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BRITAIN’S BEST VALUE HOMES MAGAZINE APRIL 2022

DIY STORAGE CRAFT DECORATING FOOD GARDENING

GET CREATIVE

& do it yourself!

372 SPRING IDEAS +GARDEN PROJECTS

HAPPY EASTER

50

+

R E T S A E D N E K E WE B Sfirst!

See the

he e

-NEW BRANDA S BARG IN

PLUS BRI IANT WAYS WITH WALLPAPER

Storage sorted

CLEVER HACKS FOR HALLWAYS, KITCHENS & LIVING ROOMS

LOW-COST REFRESH!

WOW WHITE KITCHEN INSPIRATION BATHR B ATHRO OOM OM TILE TILE UPGRA UPGRADES DES BEDROOM LIGHTING & KITCHEN FLOORS

Love it

EDITOR’S LETTER

Hi there!

ABOVE: Update your living space with a pretty pink palette, p56 LEFT: Get crafting with Easter makes, p106 BELOW: Latest buys and a showstopper bake, p112

A couple of years ago, if you’d said I’d choose pink for my bedroom, I’d be sceptical.

And yet my bedroom is now rocking some newly painted pink walls and I’m loving it! However, it has caused some friction in Casa Young: not due to the colour (everyone’s a fan), but because we jumped the project queue. My daughter’s room was tackled soon after moving in (a thank you for her taking the smallest room) and her twin brother has been dropping less-than-subtle hints that his room should get a new look ever since. He was not impressed when the dust sheets came out in the main bedroom instead. By now I’m sure you can guess what project is top of the list for the bank holiday weekend over at our place. Whatever your plans, this issue is packed with inspo for your own decorating projects. Happy Easter!

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Heather Young, Editor

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APRIL 2022 | 3

Inside…

Love it Inspiring homes and room makeovers

Buy it

Stylish musthave finds at high-street prices

Do it

Weekend projects, DIY advice and styling tips

WEAVE IT IN Page 12

Make it

Step-by-step craft ideas and upcycling how-tos

Cook it Our fave recipes and top foodie buys

18

Jen’s given her new build a unique twist

Regulars 3 64

ED’S LETTER Come on in!

SUBSCRIBE and never miss an issue!

Love it 18

‘I LIKE MIXING VINTAGE AND NEW’ Eclectic finds and playing with colour have made Jen’s new build stand out

28

GALLERY WALLS Brighten a bare space with a bespoke display

30

‘OUR NEW BUILD IS NOW SO INVITING’ Daniella’s blank canvas has blossomed with botanical touches

40

HELP TO BUY SCHEME Affordable loan for first-time buyers

44

‘WE MADE A BOLD STATEMENT’ It may be compact but Carey’s apartment has maxed out on style

52

TWO-TONE WALL Double up on paint colours for twice the impact

55

THE STYLE BOOK Work a pink hue into your living room scheme

74

TRY A SPEEDY STYLE UPDATE Fun ideas to refresh your kitchen

84

‘OUR KITCHEN IS FULL OF LIGHT’ Hannah’s choice of white cabinetry and glossy tiles banished the gloom

88

A WHITE KITCHEN Ways to make a white room smart, not stark

90

BATHROOM IDEAS Get creative with your choice of tiles

96

HALLWAY STORAGE SOLUTIONS Ways to make a neat entrance

Buy it 7

EASTER TABLE Set the scene with spring-fresh tableware

8

BEST IN STORE Our pick of the best high-street trends for the new season

12

WOVEN WOOD Accessorise with pieces that flex some style

14

COLOUR BLOCK Key shades that pack a punch

29

BEDROOM LIGHTING Bright ideas to enhance the mood

4 | APRIL 2022

96

Stash away hallway clutter

44

Carey’s cool kitchen

NEUTRAL BUYS Page 80

Love it

CONTENTS

41

GREEN BEDROOMS Turn a sleeping space into a serene sanctuary

53

LIVING ROOM FLOORS Switch up your floor coverings

73

WALLPAPERS WITH WOW Take a flutter on butterfly designs

80

SPLURGE VERSUS STEAL A calming palette, perfect for the bedroom

110 BUY THE BEST Air fryer 122 TEN UNDER £10 Purse-friendly Easter treats

Do it 66 83

DECO IDEAS Clever storage updates

95

TIME AT HOME Create a centrepiece for your Easter table

98

WHAT TO DO THIS MONTH Our easy DIY and cleaning hacks to get your home ship-shape

SPRING DISPLAY Plant up retro pots to bring your garden into bloom

102 GUIDE TO A BETTER GARDEN Flex your green fingers

104 BUILD A BIRDHOUSE Turn an old

104 Tweet idea to upcycle old pallets

pallet into a cute home for birds

113 HOW TO SAVE A DEPOSIT Ways to

help you get on the property ladder

115

HOUSEHOLD FINANCES Our expert advice on choosing insurance

Make it 16

DECORATED EGGS Get cracking on an egg-cellent display

54

FELT CHICKS A sweet and easy craft to complete for Easter-time

106 EASTER CRAFTS Create your own decorations, or give as gifts

109 SEAT PAD Ensure you’re sitting pretty 116 FABRIC NOTEBOOKS Decorative covers for your jottings

GREAT FINDS Page 8

Cook it

108 TURMERIC CHICKEN BAKE One-pot roast

112 MAD MARCH HARE CAKE Showstopper bake

28

Gallery wall inspiration

Tweet us your comments at @styleathomemag – we’d love to hear what you think of your fave mag!

APRIL 2022 | 5

EASTER TABLE

Buy it

THIS MONTH’S

Love it!

FEATURE STEPHANIE DURRANT

Natural elements such as rattan offer a rustic feel

If you’re after Easter table inspo, then look no further!

Lay a spring-fresh table with Dunelm’s pretty boho collection. Think pom-pom placemats, scalloped plates and glassware that looks like it’s been handed down through generations.

Cotton and linen mix tablecloth, £18; scallopededge pasta bowl, £4; vintage pressed glass tumblers, £4 each; 16-piece cutlery set in Gold, £20; Tile napkins, £7 for four; pom-pom placemats, £4.50 for two; cake stand, £18; Samira sideboard, £299, all Dunelm

APRIL 2022 | 7

Best IN STORE Refresh your room schemes for the new seasson with our pick of the latest high-street trends

Double plant stand, £22

Marble and brass wall light,, £42

Abstract wall art, £10

Medium faux plant, £10

Habitat

HUES

C Combine pastel pink and green tones with geometric prints for a 1970s vibe

Geo Blush printed cushion, £10

8 | APRIL 2022

Colander, £12

SERVE UP IN STYLE

Ribbed glass vase, £20

BEST IN STORE

Cliffs Edge framed canvas, £249

Buy it

Maddox five-light ceiling pendant, £289

Globe nest of tables, £469

Furniture Village Concrete and Gold table 99 lamp, £9

DESERT JEWEL

Style up this scheme with sandy oranges and pinks, and a glimpse of precious metal

Bigham cushion, £32

COLOUR SPLASH Fire 2.0 console table, £539

Mandarin bed frame, £1,599 Celesta rug, £189

APRIL 2022 | 9

Large woven vase, £20; three pampas stems, £15

Blue Paisley 12-piece dinner set, £20

FILL A PRETTY VASE

Pink dried grass, £12

Tortoise shell-effect lamp, £28

George Home

ROMANCE

Be inspired by far-flung shores with w Mediterranean-style prints and faded fabrics

Blue floral tile duvet set, from £12

Natural handspun jute rug, £45 Set of two speckled vases, £12

Toile print cushion, £7

10 | APRIL 2022

Buy it

BEST IN STORE

Dreamscape print cushion, £8 ender wreath, £15

Gold vase, £30

Gold mirror, £18

Matalan Dreamscape wall art, £20

DREAMS

Create a dreamscape with midnight blue, sunset pink and flecks of gold FRESH BEDTIME LOOK

Trailing wall plant nt, £12

FEATURE LAURA HIGGINS

Round rib vase, £10

Gold tray, £12

Digi floral duvet set, £40

APRIL 2022 | 11

SET THE MOOD

KEY PIECE

RETRO SUNBURST

Rattan tall dome easyfit shade in Natural, £55, BHS

Toba large mirror, £90, Sweetpea & Willow

HANGING AROUND

Nest hanging rattan outdoor chair, £395, Rose & Grey

GLOW ON

Small bamboo lantern, £20, Habitat

Trend spotting WHEELIE HANDY Lubban trolley table, £60, Ikea

WOVEN WOOD Rattan, bamboo and cane are having a well-earned revival

N

o longer consigned to the conservatory, woven woods such as rattan, bamboo and cane are making a welcome comeback, bringing warmth and interest.

The key to making them work is to keep it subtle. Invest in a few key pieces and integrate them into your existing scheme.

Choose oversized pendants and textured furniture finishes to add instant impact.

CLUTTER BUSTER

Snidad rattan basket, £29, Ikea

TEXTURED TABLE Rattan bedside table, £69.99, BTFY

CLASSIC DESIGN

Pax Rattan dining chairs, £169 for two, Dunelm

STYLISH SHELFIE

SHINE BRIGHT

HALLWAY SAVIOUR Sahin Nature cane coat rack, £41.50, Beaumonde

12 | APRIL 2022

Hollins large natural rattan table lamp, £69, Iconic Lights

SMART SEAT

FEATURE LAURA HIGGINS

Miko two-tier shelf, £40, B&M

WOVEN WOOD

Buy it

Esben sideboard, £895; bamboo sphere floor lamp, £195; bevelled edge oval mirror, £395; large Khari Yellow rug, £280, all Graham and Green

APRIL 2022 | 13

The New Look

COLOUR BLOCK

Add a ray of sunshine to your scheme with bold and vibrant hues Slogan small plant pot, £6; Slogan large plant pot, £14; lantern, £22; plates, £8 for two; wire fruit bowl, £6.50, all Matalan

1. Stick to key colours

This scheme really packs a punch but by using just three colours – pink, yellow and teal – it prevents it from becoming too busy, keeping your decor coherent while still making an impact.

FEATURE LAURA HIGGINS

2. Choose cheeky slogans

14 | APRIL 2022

This is a really fun look, making it ideal for the kitchen or dining area. Add some light-hearted humour with slogans on plant pots, artwork or tableware and pot up your fave houseplants.

Wall art, £20; Slogan planter on stand, £16; cushion, £12; bowl, £5; coaster, £3; ceramic egg holder, £14; mugs, from £3.50; lantern, £22; Slogan small plant pot, £6, Slogan large plant pot, £14; plates, £8 for two; wire fruit bowl, £6.50, all Matalan

Buy it

NEW LOOK PUNCHY PRINT

3. Use colour blocking

C’est La Vie print, £24, Rocket Jack

Solid blocks of vibrant colour on walls, furniture and accessories really pop and keep this look clean and fresh.

Avoid too many patterns which could make the scheme look fussy and busy.

PLATE UP

Colour Pop enamel plate, £22.99, Sous Chef

TAKE A SHOT

Citrine espresso cups, £9 for two, Habitat

Nail the style VIBRANT BRIGHTS

Combine pink, yellow and teal hues GROW YOUR OWN Blush Pink planter and wood stand, £15, Dunelm

PLAYFUL WORDS

Fun round cushion, £39.50, Bombay Duck

4. Introduce light woods

The wooden elements in this scheme help to pull it all together by adding subtle texture.

Choose wooden pieces that are light, but warm in tone, to add depth and to break up the blocks of colour.

COLOUR ACCENT Finn dining chair in Teal, £79, Danetti

TOTAL

£185 APRIL 2022 | 15

Make it

DECORATED EGGS

Clarence Court duck eggs, £2.60 for six, Sainsbury’s. Sharpie Black Fine Point permanent marker, £2 for two, Wilko

THIS MONTH’S

Make it

Keep it monochrome or use coloured pens for a playful look

16 | APRIL 2022

FEATURE STEPHANIE DURRANT PHOTOGRAPH FUTURECONTENTHUB.COM

Add a chic touch to Easter with patterned eggs. Spots, lines and dashes made with felt-tip pens look striking on white hen’s or duck eggs. Display with quail’s eggs or speckled chocolate eggs – just remember which ones are which!

‘I like mixing VI DRINK UP

‘I upcycled this Facebook find using leftover paint.

Curves are very on trend!’

COME ON IN! IDEA TO STEAL

‘Make a feature by matching a metallic splashback to cupboard handles’

ABOUT ME I’m Jen Watkins, 35, a sales director in the beauty industry and artist. I live here with my three children, Rowan, 12, and twin boys Arthur and Oscar, seven, and our dog, Dottie, and cat, Saffy.

MY HOME Our home is a five-bed detached new-build property in Biggleswade, Bedfordshire. We moved here in June 2017.

WHEN WE MOVED IN As this was a new house it was very white, clean and neat, and lacked character.

AND NOW It’s taken six years of constant evolving, by painting walls, then repainting, adding colour through fabric, texture, lighting, wall prints, and building up a collection of vintage and quirky accessories that have helped the house feel like a home. I like using a mix of modern, vintage, old and new.

18 | APRIL 2022

OPEN UP

‘The large open-plan kitchen-diner was one of the selling points of this house for me. It’s a great multi-use space, and I can keep an eye on the kids when I’m cooking’

FIVE-BED DETACHED

Love it

NTAGE AND NEW’ By introducing colour through artwork, painting and furniture hacks, Jen has given her bland new build a vibrant fresh look full of personality

W

hen I first moved into this house back in 2017 it was because the boys were growing up fast, and I wanted a home that would grow with our needs,’ says Jen. ‘I loved the style of this house, as it offered lots of space, especially the open-plan layout downstairs and the walk-in wardrobe was a big draw for me!

I work from home some days, so the house needed to offer enough rooms that I could use as an office space, guest room for family and all be very versatile. I have a passion for interiors, finding inspiration through Pinterest and Instagram, so having a white canvas as a backdrop didn’t frighten me at all. I’m very eclectic and I’m not concerned about things clashing, having my own maximalist style, so I was ready to get going.

Starting from scratch

When you purchase a new build, you must be able to visualise how it’s going to look as you literally pick everything from scratch before the house is even built.

Thankfully, I’m quite creative so really enjoyed the process of choosing things like the kitchen, bathroom tiles and carpets. I made moodboards and even brought in my own paint samples to get the right look and I wasn’t afraid to ask anyone questions about what was or wasn’t possible. I mean, after all it’s my home and needs to have the major things right from the start.

Choosing the basics

I’m a huge fan of colour, but resisted the option to have bold kitchen units, so I opted for light grey with a white

APRIL 2022 | 19

Love it

FIVE-BED DETACHED

DINING IN

‘I found all my mix-and-match chairs on eBay. I especially love my pink chair as it ties in with some of the wall prints’

‘I REALLY LIKED THE IDEA OF BLOCKS OF COLOUR AND I’VE USED A LOT OF MY OWN ARTWORK TO BRIGHTEN UP THE WHITE WALLS’ 20 | APRIL 2022

PAINT EFFECT

‘I painted an arch onto this wall and blended the radiator in. Fitted shelves make it look like a frame’

IDEA TO STEAL

‘Match print colours to your decor to keep open-plan areas feeling cohesive’

ON THE SHELF

‘I love to display all my purchases, so I fitted wide shelving across the back wall and a low unit, which houses the TV’ marble worktop, as I knew this would work with any colours I eventually introduced. The natural wood flooring was a great choice as it’s hardwearing and I decided to pay extra to have underfloor heating added, which I knew would be beneficial in an open-plan living space. I did the same in the bathroom as I wanted it to feel clean and natural, but just picked out some textured waveeffect white tiles to add some interest, then a natural faux wood vinyl flooring, which looks like the real thing.

Moving day!

It was a strange feeling moving into a house I’d only ever seen off plan or half-finished but when I got the keys it also felt very white and empty. I’d been

3 of the best PRINTS

Create a fun-filled gallery wall with these quirky posters

Paris art print, £24, Rocket Jack

Matisse botanical art print, £15, Abstract House

Heart face art print, £21, Iamfy

APRIL 2022 | 21

GOLD ACCENTS ‘My old lamp complements the pink cushions and trim on the wall mirror’

‘WHEN PURCHASING A NEW BUILD, VISUALISE HOW IT’S GOING TO LOOK AS YOU LITERALLY PICK EVERYTHING BEFORE THE HOUSE IS EVEN BUILT’ doing lots of moodboards of how I wanted the house to look and deciding on styles I liked so I knew exactly what would work where. A few months before moving in, I decided to order lots of new items and furniture, which literally arrived the day we moved in. The living room became a storage depot until I’d unpacked everything! But it was nice to see each room filled with some of my old and new furniture.

Playing with colour

It’s advised not to paint newly-built walls for at least 12 months to let the walls settle and avoid cracking. However, after

22 | APRIL 2022

eight months I couldn’t wait and painted my bedroom wall in Deep Green from Valspar. I then upcycled my old headboard with a few metres of fabric from Kitty McCall – she’s one of my favourite designers so I’ve included lots of her prints and fabrics in the house.

I wanted to brighten up the kitchen-diner but didn’t want to paint the classic one wall, so instead painted an arch on the narrow wall near the patio door. The wall also had a radiator on it, so that went blue too. I fitted some shelving, and it added some depth to the room and made a feature of the radiator. I also did a similar trick in the sitting room behind the

FIVE-BED DETACHED

QUIET SPOT

‘This is my little reading corner.

I’ve tons of design books to inspire my artwork’

IDEA TO STEAL

‘Dot faux plants around the house to soften sharp edges’

Love it

Do it!

UPCYCLE FURNITURE

Try some DIY hacks to upcycle old furniture: you can get great bits off eBay or try charity shops, then transform them cheaply with some new paint and hardware.

Preparation is key to upcycling.

Plan ahead and ensure you have the tools and equipment needed to do the job from start to finish. Give all furniture a wipe down before you start, and always factor in time to make any corrections to your project, and most of all, don’t rush it!

Craig & Rose gold spray paint is a dream for adding the Midas touch to table legs, picture frames or even creating patterns on pieces of furniture. Just remember to work in an open space to allow lots of ventilation when spraypainting. If you’re making patterns – especially geometric ones – use low-tack masking tape to stop the design running.

Spend a few extra pennies on good paintbrushes. Cheap ones leave bristles and don’t give good coverage. All good paint brands now have their own brushes, which often work wonderfully together.

STEP UP

‘Using colour on one half of the wall has added impact. I also painted the stairs white to create a light, airy space’

IDEA TO STEAL

LAYER UP

‘Once I’d recovered the headboard, I layered up the bed with lots of clashing cushions and throws, which really stand out against the painted bedhead wall’

‘Add impact with bold statement lighting in a bedroom’

DUAL PURPOSE

‘My sofa bed is from Ikea and is really comfy – ideal for when guests come to stay’

DESK SPACE

‘I customised my desk and spray-painted the table legs for that individual touch’

24 | APRIL 2022

FIVE-BED DETACHED

Love it ON POINT

‘I added the vinyl letters and painted a triangle in the twins’ room, which I thought was a fun element’

Make it!

COVER AN OLD HEADBOARD

1

Use your old headboard and remove the current fabric and padding. Carefully remove any nails and tacks.

Trim a piece of mattress padding to fit the headboard and use spray adhesive to attach.

Cover with a layer of wadding, flip the headboard over to attach in place with a staple gun.

Lay the board on the fabric you’ve picked to cover it with and cut to shape, leaving a 5cm lip that you can pull over the board and staple into place on the reverse side. Ensure the fabric is pulled taut so as not to have an uneven, saggy finish.

Finish by using spray adhesive to apply a strip of ribbon or trim to the rough edge on the back of the board to cover any staples.

2 3

4

‘NEW-BUILD PROPERTIES TAKE TIME TO ADD STYLE, SO MY TIP IS TO LIVE IN IT FIRST BEFORE YOU START PAINTING OR WALLPAPERING WALLS’ mirror. I liked the idea of blocks of colour and I’ve used a lot of my own artwork to brighten up the white walls.

Furniture update

I love upcycling furniture as the old stuff is always such good quality. I found the drinks cabinet in the kitchen on Facebook Marketplace and after treating it and rubbing it down, I gave it a lick of salmon paint and echoed the arch from the wall design on the cabinet doors. I’ve often made cushions from leftover fabrics or

sprayed legs of furniture in gold to add some interest. The unit in my office was a dark mahogany shade, which I also updated with furniture paint and added some new handles.

Picture walls

Over the years I’ve built up a huge collection of prints and pictures, which I used to create gallery walls all over the house – the staircase, dining area and sitting room. I feel every image reflects me and my style and the things I love

APRIL 2022 | 25

Love it

IVE-BED DETACHED

WHITE TOUCH

‘The rich-coloured flooring is a striking contrast to the white suite. Accessories and towels add more colour’

‘AN EASY AND CHEAP WAY TO INTRODUCE COLOUR INTO A WHITE BATHROOM IS WITH TOWELS AND ACCESSORIES’

‘Rowan’s room is full of “stuff”, so we agreed that a funky chest is a great place to keep things tidy’

about my family. I always tend to go for bright colours and then tone down each room with the odd item of neutral coloured furniture. The sofa is a soft grey and the dining table is white, but I’ve filled the sofa with an eclectic mix of cushions and opted for different chairs in the dining room, too. I try to see the house as one whole room, so it flows from one space to another and even though the boys aren’t into bright floral prints, I’ve used wall stickers, bedlinen and rugs instead to escape the white walls!

Next steps

Currently I’m using the small spare room as a studio to do all my painting, which is messy, but I have plans to convert the garage into a studio, so I have my own

26 | APRIL 2022

space to paint. I really don’t think this house will ever be finished as I’m always changing or adding something new.

I’m thinking of painting the wall in the sitting room behind the shelves but I’m struggling with what shade to go for. I’d also like to add colour to the bathroom walls, maybe by replacing the tiles with some funky styled ones. For now, though, I’m happy living in a house that’s full of pattern, style and colour – even if it can feel a little chaotic with three boys!’

Find more clever ideas to style up your home by going to pinterest.com/ styleathomemag

Where to buy Jen’s style KITTY McCALL: A large selection of prints, fabrics, small furniture items and fun accessories in bold, vibrant colours with fabulous patterns.

FACEBOOK MARKETPLACE Here you’ll find lots of secondhand furniture that is great for upcycling projects. They are often cheap or free and can be collected locally to where you live. Always a bargain online!

ANTHROPOLOGIE Originally US based, sells modern accessories, home furnishings and furniture.

DUSTYBIRD SOUTHSEA (@ dustybird_southsea) A collection of vintage and antique homeware.

ETSY For unique art prints and vintage bargains by small independent designers.

FEATURE ZOE BISHOP PHOTOGRAPHS LIZZIE ORME

HIDDEN TREASURE

Love it

ETACHED NEW BUILD

Jen’s choice:

GALLERY WALLS

Create a bespoke display on a blank wall to show off your favourite artwork, typography and photographs

A

gallery wall is a simple way to add colour and personality to a room. Anna Sheridan, stylist at Heal’s, shares her top tips on creating the perfect arrangement.

How do you lay it out?

Planning is key! Before making any holes in the wall, decide on a layout. The easiest way is to lay the pieces on the floor and see how they work together. You can also cut paper to the size of each frame to use as templates on the wall.

Jen has mixed and matched artwork and frame styles for an eclectic look

IDEA TO STEAL

Add a wall lamp to light up your gallery wall

Any styling tips?

Aim to have the centre of the gallery at eye level – around 140cm from the floor.

Common mistakes are not planning the layout before hanging, having clashing colours, not enough variation in size and inconsistent spacing. Avoid hanging a gallery among existing artwork, or on the same wall as a TV or window, as this can detract from the display. If mixing photography with abstract art, drawings and typography, try to keep one element the same throughout – whether it’s a common colour palette, a collection of family photos or favourite travel spots.

Once you’re happy with the layout, hold each piece against the wall and make a small mark where the centre of the top of the frame should lie. Measure from the top of the frame to the point at which it will hang, and mark this on the wall under the first mark so you know where to put the nail. You’ll need a hammer, spirit level, tape measure, picture hooks and hanging wire or cord. If hanging heavy frames, mirrors, etc, use wall plugs and screws.

What about spacing?

Keep the space between each piece the same, around 7cm is ideal. Any bigger and the final look can appear disjointed; too close and it will feel crowded. The great thing about a gallery wall, is that it can be added to over time, so leave room in case you want to hang more later.

28 | APRIL 2022

YOUR GALLERY WALL WILL ALWAYS BE 100 PER CENT BESPOKE AS THE PRINTS AND PHOTOGRAPHS ARE TOTALLY UNIQUE TO YOU

FEATURE STEPHANIE DURRANT

How do you hang it?

BEDROOM LIGHTING

Buy it

.

9 ways with…BEDROOM LIGHTING Set the scene to relax and unwind in a calming space

1

CEILING-HUNG OPTIONS

2

ADD A POP OF COLOUR

3

WALL-HUNG LAMP

4

SCULPTURAL LAMPSHADE

5

HANG FAIRY LIGHTS

6

ADD A CLUSTER OF LIGHTS

7

MISMATCH BEDSIDE LAMPS

8

PENDANT LIGHTS

9

LIGHT UP AN ALCOVE

If you’ve no space for bedside tables, hang pendant lamps from the ceiling either side of your bed instead. Not only does this free up floor space, it will form an attractive, symmetrical feature in your room.

FEATURE HOLLY WALSH PHOTOGRAPHS FUTURECONTENTHUB.COM

A sculptural shade in a soft putty colour works with the earthy green palette of this bedroom, adding a layer of visual interest.

The soft rosy glow it gives off emphasises the sensory appeal of the relaxed bedding.

Try different styles of lamp to flank the bed. Here, a traditional standing lamp sits on a chest of drawers, while on the other side, the light has been wall-mounted to free up space on the smaller bedside table.

Choose a bedside lamp in a strong colour, to add warmth and vibrancy. Match it with an accessory or two for a cohesive look and keep your bedside table clutter free so as not to detract from your lighting choice.

Add fairy lights to your bedroom scheme for a magical feel – ideal if you live in a rented home and are not able to decorate. This set twinkles like stars against the midnight tones of the wall.

This rustic bedroom benefits from a large overhead light illuminating the whole space, with two smaller matching pendants at eye level over the bedside tables creating a soft, calming atmosphere.

If you only have a tiny bedside table, a wall-hung lamp could be the answer. This dark-shaded style will cast a cosy glow over the bed at night, giving just enough light to settle down with a book.

In this bedroom three pendant lights have been hung together to create a focal statement in a stylish scheme. To get the position of the lights absolutely right, make sure you have your bed where you want it.

An alcove is an ideal place for a bed, but it can be tricky to fit in bedside lamps.

Wall sconces are a smart solution, giving good light in the alcove and, in this pretty scheme, evoking a sense of nostalgia.

APRIL 2022 | 29

LIQUID ASSET

‘This super-cute mango wood cabinet was only £150 from Homesense and makes a great little drinks cabinet’

‘Our new build

COME ON IN!

T ME I’m Daniella Keating, 28, a marketing executive for a house builder. I live here with my partner, Michael Sekhon, 29, a social media manager, and our dog, Rupert.

MY HOME A new build, four-bed detached house in Leicestershire, which we bought in May 2020 (@ freshlypressedhome on Instagram).

WHEN WE MOVED IN It was a blank canvas with a neutral kitchen and bathroom that had already been chosen by the developers.

AND NOW We’ve decorated in a boho style, with upcycled furniture.

I’ve added colour, botanical prints and hanging plants in most corners.

STYLE TIP For a gallery wall, I start with a statement piece in the middle, then add random pieces around it so you can expand it as you go.

The jumbled look works for me!

30 | APRIL 2022

RUSTIC LOOK

‘I love the Dunelm coffee tables – I like mixing different textures and tones of wood’

Love it

NEW BUILD

is now SO INVITING’ IDEA TO STEAL

‘Create a hotel-esque feel with a made-to-measure floor-to-ceiling curtain wall’

Buying a property that’s a blank canvas has allowed Daniella and Michael to skip the stress of tackling a renovation and jump straight into the fun of decorating

W

e were able to skip a rung on the property ladder when we bought this fourbedroom new-build detached house,’ says Daniella. ‘Our first home together was a two-bedroom house in South Leicestershire built by the same developer, William Davis Homes. As we’d been happy with the quality and knew what to expect, we were keen to see their other development six miles east of Leicester.

The outlook at the front with views over fields was something we hadn’t found anywhere else and my best friend lives nearby in the next village. We really loved the ground-floor layout with a living room, kitchen, snug and dining room, which could be turned into an office, while the big garden was a bonus too.

Everything just added up.

New-build benefits

Back then, the cap for the Government’s Help To Buy scheme was higher, meaning we only needed a mortgage for 75% of the value with an interest-free loan covering the rest. This meant we could afford a bigger house. Our first home was bought off-plan, but this house had already been built so we got to walk around it first. Homes over a certain square footage get upgrades as standard like quartz kitchen worktops, a rainforest shower and better taps in the bathrooms, so we were happy with the options already chosen.

Moving in

Because of Covid, it took five months between reserving the house and completion, but we finally got the

APRIL 2022 | 31

RIGHT CHOICE

Make it! GET ORGANISED

WITH A PEGBOARD

1

3

Pegboards can be used in every room of the home and have so many uses, from hanging kitchen utensils and organising craft supplies to displaying jewellery or creating a gift-wrapping station.

Special pegboard hooks feature small barbs on either side to keep the hook in place. You can also hang items from small dowels pushed into individual holes, or run a long piece of dowel between two hooks.

The great things about pegboards are that you can fix them together to get the perfect size for your space, paint them to suit your decor, or even frame them, then add a multitude of hooks, shelves, wire baskets and hangers to create a display.

In the kitchen, a pegboard attached to the inside of a cupboard door can give you extra hanging space for utensils, or use to line the bottom of a drawer and add wooden dowels to create a nifty plate divider.

2

4

IDEA TO STEAL

‘Paint a harsh white pegboard to tie in with your decor’

GOT IT PEGGED

‘As this is a bright spot I plan to add more plants to this Ikea pegboard’

32 | APRIL 2022

‘I’m really happy with the cabinets the developers chose, but we might add an island or breakfast bar in the future’

SOCIABLE SPACE

‘The industrial-style dining table and benches from Made are a great space saver, as we can pull them out when people visit’

NEW BUILD

Love it

‘MY STYLE IS A MIX OF BOHO AND INDUSTRIAL WITH LOTS OF DIFFERENT TEXTURES’

GOING GREEN

‘We used leftover paint from our bedroom to give the utility room a bit of life, and added shelves and hooks’

keys in May 2020. Luckily there was a crossover period where we still had both properties. This meant we could start painting over the magnolia walls and get flooring laid downstairs before we moved in. The house had been built six months prior, so we didn’t have to wait for it to settle. Michael’s dad has a flooring shop, Star Carpets in Hinckley, so everything came from there. The carpets for upstairs took a while longer due to low stock, so we lived with bright purple underlay for a few weeks!

Going from a two-bedroom to a four-bedroom house was a great opportunity to buy new furniture and replace things I wasn’t keen on, like our

old bed. Most of our previous living room furniture is in the snug now, as we wanted to buy new sofas and furniture for the main living room at the rear.

Colour choices

While we were waiting to move in, I created mood boards for each room on Google Slides. Pink and green are the threads that run through the house, except in the living room. In here I used Cornforth White – a deeper, warmer grey

by Farrow & Ball – which adds to the cosiness and allows the new navy sofas from Next to pop. Although it faces north, it’s still super bright because of the French doors. The kitchen was

APRIL 2022 | 33

LIGHT FANTASTIC

‘I’ve gone down the botanicals route with Desenio prints in greens and warm oranges, but have mixed up the frames so it looks less uniform’

GAL POWER

WARM WELCOME

‘The shelving unit was originally in the office but it works really well here.

The lamp is on a timer so it gives a nice cosy ambience in the evenings’

the only room with white walls rather than magnolia, so we waited a few months before painting a green feature wall by the dining area to break things up. Then I added pops of pink through accessories such as the kettle and toaster.

As our office at the front is south facing, I wanted a warm and inviting feel in there.

Even though the rest of the house is mostly pink, green and grey, we picked a lovely orange colour for the window wall.

Getting crafty

Since moving in I’ve made a few macramé wall hangings and upcycled several pieces of grey furniture that felt too

34 | APRIL 2022

cold. Another good tip is to use selfadhesive vinyl stickers which just peel off and won’t damage the wall if you fancy a change. I used them to create a spotty feature wall in my dressing room, which only cost around £12.50 in total.

Our lifestyle

As we both work from home a few days a week, it’s nice to have a separate office space. You can just shut the door and work is a distant memory. Having four bedrooms means we can have two guest bedrooms and a dressing room too.

Our bedroom is the north-facing one at the rear as it has an en-suite shower

‘My gallery wall features pale pastels with wooden frames and includes a few pieces with memories like a Galentine’s Day card from a friend. The macramé hanging shelf and plant add some texture’

NEW BUILD

Love it

Do it!

CREATE A HOME OFFICE

Carefully consider the position of your desk. Rather than shove it up against the wall, would it work better in the middle of the room?

Adjustable chairs and tables are best for avoiding back pain.

Your eyes should be in line with the top of your computer screen with feet firmly on the floor and elbows at right angles.

Vibrant colours like orange and yellow are energising and promote alertness, but studies show people are most productive in blue rooms.

Keep ugly cables hidden. Amazon sells two cable management boxes with stylish bamboo covers for £18.99.

HOT DESKING

‘The orange colour block in Tortoiseshell Specs by Valspar was a recent addition to jazz up the space and frame the two prints. I’d had my eye on the Dunelm rug for some time, as it’s the perfect colour for this room’

APRIL 2022 | 35

‘COLOUR BLOCKS AND WALL ARCHES ARE A REALLY EASY WAY TO ADD COLOUR AND INTEREST WITHOUT PAINTING THE WHOLE ROOM’

NEAT IDEA

‘The wall is quite long for a small chest of drawers, so painting the arch breaks up the space’

IN THE PINK

‘My dressing table is a desk painted in Dusky Blush by Frenchic. It’s the best of all the furniture paints I’ve tried’

36 | APRIL 2022

NEW BUILD

Love it

COLOUR COMBO

‘Michael wasn’t keen on having pink in the last house, but when he saw Farrow & Ball’s Sulking Room Pink he came around and loves it. The grey bedside tables are from our old house but I plan to paint them white’

3 of the best VELVET CHAIRS Sit pretty on a plush and luxurious seat

room and is much cooler in summer.

The biggest bedroom is great for when friends come over for movie nights and stay over. It’s a lovely room that looks over fields at the front, so we could potentially add an en suite in future and make it our bedroom.

Learning curve

SUNSHINE SHADE Zorita Yellow velvet effect occasional chair, £98, B&Q

COMFY CURVES Etta pair of velvet dining chairs, £150, Habitat

SWEET SPOT

Bromley dining chair in Rose Pink velvet, £119, Cult Furniture

Looking back, I wish I’d gone for a warmer tone on the flooring. For big decisions like that, it’s probably best to wait until you’ve painted walls and bought furniture first.

I’d also recommend not rushing important buys like sofas. With a new build, you should wait until you can measure up properly and don’t go off the plans.

Nothing we’ve bought for the house has been extravagant. Places like Primark, h B&M and supermarkets are amazing for B

APRIL 2022 | 37

FLEXIBLE SPACE

‘We didn’t do anything with this room for a while but then I painted a three-quarter wall and bought a sofa bed. In the future it might be a nursery so we’ve kept it quite neutral’

FEATURE KAREN WILSON PHOTOGRAPHS KATIE LEE

bargain accessories. I’m also glad we’ve been able to recycle furniture to make it fit in. If you really don’t like your old furniture, someone else might, so get on Facebook Marketplace to make money that you can put towards something else.

Future plans

The next project that I’d like to tackle is to do more to the garden, including extending the patio, and I might add some colour-block panelling up the stairs. There’s always a space for more gallery walls too.

The only thing I’d like to change about the layout is to make the kitchen more

38 | APRIL 2022

open-plan. Someone living in the same house type on another development has knocked the wall through to the living room next door, so this is something we might consider in future.

Ultimately we’d love to build our own home, but I’m sure we’ll be here for a good while longer as there’s plenty of space if we decide to have children.’

Find more clever ideas to style up your home by going to pinterest.com/ styleathomemag

FRESH START

‘I couldn’t wait to get rid of Michael’s horrible black leather bed and replace it with this burnt copper bed from Made.

The feature wall in Farrow & Ball’s Duck Green makes the room feel super-cosy’

NEW BUILD

Love it

Where to buy Daniella’s style

DUNELM Daniella’s source for all her made-to-measure curtains.

IKEA The go-to place for staples when kitting out a home office.

H&M A huge range of bargain accessories, especially cushion covers, planters and vases.

IDEA TO STEAL

‘Hanging planters are a great way to liven up a boring corner’

MATALAN Often overlooked, but great for towels and bedding.

SAINSBURY’S Daniella often drops a few on-trend home accessories into the trolley while doing a food shop.

COSY CACTUS Affordable art prints sold via Etsy and Instagram (@cosycactus_)

ACCENT PIECES

‘

‘Adding hanging plants and accessories, like the bathmat from Pineapple Elephant, has made a standard new-build bathroom look miles better’

APRIL 2022 | 39

Love it

ETACHED NEW BUILD

Daniella’s choice:

HELP TO BUY SCHEME Get your foot on the property ladder with a Help to Buy equity loan – find out if you’re eligible and how much you could borrow

T

he Help to Buy scheme is aimed at helping first-time buyers purchase their first home. It offers a five-year interest-free equity loan paid for by the Homes and Communities Agency (trading as Homes England), which is government funded.

The scheme was relaunched on 1 April 2021 and runs until March 2023. First-time buyers in England can apply for an equity loan of up to 20 per cent (40 per cent in London) of the value of a new-build home.

A record 55,000 households bought a home through the Help to Buy scheme in the financial year 2020-21

Who is eligible?

You need to be at least 18 years old.

You cannot own a home or land anywhere in the world now or in the past. If you are buying with another person, they also must meet the ‘first-time buyer’ criteria.

If you’re married or cohabiting, you’ll make a joint application and both live in the home, having it as your only residence.

Do all lenders offer Help to Buy mortgages?

Not all lenders offer them. Those that do will vary them from their standard mortgage products, because there are three parties involved in your mortgage: you, the Government and your lender.

For the first five years, the Help to Buy equity loan is interest-free. You only pay a £1 monthly management fee. From year six, you pay the management fee, plus a monthly interest rate of 1.75 per cent of the equity loan. You continue to pay interest until you have paid off your loan. The interest rate will rise in April each year based on the inflation rate, plus 2 per cent.

And when I come to sell?

You can sell your home at any time, but you will have to pay off the equity loan before the sale completes. When ready to sell, you will have an independent valuation then pay back the percentage loan that was borrowed from the Government, which will vary according to the property’s current value.

40 | APRIL 2022

VISIT OWNYOURHOME.GOV.UK TO SEARCH FOR HOMEBUILDERS WHO ARE REGISTERED WITH THE HELP TO BUY SCHEME IN YOUR AREA

FEATURE SOPHIE VENING

How do I pay it back?

Buy it

GREEN BEDROOMS

9 ways with…GREENBEDROOMS From olive to emerald, create a luxe retreat

1

UPLIFTING PASTELS

2

GARDEN TRELLIS PATTERNS

3

RESTFUL FOREST GREEN

4

GO TROPICAL

5

MODERN COUNTRY

6

CALM WITH SPEARMINT

7

SPRING GREEN BED FRAME

8

GREEN WALLS WITH BLACK

9

BOLD PRINTS IN A BIG ROOM

FEATURE HEATHER YOUNG PHOTOGRAPHS FUTURECONTENTHUB.COM

Serene and spring-like, pastels enliven a neutral palette and bring a fresh, tranquil feel to a sleep space. Combine sugary pinks, mauves, cornflower blue on a backdrop of mint green for a sophisticated scheme.

Bold botanical designs fit perfectly in a green space, while a mid-weight green backdrop will set a calm, cocooning scene. Balance out the bright colour with warm pinks and natural woods.

This less-is-more approach relies on a strong statement piece of furniture – a bed frame. An upholstered headboard would work equally well and you can always re-cover it if you tire of the colour.

To create a decorative garden look, combine dainty designs featuring leafy and rambling florals in subtle shades of green. Pair an ornate painted metal bed frame with a vintage patio table.

This pale, fresh green lends any space a calming feel and can be styled to be as rustic or polished as you like.

Blush and nude tones are the perfect companions for such soft cactus shades.

Leaf prints have made the leap from traditional interiors into modern design, and a striking combo of green and black looks smart. In a bedroom, add botanical prints on pillowcases and upholstered furniture.

Deep green can work in spaces big and small – even on all four walls if you offset it with colourful bedlinen. It’ll change mood as the day goes on, feeling energising in the morning, then immersive at night.

Less bland than white, but just as clear and fresh, mint green will make your room a positive place to wake up in. Avoid creamy neutrals and team with pure whites and steely greys to keep the effect crisp.

The leaf wallpaper in this loft bedroom is a brave choice, but it makes an effective focal point of the bed, which in turn transforms quite a large, bright space into a cosier, more welcoming one.

APRIL 2022 | 41

RICH MIX

‘The velvet sofa from Made brings a luxe touch to the room’

‘We made a B

COME ON IN!

ABOUT ME I’m Carey Mann, 50, an interior designer, and I live here with my husband Johan, 40, a music producer, and our morkie, Granny.

MY HOME A one-bedroom apartment within a Grade II-listed Georgian townhouse in Margate, Kent, bought in 2019.

WHEN WE MOVED IN Recently renovated to a high standard, this place was perfect as we didn’t want to take on a property that needed a lot of work doing to it.

AND NOW The windows have been fixed, carpet fitted and furnished throughout with interesting art and soft furnishings, making it unique.

STYLE TIP I tend to put things together that I love rather than overthinking whether or not it fits the room or scheme.

44 | APRIL 2022

RETRO FIND

‘I absolutely love the two large vintage Ikea prints that are hanging on the chimney breast’

GEORGIAN APARTMENT

Love it

OLD STATEMENT’ IDEA TO STEAL

‘For impact half-paint your walls in contrasting colours’

Self-confessed maximalist Carey has skilfully blended a rich mix of colours and textures, breathing life and energy into her small apartment

T

ired of our busy London life, when we first moved to the coastal town of Margate in 2015 we initially bought a Victorian two-up, two-down,’ says Carey. ‘We were keen to get on the property ladder, then proceeded to fully renovate the house over the following four years. Growing up in Sweden, Johan, who’s a music producer, had learned to build from an early age and was able to skilfully turn his hand to most of the work.

Seaside dream

He then went on to build his own music studio in a warehouse near the old Margate train station. I was thrilled to open a little café along the Margate harbour wall. These were all dreams we simply would not have achieved if we had stayed in London. Moving to Margate gave us financial and creative freedom.

Branching out

I was keen to expand my property portfolio so at the end of 2019, I decided to buy an apartment as an investment, somewhere that I could rent out, but which could also be enjoyed by family and friends. My property search led me to this charming, one-bedroom apartment, on the third floor of a Grade II-listed building, overlooking a pretty, leafy Regency square. I loved the façade of the building, the view across the square from the large Georgian windows and the gorgeous panorama of the rooftops and sea from the bay window in the back bedroom. Its central location also meant it was close to the beach, cafés and galleries, which was a real selling point.

It had just been beautifully renovated

APRIL 2022 | 45

TWO TONE

‘Using two wall colours, Hague Blue and Ammonite by Farrow & Ball, creates interest without overpowering the space’

LINKED IN

‘The dark-to-light decor continues through to the kitchen cabinetry’

by an interior designer friend, Mairead Hayden who worked with Helen Leask at Leask Architecture. Her design really appealed to my aesthetic and as I didn’t have the time to take on somewhere that needed lots of work, it was literally perfect for me.

Well proportioned

‘IF GOING BOLD WITH COLOUR ON THE WALLS FEELS TOO MUCH THEN TRY BRIGHTENING UP A PIECE OF FURNITURE WITH A LICK OF PAINT AND NEW HANDLES’

3 of the best GLASS PENDANTS A clear way forward to shine some light

The apartment, with its open-plan living and kitchen area, one double bedroom and a bathroom, was compact, but it had good proportions and the big Georgian windows flooded the rooms with light. he front door opened into a small allway with the shower room straight head, the bedroom to the left and a rge open-plan living area and kitchen to e right. It had such a nice welcoming el when I first walked in, I instantly felt laxed. All the electrics and plumbing had just been replaced, a new bathroom fitted, the original windows repointed, walls replastered, and a bespoke wooden kitchen made and fitted by a friend and local carpenter Stuart Brotchie, so I was able to focus on the cosmetic changes.

Adding drama

SUNNY GLOW

Baha Amber glass pendant lamp, £99, Beaumonde

46 | APRIL 2022

HIGH TIDE

Ocean Waves Blue oval glass pendant lamp, £75, The French Bedroom Co

WARM METALLIC

Klaxon 1 light pendant ombre copper glass, £102, Dar Lighting Group

I really liked the way Mairead had decorated the apartment, painting the lower half of the walls in a darker colour to the top. Historically a dado rail would have indicated the separation of colour, but instead she used masking tape to achieve a crisp, sharp finish and I love the modern twist this has added. In the open-plan space, rich dark Hague Blue from Farrow & Ball has been used on the bottom, which is continued through

GEORGIAN APARTMENT

Love it

IDEA TO STEAL

‘Use pendant lighting above your table in an open-plan space to zone the area’

SPLIT DECISION

‘The raised table from Cult Furniture and overhead pendants naturally divide the living area and kitchen’

APRIL 2022 | 47

IDEA TO STEAL

SCALE DOWN

‘The penny floor tiles from Victoria Plum work well in a small space’

48 | APRIL 2022

‘Play with texture and pattern – try a sheepskin rug over penny tiles’

Love it

GEORGIAN APARTMENT

Do it! HALLWAY STORAGE HACKS

SHINE ON

‘Gold-coloured accessories and fittings bring a touch of glam’

A hallways can often become an overlooked space where clutter builds up, but it can easily be organised to include a few extra storage solutions.

Avoid an overcrowded hallway by only keeping the everyday essentials on display. Off-season items such as winter coats, scarves and gloves can be packed away in a storage trunk or lidded basket to keep mess to a minimum.

A streamlined console is perfect for a narrow hallway and will serve as a handy spot to put down the post or stash your keys when you come through the front door.

Calm the chaos of a busy hallway with slimline storage units. Multifunctional furniture is the key to a harmonious hallway.

Keep it simple with a few statement hooks or pegs for hanging up coats, scarves and bags.

‘NOT SURE WHAT BOLD SHADE TO CHOOSE? USE THE TONES IN A FAVOURITE POSTER OR PAINTING TO DICTATE YOUR COLOUR SCHEME’ the kitchen cabinetry – another cool twist. The dramatic decor, period details and windows lent itself to being quite a decadent space, so it could take bold colour choices in the furniture and soft furnishings. Johan and I found the two vintage posters that we’ve hung on the chimney breast in an outhouse on Johan’s family property in Sweden.

They are old Ikea prints from 1976 and they have worked perfectly with the Hague Blue and dictated other colours we have used in the room. I’m a maximalist and I love a mix of vintage

Do it!

TILED FLOOR PHRASES

1 2

Measure the area you want to tile and buy enough black and white penny tiles for that area.

Carefully think about the word you would like to use. It can be a positive daily reminder or a word that is personal to you.

Play around with font styles.

Once chosen, draw it out on a piece of paper and fit it to the area.

Lay the tiles in the area and when you are happy with how they look stick them in place with tile adhesive.

Grout the area and clean off all the excess. You now have your unique floor phrase!

3 4 5

GO NEUTRAL

‘We laid sustainable natural jute carpet from Designer Carpets for texture and warmth’

APRIL 2022 | 49

Where to buy Carey’s style FACEBOOK MARKETPLACE An online treasure trove where you’re guaranteed to find a second-hand gem; collection-only items are often that bit cheaper.

H&M HOME This is a firm favourite, great for inexpensive soft furnishings and kitchen essentials that look a lot more expensive than they are.

ARTISANS & ADVENTURERS For beautiful ethically-sourced homeware, from blankets and throws to baskets made by artisans across

the world. Every purchase helps support the livelihoods of these local communities and the continuation of traditional crafts.

LIGHTEN UP

‘We used two tones on the bedroom walls but in more subtle shades’

FITWARD & HAYTON A go-to for fun and quirky homeware and gifts that are a little bit different.

FARROW & BALL If you’re looking to paint walls a deeper, richer colour then their selection is hard to beat.

DESIGNER CARPET Natural floor coverings that are ideal for bringing texture and character to your space.

‘USE VINTAGE PIECES AND FUN FABRICS IN YOUR HOME TO CREATE A UNIQUE LOOK, WARMED UP WITH NATURAL TEXTURES AND LOTS OF PLANTS’ IDEA TO STEAL

‘Panelling behind a headboard adds depth to the room’

furniture along with bright, clashing fabrics – I use lots of baskets and plants to create warmth in a room.

The bathroom has been cleverly designed to make the most of the windowless space, with zoned lighting, a sink area and raised walk-in shower.

And in the bedroom, I went for calmer shades, where the pale green decor and soft light from the bay window create a completely different atmosphere. It has made this room so tranquil – on a clear day you can stare right across the ocean, with a cup of tea from the comfort of your bed. I could spend hours here!

Coastal gem

I am delighted with the apartment – it was a gem of a find and couldn’t have worked out better. We’ve enjoyed staying here and have welcomed guests that have thoroughly enjoyed it too. Our next adventure takes us full circle back to the shores of Johan’s Swedish family property which is a couple of hours from Stockholm, where we are building a small summer house by the lake. It’s always been a dream and we decided that now was a good time to make this happen.

Exploring new places and building new things is something that will always be important to us both, but Margate has captured our hearts.’

LAID BACK

‘I found the contrasting plum headboard at Furniture Village’

50 | APRIL 2022

Find more clever ideas to style up your home by going to pinterest.com/ styleathomemag

GEORGIAN APARTMENT

Love it

SOFT SHADE

‘Using green in a bedroom creates a calm and relaxing environment’

IDEA TO STEAL

FEATURE MARISHA TAYLOR. PHOTOGRAPHS JAMES FRENCH.

‘For uninterrupted views choose blinds over curtains’

APRIL 2022 | 51

Love it

EORGIAN APARTMENT

Carey’s choice:

A TWO-TONE WALL Create an on-trend paint effect in any room by dividing your walls with two shades – the possibilities are endless!

W

hy choose one colour when you can have two?

If you’ve fallen in love with a shade but don’t want to cover an entire wall, or simply prefer to mix things up, then a twotone effect is the perfect solution.

There are no rules, but a darker shade on the bottom with a neutral or lighter colour on the upper section is a sure-fire way to success.

Mark your meeting point

Decide where you’d like your two colours to meet – whether that be halfway, three-quarters or even further up the wall.

Take a tape measure and mark this point on the wall using a pencil. Repeat at regular intervals along the wall.

Apply the lighter colour

Team a deep colour on the bottom half with a light neutral to make walls look taller

IDEA TO STEAL

For a cohesive look, continue the effect across the door

Start by cutting in using a paintbrush using the lighter of your two colours only on the part of the wall you want it to cover. Fill in the rest of the section using a roller, painting slightly over the point where you want the dividing line to be.

Cut a length of string that’s longer than the width of your wall and run a piece of chalk along it, covering it well. Make sure the first paint colour is completely dry then stretch the string across the wall, lining it up with your pencil marks, and secure the ends with masking tape. Once the string is straight, tap it against the wall so that it leaves a chalk line. Apply masking tape along this line to create your divide.

Apply the darker colour

As with the lighter shade, use a paintbrush to cut in around the edges of the second half of the wall in the darker paint shade.

Use a roller to fill in the rest of the wall, then pick up the paintbrush again to carefully paint over the edge of the masking tape. Gently peel off the masking tape while your paint is still wet to reveal your design. You should have a crisp line between your two colours.

52 | APRIL 2022

IF YOU’RE UNSURE WHICH COLOURS WILL WORK BEST FOR YOUR TWO-TONE WALL PLAY AROUND WITH TESTER POT COMBINATIONS ON A PIECE OF BOARD

FEATURE STEPHANIE DURRANT

Create a dividing line

Buy it

LIVING ROOM FLOORS

9 ways with…LIVING ROOM FLOORS Choose a stylish yet practical surface for your living space

1

ORIGINAL FLOORBOARDS

2

INSULATE WITH CARPET

3

VINYL ‘FLOORBOARDS’

4

ADD CHARM WITH TILES

5

PATTERNED PERSONALITY

6

ENGINEERED WOOD

7

CONTEMPORARY CONCRETE

8

ADD A NATURAL TEXTURE

9

CARPETS WITH RUGS

FEATURE TAMARA KELLY; STEPHANIE DURRANT PHOTOGRAPHS (2) BROCKWAY; (3) CARPETRIGHT; FUTURECONTENTHUB.COM

There’s a rustic charm you can only achieve with exposed floorboards. They may be draughty, so be sure to insulate where necessary, particularly underneath and around the windows on exterior walls.

Bring authentic charm to your living room with terracotta tiles, which have a country style that suits cottages and period properties perfectly. Choose reclaimed or new for a traditional look.

The polished concrete look has become more popular in recent years with the rise of open-plan living, and although once restricted to kitchens it’s now offering a contemporary feel for our living rooms, too.

Opt for a thick underlay to boost the longevity of your flooring. It makes a big difference to a value carpet, which will feel plusher underfoot, and offers better heat insulation, helping the room feel cosier.

If your style is confident then a patterned carpet is a great choice. If you’re not sure of a floral or heavy geometric design, try stripes. They will add a uniform pattern that’s bold, but not overpowering.

For those looking for an artisan style for their home, materials such as seagrass, coir and sisal bouclé are a good choice in living areas. Because the natural palette is neutral, their texture is shown off beautifully.

Many luxury vinyl styles are available as planks that click together, creating a seamless floor that has a smooth, authentic finish. They are easy to install with no need for glue.

A perfect solution for keeping costs down without compromising on style, engineered wood planks are finished with a layer of natural wood that’s hard wearing and durable – ideal for high-traffic areas.

Layers can work wonders when it comes to protecting paler carpets. So don’t be put off opting for a lighter shade because of, say, having young children – a rug can preserve the lifespan of a carpet.

APRIL 2022 | 53

Make it

ELT CHICKS

THIS MONTH’S

Make it

Make an egg shell to pop your chick inside

Felt, 50p a sheet; recycled polyester toy filling, £7 for 250g, both Hobbycraft

54 | APRIL 2022

FEATURE STEPHANIE DURRANT PHOTOGRAPH FUTURECONTENTHUB.COM

For cute Easter chicks, cut two egg shapes from felt with pinking shears, and two wings and a beak with regular scissors. Sew wings between the body pieces, leaving a gap. Fill with stuffing and sew up. Stitch eyes, then stick on a beak.

STYLE BOOK ROOM INSPIRATION

p56

CLEVER IDEAS

23

PAGES OF DECO INSPO S

ITCHEN PAINT IDEAS

VING ROOM UPDATES

p66 STORAGE HACKS

L U

Perfectly pink LIVING ROOM LOOKS Turn your lounge from drab to fab with these colourful and creative ideas

56 | APRIL 2022

Love it

STYLE BOOK

Complement peachy tones with natural textures

Use...warm peach tones

Peachy shades are a sophisticated alternative to sugary pinks while still brightening up a dull space INTRODUCE WARMTH Peachy pinks are a great choice for adding warmth to a living space, perhaps a north-facing room that’s starved of natural light, leaving it feeling dingy and flat. Look to inject a coral/peachy toned pink to lift the spirits and take a soft approach to using pink paint.

Give a north-facing room a natural glow with coral blush shades

TEAM WITH SOFT GREY TONES Soft peach pinks pair beautifully with pale greys to create a dreamily serene, almost nostalgic colour scheme that feels effortlessly calming. Balance further with the introduction of cool, fresh blues.

MIX WITH NATURALS Earthy tones blend beautifully with other natural colours, from soft creams, whites and wood tones to vibrant leaf greens.

BRING IT TO LIFE Add texture by picking statement panelled furniture like this contemporary drinks cabinet.

For a natural artisanal touch, display a woven wall hanging.

SMALL-SCALE PATTERN Peachy corals work best teamed with simple and modern furniture. It may look too sugary with traditional cottage-style or shabby-chic pieces.

APRIL 2022 | 57

Add in pops of primary shades

Use...accent shades

Break up your pink scheme with splashes of complementary colour – from bold blues to sunny yellows GO BOLD WITH FURNITURE Don’t be afraid to keep/buy bolder furniture pieces in fear that they won’t suit your pink living room scheme. A complete contrast in sofa or armchair choice can actually be very grounding, giving definition to the pieces and adding depth to the overall look.

PALE NEVER FAILS For a light and spacious feel, pale neutrals are your best friend. Try soft pink on the walls with touches of taupe and cream.

Pale pinks are ideal for those looking to inject warmth into a living room scheme without feeling overwhelmed by the use of excess ‘colour’.

PICK DARKER SHADES Sofas in dark grey, navy blue or tan leather can inject a bold accent colour into the whole decorating scheme and bring the look together so that it feels sophisticated and cohesive.

ADD COORDINATING CUBBIES For a streamlined scheme, build a network of living room storage ideas combining shelves, drawers and cubbyholes. Paint sections in different colours to break up the expanse of wood.

58 | APRIL 2022

STYLE BOOK

GREAT IDEA

Paint shelves to match walls for a seamless look

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Pink living room tips WHY PINK? Pink is a great choice for living rooms, simply because it’s so versatile.

There are so many varying shades of pink that the look can be entirely different from one room to another.

WHERE TO ADD PINK Whether opting for a bold cerise or a sophisticated dusky tone, painting walls is the best way to really embrace pink in a living space.

However, adding hints of pink via furniture choices, in an otherwise neutral scheme, helps to add bursts of colour rather than saturate the space.

Create a modular effect by positioning multiple storage units with painted shelves between them

APRIL 2022 | 59

Pink living room tips WHITE IS PINK’S BEST PAL Use white as the base as it’s the colour that sets off any pink to its best advantage. Other colours can be hard to mix with pink tones without looking garish. Alternatively, think about incorporating colours that are commonly found alongside pink in nature, such as yellows and greens.

SOME LIKE IT HOT If you’re not afraid of going bold then pinks that make a style statement with unapologetic colour are for you. From deep magenta to hot pink, these saturated shades can look fabulous when paired with contrasting accents of contemporary grey and black.

GREAT IDEA

Blasts of sunny yellow perfectly complement hot pink

60 | APRIL 2022

A glass coffee table increases the sense of space

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STYLE BOOK

Use paint tester pots from the same colour chart to add colour to the alcoves of built-in shelving

Use...vibrant hot pinks

Enhance your living room space and make a real style statement with bright and beautiful pink tones BE PLAYFUL WITH PATTERN For a maximal look, embrace both pattern and colour. Go all out with wallpaper, upholstery and curtains in bright floral prints. Tie the scheme together by sticking to the same shade of vibrant fuchsia.

CONTRAST UPHOLSTERY Make your sofa an oasis of calm by picking a classic shape in a plain neutral fabric. Jazz it up with colourful cushions to match, including a splash of lively yellow.

CREATE A FOCAL POINT Subtle white-grey walls and hits of wood and

metal are fitting foils for vivid and blush pink accents. A wall of storage with cubbyhole-style shelving at both ends of the room creates an interesting focal point in a symmetrical scheme.

MIX AND MATCH Pick a dark raspberry, a mid-toned bubblegum pink and a light blossom tone and use them behind alcove shelves.

FIND A HOOK Finish off the look by choosing one thing that will tie everything together. In this space, the paints and accessories have been matched to the sofa.

APRIL 2022 | 61

Black accents prevent a pink scheme becoming too feminine

GREAT IDEA

Add further texture with interesting ceramics

Use...different textures

Elevate muted hues of dusky pink with an abundance of natural tones and contrasting textures PICK DUSKY HUES To avoid your living room decor looking too sickly sweet, opt for a dusky shade of pink.

Take it as dark as you can without losing the lightness of the pink tones, which will be more visible in direct daylight.

PAIR WITH MUTED TONES To help add a further touch of sophistication, pair with chic taupe upholstery and a plethora of muted metallic accents – from elegant furniture pieces and lamps to fun lettered wall art. Try creating a feature wall with individual mismatched letters in wood and metal.

62 | APRIL 2022

THINK BACK TO NATURE Give your feature wall a lick of rose pink paint.

Team this feminine shade with whitewashed wood panelling to add further definition. Then add furniture, flooring and soft furnishings in a mix of natural, earthy tones to complement the look.

PLAY WITH TEXTURES Add dimension to a pale backdrop using a plethora of textures. A combination of rustic and varnished wooden surfaces found on wall panelling and furniture create contrast. Polished metals and patinated glass offer an industrial vibe.

STYLE BOOK

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Pink living room tips THREE IS THE MAGIC NUMBER Sometimes less is more when it comes to pink. Start with a petal pink colour as an accent, then use no more than three tonal shades in your palette.

Pale pinks lend themselves to pared-back Scandi-inspired schemes

FEATURE STEPHANIE DURRANT PHOTOGRAPHS FUTURECONTENTHUB.COM

OPT FOR A TIMELESS COMBO All shades of grey go with blush pink, meaning there’s a colour combination for all settings.

Stronger, more dominant shades of grey, from charcoal to slate, work with blush pink as a soft accent shade – use for accessories throughout the living room to break up the strong colour scheme.

APRIL 2022 | 63

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Clever decorating

STORAGE IDEAS Six stylish hacks to get your space super organised

Wall painted in East Village matt emulsion, from £14.50 for 2.5ltr, Crown.

Ivar cabinets, £45 each; Osternas tanned leather handles, £10 for two, both Ikea. Cabinets painted in Rebel, £14.50 for 1.25ltr, Crown. Gubi Bestlite floor lamp, £838.50, Nunido.

Pols Potten Peggy armchair, £784, Made In Design. Vases from a selection, Made

Addleatherhandlesto transform Ikea units Elevate inexpensive pine units by painting, wall mounting and adding sleek leather handles. Use as a run along a dining room wall or hallway.

Give it a twist For an alternative to wall-hung units attach hairpin legs to create a standalone sideboard.

66 | APRIL 2022

A rich neutral like this shade will warm up a mono scheme

CLEVER DECORATING

Kallax shelving unit, £29, Ikea. Eloise upholstered headboard in Linen Sand, £66.99, Wayfair. Baskets (left and right), £22 each, Neptune. In middle, set of three storage baskets, £50, Cox & Cox. Siena table, £825, Ercol. Wall painted in (above) Rolling Fog Pale absolute matt emulsion, £48.50 for 2.5ltr, Little Greene; (below) Pottery Class durable matt emulsion, £35.15 for 2.5ltr, Ideal Home Emotions of Colour, Albany at Brewers

Do it

A low-hanging pendant will ensure sufficient task lighting for WFH, eating and homework

Create clever banquette seating

Using a simple shelving unit as a base and an upholstered headboard for a back rest, this stylish banquette seating provides plenty of storage too.

Give it a twist Cut foam to size and cover in a washable fabric in a coordinating colour, for a softer under-bottom alternative to timber.

APRIL 2022 | 67

Do it

LEVER DECORATING

Idanas chest of drawers, £279, Ikea. 12mm pine dowelling, £3.97 for 2.4m, B&Q. Dowelling painted in Rolling Fog Pale absolute matt emulsion, £48.50 for 2.5ltr, Little Greene. Mirror, £75, Cox & Cox. Sculptural vase 02, £85, by Alice Guillaume Ceramics, Artists & Objects.

Sand Cement and Linen table lamp, £115, Rose & Grey

Update drawer fronts with dowelling

Give a bespoke finish to a chest of drawers by attaching dowels in vertical strips, using a hot glue gun.

Stick firmly to the drawer fronts to form a smart fluted appearance. Paint the dowels to tie in with the unit.

Give it a twist Paint the cabinet a bold, stand-out colour using furniture chalk paint or a matt eggshell paint.

68 | APRIL 2022

Make a personalised piece of art with postcards, choosing cards that display the same colour scheme as your room

Display plinth, £34.40, Morplan. Plinth covered in D-C-Fix Marmi Grey self-adhesive film, £6 a roll, Wilko. Totem vase, £50, John Lewis & Partners.

Smithy sofa in Elbow Patch Clever Vintage Linen, from £1,745, Loaf. Skylar set of two coffee tables, £725, Graham & Green. Toppu mini bowl White/Black, £46.50, OYOY Living Design. Chetham reading floor lamp in Bronze, £230, Neptune. Abstract 03 1:1 Giclée print, £340, Formworks Studio, Artists & Objects

Accents of black in the artwork, cushions and furniture help ground this neutral scheme

Upcycle a simple plinth with film

Cover a display plinth with marbleeffect adhesive plastic to create an elegant platform to showcase favourite sculptural ceramics, and provide the perfect place to hide a mountain of books under!

Give it a twist Replace the film with a paint effect instead – a simple limewash over the plinth will give it a modern gallery-style effect.

Addie bookcase (four used), £39.99 each, Wayfair. Top left and bottom right bookcase painted in Wet Stone; top right and bottom left in Driftwood durable matt emulsion, £35.15 for 2.5ltr, Ideal Home Emotions of Colour, Albany at Brewers.

Bookcase top left, arch vase Rainy Day, £18, and White speckled clay vase, £39, both Rose & Grey. Bookcase top right, cube tall vase Amber, £59, The Conran Shop. Bookcase bottom left, acacia wood bowl, £18, John Lewis & Partners.

Bookcase bottom right, two Ithaca mugs, £15, Graham & Green. On top of bookcase, Dash bowl Black, £75, The Conran Shop

Keep a tonal colour palette for a grown-up, sophisticated feel

Paint inside shelving nooks

Create a statement piece by stacking together inexpensive bookcases and painting the inside recesses with bold complementary tones to create a dramatic backdrop for everyday objects. Make sure the bookcases are securely attached to the wall.

Give it a twist Swap the paint for wallpaper to match your scheme.

CLEVER DECORATING

Do it

FEATURE NICKY PHILLIPS STYLING LORRAINE DAWKINS PHOTOGRAPHS CAROLYN BARBER STYLING ASSISTANT AREESHA RICHARDS

Nyplockad plate holder in beech (four used), £2.50 each, Ikea. Metsa timber, 2.1m, £2.97, B&Q. Top shelf, Toppu bowl Caramel/Rose, £58, OYOY Living Design. Set of two Ithaca mugs, £15, Graham & Green. Middle shelf, Inka bowl Caramel, £19.50, OYOY Living Design.

Bottom shelf, Hagi cups, £21 each, OYOY Living Design.

Ball of twine, £2, RE. Wall painted in Driftwood durable matt emulsion, £35.15 for 2.5ltr, Ideal Home Emotions of Colour, Albany at Brewers

The wooden dowels provide a handy spot to hang everyday bits and bobs

Use plate racks as moveable shelving

Mount beech plate holders to the wall, one directly above the other, cutting strips of planed timber to length for shelves. The wooden dowels provide the perfect supports to slot in shelves at adjustable heights, and double as hooks for kitchen utensils too.

Give it a twist Paint a rectangle of contrasting colour behind the unit to make it a real stand-out focal point.

APRIL 2022 | 71

TROPICAL TONES

Jardin Teal, £65 a roll, Graham & Brown

BLOSSOMS AND BUGS

Garden of Eden in Peony Pink, Turquoise and Mustard, £40 a roll, Lust Home

LUSH FOLIAGE Papillon in Rose Gold, £15.98 a roll, Albany at Wallpaper Direct

Wallpapers WITH WOW Create an impact with a beautiful butterfly print for a natural scene

FLUTTER BY

FEATURE LAURA HIGGINS

Imagine Butterflies 6771-20, £33.95 a roll, Galerie

BLOOMING BUDDLEJA

Globosa, £89 a roll, Isabelle Boxall at Wallpaper Direct

APRIL 2022 | 73

Try a speedy

STYLE UPDATE Refresh your kitchen scheme and add impact with painted cabinets and furniture

1

Add vibrant colour to cabinets

While we love painted kitchen cabinets, there’s more you can do than you might think. If you have glass-fronted or open shelving, you’re missing a trick by not looking inwards.

Paint the internal nooks of shelves in a bright, contrasting colour to the rest of the cabinet. It’s also an ideal way of adding interest to a white kitchen, as it will provide the perfect amount of added colour, as well as acting as an unexpected burst of fun. If you have wallpaper in the kitchen, try coordinating the shade of paint inside your cabinet to the accent colour of the pattern.

2

PAINT YOUR CHAIRS IN SOFT SHADES

Play with paint to create a totally unique scheme. Give your kitchen a shot of colour by painting your chairs in your favourite hues. You could even mix and match different tones for a fun and lively look. Keep colours fairly low key elsewhere in the room, with pale stone flooring and wooden cabinetry.

74 | APRIL 2022

EASY UPDATES

3

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CREATE A WELCOMING VIBE

Add colour to kitchen shelves and cabinetry to help create a cheery vibe.

Vibrant hues will add warmth and personality to a room, especially if your kitchen is part of a larger living space, and you intend to spend a lot of time there. Don’t be afraid to leave open shelving white and allow a selection of favourite accessories in a variety of soft colours and patterns to stand out for added wow factor.

Get organised by stashing spare kitchen textiles in a versatile basket

4

Match cabinetry to upholstery

Stand-alone cabinets are the perfect place to embrace paint. There are a number of ways you can go with this, and a current trend is choosing a contrasting colour to the rest of your painted kitchen cabinets. Pink and grey are a match made in

heaven. Once you’ve selected your chosen paint, create cohesion by using the same colour on any upholstery or seating that goes with the rest of the cabinetry. This natural link will make the two areas feel at ease rather than as disparate sections.

APRIL 2022 | 75

5

HIGHLIGHT UNUSUAL SHAPES

If your cabinetry or stand-alone kitchen furniture boasts unusual shapes, then use paint to make a feature out of them. If you’re working with open shelving, paint the whole lot in a striking shade. If there’s a back to the piece, paint this in the same shade as the walls so the eye is fully drawn to the silhouette. Bright white or a neutral shade is your best option to contrast with your furniture and let it steal the show.

6

Stand out with bold chairs

Add warmth to your kitchen decorating scheme with splashes of gemstone-inspired colour.

Solid blocks in striking shades of sapphire blue or emerald green can emphasise the freestanding design of furniture and accessories.

76 | APRIL 2022

The bar stools here have been painted in a rich blue shade to add a vibrant punch of colour to the muted tones elsewhere.

This break in the colour scheme helps to highlight the eating area as a distinct space.

Pick out this accent colour in kitchenware and even flowers.

Draw the eye upwards to structural features using statement lighting hung from beams

EASY UPDATES

Love it

7

Add colour without changing your scheme

Even if you’re prone to stick to a neutral palette, a burst of colour will add warmth and personality. And since you spend a lot of time in a kitchen, it’s important to keep it both liveable and lovable.

Painting the pantry doors in a striking sunshine yellow will provide warming gratification on a gloomy day. Using white allows an interior to reveal itself and you can always introduce more colour later on. Plus, if you have a change of heart, you can simply repaint the doors in a different shade for an instant refresh that doesn’t involve starting from scratch.

Highlight the vibrancy of the yellow with a smattering of accessories in a similar colourway for instant cheer.

‘ITS SOFT FINISH MAKES PAINT IDEALLY SUITED TO UPDATE TRADITIONAL CABINETRY BUT WILL ALSO SIT HAPPILY IN A MODERN DESIGN’

8

MATCH YOUR SPLASHBACK TO CABINETS

Take your painted kitchen cabinets up a notch by including your splashback in the scheme. This takes the colour further and higher to make more of an impact, without encroaching fully on the walls. Even more in this area than any other, make sure you choose a wipeable or washable paint otherwise your hard work will quickly be stained or mottled.

Several coats of hardwearing clear varnish will also help.

APRIL 2022 | 77

9

Add interest to open shelving

Open shelving in a kitchen is a great way to add a splash of serious colour. Paint the entirety of the piece all in one colour. The shelves, the backboard, the sides, and so on. This technique will create the perfect spot to curate a collection of your favourite pieces. They will pop against the coloured background and the pieces themselves will seem elevated.

Here, a wall of floor-to-ceiling cupboards and shelving creates an excellent source of storage and the teal doors introduce a solid burst of colour to the space. Team with smart brass door knobs for a contemporary finish.

Paint adjacent walls in a neutral shade – a barely-there pink is a modern alternative to more traditional whites, creams and greys.

‘AS ALWAYS, MAKE SURE TO TEST COLOURS IN THE MORNING, AFTERNOON, EVENING AND UNDER BOTH NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL LIGHT SOURCES’

10

GO DARK WITH NAVY

Heritage blue offers a regal tone here, and is also a warmer (yet still timeless) alternative to a grey, black or white kitchen. Going bold with navy blue commands attention, which is why it is best to let this shade shine without too much distraction elsewhere.

There are no rules as to whether your cabinets should be lighter or darker than the walls. If you opt for a darker shade, you’ll achieve a more dramatic look.

78 | APRIL 2022

Match your bar stools to painted units but add texture with luxe velvet

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EASY UPDATES

11

KEEP COLOUR LOW

Tile a contrasting splashback in vibrant yellow

FEATURE NICKY PHILLIPS PHOTOGRAPHS FUTURECONTENTHUB.COM

Painted cabinets are a common way to refresh a kitchen – and for good reason. Once you know how to paint kitchen cabinets, they’re easy to do yourself, and update when the kitchen needs a refresh. For a slightly less all-over look, only paint your lower cabinetry. Any upper cabinetry or shelving should be left neutral or in a paler shade. If you have an island, just paint the legs and baseboard

12

Create a two-tone effect

An on-trend way to add some new paint to your kitchen is to use two complementary colours from the same section of the colour wheel. Make the most of an awkward layout by transforming an understairs

nook into a breakfast station.

Paint the cabinets in the darker of the two shades so they become a feature and paint the staircase in the lighter tone for contrast.

Another two-tone technique is to use two shades on upper and lower cabinetry.

APRIL 2022 | 79

SPLURGE versus STEAL Relax into a calming, subdued scheme with beachy vibes

£499

Nest chair in Malham Ivory, SOFOLOGY

£14

Rio Silver ruche velvet cushion, B&M

SPLURGE Blow th Bl the budget b d t with ith these top picks

£239

Simplicity handwoven rug in Ivory, OAK FURNITURE LAND

£249

SMART LINES

£95

£175

Uttar mango wood bench, MAISONS DU MONDE

80 | APRIL 2022

Laura Ashley Tate candlestick table lamp base; Laura Ashley Bacall linen drum shade, both DÄR LIGHTING

FEATURE LAURA HIGGINS

Murphy side table in Black, MY FURNITURE

Buy it

SPLURGE VERSUS STEAL

FRESH WHITE BED LINEN, , LAYERED WITH TACTILE NEUTRALS, WILL CREATE A GETAWAY FEEL

WOVEN EDGE

£275

Mylo Cosy Ivory chair, Next

£10

New Beginnings corduroy cushion, Matalan

£55

Norraker bench, Ikea

STEAL Grab a style bargain with these budget buys

from £85 Florence Border Natural rug, Next

Melbury king bed, £1,450; Kingham side table, £195; Cavendish pillowcases, from £55; Cavendish double duvet cover, £190; Amara king quilt, £275; Sheepskin cosy chair, £1,600; Cowley White metal table lamp, £95, all The White Company

£10

Tofty mini Ivory table lamp, Dunelm

£50

Hemnes bedside table, Ikea

APRIL 2022 | 81

SPRING DISPLAY

Do it

THIS MONTH’S

Do it

FEATURE AND STYLING PIPPA BLENKINSOP PHOTOGRAPH KASIA FISZER/FUTURECONTENTHUB.COM

Create a bespoke botanical display by filling vintage finds with spring bulbs and cut flowers. Choose vessels with sculptural shapes and time-worn patinas, such as French confit pots, urn-shaped Dartmouth vases and weathered watering cans.

Give as unique Easter gifts

Keep your eyes peeled at antique centres and car-boot sales for items to repurpose

APRIL 2022 | 83

‘Our kitchen is SLIM FIT

‘We chose a long-line radiator – it looks discreet and takes up minimum space’

COME ON IN!

ABOUT ME I’m Hannah Pemberton, founder of WANDA creative homewares (wandalust.co.uk, @wandalust_). I live here with my husband Matthew, founder of a design agency, and our son Felix, six, in a three-bedroom Victorian end-of-terrace house in southeast London, which we bought in 2014.

THE CHALLENGE The kitchen units were pretty standard, but the laminate worktops, brown floor tiles and magnolia paint throughout were very dated and made the kitchen feel quite gloomy.

MY WISH LIST An open-plan layout was the priority, with a central island and space for a dining table.

We were keen to let in as much light as possible, with large bifold doors.

84 | APRIL 2022

TOTAL

£9,804 TURN OVER FOR MY SHOPPING LIST

KITCHEN MAKEOVER

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FULL OF LIGHT’

Faced with a drab kitchen, Hannah extended into the garden to create the bright and spacious layout she dreamt of

B

eing an end-of-terrace meant that the house had lots of scope for extending, which was one of the deciding factors for us,’ says Hannah.

‘When we moved in the existing kitchen was crying out for modernisation. There was a cheap and cheerful fitted kitchen with a brown tiled floor which, although liveable, wasn’t to our taste. Plus the layout was too small for the open-plan living we had envisaged.

Layout planning

We began by drawing up a few options to see what would work best. We love cooking and entertaining, so a spacious layout with plenty of prep space was key.

And making the space light and bright was a top priority for us. It took lots of mulling over before we finally settled on our preferred design and got a structural engineer on board to get the ball rolling.

Opening up

IDEA TO STEAL

When work began, it was a cold January and Felix was only six weeks old, so I took him to stay with my family up north while we left poor Matthew to oversee the building works. The main structural change was removing the rear wall of the kitchen and having an envelope frame installed. We extended out into the garden by about 4m to give us the spacious kitchen-diner layout that we wanted. The bifold doors and large roof light flood the room with daylight, even in the winter months. Glass can be pricey but it was certainly money well spent.

‘Keep lighting consistent, with single spot pendants and a cluster above a dining table’

BRIGHT OUTLOOK

‘We pushed the back wall 4m into the garden to create a practical open-plan layout which is now the centrepiece of our home’

Streamlined storage

One of my requirements for the new kitchen design was to have all the appliances built in for a neat finish. The storage unit around the fridge-freezer makes great use of the space and means that any clutter can be hidden. To

APRIL 2022 | 85

HOOK UP

‘Hanging plants on S-hooks help make a feature of the black beam’

IDEA TO STEAL

‘Minimalist gloss white tiles keep the space bright and airy’

add a contrast to the units, I chose a bold floor to inject some playfulness into the space. The large-format tiles make the layout feel bigger and the chevron design helps to draw the eye out towards the garden which creates a beautiful flow.

Mix and match

I had my heart set on a modern-eclectic style; sleek, white gloss units and resin worktops give a contemporary feel, which I’ve then styled up with a mixture of vintage and unusual finds that I’ve collected on my travels over the years.

They bring the room together and make it feel loved and lived in, while adding pops of colour to brighten up the space. The white wooden wall cladding was inspired by a cottage we stayed in on a trip to St Ives when I was pregnant with Felix.

It adds texture, plus it works well with the white brick-style splashback.

Savvy upcycling

I sourced a lot of pieces on eBay – the dresser is one of my favourite finds, which I picked up for £80 and revamped with a coat of blue paint. The original mahogany wood of the dining table was too dark for the room, so I sanded and painted the legs to bring in a splash of sunny yellow.

The cluster pendant hanging above the table originally had six shades but I removed two to make individual pendants over the island. The kitchen is now the heart of the house and we love it.’

SLEEK LINES

You can discover more handy tips on creating a smart kitchen-diner at idealhome.co.uk

86 | APRIL 2022

‘One of my main requirements for the kitchen was to have all the appliances built in for a neat finish’

KITCHEN MAKEOVER

COLOUR BURST

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Where to buy Hannah’s style

‘I picked up the dining table on eBay and painted it yellow to fit in with the new scheme’

Speed premium white kitchen units with stainless steel bar handles, from £9,000 including laminate worktops and appliances, Kutchenhaus. Apollo Slab Tech worktops in Marmo Crema, from £496m, Sheridan. Nobili single-lever Charlie sink mixer tap in copper, £305.93, FAB Appliances. Similar, Reginox Miami copper integrated kitchen sink, £322.99, Taps UK. Porcelain colour block oak-white floor tiles from Mandarin Stone have been discontinued, for similar, try Casa Grande Decor 3 outdoor porcelain floor tiles, £42sq m, Mandarin Stone. Monastir white gloss glazed tiles, from £41.60sq m, Mandarin Stone. For a similar fridge-freezer, try the Samsung RS3000 American fridge-freezer in clean steel, £1,079; for a similar oven, try the Neff N50 slide & hide single oven, £699; Neff N70 75cm black gas hob, £579; Neff N30 angled chimney cooker hood, £599, all AO.com. Hector small flowerpot switched wall lights, £145 each; Drop One six-pendant light, £869, all Original BTC. Reina Colona vertical radiator, from £111.95, Designer Radiators Direct. Dining table, £60; Eiffel-style dining chairs, £25 each; rustic wooden floating shelf, £200 for three, all eBay

LUXE COPPER

‘As the sink sits in the middle of the island, I wanted a statement tap’

HOLIDAY VIBE

‘The dresser was another eBay find, revamped with a lick of paint. It really suits the nautical feel of the wood cladding’

FEATURE CASSIE PRYCE/LISA FAZZANI PHOTOGRAPHS DAVID GILES

‘TAKE PHOTOS ON HOLIDAY OF THINGS THAT INSPIRE YOU TO REPLICATE IDEAS AT HOME’

APRIL 2022 | 87

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ITCHEN MAKEOVER

Hannah’s choice:

A WHITE KITCHEN Looking for ways to wow with white at the heart of the home? These smart ideas will show you how to create a clean and bright kitchen

Q

uite simply, white kitchens will always be best sellers thanks to their timeless appeal.

The choice of white cabinetry provides a crisp, smart look for a new modern kitchen or a classic backdrop for a country-style kitchen, making it a practical choice for all settings.

Open up a small space

White is the ideal colour if you’ve got a smaller kitchen, especially where windows are small and natural light may be limited.

An all-white colour scheme illuminates, helping to make the space feel bigger by bouncing light around.

Choose open shelving

Rather than opting for bulky cabinets on all walls you might choose to feature open shelves to keep a more relaxed, airy feel to the layout. Paint the floating shelves in the same shade of white to that of the walls, so that they ‘disappear’ into the backdrop.

Or choose wooden shelving like Hannah’s for a more rustic feel.

Add warmth to a white scheme with wood tones and copper accents

If you decide to incorporate colour options it’s best to stick to a tonal palette. So if you’re using greys, use varying hues of the same shade, from light to darker grey and almost black, to keep the look uniform. If choosing a warmer neutral, such as stone for your flooring, consider off-whites.

Add warmth with brass tones

If you’re sticking to an all-white colour scheme, consider including brass tones to add warmth. Instead of traditional chrome taps and sockets, choose fashionable brass alternatives to bring interest to the

scheme. A richer metallic tone will help white shades feel less cold and steely.

Introduce pattern

Break up an all-white scheme by using an alternative colour on the floor. Hannah’s zigzag patterned floor tiles showcase plain white broken up diagonally with strips of wood-effect flooring to add depth to the look. The pattern is subtle and so doesn’t distract from the serene palette, but is prominent enough that it adds a layer of interest to the design.

‘WHITE IS A SAFE BUT SENSIBLE OPTION THAT IS GREAT FOR RE-SALE VALUE, BECAUSE IT IS TIMELESS AND CAN SUIT ALL TASTES’ ,

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Pick an accent colour

Inject some personality into a white kitchen with just a couple of accent pieces in a bright colour. Yellow works really well and will warm up the look, while vibrant red (along with other primary colours, such as a bright blue) would have the same effect, proving the versatility of white. Stick to a few hand-picked items, so that the overall effect isn’t over the top.

How much is too much white?

From floors to walls, to cabinets and appliances, a bold all-white kitchen colour scheme creates a stunning contemporary look. Simple chrome handles and sockets are enough to add a hint of colour without breaking out of the ‘colourless’ scheme.

FEATURE TAMARA KELLY PHOTOGRAPH DAVID GILES

Take a tonal approach

Creative ideas for

BATHROOM TILES From walls to floors, to showers and sinks, add impact to your bathroom with these tile ideas

Create an ombre effect

Try this imaginative idea to create a sunset effect. Mixing soft apricots and sunny yellows, blush pinks and berry tone tiles adds colour and warmth. ‘I love sunsets, who doesn’t?’ says founder of Otto Tiles & Design, Damla Turgut. ‘I wanted to recreate the mix of vibrant colours and show how they blend together using tiles.

The idea is simple yet striking.’

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BATHROOM PLANNING

Love it

Take it from the floor

Beautifully simple floor tiles often get, for lack of a better phrase, swept under the rug. Make more of an impression by taking the same tiles right up onto the walls. This mid-height trick works well when using a busy tile; just stick to a neutral paint shade for the top half of the wall, so as not to draw too much attention away from the tiles below.

‘PLAIN, COLOURED TILES, EITHER ON THE FLOOR OR WALLS, LOOK CHIC AND SOPHISTICATED, WHILE PATTERNED TILES ADD CHARACTER’ Content Editor

Create interest with contrasting tiles

Can’t decide on one tile? Mix things up to add interest and texture. Use a different but coordinating tile throughout the space. Hexagonal tiles add a fresh, modern feel – or allow a larger hexagonal tile to take centre stage on a focal wall. When mixing tiles stick to a neutral colour palette such as white, pale grey and soft neutrals to prevent them from jarring.

Define zones

Let tiles determine different zones.

Use a tiled wall to signify the basin area, like here where the black herringbone tiles create a floor-toceiling feature wall. This works well as a small bathroom idea because it helps to create a sense of space, giving each zone more presence.

Match floors and walls with patchwork

Balance the look of statement floor tiles with a feature wall of matching patterned tiles. Rather than using them all over, which could be overwhelming, use as a decorative panel within a shower area, surrounded by plain white tiles.

Tile the bath

Incorporate a bath surround into your tiling scheme. Barrie Cutchie, design director at BC Designs, says, ‘Use specialist tile backing board which won’t warp – it requires a bit more effort than using standard bath panels, but it is worth it.’

‘EVEN SIMPLE TILES CAN OFFER UP A WORLD OF POSSIBILITIES IF YOU THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX WHEN LAYING THEM IN PATTERNS’ ,

Embrace a bold accent colour

Use tiles to welcome a vibrant splash of colour to an otherwise all-white bathroom. Take the tone of the tile as inspiration to paint the woodwork in a suitable shade – as seen here in this blue bathroom. Complete the look with a sea of aqua accessories to help tie in the splashes of blue.

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BATHROOM PLANNING

Love it

Break the mould with a unique layout

There are no rules that just because you have a tiled floor it has to be the whole floor. Likewise, if using tiles on the wall you have the freedom to carve out your own style – consider using the placement of the tiles to zone the different areas within the space.

‘MAKE SURE THAT YOU CHOOSE TWO TILES WITH QUITE DISTINCT SIZE DIFFERENCES FOR THE BIGGEST IMPACT’ STE

,

Play with scale

FEATURE THEA BABINGTON-STITT PHOTOGRAPHS BRENT DARBY, DAVID GILES, LIZZIE ORME, ALISTAIR NICHOLLS, KATIE JANE WATSON, DAVIDE LOVATTI/FUTURECONTENTHUB.COM

A great way to add interest with tiles in even the smallest of bathrooms is to mix and match with scale. Take whatever shape of tile you’re using on the floor and repeat in a smaller scale as a splashback. Switch up colours, too, but keep it cohesive by having the two areas in the same general sector of the colour wheel.

Drench with colour

Colour drenching is the go-to term right now for decorating rooms.

Use colourful tiles to cover almost every surface. Don’t go too small though, as a multitude of tiny tiles in a bright colour can be overwhelming.

Keep a section of the wall bare to paint in a complementary shade.

INSIDE EAT, TRY & DO!

GREAT STUFF TO

CLEANING

STORAGE

FINANCES

GARDEN

DIY

TRY THIS...

FEATURE STEPHANIE DURRANT STYLING SARA BIRD PHOTOGRAPH FUTURECONTENTHUB.COM

Prettify your Easter table with this easy centrepiece idea. Fill a large glass vase with a variety of eggs in different sizes and colours – try a mixture of hen’s and quail’s. Ease in the stems of a selection of fresh and dried seasonal flowers. When the eggs are nearing their best-before dates, they can be retired and eaten!

EASTER INSPO

D p112 WEEKEN RECIPE

04 GARDEN PROJECT

p106 PRETT SPRING CRAFTS

APRIL 2022 | 95

BUILD BESPOKE STORAGE TO MAXIMISE SPACE

USE WALL SPACE

Don’t let functional storage be an afterthought. Create a wow factor with smart wall lights above a bespoke bench and lockers to provide enough storage for you and all the family.

TRY A HALLWAY HACK

Hallway storage

SOLUTIONS

Transform your hall into a welcoming and fit-for-purpose entrance with these ideas

Y

our home’s entrance requires smart storage solutions to avoid clutter. As the first room your guests see on entering it sets the tone for the rest of the house.

Hallways can often become an overlooked space where clutter builds up, so put hallway storage at the forefront of your mind when planning your decorating scheme. With smart storage solutions you

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can create an area that’s both attractive and practical for everyday use.

Take a fresh look at your hallway or under-stairs area to work out what you need – even a row of hooks can make a difference and help you stay organised.

Generally speaking, in a narrow hallway make use of the height and wall spaces as much as possible. If you have space under the stairs maybe you could consider fitting in a desk, cabinets and shelves.

If you are short on floor space this idea is perfect for keeping shoes neatly out of sight. Wall-mount a row of four Ikea Trones shoe cabinets, then top the units with a length of oak to create a smart hallway shelf and storage system that will keep the floor space nice and tidy.

TIME AT HOME

Love it

HIDE CLUTTER IN CONCEALED STORAGE

Free up hallway space from piles of discarded shoes by stowing them in a shallow unit, with doors to conceal them from view – essential to prevent a small hallway from feeling overwhelmed with clutter. Hang a cubbyhole unit above to keep pens, diaries, notebooks and sets of keys close to hand.

FACTOR IN FLEXIBILITY

,

KEEP STORAGE OPEN

The open-plan approach will encourage you to keep your space organised and pristine.

In fact, you’ll find it easier to find things if you are in a rush to get out of the front door.

Just try not to fill hangers to bursting, or your hallway will quickly descend into chaos.

GO FOR SLIM SOLUTIONS

Calm the chaos of a busy hallway with slimline storage units. Create as spacious a feel as possible with unobtrusive furniture, then add boxes and baskets for bonus storage. Multifunctional furniture is the key to keeping a busy home entrance free from clutter. Look for timeless pieces with in-built storage.

Add a long Shaker-style peg rail to hold bags, coats and a basket for the family post. Keep your colour palette neutral for a seamless look that is pleasing on the eye, like in this grey hallway idea.

KEEP THINGS TIDY FEATURE HEATHER YOUNG PHOTOGRAPHS FUTURECONTENTHUB.COM

‘A HALLWAY IS THE FIRST IMPRESSION VISITORS GET OF YOUR HOME, SO YOU REALLY SHOULDN’T SKIMP ON STYLE OR INTERIOR DESIGN’

Putanendtokicked-offshoesand abandoned coats with compact cubbies and baskets to stop clutterfromescaping.Asideboard withmulti-usecubbiesisidealfor familylife-italsooffersaplaceto sit to put on shoes. Simply swap the boxes round to suit, then add abigbasketforlargerbelongings.

APRIL 2022 | 97

What to do

THIS MONTH

Get your home organised and looking its tip-top best with these easy cleaning and DIY hacks

A

pril is upon us, which means the Easter holidays are on their way. While spending time with friends and family is sure to take priority, a four-day weekend is a great excuse to break the back of a few household chores.

It’s a good time to give your sofa covers a quick freshen up and get on top of built-up limescale in the kettle. Plus, if you want to update your home’s exterior, why not paint your window frames?

Alternatively, making a smart new headboard or handy pegboard will only take a few hours but will still give a room a boost.

Make a pegboard

You could easily buy a ready-made pegboard, or have a go at making your own bespoke design. Cut a piece of MDF to the desired size and drill holes at regular intervals using a 15mm bit. A two-tone paint job, achieved with tester pots, completes the look.

Cut pieces of dowelling as pegs to hang washi tape, scissors and other stationery. You could even create little shelves by cutting smaller pieces of MDF to sit on a row of pegs.

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Do it

TIME AT HOME

CLEAN YOUR SOFA SPRING CLEAN

1

Start by removing throws and cushions and give your sofa a vacuum using the upholstery attachment.

Before you start cleaning, make sure you check the label to see what products you can use on your sofa. W means you can only use a water-based cleaner. S or P means it can only be cleaned with solvents (dry-clean only).

SW or WS means that you can use either a water-based detergent or solvent cleaner.

A steam cleaner will be fine to use, too. Finally, X means that you can’t use any water or detergent – get it cleaned professionally instead.

There are some easy home remedies that can also help remove stains.

White vinegar is a great natural stain remover. Use it to blot the stain with an equal parts water and vinegar solution, then wipe the stain away gently using a clean microfibre cloth.

Follow this up with a mixture of mild detergent and tepid water to remove any vinegar smell and leave it to dry.

Baking soda is good for removing any smells – apply a sprinkling of it to the area, leave it for 15-20 minutes and then vacuum.

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DEAL WITH SOFA SPILLS IMMEDIATELY, DABBING THEM WITH A SOFT CLOTH TO SOAK IT UP, RATHER THAN RUBBING DESCALE ESCALE YOUR KETTLE

As a general rule, descaling your kettle once every three months should keep it in tip top shape and ensure your morning cuppa is as clear as can be. Using equal parts water and white vinegar, fill the kettle three quarters full.

Bring to the boil and allow to cool. Drain the water and rinse several times. Boil again so there’s no aftertaste.

Alternatively, fill the kettle with half lemon juice and half water. Bring to the boil, then let it sit for 30 minutes until the limescale dislodges. Pour out and rinse.

APRIL 2022 | 99

PAINT OUTSIDE WINDOW FRAMES

Dulux Weathershield Exterior Gloss in Pure Brilliant white, £25 for 750ml, B&Q

1

Make sure the frame is clean and dry – give it a good going over with a hand brush to get rid of debris.

Fill any cracks or holes with flexible wood filler.

Sand gently, going with the grain of the wood, then wipe away any dust.

Mask around the window, leaving a 2mm gap, so you overlap onto the glass to seal it and keep out water.

Apply a coat of primer or undercoat to the frame and sill. If you’re going to be using standard gloss or satin, make sure your primer is weatherproof for a longerlasting finish. Allow to dry.

Apply your chosen colour with a brush, not a roller, pressing it into corners.

Allow to dry completely and apply at least one more coat. When you do your final coat, make sure your brushstrokes go in one direction for a neater finish.

Remove the masking tape before the final coat is dry, to prevent your water-sealing border being lifted off with it.

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4 5 6

Nissafors trolley in Black, £29, Ikea

AVOID PAINTING IN HOT SUN AS THE PAINT WILL START DRYING AND BECOME STICKY AS YOU’RE BRUSHING IT ON PICK A VERSATILE TROLLEY

Struggling to find permanent storage space in the bathroom - who said trolleys were just for cocktail hour? Stash essentials such as flannels, towels and toiletries on a neat cart that can be wheeled from bath, to basin to shower, so you won’t need to double up on supplies or storage space. Choose a slimline design in a colour that matches your bathroom that can be tucked out of the way when not in use.

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Do it

FEATURE STEPHANIE DURRANT PHOTOGRAPHS FUTURECONTENTHUB.COM

EASY UPDATE

Create a fabric headboard

Sew cushions with ties then hang from a simple curtain pole above the bed – just switch the cushions when you fancy a change!

Choosing a bold patterned fabric makes the headboard the focal point.

Remember to keep the bed linen plain to perfectly balance the look, or go vice-versa with plain headboard cushions and patterned bed linen.

APRIL 2022 | 101

Spring

GARDEN GOALS

We’ve gathered the best hints and tips to help you succeed this season

As they grow to just 1m in height, we’d recommend the small cultivar H. serrata to make the perfect statement in a container on a patio. Use composted bark-based compost or John Innes No 3 and keep well watered.

2

Lush lavender

This popular aromatic shrub thrives in a sunny spot in free-draining soil, and is best planted in spring. After flowering in late summer, clip off spent flower stalks and about 2.5cm of leaf growth (don’t cut into woody stems) to encourage new growth.

3

SUMMER BULBS

For colour and scent later in the year, plant summer bulbs in spring when the soil is warming up. Our favourites include gladioli, lilies and alliums.

They need good drainage and humus-rich soil. Add plenty of grit and leaf mould to improve the soil and provide moist, yet free-draining conditions.

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PHOTOGRAPHS ALAMY STOCK PHOTO, GETTY IMAGES, ISTOCK

1

POTTED HYDRANGEA

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Do it

4

POTS MADE OF PAPER

It’s a great feeling when you know that something you’ve used to help your garden bloom will eventually rot away to nothing.

Starting off seedlings in pots made of paper or coir (fibre from coconut husks) means that you can plant the growing plants directly into the soil, where the pots will biodegrade naturally within a few months.

6

AMAZING ACERS

Also known as the Japanese maple, acers put on a show-stopping display of autumn colour. They are slow-growing and so perfect for a patio pot. Plant with ericaceous soil, avoiding soil-based compost, which can be too heavy.

7 5

DRY GARDENS

For saving water as well as time, a dry Mediterranean-style garden is a great option.

The best plants to grow through gravel are Dianthus (try ‘Flashing Lights’, shown here), and Helianthemum, also known as rock rose, which flowers through spring and summer.

Wild lilies

Lily-of-the-valley, a native fragrant woodland plant is perfect for ground cover in shady areas. Buy the plants in spring and leave to spread quietly under trees and shrubs, or beneath rose bushes for an informal cottage garden feel. They like well-drained, leafy soils, and pretty much take care of themselves.

APRIL 2022 | 103

Build a beautiful

BIRDHOUSE

Invite feathered friends into your garden by making these sweet homes using planks from reclaimed pallets

T

ransform leftover pallet wood into a collection of cute birdhouses. Very rough pallet planks are fine to use as the wonky areas add character to these little builds. We’ve featured instructions for the basic pink bird box, but you can easily adapt these to make a whole village of cool and quirky houses, from a two-storey townhouse to an asymmetric mid-century-style dwelling.

GET CRAFTY

Finish your birdhouses with details in waterproof Sharpie pen

YOU WILL NEED Pallet wood planks Ruler Saw Palm sander or sandpaper Paddle drill bits, 25mm and 35mm or 38mm Drill driver with 2mm wood drill piece Wood glue 25mm nails and hammer Paintbrush Paint Black Sharpie Pencil Matt outdoor varnish

1

MEASURE AND CUT YOUR PLANKS The pink birdhouse is the most basic of the four houses. It is one plank deep and two planks wide. Measure 7.5cm for the plank width and cut two pieces of 15cm for the sides; four pieces of 16cm for the front and back; and two pieces of 14cm for the roof. Sand all the cut edges.

LAY OUT YOUR PIECES Lay two pieces flat for the back, two sides, and topped with the two pieces for the front. For the base, measure the internal dimensions (this should be 12.5x7.5cm) and cut a plank to fit.

PRE-DRILL THE NAIL HOLES In one of the front planks, drill a hole for the birds to enter the box using the paddle drill bit – the ideal entry hole is 38mm. In the front and back planks, pre-drill the holes for the nails with the 2mm drill bit to prevent the wood splitting. You need three per side, 1cm in from the edges.

ASSEMBLE THE BOX Apply wood glue to the short sides of the base and attach the side pieces.

Apply more glue and stick the front and back pieces in place, then nail together through the pre-drilled holes.

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4

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5

IF YOUR WOOD IS VERY WONKY AND YOU HAVE LARGE HOLES, YOU CAN PLUG THEM WITH FILLER, THEN SAND AND PAINT

FIX ON THE ROOF Glue and nail the base in place, pre-drilling the nail holes and making sure the entry hole is in the upper part of the house. Glue and nail the roof in place, with the overhang above the entry hole.

SAND TO SMOOTH ALL EDGES. Paint your house. When dry, add details in different paint colours or with a black Sharpie, then apply a matt outdoor varnish.

6

7

FOR THE PITCHED ROOF HOUSE To make the pitched roof house, cut two 15cm planks for the sides; six 16cm planks for the front and back; three 11.5cm and one 10cm plank for the roof; and one 12.5cm plank for the base. To make the triangles, take two 16cm planks, mark the midpoint on one long side and draw cutting lines to the corners.

Glue and nail together following the instructions for the basic house.

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Do it

MIX IT UP

Vary the designs with an asymmetric mid-century-inspired box or a two-storey townhouse

IDEA TO STEAL

FEATURE STEPHANIE DURRANT PROJECT PALLET WOOD PROJECTS FOR OUTDOOR SPACES BY HESTER VAN OVERBEEK (£14.99, CICO BOOKS)

Display your birdhouses on a purpose-built arch

APRIL 2022 | 105

Make it, love it!

EASTER CRAFTS Create an elegant Easter table with pretty prints, spring motifs and fresh floral decorations in a palette of blue and green

BIRDS NEST CENTREPIECE YOU WILL NEED Faux birds nest Potting soil Cyclamen Moss Spring bulbs Artificial bird

Similar handmade vine bird nest, £4.21, eBay. Similar artificial doves, £8.99 for two, Amazon

1

BUILD THE BASE Take a faux bird’s nest decoration or make your own by gathering clumps of straw, raffia or twigs. Bend the stems into a loop and tie with a piece of florist’s wire.

Next, make a smaller loop and push it down inside the first one. Tie together if needed. Continue until the base is covered.

ADD A WATERPROOF LINER Cut a circle the same size as the nest from a bin bag, or use a waterproof liner from a garden centre. Push this inside the nest to protect the base and make it water resistant so it doesn’t leak when you water the plants.

START ADDING PLANTS Remove the cyclamen from its container and pull away some of the excess soil. Plant the cyclamen on one side of the bird’s nest. Add a little potting soil to the base of the nest up to the rim and push firmly into place.

POP ON A FEW FINISHING TOUCHES Plant additional spring bulbs inside the nest and place moss around the base of the plants to cover any remaining soil.

Pop a faux feathery bird on top as a finishing touch. It makes a great table centrepiece for an Easter celebration or would look great on a side table.

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4

YOUR CENTREPIECE WILL NEED TO BE KEPT MOIST BUT BE CAREFUL NOT TO OVERWATER AS YOU’LL END UP WITH A SOGGY TABLE 106 | APRIL 2022

Display on a pretty cake stand

TIME AT HOME

LOG SLICE BUNNY TAGS

Wood slices with drilled holes, £9.99 for 30, Amazon

Fill linen bags with yummy Easter biscuits

YOU WILL NEED Printer/scanner Scissors Transfer medium Wooden slice Sponge Mini screw eyes (optional) Twine

Make it

1

PICK AN IMAGE Find a copyright-free Easter image from the internet. Print it out in black and white. Alternatively, scan and print your own image. The final motif will be reversed, so if it has text, flip it before photocopying.

SECURE THE DESIGN IN PLACE Trim your photocopy to size and cover the image side in a thick coat of transfer medium. Press face down on the wooden slice and smooth out any bubbles.

LEAVE OVERNIGHT Leave to dry for 24 hours. Use a damp sponge to gently rub away the paper, revealing the image on the wooden slice.

USE ON AN EASTER GIFT Drill a hole into the top of the wooden slice or screw in a small hook for hanging.

Thread through a length of twine.

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4

Prop up your wreath on a stack of books

FEATURE MARISA DALY, STEPHANIE DURRANT PHOTOGRAPHS FUTURECONTENTHUB.COM

Wrap a chocolate egg with pretty floral fabric and tie with a ribbon

WREATH DISPLAY YOU WILL NEED Willow wreath Thick wire Wire cutters Hydrangeas Spring flowers Florist’s wire

1

ADD A WIRE BACKING Take your willow wreath blank and secure a piece of heavy duty wire at the back. Pull this taught across the centre of the wreath, then secure at the other end. Repeat so the wire is crossed at the back of the wreath.

White-washed willow wreath 20cm, £3; Oasis green hobby wire 25cm, £1, Hobbycraft

Continue criss-crossing lengths of wire to create a grid.

FILL WITH FLOWERS Cut blowsy hydrangea heads and carefully secure them around the front of the wreath using florist’s wire.

Fill in any gaps with additional flowers. Keep adding blooms until your wreath is completely covered.

FIND THE PERFECT POSITION Hang or prop your wreath inside and use the wire centre as a noticeboard to display pretty Easter cards, tags and other mementos.

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APRIL 2022 | 107

Cook it

IME AT HOME

What’s for DINNER TONIGHT This super easy one-pot roast proves healthier meal options mean you don’t have to compromise on flavour

TURMERIC CHICKEN AND APRICOT BAKE TAKES 1 HR 35 MINS, PLUS MARINATING SERVES 4 1 whole chicken 125ml olive oil 2 garlic cloves 1tbsp coriander seeds 1tsp dried turmeric or 1tbsp peeled and grated fresh turmeric 4 sweet potatoes, sliced into rounds 80g dried apricots, roughly chopped 1 orange, thickly sliced 1 fennel bulb, cut into chunks 1 glass of white wine Bunch of parsley, chopped 4 spring onions, sliced

1

Using poultry (or very strong) scissors, slice down the chicken backbone and flatten it to open. This technique is called spatchcocking. Score the skin a few times.

In a small blender or mini chopper, blitz the olive oil, garlic, coriander seeds and turmeric. Rub this mixture over the chicken, and leave to marinate in the fridge for 1 hr or overnight.

Preheat the oven to 200C/Gas 6. Put the sweet potatoes, chopped dried apricots, orange slices and fennel chunks in the base of a roasting tin. Top with the spatchcocked chicken.

Drizzle the chicken with the remaining marinade, then pour the white wine over. Season well and cover with foil. Roast the whole thing for 30 mins, remove the foil and reduce the heat to 180C/Gas 4 and cook for a further 45 mins, until the chicken is cooked through. If not, cook for 5 mins more and check the chicken again. Serve topped with parsley and spring onions sprinkled over the top.

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‘TURMERIC NOT ONLY ADDS COLOUR AND FLAVOUR BUT IS SAID TO HAVE ANTIOXIDANT AND ANTI-INFLAMMATORY PROPERTIES TOO’ 108 | APRIL 2022

SIMPLE ROAST

FEATURE STEPHANIE DURRANT RECIPE AND PHOTOGRAPH0 FUTURECONTENTHUB.COM

4

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Make it

THIS MONTH’S

Make it

FEATURE STEPHANIE DURRANT PHOTOGRAPH FUTURECONTENTHUB.COM

Cut a foam pad to size. Fold fabric in half and draw around the pad. Add 2cm.

Cut out two pieces. Pin piping between them, right sides together. Sew around the edge, leave a gap. Turn out, insert pad and stitch up. Sew on ribbons for ties.

Make your seat pad in fabric to match your tableware

Memory foam seat pad, £8, Dunelm

APRIL 2022 | 109

Buy the best

AIR FRYER

Not just for making chips, air fryers are ideal for hassle-free and speedy weekday meals

IDEA TO STEAL

‘Shaking food frequently helps air to circulate, for even crispiness’

BEST OVERALL AIR FRYER

NINJA FOODI DUAL ZONE AIR FRYER AF300UK DIMENSIONS H31.5xW38xD26.5cm CAPACITY 7.6ltr PROGRAMS 6 PRICE £199.99 REASONS TO BUY Superior air frying and two useful zones.

REASONS TO AVOID A large option to have on most kitchen worktops.

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What’s better than one air fryer? Two, in one. This model comes with two distinct air-frying zones that allow you to cook two dishes at different temperatures, syncing them so that your meal finishes cooking at the same time. It also features programs that will reheat, dehydrate, roast and bake. It cooks food in record time, because there’s no preheating required and temperatures can be easily adjusted. The exterior stays cool, even when the internal temperature is at 240C. RATING

TIME AT HOME

Buy it

BEFORE YOU BUY

Work out what air fryer best suits your needs Air fryers work by circulating hot air around a basket or drawer evenly from every angle, replicating the results of a deep fat fryer but without all the oil. That means any fat you add will circulate around fries, chicken or fish as it cooks, making it crisp and crunchy.

Because a fan keeps the hot air moving, an air fryer cooks quicker than a regular oven, so it’s great for speeding up mealtimes and cooking frozen food for easy dinners.

BREVILLE HALO ROTISSERIE AIR FRYER SIZE H29.2xW31.7xD37.4cm CAPACITY 10ltr PROGRAMS 7 PRICE £145 REASONS TO BUY Sleek controls and all the functions of a mini oven.

REASONS TO AVOID It can be a little fiddly to use.

This clever model offers an alternative take on air frying, with a rotisserie attachment that allows you to cook a whole chicken with crispy delicious skin and juicy meat, in just an hour. As it’s more of a mini convection oven, it doesn’t quite speed up cooking as much as a single function drawer air fryer might, but it can be used to bake, rotisserie, air fry, and even dehydrate. Bear in mind that the drawers get very hot, so oven gloves are a must!

RATING

COOKING BACON IN AN AIR FRYER ENSURES THE FAT DRIPS AWAY INTO THE BASKET WHILE CRISPING THE MEAT, GUARANTEEING THE BEST BACON BUTTIE’ BEST AIR FRYER FOR FAMILIES

INSTANT VORTEX PLUS 6-IN-1 AIR FRYER SIZE H32.6xW37.9xD31.4cm CAPACITY 5.7ltr PROGRAMS 6 PRICE £119.99 REASONS TO BUY Amazing air frying, and it does so much more.

REASONS TO AVOID None!

Featuring an air fryer insert that slots neatly into the base, you can remove this to reheat pizza, bake cupcakes or roast potatoes. The controls are touch-operated, and you can adjust the temperature and cooking time using the dial. Super speedy, some foods we tested cooked perfectly in half the time, while the six cooking modes give you the flexibility to cook a wide variety of dishes.

Air fryers are as healthy as the food you cook in them. If you want to cut back on the amount of oil and fat in your food, air fryers are excellent for crisping up your meal while not submerging it in fat.

While most recipes call for a teaspoon of oil, we found we got a more even coating on some foods by using an oil spray. It’s also worth checking to see if the model you want has a dishwasher-safe basket to make cleaning a breeze.

Some air fryers have extra functionality – such as rotisserie, roasting, baking and dehydrating.

This expands your cooking repertoire to include pasta bakes, cakes and even roasting a whole chicken. All models tend to come with a whole host of recipes to encourage you to use it for more than cooking chips and frozen food.

Look at basket capacity – a 5ltr machine (which has a chip capacity of 800g to 1kg) is a must for a family. If making your own, soak the cut chips in cold water for 30 mins, then rinse well to get rid of starch as this will improve their texture when cooked. Toss and coat in ½tsp oil, then cook in the air fryer and serve right away.

FEATURE GINEVRA BENEDETTI; MILLIE FENDER

BEST ROTISSERIE AIR FRYER

Look for easy-to-use controls for both temperature and time; auto-stop and keep-warm functions can be useful but bear in mind that chips, if left after cooking finishes, lose their crispness quickly. More expensive machines will feature touch screens rather than dial controls, which help with accuracy.

APRIL 2022 | 111

Cook it

IME AT HOME

Something for THE WEEKEND

MAD MARCH HARE CAKE

TAKES 1 HR 30 MINS, PLUS COOLING SERVES 12 FOR THE CAKE 100g cocoa powder 240g self-raising flour 1½tsp baking powder ¼tsp bicarbonate of soda 240g butter, softened 400g caster sugar 1tsp vanilla extract 4 eggs at room temperature FOR THE BUTTERCREAM 200g white chocolate 250g butter, softened 500g icing sugar, sifted 2-3tbsp milk TO DECORATE 1 white chocolate egg, split in half, and smaller chocolate eggs YOU WILL NEED 2 x 25cm round baking tins, greased and lined with baking parchment

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Preheat the oven to 180C/Gas 4. Mix the cocoa powder with 400ml boiling water, and leave to cool.

Sift the flour, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda and ¼tsp salt into a bowl; set aside. Cream together the butter, sugar and vanilla. Mix in 1 egg and then a third of the flour mix. Repeat with the remaining eggs and flour. Fold in the cooled cocoa.

Divide the mixture into the tins and bake for 30-40 mins or until a cocktail stick inserted into the centre of each cake comes out clean. Loosen the edges

with a knife and leave to cool for 20 mins, then turn out onto a wire rack.

For the buttercream, melt the chocolate in the microwave gently for 10 second bursts. Cream the butter, add the icing sugar gradually and beat until fluffy. Add the chocolate and mix until combined, then add the milk to loosen the buttercream, if needed.

Spread a coating of buttercream on top of one of the sponges and place the other sponge on top. Cover the entire cake with buttercream. Put egg halves on top as ears and finish with smaller eggs.

RECIPE AND STYLING SAMUEL GOLDSMITH PHOTOGRAPH VINNY WHITEMAN PROPS:VICTORIA ELDRIDGE

Delight the family with this Easter Sunday chocolate showstopper

Do it

TIME AT HOME

3 of the best

SPEEDY WAYS TO SAVE

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MAKE THE SWITCH If your landlord will allow, try switching your energy provider. In addition, shop around for cheaper mobile phone and broadband packages and cancel unnecessary subscriptions that you aren’t using.

OUT OF SIGHT, OUT OF MIND Set up a standing order to transfer money into a savings account each month on payday.

That way the money is out of your current account and you are less likely to be tempted to dip into it.

OPEN AN ISA If you’re a first-time buyer aged between 18 and 39, you are eligible to open up a Lifetime ISA account. You can pay up to £4,000 each tax year into the account. The government then adds a 25 per cent bonus (£1,000 maximum) on top.

2 3

How to save

Consider buying with friends

There are easy steps you can take to stay on track to make home ownership a reality

Get help from family

A DEPOSIT

FEATURE SOPHIE VENING AND STEPHANIE DURRANT PHOTOGRAPH FUTURECONTENTHUB.COM

S

aving enough money to be able to own your own home can seem daunting. Living costs are rising and higher house prices make it ever tougher to get on the property ladder. But don’t despair – this is not an impossible dream.

Reduce daily spending

Making small changes to your day-to-day outgoings can really add up over time.

Take a look at your monthly spending habits. Write down what you have coming in and what goes out of your account each month. Then identify the areas you can cut back on.

Sign up for a budgeting app

A good way of keeping on top of your income and spending habits is to use a budgeting app. Every app is different,

but they all help you to manage your money by syncing up with your bank and credit card accounts to help you keep a track of your spending.

Change your current living arrangements

Although not an option for everyone, if you can move in with your parents you could be saving a huge amount each month and, in turn, help you reach your deposit target faster.

Earn extra money

There are countless ways you can boost your monthly income. A weekend bar job, babysitting and gardening, as well as sorting through your belongings and selling what you don’t need on Facebook Marketplace or eBay are just some of the ways you can make a little bit extra to help towards a house deposit.

If you’re worried about how to save for a house on your own, sharing the cost of buying a house with friends or family can make the house-buying process more affordable, as well as reducing the cost of living once you’ve moved in.

Nearly half of all first-time buyer transactions this year are being financed by the bank of mum and dad, according to analysis from property group Savills.

If you are in a fortunate position to have relatives who can help out financially, it’s a great way to get on the housing ladder.

Look into shared ownership

Shared ownership allows first-time buyers the opportunity to buy a share in a home while paying rent on the rest. It frequently works out cheaper than renting an equivalent property. You also only need to pay a deposit on the share that you own.

Consider a Help to Buy: Equity Loan

If you’re a first-time buyer in England, you can apply for a Help to Buy: Equity Loan from the government that you can put towards the cost of buying a newly-built home costing between £186,100 and £600,000 (the amount varies depending on where in England you’re buying).

APRIL 2022 | 113

Do it

TIME AT HOME

How to choose the right

INSURANCE POLICIES

Editor of TheMoneyEdit.com, Kalpana Fitzpatrick gives her expert advice on the insurance policies you should keep and cancel

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efore you decide to get rid any of your insurance policies, it’s important to consider which ones will make you financially stronger and which you can do without.

Our money expert, Kalpana Fitzpatrick, discusses the cover we all should have.

Home insurance

If you’re a homeowner, legally you need buildings insurance as a condition of your mortgage. Contents insurance is optional, but before you decide to forgo it, consider how much it would cost to replace your possessions if there was a burglary, fire or accidental damage. If you’re renting, then it’s still important to protect your possessions, although you will not need building insurance – that is the landlord’s responsibility.

FEATURE KALPANA FITZPATRICK PHOTOGRAPH ALAMY STOCK PHOTO *ASSOCIATION OF BRITISH INSURERS **COMPARE THE MARKET

Life insurance

If you have dependents, such as children or a partner, who rely on your income, then life insurance makes good sense.

If you get seriously ill or die, a life insurance policy will pay out a tax-free cash lump sum to your loved ones. No one wants to think about dying, but it could be the most important insurance to take out, to give your family financial security.

Pet insurance

When millions of people started working from home or were furloughed last year, pet acquisition soared, with an estimated 44% of UK households now owning a pet, according to the RSPCA. Yet millions of cats and dogs are

uninsured, leaving owners liable for high vet bills if their furry friend needs treatment.

Surgery for a cat’s broken tibia, for example, can set you back by nearly £2,000 and treatment for a dog with diabetes may cost around £1,200 over a two and half year period*. The cost of the insurance policy may depend on your pet, its age and the type of cover you want, but the average premium is around £145** a year.

Travel insurance

If you’re going away, whether that’s abroad or having a staycation, this insurance is a must. It can protect you against lost items, cancellation as well as medical treatment costs abroad. Travel insurance

may cost as little as the price of a family meal, but should you need an air ambulance from Majorca, you could face a bill of more than £25,000.

The insurance you don’t need

A salesperson might try to convince you that you need a warranty but your purchase will have a manufacturer’s guarantee and you’re also protected under the Consumers Rights Act 2015, meaning your product must be of satisfactory quality and fit for purpose. If you have contents insurance, your mobile phone should be covered and if you have a packaged bank account (such as Virgin Money), you may already have device cover.

Insurance

CHECKLIST Always be honest when you are buying insurance, otherwise your policy could be invalidated.

The cheapest policy may not always be the best one for you – make sure you buy the level of cover you need.

You can buy insurance policies using comparison sites, but it is worth getting direct quotes from the company for the best price.

For insurance, such as car and home, note down the expiry date and shop around for a new deal before it ends, as auto-renewal prices are not always the best.

LIFE INSURANCE ISN’T AS EXPENSIVE AS YOU MAY THINK, STARTING FROM AROUND £5 A MONTH APRIL 2022 | 115

Make it

IME AT HOME

THIS MONTH’S

Make it Cut fabric 3cm larger than the open notebook, and cut two slits to the spine either end. Cut two pieces of wadding for front and back.

Stick on with double-sided tape. Use tape to stick fabric taut over the edges.

Push slits inside the spine.

This idea is perfect for using offcuts of fabric from other projects or upcycling clothes, curtains or cushion covers

116 | APRIL 2022

FEATURE STEPHANIE DURRANT PHOTOGRAPH FUTURECONTENTHUB.COM

Stitch a length of elastic to the back cover to keep your book closed

Love it

ESSENTIAL CONTACTS

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APRIL 2022 | 121

Buy it

110 UNDER £10 PLAY ALONG

Egg cup toy set, £9.95, Le Toy Van

CHILD’S PLAY

HOPPY EASTER

Wool mix brown bunny with jumper, £9.99, Gisela Graham

SPRINGTIME SCENT Spring Meadow small boxed candle, £6.50, Gisela Graham

PRETTY PRINT

Easter bunny napkins, £3.70 for 16, Scandiborn

10

LETTERBOX GIFT

Easter chick letterbox biscuit, £9, Biscuiteers

UNDER £10 Hop into spring with these colourful Easter essentials

BRIGHT BUNNIES Talking Tables mini flocked bunnies, £7.99, Lakeland

SPRING MEADOW

Wild Flowers coasters, £4.95 for four, Rex London

Mache cracked egg, £8, Hobbycraft

NOVELTY TOUCH

IN BLOOM

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Carrot micro fairy lights, £7.99, Lights4Fun

DIY DECS

Talking Tables Easter egg painting kit, £7.99, Lakeland

FEATURE LAURA HIGGINS

CRACKED OPEN

9000

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