B R I TA I N ’ S B E S T S E L L I N G H O M E S M A G A Z I N E
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How to ease the holiday stress
plus Hallway stor age secrets
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HOUSES FULL OF STYLISH SPARKLE + INSPIRING ROOM MAKEOVERS
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EDITOR’S LETTER
I’m going all-out this year... Do I love the anticipation of Christmas more than the big day itself? Very possibly. There’s something undeniably magical about all the twinkly lights, festive scents, quirky traditions and (probably the biggest plus for me) getting to go to town when I’m decorating the house, that I find impossible to resist!
moved into our new house just before Christmas. Decorating for the holidays meant working around post move chaos and boxes, restrictions meant we couldn’t have anyone over, days out didn’t happen, and everything ended up a bit half hearted.
Join me in making this Christmas one to remember – for all the right reasons
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The Advent calendar I’ve been making for my twins every year for the last decade (they’re 12 now) is what all of our Christmas family traditions are woven around. Each day contains an Advent activity – from easy things such as ‘listen to music’ for busy days, to family highlights like ‘buy the Christmas tree’ (it’s got to be a real one for me) and pre-booked treat days out.
The calendar gives the whole of December a rhythm that I love, with a few surprises thrown into the mix of hotly anticipated annual must-haves that bring a little joy to every day of the month. Last year, we
I have every intention of making up for it in a big way this year. The house, though not ‘finished’, is straighter, and we can invite friends and family around for celebrations. I’ll indulge myself and take my time decorating the house from top to bottom (and then spilling out into the garden).
T e of Ideal Home is packed to bursting w zing ideas and inspiration. So crank up the festive tunes, dive in and join me in making this Christmas one to remember – for all the right reasons.
HEATHER YOUNG, EDITOR
THE IH PANEL
HADLEY FREEMAN JOURNALIST & AUTHOR A Guardian columnist and features writer, Hadley has also penned four books. She’s about to move house – a new project!
NICKY PHILLIPS DECORATING EDITOR Nicky brings over 25 years’ experience to the table, and has been part of the Ideal Home family for 21 years.
CHARLIE LUXTON ARCHITECTURAL DESIGNER Charlie juggles his roles as director of Charlie Luxton Design, TV presenter and public speaker.
DECEMBER 2021
KALPANA FITZPATRICK MONEY EXPERT An award-winning financial journalist, Kalpana is a regular guest on TV and radio, and editor of themoneyedit.com.
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FEARNE COTTON BROADCASTER & AUTHOR TV and radio presenter Fearne’s Happy Place podcast is now in its ninth series, with over 40 million downloads.
CONTENTS
In the
61
December issue
NEW & NOW
13 HOME NEWS Our best finds 17 HADLEY FREEMAN ON... Seasonal decoration strife
REAL HOMES
24 SPACE TO ENTERTAIN The perfect home for Christmas
38 ELEGANT SPARKLE A lesson in style and creating flow
50 IT'S FULL OF LUXED-UP
NEUTRALS Festive sparkle
61 WARM TIDINGS Layers of rich texture and inviting colour
DECORATING
74 LOOKS THAT LAST Creating all the magic of the season
80 IH COLOUR EDIT How to use indulgent shades of plum
82 CLEVER DECORATING Six fabulous wreath ideas
89 HOW TO ADD WOW
ALL PRICES CORRECT AT TIME OF GOING TO PRESS
Ribbon-wrapped front door
On the cover...
PHOTOGRAPH SIMON BEVAN STYLING LUCY GOUGH SEE PAGE 76 FOR DETAILS
115 DECEMBER 2021
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CONTENTS
111
90 PLAN THE PERFECT DINING SPACE Our experts share tips
99 WEEKEND DECORATOR Mini festive décor projects
RENOVATION 111 KITCHEN PROJECT 115 BATHROOM PROJECT 123 ASK AN EXPERT Charlie Luxton on project design
124 PROJECT PLANNING Basement conversions
129 EXTENSION PROJECT 132 PROJECT PLANNING Adding solar panels
WHAT TO BUY 135 137 138 141 142
IDEAL VS GREAT DEAL
Subscribe! A GREAT GIFT OR A LOVELY TREAT FOR YOURSELF, FROM £40.50 FOR 12 MONTHS, PLUS FREE AERY CANDLE SET. TURN TO PAGE 120 TO FIND OUT HOW TO SUBSCRIBE.
BEAUTIFUL BAUBLES COFFEE MACHINES
VISIT MAGAZINESDIRECT. COM/XIH/XM21
DISPLAY CABINETS SLOW COOKERS
GIFT EDIT 18 20 150 152 157
82
HOME LOVERS Happy treats STOCKING FILLERS Under £20 PAMPER Little luxuries SUSTAINABLE Green gifts HOME CHEF For foodies
LIFE ADMIN 144 CONSUMER ADVICE 147 MONEY MATTERS Make sure you've got the right insurance
149 TECH SUPPORT Using IFTTT
HAPPY HOME 151 FEARNE COTTON ON... retaining sanity at Yuletide
153 ONE SMALL STEP Planet friendly tips and buys
154 THE NIGHT BEFORE… 158 A CHRISTMAS FULL OF
90
137
COLOUR Delicious recipes
165 TIDY HOUSE, TIDY MIND Sort your hallway storage
170 HOME TRUTHS Up close and personal with Henry Holland
Visit facebook. com/ideal home.co.uk
Follow us at twitter.com/ idealhome
DECEMBER 2021
See our latest snaps @idealhomeuk
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NEW & NOW
trending on…
IDEALHOME.CO.UK
Christmas living room ideas
Real Christmas trees – tips for choosing and looking after your tree
From country craft garlands to metallic marvels, these Christmas living room decorating ideas will transform your home and create a little magic for guests. Browse over 30 living room festive schemes for inspiration for your own home this year
Before you pick up your seasonal spruce, read our guide to choosing the perfect real tree
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Everything you could possibly need for the perfect home this holiday season
Ideal Home approved: buying guides & reviews
HEATHER YOUNG, EDITOR
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2021’s best Advent calendars for adults – from coffee to wine
From stand mixers to sofa beds, check out our expert buying advice and Ideal Home Approved buys for the best choices
Fancy treating yourself to an Advent calendar? Don’t miss our edit of this year’s top Advent calendars on sale now
How to make your own wreath
Follow six easy steps in our Christmas craft guide to make a stunning, original wreath to hang with pride on your front door
CONNECT WITH US FOR MORE GREAT IDEAS SEARCH idealhome.co.uk
BROWSE @idealhomeuk
DECEMBER 2021
PIN idealhomemag
FOLLOW @IdealHome
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new now no INSPIRE | INFORM | DISCOVER
Indoor outdoor Magical Wishing tree, £195, Cox & Cox
W hat to do this month... DO Join one of Hobbycraft’s 4,000 workshops. The sessions will take place in store and online, with Christmas-themed classes including gift and wreath making, personalised baubles and Advent calendars. They’re suitable for the whole family with specific kids’ sessions also available. Visit classbento.co.uk/ hobbycraft/home, from £5 to £45 (including materials).
LISTEN to The Adam Buxton Podcast. Between comical jingles the comedian carries out part-funny, part-serious topical interviews with everyone from Paul McCartney to Zadie Smith. Silliness ensues on the annual Christmas episode, when Adam’s accompanied once more by his former creative partner, Joe Cornish.
READ Enjoy the countdown to Christmas with Advent by Kerstin Niehoff and Laura Fleiter. Try out new recipes and crafts, with winter warmers for one, simple ideas to bring the festive spirit home, and foodie treats to share and gift. £12.99, Murdoch Books.
THE HERO PIECE
Bring on a new take on the twiggy tree... Just when you thought the Christmas tree couldn’t be reinvented, Cox & Cox has found a new way to spin it. This year sees the fluffy fronds of the Blossom and Gypsophila trees, the weeping Willow and the snowflocked Magical Wishing trees (all pre-lit). The extra large version at £1,150 is an investment indeed, but the cascading lights will create a spectacle inside and out. DECEMBER 2021
IH LOVES...
Christmas cushions Sequin Noel cushion, £125, Jan Constantine at Amara
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NEW & NOW Honeycomb ball decorations, from £8.95 each, Rockett St George
NEED TO KNOW
AMPED-UP HERITAGE PRINTS Archive is the new design destination for the modern eccentric. Find familiar Arts and Crafts patterns on wallpapers, fabric, curtains, blinds and cushions in brave, clashing palettes – just think granny prints on acid! Hyacinth wallpaper in Cosmo Pink, £115 a roll, Archive by Sanderson.
AHEAD OF THE CURVE
Eco-friendly decorating swaps While there’s a step away from glitter this year, that hasn’t stopped brands delivering the glamour. Paper decorations are a big trend and they’ve been given a grown-up colour swap. In place of pastels or primaries, we’re seeing chic tones of sage, olive, blush and beige at Rockett St George and Rose & Grey. Dunelm’s Tropics collection in rich jewel tones features paper fans and over-sized decorations that prove glitz isn’t required for a dramatic look. Paperchase has made an eco pledge for zero-glitter products and plastic-free gifts in crackers, with Wilko following suit – all wrapping paper and paper tableware are from responsible sources and fully recyclable.
DECEMBER 2021
THE ALTERNATIVE WREATH We know you can’t beat a fresh foliage wreath, but a metal design will stay looking on point year after year. The gleam of antiqued brass fits both rustic or glam themes and will work all year round. Khamila Leaf wreath, £42.50, Nkuku
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NEW & NOW
Word on the high street... PRIMARK HOME NOW HAS SMALL FURNITURE PIECES. FIND SIDE TABLES, RATTAN CHAIRS AND SHELVING AT 25 STORES. WE’RE FOLLOWING
@mo.and.the. jungle.shelf YOUR BEST DECORATING DECISION? I spent many nights worrying about paint choices for the kitchen island. My heart said to go for a bright colour, so we went for orange and I loved it! This gave me the confidence to use it elsewhere in the house. YOUR SECRET STYLING IDEA? There’s no right or wrong to using bold colours, but I like to use them fairly subtly. I tend to keep my walls neutral and inject colour in the accessories and the furniture. FAVOURITE CORNER OF YOUR HOME? My living room is my go-to space, especially at Christmas. I like to make the fireplace a real feature, so I always decorate the mantel with lots of foliage, but keep it simple. AN ITEM THAT SPARKS JOY? I love my Christmas tree. Most of the decorations are from Sweden – my number one inspiration.
SURPRISE IN STORE
Giant bauble decoration, £25, Wilko
Tablescaping kit, £28, Bloom & Wild
WE KEEP SEEING
Extreme tablescaping Blame the drive for an eye-catching Instagram post or a desire to make the ‘dining-in’ experience more of an event, but dressing the table for dinner is back. Layered plates, fabulous florals and foliage, napkins and statement candles are no longer the preserve of the Christmas dinner party. Bloom & Wild’s tablescaping kit has been created for a foolproof guide to styling – it includes candles and ceramic holders, glass posy vases to pair with flowers from its bouquets and paper hanging decorations for the final flourish.
DECEMBER 2021
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FEATURE MICHELA COLLING
Wilko are super-sizing Christmas kitsch with its giant baubles. At H40cm, this one is a floor-standing statement!
NEW & NOW
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December: an eternal battle over decorations
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THERE’S CONFLICT BREWING IN HADLEY FREEMAN’S HOUSE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
D
ecember: a time of simple joys and contented cosiness. Or, if you live in my kind of household, an eternal battle over the decorations. I am Jewish. My partner is not. ‘How lovely,’ you are no doubt thinking. ‘Your children will grow up with two cultures. What a delightfully modern set up.’ And most of the time it is. Every spring, I look after the Passover duties and he sets up the Easter egg hunt, and every autumn I explain again to the children what Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are, and he tries to stop making bored faces. So multicultural! But December is complicated. Let’s just get the obvious stuff out of the way: clearly Christmas beats Hanukkah. Even on the Jewish calendar Hanukkah is a pretty minor holiday (it ain’t no Yom Kippur, let alone a Rosh Hashanah), and putting it next to Christmas is like putting a local chip shop next to McDonald’s. We Jews know when we’re beaten. But! That doesn’t mean we won’t put up a fight. Every December is the battle of the holiday decorations. On the one hand, there’s me, scattering dreidels and chocolate coins around the house, in the hope of convincing
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my kids that a strange minor holiday about oil is actually really extremely fun. And on the other, there’s my husband, who insists on buying a giant Christmas tree every year and then decorating it with his hoarder sized collection of ornaments. My menorah glows brightly in the front window, but he gazumps me by hanging a wreath on the front door. And to be honest, it gets a little hard to find my dreidels after he’s draped the whole house with tinsel and ivy. This then leads to the delightful passive aggressive exchange of muttered remarks such as: ‘It’s only a minor holiday, anyway, why do you care?’ ‘You’re an atheist!’ If you listen closely, it almost sounds like the jingle of bells. Afte de of this, compromises have been and they can be summed up in one w dles. Candles are the common deno between Christmas and Hanukkah, and we fill the house with them. Then I move the dreidels on top of the ivy, maybe accidentally knock the wreath off the door when leaving the house and, man, you should SEE the size of my menorah this year. n
My m glows bri in the win but he gaz me by han a wreath o front door
DECEMBER 2021
h
JOURNALIST HADLEY FREEMAN WRITES FOR THE GUARDIAN AND IS THE AUTHOR OF FOUR BOOKS
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2 3
Gift guide
Home lovers BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL TREATS FOR THEIR HAPPY PLACE 6 7
4
WHERE TO BUY
1 Hand and Flower Bouquet painted plate, £65, Laura Nevill at Notonthehighstreet.com 2 Beacon 320 bluetooth speaker, £149.99, Roberts Radio 3 Hottie hot-water bottle, £40, Loaf 4 Patterned storage boxes, £19.50 each, Angie Lewin at St Judes 5 Opinel garden set, £55, Not Another Bill 6 Tolcarne wool beach blanket in Pastel Stripe, £60, Dick Pearce 7 Stoneware candle holder, £22, Graham & Green
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SHOPPING
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FEATURE MICHELA COLLING
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10 8 Grenada jug in Coral, £60, The Hackney Draper 9 Meet Me At Jaurès print by Sofia Lind, £65, Rose & Grey 10 Moroccan Boujad basic babouche slippers in Spring Check, £42, Bohemia Design 11 Bonne Nuit cushion, £42.50, Oliver Bonas 12 Decorative tray, £40, Notonthehighstreet.com 13 Rattan-look baskets, £30 for two, George Home
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DECEMBER 2021
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Gift edit
Stocking fillers FUN AND BUDGET-FRIENDLY GIFTS FOR £20 AND UNDER 3
6 5
WHERE TO BUY
1 Multi-wick candle, £15, Habitat 2 Roll-top bee-print lunch bag, £15, Joules 3 Pure Green is the New Black glass drinking bottle, £11, Typhoon 4 Pastel grooved coasters or pen holders, £14.95 each, Martha Brook 5 Elago AirPods silicone charging case, £6.99, Amazon 6 Happy Days bottle of matches, £14.50, The Grey Works
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DECEMBER 2021
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SHOPPING
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7 Black and White 2022 Minimalist calendar, £16.50, Once Upon a Tuesday 8 RHS wooden insect house gift set with jam and marmalade, £15, Tesco 9 Mug, £12.50 for a set of two, M&S 10 Mini Tones straws, £6 for a set of four, Fy! 11 Remi spoon rest, £12, Anthropologie 12 Wonder & Bloom 500-piece jigsaw puzzle, £12.50, George’s Whitstable Stores
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FEATURE MICHELA COLLING
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DECEMBER 2021
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real ho es
PHOTOGRAPHS LOUIS LEMAIRE/INSIDEHOMEPAGE
EXPLORE | EXCITE |
“
Start from scratch or BREATHE new life into old: these homes have CREATIVITY and an eye for style in common HEATHER YOUNG, EDITOR
DECEMBER 2021
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| FAMILY HOUSE |
entertain
SPACE TO
SARAH NUGENT AND RYAN BATES HAD A CLEAR VISION OF THE HOME THEY WANTED FOR THEIR GROWING FAMILY, AND SET OUT TO ACHIEVE IT
Snug
‘This area of the living/kitchen space is special as there’s no TV here, so the children will either leave you in peace or join you for a chat,’ says Sarah. BUY THE KEY PIECES
Walls in Down Pipe estate emulsion, £49.50 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Rollo sofa, £1,199; Bertha footstool, £475, both Camperdown Lane. Try Avalon double-sided stove, Shire Stove
DECEMBER 2021
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REAL HOMES
“
There many thi we LOVE our ho always big kitch kids run and out.
so s that bout ow. I ted a with g in d it’s EXACTLY here we w to be SARAH NUGENT, HOMEOWNER
DECEMBER 2021
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REAL HOMES
h
aving four young children, and another on the way, Sarah Nugent and her husband Ryan Bates needed a house with potential, but it meant moving in with her parents first.
WHAT PROMPTED YOU TO WANT TO MOVE TO THIS HOUSE?
HOME NOTES
‘We had out-grown our three-bedroom semi up the road and I was pregnant with Kitty. This house had already been sold so I asked the agent to let me know if it came back on the market. Our own house sold within a week so we moved in with my mum and dad, promising it would only be for a few weeks, and we stayed two years! The house was listed again – but was snapped up – and it wasn’t until its third listing that we finally got to view it.’
WHO LIVES HERE?
HOW IMPORTANT WAS THE HOUSE’S ERA?
Sarah Nugent, co-founder of Camperdown Lane Interiors, (camperdownlane.com) lives here with husband Ryan Bates, a builder, and children, Sean, 14, Liam, 12, Danny, 10, Molly, eight, and Kitty, six.
THE PROPERTY
A six-bedroom, semi-detached Victorian house, with converted cellar and attic, in Hereford.
the layout The front porch leads through to a huge living/dining/snug/ kitchen area, which is all part of an extension at the back of house. There is a more formal living room at the front, and a TV/games room in the cellar. Upstairs are five bedrooms on the first floor, plus the family bathroom, with a further bedroom in the attic.
DINING AREA KITCHEN
SNUG
UTILITY ROOM
‘I had always wanted a Victorian house and, while this one was dark and higgledy-piggledy, as soon as I saw the hallway tiles and the fireplaces I knew this was it. The house was a three-bedroom semi, like our previous home, but it had potential. We were able to extend to the rear and open up the warren of little rooms to create a spacious living dining kitchen. We’ve also gone up into the attic to create a sixth bedroom for one of the children and into the cellar, which is now the TV/games room. We wanted the children to each have their own room so we completely remodelled upstairs. The bedrooms are quite small but that’s balanced by the extra space we have downstairs. ‘The wait for planning permission was agonising. We’d sounded out the neighbours but, the reality was, we loved this house so we had to chance it. We practically collapsed with relief when the permission came through. We did do a lot of the work ourselves, with Ryan carrying on his day job throughout. It was hard going but we put a lot into making it work for us, and including all the things we hadn’t had in our previous two houses. It was overwhelming at times. The house looked so sad when it was back to its bare bones and we did uncover a few nasties along the BEDROOM BEDROOM way. One night we both just stood there unable to speak, wondering what on earth we’d done.’ BATHROOM
BEDROOM
WC ATTIC
BEDROOM
PORCH TV/GAMES ROOM
CELLAR
LIVING ROOM
GROUND FLOOR
DECEMBER 2021
BEDROOM
FIRST FLOOR
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HAS IT FULFILLED YOUR EXPECTATIONS? ‘There are so many things that we love about our home now. I always wanted a big kitchen with friends at the island and kids running in and out. And it’s exactly where we wanted to be, just around the corner from town and school so we can walk everywhere. You can’t beat that sense of community.’
REAL HOMES
FEATURE WALL
Add character to an open-plan room with a deep paint shade.
Kitchen
‘A local joiner made my eight-foot table from scaffold boards,’ says Sarah. ‘Four of the chairs came from an auction and I painted them, while the pew is perfect for the children.’ BUY THE KEY PIECES
Carver chair, £200, Garden Trading. Tablecloth, £82, Also Home. One World unit, £275; paper stars, £8 each, all Camperdown Lane
DECEMBER 2021
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Kitchen
‘I always wanted a large island for people to sit around and we had to think carefully about the flow of the space and how the kids would be running in and out,’ says Sarah. BUY THE KEY PIECES
Masterclass Roma kitchen in Graphite/Light Grey, price on request, Tudors. Nordviken bar stools, £50 each, Ikea. Try Giant hamper basket, £195, Cox & Cox
DECEMBER 2021
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REAL HOMES
We this openroom. There o many of us, but this gives us the SPACE to entertain
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Living area
‘This fireplace is a hangover from the old higgledy-piggledy rooms at the back,’ says Sarah. ‘The old spiral staircase from Danny’s room came down here, before we took it out.’ BUY THE KEY PIECES
White stool, £69, Camperdown Lane. Hektar floor lamp, £45, Ikea
Dining area
‘We added an extra window to the side to get more light into the open-plan space,’ says Sarah. BUY THE KEY PIECES
Sideboard painted in Off Black estate eggshell, £28 for 750ml, Farrow & Ball. Black-out blind, £90, Blinds To Go. Carver chair, £200, Garden Trading
DECEMBER 2021
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REAL HOMES
Living room
‘This was always going to be my favourite room,’ says Sarah. ‘When I look at anything that’s white along with natural tones and warm wood, especially with a bit of greenery, I just want to relax.’ BUY THE KEY PIECES
Walls in Pointing estate emulsion, £49.50 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Pendant light, £275, Light and Living. Similar throw, £275, Helen Moore
Living room
‘I’ve got all sorts in this room. I like tactile accessories in velvet and fur,’ says Sarah. BUY THE KEY PIECES
Vara lamp, £265; throw, £295, both Also Home. Velvet cushions, £30 each, Camperdown Lane. Shearling cushions, £70 each; Ultimate star, £65, both The White Company
Living room
Sarah has a selection of stools and ottomans in this room. ‘They’re good for extra seating at this time of year, and the footstool is also handy as a coffee table,’ she says. BUY THE KEY PIECES
Modular sofa with footstool, £2,000, Simply Stunning. Bethan Baa stool, £199, Baa Stool
I love TWINK GHTS. I have them anyway ry Christmas I put up EXT d then I like those too so they stay and the next CHRISTMAS I have to find more!
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DECEMBER 2021
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WARM UP
Creamy whites balance the chill of a north-facing room.
FOCUS ON
CONVERTING A CELLAR Make the most of a basement, like Sarah and Ryan have, to create a TV and playroom for the children SPACE SAVVY
Creating a den out of your cellar is a great way to deal with the paraphernalia that comes with a large family. As a dedicated space for children to let off steam, a basement games room allows the living room to remain an adult-friendly sanctuary.
FAMILY MATTERS
It stands the test of time, too. As the family grows older, the room can be re-purposed as a space for teens and adults alike, perhaps with a table tennis table and a small fridge. Games consoles and DECEMBER 2021
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comfortable furniture are a fun use of the space.
PRACTICAL NOTES
Careful planning is needed before you start. Most local authorities require formal consent and Building Regulations Approval before any work can be started, and engaging an experienced architect from the outset is vital. Correct waterproofing and ventilation is crucial to the space’s longevity and durability. Visit planning portal.co.uk, and turn to page 124 for our feature on basement conversions.
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All the bedrooms get a bit of Christmas SPARKLE and I love a pop of fresh green in a NEUTRAL room
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Main bedroom
‘When we moved in our room had been painted a bold colour so we’ve taken it back to a calming neutral,’ says Sarah. BUY THE KEY PIECES
Walls in Purbeck Stone estate emulsion, £49.50 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Amelie bed, £599, Dunelm. Bedside tables, £195 each, I Gigi
DECEMBER 2021
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REAL HOMES
Danny’s room
‘This bedroom originally had a spiral staircase leading down to the snug, which we removed,’ says Sarah. ‘Sean, meanwhile, has the room opposite, which had been the balcony.’ BUY THE KEY PIECES
Stompa bed, £820, John Lewis & Partners. Similar star-print sheet, from £15, The White Company. Cushions and accessories, all Camperdown Lane
Bathroom
‘When we remodelled upstairs, we had to cut through one of the rooms leaving it without a window so it became the bathroom,’ says Sarah. BUY THE KEY PIECES
Try Glide II Mineral basin, £450, Crosswater. Porcelain floor tiles, £40sq m, Topps Tiles
REAL HOMES
Molly’s room ‘The girl’s rooms are small and Molly’s is the old bathroom with a bit carved off to make Kitty’s room bigger,’ says Sarah. ‘Thankfully they all love having a platform bed!’ BUY THE KEY PIECES
FEATURE SARA BIRD PHOTOGRAPHS DAN DUCHARS PLANS RICHARD HOOKWAY
Julian Bowan Pluto Midsleeper bed, £285, Happy Beds. Bekvam trolley, £40, Ikea. Legs in Sulking Room Pink estate eggshell, £28 for 750ml, Farrow & Ball
FAMILY MUST-HAVES WIDE SEAT Asayo Elm bench, £195, La Redoute
INSPIRED BY SARAH AND RYAN’S HOME DOUBLE DUTY HIDEAWAY Bumper storage footstool in Whisk, £595, Loaf
HANDY BASKET Grey Wash square rattan basket, £40, Marquis & Dawe
FREE UP THE FLOOR Una midsleeper cabin bed, £219, Noa & Nani DECEMBER 2021
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| DREAM HOUSE |
HOME NOTES WHO LIVES HERE? Katie Frade, a textile craft lecturer and her partner Paulo, who works in banking, live here with their children Viviana, 11 and Iris, eight. THE PROPERTY Five-bed 1930s neo-Georgian semi detached in Dulwich, southeast London.
sparkle
ELEGANT
KATIE AND PAULO FRADE RECONFIGURED THEIR HOME’S LAYOUT, EXTENDING BOTH UP AND OUT TO CREATE A MASTERCLASS IN FLOW AND STYLE DECEMBER 2021
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REAL HOMES
Living room
A soft colour scheme adds to the cosy feel here. ‘This was originally two rooms, but we removed the dividing wall to create an open-plan space and added built-in bookcases,’ says Katie. BUY THE KEY PIECES
Walls in Wattle 111 Pure Flat emulsion, £51 for 2.5ltr, Paint & Paper Library. Fraser Fir 7.5ft Candlelight clear LED, £999, Balsam Hill. Selection of baubles, from £36 for set of 12, Cox & Cox
WOW MOMENT
A hearth is a beautiful focal point that can be decorated as a family, ready to gather around at Christmas time.
REAL HOMES
Living room
Creating a room that the family could snuggle up in was an important factor for Katie. ‘With the Christmas decorations up, this room looks even more special and is where we all gather in the evening,’ she says. BUY THE KEY PIECES
Teal sofa, £1,880, Loaf. Archie large ottoman, from £615, Arlo & Jacob. Mistletoe wreath, £18.99, Lights4fun. For a similar rug, try the Louis de Poortere Mad Men in Abyss Blue, £1,013, The Rug Seller
K
atie and Paulo Frade’s previous house ticked almost all their boxes. A five bed semi in a great location in East Dulwich, it just didn’t have the ground floor space they needed for entertaining, or separate areas for children and adults. ‘We put it on the market in 2016, but because of Brexit, changed our minds and decided to update it instead,’ says Katie. ‘Typically, as soon as we’d completed the refurb, Paulo came across this house online,’ she continues. ‘We weren’t considering this location at all, but the house backs onto the park, and as DECEMBER 2021
soon as I walked in, as the cliché goes, I knew straight away that this was the one.’ The property had been vacant for two years, with the previous owner an elderly lady of 102 who had lived there for 60 years. ‘It was a time warp,’ says Katie. ‘There was no central heating in some rooms, with numerous versions of old and even older electrical fittings throughout. It needed a lot of work. I loved the hallway and parquet floor, which ironically are the two things we had to rip out to make way for the new staircase.’ The house is in a conservation area and Katie was keen to work with experts who knew how
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Kitchen nook
‘The previous owners had filled in a gap between the garage and the house with a porch that was added in the 1980s,’ says Katie. ‘We removed the door and replaced it with a window to create the seating nook.’ BUY THE KEY PIECES
Kitchen units painted in Myrtle Green eggshell, £73 for 2.5ltr, Mylands. Try the Carnaby footstool in Teal velvet, £119, Atkin and Thyme
WOW MOMENT
A mixture of sumptuous fabrics in different shades of blue creates a cosy corner with more than a hint of elegance.
WOW MOMENT
Fluted glass on the kitchen island cabinets adds texture and contrast to the space, as well as reflecting natural light around.
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REAL HOMES
Choosing the ARCHITECTS was a gut instinct – they seemed to understand what I wanted to ACHIEVE and were EXCITED that I wanted to be heavily involved
"
Kitchen
‘The extended peninsular worktop was a last-minute addition. It wasn’t meant to be as long as it is, but now the children have a perching place to eat, which has proved incredibly useful,’ says Katie. BUY THE KEY PIECES
Ripple Opaline Pendant shades, £130 each, Dyke & Dean. Wall painted in Squid Ink Pure Flat emulsion, £51 for 2.5ltr, Paint & Paper Library
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REAL HOMES
Hallway
‘I was adamant that the original part of the house should feel like it had always been here, and when we had to move the staircase I was worried about the effect it would have, but it feels completely natural.’ BUY THE KEY PIECES
Vintage pendant over piano, £300, Agapanthus Interiors. Oversized star light, £42.99, Lights4fun. The Aurora table lamp and shade is similar to this, £143, Pooky
“
“
LIVING here for six months prior to the RENOVATION had a big INFLUENCE on the changes we made to navigate the council’s requirements. She settled on Gruff Architects (gruffarchitects.com) who immediately understood her vision. ‘I remember our architect asking where we would put our Christmas tree, which was funny because that’s one of the things I’d also considered,’ she says. Katie appreciated Gruff’s attention to small details, which in her mind was important. ‘Last year was our first time hosting Christmas since the renovation,’ she says. ‘At the insistence of our girls, Viviana and Iris, we had two very large DECEMBER 2021
Christmas trees – one in the dining area, modestly decorated, and the other one in the living room, strewn with everything they could find in the box. ‘The architects felt that the layout as you entered the house was vitally important and adjusted the entrance hallway to relocate the stairs centrally, which allowed direct access to the new loft and opened out the plan to make a much more practical layout for each floor. ‘Now, after raising the roof and replacing all the windows, there’s not much left of the original
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WOW MOMENT
Floor-to-ceiling glazing offers amazing views of the outdoors and makes the dining room feel like it’s part of the garden.
Dining room
Katie opted for no pictures on the walls to create a serene feel. ‘This space is a lot bigger than we anticipated,’ she says. ‘We had our existing table in here initially and it looked lost, so we bought a much larger one. BUY THE KEY PIECES
Arundel dining table, £2,485, Neptune. Bergamo White honed tiles, £95.72sq m, Terrazzo Tiles. Sideboard Tube Feet 200, £560, Unto This Last
WOW MOMENT Original features such as this arched opening have been preserved to add elegance and frame the view beyond.
Entrance to living room
Floor-to-ceiling curtains emphasise the beauty of the spectacularly high windows. ‘We have three beautiful sash windows as well as French doors in this room,’ says Katie. BUY THE KEY PIECES
Walls in Wattle 111 Pure Flat emulsion, £51 for 2.5ltr, Paint & Paper Library. Try the Saville Row button-back chair, £895, Decorexi. For reclaimed-oak parquet flooring, price on request, try Havwoods
REAL HOMES
Main bedroom
A fresh space has been created using a pared down palette of blue hues. ‘I wanted to keep the look simple by using a selection of tactile materials such as linen, corduroy, chenille and silk,’ says Katie. BUY THE KEY PIECES
Walls painted in Long Acre Marble matt emulsion, £53 for 2.5ltr, Mylands. Small adjustable bell wall light, £180, The Wall Lighting Company
There’s a lot of DETAIL with SCORED or flut materials, which creates tonal CONTRAST house,’ says Katie. This is most evident in the new kitchen, where space has been taken from the generous garden to create a large kitchen-diner. ‘The sight lines between inside and out needed improving,’ says Katie. ‘We removed the back wall of the house, as you couldn’t really see into the garden, and we used a third of that outdoor space for the new extension.’ ‘I designed the kitchen with the architect and we chose textures and tones that mirror the consistent colour palette used throughout the house,’ she continues. ‘I decided on the colour of
DECEMBER 2021
the kitchen early on, and went for the same style we’d used in our last house. I was close to commissioning a kitchen company to make the units, but our brilliant builder was confident that he could put together a team who could achieve what I wanted, and he was right.’ When it comes to festive decoration Katie chooses to use lots of foliage interspersed with candlesticks and fairy lights for a subtle sparkle. ‘I make my own wreath for the front door,’ she says. ‘It’s just a mixture of greenery with purple thistles and anything with a silvery tinge!’ n
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REAL HOMES
Main bathroom
This bathroom still has the original 1930s bathtub, which Katie had re-enamelled. ‘It used to be a very large south-facing bedroom with its beautiful arched window,’ she says. ‘We turned one half into my study.’ BUY THE KEY PIECES
The Heritage Essex roll-top bath, £1,804, Victorian Plumbing, is near identical. Brookhaven floor tiles, £99.90sq m, Claybrook Studios. Ndiki lanterns, from £62, Nkuku
WOW MOMENT
FEATURE IFEOLUWA ADEDEJI STYLING GEMMA GEAR PHOTOGRAPHS BRENT DARBY
Installing an oversized wall mirror helps bounce natural light around and also makes the space feel bigger.
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| STYLE HOUSE |
"
luxed-up neutrals" IT’S FULL OF
LYNSEY EVANS REVEALS HER STYLE SECRETS WHEN IT COMES TO COMBINING CLASSIC NEUTRALS WITH SPARKLE IN HER HOME
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STYLE HOUSE
HOME NOTES WHO LIVES HERE? Lynsey Evans, an interior designer (evansandknight. com) lives here with her husband, Warren, who runs a property letting business, and their grown-up children, Ellie, 23, and Charlie, 21 E PROPERTY room 1940s detached in Hove, East Sussex
“A large sofa grounds the whole space”
‘My goal was to have a huge sofa in the snug. Warren thought it was going to be too big but now we both think it’s the best purchase we made. This is our family space where we gather in the evenings and the sofa fits perfectly and fills the room. The snug is part of the open-plan kitchen extension and I wanted to keep the chimney breast as a feature focal point, which I’ve painted charcoal to tie in with the kitchen island.’
NEUTRAL FOUNDATION A silver-grey scheme is low key, allowing Lynsey to add colour with accessories, while a grey wall and chimney breast frame the room.
BUY THE KEY PIECES
Long Island sofa in Squirrel matt cotton velvet, £4,570, Sofa.com. Walls painted in Charcoal matt emulsion, £2.5ltr, £38, Neptune. Pershore coffee table, £599, Evans and Knight Interior Design. Timothy Oulton Paradise three-ring chandelier, £1,900, Barker & Stonehouse DECEMBER 2021
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“
Spending a year PLANNING the layout and DRAWING furniture to scale is why our home now works PERFECTLY for us
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SURFACE ISSUES Lynsey chose quartzite for her worktops. This natural material, with its smoky-grey veining, has the look of real marble but is much more robust
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STYLE HOUSE
“A dark grey island creates impact”
‘An extended room like this needs an unfussy kitchen that won’t dominate the space. We liked the frameless look of Neptune’s Chichester drawers combined with doors that have a subtle decorative moulding. Colour contrast was important, too. Mainly the cupboards are painted an off-white to balance out the charcoal grey of the island in the centre of the room. The bold colour draws the eye and encourages everyone to gather around it. For continuity, I’ve repeated the same charcoal shade throughout the house – on the dresser, a wall in the snug, a cabinet and vanity in our en suite.’ BUY THE KEY PIECES
Units painted in Salt eggshell; island painted in Charcoal eggshell, both £54 for 2.5ltr, Neptune. Classic square cup pull handle is similar, £9, Yesterhome
“A mirrored splashback bounces light”
“Key pieces tie spaces together”
‘Timeless elements work well in this 1940s house and, besides, I’ve always longed for a double range cooker beneath a traditional kitchen mantel, which at Christmas time I decorate with lots of green foliage. I’m pleased with the antiqued mirror splashback I had made locally, it looks really effective. This part of the kitchen is quite dark and the mirror makes it feel lighter and more open, plus the surface is really forgiving and doesn’t show marks.’
‘I don’t want rooms to look the same but they need continuity. I think a room looks far more interesting with something eye-catching, particularly in the hallway and I’m a huge fan of over-sized lamps. The antiqued mirror is an echo of the splashback behind the cooker and the living room mirrored alcoves.
BUY THE KEY PIECES
Antiqued mirrored splashback with rough-edge finish, £1,500, Rough Old Glass. Shelves, around £44 each, Ben Simpson. Quartzite worktop, £600sq m, Granite Worktops Sussex
BUY THE KEY PIECES
Cowrie table lamp, £195, Oka, is similar. Try Odessa mirror, £330, William Wood Mirrors DECEMBER 2021
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“I upcycle to co-ordinate furniture”
‘I intended the dresser to go in my en suite but I got carried away and bought it on a whim without measuring up properly. Although the piece didn’t fit, it turned out to be a happy accident. I took the glass doors off to make the shelves more accessible and open, painted it the same grey as the kitchen island and fitted the same cup handles – the dresser looks part of the kitchen now. Fragrant greenery, such as eucalyptus, rosemary and cinnamon are a nice touch at Christmas.’ BUY KEY PIECES
Dresser, £250, Mark Maynard. Painted in Charcoal eggshell, £54 for 2.5ltr, Neptune. Gold wire star wreath is similar, £5, Hobbycraft. Faux Staghorn coral is similar, £20, Hudson Home
“An oversized wreath adds drama”
“Foraging for decorations feels special”
‘I use ferns, eucalyptus, rosemary, cinnamon, pine cones and berries to decorate my home at Christmas, but I’ve also collected faux branches and flowers over the years. I like big, bold statement accessories and wanted something dramatic over the dining table. I made this huge wreath with a hula hoop wrapped in faux greenery and woven with fairy lights, adding a few tree decorations. It looks amazing lit up at night and adds a fantastic festive impact over the table. I also put trees in the snug, sitting room and hallway, theming them with different decorations.’
‘At Christmas I decorate the whole house with bunches of greenery and weave in fairy lights. It infuses the rooms with warmth and creates the sense of magic that we all love. On the table, decorations are kept simple with pine cones and bundles of cinnamon sticks nestled between white candles and mini white Christmas trees. They make a lovely festive table decoration.’
BUY KEY PIECES
BUY THE KEY PIECES
Small white Christmas trees, £25 each, Homesense. Ridgedale Fir 100% Feel-Real Christmas tree, £875, Hayes Garden World
Small white Christmas trees, £25 each, Homesense DECEMBER 2021
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STYLE HOUSE
DARK ACCENTS The dark-grey painted furniture ties in with the door frames in the kitchen-diner
For a sens I’ve repeated t SHADE throu
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”
ONTINUITY, me CHARCOAL
ut the house
“From three rooms to one suite”
RELAXED DESIGN
‘The house had seven bedrooms in a muddled layout so we decided to knock through three rooms to create a hotel-like master suite, with en suite and dressing room.’
Placing the bed between two windows creates a focal point, while curtains in geometric fabrics have a luxurious feel
BUY THE KEY PIECES
Walls painted in Valspar’s Anchor’s Aweigh, £38 for 5ltr, B&Q. Curtains in Ashley Wilde Axel in Pearl, £26m, Evans and Knight Interior Design. Provençal Bombe chest of drawers, £595, The French Bedroom Company, is similar.
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STYLE HOUSE
“Luxurious touches elevate the space”
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“Fabric links the bedroom and en suite”
‘I asked the builders to make this feature wider to appear centred and symmetrical to divide the bedroom and dressing area. This is the perfect place for a luxurious double basin vanity and means I’m not cramming everything into the en suite. I made the vanity from an old work bench I bought in an antiques shop, painted the same dark grey as the kitchen island and fitted a Carrara marble top. The basins were a basic buy and I splashed out on Art Deco-style mirrors and wall lights.’ BUY THE KEY PIECES
Work bench, £120, Michael Keehan Furniture. Painted in Charcoal eggshell, £54 for 2.5ltr, Neptune. Liang Eimil Rochester Art Deco mirror, £586, Furnish. Eichholtz Pillar bathroom wall lights, £500 each, Evans and Knight Interior Design
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You can’t beat Art Deco-style lighting in the bathroom to create a GLITZY and GLAMOROUS feel
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‘Upstairs, I’ve decorated in soft, warm, relaxing taupe, creams and whites. Sometimes my clients feel they should save their biggest bedroom for guests but I’m a great believer in designing a house for yourself and of course, I had to have a luxurious freestanding bath and a large walk-in shower in the bathroom. I’ve mixed the large-format square marble tiles on the floor and walls with marble herringbone wall tiles inside the shower. To create a sense of cohesion, I’ve used the same blind fabric and Art Deco-style wall lights as in the bedroom.’ BUY THE KEY PIECES
Marlborough bath, £2,100, Victoria and Albert. Eichholtz Marino wall lamp in clear glass, £650, Evans and Knight Interior Design DECEMBER 2021
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STYLE HOUSE ALL OUT GLAM Artemis chandelier, £350, Pooky
BLEND ROOMS The silver-greys downstairs transition to warm taupes upstairs, with furniture in charcoal grey establishing key focal points.
RUSTIC BEAUTY Aria White vase, £54.95, Charlested
STYLE MUST HAVES GET INSPIRATION FROM LYNSEY’S GLAM COUNTRY STYLE
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STATEMENT STORAGE Highgate rustic solid oak and painted dresser, £1,099, Oak Furnitureland
“Display curated collections” ‘I’m a big fan of upcycling and that’s what I did with this glass cabinet. Everything displayed here was found on a holiday, and with the glass down the sides you can see the objects from different sides of the room.’ BUY THE KEY PIECES Display cabinet, £100, Michael Keehan Furniture. Painted in Charcoal eggshell, £54 for 2.5ltr, Neptune. Calacatta tumbled marble tiles, £47.70sq m; floor tiles, £51.53sq m, both Mandarin Stone. DECEMBER 2021
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BUTTONED UP Torino rustic scoop chair, £139.99, My Furniture
FEATURE JANE CRITTENDEN STYLING MARISHA TAYLOR PHOTOGRAPHS JAMES FRENCH
ANTIQUED FINISH Carlyle mirror, £675, Sweetpea & Willow
| DREAM HOUSE |
WARM
tidings RUSSET TONES AND FEATURE WALLPAPER HAVE BEEN TEAMED WITH BALINESE AND MOROCCAN TOUCHES IN SUZAN DEENS’ TRADITIONAL DUTCH FARMHOUSE
family room
‘I like a real Christmas tree but always vary the decoration,’ says Suzan. ‘Last year I added pampas grass plumes. We often have several Christmas trees around the place so it feels really cosy.’ BUY THE KEY PIECES
Jamila coffee table, £255; Joss oak coffee table in Black, £235, both Perch & Parrow, are similar. Try brass candle holders, £10.50 each, Graham and Green
REAL HOMES
HOME NOTES WHO LIVES HERE? Suzan Deens and her husband Ronald live here with their children, Bart, 22, and Anne, 20, plus their three cats. Suzan is co-owner of interiors store Deens.nl, and Ronald is the owner of a pump manufacturer. THE PROPERTY A four-bedroom extended farmhouse, dating back to the 19th century, in the village of Hoeven in The Netherlands.
LIVING ROOM
The original classic fireplace was given a modern grey façade to make it less rustic. Safari Dance wallpaper, £100 a roll, Cole & Son
w
hen Suzan and Ronald Deens moved further inland to the village of Hoeven, in the Netherlands, the only thing they missed about their first home in Moerdijk was its location by the river. ‘We had nine wonderful years in our first home and always felt like we were on holiday,’ says Suzan. ‘So when we moved to a bigger semi detached house in Hoeven where Ronald grew up, we tried to recreate that same relaxed DECEMBER 2021
feeling by completely rebuilding it, but to no avail. We just had to find a new place.’ With character homes in the village few and far between, their search for another property wasn’t easy. ‘In 2014, after four years of searching, I saw this former farmhouse online,’ says Suzan. ‘We knew the house from the old days. When we were kids in the ’80s, one of our friends lived here.’ It had been renovated and enlarged since, but still retained its charm. ‘For me it was love at first sight, as it’s such a
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family room WOW MOMENT
The farmhouse’s exposed beams have been painted in fresh white for a more modern feel, and to maximise the feeling of height.
‘We have several living spaces, each with its own purpose,’ says Suzan. ‘This room has less light than the others, so it's the place where we all like to gather and watch TV together.’ BUY THE KEY PIECES
Large Black Argyll industrial pendant, £109, Elesi, would work here. HK Living Christmas Tree canvas wall hanging, £25.99, Trouva, is comparable
WOW MOMENT
The opening between spaces acts as a frame for the room beyond and draws the eye through.
Living room
‘The house manages to be both spacious and cosy due to the different zoned areas,’ says Suzan. ‘It’s a lovely place for four to live in, but if the children leave home, then it’s also fine for two.’ BUY THE KEY PIECES
Try Hanging shelves, £35 for two, Barker & Stonehouse. Hay wooden hand, £20, Nordic Nest, is similar. Wooden reindeer decorations, from £12 each, Lisa Angel, would work
REAL HOMES
Kitchen
‘We’ve kept the solid wood handmade units but plan to remove elements, such as the trims on the extractor hood, as well as painting the cabinets a matt black,’ says Suzan. BUY THE KEY PIECES
Try Shaker kitchen in Fossil Grey, from £1,496 for a small kitchen, Wren Kitchens. HK Living printed cotton/jute stonewashed rug, £111, Nunido, would work here
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"
We have two grown-up kids and our HOME is their HOME. Our door is ALWAYS open for friends unique place on a large corner plot,' says Suzan. The only downside were the seven metre high conifers in the garden. ‘This made it very dark inside, which was reinforced by the use of sombre colours on the walls and heavy curtains at the windows,’ she says. Although the exterior was in good condition, the couple had the window frames painted black and installed stone sills, as well as removing the trees. ‘I did a little dance of joy when the first DECEMBER 2021
rays of the sun came in, as it made a world of difference,’ says Suzan. Upstairs the old attic was converted into a modern bedroom for son Bart, while daughter Anne has her own apartment in the former garage, with a bathroom and private entrance. ‘We didn’t make any major changes to the house, just freshening the interior with white paint to counterbalance the black floor tiles in the kitchen diner and re painting the handmade
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Dining area
‘I wanted to bring more atmosphere into this space, so opted for a calm patterned wallpaper in dark colours,’ says Suzan. ‘At Christmas, there’s 20 of us and we take turns cooking.’ BUY THE KEY PIECES
Harlequin Epitome wallpaper in Copper/Gold/Sepia, £62 a roll, Wallpaper Direct, is similar. Try Brooklyn brass dome pendant, £144, Industville. Green Panton S chair, from £59.50, Mobelaris
WOW MOMENT
The oversized brass pendants create drama above the dining table, and reflect the warm light from the candles for extra festive glow.
REAL HOMES
kitchen in a pale grey,’ says Suzan. ‘After two months we realised the white walls didn’t feel right and started adding warmer colours. I always have to live somewhere for a while and experience what it’s like. Interior design should grow during your life – it’s an organic process.’ Suzan used feature wallpaper as the springboard for her colour themes, while rugs, in simple designs to avoid clashing with the wallpaper, break up the floors and bring in DECEMBER 2021
texture. Moving furniture, changing colours and adding wallpaper is an ongoing process for former window dresser Suzan, who now runs online interiors store, Deens, with her sister and a friend. ‘When friends come round, they invariably notice that something has changed again,’ she says. ‘This happens at least with every new season. We have many different spaces here, and I love to switch furniture from one spot to another, to create cosy new corners. I think it’s
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“
“
You can't buy your INTERIORS pieces at once. It’s a COLLECTION that GROWS. It’s a never-ending story
Main bedroom
‘We removed the carpet and laid a wooden floor, as well as taking away classic elements, such as heavy curtains and a radiator cover,’ says Suzan. BUY THE KEY PIECES
Nordic Bali rattan headboard, £399, Accessories for the Home, would work. Try Russet chalky emulsion, £40 for 2.5ltr, Craig & Rose. Embossed drum table, £198, Anthropologie, is a good alternative
WOW MOMENT A rich warm-orange colour, even if used on just one feature wall, adds instant impact and warms up the space.
REAL HOMES
Bathroom
‘This space is our the next project,’ says Suzan. ‘I want a concrete-look floor, white wall tiles and colourful wallpaper, mixing contemporary with vintage elements, such as an old cabinet for the basins.’ BUY THE KEY PIECES
FEATURE INGE VAN LIESHOUT AND KAREN WILSON STYLING KIM TIMMERMAN PHOTOGRAPHS LOUIS LEMAIRE/INSIDEHOMEPAGE
Try Brazil laundry basket, £265, La Redoute. GSI classic double wash basin, £595, Sanctuary Bathrooms, is comparable
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Add one or two eye-catching printed CUSHIONS plain designs for a PERSONAL and UNIQUE touch my DNA because my mother used to do this all e time! At the moment, the living room is a favourite spot to read or chat with a drink.’ Suzan’s business sells a wide range of furniture, lighting and home accessories from Denmark and the Netherlands, including smaller, lesser known brands and a hand picked vintage collection. ‘All furniture, whether old or new, is welcome,’ she says. ‘If we like it we add it. We also have many items in our house from DECEMBER 2021
the past with a story that I cherish, so our home is a reflection of our life.’ Next, the couple plan to update the kitchen and bathroom, but when the children eventually move out they’ll turn Anne’s room into a main bedroom by extending it and opening it up to the garden. ‘This is definitely my dream house,’ says Suzan. ‘We’re completely free here because of the corner plot and at the same time very central to the village. What more could you wish for?’ n
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| PROMOTIONAL FEATURE |
The art of window dressing
DESIGNER MARGO SELBY AND HILLARYS HAVE CREATED AN EXCLUSIVE CAPSULE COLLECTION OF MODERN WINDOW TREATMENTS
Go for curtains in a striking graphic pattern, such as Stella in Navy
Choose from a range of bold patterns and colours, such as Zaha in Forest, to give your room a style boost
WORDS LISA FAZZANI PRICES FROM £221 FOR A PAIR OF CURTAINS (W127XD137CM); FROM £155 FOR A ROMAN BLIND (W65XD75CM)
Choosing a standout fabric for a Roman blind or pair of curtains is like hanging a fabulous piece of art at the window. A lively print, bold colour or plush texture will add instant wow to any room. So we couldn’t be more excited to hear about Hillarys’ collaboration with British textile artist Margo Selby.
Make a statement with Stella in Mustard
SIGNATURE PRINTS Renowned for her graphic geometric weaves and distinctive colour palette, Margo’s exclusive capsule collection with Hillarys boasts a range of curtains, Roman blinds and cushions. In an energising colour palette of blues, greens and yellows, Margo’s signature bold graphics, crisp motifs and large scale repeats contrast with sumptuous textures, from plush velvet and devore linen, to rich jacquard and damask. TAILOR MADE Each piece is made to measure and installed by local expert advisors for the perfect fit. ‘The quality of the finished pieces is excellent,’ says Margo. ‘I have complete faith in Hillarys’ technical expertise and know the end result in customers’ homes will be to an excellent quality. It’s so exciting to have my designs made so accessible.’
WHERE TO BUY Visit hillarys/margo-selby-at-hillarys. co.uk to book a free appointment
decorating TRANSFORM | UPDATE | CREATE
“
It seems like DESIGN alchemy, but there’s a FORMULA behind the perfect room SCHEME & you can master it
PHOTOGRAPH FUTURECONTENTHUB.COM
HEATHER YOUNG, EDITOR
DECEMBER 2021
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”
| LOOKS THAT LAST | FABRIC Peacock velvet, £48m, Bluebell Gray
Gift wrap gets a magical feel with fairytale forest and peacock designs. Add smatterings of pine cones and acorns, with a dash of gold. Peacock wrapping paper, £4 for 3m; Plain Kraft wrapping paper in Gold, £8 for 10m; Glitter Fairy wrapping paper, £4 for 3m; baubles, from £5 each, all Gemstone Forest Christmas collection at John Lewis & Partners
PAINT Inchyra Blue, £48 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball
WALLPAPER Glasscloth texture in Teal, £65 a roll, Graham & Brown
Chrıst as ENCH
TRENDS COME AND G HOW TO GIVE THIS STYLE DECEMBER 2021
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D
’S PPEAL
DECORATING
FULL FOLIAGE Conjure up a spell-binding woodland-inspired vibe with a mix of fresh and faux foliage, tactile textures, ornate shapes and a touch of sparkle. Classic icicle drop, £12 each, Raj Tent Club. Decorative birds, from £9.95 each, V V Rouleaux. Industrial trolley, £155, Rose & Grey
“
STYLE DIRECTION
Add drama to a neutral or white space at Christmas; play with larger-scale pieces and add unique and unusual trinkets here and there NICKY PHILLIPS, DECORATING EDITOR
"
SIDE SHOW Create a forest on a sideboard with paper, ceramic and wooden trees – it's the perfect spot to leave a little something for Santa, too.
“
Feliz sideboard, £995, Habitat. Dallas tiered tray, £479, Reflections Copenhagen at Selfridges. Ultimate metal wreath, £65, The White Company. No Bounds Sport Bluetooth speaker, £79.99, House of Marley. Biblio lamp, £145, Loaf. Sorrento lacquered box, from £98, Jonathan Adler. Ultima Thule carafe, £145 (with tumblers), Iittala. Fenix display stand, £46.50, Graham and Green. Beaded cone ornaments, from £20 each, Amara. Wooden trees, £24 a tree (with gift box), The Shop Floor Project. Large Serafina tree, £36, Layered Lounge. Dipgeo rug, £499, Ted Baker at Woven. Pre-lit Grandis Fir faux 7ft Christmas tree, £309.99, Lights4fun. Paper decorations, £8 for two, Rose & Grey. Sankawi tree topper, £24.95, Nkuku. Gold glitter star decorations, £6 each, Heal’s
STYLE DIRECTION
Let the tree do the talking and stick to a simple array of glitter stars and paper lantern decorations NICKY PHILLIPS, DECORATING EDITOR
"
DECORATING Luxe Splendor wallpaper, from £20.95m, Fardis. Butterfly Ginkgo oval tray, £275, Micheal Aram at LuxDeco. Emerald satin ribbon, £1.45m, V V Rouleaux. For similar decorations try John Lewis & Partners
ON REFLECTION Create a glamorous display by hanging a metallic tray as a backdrop to a collection of decorations, hung in a gentle waterfall shape.
BALANCE BAUBLES
PLAY WITH SHADES
CONSIDER FABRICS
MIX FAUX AND REAL
Use statement decorations, from bejewelled VW Beetles to monogrammed ornaments, sparingly on the tree. Start by hanging simple baubles: largest at the base and smaller at the top, and finish by dotting feature baubles evenly spaced across the tree, where they can be seen clearly.
Midnight blue, emerald green and all the shades in between create an ethereal feel that's perfect for a winter feast. Navy has been a firm favourite for a few years and, with the addition of moss green and black with hints of gold and chartreuse, it makes for a stunning colour palette.
Velvet, silks and damasks will elevate any interior, so think about using fabrics with different finishes at windows, on upholstery or as scatter cushions. Use it by the metre to drape over a dining room table, or take fabric offcuts to wrap presents, secured with a satin bow.
Don’t be afraid to use faux garlands, wreaths and even trees as a base for adding fresh foliage. A faux garland is a brilliant starting point to trail up the banisters, where baubles and ornaments can be secured using wire. Fill in gaps with real foliage for a wonderful Christmas scent.
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DECORATING
HANGING COOL
FEATURE NICKY PHILLIPS PHOTOGRAPHS FUTURECONTENTHUB.COM
Show an unused corner of a room a little love by suspending a foraged branch and draping it with statement trinkets, hung on silk ribbons.
Decorations, from a selection, John Lewis & Partners, Harrods, Liberty and Rockett St George
DECEMBER 2021
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Branch table, from £1,399, Blu Dot at Heal’s. Wishbone chairs, £129 each, By Kallevig. Tree stump stools, £159 each, Aria Shop. Verve rug, from £159, Modern Rugs. Webster drinks cabinet, £599; crackers, £30 for six, both M&S. Heracleum chandelier, from £1,835, Bertjan Pot at Moooi. Runner in Linara in Forest, £37m, Romo. Vita glasses, £160 each; Gabrielle candelabra, £310, both William Yeoward. Acorn holder with four coasters, £14, Next Home. Similar porcelain plates, £2.99 each, H&M. Gold cutlery, £25 for 16-piece set, Dunelm. Moss, £15 a box, Titania’s Garden. Shelby oak leaf wreath, £42, Rowan & Wren. Greek metal wreath, £250, Harrods
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STYLE DIRECTION
Indulgent deep navy blues and barely blacks lend a rich and glamorous tone to the celebrations NICKY PHILLIPS, IDEAL HOME DECORATING EDITOR
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DRESS TO IMPRESS Fresh moss and rustic touches offset with luxe lighting and glamorous glassware bring an enchanting feel to a Christmas gathering.
Plum | IH COLOUR EDIT |
THIS MONTH OUR COLOUR EXPERTS PRESENT THIS DEEP WARM SHADE AND SHARE IDEAS ON HOW TO USE IT CREATIVELY IN YOUR HOME
Wall in Decadent Damson, Simply Refresh feature wall paint, £26.24 for 1.25ltr, Dulux
DECORATING
W hat the experts say...
Designers and stylists share their views ‘In colour psychology, plum is often associated with invoking wisdom, calm and creativity, so it would be perfect for a work space, study or library. It’s also steeped in the history of wealth and royalty, so it’s a statement choice for an entrance hall or dining room.’
This chalky shade works beautifully with neutrals, dusky pinks and lilacs. Walls painted in Pontefract, from £49.50 for 2.5ltr, Paint & Paper Library
NELLY HALL, BRAND DIRECTOR AT M&L PAINTS
’It’s important to use plum in a space where you won’t feel overwhelmed by its presence. Rooms that are used in the evening are ideal, while if used in a hallway, it will make the adjoining rooms feel lighter.’ JOA STUDHOLME, COLOUR CURATOR AT FARROW & BALL
‘It works really well with a host of colours, from dusky pinks and lilacs to browns, blues and greys. Be bold and use it with deep oranges, mustards and smoky blues – the results will be spectacular.’ COLIN ROBY-WELFORD, CREATIVE DIRECTOR AT FIRED EARTH
‘To capture the zeitgeist, pair plum with jewel-toned emeralds and botanical lime green. These two colours are a wonderful foil for one another.’ ANNIE SLOAN, PAINT AND COLOUR EXPERT
‘Blend with neutral shades in flooring and add splashes of ochre, gold and orange to pop against deep plum.’ NELLY HALL, BRAND DIRECTOR AT M&L PAINTS
‘For a more grown-up space, choose a plum mixed with chocolate undertones and create drama by painting both the ceiling and walls, enveloping the room in this rich velvety colour. Layer the space with velvet fabrics to add sumptuous texture and reflect light.’ PETER GOMEZ, HEAD OF ZOFFANY STUDIO
‘A chalky plum tone can be paired with warm greys or a dusty-rose pink to create an understated look. Or, if it’s used with a paler shade, such as a muted lilac, a small touch of plum can create a focal point.’ HELEN SHAW, DIRECTOR AT BENJAMIN MOORE
‘Typically, plum has more red than blue, which makes it a warm shade, perfect for a cool north-facing room.’
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Why not bring a touch of warmth and NATURAL VIBRANCY to the kitchen with cabinets painted a RICH PLUM?
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REBECCA CRAIG, HEAD OF SANDERSON STUDIO
NELLY HALL, BRAND DIRECTOR AT M&L PAINTS
FEATURE SOPHIE BAYLIS
the edit INDULGENT PLUMS
BEST FOR A WARM BEDROOM
Deep Mauve interior chalky matt, £47.50 for 2.5ltr, M&L Paints
BEST FOR DINING AND RECEPTION ROOMS
Vesuvius elite emulsion, £51 for 2.5ltr, Zoffany
BEST FOR NORTHFACING ROOMS
Pelt estate emulsion, £49.50 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball
BEST FOR PAIRING WITH WARM SAGE
Aura Autumn Purple, £29 for 0.94ltr, Benjamin Moore
BEST FOR A CHIC FINISH
Purple 03 matt emulsion, £38 for 2.5ltr, Lick
NEED HELP WITH YOUR ROOM? JOIN OUR FACEBOOK GROUP, THE IDEAL HOME ROOM CLINIC
DECEMBER 2021
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Wo
reaths
| CLEVER DECORATING |
SIX CREATIVE CHRISTMAS WREATH IDEAS FOR EVERY ROOM OF YOUR HOME
Make it oversized
Not just for the front door, a statement wreath can adopt the spot of a mirror or artwork in any room over the festivities. Dried grasses, foliage and flowers will not only add wow factor, but can be used year after year.
Give it a twist…
To make a big faux wreath, wrap a garland around a metal hoop. Secure it with florist’s wire.
DECORATING
Dress up your seats
Attaching wreaths to the backs of dining chairs with simple twine or ribbon adds an unexpected decorative touch and could also become an elegant keepsake for your dinner guests.
Give it a twist…
Hang a personalised place setting from a gift tag at the top of each wreath.
IT’S A KEEPER
Use faux rather than fresh wreaths on chair backs to prevent shedding or staining
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Suspend over a table
A delicate asparagus fern wreath hung above the dining table brings an airy and ethereal look, and draws the eye to what’s below. Adorn with glass baubles in subtle tones of pink and gold, hung by ribbon, for the perfect finishing touch to this sophisticated scheme. FIRM HOLD
Spray dried foliage with hairspray to stop it shedding
Give it a twist…
Swap baubles for fresh flowers in your chosen colour theme, entwined into the wreath.
DECORATING
Trim plates with fairy lights A simple gold-metal leaf garland wound into the shape of a wreath creates a stylish place setting and brings a touch of sparkle to the dining table.
Give it a twist…
For a lush alternative, use moss to embellish your place setting. Tuck soft dried florist’s moss between your charger and your dinner plate to create the look of a moss wreath.
UNDERSTATED LUXE
PAIN T
CH E
Balance glitzy tableware and crackers with plain linen napkins and silk ribbon-tied cutlery
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EET H S T A Terracotta Tiles durable matt emulsion, £35.15 for 2.5ltr, Ideal Home at Albany, Brewers
Sulking Room Pink estate emulsion, £49.50 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball
Humpty Dumpty claypaint, £47 for 2.5ltr, Earthborn
DECORATING
Add a moss present topper
Bring a little festive greenery to beautifully wrapped presents with a soft dried-moss wreath. Tuck in sprigs of rosemary for a hint of fragrance and secure with satin ribbon.
Give it a twist…
You could also place a small bunch of fresh eucalyptus or fir (snipped from the back of your Christmas tree) under the ribbon tie.
WALLPAPER
AS C
H AP S WR MA ST RI
COVER ARTIST
SUBTLE VEINING Marblesque Marble wallpaper in Rose SMART GRAPHIC Gold, £8 a roll, Holden Décor Etta Dunelm chevron metalliceffect wallpaper in Blush, £5 a roll, B&Q ALL AGLOW Cubic Shimmer wallpaper in Grey/ Copper, £8 a roll, I Love Wallpaper
DECEMBER 2021
Use an inexpensive wallpaper as an alternative to wrapping paper to give presents a luxurious feel
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LEVEL BEST
If you have picture rails, hang wreaths from them using ribbon or fishing wire and a picture rail moulding hook, so you can adjust them easily.
Provide a warm welcome
Swirling fern fronds around wooden embroidery hoops are a fanciful twist on the traditional wreath. Apply metallic paint in rose-gold and copper tones for a pearlescent, shimmering finish. Hang in the hallway from cotton and velvet ribbon for an elegant look.
Give it a twist… Wrap fresh green foliage around the glam metallic sprayed hoops.
DECORATING
Dried grasses, foliage and floral wreath, from £85,
SUSPEND OVER A TABLE Asparagus Fern
wreath, from £65, Zita Elze Flowers. Plum velvet ribbon, £1.80m, VV Rouleaux. Glass drop decorations in Amber and Clear, £4 each, all Rowen & Wren. Ribbed bauble in
ADD A MOSS PRESENT TOPPER
10in Moss wreath, £2.39, Easy Florist Supplies. Marbled Gold handmade Folk wrapping paper, £3 a sheet, Rowen &
DRESS UP YOUR SEATS
Zita Elze Flowers. Walls in Sulking Room Pink estate emulsion, £49.50
Azalea organdie ribbon, £1m, VV Rouleaux. (On mantelpiece) Brush trees, from £15.50 set of four, Cox & Cox. Cards, £2.95 each, Nancy & Betty
Gold, £10; large Glitter Swirl bauble in Pink and Red, £17; Texture bauble in Gold, £9, all The Conran Shop. Walls in Sulking Room Pink estate emulsion, £49.50 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Tablecloth in Pebble linen in Paprika, £151m,
Christopher Farr Cloth. Lena brass champagne cooler, £72; Linen napkins in Plaster Pink, £18 set of two, all Rowen & Wren. Pion White Speckled porcelain dinner plates, £16 each; recycled cotton paper Jewel ornaments in Caramel, £5.95 each, all Rose & Grey. Gold-rimmed cocktail glasses, £55 set of four, Graham & Green. Dipped Gold decanter, £50, Cox & Cox. Pelagia cake stand, £48; (on bench) Muse cushion, £65, both Curious Egg. Speciality mince pies, £16.75 for 12, Bettys. Heritage Modern loveseat in Oak, £825; Heritage armchair in Oak, £449, both Ercol. Chichester dining table, from £1,000; Arundel oak bench, from £490, both Neptune. (On bench) gift in Rose Gold foil wrap, £4.50 for a 3m roll, Paperchase. Pale
PROVIDE A WARM WELCOME 7in embroidery
Modern loveseat in Oak, £825, Ercol. Presents, from top, wrapped in Berry Copper Nepali paper, £6.50 a sheet, Shepherds. Sheer organza ribbon, £4 for a 5m roll, John Lewis & Partners. Marbled Gold handmade Folk wrapping paper, £3 a sheet, Rowen & Wren. Rose Gold foil wrap, £4.50 for a 3m roll, Paperchase. Dark Amaryllis rayon ribbon, £1.25m, VV Rouleaux. Nuala cushion in Rosa, £140, Black Edition at Romo. Cashmere blend rug in Ochre, £3,350, The Conran Shop. Similar sequinned cardigan, H&M. Similar gold shoes, & Other Stories
Wren. Berry Copper Nepali paper, £6.50 a sheet, Shepherds. Sable Twig satin ribbon, £1.50m, VV Rouleaux. Minimal brass side table, £245, Rose & Grey.
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hoops, £3.50 each; Silver metallic florist’s wire stick, £2.75 for 50g, all Hobbycraft. Fern fronds painted in FTT-001 Film Television & Theatre Collection paint, £8.50 for 250ml, Mylands. Tied with Pale Plum single-sided velvet ribbon, £1.80m, VV Rouleaux. 9in embroidery hoops, £3.75 each, Hobbycraft. Fern fronds painted in Artisan Copper Effect paint, £12 for 250ml, Craig & Rose. Tied with Pale Azalea organdie ribbon, £1m, VV Rouleaux. Walls in Sulking Room Pink estate emulsion, £49.50 for 2.5ltr; skirting in Picture Gallery Red estate eggshell, £67 for 2.5ltr, both Farrow & Ball. Heritage
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Norbury dried wreath, £86, Neptune. Heritage armchair in Oak, £449, Ercol. Walls in Sulking Room Pink estate emulsion, £49.50 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Tablecloth in Pebble linen in Paprika, £151m, Christopher Farr Cloth. Linen napkins in Plaster Pink, £18 set of two; Lena brass champagne cooler, £72, all Rowen & Wren. Gold-rimmed cocktail glasses, £55 set of four, Graham & Green. Dipped Gold decanter, £50, Cox & Cox. Pelagia cake stand, £45; hand-formed brass finish tray, £26 set of two, both Curious Egg
TRIM PLATES WITH FAIRY LIGHTS Leaves
string light, £45, Graham & Green. Inka dinner plate in Caramel, £34 for two, OYOY Living Design. Brew tray by Tom Dixon, £215, Heal’s. Washed linen napkin in Rust, £10, Toast. Gold cutlery with black handles, £45 for a 16-piece set, Rockett St George. Sable Twig satin ribbon, £1.50m, VV Rouleaux. Linen tablecloth in Plaster Pink, £82, Rowen & Wren. Form bowl in Brass, £185 set of five, Tom Dixon. Organic cocktail glass with gold rim, £16, Rockett St George. Tank low-ball glass by Tom Dixon, £75 set of two, Heal’s
FEATURE NICKY PHILLIPS PHOTOGRAPHS CAROLYN BARBER STYLIST LORRAINE DAWKINS
MAKE IT OVERSIZED
for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Cuddlemuffin Medium modular sofa in Magnesium washed cotton linen, £2,250, Loaf. Tufted woven throw in Nude & Black, £69; Minimal brass side table, £245, both Rose & Grey. Beatrix cushion in Harry Rose Hip, £84, Neptune. Velvet linen cushion in Golden Lichen/ Natural Linen, £60, Niki Jones. Gold-rimmed cocktail glass, £55 set of four, Graham & Green. Hand-formed brass finish tray, £26 set of two, Curious Egg. Four Blush Glittered Brush Christmas trees, £15.50, Cox & Cox.
DECORATING
Ribbon-wrapped door | HOW TO ADD WOW |
IDEAL HOME’S DECORATING EDITOR NICKY PHILLIPS GIVES FRONT DOOR-SCAPING A FESTIVE TWIST
hy limit rself to pping gifts? tead of a traditional Christmas wreath, a beribboned front door is surely the ultimate way to welcome guests into your home.
Style tip
A towering stack of empty boxes creates a dramatic installation for your porch. Try winding with fairy lights for extra sparkle
Dressing the outside of our houses is becoming a bigger trend each year (and I don’t mean a neon Santa on the roof!) and while a floral wreath may be pretty, why not reserve those for internal doors and let the entrance of your home really entice and excite family and friends. If berry red is a little bold for you, try a silver or gold ribbon instead, or even natural hessian. Divide a length of fabric into three strips: a shorter one just longer than the width of your door and two longer strips each the length of your door. Secure each piece to the back of the door from inside, tying the sections together over t er piece to create a bo
For similar fabric to make a bow, try Fabric Land. For similar gift boxes, try Amazon DECEMBER 2021
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Dining space | PLAN THE PERFECT |
WHETHER YOURS IS A SEPARATE ROOM OR MULTIFUNCTIONAL SPACE, A DINING ROOM CAN BE TRICKY TO GET JUST RIGHT. WE ASKED OUR EXPERTS TO SHARE THEIR DESIGN ADVICE
FESTIVE COLOUR
Add touches of ruby red for a Christmas dining scheme that oozes grown-up glamour. Motion dining chairs, £199 for two; Wellington rug in Teal, £120; Black Ball wall mirror, £200, all John Lewis & Partners
DECORATING GO VIVID
Coordinate dining chairs and wallpaper for a pop of colour. Brodsworth Empress wallpaper, £104 a roll, Little Greene
MEET THE EXPERTS RUKMINI PATEL INTERIOR DESIGNER
‘Right now I’m seeing a preference for open-plan kitchen/ dining spaces that are light and bright.’ EMMA-LOUISE MARSTON STORE LEADER, NEPTUNE HOME, FULHAM
‘Giving rooms a purpose rather than blending everything together gives us more definition in our lives.’ ABBY HESKETH COLOUR EXPERT AND WALLPAPER & PAINT PRODUCT MANAGER, GRAHAM & BROWN
‘I love to see a pop of colour in a dining room, or a wallpapered ceiling to create a fifth wall.’
O
nce purely for ‘entertaining’, today’s dining room can now fluctuate between playroom, home office and snug. As many of us look forward to having friends and family over, how can we make more of our dining space? We asked our experts...
THE TRADITIONAL DINING ROOM
‘We are using our spaces in more of a multifunctional fashion, rather than just for a singular activity, so I don’t think the traditional dining room is as popular as it was,’ says interior designer Rukmini Patel. Yet Emma-Louise Marston of Neptune believes people still want a separate dining room. ‘I think we’re looking for a defined space to entertain, and being in the dining room for dinner still feels like an event,’ she says. ‘It stops work bleeding into home life.’ If your dining room needs to multi-task, then Emma-Louise advises: ‘It’s crucial that you put your office away for the evening. Have a workstation cabinet that you can pop the laptop and paperwork into. Out of sight means you won’t be tempted to go back and “do a little more” after eating.’ Both DECEMBER 2021
Rukmini and Emma-Louise agree on adding a few special touches to make a multi-use space work for dining. ‘Add a tablecloth to change the look of your table from “work desk”,’ says Rukmini. ‘It’s as if you are telling your brain about the change of activity.’
ZONE THE SPACE
‘If your dining room also doubles as a living room or snug/playroom, then define different areas with rugs and layered lighting,’ says Rukmini. ‘Situating the dining table under a low-hung ceiling pendant will give drama and create the effect of an intimate space.’ Abby Hesketh of Graham & Brown loves to see zoning on the walls: ‘It’s easy to do with masking tape, creating crisp lines and blocks of colour,’ she says. ‘Or use a wallpaper in just one area.’ Don’t forget storage, says Emma-Louise. ‘Just having lots of baskets will help you tidy up easily.’
MAKE IT FEEL SPECIAL
‘I love a good tablescape,’ says Rukmini, ‘where everything, from tablecloths to placemats, napkins to placenames, matches – as well as the flowers. Alternatively, flowers in small vases and coloured
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GO FOR GREY
Even traditional mouldings can look modern when painted a smart neutral. Retro Geometric framed print, £100, Abstract House
EYE-CATCHER
Create a talking point in your dining room, with a distinctive sideboard. The closed doors hide the clutter, while the space on top is made for display.
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Buy a DINING TABLE you love and don’t worry about what the LATEST TRENDS are EMMA-LOUISE MARSTON, NEPTUNE
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candles are my go to.’ It’s important to make sure everything has been put away, advises Emma-Louise. ‘You don’t want to be sitting down to a special dinner and see a toy poking out from somewhere.’ Emma also loves a tablecloth: ‘Who knows what’s going on underneath? It might be some trestle tables pushed together that don’t quite match, but a cloth instantly makes them special,’ she says. ‘Think about your favourite restaurant – does it have candles? Flowers? Lovely glassware? If you’ve space on your table, treat yourself to some lovely serveware. It doesn’t need to match your crockery, but lovely serving dishes and plates will elevate those everyday pieces.’
THE RIGHT TABLE AND CHAIRS
‘What you choose really depends on the size of the room, the overall design and your requirements,’ says Rukmini. ‘If your home is a new build, then try an oval design to counteract the boxy lines they often have; if DECEMBER 2021
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DECORATING CLASSIC LOOK
Solid wood furniture adds instant character. Wycombe oak dining table, £1,270; Wycombe two-seater bench, £375; Milo stool, from £250, all Neptune
SHOW STOPPER
Choose a statement table that extends for practical and style points. Merlin extending dining table and four chairs, £2,495, Furniture Village
DECORATING WARM GLOW
Create an intimate feel at the dining table with low pendants
NEED TO KNOW...
MOOD LIGHTING
Emma-Louise Marston from Neptune shares her lighting tips n Swap spots for more intimate lighting sources, such as a pendant above the table, table lamps on consoles, or even candlelight. n Table lamps make a statement on a sideboard, adding height and structure as well as a soft glow. n Fit a dimmer to give you different lighting options of lighting in the room, from bright to soft.
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FEATURE JENNIFER MORGAN PHOTOGRAPHS FUTURECONTENT.COM
Create a CLASSIC feel by adding traditional FEATURES like wall PANELLING and dado rails NICKY PHILLIPS, DECORATING EDITOR
you have a young family, then you could consider banquette seating around a square table.’ When it comes to seating, Rukmini says,‘Whatever table you choose, make sure chairs have 70 90cm clearance space to get in and out.’ And Emma Louise believes that you don’t need to have all the same chairs. ‘You could have two complementary fabrics, or an upholstered bench with carver chairs at each end,’ she says. Do think about what children are happy sitting on, as opposed to older relatives, who might need more support.
ADD A STORAGE PIECE
‘We are seeing more modern dressers with glass doors,’ says Rukmini. ‘There has been a shift, though,’ adds Emma Louise, ‘as we’re storing things we use, rather than just being for show or best. Dressers with closed storage are brilliant for hiding DECEMBER 2021
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things away.’ But it’s not just dressers, with drinks cabinets and trolleys now a part of our dining rooms. ‘The theatre of eating and drinking is really coming back,’ says Emma Louise. ‘We want to have a drink in the right glass and feel a little decadent.’
CREATE MOOD WITH COLOUR
‘Darker colours make a room feel more dramatic and cocooning,’ says Rukmini. Emma Louise agrees, saying: ‘We’re seeing bold use of colour, although it’s important to think about what the space is used for. If it’s also your home office, perhaps choose colours that are conducive to working, such as yellows.’ If you are looking to add a feature wall, then Abby says to choose the one opposite the door, ideally. ‘This will be the first thing you see when you walk in. If you have more than one door, go for the wall opposite the window so it catches the most light.’ n
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| PROMOTIONAL FEATURE |
Banbury wingback chair, £249; Nude Lines wall art, £25
Create your dream room
READY TO UPGRADE YOUR SPACE BUT NOT SURE WHERE TO START? HOME ESSENTIALS CAN HELP we love for a contemporary luxe feel: the Opulence pouffe (£49, in a range of colours including emerald and royal blue) looks striking alongside the warm accent lighting of the Smoked Glass floor lamp (£79), while the Vintage rug (from £29) makes a stunning focal point. Wall art, ornaments and fabulous faux plants complete the look.
ON-TREND LUXE EDIT
STYLING TIPS
The brand’s newly launched Dream Rooms campaign is fronted by singersongwriter Frankie Bridge and interior stylist Nicki Bamford-Bowes. They’ve revealed their very own edit which has everything you need to transform your space without breaking the bank, from stylish soft furnishings to furniture and on-trend accessories. It’s full of pieces
To make things even easier, Nicki has also shared top styling tips and tricks on how to pull the look together. ‘It’s amazing how a few clever additions can change an entire space, and Home Essentials’ curated product ranges make it super easy and affordable,’ she says. You’ll have the home of your dreams in no time at all.
Lexington dining chair, £139; tableware, from £15
FOR MORE INFO To transform your space shop the campaign at homeessentials.co.uk and follow @homeessentialsshop for more inspiration
WORDS TARA KING
T
he change in season offers a perfect opportunity for an interiors overhaul, but even with beautiful inspiration, bringing those ideas to life in your own home isn’t always easy. Luckily, Home Essentials is on hand with a carefully curated collection to help you create the room of your dreams.
DECORATING
| EASY STYLE UPDATES |
Weekend decorator
CLEVER TRICKS AND MINI DECOR PROJECTS… WE ROUND UP THE SIMPLEST, QUICKEST WAYS TO MAKE YOUR HOME MORE BEAUTIFUL NOW
HOW TO
RE-PAINT A CONSOLE Transform a hallway console with just a lick of paint and give guests a warm welcome as they come into your home this festive season. Q Start by giving your piece of furniture a good clean with a damp cloth and leave to dry. Q Remove drawers and all handles. Lightly screw in a piece of dowel or a screw so you can still open any doors while painting. Q If using chalk paint, you shouldn’t need to sand or prime first, but if you’re opting for a satin paint finish, it’s good to do both to ensure the best finish. Q Use a good quality brush with natural bristles to paint your furniture and always finish chalk paint with a wax or lacquer to protect it.
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Console in Capri Pink chalk paint, from £21.95 for 1ltr, Annie Sloan
Walls in Canopy matt emulsion, £51 for 2.5ltr, Andrew Martin
GIVE GREEN A GO IN THE DINING ROOM Introduce a touch of natural green to refresh your dining room scheme. Use an earthy-toned shade to invite in an element of greenery bringing the outside in. Complement your new look by using fresh foliage and hanging decorations to create a special setting for Christmas lunch.
luxurious flat matt emulsion, £35 for 2.5ltr, Crafted by Crown range, Crown Paints
Green 07 eggshell emulsion, £38 for 2.5ltr, Lick
EET SH AT
COLOU RC HE Ivy Grey
Faerie lifestyle emulsion, £46 for 2.5ltr, Country Homes & Interiors range, Earthborn
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DECORATING
Create a display with special baubles. String them onto silk or velvet ribbons and hang them in a cluster on the wall.
Walls and ledges in Lamp Room Gray estate emulsion, £49.50 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball
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MAKE YOUR HALLWAY SPARKLE Put up warm white curtain lights in the hallway to create a magical welcome for visiting friends and family. Using clear Command hooks, hang your lights from where the wall and ceiling meet, allowing the curtain to cascade down the wall and create a twinkling display.
Fairy lights, from a selection, Lights4fun
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HOW TO
ARRANGE A GALLERY WALL USING PICTURE LEDGES
ture ledges make a great, llery space for artwork, postcards and decorative items, giving you the option to change your display with the seasons and your decor. ■ Choose where you’d like to create your gallery wall (we often find an awkward alcove may well offer the perfect spot) and measure the space to work out how many ledges you’ll need. Here we’ve used Mosslanda ledges, £9 each for 115cm, Ikea. DECEMBER 2021
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■ Using a spirit level and measuring
tape, draw a pencil line to guide where each shelf will sit, leaving an even space between each level. If your wall space is quite wide, you might need to place two ledges side by side, or cut them down for a perfect fit. ■ Attach the ledges securely to the wall using Rawlplugs and screws, checking they are all level. ■ Finish by painting the ledges the same shade as your walls to make them blend in and allow your art to stand out.
Gold Osby star light, £13.99; micro fairy lights, £7.99, both Lights4fun
EMBRACE COLOUR FOR CHRISTMAS While red and green is a fairly traditional colour combination for decorating the table during the festive period, you can give it a orary twist by mixing it with pops of unexpected hues. Try shades of c and pink for a more lively take on this classic pairing. Painted furniture in a bold blue teams perfectly with colourful glassware, vibrant linens and crackers tied with ribbons for a table setting full of personality. Use the same ribbon to hang decorations from the chair backs to complete the look.
Suffolk chairs in Blakeney Blue, £315, each, Neptune
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HOUR
LIGHT UP A CORNER An alcove alongside the mantelpiece is the perfect spot to create an imaginative display. Attach pages from an old book, handwritten notes or old greetings cards to the wall in a tree-shaped arrangement, using washi tape or Blu-Tack. Finish with twinkling fairy lights and a sparkling Christmas star at the top.
Wrap embroidery hoops with fresh green foliage and hang them on the wall to create an eye-catching festive display. DECEMBER 2021
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DECORATING
Iron console table, £275, Cox & Cox. Fornasetti Senza Tempo Chiavi Segrete wallpaper, £195 a roll, Cole & Son
HOW TO
WALLPAPER A CORNER
WALL PAP ER
Bring a sense of occasion to a hallway with a gorgeous feature wallpaper, the perfect backdrop for a smart entrance scheme. Q First prep your walls. Q Next draw a plumb line (a vertical straight line against which you will hang your first drop of wallpaper) about 50cm from the corner. Q Measure the height of your wall and cut your paper leaving 10cm extra at each end. Cut the top at the same angle as your wall, but still allow for the 10cm extra. Q Paste the wallpaper and, using the plumb line as a guide, attach your first strip. Using a clean brush, from the centre push out any air bubbles. Q Trim off excess wallpaper with sharp scissors or a craft knife, using the slant of the wall as your guide. Make sure the pattern matches up before hanging the next drop.
STYLE TIP Display beautifully wrapped presents for visiting friends by your console table, so you don’t forget to gift them when they leave
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WALLPAPERS TO WOW 1 Paradiso in Midnight Blue, £40 a roll, Lust Home 2 Bloomin’ Marvellous in Blush Green, £140 a roll, Divine Savages 3 Superfresco Adilah Black Leaves, £16 a roll, B&Q DECEMBER 2021
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STYLE TIP Paint the chimney breast the same shade as either the bottom or top colour so that it complements and doesn’t detract from the ombré effect you have created
MAKE A MUTED STATEMENT WITH OMBRE WALLS Forget flat colour, instead use gradated shades of the same colour between shelves to bring those functional corners of your living room to life. Go lighter as you go up the wall for the illusion of height, or reverse to make the room feel cosier.
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FEATURE HOLLY WALSH PHOTOGRAPHS FUTURECONTENT.COM
Walls in Ambleside, Windmill Lane, Ulla and Pendula absolute matt emulsion, £48.50 for 2.5ltr, all Little Greene. Arna wire wall art, £69.95, Nkuku at Sue Parkinson
DECORATING
1
HOUR
11
TURN CARDS INTO ART Group Christmas cards into collections with a similar theme or colour palette and attach them to the wall in a formation of your choice. Use gold washi tape to make a neat frame around each one, varying the size and shape to suit each card, to create a mini gallery wall to enjoy throughout the season.
Wooden Scandi trees, £14 set of four, Bear & Rose. Medium ivory bags, £2.50 for 10; Kraft star stickers, £2.49 for two sheets of 12, both The Danes
Christmas cards, from a selection at John Lewis & Partners
Kraft gingerbread house advent boxes, £8.99 for 24, Ginger Ray
12
HOW TO
MAKE ADVENT WALL ART
Create a one-of-a-kind advent calendar that doubles up as unique wall art for the whole family to enjoy year after year. Q Fill 24 mini white gift bags with festive treats,
small presents or notes, then add handwritten or printed numbered labels. Q Fold over the top of each bag and make a hole at the top using a hole punch, then thread with a length of sparkling ribbon. Q Use the ribbon to tie each bag to either a bare florist’s wire ring, or a child’s hula hoop covered in ribbon or foliage, hanging each bag at a different height so that all the numbers are easy to see. Q Hang on the wall at a level that everyone can reach, then take it in turns to untie a bag each day to discover what’s been stashed inside.
13
A roll of beautiful wrapping paper used as a table runner will elevate your dining table and impress guests.
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| IDEAL HOME PARTNERSHIP |
update your kitchen
with Ideal Home & Mereway IDEAL HOME AND MEREWAY HAS LAUNCHED THE TEAL MIST DOOR FINISH, TO MAKE ADDING ON-TREND COLOUR TO YOUR NEW KITCHEN SIMPLE hoosing a new kitchen is one of the most exciting home projects. For so many of us, the kitchen is much more than just a place to cook. It’s right at the heart of our busy homes – where we eat, work, socialise and more. Planning a new kitchen can feel overwhelming, which is why we’re thrilled to have partnered with Mereway Kitchens to help you on the journey to create your dream kitchen space.
KITCHEN DESIGNS
Mereway have been making beautiful, hand-crafted kitchens in the UK for over three decades. With a huge choice of high-quality kitchen designs across
three very different collections, there’s something for every style of home. Inspired by European design and culture, the Cucina Colore collection offers a combination of colour, texture and finishes for a truly individual kitchen. Town & Country ticks all the boxes – contemporary, traditional and everything in between. The English Revival collection offers a bespoke, traditional, in-frame Shaker-style; a modern, in-frame slab door and a contemporary Shaker-style in flat matt painted finishes.
INTRODUCING TEAL MIST
When hunting for the perfect kitchen colour, we wanted a timeless shade that DECEMBER 2021
feels of-the-moment, but is easy to live with. Teal Mist is soft and gentle and is perfect for bringing a sense of calm (even amid the chaos of family meal times!). This blue-green shade offers maximum style versatility. Paired with modern, traditional or Shaker-style cabinets, Teal Mist brings warmth in winter and freshness in summer and works equally well for a country or modern look. ‘It’s also the perfect complement for a range of other colours,’ says Nicky Phillips, Ideal Home decorating editor. ‘Mix it with grey and navy or make it pop with bright white. The addition of brass, chrome or black on door furniture makes it super flexible.’
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IDEAL HOME PARTNERSHIP
IDEAL HOME
Exclusive Colour ON ALL MEREWAY KITCHENS
Teal Mist feels WARM in winter and FRESH in summer. This versatile, CALMING shade is perfect for your dream kitchen
“
HEATHER YOUNG, EDITOR
INTRODUCING... TEAL MIST
”
Pair kitchen doors in Teal Mist with Chalk White for a smart take on classic Shaker English Revival Shaker in Teal Mist and Chalk White, with Stainless Steel Rail Bar Handles. Prices start from £18,000, Mereway
Team sleek slab doors in Teal Mist with white worktops and gold details Cucina Colore Lastra in Teal Mist with Brass Flat Knob & Shell Handles. Prices start from £15,000, Mereway
FOR MORE INFORMATION To discover more about Mereway Kitchens and explore the wide range of design choices on offer, visit mereway.co.uk
Combine storage and display with Mereway’s smart bookcase unit
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renovation IMPROVE | EXTEND | CONVERT
“
Don’t settle! DEMAND more from your SPACE, and turn an awkward and unloved area into something AMAZING
”
PHOTOGRAPH JAMES FRENCH
HEATHER YOUNG, EDITOR
DECEMBER 2021
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RENOVATION
PROJECT DETAILS WHO LIVES HERE
Virginie Haiat lives here with her husband Gilles and children Ethan, 10, Liam, eight, and twins Ella and Mia, two.
THE PROJECT
A kitchen refit in a fourbedroom purpose-built Victorian mansion flat in West London.
TOTAL COST £85,149
KITCHEN PROJECT
Long, slim & elegant
VIRGINIE HAIAT CREATED A FLEXIBLE, FUNCTIONAL KITCHEN THAT DOUBLES AS A DINING AND LIVING SPACE WHERE FRIENDS AND FAMILY CAN GATHER
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BEFORE
A long central island, cantilevered to accommodate a dining area, is the highlight of this reworked space. Units are painted in a soothing dark green, contrasted with an off-white stone worktop. Fiber dining chairs, £175 each, by Muuto at Nunido. Globe pendant chandeliers, £149 each, Made. Wide plank oak flooring, price on request, 3 Oak Wood Flooring
WIDE-PLANK FLOORING Makes the space seem bigger.
THE PROBLEM
An awkward layout that really didn’t maximise the room’s classic proportions.
THE SOLUTION ‘Before we renovated, there was an L-shaped counter jutting out into the middle of the room, which effectively cut it in half, and, on the other side, an uninspiring TV area. We asked interior designer Stephanie Rackind to
reconsider the layout. Everything fell into place when she suggested working in the full length of the room by designing a kitchen with a long, cantilevered dining table integrated into an island running down the room. We wanted a classic Shaker style with a streamlined
look, so we chose a design by Roundhouse. There’s a spacious concealed larder, a hob inset into the island and fluted glass cabinetry above the sink to soften the look. The former TV area is where the kids can play and friends can chat as we cook. The new layout makes the kitchen a natural hub.’
RENOVATION
FOCUS ON
a Multipurpose island
A bold wallpaper mural anchors this space, while two sleek armchairs provide an informal seating area for friends and family. Amazon High wallpaper, €249 a roll, Isidore Leroy. Interior design, Stephanie Rackind
There are no rules to an island’s features, but it should fit well in your space n Today’s kitchen is where we live, dine and socialise. Along with its increased importance comes growing scale, hence the arrival of the island, the central feature of many beautiful kitchens. n A multi height kitchen island with a cantilever (a rigid structural element that extends horizontally and is supported at only one end) is useful for combining food preparation with an informal dining space. With one side devoted to cooking, the other to eating, the cantilevered island defines the working zone. n An island offers storage, as well as room for sinks, bins and built-in hobs, as well as seating and wine fridges.
Floor-to-ceiling units offer plenty of storage, while reeded glass fronts soften the look. A sleek hob is inset into the island. Kitchen, appliances and worktops, price on request, Roundhouse. Units painted in Studio Green estate eggshell, £67 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball
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RENOVATION
UNDER CABINET LIGHTING
Illuminates the worktop beneath.
Smoked bronze taps and handles perfectly compliment the paint, adding depth and texture to the scheme. Stone worktop and splashback in Compac Carrara stone composite, Roundhouse
“
Taking out an L-shaped counter that protruded across the width of the space made all the difference – the room instantly felt much bigger
VIRGINIE HAIAT, HOMEOWNER
”
KEY SURFACES
LEFT TO RIGHT Work surface Iconic White, from £400sq m, Silestone by Cosentino Kitchen units Studio Green estate eggshell, £67 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball Flooring. Angelique Beechwood Engineered Wood Flooring, £50.29sq m, Ideal Home at Tile Giant
KITCHEN SOURCEBOOK
Interior design, Stephanie Rackind, srinteriordesign.co.uk. Kitchen (including worktops, splashback, fittings), Roundhouse, roundhousedesign.com. Flooring, 3 Oak Wood Flooring, 3oak.co.uk. Cabinetry, painted in Studio Green by Farrow & Ball, farrow-ball.com. Appliances, Miele, miele.co.uk. Downdraft extractor, Bora, bora.com
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FEATURE EMMA J PAGE PHOTOGRAPHS JAMES FRENCH
The family’s favourite ceramics are outlined behind softly reeded glass-fronted cabinetry. Kitchen design by Roundhouse. Diamond cut pull-bar handles in Smoked Bronze, Roundhouse
RENOVATION
PROJECT DETAILS WHO LIVES HERE?
Anna Urban lives here with her husband Piotr Truszkiewicz and sons Mateusz, 18, and Szymon, 15, plus French bulldog, Frank.
THE PROJECT
Bathroom refit in a Victorian end-of-terrace in Upper Batley, West Yorkshire.
TOTAL COST £3,420
BATHROOM MAKEOVER
Luxe look for less
ANNA URBAN AND PIOTR TRUSZKIEWICZ CREATED A DECADENT BATHROOM INSPIRED BY THEIR TRAVELS
‘I’ve been a fan of gold taps for quite some time and my previous bath had gold hardware, so I knew how good it would look.’ Gold freestanding tap, £300, Homary
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BEFORE
WINDOW COVERING A sheer pull down shade allows privacy without blocking light
MARBLE FLOOR TILES Real or fake, marble creates a sense of luxury and drama
THE PROBLEM
The bathroom was a good size, but needed a complete update
THE SOLUTION ‘A few months after we moved in, our friend, who is a fantastic plumber, helped us to move the pipes as we changed the bathroom layout. There was also some boxing in to do. ‘I spent hours sourcing second-hand items and
DECEMBER 2021
offcuts – if you have time and patience, good online research can save you a fortune. We had a twomonth delay on the taps but I believe good things are worth waiting for! ‘We sacrificed having a shower, but we have a lovely shower room on the top floor. Installation and
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plastering cost £1,700 – we saved around £1,000 by gutting the old bathroom, painting and also tiling the mosaic wall ourselves. ‘I was so excited when our new bathroom got shortlisted for the Ideal Home Reader Awards. I’d love to think that our design may inspire others.’
RENOVATION
FOCUS ON
a Wall-hung toilet Recreate a boutique feel in your bathroom with a space-saving and practical wall-hung toilet n Apart from looking sleek and modern, one of the biggest advantages of a wall-hung toilet pan is how easy it is to clean. Because it hovers several inches above the floor, you can clean around and underneath it effortlessly, so there’s nowhere for dust or dirt to hide. n A wall-hung option will look great in any size of bathroom but it will really come into its own in smaller spaces as it
ABOVE ‘We opted for black tiles on the wall behind the toilet to add a feel of opulence and to stop the room looking too white. It also complements the black furniture, and the black in the other tiles.’ Affine Bordeaux wall-hung toilet & soft-close seat, £250, ManoMano. Black Katana sideboard, £549, Swoon, would make a similar washstand
RIGHT ‘I love how you can see the large marble wall tile reflected in the mirror – it ties in so neatly with the marble worktop and basin below.’ Black and white ‘Panda’ tiles, £76 each; Black matt and gloss chevron wall tiles, £23 each, all Al-Murad Tiles. Solas mirror, £500, HiB. Brass basin mixer taps, £71 each, TRUSTMI. For similar marble-effect basin, £99, try Victorian Plumbing DECEMBER 2021
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won’t take up as much room. Also, the fact that it isn’t sitting on the floor creates the illusion of more space, too. n Worried about the cost? Don’t be. The price of wallhung toilets has dropped a lot in recent years and they are much more affordable than they used to be. However, don’t forget to budget for installation costs. You’ll need an experienced plumber or bathroom fitter for this.
RENOVATION
“
RIGHT ‘It’s such a treat to have hisand-hers basins – but it’s also so practical, saving us both time during the morning rush to get out.’ Gold hanging planters, £12 each, Homesense
Our bathroom reflects our love and appreciation of luxury design and modern glamour. We always wanted a hotel-like feel in the bathroom, and now staying at home feels like we’ve already checked in! ANNA URBAN, HOMEOWNER
”
KEY SURFACES
LEFT TO RIGHT Walls painted in White Supermatt emulsion paint, £40 for 10ltr, Dulux Trade. Wall tiles Black and white marble ‘Panda’ tiles, £76 each; Premium Nero Marquina tiles, £47.93sq m, all Al-Murad Tiles. Splashback tiles Black matt and gloss chevron wall tiles, £23 each, all Al-Murad Tiles
BATHROOM SOURCEBOOK
Wall tiles, Al-Murad Tiles, al-murad.co.uk. Bath, British Baths, britishbaths.co.uk. Bath tap, Homary, homary.com. Similar basin, Victorian Plumbing, victorianplumbing.co.uk. Basin mixer taps, TRUSTMI, amazon.com. Toilet pan and seat, ManoMano, manomano.co.uk. Wall mirror, HiB, hib.co.uk. Sideboard, Swoon, swooneditions.com
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FEATURE LAURA EWART PHOTOGRAPHS JAMES FRENCH STYLING MARISHA TAYLOR
ABOVE ‘A gold trim between the tiles ties in with the gold tap – it’s the attention to detail that makes a room feel finished.’ White bath, £650, British Baths. Marquina wall tiles, £47.93sq m, Al-Murad Tiles
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RENOVATION
“
ASK AN EXPERT IDEAL HOME’S RESIDENT ARCHITECTURAL DESIGNER CHARLIE LUXTON SHARES HIS DESIGN KNOW-HOW
How do I get the rig design for my project
The right design is perhaps the single most important thing in any renovation project. It can be the best money spent on a build as it dictates how everything comes together. Design defines the look but also how the new project functions, how it stands up to the rigours of family life, how much it costs to build/run and its environmental impact. It can also be the hardest money to justify, when a budget is tight and spending thousands on meetings, emails and lots of drawings can seem a luxury. While employing an architect or designer isn’t cheap, the alternative is often no cheaper. Building is expensive, it only takes a few mistakes to rack up costs equivalent to paying for the right design work in
LOW ENERGY DESIGN CHECKLIST
PHOTOGRAPHS FUTURECONTENTHUB.COM
◆ Set your sustainability agenda right at the start. ◆ Research sustainability exemplars similar to the type of project you are about to tackle ◆ Discuss opportunities for your project with your architect/designer to gauge their knowledge and interest. ◆ Be proactive. Relying on current building regulations to set your insulation and energy use levels will not be enough. Communicate your style and how you live
DECEMBER 2021
the first place. There are no hard and fast rules about achieve good design and it certainly doesn’t require a architect or professional designer. What it does requir someone to work through ALL the details of the proje other words, someone must ‘design’ it. If it hasn’t been developed, explored, tested and specified by someon experience then the chances of it ‘clicking’ are slim. This is the fundamental difference between how a good ‘designer’ and everyone else will approach a project. A good designer will test, draw and model, then redraw, check and obsess. The individual items in a house don’t just come together by luck! They need to be herded, marshalled and controlled to get them just right. If you can do that, then go for it, if not then you should use a professional. In order to get the right architect or designer Visit a there are a few fundamental things you need to project to consider. Select one whose style suits your gauge a aspirations. If you want a contemporary approach designer’s choose a designer who does this; if you want a work classic look choose for that. Crucially if you want a sustainable home make sure your architect or designer has experience in this area. Low-energy architecture is not simply a matter of bolting on a few bits of sustainable technology, it needs to be in the very DNA of a design. You must visit one of their projects. Photos are fine but looking around a completed house tells you so much more. You feel the space, you see how well it is ageing and it tells a lot about the relationship between the client and designer at the end of the project. This relationship is crucial as a house project can last several years. When choosing to work with a practice ask them about their Professional Indemnity insurance (PI). Like everyone, architects/designers may get it wrong, and having the back up of insurance to rectify mistakes at the design stage is one of the benefits of working with a reputable firm. In my experience the best building projects come from the best client/designer relationships. It is hard to single out any one characteristic that makes this work, but it’s certainly not about the biggest budgets or best properties. At a push, I would say a good design comes from commitment to the process and trust. You need to be very picky about choosing the right designer. Clearly communicate how you want to live, set the problems you want solving rather than how you want them solved. Then really engage in the process. Your input is critical. There are no stupid questions and you must push your design team, but in return you must trust in them to achieve the very best. n
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PROJECT PLANNING
basement conversions ADDING A BASEMENT CONVERSION IS A FANTASTIC WAY TO MAKE MORE SPACE AND INCREASE YOUR PROPERTY’S VALUE
A
n option if you’re looking for a way to create extra space without moving, not all basement conversions involve digging under the entire garden. Many Victorian and Edwardian houses have cellars with sturdy foundations that are ideal for conversion. Basement conversions are particularly good if you live in an urban area where land values are high and you don’t want to sacrifice part of your garden. Since integrating ventilation and natural light is a lot trickier when you’re going underground – and more expensive – clever design and careful planning are essential.
PLAN THE SPACE
Create a design brief, summing up what you intend to use the space for and the overall aesthetic you’d like. ‘Without careful planning, it would be easy to end up with a large, poorly-lit zone that has limited uses,’ says Richard Gill, an associate at Paul Archer Design. The problem with any subterranean space is always going to be light. ‘When converting, our main aim is to find clever
ways to bring light through to the lower levels,’ says architect Alan Crawford of The Crawford Partnership. ‘This can be done by incorporating a light well to create a visual connection to the world above. Even a small skylight that allows a glimpse of blue sky can make all the difference. ‘Whether you are converting a cellar below the house or digging out part of the front or back garden to create the new basement, consider excavating an extra 200-300mm to increase the floor-to-ceiling height of the new space,’ advises Alan. ‘Maintaining the flow like this won’t push up the cost of the project dramatically, but it will instantly he room you create feel less
clever design and care planning are essentia ophobic. Especially when planned ination with a light well or skylight.’
CONSIDER AN ARCHITECT
While many basement construction firms offer their own in-house design services, employing a recommended designer
could make the difference bet a merely efficient basement an spectacular one. ‘Engaging an shifts the focus to the creation beautiful spaces,’ says Richard. ‘They will be able to address issues such as how to connect the basement
FOCUS ON
BASEMENT CONVERSION COSTS
The essential questions to consider before taking on a major project like this IS THERE A CELLAR?
If you already have a cellar, expect to pay £10,000 to £30,000. But if you need to dig out a new space, this can cost from £40,000 up to as much as £100,000.
HOW MUCH PER M2?
If utilising an existing cellar, allow £1,200sq m. If the floor needs lowering, budget from £1,650sq m, and if it’s a new space allow £3,500sq m. Architects usually charge
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12-15% of the build fee on a small project, and 7-8% on a large one.
IS IT WORTH DOING?
Depending on where you live, and the type and value
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of your property, it can still be a viable option. Alan King from estate agent Jackson-Stops & Staff reckons, ‘A basement can add £10,000 to £60,000 to the value of your home.’
RENOVATION
ADD A LIGHT WELL (OR TWO) Bringing in daylight is key to creating a beautiful space. Here two light wells connect the basement room with the relaxing green of the garden.
MAKE THE MOST OF A STAIRCASE Glass panels (instead of a solid barrier) at the side of the stairs allow even more daylight through than the staircase access would on its own.
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RENOVATION with the main house and how to maximise natural light, while making the space aesthetically pleasing, too.’
THE PLANNING PROCESS
It’s wise to get your neighbours on side from the outset. ‘Unlike regular extensions, basement projects can cause massive issues with neighbours,’ says William McGuinness, director at UV Architects. ‘This will be largely based on stories they might have heard about developments going wrong.’ At one time, it was possible to create a basement extension under Permitted Development. These days, however, the chances of that are highly unlikely. ‘A lot of authorities have clamped down,’ says William. ‘In some London boroughs, any subterranean development automatically requires formal consent. Or if you introduce a light well, for instance, that will necessitate planning permission because of the alteration to the exterior.’ If your house is on a flood plain or at risk of flooding, it’s likely you’ll be refused planning permission. You’ll have to get Building Regulations Approval, and if your home is listed, you will also need Listed Building Consent. For more information on exactly what is required, visit planningportal.gov.uk.
CREATE FLEXIBLE LIVING SPACE
INCORPORATE AN OUTSIDE SPACE This unusual, elegant winter garden design allows light in via glass walls, while adding a view of greenery that basement spaces can often miss out on.
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FEATURE JENNY MCFARLANE PHOTOGRAPHS FUTURECONTENTHUB.COM
Combine work and play, with a home office below the skylight for extra inspiration. This large light also allows daylight further into the space when it’s time for fun and games.
RENOVATION The rendered extension, with its wrap-around staircase, also acts as a stylish roof terrace
EXTENSION PROJECT
Two flats to one family home NEIL TAYLOR, FOUNDER OF TAP ARCHITECTS, EXPLAINS HOW A CURVED REAR EXTENSION AND WRAP-AROUND OUTDOOR STAIRCASE TRANSFORMED TWO GEORGIAN FLATS INTO A FAMILY HOME WITH THE WOW FACTOR DECEMBER 2021
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BEFORE
HOME NOTES HOMEOWNERS
James and Jonna Dempsey
PROPERTY
Four-bedroom Georgian villa in Edinburgh
ARCHITECT
TAP Architects (taparchitects.co.uk)
BUILDERS Ramsay Built
TOTAL COST £150,000*
A picture window adds extra light and views over the garden
The unusual curved shape of the lobby is complemented by minimal decor
THE PROBLEM
Putting a Georgian villa back together after it had been made into two flats
THE SOLUTION ‘After meeting with the homeowners we conceived the idea of a single-storey extension with a roof terrace and external stair wrapping around into the garden. Steps were also added to the garden patio to connect the lower
DECEMBER 2021
ground level via a small sunken courtyard. When assessing the house we could see the remnants of a half round stair tower that had once existed on the back so we followed the same form and geometry for the new extension, as the owners wanted to be sensitive to
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the Georgian buildings in this part of Edinburgh. An extensive renovation was undertaken inside to move the bedrooms downstairs and living areas into the upstairs rooms. The effect is totally transformative for the feel of light in the home and connection to the garden.’
RENOVATION
“
FOCUS ON
NEIL TAYLOR, TAP ARCHITECTS
"
Neil Taylor shares his must-have requirements
1 2
BEFORE YOU BUY
ensure your desired staircase will comply with building regulations.
BASE YOUR DESIGN around
who will be using the staircase. Backless stairs look cool, but might not be suita for everyone.
3 4
SIZE AND SHAPE of
the staircase should be dictated by the space. This design matches the property’s period style.
THINK ABOUT DRAINAGE before
choosing the materials and design, especially if it’s not attached to a mezzanine or roof terrace with a drainage system.
5
USE OF MATERIALS should
be guided by the age of the building. Steel can feel modern, light and airy, while a more solid look may suit a modern traditional design. The curved shape of the lobby and boot room entrance gives an almost theatrical look to the space
The new curved staircase reinstates direct access to the garden as well as being an elegant and modern design statement
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FEATURE HAYLEY SPENCER PHOTOGRAPHS DAVID BALFOUR *PRICE EXCLUDES VAT. NOT INCLUDING KITCHEN AND OTHER FITTINGS/FINISHES OR FEES
With a listed or period property, allow a lot of time for discussion with your architect and ensure you’ve ticked off all of your requirements
external stairs
PROJECT PLANNING
Solar panels OUR GUIDE TO SOLAR PANELS FOR THE HOME – THE COSTS, INSTALLATION AND GRANTS AVAILABLE FOR DOMESTIC KITS
D
ue to the pandemic, large numbers of us are now spending a lot more time at home during the day. So investing in solar panels could be hugely beneficial for our energy bills at the end of the month. And that’s without even mentioning the positive effects that reducing our reliance on fossil fuels will have on our planet. So what types of solar panels are available?
PHOTOVOLTAIC PANELS
Photovoltaic panels, also known as solar PV, power your electrics and are made of a polycrystalline material containing silicon cells and strips of wiring, known as ‘buzz bars’, framed in metal and cased in glass. They convert light into energy while the sun is shining. So it’s a good idea to get your washing done, run the dishwasher and carry out any other high-powered tasks then. These are best placed on a south-facing roof so they absor ch light as possible during
even on a light cloudy day, you’ll still generate a decent amount of energy,’ says Richard Blackmore, renewable technical support at Gregor Heating. The set-up for most domestic houses will consist of two panels on the roof, with a pair of pipes that run to a solar pumping system in the roof, and another pair running down to the hot water cylinder. According to Richard, this should provide the bulk of your hot water from March through to September and October. ‘During the winter the system will act as a pre-heater, taking your water up to about 30-35 degrees, until your boiler tops it up to the required temperature,’ he says. This set-up is completely separate from your existing hot water system, but it is designed to work in conjunction with it. So if you’re looking to upgrade your current property, rather than starting from scratch on a new build, you’ll need to change your hot water cylinder from a standard to a twin coil model to accommodate the new hot water source.
Even on a cloudy day you can generate energy the d ht, or in winter, when the sun i g enough to generate solar power, your home will automatically revert to using the national grid. Conversely, any solar energy not used during the day will also be fed back to the grid. You can be paid for this excess via the Smart Export Guarantee scheme (see Need to Know, right).
”
SOLAR THERMAL PANELS
The key difference between solar thermal and photovoltaic panels is that solar thermal works on UV rays rather than sunlight itself. So solar thermal panels still work effectively in diffused, or lower levels, of sunlight. ‘This means that DECEMBER 2021
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MAKING PANELS PAY If your solar panels produce an excess amount of energy, you can sell this back to the national grid
RENOVATION AN INCENTIVE TO INSTALL Providing no more than two solar thermal panels are used, the VAT incurred on installation is only five per cent
NEED TO KNOW
SOLAR PANEL COSTS
Whether you choose solar thermal or photovoltaic, here’s a few pointers on the financial implications n For the average British home, you should budget £6,000 to £7,000 for the installation of photovoltaic solar panels. n There are no longer any government grants to help shoulder the costs of installation of photovoltaic solar panels. This means the only savings you’ll be making are the reductions on your electricity bill once the panels are up and running. n For solar thermal panels, ‘You should look to budget around £5,500 plus VAT for the installation of a typical two-panel solar thermal system,’ advises Richard Blackmore. ‘The VAT element is only five per cent, though, as long as there are no additional panels, so that’s quite positive.’
n On 1 January 2020, the government set up the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) scheme, which requires energy companies with at least 150,000 customers to pay households for any solar-generated electricity they send back to the National Grid. The rate you get back will depend on the supplier.
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FEATURE AMY CUTMORE
n If you enrol on the Government’s Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme you can receive quarterly payments over seven years in return for using solar thermal panels to heat your home. The amount will vary depending on the amount of renewable heat generated by your home.
WHAT TO BUY
IDEAL vs GREAT DEAL Entertain in style this festive season by laying your table with golden metallics, cut glass and gorgeous greenery MODERN EDGE Lipsy Black and Gold cutlery, £48 for 16 pieces, Next
GILDED TOUCH Black and Gold cutlery, £79 for 16 pieces, Cult Furniture
EMERALD OPTION Fox & Ivy Highland Green dinnerware, £35 for 12 pieces, Tesco
GREEN WITH ENVY Bobble dinnerware in Green, £128 for 12 pieces, Dobbies
STAR BUY Vintage champagne glasses, £25 for two, Star by Julien Macdonald at Freemans
FINISHING TOUCH Snowflake napkins, £15 for four, Ragged Rose
YOU’VE PULLED Luxury handmade Alpine Snowflake crackers, £50 for six, Cox & Cox
FOLDED OVER Snowflake napkins, £4 for four, Wilko
CRACKING BUY Fable Forest crackers, £36 for six, Nancy & Betty FESTIVE FOLIAGE Eucalyptus garland, £22, Home Luxe Co
GORGEOUS GARLAND Festive Foliage garland, £45.99, Lights4fun
FEATURE HOLLY WALSH
GORGEOUS GLASS Vintage champagne glasses, £18 for two, Rockett St George
WOVEN WONDER Circular woven place mat in Gold, £9 for two, Walton & Co
CIRCULAR STAR Braided Sparkle place mats, £4 for two, John Lewis & Partners CURVY BEAUTIES Brass candlesticks, £44 set of two, Layered Lounge
STANDING TALL Brushed-brass Bruyere candlesticks, £100 for two, Soho Home DECEMBER 2021
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WHAT TO BUY
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The shortlist 6
BEAUTIFUL BAUBLES Stand-out decorations to gift or treat yourself to
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FEATURE MICHELA COLLING
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Choose from different breeds
WHERE TO BUY 1 Sailboat globe Christmas tree decoration, £28, Rockett St George 2 Glass gold and diamond bee, £15.99, Dobbies 3 Locket bauble, £4, Matalan 4 Retro car ornament, £18.95, Liberty 5 Festive Field hot air balloon bauble, £8, John Lewis & Partners 6 Dried flower frame bauble, £12.50, Cox & Cox 7 Porcelain lion ornament, £34, Jonathan Adler 8 Keepsake dog ornament, £12.95, Bombus at Etsy 9 Large mushroom cloche decoration, £6, M&S 10 Enamel moon tree decoration, £44, Joanna Buchanan at Amara 11 Cake stand Christmas decoration, £24.95, Fortnum & Mason DECEMBER 2021
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Buying guide
Coffee machines
BOOST YOUR MORNING ROUTINE AND SAVE ON THAT RUN TO THE COFFEE SHOP WITH ONE OF THESE TOP-RATED MACHINES BEFORE YOU BUY
n As well as coming in all shapes, sizes and colours, the coffee machine you choose depends on the type of coffee you want to use, with pod, ground and bean-to-cup machines all widely available. If you’re looking for an affordable option, pod or ground coffee machines are great. These save you buying a machine with a coffee grinder mechanism, which cuts down on cost up-front. However, if you want a coffee machine for a super-fresh brew, a bean-to-cup offers distinct advantages. n Great for those who like an espresso in the morning, but a latte at weekends, some machines have a choice of different-sized beverages. Often there is the ability to adjust the amount of water dispensed to suit your taste. You may also be able to save your favourite settings to make regular drinks easily. The latest crop of coffee machines can even be controlled by an
app, so you can set them to brew the moment you step out of the shower. n Every coffee machine will have a refillable water tank, so check its size before you buy. Anything less than a litre will require more frequent topping up, especially if you prefer long drinks. Some can be filled in-situ (for times when you realise the water’s about to run out). Others will need to be removed – if you have a small kitchen sink or short tap, check that you can fit the tank below the spout. n The bar pressure in a coffee machine is how much force it uses to pump the water through the pod. Look for a minimum of 15 for a pro-style crema, though machines designed to handle a wide range of drinks can be lower. n If you love a latte or cappuccino, then a milk-frother will be important to you. Some machines automatically froth the milk for you, while others feature a frother on the side (this gives
you control over the level of froth). If you’re an Americano fan, then the milk options are less important. n Bean-to-cup machines often take up a lot of space on your worktop; they tend to use much of the depth of a worktop, but the width varies. Pod machines are smaller (especially those without a separate milk-frother), with a footprint akin to that of a small toaster. n Most bean-to-cup machines automatically dose themselves with ground coffee and then deposit the used grounds in a bin, so you’ll need to empty the bin regularly. You’ll also need to empty the drip tray often – the water from self-cleaning ends up in it. If your machine has a milk-frother, add this to your cleaning list, as it can smell if not regularly washed out. Beyond that, you’ll want to give the machine a proper clean once a week to ensure that it’s hygienic and that every cup of coffee you make tastes great.
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In hard-water areas, regular descaling is a must to keep your coffee machine running smoothly
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GINEVRA BENEDETTI, ASSOCIATE EDITOR
DECEMBER 2021
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WHAT TO BUY
Tried & Tested BEST FOR EVERY COFFEE IMAGINABLE BREVILLE VCF125 BARISTA MINI TYPE OF COFFEE Ground PRESSURE 15 bar NUMBER OF CUPS Up to 2 PRICE £249 This coffee machine will help you to hone those barista skills you thought you never had. It’ll make an Americano, latte, flat white or cappuccino, but you may have to perfect those swirls on the top with the milk jug and frother. Cleaning and maintenance is easy, but it will need regular attention to keep it looking in tip-top condition. The stainless-steel shell requires a buff-up every other day, and the drip tray emptying as and when, too. REASONS TO BUY Makes a great coffee; compact so doesn’t take up much space REASONS TO AVOID No adjustable mug height, stainless steel marks easily RATING 4.5/5
FEATURE GINEVRA BENEDETTI, RACHEL OGDEN, JENNIFER OKSIEN PHOTOGRAPHS FUTURECONTENTHUB.COM
BEST SMART COFFEE MACHINE MELITTA BARISTA TS SMART TYPE OF COFFEE Beans PRESSURE 15 bar NUMBER OF CUPS 10 PRICE £1,199 A super-smart choice in more ways than one, from the grinding of the beans to the frothing of the milk, all of which can be controlled via an app on your smartphone. Impressive stuff. Making an espresso or cappuccino is spot on, as you’d hope – but there are actually 21 coffee recipes you can create. The onboard milk-frother is easy to use and effective, too, plus it self-cleans, which is ALWAYS a win for us. The My Coffee Memory function will save the coffee preferences of up to eight people and it’ll even just give you hot water, too, should anyone dare to ask for tea instead. REASONS TO BUY We love the smart features REASONS TO AVOID Pricey; a little hefty for small kitchens RATING 5/5
We believe that any product should be simple to use, stand the test of time, look good and work brilliantly to make your life easier. Our testing team put each product through its paces at home, over several weeks, pitting them against everyday situations. Those products that make the mark are awarded a star rating. And the very, very EST. ES T. 1920 best are awarded our ‘Ideal Home APPROVED Approved’ recommendation.
BEST BEAN-TO-CUP MACHINE SAGE BARISTA EXPRESS TYPE OF COFFEE Beans PRESSURE 15 bar NUMBER OF CUPS 10 PRICE £599.99 This genius machine will grind your beans, brew them, and even steam the milk for lattes and cappuccinos. Everything from the grind coarseness to the volume can be adjusted manually for that shot of espresso, just how you like it, and the pressure gauge shows you the optimum levels to aim for when brewing. Cleaning is easy enough and needs to be done using the included insert for the portafilter and tablets. It isn’t a cheap option, but compared with some of the other options on the market, it’s a good middle ground between value and quality. REASONS TO BUY A fully customisable brew REASONS TO AVOID It could be overwhelming for some RATING 4.5/5
FOR MORE COFFEE MACHINES VISIT IDEALHOME.CO.UK/BUYING-GUIDES-REVIEWS
DECEMBER 2021
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| PROMOTIONAL FEATURE | Embrace a sense of luxury in your bedroom The Penelope bed, from £699.99, with its elegant scrolled head and footboard, is upholstered in sumptuous velvet, shown here in Navy. Also available in Ocean Blue and Pewter
sleep well aving a good night’s rest leaves you refreshed, rejuvenated and clear headed, ready to face the day ahead. We could all benefit from improving the quality of our sleep, and Bensons for Beds are the experts to help. Rest assured, Bensons’ latest range of beds has been designed with wellness – and style – in mind. DRIFT OFF IN COMFORT Introducing a touch of luxury into your bedroom creates a relaxing space that’s good for both body and mind. There’s nothing like a pop of colour to make a statement, and this season’s dark-blue hues (Pewter, Navy or Ocean Blue) complement the Penelope bed’s traditional scrolled deep-buttoned head and footboard perfectly. The Penelope is available as a standard bed frame as well as the storage ottoman option; both feature
wooden walnut effect feet for a beautiful finishing touch. The Orianna bed (in Pewter, Oyster and Blush Pink) showcases understated elegance, with a deep buttoned velvet headboard featuring winged sides and a matching upholstered ottoman base. The base is lifted to reveal unobstructed storage underneath, so you can hide away clutter, creating more restful bedroom surroundings. GUARANTEED EXPERTISE Whichever style you choose, both bed frames are available in three sizes (from double to super king size) and come equipped with sprung slats for extra comfort, support and circulation of air. Get advice from in store experts or visit the online Sleep Hub for top tips from leading sleep specialist, Dr Sophie Bostock. A clearer mind is certainly a good night’s sleep away.
There is plenty of storage space in the lift-up base of the Orianna ottoman bed, from £799.99
WHERE TO BUY For store details and to view the entire Bensons for Beds collection, visit bensonsforbeds.co.uk, where you’ll find buying guides and advice.
FEATURE TARA KING
TREAT YOUR BEDROOM TO A STYLISH NEW UPGRADE AND WAKE UP IN A GOOD PLACE
WHAT TO BUY
The shortlist
DISPLAY CABINETS Show off favourite pieces or keep tableware in neat stacks 1
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1 Fern Bar cabinet, £1,798, Anthropologie 2 Bronx glazed cabinet, £625, Next 3 Metal two-door highboard Long Tall Sally, £399, Henry Holland at Freemans 4 Billy bookcase in Turquoise, £150, Ikea 5 Alex Mindi low display cabinet, £505, Tikamoon 6 Shepton glazed cabinet in Pink Peppercorn, £1,435, Neptune 7 Virum display cabinet, £249.99, Jysk
FEATURE MICHELA COLLING
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Pick your custom colour
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DECEMBER 2021
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BEFORE YOU BUY n Slow cookers range in size from a compact 1.5-litre to a large 6.5-litre bowl, so be sure to choose the right size for the way you intend to cook. As a rough guide, 1.5 to 3 litres will feed one or two people, while 3 to 5 litres is large enough for three or four people. Anything over five litres should suit a big family. A capacity of 6 litres or more is ideal for batch cooks who like to fill the freezer. n Most slow cookers offer three heat settings: high heat for meals cooked in less than a few hours, a medium heat for moderate cooking and a low heat for all-day cooking. Some cookers will switch to ‘keep warm’ automatically after an elapsed cooking time, while more basic models need this altered manually. n Slow cookers are one of the most affordable small appliances, and you can buy a basic one for as little as £20. Spend more and you’ll find a greater array of features. Stretch to the £100 mark and it may also double up as a multi-cooker, so it can cook fluffy rice and steam food, too. n Those with digital controls may also have a delay start, which means you can start cooking at a time to suit you, and have the machine turn off after cooking or go into ‘keep warm’ mode. n Basic slow cookers won’t get hot enough to sauté meat or vegetables, so you’ll need to do this in a pan before transferring to the bowl. However, more expensive models have bowls that you use on your hob or in your oven. Machines with a sauté function can be switched to slow cooking, meaning all that lovely seared flavour remains in the pan. n Check the cleaning instructions. Budget models may have dishes that are not dishwasher safe.
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Look for a slow cooker with a glass lid so you can keep an eye on your food as it cooks without having to lift the lid and let out any heat or steam
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GINEVRA BENEDETTI, ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Buying guide
Slow cookers
HEALTHY MEAL PREP IS MADE EASY WITH A SLOW COOKER. IT’LL HELP TRANSFORM CHEAPER CUTS OF MEAT INTO TENDER DISHES AND LIVEN UP THRIFTY PULSES, ALL WITH THE MINIMUM OF FUSS DECEMBER 2021
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WHAT TO BUY
Tried & Tested
FEATURE MILLIE FENDER, RACHEL OGDEN PHOTOGRAPH FUTURECONTENTHUB.COM
We believe that any product should be simple to use, stand the test of time, look good and work brilliantly to make your life easier. Our testing team put each product through its paces at home, over several weeks, pitting them against everyday situations. Those products that make the mark are awarded a star rating. And the very, very EST. ES T. 1920 best are awarded our ‘Ideal Home APPROVED Approved’ recommendation.
FOR MORE SLOW COOKERS VISIT IDEALHOME.CO.UK/BUYING-GUIDES-REVIEWS
DECEMBER 2021
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LIFE ADMIN
NO-NONSENSE SOLUTIONS TO EVERYDAY HASSLES
SMART HOME
Make your fairy lights smart No more crawling behind the Christmas tree to turn the fairy lights on – why not make them smart, and control them with your smartphone? For as little as £20, you can get a smart plug (take a look at TP-Link, Wiz, Philips Hue or Amazon Alexa) and connect your existing fairy lights to it. Or, if you have several sets, the Meross Power Strip (£29.99, Amazon) is a smart extension lead with four outlets that are all individually controlled. Alternatively, Twinkly’s app-controlled fairy lights can change colour, flash using different patterns or even pulse to the beat of any music playing – perfect for kitchen discos. Once you’re connected, you can program schedules for your Christmas lights to go on and off at set times, so it happens automatically every day. Better still, sync your lights to your voice-assistant hub (such as Apple HomeKit or Google Home) and you’ll be able to turn them on and off simply by asking.
ORGANISING
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Free Christmas present apps
If you find yourself in the inevitable position of having to sort presents for pretty much everyone in your extended family, then it’s worth getting a little help from apps to keep track of your Santa sack. Santa’s Bag (iOS) and Gift List Diary (Android) help you plan, budget and keep tabs on everyone’s gifts and will be a great reference for next year when you’ve completely forgotten what you bought everyone in 2021. Giftster (Android and iOS) will tally up long lists, whether you’re buying for friends, family or even organising a Secret Santa group among a group of friends or colleagues.
DECEMBER 2021
HOME MAINTENANCE
On-demand grocery deliveries
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WEEZY (WEEZY.CO.UK) Available in London, Manchester, Brighton and Bristol (more areas by the end of the year), Weezy delivers high quality products, such as fresh fruit, veg, meat and fish, to your door on electric vehicles. £2.95 per delivery.
DELIVEROO (DELIVEROO.CO.UK) Branching out from takeaways, Deliveroo now works with leading supermarkets to deliver a wide variety of items to your door from local stores. Free delivery on orders over £10 for a monthly subscription fee of £7.99.
AMAZON FRESH (AMAZON.CO.UK/FRESH) Free same-day delivery for all Prime members on a wide range of own-brand and Morrisons groceries.
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CLEANING
Five minute wonder Before Covid, Christmas was always when unannounced visitors would be likely to show up on your doorstep. If all goes well this year, it’s worth having a plan in place so you have a few stolen moments to tidy up before friends or family arrive. KEEP BASKETS ON HAND Squirrel away a few baskets ready to be used in a flash to gather all the bits and bobs that are cluttering your living space, then stash them away before your guests arrive. FOCUS ON FOCAL POINTS Don’t have time to deep-clean the bathroom? Focus on the areas guests will see most. Grab a cloth and quickly wipe down the sink and taps. Make sure your bathroom mirror is spotless, too. BUST THE DUST Keep a handheld vacuum cleaner charged up and whip it around your living room and hallway.
Upgrading your Ring device this month? Deregister it first via the app to wipe your info, then sell it on through an online marketplace.
FEATURE GINEVRA BENEDETTI ILLUSTRATIONS EMMA JACKSON
FINANCE
GoHenry card WHAT IS IT? It’s a pre-paid cash card for kids, and costs £2.99 per month per child. Ideal for managing pocket money, you control it online or via the app, setting regular payments, adding tasks for earning extra money and including spending limits, too. WHY DOES IT WORK? It teaches them about money management. They set saving goals for items they really want to buy and you can add extra tasks to earn more to add to their pot. AND THE BEST BIT? As well as picking the design from a choice of patterns and photos, your child’s name can replace the GoHenry logo, so it reads GoSarah or GoJack, and so on. DECEMBER 2021
DIGITAL
Ways to Q manage your kids’ screentime at home Start by laying the ground rules. Talk to them about how long they can stay online for and make sure they learn from your example – try not to spend too much time on your phone. Agree on rules that the whole family abides by, and if possible, create device-free areas or times in the home, like when everyone is at the dinner table. Setting parental controls on the devices your children use or on your broadband connection is also advisable, especially if your kids tend not to stick to the rules as much as you’d like. If Sky is your network provider, you can avail of the company’s Broadband Buddy to set regular time limits and bedtimes, pause a device so it can’t access the internet and even create different filters so they don’t see anything they shouldn’t. If you have a mesh WiFi system installed, it may have built-in parental controls. Netgear’s Orbi devices do and they offer a whole plethora of adjustable control. As for games consoles, the major brands like the Nintendo Switch, Sony Playstation and Microsoft’s Xbox all have parental control. These set time limits on playing as well as restricting unsuitable content and blocking purchases.
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| PROMOTIONAL FEATURE | Smooth-finish Cedral Click in contemporary Slate Grey gives this 1970s bungalow a new lease of life
Transform your house in style
MAKE YOUR HOME WORK HARDER, CREATE THE WOW FACTOR AND REDUCE YOUR ANNUAL BILLS IN ONE GO, WITH A NEW FAÇADE
Cedral Click cladding in White on a modern home on the River Tay
resilient fibre cement, Cedral façades are manufactured to withstand the harshest weather conditions, with a minimum life expectancy of 50 years. HIGH PERFORMANCE They don’t need regular repainting and won’t rot, rust, warp or crack. The façade acts like a second skin on your home and is frost , mould and water resistant. You can opt to have extra insulation added when the cladding is fitted to improve the building’s thermal and acoustic insulation, making your home warmer, cosier and quieter. Safety is paramount for Cedral and its products comprehensively meet the fire performance classification* that ensures
the materials do not contribute to the formation or spread of a fire. STYLE OPTIONS Available in a great choice of finishes, Cedral façades come in 21 colours and two woodstains (woodgrain or smooth finish), and the cladding can be installed horizontally or vertically. With its lightweight structure and easy-cut planks, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how quickly and efficiently Cedral façades can be installed at your home.
FOR MORE INFO Visit Cedral.world to view projects and try the clever visualiser tool
* FIRE PERFORMANCE CLASSIFICATION: A2-S1,D0 TO EN 13501-1:2018
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irst impressions count, and how the exterior of your home looks should come high on your design agenda. Exterior cladding is an important consideration, and Cedral façades are an eye-catching way to give tired exteriors a fresh and exciting makeover. Made from durable and
LIFE ADMIN
MONEY MATTERS
IDEAL HOME’S COLUMNIST AND EDITOR OF THEMONEYEDIT.COM KALPANA FITZPATRICK SHARES HER FINANCIAL WISDOM
W hat insurance policies should I have? With household finances, it’s easy to see why you may think some insurances are dispensable. But before you decide to give any a miss, it’s important to understand which ones will make you financially stronger and the ones you can do without. Our money expert, Kalpana Fitzpatrick, discusses the policies everyone should have.
HOME INSURANCE
If you’re a homeowner, legally you need buildings insurance as a condition of your mortgage. Contents insurance is optional, but before you decide to forgo this consider how much it would cost to replace your possessions if there was a theft, fire or accidental damage. One in four households* do not have home contents insurance, leaving them at risk. If you’re renting, then it’s still important to protect your possessions, although buildings insurance is the landlord’s responsibility.
LIFE INSURANCE
*ASSOCIATION OF BRITISH INSURERS **COMPARE THE MARKET ***ABTA ILLUSTRATION EMMA JACKSON
If you have dependents who rely on your income, then life insurance makes good sense. If you get seriously ill or die, this policy will pay out a tax-free cash lump sum to your loved ones. No one wants to think about dying, but this insurance is important to give your family financial security.
pocket if there’s an accident or the holiday is cancelled***. Insurance may cost as little as the price of a meal, but should you need an air ambulance from Majorca, you could pay more than £25,000.
CAR INSURANCE
If you’re a car owner, then legally you need insurance. But you can choose the level of cover, depending on the level of protection you want.
WHAT YOU DON’T NEED
A salesperson might try to convince you that you need extended warranties but your purchase will have a manufacturer’s guarantee and you’re protected under the Consumers Rights Act 2015. And, for example, a mobile phone should be covered with home contents insurance.
Life insurance isn’t as expensive as you may think, with premiums starting from around £5 a month
PET INSURANCE
According to the RSPCA, 44% of UK households have a pet, yet millions of cats and dogs are uninsured, leaving owners liable for vet bills. Surgery for a cat’s broken tibia, for example, can set you back £2,000*. The cost of a policy depends on your pet, its age and type of cover, but the average premium is around £145** a year.
TRAVEL
If you’re going away, whether abroad or staycation, insurance is a must. It can protect you against lost items and cancellation as well as medical costs abroad. Almost nine million holidaymakers go away without cover, meaning they could be out of DECEMBER 2021
Insurance checklist:
Always be honest when buying insurance, or your policy could be invalidated. The cheapest policy may not always be the best one for you – make sure you buy the right cover for your needs. You can buy insurance policies using comparison sites, but it is also worth getting direct quotes for the best price. For insurance, such as car and home, note down the expiry date and shop around for a new deal before it ends, as auto-renewal prices are not always the best.
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LIFE ADMIN
TECH SUPPORT IFTTT ‘IF THIS, THEN THAT’ APP
Discover how this service can connect your smart devices and help your home run more smoothly... FTTT (or to give it its full name ‘If This, Then That’) is a super handy app for a smart home. Pronounced like ‘gift’ but without the ‘g’, it’s a completely free external service that works with a wide variety of smart home tech to make our homes more automated. IFTTT is a space where developers can submit mini programs called applets and where we, as consumers, can access them to make our lives easier.
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separately tends to be quite complicated. Syncing an applet to your device using IFTTT is very easy. Once signed up, you search the available applets – either via the device you have or the action you want your device to achieve – and once you’ve found the one you want, slide right on the button to connect it. You may have to give IFTTT access to the accounts that link to the applet, but once you have, that’s it.
CAN I UNSYNC APPLETS? WHAT ARE APPLETS?
FEATURE GINEVRA BENEDETTI ILLUSTRATION EMMA JACKSON
Applets are mini programs that sync to your smart device(s) via the IFTTT app and react to certain actions, or to put it simply – if you do this, then that happens. There are well over a million applets to choose from, the majority of which you’ll truly never need, but by introducing some of them to your smart home devices you can make your home more automated. Say, for example, you never hear your video doorbell ring. You can sync it to your lights to make them flash when someone’s at the door. There are almost endless choices available.
HOW DO I JOIN? IFTTT is completely free to join and you can either sign up via the website (ifttt.com) or download the app on an iOS or Android device. There is the option to subscribe to an IFTTT Pro account which incurs a fee, but unless you’re seriously tech savvy, you probably won’t need it.
IS IT WORTH THE HASSLE? This is entirely up to you and what your needs are. It’s true that you can access many of these actions using the various smart home apps, like Apple HomeKit or Google Home. But if you have a variety of devices from different brands, there’s no guarantee that they’ll be able to ‘speak’ to each other, while setting up a variety of actions DECEMBER 2021
If an applet becomes unnecessary (or annoying!), you can deselect it at any time. For example, if you use a smart plug for your Christmas tree lights for the month of December, you can choose an applet that makes them turn on automatically at sunset and off again at bedtime. Come January, you need just swipe left on the applet and that schedule will disappear, leaving you free to use the plug elsewhere in your home.
THE SMART HOME BRANDS ON IFTTT You’ll find applets to help you connect your voice assistants to do specific actions. All the main smart lighting, smart security and smart thermostat brands, too, are represented on IFTTT. And as the service is free, you’re under no obligation to pay for anything or even use the applets, so you can just sign up to have a look at what’s available.
IFTTT is best connected to your location services on your smartphone so it triggers actions when you enter or exit an area or access local weather info
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HAPPY HOME
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Gift guide
Pamper & wellness WHERE TO BUY
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LITTLE LUXURIES FOR RELAXATION AND MUCH-NEEDED DOWN TIME
FEATURE MICHELA COLLING
1 Lily Cross wool slippers, £59, Natures Collection 2 Cotton pyjamas, £49 each item, Secret Linen Store 3 Hayo'u Beauty Restorer jade facial massage tool, £38, A Little Find 4 Eye pillow, £10, Yogipod 5 100 Nature Walks, £12.99, National Trust Shop 6 A Quiet Moment green tea, jasmine and amber three-wick candle, £50, Our Lovely Goods DECEMBER 2021
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FIND YOUR ZEN WITH MONTHLY COLUMNIST FEARNE COTTON s a nation we’ve made what should be a cosy, joyful time of year, into a jaw clenching stress pit of horror. We think we have to buy everybody in our postcode a gift, then put an insane amount of pressure on ourselves to produce food to a Nigella level. These days, in an attempt to retain my sanity, I’m practising acceptance that things will go wrong. I will forget to buy someone a present. I will probably make too many Brussels sprouts and not enough potatoes. I want to create a Christmas atmosphere and sense of celebration with less pressure on myself. I’m a Virgo who likes to be in control so usually I plan everything with lists that are so complex I’d have more chance understanding hieroglyphics. I learned a great lesson on my 40th birthday. A pub garden dinner got rained off which led to me pulling the dining and kitchen tables together and finding every candle in the house to decorate it. It was one of the best birthdays I’ve had. So this Christmas I’m going to be a bit more spontaneous about things and use as much stuff that I already own to decorate the house, wrap my gifts and spruce up the table. My least favourite part is wrapping gifts. I always imagine it’s going to be romantic, with Frank Sinatra playing in the background and mulled wine steaming nearby. Yet in actuality it involves the kids screaming at me as they’re desperate to peek at what I’m wrapping. To make it more enjoyable I’ve started finding scraps of fabric at home or in my local second hand shop to wrap in the furoshiki method. There are loads of demos online, you can then decorate your gift with sprigs of rosemary, dried flowers, old
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Christmas decorations, whatever floats your gravy boat. It looks much more personal and beautiful and the recipient can reuse the fabric and decorations. Take the pressure off yourself and prioritise atmosphere over stress and upcycling over shopping lists. Whatever kind of Christmas you’re having this year I wish you love and a little bit more peace. Q
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PHOTOGRAPHS ALAMY
Take the pressure off yourself and prioritise atmosphere over stress and upcycling over shopping lists
DECEMBER 2021
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TOP TIPPLE ‘Non alcoholic drinks for a hangover free Christmas. I love Ceder’s’ IT’S A WRAP ‘Stylish fabric is perfect for wrapping gifts’ EPIC MOVIE ‘I will never tire of this Christmas film’
LISTEN TO FEARNE’S HAPPY PLACE PODCAST ON YOUR FAVE PODCAST APP
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HAPPY HOME
Take time to write
TREATS FOR A FESTIVE WIND-DOWN Mother-of-Pearl organic silk eye mask in Cream, £30, John Lewis & Partners
Whether you love a list, pouring out your thoughts or just scribbling daily musings, try to carve out some quiet time to reflect on the past year, on your goals for the next, as well as must-dos for the holidays. Don’t waste these gems on scraps of paper though – invest in a proper journal to encourage you to put thoughts on paper and to revisit them later. Rifle Paper Co five-year diary set, £75, Papermash
Hottie in Pink, Grey, Oatmeal, Rusted Pink, Teal or Yellow, £40, Loaf
Fitness bath salts, £33, Espa
Slow down
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ONCE THE PREP'S DONE, TAKE A BREATH AND SAVOUR THE QUIETER MOMENTS AMONGST ALL THE FESTIVE CHAOS DECEMBER 2021
With everyone together, grab the chance to swap the screens for some games. Try classic cards or backgammon, go retro with family favourites, such as Monopoly or Scrabble, or try something totally new. For grown-ups, we love At Home: Sherlock’s Cocktail Experience, where you toast solving the missing detective's cases with three cocktails per person, supplied with the game, £35, thegameisnow.com. Or for little ones, Make Your Own Fairy Tale: Hansel and Gretel is charming, £12.99, laurenceking.com.
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FEATURE GINEVRA BENEDETTI
BRING OUT THE GAMES
HAPPY HOME
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1 WHERE TO BUY 1 Sir/Madam recycled glasses, £59 for four, Couverture & The Garbstore 2 Hip BPA/ BPS-free flask, £14.83, Amazon 3 Rye & Co vegan soap, £6.95, Winter's Moon 4 WWF Tiger cotton wash bag, £20, Accessorize 5 Carbonator 3, £199, Aarke 6 Beach Clean coasters, £12 for four, John Lewis & Partners
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Gift guide
Sustainable presents GO GREEN THIS CHRISTMAS WITH GORGEOUS GIFTS THAT ENCOURAGE A MORE RENEWABLE LIFE
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FEATURE GINEVRA BENEDETTI
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HAPPY HOME
Plantable stars letterbox gift, £25, Plant A Bloomer
NOT JUST FOR CHRISTMAS IDEAS FOR A SUSTAINABLE HOME
These scented refills are made using a 100% natural blend of beeswax, soy and rapeseed wax
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If you’re looking for a gift that’s guaranteed to keep giving well after Christmas, then check out these handcrafted decorations from Plant A Bloomer. Made from recycled materials, these gorgeously simple stars are made from paper embossed with natural mica flakes and flower seeds. Come January, when it’s time for your decorations to come down, simply plant them in soil. The paper breaks down, allowing the seeds to germinate, eventually filling your garden with bee-friendly wildflowers. Choose from festive-themed hanging tree decorations or Christmas cards, plus each one comes with full instructions on how to plant.
This month... RECYCLE With a handle made from recycled aluminium, interchangeable heads in biodegradable plant-based plastic and recyclable BPA-free nylon, Tooth.eco’s innovative new toothbrushes are the most eco choice available for your pearly whites. From £20 each.
REDUCE Kindwood sources all of its sustainable firewood within 80 miles or less from its HQ and its solid fuels are kiln-dried using electricity from its on-site biogas plant. The wood is then delivered to your doorstep in either hessian sacks or ex-orchard apple crates. From £8.99 for a sack of logs.
Candle pots in Porridge, Tea Towel Teal, Jam Sandwich and Rhubarb Fool, £8 each; Smelly Wax Drops, £20 for six, all Loaf
FEATURE GINEVRA BENEDETTI
Making scents
REUSE Curb excessive
Never quite know what to do with a scented candle when it’s finished? Bring the pot back to life with Loaf’s ingenious new Smelly Wax Drops. Available in a choice of six evocative scents – Country Boozer, Granny’s Garden, Summer Holiday, Laundry Days, Making Marmalade and the perfectly timed Christmas Eve – they come in a pack of six refills, either as a mixed set or all the same scent. And if a glut of spare receptacles isn’t your problem, you can always treat yourself to one of the brand’s gorgeous coloured earthenware candle pots, priced at just £8 each. DECEMBER 2021
Christmas paper waste with Wrag Wrap’s new rentable wrap. You’ll receive bundles of beautiful fabric to wrap your gifts, which you simply return in the New Year. From £13 for 10 wraps, including p&p.
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HAPPY HOME
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Cheese wreath
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ARRANGE CHEESES IN A WREATH SHAPE ON A LARGE BOARD OR PLATTER WITH CRACKERS, CHUTNEYS AND FRUITS WHERE TO BUY
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Bake your own leaf crackers using tortilla wraps DECEMBER 2021
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PHOTOGRAPH CAROLYN BARBER STYLING NICKY PHILLIPS
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1 Stichelton blue cheese, £9 for 250g 2 Caerphilly Gorwydd, £8.25 for 250g 3 Golden Cross goat's cheese, £9.75 4 Westcombe Cheddar, £6.50 for 250g 5 Tunworth soft cheese, £11, all Paxton & Whitfield
HAPPY HOME
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Gift guide
Home chef GIVE YOUR FAVOURITE FOODIE FRESH FINDS TO COOK UP A STORM
FEATURE MICHELA COLLING
WHERE TO BUY Clockwise, from left 1 Handmade stoneware fermenting crock, £59.99, Sous Chef 2 Slip enamelware ladle, £12, Dyke & Dean 3 La Vita è Dolce by Letitia Clark (£26.99, Hardie Grant) 4 Hammered-steel chef knife, £39.99, Lakeland 5 Cordless Mini Prep Pro, £100, Cuisinart 6 Always pan, £125, Our Place 7 Rainbow Intense Fruity extra virgin olive oil, 500ml, £29.99, Red Beetle
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A Christmas full of
Brighten up the main event with these deliciously festive recipes from Ravinder Bhogal
HAPPY HOME
IDEAL HOME TIP
Instead of pears, you could also use nice crunchy apples, like Braeburn. Just treat them in the same way
GRIDDLED PEARS WITH BURRATA & BLISTERED KALE See page 163 for recipe
DECEMBER 2021
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HAPPY HOME
CHARRED BRUSSELS SPROUTS WITH CHORIZO & LENTILS See page 163 for recipe
PARSNIPS WITH HONEY, HAZELNUTS & TRUFFLE OIL See page 163 for recipe
A Winter’s Negroni
MAKES 1 READY IN 5 MINS
25ml gin ● 25ml Campari ● 25ml vermouth ● 25ml freshly squeezed clementine juice ● Sprig of rosemary and slice of clementine ●
1 Put all the ingredients into
a cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake hard so that you bruise the rosemary.
2 Pour into a low tumbler
glass filled with ice and garnish with a slice of clementine and the rosemary sprig. Cin cin! DECEMBER 2021
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FENNEL & HERB SALMON EN CROUTE See page 163 for recipe
IDEAL HOME TIP
For an even more joyful salmon en croute, decorate with festive shapes using the leftover pastry
IDEAL HOME TIP
This is a great plan-ahead pudding – the meringue can be made up to two days in advance
ROSE PAVLOVA WREATH See opposite for recipe
HAPPY HOME
Griddled pears with burrata & blistered kale SERVES 6 READY IN 25 MINS
150ml extra-virgin olive oil, plus a little extra for drizzling and tossing ● 2tbsp balsamic vinegar ● 6 pears, quartered and cored ● 600g kale or cavolo nero, stalks removed and roughly torn ● 3 balls of burrata ● 2 red chillies, deseeded and finely chopped
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FEATURE SAMUEL GOLDSMITH PHOTOGRAPHS AND RECIPES FUTURECONTENTHUB.COM
1 To make the dressing,
whisk together the extra-virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar with some black pepper and set aside. 2 Place a griddle pan over a high heat and drizzle the pear quarters with olive oil. When the pan is hot, add the pears flesh side down and cook for around 2 mins. Turn and repeat until all the fleshy surfaces are charred. Toss the kale or cavolo nero with a little more olive oil, season with sea salt and add to the griddle until it is blistered and slightly charred. 3 Place the kale and pears on a serving platter, then add the balls of burrata. Scatter over the finely chopped chilli, drizzle over the dressing and serve.
Parsnips with honey, hazelnuts & truffle oil
Fennel & herb salmon en croute
Rose pavlova wreath
2kg parsnips, peeled and quartered ● Olive oil ● 3tbsp runny honey ● Bunch of thyme, leaves only ● Handful of hazelnuts, chopped ● Truffle oil
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Knob of butter ● 1 leek, finely chopped, white part only ● 1 small fennel bulb, finely chopped ● 1 garlic clove, finely chopped ● Juice and zest of 1 lemon ● 100g spinach ● 100g watercress ● 3tbsp crème fraÎche ● Handful each of tarragon leaves, dill leaves and flat-leaf parsley, chopped ● 2 x 500g salmon fillets, skinned ● 450g all-butter puff pastry ● 1 egg, beaten
6 egg whites ● 300g caster sugar ● 2tsp rosewater ● 1tsp white wine vinegar ● 1tsp cornflour FOR THE PRALINE ● 100g caster sugar ● 50g pistachios, toasted and chopped TO SERVE ● 600ml double cream ● 25g icing sugar ● 1tsp rosewater ● Physalis, to garnish
SERVES 6 READY IN 1 HR ●
1 Heat oven to 200C/Gas 6. Toss the parsnips in a drizzle of olive oil, 2tbsp honey and the thyme. Season and roast for 30-40 mins, add the nuts and roast for 5 mins more. 2 Serve at once drizzled with the rest of the honey and a few drops of truffle oil. Charred Brussels sprouts with chorizo & lentils
SERVES 6 READY IN 30 MINS
375g Brussels sprouts, peeled ● 1 fat garlic clove, finely chopped ● 1tbsp olive oil ● 375g ready-cooked Puy lentils ● 200g cured chorizo, sliced ● Knob of butter ● Handful of flat-leaf parsley, chopped FOR THE DRESSING ● 3tbsp sherry vinegar ● 6tbsp olive oil ● Pinch of caster sugar ●
1 Halve and then blanch the
sprouts in boiling water for 1 min and drain. Refresh in ice-cold water and drain. 2 In a pan, fry the garlic in olive oil and add the lentils to warm through. Set aside in a large bowl. In the same pan, fry the chorizo until crisp then add to the lentils. Add butter to the pan and, over a high heat, cook the sprouts until charred. Add to the lentil mix. 3 Mix the dressing and pour over the lentils with the parsley.
DECEMBER 2021
SERVES 6 READY IN 1 HR 30 MINS, PLUS CHILLING
1 Heat oven to 200C/Gas 6.
Heat the butter in a frying pan and add the leek, fennel and garlic. Sauté until starting to soften. Add the lemon juice and cook for 1 min more. Add the spinach and watercress, cook for 30 secs, then transfer to a food processor with the crème fraîche, lemon zest, herbs and seasoning, and process until finely chopped. 2 Season the salmon, then spread the herb mixture over one side of one fillet and top with the other. Roll out the pastry on a floured surface and trim so it is big enough to leave a 2cm border around the salmon when folded over. Place on a lined baking sheet and put the salmon on the top half. Fold the pastry over the fish, then seal edges with a fork. Decorate with any leftover pastry trimmings. Brush with beaten egg and chill for 30 mins. 3 Make a few holes in the top of the pastry to let out steam and bake for 25-30 mins. Rest for a few minutes and then slice and serve.
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SERVES 6-10 READY IN 6 HRS, PLUS COOLING ●
1 Heat oven to 150C/Gas 2.
Draw a 23cm circle on a sheet of baking paper and place on a baking tray pencil side down. Whisk the egg whites and a pinch of salt in a mixer to soft peaks, then gradually add the sugar. Whisk in the rosewater and vinegar, then fold in the cornflour. 2 Place heaped dessert spoonfuls of meringue around the circle to form a ring. Reduce the oven to 120C/ Gas 1/2, and bake until crisp but not coloured (1-11/2 hours). Turn off the heat and cool in the oven for 4 hrs. 3 For the praline, dissolve the sugar in 2tbsp water in a pan over a medium heat. Do not stir. When the sugar has dissolved, increase the heat and bring to a boil until golden. Caramel burns easily, so watch it carefully. Lay the pistachios over a baking sheet lined with baking paper. Pour the caramel over the nuts and leave to cool and set. Break into shards. 4 Whip the cream, icing sugar and rosewater. Pipe the cream mix around the meringue and crown with praline and physalis.
tidy house tidy mind
PROFESSIONAL ORGANISER VICKY SILVERTHORN SORTS THE HALLWAY... HAVE A CLEAR OUT Often we mistake a hall
that doesn’t work with one that is simply too full. Storing coats and shoes from several seasons means double the space is taken up. Before you plan a total redesign, or start buying new storage, remove what won’t be needed and store it elsewhere so you can see exactly what you are contending with. CHECK MEASUREMENTS Buying storage solutions that are too small, or that look pretty but aren’t practical, cause problems. A slimline shoe caddy might look great online but when it doesn’t fit a pair of size twelves, it becomes no use at all! KEEP IT SIMPLE FOR THE KIDS Make sure children’s storage is easy to use, so when they come in from school, they don’t need a five-step process to put their stuff away! Mimic a school routine: coats hung, shoes popped in an open caddy (baskets work for baby and toddler shoes) and bags tucked away. Keep expectations, and frustrations, low. HANG COATS ON HANGERS Ideally coats should be hung on hangers in a cupboard. I have
Aden hallway tallboy in White, £120; trunks in Mid Grey/Mustard, £55 set of two; soft storage bag in Mustard, £22 for two; jute rug, £55, all Habitat
clients who have knocked into the room next to a slim hallway to create one. But if you don’t have the space or budget for this, then simple chunky hooks for coats work well. Double hooks are best as one coat can be tucked underneath the other. DON’T OVER-COMPLICATE IT Keep storage simple and effective. Larger, closed storage can make a space feel smaller, plus it can be fiddly to open and use, so opt for furniture with open cubbies or shelves. Shoes are best stored on low flat shelves, while bags can be popped into trunks or chests that double up as seating. THINK SMART Don’t hang keys in view of your letterbox or door. Keep them in a closed storage box, or on hooks away from prying eyes. Find out more at youneedavicky.com
FEATURE HOLLY WALSH
HOOKS THAT SWIVEL Kampig hook in Brass, £12, Ikea
STORAGE WITH SEATING Portland bench, £395, Dormy House
ORGANISE THE POST Farringdon letter holder, £28, Garden Trading
DECEMBER 2021
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ALL IN ONE Avery wallmounted coat rack, £69, Cult Furniture
EDITORIAL EDITORIAL DIRECTOR, FUTURE HOMES SARAH SPITERI EDITOR HEATHER YOUNG GROUP CREATIVE DIRECTOR GEORGIA HIBBERDINE GROUP CHIEF SUB-EDITOR/PRODUCTION EDITOR SARAH FARLEY EDITORIAL DIRECTOR, HOMES CONTENT RHODA PARRY ASSOCIATE EDITOR GINEVRA BENEDETTI DECORATING EDITOR NICKY PHILLIPS STYLE EDITOR MICHELA COLLING HOUSES EDITOR RUTH CORBETT SENIOR FEATURES EDITOR STEPHANIE DURRANT FEATURES EDITOR HOLLY WALSH FOOD EDITOR SAMUEL GOLDSMITH GARDENS EDITOR TERESA CONWAY HEAD OF SUBS OPERATIONS MAXINE CLARKE CHIEF SUB-EDITOR AMY HODGE SENIOR SUB-EDITOR LINDA BLAKEMORE SENIOR SUB-EDITOR CATHERINE LAW ASSOCIATE ART HUB DIRECTOR ALISON WALTER DEPUTY ART DIRECTOR EMMA JACKSON ART EDITORS MELANIE BROWN/PAULA JARDINE SENIOR DESIGNER HANNAH BENNEWITZ
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MARKETING HEAD OF MARKETING SIAN CUPID DEPUTY HEAD OF MARKETING LAURA TIMMS
CIRCULATION CIRCULATION MANAGER KATIE GREENAN
ADVERTISING COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR ROB BIAGIONI PRINT & DIGITAL SALES MANAGER KELLY JAMES 0330 390 6543 INTERNATIONAL/LUXURY ACCOUNT DIRECTOR CAROL BUNCE REGIONAL SALES DIRECTOR KATRINA HUTCHISON 0161 601 3720 CLASSIFIED SENIOR SALES EXECUTIVE CHARLOTTE BECKETT INSERT SALES CANOPY MEDIA 0845 544 1857
SYNDICATION HEAD OF BRAND PARTNERSHIPS DAVID ABBOTT
INTERNATIONAL LICENSING IDEAL HOME IS AVAILABLE FOR LICENSING AND SYNDICATION. TO FIND OUT MORE CONTACT US AT LICENSING@FUTURENET.COM OR VIEW OUR AVAILABLE CONTENT AT FUTURECONTENTHUB.COM HEAD OF PRINT LICENSING RACHEL SHAW 01225 442244
MANAGEMENT SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, WOMENS, HOMES & COUNTRY SOPHIE WYBREW-BOND MANAGING DIRECTOR OF HOMES JASON ORME MANAGING DIRECTOR OF ECOMMERCE AARON ASADI FINANCE DIRECTOR MAGAZINES & SUBSCRIPTIONS DAN JOTCHAM SVP GLOBAL OPERATIONS & MARKETFORCE ADRIAN HUGHES
SUBSCRIPTIONS & BACK ISSUES HEAD OF ACQUISITIONS HELEN HARDING SENIOR CAMPAIGN EXECUTIVE SANZIDA KHANOM CREDIT-CARD HOTLINE 0330 333 1113 FOR FULL DETAILS TURN TO PAGE 120. FOR BACK ISSUES VISIT MAGS-UK.COM. YOU CAN ORDER ISSUES FROM AS FAR BACK AS 2003, SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY.
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BE CANDLE SAFE Enjoy the special touch that candles add to your home; but take care to use them safely: Always place lit candles well away from foliage, furniture, curtains and soft furnishings, and always out of draughts l Keep candles out of reach of children and pets l Never leave a burning candle unattended l Keep candles away from hair and clothing l Always place candles upright in suitable holders that can’t easily fall over l Always be sure that candles are properly extinguished EDITORIAL COMPLAINTS We work very hard to achieve the highest standards of editorial content, and we are committed to complying with the Editors’ Code of Practice (ipso.co.uk/IPSO/ cop.html) as enforced by IPSO. If you have a complaint about our editorial content, you can email the Editor at ideal_home@futurenet.com or write to The Editor, Ideal Home, 161 Marsh Wall, London E14 9AP. Please provide details of the material you are complaining about and explain your complaint by reference to the Editors’ Code. We will endeavour to acknowledge your complaint within five working days and we aim to correct substantial errors as soon as possible. SUBSCRIPTIONS All prices are for 12 issues and include p&p. Delivery times for overseas services are shown in brackets. UK: £57. USA (direct entry, five to 12 days): $164.05. Europe (priority; three to five days): €180.25. Rest of the world (priority, five to seven days): £131.70. Order online at magazinesdirect.com. For enquiries please email help@magazinesdirect.com. Airfreight and mailing in the USA by Air Business Ltd; c/o Worldnet Shipping Inc; 156-15 146th Avenue, 2nd floor, Jamaica NY 11434, USA. Periodicals postage paid at Jamaica NY 11431. US Postmaster: send address changes to Ideal Home, Air Business Ltd; c/o Worldnet Shipping Inc; 156-15 146th Avenue, 2nd floor, Jamaica NY 11434, USA. Subscriptions records are maintained at Future Publishing Limited, 161 Marsh Wall, London E14 9AP, England. Air Business Ltd is acting as our mailing agent.
DECEMBER 2021
We are committed to only using magazine paper which is derived from responsibly managed, certified forestry and chlorine-free manufacture. The paper in this magazine was sourced and produced from sustainable managed forests, conforming to strict environmental and socioeconomic standards. The manufacturing paper mill holds full FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certification and accreditation. All contents © 2021 Future Publishing Limited or published under licence. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be used, stored, transmitted or reproduced in any way without the prior written permission of the publisher. Future Publishing Limited (company number 2008885) is registered in England and Wales. Registered office: Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All information contained in this publication is for information only and is, as far as we are aware, correct at the time of going to press. Future cannot accept any responsibility for errors or inaccuracies in such information. You are advised to contact manufacturers and retailers directly with regard to the price of products/services referred to in this publication. Apps and websites mentioned in this publication are not under our control. We are not responsible for their contents or any other changes or updates to them. This magazine is fully independent and not affiliated in any way with the companies mentioned herein. If you submit material to us, you warrant that you own the material and/or have the necessary rights/permissions to supply the material and you automatically grant Future and its licensees a licence to publish your submission in whole or in part in any/all issues and/or editions of publications, in any format published worldwide and on associated websites, social media channels and associated products. Any material you submit is sent at your own risk and, although every care is taken, neither Future nor its employees, agents, subcontractors or licensees shall be liable for loss or damage. We assume all unsolicited material is for publication unless otherwise stated, and reserve the right to edit, amend, adapt all submissions.
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HAPPY HOME
hometruths HENRY HOLLAND GETS UP CLOSE & PERSONAL WITH HIS HOME
Fashion and interiors designer Henry Holland lives in London with his husband David Hodgson and their French bulldog, Peggy.
IN THE HOT SEAT Shoes – on or off? Off. Eat – table or on laps? Both! Does your dog have free rein or do you have rules? Free rein. I love her but she leaves her mark just by brushing up against your leg! Lighting – bright or moody? Moodily lit. Quick shower or long bath? I love a long shower. Room décor – colourful or neutral? Colourful.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE TIME OF THE DAY AT HOME? First thing in the morning. I let the dog out, then make coffee and sit and go through my phone and plan my day. It’s quiet and peaceful as I’m usually the first one up and this allows me to plan my day ahead. Then I get dressed for the gym.
ARE YOU A NEAT FREAK OR DO YOU PREFER CREATIVE CHAOS? A bit of both! I’m usually surrounded by creative chaos but I can’t handle it getting too messy for too long. Every couple of days I have a mad clear up and need it for a clear mind. My workspaces have always been messy though – I once read that ‘the messier a workspace the more creative’ so I’m going with that!
WHAT’S YOUR HOME SHOPPING ADDICTION?
WHERE’S YOUR HAPPY PLACE AT HOME? My dressing room. I love clothes... shocker! We’ve just moved into a new house and it has enough space to have a whole room filled with clothes. I love it. My clothes hold so many memories for me of places I’ve been and people I’ve spent time with while wearing them. To me, they’re like a photo album.
ARE YOU A GOOD HOST? I’d like to think so, yes. We don’t often host at home but when we do, I make the effort. I’m planning to host my family for Christmas this year for the first time but I’m already getting panicked about the amount of washing up there’ll be. I hate washing up!
n The new Henry Holland Modern Living collection features soft furnishings, decorative accessories and statement furniture and is available now at freemans.com
DO YOU TRY YOUR HAND AT DIY? The most we manage is hanging pictures, although I have done a bit of painting and decorating. I’m not bad at putting together a flatpack piece of furniture, too, but anything more than that and I will always call on the professionals. Luckily, we have managed to evade any disasters. Knowing your capabilities and limits is important! DECEMBER 2021
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FEATURE GINEVRA BENEDETTI
Artwork. We have so many pieces that we have collected over the years and use them to add colour and personality to our home. I collect vintage Interview magazine covers and so they’re everywhere. I love photography and have a lot of previous collaborators’ work on the walls, too. We have an amazing painting by our artist friend Tomo Campbell which is really special.
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