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M a k e yo u r d r e a m h o m e a r e a l i t y

Real 60 under HOMES £60 REALHOMES.COM

BEFORE AFTERS

DECEMBER 2021

GIFT IDEAS FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

+

50+ pages of amazing home makeovers

Open-plan living

TOP TIPS FOR A SOCIABLE SPACE

Be our guest

best buys Advent calendars Table settings Fires & stoves

Prep your home for visitors

FESTIVE MAGIC Stylish real homes transformed for CHRISTMAS

Subscriber offer on open-plan living will help you Subscribe for £31.99 and get create a layout that’s sociable a free trio of cake tins and and practical, while our guide a book on Scandi home to guest bedrooms is full of idea style. See page 10 to help you host, however big or for more details small your available space. The Real Homes team has also been busy reviewing products for our annual awards on the best buys for your home, from kitchen gadgets to mattresses, so check it out.

I hope you enjoy this issue – and however your Christmas looks this year, here’s hoping we have a cheerier time than the last.

Ellen Finch Deputy editor @ellenfinch

REALHOMES.COM

from the editor

How’s your Christmas looking compared to last year? Hopefully it’ll be filled with more parties, more familiar faces, more, well, getting out of the house. Possible turkey shortage aside, it’s safe to say that we’ll be making the most of it this year. That said, there’s still a bit of hesitancy about whether we’re ready, or willing, to fall back into pre-Covid traditions. Is the stressful run-up to the big day worth it?

While last Christmas was a bit of a write-off, for those of us lucky to have suffered no loss or illness that year, the quiet reflectiveness of it all was, dare I say… quite nice.

It may be that this year, we rethink what Christmas means to us, and try to combine the best bits of both kinds. Jennifer Morgan has dug deeper into the topic in her feature on Christmas traditions new and old (page 110). Spoiler alert: it seems most people feel the same as me, hoping for slightly more excitement, but perhaps a slower pace than before.

Whatever your plans, this issue is packed with ideas for prepping your home for the season, full of sociable family spaces and incredible decorative inspiration. Our trend focus this year is on a natural, woodland-inspired scheme – think foraged foliage and a pared-back palette that will help you feel calm amid the chaos. And, of course, the Real Homes gift guide is packed with ideas for foodies, gardeners and party animals alike.

If there’s still work to be done before you even start thinking about hanging baubles, we’re here to advise on last-minute projects. Our feature

PHOTOGRAPH ELLIE MAYALL ILLUSTRATIONS THINGS AIMEE MADE

Meet the team Get to know the people who bring you Real Homes Alison Jones magazine with a Assistant editor monthly question. ‘The smell of turkey roasting at breakfast This time: what’s always signals it’s the one thing that Christmasss! And makes Christmas I’d pull crackers at special for you? every meal if I could.’

Amelia Smith Acting style editor ‘Mom and Dad’s massive tree packed with decorations we’ve gathered from all over the world.’

Emily Smith Senior art editor ‘My boys sitting on our bed opening their stockings while it’s still dark outside.

Even at 13 and 16 they still play along.’

3

Annie Collyer Shopping editor ‘My dad’s cauliflower cheese and my nan’s famous strawberry cheesecake, which beats any Christmas pudding in the land.’

Camille Dubuis-Welch Digital editor ‘Grandma’s Bûche de Noël, better known as a Yule log!

Her French family recipe is delicious.’

s t n e t n o c Inside track 13

140

Style agenda 44

How to bring this soothing natural festive decorating trend into your home

news The latest new homeware and essential design ideas

71

50 19

How long do you leave your decs up?

53 style maths

Readers share their views on this month’s very festive topic

22

Three standout table setting schemes for under £200

66 Aysha and Ali’s extended period house is the perfect backdrop to a sociable Christmas

71 35 Count down the days with a style, food or stationery-led calendar

Dining tables Christmas dinner will look great atop one of these designs

39

Style crush The stylish new buy we’re obsessed with this month

128

22

92 53

going Eco Look out for this logo on our favourite sustainable picks

92 Guest bedrooms Keep visitors comfy with a stylish but practical guest room

Real Homes awards The very best products for every room in your home

69

Gift guide52 Find the perfect gift for foodies, fitness addicts and plant lovers alike with 60 gifts under £60

Advent calendars

37

colour theory Bold, dramatic and rich, we reveal the psychology behind deep red

real home

13

Designer spotlight The independent businesses crafting stunning wooden toys

let’s be friends Follow us on social media!

21

Woodland calm

140 Handless kitchens Bring a fuss-free, contemporary edge to your space

114

project advice

home life 54

114 10 steps to prep your home for winter

Designer Justin Coakley’s 1930s renovation mixes chic style and showstopping decorations

79

Follow our top tips to make the season a warm and cosy one

real home 123

A guide to open plan living

your questions, answered

How to create a layout perfect for modern family living

The Real Homes team solves your design dilemmas

128 project news 82

The latest buys for your kitchen, bathroom and renovation

Real home Bright and contemporary festive touches bring Becky Jones’ home to life at Christmas

145 98

real home Emma Carr’s Edwardian house is full of elegant ideas

110 New Christmas traditions Which pandemic traditions are we bringing to Christmas 2021 – and which are we leaving behind?

155

A guide to fires and stoves Helpful advice and the best new styles to keep things toasty and add a focal point

35

150 focus on freestanding ovens Find the perfect design for your needs and budget

82

132 real kitchen Ingrid transformed a 1950s bungalow into a contemporary home with Nordic influences

54

153 The edit Our pick of slow cookers, metro tiles and floor cleaners

162 Sunday Project Lay a stunning Christmas table with painted pots

132

SEE ONE OF THESE? Scan on your phone for more from realhomes.com

EDITORIAL Editor in Chief Kaitlin Madden Deputy Editor Ellen Finch Assistant Editor Alison Jones Style Editor Anna Morley Acting Style Editor Amelia Smith realhomes@futurenet.com 0330 390 6508

ART Senior Art Editor Emily Smith Group Art Director Billy Peel Art Editor Karen Lawson

REALHOMES.COM EIC of Homes Ecommerce Lindsey Davis EIC of Homes Audience Amy Cutmore EIC of Homes News Rebecca Knight Senior Digital Editor Jenny McFarlane Digital Editor Camille Dubuis-Welch Deals Editor Annie Collyer Appliances Editor Jennifer Oksien Consumer Editor Anna Cottrell realhomesdigital@futurenet.com BRAND DEVELOPMENT Brand Development Director Laura Crombie Video Producer Matt Gibbs ADVERTISING AND EXHIBITIONS SALES Media packs are available on request Commercial Director Rob Biagioni rob.biagioni@futurenet.com Strategic Partnership Director Jackie Sanders jackie.sanders@futurenet.com 0330 390 6530 Print Sales Manager Rebecca Vincze rebecca.vincze@futurenet.com 0330 390 6566 Digital Sales Manager Kelly James kelly.james@futurenet.com 0330 390 6543 Exhibitions Sales Director Hellen Roche hellen.roche@futurenet.com For all media sales enquiries please contact rebecca.vincze@futurenet.com or call 0330 390 6566 INTERNATIONAL LICENSING AND SYNDICATION Real Homes is available for licensing and syndication. To find out more, contact us or view our available content at futurecontenthub.com Head of Print Licensing Rachel Shaw licensing@futurenet.com SUBSCRIPTIONS Email enquiries help@magazinesdirect.com UK order line and enquiries 0330 333 1113 Overseas order line and enquiries +44(0)330 333 1113 Online orders and enquiries magazinesdirect.com Director of Acquisitions Sharon Todd

l a Re s e m o H t s u j a k c i cl y a aw

CIRCULATION Head of Newstrade Tim Mathers PRODUCTION Head of Production Mark Constance Production Project Manager Clare Scott Advertising Production Manager Joanne Crosby Digital Editions Controller Jason Hudson Production Manager Vivienne Calvert MANAGEMENT Managing Director of Homes Jason Orme Chief Content Officer Angie O’Farrell Commercial Finance Director Dan Jotcham

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ISSN 1464 - 4061 áƺ Əȸƺ ƬȒȅȅǣɎɎƺƳ ɎȒ ȒȇǼɵ ɖɀǣȇǕ ȅƏǕƏɿǣȇƺ ȵƏȵƺȸ ɯǝǣƬǝ ǣɀ ƳƺȸǣɮƺƳ ǔȸȒȅ ȸƺɀȵȒȇɀǣƫǼɵ ȅƏȇƏǕƺƳً ƬƺȸɎǣˡƺƳ ǔȒȸƺɀɎȸɵ ƏȇƳ ƬǝǼȒȸǣȇƺ‫ٮ‬ǔȸƺƺ ȅƏȇɖǔƏƬɎɖȸƺِ Áǝƺ ȵƏȵƺȸ ǣȇ Ɏǝǣɀ ȅƏǕƏɿǣȇƺ ɯƏɀ ɀȒɖȸƬƺƳ ƏȇƳ ȵȸȒƳɖƬƺƳ ǔȸȒȅ ɀɖɀɎƏǣȇƏƫǼƺ ȅƏȇƏǕƺƳ ǔȒȸƺɀɎɀً ƬȒȇǔȒȸȅǣȇǕ ɎȒ ɀɎȸǣƬɎ ƺȇɮǣȸȒȇȅƺȇɎƏǼ ƏȇƳ ɀȒƬǣȒƺƬȒȇȒȅǣƬ ɀɎƏȇƳƏȸƳɀِ Áǝƺ ȅƏȇɖǔƏƬɎɖȸǣȇǕ ȵƏȵƺȸ ȅǣǼǼ ƏȇƳ ȵȸǣȇɎƺȸ ǝȒǼƳ ǔɖǼǼ I³! ƏȇƳ ¨0I! ƬƺȸɎǣˡƬƏɎǣȒȇ ƏȇƳ ƏƬƬȸƺƳǣɎƏɎǣȒȇِ ǼǼ ƬȒȇɎƺȇɎɀ ۰ ‫ ׏א׎א‬IɖɎɖȸƺ ¨ɖƫǼǣɀǝǣȇǕ nǣȅǣɎƺƳ Ȓȸ ȵɖƫǼǣɀǝƺƳ ɖȇƳƺȸ ǼǣƬƺȇƬƺِ ǼǼ ȸǣǕǝɎɀ ȸƺɀƺȸɮƺƳِ zȒ ȵƏȸɎ Ȓǔ Ɏǝǣɀ ȅƏǕƏɿǣȇƺ ȅƏɵ ƫƺ ɖɀƺƳً ɀɎȒȸƺƳً ɎȸƏȇɀȅǣɎɎƺƳ Ȓȸ ȸƺȵȸȒƳɖƬƺƳ ǣȇ Əȇɵ ɯƏɵ ɯǣɎǝȒɖɎ Ɏǝƺ ȵȸǣȒȸ ɯȸǣɎɎƺȇ ȵƺȸȅǣɀɀǣȒȇ Ȓǔ Ɏǝƺ ȵɖƫǼǣɀǝƺȸِ IɖɎɖȸƺ ¨ɖƫǼǣɀǝǣȇǕ nǣȅǣɎƺƳ ٢ƬȒȅȵƏȇɵ ȇɖȅƫƺȸ ‫דזזז׎׎א‬٣ ǣɀ ȸƺǕǣɀɎƺȸƺƳ ǣȇ 0ȇǕǼƏȇƳ ƏȇƳ áƏǼƺɀِ «ƺǕǣɀɎƺȸƺƳ ȒǔˡƬƺ‫ ي‬ªɖƏɵ RȒɖɀƺً Áǝƺ ȅƫɖȸɵً ƏɎǝ ‫׏ ׏‬È ِ ǼǼ ǣȇǔȒȸȅƏɎǣȒȇ ƬȒȇɎƏǣȇƺƳ ǣȇ Ɏǝǣɀ ȵɖƫǼǣƬƏɎǣȒȇ ǣɀ ǔȒȸ ǣȇǔȒȸȅƏɎǣȒȇ ȒȇǼɵ ƏȇƳ ǣɀً Əɀ ǔƏȸ Əɀ ɯƺ Əȸƺ ƏɯƏȸƺً ƬȒȸȸƺƬɎ ƏɎ Ɏǝƺ Ɏǣȅƺ Ȓǔ ǕȒǣȇǕ ɎȒ ȵȸƺɀɀِ IɖɎɖȸƺ ƬƏȇȇȒɎ ƏƬƬƺȵɎ Əȇɵ ȸƺɀȵȒȇɀǣƫǣǼǣɎɵ ǔȒȸ ƺȸȸȒȸɀ Ȓȸ ǣȇƏƬƬɖȸƏƬǣƺɀ ǣȇ ɀɖƬǝ ǣȇǔȒȸȅƏɎǣȒȇِ çȒɖ Əȸƺ ƏƳɮǣɀƺƳ ɎȒ ƬȒȇɎƏƬɎ ȅƏȇɖǔƏƬɎɖȸƺȸɀ ƏȇƳ ȸƺɎƏǣǼƺȸɀ ƳǣȸƺƬɎǼɵ ɯǣɎǝ ȸƺǕƏȸƳ ɎȒ Ɏǝƺ ȵȸǣƬƺ Ȓǔ ȵȸȒƳɖƬɎɀٖɀƺȸɮǣƬƺɀ ȸƺǔƺȸȸƺƳ ɎȒ ǣȇ Ɏǝǣɀ ȵɖƫǼǣƬƏɎǣȒȇِ ȵȵɀ ƏȇƳ ɯƺƫɀǣɎƺɀ ȅƺȇɎǣȒȇƺƳ ǣȇ Ɏǝǣɀ ȵɖƫǼǣƬƏɎǣȒȇ Əȸƺ ȇȒɎ ɖȇƳƺȸ Ȓɖȸ ƬȒȇɎȸȒǼِ áƺ Əȸƺ ȇȒɎ ȸƺɀȵȒȇɀǣƫǼƺ ǔȒȸ Ɏǝƺǣȸ ƬȒȇɎƺȇɎɀ Ȓȸ Əȇɵ ȒɎǝƺȸ ƬǝƏȇǕƺɀ Ȓȸ ɖȵƳƏɎƺɀ ɎȒ Ɏǝƺȅِ Áǝǣɀ ȅƏǕƏɿǣȇƺ ǣɀ ǔɖǼǼɵ ǣȇƳƺȵƺȇƳƺȇɎ ƏȇƳ ȇȒɎ ƏǔˡǼǣƏɎƺƳ ǣȇ Əȇɵ ɯƏɵ ɯǣɎǝ Ɏǝƺ ƬȒȅȵƏȇǣƺɀ ȅƺȇɎǣȒȇƺƳ ǝƺȸƺǣȇِ Xǔ ɵȒɖ ɀɖƫȅǣɎ ȅƏɎƺȸǣƏǼ ɎȒ ɖɀً ɵȒɖ ɯƏȸȸƏȇɎ ɎǝƏɎ ɵȒɖ Ȓɯȇ Ɏǝƺ ȅƏɎƺȸǣƏǼ ƏȇƳٖȒȸ ǝƏɮƺ Ɏǝƺ ȇƺƬƺɀɀƏȸɵ ȸǣǕǝɎɀٖȵƺȸȅǣɀɀǣȒȇɀ ɎȒ ɀɖȵȵǼɵ Ɏǝƺ ȅƏɎƺȸǣƏǼ ƏȇƳ ɵȒɖ ƏɖɎȒȅƏɎǣƬƏǼǼɵ ǕȸƏȇɎ IɖɎɖȸƺ ƏȇƳ ǣɎɀ ǼǣƬƺȇɀƺƺɀ Ə ǼǣƬƺȇƬƺ ɎȒ ȵɖƫǼǣɀǝ ɵȒɖȸ ɀɖƫȅǣɀɀǣȒȇ ǣȇ ɯǝȒǼƺ Ȓȸ ǣȇ ȵƏȸɎ ǣȇ ƏȇɵٖƏǼǼ ǣɀɀɖƺɀ ƏȇƳٖȒȸ ƺƳǣɎǣȒȇɀ Ȓǔ ȵɖƫǼǣƬƏɎǣȒȇɀً ǣȇ Əȇɵ ǔȒȸȅƏɎ ȵɖƫǼǣɀǝƺƳ ɯȒȸǼƳɯǣƳƺ ƏȇƳ Ȓȇ ƏɀɀȒƬǣƏɎƺƳ ɯƺƫɀǣɎƺɀً ɀȒƬǣƏǼ ȅƺƳǣƏ ƬǝƏȇȇƺǼɀ ƏȇƳ ƏɀɀȒƬǣƏɎƺƳ ȵȸȒƳɖƬɎɀِ ȇɵ ȅƏɎƺȸǣƏǼ ɵȒɖ ɀɖƫȅǣɎ ǣɀ ɀƺȇɎ ƏɎ ɵȒɖȸ Ȓɯȇ ȸǣɀǸ ƏȇƳً ƏǼɎǝȒɖǕǝ ƺɮƺȸɵ ƬƏȸƺ ǣɀ ɎƏǸƺȇً ȇƺǣɎǝƺȸ IɖɎɖȸƺ ȇȒȸ ǣɎɀ ƺȅȵǼȒɵƺƺɀً ƏǕƺȇɎɀً ɀɖƫƬȒȇɎȸƏƬɎȒȸɀ Ȓȸ ǼǣƬƺȇɀƺƺɀ ɀǝƏǼǼ ƫƺ ǼǣƏƫǼƺ ǔȒȸ ǼȒɀɀ Ȓȸ ƳƏȅƏǕƺِ áƺ Əɀɀɖȅƺ ƏǼǼ ɖȇɀȒǼǣƬǣɎƺƳ ȅƏɎƺȸǣƏǼ ǣɀ ǔȒȸ ȵɖƫǼǣƬƏɎǣȒȇ ɖȇǼƺɀɀ ȒɎǝƺȸɯǣɀƺ ɀɎƏɎƺƳً ƏȇƳ ȸƺɀƺȸɮƺ Ɏǝƺ ȸǣǕǝɎ ɎȒ ƺƳǣɎً ƏȅƺȇƳً ƏƳƏȵɎ ƏǼǼ ɀɖƫȅǣɀɀǣȒȇɀِ

8

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WE’RE BACK!

We’re back and ready to spark your imagination

November 5-7 Harrogate Convention Centre November 20-21 Bath & West Showground, Somerset

We are back and can’t wait for you to join us LIVE at a location near you. Visit us at the show this year and get access to: The Advice Centre

January 15-16 Farnborough Int Exhibition Centre

From planning regulations to managing budgets, unlock the potential of your home by having a one-to-one meeting with one of our experts.

Masterclasses Take a seat as exhibitors enlighten you with self-build trends and invaluable insights, provide live demonstrations of the latest products, and help bring your project from concept to reality.

Seminars Choose from a range of seminars, delivered by experts and tackling a range of key self-build and renovation topics, including how to avoid the most common self-build mistakes.

Exhibitors The virtual world is all very well but there’s nothing quite like meeting the experts and being able to compare and contrast the quality of products in person.

Magazine stand Visit the Homebuilding & Renovating stand and pick up your exclusive subscription offer to the Homebuilding & Renovating magazine, as well as some of our other leading homes titles.

*

Get 2 FREE tickets worth £24

by visiting harrogate.homebuildingshow.co.uk/rhdec *Terms and conditions apply. Offer expires 3pm day before show opens. Saving based on one day door price ticket. Children 16 and under go free.

for just £31.99 plus

FREE JOULES CAKE TINS + BOOK WORTH £31.9 98

These stacking tins are ideal storage for festive bakes

The colourful designs will suit any kitchen

Enjoy a free book on the calm beauty of Scandi style

Terms and conditions: Offer closes 31 January 2022. Offer open to new UK subscribers only. All gift subscriptions will start post-Christmas with the next available issue. Please allow up to six weeks for delivery. Your gift will be ƳƺǼǣɮƺȸƺƳ ɀƺȵƏȸƏɎƺǼɵ ɯǣɎǝǣȇ ‫ ׎ה‬ƳƏɵɀ ƏǔɎƺȸ ɵȒɖȸ ˡȸɀɎ ȵƏɵȅƺȇɎ ǝƏɀ ƬǼƺƏȸƺƳِ JǣǔɎɀ ȒȇǼɵ ƏɮƏǣǼƏƫǼƺ ɎȒ ɀɖƫɀƬȸǣƫƺȸɀ Ȓȇ Ɏǝƺ Èk ȅƏǣȇǼƏȇƳِ Xȇ Ɏǝƺ ɖȇǼǣǸƺǼɵ ƺɮƺȇɎ ɎǝƏɎ ɯƺ ȸɖȇ ȒɖɎ Ȓǔ Ɏǝǣɀ ǕǣǔɎً ɯƺ ȵȸȒȅǣɀƺ ɎȒ Ȓǔǔƺȸ ɵȒɖ Əȇ ƏǼɎƺȸȇƏɎǣɮƺ ǕǣǔɎ Ȓǔ Ɏǝƺ

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Order the gift that keeps on delivering www.magazinesdirect.com/reh/xm21 or call 0330 333 1113 and quote XM21 ɀƏȅƺ ɮƏǼɖƺِ ¨ƏɵȅƺȇɎ ǣɀ ȇȒȇ‫ٮ‬ȸƺǔɖȇƳƏƫǼƺ ƏǔɎƺȸ Ɏǝƺ ‫ٮג׏‬ƳƏɵ ƬƏȇƬƺǼǼƏɎǣȒȇ ȵƺȸǣȒƳً ɖȇǼƺɀɀ ƺɴƬƺȵɎǣȒȇƏǼ ƬǣȸƬɖȅɀɎƏȇƬƺɀ ƏȵȵǼɵِ IȒȸ ǔɖǼǼ Ɏƺȸȅɀ ƏȇƳ ƬȒȇƳǣɎǣȒȇɀً ɮǣɀǣɎ ɯɯɯِȅƏǕƏɿǣȇƺɀƳǣȸƺƬɎِƬȒȅٖɎƺȸȅɀِ IȒȸ ƺȇȷɖǣȸǣƺɀ ȵǼƺƏɀƺ ƬƏǼǼ ‫ ِב׏׏׏ בבב ׎בב׎‬ nǣȇƺɀ Əȸƺ Ȓȵƺȇ xȒȇƳƏɵ‫ٮ‬IȸǣƳƏɵً ‫ח‬Əȅ‫דٮ‬ȵȅ Èk Ɏǣȅƺً Ȓȸ ƺȅƏǣǼ ǝƺǼȵ۬ȅƏǕƏɿǣȇƺɀƳǣȸƺƬɎِƬȒȅِ !ƏǼǼɀ ɎȒ ‫ ׎בב׎‬ȇɖȅƫƺȸɀ ɯǣǼǼ ƫƺ ƬǝƏȸǕƺƳ ƏɎ ȇȒ ȅȒȸƺ ɎǝƏȇ Ə ȇƏɎǣȒȇƏǼ ǼƏȇƳǼǣȇƺ ƬƏǼǼً ƏȇƳ ȅƏɵ ƫƺ ǣȇƬǼɖƳƺƳ ǣȇ ɵȒɖȸ ȵǝȒȇƺ ȵȸȒɮǣƳƺȸ‫ټ‬ɀ ƬƏǼǼ ƫɖȇƳǼƺِ

inside track Celebration is back

Get the scoop on new design ideas, must-have products and looks you’ll love…

Hoorah for a Christmas that can be spent as it should be – together.

We’re getting ready for a holiday with all the trimmings! The Next Christmas collection blends the natural world with modern lines, and we can’t get enough of it. This contemporary table setting features matt black dinnerware, shades of green, ample foliage and fairy lights for a freshfeeling space.

Moor the merrier Let the great outdoors in with Next’s charmingly rustic festive accessories Mila twin velvet cushion, £16 Antler three-light chandelier, £170

Driftwood stag, £25

Four Dakota mugs, £16

FEATURE AMELIA SMITH

Forest foliage unlit garland, £32

Elmir dining table, £675; Elmir bench, £325; Dakota 12-piece dining set, £52; two Hamilton dining chairs in Bottle Green velvet, £260, Next

Elmir console table, £425

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That’s a wrap

. Albert Einstein inspired tree decoration, £20

The Queen inspired tree decoration, £18

You wouldn’t use a plastic bag just once, so why do it with wrapping paper?

Sustainable, reusable fabric wraps are set to be big this year.

Available in many patterns and sizes, you simply fold and tie the fabric, and when it comes to unwrapping, you keep it and reuse it next year – genius!

Nomads kids fabric wrap £7, Dunelm

Iris inspired tree decoration, £22

True icons Put the stars up on the tree with this striking new collection from Rockett St George. Inspired by icons past and present, from Frida Kahlo to Iris Apfel and the Queen, they’re a great way to bring a personal, quirky touch to your tree.

MAKE YOUR OWN WREATH

Get crafty this Christmas with this nifty wreath-making kit. It comes with everything you need, including seasonal dried and preserved flowers, grasses, foliage, fruit and even a velvet ribbon.

All you’ll need to add is a pair of scissors, a glass of mulled wine and a festive playlist and you’re good to go. Christmas craft kit, £35, Mary Elizabeth Flowers

Frida Kahlo inspired tree decoration, £19

Bookworm Family Comforts by Rebecca Wilson, £18.99 (Random House Publishing) If Christmas is all about the food for you, then this book is a must-read. Filled with warming, hearty recipes like beef stroganoff and a bolognese bake, as well as deliciously festive treats such as gingerbread waffles and pear and ginger cake, it’s a book that you’ll turn to year after year.

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Flower power Confetti knit stocking, £42, Anthropologie

A 2021 seasonal essential: the elaborate table setting. Christmas dinner is about so much more than turkey and sprouts – it’s all about the experience, and a showstopper of a centrepiece is the best way to enhance it. Eucalyptus and holly aren’t your only options; we’re seeing some unique takes this year, like this pastel paper design from Meri Meri. In collaboration with floral designer, gardener and broadcaster Hazel Gardiner, the English garden-style flowers can be flatpacked and reused each year. Floral centrepiece, £36, Meri Meri Christmas trees stocking, £30, Nutmeg & Sage

Santa’s stocking All is calm with our edit of pared-back present holders for your fireplace

Marie boucle and brass pouffe, £69, Cult Furniture

save V Spend

Eldon boucle footstool, £450, Soho House

Put your feet up on a boucle footstool and prepare to get cosy 15

REALHOMES.COM

Lotus Ruby stocking by Bungalow Denmark, £39, Curated Living

Rose stocking in black, £48, Tori Murphy

Plant based Alpine Balsam 4.5ft lit fir tree, £249, Balsam Hill

Gardening guru Sarah Raven is turning her hand to houseplants.

Bringing all her expertise and prowess, Sarah has selected a range of her favourites, so we can get the quality and guidance we know and love on the inside of our homes, too. They start with the characterful Syngonium ‘Arrow’ (syn.

Nephthytis) at £14.95, Sarah Raven

NATURAL LOOK Frosted fir prelit tree, £375, Cox & Cox

Move over perfectly sculpted trees: this year we’re seeing a more rugged look. A penchant for asymmetric, somewhat sparse designs gives us the look of the real deal, but with the practicality of faux, and lets your baubles take centre stage.

COLLAB ALERT

Ceramic lamp, £149.99, Zara Home x Kassl Editions

WINTER FLORAL

Homebase’s new collection is a perfect blend of modern and traditional. This vintage-inspired wallpaper is our firm favourite – combining navy with warm pinks and oranges for a space that’s snug yet striking. Superfresco Easy Isabelle navy wallpaper, £25; Pia pleat swivel chair in rose, £175; cut velvet cushion in Flint, £12, Homebase

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Work the angles Zara has joined forces with the queen of clean cut, contemporary design – Kassl Editions.

Featuring statement shapes and block colours, both the homeware and fashion collections exude modern minimalism. This angular ceramic lamp leads the way for us – it’ll steal the show wherever it’s placed. Pieces are produced in limited quantities, so get yours before they’re gone.

Broste Copenhagen iron napkin holder, £36, Quince & Cook

Dinner party pieces

Christmas countdown

Having guests over this year?

Check out our dining hub for a multitude of ideas and discover how to set a table like a pro. Browse for seasonal themes and layouts for spaces big and small.

Go to realhomes.com/ tag/dining

Hear those sleigh bells ringing – it’s Christmas time!

Over on realhomes.com, we’re diving into all thing festive, from new trends to sustainable decorating ideas.

Go to realhomes.com/tag/ christmas for all the reds, golds and greens (and more!).

g n i d n e r t #now R ALL O F M O .C S E M O H UNITY ON REAL

N AND ADVICE

get involved Fancy being featured on our IG – or even the pages of this magazine?

Use #sorealhomes in your social media posts and you might just catch our eye…

Brass and black round hanging lamp with plant pot, £95, Cult Furniture

PHOTOGRAPH (TOP) RACHAEL SMITH

Umage Jazz lampshade in light oak, from £259 for shade only, Dowsing & Reynolds

Rossio Celadon green pendant light with gold inner, £98, Iconic Lights

We’re following… @mrsgregsie. For a masterclass in how to do dark colours right, feast your eyes on Becky’s feed – it’s packed with inspiration.

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LIGHT TOUCH Set the mood for cosy nights in or focused food prep with our guide to all things lighting – we’ve got tips on planning the best scheme for every room. realhomes. com/tag/lighting

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JOIN THE COMM YOUR HOMES INSPIRAT IO

THE BIG

Are you a stickler for Twelfth Night tradition or down after the 25th? Two readers reveal all

‘Once I take all

YES

the decorations down, it just feels miserable and bare’

‘It’s the anticipation

Michelle Austin (@blackfamilyvictorian renovation) lives with her husband and children in a Victorian terrace house they’re renovating in Bolton ‘Taking the decorations down on 6 January was always tradition in my family. I know Twelfth Night was originally a religious date, but the sixth is my brother’s birthday, so we made it a special day. And I’ve continued to take them down on the sixth, even though I moved out 20 years ago.

‘Since becoming a mum, I have started putting them up a bit earlier. My husband is really not for decorations and all that faff, so it is a bit of a battle, but our son is now five and it’s become more of a magical thing that we do together. Now they go up around mid-December, whereas before they would have only been up for the 12 days.

‘One of my friends can’t wait to get them down on Boxing Day. I’m like “Christmas isn’t even finished!”. That’s just not my bag. I mean, for the whole two weeks you’re having parties or people are coming to the house. But some people just can’t wait as soon as Christmas is over. Once I take all the decorations down, I think it just feels dead miserable and bare.

‘We decorate the living room and I’ll have a door wreath. My son has an advent tree for his bedroom. The hallway will be finished so I might put some in there. I don’t go overboard but I’d like to get a few more decs within the constraints of my hubby being a bit “bah! humbug” about it.

‘This year the house is done so I’m looking forward to decorating it and making it all cosy.’

that’s lovely. Taking the decs down after doesn’t feel abrupt’

FEATURE ALISON JONES

NO

Clare Darby (@spatownhome) lives with husband Paul and son Isaac in a colourful 1930s house in Leamington Spa ‘Our decorations go up on 1 December and if we’re not doing anything on Boxing Day, I’ll take them down then. We have quite a maximalist house and the decorations are quite full on. I love how it looks but it’s not conducive to cleaning. Our cleaner just gives up in December because you can’t really dust paper. My mum used to put the decorations up mid-December and would take them down around December 28 because she wanted to do the dusting.

‘Making paper decorations is my hobby – it gives me a bit of a break. I’ll have been making them for months before December. I love having them up, but when they’ve been there for a month, it can feel a bit much.

‘Taking them down straight after Christmas Day doesn’t feel abrupt to me. The anticipation of it is lovely and we do quite a lot of things in the run up to the day, so I’m happy for it to be over.

We still have some time off work to be together as a family, even if it doesn’t look super Christmassy.

‘Our house is quite busy but I do like clean lines and minimalism – it’s nice for it to be a bit barer for a change. And I’ll have put things away to make space for Christmas decs, so there’s always something to go back up again.

‘Sometimes I’ll add decorations for New Year.

I like any opportunity to put seasonal decorations up. Valentine’s Day, Easter, Halloween – I do it throughout the year. But I do try and enjoy the moment and don’t feel sick of them by Christmas.’

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REALHOMES.COM

Do you take your decs down early?

NEXT MONTH: WOULD YOU GO AWAY FOR CHRISTMAS OR SPEND IT AT HOME?

DEBATE

This image and right Aysha wanted a gentlemen’s club vibe in the living room: ‘The Wellesley Hotel has a front room where men used to go to smoke cigars, and it has a gorgeous 1920s scheme.’ The couple painted the fitted cupboards dark and added soft pinks for an elegant twist.

Cupboards painted in Studio Green, Farrow & Ball. Flooring, Woodpecker. Pink sofa, Heal’s. Pink armchair, Made.

Chandelier, John Lewis & Partners.

Coffee table, Atkin & Thyme. Rug, French Connection

extended Period house

Festive fancy Aysha and Ali’s extended Edwardian home is a stylish backdrop to a sociable family Christmas

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Profile The owners Aysha Rahman, a full-time mum (@aysha_interiors), her husband, Ali, VP at an IT firm, and their children Taseen, 17, Ilyas, 14, and Zahir, eight The property A four-bed Edwardian terrace in north London project cost £228,000

WORDS ELLEN FINCH PHOTOGRAPHS CHRIS SNOOK STYLING JESSICA TAVERNER

Chandelier, French Connection. Mirror, Anthropologie.

Stair runner, Roger Oates

s big fans of home transformation shows like Grand Designs, Aysha and her husband Ali were keen to do something different when it came to extending their Edwardian family home. It had been 13 years since they’d moved in, and they’d focused on making the house liveable for them and their three children. But the house – particularly the kitchen – was far from ideal for the way they live. ‘It was a galley layout, with steps leading up to a morning room,’ says Aysha. ‘The space was really awkward and cold. We’re a big family, and when we’re all together everyone wants to hang out in the kitchen. We wanted a space where we could all socialise.’

The couple were initially drawn to the house for its period details, but bought it knowing they’d need to do something to the back of the property. ‘We wanted an extension with character and architectural detail, not a boring square,’ says Aysha. They found architect James of Model Projects through recommendations by neighbours: ‘James understood what we wanted and took our ideas on board.’

Top of the wish list were height and plenty of glazing, as well as practical additions like a utility and a dining space towards the middle of the house. It took a few attempts before arriving at this design, thanks in part to planning issues.

‘We wanted to have the extension at an angle, but the council wanted something more traditional,’ says Aysha. ‘We ended up designing an L-shaped addition to make sure it didn’t go right up to the neighbouring wall, rather than squaring the room off. We lost a bit of space, but it defines the zones of the room much better this way.’

Living in during the build proved relatively drama-free. ‘We didn’t have the budget to move out and rent – and anyway, we’d rather put the money into the house,’ says Aysha. ‘The builders boarded the staircase and gave us a new front door so we could live above the mess.’ They even plumbed in a dishwasher in the bathroom.

‘They made us feel really comfortable,’ Aysha adds. ‘It was all smooth sailing, even though the project went on for longer than expected.’

The design of the house evolved as Aysha saw new things she liked, but a certain theme was always at the forefront of her mind. ‘I love the Parisian feel – courtyard gardens, black steel balconies,’ she says. ‘We didn’t want bi-fold doors as we were going for impact with full-height glazing. I stumbled across Fabco Sanctuary and loved the Crittall-style doors – they’re French doors on a more modern scale. They were one of the more expensive parts of the build, but have such an impact on the space.’ For the kitchen, the couple chose a Shaker style to complement the period of the property.

‘It adds character and contrasts nicely with the industrial doors,’ says Aysha.

So the interior style flowed front to back, Aysha had black-framed glazed doors and a glazed wall installed between the hallway and the living room. ‘We checked it would all be structurally sound, then took the plunge.

When the doors are shut it feels like a private space, but it’s still visually connected.’

The rest of the house has been transformed with Aysha’s eye for sophisticated design. A utility room off the kitchen is separated from the main space by a glazed pocket door to let in light. The family bathroom, originally two spaces with the toilet separate, was knocked into one, with a double sink, contemporary freestanding bath and walk-in shower adding a feeling of luxury. The master bedroom features soft, earthy colours – though it’s ‘not at all finished,’ Aysha adds.

After a subdued Christmas last year, she is looking forward to hosting family parties and lots of Christmas dinners. ‘We open up all the doors and the entire downstairs space becomes one. It makes a huge difference to how we live now.’

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Left and below The hallway tiles were original to the house, and the inspiration for the black kitchen doors.

‘My favourite part is probably the snug area – it feels cosy and like a separate room, despite being part of the open-plan space,’ says Aysha.

Glazing, Fabco Sanctuary. Sofas, Sofa Works. Coffee table, La Redoute.

Hanging chair, HK Living

Left and right The garden is north-east facing, so Aysha wanted plenty of glazing to brighten up the back of the house.

‘We originally wanted a glass roof, but the cost means we had to swap for roof windows instead.’

Kitchen, Neptune; units painted in Driftwood and island in Charcoal, both Neptune own brand. Worktops, The Marble Group.

Rooflights, Velux.

Bar stools, Ebay.

Pendants over island, Etsy.

Steel doors, Fabco Sanctuary.

Sink, Villeroy & Bosch. Mirrored splashback, bespoke from a local craftsman

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The extended kitchen has plenty of room for dining; the sparkling chandelier is a glamorous touch.

Dining table, Modish Living.

Dining chairs, HK Living.

Chandelier, Ebay

Below A mix of patterns and texture elevates white tiles.

Right ‘There’s no natural light in the utility, so we used a glazed pocket door and a mirror to reflect light a bit like a window,’ says Aysha. ‘It’s the

Tiles, Al Murad and Fired Earth. Light, Etsy. Mirror, John Lewis & Partners.

Sanitaryware, Vitra

smallest space in the home but it works hard.’

Pocket door, LPD. Mirror, Wayfair.

Cabinetry, Howdens. Floor tiles, Fired Earth

THE PLANS B E FO R E

B E FO R E

DINING RO O M

LIVING ROOM

BEDROOM

BAT H RO O M A N D WC

K I TC H E N A N D M O R N I N G RO O M

GROUND FLOOR

B E D RO O M

B E D RO O M

FIRST FLOOR

AFTER

AFTER UTILITY

LIVING AREA

Costs & contacts

FIRST FLOOR

LIVING RO O M

B E D RO O M

B E D RO O M

K I TC H E N DINER BAT H ROOM WC

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B E D RO O M

Build cost £170,000 Kitchen £30,000 Professional fees £13,000 Furniture and decoration £8,000 Bathroom £7,000 Architect Model Projects, 020 7095 8833, modelprojects.co.uk Builder Lindpro, lindpro.co.uk Kitchen Neptune, neptune.com Flooring Woodpecker Flooring, 02920 888 223, woodpeckerflooring.co.uk Glazing Fabco Sanctuary, fabcosanctuary.com

REALHOMES.COM

GROUND FLOOR

Left Aysha and Ali’s bedroom isn’t finished just yet, but it’s still a calming, natureinspired space to retreat to at the end of the day.

Bed, John Lewis & Partners. Baskets over bed, French Connection. For a similar round side table, try the Ursula at Wayfair

BOUGHT HOUSE 2006

Project timeline

PLANNING PERMISSION FOR EXTENSION GRANTED April 2018

INITIAL WORK COMPLETE 2006

GLAZING IN February 2019

BUILD STARTED September 2018

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Right and below A double sink makes mornings easier in the bathroom for the couple.

They opted for a contemporary version of a roll-top bath as well as a wetroom-style shower.‘I wanted it to have a boutique hotel feel,’ Aysha says.

‘The contrast of the black and white floor and the green herringbone tiles, plus details like

brass handles, make all the difference.’

Vanity unit, Harvey George, painted in Railings, Farrow & Ball. Marble countertop, Granite Direct.

Handles, Anthropologie.

Brassware and sanitaryware, T Patton. Mirrors, Made. Pendant lights, Not on the High Street.

Flooring, Fired Earth. Wall tiles, Topps Tiles

BATHROOM FINISHED May 2019

KITCHEN FINISHED May 2019

FIRST FAMILY PARTY December 2019

Coffee advent calendar for two, £60, Whittard

Days Until Christmas sign, £25, Cox & Cox

Christmas advent calendar house, £18, JoJo Maman Bébé

Paw Prints Pop & Slot in the Snow advent calendar, £10.99, Cotswold Trading

Stationery advent calendar, £40, Paperchase

T H E C O U N T D OW N

THE CHARITY ONE

Make the lead up to the big day extra special with these indulgent advent calendars Charity advent calendar, £15.99, Oxfam MAKE IT PERSONAL

Personalised 24 Days of Stationery advent calendar, £89, Martha Brook

Gingerbread house make your own advent calendar, £9.99, Ginger Ray

Winter Forest advent calendar, £49.99, Lights4fun

FEATURE EMILY SMITH

FOR YOUR FURRY FRIEND

Rifle Paper Co Night Before Christmas advent calendar, £15.95, Papermash

Share Love, Joy and Kindness advent calendar, £320, The Body Shop

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Pet advent calender, £8, Matalan

REALHOMES.COM

Scandi Village wooden advent calendar, £59, Ella James

NEXT MONTH: AMAZING BAUBLES FOR YOUR TREE

FOR GROWN-UPS

Blutante elliptical dining table, £475, La Redoute

Farmhouse table in Storm Grey, £275, The Cotswold Company

Torin dining table in teak wood and black, £579, Housecosy

Corrigan Studio Ilsa dining table, £569.99, Wayfair

Piano round dining table, £575, Next

Ascona white marble effect dining table, £189.99, Daals

G AT H E R R O U N D

FEATURE TALLULAH RUSHAYA

Long Island solid fir and metal industrial dining table, £324, Maisons du Monde

Hancock zinc dining table in Salvage Deep Grey, £705, Barker & Stonehouse

Tulip marble-effect dining table, £160, Habitat

Herringbone oak dining table, £419, Out & Out Original

Earth dining table, £939, Furniture Village

Harron dining table in light brown mango wood and brass, £379, Swoon Editions

Parkup extendable parquet kitchen table, £1,195, Loaf

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REALHOMES.COM

Make room for more with our edit of the best dining tables and give quality time with loved ones a stylish backdrop

AWARDS 2021 We’ve spent some time testing the very best products for every room in your home – and now we’re revealing our top picks e test out hundreds of products every year across Real Homes, so we like to think we know a thing or two about which fancy new items are worth your time, money and space in your home. That’s why each year we host the Real Homes Awards, where we judge the top products in a range of categories that will make your home life simpler, easier and more stylish.

W

We based the judging on 13 brilliant categories that we felt reflected all the priorities we go through as buyers when we come to choose products for our home. And for our ‘Brand that has your Back’ category, we asked you, our readers, to settle on a deserving winner that delivers time and time again.

This year, after the 18 months we’ve had, it felt even more important to recognise the

standout brands and products that go above and beyond to bring more innovation, fun and efficiency into our daily lives.

For each category we chose a ‘Best of the Best’ product – the cream of the crop – and a ‘Savvy Shopper’ title, for entrants we thought were also impressive. Read on to see who came out on top.

Hero brand

FEATIURE CAMILLE DUBUIS-WELCH

Brand that has your Back: Dunelm

From kitchen essentials and bathroom buys to stylish accessories and on-trend furniture, Dunelm is the high street name that just keeps on giving – so it’s no wonder Real Homes readers voted it their top brand this year.

Great night’s sleep ▲

Best of the Best: Nectar mattress

Breathable, affordable and comfortable for every kind of sleep position, the Nectar mattress has been one of our highest-ranked mattresses for a long time – and it beats similar ones on the market on price, too. Plus, you get a year’s free trial and the company is working towards being climate neutral.

Savvy Shopper:

▲

Panda mattress topper

When it comes to mattress toppers, our judging panel agreed this is one of the best, and one of the cheapest for a foam offering, starting at just under £90. Soft yet supportive, it can extend the life of a mattress that’s getting a little worn – saving cash in the long run.

Bathroom goals Best of the Best:

▲

Aqualisa Quartz Touch smart shower

Future bathrooms will have digital showers as standard, and this option has it all: looks, value and performance. Perfect for making the bathroom accessible for the whole family, you can set showering profiles for different people to save time and optimise energy and water use.

You can also pair it with your smart speaker.

▲

Savvy Shopper:

Tile Giant’s Alexa Hex and Magna tile collections

Planning a bathroom makeover? Tile Giant has great floor and wall tiles for every style and budget. You can order three free samples before buying; we loved the look and quality of the Alexa Hex and Magna tiles they sent to us.

Eco innovation ▲

Best of the Best:

Simba Hybrid Luxe mattress

Simba’s hybrid model is one of the most sustainable mattresses around. The whole production process has low environmental impact in mind. All materials are either recycled or sustainably produced, and at the end of its life, parts can be recycled or reused.

Excess foam from production goes to make things like carpet, underlay and pet beds.

Savvy Shopper: ▲

Zwilling Fresh & Save

Help stop food waste by storing it with the Zwilling Fresh & Save. It’s a vacuum storage system complete with reusable bags, a cordless vacuum pump and stacking containers that can easily be taken to the supermarket to fill up.

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Fabulous flooring ▲

Best of the Best:

Amtico’s Form collection

Natural flooring is lovely but needs upkeep.

Amtico’s Form collection has 36 wood and stone designs to choose from, so you can get the look of beautiful parquet or luxury marble without worrying about spillages, sealing, or varnishing. The vinyl tiles are warm underfoot and forgiving should you drop something.

Savvy Shopper:

▲

Verona Ribera and Morales tiles

These ceramic tiles from Verona have the charm of traditional encaustic tiles at a budgetfriendly price. The eight designs, in neutral monochrome or muted colourways, offer character for a kitchen, bathroom or utility, are hardwearing and look lovely in a repeat pattern.

Keeping it clean ▲

Best of the Best: Dyson V15 Detect

Our judges and reviewers agree – this is one of the best cordless vacuums on the market, tackling everything from fine dust to hair and cereal on both hard and carpeted flooring. The anti-tangle hair screw and green LED to light up dust particles on hard floors help it give a thorough clean during its 60 minutes’ run time.

Savvy Shopper: VAX Platinum ▲

SmartWash carpet cleaner

Our tester said this was comparable to a professional level of cleaning – and is a sound investment to make your carpet last longer. It controls the amount of cleaning solution you need, dries your carpet in minutes, and comes with a hose for staining in tight spots.

Kitchen must-have Best of the Best:

A kitchen full of appliances is the hazard of a keen home cook and all of those wires can look a bit of a mess. So we were pleasantly surprised by the power and battery life on offer with this range from Cuisinart. The units are compact, and can be stowed away and set up in seconds.

▲

Savvy Shopper:

Franke Atlas Neo Sensor tap

This sensor tap is really good value for money and after recent events, we’re keen to upgrade our homes with anything that aids cleanliness. Control it with a simple wave with no need to touch (though it can be manually operated as needed). A pull-out nozzle is great for cleaning pans and veggies.

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▲

Cuisinart Cordless collection

Let the light in ▲

Best of the Best:

IDSystems Vistaline Slide & Turn doors

IDSystems has an ingenious solution for those struggling to choose between bi-fold or sliding doors. The Vistaline range has slim frames that slide away, then pivot for the best of both worlds – great views when shut, but a wider entrance when open. They can accommodate a system up to 12 metres wide and 2.65m high.

Savvy Shopper:

▲

The Residence Collection

For an affordable alternative to hardwood windows, try The Residence Collection. They have a range of styles so you don’t have to forgo traditional windows in a period home. For a modern look, the Residence 2 has a square internal bead that resembles pricey aluminium.

Perfect paint Best of the Best:

▲

Graham & Brown Exterior Eggshell

This collection features over 360 colours for use outside on wood and uPVC. The water-based paint is quick drying and kind to the environment. Graham & Brown even make it in small batches to reduce waste.

DIY life-saver ▲

Best of the Best:

Grohe Start basin mixer

If you’re making over your bathroom, these Grohe basin tap can be fitted and adjusted easily thanks to their accessible how-to videos.

Plus, it offers a pro finish in any setting.

Small space hero Best of the Best: ▲

Sofology Islington sofa

The Islington sofa collection is perfect for anyone who’s low on space but has high expectations for style and comfort. The choice of customisation means there’s everything from a compact loveseat to a spacious chaise.

We love the variety of fabric choices, and that Sofology plant a tree for every order they take.

▲

Savvy Shopper:

Trend Interiors home office

Trend Interiors have shown that any home – no matter how small – can fit an office with a bit of imagination. Their bespoke designs can be adapted to turn any nook, alcove or corner into a practical work space in a choice of up to 13 colours, depending on price range.

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Smarter living ▲

Best of the Best:

Dyson Purifier Hot + Cool Formaldehyde

The Dyson Formaldehyde is a nifty bit of kit for anyone tackling pollutants in the home. It manages toxins and dust for cleaner air and heats and cools as needed – a sound investment for a healthier home. Control it remotely to heat or cool a room before you’ve entered it, and pair with voice assistants for ease of use.

Savvy Shopper:

▲

Ring wired video doorbell

For just £49, this has all the functionality you expect from a Ring video doorbell, including night vision, a 1080p HD camera, two-way talk and privacy zones at a pocket-friendly price.

Convenient for taking deliveries or talking to guests when you can’t get to the door.

Family favourite ▲

Best of the Best: Zwilling Fresh & Save

A great eco innovation, the Zwilling Fresh & Save is also a multitasker for family meals.

The handy little vacuum bags are ideal for lunch boxes or picnics, and the containers are freezer/microwave safe (the glass ones are oven-safe up to 180°C) so you can store and reheat your family’s favourite bakes.

Savvy Shopper:

▲

Haier HTF-520IP7 fridge freezer

This fridge-freezer has a large capacity, four-door design that makes storing (and finding) your groceries easy. Haier’s Fresher Tech® keeps food fresher for longer, preventing waste and minimising trips to the shop – which we can all appreciate in a busy modern world.

The great outdoors ▲

Best of the Best:

Caribbean Blinds Cuba awning

The Cuba Awning has everything you need to turn your patio into a sanctuary. As well as providing all-important shade on the sunniest days, it has an infrared heater so you can enjoy your space even in chillier weather. It can be remote controlled but also has weather sensors and will retract if it senses damaging winds. ▲

Savvy Shopper: Wallbarn M-Tray

Designed to slot together and be easy to install on a DIY basis, creating a green roof with Wallbarn’s M-Tray is a simple job with loads of benefits, including managing flood water, attracting wildlife and obscuring unsightly man-made materials. They can create a nature haven in even the most urban environments.

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WOODL AND WONDER

On the mantle Swap your vase of flowers for a simple foraged twig hung with three of your favourite baubles – it’s the best way to give them the attention they deserve.

Wooden star lights, from £5; baubles, from £2, George Home

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FEATURE AMELIA SMITH

Bring a cosy log cabin feel to your Christmas decorating scheme with a peaceful, sustainable style that celebrates nature’s beauty

Cabin fever Layer up faux sheepskin rugs and textured cushions beneath your tree for extra comfort as you unwrap on the big day.

Large antique white paper star, £19; faux snowy wreath, £60; wooden garland, £15; paper bauble decorations, £20 for three; black stripe fringe cushion, £38, Layered Lounge

Garland glory Nature is beautifully imperfect, so let your decorations follow suit. Go large with your staircase garland and string up fairy lights and decorations in a haphazard fashion for a look that’s easygoing and fun. Star decorations, from £20, Garden Trading Venture out Take in the elements and get a breath of fresh air with an outside space that’s just as cosy as the inside. A simple throw, cushion and warming fire pit will ensure your garden gets some love throughout winter. Retreat cushion, £30; log basket, £90, Amara Snuggle up Stick to a simple, neutral colour palette and add interest with textures for a space that feels just as cosy and inviting as it looks. Cushion covers, from £3.99, H&M Dinner is served Combine exposed raw woods, linens and fluted glassware for an ethereal dining set that’s peaceful and relaxing. Mercury frill tealight holder, £8; Claret napkins, £30 for four; Moreton wine glasses, £38 for four, The White Company

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Sleep sanctuary Hanging fairy lights makes everything look better. Entwined with a decorative garland like this, it’s a subtle and chic way to bring a splash of festivity to your bedroom.

Wall paint in Old White, £49.95 for 2.5ltrs; Chalk Paint in Old White, Honfleur and Chicago Grey, from £5.95 for 120ml, Annie Sloan

Ready for Santa No fireplace? No problem. Hang faux fur and wool stockings from a (secure) fairy light-adorned branch for a rustic solution. White faux fur stocking, £25; grey knitted stocking, £18; silver LED lights, £35, John Lewis & Partners Go foraging Create a unique focal point by crafting your own wreath with foraged evergreen leaves such as spruce, pine leaves and holly, and add berries or dried fruit if you fancy. Arana iron lanterns, from £19.99; iron brass lanterns, from £29.99; coloured glass hurricane lantern, £12.99, Dobbies Paper power Protect the planet and tap into one of this season’s key trends with paper decorations. These soft shades of brown and burnt orange add a warm, fiery feel. Four paper trees, £17.50, Cox & Cox Back to basics Light up your dinner party with the flickering glow of candles – candlesticks in all colours and shapes are the simplest way to spread a little magic. Nordic artificial Christmas tree 150cm, £79.90; Qais Sisal narrow Christmas tree set, £49.90; Bloomingville Pax star, £39.99, Beaumonde

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First impressions Guide the way to your safe haven by positioning decorative lanterns up to your front door.

Classic half wreath, £20; copper finish lantern, £14; black finish lantern, £22 for medium and £32 for large, all Habitat

designer designer spotlight

spotlight Support independent businesses and meet the creatives making waves in the interiors world.

This month, we’re talking handcrafted wooden toys that make the perfect Christmas gift for kids Shantel Wright, Pippy & Co

Mushroom bowling set, £38

we can’t recommend Pippy & Co enough – and if we haven’t convinced you, hear about the mission from Shantel herself.

Q A

Could you describe your business in a sentence?

A carefully thought through curation of timeless toys that are fun for little ones and safe for our beloved planet.

Q A

How did you get to the point of having your own business?

I suppose it was soon after my little boy was born. I wanted him to have toys that he could cherish and pass down to his children (should he want them), who’d be able to see all the little bite marks and dinks that came from being played with and loved. I also wanted to make sure the toys he had would also be safe for the planet while looking beautiful and gentle in colour. So during the pandemic, I dug deep and found the courage to start my business, and I love every minute of it.

I’ve always been drawn to things that are aesthetically pleasing – so why not bring that to a little one’s toy box?

Q A Above The Wandering Workshop boats and waves stacking toy, £36 Right Wooden train with blocks, £36

What’s your favourite thing about what you do?

Knowing that something that I’ve chosen is bringing happiness to a child or family while keeping the planet safe. There’s no better feeling than packaging up an order and taking it to the post office.

Q A

Do you have a proudest moment so far?

There are so many little moments, but it’d be between winning an award and launching new collections.

WORDS ELLEN FINCH PHOTOGRAPHS SDJ CREATIVE/MORGAN BASHAM PHOTOGRAPHY (THE LITTLE FOREST)

Rare is the parent who actually enjoys the sight of colourful plastic toys strewn across the floor. It’s safe to say that most children’s toys aren’t the most aesthetically pleasing – and, quite often, not particularly environmentally friendly, either. Luckily, there’s a small but growing group of creative people crafting toys you’ll love to look at – and one of those is Shantel Wright of Pippy & Co. She works with small family- and womenowned workshops to curate the very best wooden pieces that will look as good on a shelf as they would in a toy chest, as well as stocking incredible brands like Moon Picnic and The Wandering Workshop. If you’re looking for a thoughtful, timeless Christmas gift for a baby, toddler or child,

Wooden wonders Shop beautiful toys carved with care from two more creative makers Emily Bishop, Pendollz @pen.dollz.designs

Left Wooden number tracing board, £37 Below left Wooden vegetable set, £45 Below Moon Picnic My Weather Station £48

‘Pendollz creates custom designed, handpainted wooden toys for developing young minds and promoting learning through play,’ says Emily. ‘As a fine art teacher, I dreamed of creating my own business. During 2020, the pandemic and being on maternity leave gave me the opportunity. As a Christmas peg mother of two, I wanted dolls, £30 for five, Pendollz to give my little ones something special to play with – not just the latest gadget or gizmo. I began designing and painting toys that reminded me of my own childhood.

It’s an amazing moment when I receive feedback from grateful clients Handpainting toys and décor takes hours but I’m passionate about what I do – it’s always a pleasure,’ etsy.com/uk/shop/pendollz/

Adam and Oli, The Little Forest

It’s not an easy thing running a business of any kind, even more so as a first-time parent, so I would say I’m most proud of what I’ve achieved in the past 18 months. My son was the inspiration to start my business and he will always inspire my decisions going forward.

Q A

If you had to pick just one of your pieces that you like the best, which one would it be?

That’s a tough one! I have a bit of a soft spot for our mushroom bowling set. It’s unique, fun and handcrafted by a woman-owned workshop – there’s something quite magical about this little toy.

‘We make creative unique, educational wooden pieces that encourage children to use their imagination,’ says Oli. ‘Our products are made from sustainable sources and built to last. We wanted a wooden rainbow lamp for our daughter and couldn’t find anything that was handmade how we wanted – that’s how The Little Forest was born.

Each item is designed, crafted, Anything else we need sanded and painted by hand by us to know? in our little workshop at the bottom We source our wooden toys in small of the garden. Our drive and vision quantities so as not to add pressure stems from our on our workshops. We believe children, Annabelle Wooden sailing in quality over quantity, and and Alfred. We love ship, £44.99, champion the process of asking them for The Little Forest slow-made toys from small input into our ideas family- or women-owned – then making studios. Not only is it more them. Watching sustainable, but it really their faces light up showcases the craftsmanship as they test out new in all our products. pieces is one of our proudest moment, Follow @wearepippyandco as was our first sale!’ on Instagram, and shop the thelittleforest.co.uk collection at pippyandco.com

Q A

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@the.little.forest.workshop

STYLE

maths Scandi fun

Red Christmas tree plate, £15.96 for four, Homesense

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Guardsman red and Gull Grey striped candlesticks, £15.95 for four, ad&i

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Italesse Vertigo glass tumblers, £52 for four, I Am FY

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Antique-style cutlery, £40 for four four-piece sets, Rockett St George

Rosado pink wine carafe, £26, Oliver Bonas

FEATURE EMILY SMITH

+ Matt gold 16piece cutlery set, £20, Wilko

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£52.11 left for an extra special christmas present

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Lacquer underplates, £32 for four, John Lewis & Partners

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Snowflake trail runner, £24.99, Walton & Co

Trivo candle sticks, £26 for two, Nordic Nest

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Black and white Christmas crackers, £35, Katie Leamon

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£147.89

Wreath name placecards, £5.99 for four, Ginger Ray

Stag salt and pepper set, £29.95, Annabel James

Midnight glam

Blue Berry garland, £45.99, Lights4fun

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Frosty blush

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Lipsy wine glasses, £28 for four, Next

Black seagrass placemats, £55.60 for four, Beaumonde

£164.92 £35.08 left for a fancy bottle of wine or three

= £189.60

Two faux golden pomegranate sprays, £25, Cox & Cox

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Two pink glitter standing deer £11.98, The Range

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£10.40 left for a box of the best mince pies

REALHOMES.COM

Wood block tree scene, £12 for four, George Home

NEXT MONTH: KEEP COSY WITH THE LATEST BEDROOM TRENDS

Embellish your Christmas table with our pick of the top three trends. Get set to impress your guests – all for less than £200

1930s renovation

REASON TO

celebrate Justin and Zunaid’s transformed home is ready for guests to enjoy its pared-back beauty

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This image and left ‘I planned out this house before we started knocking down walls. It was about making sure furniture would fit,’ says Justin.

Walls painted in Westminster, Sanderson. Carlton sofa in white Lazio fabric, BoConcept.

Cushions, West Elm and Kirkby Design. Side table, West Elm. Pictures, Nina Bruun for Paper Collective.

Tree, The White Company.

Decorations, John Lewis & Partners. Shutters, BellaVista Shutters. Bubble chandelier, Dowsing & Reynolds.

Left ‘For me, it’s about the room functioning well as much as the aesthetic side of it.’

Wicker chair, Cox & Cox. Side table and Pharoah rug, West

Elm. Stove, Morsø.

Wreath, Design at Nineteen and Larry Walshe London.

Floor lamp, Tom Dixon. Pictures, Paper Collective.

Herringbone floor, Ted Todd Flooring

Inset In the dining room, a sideboard makes the ideal bar Sideboard, La Redoute. Hebe lamp, Heal’s.

Ripple glasses, Ferm Living at Heal’s

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FIND INSPIRATION AND IDEAS FOR RENOVATING YOUR HOME AT REALHOMES.COM/RENOVATIONS

to boil pasta. By the end we were like, “I just want to cook a roast chicken!”.

As a talented interior designer and stylist, Justin naturally took the lead in redesigning the house, discussing layout plans with an architect friend and a chartered surveyor.

The idea of extending was rejected as it would eat into the garden and wouldn’t give the best return on their investment.

Instead they worked with what they had, removing a wall between the living room and dining room to create a more open-plan feel. Black-framed glass dividing doors let light flow through. ‘We also had the chimney breasts removed in the dining room and second bedroom to make the rooms squarer, so it was easier to play around with the furniture layout,’ says Justin.

They had the loft converted at the start of lockdown.

‘That turned into a year’s project rather than taking three or four months because work just ground to a halt,’ says Justin. ‘But the builders did a fantastic job in spite of the circumstances.’ The generous proportions meant there’s space for a master bedroom, walk-in wardrobe and bathroom, taking the terraced house from two bedrooms and a box room to a four-bedroom, two-bathroom home. Thinking ahead for future buyers, Justin designed the loft so it could be divided in half and another bedroom created, potentially making it a five-bedroom house.

Justin and Zunaid saved up for each stage of the renovation, determined not to remortgage to finance their plans. ‘That was another reason it dragged on a bit,’ says Justin.

Zunaid was happy to let him take the reins when it came to the interior decisions. ‘He’s very supportive like that. There will be some things where he’ll say, “Oh my god, no. That’s not a good idea”. But 99 per cent of the time he’ll be like, “Yeah, fabulous”. And he’s always so amazed when it’s done.’

Justin found his years of experience as a designer actually left him overwhelmed by choice. ‘Being part of the trade and knowing all of the options that are available to me meant that the hardest part was committing to a defined style. I was chopping and changing. I’m quite minimalist; I don’t like a lot of clutter. For me a space has to be calming and serene. I love, love, love colour… but in other people’s homes.’

However, their inexperience at renovating a home of their own did lead to some costly lessons learnt about hiring tradespeople. ‘We ended up having to rip out the bathroom and have it completely redone because the first builder hadn’t plumbed it in correctly,’ Justin recalls. ‘We hired him because he was half the price of anyone else – which turned out too good to be true!’

Those early hiccups are in the past and the house is now finally complete. ‘There is no more I can do to it,’ says Justin.

‘We’ve never had a housewarming because it’s always been in a state of renovation, and when we finished it was lockdown.

But now we can enjoy the space and appreciate it for what it is.’

#SOREALHOMES

hristmas for interior designer Justin Coakley never meant snow falling and chestnuts roasting over an open fire.

Raised in South Africa where December is mid summer, Christmases were spent by the pool rather than in scenes of Dickensian whimsy.

‘It’s all cold meats and salads and ice cream for pudding. It’s 35 degrees and the last thing you want is a hot dinner,’ laughs Justin.

‘I love English Christmases. Getting cosy and warm, and lighting the fire when it’s all snowy; I actually prefer it.’

This year he and his partner, Zunaid, are looking forward to welcoming friends and family in to enjoy the house they’ve finally completed after a top-to-bottom renovation; the process dragged on due to Covid-enforced lockdowns.

The 1930s terrace they purchased in 2017 is the first home they have bought in London, keen to get on the property ladder after years of renting. ‘We wanted to stay south west of London,’ says Justin. ‘But we needed easy access into the city, and it only takes 19 minutes by train. This house is on a main road, which really put me off. But Zunaid said, “Let’s look at it and keep an open mind”. As soon as we walked in, we both just knew that this was the one. It had a nice feeling of space. What really sold us was the ceiling height, as both of us are over six foot tall.’

They knew they’d need a fixer-upper to afford to live in their chosen area, and Justin was looking for a project to exercise his design skills on.

‘The sad thing was that the previous owner, in an attempt to modernise, ripped out all the period features,’ he says. ‘That’s why I decided to go more contemporary in the interior, because those features were already gone.’

They bravely chose to live in the house as it was gutted. ‘We couldn’t afford to rent anywhere else,’ recalls Justin. ‘We lived on the top floor while the basement and ground floor were renovated, and then lived on the ground floor while upstairs was done. It was manic. And because we were living here it took longer; what should have been a six-month renovation took a year. We were without a kitchen for that time – we washed dishes in the bath, microwaved our meals, and I had a single little induction hob

Profile The owners Justin Coakley, a content creator, interior designer and stylist (@design_ at_nineteen), lives here with his partner, Zunaid, a doctor, and their whippet, Aalto The property A 1930s four-bedroom terraced house in south-west London Project Cost £151,000

Create a painted plant pot tablescape of your own on page 162

Left and below ‘The previous owner knocked down the kitchen wall and had very basic units. I’ve designed it to within an inch of its life to

maximise storage.’

Units and work surfaces, Wren.

Appliances, Neff.

Pendant lights, Buster & Punch

Trestle table, John Lewis & Partners.

Holland dining chairs, West Elm

Prints charming Make a chic statement with the classic combination of black and white 1

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1 Japandi I, from £24, Rocket Jack 2 Graphical Arches No2 poster, from £8.95, Desenio 3 Aztec Shapes art print, from £23, Green Lili 4 Abstract Half Circles print, from £7, Home With Akua

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WORDS ALISON JONES PHOTOGRAPHS CHRIS SNOOK STYLING JUSTIN COAKLEY AND AMELIA SMITH SHOPPING EDIT EMILY SMITH

Left ‘The dining room is next to the kitchen, so I can chat to guests while they’re at the table,’ says Justin

The stunning arrangement on the stairs was designed

by Justin in collaboration with Larry Walshe London (@larrywalshe) Smoked glass pendant, David Hunt Lighting.

Floor tiles, Fired Earth. Console table, West Elm. Stair runner, Fibre Flooring

The monochrome styling in the bathroom continues Justin’s signature use of black lines.

REALHOMES.COM

Taps and shower, Crosswater. Basin, Villeroy & Boch.

Vanity unit, Drench. Mirror, House Doctor at Light & Bay. Stool, Tormar.

Wall and floor tiles, Ca’Pietra Light over mirror, Houseology

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Right ‘The chest of drawers is a hack done by me using the Hemnes chest of drawers by Ikea,’ says Justin.

Above and right ‘I’m a big fan of Danish and Brutalist designs with their masculine elements.’

Wardrobe, Lombok.

Light, Heal’s. Walls painted in Duvet Day, designed

by Justin for Coat Paints. Penn bed, Made. Bedlinen, H&M Home.

Cushions, H&M Home and Cox & Cox. Armchair, Habitat. Shutters, BellaVista Shutters

Sisal flooring, Fibre Flooring. Prints by Paper Collective and Coy artwork by Joanna Ham. Astraeus table lamp, Habitat

Walls painted in Thames Mud, Paint & Paper Library.

Bed, Camerich.

Bedlinen, West Elm. Cushions, Ferm Living and Stitch by Stitch.

Bedside table, West Elm. Wall light, Made.

Shelving unit, BoConcept.

Flooring, Fibre Flooring. Abstract artwork by Studio Lawrence

Amelia’ss top tip When you’re keeping to a neutral, pared-back palette, bring in interest with texture instead. Jute rugs, waffle throws, linen cushions and hessian baskets bring tactility for added depth (and cosiness)

This image and left ‘I soften bold lines with organic shapes, muted textures and wood.’

Panelling painted in Stone IV, Paint & Paper Library. Bed and white tree with lights, John Lewis & Partners.

Bedlinen, Bedfolk.

Bedside tables, Home Essentials. Lounge chair, Srelle. Lamps, Ferm Living at Map Stores.

Risbyn paper shade, Ikea

Costs & contacts Building & electrical £58,000 Loft conversion, £50 000 Windows & doors £10,000 Kitchen £10,000 Bathroom £6,000 Professional fees £6,000 Decorating £5,000 Flooring £3,000 Shutters £3,000 Loft conversion South London Lofts, 020 8673 4114, southlondonlofts.co.uk Carpentry PureView Carpentry, pureviewcarpentry.co.uk Design and styling justin.coakley@icloud.com Right ‘I have maximised the potential for storage in every room. It was all freestanding wardrobes prior.’

Woodwork and shelving, PureView

Carpentry. Roof window, Velux.

Blind, Stitched.

Cushions, Ferm Living from Map Stores. H&M Home and Hay Design. For a similar rug, try the Peru, Rose & Grey

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Rich red Passionate, cosy and energising, deep red can have a profound impact on how we feel, especially at this time of year…

D

ecorating with deep red is a bit like Marmite – you either love it or hate it. Whichever side of the fence you’re on, a red interior truly comes into its own in the festive season.

No matter the exact shade, red is an inherently warm colour. Against the backdrop of a cold winter’s night, a red palette will create a stark contrast to the outdoors, making you feel instantly warmer and comforted (even without the heating on).

Unlike most colours, a dark red paint takes on the role of both an energising and a relaxing shade depending on the exact pigment. ‘When it comes to colour psychology, red is a colour that is physically stimulating. It raises the pulse rate,’ says colour expert Karen Haller (karenhaller.co.uk). ‘It makes us feel energised and motivated.’

Yet the darker, muddier tones in deep red can work to soften this, creating a

Eating Room red paint, £49.50 for 2.5ltrs of estate emulsion, Farrow & Ball

feel that is less get-up-and-go and more sit-down-and-grab-a-blanket.

With such a bold shade, it’s important to consider where it’ll work best. ‘North-facing rooms love a bit of red because warm colours compensate for cooler natural light conditions,’ says Marinne Shillingford, creative director at Dulux (dulux.co.uk). So while red décor will make a north-facing room

It’s the colour for you if: 1 You want a cosy snug to escape the cold 2 You want to feel both energised and calm 3 You want to add warmth to a north-facing room 4 You want to make a statement

Theatreland no.282 paint, £53 for 2.5ltrs of matt emulsion, Mylands Paints

Ladybug claypaint, £47 for 2.5ltrs, Earthborn. Austin oak round dining table, £395; Capella Empire chandelier, £90; Talia spindle back chair, £160 for two, Habitat

Velvetine No. 442, £37.99 for 2.5ltrs of Flat Matt paint, Crown

Cotton velvet cushion in Earth Red, £30, Walton & Co

The rules Do Combine with neutral shades Add depth with warm woods Paint a feature wall for a real statement

Don’t

FEATURE AMELIA SMITH

Shetland herringbone red throw, £85, Bronte by Moon

The perfect pairing to rich red

Calvin armchair, £449, Atkin & Thyme

the deep palette

Elevate your scheme with either deep or light hues 67

Combine with too much black or purple Be afraid to mix with pale pink Forget to try before you buy

the light palette

REALHOMES.COM

feel warmer, in a sout f oom, the natural light could g the paint a more orange tinge, so it’s vital to try out tester pots before you buy.

‘When planning a scheme, bringing in neutral shades and natural materials like wood browns and stone greys is a failsafe palette,’ says Marianne at Dulux. These natural colours and textures help to bring out and amplify the earthy, grounded feel of deep red. ‘Be mindful when teaming red with black, as it could look like a danger sign,’ says Karen.

‘In nature, red and black animals are communicating that they’re poisonous – alerting you to “stay away or I’ll attack,” which might not be quite the vibe you want!’

Of course, red is also associated with power and passion. It’s a statement shade that says you’re confident and daring. But set back against a twinkling Christmas tree and roaring fire, concludes Rob Abrahams and Rob Green, cofounders of Coat Paints (coatpaints.com), ‘the shade is the desire to close the door, grab a cuppa and sink into your surroundings.’

Roger Red paint, £42 for 2.5ltrs of matt emulsion, Graham & Brown

Style crush Sometimes we come across a product we just can’t stop thinking about – and we want to share it with you. Here’s what we’ve fallen for this month

Baa humbug

REALHOMES.COM

You’ve bought the gifts for your in-laws, the kids’ teachers and that friend you see once a year – now it’s time to spoil yourself. And what better way to celebrate making it through 2021 than with this stylish yet practical* Tress chair from Oliver Bonas? Not only will it look super on-trend in your home, it also gives that unexpected guest somewhere to sit.

Just make sure they don’t drink red wine anywhere near it! (*at least, that’s what I’m telling my other half)

FEATURE EMILY SMITH

Tress sheepskin chair, £395; Tadek rattan and gold floor and table lamps, from £89.50; Pebble side tables, £245 for two, Oliver Bonas

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WORDS JESSICA TAVERNER

Whether you’re shopping for a fitness guru or a proud plant parent, we’ve scaled our favourite small independents and bigger brands alike for our festive gift guide

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Independent store find Rinse Studios’ disco ball planters add some sparkle to your nature display

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PA RT Y A N I M A L Let the good times roll with glamorous gifts for the cocktail-loving extrovert in your life 1 Aperol Spritz Galz print by Niamh Illustrates, from £16, I Am Fy 2 Don’t Get Got Christmas, £10, Big Potato Games 3 Disco ball planter, from £40 each, Rinse Studios at Etsy 4 Candy stripe cocktail spoon and jigger, £29.50, Oliver Bonas 5 Libbey Hobstar retro coupe glasses, £57.99 for 12, Wayfair 6 Silver double wall ice bucket, £23, Viners 7 Emily personalised coin purse, £30, Sbri 8 Hangover drops, £6, Anthropologie 9 Blue and white daisy mini radio speaker, £59.99, TK Maxx 10 Espresso martini gift set, £15, Next 11 Cocktails metal sign, £38, Rockett St George 12 Insulated wine bottles, £35 each, Plonk Bottles

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Independent store find Featuring a bold print and colours in luxe satin, this shorts set is the cat’s pyjamas

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K E E P C OSY Set the atmosphere for relaxing at home and treat someone you love to something luxurious to snuggle up with 1 Soak bath mat, £29.50, Oliver Bonas 2 Mother of Pearl silk eye mask, £30, John Lewis & Partners 3 Effie table lamp in pale white and green, £43.20, där lighting 4 Sunrise coffee cup and mug, £14.95, Cielshop 5 Gold-dipped dinner candles, £14.95 for three, Wanderlust Wares 6 Sheepskin door stop, £45, The White Company 7 Abstract eye cushion, £45, Sweetpea & Willow 8 Alphabet hot water bottle, £8, Matalan 9 Pinecone jar candle, £10, Next 10 Supercharged leopard print socks, £8, Scamp & Dude 11 Bedtime Stories merino wool kid’s blanket in Summer Sky, £58.50, Heating & Plumbing London 12 Bamboo & jasmine body lotion, £22, The Bath House 13 Personalised Dream Plan Do life planner, £37.95, Martha Brook 14 Satin Cuban pyjama set, £45, Kate Barnet 15 Kees set of four towels in soft green, £49, Made

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Add a personal touch to your table with customised coasters created in a Surrey workshop

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FO O D I E S Why resist temptation? These delicious treats and stylish serveware are all in the best possible taste 1 The Wreath box, £40, Hotel Chocolat 2 Vegan Panettone Christmas cake 750g, £18.95, Carluccio’s 3 Christmas cake slice, £18, Layered Lounge 4 Cast iron casserole dish, £35, Habitat 5 Mini truffled Penyston Brie, £16, Daylesford 6 Splatter butter dish, £48, Not Another Bill 7 Geese pastry forks, £19.95 for four, Annabel James 8 Oakdene pop out coaster place settings, £16, Not On The High Street 9 &Klevering orange jar, £29.99, Coffee & Cloth 10 The Cheese Collection, £15.95, Tracklements 11 Gloriously gluten-free bag, £45, John Lewis & Partners

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Independent store find Bold, bright and versatile, this British brand offers a range of quirky wall planters

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ECO CHOICE

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P L A N T PA R E N T For the person in your life who loves nothing more than nurturing and tending to their crop of houseplants, these are the gifts they need 1 Houseplant care set, £29.99, Plantsmith 2 Arc planter, from £18, Peg & Board 3 Henry Holland Hoopla large planter, £49, Freemans 4 Starry Night mini tree, £34.99, Beards & Daisies 5 Frida hanging planter, £9, Sass & Belle 6 Ceramic grey plant mister, £18, Ella James 7 Metal indoor watering can, £19, Daylesford 8 Gardener’s twine gift set, £15.95, Winter’s Moon 9 Sow Many Stars plantable shapes, £5, Ruby & Bo 10 Pembridge set of three herb planters, £15, Cath Kidston 11 Canopy self watering planter, £45, LSA International 12 Jellycat prickly pear cactus toy, £18, Anthropologie 13 Personalised copper trowel and fork set, £44.99, John Lewis & Partners

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Independent store find A family-run brand, The Happy Blossoms’ aim is to bring joy to every home with dried flowers and accessories

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H A P P Y & H E A LT H Y Give the gift of positive vibes and help them have a happy year ahead. From smoothie makers to scented candles, these buys will keep them living their best lives 1 Nutri blender and smoothie maker, £59.99, Ninja 2 De-stress ball, £10.50, Ban.do 3 Planter hanger kit, £29, Artisans.life 4 Leopard print yoga mat bag, £38, Oliver Bonas 5 Scents of wellbeing candle set, £45, Neom Organics 6 Iron house lantern, £39.99, Dobbies 7 Support & Protection diffuser oil blend, £35, Anatome 8 The Happiness Code book, £10, Urban Outfitters 9 W&P Porter water bottle, £35, Made 10 The Origami vase in orange, £33, The Happy Blossoms 11 ‘Coffee in bed’ unframed linen print, £35, Not on the High Street

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The design

Need our help?

Got a DIY dilemma?

Want to settle a domestic style dispute? Send us your questions on social media or email us at rhsubmissions @futurenet.com

Whether you’re torn on two paint colours or are debating whether to extend upwards or outwards, the Real Homes team is here to answer your questions At your service

RENTAL ADVICE

Q

How can I make my rented home more personal without losing my deposit?

When you rent, it’s all about getting creative with your purchases and how you display items. Art on the walls is a must and Command strips are a renter’s best friend.

Don’t shy away from colour and an eclectic mix of frames to bring interest to bland rooms.

Add life with plants, unique pots and lighting.

Choosing warm light bulbs over white lights and opting for shades that diffuse light can make a huge difference.

In a furnished house, introduce a few special items for added style and function. Textured rugs, throws and cushions will make a space feel unique!

Meet the people ready to help with your dilemmas

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Ellen Shares the reno tips she’s learned from chatting to the pros Alison The go-to for all things DIY, with tons of wisdom to impart Annie Our shopping expert will pick out the best buys for your home Amelia Has her finger on the pulse of all things style, kitchen and bathroom Emily Real Homes’ resident colour expert is a lover of bold hues Camille Has plenty of space-saving, wallet-friendly advice for renters

Different Shapes gallery wall, £268.20 for eight pieces, Desenio

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SPACE ADVICE

Q A

I’m converting my loft.

Is adding a dormer worth the extra time and money?

This depends on two things: what you’re using your new loft for, and what its existing measurements are. If a basic room-in-the-roof conversion with rooflights gives you enough head room and floor space, it should be fine for a bedroom, playroom or entertainment room as it is.

However, if you’re looking to create an en suite, for example, or want to maximise storage space, adding a dormer window will give you extra head height. The price difference is usually about £100 per square metre, so it could be worth the extra investment if you’re dealing with an averagesized loft. Speak to an architect or architectural designer to see how the existing space works for you and your plans, and go from there.

DECORATING ADVICE Baubles, from £6; totem vase, £50; star fairy lights, £10, all John Lewis & Partners

Q

I want to mix it up this year with a different kind of Christmas tree – any ideas?

The alternative tree has become more and more popular over the last few years. Whether it’s a vase of twigs or a five foot neon pink tree (my sons hate ours!), expressing your style at Christmas has never been so much fun.

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5ft wooden tree, £45, Habitat Rainbow string light colour changing tree, £145, Cox & Cox

RENOVATION ADVICE

Q A

}

My radiators aren’t heating up properly – what’s causing it?

If your central heating isn’t emitting blessed warmth, this could be caused by trapped air in the radiator – identified by a gurgling or clunking sound due to vibrations leading to irregular air pressure.

The radiators might also have cold spots. You can release the pressure by bleeding the radiator. You’ll need a bleed key and a towel to catch drips.

Switch on the heating to check which radiator(s) shows symptoms and need bleeding. Turn off the See our step-by-step heating to let the water cool and lay video on how to towels down on the floor. Put the bleed a radiator key into the bleed valve (a square surrounded by a round hole) and quarter to half turn it anti-clockwise.

You should hear a hissing sound as the air escapes (be careful in case it’s hot).

When the air stops and only a few drops of water are emerging, turn the key clockwise to seal it. It’s best to repeat this process with all your radiators.

}

PHOTOGRAPH CHRIS SNOOK (ABOVE)

KITCHEN ADVICE

Ninja Foodi 9-in-1 multi-cooker, £199.99, Ninja

Cookworks hand blender, £14.99, Argos

Q

I have a tiny kitchen with little room for loads of gadgets. What top three do you think are worth the space?

Save cupboard space with these three do-it-all buys: a multi-cooker to pressure and slow cook, air fry, roast and more; a bestselling pan that replaces eight cookware pieces; and a hand blender that whisks and chops.

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Always Pan, £125, Our Place

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STYLE ADVICE

Q

Is real terrazzo worth the splurge, or could I get away with printed tiles instead?

If you love the design world and know you’d appreciate the history in real terrazzo, you might find it worth the money – but as one of the most expensive types of flooring, it’s probably outside of most people’s budgets. Porcelain terrazzoeffect tiles are a great alternative that are hardwearing and easy to clean – and while they might not be quite as beautiful as the real deal, they get pretty close.

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Flecks White terrazzo porcelain tile, £50.40 per m2, Porcelain Superstore

‘Revamping the kitchen cabinets with paint and new handles and fitting new worktops has completely transformed this room,’ says Becky.

Units painted in Hague Blue, Farrow & Ball.

Bar stools, Cult Furniture.

Ceiling light, Marks & Spencer

Victorian renovation

CHRISTMAS

in colour

Becky Jones brings her home to life at Christmas with lots of bright and contemporary decorative touches

‘The dining room is a great space for entertaining at Christmas, and I bring it to life with neon paper pom-poms and crackers,’ says Becky.

Dining table, chairs and pendant light, Habitat. Stag, Rockett St George.

Bunny print, Wonder & Rah

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The property A Victorian end-of-terrace in Wellingborough, Northants

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FIND INSPIRATION AND IDEAS FOR RENOVATING YOUR HOME AT REALHOMES.COM/RENOVATIONS

The owners Becky Jones, a print designer, founder of shop The League of Mothers and website manager for The Bean Hive Kettering (the-bean-hive.co.uk), her husband, John, and their daughters Lola, eight, and Coco, two

#SOREALHOMES

Profile

hen searching for their new home back in 2009, Becky Jones and her husband, John, had two main criteria – that it was a period property and close to the railway station in Wellingborough. ‘We only viewed two houses – one a new build on an estate and this one, which was brimming with potential,’ says Becky. ‘John commutes into London daily and we have family and friends in and around the area, so the location ticked all our boxes.

It’s close to the city and has the countryside on its doorstep.’

When she stepped through the door, Becky instantly started imagining what they could do with each room. But as with a lot of older houses, some parts needed replacing – so once they moved in, they tackled those more pressing issues first. ‘The single-glazed sash windows had to be refitted with panes of double-glazed glass,’ says Becky. ‘We also added thick insulation to all of the externally facing walls upstairs, which has made a huge difference and was money well spent.’

Five years after moving, they extended into the loft to make sure they’d have room to grow over the coming years.

The resulting space is large enough to fit in a guest bed as well as a small office area, which Becky can run her business from.

‘We installed a bespoke aluminium-framed window, which, after lots of research, I sourced for just £500 compared to quotes coming in at near £2,000,’ she says. ‘We also ripped out and redesigned the bathroom on the first floor as it felt dated.’

In the sitting room, Becky sourced reclaimed parquet flooring from an old school on Ebay. More recently, the couple have given the kitchen a makeover. ‘The cream cupboards just didn’t fit in with our colourful style,’ says Becky. ‘Conscious of budget, we decided to have the cabinets painted rather than replaced, as the layout already suited our needs and the units were in good condition. A local tradesman carried out the work and I replaced the door knobs with brass cup handles.

I really wanted marble or quartz worktops but they were too pricey, so I chose marble-effect laminate instead, which my dad kindly fitted for us to help keep costs down. I’m thrilled with the result – no one can believe it’s the same kitchen!’

When it came to the interior design of the house, Becky was keen to be sympathetic to the property’s history, working the period features into each room while adding a modern twist. ‘I love mixing old and new to create unique looks and combinations,’ she says. ‘My love of colour certainly shines through all over the house, but particularly in the living room.

I based the scheme on two fabulous Swoon sofas, which I picked up for a bargain price at a local outlet – the orange and the blue sparked lots of ideas for decorating this space.’

The house comes into its own at Christmas, with its traditional elements lending a magical feel to the festive season. ‘The woodburners make the living and dining rooms feel cosy and we always choose a tall tree to make the most of having high ceilings,’ says Becky. ‘We often host Christmas day here and John takes the lead on the cooking front, making dinner for the whole family. I decorate with lots of colour and each year I treat myself to a few additional baubles to add to the tree and build up the collection. Lola has her own pink tree in her bedroom, which she decorates however she fancies each year. Eric the elf visits every day in December, too, sometimes leaving her a gift, like the elf bedding she got last year.’

The couple have been resourceful with their decisions to get the look they wanted on a budget. ‘Researching every detail may take time, but can save a lot of money and stop you making snap decisions,’ says Becky. ‘I’m glad I was bold with my choices, too; the quirky details make this house our home.’

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Sofas, Swoon.

Wallpaper, Cole & Son. Table, G Plan via Ebay

‘The woodburner makes this space so cosy, and the grey surround has a contemporary edge.’

Rug, TKMaxx.

Walls painted in Hague Blue, Farrow & Ball.

For a similar metal tray table, try Wayfair

Tree Party

Top up the festive fir with a fe fun new baubles every year, like Becky does

Beehive-shaped bauble, £8.50, Sass & Belle

Christmas jersey cow, £10, Paperchase

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Meowie Bowie tree decoration, Turtle bauble, £2, £12, Rockett St George Flying Tiger Copenhagen

REALHOMES.COM

‘To tie in with the room scheme, I choose bright, quirky festive decorations,’ says Becky.

Below ‘Our bedroom has a more pared-back palette, so it’s a peaceful place to retreat to.’

Jungle fever

Make a bold statement on your walls with a lush, leafy print

Palmera Cubana Pink paper, £175 for three rolls, Dowsing & Reynolds

Under The Banana Tree wallpaper, £42, Lust Home

Tropical Aegean wallpaper, £55, Graham & Brown

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The Jungle Anthracite wallpaper, £175 for three rolls, Mind The Gap

WORDS AND STYLING CASSIE PRYCE PHOTOGRAPHS DAVID GILES SHOPPING EDIT EMILY SMITH

Headboard, Habitat.

Throw, Ikea. Blinds, Window Hang Ups

Natural wooden touches blend well with the vibrant tropical wallpaper in the bedroom.

Wallpaper, Loft & Us. Throw, TKMaxx

GUEST BEDROOMS WO RT H Y O F S U P E R H OST STAT U S Ready to get your hosting hat back on in time for the festive season?

Our guide will help get your guest bedroom in tip-top shape to welcome your nearest and dearest…

J

Next, think about refreshing the décor. There probably isn’t the time (or funds) for a full renovation, but a lick of paint will freshen the space and make it welcoming. Neutral tones are the best choice for an uplifting guest room that appeals to all tastes – think chic Scandi tones rather than boring beige. But if that mucking out session got a bit too Marie Kondo and the room now feels bare, consider dark shades in cocooning tones to create cosiness. Try Farrow & Ball’s new Deep Reddish Brown or Mi Casa by Valspar.

New bedlinen is another great way to give an unloved guest room a fresh lease of life – the smell alone is always a treat.

To win the award for Most Considerate Host, pay attention to the details. Test out the mattress on your guest bed and invest in a topper if it’s seen better days, or nights, rather. A chunky foam or hollowfibre topper can make a huge difference to lifeless springs, and provides an extra layer of hygiene, too. If windows don’t have blackout treatments, offer eye masks to help guests sleep through the crack of dawn. A spare hairdryer, some magazines and a scented candle (or electronic diffuser for safety) can also recreate that home-from-home experience. Don’t make it too cosy, though – the best guests are those who know when to leave!

ust as many of us forgot how to apply make-up or wear jeans during lockdown, so the act of hosting overnight guests has become a lost art. Or at least a little hazy. Are box-fresh towels really necessary?

What about fresh flowers – cute touch or a bit Stepford Wives? Then there’s the teeny issue of the guest bedroom having been turned into an office/playroom/escape room. If there is a bed in there, it hasn’t been seen since 2019…

With the festive season upon us and friends and family time looming, it’s time to get a grip. Starting with the mother of all mucking out sessions. Guest bedrooms are generally one shoe box away from junk room status, and the global pandemic certainly hasn’t helped. Fortunately, charity shops have reopened and are crying out for stock, so get the bin bags out and be utterly ruthless. Guest rooms do not have to be barren of all your belongings, but nobody will sleep easily with boxes and bags teetering over them.

Recycle, relocate and remove as much as you possibly can before getting out the Marigolds and duster. Your guests may well be more apprehensive than usual about cleanliness after the last year and sparkling clean sleeping quarters will help them sleep soundly.

Make a sleep space from comfy seating in seconds with a chic sofa bed

Dessin cane sofa bed in dark grey, £2,499, Heal’s

Burwell in Placido Saffron, £1,099.89, Made to Last

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Laurie velvet Click Clack in blue, £289.99, Homescapes

WORDS LINDA CLAYTON

Settle down

Alice headboard in Bethie Tricks Pink Waves, from £1,400; Toby side table, £975; Simon lamp base in teal, £225; Bethie Tricks Isla lampshade, from £300, KDLoves

}} Scan here for more guest room ideas

HELLA HEADBOARDS It’s hard to decorate to please the masses, so why bother? Instead go for a wow statement that your guests won’t forget in a hurry, even if it’s not to their taste. As guest rooms are often small and under furnished, a headboard is the perfect candidate for a splash of colour, striking material or eye-catching shape. Velvet upholstered designs will add comfort and cosiness, while the latest cane and rattan headboards – try Anthropologie and Dunelm – are brilliant for introducing texture.

PHOTOGRAPHS BILLY BOLTON (TR STUDIO); BRENT DARBY (SIMS HILDITCH)

Right Highgate medium lamp in seasoned oak, £165; Mist eggshell paint, £58 for 2.5ltrs, Neptune.

Ferns grey wallpaper, £162.90 per roll, Knowles & Christou. Interior design by Sims Hilditch LUXE TOUCHES Besides a bed, the bare minimum a host should supply in the way of home comforts is a mirror, socket(s) for charging and a bedside lamp.

Collate a little box of essentials filled with things guests often forget, like tissues, toothbrushes, hair bands, eye masks and painkillers! Clean towels are always welcome but consider adding bath robes to protect guests’ modesty if using shared bathrooms. Spa-style slippers are a nice touch if you run a shoes-off policy indoors. A coffee machine is a tad OTT but a bottle of water is considerate.

Top Tip A loft space makes for the perfect guest room if you’re a regular host. It’s removed from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the house, and head height is less of an issue for stays of a night or two.

Bamboo cane clothes rail, £225; seagrass mirror, £35; rush basket, £20; coastal large planter, £30; reversible cotton runner in terracotta, £35, all Dunelm

HOOK UP Nobody needs to fully unpack for an overnighter but a couple of hooks or a freestanding clothes rail is handy for hanging coats or crease-prone garments.

Add a few hangers to keep jacket shoulders in shape.

Luggage racks are also useful – try Garden Trading – especially for less-abled guests who will benefit from higher access to their suitcase. Most designs can be folded down and popped under the bed when not in use.

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Atelier Areti Alouette wall lamps, £431; Gubi Beetle chair in pink velvet, £914, Nest. Helgar large quad sheepskin rug, £199, Made.

Interior design

by TR Studio

Top Tip Pop a double bed widthways in a single room. The space will actually feel less narrow and couples won’t mind sliding across for one night if it means they stay together!

Nova single bed with storage, £2,590, House of Sui Sui

Karen Cook INTERIORS CONSULTANT

‘We love to entertain and having a guest bedroom in the loft is fantastic. It was converted when we moved in and painted white – but seriously in need of personality. It’s only about 3x5m with restricted head height, so I’ve chosen furniture carefully.

The bed doesn’t have a footboard, making it easier to walk around, and I’ve used small bedside tables with wall-mounted lights instead of bulky table lamps. I love a mix of old and new items; most of my furniture is second-hand or upcycled. I also love colour because it can transform how a space feels. In this room I was aiming for “laidback luxury”.

I was keen to try subtle colour blocking and used two tones of muddy pinks – Granny Chic and Ciao, Sofia by Coat Paints. Going darker at the head of the bed feels cocooning and painting the bed and bedside tables black stops the room feeling too feminine. I always leave a water glass on the side, a phone charger plus somewhere to hang clothes. I’ve also added vases and artwork to make it feel homely but have left plenty of room for guests to unpack and spread out their own stuff!’

Insta: @upstyleyourhome

SEASONAL LAYERS Dress your guest bed to suit all seasons – and personal heat levels – by layering up the bedding. Start with a lightweight duvet, around 4-5 tog, then add a quilted throw and finally fold a thicker wool blanket at the end. Guests can remove as much or as little as they like for comfort. Linen or cotton are breathable and hardwearing – perfect for sheets and pillowcases.

For pillows and duvets, pick hypoallergenic hollowfibre fillings so guests prone to allergies stay sneeze-free.

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Slowcoach sofa bed, from £1,995; Lazy Linen bedlinen in white, from £45; scatter cushions, from £25, all Loaf

Rejoice Gusha CLINICAL RESEARCHER

Below Poppy king-size ottoman bed, from £1,245, Button & Sprung

SOFA, SO GOOD Don’t have a spare cupboard, let alone a spare room? A sofa bed is all you need to transition your living room or office into a bedroom for the night. The best designs include storage for guest bedding, but a matching ottoman with lift-up storage also works well.

Do make sure to test comfort levels in both bed and sofa mode. Use freestanding screens to create a pocket of privacy in an open-plan living area.

BULK STORAGE A guest bed without bulk storage is a wasted opportunity. Ottomanstyle designs, where the whole mattress lifts up, are a little unwieldy for everyday stashing but perfect for out-of-season clothing or Christmas decs. If there’s room either side of the bed, go for a divan with deep drawers. Install a wall-hung bedside table or shelf that will allow drawers to open fully below.

Don’t forget… your (spare) toothbrush Cheetah bamboo toothbrush, £3.95, Rex London

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‘We feel fortunate to have a dedicated guest bedroom in our new-build home, albeit a narrow box room measuring 3.9x2.4m.

It was a standard empty white space when we moved in but at least positioning the bed was easy since there was only one feasible option! We chose an ottoman style divan and included a small wardrobe to ensure the room is useful to us, even when guests aren’t in residence. I love jeweltoned, glamorous interiors and am drawn to vibrant colours.

I travel a lot for work and love staying in boutique hotels with lots of character, so I was going for a similar vibe in this room.

I went for a two-tone colour scheme – Lick’s Green 03 on the top half and White 02 below – to create drama without going too dark. The pale panelling reflects light into the room and adds a sense of grandeur.

I tried to keep it clutter free by minimising furniture, which helps it feel more restful and is easy to clean. I love to treat my guests to good quality bedlinen so they feel a little pampered.

We’re delighted it’s getting plenty of use now the world’s reopened and we can finally have friends and family to stay.’

Insta: @rg_livingincolour

ON SALE NOW!

Get your home ready for the festive season This special edition is packed full of inspiration and ideas from the archives of Country Homes & Interiors to help you prepare for Christmas, featuring decoration tips, seasonal recipes, creative crafts and more!

Ordering is easy. Go online at:

WWW.MAGAZINESDIRECT.COM Or get it from selected supermarkets & newsagents

Renovated period Home

HONOURING

THE PAST A carefully considered colour palette has allowed the original elegance of Emma and Adam Carr’s Edwardian house to shine through 98

As part of the kitchen revamp, an extractor was installed and boxed in to blend with the white wall. ‘The old extractor was useless as it didn’t even go outside,’ says Emma.

‘It’s not an expensive job as it’s only MDF but it makes an attractive, characterful feature.’

Island unit and work surfaces, Smart Kitchens & Bedrooms. Stools, Dunelm. Pendant lights, Made. Tiles, Tile Giant. Belling has similar black range cookers

ot every house is bought with long-term intentions, yet the urge to put your own stamp on a property is still irresistible.

That was certainly the case for Emma and Adam Carr, who bought a detached Edwardian home in Cleethorpes after spending five years working in Dubai.

‘We knew we wouldn’t be staying forever so all the improvements were done on a bit of a budget,’ says Emma. ‘I had lots of extravagant ideas, like wallpapering ceilings and using even more colour, but always had to rein myself in knowing we’d eventually sell.’

When the couple first returned to the UK with daughter Daisy, then one, they spent a year renovating their first home.

The four-bedroom Victorian terrace had been rented out while they were abroad. ‘We renovated it to sell, installing a new bathroom and kitchen,’ says Emma. ‘Luckily it sold straight away to a family friend.’

With another baby on the way, the net was spread from York to Derbyshire in their quest for a bigger home. However, the lure of having family nearby narrowed their search to Cleethorpes, and one particular street in a Conservation Area.

A different approach was taken when it came to the bathroom, as there was little the couple wanted to keep.

‘Apart from the shower area, we took out everything,’ she says. ‘The modern, fully-tiled space-age-style bathroom didn’t really suit a period house, so we went for a classic, traditional look instead.’

Emma was mindful of honouring the house’s Edwardian past in the master bedroom, too. ‘It was plain grey with two modern ceiling lights on either side of the bed,’ she says. ‘But we added period-style coving, panelling and a big ceiling rose for an oversized central pendant.’

Colour wise, Emma has made some bold choices.

Burgundy and navy enhances the reclaimed fire surround in the living room, while both the dining room and master bedroom feature a mix of dusky pink and vivid blue hues. ‘I normally paint the skirting boards the same colour as the walls as it enhances the character and ceiling height,’ she adds.

High-end modern furniture sits happily alongside vintage pieces. ‘We’ve gradually replaced our first home furniture with better quality pieces as we went along,’ she says. ‘I’ve strived to be quite sustainable by using reclaimed and salvaged items

‘I’ VE STRIVED TO BE SUSTAINABLE BY USING SALVAGED ITEMS, VINTAGE DÉCOR ACCENTS AND LOTS OF PLANTS.’ such as the fire surrounds and bathtub, with vintage décor accents like mirrors, plant pots and vases.

There are also lots of plants and natural materials for enhancing wellbeing, and I’ve painted most of the art.’

Although they’d hoped to spend longer in their new home, the family now have plans to relocate to Singapore as Adam has been offered a two-year transfer.

‘Daisy is really excited to move as she can’t wait to make friends from all over the world,’ says Emma. ‘But when we return, we hope to buy a more rural character home and finally settle down.’

Right Previously painted in two different shades of grey, Emma wanted a colour scheme to match the period features. ‘I was leaning towards green for the walls but then decided on burgundy as I’d seen so much dark navy and green, so I wanted something different,’ she says. ‘I love how the navy velvet sofa contrasts against it.’

Walls painted in Adventurer, Little Greene. Sofa, coffee table and stool, West Elm. Cushions and ceiling light, Made. Artwork, We Are Dorothy

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WORDS KAREN WILSON PHOTOGRAPHS KATIE LEE

‘We were aware of the house for sale but it was a little over our budget, so we offered on a three-storey Edwardian townhouse across the road instead,’ says Emma. ‘But when the price was dropped by £50,000, we decided to view it and instantly changed our minds.

The townhouse had a tiny north-facing garden while this had a bigger south-facing garden and driveway. It was definitely the right decision, as of course this was to become our lockdown home – we were incredibly fortunate to have the extra outdoor space for staying home and schooling two young children.’

Although the house had been part renovated in a neutral palette to sell, additions like the kitchen tiles, shiny new fireplace and ultra modern bathroom weren’t always to Emma and Adam’s taste. However, the intact original features, such as doors, panelling, ceiling roses and stained glass windows, were a major draw.

‘As Henry was born a month after moving in, I didn’t do much for the first winter as I was just trying to get through each day,’ admits Emma. ‘The only thing we did straight away was to remove the old brown tiles in the kitchen and put up pure white tiles that gave an instant lift.’

Gradually the pair worked their way around the house, replacing worn carpets, adding blinds, restaining wooden floors and replastering the bedrooms before redecorating.

‘The existing kitchen units were kept, but a dilapidated dresser was removed to make way for a new island with modern pendant lighting above,’ says Emma. ‘I was also happy to paint over the chunky black stripes on the walls, which just seemed far too modern for the house.’

Profile The owners Emma Carr (@ahomeinthetropics), a primary school teacher, her husband Adam, an IT director, and their children Daisy, five and Henry, two The property A four-bedroom detached Edwardian house in Cleethorpes, built in 1911 PROJECT COST Around £13,700

Below Expecting to pay around £1,500, Emma and Adam were delighted to find this reclaimed rouge marble fire surround for just £400 on Ebay. ‘It provided the starting point for the colour scheme,’ says Emma.

Right Emma’s love of interiors was sparked by a branch of West Elm in Dubai. ‘It’s good quality so hopefully will last forever,’ she says Bookcase, West Elm. Armchair, Dunelm.

Floor lamp, B&Q

BOUGHT HOUSE September 2018

Project timeline

REPLASTERED AND DECORATED BEDROOMS May 2019

HENRY BORN November 2018

FIREPLACES REPLACED September 2020

NEW BATHROOM November 2019

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KITCHEN RENOVATION February 2021

Due to the lockdown, the dining table and elegant mid-centurystyle chairs haven’t been used as much as was hoped. ‘I’d imagined hosting dinner parties for family and friends, but that didn’t happen!’ says Emma.

Dining table, West Elm. Chairs, rug and ceiling light, Made. Tablecloth, La Redoute

Left A new log burner was installed to bring more heat to the west-facing dining room. The couple found the surround on Ebay for £50.

Below As the north-facing hallway can be gloomy, the panelling was painted in a warm, neutral colour with black accents for contrast.

Walls painted in Oval Room Blue, Farrow & Ball. Chair and cushion, Sternzeit Design. Floor lamp, Made.

M1 Grisedale Ecodesign woodburner, Direct Stoves

Walls painted in Clay Mid and woodwork in Lamp Black, Little Greene. Light, Schonbrunn Chandeliers.

Green chair, Made. Mirror, Maisons du Monde

STANDING TALL 1

2

Keep dark corners lit with a floor lamp, adding interest through a textural shade 1 Tadek rattan and gold floor lamp, £175, Oliver Bonas 2 Hampstead tripod bamboo floor lamp, £185, Trouva 3 Black bamboo hanging floor lamp, £45, George Home 4 Ohio floor lamp, £79, Dunelm

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3

4

The roll-top bath was another Ebay bargain at £100. ‘It didn’t need enamelling, just a really good clean and a fresh coat of paint,’ says Emma. ‘The woodeffect ceramic floor tiles are really practical and easy to clean.’

Taps and sink, Burlington. Flooring, Tile Giant. Wall lights, Amazon. Bath mat, John Lewis & Partners Walls painted in Dulux Pure White and Farrow & Ball’s Peignoir

Costs & contacts Furniture £4,000 Kitchen £3,000 Bathroom £3,000 Fireplaces £2,500 Plastering £600 Decorating £600 Kitchen island Smart Kitchens & Bedrooms, 01472 350505, smartkitchensandbedrooms.com Woodburner Direct Stoves, 0161 376 4191, directstoves.com Paint Little Greene, 0845 880 5855, littlegreene.com; Farrow & Ball, 01202 876141, farrow-ball.com

Above A thin stripe wallpaper paired with plain white walls creates a neutral backdrop for colourful accessories, including an umbrella illustration by Emma.

‘I didn’t really want a single theme, so there’s a mixture of Henry’s favourite things – space, dinosaurs and pirates,’ she says. ’There are lots of baskets for storage as they look much nicer than plastic ones, and I dyed his old canopy to match the bunting.’

Estelle wallpaper, Sandberg.

Country Collection cot, Boori.

Canopy, The Modern Nursery.

Bunting, Nobodinoz. Rug, Bloomingville. Baskets, Dunelm.

Lamp, Tesco Home. Shelf, Ikea

Above After replacing the broken hearth tiles with pretty patterned ones, Adam’s uncle put up a cherry blossom wallpaper to the alcoves.

‘Daisy loves nature, bugs and flowers, so l took inspiration from this and chose a loose botanical theme.’

Sakura Blue wallpaper, Sandberg. Dolls house, vintage

A warm neutral grey beige shade was chosen for Daisy’s bedroom. ‘At the time I was so sleep deprived with both children,’ says Emma.

‘Creating a calm space to help her sleep without too many distractions was important. She loves purple, so I dyed the bed canopy for her and added mixed floral soft furnishings.’

Bed, vintage. Canopy, The Modern Nursery.

Bunting and cushions, handmade. Star bunting and bedding, H&M Home.

Bedside table, La Redoute

Right and below ‘I’d always wanted a bedroom fireplace so I decorated this as a focal point by adding accent wallpaper in a William Morris design,’ says Emma.

Walls painted in China Clay Deep, Little Greene. Bed, DFS. Bedlinen, La Redoute.

Pendant light, Home Lights Direct. Pimpernel wallpaper in Charcoal, Wallpaper Direct

And so to bed

Metal beds are classic, but make it an eye-catcher with a unique bedhead design

Brighton metal bed frame, £219, Very

Swirl metal double bed frame, £299, John Lewis & Partners

Josefa metal double bed, £179, Made

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New York small double bed, £269, Cuckooland

As friends and family prepare to celebrate being together again, Jennifer Morgan asks which new traditions will be part of our ‘Christmas future’ – and which ones we’re leaving in the past…

PHOTOGRAPH H&M

C

hristmas 2020 was, well… different.

From working out how/when/if we could all be together and sending secret Santa gifts around the country to last-minute travel changes and an urgent need to ‘buy your own’ turkey, we certainly had to adapt. But as we made the best of it, will some of those novel experiences become the new festive norm?

Of course, the great unknown is what this Christmas might look like. ‘We are all at the mercy of COVID-19 and need to see how that unfolds over the autumn and into winter and if there will be any consequences of that,’ says Joanna Feeley, founder and CEO of leading trend forecasting agency TrendBible (trendbible.com). ‘But the lack of close contact last year has really made people appreciate spending time with loved ones.’

With last year’s dialled-down Christmas, Joanna believes there will be quite a contrast between us this year. ‘It will be like what we’ve seen in recent months, with those who want to keep gatherings small and intimate and are still quite fearful of large groups, and those who are desperate to be together again. I’d say the first group are removing that pressure for themselves by keeping things low-key, while the latter group are going all-out with celebrations.

‘I think there are a couple of big topics colliding that will influence our behaviours

this Christmas,’ continues Joanna. ‘Before the pandemic, we were already seeing that people valued experiences over material possessions, so that was starting to influence the type of activities they got involved in and the type of gifts they gave.

The pandemic has sort of accelerated this further; it’s encouraged a lot of people to see what’s important to them, such as spending time together rather than the focus on extravagance.

‘There are people who found some comfort in the scaled back occasion last year and would like to continue certain parts of it into 2021 and future Christmases. Big occasions like this can be responsible for people feeling a lot of pressure to make it a memorable experience, give the most amazing gifts and create the best-ever meal. Then there are those who are raring to go and make up for all that they missed last year. This consumer group will likely “go big” on festivities and amp up the decadence for Christmas and New Year’s Eve in 2021.’

At John Lewis & Partners, partner and Christmas buyer Jason Billings-Craig believes that we’ll be going all out this year.

‘Small and intimate was in order for 2020 and there was no lack of wonder as our customers ensured it would be a magical day whatever their circumstance,’ he says.

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Christmas

NEXT MONTH: HOW YOUR BIG NEW YEAR DECLUTTER CAN HELP CHARITIES

A new

‘But, with changes afoot, we know many will be hoping to have a full house filled with familiar faces and enjoy the Christmas traditions we may have missed out on last year.’

And this enjoyment might start at your own front door, something that Kate Usher, senior trend consultant at TrendBible, believes stems from our ‘Clap for Carers’ days. ‘There is a general décor trend towards people taking more pride in their home frontage, and this definitely amps up during the festive season, beginning with Halloween. Decorative wreaths and lighting are very popular now, and celeb Instagram influencers are driving a desire for bigger and more extravagant doorway décor.’

‘We expect that our customers will be embracing some of the community spirit of last year by decorating their doorsteps to provide fun for the family and the neighbours,’ agrees Jason. ‘We’ve introduced a new Rainbow Heart bauble, with 25 per cent going

improved their communication, bringing fresh ideas on how to find moments of togetherness, like Zoom family quizzes, cocktail hour or present opening. Now that this has become easy and second nature, to the point that even Grandma can operate an iPad and join a video call, I think this tradition will continue to connect families across the miles.’

‘What amazed me was how seriously my family took our annual Boxing Day quiz and fry-up when we made it virtual,’ says mum of four grown-up children Isobel Woods. ‘We each did a quiz round, while the men in each household cooked bubble and squeak… just like we normally do all together in our family home. Of course, I can’t wait to be together this year.’

It’s these smaller micro moments that we want to make feel as special as the main event, believes Joanna. ‘As trend forecasters, our job is to help retailers and brands understand what Christmas will look

‘FOR FAMILIES IN DIFFERENT COUNTRIES, LOCKDOWNS IMPROVED COMMUNICATION, BRINGING FRESH IDEAS FOR MOMENTS OF TOGETHERNESS’ to NHS Charities Together. We believe we still need to reflect on recent events while having celebrations full of joy.’ Jason also predicts that we’ll be decorating throughout our homes. ‘No longer is Christmas just limited to the main living space and the one tree. Now we decorate hallways with garlands, have trees in other rooms and Christmas characters in conservatories and kitchens for a full-on maximalist approach.’

Zoom’s role in making sure we were all together virtually last Christmas has inspired one of this year’s trends, too.

‘Wreaths, along with garlands, are increasingly popular this year as we look for ways to ‘Zoomscape’ our home offices, bringing a festive look to our working day,’ Jason adds.

Mum of two teenagers Emma Williams, who lives over 150 miles away from her sister, says Facetime allowed her to share multiple moments throughout the festive period.

‘It was lovely to open presents together – if a little crazy. The girls – my mum, sister, daughter, niece and myself, from six to 73 years of age – all wore the same Boden t-shirts on Boxing Day, which we’ll carry on as a tradition this year… but in person.’

Kate points out that Emma’s not alone.

‘I think for families who live in different countries, the lockdowns of 2020 actually

like so they can go away and design products that match how householders will be feeling.

So even a day like Christmas Eve is something people want to make special, creating strong new traditions. The same goes for 1 December boxes, which have expanded the concept of Advent into a longer celebration building up to Christmas Day. Social media platforms like Instagram have a lot of influence on these events, as people are keen to visually capture the special efforts they’re making and share them with their network.’

Aside from ‘micro moments’, is there anything else that last year’s Christmas taught us? ‘I believe many people actually enjoyed spending Christmas Day in their pyjamas last year and not having to dash from place to place,’ says Joanna. ‘I think some people will be looking to add a slice of that experience into their Christmas this year! Last year showed us there’s a different pace that can be achieved and that celebrating, gathering, and partying can make up part of the experience – but so can time for recuperation and relaxation.’

However you choose to celebrate, whether you have new traditions or old, are home or away, it’s important not to leave things to the last minute, says Jason. ‘Think ahead and make this Christmas really special.’

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tHE NEW CHRISTMAS RULES The better bits of last Christmas can inspire innovative celebrations

in

Small gatherings

Time to breathe

Thoughtful handmade gifts

December 1 boxes

Real-life quizzes (here’s hoping…)

Big parties

Crammed diaries

Last-minute presents

Basic advent calendars

Zoom quizzes

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1 0 S T E P S TO

STAY WARM IN WINTER Prepare to get snug – and save on energy bills – with effective ways to combat the cold in your home

Solid shutters, standard colours and custom finishes from £299 per m2, California Shutters

Almost a third of your heat might be escaping through the roof and warming the toes of lucky pigeons. Get your attic properly insulated and you could cut your energy bills by up to 20 per cent. The depth recommended for loft insulation laid between the joists is between 220-270ml, depending on the material used. These include glass or rock wool and brown cellulose (from recycled newspapers).

You could also consider polyurethane (PU) foam, which is sprayed on and expands to offer high insulation values.

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Insulating the loft – scan to see what it’ll cost

FOR MORE ADVICE ON KEEPING THE HOME WARM, GO TO REALHOMES.COM/HEATING

Lofty ambition

Original wooden front doors may look charmingly authentic, but if they’re warped or cracked they could let in the cold. Building regulations have introduced a maximum u-value of 1.8W/m2K on front doors, and a typical old hardwood door would be between 2.5 and 3. Composite doors look like natural timber but are a mix of other materials less susceptible to the elements, including PVC, wood, steel, aluminium, insulating foam and glass reinforced plastic. They won’t warp in a hard winter and are also energy efficient.

Arcadian wool rug in Sissinghurst, £54 per m2, Fibre Flooring

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FEATURE ALISON JONES

Add a layer We’ve covered what to do to prevent rising heat being lost through the roof (see point 1), but it can also escape through uninsulated floors.

Wall-to-wall carpet and underlay can reduce this and keep the warmth inside the room. If you can’t bear to completely cover original floorboards, you can use a sealant to fill in gaps between them and caulk where the boards meet the skirting. Add a large rug for comfort (and style) and you can still have part of the boards exposed. If you have access under the floorboards, you can lay down insulation, but take care not to block any points of ventilation.

TOP TIP

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The classic solution

Reflect heat back into your room by sliding silver foil behind your radiators.

Wooden shutters have been used as a way to keep heat in homes (among other benefits) for centuries.

They’ve been enjoying a real design revival of late, as slatted shutters look great in bay windows while offering privacy inside. Slats can be flicked up or down to let in light, create shade or insulate against the cold, offering high R-values (the measure of resistance to heat flow through the thickness of insulating material).

Plain wooden shutters are a solid barrier to the cold, and a dramatic feature in a modern or period home.

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Shut that door

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Plains & Textures curtains in Danby Smoke, £22 per metre, ILIV

Alison’s top tip

Boiler blues If your boiler is more than a decade old, it might be time to consider a replacement as it could be struggling to heat the home. A boiler that’s over 15 years old might be running at only 70 per cent efficiency compared to a new A-rated boiler running at well over 90.

The most popular style is the combi boiler, supplying heat for the home and hot water in one compact unit. If you’re not able to buy a new boiler, a regular annual service before winter can ensure it’s operating as efficiently as possible and not wasting fuel.

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Smart thinking Having total control of your heating via an app on your phone, rather than twiddling the thermostat whenever you pass by, is no longer a novelty but a way of life for many of us. It allows you to hone when you use it so rooms are only being heated when necessary and it’s not being wasted in empty spaces or if you’ve been delayed coming home.

Keeping your energy usage in sight will keep it in mind.

Tado starter kit – wired smart Thermostat V3+ – DIY install, £134, ao.com

If you’re struggling with the initial outlay of getting your loft insulated, there are grants and schemes available to reduce the cost – check to see if you qualify

TOP TIP House built between the 1920s and 1990s?

Check whether it has cavity walls that can be filled with insulation.

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A big draw Curtains can be the unsung hero of keeping warmth in the home. They’re not just there to decoratively frame the windows; a thick curtain pulled across at night can keep things cosy in any room. A single full-length door curtain can be a practical solution if you’re keen to keep your original front door but want to prevent cold seeping through it, resulting in a hallway several degrees cooler than the rest of the house. Increase its effectiveness by investing in material that is thermally lined, or add a lining to it, to create an even greater barrier to winter chills.

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Proof the draughts

A soft toy snake tucked up against the bottom of a door was practically another pet back in the day.

Sammy also stopped icy draughts from slipping in at floor level. There are many other inexpensive ways to block unwanted gaps, and they’re something you can tackle yourself. Try insulating tape around windows, covering keyholes, adding brushes to letter boxes and cat flaps, and fitting draught excluders to the bottom of doors. If you have an unused fireplace with an open chimney, it can be stopped up with a chimney balloon or special draught excluder.

Timber alternative double-glazed windows, from £500, Thames Valley Window Company

Mirabella Solar Crush clip and fit blind in Mint Green, from £33.59, Swift Direct Blinds

9

Get it glazed Around 18 per cent of the total heat within a house is lost through the windows, which is why replacing single-glazed windows with double-glazed is a priority in any house renovation.

The two panes are separated by a layer of argon gas, an inert gas that is a poor conductor of heat so it traps it within the home.

In period properties where double glazing might not be permitted, secondary glazing is a discreet alternative that can be fitted behind original windows and has many of the insulating properties of double glazing. If your double-glazed windows are misted between the panes, the seal or glass has been damaged, allowing the gas to escape and moisture to get in and form condensation.

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Get the heat where you need it with this Threesixty smart fan and heater in stylish grey. £99.99, Duux

Bee wise about blinds

For one of the most effective insulators, look to nature and the efficient and most aesthetically pleasing hexagonal shape of the honeycomb. In addition to being very strong, it is excellent at insulating. In cellular blinds, the shape creates air pockets that act as a buffer between cold air trying to come in and hot air trying to get out.

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TOP TIP Is your sofa blocking your radiators? Move the seat six inches away to let the warmth circulate.

A DV E RTOR I A L

Choose bi-folds that are big on looks and comfort Korniche bi-folding doors offer great views while keeping warmth in and cold out

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he beauty of bi-fold doors is that they can be drawn back fully to reveal panoramic views of the garden and create that much sought after inside-outside link.

But while that wide expanse of glass can make a real statement in any season, you still want your home to be cosy in winter.

The new Korniche bi-folding doors can offer all the impact of a fully glazed wall – or walls – but not at the cost of warmth. They’re extremely thermally efficient, resistant to wind and watertight to withstand rain, sleet and snow.

The aluminium bi-folds are an expansion of the award-winning Korniche range of rooflights. Made with the same flair for engineering and design innovation, they complement the aluminium lanterns on any extension project.

With configurations of up to seven sashes, which can be opened in a combination of ways to suit your room layout and lifestyle, the robust bi-folds have slim profiles, concealed lock works, colour-matched trickle air vents and bespoke handles for an

uncluttered aesthetic. With a choice of more than 150 RAL colours in matt, satin or gloss, the frames themselves can be powder-coated in as natural or as vivid a shade as you want, with a pin-sharp, scratch-resistant finish.

Like the roof lanterns, they have many advanced features that make them a superior product in the glazing market. These include enhanced security standards, with a Yale 3 star locking barrel and robust Fuhr main door lock, to reassure homeowners of their safety.

Further security is offered in an ergonomic shootbolt handle with anti-backdrive feature. This means that if the doors are accidentally left unlocked, someone trying to forcibly enter won’t be able to rotate the handle fully to open the door.

Even the widest combination of doors glides smoothly open and closed thanks to a unique pivoting axle in the wheel that allows them to follow any undulations in the stainless steel tracks, and the load is spread to reduce wear from regular use. The doors are extremely low-maintenance – all that’s needed is the occasional

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clean to ensure the tracks are free of small pieces of debris.

Korniche has a strong reputation for service and reliability in providing roof lanterns to customers, and want to continue that with their new bi-folding doors. Each one is delivered in protective packaging together with an easy-to-follow installation guide – and the bi-folds come with a 10-year warranty as standard.

This attention to detail is driven by the hope that Korniche bi-folding doors will become synonymous with quality, and the one homeowners ask for by name when ordering new doors for their project.

For more details about Korniche bi-folding doors, go to korniche.co.uk

Project

WORDS IFEOLUWA ADEDEJI PHOTOGRAPHS MALCOLM MENZIES

T

he open-plan format is a tried and tested layout that works. It offers a great sociable space for entertaining, allowing you to mingle with guests while you cook, or get everyone in one place rather than clustering in separate rooms. It’s also practical for those looking after small children – don’t you always wish you could keep one eye on them while you’re chopping veg or working at the dining room table? Having everything and everyone located in the one space gives you ample opportunities to monitor and bond.

Creating an open-plan space often means merging the kitchen, dining and perhaps even the living room. If it’s the only communal space you have for everyone to be in, it’s important that you plan it well so that no one feels like they’re on top of each other. You’ll need to work out how you’re going to use the space at different times of the day, and how practical it will be to have everyone using it at the same time – as well as how you’ll tackle other functional issues like noise, odours and mess. It sounds daunting, but rest assured that there are plenty of ways to make sure an open-plan space works in your home. Here’s one particularly striking example to show you how it’s done.

TURN OVER TO SEE HOW COMBINING ROOMS FOR A SPACIOUS LAYOUT WORKS BETTER FOR A YOUNG FAMILY MIXED AUTHENTIC FEATURES AND CONTEMPORARY STYLE 123

FIND MORE OPEN-PLAN SPACES AT REALHOMES.COM/COMPLETED-PROJECTS

Opening up your home can work wonders for a cramped space, creating a modern layout ideal for family living. Here’s how to perfect it

#SOREALHOMES

OPEN-PLAN LIVING

of the month

GLOSSARY

PLANNING PERMISSION A request made to the local council to carry out building works on your property or garden

TOP TIP HEATING SOLUTIONS Consider installing underfloor heating, which will provide you with even heat distribution without needing wall space. Radiators, including verticals, can still offer the cosiness you seek and save you money if your existing setup supports this. Another option is to add a stove; not only will it create a beautiful focal point, it’ll also boost the amount of heat circulating around the room.

PERMITTED DEVELOPMENT Works that can be undertaken on a property or garden without needing to request planning permission

PARTY WALL A shared wall that separates two adjoining buildings; built on the boundary line, it demarcates ownership

TENDER A process where you invite contractors to present you with their quotes for the works that you'd like completed

BUILDING REGULATIONS A set of standards to be adhered to when renovating or building a new property

COMPLETION CERTIFICATE A document you receive once checks confirm that works have been completed to the required standard

TOP TIP FLOW THROUGH The way you move through the space can make or break the scheme, which is why you need to think carefully about the layout and where you’re placing items of furniture. Moving from one zone to the other, you shouldn’t face any barriers or obstructions and the path should be so obvious it feels intuitive. Try to create thoroughfares that are free of clutter and use furniture to guide people from one space to the next.

Bold connection Fran and Justin Moodie’s 200-yearold home had been in the same family for decades and was in need of a modern update. The lower ground floor of the house was made up of two rooms: a kitchen-diner and an office. Each had a single window, which meant both rooms were gloomy and cramped.

‘As a family, we spend a lot of time in the kitchen and dining room making and eating meals, talking and playing games together,’ says Fran. ‘We asked architect Rebecca Pike for a large dining room with a table big enough for entertaining and a kitchen that was cook-friendly and easy to maintain, and the two rooms needed to be connected.

‘The house is Grade II listed, so all proposals had to meet the requirements of a historic building as well as maintaining the original fabric. This limited the more extravagant options that we might have otherwise considered. Rebecca’s solution was to cut a portal into the wall between the front and back TOP TIP rooms, turning them into a single space about 5m KEEP IT TIDY While opening up walls can give wide and 8m long with a sense of having a bigger space, all windows at both ends. of that will be undone if you don’t plan ‘We placed the for proper storage. With fewer walls, dining room at the front, there’ll be less surface area from which in the larger room, to to hang shelves. This is where clever give lots of space for furniture such as ottoman sofas and a large table, cabinets stools come into play. Maximise space and display shelving. The on the remaining walls with built-in kitchen was at the back, in storage, open shelving and fullthe smaller room, making it height units to feel organised and uncluttered.

more accessible and easier to navigate.

We asked Pluck to design and build the cabinetry in both rooms so there’s continuity between the two, although they have different treatments. To comply with planning regulations, Rebecca left portions of the original wall visible to show the historic layout of the house.

She designed these so they matched the depth of the cabinetry in both rooms, making a requirement into a beautiful feature. Along the west wall of the two rooms, there’s now a run of cabinets.

‘The kitchen/dining room was something to be endured; now it’s light, spacious and the focal point for our day.

Light floods the rooms from the two windows and the space feels expansive.

This is emphasised by the Pluck designs, which are bright and clean. The rooms are easily the most used in the house.’

Before you start

q A

Do I need an expert?

You’ll need a structural engineer if you're removing a load-bearing wall.

q A

Do I need planning permission?

If your property is listed or in a Conservation Area, you’ll likely have to seek permission from the local planning department.

q A

How much will it cost?

Expect to pay about £3,000 for a straightforward five-metre-wide load-bearing wall, and up to £500 for structural engineer fees.

TOP TIP BRIGHT SPARKS Ensuring a large open space gets enough natural light can be tricky, so plan for this at the build stage. Rooflights or sun tunnels can help, though this is obviously costly. Once you’re clear on how you want to use the room, plan in lighting before you do anything else. Do you want pendants over a dining table or spotlights over the island?

Will a run of wall lights be more effective in a niche banquette area? Low-level lighting can create a relaxed setting for dining, while task lighting is practical for food prep.

Costs & contacts Kitchen units cost £23,400 Wall removal cost Approx £5,000 Kitchen designer Pluck, 020 7095 1795, pluck.kitchen Architect Rebecca Pike, 07881 921201, Studio Pike Construction time Seven months

TOP TIP UNIFIED SCHEME While you want to create separate zones, you don’t want something that looks disjointed.

Repeat colours through accessories and soft furnishings and run the same flooring throughout to connect different areas and make the room feel larger. Using the same materials, such as wood tables and shelving or glass tables and storage fronts, will create the same effect.

B E FO R E

Zoning your space

}} Scan for innovative ways to zone an open-plan space

TOP TIP LOAD OFF Can you actually remove that wall? Most likely the answer is yes, even if it is a load-bearing one that's supporting the structure of the house – but seek the advice of an expert before you do anything. Removing a stud partition wall is a fairly easy task that your builder can do. A supporting wall, however, will require a structural engineer to calculate the amount of steel you’ll need to support the upper floor, which can be costly.

Practical touches An open layout is fantastic when you have a growing family, but you’ll need to consider how to make sure it still works when the children get older and need their own space. Not everyone has a second living area, so you could plan in a way to divide the space with moveable screens, freestanding shelving or pocket sliding doors where the wall was removed. This is also great for when things get noisy.

Having appliances running while you’re watching TV can be distracting; being able to close the space off could be a great solution. If your kitchen is in the open space, make sure it's well ventilated so that food odours don’t linger long after you’ve eaten the meal. Invest in a good extractor fan or downdraft.

REALHOMES.COM

Open-plan spaces work well when they naturally guide people to where they need to be, using markers that draw them in the right direction. Whether the space is arranged on different levels so you need to step up or down into another zone, or through the use of furniture, like a corner sofa that creates a comfortable snug area, there are plenty of ways to delineate the space. Try using rugs to signal cosy sitting areas, painting a wall in a dining, kitchen or living area in a different shade.

Different lighting styles will also help create ambience in each zone: try a floor lamp and wall lights in the living area, pendants over a dining table and direct task lighting in the kitchen.

P R OJ EC T

NEWS The latest ideas, trends and essential buys for your kitchen, bathroom and renovation

Caffeine fix

WATER COLOUR

If you like your coffee just so, this is the kettle for you. Its thin spout means less spillage and an even flow of water over your preferred brew; the slow extraction of coffee maximises flavour.

You can even control the temperature one degree at a time. The Dualit Pour Over kettle costs from £84.99

Add a little splash of colour (sorry, couldn’t resist) with these pretty pops on the porcelain levers of Waterworks’ expanded Highgate fittings collection.

Available in four shades, this bit of functional flair is down to a collaboration with design firm Ash NYC, and brings a glam touch to bathrooms. Fittings cost from £295

Colour confidence

Alta kitchen in Anthracite and Dusky Pink, from £4,900, Symphony

Balcony scene

French windows are perfect for letting the maximum amount of light in, and Juliet balconies make them safe above ground floor level. Rehau’s new Skyforce range of glass balconies provides a little balconette so the doors can be opened without risk of falling. The clear glass is held by two vertical profile clamps in a concealed mounting system. The minimal design means views out are uninterrupted, and the discreet look suits any façade. Price on request

FEATURE ALISON JONES

The colour you pick for your kitchen can be as important as the number of cupboards you decide on.

Break away from standard shades and choose your favourite with a paint-toorder kitchen from Symphony Group.

This option comes in modern and classic styles of kitchen, so you’re sure to find something that’ll fit with the rest of your décor and offers a unique look.

Check you out This towel rail performs double duty in a small bathroom (or bedroom), providing hanging space and a large mirror. The Elio was inspired by ladders found in workshops at the end of the last century, its industrial appeal enhanced by the fact that it’s made from blackpainted metal.

Elio metal towel rail with mirror, £239, Tikamoon

‘Tis the season for thinking about decorating, so how about giving your kitchen an update? Tiling a splashback can instantly inject warmth and character into your room, and will protect it from splashes as you stir/whisk/ mix/fry up a Christmas storm.

CTD’s Poitiers Azure Blue tiles can be enhanced with fresh green foliage for a charmingly Nordic woodland feel.

Clean lines Scandinavian style has taken over our living spaces, and now it’s transforming the utility. Asko started in Sweden in the 1950s when a young farmer built an energy- and water-efficient washing machine for his mother. An Asko laundry collection has now been launched in the UK. The robust machines are restrained in design so they look timeless and are built to last. The Asko washing machines start from £1,199

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Kitchen Disco

Felt Cute

Moritz

Below Deck

Coat Paints has marked its oneyear anniversary by becoming the first carbon positive paint company. Always carbon neutral, Coat is now offsetting twice as much CO2 as it produces. Its tight colour selection comprises 36 shades, refreshed monthly. It costs £42 for 2.5ltrs of Flat Matt

ECO CHOICE

Oh Boysenberry

Paint it green

Poitiers Azure Blue gloss tiles, £49.99 per m2, CTD

REALHOMES.COM

BETTER BACKDROP

Viola six single vertical tubes in black, H1200x W433mm, £512, Vasco

BOLD MOVE

We Brits are slightly obsessed by exactly when to turn on the heating, so it seems only right that radiator styles should justify this preoccupation.

Vasco’s black designer radiators offer statement looks and heat.

Sleek and modern, and made from recycled aluminium, they offer a strong contrast in a neutral scheme. Matching valves blend in with the radiators.

Tooled up Keen to get your hands dirty and tackle some DIY? Do it with the best-dressed kit thanks to Zara Home’s range of tools that are practical yet fashionfoward. Beech wood handles and a cream finish give a beautifully pared-back look.

They cost from £11.99

All is vanity The vanity unit is the unsung hero of the bathroom. It isn’t just there to support the sink; it brings style, storage, and is somewhere to put your toothbrush.

Crosswater’s Artist range of vanities has a Scandi influence – seen in its soft curves, matt and neutral colours and solid oak worktop. Handle-free soft-close drawers ensure a smooth start to your day. The Artist collection starts from £325

TAKE A BREATH Kevin Luo, senior air filtration officer at Blueair (blueair. com), on upping air quality

Q A

Why should we be concerned about air quality in the home?

Indoor air can be up to five times more polluted than outside*. It’s made up of particles including dust, mould, smoke, bacteria, viruses, VOCs and pet dander, along with pollution from transport that makes its way inside. This build-up of pollutants takes longer to disperse due to poor ventilation. Breathing in fine dust or PM2.5 (also known as fine particulate matter) can penetrate the lungs and cause respiratory difficulties and heart and lung problems. Studies show it can also lead to skin problems. Clean air has many benefits, like better sleep and better productivity, and it can ultimately improve your overall health and wellness.

Q A

What can be done to improve our air?

Easy ways to improve the air quality in our homes include opening windows and vacuuming often to capture particles trapped in carpets. Also cutting down on candles or using unnecessary chemicals, and opting for natural cleaning products, can help. You could also invest in an air purifier that’s been tested to remove at least 99.97 per cent of airborne particles as small as 0.1 microns.

Q A

Can the time of year affect air quality?

You’ll find more allergens in some seasons. From May to September, pollen will be a cause of discomfort for many, and in the dry summer months there is more dust in the air. Generally speaking, in summer a room can be up to seven times more polluted than in winter.

But during the colder months we must deal with the spread of cold and flu viruses as we spend more time indoors with windows closed and less ventilation. An air purifier is great for cleaning the air, removing everything from pollen and dust to viruses and bacteria. * U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1989

Artist 800mm Onyx Black wallmounted unit with oak worktop & legs, £1,740, Crosswater

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A DV E RTOR I A L

Transform your bedroom with DIY panelling With the right tools, you can makeover the spare room in a weekend

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ant to update the guest bedroom ready to welcome friends and family this winter? The latest trend for wall panelling can create hotel-style chic, and you can get the look using Harris tools and brushes. Here’s how:

You’ll need: n

n

n

n n n n n n

n

n

Smooth square edge MDF stripwood (L) 2.4m (W)46mm (T)12mm (buy enough for your project) UniBond No More Nails – Original Indoor Use or similar Polycell Quick Drying Polyfilla or similar Primer and paint Mini saw Spirit level Pencil & rubber Tape measure Harris Ultimate 2” Filling Knife Harris Seriously Good Sanding Block – medium Harris Seriously Good 4”

Method

n

n n

Walls & Ceilings roller set Harris Ultimate Walls & Ceilings 1” Blade Brush Harris Microfibre Cloths Harris Ultimate Masking Tape

Prime the MDF strips: Paint the MDF strips using a good interior wood primer. Choose a wellventilated area and use a Harris Interior woodwork brush or roller.

Apply a little extra primer to the thin sides of the strips as they absorb more paint. While they dry, wipe down the wall you’re panelling and the skirting board with a damp cloth to remove dust.

2 Measure out the wall: Carefully measure the width of the wall and see how close you want the panelling to work out how many panels you want. In this scheme, it took vertical seven strips at a height of 150cm. Mark the centre of the wall so that the central strip is your focal point. Measure outwards and mark each point in the centre of where you’ll place a strip. Once

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done, mark the actual width of the strip – this helps when gluing them into the correct position.

3 Cut & glue the strips: Use a measuring tape and saw to cut the strips to the right length.

When applying the strips to the wall, place the sawn edge at the bottom. Starting with the piece that runs along the top of the skirting board, apply the glue directly to the MDF strip, and then press to the wall. You have five minutes to adjust it before the glue dries. Use a spirit level to get it straight. Once in position, press firmly into place to reduce the gap between it and the wall.

Use your finger to smooth any glue oozing along the joint between the wall and strip. Repeat this for the centre strip, outside strips and the inside strips, leaving the

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top strip until last. Let the glue set for 24-48 hours.

4 Smooth the MDF and paint: Once the glue has dried, use filler to fill any gaps between the wall and the strips. Smooth with a sanding block when dry then dust with a cloth. Cut in around the edges of the wall and the MDF strips using a Harris Ultimate Walls & Ceilings 1” brush. Paint the larger areas and central strips using a 4” mini roller.

Apply as many coats of paint as necessary for your desired colour.

For more information about Harris decorating tools, preparation and cleaning products, plus hints and tips on key decorating projects, go to harrisbrushes.com or follow on instagram @harrisbrushes_uk

A practical U-shaped kitchen layout clearly defines the cooking area, while a wide peninsular breakfast bar, with open display shelves at one end, creates a sociable vibe.

Ingrid added faux fur stool covers for Scandi-style comfort

kitchen extension

Nordic notes

Gloss kitchen units, Wren.

Worktop, Worktop Warehouse.

Tiles, Porcelain Superstore.

Stools, Ebay. Faux fur covers, Amazon. Walls painted in Honey Mustard matt emulsion, Dulux

A dilapidated 50s bungalow is now a contemporary home, boasting a vaulted kitchen and living space filled with Scandi inspiration and vintage heirlooms

B E FO R E

WORDS AND STYLING LOUISE O’BRYAN PHOTOGRAPHER SIOBHAN DORAN

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run-down bungalow might not seem the obvious choice for a young couple expecting their first baby, but Ingrid, who is originally from Norway, and her husband, Joe, saw it could become a beautiful, contemporary home. With a large garden backing onto open fields, the couple worked with an architect to reconfigure the internal layout, creating three bedrooms and adding a striking angular extension.

The couple and their new-born baby lived in the front section while work began at the back to give them an open-plan kitchen-diner and living area. The new space was finished in January 2018, with a cosy log burner the last feature to be installed. We chat to Ingrid about how her eclectic, lightfilled kitchen-diner mixes her Scandi heritage and Joe’s family heirlooms.

Profile The owners Ingrid Dahl-Fisher, CTO at We Are Moody, her husband, Joe Dahl-Fisher, a freelance software developer, their children, Lexie, five, and Casey, one, and Lilla, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel The property A three-bedroom, semidetached 1950s bungalow in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire project cost £92,100

The couple’s eclectic mix of vintage and modern finds brings character to simple white walls. The chandelier was made by the couple for their barn wedding in Norway and shipped over.

Wood floor, Wood & Beyond. For a similar chandelier, try the Salome, Maisons du Monde.

Dining table and chairs, Joe’s family heirloom

St e p T H R E E

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St e p T WO

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St e p o n e

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Much-needed space

Onwards and upwards

Family favours

‘Having moved to Berkhamsted from London a few years ago, we knew this was where we wanted to settle and start a family,’ says Ingrid. ‘Our old home was a two-bedroom barn conversion with a small garden and not ideal for our growing family, so we looked for a house with potential to improve and extend.

‘This dilapidated bungalow needed everything doing to it, but the large garden backing onto fields swung it for us. Within six months of moving we’d not only rewired, replumbed and replastered to make the house liveable, we’d also had Lexie. Meeting plasterers at the door on the way to the hospital to have her was a low point, but we forged on with our vision.’

‘We came up with the striking shape and practical layout of the extension ourselves and found a local architect to refine and implement the plans.

‘As I’m Norwegian, we took inspiration from the Scandinavian homes that I was brought up in, and knew we wanted to include plenty of height with vaulted ceilings and glazing to maximise the light. Also on our wish list was underfloor heating throughout, a double-sided wood burner to connect the dining space and living area, and a spacious kitchen with plenty of storage.

Large bi-fold doors to the garden was another essential design detail that we knew would transform the space and our connection with the outdoors.’

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‘The construction work was done by local builders recommended by friends, but we did everything else ourselves with the help of family members. We’re lucky enough to have an electrician and decorator in the family, as well as Joe’s dad, Ray – an epic all-round handyman.

Joe and I also learnt, via YouTube tutorials, how to tile, lay wooden floors, concrete, some plumbing and many other skills along the way. Not only did this help us stick to our budget, but we also felt a great sense of achievement.

‘We lived in the house throughout, managing with a fridge in the hall and microwave in the lounge, and even entertained family at Christmas with bare floors and a half-finished kitchen.’

Warm mustard accents in the snug tie in with the rich bare brick of the fireplace. Picture shelves from Ikea make a smart display setting for favourite books in the alcove.

Woodwarm woodburning stove, R&R Fireplace Installations. Sofa, DFS. Rug, Homescapes

my kitchen IN

Two strong monopitch roof sections give the new extension a striking angular shape, while the vaulted ceilings help increase the sense of height and space.

5 1 buy we’d like to add ‘We’ve ordered some dining chairs from Made – six grey and two yellow ones for the ends. The old wooden chairs are falling apart – we only have three left!’

Asare dining chair, £159, Made

2 Most treasured vintage piece ‘The pitch pine dining table was given to us by my husband’s parents and is the same table he ate breakfast at as a little boy. I love the grain and rich colour.’

3 Best Nordic influences ‘The wooden floors, underfloor heating, log burner and soft furnishings are all essential for that cosy, warm Nordic feeling we wanted to recapture.

We also go through a lot of candles!’

Asiatic Adorn soft faux sheepskin floor rug in Honey, from £59, Cult Furniture

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St e p F I V E

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St e p FO U R

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favourite home buy ‘Our pizza stone makes amazing pizzas in minutes, which is ideal when entertaining.’

Premium grilling stone, £47.99, Dobbies

Colour hits

Scandi inspiration

‘As the kitchen area doesn’t have a window, we kept everything white, bright and simple by teaming glossy, light-reflecting kitchen units with a white solid surface worktop and white appliances. We added brass handles for vintage charm, and a rich blue tiled splashback in a striking herringbone pattern for an on-trend touch.

‘The stripe of yellow that accentuates the ceiling joists and the wall through to the snug was a bit of a whim. I wanted to add a zingy accent colour that would jump out against all the white surfaces and contrast the deep blue. It attracts attention and has turned the architectural features of the space into a style statement.’

‘Once the decorating was finished, we added character with vintage pieces and family heirlooms, such as Joe’s dining table and chairs, which he used to sit at as a boy, and an old trunk we reconditioned as a coffee table.

I was keen to include Nordic touches – such as the faux fur and stag wall art – for a snug and welcoming cosiness alongside the light, bright openness.

‘We’re thrilled with the extension; it’s an all-year round family-friendly living space that’s made our lives easier, particularly as we’ve had another baby.

We entertain more now we have the open-plan area – we can cook and chat to guests at the table and in the snug, and enjoy the fire from both sides.’

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feature We love most ‘The breakfast bar and open-plan layout, as we can now cook while still being part of the action! When we have friends visit, this is the spot we all gather round.’

Costs & contacts Build costs £80,000 Kitchen £9,000 Flooring £1,600 Woodburning stove £1,500 Architect SEP Design, sepdesign.co.uk Kitchen Wren, wrenkitchens.com Decorating: Samantha Rose Decorating, 07736 320390, samantharosedecorating.com Electrical work RCD Electrical Services, pandcelectricalservices.co.uk

A DV E RTOR I A L

Make light work

Bring focus and style to your WFH space with steel-framed glazing

PHOTOGRAPH NICOLA HICKS DESIGN/CHARLIE ROUND-TURNER/LIGHTFOOT WINDOWS (KENT)

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fter the dramatic switch to working from home last year, the trend for having a small office in the house is set to continue. Bringing natural light into the space has to be an important consideration as it is a proven aid to concentration.

‘Evidence suggests our positive well-being depends on frequent exposure to light, and daylight is the most powerful way, especially with more of us continuing to work from home,’ says Russell Ager, managing director of steel window and door manufacturer Crittall Windows.

‘The hallmark of a Crittall window is the slender steel frame that is so much slimmer – and therefore admits so much more light – than alternative window systems requiring far larger profiles due to differences in frame material and their relative strengths.’

For more information about Crittall Windows, go to crittall-windows.co.uk, call 01376 530800 or email hq@crittall-windows.co.uk

Roof lanterns built to perform elegantly...

Made to order in timber & aluminium.

Contemporary and traditional designs.

Choose from standard or bespoke sizes.

Supply only or installation available.

Manufactured in GB.

For more information please call

01892 525 390 or email

hello@justrooflanterns.co.uk justrooflanterns.co.uk

COMING NEXT MONTH

On sale 2 December

PHOTOGRAPH MALCOLM MENZIES

in your new

Inspiring real home makeovers packed with clever ideas to steal Festive décor, shopping and crafts Add space and value, no planning permission needed – plus, top tips for a sustainable home And more! Style tips, latest trends and best buys

L E T ’S TA L K …

Handleless kitchens Sleek, clean and fuss-free, handleless kitchens bring a streamlined and contemporary edge to your space. Here’s all you need to know

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efined by its clean, streamlined appearance, the handleless kitchen is a great choice if you’re after a contemporary scheme. The simplicity of the design acts like a blank canvas that you can build any style into,

be it Scandi, industrial or even rustic.

The design is especially popular for open-plan spaces, as the look is somewhat less kitchen-y than designs such as the Shaker; the minimalist style blends easily into the background so

that other features, namely your dining area, can take centre stage.

From fun and colourful to ultra modern, we’ve compiled some of the best design ideas for your handleless kitchen, for a space that’s simple, sleek and inviting.

TOP TIP

Oak modern A key way to go handless while maintaining a sense of texture and depth is to choose exposed wood cabinets. Without shiny handles to steal the show, the natural grain of wood can stand loud and proud.

While these island cabinets differ in colour and material to the rest of the kitchen, the handleless design unites the scheme for a cohesive space. Stamford Kitchen, from £10,000, Naked Kitchen

Bold tones Electrify your cabinets by using vivid colours to create a colour block space. You might find the concept of mixing bold colours in a kitchen daunting, but the result is a space that’s bright and inviting – who wouldn’t feel happy coming home to this every day? Birch plywood cabinetry with Ritzy, Market Mustard, and Lynette laminate fronts and square recessed handles, from £15,000, Pluck

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FEATURE TALLULAH RUSHAYA

Choosing bold colours or textures is a key way to add interest to a simple handless design

Minimalism vs maximalism Handleless kitchens embody minimalist ideals of clean lines, neutral colours and a clutter-free look. The designs are inherently sleek and simple, but this means they can also be the perfect backdrop to a maximalist space.

Combine with bold metro tiles in a modern layout, striking paint colours, vibrant flooring or even a statement patterned wallpaper, and your maximalist space is born. Decorate and furnish your handleless kitchen just as you would any other room – think textures and patterns – for a kitchen that’s just as inviting and cosy as the rest of your home.

Clever storage An advantage of the handless style is the ample opportunity for storage space. Making the most of every nook and cranny means your room will be clutter free. From hiding away your appliances to filling the awkward empty space left at the top of the cupboard, the handleless style, while simplistic, can be tailored to your specific needs. Storage needn’t be limited to cabinets and shelving – it can be extended to the dining area, such as below the breakfast bar as shown here. H Line Sutton Silk kitchen in Graphite, from £12,000, Masterclass Kitchens

TOP TIP Use open shelving to add personality, putting your most loved items out on display

Open Plan The kitchen is the social hub of the home, and an open-plan layout invites a welcoming and more sociable atmosphere.

The handleless look lends itself seamlessly to a space always ready for entertaining, creating an airy feel without the obstruction of handles.

Incorporating open shelving at the top of your cupboards is a great way to display items that you don’t need to grab very often. Vivid kitchen, from £30,000, Life Kitchens

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Open sesame The door fronts of handleless kitchens don’t have to be plain: mix them with other styles, such as the modern Shaker door with its signature recessed panels, to add depth and character. The addition of metallic borders in between the doors here adds interest in an unexpected way, and the gold shine is picked up in the extractor fan, helping to pull the scheme together. Integra Dunham kitchen in Sky, from £5,702, Magnet

Decorate your space We love the combination of high gloss kitchen cabinets and simple matt wall paint; the contrast adds an extra dimension to the room and creates a cosy feel. Always ensure you use a specialist kitchen paint, as this will be able to stand up to humidity and splashes. A built-in oven at eye level is a practical addition that allows you to easily check on your food while cooking. Infinity J Pull kitchen in Cream Gloss, from £1,736, Wren Kitchens

Which mechanism?

Grey light We’re seeing a revival of lighter coloured kitchens. If your goal is a bright, spacious feel, you may leap to an all-white, high gloss handleless scheme, but beware – doing so means your room could look a little cold and even clinical. Choose grey cabinets to complement the white, and opt for a wooden floor – this will make all the difference in making your kitchen warm, inviting and homely. Hockley Mirror gloss kitchen in Slate Grey, price on application, Howdens

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When choosing a handleless kitchen, there are three key mechanisms to decide between. The J-pull, a shape true to its name, leaves an almost invisible hollow space to be pulled open. This is one of the least expensive options, but it could lead to crumbs and dust gathering in the recesses. Regular cleaning with soapy water will be TOP TIP necessary – so this may be worth considering A wipable patterned if you want minimal kitchen rug can maintenance. The true help bring warmth, handleless kitchen style comfort and interest has a rail to grip either on to your kitchen the bottom or side. This is a more expensive option, but will be long lasting. The most camouflaged handless option is the push-to-open mechanism. This opens with a light touch to the cabinet face. Some kitchens come with an anti-fingerprint technology, but it’s worth testing this out before you buy, or you could be forever wiping your cabinets. If you invest in a mechanism, you could save money elsewhere on your tiles or worktops.

#SOREALHOMES

Choose one metallic accent and stick to it thoughout your scheme for a cohesive look

FOR MORE STYLISH KITCHEN IDEAS, GO TO REALHOMES.COM/KITCHENS

TOP TIP

A G U I D E TO

Fires and stoves Keep things toasty and add a touch of hygge to your space this autumn with the latest and best designs

Ø4 multi fuel stove, £1,100, Morsø

Ellen's top tip By 2022, all stoves must meet regulatory requirements including minimal emissions and better efficiency – so choose an Ecodesign ready model (most stoves now are). For a woodburner, you should either dry out wet wood to a moisture level of 15 to 20 per cent before using, or opt for wood with the Woodsure ready to burn logo.

Gas and electric fires and stoves are generally good ecofriendly options.

hile central heating keeps your home warm, it doesn’t have quite the same effect as the flickering flames of a fire or stove.

As well as being an additional source of heat through winter, they act as a focal point for a living room, dining room or bedroom, directing attention away from the TV and towards something much more beautiful. Plus, there’s nothing quite as wholesome as coming in from the cold, stoking up (or turning on) a fire and warming your hands against it – let’s face it, sitting with your back to a radiator is a lot less comfortable.

When it comes to choosing the right fire or stove for your home, the range of options on offer can be overwhelming. Once you’ve chosen which type you prefer, you’ll

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need to think about fuel sources – gas, electricity, woodburning and multifuel. You’ll also need to consider the energy efficiency of the type you choose, as some are better for your bills TOP TIP than others. And finally, there’s a GAS FIRES huge variety of A gas fire can prove easy to run if you have a mains gas connection, but styles out there, they can be installed even if you don’t. from sleek, Most gas fires need to be connected to a streamlined chimney – these are called conventional electric fires flue gas fires. No chimney? Balanced to small, flue gas fires are vented through an traditional gas exterior wall, while flueless gas stoves. Luckily, fires can be fitted on any wall. we’re here to help Discuss your options with a you make those crucial qualified installer. decisions, so you can enjoy a fire or stove that’s perfect for your home.

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Astro electric fireplace, from £1,798, Planika UK

Need to know

q A

How do I calculate what heat output I need?

If you’re opting for a stove, you’ll need to consider the heat output of your chosen model to make sure it suits the room you’re fitting it in. To calculate heat output, work out the cubic space – that’s length by width by height – and divide the answer by 14.

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Do I need the help of a professional?

While the above method is a good way to get a general idea of the output range you’re looking for, you should always get a site survey by a HETAS-registered professional to make sure you’ve made the right choice of stove. If you’re installing a gas stove or fire, also ensure you use a registered gas safe engineer (gassaferegister.co.uk) to fit it.

TOP TIP MULTI-FUEL STOVES Love the look of a woodburner but don’t want to commit to just one fuel? A multi-fuel stove is for you.

These stoves burn logs, smokeless fuels or anthracite, and can produce a similar level of heat to a woodburning stove. They offer more convenience over woodburners as you can be flexible with your fuel options – ideal if your first choice isn’t readily available.

Trinity ECO 3 woodburning stove, £1,335, ACR Stoves

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COMPACT DESIGN

Beltane Brue Ecodesign multifuel stove, £790, Eurostove

Holborn gas stove, from £1,499, Arada

Island I stove, £1,675, Charnwood

Fire or stove: which one’s right for me?

TOP TIP WOODBURNING STOVES A beautiful woodburning stove is the dream for many of us, and a woodburner can be an ecofriendly option as wood is generally considered a low-carbon fuel. However, you’ll need to make sure your stove is DEFRA-exempt (many now are) if you live in a smoke control area – these stoves are tested against the government's criteria for emission levels.

‘There is nothing quite like a real fire to create a comforting TOP TIP focal point in your living room,’ says Cedric Wells of ELECTRIC FIRES Charnwood. ‘An open fire If style matters to you more than provides a beautiful smell heat output, an electric fire could be the and a soothing crackle, right choice for you. They generate less heat than a gas model or a stove, so are better but it's not particularly suited to smaller rooms, but are 100 per efficient and around 90 cent efficient with no heat wasted. Because per cent of the heat is running costs can be higher when you use drawn up the chimney. It electricity as a fuel rather than gas, you’ll can be difficult to control need to check an electric fire won’t impact the burning rate so you your energy bills too much. A major could use a lot more fuel. benefit of an electric fire is ‘In contrast, a stove is a convenience: just plug more efficient, cleaner way of it in for it to work. burning wood or mineral fuels.

The modern stoves of today will generally be at least 75 per cent efficient compared to the 10 per cent efficiency of an open fire.

You will find you'll use less fuel, too. With a stove, the fire is contained and the burning rate controlled with air controls, so you get the most from your fuel with very low emissions.

‘In terms of aesthetics, bear in mind a stove should last for many years – it’s best to choose something that’s classic in style, unobtrusive and close to the period of your property. Also consider a colourful stove. Many Studio 2 Air Edge+ modern stoves are finished in Frame woodburning high temperature paint, which fire with white trim, can be changed easily when from £3,073, Stovax you update your décor.

‘Watch for the "SIA Ecodesign Ready" label in stove shops. Our Charnwood Island I more than meets the requirements with efficiency of 85 per cent and smoke levels of just 9mg/m3.’

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FEATURE ELLEN FINCH

Read our full guide to choosing a stove for more cosy ideas

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FOCUS ON

Freestanding cookers

It’s time for the seasonal test of your cooker’s capabilities.

A versatile stand-alone model will help you make many tasty meals Best for budget ▼ Two ovens are better than one when it comes to tackling family meals, and both of them in this Beko electric cooker are A rated for energy efficiency, which means more savings on bills. The main oven is fan assisted while the second oven doubles as a grill, topped by a ceramic hob. Beko KDC653W 60cm, £349, ao.com

Best for a perfect bake Keen bakers will love the PlusSteam feature on this AEG oven, which helps keep dough moist and is the secret to crisp crusts and soft centres.

Auto-stop, anti-tip shelves means bakes can glide out without fear of tipping off. The energyefficient oven includes heatactivated catalytic cleaning.

The Ceramic SteamBake cooker costs £829.99, AEG Best for hosting If you like creating multicourse menus, the multiple cooking shelves of a range cooker can be invaluable. Smeg’s new Portofino 90cm is sleek yet spacious with a main multifunction oven with over five shelf positions and a pyrolytic selfcleaning programme.

A second tall static oven has four shelves and a second grill. It comes with a gas hob with six burners or an induction with five zones. Prices start from £2,399

Size matters Measure your space if you’re replacing a freestanding cooker and want to retain your existing units either side. The standard sizes can range from a slim 50cm to 55cm and 60cm, so switch like with like unless you want to remodel. Standard sizes for a range cooker are 90cm, 100cm and 110cm, though some are as wide as 120cm.

Complete package The freestanding cooker is an all-in-one unit with oven or ovens, grill and hob in one space.

You won’t need to buy and build separate units to house it, and it can be removed easily if you move house. This also means they are easier to take out and repair should things go wrong.

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Money saving If you have an eye on budget, a freestanding oven can be cheaper than a built-in model and separate hob. It’s possible to get a basic single-oven model for less than £200 – though the more expensive a cooker is, the more advanced functions it’s likely to have to help you serve up restaurant-quality dishes.

FEATIURE ALISON JONES

a cracking cooker for style and budget Three TOP TIPS toyourgetkitchen

MEAL MAKERS

Best for quick cooking Fan ovens can speed up cooking, and the new Hotpoint double oven has them both top and bottom. The compact oven can prepare everyday meals with savings of up to 15 per cent in time and energy.

The main oven has four shelves to cook multiple dishes – making six shelves when the two ovens are combined. The HDM67V8D2CX/UK costs around £655 from Hotpoint Best for on-trend looks Embrace Bright Skies, Dulux’s colour of the year, in an oven; the Stoves Richmond Deluxe comes in a dozen different shades, including the new blue.

The Deluxe goes from 90-110cm wide – the S900 dual fuel option has five gas burners on the hob, three ovens and can be controlled via an app. The Richmond Deluxe costs from £1,899

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Freestanding or range cookers are an ideal choice for the kitchen as they wrap up oven space and a hob on top in one product, but there are a number of things to consider when looking to purchase one.

Firstly, consider the fuel type: i Electric – most electric ovens use a fan to help spread heat around for even cooking. i Gas – offers precise control on the hob while a gas oven creates moist conditions that are ideal for roasts and baking. i Dual fuel – this has the flexibility of both gas and electricity. Typically, the hob is gas for instant heat, with an electric oven for a consistent cook.

When deciding, you need to think about what your kitchen is already set up to cater for, but also your cooking style. For example, if you bake, an electric cooker may be preferable as it distributes heat equally. If you’re an avid cook in the kitchen, however, then a gas or induction hob might be more suitable as this is similar to the style of a professional kitchen.

Power supply for this type of appliance does very much depend on your choice of fuel, but due to their larger size, particularly with range cookers, most will require at least a 32 amp outlet.

These cooker models now offer a choice of ovens, too, and many freestanding ones tend to feature two-cavity cooker ovens, which is great when you need the extra space. If you enjoy making lots of casseroles, roast dinners or cooking for large groups, range cookers are the perfect option as they have as many as four cavities for oven cooking and up to seven burners on the hob in the larger sizes.

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Scan for cookers for all budgets

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REALHOMES.COM

Best for compact spaces Rangemaster is offering the range experience, no matter how small your kitchen, with its 60cm freestanding cooker. The bijoux beauty comes in four fuel types – induction, dual fuel ceramic and gas – with generous oven capacity and programmable features. The induction hob includes touch control and automatic switch off on individual zones to stop overcooking.

The Rangemaster costs from £879 with a ceramic hob to £999 with an induction

Sophie Beckett-Smith, large appliance expert at ao.com, advises on buying a new cooker:

THE EDIT

Slow cookers Cook up a storm with help from these easy-to-use designs. For winter evenings and chilly mornings, they make a hearty dish simple to cook COOK’S

Festive CORNER mulled wine

FEATURE ANNIE COLLYER RECIPE LAKELAND

Chalk board 3.5ltr slow cooker, £29.99, Russell Hobbs

Instant pot 60 Duo 7-in-1 multiuse 5.7ltr cooker, £99.99, Robert Dyas

Crock-Pot DuraCeramic Sauté 5ltr slow cooker, £99.99, John Lewis & Partners

What to do 1. Check the instructions on your slow cooker, preheating it if necessary.

2. Place all the ingredients into the slow cooker, cover and cook on low for 2 to 2.5 hours.

3. Turn the slow cooker setting to auto. As guests arrive, ladle into heatproof glasses with a slice of orange and star anise, cloves and a cinnamon stick.

}} Get all the details on the best slow cookers at realhomes.com

Ninja Foodi Max electric multi pressure cooker, £229, Currys

Scandi 3.5ltr slow cooker, £34.99, Tower

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REALHOMES.COM

Swan Retro 1.5ltr slow cooker, £19.95, Amazon

You’ll need Q Two x 750ml bottles red wine Q 100ml Cointreau or brandy Q 100g golden caster sugar Q Pared zest of one orange Q Pared zest of one lemon Q Two cinnamon sticks Q Two cloves Q One star anise Q Orange slices – to serve Q Star anise, cloves and cinnamon sticks (optional) – to serve

NEXT MONTH: THE COOLEST WINE FRIDGES

(serves eight to 10)

THE EDIT

Metro tiles 2

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FEATURE ANNIE COLLYER

1 Metro blush tile, £30 per m2, Topps Tiles 2 Trentie blue gloss metro ceramic tile, £12 per m2, B&Q 3 Dyroy aqua tile, £49.34 per m2, CTD Tiles 4 Ice grey marble metro tile, £49 per m2, Starel Stones 5 Victoria metro tile in green, £28.35 per m2, Victorian Plumbing 6 Victorian mango metro tile, £26.95 per m2, Walls & Floors 7 Dark grey metro tile, £25 per m2, Tile Giant 8 Dark grey metro tile, £15.99 per m2, Tile Mountain

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REALHOMES.COM

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NEXT MONTH: CREATE A DISPLAY WITH OPEN SHELVING

Inject some colour into your contemporary bathroom with these versatile designs. Here’s our edit of the best layouts for a fun, stand-out space

THE EDIT

Floor cleaners Christmas thrills can lead to spills of the food and wine kind.

Keep your floors pristine with a quick but deep clean

REVIEW CORNER

BEST FOR BUDGET

PowerClean with Deep Reach PowerBrush, £149.99, Bissell

Steam and Clean steam mop, £39.99, Russell Hobbs

Best carpet cleaner The festive season can be hard on the home: lots of food and drink means your floors and furniture are at risk. In case of accidents, call in The Rug Doctor! It has a powerful suction and a large water tank big enough to clean the whole house.

Plus, it’s multiuse, so you can clean any surface – from floors to furniture and even the mattress.

We’ll drink (carefully) to that.

SE 4001 carpet cleaner, £199.99, Karcher

Henry Wash HVW 370-2 carpet cleaner, £199, ao.com

SPECIFICATIONS Clean water tank capacity: 3.7ltrs Cable length: 6.7m Weight: 9.5kg Price: £249, Amazon REASONS TO BUY O

Compact and portable O Motorised brush

REASONS TO AVOID

FEATURE ALISON JONES

O

Beldray Clean & Dry cordless hard floor cleaner, £149.99, Argos

Platinum SmartWash with motion sense technology, £299.99, Vax

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sunda y project Stuck for ideas this weekend? Get your DIY fix and delve right in with our quick and easy ways to update your home for less

You’ll need:

An English garden Christmas

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You may have spotted this gorgeous floral tablescape in our real home on page 85. Now we’re here to show you how to create the look! Interior stylist Justin Coakley reveals his step-by-step guide to forming this original take on a Christmas dinner table. It’s a breath of fresh air and we can’t wait to try it...

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Protek wood stain paint sample pots, shown here in Olive Green, Cashmere, Nude Taupe and Gold from the Royal Metallics range A medium-sized paintbrush Finer paintbrush for the edges Terracotta pots Chicken wire/mesh or pieces of floral foam Wire cutters Pieces of flat plastic cut in squares for inside the pots Eucalyptus & flowers for the pots

What to do: WORDS AMELIA SMITH/JUSTIN COAKLEY PHOTOGRAPH CHRIS SNOOK STYLING JUSTIN COAKLEY/DESIGN AT NINETEEN

1 Lay your terracotta pots down on a

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9 Paint sample pots, £4 each, or £17.99 each for 1ltr, Protek

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clean surface, ensure they’re clean and wiped clear of any excess dust Decide on your colour scheme. I went for a muted, pared-back look with no more than three colours – this creates impact. Paint the pots in your colours and allow to dry for up to an hour.

Prepare your flowers. I cut the stems relatively short, using the pots to gauge the exact length I needed them.

I wanted the flowers to sit quite low so that I can see my guests opposite me.

Once your pots are dry, paint the rim in gold with the finer brush. Allow to dry.

Line your pots with pieces of plastic so they retain water for the flowers Take your chicken mesh wire and cut to size. Fold it into your pots, leaving enough holes for your flowers to sit in.

Arrange your cut flowers. I chose soft yellow roses for the centre and then spread pale pink roses around the border, filling the gaps with pieces of eucalyptus for a Christmassy touch.

Place your pots down the middle of your table. I chose alternating coloured pots all the way down.

Arrange candles, tea lights and place mats around them, then prepare for a Christmas meal with a centrepiece that’s the talk of the table.

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