-top storage that you can paint yourself. Alternatively, the Hardy corner bench in tan faux leather from Woods Furniture has both right- and left-facing options with black steel legs for £645 or try the stylish Medina upholstered corner bench from Barker & Stonehouse.

May 2022 51

Master bedroom

‘This was the first room we decorated. I didn’t want to paint the whole room and I was a bit bored of feature walls, but I loved the idea of extending the blue onto the ceiling. We got the Next bedding for Christmas from my in-laws, and it was a complete stroke of luck that it matched the walls. Next, we plan to replace the curtains with a full-length design in a similar pink colour. I think it looks more luxurious when they cover the whole wall.

I also love the pendant lights as they have a hotel-like feel.’

Style idea Paint a section of the ceiling above your bed for a cocoon-like canopy feel

A navy feature wall brings a calm, sophisticated feel to the main bedroom. ‘I love the blue herringbone cushion from Maemara, that’s made from recycled plastic,’ says Emily ‘I saw some expensive wallpaper that I liked but didn’t think it was a good idea in a bathroom,’ says Emily. ‘Instead, I made a cardboard template using a cup and painted some flowers on the wall. Everyone thinks it’s wallpaper’

Orange accents have added warmth to the neutral bathroom. ‘All it took was a £1.50 tester pot to transform the window,’ say Emily

52 yourhomestyle.uk

Inspiring homes The walls have been painted in Copper Blush by Dulux up to threequarter height. ‘We’d bought a lovely scaffold board shelf, but I was worried it was too heavy for the wall,’ says Emily. ‘Instead, we got some lightweight MDF and painted it’

Office

‘We thought about using this room as a guest bedroom, but it seemed a waste to only use the large space occasionally. Since lockdown, we’ve both been working from home most days. We bought IKEA drawers for either side and a kitchen worktop with a support leg for the middle. Luckily it came in a 3m length, exactly the same length as the room. There’s a sofa bed opposite so we can still have guests in here. I’m really pleased we did it. We really like working together in the same room.

It’s nice having someone to chat to.’

Bathroom

‘We very rarely use this bathroom, as we have an en suite shower room. I think the paint rollers have had more baths in here than I have! It’s really handy for guests to have their own bathroom though. After choosing neutral wall tiles and flooring from the builder’s options, all we’ve done is put up some shelves and painted an orange stripe around the window.

I thought it would be a fun way to add some colour without having to paint the whole room. As I already had an orange print that I loved, it helps tie the colours together. If I was starting from scratch, I’d probably get rid of the plastic bath panel and fit a separate shower.’

WHAT I LEARNED...

I’ve loved learning about the different ways design impacts mood and well-being, as well as the theory behind colours, textures and lighting.

Now I’m confident to run with fun ideas because paint can always be changed and I’m more likely to regret playing it safe than trying something a bit more colourful.

If I love something and it makes me smile, I just go for it. I can work out how it fits in with the rest of the décor later.

It’s better to buy decent paint. It’s not actually much more expensive when you factor in how many coats of cheap stuff you might need.

See yourhomestyle.uk for more great real homes May 2022 53

hop the look...

PASTEL POPS

Live your life in colour, like Emily, with cheerful accessories

2

1

3

Style idea

Brighten up a rental with vibrant pieces that showcase your sense of style 6 5 4

wvee

lo

11

8 7 9

Feature Hannah Tribe

10

1 Bright check faux mohair throw, £30, Next 2 East End Prints mug, £14.50, John Lewis & Partners 3 Alize glass cake stand, £24.50, Oliver Bonas 4 Graphic posters, from £8.75 each, Desenio 5 Mylo velvet accent chair in Dazzling Blue, £250, Next 6 Taira ceramic photo frame, £19.50, Oliver Bonas 7 London pottery pink farmhouse teapot, £30, Dunelm 8 Yellow indoor planter with saucer, £20, National Trust Shop 9 Willow fruit bowl in Mustard, £24.99, Dobbies 10 Cotton Blue thick stripe floor cushion, £14.99, Homescapes 11 Amphora vase in Bubblegum Pink, £18, Sass & Belle 54 yourhomestyle.uk

Prize draw

WIN!

1

LUCKY WINNER

Prize worth £1,295!

Spring is the perfect time for an interiors refresh. Whether you’re redecorating, just moved in, or looking to upgrade a well-used model, a new sofa can truly transform any living room. So, to celebrate the start of the new season, we’ve teamed up with Furniture Village to offer one lucky reader the chance to win the seriously stylish Rene 3-seater sofa, worth £1,295!

A modern twist on a classic Chesterfield, the Rene sofa combines a contemporary silhouette with retro details to create an eye-catching design that will work with a whole host of interiors schemes. Featuring super-supportive cushioning and elegant

button-back detailing, this sofa is ideal for sinking into after a long day, while the subtly curved arms make a brilliant spot to curl up with a cosy blanket and a magazine. The soft-to-touch velvety fabric and tapered walnut feet nod to the 1970s, and add that extra level of luxury to your living space.

Available in a luxe, denim-inspired Heritage Airforce colourway, Furniture Village’s Rene sofa is for every interiors lover looking for a piece that will see you through the seasons in comfort and style.

Browse the whole range at furniturevillage.co.uk

It’s so easy! Head to yourhomestyle.uk, click on the ‘Win’ tab, find the draw you want to enter and fill in your details. Closing date 1st June 2022

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Prize draw closes on 1st June 2022 at 23.59pm and you must be 18 or over to enter. This prize draw is open to residents of the UK mainland only. The prize winner will be chosen at random. Find full terms and conditions under the Furniture Village prize draw at yourhomestyle.uk/win.

May 2022 55

Make the look...

PAINTED PLANT POTS Brighten up a windowsill, mantelpiece or kitchen worktop, like Emily,

Top tip

Indoor planters, from £2, Wilko. Shapes stencils, from £7.99, IdealStencils Etsy.

Pebeo matt acrylic paint in Plum, Storm Blue, Coral and Antique Pink, £2.50 each for 59ml, all Hobbycraft. Forså work lamp, £15, IKEA. Rustic White Half Glazed mug, £10, Sass & Belle. Mini crate, £1.50, Primark

1

You will need

● Plant pots ● White primer spray paint ● Masking tape ● Shapes stencil ● Pencil ● Acrylic paint ● Paintbrushes ● Glue varnish 56 yourhomestyle.uk

Make sure your pots are all clean and dry before you start. Spray a fine coat of white primer over the surface of each pot in a well-ventilated and protected space.

When the pots are completely dry, carefully apply a strip of masking tape around the middle. Then, with a pencil, lightly draw a line around the top edge of the tape and peel it off. Use stencils in whichever shapes you like and add simple patterns around the top of each pot.

2

3

Neatly paint the areas you have stencilled using the pencil lines as a guide and leave the pots to dry thoroughly.

Once ready, apply a second coat, if you feel that it’s needed, and then allow the pots to dry and cure for 24 hours.

To finish, apply a coat of glue varnish to the pots as this will seal the design and protect them from water damage. Once they are dry, add your plant to the pot and then put them out as a colourful display.

4

Make and styling Suzie Attaway Photo Oliver Gordon

Ceramic, terracotta and plastic pots can all be used for this project as long as they are primed before painting

Prize draw

WIN! 1

LUCKY WINNER

ProTrad 4 IN 1 hot water tap Would you like the chance to win a hot water tap that has been specially designed to complement a classic kitchen scheme? Well, look no further as we have the perfect prize for you! The new ProTrad 4 IN 1 from Abode provides steaming hot water (98°C) and fresh filtered water, as and when you want it.

The hot water temperature is set via the PROBOIL.2X under-sink boiler, offering fast and trouble-free delivery at the touch of a handle. The next generation in intelligent hot-water boilers and rigorously field-tested, the cutting-edge boiler offers a 2-litre stainless steel tank and is an insulated model with low running costs, quick re-boil times and simple, intuitive digital controls.

Abode also offers a complete installation service on selected models. So, if you’re named as our lucky winner, once your Pronteau hot water tap is delivered, you can arrange a convenient time to book your installation at no charge.

Check out Abode’s full range of Pronteau hot water taps, designed to suit a variety of kitchen styles, at pronteau.co.uk

Prize worth £1,049!

It’s so easy! Head to yourhomestyle.uk, click on the ‘Win’ tab, find the draw you want to enter and fill in your details. Closing date 1st June 2022.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Prize draw closes on 1st June 2022 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. The prize winner will be chosen at random. Find full terms and conditions under the Pronteau prize draw at yourhomestyle.uk/win.

May 2022 57

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A TOUC H OF TRAD We live in a relatively new house but I’ve always liked traditional style, so with our cloakroom we decided to create a more vintage look. We’ve travelled to Australia several times and it holds a special place in our hearts, so unlike other rooms in our home we liked the idea of a theme and have shown this through the art prints.

We used Farrow and Ball Inchrya Blue, which complements the gold accessories perfectly. The panelling was so easy to do and we’re really pleased with the outcome! @gingerly_dressed

P R ET T Y S CANDI

RETR O REVIVAL

We wanted to create a casual but practical dining corner in our kitchen. We decided on bench-style seating with built-in storage and a bespoke mirror, all of which was created by my amazing handy dad!

I love a shelf or two to faff over and style up with my ever-growing collection of accessories. I‘d describe my style as a mix of Scandi with some traditional features. I love a pastel palette and it’s fair to say I am pretty obsessed with sage green and any shade of pink! @nicolajaneloveshome

In our home we focused on mixing old and new styles throughout. In this area we used accent chairs in a mid-century modern style and added an original 1970s copper floor lamp that belonged to my partner’s late mum. We had to replace the wiring but it now gives off a warm glow every evening. The shelves are styled with family photos, thrift finds and some of our favourite books, which we enjoy delving into while cosied up next to the wood burner. @_phoenixhouse

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

Sponsored by...

SHOW-STOPPING STYLE

WIN A PRIZE! Congratulations to everyone who featured in this month’s #myHShome – you’ve won a bundle of cotton wraps, bags and a roll, worth £50, from waxwrap.uk! Use our hashtag on Instagram to show us your fave room for your chance to win a prize next month.

I decided on a circus theme for my playroom as my six-year-old loves The Greatest Showman, so I took inspiration from that. I found this perfect duck-egg blue and painted horizontal lines on the ceiling and down one wall, then teamed it with bright yellow and red accessories.

It’s gone from a boring, dull room to a striking bright and creative space! @midlandshousetohome

Show us your style! Upload your home shot to Instagram using #myHShome 60 yourhomestyle.uk

DECORATORÕS

Style edit

MOODBOARDS Step back in time and celebrate trends from yesteryear that still create a stylish look for your home today

62 MID-CENTURY MODERN

This dynamic scheme from the 1950s looks fresh and bold in today’s modern homes

64 SEVENTIES BOHO

Sink into a chilled-out scheme with carefree, hippy vibes

66 REGENCY REVIVAL

Live the life of a romantic heroine in these elegantly appointed rooms

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66

Feature Hannah Tribe

64

Swoon Rene four-seater sofa in Teal velvet, £999, DFS

Maddox vinyl flooring, £59 per sq m, Atrafloor

Touches of black ground this colourful scheme

Mason fabric in Dragonfly, £28.80 per m, Prestigious Textiles

Matt emulsion Wild Swimming No100, £41.95 per 2.5L, Victory Colours

Orange Modern Circles tile stickers, from £6.43 per pack of 10, Moon Wall Stickers

Chalk paint in Antoinette, Barcelona Orange, Athenian Black and English Yellow, all £23.95 per 1L; wall paint in Old White, £55.95 per 2.5L, Annie Sloan Park Lane tiles, £29.95 per sq m, Walls & Floors

COLOUR PALETTE

Style edit

MID–CENTURY MODERN Cutting-edge, playfully bright and functional, it’s easy to see why the mid-century look is still a hit for homeowners today

Mori Ochre blinds, from £155, Hillarys

Marino armchair, from £1,600; Amalfi sideboard, from £1,200, both Ercol

P.L.U.T.O. wall paper in Tangerine Dre am & Silver, £55 pe r roll, Mini Modern s

Regal Select matt paint in Fernwood Green, £24.50 per 0.94L, Benjamin Moore

Aelvstarr Sunneby pendant light, £36, IKEA

Flat matt emulsion in House Points, £42 per 2.5L, COAT Paints

Orla Kiely Sycamore Seed fabric in Fuchsia, £18 per m, Britannia Rose

Hexacube mosaic tiles in Teal, £4.99 per sheet, Tiles Direct

HOW TO

WORK THIS LOOK

l This bold scheme takes inspiration from the style innovations of

the 1950s and 1960s. New materials and fresh ways of thinking about design led to a bright and optimistic look that’s still irresistible today. l Begin your scheme by creating your colour palette. Mid-century

favourites include bright orange, mustard yellow and teal. Try to use at least one of these hues for an authentic look. l Once you have chosen your key colours, add in a good dose

of black. This will ground the brighter colours and give the look depth. Avoid using it on the walls, rather, introduce black via your furniture and accessories. uet-effect Natural parq vinyl tiles, self-adhesive ck of 13, B&Q £10.89 for pa

Galerie Deco wallpaper in SK21 115, £44.95 per roll, John Lewis & Partners

l Look out for curved furniture with rounded edges and tapered legs.

Choose simple yet multi-functional designs for an ultra-modern feel.

Teak, plastic and powder-coated metal are the key materials to include.

May 2022 63

lm Cut-out wire hanging pa ok ornament, £8.25, Ivy No

Scintilla Sky pattern tiles, £22.95 per sq m, Walls & Floors

Tarot card wa llpaper mural, £37 pe r sq m, Hovia

Matt emulsion in Hainsworth, £50 per 2.5L, Cox & Cox

rnishing fabric Tonal weave fu 0 per m, in Chestnut, £3 rtners John Lewis & Pa

Tulieries Cream crackle tiles, £41.95 per sq m, Walls & Floors

HOW TO

WORK THIS LOOK l This laid-back, dreamy scheme will give your room

a relaxed, easy-going ambience, while the pared-back, red-toned colour palette is gently warming and creates a comforting atmosphere. l Textured walls give rooms a cosy feeling. If yours are

lacking in character, fake the look of painted brickwork with digitally printed wallpaper. You can also add interest with chalk-wash or textured paint. When covering walls, aim for yellow or red-toned whites; they will feel creamy against blue-toned or brilliant whites. Using these colours will make your rooms look warm and inviting. l Celestial motifs add a touch of mysticism to this scheme. In

the 1970s, such elements were introduced by world travellers who had been inspired by ancient religious practices. If you’re looking for authentic, globally inspired pieces for your scheme, head to Fairtrade retailers, such as Ian Snow.

64 yourhomestyle.uk

Maleeka rattan pendant, £40; artificia l pampas, £175; plastic rattan basket s, from £14; bent cane plant stand, £40; Tull e chair, £99; jute circular cushion, £15 , square floor cushion, £69; Caleb rug , from £79; Elora circle rug, £85, all Dunelm

Style edit

SEVENTIES BOHO Originally inspired by the free-spirited hippy generation, this dreamy look is awash with good vibes

GoodHome Lydney Brown Dark Oak effect laminate flooring, £17 per sq m, B&Q

Reema Grey floor cushions, £195 each, back cushions, £110 each, Urban Outfitters

Matt emulsion in Natural Twine, £14 per 2.5L, Wilko

Textured wall effects create a cosy atmosphere Intergalactic wallpaper in Scandi Pastel, £39 per roll, Lust Home

Large striped rope shade, £95, Cox & Cox

Matt emulsion in Get Plastered, £49.99 per 2.5L, Dowsing & Reynolds

MAKE YOUR OWN! bit.ly/wrapped lampshade

COLOUR PALETTE

Rasch brick stone w all wallpaper, £11 pe r roll, I Want Wallpaper

Aragon Petal Grey matt wall and floor tiles, £26.99 per sq m, Victoria Plum

Stargazer 01 wallpaper, £75 per roll, Lick

Kingston Ecru voile curtain, from £20, Dunelm

May 2022 65

Roisin framed print, £80 each; Balmora l console table, £595; orchid faux flower, £140; Charlotte Coral Pink ma de to measure curtains, from £91; heodora tieback, £18, all Laura Ashley

Matt emulsion in Duck Egg Blue No 59, £41.95 per 2.5L, Victory Colours

Gholston Cream rug, from £70.99, Wayfair

Wall and ceiling paint in Rhythmic Pink, £40 per 2.5L, Zhoosh

Country Duck Egg tiles, £34.50 per sq m, Porcelain Superstore

Create a erfect summer s day with rambling floral patterns W by Woodpecker engineered wood flooring in Arctic O ak, £42 per sq m, Wicke s

Evie glass empire chandelier, £139, M&S

HOW TO

WORK THIS LOOK

l Dancing shoes at the ready! This gentle theme puts you at the centre

of your own great love story – the one you have with your home. Let dreamy florals, elegant stripes and chalky hues sweep you off your feet. l The secret to successfully creating this look is choosing a palette

of grey-toned pastels. These barely-there shades will appear slightly muted when compared to pastels with a white base. Using these subtle colours will make the scheme feel sophisticated, giving you an eminently liveable space. l Choose patterns that are inspired by the countryside. Avoid anything

too rigidly geometric and look out for designs that show a more curated version of wildness, such as a country cottage garden. on Blue Dorma Remingt per roll, Dunelm wallpaper, £25

66 yourhomestyle.uk

l Chinoiserie was a huge trend during the Georgian period, so pieces

inspired by traditional Chinese art and design are spot on. Key motifs to include are bamboo, camelias and cranes.

Style edit

REGENCY REVIVAL Become the belle of your own ball with this delicate, Georgian-inspired scheme llpaper Duck Egg faux panel wa uce mural, £30 per sq m, Wallsa

Wall Paint in Original, £41.95 per 2.5L, Annie Sloan

Eglantine wallpaper in Eau de Nil, £42 per roll, Laura Ashley Willow Landscape furnishing fabric in Silver, £20 per m, John Lewis & Partners

Country Cottage floral stripe wallpaper in Purple and Lilac, £19.95 per roll, Decor Supplies

Clarke & Clarke Monique fabric in Blush and Raspberry, £49 per m, Jane Clayton

COLOUR PALETTE vinyl flooring, £13.99 per sq m, Best 4 Flooring

King size Provencal Lit Lit White rattan bed, £1,645, The French Bedroom Company

May 2022 67

One problem room Rebecca s living room Our living room has me stumped. It’s an L-shaped room that extends into another area and then continues into the

TWO NEW LOOKS

Every month, we ask two interior stylists to solve a real room design dilemma, each creating a moodboard to

of creating zones as it’s a big budget so we wouldn’t be able

Arc cushion in Yellow, £40, Gail Myerscough Agate tealight holders, £35 for three, MADE.com

single room, the colours need to complement each other.

Likes: mid-century furniture.

We have a nest of G Plan tables, a vintage sideboard and a leather armchair that we love.

Dislikes: inspirational quote prints, busy wallpaper.

Natural jesmonite terrazzo pot, £20, Lime Lace

Abstract Hobbled Stones print in Pink and Navy, £8, Pixy Paper Freja recycled cotton throw in Ecru and Black, £18.50, Beaumonde

Waltara flatweave wool rug, £325, Mad About Mid Century Modern

Citrine Geo embroidered cushion, £16, Habitat

we

love

The Rebel three-seater sofa, from £974, Snug Sofa

Blue Triangle table lamp, £139, Cielshop

MEET THE STYLIST Feature Joanna Thornhill

An interiors stylist, writer, tutor and author of The New Mindful Home, Joanna Thornhill loves helping people discover their authentic home style. See more at joannathornhill. co.uk; @joannathornhillstylist on Instagram.

68 yourhomestyle.uk

The look REFINED RETRO

Style advice

Colour palette Use three shades in these proportions around the room

1 2

3

1 Ciao, Sophia flat matt emulsion, £46 per 2.5L, COAT Paints 2 Immersed No 275 flat matt emulsion, £37.99 per 2.5L, Crown 3 Golden Bark 3 Easycare matt emulsion, £40.54 per 2.5L, Dulux

Joanna’s style tips

Navy Blue Metic rug, £140, Next

WHY IT WORKS Bringing in restrained touches of 1970s style will complement Rebecca’s existing retro furniture pieces and suit her home style.

Tall metal candlestick, £12.99, H&M Home

Hubsch pendant in Blue glass and cork, £113, Lagoon Lighting

● While beige and brown tones work well within a retro palette, swapping to a dusky pink as the predominant wall colour will feel fresher. Use a rich navy to block in key areas, such as the living room window wall, and to visually split up the space. ● Bring a rug and a coffee table to the living area to further define this as a seating nook. Introducing some retro plants, alongside on-trend 1970s materials, such as cane weave and cork, will add visual softness. ● Stick to pared-back patterns that nod to the 1970s without going too garish. Tie it all together with rich, earthy tones and add touches of black as an accent colour. ● Paint the existing fireplace and rocking chair with some black eggshell, to transform them from farmhouse style to mid-century cool and tie in with the wood-burner.

Cane mirror in Black, £64.99, VonHaus

Woven vase, £20; pampas stems, £15, both George Home

Rust and Caramel terracotta vase with handles, £35, Rose & Grey

NEED

Selky corduroy eyelet curtains in Mustard, £75, MADE.com

E L Y

If you’d like our stylists’ help with a problem room, send a photo of your room to homestyle@ourmedia. co.uk for your chance to appear in this feature.

ST

Medby coffee table, £289, Cult Furniture

ICE? V D A

May 2022 69

Ivy Mink woven throw, £15; patterned pot with succulent, £7; bamboo-style LED lantern, £8; Basket Weave velvet cushion in Sage, £12; dried flowers tealight holder, £2.50; Green basket, £10, all B&M

WHY IT WORKS Rebecca’s disjointed room feels quite chaotic, so this scheme is designed to bring feelings of calm and harmony.

Painting the walls green will reflect the garden and help to bring the outside in and induce feelings of calm, while curved accessories and a mix of textures will bring lots of character and warmth to this important family area.

Rebecca s living room

Earth Green vase, £24, Marquis & Dawe Connected ornament, £18, Matalan

The look

Ring vase, £36, Five and Dime

Alder wall canvas, £32.99, Dobbies Artificial bonsai tree, £29.99, Homescapes Online

Large Rose Gold Pebble mirror, £75, Oliver Bonas

we

love Aftas scalloped jute rug, from £45, La Redoute

Feature Jo Crosby

Cube shelf, £84.99, Wayfair

reflected in the newly decorated rooms. zhooshpaints.com.

70 yourhomestyle.uk

Grey glass candle jar, £3, B&M

Embroidered cushion cover, £12.99, H&M Home

Style advice

Colour palette

Jiraya Berber-style rug, £95, La Redoute

Use three shades in these proportions around the room

1

Large Mercury glass lamp, £69.30, M&S

3

2 Soulful Green emulsion paint, £40 2 Mellow Grey

3 Rock Grey emulsion paint, £40 for 2.5L, Zhoosh Paints

Jo’s style tips Be brave and paint – or even

Storage stool, £17, Wilko

Grey sheepskin rug, £35, M&S

Citrine Pinsonic throw, £40, Habitat Green velvet cushion, £18, Dunelm

gallery wall, from £12.85, Desenio

● Bring definition to the area with black accents. Not only will they tie in with the room’s focal features and give the whole space a sense of cohesion, they will instil a contemporary edge to the look. ● Rebecca loves her current furniture, but simple additions will bring them to life. Start a gallery display above the sideboard; add cushions to the sofa and drape a sheepskin over the armchair to give the pieces a fresh update in minutes.

What did Rebecca decide?

‘I absolutely adore Joanna’s theme.

We’ve just bought a second-hand dresser and I think this scheme will fit in perfectly with it. I love how she has chosen colours that will work with our existing carpet and sofa.

I’m really excited to start zoning our space to make it cosy.’

May 2022 71

COMING NEXT MONTH Amazing real homes & room transformations full of ideas to steal!

Three ways to take décor cues from the natural world

Discover the hottest new trends for a summer of style

PLUS, DON’T MISS… Get ready for garden-party season with styling tips and tricks! Best buys from your favourite high-street shops Top 5 ice-cream makers All the expert advice you need, brilliant prizes, exclusive offers & much more!

Get your copy!

JUNE ISSUE

on sale 3rd May

Make delicious recipes for parties and picnics

Style advice

wonder WALLS Make a statement and redecorate with this season’s papers, paints and murals and enjoy a work of art from the comfort of your own home

Turn your walls into artistic creations with a beautiful mural. These large-scale designs break out from the confines of the traditional width of wallpaper to create impressive visual effects. Custom-printed murals are made to fit the height and length of your walls. You can align the artwork exactly how you want it for a personalised look. Pre-printed wallpaper murals are a bit less flexible but easier on the wallet and you can simply cut the paper to the shape that suits your room best.

Restore mural in Sky, £35 per sq m, Graham & Brown

Feature Hannah Tribe

Field of dreams

May 2022 73

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Pattern &

PAPERS Mix and match Fallen in love with a wallpaper that’s just too pricey for your budget? It’s easily done! But there is a neat decorating trick that allows you to use the paper you love without breaking the bank. Cover the lower portion of your walls with the paper, then paint the top section with a matching colour. Paint a length of wooden moulding to neaten up the join.

1 Laura Ashley Summer Palace wallpaper in Royal Blue, £42, Next

2 Honesty Blue wallpaper, £12 per roll, Dunelm 3 William Morris Willow Boughs wallpaper in Delft/White, £75 per roll, Wallpaper Direct

Riviera extending table and four dining chairs, £1,995, Furniture Village

Style advice 1

The main event Long live the feature wall! This Noughties trend is back with a new, more subtle approach. Modern feature walls have a slightly quirkier look than the original statement trend. Instead of papering the chimney breast, decorate the alcoves beside it, or the wall around a door. As always, the key to nailing this look is matching your wall paint to your paper perfectly.

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1 Galerie Kitchen Style checked wallpaper in

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Green/Cream, £37.95 per roll, Décor Supplies 2 Holden Decor Check Pattern wallpaper in Pink/Grey, £17, I Want Wallpaper 3 Galerie Regency Stripe wallpaper in Yellow/ White, £35.95 per roll, Décor Supplies

RHS Decoupage Paper in Songbirds, £11.95, Annie Sloan

Scallop planter, £8; Otto shade, £95; Pasenda table, £65; scallop rug, £65; candlestick, £8; check cushion, £16; vase, £20, all Habitat

Into the woods ‘Using botanical wallpaper will ease your mind. During lockdowns the desire to be in nature grew stronger and this was reflected in interior designs. A green and lush wallpaper provides energy and at the same time has a calming and healing power. It looks incredibly beautiful to combine the natural green with dull mid-tones, such as sand and nougat to create a calm scheme.’

Sissa Sundling, Head of Design, Boråstapeter

1 Woodland Walks wallpaper in Forest Greens and Mustard, £42 per roll, Lust Home 2 Fern Wall Green wallpaper, £9 per roll, Dunelm 3 Holden Décor Keider Trees wallpaper in Teal, £27.95, Wallpaper Shop

1 Boråstapeter Ingrid Marie wallpaper in 51, £64.80 per roll, Jane Clayton

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A piece of the action Transform your whole room with just one roll of wallpaper!

Pick out a highly detailed design, then cut it into long rectangles. The proportions of these rectangles will depend on the size and shape of your room. Paste up the paper to create the look of panelling, then conceal the edges with strips of beading, painted to create a framed effect.

1 Holden Décor Ornithology wallpaper, £25 per roll, B&Q 2 Glasshouse wallpaper in Soft Grey, £65 per roll, Graham & Brown 3 Arthouse Mitzu White wallpaper, £13 per roll, Wilko May 2022 75

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In touch with

TEXTURE

2

3

Bolt from the blue Think outside the box when it comes to decorating your walls.

Wall hangings add colour and texture to large, plain areas. They make rooms feel cosier and help to reduce noise in open-plan spaces too. You can also buy purpose-made wall hangings or DIY it using vintage embroidered tablecloths and flat woven rugs.

1 Tufted rug, £125, Habitat 2 Vamdrup rug, £215, IKEA 3 Tibetan tiger rug, £24.99, HomeSense

Edith rug (on wall), from £525; Boris rug, from £59; Oda stool, £209; Karla cushion, from £55; Ritta pendant shade, from £119, all Broste Copenhagen

Style advice 1

In the frame

Lormarp desk, £179; Edsbruk frames, from £5, all IKEA

We know that not everyone has the luxury of being able to paint or paper their walls, but that doesn’t mean that you have to skimp on style. Removable picture hanging strips are the interiorloving renter’s best friend. Create a gallery wall using large-scale prints in simple, lightweight frames. A handful of large frames is generally easier to hang than lots of smaller ones. If you have your heart set on wallpaper, use big pieces of your favourite paper in the frames.

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1 Habitat Ontario 103 x 73cm picture frame in Black, £38, Argos 2 81 x 61cm clip frame, £9, Wilko 3 Habitat Ontario 103 x 73cm picture frame in Black, £38, Argos

Cloud paint Dreamy Mediterranean style is set to be a huge trend this summer.

Give your home the vibe of an elegantly crumbling Venetian villa with specialised paint. These clever formulas are designed to allow you to create an uneven layer of colour, full of random texture and interest.

Each paint is different, so follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully to create the effect you want. For more tips, head to our website at bit.ly/colourwashwall to find our guide on how to colourwash your walls like a pro.

1 Rust-Oleum Chalkwash paint in Concrete, £36 per 2.5L, B&Q 2 Crafted by Crown suede paint in Taupe, £27 per 2.5L, Crown Paints 3 Artisan Chalk Wash paint in

Regal Select matt paint in Limesicle, from £24.50 per 0.94L, Benjamin Moore

Blue Ochre, £22.50 per 750ml, Craig & Rose

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Toile cushion, £7; printed chenille cushion, £8; tile print cushion, £7; Grey body vase, £12; Greek speckled vases, £12 for two, all George Home

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Work your angles 3

As any Regencycore queen will tell you, creating a traditional look is all about the details. Wainscotting and panelling instantly conjure an elegant and time-honoured look. But that high-class effect doesn’t need to come with a costly price tag. Panelling is simple to DIY using pre-cut MDF pieces that you can seal, then paint in the colour of your choice. If you’re not in the mood to get out the drill, look out for printed or paintable wallpapers.

1 Superfresco Easy Blush panel effect wallpaper, £21 per roll, B&Q 2 Shaker wall panelling, £11.95 for six pieces, Homebase 3 Wall Doctor paintable beadboard wallpaper, £11.50 per roll, Argos May 2022 77

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3 Ash desk, £475; Etta chair, £190 for two; wall light, £40; storage boxes, £16; bookends, £18 for two, all Habitat

A lick of

PAINT

Home zone

Our homes are working harder than ever. We need them to be offices, classrooms and chill-out areas. Trying to create the right vibe for all of these activities in one place can feel overwhelming. A simple way to zone our spaces is to use colour. Painting a small area within a room helps to create separation so you can have sections to work, rest or play without them overlapping.

1 Claypaint in Goldcrest, £48 per 2.5L, Fenwick & Tillbrook 2 Persipan flat matt paint, £42 per 2.5L, COAT Paints 3 Matt emulsion in Green 01, £38 per 2.5L, Lick

Style advice 1

Awash with colour

Breathe matt emulsion, £46 per 2.5L, interior eggshell and gloss, £34 per 1L, all Graham & Brown

‘If you prefer a look with less contrast but still want to go bold then try colour drenching. This technique utilises the same paint shade across every inch of the walls and woodwork creating a cosy and cocooned atmosphere. For more variation and added depth, try going one shade darker for the doors.’

James Greenwood, Graham & Brown’s Brand and Interiors Expert

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1 Wall paint in Chicago Grey, £55.95 per 2.5L, Annie Sloan 2 Simplicity paint in Blushing Lilac, £18 per 2.5L, Valspar 3 Matt emulsion in Warm Sand, £17 per 2.5L, Dunelm

All in the details

Use your woodwork as a foil for creating a rich colour palette.

These often overlooked features can be quickly turned into beautiful details that elevate your scheme. They’re small enough for you to add pops of colour without them dominating the room.

Think of door and window surrounds as picture frames instead and paint them a colour that will really set off the view.

1 Matt wall & ceiling paint in Reggae Blue, £40 per 2.5L, Zhoosh

2 Laura Ashley eggshell paint in Pale Chalk Pink, £26 per 750ml, Next 3 Matt paint in Goose Down, £31.09 per 2.5L, Dulux 1 Crafted by Crown matt emulsion in Scrapbook, Indulgence and Clay Like, all £35 per 2.5L, Crown Paints

2 1

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Check out your overheads

Don’t forget the fifth wall! Painted ceilings allow your imagination to soar. The large area they cover means even a pale colour will make a big impact. Try it out with sky blue to really open up your room or go dark to create a cosier-feeling space.

Bobbin chest, £499; Matthew Williamson mirror, £150; Vivienne lamp, £125; vase, £34; Exley wallpaper, £30 per roll, all John Lewis & Partners

1 Silk emulsion in Surf, £14 per 2.5L, Wilko 2 GoodHome Silk emulsion in Antibes, £15 per 2.5L, B&Q 3 Eggshell paint in Ivory, £29 per 2.5L, Dunelm May 2022 79

Luxe looks

FOR LESS Whether you want a classic country scheme or a retro industrial feel, discover our purse-friendly ways to give your kitchen a new look on a budget

Style idea Save cupboard space by using hanging storage for pots and utensils

STYLE INSPIRATION

Classic Shaker style

Luxe

Blow the budget Gainsborough kitchen in Calico and Pale Grey, £17,745.60 (excl worktops and appliances), Town and Country range, Mereway

Total £17,745.60

The simple lines and pared-back style of Shaker kitchens has made this a timeless classic that can be styled to suit a myriad of looks. Opt for pale neutral cabinetry and offset this with warm wood tones. If space allows, opt for a versatile island unit, which can be home to your sink or hob and offer both storage and display space for your favourite accessories. Woven baskets are a versatile option to keep your bits and bobs tucked stylishly out of sight and add to the country charm of this look. Stone-effect floor tiles add to the rustic feel, although aged floorboards or slate flags would work equally as well. Complete the scheme with some vintage kitchenalia, such as enamel jugs or weighing scales, or cheat the look with modern replicas.

STYLE SAVINGS

Style idea

Get the look

Wicker storage baskets are great for keeping open shelving looking neat and tidy

● Recreate the look of real stone flooring on a budget by using LVT or porcelain tiles instead.

Bembridge storage basket, £35, Garden Trading

● If you rent, look for free-standing Shaker-style larder cupboards that offer lots of storage and can be taken with you when you move. ● If re-tiling isn’t an option, consider painting and stencilling your existing tiles to give them a fresh new look.

Hadley wall clock, £59, Cult Furniture

KitchenCraft Lovello Vanilla Cream mechanical food scales, £34.99, Amazon

we e

lov

Malvern larder cupboard, £775, Next

Less Save £15,763.63

Kolsva Deluxe Pale Oak Venetian blind, from £28.44, 247 Blinds Wooden crates, £39.99 for two, HomeSense

Savannah reclaimed wood round dining table, £519; Savannah White reclaimed wood dining chairs, £315 per pair, all Modish Living

Melange Almond porcelain tiles, £39.96 per sq m, Porcelain Superstore

Metal tea, coffee and sugar canisters, £10, Matalan May 2022 81

Feature Anna-Lisa De’Ath

GoodHome Poprock Beige stone-effect self-adhesive vinyl tile, £15.60 for a pack of seven, B&Q

Milano Select deck mounted kitchen mixer tap with pull-out spray, £109.99, Big Bathroom Shop

STYLE INSPIRATION

Industrial chic

If you love distressed finishes and dark metal accents, then this season’s on-trend industrial look is for you. Get the warehouse loft apartment vibe by stripping back your walls to expose the brickwork and partially sanding back the floorboards to create a distressed effect. When it comes to storage, this look works best when cabinets are mixed up with open scaffold board shelving, metal racking and reclaimed wooden crates. Soften the look by choosing a warm tone for the cabinetry and echo this by opting for terracotta tiles laid in a rug effect beneath an island unit or dining table to create a focal point. Scour reclamation yards for vintage factory lighting or hang an illuminated storage shelf above your island to shed some light on your prep area and offer space for pots, pans or plants. Keep walls and ceilings in a pale colour to lift the scheme.

Style idea Paint window frames black or dark grey for an industrial edge

Luxe

Blow the budget

L’Epicerie kitchen in Coral and Black, £20,553 (excl appliances, delivery and fitting), Schmidt

Total £20,553

Luxe for less

Style idea Soften this look with a selection of real or faux houseplants Cinnamon single plug socket, £22.99, Dowsing and Reynolds

GoodHome Vulpin paste the wall wallpaper, £17 per roll, B&Q

Hanging plant on black wire triangle shelf, £15, Wilko

Less

Terracotta No 67 eggshell paint, £64.95 for 2.5L, Victory Colours Cook & Lewis Ising Black resin sink, £97, GoodHome Kitchens, B&Q

Save £19,702.68

Medium jar with bamboo lid, £2.50, B&M Harbour Russet tiles, £28.95 per sq m, Walls and Floors

Meta woodshelf, £99.99, HomeSense

we

love

Courtyard Perle Noir slate-effect mosaic tiles, £8.95, per 297 x 297 x 7.5mm sheet, Walls and Floors Norbury kitchen stool in Black, £49, Cult Furniture

STYLE SAVINGS

Get the look

● If you don’t want to strip the plaster off your walls, cheat the look with brick-effect wallpaper or slip tiles. ● Look for distressed wood-effect laminate flooring if you don’t have real wooden floorboards in your kitchen that you can strip back ● Make a style statement on open shelving by displaying dry goods, such as lentils and pasta, in Kilner-style storage jars.

Milano Nero deck mounted kitchen mixer tap with swivel spout in Black, £109.99, Big Bathroom Shop

Ender storage diner ceiling light, £185; Fulton bar table, £149, both Dunelm

STEP UP YOUR

spring clean

As the annual blitz beckons, our top tips will ensure your home shines brightly

Feature Laura Higgins

While some people welcome a spring clean, for lots of us it’s a task that can seem unachievable. You might want to set aside a couple of days to take on your entire home, creating a checklist before you get going. Or, if the thought of de-cluttering and deep-cleaning the whole place seems overwhelming then tackle one room at a time, even if it’s one a week. If your home has got the better of you, you might want to deal with the clutter before you start the big clean. Break it down into smaller tasks – de-cluttering a drawer or cupboard each day will help you to get on top of things.

However you go about it, finding what works for you is key to getting (and staying) motivated! Always start from the top to bottom when cleaning a room to avoid undoing your hard work.

Classic ironing board, £45; Redecker Ostrich feather duster, £29; Lined oval wicker laundry basket, £25; ANYDAY split bamboo lattice laundry basket, £60; Redecker ash wood outdoor broom, £35; Fusion Natural seagrass basket, £20, all John Lewis & Partners

84 yourhomestyle.uk

Clockhouse stool, £130; Portland baskets and storage boxes, from £12; Bembridge baskets, from £35; Mickleton and Didbrook vases, £35, all Garden Trading

Expert advice Sofology Coco 2-seater sofabed in Chanel Cream, £1,249; cushions, from £35; lamp, £99, all Sofology

REFRESH THE LIVING ROOM Take a methodical approach starting with the light fittings, not forgetting the bulbs, turning the lights off first and allowing to cool down. Use a feather duster to sweep away cobwebs and dust from the coving and walls, as well as the pages and spines of books and the tops of picture frames.

Use a microfibre cloth sprayed with a little antibacterial cleaner to clean light switches. A lint roller will take care of dust clinging to lampshades and velvety fabrics that can’t be washed.

Clean dirty radiators with warm soapy water, and use a brush to dust behind, like the Microfibre radiator brush, £9.99, Lakeland

Expert Advice Remove sofa cushions where you can and vacuum the seats, and a crevice tool to get between them.

Use the upholstery tool to vacuum the whole cushion before replacing.

When it comes to spot-cleaning spills, Suzy McMahon, Buying Director at Sofology says: ‘Blot with water and paper towels and avoid rubbing the fabric. Use a solution of soapy water and a clean white towel to blot until you’ve removed the colour. To avoid water marks after cleaning, dampen a colourfast cloth with boiled water and wipe the entire panel or cushion.’

Claudia Gold effect desk, £249; Luella Ivory office chair, £149; Lilou Integrated LED Gold desk lamp, £22; Gold glass desk storage, £18; Gold glass desk box, £12, all Dunelm

LIGHTEN YOUR WORK LOAD Our home offices have been working harder than ever before and are likely to need some extra TLC. Clean keyboards or laptops by carefully turning them upside down to shake out any loose debris. Use compressed air to loosen any dirt around the keys and a cotton swab to sweep them away. To clean the screen, use a barely damp microfibre cloth to remove smudges with just water, or a specific screen cleaner for persistent marks, ensuring you spray onto the cloth, never directly onto the device.

Antibacterial screenwipes, £3.99, Lakeland May 2022 85

LET YOUR WINDOW DRESSING SHINE ATTACK KITCHEN NASTIES ● Raid your cupboards for out-of-date

food and clean the insides while they are empty. Sort out pots and pans, and storage containers. If there are missing lids, recyle or repurpose them for DIY jobs. ● Use bicarbonate of soda to clean

your oven. Make a paste with 1 cup of bicarb and enough water so that it’s spreadable. Remove the shelves and spread the paste all over the inside, avoiding any heating elements. The paste can also be used on stainless steel shelves, but not aluminium.

Leave overnight then remove with a plastic scraper. Fill a spray bottle with equal parts water and white vinegar.

Spray and wipe clean.

Close the curtains and vacuum from top to bottom before using the crevice tool to get into all the folds. If they still look grubby, check the label to see if they can be washed.

If there’s no label, dry clean to be on the safe side. While the curtains are down, clean the curtain pole with a damp cloth dipped in warm, soapy water, along with the frames and windowsills. To clean the windows, make your own glass cleaner by mixing 500ml boiled water, cooled slightly; 60ml vodka; 60ml white vinegar and 1 tbsp cornflour. Add a few drops of essential oil if you like. Shake well in a spray bottle before use.

Cleaning roller or Roman blinds is easy using the upholstery attachment on your vacuum but Venetian blinds can be tricky. Dust between each slat, using a dry microfibre cloth or old sock followed by a damp microfibre cloth to remove any stickiness. Don’t use a damp cloth before removing the dust as it will just make the dirt harder to remove!

V&A William Morris Honeysuckle and Tulip velvet pewter curtains, from £46.04, Curtains2go

Natural Blind brush, £9.99, Lakeland

● Steam clean the microwave by

squeezing the juice of 1 lemon into hot water in a microwave-safe bowl.

Throw in the lemon’s skin then heat on full power for four minutes. Leave the door closed for 30 minutes to allow the steam to loosen any dirt.

Wipe with a clean cloth. ● Experts at Beko recommend

cleaning your dishwasher every few months. ‘Remove the drain filters located at the bottom of your dishwasher, underneath the lower basket. Clear any food residues by running them under a tap before re-installing them – place the coarse filter into the micro filter, make sure that it is properly enclosed, then turn the coarse filter clockwise until it clicks. Remove the upper and lower impellers and clean under running water, checking to see if any of the holes are clogged, then re-install.’ ● To keep your fridge working

efficiently, unplug the appliance then safely pull it away from the wall. Using the dusting brush attachment on your vacuum, remove all of the dust from the cooling elements, before pushing the fridge back into place and plugging back in. Remove all of the food from the inside and take out the shelves and wash in warm soapy water. Use a solution of 2 tsp of bicarbonate of soda to 1 litre of warm water to wipe down and clean the insides of the fridge.

86 yourhomestyle.uk

Probiotic carpet & upholstery cleaner, £22 for bottle and refill pouch, Nookary

Eco essentials Make these switches for a greener clean

All-purpose sponges, £16, Seep Citrus kelp kitchen degreaser EcoDrop, £1.50, Ocean Saver

Expert advice TACKLE THE FLOORS

Platinum SmartWash carpet cleaner, £299.99, Vax

If your carpet is in need of a deep clean then consider hiring a carpet cleaner to sanitise and banish any dust mites. If it just needs a freshen up, then add about 20 drops of your favourite essential oil to a tub of bicarbonate of soda, mixing it well. Grapefruit, lemon or orange all work well. Shake over the carpet, leave for 30 minutes, then vacuum it up. Clean any dirty marks with a spot cleaner to get stubborn stains out. If you have pets, a carpet cleaner is a good idea. It’s worthwhile investing in a cordless and portable carpet and upholstery cleaner as they are great for spot-cleaning stains left behind by pets.

Don’t neglect the skirting boards: use the brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner to remove dust before tackling any grime with a damp microfibre cloth, or a handy skirting board cleaner.

Great investment A regular clean will mean your carpets will look fab and last longer!

EZ skirting board cleaner, £12.99, Coopers of Stortford

Odour and spot remover, £8.99, Clean Living

Pet stain eraser, £129.99, Bissell

Deodorising powder for carpets, £16.99 for 2kg, Aroma Solutions

Expert Advice

Daniel Prendergast from The Rug Seller has these tips. ‘Nylon rugs can be steam cleaned, or by hand using water and a light detergent. Use a specialist rug cleaner for wool or mix water and non-bio washing detergent. Sprinkle jute and sisal rugs with carpet-shampoo granules. Work them into the rug with the vacuum’s cleaninghead bristles without turning it on. Leave for an hour, then vacuum out. Polyester rugs are often machine washable but if not, mix water with non-bio washing detergent and follow the same steps as you would for a wool rug. For sheepskin, fill a bath with cool water and mix in a specialist sheepskin detergent. Leave for five to 10 minutes and then rinse thoroughly. Pat out excess water and leave to air dry flat, and away from direct sunlight. Using a metal bristled sheepskin brush, fluff the wool gently while damp. Brush it again, while drying, and do a final brush after it’s dried.’

HOW TO DEAL WITH STUBBORN STAINS Some marks can be hard to remove but Susan Fermor, from cleaning and laundry experts Dr Beckmann, has this advice for common spring-time stains...

● Mud Resist the temptation to wipe at

the stain. Let it dry and then scrape off the dried dirt, before washing as normal.

● Grease Sprinkle a small ● Pollen Blot the stained fabric with a

damp cloth then prepare to wash the garment. Use a stain remover to help break apart the stain.

● Grass The best way to treat a grass stain

is to soak it for 15 minutes in water with a dash of white vinegar, then take a white cloth and gently dab. Finish by washing the item of clothing as you usually would on a warm wash.

in handy on garden furniture cushions too.

● Chocolate Remove any excess chocolate

and blot with a damp cloth. Apply a stain remover and scrub repeatedly. It’s always handy to have Dr Beckmann’s Carpet Stain Remover in the cupboard as it comes

amount of baking soda on the area and leave it to soak for five minutes, then use a brush to scrub the baking soda into the stain.

Finish by washing the clothing as you normally would, on the hottest Dr Beckmann temperature that the carpet stain fabric will allow. remover, £3.50 May 2022 87

BLITZ THE BEDROOM If your bed has a mattress topper, take a look at the label to see if it’s machine washable. Gently vacuum the mattress using the upholstery attachment, and the nozzle to get into nooks. Turn it if it’s two-sided and vacuum the underside.

Open the windows and allow the mattress to air for as long as possible. If there are any stains, dab at them with a damp cloth, making sure you don’t soak the mattress with water. A solution of washing-up liquid and cold water is effective for bodily fluids or blood, but use baking soda for tea or coffee stains. Dab with clean water after, leaving the mattress to dry fully before making the bed.

Many pillows are washable but can often be left lumpy and misshapen after being in the machine, even if they claim to be machine-washable. Try hand-washing instead in cold water before leaving to air dry flat. Take the duvet outside and hang on the washing line to air for a few hours.

100% recycled cotton bedding, from £8 for standard pillowcase pair, Dunelm

Rifle through your wardrobe and clear out any clothes that you no longer like or fit, bagging them up for the charity shop. Pop any winter clothes in vacuumsealed bags and put them away, washing winter coats, gloves and hats before storing them. Vacuum storage bags, from £7.99, Packmate

Ladder, £38; duck board, £18; bath rack, £15; candle, £8; glass dispenser, £7; Loxwood stool, £59; hand towel in Sage, £6, all Dunelm

BLAST GRIME IN THE BATHROOM Raid the bathroom cabinets, shelves, first-aid kit and shower cubicle for anything that’s out-of-date or past its best, and give the insides a clean before reorganising what you’re keeping.

Bathrooms are breeding grounds for mildew and mould, but many chemical cleaners can be overpowering. Make your own cleaner by shaking 1 teaspoon of pure tea tree oil with 1 cup cooled boiled water in a spray bottle.

Spray onto the affected surface and leave for an hour before wiping with a clean cloth.

Tiles placed high in your bathroom are frustratingly difficult to clean but an extendable scrubber will help you access forgotten corners.

Extendable tub and tile scrubber, £15, OXO Good Grips

A tool worth investing in for really reviving grimy shower cubicles is a steam cleaner. Choose an option that has a grout brush attachment, such as the Bissell Steam Shot steam cleaner, £59, AO.com

KITCHENS & BATHROOMS Inject new ideas with this month’s stylish updates WASTE NOT

Take your recycling game to the next level with these gorgeous pedal bins from Brabantia. As well as being easy-on-the-eye, the designs are made from 91 per cent recycled waste and can be reused again once you’re done. Choose from Jade Green, Dark or Light Grey and use the click-on label holder to keep your storage organised. The roomy 40L capacity is generous, plus the streamlined design will make the most of your space too.

SEEING STARS

Released as part of Verona’s 20th anniversary range, its new collection of gorgeous porcelain tiles are true works of art. Named after two of the Netherlands’ most famous painters, the Vincent and Mondrian designs will make an on-trend yet timeless addition to any kitchen or bathroom scheme.

Vincent tiles Navy Blue and Grey, Mondrian tile, Grey, all from £36 per sq m, Verona

Step Up pedal bins, £47.50 each, Brabantia

London Brick bar soap, £8 each, Black, White & Grey

Clean up your act with these super-cool brick soaps from Brick Sixty. Each soap includes natural materials that have been derived from the science, engineering and history of bricks. Choose from purifying charcoal, exfoliating pumice, or balancing clay. The bars are hand-cast in the UK using a vegetarian recipe with moulds based on the original clay bricks. These stylish soaps elevate everyday ablutions and will make a fun talking point if added to a guest bathroom.

CEMENTED STYLE

Get a sleek industrial look in your kitchen for a fraction of the usual price with a microcement worktop kit, which includes all you need to coat a pre-made worktop with a gorgeous new surface.

The cement comes in a wide range of colours that includes Insta-worthy pinks and heritage greens, as well as chic, classic greys. The processes have been slowed down to give you more time to perfect your finish, but in around a week, you’ll have a long lasting and hard-wearing worktop.

DIY microcement kit for worktops in Grafeno, £295 for 10 sq m, Relentless Microcement

Feature Hannah Tribe

ALL IN A LATHER

May 2022 89

From dark and dated to LIGHT AND BRIGHT

‘We wanted our kitchen to feel homely and lived-in, not like a museum’

Sleek lighting, a fresh colour scheme and a minimalist approach gave Francesca Lawson’s kitchen a stylish, relaxed new look

About me

I’m Francesca Lawson and I work in automation. I live with my husband, Eddie, who’s in recruitment. We live in a Victorian three-bed terrace in Farsley, Leeds. You can see more of our home on Instagram @iknownothingaboutinteriors.

My room...

MY PROBLEM KITCHEN The kitchen was dull and dated and felt small because of all the wall cupboards. As soon as you walked in, you were met by a block of cabinets, which felt quite overpowering.

HOW I MADE IT WORK We put in an island that doubles up as a dining table, as we didn’t have room for both. We knocked a double door into the living room so we can open up the whole area when needed, and kept wall cupboards to a minimum. A fresh, bright colour scheme makes it feel light and airy.

MY FAVOURITE PART I love our island. It’s at the heart of everything that goes on in our home, whether it’s just Eddie and I, or we have friends over. We chose it over a dining table, and I actually think it suits our relaxed lifestyle much better.

It provides us with a bit of extra storage space too.

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Kitchen makeover

Make the most of high ceilings with full-height cupboards

TOTAL

£4,698 May 2022 91

Feature Mandi Millar Photos Fiona Walker-Arnott

Style idea

Luxury-look chevron oak flooring, which Francesca and Eddie laid themselves, adds warmth to the couple’s kitchen. Shaker-style cabinets are an elegant, timeless choice while brass-coloured handles, a freebie on Facebook Marketplace, give the IKEA doors a bespoke look

Style advice Three simple tricks to try in your own home

FREE UP WALL SPACE By keeping wall cupboards to a minimum, Francesca was able to reclaim a real sense of space in the kitchen. ‘Our rustic-look peg rail gives us a handy place for utensils that we use every day,’ she says. If you need wall cupboards for extra storage, consider having floor-to-ceiling designs on just one side, like Francesca. That way you’ll minimise the space you take up elsewhere in the kitchen.

‘The hardest part was knowing what order to do things in and of course, assembling flatpack with your partner isn’t always fun!’

ADD PERSONALITY WITH ART People often buy wall art for display in the living room, bedroom or hallway, but follow Francesca’s lead and hang it in the kitchen too. Francesca has featured just a few monochrome prints to complement the neutral scheme in the space but why not add a much-loved handwritten recipe, family photos or a chalkboard wall that you can decorate with a display of doodles, to-do lists and messages. If you don’t want to decorate walls, prop up prints on worktops, on top of cupboards or stick them to the front of the fridge.

AT FIRST LIGHT Plan your lighting scheme early so your electrician can track the walls for the power points you need. ‘Our mix of lighting – we’ve got downlights, wall lights and pendants – means we can have task lighting or create a more relaxed mood, like when we’re having dinner,’ says Francesca. Light fittings are also a great way to create a look whether you’re after something traditional or more contemporary; for a cosy feel, you can’t go wrong with candles.

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‘The island has no appliances or a sink and the overhang on both sides means we can comfortably sit people around it for dinner,’ says Francesca. The couple would have liked a marble worktop, but the laminate was much less expensive and it’s easier to look after

Kitchen makeover ‘I’m happiest with a neutral palette for the main theme in a room,’ says Francesca. ‘That way I can add a bit of colour and texture with accessories, plants or flowers and change the look without too much expense’

MY EXPERIENCE

Style idea Create a relaxed feel with curved accessories

We knew the kitchen space had potential, but changes were needed to make it work better for us. Among our main challenges was making the north-facing room feel bright and spacious without compromising on storage. It’s a Victorian house so none of the walls are straight and that was challenging too! To address the light issue, we knocked a double doorway through into the living room to borrow light from the south-facing room. We went for double doors because we wanted the downstairs to have a Parisian apartment feel, complemented by the chevron flooring. It wasn’t a huge opening, so we used a concrete lintel and didn’t have to fork out for an expensive custom RSJ. We had to be strict with our budget, but shopping smart helped get the look we wanted. As much as we would have loved to go with real marble worktops, I think the laminate is a pretty good dupe and much easier to look after. We wanted a range cooker but we decided to get a five-ring hob and keep the ovens that were already here. It didn’t make sense to buy new ones for the sake of it.

Our old kitchen just had shelves and once something went to the problem again, so we fitted lots of drawers. We deliberately tried to keep appliances and plumbing in the same place, or near enough, so that we didn’t have to move anything major.

Apart from the gas and electrical work, everything else was DIY. We’re not afraid to take on jobs we haven’t done before if it means we get to gain new skills. In fact, the DIY was one of the most satisfying aspects of the makeover. The hardest part was knowing what order to do things in, what was being delivered when and of course, assembling flatpack with your partner isn’t always fun!

And as for our home’s wonky walls, we’ve learnt to live with imperfection – it’s part of its charm!

My shopping list ● Metod kitchen units, from £28; Sävedal White cabinet doors, from £20, both IKEA ● Square Edge White marble-effect laminate worktop, £566 for 3m, Howdens ● For similar door knobs, try the GoodHome Gomasio Brushed Gold cabinet handles, £6 for two, B&Q ● Tongue and groove cladding, £27.03 per sq m, Wickes ● Zanussi 74cm gas hob, £319, Safeer Appliances ● Elica Aplomb chimney cooker hood, £529, AO.com ● Vellamo Designer single bowl Brushed Gold stainless steel kitchen sink, £259.99; Harbour Icon Mono Brushed Gold kitchen mixer tap, £109.99, both Tap Warehouse ● Chamonix Butterscotch oak flooring, £36.95 per sq m, Luxury Flooring and Furnishings ● Olive Green cone shade wall light, £69, houseof ● Pleated shade pendant light, £79.99; for a similar peg rail, try the bird wood hanger, £12.99, both H&M Home ● For a similar mirror, try the Egg mirror, £54.90, BGASTORE ● Les Nymphes poster, from £8.95; Le Pouvoir des Fleurs poster, from £8.95, both Desenio ● Matisse Tête de Femme poster, from £6.25, Dear Sam Turn to p128 for stockist details

£10 Morrisons There’s enough coffee for everyone with this eight-cup cafetière

£17.95 Wayfair Go for vintage-inspired utensils, like the Conerly colander

Get the look...

Barnaby gloss marble-effect tiles, 15.99 per sq m, Tile Mountain

SLEEK SCANDI

Glam up the classic Nordic vibe, like Francesca, for a sophisticated kitchen style £189 housecosy We love the modern design of this set of two Saburo oak chairs

Cla ssic

buy

£50 Dunelm Add a twist to walls with this pebble mirror

£40 Habitat Brighten up dark corners with the Citrine wall light

£3.99 H&M Home

£15 Mysko Living

Your granny’s right – tea tastes better from a china cup

Seagrass baskets make great fruit bowls

94 yourhomestyle.uk

Get the look

£3.99 H&M Home

S tyle advice Elevate the look Give your space a more polished look by pairing natural wood elements, often seen in classic Scandi schemes, with luxe-looking materials, such as marble and metallics.

A striped cotton tea towel is a kitchen classic

Illuminate to elevate Maximise the feeling of light by keeping walls in a fresh white and, if privacy isn’t an issue, forgo window treatments. Light candles for a cosy vibe, even during daylight hours, and especially when it’s grey out.

Pick stylish staples £169 Dunelm

Selected edit For a laid-back, clean look, get rid of anything you don’t need and pick accessories that not only look good but have a practical purpose. Double up stylish kitchenware as décor by hanging them up or storing in pots displayed on worktops.

Wine and dine in style at the Kendall table

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£9 Habitat £44.99 Quince & Cook

Perfect recipes with this set of measuring cups

We want to cook everything in the MasterClass casserole dish

£24.90 Hudson Home

£12 George Home

£12 Matalan Brighten up a windowsill with faux white lavender

Dig into the cheese plate with these acacia wood knives

Hang dried flowers from a utensil rail for a rustic look

£28 Garden Trading

from £13 Postery

Stylish and practical, the Brompton basket is perfect for open shelving

Poster prints are an easy way to bring personality

‘Black accents and pops of pastels add charm to pared-back style’ May 2022 95

Feature Catriona Burns

Consec metal bar stool, £99 each, Cult Furniture

Bright colours make my rental

Colour is important to Sisi’s wellbeing, and she uses her home as a canvas to express her creativity.

The gold wall decoration, from Maisons du Monde, was originally white mango wood. Sisi simply sprayed it gold to create a statement piece of art

FEEL LIKE HOME

By using simple paint effects and beautiful accessories, Sisi Stigall has turned her living room into a space full of vibrant colour and luxe touches

About me

I’m Sisi Stigall, an interior designer and content creator. I live with my husband, Nick, a music producer, and my daughter, Ruby, who is six. Our home is a two-bedroom flat in Hurstpierpoint, Surrey. I moved here in October 2020, and I keep a record of my renovation journey on Instagram @homewithsisi.

My room...

MY PROBLEM LIVING ROOM The room was a bland white box so for someone who is so creative, I absolutely hated it. I just didn’t respond to it at all, though it did give me a blank canvas to work with.

HOW I MADE IT WORK I need colour in my life to make me happy, so that was always going to be a pretty big part of the transformation. I change the look regularly, and I love to paint freehand murals on the walls. I’ve invested in some classic, colourful furniture with simple lines that can take any changes that I make.

MY FAVOURITE PART The scallops on the TV wall. Although they were really fiddly to do, I love how cute they look. They are the one thing I’ve never wanted to change.

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Living room makeover

Style idea Paint window frames the same colour as the walls for a modern edge

TOTAL

£2,520 May 2022 97

Feature and styling Lisa Moses Photos Caroline Mardon

‘It’s really important that my home reflects my personality’

Style advice Three simple tricks to try in your own home

DISGUISE YOUR TECH

‘Although this space will never stay the same for long, it will always be my happy place’

TVs can be the bane of an interiors lover’s life. How can you make those black rectangles fit in with your beautiful space? One option to consider is the Samsung Frame TV that allows artwork to be showcased. However, Sisi has an easier, cheaper solution that’s just as effective. She simply finds a beautiful, abstract image from YouTube that ties in with her art prints behind and plays that on the screen.

GLOW UP YOUR FURNITURE Sisi bought these shelves from IKEA as a storage and styling device. When she bought them, they were black, which didn’t suit the colour balance in her home, so she gave them a cheap and easy update by spraying them gold. ‘I love the sophisticated edge gold adds to my room,’ Sisi explains. She finished off the piece by sticking some white marble-effect vinyl on the bottom and top shelf for an extra luxe look and displaying favourite trinkets and accessories.

CREATE A MURAL Sisi paints her murals freehand, but if you are less confident, scale down the measurements of your wall onto a piece of paper, and draw out your design first. You can colour in your sketches to get a feel for the finished result, then draw your design onto your wall with pencil, before painting the final pattern. ‘I love to learn new decorating skills,’ says Sisi. ‘I’m always surprised at how easy these things are once I give them a go.’

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‘I collect things that bring me pure joy, but they don’t need to be expensive,’ says Sisi.

‘I love to surround myself with beautiful but simple accessories, such as books, candles and colourful dried flowers’

Living room makeover ‘Although my look is definitely on the more maximalist end of interiors, I always want my home to feel harmonious and cohesive’, explains Sisi, ‘so I intentionally choose colours that really complement each other’

Style idea Choose easy-care tropical plants to liven up an empty corner

MY EXPERIENCE Growing up in Madagascar, I was surrounded by colour at home and in the local markets, which were full of vibrant, clashing patterns. When I moved to the UK, and started suffering from seasonal affective disorder (SAD), my instinct was to surround myself with beautiful, bright colours. Originally, I was renting a flat where decorating wasn’t allowed, but soon after I found this place.

Thankfully, the landlord agreed to let me add colour and play with pattern, on the understanding that when I leave I’ll return the flat to its original state.

Colour to me isn’t just about a room looking pretty; it’s also about how it makes me feel. I started by colour-blocking one wall with my happy colours: pink and orange, and my look progressed from there.

Eventually, I covered that with the bold striped wallpaper and then I painted the scalloped wall, and gradually started adding murals, colourful furniture and lots of gold accessories.

I taught myself how to decorate, not just to save money but because I find it therapeutic. I like to change the look every few months, not because I get bored, but because I feel so creative.

I use my home as my canvas, and although it can be a bit disruptive, I don’t let a project stay unfinished for long. My latest feature was the rainbow-style mural, as I wanted to create something that represents hope. Although this space will never stay the same for long, it will always be my happy place.

My shopping list ● For a similar green sofa bed, try the Haru small sofa bed in Moss Green, £385, MADE.com ● For a similar pink sofa, try the Pink Atonya three-seater velvet sofa, £729; Adel Cream/Black rug, £129.99; Allie frame coffee table, £154.99; Ernesto serving cart, £95.99, all Wayfair ● Madang wall art, £153 for a set of four, Maisons du Monde ● Ariana Gold nest of tables, £179, Audenza ● Aurinia colourful glass pendant light, £377.90, lights.co.uk ● For a similar pink throw, try the Light Purple Shaggy bedspread, £9.99, OnBuy.com ● For similar shell cushions, try the Luxury Shell cushions, from £17.99, Hussingales ● For a similar gold tray, try the Rectangular Chain Link Gold metal decorative tray, £24.99, Maison Des Caeaux ● Large Lena rattan sideboard, £249.99, VonHaus ● Hilma Af Klint prints, from £12.95, Desenio ● Vittsjö shelving unit, £80, IKEA ● Pink Petal velvet accent chair, £129.99, BTFY ● Fatou art print by Ana Clerici, from £21, Fy! ● Gold Peacock candle holders, £28 Rockett St George ● Wall painted in Kimono by Valspar, £48 per 5L, B&Q ● Wall mural paint, from £21 per 1L, from a selection, YesColours.

Turn to p128 for stockist details

£8 Matalan A watering can this pretty is meant to be shown off

£24.50 Oliver Bonas The wavy lines on the Pegi pot give boho vibes

Get the look...

We Can Have Both art print by Emmy Lupin Studio, from £21, Fy!

SUMMER BRIGHTS

Fill your living room with lots of happy colour, like Sisi, with these red-hot buys £28 Next

£46 Matalan

What’s better than pampas grass?

Pink pampas grass

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Mirror, mirror on the wall, Matalan’s Arch is the finest of all

£435 Next Lift your whole living room with the Paige two-seater

£255 MADE.com The Ilaria floor lamp will add style to your space, even with the lights off

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Get the look

‘Metallic accents bring grown-up glam to bold, bright schemes’

S tyle advice Natural treasures

Nothing brightens up a space as much as nature, so bring in oversized houseplants and a mix of dried and fresh flowers for a quick and easy way to refresh your room.

£35 Accessorize

Colour therapy Think about how you want to feel as well as how the space is going to look. If you want to be comforted and calmed, go for pink; orange will make you feel energised and excited, while yellow boosts feelings of happiness and positivity.

£15 Wild Vanilla Studios

It’s the little things The simple additions in life can bring us so much joy. Display everyday items that are special to you and inject a burst of colour with books, candles and souvenirs. It’s a cheap and easy way to cheer up a room.

Made from sturdy wood, this Scallop tray is a quality buy

Give any corner a glow up with neon dip-dye candles

£3 B&M £55 IKEA

Go for simple yet stylish candle holders

If you’ve got a habit of killing plants, go for the artificial Fejka

£12 Dunelm This Plant Pots cushion is full of summery vibes

£14 Swoon Worthy Pair Instagram-perfect candles with luxury long matches

Green tier-on-tier shutters, from £208 per sq m, California Shutters

Add instant glam

£41.99 Very

Add some shine with this gold and marble side table

Sunny prints to make you smile May 2022 101

Feature Catriona Burns

£69.99 BTFY

My bathroom blends

‘I thought about getting a new mirror but I ended up keeping this one that belonged to my grandmother and was already in the bathroom,’ says Caroline. ‘It fitted in perfectly’

ANTIQUE AND HIGH STREET By incorporating vintage and salvaged pieces, Caroline Kilgour has ensured her revamped bathroom is in keeping with her Victorian home

About me

I’m Caroline Kilgour and I have an online interior design business called Room Service, @room_service_by_caroline. I live with my husband, Stephen, an education advisor, and our children, Albie, six, and Isabelle, two. Our home is a four-bedroom Victorian terrace in Newcastle.

My room...

MY PROBLEM BATHROOM The bathroom was inherited from the previous owner and lacked character. It’s a decent size, but it looked bland and tired with lots of open shelving above the radiator, rather than hidden storage, and an ugly white airing cupboard door that flapped open.

HOW I MADE IT WORK Moving the bath to the middle of the room really unlocked the potential of the space, while the show-stopping floor tiles set the style tone. I mixed up vintage and new items to create a look that would fit right in with this Victorian house.

MY FAVOURITE PART I love the fact that I’ve managed to incorporate so many old pieces into it, but my favourite element is the bespoke vanity unit. I sourced the different bits separately, so it feels very considered. I’m really happy with how it’s come together.

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Befor e

‘The floor tiles were my biggest splurge and they really make a statement’

Bathroom makeover

Style idea

TOTAL

£2,966 May 2022 103

Feature Karen Wilson Photos Katie Lee

A vanity unit on legs shows off more floor space

Style advice

‘A bright white shiny shower tray wouldn’t have worked with the cream of the floor tiles, so we picked a matt black alternative.

The finish also provides an extra bit of grip’

Three simple tricks to try in your own home

BE MONEY SAVVY ‘My original plan was for a made-to-measure Roman blind, but because of the thick window frosting and position of the shower, we didn’t need a functioning blind that went up and down. Instead, I bought a basic bamboo blind from B&Q and made a pelmet using MDF. I covered the board with wadding before adding fabric and stapled it together for an easy upholstery hack, then attached hooks for hanging.

It covers the ugly fixings and softens the window.’

LOOK TO THE PAST Classic features, like the traditional-style toilet, give the bathroom instant character. ‘I love the highcistern toilet,’ says Caroline.

‘It’s a mock old style from Victorian Plumbing and it works well with the reclaimed cupboard doors.

The builder constructed the new built-in cupboard around the old doors to ensure they fitted perfectly.

There’s tons of storage for boxes of toiletries on the shelves inside, which is great for hiding things away.’

‘Our bathroom includes my favourite interiors mix: old, new, high and low’ MAKE YOUR OWN ‘Vanity units can be extortionate and they’re often just plastic, so I had my own design made in keeping with the bathroom’s characterful look. I picked out the solid top from a marble yard and had it cut to size, then I found the tap and sink online. My joiner built the unit from MDF and added some vintage feet that I had found. Then it was painted in Green Smoke by Farrow & Ball to bring it all together. I also added antique handles to bring extra interest to the piece.’

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Bathroom makeover ‘Our last bath took up too much space, so we opted for a smaller design.

It was full of leaves in a garden when I saw it online, but the £600 price tag included re-enamelling and painting. I chose black to tie in with the floor tiles’

Style idea Add a vintage feel with

MY EXPERIENCE After living in our London flat for over 10 years and with a second baby on the way, we decided to return to the North East in May 2019. After renovating the kitchen and loft, I decided to paint the bathroom walls just as a temporary measure until we could completely gut it and then reconfigure the layout.

I wanted the bathroom to work practically for family life but also be a luxurious space. The starting point was the statement salvaged bath. There’s a tendency to put things around the edge of the room, but the bath is such a focal point, so I wanted it in the middle, rather than shoved in a corner. We also moved the shower across the wall.

The floor tiles were my biggest splurge, and they really make a statement, so I didn’t want to go crazy with other patterns. We also incorporated reclaimed doors, bought a mix of new and old lighting fixtures, had a bespoke vanity unit made and replaced the window.

There was a slight delay when the bathroom fitter got Covid, and the floor tiling took longer than expected. Luckily, we have a separate en suite that we could use during the month-long project.

I love our bathroom as it includes my favourite interiors mix: old, new, high and low. From antique to high street, I’ve packed it all in there in a way that works cohesively and it makes me really happy.

My shopping list Quick fix

Bring a modern twist to a traditional tub by painting it a contemporary colour.

For more painting inspo, head to bit.ly/ 3CNYDML

● Stratford Classic Hexagon floor tiles in White, Black and Red, £169.42 per sq m, Original Style ● White marble-effect shower wall tiles, £33 per sq m, Wall and Floor Tiles Ltd ● Carlton high-level traditional toilet, £329.95; Chatsworth thermostatic shower, £319.95; for a similar shower tray, try the Ideal Standard Silk Black Ultraflat rectangular shower tray, £294.94; for a similar basin mixer tap, try the Trafalgar Traditional Mono basin mixer tap, £129.95; Bristan 1901 Globe bath taps, £210.52, all Victorian Plumbing ● RAK Laboratory ceramic sink, £178.08, Taps Empire ● Vanity marble top, £120, Brian Morris Marbleworks ● For a similar bath, try the Royce Morgan Chatsworth 1530 free-standing bath, £663.30, Showers to You ● For a similar wall light, try the Ripon bathroom wall light, £38, Dunelm ● For a similar stool, try the Hedvig small rustic stool, £98, Vaunt Design ● Walls painted in Lichen, £52 for 2.5L; vanity unit painted in Green Smoke, £52 for 2.5L, both Farrow & Ball ● For a similar radiator, try the Athens Matt Black radiator, £249.99, Bathroom Mountain ● Corded Light Brown roller blind, £8, B&Q ● For similar vases, try the terracotta vases, from £22.10, MediterraCo on Etsy.

Turn to p128 for stockist details

£25 IKEA

Flounce-trimmed shower curtain, £17.99; tasselled bath towel, £14.99; bath rack, £19.99, all H&M Home

Make a timeless choice with the Frihult ceiling lamp

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£20 Dunelm The Bevelled Edge mirror can be hung vertically or horizontally

Get the look...

OLD MEETS NEW

A blend of vintage-inspired pieces with modern chic will bring soft elegance to your space, just like Caroline’s £18 John Lewis & Partners All this bath rack needs is a cheeky glass of wine

from £3.99 Homescapes Made from Egyptian cotton, these towels are super soft

from £200 B&Q Use the Perma design as a free-standing vanity or basin cabinet

£10 Wilko Hang up your dressing gown on Wilko’s Silver Bird hook 106 yourhomestyle.uk

Addy ea s r y luxu

£10 National Trust Shop This soap set makes a perfect gift

Get the look

£22 George Home

S tyle advice

Double feature

For instant vintage vibes put a wall light at either side of the mirror. Not only will it provide useful task lighting for getting ready, it’ll also bring a subtle feel of retro glamour.

Keep extra towels on a ladder

Transform the tub Classic details, such as a free-standing bath, will add instant character to your space. If a traditional tub is out of reach, or you don’t have the space, consider fitting tongue-andgroove panelling instead to add in some old-school character on a budget.

Highlight your faves If, like Caroline, your vanity unit is the star of the space, make it stand out by painting the exterior in a slightly darker or lighter paint colour than the walls for a subtle contrast.

Attach antique-style handles for extra charm.

£15 John Lewis & Partners

£8 Loaf.

Give your shower an easy makeover with the Ginkgo curtain

This candle pot comes in six stylish colours

£10 Oliver Bonas

£16 Next

Pamper yourself with some fancy bath salts

Bring warmth with a gold-coloured towel ring

‘Warm wood tones and subtle colours give a lovely lived-in look’

£7 Primark

Merida towel collection in Maize, from £14, Anthropologie

Glam finishing touch

Wicker baskets are great for organising toiletries

from £3 George Home

Feature Catriona Burns

Add a chic finish with matching accessories

£37.50 Kave Home A little stool is handy for bathtimes May 2022 107

INDUSTRIAL MAGAZINE RACK Keep your copies of HomeStyle to hand with this on-trend storage solution

Style idea Use any leftover fabric from this project to make a matching cushion cover for an armchair or sofa

TOP TIP

Recycled wool blanket in Charcoal Herringbone, £37, The Tartan Blanket Co. Dove Grey Mora rug, from £45, Weaver Green

Add a little epoxy resin, or clear Gorilla Glue, to the elbow joints before you insert the pipes to help secure the joints firmly

Upcycling challenge

YOU WILL NEED Wednesbury copper compression pipe: 3m (length) x 5mm (diameter), £10.21, B&Q  Tape measure  Sharpie pen  Monument AC4P automatic and manual 15mm tube cutter, £10, B&Q  8 x Plumbsure push-fit 90° pipe elbow, 15mm (diameter), £10.98 for a pack of 5, B&Q  Black all-surface spray paint  0.5m Tacit fabric in Graphite, £44.95 per m, Annie Sloan  Sewing machine  Pins  Scissors  Matching thread 

1

Using a tape measure and a Sharpie pen, measure and mark the copper pipes

4

ready for cutting. You will need 6 x 40cm lengths and 2 x 30cm lengths of pipe.

Using a pipe cutting tool, cut the pipes to your desired lengths. Place the blade of the pipe cutter on your pen mark, close the cutter around the pipe and, holding it firmly in your hand, twist the cutter until it cuts through the pipe.

Add an elbow joint to either end of both 30cm pipes. Place a 40cm pipe in the other end of each elbow joint. Push the pipes tightly into the elbow joints to ensure they hold firm. This should give you two U-shaped pieces of piping. Next, add an elbow joint to the end of each of these 40cm pipes. You should now have two 40cm lengths of pipe remaining.

Use black all-surface spray paint to paint the two U-shaped piping pieces and the two remaining 40cm pipes. Work in slow, sweeping strokes to ensure good, even

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coverage. Apply two or three light coats, rather than one thick coat to avoid drips and runs. Leave to dry thoroughly between applying each coat.

Measure and cut a piece of fabric measuring 36 x 80cm. Fold the two long edges over to the wrong side by 1cm and press with an iron, then fold them over by 1cm again and press again. Stitch along both edges using a 0.5cm seam allowance.

Turn the two shorter edges over by 1cm and press. Then fold them down by another 5cm, which should give you a 5cm deep channel at each end. Stitch along the edge of this channel using a 1cm seam allowance.

Carefully slide the two remaining 40cm-long pipes through each channel in the fabric. Finally, with the fabric sling facing right side out, firmly push the 40cm lengths of pipe into the elbow joints at the top of each U-shape.

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Feature, project and step shots Anna-Lisa De’Ath Main photo Susie Bell

Industrial style is still a huge trend and this magazine rack taps into the look perfectly.

It’s also the ideal way to use up leftover lengths of piping and fabric remnants from other DIY projects.

May 2022 109

Ask the

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

GU10 White spotlight bulbs, from £17.99 each, Philips Hue

Q

My open-plan living/dining area has spotlights, which work really well in creating good illumination but they don’t feel very relaxing in the evening. Is there anything that I can do to soften the effect? Anada Chen, Middlesbrough

Feature Lisa Hibberd

A

Giuliano Ghidini, Signify UK&I Commercial Leader, offers his advice…

For traditional dimmable light bulbs you can install a dimmer switch into your wall, allowing you to lower your spotlights in the evening with a warm-glow dimming effect. Philips offers Warm Glow LED bulbs, which dim just like traditional incandescent bulbs. They get warmer in tone as the light gets dim. Other LED bulbs simply get less bright but without creating the cosy glow.

Alternatively, you can install smart LED spotlights, which can be easily controlled via an app or other smart accessories. You can also set timers and use preset and customised light scenes to create ambience for any occasion, whether you’re using warm-to-cool white light or coloured LED lights, all you have to do is tap a button on your phone to soften the lighting to your needs.

Additionally, installing Philips Hue GU10 white or white and colour bulbs with a Hue Dimmer Switch is an alternative solution. Simply place the GU10 smart LED bulbs in any spotlight to get instant wireless dimming and warm-to-cool white light. The white and colour GU10 bulb offers 16 million shades of white and coloured light, and fits into most standard spotlights.

110 yourhomestyle.uk

Hozelock Micro Reel hose, around £36.99, Dobbies and Homebase

Q

I would like to invest in a hose for my small courtyard garden. Do you have any ideas for a compact model that won’t take up much space?

Lavinia Wiseman, Southend-on-Sea

A

Sarah Dixon, UK and International Marketing Manager at Hozelock, says… In recent years we have seen a growing interest in gardening, as people look to create their own green oasis, from ‘living walls’ on balconies to secluded courtyards. For those with smaller spaces, it’s important to look for equipment that will help your garden to flourish, but is lightweight, easy to use and doesn’t require much room for storage. Watering equipment can typically be considered quite bulky, but there are a number of compact options available, such as the Micro Reel from Hozelock, which includes a 10m hose and weighs a little over 1kg. The rotating drum and winding handle minimises the risk of tangles when using the hose and the compact nature of the product means it can easily be stored away in small cupboards or on a shelf in a shed, without taking up much room.

Q

With three young children and a dog, my car boot is always getting dirty. Is there any way I can keep it cleaner for longer? Tina Duncan, Falkirk Elaine Smith, European Marketing A Director of Turtle Mat, says… Whether it’s dirt from your dog’s paws, or mud from your kids’ shoes, your car boot can end up looking a mess in minutes. A good quality boot liner is a cost effective and efficient way of protecting your car boot and keeping it consistently clean, without taking up valuable boot space.

Our environmentally-friendly design features a thick tough pile made from 100% recycled plastic bottles that will successfully absorb any moisture or dirt. The addition of a detachable roll-out rubber panel also protects the rear bumper from potential scratches from dog’s paws, or when transporting bulky items in and out of your boot. There are two different sizes to choose from and the mat is machine washable at 30°C and tumble-dryer safe.

The bumper panel can also be easily hand washed, so you Premium car boot and can keep your boot clean with bumper protector mat, minimal effort. from £79.95, Turtle Mat

Expert advice

Q

I’ve just bought my first property, and it has a pine kitchen, which is very dated but in good condition so I’m planning to paint it. Do you have any advice on what I should use for a high-quality finish? Talib Blackwell, Melton Mowbray Laura McDonald, Head of Creative A at Rust-Oleum, shares her top tips…

Giving a pre-owned kitchen a new lease of

Kitchen cupboard paint in Black Sand, £22.99 per 750ml, Rust-Oleum

Q

I have some savings set aside for improvements to my small cottage, but I’m keen to future-proof and make it more energy-efficient. What should I be looking at spending my money on? Paul Morton, Somerset

life is such a great idea, and here at RustOleum we’re big fans of painting rather than replacing! Our kitchen cupboard paint is the perfect choice for cupboard doors, with its ultra-flat matt finish and an incredible depth of colour. The finish is soft to touch, yet hard-wearing enough to handle being regularly wiped clean, which we know is important in any busy kitchen. The clever formula means that there’s usually no primer or top coat required for wooden or melamine doors, although we’d always recommend using a primer where stain bleed may be an issue, including wood with knots. It’s available in 110 shades too, so you’re sure to find one that suits your style. What’s more, there’s no need to worry about colour charts, as you can order tester paint sachets online at rustoleumcolours.co.uk for just 99p each with free delivery.

The trend for dramatically dark kitchens shows no sign of slowing, so why not try a bold shade such as Black Sand, Carbon or After Dinner?

Choosing energy-efficient glazing can help cut the cost of your energy bills

WE NEED

YO

A

Tom Butler, Head of Sales and Marketing at the Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) and MyGlazing.com shares his advice...

There are various improvements to consider, including energy-efficient glazing. In the last 20 years advanced technological innovation has seen glazing develop significantly, from specialist glass types through to improved double and triple glazed windows and doors, saving over 50 per cent in fuel bills.

When it comes to exterior doors, there are a few factors that could be impacting their environmentally friendliness. Do your doors have modern glazing in them? Are they single, double or triple glazed? What materials are they made of? Are your door frames sealed correctly? Upgrading older doors to more energy-efficient alternatives can really reduce your energy consumption and bills.

If you’re planning to extend your home by adding another bedroom in the loft, insulation is a must – and is a popular route to making your home more energy-efficient. Insulation essentially reduces the exchange of heat (both gain and loss) through the surfaces of the property. From cavity wall insulation to loft insulation or underfloor insulation, there are options to suit every budget.

The use of oil or gas heating systems and hot water in our homes account for around 15 per cent of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions, but there are ways to reduce your carbon footprint. From air-source heat pumps to water-source heat pumps, there are different lowcarbon heating avenues to explore. Heat pumps are essentially an alternative to boilers and run off electricity (as opposed to gas) to heat your home/water. It’s worth noting that they don’t produce carbon emissions while operating.

UR

ESTIONS! U Q

If you have a DIY dilemma or home improvement question, email us at homestyle@ourmedia. co.uk or write to Ask the Experts, HomeStyle, Our Media Ltd, Eagle House, Bristol, BS1 4ST.

WIN!

A Bistro Set, worth £399, plus a £100 gift card from Dobbies

Dobbies is giving you the chance to transform your outdoor spaces this spring by giving away one of its stylish Alps Pebble Bistro Sets from the new SS22 Outdoor Living collection, worth £399. The lucky winner will also receive a £100 gift card to spend on plants, garden furniture, outdoor accessories or homeware, either in store or online!

Dobbies’2022 Outdoor Living collection celebrates the variety of our garden spaces and there’s something to suit every style, size and budget.

Whether you’re looking to spruce up a large lawn, compact garden, balcony, or courtyard, you’ll find everything you need at your local Dobbies.

The new range includes five exciting themes: Slow Living, Natural Zen, Global Fusion, Contemporary Country and Let’s Celebrate.

Find your local store, browse the new collections, and get helpful seasonal advice at dobbies.com.

WIN!

A home security system, worth £499.99, from Yale

We’re excited to reveal that one lucky HomeStyle reader will win a smart home security system* from Yale, worth £499.99, to help make sure that their home protection is the very best it can be.

Designed with convenience in mind, the Yale Sync Smart Home Alarm is a must-have security system that allows you to be fully in control of your home security, from anywhere and at any time. With simple installation and set-up, you’ll have the freedom to control your alarm from your smartphone with the flexibility to arm and disarm the system regardless of the time, day or night.

Real-time notifications and alerts when motion is detected also allow you to be ‘in the know’ regarding your home security. Plus, the lucky winner will receive two Yale smart security cameras that are suitable for indoor and outdoor use to ensure that every area of the home is covered.

Explore the full range of home security products at yalehome.co.uk.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

1

LUCKY WINNER

*Installation is not included. The prize draws close on 1st June 2022 at 23.59pm and you must be 18 or over to enter. These prize draws are open to residents of the UK and Channel Islands only. The prize winners will be chosen at random. You can find full terms and conditions under the Dobbies and Yale prize draw pages at yourhomestyle.uk/win

1

LUCKY WINNER

It’s so easy! Head to yourhomestyle.uk, click on the ‘Win’ tab, find the draw you want to enter and fill in your details. Closing date 1st June 2022

Home tech

5 OF THE BEST

WI-FI BOOSTERS Wi-fi wonder TP-Link AC1750 dual band wi-fi range extender and booster, £49.99, Argos This product connects wirelessly to your router and delivers dual band wi-fi speeds of up to 1.75Gbps. It will boost your coverage up to 10,000 sq ft and features a gigabit ethernet port, which lets you connect a wired device, like a smart TV to your wi-fi network.

We love: The external antennas that help your devices to stay connected anywhere in your home.

There’s nothing more frustrating than losing your signal in certain rooms of your home. If your wi-fi doesn’t reach as far as you want it to, a signal extender or repeater could be the solution. Make signal weak spots a thing of the past and quickly strengthen your connection with one of our top five picks…

Better connected AX1600 4-stream wi-fi 6 mesh extender, around £79.99, Netgear For seamless wi-fi on more devices, consider this extender. It creates a mesh wi-fi system with your existing router, and delivers great capacity and speeds of up to 1.6Gbps – ideal for streaming videos and faster downloads. It will also increase coverage to reach every corner of your smart home.

We love: The Nighthawk app, which helps you to install it in a few easy steps, and has an intuitive dashboard where you can view your connected devices.

Signal star

Social network

Rockspace AC2100 wi-fi extender, circa £49.99, Amazon Optimise your wi-fi network coverage with this range extender, which is compatible with any wi-fi router, and boosts your signal up to 1,292 sq ft. It’s simple to get started: connect it to your existing network using either the WPS button on your router or web browser set-up. It supports fibre internet up to 2,100Mbps, and will help extend your wi-fi signal to all of your home devices.

We love: The visual signal lights that guide you to find the perfect location to install the extender.

D-Link wireless AC1200 Wave 2 dual-band access point, circa £89, Amazon This nifty gadget is a fast and versatile solution for improving your network when using its Repeater Mode, which extends wireless coverage to cover all ‘dead spots’. The latest Wave 2 technology delivers combined speeds of up to 1,200Mbps and it’s designed to support MU-MIMO technology that allows multiple devices to get high-bandwidth wi-fi signal at the same time, giving your devices super-fast speeds.

We love: The seven different modes, which allow you to tailor it to your needs.

Wi-Fi 5 Repeater 1200, circa £49.99, Devolo If your connection doesn’t reach every room in your home, consider Devolo’s repeater, which will boost the range of your existing wi-fi. It works with any router, access point and wi-fi devices, and is perfect for anyone who wants to expand their network in no time, with a transmission speed of up to 1,200Mbps. It’s ideal for browsing on your smartphone, tablet or laptop, and for wired devices, such as smart TVs or games consoles, with the option of a network connection.

We love: The easy WPS set-up – push one button on your router and one on the device and you’re ready to go.

NEXT MONTH Five top ice-cream makers

Feature Lisa Hibberd

Quick boost

May 2022 113

READER OFFER!

SAVE 25%

Wall-to-wall style Abstract House is a one-stop shop for premium art and we’ve teamed up with the brand to offer readers an exclusive 25% off all its prints and frames! If you’re looking to add colour and life to your walls, look no further. Whether you love bold abstracts, minimal-line art prints, hand-drawn illustrations or botanical watercolour prints, Abstract House will have something for you.

With just one or two artworks, you can completely transform your space and instantly bring your walls to life.

on art prints & frames at

Abstract House will even frame your artwork so it arrives ready to hang if you so wish. Every frame and print is carefully handcrafted in its production house in Isleworth, London, to Guild of Framing standards, so you know you’re getting the quality that your home deserves.

So what are you waiting for? Indulge in Abstract House’s huge range of original art and framed prints and liven up your blank walls in a flash.

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114 yourhomestyle.uk

Helpful hints

avv

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

Rattan refresh

Ready to refresh

It’s finally time to brush off winter’s cobwebs and get outdoor spaces spruced up! If your patio or balcony is in need of a pick-meup for spring and summer, how about adding a stylish, statement rug? Rugs Direct has a range of durable and easy-to-clean rugs that can be used both indoors and out. We love this geo print, from £79.99, rugsdirect.co.uk.

It can be hard to give reusable bottles a deep clean with traditional washing-up sponges and brushes. This is where the cotton-tip bottle brush, from ProCook, steps in. Made with a bamboo handle and soft, anti-scratch tip, it keeps bottles hygienic and as good as new £4.50, procook.co.uk.

To clean garden furniture, brush away dust then scrub with a toothbrush and warm soapy water to remove dirt and grime.

Fresh threads If you’re fed up of picking pet fur, household dust or hair off your clothing each day, it might be time to invest in an easy-to-use lint remover. The electric Kleeneze cordless lint remover has a lightweight design and large suction head that whizzes up fluff quickly, and it can be charged via USB. £10, Primark.

Brass metallic bag, £17, Baggu

Check jute bag, Yellow/Natural, £29, Toast

Feature Katie Dutton

Fruit Cabana bag, £10, Kind Bag x Maggie Stephenson

lowvee

May 2022 115

Totes organised

cutlery

compartments. This leaves you plenty of spare room to store away other kitchen utensils.

Handy, non-slip feet also ensure it won’t slide about! The DrawerStore compact cutlery organiser costs £16 from josephjoseph.com.

These minimalist cotton blend totes make separating your dark and white laundry loads a doddle. Their soft, compact design means they can be tucked away easily, or why not hang them up? They’d suit a range of utility-room styles.

This set of two costs £18 from johnlewis.com.

All-in-one Switch out your kettle and filter jug for the all-in-one Aurora Optima kettle/water filter, that provides boiled, chilled and filtered water at the touch of a button. It heats up instantly and helps save energy as it only boils as much water as you need.

Plug in and get brewing! £148.11, amazon.co.uk.

Secret store

Tidy away messy bits and bobs with this savvy fire-surround cupboard! £59.99, Studio

Fresh flowers for longer

Pet project Looking for an eco-friendly solution to dog litter trays? New company Piddle Patch has got you covered! The Piddle Patch uses real grass in a liquid-retentive mat (so you won’t have to worry about muddy paw prints inside) and the tray is made with biodegradable and recyclable packaging. You may have spotted the product on Dragon’s Den earlier this year, which received offers from four out of five Dragons – impressive! A Piddle Patch costs £32.50 as a one-time purchase or subscribe for £30.50 monthly, piddlepatch.com.

3 of the best: kitchen scales SPACE SAVING Stellar battery scales, £25, Horwoods

116 yourhomestyle.uk

RETRO STYLE KitchenCraft Living Nostalgia mechanical kitchen scales, £27, Amazon

HANDY CONVERSION CHART Glass digital scales, £12, ProCook

Wish you could keep beautiful bouquets of flowers for longer? By simply popping a copper penny in a vase you will keep blooms happy and even make them stand taller.

The copper naturally kills off bacteria that can shorten a cut flower’s lifespan.

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Every Zest gazebo, planter, raised bed and furniture set is designed at our UK innovation centre. Our products are made to exacting standards for strength and durability to stand the test of time. We win awards for our thoughtful designs combining great looks, relaxing comfort and clever ideas for you to enjoy.

Easy to build from the fewest possible components and many with helpful assembly videos online, all you need to do is pick your style and begin your journey to live the most rewarding and meaningful life outdoors.

Harriet Table and 2 Bench Set Your next furniture set needs to be the Harriet Table and 2 Bench Set. Its Bavarianstyle pieces have smooth curved edges with crossed over curved legs, adding elegance to your garden.

The two 1.60m benches can comfortably seat up to six people whilst dining. Items can be purchased separately or as a set.

Pressure Treated Furniture comes with a ten year guarantee against rot

Visit zestoutdoorliving.co.uk to find your nearest garden centre stockist or online retailer for home delivery.

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Loving life outdoors!

Sustainable Wooden Outdoor Furniture From Zest

Our pick of the best

FOOD & DRINK The abundance of spring’s bounty is matched this month on the high-street with exciting new products, books and food ideas

TIME FOR CHAI?

It’s now easy to spice up your tea-drinking habits as Tea India announces a full roster of chai flavours that includes Masala, Turmeric, Coconut and Ginger, with the news that later this year, chai lovers can also enjoy its Mango flavour. Tea India’s founders emigrated to the UK in the early 1980s, bringing with them authentic recipes for chai, wellness teas and regional teas, such as Darjeeling and Kashmiri kahwa. In addition to producing great tasting chai, Tea India works to support Action Village India, a project that provides education to girls in rural India. Prices for chai start from £2.89, and the range is available from Sainsbury’s, Waitrose and Amazon. teaindia.co.uk

About time too...

Heinz has released six varieties of ready-to-use pasta sauces, five of which are vegan-friendly, including a Tomato and Lentil Ragu. The brand has nicknamed the range ‘Ridiculously late, ridiculously good’ as a nod to the fact that its taken it 150 years to join the pasta sauce parade. Asda and Ocado, £2.50.

Fake it to make it

Fuel for the fire

Nutrition-shot brand MOJU has released a spicy new flavour to help you power-up and get an energy boost at any time of the day. Hot Shot is a blend of mango, turmeric and ginger with an extra hit of cayenne. The new flavour joins MOJU’s Fiery Ginger shot but has a more gentle taste with mango softening the heat with gentle sweetness. All MOJU’s drinks are 100% natural too. Waitrose & Ocado, RRP £1.95.

BACK TO THE FUTURE

The Modern Milkman is a next-day delivery service that aims to tackle plastic waste as all of its drinks (milk, fruit juice, milkshakes) arrive in returnable glass bottles. The Modern Milkman claims it’s saved over 32 million plastic bottles to date! Unlike the milkman of yesteryear, The Modern Milkman operates online or via the app for a quick service. themodernmilkman.co.uk 120 yourhomestyle.uk

HomeStyle readers in London and Brighton may be familiar with the vegan burger restaurant chain Vurger, and the plant-based company has now released two scrumptious vegan dips that are available nationwide with its Smoky ‘Bacon’ mayo and Cheezy Vegan Sauce. £2.95 and £3.75 respectively, from Ocado.

Wonder product Ethical wellness brand Aduna now sells fonio, a tasty nutrient-rich grain that has been grown in Africa for 5,000 years. It has a nutty flavour and a couscous-like texture and is rich in iron.

Aduno Fonio is grown by 320 female farmers in Mali and it contributes to a sustainable global food system. £3.99 (250g), Ocado.

Food news

A GOOD DAY TO BAKE

For many, baking is a meditative practice and if this is you then former Bake Off contestant Benjamina Ebuehi’s new book, A Good Day to Bake, will hit the right tones. ‘Going through the ritual of bringing out my measuring scales, pouring out flour, whipping up eggs, stirring the batter and impatiently slicing up warm cake is a beautiful thing that deserves to be enjoyed all year round,’ she says. Benjamina presents 70 recipes with a focus on the natural. Enjoy sweet and savoury recipes in chapters, such as Herbs & Tea, Spice Cupboard and Chocolate. A Good Day to Bake (Quadrille, RRP £22).

What a buzz!

Honey lovers have long suffered the dilemma of wanting to enjoy their favourite spread but not support unethical practices. Two Bees is committed to ethical, seasonal production of its 100 per cent single-source honey. It buys direct from local beekeepers, the honey arrives by sea and is jarred in the UK. The range features flavours including Mexican Yucatan and Zambian Mountain. RRP £5.99 (250g) from twobees.buzz and Amazon.

Hop to it No Easter egg hunt is complete without the little Lindt chocolate bunny and this year marks a special occasion as the sweet rabbit is celebrating its 70th birthday. In celebration, Lindt is releasing a special 500g bunny Whole Earth has launched a (RRP £20) in a recyclable carrier special-edition peanut butter, but if that’s too much choccy, Golden Rainforest. For every jar then the little fella is also available sold, Whole Earth will donate in a range of sizes, from a tiny 25% of the profits to the 10g. Here at HomeStyle we are Sumatran Orangutan Society, to particularly smitten help protect with the Gold the forests Bunny Safari, of the Leuser and will be ecosystem. taking him RRP £3.30 for a walk (340g), on the wild available from side this all major Easter. supermarkets. lindt.co.uk

Sweet moments TAKE A SOAK

When Bathtub Gin decided to launch its first flavoured variety, it went straight to the consumer to poll for a favourite blend, with 2,500 gin lovers expressing an opinion. The resulting Grapefruit & Rosemary is a fragrant pairing of citrus and herbal tones, which sounds summer-perfect to us. To celebrate its release, Bathtub Gin has given its bottles a new-look with hand-drawn illustrations and a foiled bathtub. RRP £33.95 (70cl) available from Amazon and Masters of Malt.

Carr’s Flour is pulling out all the stops this spring to create a range of show-stopping cake mixes.

There are five flavours in the range: Sumptuous Salted Caramel, Decadent Chocolate, Heavenly Victoria Sponge, Luscious Lemon and Delicious Carrot Cake. Each box features a recipe with handy tips for decoration. Carr’s has also partnered with baking icon Juliet Sear who has created a delicious Strawberry & Prosecco cake (see next issue for full recipe details).

RRP £2.50; shopcarrsflour.co.uk.

May 2022 121

Feature Katie Nicholls Image (A Good Day to Bake) Laura Edwards

The golden touch

Tasty midweek meals Tantalise the taste buds this month with easy-to-make

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

NIÇOISE FRITTATA PREPARATION TIME 10 minutes COOKING TIME 25 minutes SERVES 4 INGREDIENTS ● 175g frozen green beans ● 100g Redmere Farms spinach ● 8 eggs ● 2½ tbsp olive oil ● 145g tin Stockwell & Co tuna chunks in brine, drained ● ½ x 567g tin Grower’s Harvest new potatoes, drained and halved ● 250g pack

CHEATIN’TOFU KATSU CURRY PREPARATION TIME 15 minutes COOKING TIME 20 minutes SERVES 2 INGREDIENTS ● 250-300g firm tofu, drained and patted dry ● 6 tbsp plain flour mixed with 8 tbsp water (needs to be a thick, smooth paste so adjust accordingly) ● 50g panko breadcrumbs ● 250g brown rice (ready-made if short of time) ● Handful spinach per serving ● ¼ cucumber, cut into ribbons ● 1 carrot, cut into ribbons ● 2 spring onions, finely sliced ● 300-350g katsu curry sauce ● Handful mixed seeds (optional)

METHOD

1 Pre-heat oven to 200˚C/180˚C Fan/Gas Mark 4.

2 Cut the tofu into 0.5cm thick slices.

3 Dip each slice in the flour/water paste and then dip into the panko breadcrumbs until they are completely covered.

4 Pop the slices onto the baking tray with a little oil, and place in the oven for 20 minutes, turning once (or until golden on each side).

5 While the tofu is cooking, slice the veg and cook the rice (according to the packet).

6 Warm the katsu sauce, on a low to medium heat, about 5 minutes before the tofu is due to come out of the oven.

7 Assemble the curry into a bowl along with the salad, rice and tofu, topped off with the warmed katsu sauce and seeds, if you like.

COOK’S TIP Panko is a Japanese breadcrumb made from crust-less white bread. Whizz broken-up pieces of bread in a food processor and bake in an oven at 150˚C/130˚C Fan/Gas Mark 2 for 6-8 minutes.

122 yourhomestyle.uk

Nightingale Farms cherry tomatoes, halved ● 80g pitted black olives, drained and sliced ● ½ red onion, very finely sliced ● ½ tsp caster sugar ● ½ Suntrail Farms lemon, zested and juiced ● ¼ x 30g pack fresh basil

METHOD

1 Cook the beans in a pan of boiling water for 3 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon, rinse under cold water and pat dry. Add the spinach to the boiling water and cook for 30 seconds until wilted.

Drain, rinse under cold water, then squeeze out the excess water and finely chop.

2 Crack the eggs into a jug, season well and whisk lightly to combine.

3 Preheat the grill to high. In a 24cm non-stick, oven-proof frying pan, heat 1½ tbsp oil over a low-medium heat. Pour in the egg, scatter over the beans, spinach, tuna and potatoes, and half the tomatoes, olives and red onion. Cook for 15 minutes until the edges and base are almost set, then transfer to the grill for 5-6 minutes until the top is set and golden. Leave to rest in the pan for 5 minutes.

4 Whisk the remaining oil in a bowl with the sugar, lemon zest and juice. Add the remaining tomatoes, olives and onion. Tear over the basil leaves, season with pepper and toss to combine. Slide the frittata onto a board, spoon over the tomato and olive salsa and slice into wedges to serve.

QUICK SAUSAGE AND MUSHROOM STROGANOFF PREPARATION TIME 5 minutes COOKING TIME 20 minutes SERVES 4 INGREDIENTS ● 1 tbsp vegetable oil ● 8-pack pork sausages ● 485g pack chestnut mushrooms, sliced ● 300g long-grain rice ● 2 garlic cloves, crushed ● 200g pot reduced-fat soured cream and chive dip ● ½ reduced-salt chicken stock cube, made up to 100ml ● 1 tbsp Dijon mustard ● 320g frozen peas ● 10g fresh parsley, finely chopped

METHOD

1 Heat the oil in a deep, non-stick frying pan over a medium heat. Pinch the sausages from their skins and break the meat into pieces in the pan, discarding the skins. Fry for 5 minutes, breaking into little pieces with a spatula, until lightly golden, adding a splash of water if it starts to stick. Add the mushrooms and cook for around 10 minutes until golden and any water that comes off the mushrooms has evaporated.

2 Meanwhile, rinse the rice well in a sieve until the water runs clear. Tip the rice into a saucepan with 600ml water. Bring to the boil, then turn the heat down to low, cover the rice and cook for 10-12 minutes undisturbed.

3 Stir the garlic into the mushrooms, cook for 1 minute, then add the soured cream dip, chicken stock and mustard. Bubble gently over a low heat for 4-5 minutes until thickened slightly.

4 Meanwhile, cook the peas in a pan of boiling water for 2-3 minutes, then drain. Fluff up the rice with a fork and serve with the peas and stroganoff, scattered with parsley.

Midweek meals

to make in minutes family friendly meals that are bursting with fresh flavours

FRIDAY

THURSDAY CAPRESE CHICKEN PREPARATION TIME 15 minutes, plus marinating COOKING TIME 15 minutes SERVES 4 INGREDIENTS ● 4 skinless British chicken breasts (about 150g each) ● 2 tbsp olive oil ● 2 garlic cloves ● 2 x 225g packs Waitrose & Partners Pome Dei Moro tomatoes, cut into quarters ● ¼ red onion, finely sliced ● 125g ball mozzarella, cut into 8 slices ● 300g fusilli pasta ● 1-2 tsp balsamic vinegar ● ¼ x 25g pack basil, leaves only

1 Preheat the oven to 170˚C/150˚C/Gas Mark 3. Flatten the chicken breasts out slightly with the palm of your hand, then put in a large, shallow bowl.

Add 1 tbsp oil and grate in 1½ garlic cloves. Season and massage into the chicken, then set aside for no longer than 15 minutes.

2 Meanwhile, grate the remaining ½ garlic cloves into a bowl with the remaining 1 tbsp oil. Stir in the tomatoes and onion, season and set aside.

3 Heat a large frying pan over a high heat. Fry the chicken for 2 minutes on each side, lift out and put on a baking tray or in an oven dish. Bake for 5 minutes, then top with the mozzarella and bake for a final 5 minutes or until the chicken is completely cooked through and the juices run clear and no pink meat remains. Meanwhile, cook the fusilli according to pack instructions.

4 Stir the vinegar through the tomatoes, then spoon over the chicken and scatter with the basil leaves. Serve with the fusilli.

COOK’S TIP This is a simple, family supper that’s based on the flavours of a classic Italian caprese salad (tomatoes, basil and mozzarella). You could swap the mozzarella for scamorza (a smoked Italian cheese) for extra flavour.

Head to www.your homestyle.uk for more tasty recipes

CHICKEN TACOS PREPARATION TIME 15 minutes COOKING TIME 20 minutes SERVES 4 INGREDIENTS ● 400g chicken breast mini fillets, cut into strips ● ½ lemon, juiced ● 200g low-fat natural yogurt ● 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning ● 1 red onion, finely sliced ● 3 tbsp red wine vinegar ● 1 tsp sugar ● 2 tbsp olive oil ● 3 peppers, sliced ● 1 garlic clove, sliced ● 8 mini plain tortilla wraps ● ½ iceberg lettuce, finely sliced ● 1 red chilli, finely sliced METHOD

1 Toss the chicken in a bowl with the lemon juice, 100g yogurt and the Cajun seasoning. Season and set aside for 15 minutes (or cover and chill for up to 24 hours). Put the onion, vinegar, sugar and a pinch of salt in a small bowl and set aside to pickle.

2 Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large frying pan over a high heat and fry the peppers for 10-15 minutes until softened. Stir in the garlic and fry for 2 minutes until lightly golden. Season with pepper and tip out onto a plate.

3 Heat 1 tbsp oil in the pan over a high heat and use tongs to transfer the chicken to the pan. Discard any leftover marinade. Fry the chicken for 10 minutes, turning often, until golden and cooked through.

4 Meanwhile, dry-fry the tortillas in a separate frying pan over a high heat for 30 seconds each side until warmed. Wrap in foil to keep warm.

5 Stir the peppers through the chicken and heat through for 1-2 minutes.

Put the lettuce, chilli and 100g yogurt in small bowls and serve with the chicken and peppers, pickled red onion and tortillas.

COOK’S TIP To make this a vegetarian dish, swap the chicken for slices of halloumi marinated in Cajun seasoning and fry until crispy and golden.

May 2022 123

Feature Katie Nicholls Recipes and photos Cheatin’ katsu curry, veganrecipeclub.org.uk; Niçoise frittata, quick sausage and mushroom stroganoff, chicken tacos, all realfood.tesco.com; chicken caprese, Waitrose, thousands of recipes can be found at waitrose.com/recipes

METHOD

WHERE THE WILD THINGS GROW Celebrate the arrival of spring with our selection of dishes featuring seasonal produce that’s bursting with zesty, fresh flavours

Kale, JAZZ apple & cashew cheese salad Prep time 30 minutes plus extra time to make the cheese Serves 4

INGREDIENTS

● 1 JAZZ apple ● 250g bag of de-stemmed kale, roughly chopped ● 60ml of cooked buckwheat (you can also use quinoa) ● 1 pomegranate ● 1 courgette cut into slices ● A handful of walnuts For the cashew cheese ● 300g bag of dried cashews ● 60ml of water ● 2 tbsp of nutritional yeast

● 1 teaspoon of miso paste ● 2 tbsp of lemon juice ● Powder from 2 capsules of probiotics ● 1 tsp of onion powder ● 1 tsp of salt ● 1 tbsp of freshly chopped dill For the dressing ● 2 tbsp of extra virgin olive oil ● 1 tsp of balsamic vinegar ● 1 tsp of lemon juice ● ½ tsp of maple syrup ● A pinch of sea salt and black pepper

METHOD

1

To make the cashew cheese place the cashews in a food processor, add the water, nutritional yeast, miso paste, lemon juice, probiotics, onion and salt. Start blitzing and stop the food processor from time to time to scrape the sides. Keep blitzing until you have a smooth and creamy consistency.

Pour the cheese mixture into a double cheese cloth. Tie the cloth at the top

2

around a wooden spoon or something similar that will keep it suspended from a deep mixing bowl. Cover it with a tea towel and leave it in a warm and dark place for 16 hours.

Transfer the cashew cheese into the fridge and leave it for another 24 hours.

The longer you leave it, the more it will have a ‘cheesy’ flavour.

To make the salad start by mixing together the dressing ingredients. Pour the dressing over the chopped kale, with your hands massage the leaves until they start to wilt and soften. Leave it to one side.

Grill and cook the sliced courgette onto the barbecue for a few minutes each side. Add the grilled courgette to the kale together with the chopped apple, cooked buckwheat and pomegranate seeds. Mix everything together.

Top with the chopped walnuts and a dollop of the cashew cheese.

3

4

5

Chaat masala potatoes with yoghurt and tamarind Prep time 40 minutes Cooking time 35 minutes Serves 4

INGREDIENTS ● 750g baby new

potatoes, cut lengthways into 1cm-thick slices ● 2 tbsp olive oil ● 1 tsp chaat masala ● ½ tsp ground turmeric ● 250g Greek-style yoghurt ● ½ (45g) small red onion, peeled and thinly sliced into rounds on a mandolin, if you have one, or by hand ● 1 (10g) green chilli, thinly sliced into rounds ● 1½ tsp coriander seeds, toasted ● 1½ tsp nigella seeds, toasted ● salt Ingredients for coriander chutney ● 30g (10g) fresh coriander ● 1 green chilli, deseeded and roughly chopped ● 1 tbsp lime juice ● 60ml olive oil Ingredients for sweet tamarind dressing ● 1½ tbsp shop-bought tamarind paste, or double if you’re extracting it yourself from pulp ● 1½ tsp caster sugar ● ¼ tsp chaat masala

METHOD

1 2

Preheat the oven to 220°C/200°C Fan/ Gas Mark 7 Put the potatoes and 2 teaspoons of salt into a medium saucepan and top with enough cold water to cover by about 4cm. Place on a medium/ high heat, bring to the boil, then simmer for 6 minutes, or until they’re almost cooked through but still retain a bite. Drain through a sieve and pat dry, then transfer to a large parchment-lined baking tray and toss with the oil, chaat masala, turmeric, ¼ teaspoon of salt and a good grind of pepper. Roast, stirring once or twice, for 35 minutes, or until deeply golden.

Meanwhile, make the coriander chutney. Put all the ingredients and ¼ teaspoon of salt into the small bowl of a food processor and blitz until smooth. Set aside until needed. For the tamarind dressing, whisk together all the ingredients in a small bowl with 1½ teaspoon of water and set aside.

Spread the yoghurt out on a large round serving platter. Top with the coriander chutney, swirling it through without completely incorporating. Drizzle with half the tamarind dressing, and top with the potatoes, onion and chilli. Drizzle over the remaining tamarind, then sprinkle over the seeds and serve.

3

4

Cook’s tip Double the ingredients to make a party platter for a spicy spring gathering

Pea & mint soup Prep time 20 minutes Cooking time 25 minutes Serves 4–6

INGREDIENTS

● 1 bunch spring onions, trimmed and roughly chopped ● 1 medium potato, peeled and diced ● 1 garlic clove, crushed ● 850ml vegetable stock ● 900g young peas in the pod

and stir with a fork, then set aside to add to the soup later.

Put the spring onions into a large pan with the potato, garlic and stock. Bring to the boil, turn down the heat and simmer for 15 minutes or until the potato is very soft.

For the garnish, cook 3 tbsp of the peas for 2-3 minutes. Drain, put in a bowl of cold water and set aside.

Add the remaining peas to the soup base and simmer for about 3-4 minutes. Don’t overcook.

Stir in the mint, sugar and lemon or lime juice, cool slightly then blend to the consistency you prefer. Stir in half the buttermilk mixture and season with salt and pepper.

To serve the soup cold, cool quickly, and then chill. If you want it warm, reheat without boiling (the buttermilk will curdle otherwise).

Serve the soup in bowls, garnished with the remaining buttermilk and the drained peas.

2

3 4 5

or 250g frozen peas – remove 3 tbsp and set aside ● 4 tbsp chopped fresh mint ● Large pinch caster sugar ● 1 tbsp fresh lemon or lime juice For the vegan buttermilk ● 150ml plus 2 tbsp unsweetened soya or other plant milk ● 2 tsp of ONE of these: lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, or white vinegar

6 7

METHOD

Cook’s tip Beef up this dish with croutons;

To make the buttermilk, mix together the plant-based milk in a jug with your choice of lemon juice, apple cider vinegar or white vinegar

roughly break up pieces of toasted bread and lightly fry in a little olive oil; season with salt and pepper, or even a few chilli flakes.

1

May 2022 125

Feature Katie Nicholls Recipes Kale JAZZ apple & cashew cheese salad, Happy Skin Kitchen; Chaat masala potatoes with yogurt and tamarind, Yotam Ottolenghi and Ixta Belfrage; Pea & mint soup veganrecipeclub.org.uk

Spring recipes

Thai salmon and quinoa salad with watercress Prep time 10 minutes Cook time 20 minutes Serves 1

INGREDIENTS

● 1 salmon fillet ● 125g quinoa ● 85g watercress, roughly chopped ● 1 yuzu or lemon, cut into wedges ● 1 spring onion, chopped ● Sesame seeds ● Toasted peanuts For the marinade ● 1 tbsp lime juice ● ¼ tsp dried chilli flakes ● ½ clove finely chopped garlic ● ½ tsp toasted sesame oil ● ½ tsp of brown sugar ● ½ tsp finely grated ginger

METHOD

1 2

Mix together all the marinade ingredients in a small bowl and coat the salmon before refrigerating for 30 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 200°C/180°C Fan/Gas Mark 6 and line a baking tray with baking paper, place the salmon in the middle and wrap to make a parcel, bake for 20 minutes.

Cook the quinoa as per the instructions on the packet.

Once the quinoa is cooked, toss it together with the watercress and spring onion.

Serve in a bowl with the salad mixture on the bottom, salmon fillet on top and sprinkle with sesame seeds and toasted peanuts. Serve with citrus wedges.

3 4 5

Cook’s tip Spring is the peak time for watercress, so this is the best time of the year to enjoy its punchy, peppery flavour

Rhubarb and pistachio Eton mess sundae Prep time 30 minutes Cooking time 1 hour Serves 4

INGREDIENTS

● 2 egg whites ● 100g caster sugar ● Pink gel food colour ● 500g vanilla quark ● 8 tbsp Bonne Maman Rhubarb Conserve ● 100g pistachios, roughly chopped

METHOD

1

Heat oven to 120°C/100°C Fan/Gas Mark 1. Line 2 baking sheets with baking paper.

Whisk egg whites until stiffly peaking and then

126 yourhomestyle.uk

tip the bowl; the eggs are ready when they don’t move.

Gradually whisk in the sugar 1 tbsp at a time until glossy.

Take a plastic piping bag and squeeze in several vertical lines of the gel colour, directly from the tube.

Spoon in the meringue and snip off the end of the piping bag. Pipe mini meringues onto baking sheets, Bake for 1 hour until the meringues are firm. Leave to cool, then add to a Ziploc bag and bash with a rolling pin until you have large and small meringue crumbs.

Spoon a thick layer of quark into a sundae glass and gently fold through 2 tbsp of the Bonne Maman Rhubarb Conserve, then top with crushed meringue pieces and a scattering of pistachios. Repeat with the rest of the glasses.

2 3 4

5

Cook’s tip Make up the meringues and store in sealed jars for up to 2 weeks

SPRING SHOW !

STOPPER

Prep time 30 minutes Cook time 45 minutes Serves 12 portions

INGREDIENTS For the sponge mixture ● 175g self-raising flour ● ½ level teaspoon baking powder ● 175 grams Stork ● 175g caster sugar ● 3 medium eggs ● 1 tablespoon elderflower cordial ● Finely grated zest of 1 lemon For the syrup ● Juice of 1 lemon, strained ● 1 tablespoon elderflower cordial ● 55g caster sugar For the filling ● 115g icing sugar ● 40 grams Stork ● 1-2 teaspoons elderflower cordial ● 3-4 tablespoons lemon curd For the thin glacé icing ● 55g icing sugar

METHOD

1

Sift the flour and baking powder into a large mixing bowl, add the remaining cake ingredients and beat with a wooden spoon until it’s smooth.

Spoon the mixture into 2 greased and baselined 20cm cake tins.

Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C/160°C Fan/ Gas Mark 4 for 30-40 minutes or until cooked.

Turn out on to a wire tray.

Put the lemon juice, elderflower and sugar in a saucepan and heat gently until the sugar has fully dissolved.

While the cake is warm, make a few deep holes with a skewer and drizzle the syrup over so that it soaks into the cake.

Place the icing sugar, Stork, and elderflower in a bowl and mix well until smooth. Split the cakes horizontally in half. Spread the base cake half with 1/3 of the icing and 1/3 lemon curd.

Top with the second cake and repeat layers until the icing and curd are used up, finishing with the final layer of cake on top.

Decorate with a thin glacé icing made with the icing sugar and a little lemon juice and drizzled over the top of the cake. Finish with edible flowers if desired.

2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Recipes Thai salmon & quinoa salad, watercress.co.uk; Rhubarb & pistachio Eton mess sundae, bonnemaman.co.uk; Lemon & elderflower cake, bakewithstork.com

Lemon and elderflower cake

94

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May 2022 129

IN CONVERSATION WITH

Superfront’s doors aren’t just for use in the kitchen, they can transform other items of furniture too

Monica Born

This month we catch up with Monica Born, co-founder of Nordic design brand Superfront When did you launch Superfront and what inspired you?

The company’s understated Holy Wafer handles have become iconic

Clients can mix and match designs to create a unique look

Monica has always been fascinated by design

My partner Mick and I launched the brand in 2013 at a time when it was very hard to find furniture that was both affordable and looked great. Big furniture chain companies sold products that were cheap, but rarely felt exciting and weren’t unique, while high-level design was unaffordable for many. At the time, we noticed a pattern among our friends, who had hacked IKEA furniture, creating unique pieces by adding new handles or a bespoke top. We then realised that this could be a clever way to help people achieve beautiful-looking furniture at an affordable price.

At the same time, it would give millions of people the possibility to prolong the life of their IKEA furniture. Now that really is circularity (sustainable consumption) that can make a true difference.

Do you have a background in art and/or design?

Feature Kirstie Duhig

I’ve always been fascinated by design, but I started my career in advertising, working as a creative copywriter in some of Sweden’s top agencies and developing concepts for international lifestyle brands.

This gave me the knowledge to work on the business side of our brand, but at the same time I was finally able to nurture my creative passion as I am also responsible – together with Mick – for the design of all of the Superfront products.

Can you describe your interiors style?

Eclectic and timeless with a big love for photography and sculpture, but also for items from nature, like a stone, a piece of wood, or even a shell.

Where do you find your inspiration?

It could be at a flea market, or in an old church, or looking at a sculpture. It could also be through nature or architecture that the seed is sown for a new design idea.

What are your bestselling products/ designs?

Our Holy Wafer handle has become iconic. It is so simple in its design, yet unique with its soft, curved shape. Our Illusion and Parallels patterns are also among our bestsellers. They are both timeless and easy to combine with a modern or classic interior style.

Who are you following on Instagram right now and why?

I love @kellyearstler’s inspiring interiors and eclectic design.

But I follow Swedish interior designer @joannalaven and @dimoremilano, as they are always a source of inspiration.

What does 2022 hold for you?

Hopefully, we will launch a few pop-up spaces – stay tuned to find out where they will be!

And we also have several design launches coming up.

Is there someone you’d love to collaborate with?

I really admire the work of Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec and I would love to collaborate with them. But there are, of course, other brilliant designers I could imagine working with – Patricia Urquiola has always been a favourite too.

Discover Superfront’s designs at superfront.com and follow @superfrontdotcom

14

£

Y s O c sUpEr

double duvet set

£

8

£

lots

of

16

£

9

200x240cm

wins

snuggle up in style!

little

over 400 stores nationwide search for us on All products subject to availability. Online delivery charges may apply.

www.wilko.com

Manufactured in the UK to the highest of standards, our cabinets are of traditional ‘glue and dowel’ construction and come with a reassuring 10 year cabinet guarantee.

Whether it’s a traditional or contemporary kitchen you’re after we have something to suit your lifestyle and budget. Your dream kitchen begins here.

MASON

painted Vintage Pink and Slate Blue

This stunning injection of warm Vintage Pink complements the Parched Oak timber while contrasting with the cool tones of Slate Blue

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