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Real HOMES

DECEMBER 2018

CELEBRATE IN STYLE: Ideas for every room wow-factor extensions designed for entertaining

M a k e your dre a m home a re a lit y

festive buys for a perfect christmas

must-have...

Range cookers front doors flooring

modern colourful christmas step inside stylish real homes ready for the party season

Clever solutions for guest bedrooms | Make life easy with our festive survival guide | The best wreaths, faux trees and Christmas decorations | The latest buys for kitchens and bathrooms | Gifts you’ll love to give | How 25 technology can improve your home

REALHOMES.COM

open-plan living solved! find the ideal layout

REALHOMES.COM

ISSUE 236

BEST NEW DECOR IDEAS & HOW TO STYLE THEM

259

PHOTOGRAPH KATIE LEE

ater emma bridgew receive a free christmas mug worth

So whether or not you’re feeling close to meeting your own Christmas deadline, I hope this issue gives you plenty of inspiration for your festive celebrations, whatever it is you have planned. Happy Christmas everyone!

Beth Murton Acting Editor @BethMurton

what’s on my festive deco list...

My kids would love this wooden advent calendar, plus it would sit perfectly on my sideboard.

See page 51 for details

5

For great Christmas present ideas, visit realhomes.com /tag/gift-guides

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bscribe – £19.95 when you su see page 126

#SOREALHOMES

from the editor

T

here’s nothing like a Christmas deadline to spur you into action, is there? The prospect of a house full of guests donning paper hats and festive jumpers is certainly a great motivator. Long-awaited DIY jobs shoot straight to the top of the to-do list, framed artwork that’s been stacked in the corner for the last five months finally goes on the wall, and painting the recently completed kitchen extension at midnight on a Tuesday is suddenly a must when the in-laws are due to descend on your home in less than a week.

Here at Real Homes HQ, we’ve had our own Christmas deadline to meet, so we’ve been immersed in all things festive since the Christmas collections were revealed back in the summer. We’ve since picked out our favourite trends while tucking into mince pies in the office, transformed houses and put up trees for festive photoshoots, and spent more time than we probably should debating which sweets should be dropped from the Quality Street tin this year (the Strawberry Delight in the red wrapper gets my vote, in case you’re wondering).

You might think that after looking at more glitter-covered baubles, faux trees and gift ideas than you can shake a stick at for the last few months, I’d have had my fill of Christmas when it finally arrives, but it’s always one of my favourite times of the year.

For me, the holiday season really gets going on Christmas Eve, when we invite friends and family to our house for a festive knees-up. The rooms are all decorated, there’s a limitless supply of mulled wine, the kids rampage around (all the parents are secretly hoping to tire them out so they sleep past 4am the next morning), plus we’ll all join in with a hopefully tuneful singsong – but only once we’re feeling emboldened by the aforementioned mulled wine, of course. And the best bit? Despite my panic, no one ever notices those DIY jobs I didn’t quite cross off my to-do list.

s t n e t n co 90

Style agenda

Inside track 13

21

Sunday project How to plant your own contemporary cactus wreath

news The products and trends that grabbed our attention this month

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49

51

feast of colour Why stick to traditional festive colours when you can choose these rainbow delights?

#nowtrending Let’s be friends on social media

59 23

home truths

Get party ready with a glam bar trolley full of beautiful glassware

Our monthly columnist, Lisa Dawson, on Christmas prepping

61 25

festive fancies 63 a seat at the table 64 New buys on the block The key seasonal trends and how to get the look on a budget

30

Winter berries Get a crush on crimson tones with this season’s fruity hues

Don’t get caught out by a lack of dining chairs this Christmas

29

Five ways...

You’ll know Christmas is round the corner

Give guests a warm welcome with a dazzling door decoration

27

Easy update

guest bedrooms Create a hotel-style retreat for friends and family

Hero house

159

Find out why we adore Roxanne and Michael’s quirky home

43

The big debate Are real trees better than fake?

45

27

‘the christmas disaster we’ll never forget’ Three readers reveal their Christmas catastrophes

64

#Sorealhomes Share your home with us on Instagram using our new hashtag

63

s t n e t n co project advice

home life 71

129 Extension of the month

My favourite corner

A unique timber extension that we’ve been lusting after

A reader shows the part of her home she loves the most

131 the report 72

Real Home

Kitchen and bathroom products and news, plus design ideas

See the cosy cottage where we’d love to spend Christmas

51

137 Focus on carpet 85

over to you

Keep cosy underfoot with the best styles for all occasions

Our readers share their favourite annual traditions

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stress-free Christmas

How to update your home with a flexible layout

This time of year can be manic – here’s how to relax and enjoy it

90

141

141 Guide to open-plan living

156 Design clinic

Real Home

Our expert advice for solving your project dilemmas

Discover JT and Max’s stylish yet festive Scandi-influenced scheme

29

159 The edit

100 tech home makeover The latest gadgets that could transform your home life

The latest range cookers and freestanding bathroom storage

163 guide to front doors

104 Real Home See how Sophie and Bob Waiting revamped their barn conversion

Handsome designs to smarten up the entrance to your house

117 Make your home pay for itself

178 At home with…

Quick-fire questions with designer Pearl Lowe

Get the most out of your property by teaching courses in your kitchen or living room

120

120 Real Home Tamsin and James Gordon used raw materials to create a cool industrial kitchen-diner

104 SUBSCRIPTION OFFER Choose a free Emma Bridgewater festive mug when you subscribe – see page 126

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72

Free Expert Advice Masterclasses from the specialists Daily Seminars

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Extensions

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Future PLC, Units 1 & 2, Sugarbrook Court, Aston Road, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire B60 3EX

EDITORIAL Editor Laura Crombie Acting Editor Beth Murton Assistant Editor Alison Jones Features Editor Ellen Finch Style Editor Anna Morley Deputy Style Editor Amelia Smith realhomes@futurenet.com 01527 834456

ART Head of Art Billy Peel Senior Art Editor Emily Smith Art Editor Karen Lawson REALHOMES.COM Editor in Chief Lucy Searle Associate Editor Lindsey Davis Staff Writers Annie Collyer, Anna Cottrell, Hebe Hatton and Emily Shaw Video Producer Matt Gibbs ADVERTISING AND EXHIBITIONS SALES Media packs are available on request Commercial Director Clare Dove clare.dove@futurenet.com Group Advertising Director Mark Wright mark.wright@futurenet.com Print & Digital Sales Director Jackie Sanders jackie.sanders@futurenet.com 01527 834426 Print Sales Manager Rebecca Vincze rebecca.vincze@futurenet.com 01527 834415 Digital Sales Manager Kelly James kelly.james@futurenet.com 01527 834471 Exhibitions Sales Director Hellen Roche hellen.roche@futurenet.com 01527 834418 INTERNATIONAL Real Homes is available for licensing. Contact the International Department to discuss partnership opportunities International Licensing Director Matt Ellis matt.ellis@futurenet.com

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ISSN 14 64 - 4 061 áƺ Əȸƺ ƬȒȅȅǣɎɎƺƳ ɎȒ ȒȇǼɵ ɖɀǣȇǕ ȅƏǕƏɿǣȇƺ ȵƏȵƺȸ ɯǝǣƬǝ ǣɀ ƳƺȸǣɮƺƳ ǔȸȒȅ ȸƺɀȵȒȇɀǣƫǼɵ ȅƏȇƏǕƺƳً ƬƺȸɎǣˡƺƳ ǔȒȸƺɀɎȸɵ ƏȇƳ ƬǝǼȒȸǣȇƺ‫ٮ‬ǔȸƺƺ ȅƏȇɖǔƏƬɎɖȸƺِ Áǝƺ ȵƏȵƺȸ ǣȇ Ɏǝǣɀ ȅƏǕƏɿǣȇƺ ɯƏɀ ɀȒɖȸƬƺƳ ƏȇƳ ȵȸȒƳɖƬƺƳ ǔȸȒȅ ɀɖɀɎƏǣȇƏƫǼƺ ȅƏȇƏǕƺƳ ǔȒȸƺɀɎɀً ƬȒȇǔȒȸȅǣȇǕ ɎȒ ɀɎȸǣƬɎ ƺȇɮǣȸȒȇȅƺȇɎƏǼ ƏȇƳ ɀȒƬǣȒƺƬȒȇȒȅǣƬ ɀɎƏȇƳƏȸƳɀِ Áǝƺ ȅƏȇɖǔƏƬɎɖȸǣȇǕ ȵƏȵƺȸ ȅǣǼǼ ǝȒǼƳɀ ǔɖǼǼ I³! ٢IȒȸƺɀɎ ³ɎƺɯƏȸƳɀǝǣȵ !ȒɖȇƬǣǼ٣ ƬƺȸɎǣˡƬƏɎǣȒȇ ƏȇƳ ƏƬƬȸƺƳǣɎƏɎǣȒȇ ǼǼ ƬȒȇɎƺȇɎɀ ۰ ‫ ז׏׎א‬IɖɎɖȸƺ ¨ɖƫǼǣɀǝǣȇǕ nǣȅǣɎƺƳ Ȓȸ ȵɖƫǼǣɀǝƺƳ ɖȇƳƺȸ ǼǣƬƺȇƬƺِ ǼǼ ȸǣǕǝɎɀ ȸƺɀƺȸɮƺƳِ zȒ ȵƏȸɎ Ȓǔ Ɏǝǣɀ ȅƏǕƏɿǣȇƺ ȅƏɵ ƫƺ ɖɀƺƳً ɀɎȒȸƺƳً ɎȸƏȇɀȅǣɎɎƺƳ Ȓȸ ȸƺȵȸȒƳɖƬƺƳ ǣȇ Əȇɵ ɯƏɵ ɯǣɎǝȒɖɎ Ɏǝƺ ȵȸǣȒȸ ɯȸǣɎɎƺȇ ȵƺȸȅǣɀɀǣȒȇ Ȓǔ Ɏǝƺ ȵɖƫǼǣɀǝƺȸِ IɖɎɖȸƺ ¨ɖƫǼǣɀǝǣȇǕ nǣȅǣɎƺƳ ٢ƬȒȅȵƏȇɵ ȇɖȅƫƺȸ ‫דזזז׎׎א‬٣ ǣɀ ȸƺǕǣɀɎƺȸƺƳ ǣȇ 0ȇǕǼƏȇƳ ƏȇƳ áƏǼƺɀِ «ƺǕǣɀɎƺȸƺƳ ȒǔˡƬƺ‫ ي‬ªɖƏɵ RȒɖɀƺً Áǝƺ ȅƫɖȸɵً ƏɎǝ ‫׏ ׏‬È ِ ǼǼ ǣȇǔȒȸȅƏɎǣȒȇ ƬȒȇɎƏǣȇƺƳ ǣȇ Ɏǝǣɀ ȵɖƫǼǣƬƏɎǣȒȇ ǣɀ ǔȒȸ ǣȇǔȒȸȅƏɎǣȒȇ ȒȇǼɵ ƏȇƳ ǣɀً Əɀ ǔƏȸ Əɀ ɯƺ Əȸƺ ƏɯƏȸƺً ƬȒȸȸƺƬɎ ƏɎ Ɏǝƺ Ɏǣȅƺ Ȓǔ ǕȒǣȇǕ ɎȒ ȵȸƺɀɀِ IɖɎɖȸƺ ƬƏȇȇȒɎ ƏƬƬƺȵɎ Əȇɵ ȸƺɀȵȒȇɀǣƫǣǼǣɎɵ ǔȒȸ ƺȸȸȒȸɀ Ȓȸ ǣȇƏƬƬɖȸƏƬǣƺɀ ǣȇ ɀɖƬǝ ǣȇǔȒȸȅƏɎǣȒȇِ çȒɖ Əȸƺ ƏƳɮǣɀƺƳ ɎȒ ƬȒȇɎƏƬɎ ȅƏȇɖǔƏƬɎɖȸƺȸɀ ƏȇƳ ȸƺɎƏǣǼƺȸɀ ƳǣȸƺƬɎǼɵ ɯǣɎǝ ȸƺǕƏȸƳ ɎȒ Ɏǝƺ ȵȸǣƬƺ Ȓǔ ȵȸȒƳɖƬɎɀٖɀƺȸɮǣƬƺɀ ȸƺǔƺȸȸƺƳ ɎȒ ǣȇ Ɏǝǣɀ ȵɖƫǼǣƬƏɎǣȒȇِ ȵȵɀ ƏȇƳ ɯƺƫɀǣɎƺɀ ȅƺȇɎǣȒȇƺƳ ǣȇ Ɏǝǣɀ ȵɖƫǼǣƬƏɎǣȒȇ Əȸƺ ȇȒɎ ɖȇƳƺȸ Ȓɖȸ ƬȒȇɎȸȒǼِ áƺ Əȸƺ ȇȒɎ ȸƺɀȵȒȇɀǣƫǼƺ ǔȒȸ Ɏǝƺǣȸ ƬȒȇɎƺȇɎɀ Ȓȸ Əȇɵ ȒɎǝƺȸ ƬǝƏȇǕƺɀ Ȓȸ ɖȵƳƏɎƺɀ ɎȒ Ɏǝƺȅِ Áǝǣɀ ȅƏǕƏɿǣȇƺ ǣɀ ǔɖǼǼɵ ǣȇƳƺȵƺȇƳƺȇɎ ƏȇƳ ȇȒɎ ƏǔˡǼǣƏɎƺƳ ǣȇ Əȇɵ ɯƏɵ ɯǣɎǝ Ɏǝƺ ƬȒȅȵƏȇǣƺɀ ȅƺȇɎǣȒȇƺƳ ǝƺȸƺǣȇِ Xǔ ɵȒɖ ɀɖƫȅǣɎ ȅƏɎƺȸǣƏǼ ɎȒ ɖɀً ɵȒɖ ɯƏȸȸƏȇɎ ɎǝƏɎ ɵȒɖ Ȓɯȇ Ɏǝƺ ȅƏɎƺȸǣƏǼ ƏȇƳٖȒȸ ǝƏɮƺ Ɏǝƺ ȇƺƬƺɀɀƏȸɵ ȸǣǕǝɎɀٖȵƺȸȅǣɀɀǣȒȇɀ ɎȒ ɀɖȵȵǼɵ Ɏǝƺ ȅƏɎƺȸǣƏǼ ƏȇƳ ɵȒɖ ƏɖɎȒȅƏɎǣƬƏǼǼɵ ǕȸƏȇɎ IɖɎɖȸƺ ƏȇƳ ǣɎɀ ǼǣƬƺȇɀƺƺɀ Ə ǼǣƬƺȇƬƺ ɎȒ ȵɖƫǼǣɀǝ ɵȒɖȸ ɀɖƫȅǣɀɀǣȒȇ ǣȇ ɯǝȒǼƺ Ȓȸ ǣȇ ȵƏȸɎ ǣȇ ƏȇɵٖƏǼǼ ǣɀɀɖƺɀ ƏȇƳٖȒȸ ƺƳǣɎǣȒȇɀ Ȓǔ ȵɖƫǼǣƬƏɎǣȒȇɀً ǣȇ Əȇɵ ǔȒȸȅƏɎ ȵɖƫǼǣɀǝƺƳ ɯȒȸǼƳɯǣƳƺ ƏȇƳ Ȓȇ ƏɀɀȒƬǣƏɎƺƳ ɯƺƫɀǣɎƺɀً ɀȒƬǣƏǼ ȅƺƳǣƏ ƬǝƏȇȇƺǼɀ ƏȇƳ ƏɀɀȒƬǣƏɎƺƳ ȵȸȒƳɖƬɎɀِ ȇɵ ȅƏɎƺȸǣƏǼ ɵȒɖ ɀɖƫȅǣɎ ǣɀ ɀƺȇɎ ƏɎ ɵȒɖȸ Ȓɯȇ ȸǣɀǸ ƏȇƳً ƏǼɎǝȒɖǕǝ ƺɮƺȸɵ ƬƏȸƺ ǣɀ ɎƏǸƺȇً ȇƺǣɎǝƺȸ IɖɎɖȸƺ ȇȒȸ ǣɎɀ ƺȅȵǼȒɵƺƺɀً ƏǕƺȇɎɀً ɀɖƫƬȒȇɎȸƏƬɎȒȸɀ Ȓȸ ǼǣƬƺȇɀƺƺɀ ɀǝƏǼǼ ƫƺ ǼǣƏƫǼƺ ǔȒȸ ǼȒɀɀ Ȓȸ ƳƏȅƏǕƺِ áƺ Əɀɀɖȅƺ ƏǼǼ ɖȇɀȒǼǣƬǣɎƺƳ ȅƏɎƺȸǣƏǼ ǣɀ ǔȒȸ ȵɖƫǼǣƬƏɎǣȒȇ ɖȇǼƺɀɀ ȒɎǝƺȸɯǣɀƺ ɀɎƏɎƺƳً ƏȇƳ ȸƺɀƺȸɮƺ Ɏǝƺ ȸǣǕǝɎ ɎȒ ƺƳǣɎً ƏȅƺȇƳً ƏƳƏȵɎ ƏǼǼ ɀɖƫȅǣɀɀǣȒȇɀِ

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Fut ure p lc is a p ub lic com p any q uoted on t h e Lon d on Stock Exch an g e (sym b ol: FUTR) w w w.futureplc.com

Ch ief execut ive Zillah Byng-Thorne Non -execut ive ch airm an Richard Huntingford !ǝǣƺǔ ˡȇƏȇƬǣƏǼ ȒǔˡƬƺȸ Penny Ladkin-Brand Tel +44 (0)1225 442 244

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CIRCULATION Head of Newstrade Tim Mathers

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INSIDE

track

N E W S | S HOP PI N G | H E RO HOUS E | R E A L L I F E DINNER IS SERVED! If you want your Christmas table ranked ‘best dressed’ this year, it’s time to get your place setings ready. Whether you’re a matchy-matchy type or mix-it-up maverick, you don’t need to look further than your local supermarket for super-stylish yet pursefriendly options, like these glamorous designs from George Home. For maximum impact, layer up your table with generous helpings of twinkling fairy lights and add a dash of gorgeous greenery for a tasty table seting.

FEATURE ANNA MORLEY

Snow scene hi-ball glasses, £6 for two; Snow scene wine glasses, £7 for two; Etched dinnerware set, £25; Eucalyptus arrangement in botle, £10; Grey homemaker faux-fur sheepskin rug, £18; LED candles, £8 for three; Grey woven placemats, £3 for two, all George Home

Festive Finishes When it comes to Christmas, we go all out – and these George Home buys will add sparkle and cheer to everything

Wooden Christmas tree lights, £5

Star jug, £5 Sequin ‘Joy’ cushion, £8

Stag head ornament, £8

Merry Christmas hi-ball glasses, £5.40 for six

13

Out of this world

Rust star wreath, £15.50, Red Lilly

Cosmic craze Take one small step (or a giant leap) into outer space with the intergalactic homeware trend that’s got us starry-eyed. Celebrate all things celestial with ceramics, handbag essentials and tree decorations.

SHOPPING SECRETS FROM A HOME ST YLIST Laurie Davidson, @lifeofaninteriorstylist and co-host of @secretstylingclub on her decorating go-tos

Amaris paterned trinket dish, £10, John Lewis

Galactic cardholder, £12, Oliver Bonas

Favourite way to style a home for Christmas I like using fragrant fresh foliage.

I display it in a large vase, along with some twigs, and add lots of fairy lights for sparkle.

Hidden gems for greatvalue decorations Dunelm, HomeSense, Hema and Paperchase stock afordable buys.

Raj Tent Club has some real stand-out decorations.

Inexpensive ways to dress a Christmas table Put standard baubles in a bowl or cloche as a centrepiece – add micro lights et voila! Fairy lights are great in unused fireplaces, and on walls and shelves.

Starman vase, £58, Smithers of Stanford

star bright Light up your life as well as your outdoor space with this statement decoration. Hang the star on a fence or wall to bring a touch of festive spirit into the garden. There’s no chance of Santa missing the house with this beauty to light the way.

On my Christmas wishlist this year Gorgeous French linen bedding from Soak & Sleep My present wrapping tips Check out Pipii for lots of fab git wrap, tags and other unusual bits to decorate your presents.

Best shop for my style My home is a mix of Scandi and industrial. I love texture more than colour – I’m drawn to concrete, wood and stone. I’d say Rose & Grey, HomeSense or Cox & Cox. The next piece I want to get for my home A Mapiful customised map print.

Light-up star for indoor and outdoor use, available in two sizes, from £39.99; wooden star decoration, £2.99; seven-piece tealight set, £19.99, all Dobbies

Ones to watch for 2019 French Connection has added bedding for spring, and M&Co is expanding its homeware section with some great afordable buys.

14

Snowy Snowman plate and Festive Mr Fox plate, both from £36, Rory Dobner

Seasonal statement

FAMILY DAY OUT

How appetising would canapés look served on these quirky plates? The hand-drawn illustrations add a sense of sophisticated fun to the table or any entertaining space, and can be brought out year ater year as a household festive tradition.

GL AM SQUAD What do you give that fashionista or rock ‘n’ roller on your list?

How about one of these style-meetsfunction cuties? Not only are they bright and fun, they’ll keep that inconveniently closing door open. Result!

Frida Kahlo, Wonder Wendy, David Bowie and Karl Lagerfeld Wedgie door stops, £16 each, National Theatre Bookshop

festive £10 TROLLEY DASH Are you a last-minute, git-forgetting Christmas Eve shopper? We’ve rounded up a few present ideas to slip under the tree

Grey suedete hot water botle, £10, Sainsbury’s Home

Peony notebook set and pen, £8, Tesco Olympia Champagne saucer, £3, Morrisons

Alphabet tote bag, £5, Marks & Spencer

Botanica set of three votive candles, £5, Wilko

15

#SOREALHOMES

LaplandUK, 17 November to 24 December 2018, Ascot Berkshire.

Tickets from £49; laplanduk.co.uk LaplandUK is a four-hour immersive experience based on an original adaptation of the Father Christmas story. Enjoy a day of toy making, ice skating and a spot of gift shopping at Christmas HQ, topped off with a visit to Santa’s Grotto. This is an impressive memory-making event on an epic scale.

Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, 22 November 2018 to 6 January 2019, Hyde Park, London. Free entry; adult tickets for attractions from £8; hydeparkwinterwonderland.com Soak in the sights and sounds of this festive playground for all ages. With roller coasters, entertainment shows, an ice rink and circus, along with a special family entrance leading you straight into Santa Land, you’ll be ready for St Nick in no time.

PLANT CORNER THE GREEN-FINGERED SUBSCRIPTION BOX With the trend for subscription treats steadily growing (see page 126 for your Real Homes subscription), it’s no surprise to see that plants are now firmly on the postal menu.

Enter homegrown subscription service Bloombox Club, which brings unusual plants from around the world to your door.

In-depth plant care guides are available on their online hub, and plants can be delivered on a monthly or three-monthly basis

Book worm The Home Bar: The guide to designing, equipping and stocking your own bar, Henry Jeffreys (Gibbs Smith, £25) Raise your glass to this helpful guide, which not only has 30 recipes for cocktails and aperitifs from some of the world’s most innovative barmen, it’ll also help you create your own bespoke entertaining space at home. There’s advice on everything from best bar service to storing ice and cocktail makers.

Guaranteed to get everyone feeling shaken and stirred.

Indoor plant subscription, from £17, bloomboxclub.com

Nothing Else Matters unframed A3 print, £40, Nine By Nine

Do the Hustle beaded cushion, £95, Rocket St George

mini trend alert

say it with... words

Ban.dō This Will Be My Year 2019 diary, £30, Utility Design

A NEW TAKE

A4 I’ve So Got This slogan print, £3, Paperchase

Buck the tradition for a fir (or faux) tree with a modern spin on the idea. This metal silhouete tree is sleek and stylish with plenty of space for baubles, but it doesn’t shed needles and its branchless design means you won’t be struggling to find room for it. H160cm, £60, Cox & Cox

Inject some moto magic into someone’s wardrobe, desk and... well, anywhere!

Memorable phrases are bang on-trend, so give the git of motivation this year with a slogan-themed buy Winning at Life mug, £10, Oliver Bonas

Nothing But Kindness sweatshirt, £48, Smith Webb

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COSY UP WITH COX & COX You’ve wrapped the presents and ordered the food shop for Christmas Eve, but have you rewarded yourself for all your hard work? This month, we’re teaming up with Cox & Cox for our #sorealhomes competition to ofer five lucky winners a £100 voucher each to spend on a festive treat. All you need to do is show us a cosy corner of your home on Instagram.

Visit realhomes.com/sorealhomes to find out more.

Right Flat ratan occasional chair, £185; super chunky knit throw, £150; round ratan buterfly chair, £350; curly sheepskin, £175; ratan dome pendant, £90, all Cox & Cox

Want to win a prize of your own?

Keep an eye on our feed for our monthly competition

g n i d n e r t w #no Expert guides

With so much choice out there, from washing machines to broadband deals, making a purchase can be confusing.

We put hours of research into our buyers’ guides so you don’t have to. Left Archie armchair, £399, Atkin & Thyme.

Hygge Wild Fig Relax diffuser

by Mint Velvet, £22, John Lewis. realhomes.com/buying-guides

SLEEP EASY A matress is just a matress, right?

Wrong. Get the best night’s sleep of your life with our must-read guides, honest reviews and unmissable deals.

Herdysleep matress, from £649 for a single, Barker & Stonehouse. realhomes.com/tag/mattress

Not sure where to start with your Christmas shopping?

Whether you’re buying for a keen gardener, a tech lover or an awkward teen, we’ve done the hard work for you by compiling gift guides for every person in your life. You might find a few things for your own wishlist, too…

Christmas Silver dining room collection (right), Laura Ashley. Christmas tree gift bag (left), from £2.75, Paperchase. realhomes.com/ tag/gift-guides

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REALHOMES.COM

CHRISTMAS, SORTED

home truths

LISA DAWSON For many years, we have had a real tree, embarking on a family trip to the local tree farm to find the biggest, best and most perfect tree that it is possible to grow. Invariably, we’ll get home to discover it’s far too large for the space This is a question I ask myself every and end up having to reposition an year. October has barely ended and I’m entire room of furniture just to trawling Pinterest for ideas; by the first accommodate it. The problem, of week of November, I’m perusing Ebay course, that arises from erecting your for bargain paper decorations and my tree so early is that it’s completely dead colour scheme is set in stone. Previous by the big day. So last year, we threw years’ decorations are held up for caution to the wind and went full out assessment, X Factor-style, with only faux. Not just any faux, oh no, pre-lit, the best and most beautiful making seven-foot-high, four-foot-wide faux. it through audition stage to the finals.

A veritable King of Faux. It was glorious.

Those that don’t hit the right notes are Perfectly shaped, gleamingly green, its cast into the ‘Losers’ box and returned 500 bulbs lit up the bay window like a to garage storage. It’s hardcore. beacon and could be seen across fields The last week of November, festive from three miles away. I decorated it mania hits. The hallway bannister is with faux pink peonies and roses and laden with honeycomb, pom-poms and swathed it in chiffon eucalyptus – just ribbon – it was more negotiating the stairs ‘The kids are wedding cake than through the barrage sent to forage Christmas pudding but of paper jollity is a looked amazeballs. No feat worthy of Bear in the woods drooping and no needle Grylls. The kids are injuries. Winning. sent to forage in the for branches One of my favourite woods for branches things about the festive suitable for fairy light suitable for season is that it is festooning, the only absolutely essential to vaguely outdoorsy fairy light eat at least one mince activity they’ll have pie every day of the done all year (if you festooning’ month. It’s an actual don’t count building law. Every visit to the supermarket fortresses on Minecraft). And sees me throwing at least two boxes then, finally, the tree will go up. into the trolley with abandon. Party There is a method to my early food is another December rule in our decorating madness. One, the house. Saturday nights will see us Christmas season is a busy time on trialling the range of every supermarket Instagram – there are more trees than a across the country, a different one Finnish forest, and if your twinkle’s not every week. We’re brutal in our critique on fleek, you’re not in the game. And – mini toad in the hole, spring rolls, two, my daughter, Ella, has her birthday tempura prawns – no nibble is safe on 28 December. She’s never allowed from our marks-out-of-10 grading.

Joe and I to forget our inability to plan We know how to live in Yorkshire. conception on a date that would take So the answer to my question? into account the festive season and, as It’s never, ever, too early. Throw on such, we try and differentiate between your Christmas jumper, deck the the two joyous occasions by taking the halls, uncork the Cava, bring out the tree down the day after Boxing Day. mince pies and enjoy every moment Despite the fact that we are obviously of the best month of the year. not following the Twelve Days Of Happy Christmas everyone.

Christmas rule, I secretly quite like FOLLOW LISA @_lisa_dawson_ the fact we are needle free by the 27th.

PHOTOGRAPH KATIE LEE

When it comes to planning your Christmas décor, how early is too early?

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FEATURE ANNA MORLEY

style it now Get creative and spread festive cheer throughout your home with decs you’ve had a hand in

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r oo d r ou y D up LE ry g åla ate r n t i , S h, b £7 s at d, res wre erate a d y op Ike sb h a wit tm th .99, s a i e r wr s, £19 ch er r Ch t s Silv ligh esea i h D er R t E L nc s me Ca r o e c h l t we fea e , m r gn r o pa reath y l a s m u a w w f Ch leaf Ashle a em ur t s o s l t tal ura o s, me 0, La es c r u e 0 a w £2 h eg flo wit f Giv r o rio ay l e t p in dis or

MAKE IT Gather frosted mistletoe (let), £9 per stem, and green eucalyptus, £6.75 per stem, from Gisela Graham London and get arranging

WORK IT Learn the art of wreath making.

Look out for classes run by the National Trust, English Heritage or at garden centres, like Petersham Nurseries

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HANG IT Never mind a hastily bangedin nail, your handcrated wreath needs a hook worthy of it – such as this Antelope in copper finish, £30, Artisanti

REALHOMES.COM

ith h w er t a ig wre £7, T ores or t Do bles, en S u ba nhag pe Co

FEATURE ANNA MORLEY

With long, leisurely sessions round the dining table on the horizon, settle in with some fun festive luxuries for your chair

Mi lks in hake te al, kitc £2 he 75 n c , L ha oa ir f

Ma dd y £15 high g 0f or loss ap g air, rey c h Ha bit airs, at

STROKE IT Winter is coming and no words can describe how snug this faux fur mono rug/ throw looks, £30, Next

HUG IT Cuddle up to Santa with this cheery Christmas cushion, £6, George Home

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REALHOMES.COM

style it now

Ypperlig in/outdoor chair with armrests in green, £40, Ikea

in air ch ara m lta de 0, A om , £8 nd rd Vo usta m

Ho us e ch Doc air to ,£ rK 14 7, awa Nu ra nid ta n o

Don’t get caught out by a lack of chairs this Christmas. Make sure guests are cradled in comfort as they eat a delicious dinner and try to style out a paper hat

Kinship tuted chair, £125, Oliver Bonas

A A SE

T THE T A T LE

9 £39 irs, al’s a h is c r, He Lew r pai pe

270 d, £ s e r in nham irs e cha , Deb e ir on Rh r a pa fo

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Whistler dining chair in navy, £89, House by John Lewis

Hygena Beni fabric grey chairs, £139.99 for a pair, Argos

air ch nd ing ola din cko en Cu od 4, wo £16 rm al, Fo atur n in

Wi nd in g sor D rey oro , £8 thy 9, C din in ult Fur g cha nit ure ir

TIE IT Wooden chair too hard? Add this Paddy Christmas Red Star seat pad, then park it, £16, Ragged Rose

BLOCK Take your pick from these key Christmas trends and shop the look at your favourite high-street stores

LOVING COLOUR

MIDNIGHT GLAMOUR

i

Small silver light tree, £10, George Home

i

i

WINTRY WOODLAND

i

i

i

Rainbow decoration, £4, Marks & Spencer

Wooden house advent calendar, £17.99, New Look

Mat midnight blue ribbed bauble with oyster stripe, £3, Homebase

i Sapphire feather wreath, £30, John Lewis

i

Mini rainbow crackers, £6 for a box of six, Paperchase

Christmas print cushion cover, £6.99, H&M

Ombre sequin star tree topper, £8, M&Co

i

New buys on the

Silver and green foliage centrepiece, £35, Laura Ashley

i i

Multicolour pom-pom garland, £15, River Island

i Ceramic gold geo stag, £10, Wilko

FEATURE AMELIA SMITH

REALHOMES.COM

i

i

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Large standing lantern, £10, Primark

Kaemingk Imperial pine tree, £80; large festive llamas, £30; flocked pink penguin, £12; tree decorations, from £4; llama cushion, £20; Swoon London armchair, £449, all Debenhams

Lit star decoration, £30; large hand-decorated baubles, £14 for 12; shaker filled baubles, £8 for four, all Next

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6t snowy tree, £60; faux Winter’s Mist full wreath, £20; wire star light-up wreath, £12.50, all Sainsbury’s Home

Jingle bell rock By banishing the beige, Roxanne Hudson and Michael Biagioni have transformed a bland semi-detached house into a bold, edgy space that’s perfect for festive entertaining

Profile THE OWNERs Roxanne Hudson (@ourgreyhaven), an operations manager for Cow Vintage, her partner Michael Biagioni, a buyer for Sainsbury’s, and their dog, Monty THE PROPERTY A three-bedroom, 1980s semi-detached house in Leicester project COST £6,000

Buying a first home together is right up there as one of the most exciting (albeit expensive) things you’ll do in your life, giving you the chance to make your mark on a space that is finally your own. For Roxanne and Michael, picking up the keys to their new home was the start of a whirlwind DIY adventure that’s seen them completely transform the blank, beige walls of their 1980s semi into a dark grey haven that’s full of drama and character.

Since getting her hands on the three-bedroom home, Roxanne has worked her magic to give the space a sense of personality. Although the couple fell in love with the kitchen extension and open-plan layout, the lacklustre colour schemes did little to fire their imagination, and Roxanne couldn’t wait to whip out the paintbrushes. We’re not just talking the odd feature wall here and there, though: she’s gone all out with her edgy style, and now dark grey walls form the wow-factor backdrop to every room scheme.

Speaking to Roxanne, it’s clear she’s always been drawn to dark colours, and decorating the house in similar tones was a natural step. But don’t be fooled into thinking that dark means cold and boring. There’s a real warmth to the couple’s home, with each room flowing effortlessly into the next. Plus Roxanne is a clever shopper, mixing Scandi-inspired designs from Ikea and great-value homeware from the likes of Matalan and H&M with vintage buys, showing that a modest budget doesn’t have to limit your aspirations. If you’re daring enough to try something, it’s amazing what can be achieved with a can-do attitude and an eye for colour. As the couple gear up for Christmas, we couldn’t wait to get Roxanne’s advice for pulling together a successful scheme.

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WORDS BETH MURTON PHOTOGRAPHS RACHAEL SMITH STYLING ANNA MORLEY AND AMELIA SMITH

Why Roxanne’s home has grabbed our attention

REALHOMES.COM

Green sofa, Made.com. Carpet, Carpetright. Wall paint, Farrow & Ball. Rug, Covet. Side tables, Bailey’s Home and Oxfam. Cushions, Grey September, Next, House of Fraser, Zulucow and Covet.

Armchair, BoConcept. Mustard throw, MIZZknits. Shelves, Ikea. Table lamp, Loaf

Corner sofa, rug and picture shelves, all Ikea.

Pendant light, Habitat

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Over to roxanne...

‘

The kitchen was the room that sold the house to us as soon as we saw it online. We were living in Michael’s two-bedroom Victorian terraced house, but wanted to buy a home together. This one ticked of lots of things on our wishlist, such as a garden for Monty and an open-plan entertaining space, plus it didn’t need huge amounts of work.

The previous owners added the extension and we love how the vaulted ceiling and rooflights create such a feeling of height and light.

As soon as we walked in, we could imagine ourselves living here.

Although we’ve kept the original kitchen units, we’ve changed the look and feel of this room, painting the pale green walls dark grey to give it a more modern, funky edge.

We also updated the tiling in the kitchen, opting for black grouting for added impact. With the new corner sofa in place, we now spend most of our time in this space in the evening ater work, and we can’t wait to welcome family and friends here this Christmas.

TOP TIP Give your kitchen a more open feel by breaking up an expanse of wall units with several glazed cupboard doors

‘

REALHOMES.COM

Walls painted in Dinner Jacket, Valspar. Kitchen units and bar stool, Ikea. Wall tiles, Walls & Floors

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‘

Even though we haven’t changed the layout in the house or added any additional space, it feels like a completely diferent property to the one we bought. We painted four rooms within the first week of moving in – I was on a mission! I’ve learned a great deal in the last year, such as the importance of finding your core style, sticking to what you like and not geting distracted by what someone else has done.

I originally went for a navy and white scheme in the living room, but it didn’t feel cosy enough so the white walls soon became grey in here too.

This tends to be our quiet room, and it’s also the space I escape to when Michael has his Lads’ Tuesday nights in the kitchen.

When it comes to buying things for the house, Ikea is usually my first port of call. I’m always in there!

Sometimes I pop in for a quick look round to get some new accessories to change up a room scheme, other times I’ll make a long list and go on a big shopping spree, but I always find something I love.

‘

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Walls painted in Thunder Cloud and Silver Tarnish, both Valspar. Sofa, mirror, rug, all Ikea. Ladder, Søstrene Green. Vintage sideboard, local charity shop. Royal Blue Spruce Artificial pre-lit 6t tree, Balsam Hill.

Shaterproof baubles, Homebase.

Paper decorations, Talking Tables.

Gold disco ball, Rocket St George.

Wrapping paper, Cox & Cox. Star tree decoration, Cancer Research.

Noel neon light, Lights4fun

TOP TIP

REALHOMES.COM

Want to create a modern focal point?

Try painting your fireplace surround in the same bold colour as your walls

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‘

I originally joined Instagram to look for inspiration for my home, and I love that it’s a great source of ideas, whatever your budget. Seeing how other people decorated with dark colours gave me the confidence to really go for it in my own house.

I could see that it was possible to have a grey scheme without making the house feel dark and unwelcoming. I find it funny that I’ve ended up decorating how I dress, so a combination of grey, black and white with odd pops of bright colour to add interest.

It’s amazing how a couple of coats of paint can transform anything – even the wooden Ikea table has had a grey makeover. I primed the surface and then painted over the pale wood, and it now works beter with the rest of the scheme.

TOP TIP Panelling is great as an alternative covering for walls, particularly painted a bold colour, and it’s a job you can try tackling yourself

‘

Walls painted in Pewter Medallion, Valspar. Table, pendant light, metal unit and plant stand, Ikea.

Chairs, Ebay. Pendant (over table), Aldi. Sideboard, charity shop. Rug, H&M. I Never Read print, King & McGaw. Paper decorations and disco ball, Talking Tables. Gold disco ball, Rocket St George. Fairy lights and neon lights, Lights4fun.

Brush mini trees, wrapping paper and crackers, all Cox & Cox

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E SS – R D I W O H D E T D E CO R A E ’V I T A H T Y N ‘I F I N D I T F U N A CO M B I N AT I O N O F G R E Y, B L AC K

LO UR ’

REALHOMES.COM

CO AN D W HI TE W IT H OD D PO PS OF BR IG HT

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CO R E R U O Y G N I D N I NCE OF F A T R O P M I E H T ‘I ’V E L E A R N E D S T Y L E , A N D N OT GET TING DISTRA CTED

BY W HAT SO M EO NE EL SE HA S DO NE ’

‘

There’s not enough room for all my clothes in the master bedroom so I’ve turned this spare bedroom into a dressing room, and it’s very much my space. We ripped up the carpets and painted the floorboards to suit the monochrome scheme, and a simple chest of drawers doubles up as a handy dressing table.

The hanging storage is actually stationary storage, but my moto is that it doesn’t mater what it was originally designed for if it works in your space.

‘

Chest of drawers, mirror, hanging storage, all Ikea. Hanging planter, Matalan. Mr Fox wallpaper, Scion.

Pompom garland, ItsDaPom on Etsy

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‘

Our bedroom was the first room we tackled when we bought the house as we wanted to have one room finished where we could unwind at the end of a busy day. I originally went for a dark red wall, but it jarred with the rest of the house once I’d decorated the other rooms and it didn’t feel particularly restful. We’ve simply painted over the original wallpaper on the back wall and I quite like how in certain lights you can still see a hint of the patern through the paint. We haven’t had a huge budget to update this house, so we’ve had to be clever with some of our furniture choices. I’d always wanted this Ikea bed, but it was no longer available and I couldn’t find anything similar for the same price.

Ater an online search, however, I managed to find the Ikea one for even less than its original price.

We’ve also updated basic wardrobes by painting them the same colour as the walls. Go for furniture in a shape and style that suits your room, and prety much anything can be repainted to match the scheme.

TOP TIP Inexpensive picture ledges make it easier to chop and change your artwork displays for a simple update to your scheme

‘

REALHOMES.COM

Walls painted in Dinner Jacket and Callisto, both Valspar. Ikea bed, Gumtree. Bedding, Ikea. Faux Eucalyptus stems, Wyld Home.

Fairy lights, Lights4fun

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‘ ‘

Bedroom space is something we had to compromise on in this house, but it works fine for us for now and it was worth it to get the large kitchen-diner we wanted.

There’s just about enough space in this guest room for a double bed, but I quite like the fact that it has such a cosy feel.

‘

TOP TIP Realistic-looking wallpapers and murals can give an urban efect without having to strip a wall back to the plaster or brick

Bed, Ikea. Large wall calendar, Stendig Calendars

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‘ ‘

Our original plan was to gut this room and fit a brand new bathroom, but we soon realised it was going to be too expensive and we struggled to find someone who could do the work for us.

A downside to being one of the first in our group of friends to take on a project like this means that we don’t have anyone to ask for recommendations on tradespeople they’ve used. For now, we’ve given the existing fitings a makeover until we feel confident enough to take on a bigger redesign. Painting the wall, toilet cistern and sink surround has updated the space, and we’ve covered the dark paint with a clear sealant to prevent it peeling in the humidity. We’ve also used a black grout pen on top of the white grouting to give the tiles a more modern, industrial vibe.

‘

Bath bridge, Dunelm. Bath mat, monochrome shower curtain and baskets, H&M

‘

Wallpaper Lucy Tifney, 07580 346759, and Neisha Paintlucytifneyshop.com, Valspar 0344 736 9174 Crosland, 020 7657 1150, valsparpaint.co.uk neishacrosland.com Kitchen Ikea, Made.com, 020 3645Velvet 0000,sofa ikea.co.uk 1888, made.com Wall tiles 0344 Walls257 & Floors, 01536 Accessories Rocket St George, 314 730, wallsandfloors.co.uk 01444 253391, rocketstgeorge.co.uk Furniture and rugs Covet, 01943 603439, covetshop.net

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REALHOMES.COM

Contacts Contacts

E T A B E D G I B E TH ARE REAL TREES BETTER THAN FAKE?

tree is never perfect.

‘I love the smell and the ambience; it gives your home a lovely feeling’

“

If it was real it’d start losing its needles, going brown and I’d be constantly cleaning underneath it. I don’t want my tree to look half dead by 25 December

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REALHOMES.COM

Blogger Kimberly Duran (swoonworthy.co.uk) shares a home in Shrewsbury with partner Wayne, a dog and two cats.

‘Ever since I’ve started putting trees up in my home, they’ve been fake. We have a seven-foot artificial tree that is flocked and pre-lit. No one is going to think it’s snowed in my house, but it looks so pretty and really makes the baubles stand out.

‘We don’t have kids so there isn’t the ritual of finding a tree and decorating it as a family. My partner knows to stay away as I want it to look how I want it. Remember Monica from Friends when she let them decorate the tree and then she turned it around and it was perfectly decorated?

That is how I am. For me, a natural tree is never perfect. There are big gaps. I need symmetry because I want it to look Monica perfect.

‘One of the reasons I like artificial is that there’s so much less mess. I get the tree up by the first of December. If it was real, it’d start losing its needles, going a bit brown and I’d be constantly cleaning underneath it. I don’t want my tree to look half dead by 25 December.

‘I had my previous tree for eight years, and the one I’ve got now for four years; economically, artificial makes sense. If you buy a good one, they last quite a long time. I’ve got cats who climb up inside of it and it’s still going strong.

‘It’s also one thing less for me to think about.

I don’t need the hassle of going out and buying one. I get it down from the loft and it’s ticked off my list. And I’ve seen pictures where they’ve taken the real tree out at the end of the holidays and have a rug of needles on the floor all the way to the door. I am so glad I don’t have to do that!’

SHARE PHOTOS OF YOUR DECORATED TREES USING #SOREALHOMES

I need symmetry’

YES

WORDS ALISON JONES

‘For me, a natural There are big gaps.

The Christmas tree is the epicentre of the festive decorations, but do you go natural or faux? Two fans of each say why they prefer man-made or forest grown

Lisa Smith lives with husband Stu and their three children in Wolverhampton, and choosing a real tree is a Christmas tradition.

‘I don’t really like artificial trees. I love the smell of a real one and the whole ambience of it; it just gives your home such a lovely feeling. We don’t buy it until mid-December so it will last through until the New Year, and we’ll get a door wreath at the same time. We get the kind of tree that doesn’t drop its needles.

‘The kids start asking in November when we are going to get it. It is a big family affair. We all put our wellies on and go down to Langley Hall Farm and pick one. Last year it snowed and the children were having snowball fights. Sometimes we’ll put them through the tree-netting tube, too! We see lots of other people we know choosing theirs. And a tree is planted for each one cut, which is good for the environment as they absorb harmful gases and release oxygen. I bought a potted one once and put it in the garden afterwards – it’s 12-foot tall now. This year, I am putting lights on that, too.

We put the tree in the bay window so it can be seen from outside, and decorating it is a family tradition. The tree stays up until New Year’s Day, and when it’s been taken out for recycling, I’ll light scented candles instead.

‘When I was young, we had real trees and I have such memories of those. To me, it smells like Christmas.’

NO

‘I was about to pop the potatoes in the oven when there was a huge

WORDS ELLEN FINCH IMAGE GETTY

From dire family dinners to interfering in-laws, Christmas can be trying to say the least.

Three readers share the funny festive moments that have stayed with them the most...

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Rachel Mackay lives in Bedfordshire with her husband, Russell, and their children Daisy, five, and Stan, 11 months ‘Before we had the kids, Russell and I moved back in with my parents for 14 months while we set about renovating our house. We started in September 2010 and moved back in just in time for Christmas the year after. To celebrate our first Christmas at home, we decided to host dinner. I was so excited to “do Christmas” for the first time – it felt so grown up.

‘Despite the fact that our kitchen was tiny – so small that we ate at the worktop – preparations went well. The turkey was cooked and I was about to pop the potatoes in the oven when there was a huge bang and all the electricity cut out. When we turned it back on, we discovered that the oven had blown up.

‘Typically, it was at the critical moment when everything needed to go in – the roasties, the pigs in blankets. I had a complete meltdown and started wailing “Christmas is ruined!” but Russell was brilliant and completely took charge. His parents were away, so he packed me off to their house with piles of foil-lined trays to use their oven while my mum stayed and cooked the vegetables on our hob.

‘Afterwards, I had a battle with the company to get them to replace the oven. I essentially walked into the shop, cried and told them they ruined Christmas. But in reality, we had a good time in the end. Like my dad said, you don’t remember the Christmases where nothing happened – and we’ve got a great story to tell.’

REALHOMES.COM

“ ”

THE CHRISTMAS DISASTER WE’LL NEVER FORGET

bang and the electricity cut out’

‘I thought about all the other jobs I could have been doing instead of being stuck in the loft’ Zarah McLeod, a hospice nurse, lives in Stewartson, Ayrshire, with her husband John, who works for a student loans company, and their children Corey, 25, Jay, 23, Lola, four, and Beau, one ‘On my day off while the boys were at school one December, I decided to surprise them by fetching the tree down from the loft to set it up for when they got home. I grabbed the ladders and climbed up, but as I pulled myself up into the room, I accidentally kicked them. They collapsed, leaving me trapped with no phone and no one in the house to help.

‘I managed to get the decorations down, but for the next four hours I was stuck waiting for the boys to get back from school. While I was there, I had a rummage around in all the boxes we had up there. I spent hours reminiscing over old photo albums, and I even found a box of old Halloween costumes. For the rest of the time, I sat and waited, thinking about all the other jobs I could have been doing on my day off instead of being stuck up there.

‘When the boys came home, I shouted, “Get up the stairs. Hurry up!” I think they were a bit worried until they saw me – then they just laughed. John told me I wasn’t allowed to use the ladders ever again. True to his word, we now keep the decorations in the garage for easy access, and I haven’t been up in the loft since.

‘It wasn’t all a waste of time, though. I found a beautiful fairy that my mum, who has since passed away, bought years and years ago. We thought we’d lost it in the last house move, but it’s been on top of our tree every year since. It’s almost like I was supposed to get stuck up there – something good came out of it after all.’

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‘The cork lew out, hit the ceiling, bounced off one wall and onto another, then hit Dad square in the eye’ Charlotte Clapham and her husband Sean, who both run a construction company, live in Twickenham with daughters Holly, 22, and Ella, 19 ‘Our most memorable Christmas moment was from back in the 1980s.

My dad, stepmum, brother, sister and I were sitting around the dinner table after having an argument. Everyone was quiet, so my dad decided to open a bottle of Champagne to cheer us up.

‘He picked it up and held it at an angle. The cork flew out, hit the ceiling, bounced off one wall and onto another wall, then hit my dad square in the eye. I remember it like it was yesterday – our eyes followed it as it flew across the room. It felt like it was in slow motion.

‘When Dad looked up, he had a perfectly round ring around his eye and you could see where the end of the cork had imprinted onto his face. We were all roaring with laughter. Luckily it missed his eyeball so he wasn’t hurt, but no one cared anyway – we’re a family that laughs everything off.

If you want sympathy, you’re in the wrong place!

‘The stresses of Christmas Day just melted away and it instantly lightened the mood. People never believe us when we tell them, but the cork had so much speed we thought it would never stop. The story comes out every Christmas now. Whenever Dad tells it, he embellishes it with an extra wall or something. It’s a running joke – every time he opens a bottle of Champagne, we all duck.’

STYLE

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D E C O I D E A S | T R E N D WAT C H | E A S Y U P D AT E S THE LIVING WREATH

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FEATURE AMELIA SMITH

Mini succulents, from £1.99 each; alpine plants, from £2.49 each; oasis ring, £6.99; florist’s wire, £3.99, all Dobbies

SHARE YOUR FESTIVE MAKES ON INSTAGRAM USING #SOREALHOMES

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Here at Real Homes, we love a succulent or two on our desks, so we’re excited about giving our favourite on-trend greenery a festive makeover.

Plant your own door wreath (succulents for indoors, alpines for outdoors) and give a traditional decoration a contemporary twist. You just know there’s a stylish home waiting behind this door!

You’ll need Q 12 alpine/succulent plants (5-9cm pot sizes) Q moss Q oasis ring Q florist’s wire Q pins (available from Dobbies) What to do... 1 Soak the moss in water and cover the oasis ring completely 2 Place the plants into the oasis ring, alternating types and securing with pins 3 Add extra pins, ensuring they’re pushed firmly into the moss, soil and foam so everything stays in place 4 Wrap florist’s wire around the wreath to make it extra secure 5 Add finishing touches, such as pine cones or red berries 6 Leave flat for four weeks so the plants and roots can setle into place 7 Use a misting spray if and when required to keep plants looking fresh

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FEAST OF COLOUR

FEATURE ANNA MORLEY AND EMILY SMITH

SOPHISTICATED STYLING Bursting into fashion, homewares and now your Christmas scheme, is this not-so-subtle more is more, colour-wow look. You can create stunning ombre efects by hanging decorations in shade groups and fading through. Since this is look ‘a la mode’ there are also plenty rainbow-themed designs at your fingertips to try, too. So prepare to razzle dazzle guests with a plethora of overflowing hues that’ll bring some extra seasonal cheer.

A selection of mat and shiny coloured baubles, from £2; wrap, tags and ribbon, from £2; Kensington pre-lit Christmas tree, from £149, Belgrave large three-seater metal-leg sofa in Harriet mustard, £1,899, all John Lewis

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REALHOMES.COM

Paint the whole world with a rainbow this Christmas. You can pick a bright signature shade in each room for your decs, choose graduating hues or go for the full spectrum with a cascade of colour...

Christmas truck, £4.99, Dobbies

Jul candle, £29, Ross & Brown

Alessi bark steel red Christmas tree, £88, Black By Design

Ho Ho Ho garland, £27.50, White Stuf

Twine twisted bauble, £1.50, Wyevale Garden Centres

Red apple decoration assortment, £2, Sainsbury’s Home

Sequin detail red bauble, £1, B&Q Post box tree decoration, £7, Laura Ashley

Nordic red metal hanging heart, £4, The Nordic Fashion House

Lollipop tree decoration, £2, Wilko Santa gliter bauble, £3, Dunelm

Flamingo tree decoration, £4, Marks & Spencer

Happy Christmas matches botle, £9.95, Annabel James Glass macaron, £1.50, George Home

Rainbow lips ornament, £8, River Island Popcorn tree decoration, £12 Yonder

Wolf ceramic decoration, £7.50, Oliver Bonas Hanging single pink donut, £1.50, Primark

Clip mushroom bauble, £4.99 for three, HomeSense

Sequin Glam Rock shoe decoration, £29, Jan Constantine

Copper and marble design crackers, £10 for a set of six, Debenhams

London red telephone box glass decoration, £5, Natural History Museum

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Rose gold tassel garland, £5.99, Ginger Ray Ice Cream Christmas hanging decoration, £1, Poundland

Glass unicorn head, £6, Paperchase Christmas cracker candle, £12.95, Peppermint Grove

Wooden Nutcracker Soldiers, £24.99 for a set of two, Very

Christmas Flamingo greeting card, £3, Chase & Wonder

Pink hundreds & thousands bauble, £6, River Island

Embroidered tiger decoration, £12.50, V&A

Gisela Graham mat gold leopard print baubles, £10 for a set of two, Amara

Pink microphone bauble, £3.99, TK Maxx

Roca plastic bauble, £8 for a set of six diferent colours, Habitat

Opaque red glass bauble with gold trellis, £4.20, Gisela Graham

Yellow soap bubble glass bauble, £14, Petersham Nurseries

Gold leather string, £4, Papermash

Bungalow DK glass icicle dome decoration in antique gold, £18.75, Printer & Tailor

Gold five-point star, £7, Tate Shop

Gold feathers, £3 for a set of three, Sainsbury’s Home

Gold gliter Merry Christmas wooden bunting, £6.99, Ginger Ray

Gold hanging paper star DIY decorations, £7.95, Luck & Luck

Large painted glass Christmas panther bauble, £11.95, Lime Lace

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REALHOMES.COM

Gold beaded sequin bauble, £5, John Lewis

Gisela Graham assorted velvet jewelled baubles, £18 for a set of three, Amara

Prince glass decoration, £14, Rocket St George

Bead bauble, £15 for a pack of six colours, Debenhams

Gliter moulded peacock decoration, £6, Natural History Museum

Embroidered bauble decoration, £12, V&A

Glass rainbow tree decoration, £5, The Contemporary Home

Glass iridescent diamond bauble, £5, Wyevale Garden Centres

Feather-topped bauble, £2.50, Wyevale Garden Centres

Brussel sprout decoration, £3.90, Gisela Graham

Rainbow gliter bow, £1.50, Paperchase

Christmas git box, £1, Poundland

Bright green large bauble, £8, River Island

Brussel sprout Christmas wreath, £20, The Contemporary Home

Gin botle hanging decoration, £5, White Stuf

Christmas tree metal decoration, £2.95, Rex London

Purple sequin bauble, £4, M&Co

Anngarsk plastic bauble, £5 for a set of four colours, Habitat Sequin Christmas palm tree decoration, £29, Jan Constantine

Foliage lit wreath, £55, Laura Ashley

Ombre green botle brush tree, £7.50, Paperchase

Green holly tinsel, £5, M&Co Mistletoe garland, £14.99, Lights4fun

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amara Blame it on the dog cushion, £12, Next

Foliage candle holder, £15, Sainsbury’s Home

Tropical fiesta clip on hummingbird in green and blue, £4 each, Talking Tables

Blue fish bauble, £4.99, HomeSense

Teal rustic baubles, £22 for six, Marquis & Dawe Glass dinosaur, £3, George Home

Christmas fir washi tape, £3.50, Papermash

The Wentworth Christmas sack, £17, The Handmade Christmas Co

Peacock tree decorations, £9.99 for three, Very

Hanging whale decoration, £6, Debenhams

Pine cones luxury Christmas crackers, £34.95 for six, Annabel James

Rainbow toucan bauble, £8, John Lewis Bright stars baubles, £6, for four, Marks & Spencer Ceramic star, £5, Oliver Bonas

Blue mat white spot print bauble, £1, B&Q

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Space-themed glass hanging decoration, £17.95 for a set of three, Lime Lace

Cowhide candle, from £14, French Connection Frosted pine cone bauble, 75p, George Home

Krat Christmas mini storage git box, £3.95, Luck & Luck

Golden antlered reindeer decorations, from £4.25, Red Lilly

Dritwood wreath, £12, The Contemporary Home

Dog Christmas hanging decoration, £1, Poundland

Gisela Graham reindeer advent calendar decoration, £29.99, Very

Ombre copper glitered leaf baubles, £18.50 for six, Cox & Cox I

Silver sequin and beaded tear drop glass bauble, £10.95, Annabel James

Porcelain Christmas pudding decoration, £12, Made by Hand Online

White multifaceted crown top bauble, £4, Homebase

Copper acorn baubles, £22 for a set of six, Marquis & Dawe

Wooden Christmas tree decoration, £2.99, Dobbies

Jet Robot Marvin tree decoration, £8, John Lewis

A by Amara Ice Twig wreath, £140, Amara

Gentlemen stag glass bauble, £18, Petersham Nurseries

Moomin Winter Magic mug, £12, Nordic Mood

7t white regal fir tree, £79.99, Very Felt skull decorations, £12, V&A

Silver tinselfilled bauble, £2, Dunelm

Christmas car decoration, £4.95, Idyll Home

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Pearlescent baubles, £9.99 for three, Lights4fun

Vinter decoration, £4.50 for a set of four, Ikea

Diamond pearlescent gliter bauble, £1, B&Q Zebra with wreath, £5, Paperchase

Snow Berry bouquet, £12.75, The Farthing

White ceramic Christmas tree, £45, Marquis & Dawe

Three wick candle, £4.50, Primark

Sausage dog hanging decoration, £4, Dunelm

Coco Blue Design personalised Christmas banner, £10, Etsy

Jet marbleefect bauble, £6, John Lewis

LED light-up forest dome, £25, Marquis & Dawe Christmas velvet sequin cheetah stocking, £55, Jan Constantine

Clear gliter baubles by The Original Winters Tale, from £6, Heal’s

Navy Blue wooden decoration, £1.95, Rex London Glass igloo decoration, £8, Yonder

Stag rustic hanging decoration, £8, M&Co Cleo glass bauble, £12 for two, Habitat

Katie Leamon Christmas tree crackers, £45 for six, Amara

Handmade modernist bird decoration, £12, The Shop Floor Project

Katie Leamon monochrome luxury crackers, £40 for a set of six, White Black Grey

Black and white baubles, £16 for a set of four mixed designs, Debenhams

Mandle scented candle, £35, The Luxe Candle Co

Bah Humbug Christmas card, £3, Chase & Wonder

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RENTERS’ CORNER

Easy update Quick and clever ideas to give any space an instant hit of style and personality

STYLING AMELIA SMITH AND ANNA MORLEY PHOTOGRAPH RACHAEL SMITH

Ready to turn your home into the party hub of the festive season? A dedicated bar area is easier to create than you think, and makes keeping everyone topped up a pleasure. If you can’t splash out on a brand new beauty, look out for a vintage trolley on Ebay or in local second-hand shops, and give it a glamorous new look with a coat of metallic spray paint (try Rustoleum for a range of colours). For the ultimate flexibility, go for a design on wheels, so your drinks station can always be the talking point in whichever room takes your fancy. You really will be the glamorous hostess with the mostest.

Top shelf One Gin, £42 for 70cl, John Lewis. Gold Coco bowl, £12, Nom Living. Lyric martini glass, £8 for a set of four, George Home.

Boja gold foil decanter, £26, Oliver Bonas. BarCrat six-piece brass-finish cocktail set, £29.99, Lakeland Middle shelf 5A Fith Avenue gold run Champagne saucers, £18 for four, Dunelm. Boja gold foil Champagne flutes, £32 for four, Oliver Bonas.

Jewel-coloured tumblers, £55 for six, Rocket St George. Star by Julien Macdonald mixed lustre flute glasses, £24 for four, Debenhams Bottom shelf LSA International Utility blown glass jug in sapphire, £30; Pols Poten colour and white stripe tumblers, £50 for six; LSA International Utility blown highball glass in amber, £26, all Amara. Pineapple sculpture, £39, JD Williams. OK gold hand ornament, £19; large gold disco ball decoration, £27.99, both Rocket St George. Gold luxe round bar trolley, £228, Audenza. Red Arizona cactus, £295, Wyld Home

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FIVE WAYS…

Women’s llama Christmas jumper, £12, Primark

you know that Christmas is just round the corner

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Soap dispenser, £2.99, Cancer Research

Red snowflake print duvet set, £12 for a double, George Home

christmas, everywhere

FEATURE AMELIA SMITH

The festive spirit has taken over and you’ve invited every man and his dog round to yours, because the more the merrier, right? You’re either thanking your lucky stars you went for an extendable table, or wishing that you did.

And don’t even ask about dining chairs.

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Autumn Leaves tablecloth, £35; Crot Collection Clyde brass trim ceiling pendant, £130; 7t highland pine tree, £199; faux-fur tree skirt, £50; acacia wood and bark placemat, £18; copper bauble garland, £35, all John Lewis

Jingle Bells unisex Christmas jumper, £32, Not on the High Street

fashion forward You turn your nose up at the first sight of a Christmas jumper, but you know you’ll be rocking a garish Rudolph or happy snowman by Christmas Day.

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Normal everyday household items are banished – only the seasonal version of everything will do! Because if we don’t see something festive at every turn, we might forget it’s Christmas...

Shaped trees doormat, £10, Next

making room

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Deluxe western 7t pine tree with LEDs, £99; ratan LED cone, from £6; ratan LED deer, £13; gliter ratan LED snowman, £13; ratan light-up sleigh, £20; ratan LED parcel, from £6, all Dunelm

let there be lights One string of lights in the garden doesn’t cut the mustard.

You start with a simple wreath, but after seeing your neighbours’ twinkly set-ups, one light-up reindeer just leads to another, until you have a full-on festive scene adorning your front door.

You say it’s for the kids, but you love it really.

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Now That’s What I Call Christmas box set, £7.99; White Christmas 2018 Christmas music creeps Christmas Classics Hits, £14.99, Amazon into every section of

jingle bells...

your day: the TV, the car, the office, the supermarket. Are you a Scrooge if you admit you’re already sick of the constant jingles?

COLOUR TREND

WORDS ANNA MORLEY

Bold, rich and charming – sounds like an online dating bio, but choosing red tones is a sure way to warm up a room.

With its atentionseeking palete and deep tones, use a litle to add punch or go all-out for drama on large pieces of furniture pieces or entire walls.

Style with contrasting green, using accessories and house plants, and touches of gold to bring the look alive.

Winter berries Get a crush on crimson tones this season with some fruity hues

Reverso glass vase, £50; Tiger Face vase, £30; Laranja paterned vase, £35; Reef glass vase, £40; Grant vase, £55; Buzz vase, £35; Andreas hand-stitched cushion, £70, and Flounce shaggy rug, £450, all Habitat t fla n , o ti n , on 45 lsi lec row at l ,£ u n o m C m C io ll e x e d trs, nc lu uls Ba at xt rio 2.5l O Du m & e m t e , e s P r w e se , N o ur ltrs at ro lum 50 f Ro ltrs st Far y B 2.5 P r e e . r , 5 t r 1 u . e er ltrs lve £2 lb 6 fo tiq r 2 az Ve at, An 0 fo Mu 7.5 Bl r 2.5 m £2 £2 fo

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TOP TIP

Guest

( BE READY FOR THAT SURPRISE VISITOR. NO, NOT SANTA)

BEDROOM Friends and family descending for Christmas? Panic not with our guide to creating a hotel-style retreat – or at least ensuring guests don’t wind up kipping on the floor

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‘Martha Stewart’ and prepare a welcome box loaded with spare toiletries, glossy magazines and your WiFi password.

House already brimming with full-time occupants?

There are plenty of ways to squeeze in extra bodies. A sofa bed in the living room is ideal. A decent air bed – buy the best you can afford – can prove surprisingly comfortable, too. Stock up on earplugs and eye masks for guests bedding down in rooms that are not designed for sleeping, particularly if they are likely to be disturbed by small children in the early hours. Being upfront about the sleeping conditions beforehand will help manage guest’s expectations, or give them the opportunity to politely make their excuses…

For hosting more regularly, a cabin in the garden (with easy access to your downstairs loo) will let visitors come and go under their own steam. As long as it’s not intended for permanent residence or letting, and your home isn’t listed, a single-storey garden room can usually be built without planning permission. Wherever you accommodate guests this so-called ‘holiday’ season, keep your stress levels down and avoid any awkward moments by establishing a clear exit date in advance. Let’s be honest, it is great to see guests come, but it’s also pretty nice to see them go...

hoever called Christmas a ‘holiday’ has never hosted a house full of guests. Yes, it’s lots of fun, especially when the wine starts flowing.

But unless you have staff, the extra housework involved can leave you feeling pretty bah humbug at the prospect. Do yourself a massive favour by starting early and tackling the preparation in small, manageable stages.

Guest bedrooms often fall off the weekly (ahem, fortnightly) cleaning schedule. Shut the door and all is forgotten. Then there is the ‘dumping ground’ factor.

Piles of ironing (to do, obvs), off-season clothes and bags of who-knows-what waiting to go in the loft – yup, it’s all in there. Brace yourself and muck everything out, ideally in November. Once you’ve recovered, and can see the floor again, open the windows and go in for a deep clean.

Redecorating throughout is a bit extreme (unless it’s already on the cards, of course) but giving one feature wall a lick of paint can make the whole space feel fresher and more welcoming. Use Tesa Low Tack masking tape to achieve a neat paint line between old and new. Make the room as cosy as possible with low-level lighting, lots of cushions and soft, freshly-laundered towels. If you really want to impress, go full

first impressions

love this

Haze sofa bed in grey, £599, Dreams

Klipsk bed tray in turquoise, £8.50, Ikea

Geo fleece throw, £6, Matalan

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Adiah black and gold table lamp, £60, Habitat

The Barisieur tea and cofee-making alarm clock, £345, Barisieur

WORDS LINDA CLAYTON

From snuggly throws to breakfast in bed options, a few luxury touches will secure your reputation as the hostess with the mostest

Nothing says ‘Welcome to our home’ more than a festively decorated bedroom and, happily, it only takes a few strings of stylish paper pom-poms (try Etsy for some) to get guests in the Christmas spirit. A cinnamon-spiced candle will help set the mood, or try oil infusers if you worry about people forgeting to put them out before bedtime.

Jasmine sofa bed in Duck Egg, £799.54; Jasmine chair in Bamboo Spice fabric, £349.22; Bevel small bookcase, £299.57, Oak Furniture Land

If you’re short on spare bedrooms, it could be worth upgrading to a sofa bed for the living room or study. Look for one with a good quality, deep matress that will support your body weight without dipping in the middle. It’s worth doing a bounce test to check how smoothly the bed pulls out before you buy. And assess comfort levels when in sofa mode in case they veer towards the firm/ lumpy side.

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Wow guests with the sheer multi-tasking magic of a bedin-a-box. Designed to look like a regular unassuming otoman, these space-saving shape shiters pull out into a single bed. Perhaps a litle snug for a fully-grown adult, but they’re perfect for a teen or child’s sleepover. And in closed mode, you’ll have a handy extra seat.

Acres of closet space may not be a priority for guests staying one or two days, but don’t underestimate your spare bedroom’s storage potential for full-time residents. A wall of fited wardrobes can house of-season coats and jackets, formal clothes at risk of geting crushed in an everyday wardrobe, and spare bedlinen. Keep cashmere safe from moths and silverfish by enclosing in an airtight container with a few moth balls – Lakeland has a variety of moth-murdering options.

Betsy compact bed-in-a-box, £480, Arlo & Jacob

5 things...

you’ll only know when guests are in residence

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The importance of nun-worthy PJs. Yes, you can run the gauntlet of a midnight loo dash in the buf, but you’ll never live it down if Uncle Pete catches you en route.

Why you really should have hired that handyman to sort out those creaky floorboards.

Children sleeping in unfamiliar surroundings wake up at the slightest furtive squeak.

Where the immersion switch lives. It’s behind the hot water tank. Turn it on. Don’t turn it of until they leave.

Dito the bathroom extractor fan, the ketle and the WiFi router.

The full-body, mind-bending exhaustion of entertaining 24/7.

Yet you are mainly siting around chating, taking a few wholesome walks (to the pub), eating, drinking… it makes no sense.

There can never be too much wine.

Buy it, buy it all.

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Colosseum 5G Clic block print luxury vinyl tiles, £33.99 m2, Lifestyle Floors.

For sliding barn door track kits, try Buller. Try WoolArtDesign at Etsy for a big knit wool throw

Guest bedrooms are oten the last room in the house to make the new carpet list, but it’s worth taking a look under that 1970s swirly number to see if any improvements can be made on a budget. If you’re lucky enough to uncover nice wooden floorboards, consider hiring a professional sander and then oiling to bring out the timber’s natural beauty.

Otherwise a lick of floorboard paint – try Valspar – can be enough to give tired planks a new lease of life. Add an inexpensive rug by the bed for sotness underfoot before they slide on the spare slippers you’ve thoughtfully provided.

HOME DESIGN INSTAGRAMMER

LAUREN FORBES ‘We lived in a small one-bed flat before we moved to this five-bed 1890s property last September. It’s such a treat to have a proper guest room. We actually don’t have many visitors who stay over, but I didn’t want anyone to feel like their room was an afterthought when they stayed. It’s a lovely bright space so we really wanted the decor to pop in here. We used FrogTape to section off the wall, and spent a lot of time working out what shade went where. Farrow & Ball’s Babouche, Manor House Gray, Dimpse and Down Pipe make a striking combo.

My top tip is to ignore the instructions and remove the tape as soon as you finish painting to achieve really sharp edges – don’t let the paint dry!

Guest bedrooms are a brilliant opportunity to opt for something you might be scared to go for in a main bedroom.’

Instagram: @lifeatnumber61

Since you’re not going to be waking up in the room every day, your guest bedroom is a risk-free place to test out the more daring colour schemes and wallpapers you’ve been lusting ater. Obviously you don’t want to give your guests a headache, so stick to tones that gel. Dark paint paletes can be given a festive lit with twinkly fairy lights.

The most hardworking guest bedrooms boast a split personality and can easily double as a study or oice when not hosting your nearest and dearest. Try to choose a desk with storage so that oice paraphernalia can be swept away, and go for oice furniture that would look equally good in a bedroom seting to help blur the boundaries. A desk that could pass as a dressing table is spot on.

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} } Don’t forget

Work with the compactness of a box room and create a cosy sleep space that’s perfect for snuggling down ater a busy day of socialising. Use cushions, throws and rugs to ramp up the cocoon-factor. Blankets are great for allowing guests to control their sleeping temperature by adding or removing layers.

A couple of blankets artfully strewn across the end of the bed can also inject colour and patern that can be switched-up with the seasons (or your mood) without blowing the budget.

A SPARE TOOTHBRUSH Bamboo toothbrush, £2.50, Mabboo

Guests tend to be allocated the smallest room in the house, but with a carefully planned layout, your box room can be made to feel much more spacious. First, whitle down the furniture to the bare essentials. Short-term occupants don’t really need to unpack – somewhere to pop a suitcase will do. Add a couple of hooks on a wall to hang coats and any crumple-prone clothing.

Switching bedside tables for slender stools will provide somewhere to place a book or glasses, without taking up excessive space. Wall lights instead of lamps can take some of the cluter of bedside storage.

Friends trundle bed, from £895; Gaston desk lamp, £115, Loaf

Above Grid tuted upholstered bed, from £799; Audrey mini desk, £399; Cat Eye metal wall mirror, £329, West Elm

DIY bloggeR

COLETTE STREET

Trundle beds are single beds with a spare underneath, so they don’t take up extra floor space when not in use. It’s easiest to buy a trundle with matresses included to guarantee a perfect fit. In most cases, the spare bed has extending legs that brings it up to full height.

Simply add a double matress topper to join the two together.

‘Home is currently a rented two-bed Victorian terrace house, shared with my boyfriend, Gazz, and our dog, Bruce. I wanted the guest bedroom to have a warm and welcoming feel, so we painted it in a soft grey and chose millennial pink and natural wood accents.

It doubles as my dressing room where I get ready in the morning and provides a calming start to my day. As we’re saving for a house, all decorating has to be frugal. I wanted to tuck the bed under the window to free up floor space but standard bed frames wouldn’t fit.

Buying bespoke was out of the question. The pallet bed idea came from Pinterest, and I made it myself. When decorating a rental, you need to remember that it’ll have to go back to how it was before.

I make sure that anything I buy or build can come with us when we leave. The pallets come apart easily; taking it out will be a breeze.’

Instagram: @homeofthebears Blog: homeofthebears.wordpress.com

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HOME

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READERS’ HOMES | LIVING | WELLBEING

SHARE YOUR FAVOURITE CORNER ON INSTAGRAM USING #SOREALHOMES

OUR HOUSE

MY FAVOURITE CORNER

‘Our living room is the cosy space at the front of our home, and it really comes into its own in the colder months. During summer, we spend most of our time at the back of the house where we’ve extended to create an open-plan kitchen-diner with bi-folding doors leading out to our decked terrace, but in winter, you’ll usually find us curled up in here, watching TV. I love the bold colour of our vintage armchair, which has been reupholstered in a gorgeous velvet material for a more up-to-date look. It formed the basis of the scheme for our living room, with the warm tones of Farrow & Ball’s Stone Blue giving the walls the inviting feel we were after, while the restored fireplace is now an elegant focal point in the space.

The chair used to belong to Paul’s grandmother, and has been passed down through his family. He clearly remembers sitting in the chair on his grandfather’s knee as a child and reading stories, so it’s lovely to see our two girls using such a treasured item of furniture in the same way. Before bedtime, they’ll often come in here and read their latest story book from school – it’s a few minutes of welcome calm in the usually chaotic bedtime routine!

REALHOMES.COM

WORDS BETH MURTON PHOTOGRAPH SM2 STUDIO

Natalie McMurtrie lives in a 1930s semi-detached house in the West Midlands with her husband, Paul, and daughters Elsa, seven, and Iris, four

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Guests are always guaranteed a warm welcome at Marie and Simon Nichols’ charmingly renovated cottage

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WORDS AND STYLING MARIE NICHOLS PHOTOGRAPHS DAN DUCHARS/GAP INTERIORS

A CLASSIC CHRISTMAS

THE OWNERs Marie Nichols, an interiors stylist, her husband, Simon Ward, a graphic designer, their two young sons, Albie and Freddie, and a miniature dachshund called Dudley

#SOREALHOMES

THE PROPERTY A Grade II-listed cotage in Kent

FOR MORE RENOVATION ADVICE, VISIT REALHOMES.COM/RENOVATIONS

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A vintage shelving unit provides ample storage for crockery and kitchen accessories, while the custom-made oak worktops are perfect for a spot of family baking.

Shelving unit painted in Down Pipe

by Farrow & Ball. Ceramic oor tiles, B&Q. For similar blinds, try Blinds 2go

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‘Christmas is all about gathering family together and singing carols, snuggling up in front of the fire and watching a festive movie’ 75

FOR MORE RENOVATION ADVICE, VISIT REALHOMES.COM/RENOVATIONS #SOREALHOMES

WORDS MAXINE BRADY PHOTOGRAPHS JEREMY PHILLIPS STYLING SOPHIE WARREN-SMITH SHOPPING AMELIA SMITH / ANNA MORLEY

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hink of a traditional Christmas and chances are you’ll conjure up images of roaring fires, cosy living spaces and a kitchen that’s perfect for rustling up tasty treats the whole family can enjoy. It’s no wonder, then, that Marie and Simon’s renovated cottage in the Kent countryside comes into its own during the festive season. With its exposed beams, woodburning stove and chic Scandi-style décor, it’s got us dreaming of tucking into mince pies and a glass of mulled wine. ‘I’m a traditional girl at heart,’ says Marie. ‘For me Christmas is all about gathering family together and singing carols, snuggling up in front of the fire and watching a festive movie.’

The Christmas deadline loomed large for the couple when they first bought the run-down cottage in the summer of 2012, as they planned to have most of the ground floor completed in six months. Like many large renovation projects, however, the house had other ideas and it ended up taking more than two years. ‘I remember posting a picture on Instagram of a tiny Christmas tree sat in the middle of the building site with a caption along the lines of, “We may not have central heating or hot water, but we have a Christmas tree!”’

Despite Marie and Simon both working and spending a lot of time in London, they’re not really city people and prefer open space and green fields to the hustle and bustle of the capital. As seasoned renovators, they spent a year searching for the perfect character home until they stumbled across this place. Located in the neighbouring village to where Marie had grown up, the couple could see past its dreadful state, instantly falling for the three-storey property.

Restoring its original character while also updating the interior to make it suitable for modern living was key to the couple’s vision, although Marie admits that at times it felt like they’d bitten off more than they could chew. ‘The house hadn’t been touched for about 40 years so there was no central heating or hot water, which meant we had to boil the kettle just to wash up,’ she says. ‘We were also expecting our first child when we started the work, and living in a building site for well over a year was far from ideal. There were times I couldn’t even put the baby down because everywhere was covered in building dust.’

Over time, the couple exposed the vaulted ceilings, timber beams and stunning inglenook fireplaces that had been boarded over, and brought the original features and floorboards back to life. The ground floor layout was updated, turning three rooms at the back of the house into an open-plan kitchen-diner with large windows and French doors out to the garden. The bathroom was also moved upstairs into what had previously been wasted attic space over the kitchen.

The majority of walls and ceilings in the house are now painted off-white, which Marie feels enhances the sense of space in the house. ‘I love using strong colour in my work, but due to the age of the cottage and all the lovely texture and tones of the original wood, it just wouldn’t feel right here,’ she explains. Instead the couple have added drama with furniture and accessories in rich dark greys and blacks to offset the neutral tones. ‘We’ve stayed true to the character of the property, but also tried to mix our love of contemporary design with the more rustic features.’

Top of Marie’s Christmas day wishlist is to be surrounded by family, so creating a cosy and welcoming space is key. She decorates the house with an understated mix of decorations in paper, wood and felt, teamed with natural foliage that the family collects while out walking the dog. ‘When I was a child, my Mum was always making and crafting with us, be it Christmas decorations, gifts and cards, or baking cookies and decorating the Christmas cake.’ It’s a tradition that Marie is keen to continue with her boys. ‘As soon as December arrives we start getting festive,’ she says.

‘I like to surround myself with pieces that mean something to me, that bring back a memory or raise a smile. In years to come, I hope I’m still decorating the tree with ornaments we made with the boys when they were young.’

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TOP TIP Make a feature of a large hearth by adding decorations, artwork and even storage.

Just make sure it’s hazard free!

Get cosy Loveseats are the perfect place to spend the cold nights this winter. On your own? All the beter for lounging...

Claudia loveseat, £499, Made.com

The living room is an on-trend mix of design classics and modern updates. ‘Simon is a prolific Ebayer with a keen eye for style,’ Marie says. He sourced the yellow Parker Knoll armchair and the Jielde floor lamp for this room.

Stove, Charnwood. Moroccanstyle hearth floor tiles, Original Style. Grey Margot sofas, Made.com. Pendant lights, HomeSense. For a Jielde lamp, try Made in Design

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Savannah cuddle chair, £799, Very

Strudel loveseat, £1,045, Loaf

REALHOMES.COM

Chester velvet loveseat, £1,100, Habitat

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An open-plan kitchen-diner is perfect for keeping an eye on the kids while cooking dinner.

Traditional touches like a rustic dining table combined with modern pendant lights give the room bags of character.

The chairs are a mix of old and new from Ebay and Graham & Green. For a similar table, try Etsy. For similar pendant lights, try Made.com

TOP TIP Love bold colour but don’t want to commit to dark walls? Paint stand-out features like ďŹ replaces and beams instead

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Above and right Marie and Simon source a lot of their furniture from vintage shops and online markets, including a chemist’s drawer unit, an antique French mirror and a copper bath.

Wooden wall hooks, muuto.com.

For a similar copper bath, try William Holland. Bathroom wall painted in Down Pipe by Farrow & Ball. Marble tiles, Fired Earth.

Patterned tiles, Surface Tiles.

Vintage cage light, Urban Cotage Industries

stock up 1

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Naughty or nice? Whether you’re giving out coals or oranges this Christmas, do it in style with these jolly stockings 1 Monogrammed red gliter Christmas stocking, £16, Handmade Christmas Co 2 Glacial silver sequin stocking, £25, A by Amara 3 The Seasonal Isle linen stocking, £14.99, Wayfair 4 Holly & Berry Christmas stocking, £15, Sophie Allport

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The master bedroom is decorated in a soter palete.

Above the bed hangs a collection of artwork bought by Marie and Simon as gits to each other over the years.

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FOR MORE RENOVATION ADVICE, VISIT REALHOMES.COM/RENOVATIONS

Bed, Sofa.com. Floral bedding, Pony Rider. Bedside lamp, HomeSense

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TOP TIP Use gold or silver washi tape to create festive shapes on your kids’ bedroom walls for a fun and easy update

The panelled wall theme continues in the boys’ bedrooms, but the neutral walls are brought to life with pops of colour in the pendant light and wall hanger of hooks.

For a similar pendant light, try Made.com. For a similar wall hanger, try H&M Home

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Below Marie picked up this wicker-style sofa for just £25 at a junk shop. Cosy touches like cushions and a footstool add warmth to the space.

Above and right Marie and Simon made the giant abacus in Albie’s bedroom by threading painted wooden balls onto metal rods and fixing them to a frame.

A patchwork painted chest of drawers is a fun update for an ordinary piece of furniture.

Contacts

Panelling painted in Gauze by Litle Greene. Convertible cot bed, Mamas & Papas. Bedlinen, Beau Loves

Stove Charnwood, 01983 537777, charnwood.com Paint Farrow & Ball, 01202 876141, farrow-ball.com; Litle Greene, 0845 880 5855, litlegreene.com

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FOR MORE RENOVATION ADVICE, VISIT REALHOMES.COM/RENOVATIONS

For shelves, try Ikea. For a similar footstool, try Wayfair. For a similar rug, try Maisons du Monde

Sequin dress and champagne at 9am – what other day can you do that?

CASEY WESTON

I have a Christmas movie day for our huge family. Everyone has to wear Christmas jumpers and we have hot dogs, turkey sandwiches, popcorn and prosecco Christmas punch ZARAH MCLEOD READERS’ VIEW

SOPHIE WARREN

We put flour on the floor and make footprints throughout downstairs, like a map of where Santa’s been, for my little boy. It’s messy but lots of fun

What’s your favourite Christmas tradition?

My girls still expect new pyjamas at bedtime on Christmas Eve... they’re 19 and 17!

Making gingerbread houses and mini versions to give as gifts LUCY WALLIS

NATASHA HAGAN PAULA CROFT

CHRISTINE MACINNES

We take it in turns to roll a giant dice on Christmas Day – you can’t open a present unless you roll a six! It helps to keep everyone entertained while the turkey’s cooking JUILE BENNETT

It’s got to be watching Elf in our festive knitwear every Christmas Eve LAURA CROMBIE 85

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Every year my Mum sends a message to spot the one-eyed robin on the tree. Completely naff but definitely part of our Christmas

Walking in the woods with my grown-up daughter and picking pine cones, holly and anything Christmassy that we can use to create decs with

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Take the chaos out of

HANDS

up if you suffer from ‘perfect Christmas syndrome’. It’s a debilitating condition, with symptoms including panic present buying (if you’re internet shopping at 3am, this is you), parenting fails (take a deep breath; the mismatched paperchains really don’t matter), an over-full fridge (no, you probably don’t need that much cheese) and weeping at festive TV ads (and not just the ones designed to tug on the heartstrings). Genetics may play a part (thanks, Mum) but this is really a lifestyle issue – the kind that would improve if we just stopped trying to do it all and looked after ourselves a bit better. ‘Christmas can often feel like the culmination of the year’s endeavours and, as such, the pressure for it all to go swimmingly can feel intense, particularly with the added pressures of hosting large numbers of people,’ says Joanna Thornhill, homes stylist and author of Insta-Style for your Living Space (CICO Books, £9.99). ‘Getting ready for the festivities shouldn’t feel like a chore. Ultimately, what matters is loved ones gathering together, not whether you have co-ordinating bedlinen and three choices of potato at the Christmas dinner table.’

Festive freak-out triggers differ, of course. I love putting up the decorations, planning a menu and buying presents but paying for it all has me hyperventilating. A friend of mine spends ‘Twixmas’ travelling between various far-flung relatives, her stress levels soaring with each stop at a motorway service station. Then there are the unpredictable meltdowns and moments of mayhem. ‘A few Christmases ago, we hosted for all the family,’ recalls designer Sophie Conran.

‘I was doing a big buffet lunch and everybody arrived at the same time, bringing three dogs to add to our two; it was crazy.

Then my son reached under the tree to get a present and accidentally hit the quick-release button on the tree-holder so it came crashing down! It was actually very funny. In those, “It’s all happening at once” moments, you just need to stay calm. Anything worthwhile is going to be a bit stressful.’

One of the problems is that Christmas always comes gift-wrapped in expectations, trimmed with a big ‘look at me’ bow. ‘We’re bombarded with adverts showing us the

“perfect” Christmas,’ explains psychotherapist Lola Borg, who runs a private practice in East London. ‘Families who may not see each other very often get together and revert to type, which can lead to arguments, especially when alcohol is added to the mix too. We’re under a lot of pressure to do what others want. Added to that, there’s a tendency to go a bit Santazilla and try to control every aspect of Christmas.

In the words of Frozen, we sometimes need to “let it go”.’

Lola isn’t suggesting we forget the tinsel and trimmings and spend Christmas watching TV in our pyjamas (unless we want to; in which case, bring on the boxset). Instead, she suggests thinking carefully about the parts of Christmas prep we really enjoy, or feel are too important to pass on,

Easy Christmas home hacks Q ‘Put together a “Christmas kit” with bateries, a mini screwdriver, scissors, twine and bauble hangers. Include some extension leads for the fairy lights, too. It will make puting up the decorations so much easier,’ says interiors stylist Joanna Thornhill.

Q Make a list of festive food and decide what you’ll cook, what you’ll ask others to bring and what you’ll buy. ‘If making your own cranberry sauce relaxes you, fantastic. If you’re doing it because you feel you’re in a competition, forget it,’ says psychotherapist Lola Borg.

Q ‘Add homemade touches to bought decorations for a handmade look,’ says designer Sophie Conran. ‘Buy a faux garland or wreath (from sophieconran.com), then tie in baubles and decorations with florist’s wire.’

Q Don’t feel you have to keep up with festive fashions.

‘It’s fun to include new trends in your decs, but it’s important to keep a sense of your own history,’ says Joanna Thornhill. ‘Incorporate a few fresh pieces each season alongside vintage classics. Gather sculptural branches from your garden for centrepieces and paint pine cones to use as place holders for a personal touch.’

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Does the thought of getting ready for the festive season send you into a blind panic? If so, it’s time to reassess your priorities, relax, and maybe even enjoy it, as journalist Andréa Childs explains

VISIT REALHOMES.COM/TAG/CHRISTMAS FOR MORE FESTIVE IDEAS

CHRISTMAS

then ditching or delegating the rest – especially if we’re hosting Christmas at home. ‘It makes people part of this special event, rather than bystanders,’ Borg explains. ‘You just need to accept they will do things differently, and that’s fine.’ It’s a tactic Sophie Conran uses. ‘My family loves cooking, so they’re always keen to help with that. Mum and I write a list of dishes weeks ahead and split it between everyone,’ she says. ‘People have different fortes that you should pick up on.

Get the kids to draw place names. Keep everyone busy and make sure it’s a shared experience to alleviate the pressure.’

Joanna Thornhill is a fan of preparing the practical details well in advance, so she can enjoy the festivities with minimal stress. ‘Make sure any niggling DIY jobs for your spare room are sorted. Order that new sofa bed if you need to (remember, they can take up to 12 weeks to be delivered).

Check fairy lights are working, baubles haven’t broken and think about how you want to decorate, and whether you need to make or buy anything to achieve what you want,’ she says.

If all this sounds as exhausting as your usual make-doand-muddle-through approach to Christmas, don’t despair.

‘Don’t get too swept up in the details and instead focus on

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what makes Christmas feel special for you,’ says Joanna.

‘Every year I make a foraged wreath for the front door, using cuttings from the garden, which I always look forward to.’

This year, I’m not aiming for a perfect Christmas; I’m aiming for a relaxed and happy one. For me, that means a big old tree brimming with baubles, playing board games and going for walks with family and friends. My daughter (a cake-making ninja) can look after the baking, my husband can do the grocery shop (he’s weirdly happy pushing a supermarket trolley), and my son can collect greenery to dress the mantelpiece (he’s like Bear Grylls in the woods). It’s not everyone’s idea of Christmas but it’s ours.

‘In the dark months, Christmas is something bright, shiny, glowing and warm to look forward to,’ says Sophie Conran.

‘You can do as much or as little as you like, as long as you enjoy it.

And if you’re too exhausted, go and lie on a beach and let someone else do it for you!’

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game time Bring out the games.

Leave Monopoly and other slow-movers in the cupboard and opt for quick-fire play that will entertain every age group. Dobble, Jungle Speed and Uno are bound to be winners.

fresh air Head outside. If Christmas with the family is geting too claustrophobic, wrap up warm and go for a walk. The fresh air will soon help to blow away the cobwebs.

art attack Get craty. Keep litle fingers busy with easy festive makes that won’t need too much supervision. Try painted pine cones, handwriten menus for Christmas lunch, or popcorn and cranberry garlands.

sing song Go carolling. Singing is a proven stress reliever, so head to a carol service to revive your Christmas spirit.

IMAGES GETTY

‘I N T H E DA R K M

SOMETH S I S A M T S I R H N T H S, C

Festive FaMily faves

SCANDI JT and Max combined a monochrome palette and Nordic decorations for the perfect festive home. Christmas doesn’t get much cosier than this…

COOL

Rug, sofa and shelving, all Ikea. Large framed print, Chelsea Prints. End table, Ferm Living. Blinds, Blinds2go

HOW

do you decorate your home come Christmas? Are you a diehard traditionalist, unpacking boxes of red, gold and green baubles when the time comes to deck the halls? Or do you love adorning your tree with a cornucopia of kitsch – unicorns, flamingos and pineapples galore? We all have wildly different tastes, but the most interesting thing about how we decorate our homes is the way we tailor it to our space.

For JT and Max, their new-build house was the perfect opportunity for JT to flex his creative muscles and embrace Scandi style. At Christmas, their warm yet minimalist space is full of fairy lights, candles and artfully placed paper decorations.

The couple reveal the tribulations and funny moments behind creating their home…

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WORDS ELLEN FINCH PHOTOGRAPHS KATIE LEE

JT created the wood-clad fireplace by screwing standard planks to the wall.

‘I love how the design sweeps along to the let to create extra storage,’ he says.

Profile THE OWNERs JT Collings, a biomedical sciences student, and his partner, Cosmo Max (known as Max), a law student, live here with their dog, Rocco THE PROPERTY A two-bedroom new-build terrace in Northallerton, Yorkshire

#SOREALHOMES

FOR MORE IDEAS, VISIT REALHOMES.COM/COMPLETED-PROJECTS

project COST £9,500

Wall painted in Manor House Gray

by Farrow & Ball. Fireplace, Biofires.

Tobacco-coloured engineered oak flooring, Directwood Flooring. Tree and wreath, Strikes Garden Centre.

Ceiling light, Cult Furniture. Tree decorations, Next and House of Fraser

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‘With the white walls and a glass partition on the other side of the room, the kitchen is a really bright space with lots of natural light,’ JT says. With no room for a bar or drinks trolley, the ‘I’m one of those people who couple’s bar set sits on picture decorates as I go, so ledges on the wall. everything’s really gradual,’ JT says. Inspiration comes from Splashback and floor tiles many places, but in the case Topps Tiles. Cooker, Flavel. of the wood-clad fireplace, it Shelves, North Yorkshire Timber. was a TV programme that Wall clock, Newgate Clocks. nudged him into creating his Table, West Elm. Stools, Cult own by screwing two-by-fours Furniture. Tap and sink. Franke. to the wall. ‘I love how it Chicken Cuts and Beef Cuts sweeps along to the let,’ he prints, Desenio.Wall light, Ikea says. ‘We didn’t have room for a sideboard, so this shelf acts as extra storage. The print helps hide the ugly plug sockets in the wall.’

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‘My love of Scandi style started in this house. It was totally empty when we moved in and the walls were painted white. I was desperate to change them until I saw how much the paint reflected the light and made the place feel brighter. After that, I started exploring the style a bit more, focusing on monochrome and soft greys. Decorating has definitely been a learning curve in terms of finding out what I like. Max leaves most of the décor to me – everything is very functional, minimal and easy to keep on top of.

‘A new-build home is a big change from what I’m used to – I love traditional Victorian houses. However, I was ready to move out of my home in Beamish and Max was renting a flat in Northallerton, so it seemed like the right time. We’re renting this house but can buy it later on, so we want to make it a home.

‘We’re pretty unified when we work together. I’m very stubborn but Max is very agreeable, so we get on quite well.

We both have jobs that we hate. I don’t like painting because it doesn’t come together quickly enough, and Max hates flatpack furniture. That’s because when we were moving in, he tried to carry a huge wardrobe over from his old place, dropped it and took a massive chunk out of the bottom, and took a chunk out of the ceiling when we were assembling it, too. It was a bit of a nightmare.

‘He probably gets frustrated with me just as much. I wanted to change the office around one day. I rang him at work and said, “I’ve got this really good idea.” He told me to wait until tomorrow so we could talk about it, but I did it straight away. He came home and the entire desk was ripped apart.

‘We love throwing parties in our space – whenever we do, everyone seems to gravitate towards the kitchen, which is my favourite space because it’s so light and airy. We’ve had around 40 people in there in the past, even though there’s a sitting room next door!

‘At Christmas, though, it’s all about hunkering down and doing the wintry things that everyone loves.

We always have a Christmas film night where we’ll switch on the tree lights and cosy up. Our living room is the perfect space to relax like that on a dark winter night.’

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AT PARTIES EVERYONE GRAVITATES TOWARDS THE KITCHEN, IT’S SO LIGHT AND AIRY

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#SOREALHOMES

JT says…

‘Christmas is my favourite time of the year. When I was younger, our house was full of over-the-top tackiness – streamers, angel hair on the trees, the lot – and I’ll always associate it with that kind of gaudiness, but our tastes are a bit more minimal now. It’s all about making the house cosy. I love cold nights wrapped up in a blanket with hot chocolate or mulled wine, or gin, watching Christmas films.

‘The process of doing up our home has actually been quite enjoyable, though it’s been stressful at times.

You want to get it right – you have a vision in mind and after all the fuss, it should be a relaxing space. I put across my thoughts and we talk through our ideas before we embark on things, but JT’s very passionate about what he wants and he definitely takes the helm.

At the end of the day, you both want it to work and you do come to a compromise.

‘When JT wants something done he wants it done there and then. One time we wanted to lay down flagstones in the back garden, however, my dad, who’s a builder, couldn’t come down for a week. I ended up trying to dig everything up and put them down, but I didn’t have a shovel, so I was using my hands to put in the cement. I remember thinking to myself, “What am I doing?”

I was literally elbows deep in the stuff.

‘I’m quite critical, and whenever JT says “I’ve got a good idea” I’m always hesitant. But he’s really passionate about what he does and 95 per cent of the time he’s right. He’s created a space that’s chilled out and not too busy. Since we’re juggling being students and working at the same time, it suits our lives perfectly.’

FOR MORE IDEAS, VISIT REALHOMES.COM/COMPLETED-PROJECTS

Max says…

TOP TIP Go crackers for Christmas with an upstairs tree. Stylish white fits with a Scandi scheme, and you may get twice the gits!

Above and above right For a similar Vitra Eames House Bird, try Trouva. Don’t get your tinsel in a tangle letterboard, bar mixers and bottles, all Arne Jacobsen for Design Leters.

Walls painted Pure Brilliant White vinyl mat, Dulux

Sign me up Use a message board to spread good cheer – or to remind your other half to fetch some milk 1

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1 Personalised large house slate chalk board, £21.99, Geting Personal 2 Leterboard, £25, Cox & Cox 3 Square felt leter board

by The Leteroom, £34.95, Not On The High Street 4 Party Illuminations light box sign, £28, Talking Tables

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Max and JT use their oice space for home study, but it also doubles up as a dressing room, housing large ceiling-to-floor wardrobes.

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FOR MORE IDEAS, VISIT REALHOMES.COM/COMPLETED-PROJECTS

Desk, Cult Furniture Chair, Barkers Home. Floor lamp, Ikea. Basket, Ferm Living. Carpet, Calverts Carpets.

White Christmas tree, Strikes Garden Centre. Blinds, Blinds2go. Gold star, House of Fraser. Large black star, House Doctor. Moon print, Printler

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‘I love the pared-down look and hate cluter, so the hall is simple and functional,’ JT says. The North Yorkshire map print is a homage to Max’s background. ‘His family are farmers in the region and we love everything it stands for.’

Table, Ferm Living.

Engineered oak flooring, Direct Wood Flooring. Wall painted in Pure Brilliant White mat, Dulux. North Yorkshire print, Mapiful

TOP TIP Make a feature of your staircase at Christmas.

Banisters are an ideal place to hang festive decorations from or wind them around

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The couple wanted a laid-back, zen-like vibe for their bedroom.

‘The concrete-efect wallpaper was a spontaneous decision,’ JT says.

Going hall in Invest in a useful yet elegant console and never worry about where you’ve let your keys/phone/wallet again

Sanford marble square console table, £249, Marks & Spencer

VonHaus rustic console table, £54.99, Domu Hübsch metal console table in Jade Green, £225, Printer & Tailor

Six-drawer console table, £300, Scaramanga

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on trend

REALHOMES.COM

Headboard, Design Online. Bedlinen, cushions and NLXL Concrete wallpaper, all John Lewis. Throw, Scandinavian Design Centre. Flooring, Calverts Carpets.

Bedside tables, Ikea and West Elm. Table lamps, Homesense.

Animal skull, Wayfair

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MAX LEAVES THE DÉCOR TO ME. IT

JT originally painted the bathroom black. ‘It was the biggest mistake I ever made,’ he says. ‘I repainted it but let the ceiling. I think it creates an industrial look.’

Toilet, bath and sink, all Ideal Standard. Tap, Grohe Vinyl flooring. Calverts Carpets. Shelving, Cult Furniture. Mirror, The Range. The hanging planter was made by a friend; for similar, try Matalan

IS MINIMAL AND EASY TO KEEP ON TOP OF

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Contacts

Panelling for fireplace North Yorkshire Timber, 01609 751110, nytimber.co.uk Flooring Direct Wood Flooring, 0330 808 8777, directwoodflooring.co.uk

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Tech home takeover Wondering how the latest tech could improve your home life? Discover why we can’t ignore it, and what’s best for your space

WORDS JENNIFER MORGAN

Y

ou know it’s coming… you might already be dabbling in it, controlling your central heating, dimming the lights or asking Alexa if you need to take an umbrella. We’re talking about the smart home revolution, which – once we’ve figured out how it all works, and the really clever bit of how it all works together – will make our lives easier.

With sales of smart home products up 30 per cent on last year at John Lewis, it’s only going to get bigger. As Katrina Mills, smart home buyer explains, ‘We know that once customers have tried one smart home product and love it, they are happy to invest in other smart items.’ So much so that John Lewis White City now has its own Apple Smart Home, which opened earlier this year. It’s the first “live” demonstration of the smart home eco system, where you can see how all of the different products can be controlled and exist alongside each other. ‘By smart home, we mean products in your home that are connected via your home’s WiFi and can be operated remotely through a dedicated app,’ explains Katrina. ‘These are designed to enhance the efficiency of your home, saving time and energy, while enabling you to set scenarios for your daily routines – from voice-activated speakers to smart thermostats, plugs and lighting.

‘Sometimes, these products are for problems you never realised you had,’ she continues, ‘like setting a timer by voice when you’re baking a cake (so you avoid sticky fingers on your phone) or making sure you’ve switched the iron off after you’ve left the house.’ Who wouldn’t like to banish that sick feeling of worry in the pit of your stomach by swapping to a simple smart plug that costs just £30?

Where we are using this tech is interesting, too, as Nick Bevan, head of product management home appliances at Samsung UK & Ireland, explains. ‘Many of us class the kitchen as the heart of the home, and as a result, we’ve seen a strong

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5 quick ways to turn your home into a tech heaven this Christmas John Lewis’ Katrina Mills shares her top festive little helpers

1

Choose a smart fridge with a camera that lets you check its contents, so you don’t end up buying things twice in the last-minute supermarket dash.

2

Fit a video doorbell that lets you see callers on your smart device – perfect for catching those Christmas deliveries.

3

Set the perfect lighting and temperature for your cocktail party, all from your smart device.

This will hopefully encourage guests to linger in the living room, rather than follow you into the kitchen where you’re still busy preparing.

4

Buy a smart oven with a meat probe – you’ll never have to guess how long the turkey will take ever again.

5

Install a smart camera, which can keep an eye out for Father Christmas… very handy if he comes early!

For the latest smart kitchen appliances, turn to page 131

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demand for kitchen products that can help us live simpler, easier lives, allowing us more time to do the things we love.

For example, our Family Fridge Hub brings together food, family and fun in the centre of our home, helping people stay better connected and organised.’ When you think of it, the fridge has always been the place where you stick family photos, kids’ paintings, lists and notes. ‘It makes sense it should evolve into a truly smart connected hub,’ says Nick.

It’s this connectivity that’s really exciting, as a spokesperson from Amazon explains. ‘Once your products have been set up, you can set up routines, which allows Alexa to complete multiple tasks at once with just one command.

For instance, an “Alexa, good morning” could see her open your smart blinds, turn on your lights, start the kettle boiling and give you the morning’s news and weather.’ By 2020, Samsung are hoping to connect all of its devices. ‘Just imagine your extractor hood automatically increasing in power as you turn up the temperature of your hob, while also increasing the volume on your wireless speaker to compensate for the noise, of the fan,’ adds Nick. ‘As this interconnected technology continues to become more intuitive and intelligent, connected living will become second nature and multi-tasking easier than ever.’

There are now more than 20,000 Alexa-compatible smart home devices from over 3,500 brands, claims Amazon.

‘It started with lights and plugs but we have since expanded Alexa’s control to thermostats, TVs, cameras and door locks, with developers creating sprinklers, mowers, vacuums and more that work with Alexa,’ says its spokesperson. ‘For a long time, having a smart home meant you had to unlock your phone, open up an app and press a button within that app just to turn on a light – which you might as well have got up and done yourself. With Alexa and voice-activated smart products, having a smart home is much more accessible and natural. You only need to enter a room and say “Alexa, lights on” for the lights to turn on.’

But what if your current WiFi isn’t up to the job of multiple connected devices? Well, the big players are even thinking about this, with Google launching Google Wifi back in spring, which works with your modem and internet provider to bring you reliable coverage (depending on

internet provider, of course). ‘Traditionally routers haven’t always been built to support the increasing number of devices we use or high bandwidth activities like gaming or watching videos,’ says Suveer Kothari, director of product partnerships and planning at Google Home. ‘Google Wifi is a connected system that replaces your current router. And to make sure you’re always in control, it comes with an app that lets you pause the WiFi on kids’ devices when it’s time for dinner.’

It’s the voice control that’s the most widely used of smart home devices and the easiest, as Katrina explains. ‘The beauty of devices such as Google Max or Sonos is that you can listen to music, set timers, book taxis, call a friend for a chat and a multitude of other uses all with simple voice commands.’

Katrina predicts that voice assistants and home monitoring systems will continue to be the big tech sellers, especially in the run up to Christmas. How many of us will ask Alexa how long sprouts take to cook on Christmas Day, the last day for posting Christmas cards, or if she can play your favourite Christmas sing-along tune as you decorate the tree?

Be warned, though: just as social media is a great time waster, watching what your cat or dog really gets up to while you are at work can be just as addictive. Of course, you bought the Hive View camera, with its HD live streaming, night vision, wide-angle lens and zoom you can control from your smart phone so you could keep an eye on your home while you’re away and chat to the kids to check they’re back from school, thanks to its two-way audio. But if Tiddles the cat jumps on your best throw on your bed as soon as you shut the front door each morning, well, at least you’ll know now…

5 of the latest home tech buys

GOOGLE CHROMECAST, £30, GOOGLE STORE Chromecast plugs into your TV’s HDMI port and lets you stream TV shows, movies and games. It can be paired with any Google Home device, so you can stream things by asking.

AMAZON 2NDGENERATION ECHO, £89.99, AMAZON Connecting to Alexa, this chic chrome 2nd-generation Echo comes with a new speaker with Dolby processing, delivering crisp, clearer sound.

DEEBOT OZMO 930 ROBOT VACUUM, £549, AMAZON Mop and vacuum automatically thanks to this cleaner’s Smart Navi tech, which maps its surroundings. App control lets you check on the cleaning process.

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GOOGLE HOME MAX SMART SPEAKER IN CHALK, £399, JOHN LEWIS Powered by Google Assistant, this has Smart Sound, powered by AI and speakers 20 times more powerful than the original Google Home.

NEST HELLO DOORBELL, £229, JOHN LEWIS This smart doorbell has full view, so you can see if parcels have been let. You can talk to visitors via the Nest app. The optional Nest Aware subscription recognises familiar faces.

In the kitchen, reclaimed materials and modern blue units mix old with new and create a contrast with the brick walls. Metal lighting gives an industrial edge, while treasures like vintage leters, school science lab stools and an etched antique door reclaimed from a pub add character.

Profile The owners Sophie Waiting, an architectural illustrator, her husband Bob, who owns a drainage business, their three children Macy, 14, Joss, 12, and Tom, four, and a menagerie of pets including dogs, cats and chickens The property A converted barn with atached cotage in Pendle Hill, Lancashire project cost ÂŁ252,720

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WORDS MAXINE BRADY PHOTOGRAPHS RACHAEL SMITH

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Units, Ebay. For similar industrial and vintage light shades and furniture, try Retro British

N R BA

E H T Y C A M E R SUP

ures and s a e r t d e ds, salvag in f e g a t Vin

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a spot of DIY helped So phie and Bob Waiting take a da ted barn conversio n to new heights

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Slated walls made from reclaimed wood enhance the feeling of light and space in the open-plan barn. The ceilings have been finished with old packing pallets. ‘We let them raw and natural so when you look up, you can absorb the diferent tones and natural finish,’ says Sophie.

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Yellow armchair, Fama.

For similar sofas, try the Ankara at Dwell and the Yoko at Made.com.

For a similar statement woodburning stove, try Robeys

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‘My nickname is “The Sorcerer” because I can magic up materials from anywhere. We had such a big home to finish, we had to make our money stretch’

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ASK

anyone who has converted their home and they’ll tell you it’s a big undertaking. But for Sophie and Bob, it was the chance to create a dream home that would fit their family’s exact needs. ‘Bob is from a farming family, and he wanted to give our three children the same countryside upbringing,’ Sophie says. ‘We sold our family home in a nearby village and spent the best part of six months looking for the perfect rural property.’

The couple often passed this large dwelling nestled in the Lancashire countryside on their dog walks, and after some enquiries, they discovered the house was up for sale.

‘I dismissed the project initially as I feared it would be too much work for us to take on ourselves, but the setting and views won us over,’ reveals Sophie. ‘The barn came across as a sad old building that wanted to feel happy again. When the sale went through smoothly, it felt like it was meant to be.’

Over time, the house’s original layout had been altered and tweaked by previous owners, including an 18th-century cottage addition and a row of ugly garages from the 1980s.

Luckily, the couple have a history of renovating houses. ‘We’ve had a lot of practise and we’ve had to become very DIY savvy,’ Sophie says. ‘There’s nothing we won’t turn our hands to.’

The couple reinstated the original cottage first so they had somewhere to live while they worked on the barn. ‘We ripped out all the fixtures and fittings and I filled our piggery with salvaged finds,’ reveals Sophie. ‘I wanted to reuse as much as I could, so I clung onto anything that may have a future use.’

For the first two years, the couple concentrated their efforts on making the barn warm and watertight, as well as installing the kitchen and bathroom. Local contractors replaced the crumbling roof, removed the garages and added the mezzanine level. ‘After a year in the cottage, we were bursting at the seams and needed to move out,’ Sophie explains. ‘As soon as the kitchen and bathroom were in, we moved into the barn in time for Christmas.’

Sophie created detailed CGI sketches of her vision, and the resulting design map was handy in helping her hunt down budget-friendly vintage materials. ‘My nickname in the family is “The Sorcerer” because I can magic up materials from anywhere,’ she laughs. ‘We had such a big home to finish we had to make our money stretch. When I saw a flooring company was going bust, I bought all they had, and I sourced the appliances and units for about £1,000 on Ebay.’

The barn took two long years of solid work to complete. ‘We were pushing ourselves to get it finished,’ Sophie says.

Part way through, she gave up working full-time and put her energies into her family and home. ‘Everywhere I looked there was a job to do,’ she recalls. ‘I left my business to concentrate on giving my children a lovely home they’d be proud of.’

Using clever design ideas and smart planning, the couple have highlighted the barn’s unique features. ‘This place had a lovely feeling to it and we wanted to keep that sense of personality,’ says Sophie. ‘This barn was a once in a lifetime opportunity; we’ll never move again.’

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Old school chairs found in vintage stores make fabulous dining chairs. They’re easy to stack, afordable, and are a great talking point

Sophie made the extending family dining table from ofcuts of wood and ďŹ xed hair pin legs to it. The large doors look out over farmland, a small river and a green valley. Their extra tall wooden barn doors, which Sophie sourced on Ebay, had been used in the Olympic Village..

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Sophie and Bob like to relax in a siting area in the raters of the barn, soaking in the views over the local countryside. Adding a second floor doubled the size of the living space.

Country Christmas Choose festive decs inspired by a bracing nature walk through fresh fields 1

2

must have

1 Bronze garland, £22.99, Very 2 A by Amara laser tree large tealight holder in black/bronze, £20, Amara 3 Amber Hamish fox tree hanger, £5, John Lewis 4 Stag and Tree light box, £15, M&Co

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Second-hand Davison Highley sofa, Ebay. For a similar chest of plan drawers, try Planrack

Sophie buys most furniture either second hand or from auction websites, and isn’t afraid to mix design styles

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For a similar arc oor lamp, tub side table and white sofa, try the Kokoon at Only Home, the Kartell Prince Aha at Trouva and the Vienna at Dwell

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For an industrial or rustic theme, pare things back and let the natural beauty of the raw materials show through

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Stay snug Add a throw on a bed for a dash of colour and an extra layer when (baby) it’s cold outside

J by Jasper Conran throw, £125, Debenhams

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Pink woven throw, £18, George Home

Fleece check throw, from £18, Next

must have Velvet quilted throw, £30, JD Williams

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The bedroom was one of the last rooms to be decorated.

To complement the dark paint, Sophie created a gallery wall above the bed.

TOP TIP If you can’t find the perfect-sized rug in the patern you want, look for stores online that can turn carpet ofcuts into bespoke rugs and mats

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XXXXX

Walls painted in Down Pipe, Farrow & Ball. For a similar accent chair, try the Penelope in Royal Blue from Cult Furniture. For a similar floor lamp, try Anglepoise

‘This place had a lovely feeling to it. We wanted to keep that

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sense of personality’

All the bathroom suites are ex-display, bought as a job lot from a warehouse sale. Sophie fited the timber planks herself. ‘I can’t tile, so this was the alternative idea I came up with to finish the bathroom’ she says. Above hangs a light fiting that Sophie made from a vintage marquee leter ‘O’. The long sink was salvaged from an old school.

Contacts

For vintage-style letter lights, try Bob Cool.

For large reclaimed sinks, try Olde School Architectural Antiques

Building contractor Dale Contractors, 01282 453 555, dalecontractors.co.uk Lime plaster Ty-Mawr Lime, 01874 611350, lime.org.uk

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HOME SCHOOLING FOR ADULTS People with skills to share are turning teacher in their spare time, running courses in their kitchens and living rooms to inspire others

WORDS ALISON JONES

F

or most of us, weekends are a time to spend recovering from the weekday grind. To hit the snooze button a few more times. Or not set the alarm at all. We’ll mooch around over breakfast, think about tackling the jobs there’s no time to do during the week or organise activities to try and entertain/exhaust the kids. But there are others who shed their work identities and adopt the metaphorical mortar board and gown of the teacher, welcome strangers into their home and set about passing on knowledge to others. And often this expertise has nothing to do with what occupies them in the 9-5, but is a surprising talent or skill they want others to learn.

‘I love sharing something I know with someone who wants to learn, teaching them how to make it the best,’ says Maud Feldmann of Mauderne.com, who spends Saturdays in her kitchen, introducing around half a dozen people to the art of making macarons – the bite-sized colourful French confections made up of meringue biscuits sandwiched together with ganache or jam. ‘I enjoy making something that’s complex accessible to anyone that wants to do it. Macarons can be super tough to make and managing to get anyone to do them makes me happy,’ she adds.

Maud is not alone in her enthusiasm for throwing open her home for others to come and learn something new. Sites like craftcourses.com, Etsy and Airbnb Experiences reveal weekend artisans, makers and craftspeople who are only too keen to pass on the secrets of how to make the perfect Chinese bao (bun), weave their own wall hanging or custom a fascinator over afternoon tea. All they need is a skill to share, confidence in their ability to teach it and sufficient space in their kitchen or home for pupils to learn (though they’ll also need to consult their local council about issues that arise from running a business from home,

including things like business rates, insurance and possibly a food hygiene certificate).

In Maud’s case, she spends Monday to Friday helping companies go through digital transformations. On Saturdays, she shares the techniques she learned making cakes, pies and biscuits with her grandmother and mother as a child growing up in Strasbourg, France. She has been running the classes for six months, promoted through Airbnb Experiences and via her own website, welcoming groups from round the UK and tourists anxious to take away a new talent (and some macarons) from their visit to London.

When she set up a cooking school in her kitchen, she was keen that it should be a homefrom-home experience, so that her pupils would be confident they could reproduce what they’d made under her watchful eye with their own equipment.

‘There’s no pressure – I want it to feel comfortable.

I have a terrace and in the summer I created a kind of tropical area where they can have tea outside.

Or they can relax on the sofa.’

She has plans to introduce an eclair-making course next year.

And while the classes have been a success, it’s the fact she could run them while working that encouraged her to start.

‘I enjoy the fact that my day job allows me to have this hobby without taking any risk,’ she explains. ‘Of course I am always looking for opportunities, but for the time being I will keep it like that, pursuing my hobby on Saturdays. I didn’t have any expectations when I started because it is really a passion I wanted to share with people.’

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CREATE SOMETHING UNIQUE FOR CHRISTMAS Sign up for one of these courses and get creative A Boat Full of Wool The clue’s in the name. Sophie Hale guides people in the ways of wool, including revealing how to make those oh-so popular giant wool throws (you use your arms as the needles), in the open-plan living space of her boat on the Kennet and Avon canal.

They are great as presents, but if you want Christmas decs, she also gives classes in how to make eco-friendly chunky knited wreaths in merino yarn, decorated with pine cones, pom-poms or ribbons.

Workshops cost from £65. aboatfullof wool.co.uk

NANCY NOODLE DOODLES Nancy Leschnikof, aka Nancy Noodle Doodles, will be ho-ho-hosting festive adult crat classes in Hextable, Kent, teaching people to make their own personalised luxury baubles, create beautiful papercut designs for git cards or learn how to block print onto wrapping paper, git tags and greetings cards, all accompanied by spiced mulled wine or a mince pie. Crat classes are £35. cratcourses.com/ providers/nancynoodle-doodles

DARREN HENDERSON AND PARTNER BEN TEACH PEOPLE TO MAKE TINY GARDENS IN TERRARIUMS ‘We started in 2016 and Airbnb asked us to take part in their new experience programme. We live in an old bible printing factory in London and have turned the front room into a studio. It looks like a garden centre but it’s a lovely green environment. We wanted to miniaturise gardening so people could take it home with them. Not everyone has gardens, especially in the city. I was working in IT and running classes at 7pm in the evening. Things got a bit too busy, so I quit my job to

start Botanical Boys full time. We have enough space for 10 people, and working from home keeps costs low. Retail is going through a strange time, so we’re reluctant to branch out into the high street at the moment. I really wanted to bring the wellness aspect into terrarium gardening. Puting some plants in an oice space, it really changes the environment.

Our goal is to connect people to nature through terrariums.’

Masterclasses cost £50. botanicalboys.com

MARK WOODS FROM WALSALL RUNS BREADMAKING WORKSHOPS IN HIS KITCHEN ‘I’ve been making bread since I was 16, starting as an apprentice in a bread factory before retraining as a nurse. Three days a week I’m a psychiatric nurse. I bake bread to sell from my driveway on Saturday and do a breadmaking class the last Sunday of every month. I also do classes in Italian bread, sour dough, sweet dough and Christmas breads.

I hold workshops in the kitchen. It’s usually four people at a time but I can do up to eight – it’s a question of oven space. What I love is the fascination of watching four ingredients

5 things...

go from a bowl of sludge to a finished loaf.

I’ve made a million and every time it’s like, “wow”. It’s a mini miracle. That’s what I want to pass on. And it’s not pap that’s filled with additives, like the stuf churned out by big bakeries. I have people come from as far as Penrith in the UK and Texas in the US. One lady came to a class looking at baking as a stress reliever from her job. People have changed their lives making bread.’

A basic breadmaking course is £75. slowloaf.co.uk

you’ll learn when you start running classes from home

ONE

TWO

THREE

FOUR

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Keep it clean. If you’re teaching people how to produce foodstufs, you’re probably going to need to be inspected for a food hygiene certificate.

Think about facilities. People are gonna need to, you know, go.

You’ll have to develop a head for figures to deal with business rates and tax (payment and allowances) – unless your masterclass is in accountancy.

You may need to sacrifice closet space, and a lot of it, to store all the supplies. Time to decluter before you get crating.

Consider catering.

Aternoon tea and a workshop is a thing these days, but at the very least you’ll probably need to provide drinks.

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The Candle Alchemist Designer-maker Anita Sumner lives in a Victorian schoolhouse in Angelsey.

Her home’s teaching legacy lives on as she uses an upstairs room of the former school to hold classes in candlemaking and crats.

For Christmas, you can make scented candles and festive shapes to give as gits or to treat yourself.

Christmas candlemaking workshops cost £45 each. thecandle alchemist.co.uk Kate Morrell Willow Workshops If you thought your garden was lacking a woven reindeer or two (and whose isn’t?), you can learn how to make your very own Rudolph at Kate Morrell’s willow sculpture workshops at her home (or garden, weather permiting) in Leicestershire.

This traditional countryside crat lets you get hands-on in producing your own artwork to treasure, and to turn your neighbours’ heads. As well as animals, Kate is also skilled at weaving willow lanterns and angels.

Workshops are from £70. katemorrell willow workshops. co.uk

The owners Tamsin Gordon, a chef and owner of catering business Salt & Honey (salthoney.co.uk), and her husband James, an accountant, live here with their cats, Ludo and Bluebell The property A three-bedroom Victorian terrace in Peckham, south-east London project cost £20,000 (for kitchen, flooring, island and appliances)

WORDS ELLEN FINCH PHOTOGRAPHS DAVID WOOLLEY STYLING FRANCINE KAY

Profile

Exposed brick, raw materials and cosy touches – Tamsin and James’ kitchen is fit for a chef

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Raw steel, weathered for an industrial look using a salt-water solution, clads the cupboard doors around Tamsin and James’ kitchen island. As a chef, it’s the perfect place to entertain for Tamsin: her guests can gather round it while she cooks on the worktops opposite.

Units, Ikea. Worktop, Mortise Concrete. Ceiling lights, Urban Cotage Industries. Extractor fan, Best by Britannia. Ovens, John Lewis. Hob, Siemens.

Stools, Amnesty International online shop

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If your budget won’t stretch to concrete work surfaces, try Worktop Express for faux-concrete laminate options

2

Step one

Step two

1 What

constitutes the perfect entertaining space? For us, it’s an instant mental checklist: large table, kitchen island, indoor-outdoor link, plenty of room. Essentially, it’s Tamsin and James Gordon’s gorgeous industrial kitchen. As a chef, Tamsin wanted somewhere to prepare, cook and serve food to her friends and family – something her small existing kitchen couldn’t offer. Together with a trusted architect, she and James created a dream space that would play host to long dinner parties and memorable Christmas celebrations, as well as inspire her to start her own catering business. Here, she talks us through how she created her ideal kitchen.

The vision

Finding an architect

‘Our Victorian terrace originally had a horrible, conservatory-style extension that had been tacked on to the back of the house,’ Tamsin says. ‘It was narrow and completely inefficient. Because it was made entirely out of glass, it was too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter – so cold that our olive oil kept turning solid!

‘I’d always wanted a beautiful kitchen. As a professional chef, I love food and trying out new recipes. I wanted a room with plenty of prep space and storage as well as an island, which works so well for entertaining.

We decided to extend into the side return to make the most of the space and to create a functional, bright and airy kitchen-diner that would allow me to work from home.’

‘We worked with a local Peckham architect, David Hingamp, who had already installed a bathroom for us.

We instantly hit it off – we definitely share a vision. While work was still ongoing on our bathroom, we decided to bite the bullet and do the kitchen extension as well.

‘We came up with plans and discussed everything over large quantities of wine, sitting around our table and pouring over a moodboard James and I had created. David got so excited about the ideas that we ended up talking well into the evening.

We knew he wouldn’t force us into anything and he was flexible about our requirements – like our decision to incorporate an exposed brick wall into the design, for example.’

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The dining table is the couple’s main entertaining space. Extended, it can seat more than 10 people – perfect for a Christmas dinner party.

Chairs, Ikea. Sheepskin covers, John Lewis.

Pendant lights, Jim Lawrence. Red cabinet, Geofrey Drayton. For a similar table, try Oak Furnitureland. For similar sliding doors, try Velfac

Step four

Step five

The build

Design details

Living in the space

‘We applied for planning permission, but it was initially refused because the extension went up to the boundary on both sides of the plot. We appealed and won, but the process set us back six months and cost money – we had to pay for solicitors and surveyors.

‘For our budget, we had no contingency, so we had to make sacrifices and compromises when necessary. Instead of the higher-grade ovens we wanted, we opted for John Lewis models. We loved the idea of a poured concrete floor, but it was too expensive. Instead, David suggested sealing a self-levelling compound to create a similar effect. We weren’t sure it would be durable enough, but it’s actually very hardwearing and it’s still going strong today.’

‘We had white Ikea units cut and fitted by our builders, and we incorporated Corian surfaces into the design. We wove our dream material, concrete, into the design through the island worktop. The rest of the island is Ikea units, which we covered with raw steel from a metal dealer and then sprayed with a salt water solution to help them rust. We immediately thought, “What have we done?” but as it’s aged, it’s developed a lovely patina.

‘We were keen on having slimframed sliding doors so we could enjoy the view of the garden. We wanted to use as much of what we already had as possible. I refused to throw out the fridge we’d just bought, so the builders built bespoke curved cabinets around it that are a beautiful visual feature.’

‘We love entertaining here – it’s a great party space. We fill the whole of the island with ice buckets, lots of wine and food. It’s really well set up for entertaining as a chef, too – I can squirrel away the things I’m working on at the back of the kitchen, where the white units and worktop are, while the guests stand on the other side of the island so they’re not underfoot.

‘For our first Christmas with the new kitchen, we had our friends round, along with all of our parents, and extended the table out for a total feast. Another time, we had our friends over from Australia and set up a barbecue in the garden with the doors wide open. I’ll never forget the sight of the men barbecuing prawns in the freezing cold.’

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Step three

3 4 5

TOP TIP Integrate appliances like your fridge into wall units, cupboards or bespoke panelling for a smooth and seamless design

Above Thanks to sliding doors and a cleverly placed rooflight, the kitchen is flooded with light all year round. White wall-to-floor handleless units enhance the space and provide a sleek backdrop to the couple’s industrial touches.

Contacts Architect Archic Architects, archic.co.uk Units Ikea, 020 3645 0000, ikea.co.uk Worktops Mortise Concrete, 020 7859 4730, mortiseconcrete.co.uk

Wall units, Ikea. White worktops, Corian. Fridge-freezer, LG

my kitchen favourites Rochelle Canteen, mains from around £13, arnoldandhenderson.com

MY DREAM FESTIVE PARTY GUEST ‘Margot Henderson, the chef and founder of Rochelle Canteen.’

WHERE YOU’LL FIND ME ON A SATURDAY MORNING ‘At the fishmongers, buying oysters for lunch.’

Luka extending dining table, £699, Made.com

Oysters by Cynthia Nims, £17.99, Waterstones

MY BEST KITCHEN MEMORY ‘Any time we have friends round – we extend the table and serve up a feast.’

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THE ONE THING I ALWAYS MAKE AT CHRISTMAS ‘I love making cakes, but it has to be mince pies.’

Mince pies, £2.50 for six, Marks & Spencer

Wine cooler, £30, John Lewis

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Projectadvice NEWS EDIT | EXPERT GUIDES | EXTENSIONS

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#SOREALHOMES

It’s hard to get the balance right when it comes to a stand-out extension. You want it to be unique but not eccentric, distinctive but not jarring. Materials require a lot of thought – is brick too matchy-matchy? Metal too modern?

If in doubt, timber is always a good option – it’s subtle, contemporary and ties in perfectly with both house and garden. We love this intricate design from Variant Oice, which uses panels of Siberian larch to create a striking stripe efect. The corner window seat is perfect for accommodating those extra guests at Christmas, too. Build cost: £90,000. Variant Oice, variantoice.com

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WORDS ELLEN FINCH

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CHECK OUT OUR EXTENSIONS GALLERY AT REALHOMES.COM/EXTENSIONS

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THE DECEMBER

Report UR KITC THE LATEST IDEAS FOR YO COOL COLLAB Now the heating’s on, has anyone else noticed how unsightly some radiators can be? Why not get one with a finish that flatters your décor? Farrow & Ball and The Radiator Company have joined forces to offer three cast-iron designs in a choice of 132 paint finishes, so you can perfectly match or contrast your radiators with your wall. Linton two-column, 10 section radiator in Farrow & Ball’s Manor House Gray, no.265, £2,100, The Radiator Company

HEN AND BATHROOM,

PLUS ESSENTIAL BUYS FO

R YOUR PROJECT

Turn on the heat The ultimate cosy centrepiece to an open-plan space, this new stove rotates, so you can be mesmerised by flickering flames from all angles. The Nestor-Martin THS 15 double-sided rotating gas stove has a heat output of 2-5kW and comes with a high-quality gas burner. From £3,495, Eurostove

FEATURE AMELIA SMITH

COFFEE FIRST Smeg’s brand new filter cofee machines are cute as a button. Making your own cofee can save you a packet (based on our considerable cafeine consumption at Real Homes HQ, that is) and it saves on all those wasted takeaway cups. This one’s definitely on our Christmas list – we just need to pick our favourite colour… DCF01 drip filter cofee machine, £179.95, Smeg

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3 WAYS...

French charm

YOUR OVEN CAN KEEP YOU SANE THIS CHRISTMAS

Bring a touch (or a whole wall) of French provincial style into your home with these beautifully ornate tiles. Bursting with rustic detail, the unique architectural shapes and prety patchwork design are sure to create a statement on any wall or floor. And they’re an absolute bargain at just £16.99 per m2.

Riga patchwork tile, Tile Mountain

COOK’S HELPER Just imagine! No more googling ‘how to roast a turkey’ on Christmas Eve. This oven can cook on AutoPilot. Simply tell your Bosch what you’re cooking and it will select the ideal heating mode, temperature and duration for you.

FRIDGE WATCH Planning your evening meal at work, but can’t remember if you’ve already got tomatoes?

Put this clever mini camera in your fridge so you can check its contents through your phone.

It also keeps track of expiry dates, making banishing food wastage a little easier (and you can make sure no one’s touched your chocolate). Smarter Fridge Cam, £149.99, Currys

*FIGURES SUPPLIED BY WASTE & RESOURCES ACTION PROGRAMME (WRAP)

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NO EAU DE SPROUT Is there a meal that has as many diferent tastes as a Christmas dinner?

Pigs in blankets, sprouts, parsnips, not to mention veggie options and starters.

Now with the 3D HotAir feature, you can bung everything in the oven at the same time without fear of intermingling flavours.

MEAT’S DONE! You can be certain you won’t be serving your guests undercooked turkey with the single point meat probe. It constantly measures the temperature at the very core of your bird, and switches of automatically when it’s ready – how handy! Serie 6 HBG5785SOB built-in single oven, £879, Bosch

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AWAY £700 OF FOOD EACH YEAR* BARELY THERE Perfect for keeping your bathroom light and bright, this new curved frameless shower enclosure is made from a single piece of glass for a chic and minimal look. Curved shower wall, from £874, Merlyn Showering

Crystal clear Want something prety to look at while you wait for the ketle to boil? You’ll be transfixed by the rapid vaporisation of liquid (aka boiling) with this see-through glass design. Its blue light and copper finish will make it a talking point in any modern kitchen. Copper illuminating glass ketle, £54.99, Russell Hobbs

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Roest vertical pendant light

by Karven, £185, Limelace

Vintage bronze wallpaper, £26 per m2, Photowall

trend spot

OXIDISED METAL

Zenith Rouille worktop, £255 for W65xL307cm, Worktop Express

We love the industrial feel that metal brings to our kitchens, but move over super shiny – there’s a new finish in town. Treated metal, most notably oxidised copper, will add rustic character and plenty of personality to your kitchen scheme.

Bertrand threepiece nesting tables, £139.99, Wayfair

Oxidised copper Ferro kitchen, from £20,000, Kitchen Stori

Be fooled by appearances Love the look of wooden flooring but keen to be adventurous? Walls & Floors has pushed the wood-effect floor boundaries with new plank-shaped porcelain designs in a range of colours, including pink, indigo and teal. Nyans porcelain tiles, from £39.95 per m2, Walls & Floors

‘Roof windows, open’ Rooflights are all well and good until you tire of standing on your stool with a long pole six times a day, opening and closing them as the temperature changes. Now Velux Active and Netatmo’s new system allows you to control your windows with a simple voice command – problem solved! They can even detect when a room needs ventilating, keeping your air as fresh and healthy as possible. Velux Active with Netamo system, £219.99, Velux

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E RTOR A DVAEDV RTOR I A LI A L

OLD MEETS NEW Combining classic design with modern materials, windows and doors from The Residence Collection are a smart choice

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hether you’re building an extension or looking to revamp your existing exterior, what style and material of window to choose is a key decision you’ll need to make.

If you’re looking for an alternative to traditional timber windows and doors, try Residence 9 from The Residence collection, which offers a wide range of authentic, lowmaintenance designs.

Traditional with a twist The elegant flush exterior and stylish decorative interior of Residence 9 authentically replicates 19th-century timber designs, but by using modern high-performance materials, the windows are virtually maintenance free. Uniquely engineered ‘easy clean’ rebates can simply be wiped clean, meaning your windows look their best with minimal effort.

Undeniably authentic Designed to be in keeping with Conservation Area guidelines to ensure the windows and doors are a suitable choice for period properties, Residence 9 has been approved for use in a number of Conservation Areas, Article 4 sites and listed buildings. Available in a choice of handpicked heritage colours,

you can personalise the frames to complement your interior décor by choosing a different colour for inside and out.

Sophisticated performance Available with a choice of doubleor triple-glazed units, the timbereffect windows and doors feature high levels of thermal and acoustic performance, as well as the latest security innovations.

Best of British Residence 9 is proud to be designed and made in the UK. Created with the enduring designs of British architecture in mind, it offers a number of bespoke options to suit everything from traditional Georgian and Victorian homes to more modern properties.

The collection can also be cleverly incorporated into fabulous French doors, composite doors and elegant orangeries and garden rooms.

For more information, call 01452 300912, visit the website at residencecollection.co.uk or search #residencecollection on Instagram for more window inspiration.

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Residence 9 windows ofer the beauty of timber while remaining easy to maintain and upkeep. With a variety of styles and colours available, they’re a practical solution for updating a period home

FOCUS ON

Carpet Warm and sot underfoot, these designs can also be a brilliant decorative addition to a room, or an understated backdrop BEST FOR A FEATURE FLOOR

BEST FOR GRAPHIC PATTERN

If you’ve gone for white or very pale walls in a room scheme, adding colour at floor level with the choice of carpet can give the space personality. Here the shade complements the wooden furniture by echoing its warm tones.

Synergy in Teksilk in Gold Coast, £85 per m2, Elements London

Geometric designs are on trend, including when it comes to the floor, and they translate beautifully to carpet. This design is perfect for a home oice or living room, and with its man-made fibres, is easy to keep looking good as new. Condo Hexagon polypropylene carpet in teal, £39.99 per m2, Carpetright

BEST FOR A NATURAL LOOK Floorcoverings made from plant fibres are great for creating a relaxed and rustic efect, and can be fited wall to wall, just like carpet. This sisal is hardwearing enough to be used in high-traic areas around the home, including living spaces, hallways and stairs.

Sisal Colossos Mink, £45 per m2, Sisal & Seagrass

WORDS SARAH WARWICK

Three TOP TIPS FIBRE FACTS Wool is resilient, sot and warm, and retains its appearance. Both 100 per cent wool carpets and mixes with man-made fibres in an 80/20 or 50/50 ratio are available. The later two may be beter for busy thoroughfares like halls and stairs. Synthetics wear well, are stain resistant and easily cleaned. The latest versions can also have a silk-like look.

Choosing the right carpet fibre and type is essential so your buy stands the test of time

THINK TEXTURE Twist pile carpet is hardwearing and has a textured appearance. Loop pile versions look like natural floorcoverings, but avoid them if you have a cat as claws tend to snag the loops.

Velvet pile looks smooth, but it’s no less durable than a twist. Saxony, on the other hand, has a luxurious deep pile that makes it ideal for bedrooms.

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RIGHT-ROOM PAIRING Choose a carpet or material that’s right for the space. High-footfall areas like stairs and halls need heavy domestic or extra heavy domestic to cope. Living spaces can benefit from durable carpets, too. Bedrooms, apart from children’s, can have light-weight versions. If you’re choosing plant fibre, avoid seagrass on stairs and save jute for bedrooms.

BEST FOR WARMING A ROOM Laying a carpet with hues from the hot side of the colour wheel can make any room feel cosier, especially if the space has a high ceiling or grand proportions. This design’s stripes create added interest at floor level and the patern’s enduringly stylish. Iconic Stripe Cassidy 100 per cent wool carpet, £60.05 per m2, Alternative Flooring

BEST FOR HALL AND STAIRS Carpet can turn a home’s circulation spaces from passageways you barely notice into routes with the class of a catwalk. Here, a narrow-width runner has been fited on the stairs, while adjoining runners carpet the landing. Swanson Celadon 100 per cent wool flatweave 60cm wide, £129 per metre, Roger Oates

BEST FOR BEDROOM COMFORT It’s hard to beat the feel of a carpet with a sot, luxurious finish when you step out of bed, and this version meets the brief.

The directions of the pile will create atractive light and shade efects, too.

Sensation Heathers 100 per cent Luxelle PP carpet in Riga Surf, from £24 per m2, Cormar Carpets

BEST FOR A SMART LOOK This design’s the perfect flooring choice for a room that’s used for entertaining. The angular lines of the contemporary motif make it look sophisticated, while the wool mix will stand up to the foot traic created by visitors. Perpetual Textures 80 per cent wool/20 per cent nylon carpet in Isochrone, £59.99 per m2, Brintons

finishing touches

When a new carpet’s not on the agenda, improve the floor with a fabulous rug

Esprit Chimera rug, assorted sizes, from £59, Modern Rugs Isadore natural wool and black diamond patern hand-woven rug, W140xL200cm, £250, Habitat

Holden large geometric hand tuted rug in neutral pink, W160xL230cm, £299, Made.com

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Linie design Acacia rug in blue, three sizes available, from £312, Cloudberry Living

A GUIDE TO

Open-plan living UP AND DOWNSIDES The clear benefit of going open plan is the increase in floor space once walls are down.

Daylight is boosted as partitions are removed and the layout is more sociable as well – you can do your own thing without feeling isolated from the rest of your household. However, the sounds of food preparation and kitchen appliances can compete with the TV, and tasks that need concentration are impacted by the proximity of others. Losing a hallway means more cleaning, and the smallest pile of cluter can be seen from everywhere.

#SOREALHOMES

WORDS SARAH WARWICK PHOTOGRAPHS MAI-LING LEUNG

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he self-contained rooms in many homes are often a legacy of how families used to live rather than the way we do today. A lack of central heating and insulation together with single glazing meant that separate rooms were essential for warmth. Activities were confined to individual rooms, and in many homes functional areas were hidden away while rooms for welcoming guests had a different status.

Today, things are radically different. We’re happy to welcome guests into the kitchen rather than be shut away from the action when we cook. Many of us don’t want a whole room used only for evening meals, or a formal living room for welcoming guests. More and more of us are also lusting after bedrooms that open up to en-suite bathrooms.

From limited wall space to a lack of privacy, making a home more open plan can be difficult (not to mention noisy, if you have young kids), so it’s important to plan, plan, plan. Want to make open plan work in your home?

Read on to find out more...

FOR MORE INSPIRATION, VISIT REALHOMES.COM/COMPLETED-PROJECTS

Bring your home up to date with a layout that does away with closed-off individual rooms. Here’s what you need to know

TURN OVER TO READ HOW THE OWNERS OF THIS TERRACED HOUSE CREATED A FAMILY-FRIENDLY OPEN SPACE 141

BE RULE SAVVY Removing internal walls isn’t something that generally needs planning permission.

Live in a listed building?

You’ll need listed building consent for significant works, so get in touch with the local planning department. Building regulations apply when you’re taking down an internal wall, covering issues such as fire safety and the structural support that will be required if it’s load bearing. Exact requirements will be particular to your home, so always get professional advice. Find out more at realhomes.com/ planning-permission.

BUDGET PLANNING A variety of elements will make up the final bill. The cost of a building regulations application is set by your local authority, so check on its site for details. If you need a structural engineer to specify a beam where the wall to be removed is load bearing, it could cost around £300.

The cost of taking down a wall depends on the type, but may start from around £1,800, depending on where you live. Additional costs will include those for moving radiators, light switches and sockets as necessary.

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WHICH AREAS? Open-plan layouts are extremely popular for cooking, dining and living space. This might involve the entire ground floor of a house or be confined to the rear of the property – oten with the aid of an extension. Going open plan between a bedroom and bathroom is also possible.

You’ll need to consider the loo – how will you ensure privacy when the bathroom is open to the bedroom?

FREE FLOW

STRUCTURAL FEATURES You could end up with a load-bearing pillar as part of your new open-plan space, but it doesn’t need to be an unatractive part of the layout. It may be possible to work it into a kitchen design to create additional storage niches, or as a point around which seating is arranged. It can also be used as the end point for an island. A pillar can be finished in a colour or material that makes it a decorative feature. Brick, stainless steel, wood or even a mirror efect could create textural interest.

‘When we bought the property it was with the intention of modernising it,’ says Hazel. ‘We loved the area, the terraced style, the height of the ceilings and so on – but the property had pretty much the same layout from back when it was first built. It was dated in terms of decoration and fixtures and fittings, as well as having a funny little lean-to at the back, which housed a 1980s-style toilet and was used as a utility room, too. Some rooms were quite dark and the flow of the house just didn’t work for us as a family.

‘The sitting room/living area was split into two, and the dining room and kitchen were also separate, which meant the main spaces weren’t being used efficiently. We wanted to open out each of these areas to create large social spaces and encourage as much light throughout the house as possible, as well as easy access to the garden.

‘At the back of the house, the openplan layout means we have lots of space for our two-year-old – and our dog – to play and run around in. It also means we can keep an eye on her when she’s playing in the garden.

‘We had originally planned on keeping two different levels in the kitchen so that there was a step down into the dining area, which would create a natural division between the two. However, Richard from architects Archea suggested we could do this through the introduction of different materials – the blue panelling – which we think works and means the room flows in a much better way.

‘We now have lots more space so we can have play dates for our daughter and her friends, have friends over for dinner or barbecues and also have family to stay.’

COST AND CONTACTS Project cost £80,000 Architect Archea, 020 7249 1206, archea.co

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REALHOMES.COM

Hazel and Antony Morgan introduced open-plan spaces that make home life better for them, their daughter, and Henry the British Bulldog

BRIGHT AND CONTEMPORARY The ground floor of the townhouse where Tim Playle and children Jasper, 10, and Austin, nine, live was cramped and under-used ‘This is a 1950s townhouse that originally had a large garage on the right as you came in, and a downstairs toilet on the left,’ says Tim. ‘The rest of the downstairs consisted of a hallway through to a tired dining room behind the garage with old patio doors to the garden at the rear, and through an archway to a kitchen and utility.

‘The kitchen had a dividing wall through to the utility that just made both rooms small. The garage was far too big, and there was a wall across the back of the stairs that closed the space

BROKEN PLAN Broken-plan layouts bring the advantages of open plan while remedying the potential diiculties. It uses half walls or glass partitions, storage such as shelving, and features like double-sided fires or changes of level to create greater separation between areas. The sense of space and light, meanwhile, remains. It can also be a way to hide pots and pans from seated diners, or to conceal a bathroom that flows from a bedroom.

PHOTOGRAPHS MEGAN TAYLOR

IN THE ZONE There may not be walls to delineate them, but openplan areas still need to have dedicated functional zones: cooking, eating, relaxing, or sleeping and bathing.

These will need to be logically arranged – you won’t want to walk far with hot food to take it to the dining table, for instance. Plan how you’ll move through the room: for example, the working part of the kitchen shouldn’t be a passage to elsewhere.

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TIME APART It’s worth considering whether you want the option to close of part of an open-plan ground floor from time to time – to create a home work space, for example, or a separate seating area apart from family comings and goings. You might want to plan in pocket doors, which will be concealed in the walls when they’re open, as a subtle way of closing of a space.

Sliding doors will be more obvious, but can be equally stylish, or consider bi-folding doors if you don’t mind them taking up a litle more space.

THE PLANS BEFORE

DEAL WITH APPLIANCES Washing machines and extractor hoods, as well as other appliances, can result in shouted conversations and TVs turned right up so you can hear the dialogue in open-plan spaces. If you’re buying new appliances and they’ll be part of an open-plan area, look out for products with Quiet Mark accreditation (quietmark.com). However, you might prefer to plan a separate soundproofed utility room partitioned of from the rest of the space. Ducting for extractors, meanwhile, should be as short and straight as possible to reduce noise.

up even further. In general, it just wasn’t a good entertaining space.

‘The best solution was to take 10 feet from the garage and remove the wall next to the stairs and the utility to create a more airy feel and add a snug for me and the kids to relax in. We’d also have a large dining room to entertain in, eat with the kids and do homework, and a big kitchen.

‘Due to budget constraints we settled on a layout that didn’t involve removing any structural walls so the price was kept to a minimum without compromising on look and feel.

‘The downstairs now feels so contemporary. It’s a bright space that’s a really nice place to be in, and the kids love spending time in it. We replaced the back door with a new large patio door, which is rarely closed in the summer, so the outside really is part of the inside. For the kids, me, and my friends, it’s a lovely space that works on so many levels.’

COST AND CONTACTS Project cost £50,000 Interior design 2LG Studio, 020 3590 5386, 2lgstudio.com

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THINK OF THE NEIGHBOURS You may be knocking down rather than building onto your home, but going open plan can still require party wall notifications to neighbours if you live in a terraced or semi-detached home. This is because new supporting beams may need to be positioned in party walls.

Remember that you have to give neighbours writen notice – but it’s always best to tell them in person first.

You can download a notice to use from the government’s gov.uk site, or call in a specialist party wall surveyor for professional advice.

A CAKE-MAKER’S HEAVEN Jane and David Wallace knocked through between two rooms to create a kitchen-diner that’s perfect for baking

LIGHT AREAS You’ll need to address the lighting demands of specific areas to create a successful open-plan scheme. The kitchen zone needs good, even lighting for safe working, while living areas will demand soter, more intimate illumination. It’s best if the lighting works on separate circuits, so you don’t have to contemplate the remnants of meal preparation once you’re at the table.

REALHOMES.COM

‘As an avid fan of The Great British Bake Off, I knew exactly which oven I wanted when David and I came to design our dream kitchen,’ Jane says. ‘I’d never seen oven doors that slide underneath before, but as soon as I saw them on the show I knew they had to be part of our design. I love baking, so it was important to me that the kitchen layout works really well on a practical level. David jokes that I’m always making cakes but he never gets to eat them because I take them into work!

‘This house had been a rental property and then stood empty for three months before we bought it, so it really needed some TLC. When we moved in, the kitchen was long

ON THE LEVEL When you take down a wall between two rooms, it will frequently become apparent that the floor levels are not exactly the same. Ater all, they didn’t need to be. Once the two areas are open to one another, however, even a tiny diference will show. Either floors will need to be levelled or you might choose to use a step between spaces to help zone the areas. You might also need a plasterer if knocking through has revealed slightly unaligned walls that, like the floor, didn’t need to meet precisely before.

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and narrow and there was a separate dining room next door. We could see the potential to knock through between them to create one open-plan space.

‘Along with the oven, my main demands were plenty of storage and space. We went armed with our list of ideas to a local kitchen expert, who combined them with her own suggestions and turned them into 3D renders to help us visualise the finished space. She suggested a horizontal picture window to break up the run of units and encouraged us to include a pop-up extractor hood, as well as a hot water tap so we could do away with our kettle. We also incorporated a larderstyle wall of storage, which hides the microwave, toaster and baking tools.

‘I love the pared-back Scandi style and felt that the white units and simple wood floor would help to bounce the light around. We set up a makeshift kitchen in the living room while the work was taking place. The builders demolished the dividing wall between our kitchen and dining room, then installed new aluminium windows and sliding doors leading out onto our first-floor balcony.

‘It’s a pleasure to cook and bake in here because everything functions so well and is located in the right place.

The layout is so sociable too. I can’t imagine us ever going back to having a separate dining room; it’s completely transformed the way we live.’

ON THE FLOOR If you want the same flooring throughout an open-plan area, it’s going to have to be up to task in the most demanding areas – like the kitchen and bathroom. Wood and laminate are possibilities, as well as tiles and vinyl, but count out carpet.

The downside of hard flooring is that it won’t muffle sound as carpet does, but you can lay rugs to soten living and dining areas. Flooring changes can work – just keep them sympathetic.

DECORATING DECISIONS For an open-plan area to feel harmonious, the decoration needs to be consistent.

However, colour doesn’t have to be used in the same way in each zone. For example, you could use a bold colour choice in a living area, then repeat it as an accent shade in the kitchen; bar stools could be the same shade as other upholstered furniture. Neither do the walls have to be the same throughout: a feature wallpaper might distinguish a living or dining zone and repeat a colour from kitchen cabinetry in its patern.

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BED AND BATH If you’re also planning to redesign an upstairs layout and like the idea of creating an open-plan bedroom, bathroom privacy has to be managed. Achieve this by using a vertical or horizontal half wall or a layout that means you don’t have to see your other half flossing, but can talk if they’re taking a soak in the tub. Built-in furniture can also be used to separate the spaces without losing the open feel. If you don’t want to go the whole hog, consider a freestanding bath in the bedroom with basin and shower – as well as the WC – elsewhere.

WORDS LAURA CROMBIE PHOTOGRAPHS KATIE LEE STYLING LAURA BROWN

COST AND CONTACTS Project cost £32,000 Designer Diane Berry Kitchens, 0161 798 5335, dianeberrykitchens.co.uk Builder Ken Rostron Builders, 0161 764 7720 Windows Clearview, 0808 149 7689, clearviewhome.co.uk

Real Homes ADVERTORIAL

MAXIMISE NATURAL LIGHT Transform your home with on-trend InnerVision® steel screens from Crittall Windows

PHOTOGRAPHS KILIAN O’SULLIVAN, COURTESY OF STIFF AND TREVILLION

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hether you want to open up your home to the garden and create a seamless transition between indoors and out, or let light flood between rooms, glass doors and internal screens are a stylish solution that can suit any type of property.

Floor-to-ceiling glass doors are a modern, on-trend and popular

addition, and sliding designs take up minimal room so you’ll maximise every inch of space. Crittall’s new InnerVision steel-framed sliding doors boast its iconic sharp, clean lines, for a feature that’s sure to become a talking point, Open-plan living is becoming more and more popular, but can be tricky to get right. A great way to zone your space without

blocking out light or taking up space is with simple interior glass screens. Crittall’s InnerVision glazed steel partitioning screens have slim steel frames for a sleek look, and they can help to create privacy and reduce noise levels throughout your open-plan space.

For more information, call 01376 530800 or visit crittall-windows.co.uk.

WIN A LONDON BREAK! If you have Crittall windows, doors or screens, the company would love to hear from you – and maybe feature your property in their brochures, websites and social media. Homes selected will be entered into a prize draw for a London weekend break for two with tickets to a West End show. Email two interior and two exterior images (jpeg format) with a brief description and your details to competitions@ crittall-windows.co.uk.

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? questions & answers

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Planning a project? Our Real Homes expert, Jason Orme, solves all of your home transformation dilemmas

Q: I’ve just bought a pre-war detached house and it’s proving colder than I’d expected. What’s the best way to improve it?

A: Insulating the roof and walls are the most sensible priorities and the easiest to achieve. In terms of the roof, you will want to ensure that the floor of the loft has at least 270mm of mineral wool insulation. It’s highly unlikely that this is the case – even if the loft has been insulated, the wool will have been padded down over the years (people put suitcases and all sorts of things on top of them) and, as a result, be less effective. Installing it is a DIY job, but you’ll need to make sure you wear protective clothing and masks as the wool can be an irritant. If you want to use the loft for storage, then you could consider using loft legs that enable you to fit a floor over the insulation.

Next it’s the walls. Ideally, external insulation is the best bet as it provides

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a warm wrapper around the house and moves the dewpoint to the outside of the internal walls. However, that does mean disrupting the home’s existing external appearance, so it isn’t for everyone. If that’s the case, the easiest solution is to fit insulated plasterboard, which is regular plasterboard with an insulation layer bonded on the rear face. This can significantly reduce heat loss through your walls and is the best option for those looking to improve performance without losing too much in the way of floor space – the plasterboard is 27mm or 55mm thick, depending on how much you want to insulate, compared to the usual 12.5mm.

It is pretty expensive – around five times the price for the thinner version, up to 10 times the price for the thicker board. Just think of all those warm nights on the sofa you’ll be enjoying though.

DID YOU KNOW? Around 35 per cent of your home’s heat is lost through the walls. Need an insulation upgrade? Cavity wall insulation is a quick and relatively easy option that can be retrofited, and it’s oten a painless process – it can usually be installed from outside with minimal disruption.

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FOR MORE PROJECT ADVICE, VISIT REALHOMES.COM/ADVICE

Q: I’d like to have my patio on the same level as the flooring on the inside of my extension, but my builder says it’s difficult to do well. Are they right?

A: They are, but it’s not impossible.

It depends on that all important building commodity – teamwork.

Your builder will need to plan for it in the floor construction, because the installation of a dedicated drainage system will ensure any rainwater is channelled away from the inside. It should go without saying that a level threshold also makes the light fall in the patio all the more important – away from the house, obviously. The other part of the equation is in terms of the track detail, which is down to the sliding door manufacturer – and there are various solutions offered by the main providers. Because the frame itself disappears in a system like this, the problem is often on the kicker seal of the doors, which needs to be carefully detailed as it can be a bit leaky in terms of air getting in and out. Look out for systems that are weather rated. You also might want to create mitigating design factors such as an overhang to ensure that weather is not constantly battering the door. Lastly, if you can’t satisfy yourself or your builder as to the weather rating of the supplier’s level threshold system, then consider a low threshold instead – it provides the same visual effect, with none of the potential problems.

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Q: My architect has designed a flat roof for my extension, but I’m worried about it leaking.

Should I be?

A: In a word – no. Flat roofs are not what they were in the 1960s and 1970s, when they were effectively felt roof with loose chipping covers over a simple deck, built totally flat, ready for puddles to form. These days, many flat roofs are built as so-called ‘warm’ roofs, where a thick layer of rigid insulation sits above a vapour barrier and is covered by either a single-ply or fibreglass/ rubberised layer. These single ply systems tend to come with a 20-year guarantee and are expected to last for decades longer – they don’t tear and are resistant to extreme heat and cold.

Crucially, it is important to ensure that your designer has allowed for a fall on the roof level itself – 2-4˚ should be sufficient. This can be achieved through pre-formed firring strips (they can also be built on site). The installation of your roof cover is best left to a specialist roofing contractor with experience in the application of these new systems.

Q: What construction system should I use for my extension?

A: The method of building walls for those building their own homes varies significantly, but the same choice hasn’t affected the home extension market yet. It is, however, slowly changing. The usual solution is the cavity wall, which consists of an outer skin of brickwork (or blockwork rendered or clad in timber) and an internal skin of masonry blockwork. In between, there is a cavity, usually a 100mm gap which is filled, either partially or fully, with insulation.

This is still the standard way to build walls, and it’s very effective. As energy performance standards for walls have changed in recent years, the cavity required has increased with the thickness of insulation, giving builders the option of reducing heat loss. The thickness of that external wall can hit 350mm. When garden space is limited, this can be significant space lost.

Extenders in these situations might like to consider a timber frame or Structural Insulated Panel system (SIPs), where the insulation is set as an integral part of the walling (in timber frame, between the 89 or 140mm studs; in SIPs, as the core between two outer sheets of OSB, achieving similar thickness). These walls can then be clad or rendered on the outside – or a brick slip system used. The systems will achieve excellent energy performance and, compared to cavity walls, might save over 100mm on the overall thickness – which, around the whole extension on a tight site, could equate to an extra 3-4m2 of added space.

There are many other excellent systems, not least Insulated Concrete Formwork (ICF) which is a kind of masonry SIPs system in reverse, with a poured concrete core separating two layers of insulation. All differ slightly in terms of cost, but with the exception of wall thickness, the differences between the systems are probably not sufficient to justify changing your builder, or their preferred system, to suit.

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Range cookers Your turn to do the Christmas dinner? Choose a statement oven and preparing your meal can be a pleasure 2

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FOR MORE INSPIRATION, VISIT REALHOMES.COM/KITCHENS

1 Cookmaster CK100F232 dual-fuel range cooker in blue, £903, Leisure 2 New World vision gas range cooker with electric fan oven, £749, Ao.com 3 The Delphi range cooker, available with gas or induction and ‘choose your colour’ option, £3,499, Britania

FEATURE AMELIA SMITH

4 Dusky pink 90+ induction range cooker, £6,575, Everhot 5 JLRC921 dual-fuel range cooker, £1,099, John Lewis 6 Rangemaster Professional Plus stainless-steel induction range cooker, £2,149, Argos 7 Farmhouse mini range double oven, available in a variety of fuel types, from £580, Belling

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THE EDIT

Bathroom storage Choose stylish freestanding solutions to hide away or display all your essential bits and bobs 2

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FOR MORE INSPIRATION, VISIT REALHOMES.COM/STORAGE

1 Three-tier wooden storage unit, £28, Sainsbury’s 2 Cranberry metal industrial cabinet in red, £187.50, Maisons du Monde 3 Elona tallboy, £179, Made.com

FEATURE AMELIA SMITH

4 Lixhult cabinet, £30, Ikea 5 Bali leaning bookcase, £145, John Lewis 6 Soho freestanding cabinet, £263.99, Wayfair 7 Low wire rack, £145, Loaf

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A GUIDE TO

Front doors

Smarten up the entrance to your home with a brand new door. Whether you prefer modern or classic, take your pick from one of these designs 3 OF THE BEST CONTEMPORARY DOORS

TIMELESS APPEAL With maximum dimensions of W2.2m and H3m, this Apertio pivoting door makes a lasting first impression. An external finish of oak and a central stainless-steel band look crisp – and the steel core door comes in other finishes such as marble, stone, metal and glass.

Include in a wall opening or surround with frameless glazing. This version is H250xW180cm and cost £11,189.76 for design, supply and install in London, from IQ Glass

BEST FOR DESIGN CHOICE The Palermo’s 23 colour options make it easy to match one with your home.

Includes thermo plastic skin and timber core. From £900 for a door set, Solidor

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BEST FOR A WOOD LOOK RK Doors’ Excellence range allows you to choose your door style – like this 4090 model – before customising with colours and accessories. From £1,995

WORDS SARAH WARWICK

BEST FOR HIGH SECURITY Meeting Secured by Design criteria, this hardwood timber door is laminated for strength. FunkyFront door with Hamburg style panel, H210xW300cm, £3,130 supply only, Klöeber

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STAR TURN

3 OF THE BEST MODERN DOORS

A colour that draws the eye and sleek horizontal grooves make this front door a real head turner.

It’s made from hardwood and steel reinforced with high-security features.

Select from six finishes including iroko, European oak and American black walnut, as well as any RAL shade. Parma E80 Pivot doorset in RAL colour 1032, £5,376 for H240x W120cm, Urban Front BEST FOR A SLEEK LOOK Constructed from aluminium with a foam infill, the ThermoSafe style 565 provides efective heat and sound insulation. This H191xW85cm door is £3,927, Hörmann

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BEST FOR WEATHER RESISTANCE With a highly durable Medite Tricoya Extreme MDF top layer, the Tigris Extreme can withstand challenging conditions. Around £482.40 for a H198xW83.8cm door, JB Kind

‘A high quality composite door will not rot, flake, rust or fade, and you’ll never have to sand, paint or varnish it. If you’re after an attractive front door without any upkeep, a composite door is an ideal choice’ Jill McLintock, Everest

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BEST FOR BOOSTING LIGHT A long glass panel in this door, which has GRP facing, brightens the hallway.

Shardlow glazed door, £699.99 for H203xW89cm, LPD Doors at Wayfair

3 OF THE BEST

PERIOD BEAUTY

TRADITIONAL DOORS

A Victorian home that’s lost an original door along the way can be restored to glory with a design like this one. The four-panel door has authentic heavy bolection mouldings and is painted in dark grey, which complements the tiled path. It has been made from solid accoya wood, which is treated to be extremely durable and stable, and is finished with smart polished chrome door furniture.

From £2,400, London Door Company

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BEST FOR A COTTAGE LOOK A diamond window and fuss-free horizontal panels make this Nordic wood core door the perfect partner to latice pane windows and rustic architecture. Solid Core, typically £995 installed, Door-Stop

FOR MORE IDEAS, VISIT REALHOMES.COM/DOORS

BEST FOR A RUSTIC TWIST The stable door version of the Elite Keswick in Mouse Grey has country charm. Made from Medite Tricoya Extreme, sapele and engineered timber, it costs from £2,976 for a door and side panel, Anglian

‘A traditional leaded-glass door can be beautifully finished with chrome hardware just as a contemporary design can be softened with brass. Balance and forethought is king — wrongly positioned hardware can spoil even the most stylish door’ James Williamson, London Door Company

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BEST FOR PRIVACY Top lights are great if you don’t want people to see in from the street, but if you’re not overlooked, pair with side lights. Wood-efect uPVC door in French Grey, H210xW90cm, £3,000 inc installation, English Door Company

3 OF THE BEST

BEST FOR ENERGY EFFICIENCY

CLASSIC DOORS

Designed to limit heat transfer out of your home, this smart door with Thermimax core and aluminium layers will keep you snug. Residential in panel option TR05, from £2,160, Origin

BEST FOR A DIY FINISH This FSC-certified oak-veneered door is supplied untreated, so you can add the paint or stain that suits your home. Colonial six-panel, £239 for H203.2xW81.3cm, Wickes

BEST FOR ENDURING STYLE An arched design for the panels and window give this 1 Panel timeless lines. Made from unfinished manufactured wood, H198xW83.8m, £304.99, Jeld-Wen at Wayfair

‘Create a traditional look with a classic hardwood timber door in a dark woodgrain, or go bold and personalise your home by making an impact with a beautifully bright coloured door’ Rachael Munby, Anglian

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BEST FOR ELEGANCE The semi-circular window and four-panel design of this Carolina Glazed evoke the Georgian era. It is engineered wood, ready to be painted or stained. Price on request, Howdens

AT HOME with...

Pearl Lowe DESIGNER AND VINTAGE STYLE QUEEN PEARL ANSWERS OUR SEASONAL QUESTIONS MY CHRISTMAS STYLE IS...

MY FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS TRADITION IS…

TOP OF MY OWN PRESENT WISHLIST THIS YEAR IS…

WHAT DO YOU PREDICT WILL BE THE BIG TREND FOR 2019?

MY DREAM CHRISTMAS DINNER GUESTS WOULD BE… Pearl has launched her debut wallpaper and fabric collection with Woodchip & Magnolia. There are dashes of decadence, opulence and vintage vibes mixed with her rock and roll flair. Go to woodchipandmagnolia. co.uk for details

HAPPINESS IS...

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PHOTOGRAPH SIMON BROWN PHOTOGRAPHY

MY DESIGN PHILOSOPHY IS...

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